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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Monopoly Decried in Casino Cash Machines

LAS VEGAS (CN) - A competitor claims Global Cash Access monopolizes cash machines in more than 1,000 casinos. In its federal antitrust complaint, Sightline Payments claims Global Cash provides cash to gamblers at the 10 largest gaming companies in the United States, "pursuant to long-term contracts that generally give GCA the exclusive and monopolistic right to offer GCA's products in those establishments."

Sightline says Global Cash owns Central Credit, the only "gaming patron credit bureau" that provides "detailed patron credit histories to gaming institutions."

Global's "monopolistic position enables it to tie Central Credit services to [its] cash access services" and allows it to "maintain data on millions of unique gaming transactions which can be used to enhance gaming establishments' patron-marketing activities," according to the complaint.

Plaintiff also says Global is monopolizing the "cashless gaming" industry, and in 2008 processed 80 million transactions that "put more than $21 billion into the hands of gaming patrons."

Sightline says it sought to acquire Western Money Systems, a vendor of redemption kiosks, but that Global stepped in and offered to form a joint venture to acquire the company. Global then made an unspecified cash offer to buy Western that Sightline says it couldn't match.

Sightline claims that "Given the vast experience of Sightline's executive team and proven track record ... it is reasonably probable that Sightline would have captured at least 50 percent of the current market if not prevented by [Global's] actions."

It seeks at least $300 million in damages for violations of the Sherman Act.

It is represented by Richard Archer.

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