WPT Global Signs Tony "Ren" Lin as Poker Ambassador
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Phil Ivey. Fintan Hand. Pete Chen. Now add Tony "Ren" Lin as a WPT Global Ambassador.
With over $16 million in career earnings, Lin sits third on the Chinese all-time money list and joins the site after more recently serving as a GGPoker ambassador.
However, the site is already facing questions after signing an admitted poker cheat, with Lin serving a suspension from poker in the latter portion of 2025.
WPT Global Defends Signing Amidst Lin Controversy
In late 2025, Lin was disqualified from the World Series of Poker Super Circuit Main Event in Cyprus for using prohibited real-time assistance (RTA). The incident led to several bans, with Lin "indefinitely suspended" from both GGPoker and WSOP events as a result.
Daniel Negreanu defended Lin, suggesting his actions were a lapse in judgment rather than a calculated attempt to cheat, but it appeared that Lin lost his GGPoker sponsorship as a result of this incident.
Despite this, Lin returned to the professional circuit at the WSOP Paradise just seven weeks later, sparking further debate over the consistency of poker's disciplinary actions.
"We select ambassadors based on proven performance and results, not follower counts"
WPT Global defended the signing of Lin, posting on social media that they thoroughly review every ambassador they work with, and that they have "full confidence" in Lin's integrity and standards.
"We select ambassadors based on proven performance and results, not follower counts," they said. "Others may prioritize “influence”. We stand apart. We’ll be working with Tony to share more of his side of the story soon."
In a separate post, the World Poker Tour officially distanced itself from the signing.
"WPT Global is a licensee of the World Poker Tour," the post said. "We do not officially endorse any of their ambassadors."
WPT Global "Believes in Second Chances"
Later, in a separate statement, WPT Global said they "believe in the principles of growth, accountability, and redemption," and that their decision to sign Lin stemmed from their belief in second chances and the focus on the future.
"At WPT Global, we believe in the principles of growth, accountability, and redemption. The world of competitive poker is not only about winning hands, but also about personal evolution and the courage to face challenges with integrity.
"We are honored to welcome Tony Lin as our newest brand ambassador. Tony has openly addressed past controversies, taken full responsibility for his actions, and accepted the consequences with humility. His willingness to learn, improve, and move forward demonstrates a maturity that aligns with our values. His journey reflects resilience—a quality we admire and wish to highlight. We recognize that people can learn from their experiences and contribute positively to the community.
"WPT Global remains dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, security, and fairness in online poker. Our decision to collaborate with Tony is rooted in our belief in second chances and our focus on the future. We stand by our platform, our players, and our ambassadors as we continue to foster a respectful and trustworthy poker environment.
"We look forward to Tony’s positive contributions and encourage our community to join us in supporting growth, both at the tables and beyond.
Thank you for your trust in WPT Global."
Who is Ren Lin?
Lin rose to prominence in 2022 during a deep run in the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic, where his infectious personality caught the industry's attention. He soon established a reputation as one of poker's most charismatic and entertaining figures.
In 2023, Lin defeated PokerStars Ambassador Jason Koon to win the $50,000 WPT Alpha8 in Las Vegas for $1,045,781. The following year, he finished 112th in the WSOP Main Event and narrowly missed out on a maiden bracelet after finishing runner-up in the 2024 WSOP Paradise Mystery Millions Online.
