Illinois Gaming Board Sends Cease-and-Desist Notices to Bovada, PrizePicks

• The Illinois Attorney General announced two cease-and-desist notices had been sent to illegal operators
• The Illinois Gaming Board issued two notices to Bovada and PrizePicks
• A PrizePicks spokesperson says the operator is switching to peer-to-peer games in the state

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Just days before one of the largest sports betting event in the country, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul urged state residents to take caution when betting on the Super Bowl and announced two cease-and-desist notices to “alleged unlicensed sports wagering sites Bovada.com and PrizePicks.”

The Illinois Gaming Board issued the cease-and-desist notices to Bovada, an offshore gaming company based out of Curaçao, and PrizePicks, a daily fantasy sports operator based out of Atlanta, Georgia.

A PrizePicks spokesperson told Sports Betting Dime that the company is working closely with the Illinois Gaming Board to rectify the situation.

PrizePicks Switching Gears in Illinois

Illinois operates as a gray state for daily fantasy sports operators, with the form of gaming being neither legal or illegal in the state.

PrizePicks offered both its peer-to-peer and individuals against the house DFS games in Illinois. However, a PrizePicks spokesperson tonight told Sports Betting Dime that the company would only be offering its peer-to-peer games moving forward.

“We notified the Gaming Board earlier this week that, at their request, we are transitioning to our peer-to-peer offering, Arena, in Illinois. Additionally, we supported the filing of a bill last year that would’ve granted the board the authority to regulate, license, and tax fantasy sports in the state. We are encouraged that legislators are considering a bill this session to clarify fantasy sports law and implement the taxes and regulations we’ve long advocated for, ensuring a fair and transparent framework for all operators,” the spokesperson said.

A number of states have taken umbrage with DFS games that pit individuals against the house. DFS operators such as PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy have phased out these games in several states in favor of peer-to-peer options.

An Illinois legislator has recently proposed a new bill to establish the Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act to regulate the DFS industry in Illinois.

Sen. Lakeisha Collins (D-5) introduced SB 1224, the Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act, to establish DFS license fees and tax rates in Illinois.

The bill has been referred to the assignments committee.

Bovada Facing Another Cease-and-Desist

The Illinois Gaming Board also sent a cease-and-desist notice to Bovada and its parent company Harp Media B.V., which operates out of Curaçao.

It’s the second cease-and-desist notice sent to the company this week, as the Florida Gaming Control Commission issued one to the operator as well.

Raoul warned Illinois residents to only use licensed Illinois sports betting operators to place wagers on the upcoming Super Bowl.

“If you decide to bet on the Super Bowl or any other sporting event, take the time to determine that you are placing your bet with an entity that is licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board and operating legally in the state,” Raoul said. “Using an unlicensed betting service puts your personal information and your money at risk. Even if a sports betting website or app is licensed, it’s also important to read the details of any promotional offers to make sure there are no hidden costs or obligations.”

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