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Pitbull Poker Shutdown Rumors Confirmed
By Sean Gibson for POKER NEWS DAILY | Posted on September 30, 2009
Poker News Daily can confirm that Pitbull Poker, a small site on the Flash Poker Network, closed down on Wednesday, according to a high-placed source. Contrary to rumors, no arrests were made in Costa Rica. The future of player funds held on the site is up in the air.
Dave Brenes, at last account, is the spokesperson for Pitbull Poker with the title of Network Manager. He had previously been in contact with Poker News Daily regarding the allegations and, when asked to do an interview about the matter, declined by saying a statement from ownership was coming. The source told Poker News Daily on Wednesday that the closure of the site caught them off-guard and a public statement would be forthcoming. Pitbull Poker tables should not be active online.
On September 29th, a user by the name of "dbreal" posted a message on the TwoPlusTwo forums claiming he was Brenes. Poker News Daily can independently confirm that “dbreal” is in fact Brenes. The post in question states that Kevin Baronowski (owner of Pitbull Poker) took away Brenes's TwoPlusTwo account, thus he had to register a new one. He stated that fellow workers at Pitbull Poker called him at 3:00am stating that Kevin and Jordan (a business partner) were trying to take out computers and leave the premises without saying a word to anyone in the office. The on-site staff then called police, who took the two in for questioning.
Less than two hours after that post, the rumor gained a ton of steam when players reported that Pitbull Poker's website was up and running; however, players logged into the client only to be met with the site being down. Players attempting to log in received the following error:
Application Error
An unexpected error has occurred! Our support team has been already informed. See details below.
Message: com.draagon.util.ResourceException: com.draagon.meta.MetaException: Unable to load objects of class [draagon::user::User]
PokerScout.com, a popular website that tracks the number of players online, reported a zero for Pitbull poker early this morning. The games and poker site were down for over eight hours following the post from "dbreal" on the forums.
Twelve hours after his original post, "dbreal" surfaced again in the same thread on the TwoPlusTwo forums. He wrote that Baronowski was taken in for interrogation, as many people on-scene claimed he was trying to leave without notice. He stated once again that he was not personally there when they were caught, but confirmed that his computer was one of the first they took away before co-workers arrived at the scene.
There are now allegations from Pitbull regulars (mainly former prop players monitoring the cheating situation) that they have been monitoring activity the last few months on the site and have exposed at least three superuser accounts.
Poker News Daily will continue to monitor the situation closely as it unfolds.
This post was written by:
Sean Gibson - who has written 50 posts on Poker News Daily.
64 Responses to “Pitbull Poker Shutdown Rumors Confirmed”
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September 30th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
As an affiliate of Pitbull I just found out that Dave Brenes and Kevin Baronowski took me for over $100,000.00 and the money from 60 players from the site. We will be seeking legal action in Costa Rica but really don’t know what will come of it.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:18 am
Hey, I have $7,700 on the site and have been trying to cash money off the site since mid July unsuccessfully. I want to be involved in this legal action, I want my money!
Glen
aka paddlin
October 1st, 2009 at 10:27 am
I agree with paddlin i would also like to be involded.
Austin
AKA iwiniwin
October 1st, 2009 at 10:31 am
Hey, i still have 5500$ on the site, also been trying fo 2 months to cashout but no succses!
So i also want my money and join the legal action!
October 1st, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I too have been trying to cash out since early September to no avail. The money was removed from my account but no check has arrived. I “only” have $1800 on the site but I still want it! Will join legal action if it comes to it.
Mike
aka sauce_24_27
October 1st, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I have $2,220.00 on pending cash out on the pitbull site I would like to be involved in a legal action to retrive my earnings.
AKA Yantastic
October 1st, 2009 at 6:28 pm
email yanimal007@hotmail.com
Let me know about any procedures. I’m in.
