Seven of the eight iGaming states have succeeded at ousting the illegal online gambling site Bovada. Rhode Island officials were working on it as of Oct. 4. Meanwhile, Michigan’s regulator rid the state of the Curaçao-based Harp Media brand months ago and has moved on to shoo away another such site: Ace23.
Paul Grimaldi, with the Rhode Island Department of Revenue (RIDOR), told Bonus on Oct. 4 about his state’s efforts to jettison Bovada:
RI Lottery referred the matter to the Gaming Enforcement Unit of the RI State Police and the state Attorney General’s office. I have to refer you to those agencies for further comment.
The Rhode Island Lottery oversees Bally Casino, the state’s only online gambling operator.
At Grimaldi’s suggestion, Bonus contacted Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and the Rhode Island State Police (RISP). However, Bonus received no response on Oct. 4.
Bovada Gone From 7 iGaming States
Before June 20, the following iGaming states were on Bovada’s “restricted” list. That means gamblers in these states can’t use the illegal site:
- Delaware
- Nevada (online poker only)
- New Jersey
Meanwhile, gaming regulators in four states that legalized online casinos and poker rooms sent “cease and desist” letters to Harp Media. The officials threatened Harp with legal action, including civil and criminal penalties, if Bovada continued to operate in their states. Between June 20 and Sept. 17, Bovada exited:
- Connecticut
- Michigan
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
As of Oct. 4, Rhode Island wasn’t among the 14 US jurisdictions Bovada listed as no-go zones for online casino, poker, and sports bettors.
Michigan Sends C&Ds to Ace23, Ace Per Head
On June 20, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) cautiously celebrated Bovada ceasing to serve Michiganders.
On Sept. 17, Pennsylvania regulators saw their state become the penultimate iGaming jurisdiction to succeed at ousting Bovada with a cease-and-desist letter.
On Oct. 4, the MGCB announced it sent cease-and-desist letters to Costa Rica-based Ace23 and Ace Per Head:
Ace23 operates the website, Ace23.ag, which functions as a sportsbook and casino service provider catering to agents/bookies. Ace Per Head manages Ace23.
Ace23 purports it is part of the Ace Gaming Network, which claims on their website to be licensed in Canada and Costa Rica but is not licensed to operate in Michigan.
The Ace23.ag site tries to put the onus on users:
Internet gambling may not be legal in some jurisdictions. You are responsible for verifying and complying with the law in any jurisdiction that applies to you before registering.
Meanwhile, the site says all wagers must be in US dollars.
The MGCB announcement said:
The MGCB has determined that Ace23 is operating in direct violation of Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Penal Code, and the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act.
Ace23 and Ace Per Head have 14 days to comply with the letters after they receive them.
Rhode Island, Massachusetts Go the AG Route
Michiganders are being protected from illegal gambling sites by the MGCB.
Rhode Island is asking Neronha to look into Bovada.
On Oct. 3, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office announced it issued a C&D letter to Bovada’s owner, Harp, and Hove Media.
Massachusetts isn’t an iGaming state, but it does offer legal online sports betting.
The announcement detailed that:
The letter demands Bovada immediately stop all of its services to users in Massachusetts and refund all such users in the form of US currency.
The Massachusetts announcement received a LinkedIn comment on Oct. 3.
Howard Glaser, the global head of government affairs and legislative counsel at Light and Wonder (Light & Wonder Inc 90,04 +0,89%), wrote with ellipses:
Perhaps notable that the order comes from the Attorney Generals office … most of the enforcement activity we have seen re: illegal online casinos has been from the gaming regulators … appears AGs may be poised to be more involved.
On Oct. 4, Bonus saw that Bovada’s list of 14 restricted jurisdictions didn’t yet include Massachusetts.
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