The Illinois Gaming Board is seeking to impose a $ 5 million fine on Accel Entertainment over alleged payments to stimulate its business.
WBEZ said Accel, one of the largest videogame operators in the US, allegedly signed a deal with DraftKings to pay commission to companies and encourage them to place Accel machines in more places.
The operator allegedly paid a commission of $ 21,000 and thus violated the Illinois Gaming Act as it is illegal to offer commission in exchange for increased business. The company controls nearly a third of Illinois' machines.
Under the agreement, Accel would reportedly be placing DraftKings ads on their slot machines and receiving 200 $ in return for each new customer joining the sports betting platform.
Accel would then have the right to share this money with the facilities in which the machines are located. The Gaming Commission signed an eight-page disciplinary complaint, alleging that Accel plans to use the payments to curry customer favors.
Accel chairman and CEO Andrew Rubenstein said the company will fight the allegations.
He said, "These were two publicly owned companies that knew absolutely what they were doing and were up to the law."
Donna More, an attorney at Accel, added: "Accel is committed to complying with all applicable gaming laws and regulations."