The World Series of Poker kicked off on Tuesday but Phil Ivey, one of the world’s best poker players, has elected to sit out of the multimillion dollar tournament due to Full Tilt’s failure to refund online players after the recent online poker sting. Ivey has played online on Full Tilt in addition to appearing in the company's television commercials.

"I am deeply disappointed and embarrassed that Full Tilt players have not been paid money they are owed. I am equally embarrassed that as a result many players cannot compete in tournaments and have suffered economic harm," Ivey stated on his website.

"I am not playing in the World Series of Poker as I do not believe it is fair that I compete when others cannot. I am doing everything I can to seek a solution to the problem as quickly as possible," he said.

On Wednesday, the 35-year-old superstar sued Tiltware, the software and marketing provider for Full Tilt Poker, alleging Full Tilt did not maintain a large enough reserve fund to refund the $150 million it now owes players.

"My name and reputation have been dragged through the mud, through the inactivity and indecision of others, and on behalf of all poker players I refuse to remain silent any longer," Ivey said. "I have electronically filed a lawsuit against Tiltware related to the unsettled player accounts. As I am sure the public can imagine, this was not an easy decision for me.”

Tiltware calls Ivey’s lawsuit “frivolous” and claims it only delays Full Tilt’s efforts to refund online players affected by the Black Friday sting.

"Contrary to his sanctimonious public statements, Phil Ivey's meritless lawsuit is about helping just one player -- himself," Tiltware said in a statement. "In an effort to further enrich himself at the expense of others, Mr. Ivey appears to have timed his lawsuit to thwart pending deals with several parties that would put money back in players' pockets.”

Known as the Tiger Woods of Poker, Phil Ivey has won eight Worlds Series of Poker bracelets and his total live tournament winnings exceed $13,800,000.

ESPN

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Categories: Online Gambling