Sports betting is on the rise in the United States, with several states like New Jersey already launching sportsbooks and online services. Several Atlantic City casinos are now providing sports betting services, with two recently fined for taking illegal wagers.

Breaking Sports Betting Laws:

In New Jersey, when sports betting was legalized, the law was written to stop any wagers from being made on college teams from the state. The law applies to every university in New Jersey, no matter the size of the school. Along with offering bets on college teams from NJ, sports betting operators are not allowed to offer wagers on college events that take place in the state, even if schools involved are not from New Jersey.

Restrictions are in place to stop such wagers from taking place on college and high school events. The goal is to prevent point-shaving during local games. With these laws in place, two casinos have now been accused of allowing illegal wagers. The Golden Nugget Atlantic City and Caesars Entertainment Corp. reportedly allowed wagers to take place involving college football teams from the state.

According to NJ.com…

New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement spokeswoman, Kerry Langan, stated: “Prohibited sporting events were posted, and wagers were placed on those events. All improperly posted bets were voided and if the gamblers were known, those funds were returned to them.”

Fines Set:

Caesars Entertainment Corp. owns Bally’s and Harrah’s in Atlantic City, two of the company’s casinos that offer sports betting. Caesars must now pay $2,000 for accepting wagers on a football game involving Rutgers and Kansas, an event that took place in early September. It is unknown which venue accepted the wagers, with Caesars being notified of the violation in November.

The Golden Nugget had to pay $390, an amount set due to how much was accepted via wagers by individuals at the property on NJ college football games, also taking place in September. The complaint against the Golden Nugget was filed in early November and the casino ordered to forfeit the funds in mid-December. The players involved in the wagers were not repaid as their identity was unknown.