The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has issued cease-and-desist orders to five online gambling operators it alleges were offering unauthorized gambling products to Arizona residents. Announcing the enforcement action, ADG Director Jackie Johnson said the agency will continue targeting operators that violate Arizona gaming laws while emphasizing consumer protection and responsible gaming.
The companies named in the enforcement action by the ADG are BetOpenly, Bookmaker, ClubWPT Online Poker, Kutt Inc., and Raffle Creator.
According to the ADG, the alleged violations vary by operator but include offering unlicensed sports betting, online poker, horse race wagering, and casino-style games. The department specifically raised concerns about ClubWPT Online Poker, alleging its sweepstakes-style model allowed minors to participate in certain poker tournaments despite Arizona’s gambling laws.
The operators have been directed to stop offering the identified products in Arizona or face potential additional enforcement action.
The latest cease-and-desist orders are part of a broader enforcement campaign by the ADG against unlicensed gambling operators. Over the past year, the regulator has repeatedly targeted offshore sportsbooks, sweepstakes casinos, peer-to-peer betting exchanges, and other platforms it says are operating outside Arizona’s legal framework.
In 2025, the ADG issued multiple waves of cease-and-desist letters to operators, including Stake.us, ReBet, Novig, BettorEdge, High 5, and several raffle platforms. The agency also took action against offshore sportsbook Bovada and other unregulated operators.
The latest actions against BetOpenly, Bookmaker, ClubWPT Online Poker, Kutt Inc., and Raffle Creator signal that the ADG intends to continue aggressively policing Arizona’s regulated gaming market, pursuing operators it believes are violating state gambling laws.
Alongside the enforcement actions, the ADG is reminding residents to verify that any gambling, event wagering, or fantasy sports platform they use is licensed by the state. The agency encourages consumers to “Check Your Bet,” an educational initiative that helps Arizonans identify legal, regulated gaming operators and avoid unlicensed platforms. As part of the campaign, players are encouraged to confirm that an operator appears on the ADG’s list of approved providers before depositing funds or placing wagers.
Arizona already has a regulated online sports betting market, but online casino gaming remains illegal under state law. As a result, residents seeking internet casino games often turn to offshore operators or sweepstakes casinos that exist outside Arizona’s regulated gaming framework.
The ADG’s continued enforcement against unlicensed operators highlights the challenges regulators face in limiting access to those platforms. While the latest cease-and-desist orders do not signal any immediate change in state policy, they could add to future discussions. This can be whether a regulated online casino market would provide stronger consumer protections while generating additional tax revenue.
For now, there is no active legislation to legalize online casinos in Arizona. However, as regulators continue targeting unauthorized operators, the debate over whether to create a licensed alternative could become part of broader conversations about the state’s gaming industry.
