VGT mogul sues Illinois Gaming Board

Neha Soni December 12, 2024

SiGMA news

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has been sued by a major video gaming terminal (VGT) businessman for alleged constitutional violations.

The lawsuit, filed by the man behind VGT companies, such as VVGT, Equitable Veteran Solutions and Vemco, alleges that the board and its leadership unfairly targeted his business.

VGT mogul Matthew Monson said the board has unfairly launched regulatory actions against his VVGT business, violating its constitutional rights.

Monson claimed the IGB has failed to uphold its administrative responsibilities in good faith. He filed the case in the Northern District of Illinois, seeking relief and damages.

IGB filed complaints against VVGT in 2022. The board accused the company of being untruthful and non-transparent in disclosing information. The regulatory board revoked the VGT company’s defunct licence for lack of transparency and issued a fine of $100,000.

The IGB continued pursing punitive measures against the company despite its licence expiring that year. Monson alleges that the regulator continued to unfairly pursue regulatory action despite the company’s licence being expired.

Monson also alleged that the board intentionally delayed legal processes, including assigning of administrative law judges against his other businesses. He claims this was to deprive him of access to due process.

The businessman also alleged that the board leveraged unproven allegations against VVGT in a move to disassociate him from his partnership with J&J Ventures Gaming.

The case against VVGT

IGB proposed to revoke the licence of VVGT for lack of transparency and submission of inaccurate information. As per the board, the VGT company failed to file business disclosures on time.

The operator allegedly failed to disclose nine sales agents within the usual three-week period. Moreover, it submitted wrong start dates in the forms it submitted to the board. VVGT was also accused of submitting doctored email records.

The IGB concluded that VVGT undermined the industry’s image and jeopardised its integrity by behaving unprofessionally.