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WPT Global Adds Tony Lin as Ambassador, Lappin and O’Kearney Resign

By Samantha Doyle

2 hours ago

Samantha Doyle 2 hours ago

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WPT Global names Ren Lin as ambassador, causing Chip Race hosts to resign.
The decision revives discussions on trust and redemption in poker.
WPT Global defends Lin, citing resolved issues and improved performance.

Tony Ren Lin

Poker platform WPT Global has made a controversial start to the new year by appointing Ren Jiang “Tony” Lin as a brand ambassador. While the site has framed the decision as a step forward, it has also resulted in the departure of two prominent voices in poker media: Chip Race podcast hosts David Lappin and Dara O’Kearney.

The announcement quickly became a flashpoint in an ongoing industry discussion about trust, second chances, and how much responsibility platforms bear when promoting players with a disciplinary past.

A Look Back at the 2025 RTA Incident

Tony Lin’s past came under scrutiny in late 2025 when PokerNews reported on an alleged real-time assistance (RTA) incident during an online final table. The case involved claims that live strategic advice was provided mid-play, with chat logs appearing to show Lin apologizing for his role.

Lin responded publicly at the time, admitting he gave advice “instinctively” when asked and acknowledging it was a violation of the rules. The fallout included disqualification from a major WSOP Super Circuit Main Event in Cyprus, along with penalties across several poker sites.

WPT Global’s Justification

In announcing Lin’s new role, WPT Global didn’t avoid the controversy. Instead, the site made a point of addressing it directly. A blog post accompanying the ambassador reveal cited Lin’s involvement in a “very public” RTA case, while emphasizing that he had faced sanctions and made restitution.

The site said its decision to partner with Lin is based on “proven performance and results,” and expressed support for sharing Lin’s side of the story. The message was clear: the company views the matter as resolved, and the ambassador role as part of a fresh start.

Ambassadors Step Down in Protest

David Lappin and Dara O’Kearney, who had been affiliated with WPT Global through their podcast Chip Race, quickly responded to the announcement by stepping down. In a joint statement, the two said they were not consulted about the decision and that continuing their partnership under the new circumstances was “untenable.”

The podcast will continue independently, but the move marks a sharp and very public split between the two hosts and the brand.

WPT vs. WPT Global: A Clarification

Adding to the public confusion, PokerNews reported that the live tournament brand World Poker Tour briefly posted a clarification distancing itself from the decision. The post, which was later removed, stated that WPT Global operates under license and that its ambassador decisions are not representative of the WPT brand.

The deletion did little to quiet the speculation, but it underscored a point that’s often lost on casual observers: WPT Global and the WPT live tour are related, but separate entities.

A Wider Conversation About Redemption

Beyond the headlines, the story reflects an unresolved question for poker: how should players and platforms navigate integrity violations once disciplinary action has been taken?

Some in the community believe players deserve the opportunity to move forward once sanctions are complete. Others feel that ambassador roles, which are public-facing and often aspirational, should come with a higher standard of accountability.

In either case, the departure of Lappin and O’Kearney shows that these decisions don’t exist in a vacuum and that platforms are likely to face scrutiny not just from the public, but from within their own ranks.

What Comes Next

WPT Global stands by its new ambassador. Chip Race has moved on. And the poker industry continues to face difficult questions about how to handle conduct cases in the era of real-time assistance, online transparency, and growing sponsor visibility.

This story may have started with one signing, but it has quickly become a case study in how poker handles second chances and who gets to decide when they’re given.