The situation at PlayUp went from bad to worse late last week when the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) revoked the site’s transactional waivers. That move completely halted PlayUp’s abilities to accept wagers and put an official stamp on actions the site’s operators had already taken. Though PlayUp is officially still in business and, possibly, still for sale, it also shuttered its Colorado-facing site. In short, good things do not seem to be happening at PlayUp right now.
PlayUp earned the DGE’s ire earlier this month when it failed to provide financial statements, payroll and tax data. The DGE gave the company multiple opportunities to comply, but they simply didn’t provide it upon request. NJ gaming regulators have publicly stated
A DGE spokesperson confirmed the situation in a statement to SBC Americas saying, “The Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) issued a letter order yesterday revoking the transactional waivers that had allowed PlayUp to conduct sports wagering in New Jersey. Patrons will be able to access to their funds and can withdraw them from the site. Additionally, PlayUp is obligated to pay out any pending wagers, while no new wagers can be accepted. We encourage patrons to contact DGE at [email protected] if they have any concerns or require further assistance”
DGE Director David Redbuck said that PlayUp could reapply for an NJ gaming license but added, “The Division reserves the right to bring future disciplinary action against PlayUp, as its associated entity and individual qualifiers, for any violation of the Casino Control Act, Sports Wagering Act, or Division regulations based upon the facts currently presented or arising from subsequent investigations.”
As of this writing, PlayUp has temporarily shut down its Colorado site, though company officials say that a proposed sale of the company is still a real possibility. But, for now, PlayUp is regulated bookmaker that isn’t able to accept wagers in either one of the two states where it’s licensed to do just that.