Online casinos donate to Japan relief funds

A number of online casino businesses have announced fund relief efforts to help aid relief workers in Japan, which has been devastated by gigantic earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods in recent weeks.
It all started just over a week ago on March 22, 2011, as an 8.9-magnitude earthquake rocked the Pacific island nation, near Honshu on the east coast. The capital city Tokyo was also badly damaged in the quake, as were many other major urban and industrial areas.
More than a week later, it still hasn’t ended: Immediately following the quake, one of the largest recorded tsunamis pummeled the Japanese coast, reported to be some 23 foot high. Large-scale destruction and fears of nuclear meltdown are still threatening the nation.
Online casinos organize relief funds
For its part, CAP Listed Program JackpotCity.com organized a charity online slots tournament over the weekend to raise funds for the victims of the Japanese disasters.
“The Help Japan Tournament is free to enter and all proceeds will be donated to a charity organisation in Japan,” JackpotCity.com reps stated in a news release. The slots charity tournament started on Friday March 18 and ran through until yesterday. Perhaps anticipating high turnouts, the company limited players to a maximum of 5,000.
Vegas Partner Lounge casinos, part of the Star Partner affiliate program, are also joining in the Japanese relief fund drive.
Maple online casino, a Canadian-facing gaming site that’s part of the Vegas Partner network, has so far donated 50,000 Yen to assist Japanese survivors, company representatives announced on Friday.
“When we heard that Japan had been struck by an earthquake, we did not expect this to be followed by a second disaster, namely the tsunami,” explained Charlotte Jackson, Maple Casino Manager. “We firmly believe that when these tragedies strike, it is important for businesses to step up to the plate and assist in any way possible. We have donated 50,000 to assist with relief efforts and we extend a challenge to other organizations to make a contribution to assist the victims who are struggling in these heartbreaking times.”
Maple Casino invites further donations to its Japanese relief cause; get info on how to help here.
Players and payment processors included
“Several notable names in the online poker world have already donated to the Red Cross and other relief organizations,” GamblingCity.net adds. “Poker pro Maria Ho donated her US$300 buy-in at a Sunday online poker tournament to a player who pledged to the Red Cross.”
Online casino payment processor Neteller has also set up a relief fund. “At NETELLER, a small team of people have worked quickly and closely to set up a British Red Cross donations account so you can securely make your Japan relief donations online from now until 16 April,” writes Tara at the Neteller blog.