Dale Butler, the former Minister for Community, Culture and Sport, has distanced himself from suggestions that he is part of an online poker lottery promising thousands in prize money.

“I don’t play poker, I don’t join investment schemes and I have no money to give to it,” the former Progressive Labour Party MP told The Royal Gazette. “It’s just another of those things going around. Let the reader beware.”

Noting that he had seen examples of the moneymaking scheme claiming to be endorsed by Michael Jordan, the legendary former basketball star, Mr Butler said that well-known names tended to get attached to gimmicks to lend them an aura of credibility.

“There have been numerous such things,” he said. “I got an e-mail saying the US Government was giving out cheques for $150,000 and my name was on one.”

Asking to be removed from the list, Mr Butler joked online that his name “might be on the bill collector’s list, but I have not seen that money from the poker lottery and I don’t expect to see it”.

He added that a cheque with his name on it should go to the Salvation Army.

“Another thing going around had people asking if I know anyone who signs promissory notes — one was on the internet and the other was telephone calls,” he said. “I’m not saying it’s not legitimate, but I found it strange.”

Mr Butler said that he hoped his aversion to the scheme had not caused offence. “To those in the scheme, good luck,” he said. “I do not wish to know about it or get involved.”