Bovada News: MyPayLinQ Transfers Blocked for 4 US States
Posted by James on 09 March 2012 in Betting Sites NewsUpdate: After the time of this report, Bovada stopped servicing players from Maryland and Washington State. They also do not have deposit options for Utah and New York. If you live in one of these states refer to articles below for alternatives.
Correction: Kentucky Betting Sites were not affected as some other websites had reported.
Original Report
Betting News sites are reporting that US gambling site Bovada.lv has blocked payment transfer for residents of US states Maryland, Washington, New York and Utah. These reports are a bit deceiving as the actual news is Bovada’s most popular e-wallet payment processor MyPayLinQ is the company that has stopped servicing these states. Bovada clients that are residents of these states can still deposit and withdrawal via alternative methods.
MyPayLinQ is an e-wallet based payment processor headquartered in Heredia, Costa Rica that was added to the old Bodoglife.com website as a payment option in January 2009. While Bovada was one of their first clients, according to online.casinocity.com MyPayLinQ is a payment option at 82 online gambling sites. Some of the most popular include sportsbooks JustBet, BetGuardian and RTG casinos ClubWorld, LuckyRed and Aladdin’s Gold. In the past SBS blacklisted oddsmaker.ag supported this e-wallet as did Absolute Poker, Ultimate Bet, and the Everleaf Poker network.
On December 14, 2011 Bodog left the US market and all their US account holders were transferred to the website www.bovoda.lv. The changeover however was rather simple as the company Mohawk Morris Gaming Group (MMGG) of Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec, Canada, has owned the gambling operation powering Bodog.eu and Bodog.ca since 2007. This came as the result of Bodog’s desire to leave the US market following the passing of 
the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), and MMGG seizing the opportunity.
Bovada.lv offers the same product as MMGG offers to Canadians who access their services via www.bodog.eu. This is because since 2007 they’ve licensed the Bodog brand name, software and support, while handling only the gambling related aspects of the business. The December 14, 2011 change to Bovada.lv was based on Bodog’s decision to remove their brand name from the US market. They still allow MMGG to lease their software and support, but now require they do so via this new domain name when dealing with US players.
Although www.mypaylinq.com is a popular e-wallet for the conveniences it offers, these conveniences do not come without a price. Clients funding their MyPayLinQ account with credit card are charged a 6% fee. Also for transactions over $100 clients are required to verify their account which involves sending in a government issued photo ID. So, while gambling site transfers are a bit more of a hassle now for gamblers living in Maryland, Washington, New York and Utah, it’s important to note lower cost payment transfer alternatives are available. For details of these contact Bovada.lv support.
Why Block These 4 States
Although this is speculative, Bovada is MyPayLinQ’s biggest client, and their blocking of the 4 US states likely has to do with recent Bodog indictments. The state of Maryland recently indicted Calvin Ayre, three fellow Canadians associated with Bodog operations, and the company Bodog Entertainment Group S.A itself. You can read our thoughts on this indictment here. Click that link you’ll learn most of context of the indictment were from activities of many years earlier, and the indictment also included factual mistakes. Although arrest warrants have been issued, those sought are not US citizens, no longer have any involvement in the US market, and seem unlikely to be apprehended or extradited as gambling is fully legal in many other countries.
Although the indictment is unlikely to result in anything more than fear in the minds of US citizens, Bodog is active in taking precautionary measures. Recently industry news tabloid Gambling911, reported Bodog has closed their Costa Rican office. Considering Maryland, Washington, New York and Utah are some of the most active states in enforcing US anti-gambling laws, it makes sense Bodog would also reduce their exposure in these states.
Is Bovada Safe to Use?
Updated (August 2012): Well first it’s worth nothing the company owning Bovada.lv was not part of the indictment, nor was Bovada mentioned in the indictment. The US is however going after gambling sites on a regular basis, but the fact Bovada is located and licensed from a sovereign Indian reservation makes them very well protected. In the past there were some challenges with Bovada Payouts, but since August 2012 all order has been restored and they are now one of the fastest paying US betting sites. With a strong track record and quick payments, yes – we consider Bovada one of the safer sites to use.