Arizona Issues Cease and Desist Orders to Unlicensed Sportsbooks
David Genge Published 16/07/2026
The Arizona Department of Gaming has issued cease-and-desist orders to unlicensed sportsbooks operating in the state. In total, six gambling entities classified as illegal operators were issued cease and desist orders. Each enforcement action alleges conduct giving rise to the following felonies: promotion of gambling, illegal control of an enterprise, and money laundering.
The sites that were issued the orders include BetOpenly, Bookmaker, Club WPT Online Poker, Kutt Inc., and Raffle Creator. The cease-and-desist orders follow Department public safety initiatives aligned with Arizona law, which prohibits gambling unless it is specifically authorized and where the legal age to participate in gambling is 21 years old.
Illegal gambling operators are put on notice
Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) officials ordered each of these sites to cease operating in the state immediately. With the cease-and-desist orders, notified entities are directed to immediately stop all gambling operations and activities in Arizona. This would include, through mobile applications, online, or otherwise. They are further directed to desist from any future illegal gambling operations in the state.
“Arizona is taking decisive action against illegal gambling operators that put Arizonans at risk,” Jackie Johnson, Department Director, said in a release. “Our top priority is protecting Arizonans, and I’m grateful for the efforts of our intelligence unit led by Chief Law Enforcement Officer Doug Jensen to do just that.
"Through these cease-and-desist orders, we are putting operators on notice: their conduct runs contrary to Arizona law, and they must stop promoting illegal gambling.”
Sportsbook operators are accused of a variety of illegal activities
The two sports betting sites accused of illegal activities by the ADG and issued the cease and desist orders are BetOpenly and Bookmaker.
BetOpenly offers peer-to-peer gambling, including peer-to-peer sports betting and casino games. Regarding peer-to-peer gambling in Arizona, the state prohibits any third party from benefiting. The platform benefited the operator via a commission structure.
The ADG alleges that BetOpenly enabled event wagering and daily fantasy sports contests without the requisite state licenses. The ADG is also accusing the site of facilitating availability to underage Arizonans and allegedly engaging in illegal felony conduct: promotion of gambling. Other allegations include illegal control of an enterprise and money laundering.
The ADG found through its investigation that the Bookmaker platform facilitates wagering on horse racing, casino games, and sports betting. The site does so without holding an event wagering license or an advanced deposit wagering provider license. Online casino games are not legal in Arizona. The ADG alleges that Bookmaker engaged in illegal felony conduct: promotion of gambling; illegal control of an enterprise; and money laundering.
Criminal or civil action could be coming for failing to follow these orders
If these sites choose against heeding the issued orders, the ADG is preparing to ramp up the action.
Future actions may include the filing of criminal charges or a civil action against entities, principals, and employees. The operators may be subject to a potential award of restitution to those who lost money. They may also face an action for forfeiture of all monies acquired due to the illegal conduct.
Previously, the ADG issued cease and desist orders to several other sportsbooks, alleging that all are illegal gambling operators. Among that group were BetUS, Bovada, MyBookie, Novig, and Stake.us.
Arizona residents can verify a site's legality by going to Check Your Bet. This site will verify that any gambling, event wagering, or fantasy sports platform appears on the Department’s list of approved operators before participating.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
+9
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Find out more on bet365's website
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
+6
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds