Illegal offshore gambling platform Bovada has been ordered to cease operations in Arizona, marking the 17th U.S. jurisdiction to take action against the Curacao-based company.

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, promotion of unlawful gambling, and money laundering.

Bovada has complied with the order, adding Arizona to its list of restricted markets, which now includes Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Legal online casino gaming is currently only permitted through licensed operators in seven states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. These regulated platforms offer consumer protections like fair play guarantees and secure fund withdrawals.

The crackdown reflects growing concerns about illegal gambling operations, including both offshore websites and sweepstakes casinos. Unlike regulated operators who pay licensing fees and taxes, offshore platforms like Bovada operate without U.S. oversight or contribution to state revenues.

State gaming regulators continue to warn consumers about the risks of using unregulated gambling platforms, emphasizing the importance of playing only on licensed, legal sites that provide proper consumer protections.

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