|
Casino
News Media Blog: Updated Daily
Global
Gaming Directory Goes Live
Casino
News Media Website, Facebook, Instagram Undergoing
Makeover For 2018 News, Advertising and Publicity
Campaigns; Online and Traditional
Casino
and casino news friendly wars alive and well in gambling
mecca's, Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Macau; Battle
for news, patronage and world class acts spread to
Australia's Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast says
media agency
Crown
And Star Lay Off Workers To Raise Debt During Pandemic
- April 2020
Casino
Content; Art, Pop Art, Creative Arts, Shock Value, Business Art, Arthouse themes
can drive business business sales
Casino,
Club, Venue, Nightclub, Videogame, eSports and Poker promotions via Media Man
website network Trends
In Casinos and Gaming: The Current Market and Past, Present and Future: Media
Man Network findings Blogs Global
Gaming News Global Gaming
Directory Media Man Games News Sin
City, Frank Sinatra, Rambo, The Terminator: Hollywood themed online slot games
by PartyCasino 
Versace
Casino to be built in Macau 
Macau
slowdown benefits Australia Costs
eat into Crown profits - 19th February 2015 James
Packer's Crown profit falls 47% on Macau woes, shares up on revenue reboud Lasseters
Hotel Casino TV Commercial Macau
factors into MGM Resorts fourth quarter net loss World's
Biggest Gamblers; History Of Bets At Casinos - Kerry Packer, David Walsh Et Al PartyPoker
links up with Dusk Till Dawn James
Packer themed cartoons by John Shakespeare - The Sydney Morning Herald James
Packer’s Hollywood “rat pack” soaks up booze and cash Sydney
Crown is James Packer's top priority and he's frustrated at the delays Batman’s
casino? Macau building luxury resort modeled after Gotham City - 19th January
2015 Revenue
up for Station Casinos - 19th February 2015 2015
Aussie Millions: Day 19 - 2nd February 2015 Lights,
Camera, Action! Melco Crown Entertainment Sets the Scene on Macau's Studio City
- 12th January 2015 Ocean's
Eleven trailer Murdoch
sells pay-TV business to U.K. firm - 8th December 2014 William
Hill links up with MX Digital - 4th September 2014 Shane
Warne relationship: Not the news! - 1st October 2014 Knight
Rider slot game at PartyCasino Company
still wants Trump name stripped from casinos Spring
Carnival and Melbourne Cup promotions at The Star WSOP
Asia-Pacific Begins October 2 MyCareer
to make its debut in WWE 2K15 - 30th September 2014 
bwin.party
& Nordeus launch Sportster social betting game on Facebook
- 30th September
2014 
Bayern
Basketball extends with bwin.party - 29th September 2014 William
Hill links up with MX Digital - 4th September 2014 
Australian
casino company Echo annual profit rises - 12 August 2014 Walk
It - Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (2.0 Edition) 
Marvel
Heroes - Game Update Trailer 
Human
Statue Bodyart casino and gaming campaigns 
Gold
plated attractions at this years Australasian Gaming Expo 
Human
Statue Bodyart contracted to create DC Comics superheroes: Wonder-Woman and the
Green Lantern; To appear in Injustice video game promotions and commercials Injustice:
Gods Among Us 
Undies
still on the outside - 22nd April 2013 
Marvel
Heroes Launches Worldwide 
PartyCasino
Wins Media Man Online Casino Of The Month Award 
PartyPoker
And PartyCasino Owner bwin.party Digital Entertainment Plans Return to US Market 
News Human
Statue Bodyart supplies bodypainted models and roving performers for The Star:
Marquee and Cherry Bar 
Human
Statue Bodyart does bodypaint, bodyart and makeup for Diamond VIP event at The
Star, Sydney 
Bwin
Surges as New Jersey Opens Gaming Floodgates: London Mover - 27th Feb 2013
O’Farrell
Won’t Let Crown Casino Operate in Sydney Before 2019 - 7th March 2013 2013
Aussie Millions Airs on OneHD Tuesday 
Crown
Perth casino re-opened after gas leak - 7th March 2013 Bwin.Party
Digital Entertainment Price Target Raised to $3.00 at Numis Securities Ltd (BPTY)
- 5th March 2013 Casino
La Vida player overjoyed with €80 000 win PartyCasino
wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' award 
Immortal
Romance online slot game at Casino La Vida delivers €80 000 win Red
Flush Casino - Red Returns does b2b deal with Media Man group Gaming
News: International and Australian: Europe, United States and more Gaming
News: International and Australian: Europe, United States and more - 20th January
2013 Crown
Limited plea to avoid 'litigation vortex': Casino back in spotlight - Feb 2013 Red
Flush Casino - Red Returns does b2b deal with Media Man group Immortal
Romance online slot game at Casino La Vida delivers €80 000 win James
Packer's $10m investment to boost Penrith's potential, Mayor Mark Davies says
- Feb 2013 James
Packer interview hightlights from Channel Seven 'Sunday Night' - Feb 2013 
bwin.party
and 888 investors bet on New Jersey Gamesys
acquires Richard Branson owned Virgin Games to boost gaming and igaming business
- 7th January 2012 New
Crown Casino opens in Perth - 2nd January 2013 Aussie
Millions Poker Championship teams up with Betfair - 1st January 2013 James
Packer going to Hollywood to help make movies; Big money still talks in showbiz
-
13th December 2012 Las
Vegas casino boss takes over Echo Entertainment - 12th December 2012 Australian
and international gaming, business and interactive entertainment news Marvel
movies: Amazing Spider-Man, Thor 2, The Avengers et al boost popularity of Marvel
slot games
News Sydney's
second casino a step closer - 25th October 2012 The
New South Wales Government has announced that James Packer's proposal to build
a second casino in Sydney has moved to stage 2 of consideration. Seven
weeks after the Government received an unsolicited proposal from James Packer
to build a six-star hotel with high roller gaming rooms at Barangaroo, the heads
of the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Treasury have now given the go
ahead for Crown to develop a more detailed plan. The
Premier Barry O'Farrell says the Government will not allow poker machines in the
new development, and he has stressed it is only passed the first hurdle in a three-stage
process. "At
the end of each stage the Government has the option of either giving the project
the green light to proceed or a red light and it simply stops there," he
said. The
Opposition supports the proposal on the grounds it will not have poker machines. Its
construction means Sydney will become the only state capital with two casinos
- it already has Star City. The
Premier says any new casino will not be allowed to start operation until 2019
because of an exclusivity arrangement with Star Casino. But
if the project is given the go ahead, laws will have to be changed to allow a
second casino licence in Sydney. News Melbourne
Storm NRL team ink sponsorship deal with Packer's Crown Casino; Sydney news, by
Greg Tingle - 31st August 2012 Melbourne
Storm Crown
Casino Crown
Limited The
Melbourne Storm is raking it in, with an extra $1.5 million in with Crown Limited
inking as major sponsor for a third year running, while rugby league in Victoria
could also benefit significantly. Thursday's
renewal of Crown's only team sponsorship is believed to be valued at $1 million,
give or take a few dollars. The
funds boost joins the $500,000 Australian Rugby League Commission chairman John
Grant confirmed on Monday would be delivered to all clubs before October 31. With
a back-of-jersey sponsorship still to be sold before the finals, Storm might well
collect another payday. Club
chief exec Ron Gauci advised the funds would be used to help expand the code in
Victoria, a cause boosted last month with the debut of born-and-bred local Mahe
Fonua. Storm
officials aim to fund youth teams down to under-16s and spend up to keep Melbourne
"ahead of the pack" with cutting-edge, football-specific technology. "We'll
continue to invest in the organisation. We'll invest both across the football
department and administration," Gauci said. "We
want to continue being best practice and continue being ahead of the game. We'll
invest in football operations and pathway development. "We
want to extend the Storm brand beyond the under-18s and we've put in a proposal
to the Australian Rugby League Commission to facilitate the growth of the game
in Victoria and now have the funds to help make that happen. "For
us, any investment needs to have a long-term benefit." The
push from the Government-backed Victorian Major Events Company to secure more
State of Origin clashes in Melbourne could reap even more cash for local rugby
league. Plans
are in place to establish a youth academy, with only the arrival of sufficient
funding needed to make it happen. Great
to see Crown's casino king James Packer sharing the love and funds around to worthy
causes. It's
understood that Sydney's South Sydney Rabbitohs management including king bunny,
Russell Crowe, are taking an interest in the way The Storm and Crown do things,
as you might expect with Rabbitohs also having a sponsorship deal with gaming
- entertainment firm - The Star.
Sydney NRL team also has casino deal...
The
South Sydney Rabbitohs are continuing to enjoy their sponsorship deal with The
Star (formally known as Star City Casino). NRL
top brass has said rugby league has benefitted from its association with betting
agencies because it allows better access to information about irregular plunges. As
the Australian and globally economy continue to go through tough times its going
to be interesting to see if more NRL teams ink deals with Australian casino or
gaming firms. I for would would bet yes. And
what's to become of the Barangaroo 6 star hotel and casino development in Sydney?
Could they also become a sponsor of an NRL team? With James Packer in the think
of the action one would think so. Keep watching this space.
Media Release...
Exclusive
Deal For 6 Star Hotel... Last
week's announcement by Lend Lease and Crown, that they had signed an exclusive
agreement to develop a six star hotel at Barangaroo South, has attracted wide
ranging media coverage and commentary. Below is a summary of the media releases
and media coverage to date. Following
the announcement, the Authority confirmed it will continue to work with Lend Lease,
and now their exclusive rights partner Crown, to negotiate a new location for
the hotel in Barangaroo South and oversee the appropriate planning applications
that must be approved before any concept moves ahead. Acting
Premier Andrew Stoner last week said the development of such a hotel would represent
a significant investment in NSW tourism infrastructure, and today’s agreement
is a vote of confidence in the NSW economy. “It
is, of course, subject to all the necessary planning and regulatory approvals
but Lend Lease already has an existing permit to build a hotel in Barangaroo South
and are negotiating with the Barangaroo Delivery Authority to relocate that onshore,”
he said. “The
creation of a hotel of this stature would deliver new jobs in construction, off-site
manufacturing and the tourism industry, along with hundreds of millions of dollars
for the State economy each year.” Lend
Lease Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Steve McCann, said
that Lend Lease and Crown would now work towards achieving the necessary development
approvals from the NSW Government for the hotel and jointly develop the concept
plan for the hotel. Lend Lease is currently in negotiations with the NSW Government
to finalise the hotel location. “Barangaroo
South is a major urban regeneration project that provides a unique opportunity
to create a world class commercial, residential, entertainment and mixed use destination
on Sydney Harbour. A key part of Lend Lease’s vision for Barangaroo South
is to have a high quality international hotel,” said Mr McCann. *the
writer is a shareholder in Crown Limited, Virgin Blue and Ten Network Holdings. News Casino
News Media: Sydney, Australia; UK, Fiji, Macau, California, U.S - 7th August 2012 Crown
Limited Does Deal With Barangaroo In Sydney... In
big news today, James Packer’s Crown Limited (ASX: CWN) has struck a deal
to build a $1 billion hotel development at Barangaroo, on Sydney’s foreshore.
Crown signed an agreement with the developer, Lend Lease Limited (ASX: LLC) earlier
today, but said it will only go ahead if Crown gains approval to including VIP
gambling facilities (in other words – a casino). Just yesterday, Crown announced
that it was spending up to $568m to build a six star hotel at its Burswood casino
in Perth.
Work on Fijis first ever Casino to begin...
Work
on Fiji’s first casino will begin this month as investors will meet to give
contracts to local companies in Denarau this week. One
Hundred Sands – the company behind the project has managed to raise $400million
for construction. However
the initial projections for phase one of the project which will see the construction
of a convention center, casino and resort is $290m. Managing
Director Larry Claunch says overseas investors are often given misconceptions
about Fiji’s investment potential by local private sectors. “There
has been a lot of criticism if we could raise the money in a timely fashion –
we have, criticism and comments if we can finish on time – we will –
its going to be probably a fastest development anybody has ever seen and it going
to be fun to watch.” Claunch
says the current government played a vital role for this investment. “I
didn’t come to Fiji with a though of developing a casino or anything for
that matter – I really just came here to eat fresh fish – but after
seeing the vision of this government I knew everything was possible and I was
all in.” Five
hundred locals will be employed during the construction and around 600 to 850
will be employed at the casino. The
new casino is expected to begin operation from September next year.
Aspers Casino looks forward to end of Games...
Though
it’s happening right on the doorstep of his company’s flagship casino,
Richard Noble is looking forward to when the 2012 London Olympic Games finish. The
chief operating officer of Aspers Group – a joint venture between the Australian
Securities Exchange-listed Crown and the Aspinall family, which operates Aspers
Casino at Westfield Stratford City next to Olympic Park – says weekly takings
and average visitor numbers are down about 20 per cent in the first week of the
Games. When Aspers
at Westfield Stratford City, the country’s largest casino, opened on December
1 last year, Noble told The Australian Financial Review it was immediately popular.
“In our first three days we had 30,000 visitors which was about 100 per cent
above our business case. After that we were averaging 25,000-30,000 visitors per
week. But in the last few months we’ve seen the three carparks here at the
Westfield get cut down to one and now it is none, so we have been adversely affected.” There
have been restrictions placed on visitor numbers to Westfield Stratford by the
London Olympic Games Organising Committee (LOCOG). These include only Games ticket
holders being allowed access to Westfield between 8.30am and 5pm on Friday and
Saturday. Noble
says this cut down on the ability of regular Aspers patrons to visit the casino.
He said it also affecting the numbers of people in the local area attracted to
Westfield during the Games, who could have potentially visited the casino for
the first time. LOCOG is also likely to institute another similar “lock-out”
later this year due to fears about congestion at the mall, which is between Olympic
Park and public transport links. With
the Olympics not providing the boost in business once hoped, Noble says Aspers
will now concentrate its marketing efforts on the post-Games period. “On
the 18th of September, after the Olympics and then the Paralympics are over,
we will be having a huge relaunch.” Noble
says the casino concentrates on a high volume of customers who spend relatively
little. It has a catchment area of 4.1 million people. “And
that is just in the east and the area around, north to Luton and east to Southend,”
he said. “But
what’s been surprising and also delightful is that we’ve managed to
get a lot of visitors from the west of London as well.” A
change to British gaming laws in 2007 allowed for the casino to be built without
previous restrictions that meant patrons had to become members. Aspers also owns
casinos in Newcastle, Swansea and Northampton and is planning to open a new venue
in Milton Keynes in 2003. Overall,
he says Aspers is pleased about how the Stratford business has performed given
it has already expanded since its December 2011 opening. It now has 57 gaming
tables, the highest number in Britain, up from 38 when it opened. It has room
to accommodate 80 tables. There are also now 138 electronic gaming terminals,
up from 92. The site will soon feature a bespoke poker room to go with the sports
bar, VIP bar and terrace, which has been hired out to corporate clients for the
Games. But Noble,
who is otherwise enjoying the Games, can’t wait until September. “Some
of our patrons are not able to get here at the moment but that will change once
all this is over.” (The Australian Financial Review)
Police detain 150 in Macau casino raids amid fears of new gang war...
