Bodog's Domain Names Confiscated

[Paddy]

I don't think it would matter one way or the other if the domains were in his sister's name, in the name of an Indian tribe, or even the name of the president of Antigua... Calvin Ayre has been on the cover of major magazines bragging about his ownership of Bodog. The charges will all be conspiricy based so actual ownership matters little.

It's sort of a bummer for online gaming, but I think Calvin Ayre is a guy a lot of people love to hate. I have to admit that what I perceive as his boundless arrogance is pretty offputting but with this case, the gaming industry is really getting it from both ends now.

You're very right about the domain names bit, Rollo. Only in the Calvin Ayre School of Law can you get out of a $49 million lawsuit by making up pieces of paper and backdating them.

Jetset. I've been in touch with Scott Lewis this morning and requested some of that clarification you say is required in your post above. Hopefully something will be forthcoming.

Nash. The latest analysis on Link Removed ( Old/Invalid) is here. It contains a list of questions put to Alwyn Morris about why on Earth he would get involved with Calvin Ayre and deals with the implied violence on the Ayre blog over the weekend.

 

[Rollo]

If Calvin Ayre were smart, he would start groveling and apologizing, enter therapy, claim temporary insanity and get his narcasistic personality disorder on record and get on meds.

There is going to be little room for dealing if he keeps it up... the DOJ is going to want to send him to the taxidermist for stuffing and mounting when they finally get their hands on him.

Pride comes before the fall.

 

[NASHVEGAS]

Nash. The latest analysis on Link Removed ( Old/Invalid) is here. It contains a list of questions put to Alwyn Morris about why on Earth he would get involved with Calvin Ayre and deals with the implied violence on the Ayre blog over the weekend.

Both Calvin's original blog and now the recent alterations of the same blog removing most statements that could imply threats of criminal intent,WOW......The civil issues of defamation/libel that remain from the original blog may or may not be significant which Paddy states he is amazed that counsel did not remove from the original blog. (I understand the context in your blog of the word "amazing" but it makes for a good transition to my next thought)..........Having just perused some gaming websites, I am amazed (not naive) that there seems hardly any detachment (even just for cautionary purposes) of those in particular that have continued to align with Bodog/Calvin both post UIGEA and during the most recent events (particularily his blog last week).

 

[Random#rs]

Well, I read the Cold Eye update and I read his Blog and I see it was amended to exclude the references to all the bloodshed; I think that was a little over the top. He's obviously a bit ticked off to say the least. But if Calvin is going to 'take on the World' (North America in this case) He'd better do it with a lot more professional tact. From the Bodog players (myself included) I think I could say "Play it cool. A lot cooler".

Frankly, I don't understand why he even bothers with the whole mess. I mean if I had a Billion I'd just go buy a Beach or a whole island, lie out in the sun with a bunch ladies in bikinis serving me all kinds of colored drinks.
It makes me dizzy just thinking about it.

 

[Paddy]

Both Calvin's original blog and now the recent alterations of the same blog removing most statements that could imply threats of criminal intent,WOW......The civil issues of defamation/libel that remain from the original blog may or may not be significant which Paddy states he is amazed that counsel did not remove from the original blog. (I understand the context in your blog of the word "amazing" but it makes for a good transition to my next thought)..........Having just perused some gaming websites, I am amazed (not naive) that there seems hardly any detachment (even just for cautionary purposes) of those in particular that have continued to align with Bodog/Calvin both post UIGEA and during the most recent events (particularily his blog last week).

Actually, Nash, he hasn't removed the implied violence sections. If you scroll down from the main page of the blog, they are still there in the original article.

You make a good point about the other sites. Major Wager did a great job of getting out the legal documents when this first started, but not a word since. Especially not about the deal with the Mohawks, which to any person of reasonable intelligence is Calvin fleeing the gaming arena under the guise of a "licensing" agreement. Not a word on that. Not a word of analysis on the most important issue to forum readers...how is this going to affect my chances of ever getting paid by Bodog. Nothing at EOG, Nothing at Sportsbook, which for reasons beyond comprehension rates Bodog at A-.

