IL AG warns bettors to avoid Bovada, PrizePicks Friday before Super Bowl
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has fired a last-minute shot across the bow at offshore operator Bovada and daily fantasy sports company PrizePicks in the final hours before the 2025 Super Bowl.
In a consumer alert issued on Friday, Feb. 7, Raoul cautioned bettors in the state to vet where they wager in advance of the NFL’s big game.
“If you decide to bet on the Super Bowl or any other sporting event, take the time to determine that you are placing your bet with an entity that is licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board and operating legally in the state,” Raoul said. “Using an unlicensed betting service puts your personal information and your money at risk. Even if a sports betting website or app is licensed, it’s also important to read the details of any promotional offers to make sure there are no hidden costs or obligations.”
Raoul cautioned there are numerous unlicensed and illegal operators accepting customers from Illinois.
Within the release, Raoul also noted that his office has sent cease and desist letters to both Bovada and PrizePicks. While one is an offshore operator and the other is a DFS site, Raoul characterized the two companies as “alleged unlicensed sports wagering sites”.
To date, PrizePicks had been offering its against-the-house version of its fantasy product, something that has caused issue for the operator in other states. However, according to a statement from PrizePicks, the company is in the process of transitioning to its peer-to-peer product, Arena, in the state.
“We notified the Gaming Board earlier this week that, at their request, we are transitioning to our peer-to-peer offering, Arena, in Illinois. Additionally, we supported the filing of a bill last year that would’ve granted the Board the authority to regulate, license, and tax fantasy sports in the state,” a PrizePicks spokesperson told SBC Americas. “We are encouraged that legislators are considering a bill this session to clarify fantasy sports law and implement the taxes and regulations we’ve long advocated for, ensuring a fair and transparent framework for all operators.”
The company is referring to the newly introduced SB1224, which would regulate DFS in the state. The bill would allow for a broad range of fantasy contests, including fantasy against the house. The Illinois Gaming Board would oversee fantasy sports and collect taxes at a rate between 10-15% as well as charge an annual licensing fee equivalent to either $1 million or 8% of gross receipts, whichever is less.
This week, the measure was sent to the Senate Executive Committee.
PrizePicks has re-entered numerous markets it previously exited once switching to a peer-to-peer version of its product, including Delaware and Missouri.
Meanwhile, Bovada has yet another state requesting the offshore site block users from its gaming site. Earlier this week, Florida regulators announced they sent a similar letter to the group along with letters to MyBookie and BetUS. Arizona Department of Gaming sent a cease and desist letter in December. Bovada has blocked users in 16 states from accessing the site, including Arizona, but have also ignored some states who have sent letters, such as Mississippi.
https://sbcamericas.com/2025/02/07/illinois-attorney-general-prizepicks-bovada/