HONG
KONG (Reuters) - Police detained more than 150 people in weekend raids on casinos
and hotels in Macau after a recent spate of killings raised fears of a new gang
war in the world's largest gambling destination. The
former Portuguese territory was gripped by gang wars in the late 1990s and the
recent murder of three people in two weeks, thought linked to the gambling industry,
comes just months ahead of the release from jail of triad boss "Broken Tooth"
Wan Kuok-koi, who wreaked havoc at that time. About
1,300 people were rounded up on Friday and Saturday in Macau and 150 of those
were taken in for questioning in the operation codenamed "Thunderbolt". "This
operation is an annual exercise to maintain public security. It is a joint exercise
undertaken by police in Guangdong province, Macau and Hong Kong to crack down
and prevent crime in this region," a Macau police spokeswoman said. In
Hong Kong, police raided 21 locations on August 2 as part of the joint operation
and arrested 130 people on suspicion of various crimes including money laundering
involving HK$300 million (24.77 million pounds), illegal gambling and prostitution. Police
also seized cash, watches and cars worth more than HK$11 million. The
Macau raids came just weeks after a Chinese woman was found murdered in a residential
area minutes away from the cavernous gambling halls of gaming magnate Sheldon
Adelson's Venetian casino. That
followed the murders of two Chinese nationals at the five-star Grand Lapa hotel
in Macau, a one-hour ferry ride from Hong Kong, and an attack at the end of June
on a senior figure in Macau's junket industry, which extends credit to rich gamblers. By
contrast, only five homicide cases were recorded between June 2011 and May 2012,
according to Macau police statistics. Macau,
which like Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, has boomed since
the 1999 handover from Portugal, with Las Vegas moguls including Adelson and Steve
Wynn setting up glitzy casino hotels. That
growth, however, has slowed significantly in the past three months, forcing junket
operators into more aggressive debt-collecting tactics. Many
of the smaller junket companies, which collect gambling debts in exchange for
a commission from casino operators, are struggling to stay in business.
IGT partners with California casino...
American
computerised gaming equipment designer and manufacturer International Game Technology
(IGT) has signed a deal that will see the Golden Acorn Casino and Travel Center
in California host an online casino application from its Double Down Interactive
subsidiary. Las
Vegas-based IGT purchased the casual games developer in January and revealed that
the Golden Acorn Casino is set to utilise its technology in order to offer casino
players free-play gaming experiences. “Golden
Acorn recognises the opportunity to provide gaming entertainment to its players
across various channels,” said Eric Tom, Global Sales Executive Vice-President
for IGT. “This
solution is allowing it to grasp an opportunity to evolve as the landscape of
gaming also changes permitting it to drive engaging gameplay directly to its casino
guests and fans of the Golden Acorn Casino and Travel Center brand.” IGT
stated that the revenue sharing partnership will see Golden Acorn use its own
website in order provide players with a ‘truly convergent gaming experience’
that is to include access to a ‘full-casino-style offering of games in one
convenient place’. “Offering
the same game titles on the web that we offer inside our casino gives us the unique
opportunity to deliver fun and engaging casino-style experiences to our players,”
said David Baggerly, Marketing Director for Golden Acorn Casino and Travel Center,
which is located 47 miles from downtown San Diego near the Mexican border. “This
is an incredible chance to drive interactive slot culture to our players while
allowing them to stay connected to our brand.” Guests
at the Golden Acorn will be able to enjoy online social versions of Texas hold‘em
poker in addition to some of IGT's top-performing slot titles including Da Vinci
Diamonds and Cleopatra. New games are to be added automatically while first-time
users will receive one million dollars in virtual chips.
Development agreement for Bally and High 5 Games...
Bally
Technologies has entered into a multi-year agreement with games developer High
5 Games to publish a substantial number of new H5G games under the Bally brand
for the worldwide land-based, mobile and online business-to-business casino gaming
markets. “We’re
excited to partner with a game creator that has such a world-class track record
of developing high-performing and engaging game content,” said Jean Venneman,
Vice President of Product Management and Licensing at Bally Technologies. “We
look forward to leveraging H5G’s newest game content to help casino operators
across the world drive revenues and delight players.” Ramesh
Srinivasan, Bally's President and Chief Operating Officer, added, “The partnership
with H5G reflects our commitment to delivering best-of-breed, cross-platform game
content to our customers. This promise is reflected in the more than 25 game studios
we have established across the globe, augmented by relationships with proven game
developers like H5G that enable us to deliver a diverse array of creative, interactive,
and exciting game content.” “We
are delighted to partner with Bally Technologies, a long-time leader in the casino
gaming industry,” said Anthony Singer, Chief Executive Officer of H5G. “With
Bally’s sophisticated new ALPHA 2 game platform, and a new Bally Interactive
division committed to mobile, online, and social business-to-business game content,
we believe that the sky is the limit for this next generation of H5G games.”
Bwin.party Digital Entertainment Plc : The bearish trend should continue...
07/18/2012
Opinion : Bearish under 115.5 GBp
Target price : 83.4 GBp
Stop loss:
115.5 GBp
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE Bwin.party
(BPTY) was formed from the merger of bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming
Plc in March 2011 to create the world’s largest listed online gaming. Incorporated
and licensed in Gibraltar, the Group has over 2,700 employees across Europe, India,
Israel and the US. It commands leading market positions in each of four product:
online sports betting, poker, casino and bingo with some of the world’s biggest
online gaming brands including bwin, PartyPoker,
PartyCasino and
Foxy Bingo. A
month ago, we forecasted a downtrend with a target price at GBp 102. This target
was reached and we reiterate our opinion. In a bearish trend, BPTY continues to
decline. From
a fundamental viewpoint, the group is in a bad financial situation. Analysts have
recently downgraded their forecasts for earnings per share. This indicator is
often a precursor of a declining profitability and a worsening climate of investor
confidence. Even if the company has a lot of cash, it is overvalued : BPTY’s
PER for 2012 is 38.9x and 16.3x for 2013 and growth rates are low. From
a technical viewpoint, prices are in a downward trend. Moving averages are trending
down and put pressure on the stock, which confirms this downward momentum. This
trend may continue toward the GBp 95 support. Moreover, the security is testing
a pivot point at GBp 102.6 in weekly data and the significant breakdown of this
level would be a new bearish signal. Taking
into account fundamental and technical elements, investors can initiate a short
position in BPTY with a first target price at GBp 95. If the security crosses
this level, the second target price will be the long term support at GBp 83.4.
A return towards GBp 115.5, the short-term resistance area, will invalidate the
bearish strategy, which justifies a stop loss. (4 Traders) News NSW
govt investigates 'floating casino'... The
NSW government is investigating whether cruise company P&O operated an illegal
floating casino off the NSW coast. Hospitality
Minister George Souris on Wednesday said a government authority was investigating
an allegation that passengers could play blackjack, pontoon, poker and roulette
on a cruise that left Sydney on Friday night. The
cruise ship also had 40 poker machines onboard and let passengers charge $5000
on their credit cards for gambling, News Ltd reported. "I've
asked the Office of Liquor and Gaming to investigate whether a casino operation
was under way in NSW territorial waters or whether gambling operations were under
way in commonwealth waters," he told reporters in Sydney. "It
may be that NSW jurisdiction was breached, it may be that the commonwealth jurisdiction
was breached. It may be even that both were breached." He
said NSW had no jurisdiction beyond 12 nautical miles from shore. "Those
are international waters," he said. "In
international shipping after the 12-nautical-mile limit it opens boats to gambling
but also to duty-free liquor sales."
James Packer to speak at tourism conference in Canberra...
Billionare
James Packer will be the drawcard for hoteliers, resort operators and owners attending
a tourism conference in Canberra in late October. Mr Packer will open the Tourism
& Transport Forum's annual "Leadership 2012" conference. The
gaming tycoon is a major tourism player given his Crown resorts in Perth and Melbourne
attract 25 million visitors a year...
Melco
Crown Project Gets Red Light on Casino...
Macau
casino operator Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. MPEL +2.32% still doesn't have
permission to build a casino at its latest project, according to a revised government
contract published Wednesday. The
Macao Studio City project, in which Melco Crown has a 60% equity interest, is
designated for a five-star hotel and film facilities, indicates the latest government
contract detailing various revisions to the agreement. But the document doesn't
mention any casino facilities despite the company's earlier statements they hope
to open up to 400 gambling tables at the property. It's possible the government
could give the green-light on a casino later, but the uncertainty could complicate
the company's efforts to finance the project. Melco
Crown, backed by Lawrence Ho and James Packer—the sons of Macau gambling
tycoon Stanley Ho and the late Australian casino-and-media magnate Kerry Packer—is
one of six casino license holders in Macau, where it already runs two casino-resort
properties in the world's largest gambling hub. A
representative for Melco Crown didn't respond to requests for comment. In
June 2011, Melco Crown signed a $360 million deal to gain control over the Macao
Studio City project, resolving a bitter dispute between the project's earlier
partners that had escalated to the Hong Kong courts, stalling development for
years. New Cotai Holdings LLC, an arm of U.S. investment firms Oaktree Capital
Management L.P. and Silver Point Capital L.P., retained its 40% stake in the project. Earlier
this month Melco Crown announced plans to enter the burgeoning Philippines market
by teaming up with local property developer Belle Corp. BEL.PH -0.20% to partner
on a casino resort that will cost at least $1 billion in an area the Philippines
hopes will become Manila's version of the Las Vegas Strip. (The Wall Street Journal)
Virgin
Casino to Release Necker Island Slot Game
Virgin
Casino has announced that it is releasing a new slot game entitled Necker
Island this week. Necker
Island is a new 5 reel, 50 pay-line slot game that is being developed by Genesis
Gaming Inc. The game has a theme based on the private island hideaway owned by
Virgin Casino founder Sir Richard Branson. The
game also includes an additional row of symbols that gives players a greater chance
of winning. Players can win free spins and also have the chance to unlock a free
wild game. The game will be released on Virgin Casino’s QuickFire platform. Warren
Eloff, Virgin Games Head of Products, said “We wanted to create a game exclusively
for our Virgin Games players – something that only we could offer and that
truly summed up being part of the Virgin community. As such, we thought it would
be ideally fitting to have a game created by Genesis Gaming that was themed around
Sir Richard Branson’s luxurious private island." Eloff
added “As an operator, offering our customers seamless game play is crucial,
and as a Virgin company maintaining brand integrity is a must. Using Microgaming’s
QuickFire platform has delivered on both counts - offering both easy integration
and allowing us to give our players a unique Virgin Games experience.” Steven
Meisrich, CEO for Genesis Gaming Inc, stated "It was exciting for our team
to build a customized and branded video slot game consistent with the quality
and fun users expect from the Virgin brand. We are also pleased that Necker Island
will be integrated to the Quickfire platform as we have a successful partnership
already in place and are confident that it can maintain the optimal experience
for Virgin players.” QuickFire
also released a statement saying “We’re delighted that Virgin Games
have chosen the Quickfire platform to host this unique game. It’s always
great to be involved in something a bit different, particularly as the involvement
of Genesis Gaming Inc. has allowed us to work alongside a company with whom we
already have a strong relationship. We’re confident that this exclusive product
will please new and existing players alike.” Bwin.Party
Joins Nevada’s Online Poker Licensing Parade - 8th March 2012 WPT
Bay 101 Shooting Stars Day Two: Scott Baumstein Leads Final 20, Jonathan Duhamel
Continues 2012 Rampage - 8th March 2012 Four
Canadians indicted on US gambling charges; Online Casino Royale or Ocean's Eleven? Tobey
Maguire Pays $80,000; Lawsuit Settled Over High-Stakes Hollywood Poker Games -
28th Nov 2011 Leonardo
DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire told to ease off high stakes poker
Frank Sinatra Film May Get Up With Martin Scorsese And Leonardo
DiCaprio - 27th November 2011 Leonardo
DiCaprio Sydney Party In Kings Cross Sin City Sydney; 80 Women - 21st November
2011 Bwin.Party
Digital Entertainment Betting On United States - 20th Oct 2011 Star
City Casino Becomes The Star; Sin City - Sydney, Australia PartyCasino.com
website PartyCasino
Marvel Slots website PartyCasino
profile Gambling911
profile Gambling911 website Casino
News Media website Casino News
Media blog Slots
Spinning In The Grave Promotion At PartyCasino RetroCash
Promotion At PartyCasino Virgin
Casino Website Gets Revamp; Still No American, Australian or Canadian Players Bwin.Party
Digital Entertainment Continues To Negotiate With American Government The
Star (formally Star City Casino) Enjoying Sponsorship Deal With South Sydney Rabbitohs PartyCasino
VS Virgin Casino "War" Continues Star
City Casino Becomes The Star; Sin City - Sydney, Australia 
News Bwin.Party
Digital Entertainment Betting On United States - 20th Oct 2011 Australian
And Asia Pacific Gaming And Gambling News - 28th June 2011 Casinos
To Host Pro Wrestling Talk By Hulk Hogan And Friends - 22nd May 2011 Australians
Still Biggest Gamblers In World - 22nd May 2011 PartyGaming
and bwin merge to become bwin.party digital entertainment; Eyes on U.S, by Greg
Tingle - 4th April 2011 Promotions
World's Most Trusted And Respected Online Poker And Online Casino Brands PartyPoker.com
and PartyCasino.com News PKR
Casino releases new 3D games - March 2012 LONDON,
England - (PRESS RELEASE) - PKR
Casino today launched an exciting new update that will allow its 4.5m registered
users to experience the thrill of casino gaming with the launch of full 3D versions
of multiplayer Blackjack, Caribbean Stud™ and Casino Hold’em. Following
on from the recent launch of 3D single player Blackjack to the casino games suite,
new multiplayer 3D Blackjack allows up to 6 seats per table to be played at any
one time against the dealer. Also released today is a 3D version of PKR’s
Caribbean Stud™ Poker which has already enjoyed great success in its mini-game
format on the site. The final addition to the 3D games lobby comes in the shape
of 3D Casino Hold’em - a fixed odds game based on the popular poker game
variant which is available in single player mode. Leon
Walters, PKR Chief Operating Officer said: “PKR has always been about making
realistic, immersive and engaging games that put players at the heart of the action.
