GGPoker gives banned players a second chance
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28 Sep 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes In an unprecedented move, GGPoker has decided to open a new path for its former banned players. The operator, one of the giants of online poker, has just launched the Olive Branch initiative, offering permanently banned players the opportunity to request reinstatement.
An unexpected change in the world of online poker
For many years, permanent banning from poker platforms has been the ultimate punishment. Whether for cheating, violating fair play rules or fraudulent behaviour, being banned was often the final decision. However, at the end of September 2025, GGPoker announced a radical change: the launch of the Olive Branch initiative, open to those who had been permanently banned.
GGPoker is allowing banned players to submit an appeal until 1 October 2025. To be eligible, players must provide their full name, username, a written statement explaining the reasons for the ban, and a selfie proving their identity and address. Decisions will be notified before 1 November, according to the platform’s official announcement.
Each case will be reviewed individually: the operator does not promise automatic reinstatement. The review will take into account the severity of the offences committed, the time elapsed since the ban, and, above all, evidence of sincere behavioural change.
The aim of this approach is twofold: to offer a second chance where possible, while maintaining the integrity of the system. GGPoker insists that this programme is not a general amnesty: the rules, particularly those of its Security and Ecology Policy, remain inviolable.
Integrity versus leniency: the fine line
When GGPoker talks about ‘reinstatement’, many wonder whether standards will be weakened. But the operator assures that the return of banned players does not imply increased tolerance. In fact, each request will be subject to a rigorous and personalised process in order to preserve the integrity of the community.
Behind this approach lies a philosophy: it is possible to combine punishment and redemption. In other words, it is not a wide-open door for everyone, but a door that is considered deserved for those who show that they have changed.
This initiative also reflects GGPoker’s need to regain the trust of its player base. By opening an escape route, the site is seeking to demonstrate its transparency — but this should not be perceived as a relaxation of standards. It is a risky gamble.
Key takeaways
GGPoker has taken a bold step by launching the Olive Branch initiative, opening up the possibility for banned players to apply for supervised reinstatement. However, this is not an automatic offer: each case will be judged on the basis of the seriousness of the offence and the change demonstrated. By stating that reinstatement does not equate to forgetting, the platform is attempting to maintain a balance between punishment and redemption. The online poker world is now watching to see whether this approach will be perceived as visionary… or risky.