Yan Therien
aka Yantastic
October 1st, 2009 at 10:25 pm
I have $1500 on this site i am also from costa rica and i want to kwon if i can help we all need to get togeder and at least try to do something
October 1st, 2009 at 10:42 pm
lol. Uh, I warned people, and warned them, and warned them. Was called a “conspiracy theorist”. I even went on the site and warned people. Unfortunately greedy idiots are easily blinded by green bucks. Hope you all learned your lesson. Hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. REPEATEDLY.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:27 am
I will set up a web site and e-mail so everyone will know what is going on and they can contact me if they want to be involved.
Dragoo get me your e-mail and we can talk on how you might help..
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:44 am
Hey,
I have also still around 1k on it.
so i want also involved in a legal action.
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:48 am
I’m very lucky and my last two cash outs $2200 on 29th July 2009 and $150 on 1st Aug 2009 were successfully arrived my Click2pay account .
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:30 am
my email zamora11cr@yahoo.com
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Damn, what a bad beat. Count me in guys, I’m in the same boat as Paddlin (Glen). sorry to see the situation you’re in JC.
Please keep us informed.
Blowup@BlowupPoker.com
I’ll be interested to help in any way possible.
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:00 pm
been trying to get my cash off for about a month
i would really like to know who some of these superaccounts were
lost a couple grand 1 day to a crazy player
October 3rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
Add me to this my screan name for the site was Abyron35 and i had about $1,800 on there..JC my email is abyron35@verizon.net send me a email so we can talk about figuring this out.
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I Was Trying to cashout 250 For Like A Month In A half And They Finally took The Money Out Of My Acount A Couple Weeks Ago And Said it Was being processed manually.Dont Know What That Means. My Screen Name Was Bobakqj10
October 3rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I have also arround 2750 in my account and tryin to get it..please count me in dzereb@gmail.com I also lost about 1,5k in 3days to a crazy man or two..
October 4th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Pokerstars and Fulltilt will be caught as well. Just a matter of time.
October 4th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I was trying to cash out as well and mine said manually processed but never received my funds ,and i still have money in my account and alot of my time ,i dont want it to be wasted so whatever needs to be done.
October 5th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Does anyone know what is going to happen to our money that is in that account???
October 5th, 2009 at 11:39 am
JC what can I do to help as well…my screen name was feartheturtle08
October 5th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I’ve been trying to cash out about 700 for the last few weeks please let me know what can be done!!!!!!
October 5th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I played on the site and I noticed I was very good for a while and then I was very bad, after I cashed out a few times. Somebody did warn me that that the software would change and I would become a loser. Thge person was right and I lost almost every big hand where I had awesome cards. Too bad, I was having fun when I was winning. Now I don’t know if I was any good or bad, or what. Too bad…
The Shugaman
October 5th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I had a feeling this BS would happen here. I’ve had a bad feeling about these crooks for a while now and was called nuts for trying to warn people. I’m fotunate to have cashed out most but still had around 500 there including a check for 250 that never came from a July cash out. zarbour@yahoo.com can someone please let me know what is going to happen with this?
October 5th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
This is why I don’t deposit my own money to these sites. I prefer to play free rolls and use money won from there. So sorry everyone! Hope it pans out for you.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:50 am
I have 2.2 million that I WANT BACK!
October 6th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Here is a quick update…
I have been able to get the help of the Costa Rica government and the US Embassy to looking into what can be done on freezing the money accounts and bringing charges on Dave Brenes and Kevin Baronowski. I should get an answer the latter part of this week or the first of next. I will get the website up and a e-mail so everyone can stay in touch shortly,
Hawk
October 6th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
JCHAWK,
I was a never a partner, associate, director or in any way related to the ownership of Pitbull Poker, Pitbull Casino or Pitbull Partners. I was an employee hired to manage the network and support operations in whatever necessary.
I am sorry but I am not liable for any of your money since I had no incidence on the funds management and I was not a principal at the company. Thank you.
Dave Brenes (yes, it’s me)
October 6th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Not what you said so long ago in a e-mail Mr. Brenes…. ( I still have that e-mail and have sent copies to the Costa Rica authorities )
Your also doing nothing to help the ones that were ripped off by your company other than coming on different forms and proclaiming your innocence.
I will do everything I can to see that your government seizes all bank accounts and returns the money your company took to the players.
