| |
|
| _ | |
| |
Donors
Betfair
BetOnSports.com
BoDog.com
CasinoRewards Group
Catania Consulting
DrHo888.com
CryptoLogic Inc.
eCOGRA
English Harbour
FutureBet.com
Gambling 911.com
GoldenPalace.com
Intertops
Playtech
PointSpread.com
Real Time Gaming
RitzOnline
River City Group
SportingBet.com
SportsSpread.com
VIP Sports
www.888.com
|
|
The first ever GIGSE fundraising event--a series of "sumo grudge matches" featuring high-level industry execs--was an overwhelming success.
The Sixth Annual Global Interactive Gaming Summit & Expo wrapped up Wednesday with the highly entertaining Charity Sumo Wrestling Grudge Match, featuring six bouts between industry rivals dressed in puffy sumo outfits. Donations are still coming in, but at last count the total was approaching US$40,000.
GIGSE attendees were each given $1,000 of play money to wager on the competing wrestlers. All participants were encouraged to pledge money for GamCare. Veteran bookmakers Mark Blandford of Sporting bet and Alan Weinrib of SportsSpread.com handled the betting. The most successful bettor, Rob Dowling, turned his $1,000 into $2,500 and was rewarded with a free pass to GIGSE '05 in Montreal.
The sumo event provided a climactic ending to a successful event that welcomed more than 50 sponsors and exhibitors and more than 900 delegates coming from 42 countries. While most tradeshows end with an hour or two clockwatching and early booth breakdown, the final stretch of GIGSE '04 was filled with cheering, laughter and performances that will be talked about for years to come.
But all fun aside, the true mark of success was the raising of funds for GamCare.
"It was a real honor and pleasure to witness some giants from the gaming world forego personal dignity to help GamCare provide more needy services to the public," said GamCare Managing Director Peter Cox. "They certainly didn't wrestle with their consciences as they grappled for donations on the exhibition floor. A huge thanks and
congratulations to all involved."
River City Group, the producer of GIGSE and publisher of Interactive Gaming News, is already considering possibilities for a fundraiser in '05.
Match Results
The Expatriate Act
Micheal Casselli (Online Casino News): 3
Bryan Bailey (CasinoMeister.com): 2
The Host with the Most?
Rob Vermeulen (eCommerce Park): 3
Jay Stubina (Mohawk Internet Technologies): 0
The Ultimate Exchange
Steve Ives (Betfair): 3
Anthony Novac (1X Inc.): 2
The Dueling Peters
Peter Kjear (DrHo888.com): 3
Ken Barr (Lasseters Online): 2
Rumble in the Jungle
Cole Turner (BoDog.com): 3
David Carruthers (BetOnSports.com): 0
Armageddon
Sting (Gambling911.com): 3
Sue Schneider (River City Group: 2
Highlights
Best Vantage Point - Real Time Gaming's Booth
What can be better than enjoying a massage atop RTG's double-decker booth while watching sumo legends complete in the greatest I-gaming sumo event of the century?
Best Match: Caselli vs. Bailey
These two warriors sparred verbally in the press for weeks before finally meeting in an explosive battle that did not disappoint. The earth shook, and Caselli walked away victorious (after running a victory lap while shouting like a mad man).
Best Form: Barr and Kjaer
Ken Barr and Peter Kjaer showed the I-gaming world that sumo wrestling is much more than a sport: It is an art.
Best Dressed: Jay Stubina
Amazingly, Jay Stubina looks smooth even wearing a puffy sumo suit. To our knowledge, he is the world's only sumo wrestler who competes wearing a neck tie and loafers.
Best Quote: Kevin Smith
"In true betting exchange fashion, here's your chance to lay Sue Schneider."
Most Noble Gesture Anthony Novac
Following his grueling match with Steve Ives, Novac thanked Betfair for reporting suspicious betting on the sumo matches.
Best Takedown:
Sue Schneider surprised Sting with an early attack to the midsection. (It was rumored that Keith Furlong may have helped a little.)