In an announcement that really doesn’t come as a surprise to many, Bodog has announced that they are leaving the US market at the end of 2011. Bodog currently is licensed by Morris Mohawk Gaming and will not renew their license when it is set to expire. The reason behind this decision is that the company has obtained a license from the UK Gambling Commission.
Bodog will leave the US poker market by the end of 2011.
From a portion of a release sent out by the company, Bodog stated, “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.
This decision presents a fresh direction for the Bodogbrand.com as it looks to create a new chapter in its history. The move will enable the Bodog brand to continue its growth and expansion and maintain its position as the world’s largest gaming brand.”
Bodog was not one of the sites indicted by the US Department of Justice on Black Friday, but many have speculated that it was just a matter of time before the DOJ came down on the company. Bodog has been known as one of the internet’s rebel companies in the past and was very defiant of the UIGEA when it was first passed. The site has always had a racier image than most and that was reflected in its pros that it has signed in the past such as David Williams, Amanda Musemeci and others.
While it remains to be seen whether other US companies will follow suit with Bodog and leave the country, those that remain continue to risk the same fates as Full Tilt Poker, Pokerstars, and Absolute Poker. At present, only Pokerstars has refunded US players while Full Tilt Poker has had operations shut down after it’s license was suspended, and Absolute Poker has saw 98% of its traffic leave the site in the wake of Black Friday.