- The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada
- The notice was sent to Harp Media B.V. and Hove Media
- The letter claims Bovada offers casino games and sports betting without a license in the state
After months of speculation, even from the state’s own gaming regulators, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office today announced that it has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Harp Media B.V. and Hove Media, collectively known as Bovada.
According to the letter, Bovada operates an illegal sports betting and gambling website without a license in the Commonwealth.
The attorney general’s office claims Bovada is in violation of state consumer protection laws.
Bovada Portraying Self as “USA-Based” Operator
According to the letter, Bovada is violating state gaming and sports betting laws by portraying itself to Massachusetts residents as a “USA-based” gambling operator, inducing Commonwealth consumers to participate in illegal and unregulated forms of gambling.
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office is demanding Bovada immediate cease its services and refund users in the form of U.S. currency.
“Since 2011, Bovada has presented itself as a legitimate American gambling operator, but without any proper Massachusetts license. Unlicensed operators pose a substantial danger to consumers because they do not go through the same rigorous review as licensed operators, have limited or no protections against gambling addiction and underage play, and do not provide consumers with reliable access to their funds since most unlicensed operators are offshore,” the Attorney General’s Office noted in a press release.
Bovada’s presence in the state has also been on the radar of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for several months. Earlier this week, the commission noted during an agenda setting meeting that it still needed to discuss the issue of illegal sports betting markets with the Attorney General’s Office during a public meeting.
Commissioner Nakisha Skinner actually requested the MGC discuss sending Bovada a cease-and-desist letter earlier this year.
“Are there any steps we may want to take as a commission? Just with the understanding that our hands are somewhat tied, but I think it’s worth the discussion of maybe sending a cease-and-desist letter of our own. I know there are some jurisdictions that are holding their vendors accountable, making an inquiry as to whether they’re doing business with these illegal markets,” she said.
Bovada Will Likely Now Leave Massachusetts
A pattern has emerged with Bovada and states that want the operator out of its boundaries. State gaming commissions will send a cease-and-desist notice to the illegal gaming company, Bovada will never acknowledge receipt of the notice, and then one day will randomly add the state to its list of restricted markets.
Two weeks ago, Bovada restricted access in Kansas, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. All three states had sent the illegally operated offshore gaming company a cease-and-desist notice, Bovada never acknowledged receipt of the notice, and then added the states to its list of restricted markets without any notice.
The offshore operator currently restricts access in 13 states and Washington, D.C. The restricted U.S. markets are as follows:
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Maryland
- Delaware
- Michigan
- Colorado
- West Virginia
- Connecticut
- Washington, D.C.
- Ohio
- Louisiana
- Kansas
- Pennsylvania
Bovada, a popular online gambling platform, has recently come under fire from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. The office issued a cease-and-desist order to Bovada, alleging that the company is operating illegally in the state.
The Attorney General’s Office claims that Bovada is in violation of Massachusetts law, which prohibits online gambling within the state. The cease-and-desist order demands that Bovada immediately stop accepting bets from residents of Massachusetts and cease all operations within the state.
This is not the first time that Bovada has faced legal troubles. The company has been the subject of numerous investigations and lawsuits in the past, with regulators in several states cracking down on its operations.
In response to the cease-and-desist order, Bovada has stated that they are reviewing the allegations and will cooperate with the Attorney General’s Office. The company has also emphasized that they take compliance with state laws seriously and are committed to operating within the bounds of the law.
For Massachusetts residents who have been using Bovada for online gambling, this news may come as a disappointment. It is important for individuals to be aware of the laws regarding online gambling in their state and to ensure that they are using reputable and legal platforms.
Overall, this situation serves as a reminder of the complexities and regulations surrounding online gambling. It is crucial for companies like Bovada to operate within the confines of the law to avoid facing legal consequences. As this story continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how Bovada responds and what actions they take to address the allegations made by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
