Bodog leaving US

[Casinomeister]

From CalvinAyre.com:

Today Bodog Brand announced that they will allow their current license agreement with Morris Mohawk Gaming to expire at the end of 2011, thus the Bodog Brand will leave the US online gaming market.

The news comes on the heels of Bodog UK being granted a gambling licence by the UK gambling commission.

Bodog Brand has released the following statement about their decision to let their brand licensing deal with Morris Mohawk Gaming expire at the end of the year.

“Following recent news that Bodog UK has been granted a gambling license by the UK Gambling Commission, we are pleased to announce further developments to the Bodog brand going forward.

As highlighted last week, Bodog UK’s CEO, Patrik Selin believes the trust and credibility that having a UK license brings to the brand will benefit customers and allow him to attract the best talent in the industry to work with him.

However, in order to ensure the brand’s expansion is not affected by negative perceptions, both in the UK and elsewhere in emerging markets such as Asia, where Bodog88 is already successful, a decision has been made to withdraw the Bodog brand from the US market at the end of 2011. As a result, the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group’s (MMGG) brand licensing agreement will be allowed to expire on 31 December, following which US residents will no longer be able to access bodog.eu or any other Bodog branded website. We understand that MMGG will launch under its own brand in 2012, licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. All Bodog.eu clients’ funds will remain safe and they will have the option to switch to a new MMGG brand should they wish but MMGG confirms it’s business as usual.

More here:

http://calvinayre.com/2011/07/26/bus...ave-us-market/

[Cleveland]

Seeing as I don't really play there I'm not too sad. I'm just concerned that more will follow their lead in short order.

Guess we all knew it was coming but I'm still holding on to the dream that the U.S. will get something worked out. Although I also still think people are watching me! crazyshotgunsmiley.gif

[Mousey]

Seeing as I don't really play there I'm not too sad. I'm just concerned that more will follow their lead in short order.

Guess we all knew it was coming but I'm still holding on to the dream that the U.S. will get something worked out. Although I also still think people are watching me! crazyshotgunsmiley.gif

The sky has been falling on USA online gambling, albeit 1 or 2 feathers at a time, for years. Just because a poker room or casino or processor is open and works for USA players today doesn't mean it'll work tomorrow. I think the smart operations get out before they get bit. Personally, I think it will be years before we see online gambling legalized in USA and when it is ... it won't be anything like online gambling as we've known it.

I'll get this out of the way early... I think it's safe to say that USA players will be paid by Bodog. It may not be in 48.36 hours -- or whatever -- as in the past, but you will get your money. Patience please.

[4 of a kind]

“It will mean the end of the Bodog era in the US but Morris Mohawk Gaming has been operating the brand in the US Market for the past 5 years so other than a name change it should be business as usual for US punters.”



That’s what they said when Golden Palace Casino re-branded to Golden Casino for USA players years ago. It didn’t take Golden Casino to long after that to find themselves listed in the rogue pit.

When trusted brands like Bodog who always were considered rebels against American prohibition pull out, should be a sign of current times and how hard and risky it must have become to operate in the USA.

[Nifty29]

“It will mean the end of the Bodog era in the US but Morris Mohawk Gaming has been operating the brand in the US Market for the past 5 years so other than a name change it should be business as usual for US punters.”



That’s what they said when Golden Palace Casino re-branded to Golden Casino for USA players years ago. It didn’t take Golden Casino to long after that to find themselves listed in the rogue pit.

When trusted brands like Bodog who always were considered rebels against American prohibition pull out, should be a sign of current times and how hard and risky it must have become to operate in the USA.

I think you will find the reason is that they place a higher value on a UK licence than they do on servicing US players.

The minute they get caught by the DOJ or something like that, their UK licence would be placed in jeopardy.

[Diane]

I think you will find the reason is that they place a higher value on a UK licence than they do on servicing US players.

The minute they get caught by the DOJ or something like that, their UK licence would be placed in jeopardy.

Isn't Calvin Ayre the guy that got arrested a few years back entering the USA because of his gambling affiliation?

Diane

[jetset]

Ayre has been far too crafty to get himself arrested by US authorities so far, although the bravado and "catch me if you can" of earlier years has disappeared in recent times, and his whole public shift from operator to brand franchiser suggests he found the US kitchen too hot some time ago.

This latest move should not come as too much of a surprise to the business imo.

Major arrests in the past have included David Carruthers, Gary Kaplan, Peter Dicks and a slew of processors led by the Australian guy Daniel Tzvetkoff.

[Luckylizzy]

No I am pretty sure he was never arrested in the US for that. But back in 2006 his compound in Costa Rica was raided by police. Most people think it was a publicity stunt though.

[BodogBecky]

Isn't Calvin Ayre the guy that got arrested a few years back entering the USA because of his gambling affiliation?

Diane

Calvin Ayre has never been arrested nor does he have a criminal record of any sort.

Also, just to clarify, the Bodog brand has decided to focus its growth in other regions outside of the US, especially after receiving a UK license. The MMGG has a vast amount of experience in the US market and wanted to continue to offer its customers the same trusted service, all be it under a new brand.

Essentially, MMGG is rebranding- that's all. The transition will be very smooth for players- just a name change really.

Becky

[Papa-ya]

Calvin Ayre has never been arrested nor does he have a criminal record of any sort.

Also, just to clarify, the Bodog brand has decided to focus its growth in other regions outside of the US, especially after receiving a UK license. The MMGG has a vast amount of experience in the US market and wanted to continue to offer its customers the same trusted service, all be it under a new brand.

Essentially, MMGG is rebranding- that's all. The transition will be very smooth for players- just a name change really.
Becky

Can't help but be reminded of how Microgamming rebranded the US facing MG version with Level11, where are they now?