Share
Bovada has added Pennsylvania, Kansas and Louisiana to its list of restricted jurisdictions. This brings the offshore gambling company’s banned list to 13 states, plus Washington, D.C.
The cat-and-mouse game between states and offshore operators is finally seeing some results. Regulators have used strongly worded cease-and-desist letters and promises of litigation to shut down the site.
Michigan led the charge against Bovada’s Harp Media, sending the first cease-and-desist letter in May. Connecticut, Colorado, and Ohio followed suit in August.
Key takeaways
- Pennsylvania, Kansas and Louisiana join Bovada’s restricted jurisdictions list, bringing the total to 13 states plus Washington, D.C.
- Regulators in these states issued cease-and-desist letters to Bovada’s parent company, Harp Media.
- Michigan sent a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada in May.
Pennsylvania addresses Bovada in August
Bovada has been on Pennsylvania’s regulatory radar for a while, and offering bets on the Little League World Series last month was the final straw.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) confirmed it sent a cease-and-desist letter to the offshore site in August. And, as of Sept. 17, Pennsylvania is now on Bovada’s restricted list.
“The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s Office of Enforcement Counsel did send Bovada a cease and desist letter at the end of August. Because the letter came from the Board’s investigative unit, it is consider[ed] confidential,” PGCB spokesman Richard McGarvey told Bonus.
Regulators in states that made Bovada’s banned list sent cease-and-desist letters to Harp Media, and although they initially received no response, the company eventually exited those markets.
PA follows KS and LA issuing cease-and-desist letters to Bovada
The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) sent its cease-and-desist letter earlier than in Pennsylvania, on July 8. Although Bovada did not respond to the letter as usual but did act on it.
“Our main goal is to make sure the betting public in Kansas is protected and playing on licensed, regulated, and taxed sites. We want to make sure we can try to protect the public if there is an issue on bets, getting paid out, anything like that,” Randy Evans, government relations manager and law enforcement officer with the KRGC, said.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board sent Bovada a cease-and-desist letter on Aug. 6, according to Chairman Christopher B. Hebert.
“Bovada is allowing Louisiana residents and/or persons located in the state of Louisiana to place wagers via mobile applications and internet websites with online casino services which include sportsbooks, iGaming, table games, slots, live dealers, poker, horse racing, and hundreds of other gambling options in violation of Louisiana gaming laws and regulations,” Hebert wrote in the notice.
In Louisiana, online casinos for real money are off-limits. Meanwhile, online sports betting is allowed, but only with a license, which Harp Media does not have.
Bovada’s departure means revenue flows back to legal online casinos
The three new states on Bovada’s restricted list are hoping to redirect that revenue to legitimate sources.
Meanwhile, last month was a banner month for Pennsylvania online casinos, with revenue soaring to $225 million, marking the second-highest total ever.
A list of the states that do not have their revenue gains compounding to Bovada includes:
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- West Virginia
- New York
- Maryland
- Delaware
- Michigan
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Washington, D.C.
- Ohio
- Louisiana
- Kansas
- Pennsylvania
More states could soon be telling Bovada to pack up. Massachusetts is reportedly thinking of sweeping its sports betting scene clean. No official word yet, but regulators have hinted at an update soon.
