Bovada Still Operational in Connecticut, West Virginia Despite Cease-and-Desist Letters

Mike Watters-USA TODAY SportsBovada is still operating in Connecticut and West Virginia despite recent cease-and-desist lettersThe illegal, offshore operator recently left Michigan and Colorado after the states sent notices of their ownBovada is currently not accessible in seven U.S. states

Bovada exited Michigan and Colorado after receiving cease-and-desist letters last month, but seems to be hesitating in its decision for the two most recent states to send the offshore operator notices.

The unregulated, offshore sports betting and casino operator is still live in both Connecticut and West Virginia, despite both states sending parent-company Harp Media B.V. a cease-and-desist letter. Harp Media B.V., which operates the the offshore and unlicensed online sportsbook, is located in Willemstad, Curaçao.

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protections sent its notice to Bovada on Friday, June 14, while the West Virginia Lottery Commission sent its letter on Thursday, June 27.

No Contact With Connecticut, West Virginia

Despite letters being sent to Bovada, gaming regulators in both Connecticut and West Virginia had no updates on any potential action from the company.

A spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protections told Sports Betting Dime on June 11 that it would be sending Bovada a cease-and-desist letter. The notice went out to the operator three days later.

The same spokesperson today told Sports Betting Dime there is no new update from Bovada.

In the cease-and-desist letter written by Kristofer Gilman, Director of Gaming in Connecticut, Harp Media B.V. is notified that it is in violation of Connecticut General Statutes 53-278b, 53-278d, and the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA).

Bovada does not possess an online gaming operator’s license in the state, nor do its actions fall within any of the excepted activities to the prohibition on gambling, Gilman wrote in the notice.

“Bovada’s promotion of unlicensed and illegal gambling services is also an unfair trade practice, which violates CUTPA,” Gilman wrote.

John Myers, director of the West Virginia Lottery, revealed to Sports Betting Dime on July 2 that the commission officially sent Bovada a cease-and-desist letter on June 27. Myers said the lottery commission believes Bovada is “violating West Virginia law” and provided no more information on what the letter contained.

Myers today said “there has been no change as of yet” but hopes to release a statement on the issue soon.

Still Operational in Both States

Bovada is still operational in both West Virginia and Connecticut despite the notices. The operator recently pulled out of both Michigan and Colorado after gaming regulators sent them notices in late May and early June.

As of July 9, Bovada has banned users from Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Michigan and Colorado.

As noted on Bovada’s website, customers living in restricted states can only withdraw remaining funds in their accounts as cryptocurrency.