Bovada, an offshore betting website, has been banned from Michigan after weeks of being ordered to cease and desist by the state’s regulator.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board ordered Bovada, a Curacao based company to cease allowing Michigan residents access to their games without a valid license.
Harp Media BV, the operator of Bovada in the Netherlands, had 14 days to stop Michigan residents using the services.
Bovada violated the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act and the Lawful Internet Gaming Act as well as multiple sections of Michigan penal codes, according to the regulator.
Chris Cylke (SVP, Government Relations, American Gaming Association) said in an email to iGaming Business that successful enforcement actions taken by Michigan and Colorado against Bovada “shows states can fight back and are blueprints to other states”.
Cylke said, “But the states shouldn’t have to fight this alone. The department of justice should also be using its power to help the fight against gambling that is illegal. Congress has made it a priority for the department.”
Connecticut Joins Club
Connecticut’s own letter was sent to Harp Media BV last week on the 14th of June. It noted that Bovada had violated Connecticut General Statutes, which prohibited gambling, including professional gambling.
Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection ordered that the operator cease all advertising, and stop offering games and other services.
The letter stated that “Bovada is not in possession of an online gaming operator licence, or any other qualification relevant to Bovada providing online gaming services to Connecticut residents. Nor do Bovada’s actions fit into any exceptions to the gambling prohibition listed by Conn. General Stat.”
Divers industry participants believe that legal action must follow cease-and desist orders.
Brendan Bussmann, a Las Vegas resident and B Global’s Las Vegas-based Brendan Bussmann said to iGB: “Cease-and-desist first. Then how far you can prosecute to protect yourself against illegal operators comes next.” The feds are needed to coordinate an effort.
Bovada’s blacklist of states grows
Bovada is a leader in black-market sports betting for many years. According to Bovada, it has been blocked in five states, including New Jersey and New York.
According to industry reports, the AMA Cylke and other sources have confirmed that Colorado is also on Bovada’s “blocked list”, but the exact date of the addition is unclear.
