The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Millionaire Maker champion will collect the $1 million bonus check from ClubWPT Gold regardless of the WSOP’s ruling on the alleged chip-dumping scandal, PokerNews confirmed.
Jesse Yaginuma overcame a 9-1 chip deficit to James Carroll during heads-up play in the $1,500 buy-in tournament to win the $1,255,180 first-place prize, a payout that is currently in limbo due to an open investigation into the matter. Carroll’s $1,012,320 second-place cash also remains uncertain.
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Controversial Poker Champ Guaranteed $1 Million
The WSOP began investigating potential chip dumping between Carroll and Yaginuma shortly after the tournament concluded. Many poker fans on social media accused the heads-up foes of colluding to ensure the eventual champ won, as that player stood to win an extra $1 million from a ClubWPT Gold contest if he were to secure the bracelet.
ClubWPT Gold, a sweeps coin poker site, and the WSOP are separate entities. But the former has caused a stir at the 2025 World Series of Poker due to its $1 million promotion that had already been won by Michael Lavin, who took down WSOP Event #20 earlier this month.
Yaginuma is the second winner of the seven-figure jackpot, an award that will be paid out, PokerNews confirmed with Doug Polk, an ambassador for ClubWPT Gold. The poker site will honor Yaginuma at a ceremony Friday evening at Ole Red, a bar on the Las Vegas Strip, steps away from the WSOP.
As for the other $1.2 million he expected to earn from his tournament cash, along with the gold bracelet, that is still up in the air. The WSOP is still investigating the alleged chip-dumping scandal.
Did Chip Dumping Occur with $1 Million Bonus at Stake During WSOP Final Table?
