The "Laptopgate" Fallout
Many will remember last year’s widely discussed “Laptopgate” incident. During the WSOP Main Event final table, winner Jonathan Tamayo faced allegations that his friends in the audience were feeding him strategic advice. It was reported that a poker solver was running on a laptop in the crowd, potentially helping Tamayo with his decision-making.
Although no official wrongdoing was confirmed, the controversy sparked a heated debate around technology use in live poker settings. In response, WSOP has now implemented stricter rules to safeguard the fairness and integrity of the game.
Under the new policy, players reaching the final three tables must surrender all electronic devices, which will only be returned during breaks or after elimination. The same rules apply to spectators, who are not allowed to watch live streams or communicate with players in any way. Violations can lead to player disqualification or removal of spectators from the venue.
The Exception That Raises Questions
Despite this strict phone ban, there's one notable exception: players participating in simultaneous WSOP.com bracelet events are still allowed to use their devices—even during the critical final stages of live tournaments.
This loophole has drawn sharp criticism from the poker community, as it creates potential avenues for unfair advantages. Players could theoretically receive notifications or messages during hands, which undermines the intent of the ban.
As Kevin Mathers (a.k.a. Kevmath) pointed out, players can have the WSOP app open while still receiving messages, essentially bypassing the restrictions. Many within the community are calling for a reconsideration of this exception and for the enforcement of clear and consistent rules.
Vlogging and Recording Also Restricted
The crackdown doesn’t stop with electronic devices. WSOP has also announced that players without official media credentials will no longer be allowed to record or livestream videos from tournaments. The only exception is recording your own “all-in” hand.
This move will hit poker vloggers the hardest—especially those who regularly share content from live events. Many community members have expressed disappointment, noting that WSOP videos are a favorite among fans and have played a major role in popularizing poker to a wider audience.
It remains unclear whether this is a permanent ban or just a temporary measure for this year. Popular content creator Rampage has already been denied a media credential for 2025, sparking further debate.
Officially my sign to quit poker, thanks @WSOP pic.twitter.com/pfqkG0Lrzo
— Rampage (@rampagepoker) May 6, 2025
WSOP’s Defense: Game Integrity Above All
WSOP organizers have defended the new policies, emphasizing that they are necessary to protect game integrity and ensure a level playing field. In a world where technology can easily tip the scales, they argue that it’s essential to set clear boundaries.
WSOP 2025 kicks off on May 27. The question now is: Will the organizers revisit any of these rules before then—or are we truly entering a new era of WSOP?
Sources – WSOP, X, PokerStrategy, CardPlayer, Poker.org, 2+2