Illegal offshore gambling operator Bovada sent two emails to Michigan users on Wednesday confirming service and account closures. The first email was a mistake, while the second one provided confirmation.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board sent a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada on May 29, giving the Curacao-based offshore sportsbook 14 days upon receipt to shut down operations.
It appears that Bovada, also known as Harp Media B.V., has complied with the MGCB, adding Michigan to its restricted list last week.
The corresponding email addressing the mistake further confirmed Bovada has banned Michigan-based players from accessing the site.
Bovada’s mistake confirms cease-and-desist compliance
On Wednesday, a Michigan resident received an email stating that Bovada would permanently close on July 31. Hours later, Bovada sent another email to the same Michigan resident, which said:
“Earlier this morning we sent you an email that was intended for Bovada account holders in a different state to yours.
“We can confirm that as previously communicated, we are unable to provide services in your state and your account remains closed.”
The second line of the email suggests that Michigan users had previously been alerted of account closures. The same customer who received the two emails on Wednesday was not able to log into his Bovada account last week.
It encourages users with an account balance to do the following, according to its Help Center:
“Should you reside in a restricted state and still retain an account balance, please contact Customer Service for more information or to arrange a cryptocurrency withdrawal.”
It’s possible the first email users received, about a July 31 shut-down, referred to Connecticut customers. A few weeks after the MGCB sent its cease-and-desist letter to Bovada, Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division followed suit, sending a similar note.
However, Connecticut is not on Bovada’s restricted list, yet.
Bovada complies with MGCB’s letter
The ramifications of Bovada not complying are unknown. However, the MGCB would have responded legally, according to Public Information Officer, Lisa Keith.
“If Bovada continues to offer illegal gambling to individuals located in Michigan, we are prepared to take further legal action, the details of which we have no comment on at this time,” she told PlayMichigan last month.
The MGCB had a number of legal options should Bovada have ignored the demand, according to Michael Lipton, senior partner in the Toronto office of Dickinson Wright.
It appears as if the situation has been put to rest as the MGCB took down another illegal gambling operator.
Earlier this week, the MGCB reached a settlement agreement in a case involving an illegal gambling operation in Flint in March. Two men have each been charged with four felonies for their roles.
MCGB Executive Director, Henry Williams, released a statement on the settlement:
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Illegal gambling operations anywhere undermine the integrity of our regulated gaming industry everywhere.”
That quote can be used as an overarching theme of the MGCB’s quest to eliminate illegal gambling to protect Michiganders from potentially unfair gaming.
