Bodog, one of the world's largest and most controversial online gambling groups, has applied for an operating licence for the UK despite allegations that its substantial activities in the US are criminal.
In an interview with the Guardian, Bodog's founder and boss, Calvin Ayre, rejected such allegations, saying: "We have licences from sovereign governments to do what we do - that's how it works on every other industry on the planet." Ayre admitted Bodog took bets from US customers but claimed the company did not "operate" there.
Almost all of the other online casino and poker groups targeting British punters have chosen to boycott the UK regulatory regime because of the 15% remote gaming tax imposed last year by the Treasury.
Bodog, which is expanding its European operations, is among the few internet gambling groups to have continued taking bets from US customers after the enactment there in 2006 of the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act.
Ayre has a colourful history. He remains suspended from holding directorships of public companies in the Canadian province of British Columbia following a share trading scandal in the early 1990s. He was also linked to a cannabis-smuggling conspiracy in 1989 for which his father was among those who served prison terms. Ayre was never charged and denies involvement in the episode.
To receive the remote casino and general betting licences for which Bodog has applied, the company must pass a "fit and proper operator" test. A spokesman for the Gambling Commission, the industry regulator, confirmed last night that Bodog applications were still pending.
Ayre said UK licences would not necessarily be used to take British bets. He pointed out that Bodog already had an Antiguan licence, which it is using to establish a foothold in Europe.
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About this articleClose This article appeared in the Guardian on Friday February 08 2008 on p30 of the Financial section. It was last updated at 00:20 on February 08 2008.
In an interview with the Guardian, Bodog's founder and boss, Calvin Ayre, rejected such allegations, saying: "We have licences from sovereign governments to do what we do - that's how it works on every other industry on the planet." Ayre admitted Bodog took bets from US customers but claimed the company did not "operate" there.
Almost all of the other online casino and poker groups targeting British punters have chosen to boycott the UK regulatory regime because of the 15% remote gaming tax imposed last year by the Treasury.
Bodog, which is expanding its European operations, is among the few internet gambling groups to have continued taking bets from US customers after the enactment there in 2006 of the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act.
Ayre has a colourful history. He remains suspended from holding directorships of public companies in the Canadian province of British Columbia following a share trading scandal in the early 1990s. He was also linked to a cannabis-smuggling conspiracy in 1989 for which his father was among those who served prison terms. Ayre was never charged and denies involvement in the episode.
To receive the remote casino and general betting licences for which Bodog has applied, the company must pass a "fit and proper operator" test. A spokesman for the Gambling Commission, the industry regulator, confirmed last night that Bodog applications were still pending.
Ayre said UK licences would not necessarily be used to take British bets. He pointed out that Bodog already had an Antiguan licence, which it is using to establish a foothold in Europe.
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business.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk Report errors or inaccuracies: reader@guardian.co.uk
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Gambling Printable version Send to a friend | Share | Clip this Contact us Article history ShareClose Digg reddit Google Bookmarks Yahoo! My Web del.icio.us StumbleUpon Newsvine livejournal Facebook BlinkList EmailClose Recipient's email address Your name Add a note (optional)
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Report errors or inaccuracies: reader@guardian.co.uk
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About this articleClose This article appeared in the Guardian on Friday February 08 2008 on p30 of the Financial section. It was last updated at 00:20 on February 08 2008.