Gambling for Haiti. A misconception of aid?

Browse the web for few minutes and you’ll notice the extent of initiatives undertaken by Internet-related companies, official websites or social networking services. They encourage users to log in and donate money to various funds established for helping the survivors of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12th.  It’s a noble cause. How does that sound, however, in case of gambling operators or casinos? Do you think it’s equally dignified granted the stereotypes connected with that industry?

It needs to be stressed that casinos and gambling companies are helping significantly and in many forms. Those are donations and special partnership with Oxfam or the International Red Cross. E.g. iGaming Community will manage financial aid from online gamblers up to $1mln. and Calvin Ayre of Bodog pledged to double any amount gathered for Oxfam during iGaming Business affiliate events. Many casino resorts are organizing concerts and special galas, offering ticket revenues as their part for the relief activities for Haiti. Online gambling operators are organizing “no play” tournaments, also hosted by celebrities or famous poker players, where you are able to re-direct your wins to aid funds. PokerStars is donating to the Red Cross and Full Tilt follows suit to create a fund exclusively helping Haitians through charities.

Can these efforts be ill-motivated and should anyone complain?  Well, people are always eager to grumble, thus some say we should doubt whether, as the operators assure, in fact “each penny is tracked” in such donations. Is there really a likelihood that gambling operators lower the probability of wining for regular players or trivialize their strategic game efforts by undertaking such initiatives?

Let’s not forget which part of the world the tragic earthquake struck. We are talking about the Caribbean here. And should be well aware of the fact that the tourist and entertainment industry didn’t come to a stop due to the suffering and utter misery of the Haitians. It has been established that one of the Caribbean cruise lines is still docking it’s luxurious tourist ships not so far away from the shores of the destroyed country. Together with their clubs, discos and casinos on deck. Is this OK and noble? Such contrast of those who make the most of life, with people whose lives have been taken away or made a horror, can be disturbing. Nevertheless, we cannot blame the cruise lines for any exploitation. Natural disasters are a business risk factor but bare in mind that these types of location deals, as well as ticket purchasing from the tourists and their will to use any ship commodity they pay for, are decisions that are made in huge advance. The company has pledged to provide food supplies and some equipment for the earthquake survivors, as well as financial aid to the Haitian members of their staff. Yet many passengers are outraged by this choice of docking spot and refuse to go to mainland. Some even fear looting…

Therefore, isn’t this a little prude to assume the Haitians, whose country is in agony, would deliberate at all where is the financial or material help coming from? If in these poor people’s shoes, I couldn’t have cared less. If I needed simple things like water I wouldn’t mind if it came from a happily retired tourist sipping on Caribbean rum in the most luxurious and lavish floating casino the world can build.