Charismatic Calvin Ayre To Quit Bodog Online Gambling Group- 27-04-08

April 27 - The founder and  "Top dog" at the Bodog Entertainment Group, Calvin Ayre, has paid truth to rumors when he announced this week that he is to leave the gaming and entertainment empire he successfully spearheaded for the last number of years.

In a statement, Ayre said that he will be focusing on a number of charitable activities through his Calvin Ayre Foundation.

Ayre, a 47 year old Canadian citizen, made the announcement on his personal blog, and also revealed that he had not been in  charge of the day to day running of the online gambling business in the group for a number of years (which was already a well known fact in the industry).

"You've likely heard the rumblings and rumors, and for once, it's true, I'm packing it in," said Ayre.

"Well, who am I kidding, if you're reading this now you know that for the past few years I've been pretty focused on jetting around the world to exotic places and filming crazy s**t for this blog. I was really more of a brand ambassador for Bodog the past while anyway but it was fun while it lasted."

Ayre's profile rose dramatically after the signing into law of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006 in the United Stats. There were several rumors that the DOJ was on his trail and wished to interview him but that Ayre refused to travel to the United States fearing arrest (following the arrest of two other industry execs)

Bodog was sold to the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group last year and Ayre has played a far less central role.

He signed off saying: "I wish you all continued success and if we bump into each other on a white sand beach or maybe the streets or bars of my home base of Antigua, please come say hello," wrote Ayre.

"I'm going to focus my time on a balanced private life and the Calvin Ayre Foundation, which I am truly passionate about."