The Washington State Gambling Commission issued a second cease and desist notice to Bovada.lv, an unlicensed and therefore illegal sportsbook operating in Washington. Bovada, an offshore enterprise with a registered address in Curaçao, has failed to comply with demands that it immediately cease operating its online casinos.
The Washington State Gambling Commission is the state law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing Washington State’s gambling laws. 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 per RCW 9.46.0237. By conducting such an unauthorized gambling activity and accepting wagers and fees from Washington residents, Bovada has collected an unlawful debt in violation of RCW 9A.82.045. By transmitting gambling information over the internet, Bovada, and participants (who may not even know they are wagering illegally) are in violation of RCW 9.46.240, which is a class C felony.
If an individual wagers with unlicensed sportsbooks, their sensitive financial and personal information may not be protected and could even be shared with criminal enterprises. The bettor’s money could be withheld or disappear without a way to recover it. Washington consumers interested in gambling on sports are able to do so legally at Tribal casinos authorized to conduct sports wagering pursuant to tribal-state gaming compacts. For more information on authorized sportsbooks in Washington, click here.
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