Florida Gaming Regulators Demand Illegal Operators Leave State

• The Florida Gaming Control Commission today issued three cease-and-desist orders to illegal operators
• The commission ordered Bovada, MyBookie, and BetUS cease operations in the state
• Only legal sportsbook operator in Florida is Seminole Tribe

Florida gaming regulators sent a sweeping message to illegally operated gaming companies in the Sunshine State.

The Florida Gaming Control Commission issued three cease-and-desist letters to Bovada, MyBookie, and BetUS.

The three companies offer illegal gaming in the state, according to the commission.

Florida Says No To Overseas Operators

The commission sent notices to Milvus Ltc, (BetUS.com.pa), Harp Media B.V. (Bovada.lv), and Gaming Services Provider, N.V. (MyBookie.ag).

According to a notice from the commission, the three companies offer illegal online sports betting, online casino games, and horse racing. Under Florida law, this conduct is a federal offense.

“Gaming, both land-based and online, is strictly regulated in Florida. For example, when it comes to slot machine gaming, counting the eight legal, state-licensed slot machine businesses, and the six tribal gaming locations currently operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, there are only fourteen legal slot machine businesses in Florida,” Florida Gaming Control Commission Executive Director Ross Marshman. said in a release.

Marshman went on to remind Florida bettors that the only legal online sports betting operator in the state is Hard Rock Bet, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe.

“The only online sportsbook operating lawfully in Florida is the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Hard Rock Bet. Anyone in Florida betting on the Big Game needs to know this. Bettor beware.”

States Cracking Down on Illegal Operators

Florida is the first state to send a cease-and-desist to BetUS, but several other states have sent notices to MyBookie and Bovada.

Most recently, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) also issued a cease-and-desist notice to MyBookie.ag.

MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams noted that the agency is dedicated to safeguarding consumers and ensuring compliance with Michigan gaming law.

“Our investigation into MyBookie.ag found that their operations were accessible to Michigan citizens, which violates state laws,” he said in a release. “We are taking strong action to uphold the principles of fair and legal gaming.”

Bovada has pulled out of 17 states, plus Washington, D.C., at the request of gambling regulators. It recently restricted access in New Hampshire after receiving a cease-and-desist from the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.

The restricted U.S. markets are as follows:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Washington, D.C.
• West Virginia