Bodog have announced today they will leave the US online gaming market. The announcement was made on CalvinAyre.com where it stated that the Bodog Brand will allow the current license agreement with Morris Mohawk Gaming to run its course and expire at the end of this year.
Bodog have announced this on the back of the news that Bodog UK was granted a gambling license by the UK gambling commission earlier this month. The following official statement from Bodog reads as follows:
“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.
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.”
It looks like the decision to pull out of the US market has been made not to jeopardise their business in the UK and Asia. Bodog also believe that the UK license will allow them to recruit and best people to take their brands further. This will further limit the options US players after they are seeing many operators shut their doors to the US market. Is regulation closer than we think? Only time will tell.