Can the Online Gambling Industry Help the Crisis in Haiti?

January 23, 2010 | News Category: Online Casinos

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After the devastating earthquake that took place recently in Haiti, there are many that are now homeless and need any help that they can get. Many countries have physically rushed to the aid of the Haitian people, helping to set up field hospitals, and to get as many people as possible out of the ruins alive. Many individuals have offered aid to those in need, but more is needed. Unfortunately many have not survived, and for those that have, they now face difficult living conditions, with the loss of all they had. Some have been injured, and others are simply homeless. Many have lost family members, and are trying to cope with that, as well as their daily survival.

A well-known figure in the online casino industry, Calvin Ayre, who was the founder of Bodog online casino has come up with an idea to raise money for those suffering in Haiti. He has asked Internet gambling leaders to join him in pledging money to help in the recovery of Haiti. Calvin Ayre wrote on his website that of all the donations that will be received from the online gambling world, he would match the largest single donation that comes in, up to a total of $1 million.

He has, however, asked that the donations are channeled through his charity of choice, Oxfam. Oxfam is a well known British-based volunteer group that is also collecting funds for Haiti. Any organization or individual who donates the largest money to Haiti through Oxfam, up to his $1 million limit, will have helped, in effect, to double their own donation.

Ayre feels that anyone who is making money, especially in large amounts, such as online gambling sites, have an obligation to help those in need in Haiti. As many others have done, he expressed his disgust with the rulers of Haiti, who have become rich while their people and their country have been poverty-stricken.

United States officials have long wanted to arrest Ayre for continuing to run online sports betting operations as well as other online gambling operations for US customers. He has also been involved in a number of scandals before he did well with Bodog, such as insider trading and marijuana smuggling operations.

Perhaps Ayre’s notorious name, will draw some attention and do good for the Haitian people. Now, it remains to be seen if any of the large online gambling related companies will follow Ayre’s lead and make substantial donations to this very worthwhile cause.