The poker world is still reeling after WPT Global announced Ren Lin as a new brand ambassador, sparking controversy due to Lin’s previous involvement in a high-profile online cheating scandal on GGPoker.
Lin, who had been indefinitely suspended from GGPoker, WSOP, and affiliated platforms for allegations of ghosting and real-time assistance, returned to competitive play less than two months later. He participated in the WSOP Paradise festival in the Bahamas, cashing in three events—without wearing any GGPoker branding—before being officially signed by WPT Global.
Community and Internal Backlash
The announcement drew immediate pushback from the poker community and even from entities under the WPT umbrella.
- The official World Poker Tour account on X clarified that WPT did not endorse WPT Global’s ambassador choices.
- ClubWPT Gold, known for its edgy social media presence, posted an image of Lin with a bold “BANNED” stamp, later deleting it. Its Creative Director, Thomas Keeling, compared Lin’s signing to controversies like the Mike Postle cheating scandal.
- WPT Global deleted its initial promotional post but later defended the decision, highlighting Lin’s accountability and personal growth:
“Tony has openly addressed past controversies, taken full responsibility for his actions, and accepted the consequences with humility… His journey reflects resilience—a quality we admire and wish to highlight.”
Chip Race Podcast Parts Ways
The fallout escalated when David Lappin and Dara O’Kearney, hosts of the Chip Race podcast sponsored by WPT Global, announced they were ending their partnership.
“The signing of Ren Lin as a Global Ambassador came as a shock to us… Given our outspoken views on the scandal surrounding him, it was immediately obvious that our continued roles with the company were untenable,” the duo said.
Lappin had been one of the most vocal critics of Lin during the initial cheating controversy.
Lin’s Continued Success
Despite the controversy, Lin has remained active on the live tournament circuit, accumulating over $14 million in earnings since 2023, including cashes at WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star, events in Korea, and the WPT World Championship festival at Wynn Las Vegas. With WPT Global reaffirming its support, Lin is expected to represent the brand in future live appearances.
The saga highlights the ongoing tension between past controversies and current opportunities in professional poker, raising questions about accountability, redemption, and brand alignment in the modern poker industry.
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