Arizona Joins 16 States in Crackdown on Bovada Offshore Gambling Operations
Bovada, a Curacao-based online casino platform, has been ordered to cease operations in Arizona, making it the 17th U.S. jurisdiction to issue such a demand to the offshore gambling operator.
Arizona Gaming Department logo
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) alleges that Bovada is operating a felony criminal enterprise, conducting illegal gambling operations, and engaging in money laundering. ADG Director Jackie Johnson emphasized the department's commitment to preventing unauthorized gaming operations from establishing themselves in Arizona.
Bovada has complied with the order and added Arizona to its list of restricted markets. The platform is now banned in 16 states and Washington, D.C., including Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
Legal online casino gaming is currently only permitted through licensed operators in seven states:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
Regulators warn that offshore gambling sites and sweepstakes casinos lack essential consumer protections, including fair play guarantees and reliable fund withdrawal systems. Unlike regulated operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM, offshore platforms like Bovada pay no U.S. licensing fees or taxes.
This crackdown represents ongoing efforts by U.S. gaming authorities to combat illegal offshore gambling operations and protect consumers within regulated markets.