Reno casino fined $40,000 for violating online gambling rules

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Boomtown Casino in the city of Reno, Nevada has agreed to pay $40,000 after it was found to violate internet gambling rules.

The casino operator offered links to offshore online casinos through its own website in the belief that it was offering visitors access to free-play online casino games, the company said, adding that at no time was it aware that these sites also offered access to real-money games.

Robert Joseph Medeiros, Chief Executive Officer of the club, has signed a stipulation with the Nevada Gaming Control Board and admits Boomtown was guilty of misconduct, but denies it had any intention to ignore the law, the Nevada Appeal reported.

The settlement, which must be approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission, calls for Boomtown to return $1621 it received in commission fees from companies based in Curacao which offered wagering for cash on 11 of its sites. The money will go to the Reno Problem Gaming Center.

Boomtown contracted Affiliate Edge and Deck Media to allow the free games to be paid. The board said Boomtown advertisement was on three of the cash for pay websites and it received a commission for money lost.

Boomtown must also provide training to its employees to avoid similar violations in the future.