Accel Entertainment faces $5m fine from the Illinois Gaming Board
The Illinois Gaming Board seeks to fine Accel Entertainment $5m over alleged payments to drum up its business.
WBEZ has reported that Accel, one of the largest video gambling operators in the US, allegedly signed a deal with DraftKings that involved paying commissions to businesses and enticing them to place Accel machines in more venues.
The operator allegedly paid $21,000 in commissions and thus violated the Illinois Gaming Act, as it is illegal to offer commissions in exchange for increased business. The company controls nearly a third of the machines in Illinois.
According to the agreement, Accel would reportedly place DraftKings ads on its machines and in return would get $200 for each new customer that joined the sports betting platform.
Accel would then have the right to share this money with the venues where the machines were located. The gaming board signed an eight-page disciplinary complaint, maintaining that Accel planned to use payments to curry favors with clients.
Accel president and CEO Andrew Rubenstein has stated the company will fight the allegations.
He said: “This was two public companies that absolutely knew what they were doing and following the law.”
Donna More, attorney for Accel, added: “Accel is committed to conducting itself in accordance with all relevant gaming laws and regulations.”
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