A $42,000 coin flip at SugarHouse Casino in 2017 between Doug Polk and commercial real estate manager Jeremy Kaufman was deemed illegal by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. As a result, the Philadelphia-area casino was fined $30,000.
The alleged illegal activity occurred after a filming of “Poker Night in America.” Deeb recorded the action and it was subsequently posted on YouTube.
Game Not Approved by PGCB
Polk and Kaufman flipped for $84,000 ($42,000 per gambler) in a one-off hand of 10-card stud. While that may appear harmless, the specific game is not approved by the PGCB. Therefore, a fine was handed down.
Neither player involved, apparently, knew they were doing anything illegal, understandably. The casino is responsible for paying the fine, not Polk or Kaufman.
However, it’s likely the PGCB never would have investigated if the video hadn’t been uploaded to social media. A member of the gaming board saw the YouTube video and then called for an investigation. Casino surveillance was also used as evidence.
A board spokesman said at a March 6 hearing that SugarHouse employees “permitted unapproved poker games.”
“The coverage showed that two patrons remained in the poker room after ‘Poker Night in America’ was over,” the board member said. “The poker supervisor instructed a dealer to deal the unauthorized game while a third patron recorded it on his cell phone.”
The board refused to let this one slide after discovering it wasn’t a one-time incident. Another alleged illegal act occurred during the investigation when five hands of open-face Chinese were dealt by a casino employee.
The board member also said that two SugarHouse employees were disciplined internally. As a result, both individuals resigned.
SugarHouse is required to pay the state $30,000 plus $2,500 in administrative fees.
Doug Polk and Shaun Deeb Apologize
Polk and Deeb made it clear they had no idea the flip was illegal. Both issued apologies on social media.
Deeb said on Twitter he apologized to “staff who got in trouble” and conceded he, along with Polk and Kaufman, pushed the dealers “to allow it” and “took advantage of their kindness.”
Polk was also contrite for his seemingly harmless actions. On the 2+2 forums he said he’s sorry that his “actions got the casino fined.”
“But more importantly that people potentially lost their jobs over this matter,” he continued.
Polk also said he didn’t know the bet was illegal. He claims “no one said anything to me and it wasn’t like we were doing it in secret.”
He concluded his post by again apologizing for his actions causing “harm to others.”