Hawk
October 7th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Dave Brenes, you can say anything,but you forget all the lies you have told people,to the point I think you beleive your own lies,We all know you were totally aware of the fraud and deception that was taking place,and you were a very big part and contributing factor,JC Hawk has your e-mails just like i do and all the other people you lied to,you were very good at doing the crime, less see if you will be a good at doing the time,don’t waste your breath by coming on here and trying to play Marry Poppins,people see right through your phoney was!!!!
October 7th, 2009 at 9:31 am
JCHAWK,please count me in,on anything to do with trying to collect our winings and bring charges on these fraud clowns jn619@live.com,they owe me $3,944 on 3 tickets,2 of which they claim were in the mail,which is BS,please keep me posted on any new information .Thanks James
October 7th, 2009 at 11:29 am
they owe me money too bastards
October 7th, 2009 at 11:33 am
email me if anyone heres anything disomma@optonline.net
October 9th, 2009 at 1:09 am
Ok everyone… I talked to the Costa Rica government again ( 10-8 -09)
Next Wednesday 10- 14-09, I will have a e-mail address posted here, so you can send a notice of claim to the person that is seeking criminal charges against the Owners and Management of Pitbull.
I am doing the best I can so please bear with me in this matter…. We all want our money back..
Hawk
October 9th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
JC Hawk – please be in touch with me so we can follow the progress of your lawsuit here at Poker News Daily.
October 10th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Wow, that is really bad. I played every day on Pit bull since it started. I never put in a cent. Used freeolls- then micro limits- up to almost 1 K. I should have cashed di tout. I needed to make a deposit first. DAM. Wish I did. I remember people ‘chatting’ small about getting paid . I should have listened. Played for a few years, seemed fishy. And the 1st hand couldn t see your cards thing was lame. Hope you Ballers get paid, Screw the cheaters- KARMA will get them!
PieceMaker
October 10th, 2009 at 7:23 am
im in too. keep me posed on anysites wich are setup to help us all get our money bck, i too have lost money and demand it bck like everyone else!!
KEEP GOING JC I LKE WHAT IM HEARING!
SCREEN NAME: TWINNY90
October 10th, 2009 at 7:24 am
EMAIL ADDRESS: lewis_124@hotmail.co.uk
October 10th, 2009 at 11:23 am
JC HAWK thank you for all that you are doing please be in touch with me also thay owe me $1600 email zamora11cr@yahoo.com AKA DRAGOO
October 10th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Thanks for being our champion here Hawk! These scum bag a$$ hats got me too! Looking forward to your next post with the email address. Any suggestions on a trustworthy site??
AceJackPgh
October 11th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
AceJackPgh, I don’t recommend sights to anyone anymore. I play on Full Tilt and Poker Stars now ( Spazzy Old Man lol) and they seem to be ok, but player beware is all I can say after all this. I invested a lot of money thinking they were great people and have lost a lot over it.
I still want to get my own site going some day because I enjoy the game so much. I just find it shameful that with all they make they have to resort to this underhanded way towards the players. We need to make this legal in the USA with laws and oversight protection for the players.
I’m no champion, just a person trying to do what he can to get things done for the right reason.
Have a great weekend everyone !
Hawk
October 12th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Seem to have caught this thread a bit late. I played as ShaneG on PB and had $1800 on there. I can only imagine how u feel Hawk. Best of luck and keep me in touch my e-mail is shanepokermaniac@yahoo.co.uk
October 12th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Well, that would be the second time now that I have lost money at these smaller site, lost over $3000 at Wingows Poker about a year ago, I had about $1200 in Pitbull and my username was JhnM1
I´m so sorry to hear about your losses JC Hawk and sure hope you will be compensated to the fullest. Anyways, if there is anykind of list of people that are considering legal action count me in, krissiingvi@email.com if there is anything I can do don´t hesitate to contact me.