We’re delighted to be able to launch three new casino games that do just
that, and we’re confident that they’ll prove to be hugely popular additions
to our suite of games.” PKR’s
latest release also includes eleven new male and female avatar hairstyles, nine
new emotes as well as improvements to customer support with Virtual Agent “Anna”
now integrated into live person chat, who will be able to answer any customer
questions immediately. Walters
about the poker software update: “We've also added synchronised tournament
breaks with this release which is just a taste of the new features we're release
in the coming months that are very much focused on our core poker audience.” News James
Packer - Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest Indigenous Employment Tag Team - 6th
July 2011 PartyCasino,
PartyPoker And Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment News - 1st July 2011 Australian
Gambling News, by Greg Tingle - 14th May 2011 TV
Week Logies: Underbelly Dirani Wins Logie; Dieter Brummer Crown Casino Assault,
by Greg Tingle - 2nd May 2011 Australian's
Kerry Packer And Ita Buttrose In New Cleo TV Show, By Greg Tingle - 6th April
2011 Crown
Casino Braces For TV Week Logies; Katy Perry On Despite Lawsuit - 29th April 2011 News James
Packer Gambling On 3rd Macau Casino, by Greg Tingle - 18th June 2011 JP's
Macau casino joint venture plans to build a massive $US2.5 billion ($2.3bn) casino
resort...the group's lucky third in the Chinese territory. This will see them
look capitalise on surging gaming revenues in the red hot part of the world. Melco
Crown Entertainment yesterday signed off on a $US360 million deal to gain control
of the Macau Studio City project, an "integrated resort project" on
hold since the global financial crisis and in planning for more than 10 years. The
firms chief executive, Lawrence Ho, advised the property's theme and demographic
target focus would be differentiated from the company's existing Macau property
assets, the City of Dreams and the Altira Macau. Construction
is due to start early next year and it is believed the partners have no plans
for an equity issue to fund the project. "We
believe Macau Studio City's existing land grant and previously completed site
work will allow us to significantly expedite its construction timetable,"
Ho told the press yesterday. It
will be Melco Crown's second project on Macau's Cotai strip, a vast stretch of
reclaimed land situated between the islands of Taipa and Coloane that land based
casino developers in Macau, such as Ho and Packer, are promoting as the orient's
answer to the Las Vegas strip aka "Sin City". City of Dreams is in Cotai. Last
year, Ho said Melco Crown was prepared to build more casino resort developments
in Macau and elsewhere in Asia. Packer's Crown holds a 33.4% stake in Melco Crown. The
Studio City site is one of the last prime land sites available in Macau for development. It
is located at the Lotus Bridge immigration point, making it the virgin resort
that tourists encounter via entering Cotai. Before
the financial meltdown, Melco Crown had a management arrangement with Studio City's
owners to run the casino at the site, but elected to take control of the project
after it became troublesome for the owners to properly fund it within the prior
structure. Melco
Crown is understood to have codenamed the deal Project Eagle. The
deal ends 3 long years of delays caused by legal matters and a range of dramas
between the Hong Kong and US investors. Studio
City was previously owned by a joint venture between Hong Kong-listed entertainment
company eSun Holdings and New Cotai Holdings, an entity controlled by funds managed
by US firms Silver Point Capital and Oaktree Capital Management. New
Cotai Holdings will hold a 40% stake. Melco
Crown will pay New Cotai $US100m in 3 instalments over two years. Before
the financial crunch, the casino development was to have included a specially
designed 4000-seat arena, a 2300-seat theatre, Asia's first "Playboy Mansion"
and 4 new classy hotels - a Ritz-Carlton, a W Hotel, a Marriott and the world's
first Tang Hotel. Last
month, Macau gaming revenues rose 42.4% to a record $US3.03bn, what Vegas casino
operators dream of. They
were rocketed by the opening of Galaxy Entertainment Group's $US2bn resort development
at Cotai, which is nearby to the City of Dreams. "We
remain bullish on Macau's prospects and believe high-quality new supply, such
as Macau Studio City, will continue to drive incremental demand," Ho said. Media
Man has been speaking to property and gaming experts about the Packer - Macau
developments, with 95% believing that the latest Packer Macau project with be
a "good to great business and investment". Friends,
good punting, know your limits and bet with your head, not over it. Australian
Gambling And Vice News Update, by Greg Tingle - 28th April 2011 Australia
continues to be a hotbed for Australian gambling, casino and vice news, be it
political, legal, new games and innovation, tours, casinos battling it out for
the top entertainment acts, and so it goes on. Media
Man scours Australia for the hottest and most entertaining news to be found... South
Australia Police Officers Investigation Probe Over Casino Fight... A
double Australian tag team...4...off-duty police officers are under investigation
over a brawl at Adelaide's famous SkyCity Casino. Just after midnight yesterday,
a bloke came out of a toilet and complained to a guard a group of men were harassing
him. News outlet Channel 7 reported last night the group emerged from the toilet
and approached the man, who is alleged to have told them: "Leave me alone,
I don't want anything to do with this."
A fight then erupted, in which
casino gaming tables were knocked for six and seven security guards rushed to
the incident. The men were notified Hindley St police had been called, to which
they allegedly replied: "We are the police." Police are reviewing security
footage, and Superintendent Graham Goodwin said an investigation was continuing.
We wish the police good luck with the investigation - both sides of the police. Snoop
Dogg Enjoys Time In Australian Casinos; Star City In Sin City Sydney.. With
hip-hop stars Snoop Dogg and Nelly have been enjoying their time down under in
Australia. At an announced side-show in Sydney's Star City Casino last weekend,
the two famed hip-hop stars shocked the crowd when an ensemble of acclaimed Supafest
co-stars joined them on stage. Industry luminaries The Game, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes,
Fat Joe and Spliff Star all joined in the fun. They wowed fans with an hour of
freestyle rapping. The show is already being described as the biggest hip-hop
show in Australian history. Star City in Sydney is hoping to look after them again,
as is the Tabcorp owned sister casino on the Gold Coast - Jupiters Hotel and Casino. Famous
Australian Gambler And Sportsman Brendan Fevola Will Pay Kids' Charity... You
know the name, and you know some of his games. AFL, poker and casino slots. Fev
will make a payment to well known and respected charity Variety. They will be
the beneficiary of ex AFL star Brendan Fevola's drunken New Year's Eve. The former
Carlton and Brisbane full forward will pay about $2000 to the charity to avoid
charges of obstructing police and public nuisance. Fevola was arrested after ignoring
police instructions to get off the road in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley about 4.30am
on New Year's Day. The situation degenerated when he resisted arrest and threatened
police, allegedly saying: "Come on, take your hat and badge off, I'll smash
you." The dual-Coleman medallist had pleaded guilty to the charges but entered
mediation talks with police this month to have them dropped. He also wrote a letter
of apology to the police involved. Fevola's lawyer Jim Coburn told Brisbane Magistrates
Court yesterday mediation had been successful and a commitment has been signed
for Fevola to donate the money. The charity, Variety Queensland, was chosen by
police. Fevola has two weeks to fulfil the mediation terms. Fevola, who has struggled
with gambling and alcohol issues throughout his career, lost about $1 million
through betting and admitted he attempted suicide at his lowest point. He spent
two months in rehab to deal with mental health and addiction issues after the
altercation with police. The living legend was sacked by the Brisbane Lions while
he was still in rehab, a move which drew criticism from some quarters, including
the AFL Players' Association. Fevola moved back to Melbourne after his release
from rehab to be closer to his family, however he is now estranged from his wife
Alex and three daughters. His battle with gambling is ongoing. He has been removed
from James Packer owned Crown Casino as well as a suburban pokies venue in recent
months. Fevola has not given up hope of returning to the AFL, playing for VFL
side Casey Scorpions to help rebuild his career. We wish Fev well with his ongoing
journey. Crown
Casino Grease Shaft Trap Man Ocean's One Slips Legal Charges In Melbourne... A
Melbourne 26 year-old known as "Grease Trap Man" and "Ocean's One"
after he was rescued from a ventilation shaft at Crown casino walked out...slipped
away if you will... a free man from court yesterday. Melbourne Magistrates' Court
heard two charges against Brook Adrian Valencic, 26, had been withdrawn by prosecutors.
Valencic, of Sydenham, faced a charge of criminal damage to a door at Crown and
a second charge of trespass, over the incident in July last year. It is believed
the crim defence planned to argue he was so drunk he could remember nothing of
the incident and police concluded they could not prove the charges. Valencic spent
hours trapped in the grease-filled ventilation shaft and was pulled clear by a
search and rescue crew after staff at the Automatic Cafe heard screaming when
they turned on the ovens. He was covered head to toe in grease, as was worried
his might of been in line for a cooked alive number ala battered fish fry. The
rescuers had to crawl into the shaft to rescue Valencic, who was hot and dehydrated,
but otherwise unharmed, yet a touch worried about what was about to get cooked.
At the time of the incident firefighters thought he entered the steel duct from
a stairwell, crawled about 30m, and then fell vertically through the vents until
he became wedged above the cafe's grill. Valencic left court without talking to
the press. Crown Casino security and law enforcement agencies will be watching
Crown Casino like hawks as The Logies is to take place on the 1st May, opened
by performing artist come casino babe Katy Perry. Aristocrat
Aussie Battle Returning To Casino King; Tarzan, Mr. Cashman Headline Aristocrat's
Booth at Southern Gaming Summit... From
Australia to Vegas To Biloxi, the embattled Aussie firm is bouncing back with
a vengeance. Aristocrat
Technologies is bringing top-name celebrities to Biloxi for the annual Southern
Gaming Summit. "Tarzan(R)" and "Mr. Cashman" of Cashman Fever(TM)
will be front and center as Aristocrat unveils its newest games that will help
operators across the South give their customers the greatest gaming experience
every day. Aristocrat will be in booth #812, where the stunning new video slot
game Tarzan®Lord of the Jungle™ will bring a call of the wild to the
tradeshow floor. Tarzan Lord of the Jungle is the newest title in Aristocrat's
award-winning VERVEhd™ cabinet, where the game's big screen style action
stretches top to bottom. The game is complete with incredible stereo sound, seven
high-hit frequency bonus features and a four-level progressive with a jungle-sized
top jackpot of $250,000. Co-starring at the event is every casino player's best
friend, Mr. Cashman™, who is now starring in the new video slot game Cashman
Fever™. Cashman Fever brings the fun and excitement that players have come
to expect from Mr. Cashman to a scorching hot new level. Cashman Fever is a new
feature-rich, highly entertaining gaming experience with four red-hot, high-frequency
Cashman Fever bonus features and an exclusive Cashman Fever Progressive Link feature
that offers 20 jackpot pools. Aristocrat is riding a wave of award-winning success,
and the company will be showing off its most recent award-winning products, including
More Hearts™ and More Chilli™, the opening titles on Aristocrat's all-new
and award-winning game category Mega Pay™, which was recently named one of
the Top Ten Slot Floor Products for 2011 in the fifth annual Casino Enterprise
Management Slot Floor Technology Awards. Aristocrat will also be showing its all-new
game category Win Your Way™ and its industry-exclusive Nteractiv™ LCD
Programmable Buttons, which were both recently named to the list of Casino Journal's
annual "Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Technology Awards." Aristocrat
will introduce southern operators to Stuntman Sam™, the company's newest
hero who in this thrilling new game attempts several heart-stopping, death-defying
feats to give players an entertaining gaming experience and a big win. And "Rock
Star of the Art World," Michael Godard's work will be on display in Monster
Boogie™, the hilarious sequel to the instant player favorite Rockin Olives™.
Also showing Gazellions™ and Fortune Fantasy™, where players have a
chance to play four games at once; and the latest entry in Aristocrat's Reel Tall
Tales™ line, The Headless Horseman™, a triple standalone progressive
with five bonus features. They're not just games, they're Aristocrat games, and
they give the greatest gaming experience every day. Return
to the Scene of the Crime; Sin City Sydney Crime Tourism... Gamblers,
histories and many tourists will love this. From murder and robbery to gambling
and civil unrest, Sydney’s turbulent history will be revealed as we visit
crime scenes from the past and present in this fascinating walking tour of Circular
Quay and The Rocks.
The walk starts from the Justice & Police Museum and
winds its way through the city to finish in The Rocks. Both planned and spontaneous
true crime stories are looked at in detail on this tour. Details:
Justice & Police Museum Address
4-8 Phillip St
Sydney 2000
Telephone 02 9252 1144
Price from $20.00
to $25.00
Date Tue 03 May
Alternative dates Tue 17 May
Open 6-8pm
Website: HHT Also
check out Sin
City: crime & corruption in 20th-century Sydney No
city in the world can rival Sydney's tolerance for organised crime - Professor
Alfred W McCoy, 1980. In the second half of the 20th century, Sin City was in
every way a fitting nickname for Sydney. Organised crime held a grip on the city
and corruption was rife, infiltrating the top levels of politics, law and justice.
Focusing on the 1940s to the 1980s, this exhibition will examine some of the audacious
crimes, fascinating people and various vice trades – from suburban SP bookmakers
and sly-grog sellers to narcotics dealers and flashy illegal casinos – that
bankrolled corruption...
Website: HHT Keith
Bulfin; Casino And Business Criminal Tells His Story In Undercover Tell All Book... His
colourful story, described in his autobiographical novel Undercover, reads like
a movie script. Bulfin says while the novel is fiction, it is based on the true
events of his life. The events may sound fantastical, he says, but he can prove
it all actually happened. The story starts in the 1990s, when he was running a
mortgage company, and fell out of favor of the law on a charge of conspiracy to
defraud in the valuations of Lasseters Casino and Dreamworld. “My lawyers
said, ‘You’ve got no chance, they’ll throw the book at you’.
I pleaded guilty and got sent to prison,” he says. Bulfin was stabbed and
beaten several times at Port Phillip Prison, and progressively moved to higher
security sections with tougher criminals at every turn, until he ended up in a
so-called supermax unit. "There are 20 people in the unit, and you’re
under surveillance 24/7. It’s one of the worst units in Australia,"
Bulfin says. Bulfin advised he has a good reason for writing a book about such
a dangerous man, someone who could easily arrange for him to be killed. "I
was sick of psychologists. I thought I’ll write a book, and maybe it’s
therapy," he says. "Also, by writing a book, I’m safer, and now
no-one can threaten me." Bulfin says his book, which was originally intended
to be released as a true story, is going to be made into a movie called The Banker.
Keith Bulfin will be speaking at this year’s Bayside Literary Festival on
May 22 from 1pm–2.30pm. The event will be held at the Brighton Savoy, 150
The Esplanade. Cost is $10, and afternoon tea will be provided. Aussie
Rock Gods INXS Play Moncton Casino On July 7... Australian
rock group INXS is going to perform at Casino New Brunswick's Entertainment Centre
in Moncton in July. The band, performing in support of new album Original Sin,
will start the rock n roller Thursday, July 7 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Over
the span of the band's 30-year career, INXS has sold more than 30 million albums
worldwide. They have scored hits on four different continents and have received
MTV Awards, World Music Awards, two Grammy nominations, British Music Awards and
Gold, Platinum and Diamond sales status on their records. They have also performed
over 4,000 live shows for more than 25 million people in almost 50 countries.
First as the Farriss Brothers, then as INXS, the band is made up of brothers Tim,
Jon and Andrew Farriss, along with Kirk Pengilly and Garry Gary Beers. Original
INXS singer Michael Hutchence died in 1997 via a dark and adventurous sexual method
and has been replaced at various times by different singers, notably J.D. Fortune
who grew up in Nova Scotia. Fortune is fronting the band on stage, but on Original
Sin new versions of classic INXS hits were recorded with various vocalists, including
Train's Pat Monahan, Rob Thomas and Ben Harper. Tickets for the Moncton INXS show
go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. Casino execs think INXS will boost numbers to the
venue and should see more folks trying their luck on casino games. Sounds like
something to check out. Punters,
er readers, stay glued to Media Man for
more "can't miss" news on Australian pokies and gambling wars.
News Asia
Pacific Mega Gambling News Update, by Greg Tingle - 9th April 2011 Newcastle
NSW War Pokie Laws... New
poker machine restrictions proposed by Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie will
"annihilate" pubs and clubs in the Hunter, leaving hundreds out of work,
ClubsNSW Newcastle councillor Jon Chin says. Clubs Australia is launching a $20
million advertising campaign on Monday in an attempt to prevent the introduction
of mandatory pre-commitment technology for all poker machines. Banjo, a John "Singo"
Singleton company is behind the campaign. Mandatory pre-commitment requires pokies
users to commit to a spending limit before they begin gambling. Once they reach
that limit they will be unable to gamble again until the following day or longer,
depending on what restrictions the player sets for themselves. Chin said the cost
of implementing the new technology in the Hunter region would surpass $100 million.
