PokerStars fined $10K for taking illegal sports bets

[GPWA Gary]

New Jersey gambling regulators have fined PokerStars $10,000 for taking bets on New Jersey college basketball teams in violation of the state’s sports betting law. The state Division of Gaming Enforcement issued the fine on April 12, and posted it on its website last week.

Documents filed by the state indicate PokerStars accepted 216 wagers on a game involving Rutgers, which is based in New Jersey, and Eastern Michigan University totaling more than $2,700.

From an AP report:

Documents filed by the state indicate that PokerStars accepted 216 wagers on a game involving Rutgers and Eastern Michigan University totaling more than $2,700.

The company also took a single bet on a game involving Monmouth University and the University of Pennsylvania, whose value was not disclosed on the division’s website.

PokerStars did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Monday, but the state noted the company voided all the wagers and returned the money to bettors before the games began. It also indicated the company acknowledged the bets violated the law, and that PokerStars had agreed to the fine as part of a settlement with the state.

The fine comes as New Jersey lawmakers are considering a bill that would set fines starting at $20,000 and ranging up to $100,000 for companies that take prohibited bets on New Jersey college teams.

Read more here: https://www.nj.com/news/2019/04/poke...-nj-teams.html

[The Buzz]

Matt Primeaux, senior vice president for Strategy & Operations, USA at The Stars Group, told the Press of Atlantic City on Monday;

“We generally don’t comment on regulatory matters like these, but we had a manual gating error from our international games into New Jersey. We cooperated with the DGE as we always do, have learnt from the problem, and are confident it won’t reoccur. We’re glad to have had a successful NCAA basketball season with our players enjoying our Home of the Underdog campaigns that saw us put out best odds in the market for all underdogs.”

[wonderpunter]

10k that should tell them

[ryanmarketing]

Usually states attempt to set a precedent by fining the hell out of corporations for violating regulations and codes - I have to wonder why there aren't a few extra zeros...fascinating.

[drifter8]

$ 10 000 - just peanuts for the P. Stars ))))

[mrbigwin]

amazingly irrelevant fine.... they would make that back in 30 seconds