A heated battle is developing between two Australian-based poker operators. The Australian Poker Tour alleged that PlayLive Melbourne poker room has either stolen or attempted to steal its player database.
The APT is owned by Tony Hachem, brother of 2005 World Series of Poker main event champ Joe Hachem. The company filed a complaint with a suburban Melbourne police department alleging that PlayLive co-owner Bridges Robinson Roe attempted to coerce a former APT employee into stealing the tour’s email list, according to Poker Media Australia.
The outlet released text messages from Roe in which he says to the ex-employee: “Any chance you can steal the APT email list?”
Hachem alleges that there was at least an attempt to take the database without authorization.
“Log activity and forensic data from CasinoWare confirm access during the relevant period and we continue to investigate whether any data was exported or printed,” he told Poker Media Australia. “Unfortunately, the poker community continues to face serious challenges from unethical and, at times, unlawful behavior. Such actions must be dealt with swiftly and transparently. It is our responsibility to ensure that the community remains informed whenever incidents occur that threaten the game’s integrity.”
Regulators Investigating Other Possible PlayLive Violations
Along with local police, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) is also investigating. The gaming regulator is probing allegations that PlayLive may have violated the state laws regarding paid gambling through the sale of hospitality packages
The poker room has denied the allegations. Moreover, PlayLive officials requested a Personal Safety Intervention Order against Hachem. PlayLive co-founder Josh Abady alleged Hachem made threats against Roe at the property. He also claimed the insinuation to steal the database was simply a joke.
“The implication that we didn’t earn every single customer that we’ve gotten … I’ve got 100-plus staff busting their ass every day to run the best quality poker in Australia,” Abady said. “Not one person has ever received communication from us that hasn’t signed up for it.
“It is asinine nonsense on top of nonsense, and I am unbelievably frustrated that it has been allowed to get to this point.”
PlayLive opened in April 2025. Some of the poker room’s other co-owners include big American poker names such as Alex and Kristen Foxen, Jeremy Ausmus, Eric Baldwin, and poker influencer Abby Merk.
The controversy comes as the Australian poker scene may be seeing a bit of a revival. The country banned online poker in 2017, and one state even barred live games outside of casinos in 2023.
However, some major live events seem to be returning. That includes the revival of the Aussie Millions, which kicks off in April at Crowne Melbourne for the first time since 2020. The APT also runs several events across the country.
