Key Moments:
- SBOpco LLC has received a $20,000 fine from New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement due to a UFC betting system error in 2022.
- Incorrect odds on the February 12 fight between William Knight and Maxim Grishin caused legitimate winning bets to be initially rejected, prompting regulatory intervention for proper payouts.
- Additional penalties targeted SuperBook and its affiliates for accepting prohibited wagers and repeatedly violating self-exclusion regulations.
Costly System Error Impacts UFC Bettors
SBOpco LLC, which formerly operated Westgate Las Vegas’ SuperBook, has been ordered by New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) to pay a $20,000 fine. The penalty came after a computer malfunction in 2022 incorrectly displayed betting odds during a UFC bout between William Knight and Maxim Grishin. The odds showed Grishin at +145, though Knight was the actual favorite, leading to inaccurate bet settlements. As a result, bettors who had accurately predicted Grishin’s victory initially did not receive their proper payouts. The DGE intervened to ensure these customers received their due winnings.
Operator Oversight and Regulatory Response
According to New Jersey’s regulatory framework, SBO was accountable for ensuring proper licensing and compliance standards, not Westgate. The DGE’s fine underscores the critical need for accurate odds reporting and timely correction of system faults by gaming operators. The event preceded SBOpco’s July 2024 move to wind down most online operations nationwide, including in New Jersey, to refocus on Nevada.
Further Sanctions and Industry Crackdown
SuperBook also incurred penalties for taking unauthorized bets on a New Jersey college basketball game in 2023 and for accepting wagers on the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest. Simultaneously, its sister entity, Digital Gaming Corporation, faced a larger $112,188 fine for multiple breaches of self-exclusion policies from March 2024 through January 2025, allowing prohibited customers to wager beyond their preset limits.
Broader industry enforcement has seen similar actions: Evolution was fined $12,000 for errors in live casino play, and William Hill Sportsbook paid $20,000 for accepting illegal college basketball bets. These measures illustrate New Jersey’s ongoing commitment to enforcement and player protection in the evolving gambling market.
Compliance in Focus for New Jersey Operators
With oversight tightening and the market expanding, sportsbook operators in New Jersey are under close scrutiny. Regulatory authorities continue to demand high standards in technology management, compliance, and player safety from all licensees and their technology partners.
| Operator/Entity | Fine Amount | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| SBOpco LLC (SuperBook) | $20,000 | Incorrect UFC odds and bet settlements |
| SuperBook | Unspecified | Unauthorized bets (NCAA basketball, NBA Slam Dunk Contest) |
| Digital Gaming Corporation | $112,188 | Repeated self-exclusion violations |
| Evolution | $12,000 | Live casino errors |
| William Hill Sportsbook | $20,000 | Illegal college basketball bets |
- Author
Daniel Williams
