Full Tilt Poker Being Sued By Clonie Gowen

And so it begins.

The ever present image of online poker and corporate sponsorship that is Full Tilt Poker is being attacked. Perhaps, it is better to say the image of online poker itself is being attacked once again. In this case, Full Tilt Poker is under fire by one of its own.

Clonie Gowen, a professional poker player from Oklahoma who is now based in Las Vegas is suing Full Tilt Poker for the amount of $40,000,000.

The suit alleges that Tiltware LLC., is in breach of several agreements made with Clonie Gowen. The suit is made up of allegations including breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and fraud to name just a few.

Apparently earlier in the week, Gowen was contacted by Full Tilt and informed that she would no longer be included on the site, with the promotional programs and her image to be removed along with any association.

Allegedly meetings had taken place between Gowen and Tiltware executives in Las Vegas back in 2004 where the structure of the deal between them was laid out and entered into. Gowen agreed by oral contract to endorse the website however no written agreements had ever been entered into. Instead, most meetings took place over the phone or in get togethers with Full Tilt executives.

Although no written contract was ever signed, that fact alone shouldn't put a damper on the suit. Oral agreements are binding and course of dealings can be reviewed to establish proof. It is imaginable that over the course of four years there will be substantial evidence to look at.

Tiltware LLC has released statements declaring there is no merit to Gowen's claim and that the lawsuit shall be resolved in due course.

Should be interesting to see how this one plays out.