High5Games has agreed a $1.5 million settlement for operating an illegal online sweepstakes casino in Connecticut.
Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division announced the settlement on Thursday, having suspended the company’s license 11 weeks ago.
High 5 Games is licensed to provide online slot games to the state’s legal gaming platforms, but its license was suspended after the Gaming Division learned that it had operated an online sweepstakes casino in the state from March 2023.
The company’s service provider license was reinstated on May 22 after ceasing the online sweepstakes casino operation.
“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 T. Cafferelli. “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.”
High5Games will pay almost $1.5 million as part of the settlement, including more than $643,000 in restitution to consumers who lost money to High5Casino, and nearly $800,000 for use in consumer complaint resolution programs, consumer education, consumer protection enforcement and litigation.
“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,” said DCP Gaming Division Director Kris Gilman. “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.”