A poker professional who falsely claimed to have insider information about fixed sports fixtures is facing up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty on Wednesday. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Professional poker player Corey Zeidman pleaded guilty on Wednesday to fraud after he falsely claimed to sports bettors that he had insider information about certain events. The $25m scheme ran between 2006 and 2020, with the Florida resident saying he knew about significant injuries to players, fixed games, and access to dirty officials.

Zeidman faces up to 20 years in prison and $3.6m in restitution. US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace remarked how the guilty plea “sends a message to all those who would prey upon the public by falsely advertising gambling” as a form of investment.

Zeidman even advertised his service on national radio

Bettors paid significant fees to Zeidman for the tips, with some individuals losing millions of dollars wagering on the outcomes of the supposedly fixed games. Zeidman even advertised his services on national radio to lure people into the network, changing the name frequently, including operating through the “Ray Palmer Group” and “Gordon Howard Global.”

Zeidman has been successful as a poker professional, including winning a bracelet during the World Series of Poker in 2012. The 63-year-old’s total live tournament cashes amount to more than $690,000, according to The Hendon Mob database.