The next big scandal
In case you missed it this week, Nick Vertucci is the name on everyone’s lips in the world of professional poker. The Co-Owner and Showrunner of Hustler Casino Live has lost his position on the livestream poker show after accusations surfaced of sexual harassment.
a series of suggestive text messages and even a picture of genitals shown at the poker table
Multiple women poker players have now come forward with their own stories about Vertucci, including a series of suggestive text messages and even a picture of genitals shown at the poker table. News has also surfaced of a Hustler Casino dealer called Lauren, supposedly let go after complaining about Vertucci’s behavior.
Co-host of the Nick Vertucci Show Veronica Brill has added fuel to the fire after speaking out on the issue in an interview. She described Vertucci as a “manipulator” and a “liar” who used his position to make himself look like a victim.
Now that the story has been boiling for a week, multiple other big names in the world of poker have had their say regarding Vertucci on social media. Nik Airball, Doug Polk, Garret Adelstein, and Matt Berkey have all been vocal regarding the scandal.
Airball and Berkey
Famously, Nik Airball and Matt Berkey don’t tend to agree on a lot. They played a poker grudge match in 2023 after Airball accused Berkey of being a “fraud.” However, this week it seems they can at least agree on their opinions regarding Vertucci’s character.
Airball took to X on Tuesday to address the situation, saying that he is “appalled by the behavior of Nick Vertucci and deeply troubled by the additional allegations:”
Meanwhile, Berkey decided to do his talking on his podcast, Only Friends. He took aim, not only at Vertucci, but also at Husler Casino Live itself. “This is what happens when you throw your support in droves to the people that don’t deserve it,” he said: “You get a corrupt stream; you get a corrupt owner who’s now leveraging his power and position to alienate young attractive women.”
Berkey believes the show is exploiting young, attractive women to gain more popularity, particularly with its Max Pain Monday edition. He also shared sympathy for the dealer let go by Hustler, describing her as “one of the best dealers” he has come across and expressing his hope that “she at least is made whole” after the ordeal.
Polk and Adelstein
Again, here are two more familiar faces that don’t get along. Doug Polk has publicly criticized Garret Adelstein repeatedly for his treatment of the Robbi Jade Lew cheating scandal. But like Airball and Berkey, the pair are united in their disdain for Vertucci.
it’s about time people stop protecting Hustler Casino Live and Vertucci”
Adelstein, who has not appeared on Hustler Casino Live since making cheating claims against Jade Lew, responded to the initial post of Julia ‘Queen of Palmdale,’ in which she shared screenshots of unwanted advances from Vertucci via text. The poker pro said “it’s about time people stop protecting Hustler Casino Live and Vertucci.”
In a separate post to his own page, Adelstein commended the “brave” women who had come forward with their stories about Vertucci. “By doing so, they have protected countless others from future harassment or worse,” he wrote. Adelstein went on to claim he would not return to Hustler Casino Live even with Vertucci gone:
Meanwhile, Polk is one person unafraid to share his opinion on any matter. Prior to the announcement of Vertucci’s departure from Hustler Casino Live this week, Polk used X to urge the show to remove Vertucci immediately, describing his behaviour as “horrific.” Avid content creator Polk emphasized that he would not be making a video on the topic, although said this might change “if more people come forward.”