Ossi “Monarch” Ketola has had his personal and business accounts suspended
Finnish poker player and online casino owner Ossi “Monarch” Ketola has been removed from X after both his personal and business accounts were suspended this week. Ketola, who owns the Duel Casino platform, announced the news during a Twitch livestream, saying he was surprised by the timing of the suspension. His accounts, @Monarch and @Duel, now display a message stating they were removed for violating X’s rules.
Ketola suggested the suspension may be connected to the recent launch of Duel Casino’s new return-to-player (RTP) games. He told viewers that he believed competitors or detractors had paid to get his accounts banned, calling it “an attack” on his business. Despite the setback, Ketola said operations at Duel would continue and that he intended to appeal the suspensions. “The lion fights when they have to,” he said during the stream, framing the issue as part of a larger conflict against industry rivals.
Known for his outspoken and often inflammatory behavior online, Ketola has faced heavy criticism for using racist and offensive language on social media. His posts have long divided the poker community, with some condemning his conduct while others praise his fearless persona. It remains unclear if his history of controversial comments played a role in X’s decision to suspend his accounts.
Ketola made headlines earlier this year after winning a record-setting $12.7 million heads-up pot against Hong Kong’s Bjorn Li, one of the largest in online poker history. His followers, who remain fiercely loyal, quickly accused other gambling operators of trying to silence him following the suspension.
The move adds to a growing list of content removals within the gambling and poker sectors, with several prominent figures—including YouTube creators—facing temporary bans. For now, Ketola remains defiant, promising his casino “will keep fighting” even as his social media presence disappears.
