Pennsylvania hits BetMGM with $260,000 fine for self-exclusion failures
Regulator said the MGM and Entain-owned operator allowed a self-excluded player to gamble 152 times on its sites in the Keystone State
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has handed down a fine of $260,905 to BetMGM, after the regulator found a player was still able to gamble despite being on the state’s self-exclusion list.
According to the PGCB, the individual was allowed to gamble 152 times with the operator.
Announcing the punishment in a press release yesterday, January 29, the regulator reiterated: “Licensed operators of igaming sites in Pennsylvania must deny individuals on the self-exclusion list from establishing or maintaining an interactive gaming site.”
Alongside the BetMGM fine, the PGCB also confirmed a $13,800 fine for Rush Street Gaming for failing to file a principal license renewal application for its CFO.
Additionally, a $7,500 fine was handed out to retail operator Stadium Casino Westmoreland for using revoked software in 11 of its slot machines.
The three penalty payments amount to a total of $282,205.
In December, the Pennsylvania regulator issued supplier Evolution with a $25,000 fine over lost surveillance footage.
In other potential regulatory issues for BetMGM, the operator is awaiting an adjudicatory hearing set by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission after it was discovered 41 National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) college football player props bets were taken last season.
College player prop betting is banned in the Bay State.
Back further, in December 2022, BetMGM was fined $145,000 in Maryland for taking bets prior to the state launching its sports betting market.
That same month, the operator was fined $7,500 by the PGCB after it was found BetMGM accepted a sports bet on the exhibition boxing match between Evander Holyfield and Vitor Belfort.
When asked to comment by EGR North America, a BetMGM spokesperson said: “BetMGM takes full responsibility for the 2021 Pennsylvania self-exclusion violations and has taken significant steps to enhance practices to prevent future incidents.
“BetMGM remains committed to responsible gambling including substantial investments in training, research, education programs, and telehealth services.”
BetMGM is due to release its full-year 2024 financial performance on February 4.