- The Arizona Department of Gaming issued a cease-and-desist notice to Bovada last month
- The illegally operating offshore gaming company placed Arizona on its restricted access list
- It is the 17th U.S. market to be restricted by Bovada
Send a cease-and-desist notice to Bovada and they’ll put your market on the restricted access list with no questions asked. It’s a tale as old as time itself.
Bovada officially placed Arizona on its restricted access list, the 17th U.S. market, after the state’s department of gaming sent a cease-and-desist letter to Harp Media B.V., which operates the Curaçao-based company, on Nov. 8, 2024.
The notice directed Bovada to immediately cease all gambling operations and activities in Arizona, and take the necessary steps to prevent and exclude Arizona residents from gambling on their websites.
Arizona Officially Restricted
The Arizona Department of Gaming reported Bovada is in violation of the following state gaming laws:
- Promotion of gambling (felony)
- Illegal control of an enterprise (felony)
- Money laundering (felony)
The operation of Bovada is an alleged felony criminal enterprise, according to the department.
“We are actively monitoring the evolving landscape of online gaming and taking proactive steps like this helps us protect Arizona’s communities and economy from illegal activities,” Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG, said in a press release. “Our enforcement team is committed to preventing unauthorized operations from establishing a foothold here. Arizona will not be a safe haven for unlicensed or unlawful gaming, nor will we allow unlawful entities to compromise the integrity of gaming within our state.”
The department of gaming urged Arizona residents to use caution when participating in online gambling activities and use only licensed operators.
Bovada followed its typical pattern when faced with a cease-and-desist notice. It never acknowledge receipt of the notice and did not inform the Arizona Department of Gaming it was placing the state on its restricted list.
Bovada Restricting Access in 17 Markets
Arizona is the latest market to be restricted in the U.S. by Bovada.
Several state regulatory gaming bodies have issued cease-and-desist letters to Bovada over the course of the last year, ordering the offshore gaming company out of their markets. Bovada has mostly agreed to these notices, restricting access to 16 states and Washington, D.C. As was the case in all of these markets, Bovada never acknowledged the notices or told the states of their plans to restrict access.
The restricted U.S. markets are as follows:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
Bovada, one of the leading online gambling platforms, has recently announced that it will be restricting access to its services for residents of Arizona. This decision comes in response to a cease and desist notice issued by the Arizona Department of Gaming, which has deemed Bovada’s operations in the state to be in violation of local gambling laws.
The cease and desist notice, which was issued on August 26th, 2021, stated that Bovada’s online gambling activities were not authorized under Arizona law and therefore must cease immediately. The notice also warned that failure to comply could result in legal action being taken against the company.
In response to the notice, Bovada has decided to restrict access to its services for residents of Arizona. This means that individuals located in the state will no longer be able to create new accounts or place bets on the platform. Existing account holders from Arizona will also be unable to access their accounts or withdraw any funds.
This move is likely to have a significant impact on both Bovada and its customers in Arizona. Bovada is known for its wide range of betting options and competitive odds, making it a popular choice among online gamblers. The restriction of access to the platform will undoubtedly disappoint many residents of Arizona who have come to rely on Bovada for their online gambling needs.
It is important for residents of Arizona to be aware of the legal implications of online gambling in their state. While some forms of online gambling are permitted under Arizona law, others are strictly prohibited. It is always advisable to familiarize oneself with the relevant laws and regulations before engaging in any form of online gambling.
Overall, the decision by Bovada to restrict access to its services for residents of Arizona highlights the complex and ever-changing landscape of online gambling regulation. It serves as a reminder that online gambling companies must operate within the bounds of the law or face potential consequences.
