According to CalvinAyre.com, Bodog's Asian brand, Bodog88, has purchased the Bodog Poker Network and the company's software. Following the deal, Bodog Poker Network CEO Patrik Selin told CalvinAyre.com that he's stepping down to allow Bodog88 Managing Director Robert Gustafsson to run the brand going forward. What's next for Selin is not clear.

Selin commented in a press release announcing the transaction, "It is obvious that the best fit for the Network is a company that understands the power of the brand – especially in a growth area such as Asia. I also know Bodog88's Managing Director Robert Gustafsson well and he understands the importance of the recreational poker model, which, again, is particularly strong for Asia, where trust is a much more important factor than concepts like rakeback that hold no meaning in the region."

Selin (pictured) also announced that he's leaving his post at the Network: "I will stand down as CEO of the Network to allow Robert and his team in Manila to carry on the progress made by the recreational poker model. From a personal perspective, it also makes sense to withdraw from the brand as a whole and therefore I’ll be looking to pass on the reigns of the BodogUK business over the coming months."

Late last year, Bodog moved to anonymous tables, which received mixed reviews from the online poker community. Bodog officials explained the benefits of the so-called "recreational" model: "This removes any unfair artificial advantage a player may have over another. Rather than go bum-hunting, poker players are forced to fall back on their skill."

Bodog's recreational model was designed to attract "net depositing players," or players who deposit more onto a site than they withdraw. The recent Bodog press release announcing the Network's sale signaled the importance of the recreational model in Asia: "There’s no doubt that Bodog88 taking on the brand will ensure the long-term success of the company’s recreational model and put it in the best possible position to capitalize on future Asian growth."

Players pointed out late last year that not being able to see the screen names of opponents opened up the door for security issues and potential fraud. To that end, Bodog founder Calvin Ayre posted on CalvinAyre.com, "Bodog has informed us that their new recreational model has the industry's leading fraud and bot protection built into it. Again, as I have pointed out before, recreational players are not usually qualified to protect themselves from this, so protecting them from all forms of attacks including this stuff is central to the entire program."

Bodog's brand departed the U.S. market in mid-December. In its place came Bovada, run by the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group.

In February of this year,U.S. Homeland Security Seized Bodog.com and Ayre was indicted on charges that included "conducting an illegal sports betting business and conspiracy to commit money laundering."

According to PokerScout, a traffic watchdog site, Bodog is the 14th largest site or network in the world and has a seven-day running average of 850 real money ring game players.

In an ironic twist to the sale, the U.K. news outlet The Telegraph published a quick-hit article that read in part, "Back in February, online gambling site Bodog ran a book on which gaming boss would step down next. Sporting Bet’s Andy McIver was favorite at 2-1 after bad publicity over charging customers £1 a punt. Bodog Poker Network’s very own Patrik Selin was way down the list at 25-1. It was just a bit of fun, until Selin flogged the Poker Network to sister company Bodog88 in a multi-million pound deal this week, making him the first gaming CEO to step down. Oops."

Selin brokered the sale of the Ongame Network to bwin a half-decade ago for €475 million. He then worked with Gnuf before launching the Bodog Poker Network in 2010.