Oddsshark banned from operating in New Jersey

New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has taken regulatory action against rogue affiliate betting site, Oddsshark for promoting brands that offer unauthorised internet gaming and sports betting to New Jersey residents.

According to a notice issued on the February 6, 2019, the DGE reviewed the Oddsshark website and found that along with promotional links to authorised New Jersey sports betting sites, the website also promoted Bovada, BetOnline and 5Dimes all of which offer unauthorised internet gaming and sports betting to New Jersey residents.

The DGE has made its position on this clear. Affiliate marketers cannot serve the legal market if they continue to serve the offshore blackmarket operators. The DGE Director’s Advisory Bulletin issued on June 4, 2015 gave operators and affiliates notice to clean up their act quickly or risk being frozen out of the New Jersey market.

Oddsshark is one of the biggest industry names to get caught in breach of NJ regulations. The consequences will be painful; not only has the DGE directed all New Jersey licensed casinos to cease doing business with Oddsshark, it has also referrred the details to the Division of Criminal Justice for possible legal action.

The move is a blow for Oddsshark, which should have known better, but it is another tick in the box for legal gambling supporters. 

Marketing is the lifeblood of the offshore unlicensed online gambling market. The DGE is showing how the legal licensed operators can be protected from unfair competition, and how it is working to protect New Jersey gamblers from playing at sites where they have absolutely no legal protection.

Below: the original notice: