New Jersey regulator moves to block Bovada from US customers
DGE announces âseries of agreementsâ with designed to shut down unlicensed operators
New Jerseyâs Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has reached a âseries of agreementsâ with Continent 8 and the Kahwanake Gaming Commission (KGC) to prevent offshore operators taking bets from US citizens.
The move will see the regulator block a number of online gaming sites, including poker and sportsbook operator Bovada which was reaching US citizens via a Kahnawake Mohawks data-centre in their territory near Montreal, Canada.
The DGE said it has agreed terms with the Mohawks and network provider Continent 8 to block Bovada from using the Kahnawake facilities.
The DGE has also established an agreement with the Kahwanake Gaming Commission (KGC), which licenses Bovada, to ensure that its licensees stop offering services to the US by 30 September.
The regulatorâs director David Rebuck stated: âThe Division is pleased to have the KGC’s assistance as a fellow regulator and looks forward to working together in the future.
âWe were able to reach a series of agreements that are amenable to all of the parties involved and satisfy the Division’s regulatory concerns.
âThe Division appreciates the KGC’s commitment and looks forward to its continued cooperation in the fight against unlicensed internet gaming traffic.
âThis agreement is an important step in ensuring the integrity of internet gaming operations in New Jersey and helps ensure that online gaming patrons can play on fair, regulated sites.â
The regulatory decision comes just days before the finalization of the sale of the Bovada poker product to a new site called Ignition Casino.
A source close to the situation suggested the action would not materially affect Bovada operations, with the operator already having moved to new servers.