Washington Regulators Intensify Action with Second Warning to Bovada

The Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) has stepped up its efforts against Bovada, the offshore betting company based in Curaçao, by issuing a second cease-and-desist order after the operator ignored an initial notice earlier this year.

According to the regulator, the first enforcement letter was sent on January 10, instructing Bovada to immediately stop accepting bets in Washington. Since then, the company has neither responded nor altered its operations, leaving its site accessible to state residents without authorization. A commission spokesperson confirmed that Bovada has remained silent despite the clear directive.

“Our investigation determined that Bovada allows Washington residents the opportunity to stake something of value on future contingent events for the opportunity to receive something of value, which meets the definition of gambling,” the WSGC said in its public statement. It added that by transmitting gambling information online, Bovada may be committing a Class C felony under RCW 9.46.240 state law.

Possible Consequences for Defiance

The regulator outlined that Bovada’s conduct not only violates Washington gambling statutes but also exposes consumers to significant risks. By participating in unauthorized wagering, players may unknowingly become part of criminal activity, with personal and financial data vulnerable to misuse. In addition, bettors could lose funds without recourse since offshore operators are not bound by U.S. consumer protections.

The commission also noted that Bovada has collected what it described as unlawful debts in violation of RCW 9A.82.045.“By conducting such an unauthorized gambling activity and accepting wagers and fees from Washington residents, Bovada has collected an unlawful debt,” the regulator stated.

Officials indicated they are weighing additional enforcement options and could coordinate with law enforcement partners in other states and at the federal level if Bovada continues to ignore state law.

Bovada’s track record in other jurisdictions suggests it often exits markets quietly after regulatory action. The company has pulled out of 17 states and the District of Columbia following cease-and-desist notices. In Tennessee, the Sports Wagering Council imposed a $50,000 fine last year after repeated warnings, though it is unclear whether the penalty was enforced.

Wider Enforcement Against Offshore Platforms

Washington has pursued a broader campaign against unlicensed gambling providers. To date, 15 operators have received cease-and-desist letters, including offshore platforms such as Betonline.ag, betanysports.eu, betUS.com.pa, and mybookie.ag. The list also features PropSwap and WagerWire, marketplaces where bettors trade sports betting tickets.

The commission has extended its attention to prediction markets as well. In February 2021, it issued a cease-and-desist to Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based prediction site, at a time when it was barred from taking U.S. customers. Since then, federal agencies including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and Department of Justice have closed their investigations, and Polymarket has purchased QCEX, a licensed CFTC exchange. In September, the company announced it had been cleared to provide “legal sports betting” nationwide.

Still, Washington officials remain skeptical. A spokesperson said that while “prediction markets that allow wagers on sports, politics, etc.” remain unauthorized under state law, the commission continues to monitor developments in ongoing legal cases that may reshape the industry.

For Washington residents seeking legal betting opportunities, the commission pointed to tribal casinos, which are authorized to offer sports wagering under tribal-state compacts.

Source:

“WSGC Issues Second Cease and Desist Notice to Bovada.lv”, wsgc.wa.gov, September 19, 2025