Vancouver Canuck Roberto Luongo recently hosted a charity poker tournament, which raised $90 000 for the locals Canucks for Kids charity. Earlier this month, the hockey star was criticized for helping the British Columbia Lottery Corporation promote its new online poker room, so hopefully attitudes will change upon hearing how he’s used the game as a fundraising tool.
To enter the tournament, competitors had to pay just $500. It included a $300 buy-in, a $200 donation and a night’s stay at the River Rock Casino in Vancouver. The BCLC helped to support the tournament, which offered an impressive $45 000 prize pool. Money was also raised from separate donations and the silent auction.
In addition to paying the $500 entry fee, players could also win entry via PlayNow.com. In the weeks leading up to the event, the website ran satellite tournaments, the winners of which earned free entry into the Roberto Luongo Charity Poker Classic.
Canucks for Kids is a local BC Charity, which provides education and wellness programs to youth across the province. The charity was started by the Vancouver Canucks, and is regarded as one of the most beneficial youth programs in British Columbia. It is certainly a great cause, and it is wonderful to see Luongo and his teammates supporting it.
