High 5 Games seeking Connecticut resolution after licence suspension
Sweepstakes operator signals intention to cooperate with regulators in the Constitution State following dispute with Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection over running an “illegal online casino”
High 5 Games has vowed to cooperate with Connecticut regulators after the sweepstakes operator was issued with a licence suspension in the Constitution State.
The US state’s Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Gaming Division suspended the company for allegedly operating an “illegal online casino” this week following an investigation into the company.
High 5 Games’ sweepstake casino platform, High 5 Casino, was allegedly marketed as a legal licensed casino which accepted bets from Connecticut players, according to the DCP.
The only licensed online casino platforms in Connecticut are currently FanDuel and DraftKings, which are affiliated with Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casino, respectively.
High 5 Games faces a charge of 1,065 criminal counts of conducting illegal gaming activity from the DCP. The DCP will also advocate for criminal charges regarding violations of Connecticut’s gambling laws.
Each charge is regarded as a Class A misdemeanour and can carry a penalty of up to one year in jail and a maximum $2,000 fine.
High 5 Games, which also operates as a supplier, was told to remove any of its games it had supplied to FanDuel and DraftKings in Connecticut as part of the regulatory crackdown.
In a statement responding to the DCP’s charge, High 5 Games affirmed its commitment to working with Connecticut’s regulators to resolve the issue.
The statement read: “We treasure our relationships with all igaming operators as clients, and we safeguard these relationships with extreme care. We will always continue to work hard to bring the highest value of content to our partners in a reliable, safe way.
“We are committed to cooperating with Connecticut regulators to resolve this matter and maintain the integrity of our gaming licences.
“Our focus remains on delivering exceptional and innovative gaming experiences while fully complying with all state and country regulations.”
The DCP’s initial investigation started after High 5 Games announced it would exit Connecticut from 14 March onwards, with player accounts and purchases halted by 18 February.
However, DCP investigators were able to deposit into High 5 Casino accounts after the 18 February deadline.
The regulator also uncovered that High 5 Casino accepted deposits and bets from 1,100 Connecticut players.
Subsequently, 911 customers lost a total of $937,938 with the platform, 108 of whom had signed up to Connecticut’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion List.
In total, self-excluded players lost close to $300,000 with High 5 Casino.
The DCP is also seeking compensation for players who lost money with the platform, claiming they were “misled to believe that High 5 Casino was a legal form of gaming”.
High 5 Games highlighted in the statement its track record of adhering to regulations in whichever jurisdiction it operates in.
“High 5 Games has always upheld the highest regulatory standards and remains committed to compliance across all jurisdictions in which we operate,” the statement added.
“Throughout our 30-year history as an established gaming brand in the US, we have worked closely with regulators to ensure responsible and transparent business practices, offering an experience to our loyal business partners that is both enjoyable and safe.
“We pride ourselves on the games we deliver as a B2B supplier to operators in all regulated markets in the United States, Canada and Latin America. Honour, trust and legal compliance will always be cornerstones of our business.”