High 5 Games will pay $1.44 million to settle allegations it ran an illegal online casino in Connecticut. The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) found the company violated state gaming laws by offering real-money casino games without a license through its High 5 Casino platform.
Since March 2023, roughly 1,100 residents have used the unlicensed site. Of those, 911 players lost a total of $938,000. Alarmingly, over 100 of those users were on the state’s self-exclusion list for problem gambling.
The platform has since pulled out of Connecticut. High 5 Games surrendered its supplier license on May 22, 2025, after agreeing to the settlement. The company did not admit wrongdoing.
What the Settlement Includes
Under the terms of the agreement, High 5 Games must:
- Repay $643,000 to 794 affected players
- Contribute $800,000 to consumer protection and responsible gambling programs
- Submit quarterly compliance reports to the DCP through April 2026
- Block all Connecticut users, including those trying to access the platform with VPNs
- Refrain from offering sweepstakes games in the state without a license
If any repayment funds go unclaimed for six months, they’ll be handed over to the state.
Over 1,000 potential criminal charges were dropped as part of the deal. DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli called the resolution a win for consumer protection, while Gaming Division Director Kris Gilman emphasized the importance of returning funds to impacted users.
Still Playing High 5 Games? You Might Not Know It
Although the High 5 Casino site is now off-limits in Connecticut, players may still encounter High 5 titles. The company’s games are featured on legal platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel — two of the state’s licensed operators.
So while you can’t play on High 5’s standalone site, their slot games are still embedded within fully regulated casinos. That distinction is crucial for players looking to stay on the right side of state law and avoid shady operators.
Past Trouble Adds to Company’s Legal Baggage
This isn’t High 5 Games’ first brush with regulators. In Washington state, the company was recently hit with a $24.94 million judgment after being found to have targeted high-risk, vulnerable players — many of whom lost substantial sums.
That case, much like the one in Connecticut, highlights how so-called “sweeps casinos” often operate in a legal gray area. According to American Gaming Association CEO Bill Miller, these operators “use legal acrobatics” to sidestep gambling regulations, while still offering products that look and feel like traditional casino games — but without oversight.
What It Means for the Average Player
For everyday online casino users in Connecticut, this case is a reminder to stick to licensed platforms. Playing on unregulated sites might seem harmless, but when things go wrong — like unfair game mechanics, delayed payouts, or lack of responsible gaming tools — there’s often little recourse.
The High 5 settlement shows that state regulators are watching and willing to step in when lines are crossed. That’s good news for players looking for a safer, more transparent gaming experience.
What’s Next for High 5 Games?
High 5 reported $78 million in revenue in 2024, but that figure dipped to $65 million in 2025 following legal and regulatory setbacks in multiple states. To recover, the company will need to avoid further clashes with regulators and clean up its compliance efforts — or risk bleeding more money and market access.
For now, the message from Connecticut is clear: If you’re not licensed, you’re not welcome.
