The Illinois Gaming Commission is seeking to impose a substantial $5 million penalty on Accel Entertainment. Their alleged transgression? Purportedly attempting to expand their clientele through questionable cashback promotions.
It seems Accel, a prominent entity in the video gaming sector, reportedly entered into an arrangement with DraftKings, the sports wagering behemoth. The terms? Accel would receive compensation for each new patron they steered towards DraftKings. Appears straightforward, no?
However, the issue arises because such commission-driven agreements are strictly forbidden under Illinois gaming regulations. And the sums involved are far from insignificant – Accel purportedly disbursed a staggering $2.1 million in these commissions. To provide context, they manage nearly one-third of all gaming terminals within the entire state!
The arrangement entailed Accel displaying DraftKings advertisements on their machines. In exchange, they would receive a tidy $200 for every new user they directed to the DraftKings platform. Furthermore, to enhance the appeal, Accel was permitted to distribute these earnings with the establishments hosting their machines.
The Gaming Commission is taking a firm stance on this matter. They have formally accused Accel, alleging that these payments constituted a blatant effort to entice customers through covert agreements.
Accel, naturally, presents a different perspective. Their Chief Executive, Andrew Rubenstein, asserts that they will vigorously contest these allegations. He contends that both participating companies are publicly listed and possess a thorough understanding of the law, implying they would not jeopardize their position with such an arrangement.
Accel’s legal representative, Donna More, reinforced this stance, emphasizing the company’s dedication to adhering to the regulations governing the gaming industry.
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