Bovada Adds Ohio to Restricted Market List After Cease-and-Desist Notice

Aug 1, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY SportsOhio users can no longer access or use BovadaBovada now restricts access to 11 markets in the U.S.The unregulated, offshore gaming company has come under fire recently from state regulators

Another day, another state added to Bovada’s restricted list.

The unregulated, offshore online sports betting and casino operator recently added Ohio to its list of restricted states, its 11th total market in the U.S. so far.

A representative from the Ohio Casino Control Commission confirmed to Sports Betting Dime that a cease-and-desist notice was sent to Bovada in early August.

Bovada Under Fire in U.S.

It’s been a busy few months for Bovada, as more and more state regulators have begun to take action against the illegally operated gaming company.

Ohio is the 11th market added to the company’s restricted list and its third market in just the last month. Bovada added Washington, D.C., and Connecticut to its list at the end of July.

While Bovada never publicly comments on its decisions, a pattern has emerged in the last year.

State regulators will send the gaming company a cease-and-desist letter to stop offering action in their borders, the company won’t acknowledge receipt of the notice, and then add the state to their restricted list without warning.

As of this writing, Bovada restricts users from the following states:

NevadaNew JerseyNew YorkMarylandDelawareMichiganColoradoWest VirginiaConnecticutWashington, D.C.Ohio

Their are varying accounts, however, if the company truly does restrict access, as some state users have claimed they can still bet with Bovada despite their market being restricted.

More States Up Next?

Bovada has been on the radar of several other high profile sports betting markets, with regulators from both Massachusetts and Louisiana publicly saying they were considering taking action against the company.

Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner Nakisha Skinner said during a June agenda setting meeting that the commission should work with the Attorney General’s Office to determine if a cease-and-desist letter should be sent.

The MGC agreed to host the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office at a future meeting to discuss any potential investigations the office has made into Bovada.

Additionally, newly appointed Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Christopher Hebert told Sports Betting Dime that he’ll be discussing the issue soon with the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division and the director of gaming at the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.

“Illegal sports wagering is certainly something that the board sees as a problem, as there are no protections for our state citizens who choose to engage in this activity. I will be discussing this issue with the new head of LSP’s Gaming Enforcement Division and the new Director of Gaming at the Attorney General’s Office soon in order to make an informed decision regarding whether to send a cease-and-desist letter,” he said.