Arizona Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Five Online Gambling Operators

Richard Janvrin
By: Richard Janvrin
Legal
Arizona Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Five Online Gambling Operators

Photo by Pix4Free.org, CC BY-SA 3.0

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona served cease-and-desist orders to five online gambling operators
  • Regulators allege the companies violated multiple Arizona gambling laws
  • The enforcement action follows similar crackdowns on sweepstakes casinos last year
Arizona continues to pursue what they deem unlawful and illegal online gambling after serving five more cease and desist notices.
The companies that were sent the notices include Bookmaker, Club WPT Online Poker, Kutt Inc., Raffle Creator, and BetOpenly. With this notice, they've been ordered to cease all online gambling operations in the state.
“Arizona is taking decisive action against illegal gambling operators that put Arizonans at risk,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “Our top priority is protecting Arizonans and I’m grateful for the efforts of our intelligence unit led by Chief Law Enforcement Officer Doug Jensen to do just that. Through these cease-and-desist orders we are putting operators on notice: their conduct runs contrary to Arizona law and they must stop promoting illegal gambling.”

Allegations Against Each Operator

Here's what the press release had to say about each company:
  • BetOpenly: Arizona regulators allege that BetOpenly illegally profited from unlicensed peer-to-peer gambling, allowed underage users to participate, and engaged in other alleged criminal violations, including gambling promotion and money laundering.
  • Bookmaker: Arizona regulators allege that the operation allows for horse racing, casino games, and sports betting without holding an event wagering license or an advanced deposit wagering provider license. It also adds that online casino games aren't legal in Arizona.
  • Kutt Inc.: Arizona regulators allege that Kutt Inc. illegally profited from peer-to-peer gambling, that legal "social" gambling prohibits third-party benefit, that it offered unauthorized wagering and casino-style games to Arizona users, and that it engaged in alleged criminal violations, such as money laundering.
  • Raffle Creator: Arizona regulators allege that Raffle Creator illegally operated raffles without meeting nonprofit requirements, allowed people under 21 to purchase raffle tickets, and engaged in alleged criminal violations.
  • Club WPT Online Poker: Alleges deceptive "no purchase necessary" language and adds that online poker is illegal in Arizona.
The press release also includes hyperlinks to each cease-and-desist notice.

Arizona Continues Gambling Enforcement Efforts

Right now, Arizona has 14 online sportsbooks in the state and allows for up to 20. So, realistically, BetOpenly and/or Kutt could seek a license.
In August 2025, Arizona sent cease-and-desist notices to four sweepstakes casinos.

Richard Janvrin is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. He started writing as a teenager before breaking into sports coverage professionally in 2015. From there, he entered the iGaming space in 2018 and has covered numerous aspects, including news, reviews, bonuses/promotions, sweepstakes casinos, legal, and more.

More From Richard Janvrin
Richard Janvrin
Add as preferred source Casino.com on Google Your #1 casino news source

Stay updated with the latest in Casinos, Gambling & Gaming

Follow Casino.com for breaking news, features, expert guides, responsible gambling advice, legal updates & financial insights.

Related News

see more