Pennsylvania regulator places seven individuals on iGaming Involuntary Exclusion List for fraud

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has expanded its efforts to combat fraud within the online gaming sector by placing seven individuals on the iGaming Involuntary Exclusion List. The Board, following advice from its Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC), approved the recommendation on Wednesday.

This decision came after investigations conducted by the Board’s Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement (BIE) revealed fraudulent activities involving a total of $27,168. The fraudulent activities investigated involved two main schemes.

In one instance, individuals were found to have created online gaming accounts using stolen personal identification and payment methods. These accounts, which were set up without any intention of engaging in actual gaming, were used to withdraw funds directly into the perpetrators' own bank accounts. In another scheme, individuals requested and received refunds for disputed credit or debit card transactions even though that refund was fraudulent.

Specifically, one individual was found to have created two online sports wagering accounts using stolen personal information and credit cards, resulting in a $300 withdrawal. Another individual was involved in creating 13 online casino-type game accounts with similar fraudulent activities, withdrawing $545.

Additionally, an individual created six online sports wagering accounts and withdrew $1,000, while another set up four such accounts and withdrew $1,123. Another case involved the creation of two online sports wagering accounts leading to a $1,500 withdrawal.

One individual was also responsible for fraudulently requesting and receiving six chargebacks totaling $10,100 on a credit card linked to an online casino-type game account. Finally, an individual created one online sports wagering account and withdrew $12,600.

The PGCB’s actions are part of a broader commitment to preventing individuals who have engaged in fraudulent behavior from participating in online gaming within Pennsylvania, the regulator said. The inclusion of these seven individuals increases the total number on the iGaming Involuntary Exclusion List to 37.

In addition to the iGaming list, the Board has also placed four more individuals on its Casino Involuntary Exclusion List, which now includes 1,197 individuals. These exclusions are based on various reasons, including theft, cheating, child endangerment, disorderly conduct, and the use of counterfeit currency.