Poker Pro Scott Ball Files $30M Lawsuit Against ACR Poker
A contractual dispute involving unpaid invoices and alleged defamation has led professional poker player Scott Ball to take legal action against ACR Poker, claiming damages of at least $30 million.
Allegations of Breach of Contract
Scott Ball, a well-known poker player, recently filed a lawsuit against ACR Poker, formerly Americas Cardroom, in San Diego Superior Court. The claim targets ACR Poker’s CEO, Phil Nagy, as well as International Processing Services and Foozle Ventures. The legal filing alleges that ACR Poker breached its agreement with Ball’s talent agency, End Game Talent, by failing to settle nine invoices issued between June 2023 and April 2024. Each invoice, reportedly valued at $3.3 million, remains unpaid despite the services provided by End Game Talent, which included hiring streamers to promote ACR Poker.
Seeking Restitution and Damages
In addition to claiming breach of contract, Ball’s lawsuit seeks restitution for unjust enrichment and demands compensation for defamation and trade libel. The total damages requested exceed $30 million and include legal fees. Ball asserts that defamatory statements made by Nagy in a podcast episode on OnlyFriends in August 2024 further harmed his reputation. According to the lawsuit, Nagy attributed payment failures to End Game Talent’s alleged inability to meet its commitments, stating that Ball’s agency “dropped the ball.” These statements, Ball claims, were made with malice to deflect responsibility.
Ball’s legal filing accuses the defendants of making defamatory statements with “actual malice and intent,” alleging that these remarks were aimed at undermining his reputation. The lawsuit claims the false statements were designed to shift blame away from ACR Poker’s own actions regarding unpaid invoices.
A Complex History of Disputes
This legal battle adds another layer to a broader dispute involving Ball and ACR Poker. While Ball is pursuing his claim against ACR Poker, he himself has faced legal action from Loaded LLC over similar allegations of unpaid debts. Ball contends that his inability to settle payments with Loaded LLC stems from ACR Poker’s failure to fulfill its financial obligations to End Game Talent.
The lawsuit marks a contentious point in a relationship that spanned more than seven years. As both parties await judicial resolution, the case may significantly impact the professional dynamics between Ball and ACR Poker, highlighting the complexities of contractual obligations in the gaming industry.
