September 4, 2005

Bodog.com will be hosting five daily online benefit poker tournaments for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the many victims caught in the devastating path of the hurricane," said Calvin Ayre, Founder and CEO of Bodog.com. "So many people have been adversely affected by this natural disaster, and our benefit poker tournament is the least we can do to help ease the pain of those who were most affected."

Hurricane Katrina has left the U.S. Gulf Coast in ruins, with more than a million people sweltering without power, and thousands of people displaced. Eighty percent of New Orleans is reportedly under water, and the death toll continues to climb. According to preliminary assessments, the damage is estimated to be more than $25 billion.

Bodog.com is applying its experience in hosting benefit poker tournaments to launch the Hurricane Katrina Benefit Tournaments, running daily Sept. 8-12. Bodog will match and donate all of the players fees from the five poker tournaments to the Red Cross hurricane relief fund.