Of course, Peep can't be bought off at OGD and this discussion here at Casinomeister is the best currently going on by a long ways. Intelligent respectful debate and some real information is coming out here.

Haven't heard back from Alwyn Morris yet. Hopefully by morning. He's in a very very difficult legal situation if this is all true.

 

[Paddy]

Well, I read the Cold Eye update and I read his Blog and I see it was amended to exclude the references to all the bloodshed; I think that was a little over the top. He's obviously a bit ticked off to say the least. But if Calvin is going to 'take on the World' (North America in this case) He'd better do it with a lot more professional tact. From the Bodog players (myself included) I think I could say "Play it cool. A lot cooler".

Frankly, I don't understand why he even bothers with the whole mess. I mean if I had a Billion I'd just go buy a Beach or a whole island, lie out in the sun with a bunch ladies in bikinis serving me all kinds of colored drinks.
It makes me dizzy just thinking about it.

He doesn't have a billion. He doesn't have anything close to a billion. The idea that he was a billionaire was based on the way stock market worth is calculated, i.e. using a multiple of earnings over a period of years. That's a completely ridiculous way of calculating the worth of a person who could be doing 20 years within the next few months and with his business shut down.

He's a head case. That's probably the most accurate answer you are going to get. Try and find out whose going to pay you out when you want to withdraw, Bodog or Modog.

 

[SlotsWizard]

Try and find out whose going to pay you out when you want to withdraw, Bodog or Modog.

You probably just gave him an idea for a new name. Better patent it ASAP!

 

[NASHVEGAS]

Actually, Nash, he hasn't removed the implied violence sections. If you scroll down from the main page of the blog, they are still there in the original article.

Just for clarity, I can no longer find terms like mincemeat in the original link to Calvin's blog on page 11. It may just be me........or I will simply ask this and it may clear my confusion:Has Calvin altered his original Sept.07,2007 blog?(If so as I think, maybe you are saying the article still contains implied violence sections although the original blog has been amended)...SIDENOTE:either way, I realize my confusion is trivial to the subject matter.

 

[Random#rs]

He doesn't have a billion. He doesn't have anything close to a billion. The idea that he was a billionaire was based on the way stock market worth is calculated, i.e. using a multiple of earnings over a period of years. That's a completely ridiculous way of calculating the worth of a person who could be doing 20 years within the next few months and with his business shut down.

He's a head case. That's probably the most accurate answer you are going to get. Try and find out whose going to pay you out when you want to withdraw, Bodog or Modog.

Yes Bodog has a big problem with payouts now; so does almost every Casino, I try to play at. But the DOJ wants Bodog first to kick the ready lined up dominoes and collapse the Industry's presence in the U.S. .The DOJ is holding Bodogs head underwater targeting every connection they have to the States. This domain tactic was very likely engineered by the DOJ.

I read somewhere that the estimation of his being a Billionaire was down graded to something more like 3 or 400 million. In which case if it was mine I'd just by a Beach instead of an Island. (same number of ladies and drinks though)

I wouldn't want to say for sure about his mental state. You obviously have a much greater insight having known him personally. His first Blog didn't help his image any. I would have expected a white collar and strictly business statement from him. I've read everything you've posted and wrote on the Cold Eye, and although it is all very articulate and based on known facts as far as I can tell, there is a hint of 'Vendetta' in it. Maybe you have good cause but you have to be careful because the tone can be perceived and can reduce your credibility. You've got me interested so far and will be hoping you hear from Morris.

 

[NASHVEGAS]

I wouldn't want to say for sure about his mental state. You obviously have a much greater insight having known him personally. His first Blog didn't help his image any. I would have expected a white collar and strictly business statement from him. I've read everything you've posted and wrote on the Cold Eye, and although it is all very articulate and based on known facts as far as I can tell, there is a hint of 'Vendetta' in it. Maybe you have good cause but you have to be careful because the tone can be perceived and can reduce your credibility. You've got me interested so far and will be hoping you hear from Morris.

