Bovada doesn’t operate in 11 legal US online gambling jurisdictions, exiting six of them since June. Perhaps most notably, Bovada no longer exists in 75% of iGaming states. However, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island haven’t yet ordered the illegal online gambling site to leave.
Pennsylvania and Rhode Island officials tell Bonus that, unlike most of the 11 jurisdictions without Bovada’s presence, they haven’t yet sent site owner — Curaçao-based Harp Media — a cease and desist letter.
Paul Grimaldi, with the Rhode Island Department of Revenue (RIDOR), spoke to Bonus on Aug. 27 on behalf of the state’s online casino gambling regulator:
While the Rhode Island Lottery has not sent a cease-and-desist letter, Bovada is not licensed nor authorized by the Rhode Island Lottery to operate in the state. We will take your information under advisement.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is the regulator, but not a law enforcer.
PGCB Communications Director Doug Harbach explained to Bonus on Aug. 26:
Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, the Gaming Control Board is tasked with the licensing and regulation of people and entities engaged in the conduct authorized by that Act. Persons or entities engaged in the business of gambling in Pennsylvania, but operating outside of the Act, are operating unlawfully and, quite possibly, criminally.
However, we do not have law enforcement authority, just regulatory authority. So, in all such cases, the Board can only refer the matter to the appropriate authorities and allow them to take any appropriate action.
Bovada Left 6 iGaming States
Eight states offer some form of legal iGaming. Bonus defines iGaming as US online casino and poker rooms:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- Nevada (online poker only)
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
Only Pennsylvania and Rhode Island still deal with legal iGaming competing with Bovada. Even states that no longer endure Bovada’s competition do contend with other illegal offshore online gambling sites.
The following iGaming states were on Bovada’s restricted list as of June:
- Delaware
- Nevada (online poker only)
- New Jersey
More states began joining Bovada’s restricted list around June 20, when Harper Media seemed to react to C&D letters sent by state gaming regulators. The regulators demanded Bovada leave their jurisdictions or face criminal penalties and court action.
On June 20, Bonus noticed Bovada made Colorado and Michigan off-limits.
Online casino and poker room states added to the restricted list on or after June 20:
- Connecticut
- Michigan
- West Virginia
As Louisiana Considers iGaming, It Tells Bovada ‘Leave’
Per a LinkedIn post from Howard Glaser, the global head of government affairs and legislative counsel at Light and Wonder (Light & Wonder Inc 105,00 -2,33%), Louisiana’s C&D letter to Harper Media basically meant:
Louisiana to Ilegal Online Casinos: ‘Geaux Away’
State legislators are slated to meet in October to consider adding iGaming to the state’s legal gambling options.
Meanwhile, Louisiana is one of 30 US jurisdictions with legal sports betting, which Bovada also offers illegally everywhere but in the restricted states.
All jurisdictions on Bovada’s restricted list as of Aug. 27 are the following:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Colombia
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- West Virginia
At the beginning of June, five states were on Bovada’s restricted list:
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Maryland
- Delaware
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