Evolution Fined for Live Casino Errors in New Jersey
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement issued a fine against Evolution for a series of violations at its live casino operations between 2021 and 2023.
Reasons for the Fine and Key Incidents
According to documents released this month, regulators imposed a $12,000 fine, calling the violations “unacceptable.” The errors involved blackjack and roulette procedures, dealer performance, and oversight failures by management.
Major Violations
- June 15, 2021 — A blackjack dealer failed to deal a card to themselves at the Hard Rock studio. The error was incorrectly corrected: cards were returned to their original positions instead of following the proper rule that required the dealer to draw an additional card. The dealer received disciplinary action.
- January 6, 2023 — An online blackjack table operated for 26 hours with the wrong house rule: “Dealer must stand on 17 and must draw on 16,” instead of the required “Dealer must hit soft 17.” As a result, the dealer played under incorrect rules. No staff members were disciplined.
- March 23, 2023 — Roulette dealers repeatedly launched the ball with insufficient force, resulting in only three rotations instead of the required four. Five interviewed employees admitted they were unaware of the rule. No penalties followed.
- September 19, 2023 — At Ocean Casino Resort, two decks were used with five missing cards. A total of 438 hands were played over 16 hours and 20 minutes before the issue was fixed. The dealers involved were not disciplined.
Regulator’s Response
Acting Director of the Division of Gaming Enforcement, Mary Jo Flaherty, stated in a letter to the company that dealer and management mistakes resulted in multiple violations. The regulator stressed that accountability lies not only with individual employees but also with supervisory oversight.
Evolution’s attorney, Lloyd Levenson, declined to comment. Most dealers involved did not face disciplinary measures despite documented errors.
Additional Measures and Confiscated Winnings
In addition to the fine, New Jersey authorities also reported the confiscation of $186,184 in winnings from players who were either underage or on self-exclusion lists. By law, the funds were allocated as follows:
| Confiscated Amount | Allocation |
|---|---|
| $50,000 | State general fund, including programs for gambling addiction treatment and prevention |
| Remaining balance | Casino Revenue Fund, which supports seniors and people with disabilities |
Conclusion
Instances of dealers forgetting rules or using incomplete decks raised concerns about oversight in Evolution’s live casino operations.
While the fine itself was relatively modest, regulators made it clear that such incidents are considered “unacceptable” and call for stronger compliance measures.