Regulators Act On Foxwood's 'Playaway'

Published: Friday, July 29, 2005 Online-Casinos.com

REGULATORS ACT ON FOXWOOD'S "PLAYAWAY"

But the Indians say no way....

Online-Casinos.com & InfoPowa's recent report on the ingenious ploy by Foxwoods land casino to introduce interaction over the Internet with its customers had a sequel early this week when State regulators ordered it to shut down the "PlayAway" promotion saying it violated Internet gambling laws and illegally expanded gambling off the Indian reservation.

The casino, among the world's largest, markets its "PlayAway" promotion as a way to play slots and card games from home, although all financial and win-lose decisions take place within the reservation and on the Foxwood premises.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Gaming Commission said that it was reviewing a letter from the state Division of Special Revenue.

Following a meeting with Attorney General Richard Blumenthal the tribe stood its ground, saying its activites were legal.

"Nothing the player does from his computer can in any way impact on the outcome of the game, the results of which have already been determined by a computerised drawing at Foxwoods," the tribe said in a statement released Wednesday.

PlayAway allows gamblers to put their money down at Foxwoods, then check results online. The casino argues that it isn't Internet gambling because all the betting is done at Foxwoods.

"We certainly understand the argument," Blumenthal said, "but it is clearly contradicted by their own marketing for the game."

Blumenthal said the game was a magnet for minors.

"This game has to stop," he said.

By midweek further grounds for banning the game had emerged, principally that it had not been submitted for approval by the regulators.

More state officials were commenting, as Foxwoods stood by its intention to launch the game and a confrontation seemed inevitable with both sides making strong statements.

Towards the end of the week a more conciliatory tone had set in, and Foxwoods had held discussions with the regulators, although as we went to press no firm outcome was apparent.