The WSOP is undoubtedly one of the biggest - if not the biggest - events in the world of poker each summer. But the recent WSOP event has come into question because the players reportedly colluded for a bonus prize being offered by ClubWPT Gold. ClubWPT Gold allegedly promised bonuses to some WSOP winners, specifically James Carroll and Jesse Yaginuma, and WSOP is investigating the final results.

The World Series of Poker, known for being the most prestigious event on the poker calendar, is now involved in controversy following allegations of collusion at the final table of its 2025 Millionaire Maker tournament. At the heart of the uproar is a $1 million bonus promotion offered by ClubWPT Gold, a sweepstakes poker platform operated by the World Poker Tour, which is now drawing scrutiny from players, fans, and regulators.

During the final moments of the Millionaire Maker event, professional player Jesse Yaginuma was able to defeat James Carroll in heads-up play, not only earning the $1.2 million WSOP prize but also triggering a ClubWPT Gold bonus tied to their 'Gold Rush' sweepstakes promotion. However, the way in which the match unfolded raised eyebrows across the poker community and led the WSOP to announce a formal investigation into the legitimacy of the play.

ClubWPT Gold's sweepstakes bonus at the center

ClubWPT Gold launched its 'Gold Rush' sweepstakes earlier this year, offering freeroll poker tournaments on its platform where players could win Gold Rush tickets. These tickets made them eligible for a $1 million bonus if they went on to win any of nearly a dozen select WSOP bracelet events.

The promotion, though not officially sanctioned by the WSOP, created a lucrative incentive for participants - especially if they were already accomplished players. Earlier this summer, New Jersey's Michael Lavin became the first to claim the bonus after winning a WSOP shootout bracelet event.

The controversy intensified on Wednesday when Yaginuma, who held one of these Gold Rush tickets, won the highly competitive Millionaire Maker. Viewers watching the final table on livestream quickly took to social media, questioning Carroll’s play and suggesting possible 'chip dumping' to help Yaginuma win and secure the million-dollar ClubWPT bonus.

Suspicious hands fuel collusion allegations

Many poker fans and analysts noted peculiar plays during the heads-up battle, particularly Carroll's pattern of raising marginal hands only to fold to reraises from Yaginuma. In one widely discussed hand, Carroll lost a substantial portion of his chip stack on what appeared to be a weak bluff. These moments fueled speculation that the players may have reached a side agreement to share in the ClubWPT prize or that Carroll may have intentionally lost.

Despite a significant chip disadvantage, Yaginuma mounted a comeback and ultimately won the event. Carroll walked away with over $1 million for his second-place finish.

The WSOP announced Thursday on X that it is investigating the match and neither player has received their prize money pending the results of the inquiry. The WSOP strictly prohibits collusion, and while private deal-making at final tables is rumored to happen on occasion, it has never been permitted or recognized by the tournament itself.

Legal and regulatory clouds over sweepstakes poker

The timing of the controversy is especially notable as sweepstakes poker sites, including ClubWPT Gold, are already facing increased legal scrutiny. Earlier this year, Nevada lawmakers passed a bill aimed at banning unregulated gambling platforms, including sweepstakes-style gaming. Although Governor Joe Lombardo has not yet signed the bill into law, the largest sweeps poker operator, Global Poker, voluntarily exited the Nevada market in April.

ClubWPT Gold, which only launched in early 2025, is already unavailable in several states such as Delaware, Connecticut, and New York - all of which have either passed anti-sweepstakes legislation or are in the process of doing so. A new law in Connecticut, for instance, is set to take effect on October 1.

Despite this, ClubWPT Gold has not made public announcements regarding its exit from these states. As of now, the platform continues to operate in most states except for Michigan, Idaho, Washington, and Montana - the latter of which officially outlawed sweepstakes-style games earlier this year.

As of Friday, ClubWPT Gold has not issued any statement regarding whether it intends to honor Yaginuma's bonus or if it plans to revise the promotion in light of the controversy. The outcome of the WSOP investigation could significantly influence how sweepstakes-based poker promotions are handled, particularly when real-money bonuses intersect with major tournament events.