West Virginia Issues Cease-and-Desist to Bovada Sportsbook

10.07.2024

West Virginia has officially issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada Sportsbook, marking it as the fourth state in the US to take legal action against the Curacao-based online betting site.

Background on Bovada’s Legal Challenges

Bovada, known for operating without a license in various jurisdictions, has recently seen a wave of legal challenges across the United States. States including Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, and Michigan have already prohibited their residents from placing bets with Bovada.

The recent cease-and-desist notice from West Virginia, sent on June 27th, aligns with actions taken by these states to curb the operations of unlicensed online gambling entities.

State Actions and Compliance Deadlines

Following the precedent set by Michigan in May, which was the first state to issue such a directive against Bovada, West Virginia’s notice also gives residents 14 days from the date of receipt to cease all activities with the sportsbook operator, Harp Media B.V.

Further increasing the pressure on Bovada, there are rumors that Massachusetts might also take legal action against the offshore operator.

This follows the Bay State’s recent crackdown on unlicensed daily fantasy sports (DFS) operators, where ten received cease-and-desist orders in March. Such actions reflect a broader national move towards stricter regulatory oversight of online gambling.