Today Bodog Brand announced that they will allow their current license agreement with Morris Mohawk Gaming to expire at the end of 2011, thus the Bodog Brand will leave the US online gaming market.

The news comes on the heels of Bodog UK being granted a gambling licence by the UK gambling commission.

Bodog Brand has released the following statement about their decision to let their brand licensing deal with Morris Mohawk Gaming expire at the end of the year.

“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 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.”

The Bodog Brand exploded in popularity over the past decade to take its spot as the premier online gaming brand servicing the US market before venturing out to the rest of the world. Bodog became synonymous with online gambling in the US, attracting celebrities and punters alike who wanted to be part of the Bodog Lifestyle.

It will mean the end of the Bodog era in the US but Morris Mohawk Gaming has been operating the brand in the US Market for the past 5 years so other than a name change it should be business as usual for US punters.