Caesars Sportsbook has agreed to pay a $251,250 fine and “disgorge” just over $45,465 in funds to avoid facing disciplinary action from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) for multiple gaming violations.
According to the financial settlement, Caesars Sportsbook displayed signage which did not contain appropriate responsible gambling (RG) language under New Jersey regulations and failed to send a daily self-exclusion list to the DGE.
The operator also offered a permanent self-exclusion option to residents and allowed self-excluded patrons to gamble through alternative platforms.
Despite agreeing to the financial punishment, New Jersey’s gambling regulator still warned Caesars Sportsbook that future discipline will be enforced if additional violations are committed, even in the event of small infractions.
Under New Jersey gambling law, signage from sportsbook and online casino operators must display the state’s “bet with your head, not over it” messaging or similar language and the national problem gambling helpline.
Rather than allow patrons to sign-up online for lifetime self-exclusion, the DGE requires customers to appear in-person to self-impose the extended ban.
On August 26, Executive Chairman of Caesars Entertainment’s Board of Directors Gary Carano issued a letter to shareholders to invite those who maintain stock in the operator to vote on its potential $17.6bn acquisition by Fertitta Entertainment on September 22.
Shareholders will meet at the Eldorado Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada, where they’ll be asked to approve the Fertitta Entertainment transaction, a proposal for compensation paid to Caesars executive officers and a possible adjournment of the special meeting if there are not sufficient votes to finalize the merger.
Caesars’ Board of Directors originally approved the merger agreement prior to unveiling the transaction on May 27, as Fertitta Entertainment will assume $11.9bn of the operator’s total debts alongside a $5.7bn acquisition fee.
Caesars Sportsbook began operating the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas on July 28, completing a transition that moves the venue’s race and sportsbook operations onto the new platform
