Absolute Poker response to Kahnawake Gaming Commission

The following article details the response of Absolute Poker, to the findings presented by the report of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission:
http://www.pokerpages.com/poker-news/news/absolute-poker-responds-to-kgc-report-30279.htm

The Absolute Poker scandal was first brought to light by players (on Absolute Poker in October) who alleged that other players "were demonstrating the...'super-user' ability to see opponent's hole cards." This final report by the Commission comes more than two months after the incidents were perpetrated.

The statement from Absolute Poker seems very happy to put the matter behind it finally, and get on with business. They refer to the conditions (penalties) including audits and the $500,000 fine as a "severe penalty," however I'm not sure the online community of poker players and bloggers will be so quick to forgive and forget. I'm not sure that everyone would agree that this penalty was "severe" enough.

STILL, players do continue to play at Absolute Poker, despite this controversy. Perhaps now that Absolute finds itself under a microscope and a seemingly ever watchful eye, players may feel safer playing at this online poker room than at any other.

I'm reminded of the scene with Robin Williams in "The World According to Garp" when the plane crashes into the house that he and his wife have just been shown by the realtor. Garp consoles his wife who is obviously in shock at the incident, and tells the realtor that of course they'll take it, then tells his wife, "Honey, the chances of another plane hitting this house are astronomical. See? It's been pre-disastered. We're going to be safe here."

We shall see.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Kahnawake Gaming investigation report released

Following completion of it's investigation into cheating and impropriety by Absolute Poker, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission has released its report into the incidents and made it's rulings in the matter, which includes:

• Removal of all those involved with the cheating incident(s)
• Provision for continued reporting of business functions
• Random audits provided for, and to be paid by Absolute Poker
• Fine in the amount of $500,000

For the full text of the Commission's findings and report, please visit:

http://www.kahnawake.com/gamingcommission/KGC-AP-0111.pdf

The following user names were specifically included in the report as having been involved in the impugned activites and the Kahnawake Gaming Commision mandated their removal from involvement with Absolute Poker:

• GRAYCAT
• PAYUP
• STEAMROLLER
• POTRIPPER
• XXCASHMONEYXX also known as SUPERCARDM55
• DOUBLEDRAG
• RONFALDOXXB also known as ROMNALDO

This story received a great deal of coverage in the news, a number of blogs and forums, and the online poker community as a whole. The allegations and subsequent investigation put a black eye on the face of online poker and only served to tarnish the image of poker, and fueled efforts to ban US citizens from playing online poker. I am glad to see that the Commission has acted upon this incident, and perhaps this will disuade others from engaging in these types of activities in the future.

Probably the best coverage of this incident that I have viewed has been by Lou Kreiger, and I urge you to visit his blog at http://loukrieger.blogspot.com/ and read back through his coverage of the Absolute Poker debacle.

Regards,

cheer_dad