PokerStars Fined for Illegal Sports Betting
Recently updated on April 24th, 2026
Although PokerStars is undoubtedly one of the most famous poker gambling sites in the US, they have been looking to branch out towards the sports gambling arena. The online poker site had hoped that the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) would not notice that they accepted bets on college teams. As a result, they were served a five-figure fine to the value of $10 000. This penalty also happens to be the largest fine levied on sports betting charge in illegal gambling.
PokerStars Penalty the Largest in History
Last year, the US Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), seemingly allowing online betting sites to take sports gambling wagers. In New Jersey, collegiate gambling has been prohibited, regardless of where the event takes place. Basically, if it involves any New Jersey college team, gambling websites are not allowed to offer betting odds on the game. PokerStars have been reported to have accepted approximately 216 bets for a college basketball game last year in November. The match was between Rutgers University and Eastern Michigan University, with the overall total bet worth $2,756. PokerStars also accepted wagers on a basketball game between Monmouth and the University of Pennsylvania on New Yearâs Eve.
Online Betting in New Jersey
New Jersey is one of the few states that has legalised sports gambling. It is the only state that instituted wagering restrictions on collegiate events. The ban was a result of fears over the integrity of the games being compromised. Oddly enough, it’s not the first time that the DGE has fined a betting site for a similar charge. Caesars having been charged as well. Caesars was fined $2,000 in December for accepting wagers on a Rutgers versus University of Kansas game.
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