Caesars Opposes Nevada's Online Poker 'Black Book' Plan

Caesars Interactive Entertainment, owners of WSOP.com, has opposed Nevada’s plans to create an online poker “Black Book” listing players banned for cheating. A legislative bill – Assembly Bill 380 (AB380) – was recently introduced which would seek to replicate the infamous “Black Book”, the nickname for the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) List of Excluded Persons. The Bill was drafted by professional poker player, Sara Cholhagian Ralston, working with part-time poker player and Assembly Speaker, Steve Yeager.

Caesars lobbyist Mike Alonso expressed concerns that the bill could lead to “burdensome litigation” and “compensation” issues for those cheated. Alonso stated that Caesars is already taking measures to keep bad actors off the site based on its terms of service. Danielle Barille, VP of online poker for Caesars Digital, which manages WSOP.com, rejected the idea that such a “Black Book” approach would increase transparency and player safety. Barille claimed that Caesars already do more than enough to combat such problems.

The NGCB “Black Book” currently has 35 people on it, ranging from gambling cheats to those who have stolen from casino patrons. Last year, the board voted unanimously to include a Vegas pimp who has a history of assaulting and forcing women into prostitution, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal. Kendrick Laronte Weatherspoon became the first person included on the list without “a history of cheating at gambling or involvement in organized crime”.