Bovada Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Unlawful Operations

A lawsuit, spearheaded by plaintiff Billi Jo Woods, has surfaced, leveling accusations against Bovada for its alleged engagement in illegal gambling activities within restricted territories, leading to substantial financial losses for its patrons.

Legal Action Targets Bovada and Associates for Alleged Gambling Infractions

This legal action squarely targets Morris Mohawk Gaming Group, accompanied by defendants Alywin Morris, Calvin Ayre, and Harp Media BV. Bovada, renowned for its broad array of offshore sports betting and online casino services, has been implicated in offering gambling services that contravene federal law by operating within the United States.

The lawsuit, lodged in the Eastern District of Kentucky, seeks class certification and endeavours to secure damages that exceed $5 million, according to details from Legal Sports Report. At the core of the plaintiff's assertion lies a Kentucky statute from the 1800s aimed at recovering gambling losses, granting individuals the right to pursue compensation for money lost through gambling. Notably, Kentucky law also allows for the tripling of damages under specific circumstances.

The crux of the complaint revolves around the assertion that Bovada's operations have transgressed Kentucky law and exploited numerous consumers. The plaintiffs are striving to reclaim both the financial losses incurred by individuals and the legal costs associated with the case. The lawsuit hinges on the concept of federal diversity jurisdiction, which enables the adjudication of state law disputes within federal courts.

Kentucky Lawsuit Echoes Previous PokerStars Settlement

Billi Jo Woods, a resident of Kentucky, alleges to have suffered substantial monetary losses while gambling on Bovada's online platforms. The lawsuit further implicates Morris Mohawk Gaming Group, a company headquartered in the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec, Canada. This group purportedly garners significant revenue from various internet domains, some of which are interconnected with Bovada.

Bovada functions as a subsidiary of the offshore gambling heavyweight Bodog. Initially established by billionaire Calvin Ayre, who now stands as a defendant, Bodog's history is marked by Ayre's claim of exiting the gambling sphere in 2009. Despite his departure, his website, CalvinAyre.com, remained a hub for gambling news until 2021, when it pivoted its focus to cryptocurrency.

The evolution of Bodog's trajectory featured intricate shifts in corporate structure over time, rendering the tracing of its diverse ventures complex. As an illustration, Bodog's poker division was divested to Ignition Casino in 2016, and subsequently, Ignition Casino changed hands to the Hong Kong-based investment group, PaiWangLuo, in the subsequent year.

The Kentucky lawsuit draws parallels with prior legal proceedings, including the settlement involving Kentucky and PokerStars, wherein a similar loss recovery statute played a pivotal role. As this case unfolds, its outcome could potentially reshape the landscape of accountability and legality for offshore gambling enterprises, exerting an impact on both players and operators alike.

We wish the player all the luck in the court and hopefully it will turn out with the great success for the truth and honesty.