Best regards, Kristjan
October 14th, 2009 at 7:33 am
I too lost over 1300$ at pitbull poker,i only trust 1 poker room now and that is the only place i play,this new poker room is fully licensesed and you have no worries of superusers and losing your money because it is really popular with lots of players and they encript all hands so no players can see what you have,it is the first poker room to encript hands played and this is why this poker room is growing fast,cashouts are quick and the support is really good,its alot better then pitbull poker anyways go to http://www.topshotpoker.com and this new poker room is rated #1 by cardpro magazine
October 14th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
you guys are not going to see anything, myself and other from are prop team at apsolute poker lost over $1,000,000 and those clowns are still in business even after 60 minutes did a story on them. if you want to do anything go down there and find him and take care of it yourself its a whole nether world down there
October 16th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
**** This is the e-mail address I was given to the people in Costa Rica that are looking into what can be done.
Please give them only the facts that you can prove on your losses.
Put In the subject line on all e-mail ** Pitbull Sport-betting ****
****** ConsulateSanJuan@State.gov ****
Hawk
October 17th, 2009 at 12:05 am
I tried this email and it came back to me undeliverable. Any suggestions?
October 17th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
i too have cashout of 1000 $ waiting for twomonths. i also want to join with leagal action
October 17th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
hi had $2500 dollars on the site please keep me informed pwallace1601@aol.com thanks for all your work jc.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:35 am
I was given a e-mail address so everyone could submit their claim of issue.. The address is wrong or unable to be used so they are getting me another one tomorrow. I will post it as soon as I get it.
I am in talks with the Costa Rica government, the US business trade (CRETA) and many others about this. This is bigger than just ripping off poker players, if the government does not step in it may have a ripple effect on trade. They want our money and trade and we need to know we have protection on investments made in Costa Rica.
If I need to spend out of my own pocket the money to advertise how dangers’ it is to invest in ANY business in Costa Rica I will. Michael Moor might like this one. LOL
I will post the e-mail tomorrow
Hawk
October 21st, 2009 at 1:19 pm
***** Up Date ***
E-mail all information of your lose from Pitbull to,
ConsularSanJuan@state.Gov
Subject: Pitbull Sport Betting
Your info here ***
This is going to the prosecutors office in Costa Rica
Hawk
October 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I tried the new address you had for them and it came back undeliverable. Sorry for the inconvenience. I am willing to try anything to get my money back. Thanks for all your trouble.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Hawk, is this for U.S. customers only?
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:55 pm
No its for any one scammed by them…
sorry my bad on the e-mail address
ConsularSanJose@state.gov
Hawk
October 26th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I too was part of the investigation with Chesterboy, there is more info available that I do not believe has hit public forums and I’m not sure in which I am at liberty to discuss here publically.
However, I do wish to be a part of this as they also owe me $1500+.
Please email me at fishnetgir1@yahoo.com.
TY
October 30th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I would be willing to do a road trip down to Costa Rica. I live in Los Angeles, CA. Anyone interested email me at neusdrof@yahoo.com with any advice or info.
neusdrof
October 31st, 2009 at 10:04 am
When are we going to here something hawk?
November 12th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
lets still try to keep this active anyone with updates or comments please post.
November 15th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I look at this post everyday so lets keep up the heat.
November 29th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Anything New JC Hawk? I’ve not had any reply from the Consular after numerous friendly emails.
Thanks,
Cory
December 1st, 2009 at 4:07 pm
They are still working on it (CR) but Kevin Baronowsky has gone back to hide in Canada, (I now know where he is and his family) and Dave Brenes is hiding like the coward he is. We are now hunting Mr. Baronowsky and will find him, he needs to answer a few questions face to face. This will be done soon. His party days with my money is over.
I will keep you updated as well as I can
Hawk
January 11th, 2010 at 7:34 am
Hi,
Has anyone heard of any news about getting our cash back yet? I only just found this web page. I’m not out as much as some people on here but am pissed off and want to know what I can do to get my cash back.
Thanks
Dan
January 24th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
I played on this site in early 2009 and i remember winning a quick thousand and trying to cash out and it was the most challenging task to cash out, i basically threatened to sue them for my money or else. I eventually got my money a month or so later, but ever since then i never put my money on that site again because it was so sketchy. I had a really strong feeling it was corrupt after that situation a year ago from now.