Russ Hamilton Publicly Named by KGC Report
I don’t see anything on the KGC website, but iGamingNews is reporting that Russ Hamilton is being named in an interim KGC report. A number of news sources including Poker King and CardPlayer have picked up the story and republished about it, so I am assuming they did some checking to make sure that iGamingNews was correct. The original story claims that Russ and others scammed UltimateBet players out of over $60 million dollars and that UB has, thus far, paid back $6.1 million. However, iGamingNews edited the story to say that it was actually an error and that $60 million was not correct, but they didn’t provide a corrected number. They do say that there are additional refunds coming (no later than November 3rd, so about a month), so obviously the total amount stolen by Russ & Co was over $6.1 million.
It is important to emphasize that Russ Hamilton is not the only individual involved (obviously), according to the iGamingNews story. It’s said that other names will be released. I have a bunch of guesses about some other names, but I guess I shouldn’t name people speculatively on here. There is a report from Frank Catania due sometime in November and the KGC is supposedly going to attempt to prosecute the cheaters. I’m not sure exactly what that means, but it would be nice to see some people actually help accountable.
The other bit of news is that UB was fined $1.5 million and given a zero tolerance policy on its KGC gaming license. Any more violations or lack of cooperation will, supposedly, lead to UB losing its license.
Source: iGamingNews article
PS – At least I was shown to be correct. I’m glad that the UB employees I talked to didn’t set me up to look like an idiot and completely frame Russ. Because then I would feel really bad.
PPS – Russ lied to Barry and Joe re: the PokerRoad interview. What did he really think he was going to accomplish by doing that? Just to put off the inevitable or hope that he could keep his name out of it? Seems pretty silly and hail mary-ish.
EDIT: Here is the report… KGC Report
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This is wonderful news. More names to come and they all need to serve real time in prison.
greg h.
September 30, 2008
RE: PPS, that was exactly my first thought: Barry Greenstein is going to skewer him for the bald faced lying he did to him for the PRR show.
Seriously, I fully expect BG to JS to hang him out to dry.
I can’t see how UB and AP can survive. There are so many better sites out there why bother with one that you KNOW cheated people.
gadzooks64
September 30, 2008
Wow the news keeps getting better and better. I followed all this on 2+2 and I agreed with you that it looked pretty damn likely that he was involved… but I honestly hoped that it was going to come out different.
Now with the 60 mins piece and the election coming up, not exactly the best timing.
Worm75
September 30, 2008
I wonder what Barry Greenstein has to say about Russ being named. Heard a podcast where he cast doubt that Russ was involved after having a meeting with him. Essentially bought into Russ’ BS from the sounds of it.”
DubsPoke
September 30, 2008
How much is the KGC going to fine themselves for having this happen under their watch and for being slow to investigate?
Dwight
September 30, 2008