Bovada, a controversial online casino and sportsbook, has come under fire after numerous players reported issues with their accounts. The platform, already facing cease-and-desist letters from state gaming regulators for allegedly operating illegally, is now addressing complaints of missing funds, delayed withdrawals, disabled accounts, and unfulfilled bonuses.
Customer Frustrations Emerge
Players took to social media, particularly X, to express their grievances. Posts highlighted struggles such as unprocessed transactions and missing crypto deposits, despite confirmations from their wallets.
“Just talked to Bovada about my crypto deposit. They can’t find it in their system despite my crypto wallet saying it has been processed,” one player lamented.
Initial Response
On Tuesday, Bovada issued a statement claiming the technical problems had been resolved:
“We’re pleased to report that all deposit issues have now been resolved and delayed transactions have been processed.”
While some users confirmed their bonuses and transactions were finally executed, others insisted they were still experiencing problems.
Acknowledgment of Continued Troubles
A follow-up statement from Bovada on Wednesday conceded that fixes were not yet visible to all players:
“We see you. We hear you. We’re still here with you. We have to work through the backlog of contacts while we were out. We can confirm that everything is working as expected, however, it will take us some time to work through it.
“For those who have reached out, our player service teams are working through your issues as fast as we possibly can. For the majority of us, it’s game time. Thanks again for your patience.”
Despite this assurance, customer complaints about missing weekly bonuses, disabled accounts, and the sudden removal of promotions like the Mega Scratch Card persisted.
Regulatory Concerns
Operating out of Costa Rica, Bovada claims to be licensed by the Union of the Comoros and the Central Reserve Authority of Western Sahara. However, gaming regulators in 17 states and Washington, DC have ordered Bovada to exit their markets, citing allegations of illegal activity.
Officials warn players of significant risks associated with engaging with unlicensed platforms like Bovada. These risks include lack of consumer protections, unreliable access to funds, and exposure to unsafe practices such as underage gambling.
“Bovada has presented itself as a legitimate American gambling operator, but without any proper Massachusetts license,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “Unlicensed operators pose a substantial danger to consumers because they do not go through the same rigorous review as licensed operators, lack safeguards against gambling addiction, and fail to provide reliable financial security.”
Key Takeaway
As Bovada continues damage control amid this operational disruption, users are urged to exercise caution and consider licensed and regulated alternatives for online gambling activities. States with regulated gaming markets emphasize the importance of consumer safety and fair practices.
