UltimateBet - Absolute Poker Scam

[jetset]

Latest development is another KGC press release promising an independent enquiry by online gambling consultant Frank Catania.

This is very disappointing and to my mind does not indicate good faith and an honest KGC intention to get to the bottom of this affair.

Although he is a knowledgeable (on regulatory matters) and respected figure in the industry, Catania can not imo be classified as "independent" in this matter due to his involvement with the KGC in its formative days, when he acted as consultant and helped to draft their regulations.

KGC would do far better by appointing a genuinely independent investigator, preferably aided by some of the player-detectives who have been so effective in uncovering these scandals.

Suspending the licence of Tokwiro would also be a good move until this business is finalised.

That's assuming there is a genuine desire to expose the sordid details of this mess to public scrutiny.....

In the meantime, here's the KGC statement:

KAHNAWAKE GAMING COMMISSION APPOINTS INDEPENDENT MONITORING-INVESTIGATION TEAM

Effective immediately, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) has appointed an independent monitor to investigate the KGC Licensee, Tokwiro Ent., parent company of both Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet, led by former New Jersey State Gaming Regulator, Frank Catania.

Mr. Catania is a former Director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), the regulatory and enforcement agency responsible for maintaining integrity and trust in all Atlantic City gaming operations. As division director, he was a driving force in updating the New Jersey Casino Control Act by fine tuning the balance between regulatory necessity and economic stewardship. After leaving the DGE, he served as the vice president in charge of compliance for Players International, Inc. where he was instrumental in resolving compliance issues the company had encountered in the State of Louisiana, prior to his appointment. He is a principal in Catania Gaming Consultants and the Law Offices of Catania & Associates LLC

The Independent Monitoring Team will be given the task of completing a full forensic audit/investigation of the online gaming business of both licensed entities. The main purpose of the investigation is to ensure that the games offered to the public are fair and honest and that all player protections as required by the Kahnawake Gaming Regulations are being complied with, without exception. The monitoring team will also be charged with verification that all those involved in the fraudulent activities in any manner, no matter how slight, have been or are removed from the licensee company and verify that Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker have submitted to full compliance with the directives issued by the KGC and recommended by the independent monitor.

Furthermore, Mr. Catania's team will be empowered by the KGC to have full access to interview all employees, past or present, review all records, contact and interview all sub contractors and individuals whom the monitoring team believes necessary. Any failure by the licensees could result in immediate revocation of their license privileges with the KGC. In the event that any criminal activity is found to have occurred, such activity will be reported to the appropriate authorities for possible prosecution.

KGC License Holder, Tokwiro Enterprises has agreed to comply fully and submit to this independent monitor.

KGC Chairman, Dean Montour adds, "While the ongoing investigative process has dominated the attention of the KGC in recent months, we are fully confident in the ability of the Independent Monitoring Team to deliver results and assist the Commission in bringing this matter to a decisive conclusion."

As per the terms of the monitoring agreement, and at the conclusion of the process, the KGC will review the report of the monitoring team and enter the results into their final considerations at the time of ruling in the Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker investigations.

Murray Marshall
Senior Advisor
Kahnawake Gaming Commission

[GaryWatson]

The facts are out there for all to see.

This saga has been going on far too long with no real solution. Maybe the 60minutes show will apply some real pressure, but I fear they may portray the whole industry as a scam.

AP/UB/Tokwiro/KGC have severely damaged trust within the industry.

I liked poker because it relied on the element of skill. If I failed I knew it was down to a bad run of cards or a lack of ability. I can live with that.

I dont like the idea of a lazy pro looking at my hole cards to gather my money quicker.

Several 2+2 members deserve full respect for their efforts. Revealing this crap does not help their cause but they are true poker players.

I feel im wasting my time commenting on threads like this. I can do very little.

Yes, Lots0 sums it up pretty accurately

[pokeraddict]

Several 2+2 members deserve full respect for their efforts. Revealing this crap does not help their cause but they are true poker players.

If you read through the threads you'll also see they have received threats from various sides too.

[lots0]

You know what will satisfy me...

Is when I see the Mounties marching the culprits (every last one of them) to jail in hand cuffs.

Until, this matter is turned over to law enforcement in Canada and a real investigation is done by real law enforcement, all Tokwiro's efforts to 'clear' their company name is in fact a joke... and not a very funny one at that.

If you read through the threads you'll also see they have received threats from various sides too.

Yup, these criminals (and that is what they are) will stop at nothing to be able to continue stealing money from Poker Players.

I can guarantee that whatever name Tokwiro comes up with... I will have it Blacklisted on my site within minutes... I hope other webmasters will do the same.

[Rusty]

One other thing this sordid affair proves is many of these so called gaming commissions never ever check the software of the operators they are supposed to regulate to make sure it is fair.
Lets face it if it wasn't for 2+2 this scam would in all likelihood still be ongoing.
I have never played anywhere that is regulated by kahnawake since this story broke and I hope many other players do the same.

[jetset]

One other thing this sordid affair proves is many of these so called gaming commissions never ever check the software of the operators they are supposed to regulate to make sure it is fair.
Lets face it if it wasn't for 2+2 this scam would in all likelihood still be ongoing.
I have never played anywhere that is regulated by kahnawake since this story broke and I hope many other players do the same.

Another excellent point, and one that the KGC has carefully steered clear of in its statements.

As to seeing the Mounties march the culprits off after a real investigation, I'm sure that eventuality appeals to all of us....but do the Canadian federal (or for that matter provincial) authorities have the cojones to risk another Mohawk "sovereignty" insurrection? So far there has been talk by officials but not a lot of action in that vein.

[GaryWatson]

Its OK, AP have their own police force.

http://www.autochtones.ca/portal/en/...?article_id=25

[lots0]

From the link Gary posted, it looks like the more respectable Mohawks Chiefs are well aware of Mr. Joe Norton's lack of respect for the law... any law.

[jimbler]

Sad to say lots of money!

It doesn't make sense to me. Hellmuth could take his pick from any poker site, yet he chooses to be associated with these crooks?

I'm guessing Phil's not short of a buck, so even if he needed to take a small pay cut, I would have thought it was worth it instead of having your reputation tarnished......even more in his case.

[winbig]

It doesn't make sense to me. Hellmuth could take his pick from any poker site, yet he chooses to be associated with these crooks?

I'm guessing Phil's not short of a buck, so even if he needed to take a small pay cut, I would have thought it was worth it instead of having your reputation tarnished......even more in his case.

I think it's either 1 of 2 things:

1: UB has Phil Brainwashed
2: Phil signed a 5+ year contract and can't get out of it