This figure did not include the 40% in revenue clubs would experience once the
restrictions were imposed, he said. "This means Hunter clubs will lose another
$100 million, making it impossible for us to sustain our businesses," he
said. Australian Hotels Association Hunter sub-branch vice-president Bruce Woods
said there was no evidence to suggest the restrictions would discourage people
from gambling. "This won't help pathological gamblers at all but it will
lead to a loss of jobs," he said. "We support the clubs' campaign against
this, it will affect pubs just as much as clubs". Online
Gaming Strong Growth In Asia... Online
gaming industry has grown into a $US3 billion business that provides a good standard
of living to migrant workers in Asia who play games all day and sometimes, all
night! Virtual currency is all the rage, it sometimes gets sold to punters abroad
for cash. A World Bank study demonstrates an emerging industry in which firms
seeking to boost their brands' popularity pay low-skilled workers overseas to
become their Facebook fans or Twitter followers. The study, Knowledge Map of the
Virtual Economy, is the World Bank's first in-depth look at the impact of online
gaming and social media in the developing world. Vili Lehdonvirta, a co-author
of the report, advised that the bank should not pour its money into the industry,
because he said the deal making violated some of the game publishers' terms of
service and was cheating. Known in the business as "gold farming", the
game-playing boomed in the early 2000s with games like World of Warcraft and has
evolved considerably. Labourers in Asia spend numerous hours each day advancing
through levels of an online game, picking up gold, swords and gems that enhance
a game player's status. Then gaming studios, which employ the players, sell those
virtual goods to online retailers. Next step, the retailers sell on those goods
to more than 120 million players globally, many of them in Europe and North America,
who don't want to play the games day and night to gather their own. The bank's
report indicates that online gaming has a positive impact in Asia because 70%
of the industry's revenue remains in the gaming countries, with most of that money
going to the gaming studios. Compared with the $US70 billion coffee market...in
which only a tiny fraction of the revenue remains in the bean-growing countries...the
gaming industry had a "much better development impact", the report states.
A report survey checks out on a group of 26 players and studio managers that offers
a rough, yet rare demographic look at their lives. Most of the players work out
of studios in China, in Beijing or Changsha, capital of Hunan province. They earn
an average wage of $US2.70 an hour, $US1 more than Beijing's minimum wage for
part-time factory work. "The larger point is that online gaming is often
viewed as exploitation, Lehdonvirta said. "Certainly it's not a dream career,
but the players are not at sweatshop levels." The gaming studios keep about
60% of the industry's $US3 billion in revenue. Readers, would you like to be a
prize gather for the gaming studios on that level of pay? Better not answer! Samoan
Casino Proposal Has Social Concerns For Kiwi, Samoan Locals... All
these places have land based casinos - Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, Macau, Melbourne
and just maybe soon - Apia in Samoa. Some business folks have earmarked it as
a future gambling destination, and Kiwi group, the Problem Gambling Foundation
of New Zealand, is advising against it, citing social harms of a casino will outweigh
any economical benefits that the Samoan government will hope to achieve. In an
admission of the dangers of gambling, the proposed casino in Apia will attempt
to bar locals by only allowing the holders of foreign passports to gamble. Problem
#1... many locals have duplicate passports, so getting in to a casino for locals
may not be that hard, and don't even bring up the subject of fake ID. Will the
region get a land based casino? Stay tuned for updates. Clubs
Australia War On Gillard Labor Government Re Pokie Laws... Clubs
Australia has declared "open warfare" on the Gillard government, preparing
a $20 million media campaign to try to stop laws to limit how much punters can
spend on poker machines. Last year "Tasmanian Devil" (MM satire) independent
MP Andrew Wilkie backed Labor to form a minority government in return for a clampdown
on the use of poker machines. Now, the lobby that represents clubs and pubs is
wrestling and punching back, with a media blitz targeting Wilkie and Prime Minister
Julie Gillard. Both Wilkie and Gillard are in big trouble in the popularity polls,
with Labor set to lose the next federal election, following their NSW loss, where
it was bloody and crimson mass. Billboards, a website, beer coasters and more
It's war on nationwide. The campaign has been criticised as misleading for claiming
punters will need a licence to gamble. Clubs Australia executive director Anthony
Ball rejects that. "What we do know is that everyone who plays a poker machine
will need to register and obtain a card, and then insert it into a poker machine
and set a binding limit. There needs to be player tracking, because how else does
the machine know what the player is doing? It will have your private details and
your gambling history on it. Now if that's not a licence, I don't know what is."
Under Wilkie's master plan, gamblers would have to nominate a dollar figure for
how much they are prepared to lose before they start gambling, a scheme known
as "mandatory pre-commitment". Wilkie wants the law in place by 2014
and he has the backing of South Australian independent Senator Nick 'Mr X' (MM
satire) Xenophon. Senator Xenophon describes the Clubs Australia campaign as a
"joke". "This industry is willing to spend $20 million of tax-break
money that they get from community clubs - effectively taxpayers' monies, indirectly
- to peddle lies in terms of a campaign where they haven't even seen what the
final report will say. Whether it's $20 million or $200 million, this mob can
spend as much as they like, but they can't spin that they are causing enormous
damage out in the community. There are 300,000 Australians who either have a severe
gambling problem because of poker machines, or are already showing the signs of
one." Proposed
Pokie Laws With Cost 10,000's of Aussie Jobs... Clubs
Australia advise the changes will cost jobs. They want it to be a voluntary scheme
and have rejected a government request to hold off on the ad war. "It will
cost jobs, for the simple reason that asking Australians to sign on to this licence
to gamble will mean they'll do something else," Mr Ball said. "They'll
go and gamble online where none of these controls exist, or they they'll go to
the TAB - they won't do it at the club.Even the proponent of this, Andrew Wilkie,
is saying that this will cost up to 40% of revenue."
It's all hot fodder
in Aussie Parliament too. Liberal Steve Ciobo sits on the joint committee on gambling
reform, which has been hearing arguments pro and con against a mandatory pre-commitment
scheme. "The committee was charged by the Labor party with the responsibility
to look at a roll-out of pre-commitment," he said. "But Coalition members
will be putting in a dissenting report because the evidence is clear that it's
going to cost jobs, it's going to cost investment, and I'm concerned based on
the evidence that it will make problem gambling potentially worse." The committee
is due to report in the next few weeks. The states and territories have until
the end of May to decide if they will agree to the Wilkie-led reforms. If they
refuse, the Commonwealth believes it has the power to introduce overriding legislation
to impose a national scheme. The pokie industry has shown the willingness to wrestle
all the way to the next election, and perhaps even beyond. It's the lovers VS
the haters. Who will win, and when will the final victor emerge. Stay tuned. Sky
City Entertainment Group Stocks Fall From Sky... Sky
City Entertainment Group, the casino and hotel operator, fell 0.9% to $3.41 amid
media reports that overseas competitors were looking to hire the 500 staff made
redundant or on leave without pay due to the closure of the Christchurch Casino.
SkyCity owns a 50% stake in the business. Casino
Bouncer Thought Disabled Bloke Was Drunk... A
South Australian man with deasiese cerebral palsy says he was refused entry to
the Adelaide Casino because the bouncer thought he was drunk. Mark Thiele was
on a big night out with friends when he attempted to enter the casino, but was
refused by a bouncer aka "gorilla". Thiele says the bouncer mistakenly
thought he was drunk, but the casino is sticking by its decision. "I had
said to the man that I wasn't a drunk, I was crippled," said Thiele, talking
about his rejection on 7.30 South Australia. "He had said to me he was convinced
I was intoxicated even though we said that I had only had a few drinks earlier
on in the evening. "So I can't see why I was singled out and everybody else
in my party wasn't. There was no difference between any of us besides the obvious.
It's a mystery to me really." Last month, he and his friends had walked to
the casino from the city's Hindley Street entertainment strip a few blocks away.
Thiele has trouble moving his body and for him, walking distances is a big effort.
His mate Aaron Nettlebeck says the casino bouncer did not understand. "Walking
that sort of distance does get very, very sweaty over that sort of short period.
It was a bit infuriating that it happened like that after such a nice evening."
Thiele says he has not had a problem at venues until now. "For the vast majority
it's never been a problem. Bouncers that I've come into contact with have been
understanding and even let me skip the line a few times just to put me at ease,"
he said. "Obviously it's a stamina thing that I can't walk these long distances
and stand in lines and all of these things." He says he is considering lodging
a complaint with the commission or under South Australia's liquor laws.The casino's
general manager, David Christian, has offered an apology of sorts. "It was
certainly not our intention that Mark would have felt discriminated against and
I'm sorry that he does feel that way," he said. But he is defending the actions
of his staff. "They believe that they made the right call. I would believe
that with the calibre we have and the training we put into our security officers,
and the level of management that oversees it, that they would be right most of
the time." New
Zealand Christchurch Casino Workers Hurting From Earthquake Financial Aftershocks... Financial
and emotional aftershocks are still be felt by the casino sector after a series
of earthquakes that rocked the Asia Pacific - Japan and New Zealand region. Christchurch
Casino workers are feeling disappointed and even depressed after having failed
attempt to get a bigger redundancy payday.In excess of 500 formally happy and
motivated casino employees were offered redundancy at the central Christchurch
casino last weekend, which was badly damaged in the February 22 quake and has
stayed closed ever since the act of mother nature. Anyone who wants to stay at
the casino will be paid their holiday pay as either a weekly amount or in a "lump
sum". Simply put, they will remain as employees of the land based casino
on leave without pay until the the gambling den opens again. The SFWU (Service
and Food Workers' Union), which reps for 100 plus casino workers, has a meeting
with the casino's managers on Thursday. SFWU strategic industry boss Len 'Razor'
(MM tag) Richards said workers were sombre but firm in their desire about securing
a more attractive redundancy package. The union power that be were also asking
for continued pay for employees that choose to stay on until the casino opens
again. However, he advised management was not prepared to increase the amount
of redundancy pay for staff, but did agree to request for a government wage subsidy.
Due to a private insurance deal and policy in place, the land based casino has
not relied upon the $1.5 million government subsidy available for quake-affected
businesses. Richards stated that the union has contacted earthquake recovery minister
Gerry Brownlee to request assistance to help pay workers who remain employed.
SkyCity, half owner of the famous Christchurch Casino, has projected a $130 million
plus profit this year. It's not known how much financially the quake cost Christchurch
Casino or SkyCity. Christchurch Casino top sheep er top dog...chief executive
Brett 'Ask Him' (MM satire) Anderson said about 70% of employees have indicated
they will stay with the company rather than take the offered redundancy. He said
a number of employees are also being offered jobs offshore. Anderson elaborated
"I'm getting phone calls from Australia looking for our people and likewise
all over New Zealand, and a few of them have spread their wings. More than a few
have gone over to the Gold Coast. It's a lot warmer, it's a lot more stable, you
can swim in the sea, the pay rates are better." Anderson said he still does
not know when the casino will reopen.Employees have a deadline until Monday to
decide whether they will take the redundancy package or stay on. Yep, it's the
money or the box. Workers who have not contacted the company by showdown at 5pm
on Monday will be deemed to have left their jobs and will be paid out a four-weeks-notice
payment, along with their annual leave entitlements. Casino workers, did you get
that. D Day is approaching. A
Media Man spokesperson said "In the current global economy anyone with a
decent job should be grateful, especially in the casino or gaming sector. Well
done to Christchurch Casino management for doing their utmost to assist in their
difficult times. Employers will always want to ask for more... its in the nature.
Land based casinos generally remain popular around the world so good staff will
always be in demand." Media
Man and Gambling911 wish all parties well with their dealings, and hopefully some
win - win - wins will still be possible. States
Probe Sports Betting Ads... Aussie
states are uniting to consider a crackdown on an explosion in advertising of sports
betting, Victoria's Gaming Minister says. Michael O'Brien last night revealed
the betting blitz on sport was being examined by the Council of Australian Governments.
"There is growing concern at the extent to which is becoming inseparable
from the coverage of major sporting events. Kids are being exposed to it constantly
just by watching the footy or cricket," he said.AFL chief executive Andrew
Demetriou said the league had expressed its concerns to stadium managers. Goal
posts, boundary line fences and scoreboards at the MCG and Etihad Stadium have
been plastered with ads from bookmakers. Demetriou said the alarm was raised during
last year's Brownlow Medal telecast. "There seemed to be an enormous amount
of (gambling) advertising after each break," he told press. O'Brien said
the AFL, which enjoys lucrative sponsorship arrangements with gambling giants,
could take responsibility through its media and stadium deals. "It may be
that there's an opportunity for this influence to be exercised to ensure the promotion
of sports betting isn't allowed to detract from family-friendly objectives of
(such) sports," he said. This week, former Demon Daniel Ward revealed in
the the newspapers his battle with gambling. "It's always in your face,"
he said of the ads. "It's like being a drug addict and an advert comes on
saying, 'The first 50 people to ring will get a free bag of marijuana'." Hawkins
Former Ms Univervese Lookalike Kahili Blundell Wins Ralph Swimwear Title At Star... Sin
City Sydney babe Kahili Blundell has snatched the Ralph Australian Swimwear Model
of the Year comp. The Crows Nest bikini super babe bested more than 2000 babes
from all over Australia and Kiwi land to grab the coveted title at Sin Sydney's
Star City Casino on Thurday. "I feel more than special right now, I'm blown
away and so honoured to be given this position," Blundell said. "I was
expecting him to call another number and I stood there thinking 27, is that me?
"It's also my boyfriend's birthday, but I realised it was me and I was shivering."
The 21-year-old Jennifer Hawkins lookalike works as a personal assistant and dabbles
in makeup artistry in her spare time. Blundell says modelling has been tough,
slogging it out for 3 years. "Since November I've been training every week
for this, thinking about it every night," she said. "I've been brought
up to eat very healthy, so I don't have too much trouble doing that, but I definitely
exercise a lot. I've been working very hard so thank god it's all paid off."
The comp saw the 38 finalists strut their stuff in catwalk parades. Sex bikinis
were all the rage. A select group of a bakers dozen were picked, then reigning
champ Emmi Moore handed over her sash and championship title to Blundell. "I've
been doing this for three years now and this is exactly what I've been dreaming
and hoping for," Blundell said. "I'm open to any opportunity and I love
challenges. I've obviously done well in the bikini field, so I might just continue
on this track for a little while." Burlesque babe Sina King from Underbelly
home Melbourne snatched runner-up while second runner-up went to 21-year-old writer
- journo type Tiffany Baker from Fremantle in Western Australia. Australian
Boxer Katsidis To Fight Guerrero In MGM Grand Casino Las Vegas Bloody Sunday... Down
under's Australia's Michael Katsidis and his opponent in Sunday's (AEST) interim
lightweight world-title fight at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Casino, America's Robert
"The Ghost" Guerrero, also have powerful stories. Guerrero's world was
crushed big time circa 2007 when his wife, Casey, was diagnosed with leukemia.
The Californian gave up boxing, giving up his world-title, so he could be by Casey's
side and stay close to their young children as she underwent a bone-marrow transplant.
Things are now looking up for Guerrero. "Casey has been cancer free for almost
a year now," 28-year-old Guerrero, the number one ranked lightweight in the
world and a former featherweight and super featherweight champion, said. Last
year Katsidis' was having a dream run. The likable 30-year-old blokefrom Toowoomba
celebrated his first wedding anniversary with wife Kumiko. He loved being a dad
to their one-year-old daughter Kalia and was preparing for the biggest bout of
his career, a world-title fight in Las Vegas against Mexican legend Juan Manuel
Marquez. Things quickly went downhill when five weeks before the Marquez fight
he learned his 31-year-old brother, champion Australian jockey (horse racing)
Stathi Katsidis, had passed away. Just days later Katsidis' longtime trainer,
Brendon Smith, received two more bad news calls. Smith's nephew got paralysed
from the chest down in an accident and one of the trainer's former boxers passed
away. "We got it all within three weeks and just before the Marquez fight,"
Smith said. Katsidis and Smith made the call to keep training at their Thai boxing
camp and take on Marquez at the MGM Grand Casino, a match that would be voted
the Fight of the Year after Katsidis floored Marquez to the mat in the third round.
