Bovada Adds Three More States to Restricted List

As of Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, Bovada, the offshore gambling outfit, has added Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Louisiana to its list of restricted states and jurisdictions. Pennsylvania became the 13th state added, and Washington, D.C., is also on the list. 

Regulators in the states pushing to be added have sent cease-and-desist letters. Michigan started things off by sending its letter in May. From there, states like Colorado, Connecticut, and Ohio sent one in August. 

Pennsylvania Addressed Bovada in August

While Bovada has been a point of emphasis for Pennsylvania for quite some time, they finally went full on after Bovada when the offshore sportsbook offered betting odds on the Little League World Series. 

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board sent a cease-and-desist and now, they’re added to the list of restricted states. 

To this point, states that have sent the letters haven’t received much of a response, but they’ve been added to the restricted state list. 

The Pennsylvania Cease-and-Desis Came After LA and KS

Kansas sent their cease-and-desist letter on July 8. Like Pennsylvania, Bovada didn’t reply but did comply. 

“Our main goal is to make sure the betting public in Kansas is protected and playing on licensed, regulated, and taxed sites. We want to make sure we can try to protect the public if there is an issue on bets, getting paid out, anything like that,” Randy Evans, government relations manager and law enforcement officer with the KRGC, said.

Louisiana sent their letter on Aug. 6, as confirmed by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Christopher B. Hebert. 

“Bovada is allowing Louisiana residents and/or persons located in the state of Louisiana to place wagers via mobile applications and internet websites with online casino services which include sportsbooks, iGaming, table games, slots, live dealers, poker, horse racing, and hundreds of other gambling options in violation of Louisiana gaming laws and regulations,” Hebert wrote in the notice.

Online casinos aren’t legal in Louisiana right now. 

These Restrictions Should Result In More Revenue

Pennsylvania online casinos brought in $225 million, which was their second-best month ever. Still, with them going on the restricted list, this should help out with some revenue. 

Here’s the full list of restricted lists to date: 

• Nevada
• New Jersey
• West Virginia
• New York
• Maryland
• Delaware
• Michigan
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Washington, D.C.
• Ohio
• Louisiana
• Kansas
• Pennsylvania

Next up could be Massachusetts. There’s nothing official, but it’s been discussed by regulators. Additionally, an Ohio Senator recently introduced the state's first online casino bill.