Poker Pro Tom Dwan Threatens to Sue Psychiatric Hospital Over Forced Treatment

^{Pictured: Poker player Tom Dwan}

Renowned American poker player Tom Dwan says he plans to take legal action against the Park Royal Centre for Mental Health in West London, where he was recently treated involuntarily, according to Casino.org.

Dwan first raised concern late last year after posting a string of erratic social media messages. In those posts, he claimed hospital staff were attempting to “kill his brain” through forced treatment and alleged that substances were being secretly added to his drinking water.

In addition, Dwan wrote about being under surveillance by foreign intelligence agencies and accused an unknown individual of hacking his phone and stealing personal data. He also claimed that British police had assaulted him — breaking a rib and an arm and puncturing a lung.

As for how Dwan ended up in the London hospital, several reports suggest the incident began mid-flight en route to the U.K. capital, when he allegedly mistook a flight attendant for a covert agent gathering intelligence on him.

Upon landing at a London airport, police reportedly detained Dwan due to his behavior and transferred him to the psychiatric facility for mandatory treatment.

“He was flying to London to meet with a guy—I won’t name him, but I know who it is—and at the airport, apparently, he was acting crazy, talking crazy or whatever,” said fellow poker pro Daniel Negreanu.

While mental health experts have speculated that Dwan may be experiencing paranoid delusions, no official diagnosis has been confirmed.

Dwan has since been discharged. Twenty-one days after beginning treatment, he resurfaced online to announce he was returning to the U.S. and intends to pursue legal claims against Park Royal. Where this story goes next remains to be seen.