My thanks above is pursuant to this part of your post above and well said.

 

[Paddy]

The DOJ is holding Bodogs head underwater targeting every connection they have to the States. This domain tactic was very likely engineered by the DOJ.

I wouldn't want to say for sure about his mental state. You obviously have a much greater insight having known him personally. His first Blog didn't help his image any. I would have expected a white collar and strictly business statement from him. I've read everything you've posted and wrote on the Cold Eye, and although it is all very articulate and based on known facts as far as I can tell, there is a hint of 'Vendetta' in it. Maybe you have good cause but you have to be careful because the tone can be perceived and can reduce your credibility. You've got me interested so far and will be hoping you hear from Morris.

Yes, you are right on the US government. Not sure its the DOJ right now. But I do know for a fact that some branch of the US government has been helpful to 1st Technology. Probably in a small way that they might for any US corporation being damaged by a foreign entity.

There is something very odd about the relationship between Ayre and the DOJ. They have everything they need to indict him. I mean, not many people confess on national television and in Forbes magazine. Canada will extradite him in a heartbeat if the Yanks ask. He says he was in the Dominican Republic a while back. That's where Kaplan was nicked and he was gone in a day or two, but Ayre walks free. Something is not right, but I can't put my finger on it right now.

Maybe he's cut a deal to sell out the Mohawks.

The Irish don't have vendettas. We have politics and revenge. Vendettas are for Italians, God bless them.

 

[Paddy]

Just for clarity, I can no longer find terms like mincemeat in the original link to Calvin's blog on page 11. It may just be me........or I will simply ask this and it may clear my confusion:Has Calvin altered his original Sept.07,2007 blog?(If so as I think, maybe you are saying the article still contains implied violence sections although the original blog has been amended)...SIDENOTE:either way, I realize my confusion is trivial to the subject matter.

Yes, you're right Nash. I've looked at it again and the first blog entry has been toned down. He's removed the reference to Buddy's ancestors having scalped 56 Americans for instance.

But Lewis and his lawyers already have the violent version. I made sure I saved it over the weekend because I knew that once the straw fell out of his nose, he'd realize what he'd done and try and backtrack.

The good thing is that we can all be sure that Calvin keeps a very personal eye on Casinomeister for a change.

 

[CHAINSAWDAVE]

There is a lot of subjective material here that is not based on fact. If you are willing to make accusations, please back these up with references so this thread doesn't turn into a slamfest. I'd like this to be as objective as possible. Thanks!


That was the stupidest thing I've read all morning, and HgB knows better. 14 day suspension - and that was strike two.

Yes, of course, Casinomeister. This is by far the most objective discussion concerning Bodog on any forum, with perhaps the exception of OGD, that I have seen. Reasonable, intelligent discussion about who and what Calvin Ayre really is. What a breath of fresh air!
And in the spirit of this refreshing approach to the truth, I can tell you that my source for the info about Ayre's sister Anita being the "figurehead" owner of several Bodog entities in CR is a reporter in San Jose, CR, who has seen the paperwork. I am in possesion of several e-mails between he and myself, concerning the involvement of Ayre's sister.
Obviously I am not going to mention this person's name on this or any forum, considering Ayre's perceived, or real, connection to organized crime groups! And considering the semi-lawless conditions currently existing in Costa Rica.
However, I will make this correspondence available to you, sir, as you obviously have respect for the truth and the credibility of your forum. PM me if you wish.
As to the remarks from the poster who politely suggested Paddy has some sort of "vendetta", I would suggest he read the other stories concerning Ayre on the ColdEye blog. Of course the man has a vested interest in exposing Ayre for the sham that he is. Ayre and other family members of his employed ruthless and hateful tactics in order to "win" a child custody case involving Ayre's sister and Paddy's brother and two innocent children. Those tactics have been exposed as blatant lies, by Ayre's family psychologist and the Vancouver Police Dept.
None of those issues detract, however, from the general thrust of Paddy's claims that Ayre is of extremely bad character, and has brought the online gaming community to it's knees. And really, it's on it's knees simply because Ayre thought it was "all about him"! "Catch Me If You Can"!
I think it is wonderful beyond belief when a person of Ayre's ilk is knocked off his fraudulent pedestal. Does it matter if Paddy's "agenda" is to right wrongs that Ayre committed fifteen years ago. No, of course not. We should all applaud the efforts of the Paddy's among us. What's the alternative, to let Ayre continue, unopposed, his deceitful scams on an unsuspecting public. I can tell you Paddy has taken a lot of abuse from Calvin supporters the last year or so. A lot of abuse. But he has persevered. Relentlessy! And where are Calvin's lackeys now? Silence! The silence is deafening.
Ayre has had it his way for a long, long time. And now it is crumbling for him. He is not handling his fall from grace well. Like another poster suggested, Bodog should be handling the domain lawsuit in a professional manner, respectfully and courteously. But No. The big baby had his lollipop taken away, and now he responds with veiled threats and blatant dis-respect. To the man whom the courts have ruled that Ayre stole from! Unbelievable. Poor poor, widdle Calvin.

