Bovada, a well-known offshore gambling operator, is facing increasing pressure in the United States as yet another state has moved to block its services. This week, Ohio added its name to the growing list of states where residents can no longer access the platform, following a cease and desist letter from the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) earlier this month.
The OCCC's action against Bovada is part of a larger trend of U.S. states taking a stand against offshore operators that have been skirting local regulations. Ohio's decision means that nearly a dozen states have now shut their doors to Bovada, reflecting a concerted effort by state regulators to protect their markets from unregulated operators.
Earlier this year, both Michigan and Colorado were among the first to issue cease and desist orders to Bovada. The operator responded by ceasing its services in those states, a pattern that has since been followed by other states like Connecticut and Washington D.C., which took similar actions in July. The list of states where Bovada is no longer accessible includes:
With Ohio's addition to this list, three of the ten most populous states in the U.S. have now pushed Bovada out of their markets, and the number could rise as other states consider similar measures.
Massachusetts could be the next major state to target Bovada. During the recent summer meeting of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS), both regulators and operators discussed strategies to address the impact of offshore markets on state-regulated gambling industries. Massachusetts regulators have indicated that they might consider similar actions in the near future, adding to the mounting pressure on Bovada and other offshore operators.
This growing resistance against offshore gambling sites is not limited to state-level actions. There is increasing demand for federal intervention, with some industry stakeholders calling on the U.S. government to step in. The American Gaming Association (AGA) has been a vocal advocate for national enforcement against illegal operators, consistently urging lawmakers to take a more active role.
The push for federal involvement gained momentum last year when NFL VP of Public Policy and Government Affairs Jonathan Nabavi wrote a letter to Representative Dina Titus. In the letter, Nabavi emphasized that “Congress and the federal government have a unique role to play in bringing enforcement actions against illegal operators.” This sentiment has been echoed by the AGA, which has repeatedly called for comprehensive national legislation to combat the threat posed by offshore gambling operators.
As individual states continue to take action, the call for a unified federal response is likely to grow louder. With Bovada now blocked in key markets and more states potentially following suit, the future of offshore operators in the U.S. remains uncertain.
Source:
"Ohio joins growing list of states Bovada cutting ties with", sbcamericas.com, August 21, 2024.