The Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) has issued a statement in response to criticism that it has not done enough to punish Absolute Poker and UltimateBet for the cheating scandals that took place on their websites, as they fall under the KGC’s jurisdiction.

Part of the statement reads, “Over the past several months, it was discovered that individuals within the KGC’s licensees – Absolute Poker and UltimateBet – had created a scheme to carry out and cheat players.

“In both cases, the improper conduct of these individuals was brought to the attention of the licensees, and the KGC, by affected players.  The KGC acknowledges the diligence and sophistication displayed by these players and the role they played in bringing these matters to light.”

The first scandal was with Absolute Poker which happened last year, when it was discovered that a player was able to see all the other players’ hole cards in a tournament on the website.  It was brought to light by some of the other players noticing suspicious behaviour by the cheat.

The cheating went on for a period of six weeks around this time last year and the KGC fined Absolute Poker $500,000 as well as other penalties as a result of a detailed investigation into the affair.

The KGC also found that the directors and owners of the site were not involved in the cheating nor did it benefit them in any way.

The KGC’s statement also mentions that they are happy that Absolute Poker’s customers affected by the cheating have had their cash refunded.  As it reads, “The KGC was provided evidence that all players affected by the cheating were fully reimbursed for their losses.”

Soon after the KGC had dealt with the Absolute Poker cheating scandal, allegations of cheating were beginning to be made about online poker games on the UltimateBet website.

Coincidentally or not, UltimateBet is a sister company to Absolute Poker.

On UltimateBet, the statement reads, “Over the past several months the KGC has been closely involved in an in-depth investigation of the UltimateBet cheating allegations.”

The KGC have argued that steps have been taken to identify and correct the faults in UltimateBet’s computer system, which allowed cheating to occur.  There has also been effort made to identify the cheaters and to reimburse the victims of the cheating.

On this issue, the statement reads, “Unfortunately, the KGC’s actions were not well communicated to the poker industry or public at large, creating an incorrect perception that the KGC was ‘doing nothing.’”

The KGC have also announced that they have uncovered some key findings in the UltimateBet investigation and will decide on a course of action over the next week or so.

The KGC have defended their record, as the statement goes on to read, “It should be stressed that the KGC’s primary concern throughout both matters was to ensure that affected players were fully reimbursed and that corrective measures were implemented to prevent against any further incidents of cheating.

“Both of these concerns have been accomplished – as evidenced by the fact that the recent concerns that have been raised about the Absolute Poker and UltimateBet matters are not being driven by affected players.”

Source:http://www.onlinecasinopress.co.uk/