Ivey loses Crockfords court battle

Poker pro and self-confessed professional gambler Phil Ivey has lost the court case he brought against Genting UK’s Crockfords Club in a UK High Court today (Wednesday).

Readers will recall Crockfords refused to pay Ivey GBP 7.7 million in winnings following two day’s of playing a Baccarat version called Punto Banco in August 2012.

Ivey admitted to “edge counting” cards, with the collaboration of a female companion, but maintained that the practice was legal and didn’t constitute cheating. (See previous reports).

In handing down his decision Justice Mitting said – “Mr Ivey had gained himself an advantage and did so by using a croupier as his innocent agent or tool.

“It was not simply taking advantage of error on her part or an anomaly practised by the casino for which he was not responsible.

“He was doing it in circumstances where he knew that she and her superiors did not know the consequences of what she had done at his instigation.”

“This is, in my view, cheating for the purpose of civil law.”

Crockfords Club, responding to the ruling, said it was pleased with the judgement which supported its defence of the claim.

“It is our policy not to discuss our clients’ affairs in public and we very much regret that proceedings were brought against us.

“We attach the greatest importance to our exemplary reputation for fair, honest and professional conduct and today’s ruling vindicates the steps we have taken in this matter.”

Ivey’s spokesperson in a statement to the press said:

“I believe that what we did was a legitimate strategy and we did nothing more than exploit Crockfords’s failures to take proper steps to protect themselves against a player of my ability.  Clearly today the judge did not agree,” Ivey said of the ruling.

The court dismissed the case with costs and refused permission to appeal although Ivey’s legal team can renew their application to the court of appeal directly.

Related and similar