- The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division recently issued a summary suspension of the license for High 5 Games
- The department levied an investigation against the company and determined it also illegally operated an unlicensed online casino in the state
- In a released statement, High 5 Games says it has always upheld the state’s regulatory standards
High 5 Games is facing 1,065 criminal counts of conducting illegal gaming activity in Connecticut, as the state Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division has issued a summary suspension of its provider license.
The Department of Consumer Protection’s investigation determined that High 5 Games operated an illegal, unlicensed online casino in Connecticut, High 5 Casino, which was marketed at a legal “licensed” casino by the company. It accepted wagers from Connecticut bettors, including those who had signed up for the statewide voluntary self-exclusion list.
However, in a released statement, High 5 Games responded to the criminal counts and said it has “always upheld the highest regulatory standards and remains committed to compliance across all jurisdictions in which we operate.”
Illegal, Unlicensed Casino in the State?
High 5 Games is a licensed service provider in Connecticut that supplies online slot content for the legal gaming platforms in Connecticut.
During the Department of Consumer Protection’s (DCP) investigation, it found that High 5 Casino accepted deposits from more than 1,100 Connecticut customers on the unlicensed platform. Of those customers, 911 lost a total of $937,938 and 108 were those who had signed up for the state’s voluntary self-exclusion list. Customers on this list lost nearly $300,000 with the unlicensed online casino.
The DCP reminded Connecticut residents that only two platforms – DraftKings and FanDuel – are licensed to accept online casino bets in the state.
High 5 Games, parent company of the casino, will be charged with 1,065 criminal counts of conducting illegal gaming activity. According to the DCP, investigators will seek criminal charges for each of these counts, which are each Class A misdemeanors and carry and penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
The department also reported it will seek restitution for customers who lost money playing on the unlicensed casino.
“Thank you to our Gaming Division team for their hard work to hold this licensee accountable,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “It is a privilege to hold this license, and we expect our credential holders to take that responsibility seriously. High5Games took advantage of their credential to mislead consumers into believing they were participating in gaming on a legal platform when, in fact, they were breaking the law. We remind consumers that there are only two licensed online casinos in Connecticut — DraftKings/Foxwoods and FanDuel/Mohegan Sun — and if you choose to participate in online gaming, you should only utilize one of the legal platforms licensed to operate in our state.”
High 5 Games Responds to DCP Action
The company responded to the DCP’s investigation and criminal charges, noting it has established responsible and transparent business practices through its 30-year history as an establishing gaming brand in the U.S.
“We pride ourselves on the games we deliver as a B2B supplier to operators in all regulated markets in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Honor, trust, and legal compliance will always be cornerstones of our business. We treasure our relationships with all iGaming operators as clients, and we safeguard these relationships with extreme care. We will always continue to work hard to bring the highest value of content to our partners in a reliable, safe way. We are committed to cooperating with Connecticut regulators to resolve this matter and maintain the integrity of our gaming licenses,” the company said in a prepared statement.
High 5 Games, a leading online casino game developer, recently had its license suspended in the state of Connecticut. The suspension came after an investigation by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection found that the company had violated several regulations related to responsible gambling practices.
In response to the suspension, High 5 Games issued a statement expressing regret for the violations and outlining steps they are taking to address the issues raised by the investigation. The company stated that they take responsible gambling very seriously and are committed to ensuring that their games are played in a safe and responsible manner.
High 5 Games also announced that they are working closely with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection to rectify the situation and regain their license to operate in the state. The company has implemented new policies and procedures to improve their responsible gambling practices and prevent future violations.
The suspension of High 5 Games’ license in Connecticut serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible gambling practices in the online gaming industry. It highlights the need for companies to adhere to strict regulations and guidelines to protect players from harm and ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience.
Overall, High 5 Games’ response to the license suspension demonstrates their commitment to addressing the issues raised by the investigation and improving their responsible gambling practices. By taking proactive steps to rectify the situation, the company is working towards regaining the trust of regulators and players alike.
