Federal Prosecutor in MD Moves on Bodog Online Gambling Site

Federal prosecutors in Maryland say the popular sports gambling site Bodog has been seized and its operators have been indicted along with four Canadians for illegal gambling that generated more than $100 million in winnings.

“Sports betting is illegal in Maryland, and federal law prohibits bookmakers from flouting that law simply because they are located outside the country,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Many of the harms that underlie gambling prohibitions are exacerbated when the enterprises operate over the internet without regulation.”
 
Prosecutors announced Tuesday that the company's domain name has been seized. The indictments were handed down Feb. 22 and unveiled Tuesday in Baltimore. It includes charges against Bodog executive Calvin Ayre.
 
In addition to the 50-year-old Ayre, prosecutors say the indictment names 58-year-old James Philip, David Ferguson and Derrick Maloney.

Prosecutors said that Bodog moved money from Switzerland, England, Malta, and Canada into the United States to pay gambling winners and advertising companies in the United States.

The defendants face charges for conducting a gambling business and money laundering conspiracy.

A message at Bodog.com says "access to this site is not available from your current location," and directs anyone with Bodog accounts to visit the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group.