Marquez guts and balls by getting up and pounding Katsidis so badly ref Kenny
Bayless ended the match in the ninth round, giving Marquez a ninth round technical
knockout victory. On the eve of the Guerrero fight, Katsidis and Smith, who kept
quite before the Marquez bout, finally opened up about their personal tragedies.
Katsidis did not sleep two days before the Marquez fight. "He was emotionally
spent before he got in the ring and to do what he did under the circumstances
was incredible," Smith said. "I believe if something doesn't kill you
it only makes you stronger," Katsidis said. Guerrero has 22 knockouts in
his 27 professional victories. "This is truly a fight for boxing fans,"
Guerrero, who has a 28 win (18 KO), one loss professional record, said. "You
are going to see two guys go at it and give it their all." The winner of
the match will be named the interim World Boxing Association and World Boxing
Organisation lightweight champions. Promoter 'Golden Boy' Oscar De La Hoya has
named the MGM card "Action Heroes", with another Mexican legend, Erik
Morales, fighting Argentina's exciting welterweight contender Marcos Maidana and
in another welterweight battle, Brooklyn's Paulie Malignaggi VS Jose Miguel Cotto.
The matches will be broadcast live in Australia on Sunday from 11am AEST by Main
Event pay-per-view. "For a boxing card, sounds like it will be value for
money for a bit of a change", said a Media Man insider. News Crown
Casino Teams Up With NRL's Melbourne Storm... Melbourne
are expecting a cyclone size backlash as the latest National
Rugby League club to link with a gambling establishment after confirming Crown
Casino as their new major sponsor. In a massive deal snatcher for a club which
last year was disgraced after being stripped of all points and two premierships
during the salary cap scandal, the Storm unveiled Crown as their front jersey
sponsor on Friday. Melbourne chief executive Ron Gauci agreed there would be criticism
of the club's link with gambling. However he defended the arrangement and said
Crown offered a home for Storm supporters, which the club had not had since it
joined the competition in 1998. All Storm after-match and mid-season functions
for members will be held at Crown. The casino believes the sponsorship will boost
their exposure interstate. "I think you'll have those that wish to comment
but I think we need to emphasise what it is that we wanted out of the relationship
and that is a home for our supporter base," Gauci said. "If you think
about what Crown has to offer as an entertainment complex ... this is a great
place to consolidate those activities." The Storm lost major sponsors Host
Plus and ME Bank in the wake of last season's scandal. Gauci said the new sponsorship
delivered a message of confidence in the Storm ahead of the 2011 season. "I
think it does deliver us a substantial message to the marketplace, and for the
club it's very important to have an organisation as big a Melbourne icon as Crown
is to support the club. It delivers a magnificent message about the confidence
the corporate world has in Melbourne Storm and our future direction." The
Storm joined South
Sydney as the second NRL club to have a gambling establishment as their major
sponsor, while Penrith have renamed their home ground Centrebet Stadium and Manly
will also have the Centrebet logo on the back of their jumper. Yes, NRL ramped
up links to gambling are all the rage. A rumour has started that igaming kings
PartyGaming
want into Australia and would accept an NRL jersey, shorts or even stadium deal.
The firm is known for its well known and respected PartyCasino,
PartyPoker and World
Poker Tour brands, which have a strong following in Australia, other parts
of the Asia Pacific, such as New Zealand. Party is also looking to ramp up sports
betting services in the Asia Pacific region. Melbourne's announcement also comes
in the same week as Ryan Tandy, who left the Storm midway through last season
to join Canterbury, was arrested and charged as a result of an ongoing police
investigation into "irregular betting" on a match between the Canterbury
Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys last August. Dennis Watt, rugby league general
manager with News Limited, who own the Storm, defended the arrangement between
a gambling establishment and a sport sold as a family game. "I can speak
for Crown as an integrated entertainment, retail complex. It is very much reflective
of the heart and soul of Melbourne and it's a great relationship for us to have
and I don't see a conflict for the relationship the Storm have sought here."
He echoed the views recently expressed by NRL chief executive David Gallop that
the association between sport and gambling "is as old as sport itself".
"Gambling's a part of the Australian way of life, part of our character and
our history," he said. "We advocate moderation, we know that problem
gambling affects less than half a per cent of the population. "You've got
two million problem drinkers, four million smokers, over nine million Australians
suffering levels of obesity which are also big social issues." A
Media Man spokesperson said "The
Crown Casino - Melbourne Storm sponsorship deal looks to be a match made in heaven.
Crown has world class facilities and entertainment is the name of the game. Entertainment
takes many forms, be it football, burlesque, television, rock bands or slot machines
aka one armed bandits. Crown Casino can do it all. Already this deal has generated
national and international headlines, and yes, we are helping spread the word
to our friends in the U.S and Canada. Gambling911, CAP, GWPA and Poker News Daily
are just a few outlets that we expect to run the story. It's balanced and positive
coverage all the way, instead of the agenda driven gaming hater stuff you read
from time to time. Chalk up more browny points for Crown's James Packer and his
world class team at Crown, and good on the NRL and The Storm for seeing the golden
opportunity and moving it into high gear. I never thought I would say this again
after last season's scandals, but Go The Storm!" Australian
Betting Limited 'Bullet Proof' NOT! Says Maker Aristocrat... A
card-based system forcing pokie players to set betting limits isn't a "bullet
proof" solution to problem gambling, poker machine maker Aristocrat Leisure
Ltd says. Aristocrat, representing over 60% of the Australian pokies market, is
instead proposing a machine-based system that lets gamblers set time and/or betting
limits. But the proposal was met with some opposition when Aristocrat executives
appeared before a joint federal parliamentary committee hearing in Sydney on Friday.
The committee is investigating the idea of a pre-commitment scheme using smart
card or other technology to force pokie players to set limits on their gambling.
It follows a controversial commitment from Prime Minister Julia Gillard to Tasmanian
"independent" (so to speak - has seen to be bias and preduduce against
those liking a punt) MP Andrew Wilkie to introduce such a scheme across the country
in return for his support of her Labor government. "As a company, we acknowledge
that there is a problem out there," Aristocrat general manager of corporate
affairs Kristene Reynolds told the hearing. "For us, coming here today is
to come to the table and be part of that solution." The company's managing
director in Australia and New Zealand, Trevor Croker, said card-based systems,
which have been used in other countries, can be manipulated by problem gamblers.
"It is not a bullet proof solution. People do swap cards and have been able
to use multiple cards," he said. "I think finding the complete solution
is going to be a very difficult outcome. "It should not be something we don't
aspire to, but it will be very difficult, from what we see in those (other) markets."
Aristocrat will soon trial a new slot machine that features opt-in pre-commitments,
allowing users the option to set themselves spending or time limits. These machines
could be ready for mass production from the end of 2012, and phased in as part
of the normal machine replacement cycle, Croker said. But with the average cost
of a pokie at $25,000, Labor MP Stephen Jones questioned the Aristocrat executives
on the cost effectiveness of such a solution. "It would be good for Aristocrat,
I can see that. But it's a very expensive solution to the problem, isn't it?",
he asked. Aristocrat general manager of design and development Justin Brown said
smaller venues could be given longer to replace their machines, while newer models
may only require a software upgrade, at a cost of about $3,000. Mr Wilkie, the
committee's chairman, also questioned the motives of Aristocrat's proposal. "I
can't help feeling an element of commercial self interest in your advice to the
committee here," he said. Further questioning resulted in the Aristocrat
executives conceding their machine-based proposal would not prevent problem gamblers
from simply switching machines or venues once they had reached a pre-committed
loss or time limit. The hearings continue in Canberra and Hobart later this month.
In Australia the machines are often known as pokies or poker machines, in the
U.S - slots, and much of Europe - Fruit Machines or Fruities! Queensland's
Sunshine Coast A Big Winner For Lottery Sector; Punters To Win Homes Via BoysTown
Gambling... It's
steal from the rich to give to the poor! Ok, not exactly, but read on and you
will get the drift soon enough. The Sunshine Coast has long been regarded as a
prize location by local residents, but now a range of national and state lottery
organisations are taking notice. BoysTown Lotteries recently unveiled a million-dollar
home in Buderim as its latest prize home offering. Located at 22 Orme Rd, the
home is part of a prize package worth more than $1.5 million. It is arguably one
of Buderim’s most beautiful homes, according to BoysTown’s general manager
fundraising Keith Coventry. "Our previous lottery prize home was in Nerang
(Gold Coast) and the one before that was in Rainbow Bay (Coolangatta). Now we
find ourselves in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast. When deciding on a prize home,
we look at the property itself and then the desirability of the location and the
features of the area," Coventry said. "I think the thing about Buderim
is that you are close to the beach, but you also have those great views over the
ocean and the coastline. I guess you get the best of both worlds. "The Buderim
home has been particularly popular and the retail sales have been very strong."
Yet another contender in the Coast’s prize pool is a home in Mount Coolum,
raising funds for the Mater Foundation as part of the Mater Prize Home Lottery.
Also sporting a million-dollar price tag, the home is located at 47 Boardwalk
Blvd in Coolum’s Boardwalk Estate. Twin Waters is the site of Surf Life Saving
Lottery’s prize home, which is valued at more than $750,000. The three-bedroom
home at Lot 4 Ameen Cct comes with $41,832 in furniture and electrical, along
with 12 months paid council rates. Coventry said funds raised from the BoysTown
lottery would assist the Kids Helpline service, which was in particular demand
since the recent floods. "Kids Helpline is certainly taking a lot more calls
from kids who are worried about the impacts of the floods, or who have been affected
by the floods. A lot of people are seeking assistance with the mental health aspects
of this natural disaster, so I think that is certainly going to be the focus of
much of our fundraising over the coming months." The money raised from Mater
lotteries help funds medical research teams and the purchase of life-saving medical
equipment, as well as supporting patients and families. Surf Life Saving lotteries
assist Surf Life Saving clubs around the country. Aussies, feeling lucky. Go on,
give them a go, and you know the money is going to a good place, if you don't
happen to win. Mind you, feel welcome to check out the slots, poker, bingo and
other casino games showcased on the portal also. BoysTown Lottery will set you
back a bit, while at Media Man partners like PartyGaming, many games can be played
for free or for money. The choice if yours. Hours of entertainment for young and
old - just kidding, check legalities but most counties insist you are at least
18 years old to gamble, and that includes from lottery to poker to slots, ok crew! Clubs
Australia VS Productivity Watchdog: Dog Fight; Bark Worse Than Bite?... Clubs
Australia will today accuse the nation's productivity watchdog of making a mathematical
error in its claim that problem gamblers are responsible for 40% of poker machine
revenue. Media Man spokespersons and investigators have been disputing the "problem
gambling" numbers for almost 2 years! The figure of 40% is being used by
anti-gambling politicians aka "gaming haters" to try to justify new
limits on gambling the Gillard government has pledged to introduce to maintain
the support of independent MP Andrew Wilkie in the hung parliament. Clubs Australia
is fighting a mandatory precommitment scheme that would force pokies players to
set a limit on how much they intend to spend before they start gambling. It claims
the scheme will cost clubs and pubs $2.5 billion nationally and cost thousands
of jobs if it turns off casual gamblers from having a punt, throwing a couple
of bucks down the throat of an "one armed bandit", whilst often sinking
a cold Aussie beer at the same time (not that we endorse it). Beer can change
ones thinking, but you likely knew that already Jack! Politicians backing the
reform have seized on a claim in the Productivity Commission report that problem
gamblers contribute 40% of pokie revenue to justify the crackdown. Clubs Australia
president Anthony 'On The Ball' Ball will tell a parliamentary inquiry in Sydney
today the figure is "highly contentious" and "inaccurate".
In his opening address to the inquiry he will say that the Productivity Commission
claims there are 95,000 problem gamblers who play the pokies and spend on average
$21,000 each year on the machines. When multiplied together, this comes to a total
of $1.995bn, and this figure represents just 16.8% of the $11.9bn total expenditure
on poker machines. "These are not our numbers. These are the figures from
the commission," Ball will say. "Therefore the vast majority of gambling
revenue comes from recreational gamblers." The Productivity Commission used
a range of different methods to calculate the amount spent by problem gamblers
and found both problem and recreational gamblers underestimated how much they
spent on gambling each year. The 40 per cent figure was not derived from multiplying
the number of problem gamblers by the amount they said they spent each year but
was derived from a range of surveys that looked at what gamblers actually spent.
Clubs Australia will tell the parliamentary committee the proposed mandatory precommitment
scheme is a "massive infringement of people's individual rights". "There's
a vast difference between making the pre-commitment available to any player who
wants to use it, and forcing anybody who wants to play a gaming machine to register,
obtain a device and provide personal details or fingerprints in order to be able
to play," Mr Ball plans to tell the inquiry. Australian
Gambling Enquiry: Traditional Gamblers Heading Online For Slots, Poker, Roulette
Et Al; Problem Gamblers VS Problem Child Government Policy?... Using
hi-tech to force pokies players to set betting limits would drive gambling addicts
online in the masses and divert resources away from helping problem punters, a
Senate inquiry has heard. The inquiry, chaired by Tasmanian federal independent
MP Andrew Wilkie, is investigating the concept of a pre-commitment scheme using
smart card or other technology to force all pokies players to set limits on their
gambling. Clubs Australia, the peak body for registered clubs in the nation, on
Friday told the joint parliamentary committee inquiring into the issue it had
reservations about the proposal in its current form. Clubs Australia executive
director Anthony Ball said more research was needed on how effective it would
be. "There is very little good research out there about whether this proposal
or any others are going to work," he told the inquiry in Sydney. "There
are a multitude of gambling opportunities. The strategy must not be to drive (problem
gamblers) online ... The strategy must be to find these people, get them the right
treatment and turn their lives around." He said state regulations on gambling
were sufficient and that a 'one-size-fits-all' policy should not be applied across
all states. Clubs Australia president Peter Newell said the three main issues
regarding the scheme were cost, whether it would reduce problem gambling and the
consequences of implementing it. He said the system failed to work in Norway,
and instead drove problem gamblers to the internet. Five million Australians would
play the pokies in any given 12-month period and the system would only drive away
recreational players, who represented the "vast majority" of gambling
revenue, he said. "As a recreational gambler myself, I am disturbed that
there are people who think I need assistance in determining how I spend my money,"
he said. "Mandatory pre-commitment fails to provide what problem gamblers
need most and that is treatment, and in doing so, diverts attention and resources
away from treatment. Problem gamblers will still gamble in the mandatory pre-commitment
system. They are addicted. But recreational gamblers will walk away from pokie
machines." Newell said the system would be expensive and difficult to implement
across 197,000 machines nationwide, taking years and billions of dollars to do
- forcing clubs to close and costing thousands of jobs - with no indication as
to how effective it will be. It's man VS machine; The People VS The Government,
and The Government VS The Gaming Industry. News media and website portals just
keep lapping up the action resulting in a readership jackpot bonanza.
