Chalk up yet another US online poker site to the after effects of Black Friday. On Tuesday Bodog announced it would allow its gaming license with Morris Mohawk Gaming to expire at the end of the year, signaling the end of US operations.

Long known for thumbing their nose at US gaming laws, Bodog recently received a UK gaming license and will now likely be focusing their attention on the European market, and coupled with the litigious climate in the US market, Bodog has now joined a growing list of online poker providers who have said thanks but no thanks to the largest market in the industry, the US.

Here is the statement that was released on CalvinAyre.com explaining the decision to leave the US online poker market:

“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.”

Tags: Black Friday, bodog, Chalk, Credibility, Emerging Markets, Gambling Commission, Gaming Group, Gaming Laws, Gaming License, Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Licensing Agreement, Mmgg, Mohawk, Negative Perceptions, Online Poker, Patrik, Selin, Thanks But No Thanks, Uk Gambling, Uk Gaming

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 at 10:06 am and is filed under Poker Industry News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.