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WSOP Stripper Kenneth Strauss Sentenced to Probation

Some of you may remember the story of Kenneth Strauss. He was the man who was DQ’d from the 2019 WSOP Main Event for stripping and throwing a shoe at a player. Later, he did similar antics at other Vegas casinos.

The legal case surrounding Strauss’ antics has finally come to a conclusion. Strauss will receive probation, be forced to undergo mental treatment, and will be banned from Vegas casinos for a couple of years.

Strauss Hits One Outer to Avoid Prison

Kenneth Strauss is an unfortunate story about how mental illness can negatively impact one’s life. Strauss was facing some serious jail time surrounding his antics in Las Vegas. No, we are not talking about his lewd behavior at the Rio or other casinos. Rather, for threats he made online.

After being banned from several Vegas properties, he claimed that all the casinos that banned him will “be destroyed effective immediately.” When he was subsequently arrested by police, he was reported to say “kill them all.”

Strauss was later found to be mentally incompetent to stand trial and spent months locked up before he was able to comprehend the charges against him. Now, Strauss and his attorneys have struck a plea deal to help him avoid jail time.

Strauss pled guilty to charges of malicious destruction of property and conspiracy to make a threat to convey false information concerning an act of terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, lethal agents or toxins. These charges are considered gross misdemeanors.

Under the deal, Strauss will serve two years of probation, undergo mental treatment, and will not be permitted to visit Clark County, NV. Also, he cannot contact any Las Vegas casino during the time he is on probation.

Strauss told District Judge Mary Kay Holthus, “I’m just very sorry for what happened. And I’m just going to continue focusing on my mental health improving.”

Strauss Prime Example of Dark Side of Gambling

For those following the 2019 WSOP Main Event coverage, you will remember Kenneth Strauss. He was the man that dropped his pants after being all-in during a hand and also threw a shoe at another player. He was subsequently disqualified from the event.

Later that day, he did similar antics at other Las Vegas properties. He continued these crazy antics until he was arrested on July 27th, 2019 at the Trump International Hotel. What prompted his arrest were threats against Vegas casinos. He threatened to destroy those casinos and when arrested, he was claimed to have said “kill them all” to police.

ポーカー世界選手権WSOPで参加費$1万のメインイベントに参加し、会場で陰部を露出して失格になり逮捕されたKenneth Strauss(45)は、ベネチアンカジノを破壊するとソーシャルメディアで脅迫した容疑で木曜に再び逮捕された。 pic.twitter.com/dL7U4MArC7

— ラスベガス日報 (@lv_news_in_jp) August 30, 2019

Fast forward to October and he was then judged incompetent to undergo trial and was required to undergo further psychiatric evaluation. This led to his slow recovery and then this plea deal.

Unfortunately, gambling has a negative impact on those with varying degrees of mental illness. The highs and lows of gambling are often too much for a mind to handle and can cause erratic behavior. When a person loses total control, they end up in situations such as Strauss did.

Will We See Strauss Back in Las Vegas?

If I were to bet on whether we will see Strauss back in Las Vegas after his probation, I would say yes. The unfortunate reality is that too many people relapse and we could see him back in at least one Vegas casino. Hopefully, I am mistaken and he either does not return or returns in a better mental capacity to handle the swings of gambling.

One place we likely will not see him is the World Series of Poker. He is certainly banned from all Caesar’s properties for life and it is hard to see them lift this ban without a psychiatric certification. Even then, we can’t guarantee they will lift the ban. Odds are we have seen the last of Strauss at the WSOP.

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