For those of you who have been keeping up with the World Series of Poker, it isn't news that the largest tournament winner in the history of poker, Jamie Gold, is having to defend his $12 million jackpot from a man who says Gold promised to share half of his winnings with. Having now become a lawsuit in the Clark County District Court, Gold is being sued for allegedly breaking a promise with Bruce Crispin Leyser, who filed the suit when he says that Gold refused to pay him $6 million. Leyser says the lawsuit is suing for only what is rightfully his.

The latest update on the case looks as if it may be sending some favor in Leyser's direction. According to his attorney, Richard Schonfeld, Gold filed a court brief last week defending his side of the story. In his remarks, he stated the agreement with Leyser was "nothing more than a promise to make a gift", which Schnofeld says essentially amounts to a confession, and brings even more favorable weight to the lawsuit.

Gold, however, seems to think a verbal "agreement" is not enough to hold up in court, even though Leyser has a recorded voice mail of Gold promising Leyser half of his winnings. Gold defended himself by first stating he only left the message because of Leyser's incessant badgering to get Gold to confirm their earlier agreement. This, coupled with the fact that Gold felt sorry for Leyser because of his "serious financial problems" and lack of job compelled him to promise Leyser some of his winnings...after taxes - by no means, did he promise him half, before taxes. Gold further stated that he intended to pay Leyser some of the winnings, but took back his offer after Leyser "unnecessarily" filed the lawsuit.

Leyser says there is more to it than this. He says that Gold first approached him to help find two celebrities to participate in the poker tournament and wear Bodog memorabilia for branding its online casino and poker room. The reason being was that Bodog promised Gold they would pay his $10,000 buy-in to the tournament if he produced two celebrities to participate as well. Leyser came through by finding two willing celebs (both men are in the entertainment business), and so Gold promised Leyser half of his jackpot for doing him the favor.

Now, the matter remains in the hands of Chief District Judge, Kathy Hardcastle, who already issued a temporary restraining order on the $6 million that Leyser claims is his. The money is being held by the Rio Casino cashier, which is where the tournament originally took place. Gold has already received the other half of the jackpot, but Judge Hardcastle thought that if Gold had all the money in his possession before the lawsuit comes to close (which should be before the end of this year), there may not be any money left. The order still stands, and now both sides await a verdict.