Offshore gambling website Bovada has been ordered to cease operations in Arizona, making it the 17th U.S. jurisdiction to ban the platform. The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) issued a cease and desist order to Harp Media B.V., Bovada's parent company, citing multiple felony violations including illegal gambling operations and money laundering.

ADG Director Jackie Johnson emphasized the department's commitment to preventing unauthorized gambling operations from establishing presence in Arizona. Bovada has complied with the order by adding Arizona to its list of restricted markets.

The crackdown reflects growing concerns about offshore gambling platforms that target players in states where online casino gaming isn't legal. Unlike licensed operators who pay substantial licensing fees and taxes, offshore sites like Bovada operate without U.S. regulatory oversight or consumer protections.

Currently, legal online casino gaming is only permitted through licensed operators in:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• West Virginia

Bovada is now banned in 16 states and Washington, D.C. Regulators warn that offshore and sweepstakes casinos lack essential consumer safeguards, including fair play guarantees and reliable fund withdrawal processes. Players are encouraged to use only state-licensed gambling platforms that offer proper consumer protection and oversight.

The banned jurisdictions for Bovada now include: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

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