Maine’s Oxford Casino Didn’t Violate Rules with Accidental Email

Posted on: February 20, 2024, 05:58h. 

Last updated on: February 20, 2024, 12:13h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Oxford Casino didn’t violate state regulations when it sent out an accidental promotional email to more than 60K customers, according to Maine officials.

The Maine Gambling Control Board (MGCB) recently said the Oxford, Maine gaming property’s January 10 email mistakenly told recipients they won $250 worth of complementary slot play.

That was followed by a second email, which corrected the initial message. The follow-up email explained that almost none of the recipients were getting free play.

The initial email was supposed to be sent to only five random customers, according to Maine TV station WGME. Each week, the casino chooses five patrons for the promotional drawing.

Oxford Casino General Manager Matt Gallagher said the mistake “was the result of a human error.” Casino officials quickly notified the MGCB about the error.

Even though the first email was retracted, close to 200 recipients of the message complained to the MGCB, according to WGME. Staff at the MGCB read the complaints, but won’t take further action against the casino.

MGCB Rules

“The email offer accidentally sent to the 60,000 plus recipients and then promptly retracted does not violate Gambling Control Board laws or rules, because the original email was sent accidentally,” the MGCB ruling stated.

MGCB Executive Director Milton Champion further said he read each of the complaints, considered the casino’s explanation, and looked at rules for the email promotion.

Maine’s commercial gaming law allows the casino to reward patrons with free slot play.

Oxford Casino, owned and operated by Churchill Downs, has almost 1,000 slot machines and 28 table games.