Not so for Jamie Gold, the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event winner. The man knocking on his door brought no false pretences, no flowers or chocolates; he just brought a writ.

According to the Las Vegas Sun Jamie Gold, the 2006 WSOP champion and winner of the biggest prize in poker history, is being sued for half his $12 million winnings. According to the newspaper the claimant alleges Gold has reneged on an agreement struck before the WSOP began.

Bruce Crispin Leyser, a television producer originally from the UK, alleges he struck a deal with Gold to recruit well known celebrities to compete in the WSOP Main Event in order to promote the Bodog online poker room. According to the Las Vegas Sun, Leyser alleges that in return for recruiting the celebrities he was promised half of Gold’s take in the Main Event. He says his fulfilled his part of the bargain, but that Gold is refusing to honour his.

In an interesting twist Leyser is reported to have claimed he has voicemail messages from Jamie Gold on the morning of the final table in which he confirms the 50/50 deal. And the courts are taking the case seriously, with Chief District Court Judge Kathy Hardcastle issuing a restraining order to prevent Harrah’s from releasing Jamie Gold’s winnings until after the first hearing of the lawsuit, which is scheduled for September 1st. Harrah’s have confirmed Gold has not yet collected his money.