Linebacker Greg Penn III 30 celebrates after an interception as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November 25, 2023.
- The Louisiana Gaming Control Board sent Bovada a cease-and-desist notice on Aug. 6
- Chairman Christopher B. Hebert tells Sports Betting Dime that Bovada has yet to receive the notice
- The control board is ordering Bovada to immediately cease services in Louisiana
Bovada may not be long for the Big Easy.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) sent the offshore, unregulated sports betting and iGaming operator a cease-and-desist notice on Tuesday, Aug. 6. The notice demands Bovada immediately cease its services in the state.
Christopher B. Hebert, chairman of the LGCB, told Sports Betting Dime that the company has yet to receive the notice.
Bovada May Leave State
The certified notice was sent to Harp Media B.V., the parent company of Bovada, which operates in Willemstad, Curaçao.
“Bovada is allowing Louisiana residents and/or persons located in the state of Louisiana to place wagers via mobile application and internet websites with online casino services which include sportsbook, iGaming, table games slots, live dealer, poker, horse racing, and hundreds of other gambling options in violation of Louisiana gaming laws and regulations,” Hebert wrote in the notice.
Hebert notes the company’s operation is not authorized under Louisiana law and constitutes an illegal gambling business due to not being properly licensed in the state. The LGCB demands that Bovada immediately cease and desist from operating its online casino, allowing Louisiana residents to place online wagers, and offering any games and/or online casino services in the state such as sports betting, slots, and poker.
The notice directs Bovada to inform all account holders that its websites, services, and applications are not legal in Louisiana and that wagers may no longer be made in the state.
“Additionally, Bovada must continue to allow all Louisiana customers to withdraw any funds currently held by Bovada. Failure to comply may result in additional civil and/or criminal actions,” Hebert wrote.
While Hebert declined to offer any additional comment to Sports Betting Dime, he did point to a statement he made at the Aug. 15 Louisiana Gaming Control Board meeting.
“It is my sincere hope that Louisiana will join the list of restricted states based on our letter, but also that soon the federal government will use its resources to crack down on companies that don’t have in place the regulatory, legal, and financial safeguards necessary to operate within the U.S. betting market, not to mention the lack of protections for our citizens in the area of responsible gaming, or any contributions to economic development in the state of Louisiana,” he said.
Pattern Emerging with Bovada
While Bovada never publicly comments on its decisions, a pattern has emerged in the last year.
State regulators will send the gaming company a cease-and-desist letter to stop offering action in their borders, the company won’t acknowledge receipt of the notice, and then add the state to their restricted list without warning.
As of this writing, Bovada restricts users from the following states:
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Maryland
- Delaware
- Michigan
- Colorado
- West Virginia
- Connecticut
- Washington, D.C.
- Ohio
It’s been a busy few months for Bovada, as more and more state regulators have begun to take action against the illegally operated gaming company. Most recently, Bovada restricted access in Ohio, its 11th market added to the company’s restricted list, and its third market in just the last month.
Bovada added Washington, D.C., and Connecticut to its list at the end of July.
Rob covers all regulatory developments in online gambling. He specializes in US sports betting news along with casino regulation news as one of the most trusted sources in the country.
Bovada, one of the leading online gambling platforms in the United States, has recently received a cease-and-desist notice from Louisiana regulators. The notice, issued by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, alleges that Bovada is operating in the state without the necessary licenses and permits.
This development comes as a blow to Bovada, which has built a strong reputation for providing a wide range of online gambling services to players across the country. The platform offers a variety of casino games, sports betting options, and poker tournaments, making it a popular choice among online gamblers.
The cease-and-desist notice from Louisiana regulators is part of a broader crackdown on unlicensed online gambling operators in the state. Louisiana law prohibits online gambling without the proper licenses, and regulators have been stepping up enforcement efforts in recent months.
In response to the notice, Bovada has stated that it is cooperating fully with Louisiana regulators and is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. The platform has also emphasized its commitment to compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where it operates.
For players who enjoy using Bovada’s services, the cease-and-desist notice may have some immediate implications. It is possible that access to the platform could be restricted in Louisiana while the regulatory issues are being addressed. However, Bovada has assured its customers that it is working to minimize any disruptions and will keep them informed of any developments.
Overall, the situation with Bovada and Louisiana regulators serves as a reminder of the complex legal landscape surrounding online gambling in the United States. As more states legalize and regulate online gambling, operators like Bovada will need to navigate a patchwork of laws and regulations to ensure compliance and continue providing services to their customers.
