Should Poker Sites Ever Reinstate Players Banned for Cheating?
GGPoker, the most heavily trafficked online poker site in the world, recently announced an Olive Branch Initiative program that will give some banned players a second chance.
That move is unheard of in the online poker industry, where banned players rarely have an opportunity at redemption. Many poker pros have spoken out against GGPoker's offer, including Matt Berkey, who responded to a clip from Mike Holtz on the PokerNews Podcast.
"Assuming this isn't limited to minor infractions, this has to be one of the biggest f**k you's to regs and recs alike," Berkey wrote.
Berkey continued to slam GGPoker, writing: "Giving a second chance to people who find ways to steal through RTA, Multi Accounting, and botting is a crime in and of itself."
Online Poker Crusher Chimes In
Holtz, a Nevada online poker legend who won WSOP Online Player of the Year twice, had a similar take.
"The problem is some of these are having four accounts per table in some of these tournaments," Holtz said of those who multi-account, a violation of any poker site's rules.
Multi-accounting has been prevalent on most online poker sites for years. Some high-profile players, such as Justin Bonomo and Ali Imsirovic, have been forced to own up to multi-accounting.
Bonomo, who has been noticeably absent from tournament poker in 2025, overcame the heavy criticism he faced for multi-accounting in 2008. He's gone on to produce a Poker Hall of Fame-worthy career, with over $65 million in live tournament cashes, according to The Hendon Mob. But Imsirovic, the 2021 GPI Player of the Year, has been banned from multiple live poker tournaments.
Imsirovic, during the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP), admitted to multi-accounting. But he denied some cheating accusations. Jake Schindler, another high roller superstar who was also accused of cheating, has never publicly addressed the allegations, and hasn't been spotted at any live event in nearly two years.
It's unclear if Imsirovic has applied for reinstatement on GGPoker, and if the request would even be granted. The online poker giant required banned players to send an email by Oct. 1 and explain why they should receive a second chance. Decisions are expected to be made by Nov. 1, and each decision will be made on an individual basis.
GGPoker, in its announcement, didn't specify how many banned players would be reinstated, or if they would consider second chances for accounts that committed major infractions, such as collusion or real-time assistance (RTA) use. Holtz said he's fine bringing back certain banned accounts.
"I think people who have gotten banned for things like maybe VPN'ing years ago, or things like that, maybe we should give them a little leniency," Holtz argued.
GGPoker's decision has received criticism from some pros, but others have argued that players who are remorseful for their actions should be given a second chance.
