Loto-Québec’s online platform OK POKER was involved in a recent controversy after players have found a way to exploit mechanics in Texas Hold’em poker games. The crown corporation will have to answer in court after a class action lawsuit has been filed last year. According to which the online platform has been subject to a game-breaking glitch which player have abused.
There has been some development on the matter, after last week the Superior Court of Quebec has given the nod to begin the legal procedure after last year’s lawsuit was filed by lawyer Joey Zukran of LPC Avocats on behalf of Elisabetta Bertucci. Allegedly there was a game-breaking glitch that allowed iPad players to take unfair advantage of the game.
The Lawsuit
According to Ms. Bertucci between July 9, 2019, and May 18, 2020, people who played on an iPad had a significant advantage over non-iOS players. This was possible due to a glitch that allowed players to reveal their opponent’s cards on the gaming table while playing Texas Hold’em on the online platform. Also, she added that there is nothing you can do to stop it. And that is why she has decided to fight for her and everyone’s rights.
This exploit allowed iOS participants to see the opponent’s cards and fort different strategies in order to win. Ms. Bertucci claims that she had lost a significant amount of money due to the bugged mechanic. And if Loto-Quebec is proven guilty, the crown corporation will have to pay a few million dollars as coverage due to placing certain players at a disadvantage.
The lawsuit requires the crown agency to compensate all players who have used the platform by reimbursing their money and providing an additional CA$300 as punitive damages to each individual who has been the victim of the glitch. This applies to players who have used it since July 9, 2019, and played Texas Hold’em on the flawed online platform.
Loto-Quebec’s response was to deny the accusations and insisted that the company’s notion is that all players could have had access to the history of hands, irrespective of the device that they have been playing on. However, the crown agency decided to keep itself from further comments due to the ongoing legal process.
Unfair Advantage
Ms. Bertucci was the first one to seek a legal approach on the matter of the bugged online platform. According to the victim of this unfair advantage, she had lost around CA$18,000 during 2020 while playing on the digital gambling platform. The lawsuit was submitted in the Quebec Superior Court on June 1, 2020, and it received a green light just recently.
Bad Beat
Over the years the Crown corporation has found many ways to provide players with hefty payouts and jackpots. This was the case with the progressive Bad Beat jackpot which amounted to over CA$170,000. It was available on espacejeux.com in May 2020, the concept was designed for players who did not have luck while playing poker on the other platform. Four eights or better will allow players to win the progressive jackpot, which was a great way to provide some players with a second chance or the needed inspiration.
Source: Gagnon, Jean-Michel “OK POKER failures could cost Loto-Québec dearly”, Le Journal de Québec, February 16, 2021
