Compliance Updates
Mintas’ PlayUp restraining order revoked in US court
Nevada’s District Court has denied PlayUp’s emergency motion for a preliminary injunction against its former US CEO, Dr Laila Mintas.
At a hearing last week, Judge Gloria Navarro ruled that PlayUp had failed to demonstrate that it was Mintas’ actions that led to the collapse of the operator’s acquisition by crytpocurrency exchange FTX.
Instead, she said that evidence provided in Mintas’ defence successfully demonstrated it was “just as likely or more likely” that the deal collapsed as a result of group CEO Daniel Simic’s actions.
Mintas’ memorandum submitted to the court between Christmas and New Year revealed that once the $450m acquisition price was agreed, Simic attempted to insert a number of additional costs into the agreement.
He looked to have FTX acquire PlayChip, a decentralised utility token designed for the betting and gaming sector controlled by PlayUp’s Australian management, for an additional $105m. Simic also attempted to secure $65m for “key staff”, including $25m for himself.
PlayUp’s argument centred on the fact that after Mintas had been asked not to attend a meeting with FTX in the Bahamas, she met with the business separately. After that meeting, FTX emailed the operator’s management to say it would not be pursuing the acquisition.
As FTX cited a lack of communication between the US and global businesses, PlayUp claimed that was evidence that Mintas’ meeting had led to the deal’s collapse. However the email also flagged potential conflicts of interest caused by the condition that PlayChip be acquired as well.
The judge noted this email was not provided to the court by PlayUp, despite it being relevant and placing things in a “much different light”. “[It’s] just more likely that this point, in my mind, that Dr Mintas was exercising her executive responsibility and that she was turned into the scapegoat.”
In her ruling, Judge Navarro noted that when she initially granted the temporary restraining order in December, an affidavit from Simic implied circumstantial evidence of Mintas threatening to “burn PlayUp to the ground”. Having reviewed Mintas’ evidence, the judge said she was less sure “whether the statement was even made”.
Ultimately, Navarro said that Mintas had provided substantial evidence that her comments did not cause the sale to fail, and PlayUp failed to provide evidence that she even made a disparaging comment to FTX.
In response to the injunction being denied, Mintas has filed claims for damages in excess of $75,000. She accuses PlayUp of abuse of process, after it deliberately omitted key information from its filing for a temporary restraining order.
She also claims relief for defamation, arguing the operator caused her to suffer “irreparable harm to her reputation, loss of income, devaluation of her shares, among other damages”. PlayUp also portrayed her in a false light by making these claims, and intentionally inflicted emotional distress on her.
The operator’s repeated reassurances that she was to be awarded a new contract, which was highlighted as causing the breakdown in the relationship between Mintas and PlayUp, makes the business guilty of “guilty of oppression, fraud and malice”, she argues. The fact it claimed to be finalising her contract while having no intention of doing so amounts to fraud, as she did not seek alternative employment during this period.
Finally, due to a separate temporary restraining order being secured in PlayUp’s home market of Australia, Mintas is seeking a declaratory judgement that the Australian injunction has no force or effect.
Based on the evidence provided in the US District Court, she argues that it is no more than an attempt to “gag” her, and ultimately as she is not a citizen of the country, should be made inadmissible.
While Mintas remains unable to comment due to this ongoing litigation, her legal representation stressed that she “strongly denies [PlayUp’s] allegations and will fight vigorously against the remaining claims and prosecute her counterclaims”.
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has expanded its reach after securing a supplier licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), marking its official entry into the Canadian market.
The licence allows Evoplay to offer its gaming portfolio to Ontario’s licensed operators, bringing its innovative titles to one of North America’s most dynamic regulated markets.
As a province with a strong player base and well-established iGaming framework, Ontario represents a key opportunity for Evoplay’s continued global expansion.
With a diverse portfolio of slots, table games, crash, and instant games, Evoplay is known for delivering engaging content that resonates with modern audiences.
This move reinforces the company’s commitment to entering new regulated markets and working closely with local partners to provide high-quality gaming experiences.
With further growth plans on the horizon, Evoplay continues to strengthen its global footprint, bringing its signature gaming experiences to new audiences worldwide.
Ihor Zarechnyi, CCO at Evoplay, said: “Receiving an Ontario licence is a significant milestone for us as we expand into North America.
“Ontario’s iGaming market has grown significantly, and we’re excited to bring our content to local players while building strong partnerships with operators in the region.”
