For the first time in the history of the World Series of Poker, a live event has concluded without awarding a bracelet due to integrity concerns. The controversy centers on Jesse Yaginuma and James Carroll, the last two players standing in the 2025 WSOP $1,500 buy-in Millionaire Maker event, a tournament that attracted 11,996 entrants. The final table, which was streamed live, has since become the focal point of a widespread scandal that has engulfed the poker world.

Jesse Yaginuma and James Carroll began heads-up play after outlasting a massive field. Carroll entered the duel with a commanding 9-to-1 chip lead. Despite the lopsided advantage, Yaginuma mounted a comeback and ultimately won the event. However, suspicions quickly arose regarding the integrity of the match, particularly given Yaginuma’s involvement in a ClubWPT Gold promotion known as the “Gold Rush.”

Yaginuma had qualified for the Millionaire Maker by winning a ClubWPT Gold “Gold Rush” ticket, which entitled him to an additional $1 million if he won a qualifying WSOP event. This promotion was exclusive and applied only to certain ClubWPT Gold players. Carroll was not eligible for the bonus. As a result, Yaginuma stood to collect $1,255,180 in first-place winnings plus an extra $1 million from ClubWPT Gold. Carroll, finishing second, was originally set to receive $1,012,320.

Following the conclusion of the match, viewers and members of the poker community raised concerns on social media and forums about several hands that appeared suspicious. Specific attention was given to instances where Carroll folded to large pre-flop raises and to one hand in which he folded top pair on the flop. These plays were widely discussed as unusual and prompted speculation that Carroll may have dumped chips to allow Yaginuma to win and secure the $1 million bonus.

The WSOP launched an internal investigation into the final stage of the event. On July 1, the WSOP issued a statement via social media confirming that no bracelet would be awarded for Event #53 (Millionaire Maker) and that the first- and second-place prize money would be split evenly between Yaginuma and Carroll. The WSOP cited the need to uphold tournament integrity and its official rules.

Yaginuma was in line to receive his fourth WSOP bracelet and his first in a live event. His three previous bracelets were won in online WSOP events in prior years. According to The Hendon Mob, Yaginuma has earned more than $3.9 million in live tournament winnings. Carroll has also had significant success in poker, with over $5 million in live earnings according to the same database.

Even though the WSOP decided to withhold the bracelet, ClubWPT Gold confirmed that it would proceed with awarding Yaginuma the $1 million bonus, which was the second time in the 2025 WSOP that a ClubWPT Gold “Gold Rush” promotion winner had gone on to win a bracelet. Earlier in the series, Michael Lavin earned $267,373 for winning Event #20: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em SHOOTOUT and received the $1 million bonus from ClubWPT Gold, totaling $1,267,373 in earnings.

ClubWPT Gold is a sweepstakes-based online poker platform affiliated with the World Poker Tour and launched publicly in early 2025. The site has introduced features and fee structures that have generated criticism from members of the poker community. One such feature is a time-bank system that charges players 20% of the big blind for 10 additional seconds of decision time. ClubWPT Gold has also faced scrutiny for its limited functionality at launch, including the absence of multi-tabling, hand histories, and an independent RNG audit. In response to feedback, the platform has lowered rake caps in higher-stakes games.

No official announcement has been made regarding disciplinary action against Yaginuma or Carroll. However, reports suggest both players may be banned permanently from all Caesars Entertainment properties, including the WSOP held in Las Vegas.