D.C. Joins List Of U.S. States Blocking Bovada Sportsbook

Washington D.C. has officially joined a growing list of U.S. states that have blocked Bovada Sportsbook. In May, Michigan became the first state to send a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada.

Washington D.C. joins 10 U.S. jurisdictions in banning Bovada Sportsbook, an offshore sports betting site

Michigan 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. Other states soon followed suit.

Each letter gives the sportsbook’s operator, Harp Media B.V., 14 days from the date the letter is received to prevent residents from gambling via the site. The Curaçao-based company was threatened with criminal and civil penalties.

Bovada, an offshore sports betting site, is now on the verge of being banned from the U.S. gambling market. The company first launched on Dec. 11, 2014, by the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group.

As of July 31, in addition to D.C. and Michigan, the following U.S. jurisdictions have blocked the sportsbook: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and West Virginia.

Until other U.S. territories take action, this means 41 states still allow Bovada to accept wagers.

Gamblers are prone to identity theft with illegal operators

Another state could soon be joining the list. 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.

Most of the states above only offer legal sports betting. However, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia also offer iGaming. Nevada offers online poker, and the other five states provide legal online casinos and poker rooms.

Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Communications Director Kaitlyn Krasselt explained that “consumers are protected in the event of an issue,” if operators are meeting regulatory standards.

Fraud is a common concern for bettors who use offshore sportsbooks. Gamblers “[place] their money and personal information at risk by wagering on an unlicensed platform that is not subject to regulatory oversight,” Krasselt added.

Moreover, illegal betting platforms offer far less protection from problem gambling and gambling addiction. In other words, offshore sportsbooks are more likely to take advantage of bettors suffering from compulsive gambling.