 

[Rollo]

They have everything they need to indict him.

I'm sure there are a pile of sealed indictments waiting for him by now. They just haven't been made public.

The DOJ knows who he is. There is no way he has flown under the radar. Sooner or later he'll go to some US extradition friendly country with some "freinds" who will stab him in the back and tip off the DOJ to his presence or some scenario like that. Maybe he'll start feeling the heat and try to cut a deal.

They'll get ahold of him sooner or later. He's not going to be able to pull a Marc Rich or a Roman Polanski becuase it looks like the DOJ is far more interested in toppling online gambling barons than going after trators or child molesters... there's a lot more money in it.

 

[Casinomeister]

Admin note:

Well, Ayre has claimed to have been with 8000 "women". Since he used to travel frequently to Cambodia, Thailand and the Phillipines, and after observing his personality these last few years, it is probably not too much of a stretch to think he may have been with a few who were underage. Hey, I'm just saying!
Shucks, I'm sorry. It just struck me that he was probably in those "sex tourist" countries in furtherance of his work with the modestly titled "Calvin Ayre Foundation". You know, helping all those poor kids.
Hey, maybe that's why the DOJ is giving him a pass. Maybe he is undercover, gathering evidence on all the scum over there who are exploiting children. Because he did say in that Globe and Mail article that he fashioned himself as a James Bond type character. Hey, I'm just saying!

Okay, this is not cool. The quickest way to have a thread upgraded to "closed" is to start making defamatory statements. Alluding that Calvin is having sex with underage kids is way out of line. That is the first and last warning.

Please refer to this forums rules before making any further postings such as the above
https://www.casinomeister.com/forums/help/

...specifically rule 1.6.

 

[jetset]

I believe Rollo is right on the question of sealed indictments - this is almost standard operating procedure for the DoJ and even state enforcement agencies, as we have seen in the BetonSports and Sportingbet cases.

Paddy's point about the dearth of coverage in online media on the issue, and in particular that astonishingly unprofessional and malicious blog is worth noting. It may be because there is a lack of official material available, but I would have thought that the outrageous nature of this strategic blunder (imo) merited comment.

Have the sites named here been carrying forum discussions? Surely there is significant player interest in the manner in which this fascinating story is unfolding?

BTW, and for the record - this is a piece on the blog that we have already issued to our clients - it will (probably) be in Casinomeister News come Friday.

QUOTE

MOHAWK MANEATERS TO SEE OFF PATENT TROLLS?

Extraordinary comments on Bodog founder's blog

The patent dispute against the Bodog online gambling group launched by Palo Alto-based 1st Technologies and Dr Scott Lewis (see previous InfoPowa reports) took an extraordinary turn over the weekend with some risky and controversial comments on the personal blog of Calvin Ayre - Bodog's founder and chief exec.

The comments had been preceded Friday by a press release from Bodog that had industry observers scratching their heads - the content advised that all Bodog brands for use in North America had been licensed to a company called Morris Mohawk in the Kahnawake First Nation enclave in Quebec, Canada.

