Bovada, the offshore and illegally operated gaming company, has further restricted its access in the United States by adding Kansas, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania to its growing list of blocked markets. This latest move follows a string of cease-and-desist notices issued by state gaming commissions, signaling an intensified crackdown on illegal gaming operators.
With these additions, Bovada now restricts access in 13 states and Washington, D.C.
Pattern of Cease-and-Desist Notices
A clear pattern has emerged in how Bovada responds to state pressure. State gaming commissions typically send a cease-and-desist notice to Bovada, urging the operator to stop offering services within their boundaries. In most cases, Bovada neither acknowledges receipt nor responds to the notice. After some time, the state is simply added to the operator’s restricted access list.
The same scenario played out with the recent additions of Kansas, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.
In Kansas, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) issued a notice to Bovada on July 8. According to James Bain, enforcement attorney for the KRGC, Bovada did not officially acknowledge or sign for the notice, but the commission received a delivery confirmation on August 20. Bovada then quietly restricted access for users in Kansas without any formal communication.
“Our main goal is to ensure that the betting public in Kansas is protected and playing on licensed, regulated, and taxed sites,” said Randy Evans, government relations manager for the KRGC. He emphasized the importance of protecting bettors, particularly regarding issues like payouts and bet disputes.
Louisiana and Pennsylvania Follow Suit
A similar situation unfolded in Louisiana, where the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) sent a cease-and-desist notice to Bovada’s parent company, Harp Media B.V., on August 6. In the notice, Christopher B. Hebert, chairman of the LGCB, detailed how Bovada was operating illegally by offering various gambling options, including sportsbook, iGaming, table games, poker, and horse racing. These offerings violate Louisiana’s gaming laws and regulations due to Bovada’s lack of proper licensing in the state.
Pennsylvania also acted against Bovada, sending its notice in late August, according to a representative from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Growing List of Restricted States
Bovada’s access continues to dwindle in the U.S. as more state regulators take action against the operator. Currently, users from the following states and districts are restricted from accessing the platform:
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Maryland
- Delaware
- Michigan
- Colorado
- West Virginia
- Connecticut
- Washington, D.C.
- Ohio
- Louisiana
- Kansas
- Pennsylvania
Earlier this year, Bovada restricted access in Ohio, marking its 11th market removal, followed by Washington, D.C., and Connecticut in July. With more state gaming commissions issuing cease-and-desist notices, the company’s presence in the U.S. is rapidly diminishing.
The Fight Against Illegal Operators
As more states legalize and regulate online gambling, state authorities are increasingly cracking down on offshore operators like Bovada. The wave of cease-and-desist notices and state restrictions highlights the growing effort to ensure that bettors are using licensed, regulated platforms that offer consumer protection and generate tax revenue for the states.
