Absolute Cheating Report Released

The Kahnawa:ke Gaming Commission has concluded its investigation into malfeasance at Absolute Poker.

Click here to read the whole thing.

The main conclusions:

  1. Beginning on August 14 and continuing for six weeks, various accounts were used to view hole cards, and the person(s) responsible have been removed from any role at AP.
  2. After the activities took place, person(s) associated with AP operations deleted records and gaming logs to hamper the investigation.
  3. No evidence shows that AP sanctioned or initiated the activities.
  4. Principles of AP failed to contact the Kahnawa:ke Gaming Commission within 24 hours of becoming aware.
  5. AP reimbursed all players with interest, but anyone who still wishes to make a claim can do so within 60 days of this report.
  6. AP has taken appropriate actions to address the \”vulnerability in its systems\” to prevent this from happening again.

Sanctions against Absolute:

  1. AP operations will be subject to random audits of logs and records over the next two years, the costs of which will be paid by AP. The site must also implement a continuous compliance program, and any person(s) responsible for any part of the cheating scandal must be removed from any role at AP, which the Commission feels has been done.
  2. AP must pay a fine to the Commission of $500,000 due within 60 days.
  3. AP must give a security deposit to the Commission to be held for two years which may be used to offset the cost of any future breaches of rules, laws, and regulations.
  4. AP must pay the Commission for all costs incurred through the investigation, including the audit.

Finally, there is a resolution to this matter.


Yesterday, Chuck Barnett, member of the Board of Supervisors of Mohawk Internet Technologies, told me that the delay was due to the size of the audit report and the time it took to properly analyze it. Speaking of the members of the Commission, he said, \”I will say that this has been at the forefront of their attention for the past month. I know that they\’ve taken time away from their families during the holiday season to commit themselves to this task… This is a very serious situation which is being afforded the same sense of seriousness that it deserves.\”

The only questions that remain have to do with Absolute Poker and Mark Seif. Will they make any statements with regard to the decision?