Is your poker money safe on all poker sites? Certainly with the biggest companies, but what about the rest of them. PokerStars and Full-Tilt make millions of pounds profit every year; however, these sites have become far too difficult to make money on, due, mainly to the general standard of solid players. So, semi-pro players take their buck to the smaller poker sites, deemed as softer, more rake-back friendly, but will they have the money to pay you?

A story I have been following closely over the past six months is regarding the poker player Miikka Anttonen, who has been playing at a well known European online poker network. In fact, listed as part of the fifth largest European poker network in average players, the actual site in question is TowerGaming (Ongame). Miikka Anttonen was a sponsored player, and signed a contract to acquire all that comes with it, sponser, rake-back; affiliates etc... Whilst the player continued to play some European poker tour events, using the sponsorship deal offered by TG in 2009, the relationship seemed well-founded at first.

However, after the first couple of tournaments the relationship took a downward spiral, shortly after a new website skin was launched. Which was met with a lot of criticism from regulars, and it is believed to have led to a serious down-swing in player numbers. Miikka Anttonen then alleges that TG, reneged on the next down-payment for tournaments, for upcoming and already played events. The player in question then continued to play live major events, EPT's, WPT's, using the TG clothing allegedly promised expenses and buy-ins.

The funding for these events was all paid up-front, by selling a stake in himself on several European forums with the guarantee of part payment from the poker site. Going on to perform well in these events, cashing, online poker company TG then re-structured the deal to settle 50% of the player's costs for reasons unknown. Fast-forward through several EPT tournies, no expenses, or sponsorship was repaid to the player leaving him roughly $50k out of pocket in buy-ins and unpaid rake-back. Miikka Anttonen then alleges that TG have lied to him constantly about funds being paid, not reaching his account and unanswered e-mail; broken promises.

Allegations made:

-Tower Gaming has been lying to him for at least 6 months
-Promised to pay for his EPT season, made him play, didn't pay
-Lied to by people in very high positions in the company
-Rakebacks have not been paid and affiliates have been unable to contact them
-Warns of possible financial trouble, watch your bankrolls

Now the story has been updated to June 2010, the situation remains unresolved, and we now know why the case went quiet for so long. Miikka Anttonen had been offered a contract for 50% of the out-standing amount, if he agreed to keep quiet and no longer write blogs, or post on forums blackening the TG name. This contract offer was posted six months ago, yet still no payment has been made to him and it would seem the truth is about to come out.

Everyone seems to be pretty tight-lipped about the issue, as at present the standard poker player has not been affected by payout, withdrawing monies issues. It would appear that this case could be the tip of the iceberg, and many more stories are about to emerge, ranging from nonpayment of affiliates, to unpaid accounts. Many players will remain unconcerned by this story, but sometimes there is no smoke without fire, the next few days/weeks could become another dark day for the poker industry.