WPT Global is facing backlash over the appointment of Tony ‘Ren’ Lin

WPT Global has drawn equal parts criticism and ridicule for its selection of avowed poker cheater Tony ‘Ren’ Lin as its latest ambassador.

On Monday (January 12), WPT Global announced the appointment of Tony ‘Ren’ Lin, writing to X: « Tony ‘Ren’ Lin joins WPT Global as our newest ambassador! One of the most successful players on the global live circuit, Tony brings over $16 million in live earnings and years of success to poker’s biggest stages. »

NEW AMBASSADOR

Tony ‘Ren’ Lin is joining WPT Global as our newest ambassador!

One of the most accomplished players on the global live circuit, Tony brings over $16 million in live winnings and years of success on poker’s biggest stages.

Welcome Tony! pic.twitter.com/QvD13HDKjL

— WPT Global (@wpt_global) January 12, 2026

However, the decision was met with criticism on social media, as Lin previously admitted to cheating, serving a temporary ban from poker for the second half of 2025. Lin was disqualified from the World Series of Poker Super Circuit main event in Cyprus last year for using a prohibited real-time assist (RTA), which led to an « indefinite suspension » from GGPoker and WSOP events as a result.

Other World Poker Tour brands, including the parent brand, distanced themselves from WPT Global following the announcement. ClubWPT Gold posted a picture of controversial alleged poker cheat Maurice Hawkins on X, joking that she had also signed him up as an ambassador.

And while we’re at it… pic.twitter.com/TTDDQfbZjP

— ClubWPT Gold (@ClubWPTGold) January 12, 2026

The World Poker Tour addressed X in a now-deleted post that said: « WPT Global is a licensee of the World Poker Tour. We do not officially endorse any of their ambassadors. » By Tuesday, Dara O’Kearney and David Lapine of the Chip Race podcast had stepped down as ambassadors over the appointment.

In a statement posted on X, the duo wrote: « In June 2025 we joined WPT Global as ambassadors, bringing The Chip Race content under their sponsorship. We are extremely grateful for the role Cameron Soane played in closing this deal. We have seen WPT Global make waves in the poker space and in particular invest in the Irish market. We wanted to be a part of this and believed our brands were aligned both in terms of goals and values.

« The signing of Ren Lin as a Global Ambassador came as a shock to us. Given our personal and open views on the scandal surrounding him, it was immediately apparent that our continued roles with the company were untenable. As a result, we are parting ways with WPT Global. »

ANNOUNCEMENT pic.twitter.com/zPqEdR8yyR

— The Chip Race (@thechiprace) January 13, 2026

WPT Global doubles

WPT Global has since doubled down on its ambassador selection, writing in a now-deleted X post: « We are thorough when reviewing every ambassador we work with, including Tony Lin, and have complete confidence in his integrity and standards. We select ambassadors based on proven performance and results, not follower count.

« Players like @TheBradOwen & @rampagepoker are great vlog farm watchers, but are they great poker players? While others may prioritize ‘influence’. We stand apart. »

https://t.co/FQnDmnQ0Mt

— WPT Global (@wpt_global) January 12, 2026

In a second, longer statement, also shared with X, WPT Global indirectly acknowledged the cheating scandal, writing: « WPT Global remains dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, security and fairness in online poker. Our decision to partner with Tony is rooted in our belief in second chances and our focus on the future. »

Featured Image: WPT Global