Offshore sportsbook Bovada is now restricted in 14 sports betting markets after pulling out of three additional states.
Bovada recently added Kansas, Louisiana and Pennsylvania to its list of restricted markets. In early August, Louisiana regulators sent Bovada a cease-and-desist letter.
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board confirmed to LSR it also sent a letter last month ordering Bovada to leave the state. Kansas sports betting regulators also told LSR they sent a letter to Bovada pushing it to vacate the state in early July.
Sports betting markets follow suit
Kansas, Louisiana and Pennsylvania are the latest in a growing list of US sports betting markets to restrict access to Bovada in recent months.
Michigan took the initial action this year, issuing a cease-and-desist letter in May. Connecticut and Colorado followed, and Ohio regulators did the same, sending a cease-and-desist letter in August.
In Massachusetts, regulators discussed offshore operators at length during public meetings this year. However, the state has not yet sent a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada or any other illegal offshore operator. On Wednesday, a Massachusetts Gaming Commission spokesperson told LSR an update would be addressed at an upcoming public meeting.
Markets to restrict Bovada
The latest three markets to restrict Bovada bring the total to 14, including Washington, D.C.:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
Illegal sports betting persists
In a recent federal alert ahead of the NFL betting season, the IRS noted the illegal sports betting market is still worth about $700 million.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) previously asked the federal government to crack down on offshore bookmakers operating illegally in the US.
Several states last year, led by Michigan, also called on the Department of Justice to tackle the illegal gambling market.
