Accusations and Immediate Action
Nick Vertucci, co-founder of Hustler Casino Live (HCL), has been ousted from his role following allegations of sexual harassment. The controversy began when Julia McBride, a frequent player on the HCL stream, accused Vertucci of making inappropriate advances and banning her from the stream when she rejected him. Her accusations, shared on social media, included screenshots of their text exchanges where Vertucci allegedly made unwanted comments.
After McBride’s post, other women within the poker community, including prominent players like Kitty Kuo, also came forward with similar stories. Kuo shared an incident from 2019 when Vertucci allegedly showed her explicit photos during a live-streamed game. Additionally, a Hustler dealer named Lauren claimed she faced severe harassment from Vertucci, which led to her job loss when she reported the behavior.
HCL’s Response and Fallout
In light of these escalating allegations, Ryan Feldman, Vertucci’s business partner, announced that effective immediately, Vertucci would no longer be involved with High Stakes Poker Productions, the company behind Hustler Casino Live. Feldman emphasized HCL’s commitment to providing a safe environment for players and promised continued efforts to deliver high-stakes poker content.
Broader Impact on the Poker Community
The poker community has been divided in its reaction. While several high-profile figures, such as Garrett Adelstein and Arden Cho, publicly condemned Vertucci’s actions, others expressed reluctance to speak out, citing fears of being banned from the stream or losing professional opportunities. Matt Berkey, another prominent player, criticized the lack of support for those affected and called for more accountability from HCL.
As the story unfolds, many await further developments and the potential for a full investigation into Vertucci’s conduct and the culture within Hustler Casino Live.
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