The Shane Warne Show At Aussie
Millions 2011, by Greg Tingle - 27th January 2011
G'day
everyone. How as your Australia Day maties? The casino, gaming and sports betting
news keeps coming thick and fast. Media Man
http://www.mediamanint.com and Gambling911
with the latest and greatest from the land down under... Melbourne:
Shane Warne Shows Again At Aussie Millions... Warnie
wore his poker face on Australia Day as he battled some of the world's best poker
champs at the Aussie Millions Main Event at James Packers' Crown Casino. The spinner
king played among the likes of former boxer and mate Jeff Fenech, fashion designer
from Playboy fame, Christopher Chronis and Australian poker champ Joe Hachem.
Warne and Hachem are the official poker faces of Crown Limited and both enjoy
good relationships with Asia Pacific's gambling and media tycoon, James Packer
aka 'Our James'. Australian
Pubs, Pokie Palaces Feel Financial Pressure, Pokie Takings May Not Save Them... We're
learned that 2 high-profile pub casualties, listed freehold owner Redcape Properties
and venue operator National Leisure & Gaming (NLG) collectively owe about
$860 million to their bank lenders. A senior banker told the press that pub loans
totalling "several billion dollars" were spread across the bigger lenders,
with the absence of pub buyers leaving few options but to extend debt repayments.
Last month the Bank of New Zealand Australia, the business division of NAB, extended
about $150m in NLG loans due at the end of July until January 2012. However, banks
continue to lend on pub freeholds, albeit at reduced loan-to-valuation ratios
of 50-60%. Few are lending on leaseholds. The harder line has fuelled fears of
a further half a % softening in yields in 2011. "If a bank is only willing
to lend 50% for a $20m acquisition, that limits the number of buyers able to stump
up a lazy $10m," the senior industry figure said. While pub markets across
Australia are under pressure, New South Wales...where there has been about 35
receiverships since 2008 - has suffered most. The latest to go into receivership
is Icon Hospitality - the largest tenant of the troubled listed ING Entertainment
Fund. The least affected state is Victoria, where poker machine baron Bruce Mathieson
and Woolworths dominate the pub scene through their Australian Leisure & Hospitality
Group partnership. Likewise, the ALE pub freehold group has the majority of its
properties in Melbourne and Queensland, making it another standout in the listed
pub space. Many Australian leading business people say that the clubs need to
improve entertainment, beyond just offering entertaining "one armed bandits".
Also, good food for the right price may help save the skin of some Aussie pubs,
clubs and hotels. No wonder the club sector is pissed off with 'Mr X', pitching
proposals which will further reduce revenue streams. Aren't you glad you don't
own a pub! Victorian
Government Targets Real Life Underbelly In And Around Horse Racing Scene... The
Victorian Government has authorised the state's racing officials to access information
from more crime-fighting bodies, as part of a crackdown on shady characters. The
Racing Integrity Commissioner, Sal Perna, can now trade data with the Australian
Crime Commission, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, Centrelink
and the Victorian Ombudsman. He was already authorised to view the files of Victoria
Police and the state's gambling regulator. The Racing Minister, Denis Napthine,
says crime is not welcome at the racetrack. "In racing there are millions
of dollars involved on a daily and yearly basis, and this can sometimes attract
people of ill repute," he said. "And the Racing Integrity Commissioner
needs to have access to information with other agencies so that he can investigate
any suggestions of impropriety." Victoria Police was recently criticised
for entering into an information sharing agreement with the Australian Football
League. Dr Napthine says the AFL is a private body, and the same concerns do not
apply. "The Racing Integrity Commissioner is a state public-sector employee,
and he is responsible for protecting the integrity of racing in the state of Victoria,
and that is why he has access to this information,' he said. "He is fully
aware of the issues in terms of protecting privacy." Mr Perna is a former
policeman, corporate security expert, architect of Tennis Australia's Anti-Corruption
Program and also helped develop the AFL's integrity program. Australian
Man With Cancer - Leukaemia Stole Millions To Feed Gambling Habit... A
man with terminal leukaemia has been sentenced to jail for stealing millions of
dollars from a law firm trust account. William Brenton Willoughby, 65, admitted
stealing more than $2 million to buy and train racehorses and gamble. Adelaide
District Court Judge Paul Rice said Willoughby abused his position as a loyal
and trusted employee of the Magarey Farlam law firm and his behaviour was morally
reprehensible. The judge said the man would serve his time harder than others
because of his leukaemia and diabetes. Willoughby has been jailed for 9 years
with a five-year non-parole term. Rumour had it that some inmates go get to play
cards in jail, with decks of cards sometimes being smuggled in we're told. It's
unknown exactly how any wagers are paid in the can, but we suspect with vice like
beer, cigs or even mobile phones which are known to be smuggled in from time to
time. Alice
Springs, Northern Territory: Alice Springs Memorial Club: Real Life Underbelly
Crime Spree... The
manager of the Alice Springs Memorial Club says crime is out of control in the
town. Andrea Sullivan said the club was broken into around one o'clock in the
morning and alcohol was stolen. She said while police were taking a statement
from her, the alleged offenders returned and the police chased them and arrested
them. Ms Sullivan said repeated break-ins have cost the club more than $20,000
over the last couple of months. "I really think that it's as simple as this
- you do the crime, you do the time" Ms Sullivan said. "The justice
system has to be a lot harsher on these people especially these repeat offenders.
"They're coming in over and over and over again and I can tell you the town's
people are getting very tired and sick of it." Police have been kept busy
over the last two days with break-ins at two other licenced premises. Police said
all of the alleged offenders have been arrested and charged. The offers decent
opportunities to have a punt. TAB, Keno, Bingo and Slots we understand. From their
website we learn... TAB - We have the perfect setting for the eager punter, with
an up to date top tipping service supplied by Bet-Busters and screening Sky Channel,
Austar and Foxtel Sports. The TAB has it’s own separate area away from the
hustle and bustle of the rest of the Club. Fully operational seven days a week
with a fully equipped bar and ATM facilities available. KENO - We have a fully
operational Keno Terminal and several screens to view the Keno situated throughout
the Club. BINGO - Bingo sessions are held privately in our hall separated from
the main Club area. Guests are welcome to try their luck at winning cash jackpots.
Monday eyes down at 7:30 pm Sunday eyes down at 1:30 pm. Gaming - All the gaming
functions are incorporated in one area of the club and include 45 Gaming Machines;
Keno; TAB; Eight Ball & Darts rooms The gaming area reflects a casual and
inviting ambiance with a modern and bold decor. In addition to the integrated
gaming area is a further convenience of an outdoor smoking area that is central
to all. The outdoor smoking area is a tastefully designed including a tiled floor
and shaded area. Situated just off from the Main Bar you can enjoy a drink and
a flutter on one of our 45 gaming machines. We have a 13 machine Aristocrat “Fast
Lane” Hyperlink Jackpot system, 8 machine TAB “Rocket to Riches”
linked Jackpot system, 7 machine IGT “Jetsetter” linked Jackpot system
and an excellent variety of stand alone machines. The Club has a policy of responsible
gaming and children under the age of 18 are not permitted in this room. The Gaming
Room opens from 11am till late Monday to Saturday and 12pm - 9pm Sunday. We open
on all public holidays except Easter Friday and Christmas Day. Members promotions
are run in conjunction with the Pokies, TAB & Keno. Our Members promotions
are held every fortnight and we change the prizes every three months. Our Members
Promotions have proved very popular with prizes ranging from: Win Your Weight
in Gold White Goods worth up to $10,000 Cars Huge Cash Give-aways. To collect
tickets simply spend $20 on Poker Machine change, TAB, Keno, in the Bottle Shop
or buy a main meal in the Bistro. All draws take place between 7pm & 9pm.
To be eligible to win you must be a current Financial Member and present at the
draws. *Committee Members, Staff and Family of both (including boyfriends, girlfriends,
de-facto's etc) not eligible to win. Queensland
Banana Bender State: Pub Pokies And Online Pokies Becoming More Popular?... One
armed bandits are maintaining their popularity in 'The Sunshine State'. It's understand
that punters might have only a 1 in a million chance of winning really big, lotto
- millionaire style, but they just keep coming back for more. Yep, throw another
dime in the pokie baby. Queenslanders "invested" close to $2 billion
last year as the punters passion for the slots maintained its fever pace. The
total pokies expenditure of $1.81 billion was slightly down on the previous year,
it was the third year consecutively the number exceeded $1.8 billion. We're also
learned that the 2008 figure of $1.83 billion was an all-time record. Now, this
is important - those numbers Do Not take into account the rabid take up and roll
our of online poker or sports betting. You know, betting over the global medium
- the internet. Overall, Queenslanders spent $7 million less on pokies than last
year and $28 million less than in 2008, but it still works out at in excess of
$150 million every month down the slots August was the year's biggest month for
slot gamblers, who put close to $170 million in the throats of the one armed bandits.
August was also the biggest month for gamblers in 2008, with more than $173 million
lost. Pokies remain by far the most popular games for punters in Australia, bringing
in most of the estimated $17 billion spent on all forms of gambling down under
each year. Some insiders think that the reduction in official spending was more
a sign of the increased popularity of internet and sports-based gambling. Concentrating
on pokie figures, it appears Queenslanders gambled more at the height of the global
financial crisis two years ago than they did throughout 2010. Quotes
From Nick Xenophon; Gambling And Sports Betting Hater On South's Rabbitoh's Casino
Deal... "The
Rabbitohs players are role models for young kids and being tethered to Star City,
to NSW’s biggest gambling venue, is really sending the wrong signal" "It
normalises gambling behaviour for young kids." "Why
would the Rabbitohs want to tie their reputation to a business that causes so
much misery to so many?" "It’s
a very sad development given that South Sydney was a beacon of hope for those
clubs wanting to ween themselves off a reliance on gambling revenue" "This
is only one short step removed from that so there must be better ways to raise
a quid rather than off the backs of problem gamblers." "In
the same way that you can’t have tobacco companies sponsoring sporting clubs,
the same rule should apply to gambling because the level of harm is so significant" A
Media Man spokesperson said, "The you go Senator Xenophon. Happy. We still
give you coverage even if you don't return our phone calls. Many clubs say you
are out of touch with real Australians and what the typical bloke is all about.
Punting has been a way of life with Aussies and sports lovers the world over since
almost the beginning of time going back to the Roman coliseum and beyond. Deal
with it. NRL
- Gambling News: Luxbet Joins Rabbitohs As Senior Corporate Partner... The
South Sydney Rabbitohs have announced that Luxbet have joined the Club as a senior
corporate partner today, adding to the best-in-class brands associated with the
Club leading into the 2011 NRL season. Luxbet is a racing and sports corporate
bookmaking operation, owned and managed by Tabcorp Holdings. Rabbitohs CEO Shane
Richardson is pleased to welcome Luxbet on board with the Rabbitohs. "Luxbet
is recognised as a market leader in racing and sports betting and we’re pleased
to welcome them aboard for 2011. We have many well-renowned and respected companies
and brands associated with our Club at the major and senior corporate partnership
level and Luxbet is another that we welcome to our family." General Manager
of Luxbet, Andrew Vouris, says aligning with the Rabbitohs is a good move for
their organisation. "Luxbet’s sponsorship of South Sydney presents us
with a tremendous opportunity to align with a club that is on the verge of an
extremely exciting period," Mr Vouris said. "We have been particularly
impressed with South Sydney’s vision for its future and we believe the sponsorship
will deliver significant benefits to both parties." Top
Aussie Gambling Companies Respond To Flood Cry For Help... Woolworths:
$6.9 million (matching customer donations in Woolies, Big W, Dick Smith dollar
for dollar) Crown
Limited: Donation tins in Crown complexes and have committed to matching all donations
as well as staff contributions Tabcorp
Holdings: $1 million Tatts
Group: Going to run a dedicated lottery for the Queensland flood appeal where
all profits will go to the Premier's Flood Appeal. They ran the same thing in
Victoria after the Black Saturday bushfires. It will run on Wednesday 2 Feb in
Queensland and is expected to raise $200,000. In addition, another donation will
be made from the unclaimed prizes fund of an as. yet undecided amount Shane
Warnie Continues To Set Story Straight About 14 Mates And Self Attending Tennis
Open... Andy
Roddick asked me in his box," Warne tweeted. "Said - yes ..." "How
does that turn into wanting 14 tickets, VIP treatment and escorts to seats." Warne's
pissed response to the Herald story, which was sourced to two tournament officials,
came as he prepared for the second round of the Aussie Millions Poker Tournament
at Crown casino. He attended the Open with poker former champ Joe Hachem. James
Packer Gets Council Approval To Develop Compound At Vaucluse; Full Speed Ahead... Media
and gaming tycoon James Packer has received council approval to redevelop a 3369
square metre sloping site in Sydney’s ritzy eastern suburb of Vaucluse. Packer
with wife Erica has acquired three adjoining homes between Wentworth and Victoria
roads. The largest home – a 1970s, unrenovated Guildford Bell designed mansion
will be retained (view from pool, right). Packer, through company Monac Developments
Pty Ltd, paid $18 million for this home in mid 2009. Last year, the businessman
spent another $12.05 million acquiring two smaller homes on blocks beneath the
prominent large home. These have both been demolished, allowing the land to be
consolidated. The Packer’s plan to replace the demolished homes with a 13-car
garage, 23 metre pool, underground cinema, gym and staff quarters. A 2.4 metre
high metal security gate will be developed behind two 1.7 metre metal vehicle
entry gates. It’s speculated the renovation will cost about $13 million.
Construction is underway. We can't wait to see the finished product. IMF
Getting Reputation For Class Action Legal Funding Inc Gambling Down Under... Class
action law firms say while the size of the claims may be bigger, there is no big
jump in the number of cases. Blake Dawson partner John Emmerig says class actions
are increasing. "The High Court in 2006 changed a law to allow litigation
funders to fund these actions and there's a huge financial motivation for funders
in doing so because they take generally between 20 to 45% of a settlement or judgment
from these claims," he said. Litigation funder IMF Australia is well-known
for funding some of Australia's biggest class actions such as the $145 million
payout to investors from poker machine maker Aristocrat Leisure. IMF has around
10 class actions on the go. Aussie
SP Bookmaking Legend Passes Away... Bruce
Johnstone who gained fame and notoriety as one of Melbourne's best-known SP bookmakers
and two-up operators as well as playing a leading role in transforming the face
of basketball in Australia, has died of a blood disorder in palliative care at
Yarrawonga. He was 87. Johnstone left home near Mortlake as a 15-year-old with
just a swag and £5 sewn into the lining of his coat by his mother, and went
on to afford a regular table at the renowned Flower Drum restaurant on Sunday
evenings. Johnstone's SP bookmaking was the stuff of legend and not for nothing
was he widely known as "Bruce the Bookie". But the undertaking led to
problems with the police. One particular raid caused him much grief after his
cockatoo fell asleep and failed to warn of the onrushing police who started battering
down the door as Johnstone scrambled to collect money strewn around the room.
As the plainclothes raiders were about to burst through, he cagily shouted, "Call
the police, call the police, robbers are here". He is survived by his wife
Emma, daughter Kay, sons Gary, Robert and Max, their partners and 75 grand and
great-grandchildren. RIP. Aristocrat
Leisure Misses Aussie Government Dealine On Pokies Reform; What Next?... Australian-listed
pokies manufacturer, Aristocrat Leisure, will not meet the deadline for reforms
of the gaming industry. The reforms were demanded by independent MP Andrew Wilkie,
whose support for the minority Federal Government was conditional on the introduction
of betting limits for gamblers. Aristocrat Leisure stated on 26 January 2011 that
the new system would not be ready by 2012 as planned by the Government. Star
City (Sydney) VS Crown Casino (Melbourne); War For Entertaining Talent And Gambling
Dollar... Star
City Casino: Chinese New Year - The Year Of The Rabbit... 2
- 17 February Celebrate
Chinese New Year at Star City as we bring in the Year of the Rabbit with a whole
calendar of exciting festivities and events. Start with a bang on New Year's Eve
with Chinese crackers in the Porte Cochere then enjoy dragon and lion dancing,
roving Chinese entertainers, a delicious banquet in Lotus Pond and lots more! Star's
New Baccarat Room... The
new Baccarat room is the latest area to open as part of Star City’s extensive
refurbishment. Star City has launched a luxurious new room in order to provide
a better experience for the large number of customers that enjoy the game of Baccarat.
