London group dares gambling industry: Raise $1-M for Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - A London-based organization on Wednesday challenged the gaming industry to raise $1 million for victims of the destructive typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.

The Calvin Ayre Foundation, named after a gaming tycoon, said in a statement Wednesday that it will match "peso for peso" any donation the sector manages to raise.

"We are challenging the gambling industry to step up, reach into their pockets and give as much as they can to the Haiyan relief efforts," the organization said.

Businessman Calvin Ayre himself has pledged $200,000 from his personal funds for the typhoon victims.

"In addition to the matching donations, the Calvin Ayre Foundation is in the process of adopting a village in the damaged area where the group will directly self-administer the assistance to the people in need," the group added.

It said that the fund drive is way to repay the Filipino people's support of the gaming industry leading to the boom in the Asian gambling market.