Distinguished poker skilled and content material creator Charlie Carrel has publicly accused British Poker Sequence (BPS) director Shaun Johnston of owing him $60,000. Carrel took to social media to share his claims, stating that Johnston did not pay again funds associated to winnings from an unregulated on-line poker sport.
The Allegations
Carrel defined in an interview with PokerNews that Johnston was performing as an agent in an unregulated on-line poker membership the place Carrel was concerned.
In such setups, brokers are liable for managing gamers, overseeing transactions, and dealing with credit score. Carrel alleged that Johnston “hard-vouched” for a participant who in the end misplaced $60,000 however has not lined the debt, regardless of repeated assurances that he would.
In keeping with Carrel, he initially held Johnston in excessive regard, having participated in a BPS occasion at Aspers On line casino in London and having spoken positively in regards to the group. Nevertheless, a warning from one other poker participant about Johnston’s previous dealings led Carrel to research additional. He subsequently found discussions on the TwoPlusTwo poker discussion board and different reviews suggesting that Johnston had a historical past of failing to pay out gamers’ winnings.
Carrel acknowledged, “Generally I take my time earlier than calling someone out publicly, however this looks like a fairly good time to do it rapidly as a result of I spoke about this particular person in excessive regards.”
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Questions Over the Lacking Funds
Carrel stays not sure whether or not the supposed participant who misplaced the cash truly exists or if Johnston could have used a separate account to play underneath a unique id. He described the scenario as “a variety of shady shenanigans” and expressed issues that related incidents might occur to different gamers who won’t be capable of afford such losses.
“I don’t know whether or not this participant truly exists or whether or not it was simply Shaun on a unique account utilizing a VPN,” Carrel mentioned. “It’s very near stealing.”
Carrel additional defined that he initially trusted Johnston to pay again the quantity attributable to his place within the trade. Nevertheless, after a sequence of delays and excuses, Carrel felt compelled to take the matter public to warn others.
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Impression on the Poker Group
The allegations spotlight ongoing issues in regards to the security of on-line poker, notably in unregulated environments. Whereas Carrel acknowledged that these app-based video games might be profitable, he additionally emphasised the significance of repute and due diligence when coping with brokers and sport suppliers.
“This complete trade is constructed on repute,” Carrel mentioned, including that some poker golf equipment and unions have earned sturdy reputations for his or her integrity whereas others have been concerned in scams.
Carrel, who has a major following on YouTube and X (previously Twitter), expressed a want to enhance poker’s repute by exposing unhealthy actors. He talked about working with Dan “Jungleman” Cates to carry extra circumstances to gentle.
The controversy exploded after Carrel’s tweet on the matter gained traction, prompting responses from a number of revered figures in UK poker. Donna Morton, a widely known determine within the UK poker scene, replied, “He’s a nasty particular person. Am protecting it clear for a change,” and adopted up with one other publish saying, “His repute was toast a few years in the past, however individuals nonetheless thought the solar shone from his ass.’
One other person on X claimed: “Identified scammer. Owes 2 of my mates in extra of £10k every. When confronted, he sends abusive messages. Have prevented BPS just like the plague attributable to his connection.”
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Johnston’s Response
Johnston has not publicly responded to Carrel’s accusations as of but. PokerNews additionally contacted Johnston however he provided no remark.
Carrel acknowledged that he has delegated additional communications concerning compensation to his employees, as coping with unpaid money owed might be mentally exhausting.
“Anybody that’s been in poker has had a pal owe them cash, and it’s like, ‘Oh, subsequent week. Oh, this occurred. Oh, that occurred,’” Carrel mentioned. “It’s probably the most draining factor on this planet.”
Carrel’s revelations additionally elevate broader questions in regards to the safety of on-line poker, notably on unregulated platforms. He identified that whereas main websites have their very own safety flaws, these smaller club-based video games can provide an alternate, supplied reliable people run them.
He burdened that gamers must do thorough analysis earlier than becoming a member of any on-line sport: “Guarantee that particular person has a stellar repute as a result of, actually, this complete trade is constructed on repute.”
Calum Grant
Senior Editor & Reside Occasions Govt
