PokerStars.com Raises Over $400,000 for Tsunami Relief

PokerStar Helps Tsunami Victims

The world's top online poker site, PokerStars.com raised a whopping $187,769 from poker players at the popular Internet cardroom as well as at its premier annual tournament - the 2005 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, recently completed at the Atlantis Casino-Resort in the Bahamas. PokerStars.com agreed to match all player donations dollar-for-dollar, which amounted to a donation of $375,538. When it came to write out the check - to the American Red Cross, which will support the relief effort with all donated funds - PokerStars.com agreed to up the ante even further - to a staggering total donation amounting to $400,000.

"The $400,000 raised is believed to be the largest Tsunami Relief donation of any single company or entity in the gaming industry," said Nolan Dalla, Director of Communications for PokerStars.com. "I am proud of poker players from around the world who reached deep into their pockets to help those who were affected by the tragedy. It goes to show - there are many poker people who care about others, and I am proud that PokerStars led the way in an effort to not only raise money and awareness, but also agreed to add a substantial amount to the final donation."

The check presentation from PokerStars.com to the relief effort was televised by NBC as part of a two-hour telethon, which was watched by millions of viewers. The broadcast appeared on Saturday night, January 15, 2005. According to the Los Angeles Times: Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope" included performances by Madonna, Elton John, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder and others. The special aired on NBC and affiliated networks, including Bravo, USA, Sci Fi, MSNBC, CNBC, Trio and Telemundo. NBC estimated that 19.6 million viewers saw the special.

PokerStars.com believes in supporting humanitarian efforts. The popular online poker site includes over 1.3 million players from all over the world, who share not only an interest in the game of poker, but a desire to help those who are less-fortunate and most in need of support. We at PokerStars.com thank all of those who offered their support.