The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has fined BetMGM $260,905 for 152 instances of allowing individuals on the Board’s self-exclusion list to gamble on their sites between 2021 and 2023.
A Consent Agreement provided to SBC Americas shows that an internal audit of the BetMGM and Borgata Pennsylvania player database in March 2021 found that a total of 148 accounts showed betting activity while on the iGaming self-exclusion list. Across those incidents, a total of $252,035.55 was deposited and $82,460.30 withdrawn for a total difference of $169,575.25.
Over $430K deposited by self-excluded players over 3 years
In two separate self-reported incidents in April 2021 and July 2022, two single self-excluding gamblers were able to access their Borgata accounts. In the first instance, a player deposited a total of $580 without withdrawing; in the second, an individual deposited a total of $700 and withdrew a total of $100.
Finally, in July 2023, a review found that two self-excluding gamblers accessed their accounts thanks to manual human error. Across those two accounts, a total of $183,065.45 was deposited and $92,916.59 was withdrawn, a difference of $90,148.86.
In total, $436,381.00 was deposited and $175,476.89 was withdrawn by individuals on the self-exclusion list via the BetMGM and Borgata platforms during those time periods.
Pennsylvania’s self-exclusion list allows individuals affected by problem gambling to voluntarily ban themselves from casinos, internet-based gambling, video gaming terminals and fantasy sports wagering. They can choose the length of their ban from multiple options.
The PGCB noted that BetMGM took actions to rectify the situations, including closing the relevant accounts and launching internal investigations and reviews of procedures and systems. The company agreed to pay the PGCB a civil penalty of $260,905 and a $2,500 fee for costs. In addition, the brand has voluntarily donated $20,000 to the Pennsylvania Council on Problem Gambling.
“BetMGM takes full responsibility for the 2021 Pennsylvania self-exclusion violations and has taken significant steps to enhance practices to prevent future incidents,” a BetMGM spokesperson told SBC Americas by email. “BetMGM remains committed to responsible gambling including substantial investments in training, research, education programs, and telehealth services.”
Board members scrutinizes $183,000 in deposits
At a PGCB board meeting on Wednesday, when the board unanimously adopted the Consent Agreement motion, the instances of two self-excluding users depositing more than $183,000 came under heavy scrutiny from one commissioner.
“Who’s got that kind of money to deposit $183,000?” asked Commissioner Shawn Dillon. “Doesn’t that raise a red flag if somebody puts that big a deposit into an account? Doesn’t somebody look at that?”
BetMGM’s Senior Director of Compliance Sarah Brennan said that the company does evaluate players for any inconsistency in behavior, but noted that BetMGM has “players of all value.”
“Based only on deposit amount, it wouldn’t necessarily raise a flag if there weren’t other issues that would have been flagged by fraud risk or AML,” Brennan added.
