European Poker Tour Paris 2025 Event Cancelled

PARIS, FRANCE (BrokeFish Poker) -- The European Poker Tour's February 2025 stop in Paris, France has been cancelled. A statement from the PokerStars Live Events Team issued today cited "unforseen changes in French government polices" for the cancellation.

Here is the full statement from PokerStars:

It is with great regret that PokerStars and Club Barrière announce the cancellation of the European Poker Tour (EPT) Paris 2025, originally scheduled for February 2025.

This decision comes as a result of unforeseen changes in French government policies and ongoing regulatory developments in Paris, which are entirely beyond our control.

While we are closely monitoring the evolving legal landscape, the current uncertainty surrounding licensing requirements has left us with no alternative but to cancel the February event. We are, however, exploring the feasibility of rescheduling EPT Paris at a later date.

PokerStars and Club Barrière remain committed to collaborating with local authorities to achieve a more stable regulatory framework. We remain optimistic that this will pave the way for the return of one of the most beloved stops on the EPT circuit.

We understand the disappointment this news will bring to our players and the wider poker community. To those who have already secured online packages for EPT or FPS Paris, our team will reach out directly with further information. Players with additional questions or concerns are encouraged to contact us at live@pokerstarslive.com.

We thank you for your understanding and assure you that we will provide updates on any

developments as they arise.

Juvenile Arrested for Murdering Poker Player Matthew Bergart

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (BrokeFish Poker) -- Police have arrested a 16-year-old male from Brampton, Ontario, Canada for the Murder of professional poker player Matthew Bergart.

The arrest was made at a music studio on Monday. The 16-year-old, who is not being identified pursuant to Canadian regulations around juveniles charged with crimes, was arrested along with 22 other individuals. Police found 16 firearms and ammunition at the scene. In addition to charges related to the firearms, the 16-year-old faces a charge of Murder in the Second Degree for the killing of Mr. Bergart. 

Mr. Bergart was killed in April 2024 while he was a guest at a home that was the scene of an armed robbery allegedly committed the 16-year-old juvenile and two others. The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.

--Matt Soleyn, Senior News Editor, BrokeFish Poker

A Las Vegas Poker Room Will Close Next Month

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA (BrokeFish Poker) — Las Vegas is losing another poker room. The Sahara, located at the far North end of the Las Vegas Strip, is shutting its poker room on November 16th. The closure of the room will result in the loss of several tournaments.

The Sahara Las Vegas Poker Room

Paul Hobson, the General Manager of The Sahara, said that the space where the poker room is located will be used for additional  slot machines, including an area where players can play new test games.

-Matt Soleyn, Senior News Editor

Police Say a Hit & Run Outside an Ohio Poker Room was Actually a Robbery & Murder

 

RIVERSIDE, OHIO, USA (BrokeFish Poker) – On October 4, 2023 police responded to what appeared to be a hit & run accident at The Poker Hub at 5520 Burkhardt Road in Riverside, Ohio. Police found a 58-year-old man, David L. Mills of Beavercreek, Ohio, with a serious head injury. Mr. Mills was transported to Miami Valley Hospital, but a few days later would die die as a result of the injuries sustained.

This week, Montgomery County, Ohio prosecutors announced that three men have been indicted on felony charges in connection with the death of Mr. Mills:

• Eric Caldwell, age 23, of Dayton, Ohio
• John Disney, age 35, of Dayton, Ohio
• Ryan Wilson, age 40, of Dayton, Ohio

Suspects Eric Caldwell (left), John Disney (center), and Ryan Wilson (right)

Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Disney, and Mr. Wilson are accused of robbing Mr. Mills, hitting him with a car and then fleeing the scene. The trio were indicted by a Grand Jury for murder, aggravated robbery, and felonious assault. Mr. Wilson is already in custody for an unrelated case and is begin held ast the Mansfield Correctional Institution. Arrest warrants have been issued to take Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Disney into custody. It is expected that the three will be arraigned in Montgomery County, Ohio court on November 5, 2024 at 8:30 AM local time.

--Matt Soleyn, Senior News Editor, BrokeFish Poker

Bally’s Black Hawk Addresses Tournament Chip Discrepancy from Recent Main Event

BLACK HAWK, COLORADO, USA (BrokeFish Poker) — A recent tournament chip discrepancy during the recent Bally’s Poker Open Main Event is being addressed by management of Bally’s Black Hawk. The event, which ran October 10-13, was a $1,200 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold’Em tournament with a 14.2% rake. During the event it was found by tournament directors that more chips were in play than there should’ve been based on the number of entries. 

