bwin fined $81k over self-exclusion failings in New Jersey

GVC Holdings-owned bwin.party has been fined $81,000 (£61,700/€71,100) for allowing self-excluded players to gamble via its online platform in New Jersey. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) imposed the fine after filing a complaint against bwin in December, seeking a sanction for breaching state regulations. The Civil Action Order details that a total of $41,759.49 was lost by a number of self-excluded players on bwin’s platform. bwin operates in partnership with the Borgata Casino (pictured) in the state. New Jersey law states that players who have self-excluded from gambling should not be able to access any licensed platform until the agreed self-exclusion period is over. As a result, the NJDGE ruled that bwin was in breach of the Casino Control Act. The NJDGE has been seeking to clamp down on breaches in regulation in recent months and in January also issued a fine to Rush Street Interactive for allowing minors to access its igaming services. Rush Street was ordered to pay $30,000, becoming the first igaming operator to face a punishment for such regulation breaches in New Jersey. Earlier this month, New Jersey Assemblymember Ralph Caputo also put forward a new bill that would formalise the penalties imposed on licensees that offer odds on sporting events for which betting is prohibited, with the guilty parties facing fines and automatic licence suspensions. The bill aims to have licensed operators found to have taken bets on prohibited events refund all amounts wagered, as well as paying a fine of between $20,000 and $10,000. They will also have their sports betting licence suspended for a period of up to 10 days.