Calvin Ayre not arrested during raid, computers confiscated

Calvin Ayre, CEO of Bodog.com, confirmed to Gambling911.com this morning that he had not been arrested but his home was indeed raided by local Costa Rican law enforcement agents.  Personal computers were confiscated during the investigation, which lasted nearly four hours.

"All that was happening was a 'wrap up' party," Ayre told Gambling911.com Saturday morning.

Local media claimed the police were summoned as a result of "illegal poker games" taking place at the sprawling mansion, however, Gambling911.com witnessed no visible signs of poker tables at the Ayre residence during its Tuesday visit there.

Ayre also informed Gambling911.com that a call placed to police suggested he was hosting an illegal prostitution ring there.

He did confirm that a few of his personal security guards were apprehended, though one has since been released.  Ayre and his staff have the Canadian Embassy involved in getting the other guards released. 

On Saturday afternoon, Calvin Ayre released an official statement to the public about the unfortunate event, which left him traumatized. 

"Yesterday evening, local Costa Rican law enforcement agents arrived at my residence during a wrap-up party for my television show that is being filmed in San Jose, the nation's capital city. The agents arrived at the Bodog Compound on inaccurate suspicions of illegal gambling. It has now come to our attention that these suspicions were based solely on an inaccurate article published in a Costa Rican tabloid newspaper, which erroneously reported on aspects of the Forbes magazine article that features me as the subject of its cover story.

At no time was I detained or arrested.  At no time did any of the poker aspects of the television show take place at my residence. This segment of the show took place at Channel 7 Studio and was an agreement between parties separate from the Bodog Entertainment Group.

Aside from the unfortunate incident, the wrap-up party was a success. The party was eventually moved from the Bodog Compound to the Intercontinental Hotel where I spent the evening partying with models, celebrities and poker pros."

Ayre appeared on Fox News Saturday afternoon to discuss his newly documented "Billionaire" status in Forbes Magazine.  There was no mention of the raid. 

A reality show hosted by Bodog.com Founder and CEO Calvin Ayre features celebrities, poker pros and internet poker qualifiers, all vying for $750,000 in prize money.  This will be the first Poker lifestyle show ever produced and should create some ripples in the industry.  Of course, this could also be the first ever reality show where the set is raided during shooting.  It is being produced by a major television network.  The network continued filming throughout last night's ordeal, according to Ayre. 

Filming for the series was set to continue Saturday afternoon.  A Fox news report was also being taped on location at Ayre's home later today.

Later in the day Ayre gave a major press conference with all local media refuting every claim the Ministry of Security made in their affidavit to get the search warrant for his home.    

Ayre also informed Gambling911.com Saturday evening that he would be filing a claim in the Constitution Court to gain access to all background information related to the individual or individuals involved in this matter.

Calvin Ayre appears on the cover of Forbes Magazine's "Billionaire" issue.  Read More Here

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Gambling911.com News Wire

Originally published March 11, 2006 11:16 am ET