At Link Removed ( Old/Invalid) , Ayre writes about the Mohawks and their threatening warlike capabilities before referring to the licensing agreement in the following manner:

"It should be very interesting, then, to see what kind of mince-meat they make out of the Patent Trolls over at 1st Technology who are trying to bleed $50 million out of them…all because of some lame patent that 1st Technology claims to have over their Bodog domains.

"That's right…you heard me…their Bodog domains. Dr. Scott W. Lewis is the man behind 1st Technology and I'll bet any money he's wishing he was going head to head with me… rather than a Mohawk whose ancestors scalped 56 Americans during the Battle of Beaver Dams.

"Hey, I'm just saying."

Ayre goes on to publish the definition of "patent troll" as:

"Patent Troll (noun):

"1. A person or company that enforces its patents against one or more alleged infringers in a manner considered unduly aggressive or opportunistic.

"2. The troll takes (what it knows to be) a badly flawed, wholly illogical argument, and then vigorously defends it while mocking and insulting its prey. The troll looks like a complete fool, but this is all part of the plan. The victim becomes noticeably angry by trying to repeatedly explain the flaws of the troll's argument. Provoking this anger was the troll's one and only goal from the very beginning."

He ends the entry with a promise to provide "juicy" information and reports as the case progresses, suggesting that the Bodog dispute with 1st Technologies will henceforth be fought by the Mohawks and not Ayre and his company.

In an overtly risky move, the blog then displays photographs of what appear to be malformed unfortunates, captioned "The North American Patent Troll: Also known as a bottom feeder. You can usually find this creature sucking the bone marrow out of young children.

"This may be the only photo of Dr. Scott W. Lewis (left) in existence. Now, that's either his brother or his dad (right). We're not entirely sure. (Photo: courtesy BritFilms.tv)"

The entry notes: "My blog will be the official website that is tracking the dispute between the Mohawks and the Patent Trolls. I have access to both sides in this so I will have valuable (read: juicy) inside information."

UNQUOTE

I look forward to any further factual information emerging in this case to ensure we're dealing with fact and not speculation wherever possible in this discussion.

To that end, Alwyn Morris's response to the questions posed by ColdEye will be valuable imo.

At the moment there seems to be little cohesive and factual follow-up information coming from either Bodog or 1st Technologies. That may be on legal advice as lawyers often prefer not to show their hand too openly, but I believe that concern has to be weighed against the dangers of leaving the issues open to speculation.

Postscript: I've just visited the blog again, and there have definitely been changes to both layout and content on the 1st Technologies issue. IMO this material is still treading very dangerous legal ground.

 

[Casinomeister]

...Bodog has been in a death spiral for a long time now. I hope when it finally, and mercifully, crashes, that no one on the ground gets hurt. By that, I mean all those who are unaware of Bodog's legal woes, and still have money with Bodog!...

This is from your first post where you fail to mention that Bodog owes you $2300.

This is you, right?

Why isn't anyone answering? I am worried sick, as I have 2300 with Bodog, and I can't get ahold of them. Please, please, Roberto, help me. I know you and MR. Ayre are tight, I seen you posing with him in London. I never would have deposited with Bodog if not for that picture. Please, Roberto. Please. I'm begging you. Phone Mr. Ayre and tell him I need that money. He's a billionaire. Isn't he????

Outdated URL (Invalid)

If you were aware that Bodog has been in a "death spiral for a long time now" why did you deposit money there?

This thread is beginning to become agenda ridden - agenda ridden postings are not welcome here.

 

[Casinomeister]

interesting article, jetset.

i searched for those usernames on casinomeister and we appear to have a match!

username "mortey" started a couple of Bodog threads here a year ago before getting banned.

You guys need to point this out to me right away. After a bit of digging on my end, I made all the connections. Paddy is using the forum for his own private circus.
https://www.casinomeister.com/forums/threads/ayre-the-next-installment.11793/

He was banned here last year for making defamatory remarks about C.A. and Bodog without any referenced material except his blogs/websites. He also made up comments by me on his blog which were a bunch a BS.

