PokerStars fined over college betting in New Jersey

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) has fined PokerStars operator The Stars Group $10,000 (£7,690/€8,890) for accepting bets on basketball games featuring teams from two colleges in the state.

PokersStars processed a total of 216 bets on the game between New Jersey’s Rutgers University Scarlett Knights and the Eastern Michigan University Eagles in November of last year. In total, wagers on the game amounted to $2,657.89.

PokerStars, owned and operated by The Stars Group, also took a single wager on the game between New Jersey’s Monmouth University Hawks and the University of Pennsylvania Quakers in January of this year. The NJDGE did not disclose the value of this bet. However, New Jersey's gambling regulations prohibit licensees from offering bets on sports involving teams from colleges or universities located in the state.

PokerStars has acknowledged that it was in breach of state law and has refunded all of the bets that were placed in New Jersey on both games. The operator has also accepted the fine of $10,000 as issued by the NJDGE.

PokerStars is the latest licensed operator to face a fine for breaching gambling laws in New Jersey. Last month, GVC Holdings-owned bwin.party was fined $81,000 for allowing self-excluded players to gamble via its online platform in the state.

In January, Rush Street Interactive was also fined $30,000 for allowing minors to access its igaming services, becoming the first operator to face a punishment for this offence in New Jersey.