Canadian Billionare Says He Chose Costa Rica Because It Is The Best Place
In an interview with the Spanish daily newspaper Al Día, Canada's billionaire and owner of the sportsbook Boddg.com, Calvin Ayre, tells why he chose Costa Rica, criticized the United States and that his fortune is much larger that it was originally publicized.

Ayre told the Al Día reporters that before being featured on the cover of Forbes magazine, no one in Costa Rica know that someone as rich as him could be living here. Now, the Canadian assures that he can't go out as he was used to, especially to ride his Harley and spends more time at home.

Ayre asked why he chose Costa Rica said that he studied many other countries before making a decision and decided that Costa Rica's climate and democracy was for him. "I chose it for the infrastructure and education. I believe it is the best place", said Ayre.

Asked about his wealth reported at us$1 billion, Ayre chuckles, saying that the reports are wrong, it is closer to us$1.5 if the calculations were to be done correctly. "I told Forbes magazine to calculate my wealth in this manner, however, they paid me no attention", was Ayre response.

The magnate explained that he amassed such wealth by a combination of things, but the major part is through internet gambling. Real estate, music and television production are part of his activities.

Ayre explained that not everyone working in internet gambling are able to earn like he does. Jokingly he told the Al Día reporters that only those who photograph well can make the big bucks, chuckling as he spoke the words, the reporters say.

Ayre is very critical of the United States government, especially when it comes to online gaming and that the American government does not like the competition. Ayre assures that he has never been in trouble in the U.S. or that he has ever been investigated or is being investigated now and can travel to and from the U.S. freely.

Without letting out trade secrets, Ayre explains how the bets on his website are taken in Canada - totally legal - and the money is routed trough England. In Costa Rica, money is received to pay the employees and taxes. The physical operation is based in Costa Rica, where the digital data is received and processed, but the bests are taken in Canada, Ayre re-iterated, since the law in Costa Rica prohibits the direct transfer of funds for the bets.

Asked if his operations reports all transaction over us$10.000, as prescribed by Costa Rican law, Ayre assures that that is the case each time. "I have been audited twice and each time the audit was thorough. The auditors determined that we do everything by the book and after six months of investigating, they couldn't believe that we were not violating not one law", said Ayre.

Ayre explained that the audit was done by Tributación resulting from a fired employee who wanted to cause his operation problem. Ayre said that the (unnamed) employee made a complaint and the authorities came to investigate.

The Al Día reporters were blunt in their questions, especially on the origin of the money from his clients, especially from drug trafficking and money laundering. Ayre explained of his policy known as "know your client" where the client is asked certain information, which information is kept private, especially from the competition. "Money laundering is bad. If they give me the money I will spend it on charity here in Costa Rica", said Ayre, who has set up a foundation to help poor children.

"Online gambling is for entertainment and when one bets, the money comes back with difficulty so it is impossible to launder money. The Unites States government has no evidence that money is being laundered through the internet gambling industry. The politicians (referring to US politicians) are the ones saying so, trying to convince Costa Rican politiciaans to close the sportsbooks", explained Ayre.

Calvin Ayre, at 44 years of age has become a celebrity since the Forbes magazine listing, says that he likes to visit Puerto Viejo, in Limón and is declared admirer of president-elect Oscar Aria. "I would love to meet him because I am his fan, for his work internationally, he is a respectable person", said Ayre.

"I am in a private business and certain information is confidential", Ayre said refusing to answer questions about how much taxes he pays, only saying the information is private and that the Costa Rican government knows, because they have access to all the documents.

Asked about his thoughts on the raid of his home and business on March 10 by Costa Rican officials, he said that he likes to see it as a mistake on the part of the authorities and has instructed his lawyer to do nothing to that respect. "I accept some of the responsibility for having informed the media and police of what I was doing", Ayre added.