WSOP Flasher Ken Strauss Given Probation and Banned from Vegas for Terrorism Threats

Ken Strauss, the poker player who became headline news after flashing at last year’s WSOP Main Event and was later charged with making terrorist threats, has this week been spared a jail sentence…

The 46-year old was instead sentenced instead to 2 years’ probation, with a similar length ban on entering Clark County or contacting any Vegas casino. Strauss must also undergo mental health treatment as part of his guilty plea deal.

Strauss shot to infamy when his trouser-dropping antics at last summer’s Main Event were caught on camera, the Pittsburgh man flashing his genitals before throwing one of his shoes at the dealer.

Kicked out of the Rio, Strauss then made his way to the Luxor and once again exhibited bizarre and offensive behaviour, this time atop a craps table.

What followed was much more serious, Strauss using Twitter to threaten various casinos, including:

“…all Casinos that have me banned will be destroyed effective immediately.”

By the end of July, Strauss was moving from hotel to hotel, accused of trying to lure a child to his hotel room at the Red Rock, followed by a ‘suicidal person’ call being placed by the Venetian to the police.

The LVMPD finally tracked Strauss down to the Trump Tower hotel, arresting him and charging him with ‘conspiracy to make a threat or convey false information concerning an act of terrorism’.

A ‘malicious destruction of property’ charge was also added, although Strauss refused to appear at his initial court hearing, the judge declaring him incompetent to stand trial and sending him to a Clark County psychiatric hospital indefinitely.

Released recently, Strauss’ deal will see him avoid jail time. Speaking to the court via video conferencing late last week, Strauss stated:

“I’m just very sorry for what happened. And I’m just going to continue focusing on my mental health improving.”

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