Situated on the Main Gaming Floor, the new room is appointed with a dedicated
buy-in desk and 18 custom made tables and chairs for your ultimate comfort. What’s
more, when the urge arises to dine, the new Baccarat room is conveniently located
next to Star City’s new restaurant, Fat Noodle. Join the communal dining
tables and relax in the warm surroundings whilst experiencing the fast paced service
and culinary theatre from the open kitchen. The opulent surroundings of the new
Baccarat room will ensure you experience the thrill of the game on a whole new
level! Come and see it for yourself today. Opens 24 hours, everyday. Crown
Casino, Melbourne: More Great Entertainment Coming Up... Burlesque
Royale... Starring
for the first time in Australia, UK burlesque sensation Immodesty Blaize, Burlesque
Royale is a never before seen spectacular of old fashioned showgirl glamour. Featuring
for the first time in Australia, International stars Kalani Kokonuts (US), Michelle
L'amour (US), and Perle Noire (US). Also performing are Australian artists Danica
Lee, Holly J'aDoll, Kelly Ann Doll, and Lauren La Rouge with a special performance
by Mada Vs Vegas - The Duelling Magicians. Hosted by the enigmatic Supergirly,
Burlesque Royale is set to take its audience on a wild ride with tongues set firmly
in cheek. VIP tickets will include a complimentary drink, gift bag and access
to the after party. DATE Friday
28 January, 2011 Dragon... In
a special 3 part concert presented by BBC 2011, DRAGON play 20 of the best songs
of the 60's British pop Invasion by 20 great British bands. The show begins with
DRAGON playing acoustic guitars, mandolin & melodica. They will perform a
capella and acoustic versions of such great songs as Thunderclap Newman's SOMETHING
IN THE AIR, Cat Stevens' MATTHEW AND SON, a rousing acoustic version of The Troggs
GIRL LIKE YOU by way of The Beatles YESTERDAY and more. After a short intermission
the band will be back in electric mode tearing into the Stones GET OFF MY CLOUD
followed by The Beatles TICKET TO RIDE. This electric set of great British songs
gets crowd singing and dancing along. Songs such as WHITE ROOM, IT'S NOT UNUSUAL
and WATERLOO SUNSET and ITCHYCOO PARK all get the Dragon treatment and a new burst
of life in 2010. These are the 20 favourite songs that the guys in Dragon played
when they first took up their instruments. They are timeless songs and the band
loves playing them. The DRAGON versions are fresh and affectionate and have an
energy that references the way these songs turned the music world upside down
in the 60's. In the encore Dragon will play 6 of their timeless hits including
APRIL SUN, CELEBRATE, RAIN and ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH. DATE Friday
25 March, 2011 Cliff
& Dusty... Three
great International artists, one unique concert experience, featuring all the
hits of two music icons once described as the King & Queen of British rock
but who, amazingly, never appeared on stage together. That was until now as Australian
music legend Marty Rhone and the stunning Sheena Crouch make it possible to imagine
what the experience might have been like. Audiences will hear all the great Cliff
& Dusty classics that brought over 200 million record sales and 50 hits such
as The Young Ones, Summer Holiday, Devil Woman, We Don't Talk Anymore, Dreamin',
I Only Want to be With You, Son of a Preacher Man, You Don't Have to Say You Love
Me and many more. Plus, direct from the UK, special guest, Sir Cliff Richard protégé
Barratt Waugh, whom Cliff has described as one of the most exciting and unique
talents he has come across in his 50 years in the business. We are delighted to
introduce Barratt Waugh to Australian audiences. Don't miss the concert experience
of the year. DATE Saturday
18 June, 2011 Getting
board of reading yet? If so, try your luck er skill at Baccarat or Craps. If your
more into luck, check out the slots like Cleopatra, Sinatra, Rambo, Goanna Gold
and The Terminator. Rumour goes PartyGaming also have, or will soon get, a World
Poker Tour themed online slot game. We recommend punters open an account with
PartyCasino, PartyGaming and World Poker Tour, just to have all based covered.
Party appears to still be the most popular online casino brand in Australia despite
big efforts by the likes of 888. Marvel slot games are forecast to be some of
the most popular of this year with Captain America and Thor tipped to hit Australia
cinema's this year, with Spider-Man also getting a remake. Whatever your casino
game of choice, good luck, and let us know how you go guys and girls. Spin to
win. Take
the time to research and learn games before placing down money Media
Man http://www.mediamanint.com, Casino News Media Gambling911 are website portals.
Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover
the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more. Readers...
er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum. If
you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have
fun. *Greg
Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911 *Media
Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily
a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one
of a dozen sectors covered News Australia
Day Special, by Greg Tingle - 26th January 2011 G'day
and Happy Australia Day everyone. Ok, we know some of you punters, journos, high
rollers - casino whales, entertainment news junkies, politicians, insiders, outsiders
and legal eagles are from across the globe are not Australia, nor have ever been
down under, but you get the idea. Did you know that some indigenous Australia's
call Australia Day 'Invasion Day'! That's because most history books show that
Captain James Cook and his crew invaded Australia on this day in 1988. They are
known by a new names including the First Fleet, while some aborigines will always
think of them and murderous mongrels, who stole their land and pride. It's easy
for many of us to get the point of the blackfellas (affectionate). Media
Man and Gambling911
with a bush tucker bag full of Australian gambling, casino, poker, media and sports
news. Fair winds... Queensland
Banana Bender State: Pub Pokies And Online Pokies Becoming More Popular?... One
armed bandits are maintaining their popularity in 'The Sunshine State'. It's understand
that punters might have only a 1 in a million chance of winning really big, lotto
- millionaire style, but they just keep coming back for more. Yep, throw another
dime in the pokie baby. Queenslanders "invested" close to $2 billion
last year as the punters passion for the slots maintained its fever pace. The
total pokies expenditure of $1.81 billion was slightly down on the previous year,
it was the third year consecutively the number exceeded $1.8 billion. We're also
learned that the 2008 figure of $1.83 billion was an all-time record. Now, this
is important - those numbers Do Not take into account the rabid take up and roll
our of online poker or sports betting. You know, betting over the global medium
- the internet. Overall, Queenslanders spent $7 million less on pokies than last
year and $28 million less than in 2008, but it still works out at in excess of
$150 million every month down the slots August was the year's biggest month for
slot gamblers, who put close to $170 million in the throats of the one armed bandits.
August was also the biggest month for gamblers in 2008, with more than $173 million
lost. Pokies remain by far the most popular games for punters in Australia, bringing
in most of the estimated $17 billion spent on all forms of gambling down under
each year. Some insiders think that the reduction in official spending was more
a sign of the increased popularity of internet and sports-based gambling. Concentrating
on pokie figures, it appears Queenslanders gambled more at the height of the global
financial crisis two years ago than they did throughout 2010. Tassie
'Devil' Gambling Tycoon Devilish Quotes... David
Walsh from Tasmania was such a big hit with the readership we thought we would
dig up a few more of the red hot 'The Devil's' quotes, that are too good not to
share. First a refresher...Art and gambling do mix, at least that's the experience
of Brits Damian Aspinall, Phil 'Tuffers' Tufnell, Australian artist Gina Sinozich,
Media Man (bodypaint and burlesque "fetish")
and Tasmanian gambling whale - tycoon, David 'Wicked' (satire) Walsh. You will
pick up on Dave's affectionate nickname by us later. We like you David, ok mate.
Tasmania's most famous or infamous gambling figure, millionaire, David Walsh yesterday
gave us a peak into his art exhibit...the biggest (and weirdest) private art gallery
in Tasmania, if not the Asia Pacific. The $110 million Museum of Old and New Art
is nestled on the banks of Hobart's Derwent River. Quotes
By The Tasmanian Devil!... "FUCK
the art, let's rock'n'roll." "I
think formal curation is a form of mental masturbation." "I'm
not really that interested in a bunch of big names. Most of the works are by people
most people haven't heard of and still won't have heard of because there's no
wall labels." "I
don't want to lose control (or) something that ends up looking like a pale version
of the National Gallery of Victoria". "Subversive
adult Disneyland". "Please
see reception if you are planning a pool party or a ritualistic orgy." "It's
the opportunity to mess with your head. I like the idea of people having a couple
of beers and looking at the art, having a couple more and changing their mind." "Just
a privileged guy with a megaphone" "It’s
like a rich man’s soap box. I’m standing on my soapbox and I’m
shouting my views like they mean something." "I’ll
take all the popular stuff out. And if you go to the toilet two or three times
we’ll recommend a good urologist." “My
brother once said about me that I’d rather be outside a barrel pissing in
than inside the barrel pissing out. I’m anti this idea that we know what
we’re doing with certainty. I kinda think that most things that are good
happen to people largely by accident, but then they start looking for explanations.
You see the views of rich, successful people on television, and they tell you
why they got rich and successful; they don’t interview all the people who
went through the same process and didn’t. I think most things are complete
crap. I want to show that you can be fortunate without believing that your fortune
was anything other than fortune." "There
are so many things we do that we hide from. We hack open cows and eat their guts
but we compartmentalise that away from our lives so we can pretend it’s not
happening. And on a larger, more important scale, if each of us acted individually
to say ‘OK, we f…ed up the atmosphere, it is our personal responsibility’,
humanity would behave in a very different way." "One
of the things about having money is that … I feel a bit of guilt and a level
of privilege, and it seems to be an obligation to do something, and since art
is what I’ve been doing....but it wasn’t really like that. It was: I
bought this small gallery, bought a bigger one, and gradually it became something
of this scale. It’s become a lot more serious endeavour than I intended it
to be. There’s a bit of thumbing my nose at the establishment and trying
to bypass academia, but mainly I just wanted it to be a bit of fun. And it is.
And it will be." "The
gambling is all a computer thing that is going on right now". Website Museum
of Old and New Art Queensland:
Cairns Reef Hotel Casino Poised To Raise Big Bucks For Flood Relief On Australia
Day... Punters,
let's all spare a thought for those who have been attacked by the floods on Australia
Day. Numerous events are being planed around Australia, from 'Sound Relief' to
and initiative from the Cairns Reef Hotel Casino 'Bring on the Sun' It will be
one of the biggest events on the Australia Day calendar for the city and all funds
raised will go to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal. There's a good old fashioned
sausage sizzle, competitions and female performers including the Marlins’
cheer squad. "The whole idea is slanted towards the female performer,"
entertainment manager Bruce Stewart said. "We’ve got an eclectic blend
of female artists coming to perform as well." Cazalys, El Mundo Tapas Bar
and the Marlin Coast Bowls Club will also host events to raise money for flood
victims. Cairns Regional Council will hold events across the region, including
the ever-popular celebrations on the Esplanade. Mayor Val Schier said the council
was expecting a good attendance as usual with residents keen to get outside and
celebrate our sunburnt country in the green and gold. "Even last year when
it poured, a huge number of people came to the Aussie breakfast; we expect the
same will happen this year, rain, hail or shine. It is one of those days where
people can come together as a community and help celebrate why it is great to
be an Australian. We live in a fantastic country and it is good for people to
get out and enjoy it." Pubs and clubs will also get into the Aussie spirit
with a number of activities on offer. Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club has
a patriotic, fun-filled day planned with activities that pay homage to Australia’s
heritage such as the much-anticipated pie-eating competition. "Everybody
is welcome to come along and have some fun while tucking into our Aussie selection
of meat pies, icy beers, lamingtons and classic Australian music by DJ Danny from
Millennium Sounds," director of sales and marketing Darlene Holdsworth said. Events Join
the celebrations Paradise
Palms Resort and Country Club Australia Day celebrations
What’s on: Australian
menu served from noon in Restaurant 59, pie-eating and thong-throwing competitions
start at 1.30pm. Pies, icy beers, lamingtons and classic Australian music on offer
at the resort.
Time: 12pm. Entry free.
Bring on the Sun at Cairns
Reef Hotel Casino
What’s on: Entertainment, sausage sizzle, raffles,
jumping castle and more with all proceeds going to the Premier’s Flood Relief
Appeal.
Time: 2pm. Entry free.
Shane Warne And Poker Mates Get VIP Star Treatment At Australian Open Tennis Sunday
Night...
The
spinner got there at 8pm hoping to get star VIP treatment for 14 of his closest
mates. In the mix was was Joe Hachem, who he had earlier caught up with at the
launch of the Aussie Millions Poker Tournament at Crown Casino. Warne requested
an escort (no, not that type silly) when he arrived and posed mostly for photographs
with his sunglasses on. He also spent time in Andy Roddick's player's box during
his loss to Swissman Stanislas Wawrinka. It been a big couple of days for "poker
her" for the legend, playing rendezvous with Liz Hurley in LA. He is expected
to play in the second round of the poker tournament and could face off against
Gary Ablett Jr and Jeff Fenech tomorrow. Blett made it through to the second round.
Australian Financial Review Goes Gaga For Lady Gaga; Gets Facts Wrong (We Think)...
It
took us a few months of going through newspapers but we finally found the AFR
to make a slip up, and its a doozy....An article reads "the complex will
have a few upmarket bars, including one on the roof, and an events theatre to
house live acts – think Lady Gaga – as well as awards nights."
With Gaga's level of popularity she would require a much larger venue than Star
City. Earlier this year, she - they played two concerts at the Sydney Entertainment
Centre, capacity 12,000 or thereabouts. Do the math. Australia's
Kylie Minogue To Do The Colosseum At Caesars Palace Las Vegas: Aphrodite Live... Mark
is down Kylie fans the word over. She's doing Ceasers Sunday May 22, 2011 8pm
Melbourne: Aussie Joker Comedian Performs At Packer's Crown; Raises Cash For Flood
Relief...
Melbourne
folks at Crown Casino recently enjoyed 'The Jokers Comedy That Rocks' at Crown
Casino. James Packer's casino donated all proceeds from last Friday night’s
show to Queensland flood victims. Organiser William Leitch has happy with the
way things went and showcased an evening with some of the city’s top stand-up
artists, including Brad Oakes, Christine Basil and Greg Fleet. It's understood
he got close to 150 people to come along, and he may be invited back on upcoming
Friday nights.
Top 100 ASX Listed Companies Respond To Flood Cry For Help; Gambling And Gaming
Industry Steps Up; Mining Firms and Banking Bastards Lead Charge...
1.
BHP Billiton: $1.3 million (in addition, matching employee donations) 2.
CBA: $1.35 million 3.
Westpac: $1 million 4.
ANZ: $1 million 5.
NAB: $1 million 6.
News Corp: $500,000 and Blue Ribbon campaign 7.
Rio Tinto: $1 million ($700,000 to Premier Relief, $300,000 to Emerald community) 8.
Wesfarmers: $7.5 million (plus $3.5 million from Coles customers) 9.
Telstra Corp: up to $1 million by matching staff contributions (so far $338,000;
is also supplying phones and free calls to people affected) 10.
Woolside Petroleum: $122,395 (corporate + employees) 11.
