The US Department of Homeland Security has seized the Bodog.com domain which hasn’t been used for over a year and has indicted BodogBrand owner Calvin Ayre as well as 3 others. At this time all sources are saying that all player funds are safe and that Bodog.eu, Bodog.co.uk and Bovada.lv will continue with business as usual.
We’re being told that there will be no bank account seizures or arrests. The US government has been after Calvin Ayre for quite some time now so this comes as no surprise to anyone. At this time we still do not know what the exact charges are against Calvin and the others but we suspect they will be similar to those files on April 15, 2011 against the owners of Full Tilt Poker and Pokerstars.
Calvin Ayre commented on the situation on calvinayre.com by saying “Not sure what to say. BodogBrand.com is a brand-licensing organization based outside the U.S. The brand left the market last year and the domain in question has been dormant globally for longer than that. We are only currently doing brand licensing deals outside the U.S., so this domain had no place in any of our current plans.”
Updates:
Calvin Ayre was indicted for operating an illegal gambling business and conspiring to commit money laundering.
Official Press Release from BodogBrand:
The BodogBrand became aware late on 27th February that the domain Bodog.com had been seized by US Homeland Security. This domain is not currently in use by the BodogBrand or any Brand Licensee and has not been in use since the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group (MMGG) switched its operations from Bodog.com to Bodog.eu in May 2011.
The BodogBrand.com revoked its licensing agreement with MMGG on December 15th 2011 after publicly stating it would do so in July 2011. It is equally important to state that Bodog UK, Bodog Europe and Bodog Asia have never taken bets from the US.
The BodogBrand is currently consulting with its legal advisors with a view to having the domain returned.
SOURCE BodogBrand.com
This is a developing story and we’ll keep you posted with the very latest as we get it.