High 5 Games exits Connecticut after $1.5 million settlement
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) announced a settlement with High 5 Games over claims of operating an illegal online 바카라. High 5 Games agreed to pay $1.5 million, including $643,000 to affected customers and $800,000 for DCP costs. The company’s licence was revoked in March for violating Connecticut’s gaming laws but was reinstated on 22 May after ceasing illegal operations.
A statement from the DCP stated, “High5Games has ceased operation of its online 바카라 in Connecticut, and its Online Gaming Service Provider license has been reinstated, effective 22 May.”
How the DCP enforces gaming laws
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) ensures gambling operations remain fair and legal. Through its Gaming Division, the DCP monitors and investigates licence holders, promptly addressing any unlicensed platforms that take real bets.
DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli stated that Connecticut consumers who placed wagers on the unlicensed platform would be compensated. His comments reinforced the state’s dedication to legal, safe, and fair gaming.
Cafferelli stated, “This case is just one example of the hard work our Gaming Division does to ensure a fair, safe, and legal gaming market in Connecticut. We are pleased the Connecticut consumers who were lured into placing wagers on an unlicensed platform will be made whole and that this company has ceased operations of its unlicensed 바카라 in Connecticut.”
The legal fallout
In March 2024, High 5 Games had its licence revoked for violating state gaming laws. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) acted quickly after confirming the operation of an unlicensed sweepstakes-style 바카라.
High 5 Games settled, : $643,000 to affected customers and $800,000 for state and DCP costs. The DCP ensured that players who lost money unfairly would be reimbursed, marking a significant win for consumers in digital gaming.
Kris Gilman, Director of the DCP Gaming Division, highlighted the successful resolution of an investigation into an unlicensed sweepstakes 바카라. Gilman emphasised the state’s dedication to ensuring fairness and consumer protection in its licensed market.
Gilman noted, “We are satisfied with the outcome of this investigation, which has resulted in the return of funds to consumers who were harmed by the unfair marketing of an unlicensed sweepstakes 바카라.”
Reinstating the gaming licence
On 22 May 2024, High 5 Games had their Online Gaming Service Provider licence reinstated. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) made this decision because the company ceased illegal operations, agreed to pay restitution, and cooperated with regulators. Moving forward, High 5 must strictly adhere to state guidelines to avoid losing their licence again.
High 5 Games has exited New York due to potential new legislation banning sweepstakes 바카라s. In early 2024, they were fined $25 million in Washington, with $18 million allocated to reimbursing players. So far, High 5 has ceased operations in 13 states, which is over a quarter of the country, impacting their efforts to rebuild trust.
Impact on Connecticut’s gambling landscape
Online gaming and sports betting have been legal in Connecticut since October 2021, with the industry maturing under strict regulatory control. Between 2022 and 2024, revenues nearly doubled from $56 million to over $98 million. Currently, DraftKings (partnered with Foxwoods) and FanDuel (partnered with Mohegan Sun) are the only licensed platforms.
