PGCB bans seven individuals for $27K fraud in online gaming scheme

Christine Denosta August 1, 2024

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has announced that seven individuals have been added to its iGaming Involuntary Exclusion List following recent investigations into online gaming fraud, following the Board’s Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) recommendations.

The Board’s Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement (BIE) investigations uncovered fraudulent online transactions totalling $27,168 (€25,086.93). The fraudulent activities were identified through two main schemes.

The first scheme involved individuals creating online gaming accounts using stolen personal information and payment methods. These perpetrators deposited funds into these accounts without engaging in any gaming activities and withdrew the funds directly into their own bank accounts. The second scheme involved requesting and receiving fraudulent refunds for disputed credit or debit card transactions from card issuers.

Details of fraudulent cases

The PGCB provided a summary of each individual’s fraudulent activities based on the investigation results. The first person used stolen personal details and credit cards to set up two sports betting accounts, fraudulently acquiring $300 (€277.08). Another person created 13 casino accounts with unauthorised data and credit cards, obtaining $545 (€503.36).

The third participant established six sports betting accounts using stolen information and credit cards, unlawfully securing $1,000 (€923.50). The fourth person set up four sports betting accounts with illicit data and credit cards, earning $1,123 (€1,037.09). The fifth player created two sports betting accounts using unauthorised information and credit cards, claiming $1,500 (€1,385.40).

The sixth and seventh individuals were involved in the most significant fraudulent activities. The sixth person illegally requested and received six chargebacks totalling $10,100 (€9,328.36) on a credit card linked to an online casino account while the other one set up a sports betting account with stolen personal information and credit card details, illegitimately acquiring $12,600 (€11,634.84).

This enforcement action by the PGCB shows its commitment to maintain the integrity of online gaming in Pennsylvania. With the addition of these individuals, the total number on the iGaming Involuntary Exclusion List has reached 37.

In addition to these actions, the Board has placed four more individuals on its Casino Involuntary Exclusion List, bringing the total number on that list to 1,197. This list covers offenses such as theft, cheating, child endangerment, disorderly conduct, and the use of counterfeit currency.