Most People Look for Black-Market Wagering Sites in States Where Gambling Is Illegal

The offshore sports betting site Bovada is most frequently searched in jurisdictions where online sports betting is illegal, according to new search data from the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), which builds on earlier research and data. Mississippi had the most percentage of consumers searching for Bovada, followed by Alabama, Georgia, California, and Texas, according to the SBA. Legislators in Mississippi have attempted, but failed, to legalize digital betting throughout the state, although in-person wagering is permitted.

Similar findings were seen in a March 2025 Birches Health report, although Bovada was ranked as the most popular gambling website in Florida, where the Florida Seminoles had a monopoly on online gambling. According to the Blask Index-based Birches Health data, there were a lot of searches for Bovada in California and Nevada, as well as in states that allow online gambling, such as Illinois, Ohio, and Massachusetts. Remarkably, the three states either have strict laws governing responsible gambling (Ohio and Massachusetts) or a very high tax burden (Illinois).

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SBA President Jeremy Kudon issued a news release saying, “These illegal operators skip age verification and exploit consumers.” “By keeping this activity, which is already taking place within their borders, under the radar, states are losing out.”

Black-market operators have received cease-and-desist letters from regulators in lawful U.S. areas since the beginning of 2025, with varying degrees of effectiveness. In August, fifty attorneys general united and requested a crackdown on black-market websites in a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice.

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