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GGPoker Tightens Security Rules
GGPoker has tightened its security rules following the scandal involving the "Mesh Agent" Trojan. Players are now prohibited from running third-party poker software while using the poker room’s client, and the application now features tools to prevent screen recording and detect suspicious connections. Furthermore, GGPoker is implementing a new approach to identifying suspicious gameplay, based on an analysis of decisions that takes into account opponents' hole cards. We examine how these changes will affect players and which types of software are now prohibited.
New GGPoker protection rules and tools
GGPoker has updated its security rules in the wake of the Mesh Agent Trojan scandal. The poker room has banned third-party poker software from running alongside its client, introduced new security tools, and expanded its system for detecting suspicious accounts.
GGPoker joins other major industry players, including CoinPoker and ACR Poker, which have also taken steps to address emerging security threats and game-integrity concerns.
The key changes focus on the following areas:
- 🚫 Ban on third-party poker software. Tools such as Jurojin, PokerTracker 4, Hand2Note, Holdem Manager 3, and others can’t run simultaneously with the GGPoker client.
- 🛡️ New security features. A dedicated section in the app’s settings is set for restricting screen recording, monitoring suspicious network connections, and verifying DNS settings.
- 📊 Analysis of anomalous win rates. The system will evaluate gameplay decisions by taking into account the actual cards held by opponents, helping to identify potential use of information not otherwise available to the player.
- 💻 Discontinuation of support for older operating systems. In 2027, the poker room will end support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, as well as macOS 11 Big Sur and earlier versions of macOS.
GGPoker Security Update We’re introducing new measures to protect our community, including new client security features and a ban on all third-party poker software and automation tools. Full details here 👇 https://t.co/F1CAu3p0zY
— GGPoker (@GGPoker) October 15, 2026
GGPoker also traced the transfer of funds linked to the Mesh Agent incident and identified the cryptocurrency wallet that received them. The poker room shared its findings with Coinbase, asking the exchange to restrict access to the associated account and preserve its transaction records.
The wallet addresses were also passed on to industry organizations that track illicit financial flows, as well as law enforcement.
Complete ban on third-party poker software
Previously, GGPoker permitted the use of third-party tools, provided they didn’t directly influence gameplay or were necessary for playing on other poker sites. The policy is now changing: the use of any third-party poker software or automation tools while the game client is running is prohibited.
The list of prohibited software includes:
- Jurojin
- PokerTracker 4
- Hand2Note
- Holdem Manager 3
- StarsCaption
- DriveHUD 2
- Intuitive Tables
- Lobbyze
- Equilab
- AutoHotkey
GGPoker stresses that the list is not exhaustive and that the restriction also applies to other software.
Players have to fully close any of such applications before launching the GGPoker client. Simply disabling a HUD or stopping hand-history imports is not enough if the software continues running in the background.
According to GGPoker, third-party tools may access game data, interact with tables, or automate actions on a player's computer. The company also highlights the risks that it can’t control how these programs process user information.
New Security section
GGPoker is adding a dedicated "Security" section to the settings menu of its gaming client. This section includes tools designed to protect the gaming experience and detect potentially suspicious activity on a user's computer or network.
All of these features are optional and only function while the GGPoker client is open.
Screen Guard
Screen Guard is designed to protect poker tables from screenshots, video recording, live streaming, and remote-viewing software. The feature is intended to prevent third-party applications from capturing poker tables and players’ hole cards.
Enabling "Protect the Whole Client" extends this protection to the entire client, including the lobby, cashier, and account pages.
Connection Monitor
Connection Monitor tracks suspicious network connections made by applications and alerts the player of potential threats. For instance, programs for remote computer control or proxy services might trigger an alert.
Process Check
The tool allows users to add trusted applications to an allowlist, preventing security checks from flagging software they trust.
DNS Check
DNS Check scans network settings for signs of DNS spoofing. This type of attack can redirect traffic to third-party servers, potentially exposing data to interception or leading users to fraudulent websites.
GGPoker also stresses that the options in the Security section are not a substitute for antivirus software and do not protect the entire computer. Players should continue to keep their operating systems up-to-date, review installed applications, and use reliable security tools.
Detection of anomalous win rates
GGPoker is also expanding its game integrity monitoring system by introducing a "Win-Rate Anomaly Detection" (WAD) mechanism. This tool is designed to identify players who exhibit an abnormally high win rate and make suspiciously accurate decisions.
The platform’s existing security measures are already aimed at detecting collusion, account sharing, the use of bots, and real-time assistance tools. This new system complements those methods by analyzing player decisions with access to opponents' hole cards.
The algorithm evaluates the accuracy of a player's actions in specific hands, based on the cards held by their opponents. If a player’s decisions prove to be accurate far more often than could be explained by the information available at the table, the system may flag those hands for further review.
It should be noted that an abnormally high win rate does not, in itself, constitute proof of a violation. The results of this analysis will always be considered in the context of other data and existing game integrity checks.
GGPoker will end support for older operating systems
In 2027, GGPoker will end support for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, macOS 11 Big Sur, and earlier versions of macOS.
The poker room recommends upgrading to at least Windows 10 or macOS 12 Monterey before the changes take effect. Older operating systems no longer receive full security updates from their developers, leaving them more vulnerable to attacks that exploit known security flaws.
What this means for players
Players who multi-table across several poker rooms using third-party software will have to choose between:
- Play exclusively on GGPoker.
- Play on other poker sites while opting out of GGPoker.
- Keep all your chosen poker sites, but completely stop using trackers, external HUDs, and table-arrangement software during your gaming sessions.
GGPoker’s measures, particularly its total ban on third-party poker software, have sparked mixed reactions across the poker community. The room has tightened its rules in response to emerging security threats, and other major poker sites may follow suit by strengthening player protection and revisiting their policies on third-party tools.
GGPoker Roadmap
Table swapping, layout locking and focus management are coming to the GGPoker client. We’re also updating our policy on third-party tools. Full details below. https://t.co/BR3MHhRuDF
— GGPoker (@GGPoker) October 18, 2026
The poker room has published a roadmap outlining the rollout of new player restrictions over the next 1.5 months.
A transition period will remain in effect until November 30, during which GGPoker will not issue automatic warnings or impose penalties on players for running prohibited software. This includes table management tools.
Starting October 23, GGPoker will gradually upgrade its built-in multi-tabling features to compensate for the functionality players will lose access to due to the ban on third-party software. These improvements are expected to be in place by the time the new security measures are fully enforced.
Starting December 1, the system will operate as follows:
- The security system will continuously monitor which third-party poker tools are running alongside the GGPoker client.
- If prohibited software is detected, the player will receive an immediate warning in the client.
- The player will then be required to completely shut down the prohibited software, including any background processes.
If a player believes they have received a false warning, they can contact the poker room's security team via email and explain the situation.
If a player receives multiple warnings without providing an explanation for their use of prohibited software, account restrictions may be imposed, up to and including a permanent ban.
Which software tools designed to improve the playing experience will remain permitted?
GGPoker has clarified that the ban does not apply to operating system-level window management tools used to organize the desktop, such as PowerToys or Rectangle, or to standalone random number generators (RNGs).
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