Mar 16, 2024; New York City, NY, USA; Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) reacts during the second half against the Marquette Golden Eagles at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
- The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division confirmed it will send a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada
- Connecticut will likely be the second state to send the offshore sports betting and casino operator a cease-and-desist letter
- Michigan also sent the operator a letter late last month
Connecticut is the latest state to take a hardline stance against Bovada.
A representative for Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division confirmed with Sports Betting Dime that it will be sending a a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada, an illegally operating offshore sportsbook and online casino, within the next week.
It will likely be the second cease-and-desist letter sent to Bovada since last May, as Michigan sent the operator a notice on May 29.
Connecticut Department Confirms Letter
Sports Betting Dime reached out to the Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division last week to determine if the state had any plans to address Bovada following the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s notice.
A representative from the division today notified Sports Betting Dime that the department will be sending a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada within the week.
“The Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division does send out cease and desist letters anytime we receive a consumer complaint or become aware of an illegal gaming operator,” the representative confirmed.
The notice will likely be sent to Harp Media B.V., which operates the the offshore and unlicensed online sportsbook. Harp Media B.V. is located in Curaçao.
The offshore, unlicensed sportsbook and online casino Bovada is widely available throughout the country, but has banned customers from Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Nevada in recent years after the states passed legislation to curb their operation.
Second State in Two Weeks to Issue Notice
The Michigan Gaming Control Board issued its own cease-and-desist letter to Bovada on May 29.
The gaming control board has given Harp Media B.V. 14-days from the receipt of the letter to prevent Michigan residents from gambling on their websites, or the MGCB will take legal action against the company.
The company has yet to respond to the notice.
The gaming control board claims Harp Media B.V. is in violation of several Michigan gaming laws:
- Lawful Internet Gaming Act: States internet gaming may only be offered by a licensed internet gaming operator
- Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act: Prohibits a party from conducting a gambling operations without a licensed issued by the MGCB. Parties operating unlicensed gambling operations in the state may face imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine up to $100,000 or both
- Michigan Penal Code: Broadly prohibits any form of gambling, which generally involves the elements of consideration, prize, and chance. Such as, accepting money, or anything of value, with the understanding that money, or anything of value, will be paid to any person based on the outcome of an uncertain event is prohibited
Sports Betting Dime recently reached out a number of sports betting regulators in various states throughout the country, most of which reported they would take a “wait-and-see” approach before deciding on taking any legal action of their own against the operator.
We’ll continue to update this story as more information comes in.
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.
Connecticut officials have announced plans to send a cease-and-desist letter to online gambling site Bovada, citing concerns over the site’s operations in the state. The move comes as part of a broader crackdown on illegal gambling activities in Connecticut.
Bovada, which is based in Costa Rica, has been operating in the United States for years, offering a range of online gambling services to players across the country. However, the site has come under increased scrutiny in recent months as states like Connecticut move to regulate online gambling within their borders.
Connecticut’s Attorney General, William Tong, has been vocal in his opposition to Bovada’s presence in the state, arguing that the site is operating illegally and without proper oversight. Tong has also raised concerns about the potential for money laundering and other criminal activities on the site.
In response to these concerns, Connecticut officials have decided to take action against Bovada by sending a cease-and-desist letter to the site’s operators. The letter will demand that Bovada immediately cease all operations in the state and comply with state laws governing online gambling.
While Bovada has not yet commented on the impending cease-and-desist letter, the site is likely to face significant legal challenges if it continues to operate in Connecticut. The state has strict laws governing online gambling, and any site found to be in violation of these laws could face hefty fines and other penalties.
Overall, Connecticut’s decision to send a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada is a clear signal that the state is serious about cracking down on illegal gambling activities. As online gambling continues to grow in popularity, it is essential for states to enforce their laws and regulations to protect consumers and ensure fair play in the industry.
