PHAI Files First-Of-Its-Kind Lawsuit Against Caesars Online Casino

Northeastern Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute has filed a first-of-its kind lawsuit against Caesars Online Casino in Pennsylvania state court alleging that its $2,500 deposit match promotion for new customers is misleading, predatory and likely illegal.

06.23.25 — The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) at Northeastern University School of Law has filed a first-of-its kind lawsuit against Caesars Online Casino in Pennsylvania state court alleging that its $2,500 deposit match promotion for new customers is misleading, predatory and likely illegal. This is the first online gambling lawsuit to question the role of regulators and ask for declaratory relief in addition to monetary damages. The complaint contends that not paying out winnings in blackjack until an enormous wagering requirement is met is contrary to Pennsylvania law.

To meet the promotion's $2,500 bonus requirement “a new customer playing blackjack is required to gamble and risk $375,000 within the first seven days after opening an account in order to keep the bonus and collect any winnings,” said Mark Gottlieb ’93, executive director of PHAI.

PHAI Director of Gambling Policy Harry Levant added, "for customers who play two $10 hands of blackjack per minute, in order to meet that wagering requirement, they would need to gamble nonstop for 44 hours per day, which is impossible to do."

PHAI attorney Jacob Wolk ’17, who drafted the complaint, noted that, “for Caesars, the promotion is an example of ‘tails I win, heads you lose.’”

Half of individuals in treatment for gambling addiction experience suicidal ideation and nearly 20 percent of them attempt suicide, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling. “When Caesars doesn’t play fair, it puts players’ health at risk,” said Professor Richard Daynard, president of PHAI .

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