The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) has finalized a $1.4 million settlement with High5Games, resolving allegations that the company ran an unauthorized online casino within the state. The agreement follows an extensive investigation by DCP’s Gaming Division, which uncovered that High5Games had been illegally offering online gambling services to Connecticut residents through its High5Casino platform.

Although High5Games held a valid license to supply online slot games for other approved platforms in Connecticut, DCP suspended its license on March 14, 2025. The action came after regulators determined the company had been misleading consumers by promoting its sweepstakes-based casino as if it were authorized to operate legally within the state.

Under the settlement terms, High5Games has agreed to disburse over $643,000 in restitution to 794 individuals who suffered financial losses while using the unlicensed platform. In addition, approximately $800,000 will be allocated to various consumer-focused initiatives. These include consumer education, complaint resolution services, and enforcement of gaming laws in Connecticut.

License Reinstated After Compliance Measures

In exchange for the substantial settlement, Connecticut officials agreed to drop 1,065 criminal charges previously filed against High5Games. Furthermore, the company’s gaming license has now been reinstated as of May 22, 2025, after the firm ceased all unlicensed operations within the state.

“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,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli in an official press release. “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 casino in Connecticut.”

Widespread Impact and Self-Exclusion Violations

The DCP’s investigation revealed that High5Casino accepted wagers from approximately 1,100 individuals in Connecticut. Troublingly, 108 of those users were part of the state’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion List—an initiative meant to help those struggling with gambling addiction by restricting access to online gaming.

In total, the illegal platform led to losses exceeding $937,000 among its users, with those on the self-exclusion list accounting for nearly one-third of that amount—about $300,000. The state’s 2021 law legalizing online gambling included strong protections for problem gamblers, mandating that licensed operators honor self-exclusion requests and offer tools to manage betting behavior. High5Games failed to implement such safeguards, a major factor in the state’s enforcement actions.

Pattern of Violations Beyond Connecticut

This is not the first instance where High5Games has faced regulatory scrutiny. Earlier in 2025, the state of Washington also took enforcement action against the company, ordering it to repay $24.9 million to players affected by its operations there.

The case adds to a growing narrative about the importance of rigorous oversight in the online gambling industry. DCP Gaming Division Director Kris Gilman emphasized the state’s commitment to maintaining a lawful and equitable environment for gamblers: “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 casino. If you’re going to gamble, Connecticut is the best state to place a wager. We work hard to ensure fairness in our licensed market, and when violations do occur, we make every effort to make sure consumers are made whole.”

As a reminder to Connecticut residents, only two entities—DraftKings in partnership with Foxwoods and FanDuel with Mohegan Sun—are legally licensed to operate online casinos in the state. State officials urge individuals who choose to engage in online gambling to verify the legitimacy of any platform before placing bets, in order to avoid fraudulent or unregulated operators.