Sorry for not catching this right away, but he flew in under the radar while I was away.

Bye, Paddy.

 

[NASHVEGAS]

Unfortunate that Paddy's past (and current underlying tone as Random points out of a vendetta) basically has killed a good thread which nonetheless has exposed and confirmed at least some important issues/information concerning the current situation of Bodog and Calvin Ayre..............Glad to see that Jetset has the original September 7th, 2007 blog of Calvin. It speaks for itself and hopefully all of Jetset's clients will at least chose to publish the well written article..........Hopefully, I can look foward to the book one day which may make Barbarians At The Gate look like a fairy tale,jmo.

 

[Casinomeister]

Unfortunate that Paddy's past (and current underlying tone as Random points out of a vendetta) basically has killed a good thread which nonetheless has exposed and confirmed at least some important issues/information concerning the current situation of Bodog and Calvin Ayre..............Glad to see that Jetset has the original September 7th, 2007 blog of Calvin. It speaks for itself and hopefully all of Jetset's clients will at least chose to publish the well written article..........Hopefully, I can look foward to the book one day which may make Barbarians At The Gate look like a fairy tale,jmo.

I don't see this thread as "killed" since there are a lot of interesting aspects to what's up with Bodog and its future; it's merely that the BS that was being spewed has lost a voice.

 

[NASHVEGAS]

I don't see this thread as "killed" since there are a lot of interesting aspects to what's up with Bodog and its future; it's merely that the BS that was being spewed has lost a voice.

I hope it is not killed also thus I said "basically has killed" which may have been a poor choice of words on my part............along with Paddy's BS(i.e. put down the straw,etc.) there was also some good info. provided that I was not aware of (i.e. Mohawks,etc) and Paddy at least seems to have somewhat easier access and/or better knowledge on certain issues. I did spend a lot of time especially on the history of the Mohawks researching and trying to decipher what was BS and what could be confirmed........That being said, it is not easy or a lot of fun trying to decipher fact from BS and maybe therein lies one of the problems on a public forum............I also can understand for various reasons why you can not allow that on a public forum.

 

[Rollo]

I think CA rubs a lot of people the wrong way... at first, I was really hoping that he would take a principled stand a la Larry Flint, but it looks like that's not going to happen.

He could be a cool guy for all I know, but his public image is pretty grating - all take, no give it seems.

Anyway, Bodog is really taking some heavy fire now. I don't know how long they will be able to continue opperating in this environment. I'm guessing CA is #1 on the DOJ's gambing hit list. He's rubbed his millions and lifestyle of the rich and famous in everyone's face and the DOJ holds grudges. I don't even think a gaming friendly DEM administration would give him a break at this point.

Anyway, he's surely not a billionare anymore, that much is certian. Bodog can't be worth much as no one in their right mind would invest in it given its mounting legal problems. I guess his net worth is the sum of his liquid assests and BD's short term revenues.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with it. I can say that after all his bluster, I'm pretty disapointed that he didn't go to the mat for the industry. I'd guess when the day of reckoning comes, he may even run off into the night with player deposits... a possibility Bodog clients should be really wary of.

 

[jetset]

New development from Gambling911. After an unusual silence on matters Bodog (I think it is fair to say that the 911 site has traditionally been very supportive of Bodog and Calvin Ayre) the following has appeared recently.

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

It's interesting and adds to the discussion here for two reasons in my view:

1) It suggests that the Bodog search engine specialists have succeeded in ameliorating the positioning damage caused by the 1st Technologies case and

2) It indicates the direction in which the Bodog strategy for handling this patent issue may be going, to wit:

QUOTE: Ayre has been on the war path this past week announcing to the world that "this battle will be fought on Mohawk territory", alluding to the idea that historically violent Canadian Mohawk Indians had assumed control of the Bodog.com domain name prior to the court ruling.

