Hard Rock Bet users who won the online casino’s Live Trivia Game Show were recently awarded $5,000 each in error.
The game usually splits that $5,000 among all winning players. There were 353 customers who won the game where the error occurred.
Key takeaways
- Hard Rock Bet mistakenly credited 353 users $5,000 each during a live trivia game.
- The company allowed those who received the money by mistake to keep it.
- The error came on Hard Rock Bet’s Live Trivia Game Show, which it released with Playtech in April.
With the prize money paid out to all winning players at the New Jersey online casino, Hard Rock Bet gave out $1,765,000 in prizes rather than $5,000. The company blames the mistake on an internal problem, the specifics of which it hasn't revealed.
“When made aware of the incorrect Live Trivia payouts, our response was quick and deliberate: the awards stand. While others may have tried to claw back the $5,000 awards, Hard Rock Bet wants to put our customers first wherever possible, not just when it’s convenient. Hard Rock Bet Casino is determined to provide our players with a simple, fair, and transparent entertainment experience, not one filled with terms and conditions, asterisks, and promotions that can never fully be won,” said Executive Managing Director and President of Hard Rock Bet, Matt Primeaux.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement hasn't commented on the incident.
Trivia game launched through Hard Rock Bet and Playtech partnership
Hard Rock Bet released its Live Trivia Game Show by Playtech in April, the first trivia game on the online casino. The new title adds to Playtech's growing portfolio with Hard Rock Digital, which currently includes slots, table games, and live dealer material. That portfolio helped Hard Rock Bet hit over 3,000 games in New Jersey.
The Playtech game lets operators like Hard Rock Bet customize branding, prize structure flexibility, and language support. Operators may also tailor rewards through alternative offers like Golden Chips or Free Spins as standalone awards or combined pools.
New Jersey implements new online gambling tax rate
While this trivia mistake made Hard Rock Bet pay out more than it may have wanted, the company will soon have to pay more to offer its New Jersey online casino and sports betting services. State lawmakers and Gov. Phil Murphy reached consensus on levying a new 19.75% tax rate on online casinos and sportsbooks, up from the current 15% and 13%, respectively.
The new rates take effect starting July 1 as part of the new state budget.
Earlier this year, Gov. Murphy proposed an even larger jump to 25%, initially estimated to bring in more than $400 million annually. That amount was reduced under the final agreement.