Compliance Updates
DCP Issues Summary Suspension of High5Games License for Conducting Illegal Gaming Activity
The Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division has issued a summary suspension of the license for Online Gaming Service Provider, High5Games.
High5Games is a licensed service provider that develops and provides online slot content for the legal gaming platforms in Connecticut. The Gaming Division’s investigation determined that High5Games also illegally operates an unlicensed online casino, High5Casino.
High5Casino was marketed by High5Games as a legal “licensed” casino and accepted wagers from Connecticut bettors, including individuals who had signed up for the statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion List.
There are only two legal platforms licensed to accept iCasino wagers from Connecticut consumers: FanDuel and DraftKings. They are affiliated with Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casino, respectively.
The DCP Gaming Division investigation determined that 1100 Connecticut customers made deposits and gambled on the unlicensed High5Casino platform. Of those, 911 customers lost a total of $937,938, and 108 were individuals who had signed up for the Voluntary Self-Exclusion List. Customers on the Voluntary Self-Exclusion List lost nearly $300,000 on the platform.
High5Games, a majority owner of High5Casino, will be charged with 1065 criminal counts of conducting illegal gaming activity. Gaming Division Criminal Investigators will seek criminal charges for all of the violations of Connecticut’s gaming laws, for which each charge is a Class A misdemeanor carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2000.
DCP will seek restitution for eligible consumers who suffered a financial loss after being misled to believe that High5Casino was a legal form of gaming in Connecticut.
“Thank you to our Gaming Division team for their hard work to hold this licensee accountable. It is a privilege to hold this license, and we expect our credential holders to take that responsibility seriously. High5Games took advantage of their credential to mislead consumers into believing they were participating in gaming on a legal platform when, in fact, they were breaking the law. We remind consumers that there are only two licensed online casinos in Connecticut — DraftKings/Foxwoods and FanDuel/Mohegan Sun — and if you choose to participate in online gaming, you should only utilize one of the legal platforms licensed to operate in our state,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli.
“We are disappointed that a licensed gaming service provider took advantage of Connecticut consumers by operating an illegal casino platform. It is difficult to recover funds for consumers from illegal platforms. We remind consumers that gambling on licensed platforms is the only way to guarantee recovered funds in the event of an issue with a game or platform,” said DCP Gaming Division Director Kris Gilman.
Compliance Updates
Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) Joins Congressional Leaders to Reintroduce SAFE Bet Act Ahead of March Madness
The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) at Northeastern University School of Law supports Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) as they reintroduced the SAFE Bet Act, which addresses the risks associated with legalized gambling.
As of 2025, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting, but the necessary safeguards are not in place to address the public health risks that legalizing sports betting creates. The SAFE Bet Act, first introduced in September 2024, addresses those public health concerns.
The SAFE Bet Act establishes federal standards while preserving the opportunity for anyone who wishes to participate in legal sports betting. These standards will address advertising, affordability, and artificial intelligence issues.
Director of Gambling Policy at PHAI, Dr. Harry Levant, said: “The rapid and unprecedented expansion of the gambling industry has resulted in a public health crisis the scope of which we are only beginning to recognize.”
“Once unthinkable partnerships between the gambling industry, professional and collegiate sports, broadcast media, and technology companies have resulted in the delivery of non-stop gambling action on virtually every phone, tablet, computer, and television. Gambling is a known addictive product, and the 2025 SAFE Bet Act protects the public by replacing the ethically flawed ‘responsible gaming’ model with comprehensive public health solutions designed to prevent gambling-related harm,” Levant added.
“Like cigarettes, online sports gambling apps are a highly addictive product designed to entrap consumers into compulsive use, robbing them of free choice as well their money. The Safe Bets Act aims, among other things, to eliminate the predatory features of current sports betting apps, still allowing users to bet on the game but not to bet compulsively instead of even watching the game,” said PHAI President and Professor of Law at Northeastern University, Richard Daynard.
“Where there is a public health problem, there needs to be a public health solution. At PHAI, we understand that blaming the people who are struggling with gambling and referring to them as ‘irresponsible’ consumers is not a public health solution. The 2025 SAFE Bet Act recognizes that the government needs to take a more active role when dealing with the new high-intensity sports gambling products that are causing so much pain today. The SAFE Bet Act is a public health solution,” said Mark Gottlieb, Executive Director of PHAI.
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