Several state gambling regulators are closely watching what happens after the Michigan Gaming Control Board sent a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Several states are taking a wait-and-see approach before following Michigan’s lead and banning certain unregulated gambling sites. The Michigan Gaming Control Board revealed last week that it sent a cease-and-desist letter to the parent company of the popular offshore platform Bovada. This particular platform was previously a target of the authorities in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Nevada.

Now it appears that other states are considering doing the same. The West Virginia Lottery Commission is looking into companies that are possibly illegally offering gambling to residents. Talking to Sports Betting Dime, representatives from gambling regulators in Kansas, Maine, and North Carolina also confirmed that they are closely watching how the case in Michigan unfolds.

based in Curaçao and is outside the scope of law enforcement

One of the problems with introducing legal restrictions is that Bovada is based in Curaçao and is outside the scope of US law enforcement. People within state lines will also likely be able to find workarounds to any blocks, such as using a VPN.

Whatever the case may be, other offshore operators and state regulators alike will be keeping a close eye on what happens in Michigan.