Connecticut Suspends High5Games License Over Illegal Online Casino Operations

Uncovering the Violations

High5Games held a license to supply slot content for Connecticut’s legal gaming platforms but overstepped its authority by running High5Casino, an unlicensed online casino. The DCP investigation revealed multiple infractions.

First, the company marketed High5Casino as a legitimate, licensed entity, deceiving players about its legality. Second, it accepted wagers from Connecticut residents, including those enrolled in the state’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion List. Third, the financial toll was significant, with consumers suffering substantial losses due to this illicit operation.

According to the DCP’s findings, approximately 1,100 Connecticut customers made deposits and gambled on High5Casino. Of these, 911 lost a combined total of $937,938. Alarmingly, 108 of those individuals were on the Voluntary Self-Exclusion List, collectively losing nearly $300,000.

Consequences and Accountability

The DCP acted swiftly, issuing an immediate suspension of High5Games’ license. Beyond this administrative measure, the company faces 1,065 criminal charges for conducting illegal gaming activities. Each charge, classified as a Class A misdemeanor under Connecticut law, carries a potential penalty of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.

Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli emphasized the gravity of the situation: . “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.”

Kris Gilman, Director of the DCP Gaming Division, expressed disappointment in the licensed provider’s actions: “We are disappointed that a licensed gaming service provider took advantage of Connecticut consumers by operating an illegal casino platform. It is difficult to recover funds for consumers from illegal platforms. We remind consumers that gambling on licensed platforms is the only way to guarantee recovered funds in the event of an issue with a game or platform.”

In addition to the suspension and charges, the DCP is pursuing restitution for affected consumers misled into believing High5Casino was a lawful option. Furthermore, all High5Games content supplied to FanDuel and DraftKings will be removed from those platforms, severing the company’s ties to Connecticut’s legal iGaming ecosystem.