WSOP GGMillion Super High Roller Controversy. Just when you thought the world of online poker couldn’t get any more dramatic, a stunning new twist in the $25,000 GGMillion$ Super High Roller Championship has rocked the community. What started as a classic Cinderella story—an underdog scooping a huge prize—quickly unraveled into a scandal that has left fans, pros, and organizers buzzing.
Hosted by GGPoker, this year’s Super High Roller Championship was one of the hottest online events, attracting elite players from around the globe. But it was a lesser-known player, competing under the screen name ‘forzaitalia,’ who pulled off the shocker of the tournament, bagging a staggering $1.1 million along with a coveted WSOP bracelet. The poker world was in awe… until everything changed.
A Surprise Disqualification Rocks the Poker Scene
The drama began when the MTT Database Review Twitter account threw out a stunning claim that GGPoker had banned the tournament winner, sparking rumors of multi-accounting. “GG banned the winner of a 25k GGMillion SHR Championship and everyone laddered a FULL PAY JUMP,” they tweeted, setting off waves of speculation. Although details remain scarce, multi-accounting is widely believed to be at the heart of the disqualification, which led to a full reshuffling of the prize money.
‘Forzaitalia’ was later identified as Francesco Garofalo, a player with only $38,000 in previous winnings on GGPoker. His tournament win had seemed like an underdog triumph, as he held his own against well-known sharks like Chris Brewer, Bryn Kenney, and Patrick Leonard. Yet weeks after his victory, GGPoker announced that Garofalo was banned, his prize confiscated, and his name scrubbed from the championship.
Top Pros Reap a Windfall from the Prize Payout Shuffle
With Garofalo out, GGPoker redistributed his winnings among the final table players, creating a rare situation in poker where competitors suddenly found themselves with unexpected windfalls. Chris Brewer, who initially placed second, saw his payout jump by $256,866—bringing his total much closer to that coveted first-place prize. Bryn Kenney and Patrick Leonard also got a piece of the payout reshuffle, with Leonard even taking to Twitter to show his approval, calling it “a massive, massive props to GG.”
Even with the additional cash, the disqualification left the WSOP bracelet unclaimed, a disappointing finish for Brewer and others who had hoped for that top honor. Brewer, however, took it in stride, saying he was “quite happy either way” and noting his support for fair play measures.
A Growing Problem in Online Poker?
Garofalo’s disqualification isn’t an isolated incident; it comes right on the heels of another online scandal involving Michigan’s WSOP Online Player of the Year, Kevin “GR4ND_THEFT” Ruscitti, who faced suspension over alleged use of real-time assistance (RTA) tools. These incidents have sparked fresh debate over security and fairness in online poker, with many calling for platforms to step up their anti-cheating technology.
As it turns out, this isn’t the first time a high-profile player has been disqualified in a major online event. Back in 2007, the PokerStars WCOOP Main Event winner, ‘TheV0id,’ was banned, and their prize was redistributed. A similar situation happened in 2018 with Dutch player ‘wann2play’ losing a $1.35 million payout over multi-accounting violations. Each case has put a spotlight on the ongoing battle poker sites face in preventing cheating.
What’s Next for Online Poker?
With each controversy, the need for tighter online poker security becomes more urgent. While GGPoker’s actions have won some praise, players are eager for solutions that will help preserve the excitement and integrity of the game. Whether it’s through advanced technology or policy changes, the poker world is calling for a more secure playing environment.
The Garofalo case and others like it remind us all of the challenges the industry faces. For poker to continue thriving in the digital age, ensuring fair play will remain a top priority. This latest controversy has not only redefined the stakes for players but highlighted the path forward for online poker’s future.