Florida has joined the growing list of states attempting to take action against unregulated online gambling websites.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission served cease-and-desist letters to three offshore gambling operators on Monday, demanding they stop their illegal operations within the state.
Online gambling is illegal under federal law unless regulated by states. Florida has allowed a single real-money sportsbook, Hard Rock Sportsbook, but no legal real-money online casinos. Operating offshore from countries like Antigua or Comoros is one way illegal operators attempt to skirt the law.
The three operators and their websites are:
- Milvus Ltc, which operates BetUS.com.pa
- Harp Media B.V, which operates Bovada.lv
- Gaming Services Provider, N.V., which operates MyBookie.ag
Although BetUS and Bovada use Panamanian and Latvian domain suffixes, both are licensed in Comoros.
State cites multiple felony offenses
The FGCC said it acted on the grounds of the three operators committing multiple felonies for its online gambling websites.
Per the letter, each website “offers or accepts wagers on casino-style games, including slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat.” The operators also engaged in “illegal lotteries, such as deposit-matching promotions, giveaways of cash prizes, and sign-up bonuses.”
These actions constituted a felony offense, as online casinos remain illegal in Florida. According to the FGCC press release, all three operators also violated laws for their sports betting and horse racing activities, which were separate felonies.
FGCC Executive Director discusses regulated and unregulated gambling
Unregulated gambling takes millions away from legal markets every year. These sites make money without regulatory oversight and siphon profits from productive means in states nationwide.
FGCC Executive Director Ross Marshman discussed the action taken by the state in the press release.
“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.”
Marshman added that sports betting, in-person and online, is also prohibited for the Hard Rock Bet app and at retail sportsbooks at Seminole-owned properties.
All retail gambling generates tax money for state-funded programs. The Educational Enhancement Trust Fund of Florida received over $240 million in 2024 from the state’s eight licensed slot facilities.
The Seminoles will also contribute at least $2.5 billion to the state over the next five years. That money will go to water quality, infrastructure and conservation efforts.
Florida joins nationwide trend to shut down offshore casinos
Florida’s cease-and-desist letters to BetUS, Bovada and MyBookie.ag follow an increasing trend of states shutting down illegal gambling websites.
With the news, 18 jurisdictions have now banned Bovada. Five (Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey and New York) had prohibited the site for years, and Michigan began a recent domino effect in May 2024.
Since last May, a dozen jurisdictions have followed: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.
Michigan sent a cease-and-desist to MyBookie.ag on January 23, 2025. MyBookie.ag is also banned in Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Florida is the first state to lead the charge against BetUS.
