Bovada Asked to Exit Arizona Amid Regulatory Crackdown
The Arizona Department of Gaming has issued a cease-and-desist order to Bovada, a Curaçao-based online gambling platform. This directive targets Bovada’s parent company, Harp Media B.V., requiring them to halt operations in Arizona. The notice, issued on November 8, 2024, addresses both Bovada.lv and Bovada.com, asserting that these platforms have been illegally accessible to Arizona residents without proper licensing.
Regulatory Violations Cited
Arizona regulators cited three specific laws they allege Bovada has violated:
- Promotion of Gambling (Felony): Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3303
- Illegal Control of an Enterprise (Felony): Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-2312
- Money Laundering (Felony): Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-2317
Harp Media B.V. has been directed to block Arizona residents from accessing their sites. The Department emphasized its commitment to preserving lawful gaming operations and deterring unauthorized platforms.
Statements from Regulators
Jackie Johnson, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, stated:
“Our enforcement team is steadfast in ensuring unlicensed operators cannot establish themselves here. Arizona will not tolerate unlawful entities compromising our gaming integrity.”
The Department reiterated its proactive stance against unregulated online gambling, citing its monitoring of the rapidly changing gaming industry landscape.
Offshore Operators Under Growing Pressure
Bovada is no stranger to regulatory scrutiny. The brand has already exited states like Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut after local regulators flagged its unlicensed operations. Since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, regulators have intensified efforts to channel players into regulated markets, leaving offshore operators with limited options.
As more U.S. states regulate sports betting and gambling, enforcement measures are expected to expand, signaling a challenging future for unauthorized operators.