Amid speculation about the issue, Bally’s Black Hawk issued a statement late Friday outlining the issue, confirming that an investigation is underway in cooperation with the Colorado Division of Gaming, and noting that they are implementing changes after a review of tournament procedures:

During the main event of the most recent BPO, Bally's Poker Room Management identified a discrepancy in the tournament chips, where more chips were in play than could be accounted for by the tournament structure, the number of buy-ins, or the standard color-up processes between rounds. Upon discovering the issue, Bally's promptly notified the Colorado Division of Gaming, and we have been actively investigating the matter in cooperation with the Division. Additionally, we have conducted a thorough review of our tournament procedures and are implementing changes to enhance the way our tournaments are conducted.

As the leading poker tournament venue in Colorado, maintaining the highest level of transparency and integrity in our events is our top priority. We deeply value our guests and recognize that unanswered questions can lead to speculation and erode trust. As we continue our investigation, we will keep the poker community informed of any significant findings. In the meantime, we appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to resolve this matter.

Bally’s Black Hawk

BrokeFish Poker will keep the poker community updated as more information becomes available about the investigation and corrective action.

--Matt Soleyn, Senior News Editor, BrokeFish Poker

Professional Poker Player Damien LeForbes Pleads Guilty to Federal Offenses

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA (BrokeFish Poker) – Professional poker player Damien LeForbes is facing up to 15 years behind jail and 6-figures in fines after pleading guilty to federal charges for money laundering and the operation of an unlawful sports betting operation. Mr. LeForbes, who earned over $56,000 in live poker tournaments according to The Hendon Mob, will be formally sentenced by a Federal Judge in January 2025.

Damien LeForbes

Mr. LeForbes is said to have been a frequent player at Resorts World Las Vegas. In the plea agreement that Mr. LeForbes signed, he admits to taking millions of dollars in illegal bets via checks, cash, cryptocurrency, and digital payment processors over a period of three years. Mr. LeForbes also admitted to recruiting casino employees to help enrich his operation.

Mr. LeForbes was being prosecuted by the United States Attorney for the Central District of California.

--Matt Soleyn, Senior News Editor, BrokeFish Poker

Concord Casino Owner Andy Sanborn Arrested on State Felony Charges

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, USA (BrokeFish Poker) — Former New Hampshire State Senator Anthony “Andy” M. Sanborn of Bedford, N.H. was arrested earlier today for theft by deception. Mr. Sanborn, the owner of Win Win Win, LLC which operates the now closed Concord Casino in Concord, New Hampshire is accused of misrepresenting the gross receipts of the business by approximately $1 million in order to receive over $188,000 more in grant money from New Hampshire’s “Main Street Relief Fund” that was established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella indicated alleged that “In their grant application, Win Win Win and Andy Sanborn distorted the casino’s gross receipts and this falsification resulted in Win Win Win and Andy Sanborn receiving $188,474.33 more in grant monies than the amount to which they were due under the grant formula.”

Anthony M. Sanborn, former New Hampshire State Senator and owner of Concord Casino

Theft by deception is a Class A felony in New Hampshire which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail. 

Mr. Sanborn has been in a legal battle over the licensure and sale of Concord Casino after the New Hampshire Lottery Commission declared him unsuitable to hold a charitable gaming license. That determination led to the closure of Concord Casino, effectively putting dealers and other staff out of work. Concord Casino’s closure also resulted in the elimination entirely of licensed live cash poker and tournament poker in the City of Concord.

According to a report from The New Hampshire Bulletin, Zachary Hafer and Adam Katz, attorneys for Mr. Sanborn, allege that the Attorney General is attempting to sabotage Mr. Sanborn’s attempt to sell Concord Casino. “In an eleventh hour attempt to sabotage a sale of Win Win Win, the same AG who has been enjoined repeatedly for violations of Mr. Sanborn’s constitutional rights by three New Hampshire superior court judges, who has had his legal positions soundly rejected time and again by administrative law judges (overseeing the licensing case), and whose office is currently facing potential sanctions for prosecutorial misconduct, has now arrested Mr. Sanborn on the eve of a sale to a qualified buyer. We are disappointed, but not surprised. And we remain confident that the New Hampshire judiciary will continue to do justice and hold the AG accountable,” wrote Mr. Hafer and Mr. Katz in a statement to The New Hampshire Bulletin.

Mr. Hafer and Mr. Katz’s allegation prosecutorial misconduct regards documents seized during the execution of a search warrant. The attorneys allege that notes about legal strategy and other items protected by attorney/client privilege were improperly turned over to investigators. 

While the Attorney General noted that “the charges for these arrests are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” it was also stated that a criminal investigation remains active and ongoing. For Mr. Sanborn, this means his legal woes may not be over as additional charges could be filed by State and/or Federal prosecutors in the future. 

--Matt Soleyn, Senior News Editor, BrokeFish Poker