Washington Issues Second Cease-and-Desist to Offshore Sportsbook Bovada
The Washington State Gambling Commission has issued a second cease-and-desist notice to Bovada.lv, warning the offshore sportsbook to stop taking bets from Washington residents or face further legal action.
Second Warning to an Offshore Operator
Bovada.lv, based in Curaçao, continues to run an online sportsbook and casino accessible from Washington despite earlier demands to shut down. The Commission says Bovada’s activities meet the state’s definition of gambling under RCW 9.46.0237 because it lets residents risk something of value on future events in exchange for potential winnings.
By accepting wagers and fees from Washington players without authorization, Bovada is accused of collecting unlawful debts under RCW 9A.82.045. Transmitting gambling information over the internet without a license also violates RCW 9.46.240, a class C felony.
Risks for Players
The Commission warned that betting with unlicensed sites puts players at risk of losing funds and having personal information exposed to criminal enterprises. With no regulatory oversight, bettors have no guaranteed recourse if their money is withheld or vanishes.
Sports fans in Washington who want to wager legally can do so at Tribal casinos authorized to offer sports betting under tribal-state compacts. The Commission directs consumers to its website for a list of approved sportsbooks.
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