Offshore gambling operator Bovada has withdrawn from Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Tennessee over the past six weeks, driven by mounting legal pressure from state regulators. In each state, Bovada ceased its online gambling services—including online poker, casino games, and sports betting — following a series of cease-and-desist orders.
This recent wave of withdrawals follows Bovada’s forced departure from Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Louisiana in late summer, bringing the total number of states where Bovada has discontinued services to fifteen, plus the District of Columbia.
State Pressure Spurs Bovada’s Recent Exits
Bovada’s exit from Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Tennessee came after each state’s regulatory agencies issued formal cease-and-desist notices to Bovada’s parent company, Harp Media B.V., based in Curacao. In some cases, regulators paired these notices with fines; however, those fines, some of which remain uncollected, are unlikely to be enforced given Bovada’s offshore status.
This latest move aligns with a larger trend in which more states are taking active steps against offshore gambling operators. As legal pressure mounts, Bovada has gradually scaled back its services across multiple regions, impacting a significant portion of its U.S. user base.
Tennessee Leads Enforcement with Increased Fines
The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (TSWC) recently confirmed that it issued three separate cease-and-desist orders to Harp Media, each accompanied by increasing fines that now total $50,000. The TSWC highlighted that while these fines are unlikely to be collected, the state remains committed to driving out unlicensed operators.
In a statement, TSWC Chairman Billy Orgel underscored Tennessee’s commitment to consumer protection. “Our licensed sportsbook operators provide important consumer protections not found in the illegal market, and the closure of Bovada’s virtual doors in Tennessee is an important step toward the eradication of unlicensed, illegal sportsbooks in Tennessee,” Orgel said. “One of the Council’s primary roles is the protection of the public interest through a safe, regulated environment, and our staff will continue to work closely with our network of law enforcement at the state and federal level to eliminate illegal sports betting.”
Full Platform Shutdown in Barred States
Though sports betting accounts for a significant share of Bovada’s revenue, the company’s decision to comply with state orders to withdraw also affects its casino and online poker offerings in the barred states. Bovada has since updated its Terms & Conditions page to include these newly restricted areas, advising affected players to withdraw any remaining funds.
As more U.S. states scrutinize offshore operators, Bovada’s compliance with these orders could signal a continued pullback in other regions in the months ahead.
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