The Arizona Department of Gaming (“ADG”) has taken action against an overseas gaming company in Curaçao that is allegedly operating illegal online gaming sites, Bovada.com and Bovada.lv (Bovada), accessible to Arizona residents. Following an investigation into the matter, the ADG sent a cease-and-desist letter to Harp Media B.V., which operates Bovada, on November 8, 2024.

The operation of Bovada in Arizona is alleged to be a felony criminal enterprise and Bovada has been directed to desist from any future illegal gambling operations or activities of any type in Arizona. Due to the unregulated and illegal online gaming offerings on Bovada, Harp Media B.V. is claimed to be in violation of Arizona gaming laws, including:

1. Promotion of Gambling (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3303.
2. Illegal Control of an Enterprise (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-2312.
3. Money Laundering (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-2317.

Harp Media B.V. has been directed to immediately cease all online (or other) gambling operations and activities in Arizona, and take the necessary steps to immediately prevent and exclude Arizona residents from gambling on their websites.

“We are actively monitoring the evolving landscape of online gaming and taking proactive steps like this helps us protect Arizona’s communities and economy from illegal activities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “Our enforcement team is committed to preventing unauthorized operations from establishing a foothold here. Arizona will not be a safe haven for unlicensed or unlawful gaming, nor will we allow unlawful entities to compromise the integrity of gaming within our state.”

In light of these developments, the Arizona Department of Gaming urges residents to exercise caution with online gaming activities. Only legal, regulated operations provide important consumer protections not found in the illegal market, helping ensure a safer experience for participants. Certain online event wagering is legal in Arizona. A list of all licensed and regulated event wagering operators legally taking bets in Arizona can be found on the Department’s website at gaming.az.gov.

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced that it has allocated an event wagering operator license to Plannatech as the designee for the San Carlos Apache Tribal Gaming Enterprise, as well as allocated an event wagering operator license to Sporttrade as the designee for the Quechan Indian Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation, pursuant to A.R.S. § 5-1304 and A.A.C. R19-4-105 and 106.

On June 7, 2024, ADG announced that it would begin accepting applications for available event wagering licenses, which included no less than one event wagering license reserved for Arizona Tribes and no less than one event wagering license reserved for Arizona Sports Franchises, as defined in A.R.S. § 5-1301(7).

The application window for event wagering licenses opened on July 8, 2024, and closed on July 19, 2024. Applicants were required to submit their completed applications within this timeframe in order to have been considered for an event wagering license.

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced today $43,586,004 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. This amount represents an approximate 3.3 percent increase when compared to the same quarter of FY 2023.

“Celebrating yet another remarkable milestone in tribal gaming, we are thrilled to announce that Arizona has witnessed yet another record-breaking year,” said Jackie Johnson, Cabinet Executive Officer, ADG. “With a record contribution of $157.2 million to the Arizona Benefits Fund, our tribal partners have once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the prosperity of our state and local communities. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our tribal partners for their continued dedication and collaboration.”

The Arizona Benefits Fund receives 88 percent of tribal gaming contributions, providing significant dollars to support instructional improvement in schools, trauma and emergency care, tourism, and wildlife conservation throughout the state.

Tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the 4^th quarter of the State’s FY 2024 are as follows:

FY 2024 Qtr 4 Total: Tribal Gaming Contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund….. $43,586,004

Per the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compacts, tribes with casinos also contribute a percentage of their Class III gross gaming revenue to cities, towns, and counties. Total tribal contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund in addition to cities, towns, and counties in the state has amounted to over $2.2 billion since FY 2004. Currently, there are 25 Class III casinos in Arizona, which ADG regulates in partnership with Arizona tribes.