Gossip Column: King’s Resort Owner Leon Tsoukernik is Suing Facebook For $24 Million in Damages

The latest gossip doing the rounds in the poker circles involves the owner of Europe’s largest casino King’s Resort, Leon Tsoukernik, who is suing the social media giant Facebook for allowing misleading advertising abusing the name of his company.

The news was first reported by a Czech daily newspaper Hospodářské noviny, on April 15. According to the report, Tsoukernik has approached a Pilsen court seeking eight figures in damages from the social network. So, what exactly happened?

Well, here is how the story unfolded. About four weeks ago, King’s Resort issued a warning on its website that malicious mobile adverts for online casinos were using pictures of King’s Resort to encourage players to download the app, offering players a CZK 3,000 (€115/$138) bonus when they signed up. The advert used the phrase, “The best Czech casino is now online!” But the fact of the matter is that the King’s Resort does not operate an online casino.

Being one of the largest and most well-known casinos of Europe, the King’s Resort has in the past hosted several prestigious poker tournaments, including WSOP Europe, the WSOP International Circuit, WPT Germany, and two editions of The Indian Poker Series (TIPS). It is not surprising how any misuse of the casino’s name and reputation is a matter of big concern for the top management.

“Someone who cannot be traced and therefore doesn’t even have a license to operate has decided to use our name, our casino, and advertise on Facebook,” Tsoukernik told the Czech daily newspaper. “As a result, [Facebook] is helping fraudsters and takes money for it. That’s why we’re suing [them] for harm.”

With only licensed casinos being allowed to operate in the Czech Republic, Tsoukernik contends that it’s Facebook’s responsibility to check these licenses. Operators have to prove to Facebook that they have licenses in order for them to continue operating Facebook pages. It seems like Facebook has failed to sufficiently carry out this duty.

According to the report, King’s Resort had requested multiple times to have these fake adverts removed, as King’s did not own an online casino and was in no way affiliated with these mobile adverts. Tsoukernik claimed that the casino had approached Facebook to remove the adverts, but apparently, no one got back to them. As a last resort, the casino and Tsoukernik decided to sue Facebook for €20,000,000 ($24 Million) in damages for Facebook’s negligence.

“In other media, if we want to advertise, they require us to prove the license, trademarks for the logo, and the like,” said Tsoukernik. “Even two years ago, Facebook demanded it from us, so I don’t understand how they can release such fraudulent advertising.”

Tsoukernik, a well-known name within the poker circuit, is presently ranked third on the Czech Republic’s All-Time Money List. He even won the King’s Short Deck €100K Super High Roller during the 2019 WSOP Europe series, besting 10-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Ivey heads-up. In January 2020, he collected a whopping $1.50 Million slots jackpot at the Casino Seefeld in Austria.

Despite a sparkling poker resume, Tsoukernik is no stranger to lawsuits. In 2017, Australian high-stakes poker player Matt Kirk had sued Tsoukernik for $2 Million, citing the non-payment of a loan from a heads-up match between the duo. Tsoukernik had filed a counterclaim against Kirk and the ARIA Resort & Casino, alleging that the Aria or individuals connected to the casino were backing Kirk financially.

Facebook is yet to comment on Tsoukernik`s lawsuit.