(London Daily Mail) Britain’s oldest casino is investigating a £7.3 million win by the world’s top poker player – and is refusing to pay him a penny.
Crockfords, the exclusive Mayfair gaming club, has informed the Gambling Commission that it is withholding Phil Ivey’s payout.
A source with close knowledge of the dispute described the situation as unprecedented.
Accompanied by a ‘beautiful Oriental woman’, Mr Ivey, a 35-year-old Californian, was playing Punto Banco, which is a skill-free variant of baccarat, when he struck a remarkable winning streak.
The 184-year-old casino initially agreed to transfer the winnings to his bank account, but six weeks on it has returned only his £1?million stake.
Instead it began an exhaustive inquiry.
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