GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 18 - October 2011

By Dan Igo B odog has announced it will no longer accept bets from American custom- ers when its current licensing agreement with Morris Mohawk Gaming expires at the end of this year. Bodog was granted a remote and non- remote gambling license by the U.K. Gambling Commission in July. U.S. residents won’t be allowed to access Bodog.eu or any Bodog-branded websites after December 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 ex- plain the move: “Following recent news that Bodog U.K. has been granted a gam- bling license by the U.K. Gambling Commission, we are pleased to an- nounce further developments to the Bodog brand going forward. “As highlighted last week, Bodog U.K.’s CEO, Patrik Selin, believes the trust and credibility that having a U.K. license brings to the brand will benefit custom- ers and allow him to attract the best tal- ent in the industry to work with him. “However, in order to ensure the brand’s expansion is not affected by negative per- ceptions, 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 U.S. market at the end of 2011. As a result, the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group’s (MMGG) brand licens- ing agreement will be allowed to expire on 31 December, following which U.S. 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 larg- est gaming brand.” Bodog Poker was one of the few rooms to continue to take American bets fol- lowing the April 15 indictments of the founders of PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker. According to PokerScout, Bodog Poker ranks 13th in traffic, and ranks second among rooms that accept American players. Bodog to leave U.S. market at end of year G IBRALTAR — Sports Betting Tech, a leading provider of interactive sports betting solutions, has announced the appointment of Itai Zak as its new chief executive officer. The appointment is part of a strategic board decision trig- gered by the company’s growth and its entrance into a number of new ventures and opportunities in both traditional “.COM” and regulated markets. Zak will join Sports Betting Tech in September and will oversee the compa- ny’s day-to-day operation, technology and products strategy and the develop- ment of its B2B business components. Prior to joining Sports Betting Tech, Zak served as an executive VP of eGaming products at Spiral Solutions, a company which provides a complete turnkey man- aged services solutions for regulated eGaming markets. Zak also served as an executive VP and general manager of Spin3, a division of Spiral Solutions and the exclusive pro- vider of mobile gaming solutions to Microgaming, a leading developer of on- line gaming solutions. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the team at Sports Betting Tech,” Zak says. “There is a strong demand for the highly attractive and advanced sports betting solutions the company provides and I’m looking forward to ensuring we continue to advance and grow in what is undoubtedly a dynamic and competi- tive marketplace.” Itai Zak appointed as new CEO of Sports Betting Tech Webmaster News