Arizona becomes the latest state to issue cease-and-desist letter to Bovada
Arizona Department of Gaming directs parent company Harp Media BV to stop operating illegally in the Copper State following investigation
Arizona has become the latest US state to issue a cease-and-desist letter to offshore sportsbook Bovada, as the regulatory push back against the firm continues.
The letter from the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG), which was sent on November 8, 2024, claimed Bovada’s parent company, Harp Media BV, is in violation of three Arizona gaming laws: promotion of gambling, illegal control of an enterprise, and money laundering.
Harp Media BV is accused of operating two igaming sites – Bovada.com and Bovada.lv – in Arizona without a license.
The sportsbook has been told to cease all online gambling operations and activities in the Copper State and must “immediately prevent and exclude Arizona residents from gambling on their websites.”
The regulator also warned players to “exercise caution” when playing games online and to check the department’s website for an official list of licensed and regulated operators in the state.
Jackie Johnson, ADG director, said: “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.
“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.”
Bovada first received a class action lawsuit in Kentucky last August, soon followed by cease-and-desist letters in May and June of this year from Michigan and Connecticut, respectively.
According to Bovada’s website, the platform is also blocked in Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
In October, the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council said it had not received replies to multiple cease-and-desist letters sent to Bovada and issued a $50,000 against the business.