Massachusetts to Consider Sending Cease & Desist Letter to Bovada

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) requested an evaluation of Bovada’s operations within the commonwealth during Wednesday’s meeting. The commissioner requested the regulatory body to discuss sending a cease-and-desist letter to the illegal offshore online sportsbook and casino.

Massachusetts Gaming Commission would send the letter to Harp Media B.V. in Curaçao

If the Massachusetts Gaming Commission pursues the illegal activity notice, the letter will likely be sent to Harp Media B.V., which operates the offshore and unlicensed online sportsbook. Harp Media B.V. is located in Curaçao.

“I wonder if it’s worthwhile to have a discussion among the commissioners as to whether there are any steps we may want to take,” Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner Nakisha Skinner said.

Skinner mentioned the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s recent decision to send a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada on May 29, along with Connecticut regulators sending its own cease-and-desist notice to Bovada within the next week.

Additionally, Skinner proposed a discussion on a cease-and-desist letter during a future agenda meeting. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office is expected to provide an update to the commission on any new information on the matter.

“Are there any steps we may want to take as a commission? Just with the understanding that our hands are somewhat tied, but I think it’s worth the discussion of maybe sending a cease-and-desist letter of our own,” Skinner added.

“I know there are some jurisdictions that are holding their vendors accountable, making an inquiry as to whether they’re doing business with these illegal markets.”

Connecticut sent its own cease-and-desist letter to Bovada on Tuesday

Furthermore, MGC Interim Chair Jordan Maynard agreed with Skinner’s position and directed MGC General Counsel Todd Grossman to also provide an update on any investigative work.

This decision came just one day after a representative for Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division confirmed it will be sending its own cease-and-desist letter to Bovada.

“The Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division does send out cease and desist letters anytime we receive a consumer complaint or become aware of an illegal gaming operator,” the representative told Sports Betting Dime during a recent interview.

From May 29, the Michigan Gaming Control Board gave Harp Media B.V. exactly 14 days to prevent Michigan residents from placing wagers via their websites. The gaming control board said it would take legal action if the company refused to comply.

Moreover, Bovada has been banned by a number of states — including Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Nevada — in recent years after the states passed legislation to cease operations.

Michigan, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are expected to join those states.