Phil Ivey to appeal 7.8 million-pound Crockfords decision

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Professional poker player Phil Ivey has been granted permission to appeal last year's High Court ruling, in favor of Genting Casinos, for payment of £7.8 million won playing baccarat at the Crockfords Club in August 2012.

The Court of Appeal judge, Lord Justice Lewison, when granting Ivey permission to appeal, stated that his grounds of appeal "raise an important question of law and have a real prospect of success."

The appeal is expected to be heard on Thursday, Dec. 10.

Ivey, 39, is the youngest player with 10 World Series of Poker bracelets and his live tournament winnings exceed $20 million.

"As I said at the time of the London verdict last October, it is not in my nature to cheat, which is why I was so bitterly disappointed by the judge's decision a year ago, even though he said that I was a truthful witness and that he was sure that I didn't believe that what I was doing was cheating," Ivey said from his home in Las Vegas. "This wording from the Court of Appeal, that the grounds of our appeal raise an important question of law and have real prospects of success, is quite simply the best news I've had since I won the £7.8 million at Crockfords over three years ago in August 2012."

Ivey is represented by Archerfield Partners LLP and Richard Spearman QC from Thirty Nine Essex Street Chambers.