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The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has issued cease-and-desist orders to five online operators it says were facilitating illegal gambling and exposing Arizona consumers, including minors, to unlawful wagering activities.
The orders target:
- BetOpenly
- Bookmaker
- Club WPT Online Poker
- Kutt Inc.
- Raffle Creator
According to the ADG, each enforcement action alleges conduct that could constitute felony offenses under Arizona law, including promotion of gambling, illegal control of an enterprise and money laundering. The department said investigations into each operator remain ongoing.
ADG Director Jackie Johnson said the agency is committed to protecting consumers from unregulated gambling.
“Arizona is taking decisive action against illegal gambling operators that put Arizonans at risk. Our top priority is protecting Arizonans, and I’m grateful for the efforts of our intelligence unit led by Chief Law Enforcement Officer Doug Jensen to do just that. Through these cease-and-desist orders, we are putting operators on notice: their conduct runs contrary to Arizona law and they must stop promoting illegal gambling.”
ADG urges residents to use licensed online gambling
The department encouraged Arizona residents to gamble only through licensed online gambling operators regulated by the state.
Consumers can verify whether a sportsbook or fantasy sports operator is legally authorized by using the ADG’s “Check Your Bet” website, which lists all approved operators and provides information about regulated gambling in Arizona.
ADG details alleged gambling offenses by operator
According to an ADG news release, each company allegedly violated Arizona gambling laws in different ways.
BetOpenly allegedly profited from peer-to-peer wagering through commissions while offering unlicensed sports betting, daily fantasy sports contests and casino-style games. Arizona does not permit online casino games or online poker.
Bookmaker allegedly accepted sports wagers, horse racing bets and casino-style gaming without the licenses required under Arizona law. Online sports betting is legal in Arizona.
Club WPT Online Poker is accused of allowing individuals younger than 21 to participate in pay-to-play online poker tournaments. Regulators also allege the platform used “no purchase necessary” language misleadingly, despite offering prize-based contests. Online poker remains illegal in Arizona.
Kutt Inc. allegedly enabled Arizona users to deposit money and wager on sports, politics, pop culture and casino-style games while profiting as a third party, which the ADG says violates the state’s social gambling laws.
Raffle Creator allegedly facilitated underage participation and failed to meet Arizona’s legal requirements governing nonprofit raffles.
Criminal and civil penalties remain possible
The cease-and-desist orders direct the companies to immediately halt all online and mobile gambling operations in Arizona.
The ADG said additional enforcement actions could include criminal charges or civil litigation against the companies, their principals or employees. Operators also may face forfeiture of proceeds allegedly obtained through illegal gambling, and courts could order restitution for affected consumers.
