The state of Connecticut is no longer pursuing criminal charges against High 5 Games and has reinstated the company’s supplier license in the state.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) issued a notice on Thursday that it agreed to a settlement with the online gaming provider that involves the company paying more than $1.4 million and the state dropping all criminal charges against the organization.
Earlier this year, the DCP pressed more than 1,000 criminal charges against the parent company of High 5 Casino and suspended its license as a regulated online casino supplier in the state. High 5 provides slot titles to both FanDuel and DraftKings in Connecticut.
However, the department alleged that High 5’s sweepstakes casino site in the state violated state laws and instructed DraftKings and FanDuel to pull High 5 titles from the site.
On Thursday, the DCP confirmed that, following an investigation into High 5’s operations, High 5 Games’ supplier license was reinstated effective May 22. In the full settlement agreement, the DCP noted that it has withdrawn any requests for the company to be hit with criminal charges.
High 5 Games has agreed to pay more than $643,000 in restitution to consumers who lost money to High 5 Casino and an additional $800,000 to supplant costs related to complaint resolution, education, enforcement and litigation.
“We are satisfied with the outcome of this investigation, which has resulted in the return of funds to consumers who were harmed by the unfair marketing of an unlicensed sweepstakes casino,” said DCP Gaming Division Director Kris Gilman.
“This case is just one example of the hard work our Gaming Division does to ensure a fair, safe and legal gaming market in Connecticut,” added DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “We are pleased the Connecticut consumers who were lured into placing wagers on an unlicensed platform will be made whole, and that this company has ceased operations of its unlicensed casino in Connecticut.”
High 5 maintains legality of sweeps
SBC Americas reached out to High 5 Games about the DCP’s notice.
The company noted that it has consistently maintained that its sweepstakes-based model is lawful under both state and federal guidelines, and emphasized that at no point during the Connecticut investigative process was the company found to have violated any laws.
“We respect the Department of Consumer Protection and the important work they do to uphold the integrity of Connecticut’s gaming market,” said CEO Tony Singer. “While we may not agree with every interpretation, we have always cooperated fully and acted in good faith. We operate with integrity, within the law, and with deep respect for the licenses we hold.”
The DCP said on Thursday that High 5 Games has provided the department with its full cooperation throughout the process.
The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), of which High 5 is a member, declined to comment on this story.
High 5 Casino no longer active in Connecticut
High 5 Casino announced in February that it would cease offering its products in the six states where online casino sites are regulated and legalized, including Connecticut.
The DCP confirmed on Thursday that High 5 Casino has ceased operating online casino gaming in Connecticut and the firm itself confirmed in its statement that it has partnered with Xpoint to implement geo-blocking solutions.
Singer added that in January 2025, prior to the regulatory review, High 5 Games had already begun the process of voluntarily exiting all regulated iGaming states, including Connecticut, “to reinforce its long-term commitment to a compliant, nationwide sweepstakes model.” High 5 has no plans to resume operating in Connecticut.
High 5 Games has faced enforcement from other states in recent months. Just days after Connecticut suspended its license, Maryland’s gaming regulator sent the company a cease-and-desist letter that accused it of offering and conducting online gaming activities without legal authority to do so.
A month before that, in February, a Washington state jury ordered High 5 Games to pay $24.9 million in damages to players in the state after a court ruling last year determined the company’s social casino gaming platforms High 5 Casino and High 5 Vegas constituted online gambling, which is illegal in the state.
