Poker players are speaking out about promotional patch restrictions after the World Series of Poker sent its first round of rejection letters for the summer series.
The controversial changes to Section 52 of the Official WSOP rule set deal with the image and likeness of participants and what players are allowed to wear at any of the featured tables in Las Vegas.
Players must now clear their promo clothing with WSOP and Caesars at least 24 hours in advance of a featured table or face disqualification if they refuse to remove it.
WSOP history is a tug-of-war of patch guidelines and restrictions, but the post-ESPN years have mostly enjoyed a hands-off approach from tournament organizers.
This year is different, however, after 2025's ClubWPT Gold controversy and the aggressive marketing of other unregulated poker sites. With ESPN coming back on board, it seems a new approach is now necessary.
CoinPoker rejected
On Friday, Patrick 'Pads' Leonard shared the details after his request for approval was denied as an ambassador for CoinPoker. His message, which has since been seen over five million times, was a warning to anyone who was looking to draft him in this year's $25K Fantasy contest.
"Not sure what/if I’ll play [at the WSOP]," Pads said on X. "Currently been denied to wear a patch, which I believe can lead to disqualification at the tournament director's discretion. I imagine, as with a lot of other players, this will complicate things."
Leonard said he would respect the rules even if he disagrees with them.
"I do think that sites are extremely demotivated to invest in players in our space when the flagship series restricts outside investment."
Regardless of how one might interpret the WSOP's role in the growth of online poker sites, the rules are specific about what they will deny: "Under no circumstances will Host Properties permit" any of the following:
- False claims
- Non-prescription drugs, tobacco, firearms, and firearm ammunition
- "Any material constituting or relating to a lottery, a contest of any kind in which the public is unfairly treated or any enterprise, service or product that abets, assists or promotes illegal gambling."
- Controversial and obscene/vulgar language
- Pornography
- Intellectual property
- Libelous material
- Anything that might negatively impact the WSOP or Host Properties
Crypto sites like CoinPoker and Phenom Poker are not regulated in the US, and the US is on a list of restricted territories in CoinPoker's terms and conditions. Given that, the response from WSOP should not come as much of a surprise.
Regulated sites in the clear?
But what about regulated competitors of the WSOP? Will their patches be denied?
Joey Ingram weighed in on X, saying that ACR and BetMGM are reportedly approved partners at the WSOP. BetMGM is a regulated site that operates in several states, so it likely doesn't run afoul of what WSOP is trying to prevent. PokerStars and BetRivers could enjoy the same positive treatment.
ACR, on the other hand, is not a regulated poker site in the US, so it may cause some confusion this summer if it is one of the approved platforms. According to a running list shared by Shaun Deeb on X, ACR has been approved, while other rejections include Phenom Poker and ClubWPT Gold.
That distinction may raise questions about how the WSOP is applying the policy – whether regulation status alone determines approval or whether additional factors are being considered.
Specific rules aside, the WSOP is a private business operating on private property, so they can restrict whatever they want with very few exceptions.
For now, players competing for bracelets this summer may have little choice but to comply.
