PHAI sues Caesars in Pennsylvania over ‘deceptive’ bonus promotion
The Public Health Advocacy Institute has filed a lawsuit against Caesars Online Casino and Harrah’s Philadelphia, accusing them of promoting a “deceptive and dangerous” US$2,500 deposit match offer.
In addition to the deposit, the offer requires customers to gamble and risk at least US$375,000 in seven days to receive any payout.
The suit, filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, states that the bonus is misleading and predatory and that it breaches state law by tying bonus payouts to an unattainable wagering threshold.
According to Public Health Advocacy Institute, the small print of the offer traps players into gambling excessively, putting both their money and mental health at risk.
Speaking about the promotion, Public Health Advocacy Institute Executive Director Mark Gottlieb said it was one of the worst gambling promotions he had seen.
“It’s a clear example of the gambling industry pushing limits without adequate oversight. This promotion is impossible to complete under normal play conditions. It’s designed for players to fail, and that’s both dangerous and deceptive,” Gottlieb said.
PHAI’s legal team stated that it was their mission to protect the public from harmful industry practices. This follows legal actions in 2023 and 2024 taken against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and sports betting operator DraftKings.
Earlier this month, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has issued a CA$54,000 (US$39,200)1 CAD = 0.7254 USD
2025-06-23Powered by CMG CurrenShift penalty to Well Played Media, the operator of Casino Days, for offering a deceptive welcome bonus, which incited high-risk behavior.
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Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
