Arizona Regulator Issues Cease-and-Desist Letters to Six Unlicensed Operators

by Blake Roberts, April 21, 2025

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has issued six cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed and unregulated gambling operators accepting customers in the state.

Identifying Unregulated Offshore Operators

The state’s gaming regulator has identified local and international operators illegally targeting Arizona residents and visitors. The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) is taking enforcement action against unlicensed entities to protect players and ensure compliance with the state’s gaming laws.

These illegal operators have been offering a range of gaming services within Arizona, including sweepstakes, slot games, horse racing, sportsbooks, and peer-to-peer betting platforms. The ADG has recently issued cease and desist orders to stop these unlicensed activities.

ADG Director Jackie Johnson commented,

“Illegal gaming, no matter the platform or format, has no place in Arizona. Whether it’s sweepstakes, online casino-style games, or unauthorized sports betting, if an operation exists outside of the state’s legal and regulatory framework, we are prepared to take enforcement action.”

In February 2025, the ADG warned Arizona residents about the risks of online scams. They pointed out that some illegal online casinos and sweepstakes sites try to look like legitimate platforms, which can be especially dangerous for users. According to the regulator, these unlicensed sites pose serious risks because they often operate without licenses, putting players’ money and personal information at risk.

The Operators Involved

The following companies received cease-and-desist letters: ARB Gaming, LLC, which operates MODO.us and Modo, Epic Hunts, BetUS.com.pa, Epic Hunts, Generiz, MyBookie, and ProphetX.

The ADG has accused these illegal operators of breaking Arizona’s gaming laws by running what it describes as a criminal enterprise. The regulator also says these unlicensed businesses are not promoting gambling properly and may be involved in money laundering. The ADG has ordered them to stop all operations in Arizona immediately.

Arizona’s Commitment to Safer Gambling

The ADG is taking regulatory action after advising gamblers in the state to proceed with caution when considering online gambling platforms.

According to the ADG, many of these operations are not legal and lack proper regulation, which puts users at risk of fraud, identity theft, and other serious threats. Even though Arizona law doesn’t clearly define sweepstakes gaming, the ADG has taken a firm stance against unlicensed online casinos and sweepstakes platforms. The state has strict rules for free-to-play games, which apply to both residents and visitors.

In addition to warning the public, the ADG is also helping people learn how to spot and report suspicious gaming activity and potential fraud by providing educational resources and tools.