The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) confirmed to PlayPennsylvania that it sent Bovada, an offshore gambling site, a cease-and-desist letter at the end of August. As of Tuesday, Sept. 17, Pennsylvania has been added to Bovada’s restricted list, according to its website.
Bovada offers illegal sports betting, along with online casino games. The Keystone State, through the PGCB, supplies legal PA online casinos and PA online sports betting options.
PGCB steps in to ban Bovada
Bovada had already been on the radar of the PGCB, along with the Pennsylvania State Police and the The Office of Attorney General for providing betting lines for the Little League World Series last month. The PGCB’s Office of Enforcement Counsel stepped in shortly thereafter. On Wednesday, PGCB Communications Director, Doug Harbach, explained the process that led to Bovada’s ousting to PlayPennsylvania.
“The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s Office of Enforcement Counsel did send Bovada a cease and desist letter at the end of August.”
“Because the letter came from the Board’s investigative and enforcement unit and their work is accomplished confidentially and separate from the other areas of the agency, the letter is not available for release, and we are not commenting further the matter.”
Harbach explained to Bonus.com last month that the PGCB does “not have law enforcement authority” to shut Bovada down. It can only refer the matter “to the appropriate authorities.” However, it appears as if the offshore company complied, now that Pennsylvania has made its restricted list.
The Keystone State is one of many that has sent cease-and-desist letters to Bovada, including Kansas and Louisiana most recently.
Other illegal offshore gambling companies popping up in PA
The prevalence of illegal gambling markets has become an important discussion in the regulated industry. Driving offshore companies out of the legal market is a way to uphold the integrity of gaming, especially in Pennsylvania.
Bovada isn’t the first illegal company, and it won’t be the last to enter the Keystone State. Harbach told PlayPennsylvania he is not “aware of any other similar correspondence that may have been sent” because of the confidential nature the Office of Enforcement Counsel operates in.
Eliminating Bovada from the state hopefully drives more revenue to legal options, which generate a significant amount for the Commonwealth. In August alone, online casino operators produced nearly $225 million in earnings. Through August, the state has generated $1.7 billion in iGaming revenue and $601.5 million in taxes this year.
It’s been a point of emphasis for states to start targeting illegal gambling operations in their respective states. Pennsylvania did so successfully.
