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Alex Lynskey, the seventh place finisher at the 2018 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, is banned from playing at the Star Casino Sydney. The Australian poker pro with over $4.4 million in The Hendon Mob results, told PokerNews that he believes the casino banned him and others.
It's unclear as to why.
Lynskey surmises it may have to do with money laundering accusations lodged against the casino.
As reported by Poker News, The Star Entertainment Group, which owns six major casinos in Australia, reported $1.26 billion losses during the first half of 2023. Much of that had to do with an October 2022 financial crimes issue that resulted in a A$100 million fine ($62 million USD) and a temporary license suspension.
"In order to be seen to be doing something about this they have issued exclusions to many of their patrons who have made large transactions at the property in the past," Lynskey explained as to why he believes the players are being banned. "Probably a case of throwing a net to catch 20 criminals but 1,000 innocents have been caught in the crossfire, many of those are pro poker players who have perfectly legitimate reasons for these transactions."
Prior to the Lynskey ban, Crown is known to have begun excluding punters back in 2021. Crown has endured two years of inquiries and a serious threat to its licence over criminal links, money laundering and foreign influence.
Between 2014 and 2021, Star cultivated high-roller gamblers who are allegedly associated with criminal or foreign-influence operations.
The Sydney Morning Herald points to an alleged cocaine importer and a Canberra restaurateur as well as Australia’s biggest alleged tax cheats and corporate fraudsters and their ability to gamble vast amounts of money while ignoring a number of red flags about their conduct.
Other poker players banned include Najeem Ajez and Rehman Kassam, both with over $1 million in The Hendon Mob cashes.
Lynskey is part of a Change.org petition that was created by Craig Abernathy and already contains 447 signatures as of this week.
"The Star Entertainment Group of casinos has been issuing more than half a dozen of Australia's best poker players a Withdrawal of Licence under Common Law, stating they cannot enter or remain at The Star, Gold Coast; The Star, Sydney; Treasury, Brisbane indefinity, and if they do so the casino may advise the police and take further action against them."
The World Poker Tour (WPT) was taking place at the The Star Gold Coast Sept. 14-27, minus Lynskey, Ajez, Kassam and a host of others.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