"The Mohawks aren't exactly known for backing down from a fight (case in point: the Oka Crisis); and they don't exactly take kindly to folks who try to steal from them," Ayre harps in his NewCalvinAyre blog.UNQUOTE

 

[NASHVEGAS]

An excerpt from The Wizard of Odds e-mailed newsletter that I just received...Dunno?.................

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

From Michael Bluejay....
Bodog.com is gone!I'm working from Japan at the moment, and the other day I couldn't load Bodog.com. So I called the Wizard on my VoIP phone (free call, even though I'm in Japan, hah!), to see if he could load it. He could load it just fine, so I figured the problem was on my end. Then the site went down for the Wizard too. And for the whole rest of the world.
Seems that Bodog lost a lawsuit brought by a company that says Bodog has been using their technology to deliver the games to users over the Internet faster. Actually, Bodog didn't so much lose as they got a default judgement against them, since they didn't show up to the trial for some reason.

So the suing company got control of all of Bodog's domains. But they can't do anything with them, because the name "Bodog" is trademarked. So while losing the domains is a loss for Bodog, it's not exactly a victory for the company that got them.

While Bodog is trying to get their domains back, they moved all their stuff over to NewBodog.com. Works just like the old one. Same site, new address, no problems. I logged in to check on that bet I made that Congress won't override a presidential veto this year, which I detailed back in the May newsletter. My $50 bet is still there, waiting on the outcome of the bet.

But that's not the only Bodog news...

Bodog spins off its North American gaming operation!
Bodog recently licensed the rights to operate its North American gaming operation to another company, Morris Mohawk Gaming. What this means is that players in North America get served by one company (Morris Mohawk) and players in other places get served by the original Bodog. But this will be seamless for the player, since there's just one website. It won't look any different to the players. But behind the scenes, one or the other companies is going to be running the servers and taking care of the money, depending on the player's country.
Is this related to Bodog's recent loss of their domains? Absolutely. They now have another partner to try to get the domains back, since Morris Mohawk has a huge stake in them. Bodog founder Calvin Ayre says as much in his blog.

Another plus for Bodog in licensing off their N. American ops is that it should lessen their legal liability, in light of the U.S. crackdown on online gambling. If the U.S. wants to go after Bodog's operation, now they won't be able to go after Bodog itself, in theory.

Anyway, a good question that North American players have might be, can I still expect the same high quality customer service from this new company? The answer is Yes. Bodog didn't license their brand as an afterthought, the contract with Morris Mohawk stipulates specifically that M.M. must maintain Bodog's high standards for service and support, and if they don't, then Bodog can cancel the agreement.

Readers know that the main reason we chose Bodog as our advertiser is because Bodog is consistently reputable, and it's rare for players to have any problems getting paid. Rest assured that if that ever changes, we'll be looking for a more reputable advertiser. At present, though, both the Wizard and I feel strongly that there's nothing to worry about.

 

[lots0]

It suggests that the Bodog search engine specialists have succeeded in ameliorating the positioning damage caused by the 1st Technologies case

I disagree.

The fact that Newbodog now appears #2 for the search [bodog] means nothing as far as SEO goes.

There are very very few searches for [bodog]. In other words there is almost no competition among SEO's for the search [bodog], the bodog affiliates are the majority of sites appearing for the search [bodog] and the affiliates for the most part were not even targeting the the search term [bodog].

newbodog is not appearing in google for ANY 'money terms', like [online poker], [play poker], [poker game] or any of the other hundreds of 'money terms' that SEO's target to convert surfers to real money players.

SEO for Google is almost entirely based on hypertext links pointing to your domain. So if you 'lose' your domain name you lose your Google SEO as well.

Don't get me wrong, newbodog can (and most likely will) come back in the search engine rankings, given enough money, time and effort. But its gonna take them a while and it won't be near as easy for the SEO's at newbodog the 2nd time around.

I also happen to know that a big part of the SEO world is watching newbodog and it's attempt to rise quickly in the search rankings. This means that the Google Search Quality Team is also keeping an eye on them... and that usually means search engine rankings death for any site that practices hard core SEO...