In a decisive action, the Department of Consumer Protection’s (DCP) Gaming Division has indefinitely suspended the operational license of High5Games, a recognized online gaming service provider, for engaging in unauthorized gambling activities within Connecticut. The abrupt suspension stems from the discovery that High5Games was operating High5Casino, an unlicensed online casino, under the guise of legitimacy.

High5Games, known for supplying online slot games to legitimate platforms such as FanDuel and DraftKings, overstepped legal boundaries by establishing and promoting High5Casino. This platform, falsely advertised as a licensed entity according to the press release published by the Connecticut DCP, accepted bets from local residents, misleading consumers, including those on the statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion List—a program designed to protect vulnerable gamblers.

The investigative findings are alarming: 1,100 gamblers deposited money into High5Casino, with 911 of these consumers enduring financial losses totaling $937,938. Disturbingly, 108 of these were individuals who had proactively excluded themselves from gambling, yet found themselves losing nearly $300,000 combined due to High5Games’ deceptive practices.

Legal Repercussions and Consumer Restitution

The legal consequences for High5Games are severe according to the suspension order (pdf), with impending charges of 1,065 criminal counts of illegal gaming activity. Each count reflects a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine reaching $2,000. The focus now shifts to rectifying the financial damage inflicted upon consumers. The DCP is committed to pursuing restitution for those duped into believing High5Casino was a lawful betting avenue.

DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli expressed gratitude towards the Gaming Division for their diligence. “It is essential that our license holders uphold a high standard of integrity,” Cafferelli remarked. “Unfortunately, High5Games exploited their position to deceive Connecticut’s consumers, contravening the trust placed in them by the state.”

Only Gamble on Authorized Platforms, Warns DCP

The DCP’s crackdown highlights the critical importance of gambling exclusively within the legal confines. Currently, only two online casinos—DraftKings associated with Foxwoods Resort Casino, and FanDuel connected to Mohegan Sun—are licensed to operate legally in Connecticut.

Kris Gilman, Director of the DCP Gaming Division, shared his disappointment over the ethical breach by High5Games. “Recovering losses from illegal platforms is a significant challenge,” Gilman stated. He stressed that consumers should remain vigilant and only place bets through officially sanctioned platforms to safeguard their financial interests and ensure legal recourse.

Effective immediately, all games provided by High5Games to FanDuel and DraftKings will be removed, reinforcing the commitment to maintain a secure and transparent gaming environment in Connecticut. This case serves as a stern reminder of the vigilance needed to combat illegal gambling and protect consumer interests in the ever-evolving digital landscape of gaming.