Bilzerian Remains a GGPoker Ambassador Despite “Sacking”

Summary

• Bilzerian’s name and picture from the site on International Women’s Day, suggesting he was sacked
• GGPoker announces via Twitter that their partnership with Bilzerian continues
• The poker community has erupted in anger at the announcement

GGPoker has once again come under fire for apparently mis-leading the poker community to believe that it had already parted ways with Dan Bilzerian.

On International Women’s Day, the operator wiped out all traces of the self-proclaimed King of Instagram from its site, giving rise to speculations that he was fired from his role as brand ambassador. However, the operator confirmed in a recent tweet that Bilzerian is still part of the GGPoker family.

GGPoker would like to confirm that Dan Bilzerian remains a partner.

We will continue to work closely with Dan to engage with new player communities and grow our favorite game.

Expect to hear about some new and exciting partnership activities in the coming months.

— GGPoker (@GGPoker) March 23, 2022

GGPoker was heavily criticized for hiring Bilzerian, who is considered by many to be a notorious sexist and misogynist, as brand ambassador back in December 2020. Despite the flak, the operator stood by its decision and went on to cut ties with Vanessa Kade, a staunch advocate for women in poker, terminating her affiliate account with the site right on International Women’s Day in 2021. The operator ditched Kade after she spoke up against Bilzerian’s controversial signing.

On International Women’s Day 2022, Bilzerian’s image was entirely removed from the site, with several poker media outlets reporting that GGPoker might have sacked him. This was welcomed as good news by the poker community though the operator did not comment or release an official statement on the matter.

Amid the rumors surrounding the mysterious disappearance of Bilzerian’s name and image from the site, GGPoker has now clarified that its partnership with the 41-year-old still stands and that they will continue to work together towards growing the brand and promoting the game to more people.

Criticism Piles Up Against GGPoker

Right after GGPoker tweeted about its continued relationship with Bilzerian, it was bombarded by criticisms from poker pros and women in poker. To avoid negative commentaries on its Twitter announcement, the operator turned off comments, a move described as cowardly by members of the poker community.

Kade was among the first to react, hitting out at the site for creating more mess, making decisions that will further destroy its own image.

Can’t imagine a way to blunder literally every decision and communication since this mess started more than they actually have. It’s kind of incredible really.

You’d think they’d invest in some good PR.

Disallowing comments on their announcement is embarrassing and says it all.

— Vanessa Kade (@VanessaKade) March 23, 2022

Poker journalist Jennifer Newell was also vocal about her disgust at GGPoker’s latest announcement and her comments about other GGPoker ambassadors remaining mum on the issue including Daniel Negreanu.

.@RealKidPoker If you'd like to make a comment about the continued @ggpoker support of Bilzerian, I'm happy to print and amplify that comment. I'll wait.

— Jennifer Newell (@WriterJen) March 23, 2022