Bodog to leave US market

[alexpratt]

Just read this on Calvin Ayre - TBH I am surprised, didn't see this coming although in retrospect I suppose its obvious http://calvinayre.com/2011/07/26/bus...ave-us-market/

[Anthony]

Once Bodog got the UK license I was wondering their future in the U.S.. Thanks for sharing.

[Christoff]

Incredible - I guess this leaves Intertops as the market leader now?

[AE-Martyn]

Incredible - I guess this leaves Intertops as the market leader now?

Ahem...

[grem]

well for online sportsbooks it does

[Chips]

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.

I wonder if they will map the players over that decide to switch.

[baldidiot]

I thought all the different licenses, geotargetting and other shenanigans were so they could stay in the US market. Shows what I know!

I only really promoted bodog to the US market and couldn't get a single conversion, so I'm not that bothered...

[eaton2003]

Things are constantly changing and a surprise to see what I thought would be a book to stay till the bitter end to leave now.

Do not forget BetOnline as we continue to accept US Players.

[The Buzz]

The GPWA's Dan Igo has published a piece on today's announcement:

Bodog announced Tuesday morning it will not 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 U.K. 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 U.K. 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 amongst rooms that accept American players.

[ogpaper]

Hmmm, much smaller market with a ton of established competition...But I guess they got tired of not being legit.

[BodogBecky]

Hey guys,

This decision was made because of the UK license- Bodog Brand wants to detach the UK gaming license from any US exposure. MMGG (the US facing bodog brand licensee) has a lot of experience with the US market and will continue to offer services to US players after 2011, just under a new name. MMGG is rebranding, that's it!

Becky

[nsawins]

Seems to me that other than a name change nothing really changes here for affiliates or punters, right Becky? Seems like all current US bettors will be able to stay on with their current accounts but will simply login to the new brand's website instead.

All affiliates should not be affected as they will simply be able to push the new brand and maintain past signups on their sheets. Correct me if I am wrong Becky but that's what I gather from that press release.

[johns1124]

How will this affect US affiliates and their players ? Seems to me until the new name is out might as well remove the bodog banners? Right

[elgoog]

received this in my mailbox:

Good Afternoon,
Bodog will operate in the US until December 31st, 2011, when a new brand(yet to be named) will replace the logo. It will be the same player experience minus the Bodog brand. All your existing players from Bodog will be transferred to the new site, and your affiliate deals will stay the same. Please call me if you have any questions.

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

Regards,


Marc Yott |NZONE MEDIA

[BodogBecky]

Seems to me that other than a name change nothing really changes here for affiliates or punters, right Becky? Seems like all current US bettors will be able to stay on with their current accounts but will simply login to the new brand's website instead.

All affiliates should not be affected as they will simply be able to push the new brand and maintain past signups on their sheets. Correct me if I am wrong Becky but that's what I gather from that press release.

Correct and correct!

[Dean_Leyland]

Ahem...

Dream on mister

[nsawins]

Correct and correct!

Awesome. You guys really know how to run a business. Calvin is a pure genius and I shudder to think what the US market would be if we didn't have a top notch brand like BoDog all these years to treat players and affiliates so well. I still have the utmost respect for Calvin and your company for not backing down and giving into that tool who tried stealing your domain a few years ago.

You guys really care about giving a great product and never step on anyone's toes to deliver too. It's much appreciated by us and I'm sure all BoDog affiliates. Anyway, good luck with BoDog UK and rock on!

[Casinorep]

Ha ha Martyn you are funny mate!

[ogpaper]

I think it's a bit of a blunder - Bodog has really strong name recognition in the US, while not so much in UK. They should've left Bodog for US and create a new company for UK, but oh well...Better than nothing

[justbookies]

received this in my mailbox:

Good Afternoon,
Bodog will operate in the US until December 31st, 2011, when a new brand(yet to be named) will replace the logo. It will be the same player experience minus the Bodog brand. All your existing players from Bodog will be transferred to the new site, and your affiliate deals will stay the same. Please call me if you have any questions.

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

Regards,


Marc Yott |NZONE MEDIA

I did not receive this email and we have sent them 83 registrations so far this month. Is that not enough to be put in the picture by the Bodog or Morris Mohawk (or whoever actually runs the US operation) affiliate department? I hope you are all correct about the migration process not affecting affiliates negatively. It seems to me that affiliates tend to get well and truly stuffed on these occasions and recent experience shows what a bunch of clowns (or worse) the USA-facing sportsbooks are as a community. I hope all the faith people are putting in Bodog is well founded and that the referrals you make to them now remain associated with you after the swap over at the end of the year. However it appears not to be a Bodog thing at all but the current licensees (Morris Mohawk Gaming) taking over the database of US clients as the cringe-makingly titled "Bodog Brand" removes itself entirely from the USA. All these reassurances have a bit of BetUS deja vu about them. Not happy Bodog could not be bothered to contact us - it is not a good omen.