Eastern European and Asian customers puzzled by Bodog’s withdrawal
- by Josef Rantamaki
Bodog has sent an email to its customers in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia telling them that the site would soon stop processing transactions in their area.
The email told them to withdraw any funds as quickly as they can, saying: “We recommend that you withdraw any balance you may have in your account by 30 August 2012. Minimum withdrawal amount is $/€/£10.
After 30 August, we will adjust your balance to zero to protect your funds. To withdraw your balance after 30 August, you will need to contact customer service at service@bodog.co.uk.”
The countries concerned include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Israel, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
Customers in these countries have reacted with concern and puzzlement, with much speculation as to the reasons appearing on forums. Comments on the 2+2 forum says Bodog may be having problems processing payments alongside the fact that the site has not been approved by the EU Gaming Commission, forcing it to leave Europe or perhaps closing entirely.
Bodog’s brand ambassador, ‘b-dogBecky’, later released a statement on 2+2, explaining that Bodog wanted to concentrate on its strengths and offer the best product, which meant concentrating on growth in existing markets. “The Bodog brand is known for its high level of customer service,” the statement said, “and spreading ourselves too thinly to try and cover a huge amount of smaller markets was proving logistically difficult.”
The implication from this is that Bodog intends building on its Asian market, which is unregulated. It was also at pains to point out it still holds a five-year license in the UK, and that its site had not accepted US players since last December. However, Bovada.Iv, which appears twinned with the other Bodog sites, continues to accept American customers.