The Promised 5% Stake and Overlooked WSOP Acquisition
Bryn Kenney began collaborating with GGPoker in March 2018 as an ambassador when the platform was still in its early stages. According to the lawsuit, NSUS head Mansoo Kim orally offered him an expanded role in August 2018, which included responsibilities as the chief recruiter and management head, weekly commissions, and a 5% equity stake in GGPoker.
Kenney states he dedicated up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week, to promoting and developing the platform, personally guaranteeing player winnings to dispel fears about the unknown brand.
The promised 5% stake was never officially documented or acknowledged. Ignoring this claim culminated in 2024 when the NSUS Group acquired the iconic World Series of Poker (WSOP) brand from Caesars Entertainment for $500 million, without Kenney’s stake being considered in any way.
Disappearing Commissions and Million-Dollar Losses
A significant part of the lawsuit revolves around financial disputes concerning the affiliate program. Thanks to thousands of players and agents Kenney brought to the platform, he earned approximately $5 million in commissions by 2019. However, GGPoker management allegedly began systematically reducing his earnings later on.
According to the lawsuit, the company started removing players from his network in internal systems, arbitrarily adjusting commission rates, making unjustified deductions, and directly approaching his agents to switch to the house.
These actions purportedly slashed Kenney’s annual commission earnings by over $3 million. He estimates total damages to be in the tens of millions, seeking financial compensation and detailed accounting from the court.
False Security Assurances and a Famous Lawsuit Quote
Kenney’s lawsuit also touches on the sensitive issue of online poker security. He claims Mansoo Kim assured him of robust security teams and anti-cheating measures. However, it later emerged that there was systematic foul play at the tables, with management allegedly attempting to pin part of the blame on him. Kenney eventually exited the ambassador program in 2020.
The lawsuit, filed by Kenney’s legal representatives, opens with a sharp thought from the poker world: “In poker, lies, deceit, and false claims are part of the game. In business, they are illegal.”
Interestingly, Kenney himself faced serious allegations in 2022 regarding scheme orchestration (ghosting, RTA, collusion).
Bryn Kenney initially filed the lawsuit in July 2026 in Clark County, Nevada, and it was moved to a federal court in August since Kim is not a U.S. citizen. Mansoo Kim's defense responded on September 23, 2026, with a motion to dismiss the fraud charges.
The court hearing is scheduled for November 12, 2026, before federal judge Jennifer A. Dorsey.
Sources: Next_io, Flickr
