Summary
- New Jersey fined Evolution $12,000 for dealer errors, including blackjack mishaps and roulette rule violations at Hard Rock and Ocean Casino Resort studios.
- Errors included incorrect blackjack instructions, incomplete card decks, and roulette spins that didn’t meet standards, with some issues unnoticed for hours.
- Regulators also seized $186,184 in winnings from underage or self-excluded players, supporting compulsive gambling programs and community funds.
If you enjoy online casino games, you might be surprised to hear about some recent slip-ups in New Jersey’s live dealer studios.
The state’s gaming regulators fined Evolution, a major online casino provider, $12,000 for a series of dealer and game errors that broke the rules.
Dealer Errors Spark Penalties
Blackjack Blunders at Hard Rock
Back in June 2021, a dealer at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City messed up a blackjack game by not dealing themselves a card. Instead of just drawing an extra card as the rules require, they tried shuffling the cards back into the deck. The dealer faced written discipline for this mistake, and you can bet they’re more careful now.
In January 2023, another blackjack issue popped up at the same studio. A virtual table showed wrong instructions, saying the dealer must stand on 17 and draw on 16, when they should hit on a soft 17.
This error went unnoticed for 26 hours, with the dealer playing incorrectly the whole time, but no staff faced formal punishment.
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Roulette and Card Deck Issues
In March 2023, Hard Rock’s roulette croupiers had to re-spin the ball multiple times because it didn’t make the required four revolutions around the wheel. Five dealers admitted they didn’t even know this rule, which is a big no-no.
Later that year, in September, dealers at Evolution’s Ocean Casino Resort studio used two incomplete card decks, missing five cards total. They played 438 rounds of blackjack over 16 hours before anyone caught the error. Neither of these incidents led to staff penalties.
Protecting Players and Supporting Communities
Confiscated Winnings Fund Good Causes
Alongside the fine, regulators seized $186,184 in winnings from players who were either underage or on self-exclusion lists. This money will help fund compulsive gambling treatment and prevention programs, so you know it’s going to a good cause. The rest supports New Jersey’s Casino Revenue Fund, which aids seniors and people with disabilities through programs like Hearing Aid and Pharmaceutical Assistance.
A Push for Fair Gaming
These fines show New Jersey’s commitment to keeping online gaming fair and safe for you. The state is also eyeing a plan to claim money from inactive gambling accounts to fund unclaimed property programs. By cracking down on errors and illegal play, regulators ensure you can trust the games you enjoy.
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