18 May
Seals with Clubs founder Bryan Micon has run into a new problem in preparing a defense toward fighting the charge of operating an unlicensed poker site in Nevada. His effort to raise cash in order to pay costly attorney fees has apparently been stopped by GoFundMe, the website used to accept donations.
Those following the goings-on involving the cryptocurrency proponent already know that Micon and his team of partners operated Seals With Clubs – a Bitcoin-only poker site that achieved modest success. Micon resided in Nevada and the site was shut down by state gaming authorities in February after a raid on his home.
Micon packed up and took his show on the road, relocating to Antigua and re-launching the poker room under a new name and new domain – SWCPoker. Trouble followed when authorities in Nevada issued a warrant for his arrest in April, charging the poker pro with “one count of operating an unlicensed gaming system.”
Claiming he has done no wrong, Micon vowed to fight the charge and established a fund to accept donations, asking those so inclined to toss money in the pot to help him defray legal costs in doing so. A lofty goal of $100,000 appeared unlikely to be reached after the poker-playing public eked out less than $4,000 in just over two weeks, many apparently put off by Micon’s previous claims of securing a substantial amount of wealth by buying low on Bitcoin as well as earning about $10,000-$12,000 per month from the rake at Seals With Clubs.
And now, Micon revealed via Twitter that the funding has stopped for undisclosed reasons.
Those attempting to donate to the cause receive the following message:
It is unclear what the next step will be in the Seals With Clubs saga. The latest update provided by the SWCPoker operator indicated a “stressful time” for he and his family.
The charge under the Nevada arrest warrant is a Class B felony that carries a possible 10 years in prison and $50,000 fine. SWCPoker currently averages 18 cash game players, according to PokerScout.
