WSOP Online Addresses RTA Concerns: Integrity a "Critical Issue"
WSOP Online issued a statement about game integrity in the wake of real-time assistance (RTA) allegations against the reigning WSOP.com Michigan Player of the Year while also asking that "players not rush to judgment without complete information to which they may not have access."
The statement comes after recent bracelet winner Kevin “GR4ND_THEFT” Ruscitti had his account temporarily suspended on WSOP Online after allegations by a group of Michigan poker pros that he had used RTA. Ruscitti denied using solvers during gameplay and expects his account to be reinstated after he submits basic identifying documentation.
In the written statement, posted to X, WSOP Online said that "integrity of play is a critical issue to both online poker players and operators alike" and that "only a human should be behind every player decision; only one player is entitled to act; (and) the player acting must be the individual vetted and cleared to play in the licensed gaming jurisdiction."
WSOP Suspends Michigan Online POY
RTA-Identifying Software & Cross Reference of RTA Tools
WSOP Online acknowledged that the site "discloses few specifics on security protocols designed to prevent identify and address breaches of airplay."
However, the site also verified several of its security measures, including "software which identifies the running of scripts, RTA's and similar programs while playing WSOP Online" and "cross reference of available RTA tools for matching hands on WSOP Online," as well as "analysis into player history tendencies vs. optimal performance."
Other security measures addressed in the statement include verification of all players by social security number and other identifying information, tracking of physical location and devices and analysis of shared device history and physical location history with other players.
The site seemed to address the recent RTA allegations against Ruscitti in asking players not to "rush to judgment" without complete information.
"All patrons are afforded rights to fair treatment under the privileged gaming licenses of Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Players remain an invaluable resource in identifying suspicious activity and are always encouraged to contact customer support at [email protected]."
Ruscitti, who recently defeated Cherish Andrews heads-up in an online bracelet event, confirmed to PokerNews earlier this week that his account had been frozen and was "under investigation."
A group of Michigan poker players including Ryan "MagicJohnson" Hiller and Mario Arribas spent weeks running Fair Play Checks against Ruscitti after he allegedly "bragged" to other Michigan players about using solvers during online events. Ruscitti denied using RTA and said the attacks against him were backlash from his success on the site.
Fair Play Checks can produce false positives, and Matt Berkey pointed out that some of the checks presented as evidence against Ruscitti were not "consistent w/positive hits (of RTA use)."
