Bodog to leave U.S. market at end of year

Bodog announced Tuesday morning it will no longer accept bets from American customers when its current licensing agreement with Morris Mohawk Gaming expires at the end of this year.

Earlier this month Bodog was granted a remote and non-remote gambling license by the U.K. Gambling Commission.

U.S. residents won't be allowed to access Bodog.eu or any Bodog-branded websites after Dec. 31. Bodog did say Morris Mohawk Gaming will launch its own brand next year, which will be licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

The company released the following statement on CalvinArye.com to explain the move:

“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 U.K. 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 Poker was one of the few rooms to continue to take American bets following the April 15th indictments of the founders of PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker. According to PokerScout, Bodog Poker ranks 16th in traffic, and ranks second among rooms that accept American players.