Ayre will remain far from US soil for now

In Las Vegas, there is no sign of Bodog.com CEO Calvin Ayre, no mention of him either.  Normally this time of year, Vegas would be buzzing with talk of Ayre's big annual extravaganza at whichever location at the time is among the hippest.

Calvin Ayre and his group abruptly cancelled a much anticipated industry conference they produce earlier this week following the indictment of several officers at rival BetonSports.com.  Ayre's nemesis, BetonSports CEO David Carruthers, was among those charged by US government officials for various alleged criminal activity including tax evasion, racketeering, money laundering and violation of an obscure 1960's wire act.  The later prohibits bets from being taken over the phone.

Both Ayre and Carruthers have been among the most brazen when it comes to declaring themselves a part of an industry the US government declares "illegal".  Until last week, the two had frequently traveled to and from the United States without problem.

Ayre cited fears by other online gambling operators and their reluctance to attend this year's conference as a reason for canceling.  Their closing party, however, went on as planned.....just without Calvin.  Some 800 people still enjoyed the party.

"I would be shocked if any senior executive of any gaming company would go into the United States right now -- I don't imagine too many people are going to be changing planes [there]," Ayre told Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper.

"Certainly, it appears that the people that they're going after are being beat about the neck and shoulders with the fact that they're involved in on-line gaming, at a minimum. They are definitely using that as a club to beat them."

Ayre flew off to China where he is shooting a documentary to help stop the farming of bears for their vile. 

But just as industry celebrities begin to take a step back, big names from entertainment seem to have little fear about joining the ranks of the online gambling elite.

Cindy Margolis and Pamela Anderson flew into Las Vegas this week in order to promote their internet betting firms.

"We are coming," a publicist for Ms. Margolis told Gambling911.com after being alerted that Wagerweb.com had cancelled its World Series of Poker exhibit that was to feature the stunning beauty. 

"I like the site (Gambling911) a lot, even though you reported I would not be coming to Las Vegas," Ms. Margolis joked, citing an erroneous report that she would not be appearing at this year's World Series of Poker.

Cindy Margolis acts as WagerWeb's Head of Celebrity Betting Props and she's an avid poker fan who enjoys going up against other big name celebrity poker players the likes of Shannon Elizabeth and Carrot Top.  She will also be attending Thursday evening's "toast" to Brunson Doyle.  That affair will feature Baywatch Babe Pamela Anderson. 

The busty babe, Anderson, will announce the premiere of her new online poker room this week.

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Christopher Costigan, www.gambling911.com

Originally published July 27, 2006 11:18 am EDT