Earlier this month, three-time World Series of Poker Circuit ring winner Chan Pelton (pictured) was involved in an incident in which he reportedly tried to remove at least one chip from a Circuit event in Florida at Palm Beach Kennel Club. PokerNews quoted WSOP’s Jessica Welman saying at the time, “Tournament staff discovered a player had removed chips from the chip set being used in the event. The Palm Beach Kennel Club and local gaming authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the event and the player’s eligibility.”

PokerNews added, “Pelton apparently tried to pocket a T25,000 chip, but was caught by tournament staff. The chip swipe is said to have occurred after he had won, and Pelton claimed he only wanted it for a souvenir.”

Flash-forward to Wednesday, when officials stripped him of his title, banned him from all Caesars properties, and announced that he would receive no prize money. Palm Beach Kennel Club officials announced via a press release, “An act of theft of poker room property – the removal of a poker chip off the poker table – by one of the two remaining players in the event was confirmed by video surveillance.”

According to the Kennel Club, Pelton removed the chip from his own stack, an act that was considered theft and a violation of tournament rules. Pelton is also banned from stepping foot on Palm Beach Kennel Club property.

Reaction on Twitter varied, with many seemingly surprised by the punishment handed down. ESPN poker commentator Lon McEachern Tweeted, “Don’t screw around with @wsop,” while PokerNews’ Chad Holloway echoed, “If it involves poker chips, be careful.”

Poker player Jason Brewer considered the punishment a bit much, posting on Twitter, “Understand ban in future events, being unsure of intent, but excessive to take away money and ring already earned.” Pelton’s win was worth $47,000 officially, although a heads-up deal took place.

According to SouthFlorida.com, Pelton plans to sue the WSOP. Chris Bolek, who finished in second place following the deal, will now receive first place money. Bolek’s original payday of $27,000 “will be divided among other tournament players,” according to the Florida news site.

Issues involving poker chips have run rampant in recent weeks. The prize pool of an event at Borgatais still frozen pending regulatory review after Christian Lusardiallegedly introduced fake chips. A class-action lawsuit was filed earlier this week against Borgata, and the top prize in the tournament was just shy of $400,000.

Meanwhile, down the Atlantic coast, “Rosa A. Nguyen, 36, and her husband, Vuong Q. Truong, 37… were charged with one count of theft and two counts of conspiracy to commit theft after allegedly putting doctored chips into circulation at Maryland Live Casino,” according to the Washington Post.

Additionally, in an ongoing investigation, ex-StratCom Deputy Commander Tim Giardinais in hot water with Horseshoe Council Bluffs in Iowa after reportedly introducing fake $500 chips at a cash game table, which he claimed he bought in a casino bathroom. He was relieved of his StartCom duties; Giardina was formerly in charge of US nuclear weapons.

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