Offshore gaming operator Bovada has been banned in Washington D.C. and Connecticut following a crackdown that has seen the site outlawed in an ever-growing list of U.S. states.
A total of 10 states with a regulated gambling market have now banned the site from operating within state lines.
The latest additions to its list of restricted states come following a cease-and-desist order, sent to Harp Media B.V. from Connecticut some weeks ago. In the letter, the operator was accused of violating Connecticut General Statutes and the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA).
Access to Bovada has also been restricted by Washington D.C., and in the last month alone, D.C. has seen the launch of multiple sports betting operators including the likes of BetMGM, Caesars, and DraftKings. But Bovada is officially not welcome, despite the fact that no cease-and-desist order is thought to have been made by the state.
Two new additions to a growing number of restricted states
Bovada is already banned in Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. Many of these states also sent cease and desist orders to the illegal platform prior to issuing an outright ban.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board became the first U.S. regulator to take a stand against the site this year. Its cease-and-desist letter, sent in May, accused the platform of violating the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and several parts of the Michigan penal code. It was closely followed by a similar letter from Colorado in June.
It has been reported that players are still able to access Bovada accounts within some restricted states, however. While the offshore platform no longer accepts new signups from states that have banned it, some existing users have been able to log in and place bets.
Concerns raised about data protection and problem gambling
Concerns have been growing over Bovada’s illegal operations within the U.S. in recent months.
Regulated and licensed sites are obligated to provide players with support and advice on problem gambling, as well as tools such as time and money limits. Licensed sites also provide players with the opportunity to self-exclude if necessary. Unlicensed and illegal betting platforms sites offer far less protection from problem gambling and gambling addiction, however.
Regulators were also concerned about the level of encryption used by illegal platforms when processing players’ personal and financial information, and what the effects of a significant data leak might be.
DCP Communications Director Kaitlyn Krasselt explained that in the case of operators meeting regulatory standards, “consumers are protected in the event of an issue.”
Before this ban came into place, bettors might have been “placing their money and personal information at risk by wagering on an unlicensed platform that is not subject to regulatory oversight,” Krasselt went on to say.
What’s next for Bovada?
The list of states banning Bovada appears to be snowballing, and there’s still plenty of room for more restrictions to come.
In June, it was announced that the members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission were discussing sending a cease-and-desist letter to the site. A decision is to be made following a planned formal assessment in the near future.
