Bryn Kenney is suing GGPoker over a stake in the company

Famous poker player Bryn Kenney has filed a lawsuit against the management of GGPoker, demanding recognition of his stake in the largest online room. Details of the legal dispute.

Bryn Kenney Sues GGPoker Management Over Disputed Equity Stake The Core of the Dispute Between Bryn Kenney and GGPoker Bryn Kenney, one of the most renowned professional poker players and the all-time live tournament earnings leader according to The Hendon Mob, has filed a civil lawsuit in Nevada against NSUS Group Inc.—the parent company of leading online poker site GGPoker. The lawsuit centers on a disagreement over an ownership stake in the company, which Kenney claims he was promised in exchange for his contributions to the platform’s growth. The civil case was filed in August in Clark County District Court. In response, NSUS Group CEO Mansuu “Michael” Kim submitted a motion in September seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed in its entirety. As of publication, both the complaint and the motion to dismiss remain under review by the court. Bryn Kenney’s Role in GGPoker’s Rise Kenney was among the first high-profile players to recognize GGPoker’s potential. He began playing on the site and actively promoting it as early as 2018, when the room was still relatively unknown on the global stage. This was well before Daniel Negreanu became the face of the brand. According to The Hendon Mob, in the summer of 2024, Kenney became the first player in history to surpass $90 million in live tournament winnings, underscoring his status in the poker world. In his lawsuit, Kenney asserts that his efforts were instrumental in transforming GGPoker from an obscure and untrusted platform into the world’s largest online poker room. He claims he not only served as an ambassador but also effectively managed site operations, created high roller tournaments from scratch, and recruited thousands of new players and agents to the platform. Details of the Lawsuit: Promises Kenney Claims Were Broken Court documents state that in 2018, GGPoker management—and Mansuu Kim personally—allegedly made several promises to Kenney. Specifically, these included: Weekly commission payments based on revenue generated by players he brought to the site, A 5% equity stake in GGPoker, Official roles as ambassador, head of game management, and chief recruiter of players and agents. According to the lawsuit, Kenney actively fulfilled these roles from 2018 through 2025, designing high roller tournaments and even advising management against decisions that could have hindered GGPoker’s growth. However, despite his contributions, Kenney claims that NSUS Group management gradually reneged on their commitments. Notably, players and agents he recruited were reclassified, effectively stripping him of his right to commissions. Kenney alleges that the failure to deliver the promised equity and the cessation of commission payments cost him tens of millions of dollars. He is seeking compensation for breach of contract and fraud by NSUS Group and Mansuu Kim. The Defendant’s Position: Motion to Dismiss In response to Kenney’s allegations, Mansuu Kim filed a motion asking the court to dismiss the fraud claims entirely. In the September 23 filing, Kim argues that Kenney’s accusations are based on unspecified and unsubstantiated promises that, according to Kim, were not believed by the broader poker community—including Kenney himself. Kim also contends that the lawsuit improperly equates him with other parties who never made any such statements. It’s worth noting that in 2024, NSUS Group acquired the rights to host the World Series of Poker (WSOP) from Caesars Entertainment for $500 million, highlighting the scale of its operations. Stats and What Happens Next At the time the lawsuit was filed, Bryn Kenney led the global live tournament earnings list with $90.8 million—$11 million ahead of his closest rival, Stephen Chidwick. The next court hearing in the case is scheduled for November 12. Quick Reference: Key Parties and Figures Plaintiff: Bryn Kenney Defendants: NSUS Group Inc., Mansuu “Michael” Kim Claimed Damages: Tens of millions of dollars (according to Kenney) Promised Equity: 5% in GGPoker Period of Collaboration: 2018–2025 Kenney’s Live Tournament Winnings: $90.8 million Nearest Earnings Rival: Stephen Chidwick ($79.8 million) Next Hearing Date: November 12 NSUS Group Deal: Acquisition of WSOP from Caesars Entertainment for $500 million (2024) Background: What Is GGPoker and Who Is Bryn Kenney? GGPoker is the world’s largest online poker room, having rapidly grown from a little-known site to a global leader in just a few years. Bryn Kenney is an American professional poker player renowned for his live tournament success and record-breaking winnings. According to Kenney, his contributions to GGPoker went beyond player recruitment—he also helped shape the structure and format of the site’s high roller tournaments. In 2022, Kenney was at the center of an online poker cheating scandal, but no direct allegations related to that controversy are part of the current legal proceedings. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For members of PPPoker clubs, this situation serves as a reminder of the importance of clear, documented agreements between players and platforms. Even the most prominent professionals may need legal protection for their interests when significant sums and business stakes are involved. Players should pay close attention to the terms of any partnership with poker platforms, especially when it comes to bringing in new users or contributing to the site’s development. All agreements should be in writing and clearly outline payment terms and profit sharing. Moreover, Bryn Kenney’s story shows that even major deals and promises can be challenged in court. For PPPoker club members, this is a reason to carefully consider the legal aspects of their relationships with site management and other participants in the online poker ecosystem.