Connecticut Revokes License of High 5 Games Due to Suspension
Catching the Online Gaming Cheat:
Connecticut's gaming authorities have pulled the plug on High 5 Games, axing its supplier license, and accusing the biz of a plethora of gambling-related hanky-panky. This bold move has sent a wave of surprise rippling through the digital gaming community.
Cliff Notes:
- High 5 Games battles nearly 1,100 charges of illicit gambling activities
- Connecticut yanks High 5 Games' online gaming service provider license
- Sneaky scheme pocketed over $3.1 million in deposits from Connecticut dwellers
Shutting Down the Service and Illegal Shenanigans:
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division (DCP) has given High 5 Games the boot, suspending its online gaming service provider license. This action follows an investigation exposing the company's shady involvement in operating an unlicensed casino on the web, called High5Casino.
High5Casino, masquerading as a legal gambling platform, lured Connecticut punters—even those on Connecticut's Voluntary Self-Exclusion List—into placing bets. Operating from around 2012 until October 2022, it was managed by High 5 Games before being passed over to High 5 Entertainment. In March 2023, it returned to offer gambling games using its Sweepstakes method.
Cash Drought and Customer Casualties:
Data reveals that a grand total of 1,065 Connecticut gamblers deposited over $3.1 million on High5Casino since its Sweepstakes reopening. Out of those, 911 players lost a whopping $937,938 combined. More troubling is the story of the 108 individuals on the Voluntary Self-Exclusion List who lost nearly $300,000 on the platform.
DCP Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli stated, "License holders should embrace the responsibility that comes with their credential. High5Games chose to trick players into believing they were partaking in legal gambling, when in reality, they were breaking the law."
Legal Backlash and Charges:
High5Games, the major stockholder of High5Casino, faces 1,065 charges of dishonest gambling activities, each count as a Class A misdemeanor, bearing potential penalties of up to one year in the clink and fines of up to $2,000 when the smoke clears.
The DCP aims to provide restitution for affected customers who lost money due to being misguided by High5Casino's unlawful status in Connecticut. Kris Gilman, director of the DCP Gaming Division, said, "Gambling on regulated platforms is the only approach to securing claims in case any issues arise with a game or platform."
Impact on Established Operators:
Following the suspension of High 5 Games' license, its games disappeared from FanDuel and DraftKings' platforms, currently the sole authorized online casino operators in Connecticut. This move underscores the importance of observing regulations in the online gaming sector and serves as a reminder of the hazards posed by clandestine platforms.
The case against High 5 Games underscores the difficulties faced by overseers in maintaining the legitimacy of the online gaming market and safeguarding customers from illicit operations.
- The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division has stated that license holders should embrace responsibility and refrain from misleading players, as seen with High 5 Games and its unlicensed casino, High5Casino.
- Under Connecticut's policy and legislation, High5Games' actions of operating an unlicensed casino-and-gambling platform can be classified as a Class A misdemeanor, which carries potential penalties of up to one year in prison and fines of up to $2,000.
- In light of the suspension of High 5 Games' license, there is growing discussion on responsible-gambling practices and the importance of sticking to legal gaming platforms in the casino-games industry.
- As traditional operators like FanDuel and DraftKings face increased scrutiny due to the rise of clandestine gambling platforms, policy-and-legislation changes may be necessary to combat illegal activities and protect customers.
- The general-news community has taken notice of the case against High 5 Games, and its impact on the online gaming market is being closely monitored, with more attention being paid to crime-and-justice issues related to casino-and-gambling.
- As responsible-gambling advocates call for stricter regulations, the exclusion of problem gamblers from casino-games remains a critical aspect of maintaining a safe and secure online gaming environment.
- In the wake of the Connecticut gaming authorities' decision to yank High 5 Games' license and their subsequent charges, there is mounting pressure to ensure that casino-and-gambling operators follow the rules and act in the best interests of their customers.
