Nick Vertucci allegedly made unwanted advances to several people, including a poker regular
Nick Vertucci, co-founder of Hustler Casino Live, has been removed from his position following multiple allegations of sexual harassment. The decision came after a series of claims were made public, starting with poker regular Julie McBride, who shared inappropriate messages she received from Vertucci.
Effective immediately, Nick Vertucci will no longer be involved with High Stakes Poker Productions. We look forward to continuing to deliver the best high stakes poker content to the community.
— Hustler Casino Live (@HCLPokerShow) October 9, 2024
Despite McBride’s clear statements about having a boyfriend, Vertucci persisted in asking her for dates and requesting photos. He also reportedly contacted people from McBride’s circle in an attempt to find damaging information about her.
McBride’s revelations led to more women coming forward with their own stories. Kitty Kuo, a well-known poker player, confirmed that Vertucci had shown her inappropriate photos during a game. Additionally, Ash Kardash shared that Vertucci had suggested she enter into a “Sugar Daddy” relationship with him. These allegations created a growing wave of accusations, prompting a strong response from the poker community.
One of Hustler Casino Live’s popular players, Nik Airball, declared that he would no longer participate in the show until Vertucci was removed. This added further pressure on the casino’s management to take action. Veronica Brill, Vertucci’s podcast co-host, also confronted him after learning about the allegations, revealing that Vertucci had been dishonest with her throughout their professional relationship.
As the situation intensified, Hustler Casino Live decided to part ways with Vertucci, ending his involvement with the company. Since Vertucci co-owned the business, negotiations for a buyout will likely follow. The scandal has raised further questions about the broader culture at Hustler Casino Live and whether others in the company knew Vertucci’s behavior, particularly regarding a dealer named Lauren, who reportedly lost her job after expressing concerns.