Woolworths: $6.9 million (matching customer donations in Woolies, Big W, Dick
Smith dollar for dollar) 14.
Fortescue Metals: Matching staff donations dollar for dollar 15.
CSL: $250,000 16.
QBE Insurance: not releasing a statement 17.
Origin energy: $1 million 18.
Macquarie Group: $200,000 (combined staff and company effort with fundraising
activities continuing both here and overseas) 19.
AXA Asia Pacific: No response 20.
Santos: $500,000 plus use of helicopters and vehicles for clean up. Also $50,000
for flooding in WA 21.
Coal and Allied Industries: (see Rio Tinto) 22.
AMP: $250,000 + matching employee contributions to WA flood appeal up to $250,000 23.
Suncorp Group: $100,000 (staff and customers have donated $1.5million) 24.
Foster's Group: $500,000 25.
Brambles: No response 26.
Leighton Holdings: No response 27.
Orica: No response 28.
Oil Search: No response 29.
Stockland: Donated $250,000 to the Premier's flood relief appeal, another $30,000
to the Mayoress Rockhampton regional flood appeal and are matching employee donations
dollar for dollar 30.
Coca. Cola Amatil: No response 31.
Amcor: No response 32.
Westfield Retail Trust: No response 33.
IAG: No response 39.
Crown: Donation tins in Crown complexes and have committed to matching all donations
as well as staff contributions 52.
Tabcorp Holdings: $1 million 78.
Tatts Group: Going to run a dedicated lottery for the Queensland flood appeal
where all profits will go to the Premier's Flood Appeal. They ran the same thing
in Victoria after the Black Saturday bushfires. It will run on Wednesday 2 Feb
in Queensland and is expected to raise $200,000. In addition, another donation
will be made from the unclaimed prizes fund of an as. yet undecided amount 79.
Fairfax Media: Matching staff donations 100.
Seek: Reported it had made a donation to the Premier's Flood Appeal but chose
not to disclose how much Brisbane:
Flood Relief Money Gets Spend On Pokies, Vice - Piss Up At Pubs... It's
been reported in a number of Queensland newspapers that the $1000 flood relief
grants that went to many good folks in Granville are being used to feed slots
and buy piss (beer) rather than food and necessities. Two Maryborough publicans
say that in some instances the answer to that is yes, and they are disgusted.
One of the publicans was so incensed by the misuse of flood relief money she telephoned
Fairfax Media to complain. "A man came in bragging about how he’d got
the $1000 payout because he told Centrelink he was stuck in Granville – but
he was here the whole time. It makes me sick that people are openly admitting
they’ve got the money for nothing, while there are people who’ve died
or lost everything." She said Centrelink should have screened the applications
more carefully to make sure only people who were genuinely in need received the
cash. Another pub owner said his one armed bandits had not stopped buzzing since
the grants became available. "We were quiet during the actual floods but
this week’s been totally different. The pokies and the bottle shop have been
going non-stop." Yeah, Aussie continue to love a punt, rain, hail, shine
or flood! Aussie
Millions Game 8 Results... The
London based chap took down the $1,100 8 game mixed event title at Crown Casino
in Melbourne adding AUD$23,800 to his almost $1.2 million in career tournament
earnings. He entered the final table as the short stack, but managed to grind
his way to victory and nudge away Australia's Bruno Portaro for the victory. The
event marked Ashby's 8th final table appearance at the Aussie Millions that includes
a side-event win back in 2005 and a seventh-place finish in the main event in
2009. Ashby also won his first WSOP bracelet this summer in the $1,500 7 Card
Stud event and went well in the $10k H.O.R.S.E. for his biggest career score of
$378,027. The 2011 Aussie Millions $1,100 8-Game Mixed event drew 68-players and
paid the final 7. Here
are the results:
1 Richard Ashby AUD$23,800
2 Bruno Portaro AUD$16,320
3 Casey Kastle AUD$10,880
4 Daniel Ospina AUD$6,800
5 Oliver Gill AUD$4,760
6 Dane Coltman AUD$3,400
7 Paul Ravesi AUD$2,040 Aussie
Main Event Day 1b: PartyPoker And Full Tilt Poker Players Feel The Pain... PartyGaming's
PartyPoker and Full
Tilt Poker's powers that be likely won't be celebrating. Ok, they got news coverage
and exposure, but its because their players are out. Yep, history maties. Full
Tilt went well on Day 1a but Day 1b was rooted. Many of the big name pros went
down for the count as locals stepped up. 209 players entered the Crown Poker room
but after 7 levels of play, 80 remained. David Oppenheim, Annette Obrestad, Carlos
Mortensen, David Benyamine, Andrew Feldman, Steve Yea, Andy Bloch and Gus Hansen
were some of the Full Tilt players who died. Other casualties included Luke Santo,
Raj Ramakrishnan, George Moussa, Michael Pedley, Graeme Putt, Martin Comer, Dennis
Huntly, Jamie Pickering, Bruno Portaro, Casey Kastle, Ben Savage and Tim Marsters.
2005 World Champion Joe Hachem (tweeting he struggled with jetlag following a
recent trip to the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.) Defending champ, 2010 Aussie
Millions Main Event winner Tyron Krost (PartyGaming's PartyPoker
pro went down too). A new champ will be crowned in 2011 with plenty of Aussies
still in contention. The field kicked off with Jeff Rossier in the lead with 154,900,
closely followed by Michael Ottobra (143,400) and Martin Drewe, After winning
the Opening Event last week and going deep in another event, Drewe is now set
in the chip leaders in the Main Event after getting to 136,100. Jay “SEABEAST”
Kinkade did nicely with 128,700, Haibo Chu (113,900), Manny Stavropoulos (85,600),
Sorel Mizzi (74,400), Michael Egan (61,100), Kent Hunter (56,400), Jeff Lisandro
(55,000), Eric Assadourian (50,300), Scott Montgomery (49,200), Chris Ferguson
(45,400), Lee Nelson (30,200), Neil Channing (28,800), Roland de Wolfe (26,100),
Aleks Brkovic (24,600), Jackie Glazier (21,900), Grant Levy (18,300), Gary Benson
(10,500) and Mel Judah (7,200) amongst those who will return on Day 2. The 3rd
and final flight of the 2011 Aussie Millions Main will commence Tuesday with another
strong field and a few big names expected. Even Van Marcus will front up. Van,
is your Red Ferrari safe this time mate? We're looking for more good fodder to
write about. How about do a publicity stunt and make world wide headlines ago.
Maybe someone at Crown Casino - Crown Limited might be open to it. Stanger things
have happened... like Ferrari's getting stolen on site, casino fights and a man
getting stuck in the Crown Casino kitchen grease vacuum. Aussie
Millions Event #9 Day 1b: Rossiter In Front... It
was down to business with players investing AUD$10,600 to buy in all with the
goal of becoming the 2011 Aussie Millions Champion. 7 seven levels of play, and
the 209-player field went to 80. Jeff Rossiter is in front with 154,900. Martin
Drewe, 2011 Aussie Millions Event #1 winner with 136,100 - now 3rd on the leaderboard.
Australian Jay Kinkade is on 128,700, and European Poker Tour mainstay Jeff Sarwer
sits 5th with 120,500. Randy "nanonoko" Lew has 110,000 and Gavin Griffin
101,700 in 9th ninth and 10th place. Sorel Mizzi, Jeffrey Lisandro, Eric Assadourian,
Team Full Tilt's Chris Ferguson, Full Tilt Poker Red Pros Scott Montgomery and
Roland de Wolfe, Neil Channing, and Lee Nelson have also all made it to Wednesday's
Day 2, but it was touch and go for some of them, testing the skill VS luck debate.
Full Tilt Poker $25,000 Shootout Invitational winner David Oppenheim, Annette
Obrestad, Carlos Mortensen, Andy Bloch, David Benyamine, Andrew Feldman, Gus Hansen,
Joe Hachem, and David Steicke all had to say goodnight nurse. PartyGaming's -
PartyPoker Tyron
Krost was eliminated in a hand VS Gavin Griffin where his Ace-Queen couldn't best
Griffin's Aces. The 3rd and final Day 1 flight commences Tuesday in Melbourne,
Australia at 12:30 p.m. local time. Getting
board of poker yet? If so, try your luck er skill at Baccarat or Craps. If your
more into luck, check out the slots like Cleopatra, Sinatra, Rambo, Goanna Gold
and The Terminator. Rumour goes PartyGaming
also have, or will soon get, a World
Poker Tour themed online slot game. We recommend punters open an account with
PartyCasino, PartyGaming
and World Poker
Tour, just to have all based covered. Party appears to still be the most popular
online casino brand in Australia despite big efforts by the likes of 888. Marvel
slot games are forecast to be some of the most popular of this year with Captain
America and Thor
tipped to hit Australia cinema's this year, with Spider-Man
also getting a remake. Whatever your casino game of choice, good luck, and let
us know how you go guys and girls. Spin to win. Take
the time to research and learn games before placing down money Media
Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911
are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading
websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews
and more. Readers...
er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum. If
you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have
fun. *Greg
Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911 *Media
Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company.
Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered News Australian
Gambling: Deals, Art, Politics And Vice, by Greg Tingle - 22nd January 2011 G'day
punters, journos, high rollers - casino whales, NRL sports nuts, entertainment
and arts news junkies, politicians, insiders, outsiders, legal eagles... one and
all. Today we have a huge news update for you. We've got the gambling tycoon in
Tassie opening his art exhibit, the Centrebet Stadium deal, shady deals at a pokie
palace, political fun and games, and much more. Media
Man and Gambling911
with another massive report that will help keep you out of trouble this weekend
(or provide just enough info to get you into trouble)... Tassie
'Devil' Gambling Tycoon Shows Of Sex, Death, Vice Et Al Art Exhibit... Art
and gambling do mix, at least that's the experience of Brits Damian Aspinall,
Phil 'Tuffers' Tufnell, Australian artist Gina Sinozich, Media Man (bodypaint
and burlesque "fetish") and Tasmanian gambling whale - tycoon, David
'Wicked' (satire) Walsh. You will pick up on Dave's affectionate nickname by us
later. We like you David, ok mate. Tasmania's
most famous or infamous gambling figure, millionaire, David Walsh yesterday gave
us a peak into his art exbit...the biggest (and weirdest) private art gallery
in Tasmania, if not the Asia Pacific. The $110 million Museum of Old and New Art
is nestled on the banks of Hobart's Derwent River. He
was going to give a press announcement everyone was eagerly awaiting. A minder
advised. Next thing... "No I'm not" and the formalities were done. His
pink t-shirt sported the charming words - "FUCK the art, let's rock'n'roll." His
expo has been championed "Subversive Disneyland at the end of the world",
and the word is that Walsh might be now challenging Sydney for the title of 'Sin
City'. Maybe in your dreams Dave, but if you keep going, you might get there. A
Media Man insider shouted "Bring the freak show to Sydney David. Show em
how its done in Sin City, if you are the king on Sin". Walsh didn't respond,
but leakers reckon he broke into a devilish smile, perhaps the MM sparking something.
Yep, this bloke likes a bit of attention, and it seems he wants to be known as
#1, even if his art is "for fun". It
was the hottest (sexiest and darkest) ticket in town. A party for 1350 invited
guests and ballot winners, the art collector and number cruncher, who we understand
made his millions via syndicate gambling, showcased his idea of art with punters
and news media lapping it up. MONA
director Mark Fraser went on the record "This museum is David's...he makes
every decision and that is very, very different to most museums." On
display in the multi-level gallery - the steel structure designed by Melbourne
based architect Nonda Katsalidis is built into a cliff. There's roughly 200 artworks
purchased by the "devilish" Walsh over 2 decades. Insiders understand
its one-tenth of his entire collection. Artefact's, traditional art, contemporary
art and a good dose of what we might just call sex and death art. Walsh
has been upfront saying that MONA "explores sex and death", but that's
just a fraction of the collection. Insiders say he also includes it to make sure
he gets strong media attention, something he missed out on in the past, as hard
as that may be to believe. Fancy
a wall of plaster casts of women's genitalia? Line up, line up. The greatest show
on earth, you could imagine P.T Barnum shouting at the top of his lungs. Walsh
generously shares "I think formal curation is a form of mental masturbation." Traditional
curators and galleries, he said, threw together what works they could manage and
then invented ways to categorise them in a manner that was essentially superficial
and misleading. "I'm
not really that interested in a bunch of big names. Most of the works are by people
most people haven't heard of and still won't have heard of because there's no
wall labels." Walsh
advised he wanted MONA to become one of Tasmania's biggest tourist destinations,
and judging by the response, he might just meet that goal. He's also impressively
created the museum without formal government assistance, such is the health of
his gambling and casino endeavors. There
is no board of directors unlike the nation's other supposed leading private museums,
such as TarraWarra in Victoria, Walsh has not sought not-for-profit status. "I
don't want to lose control (or) something that ends up looking like a pale version
of the National Gallery of Victoria," he said in a way that you could tell
he's thought the questions and potential answers through his brain before. Profits
from the adjacent winery, restaurant, brewery and boutique hotel will help underpin
annual running costs of $8m. If there's a shortfall, we think 'Our David' should
be able to pick up the slack. There's
something for almost everyone here, but we suspect big Sunday church goers might
be giving it a big miss. Oh, celebs and a-list types the world over dig David
and his works, and substantial steps had been taken to protect the names of...
wait for it...David Bowie and Mick Jagger. If they are fans, they are not saying
or publicly endorsing it (yet). Sex, a bit of vice, the gambling connection. Sounds
like you? Yep, that's what we thought. Have you booked your ticket yet? Website Museum
of Old and New Art Centrebet
Stadium Done Deal; Sports Nuts And Punters Rejoice; Attack Gaming Haters... Centrebet
has buried and put the hurt on critics of its media and public heat seeker naming-rights
stadium deal with Penrith Panthers, stating on the record that the the anti-gambling
lobby were "like cracked records" in opposing it's newest deal. Off
the the record it called them a host of unspeakables! The clubs' name change to
Centrebet Stadium Penrith was announced by the Panthers just yesterday after the
sponsorship rumours were first announced by Fairfax Media, creating a title wave
of coverage across the globe. It's a 5-year deal, worth more than $1.5 million
bucks, making the western Sydney sports ground the first down under to adopt the
name of a bookie. Anti-gambling campaigner Senator Nick Xenophon last week was
pissed at the NRL for permitting the Panthers to make the name change, criticism
that bit 'Mr X' (satire nick name from MM) back from Centrebet when confirmation
came yesterday. Get
ready for this punters. You might like the 2 cents directed at the gaming and
casino haters... the thought police. "The 'anti brigade' are becoming like
cracked records," Centrebet boss Neil Evans said. "Why don't they survey
the blokes walking into the ground, down at the shopping mall, on the building
sites, and in the pubs and see what they think? My attitude is...reality is reality.
And business is business. I congratulate the Panthers board and the Penrith City
Council on their forthrightness and strong-minded stance. Most clubs, especially
those hardly flushed with cash, would dream about a 5-year ground deal worth around
$1.5 million, and that's before we start talking about the spin-off effects for
the community and all the hard-working people in and around the club." Media
Man did a spot survey around the eastern suburbs of Sydney and a spokesperson
said "About 90% of people in the community are fine with gambling, gaming
and sports betting. They know a small percentage can get into trouble, but for
many Aussies is a strong tradition and a way of live. You know, the Melbourne
Cup, Two-Up, having a game of poker with your mates, or throwing a couple of bucks
down the throat of a pokie just to try your luck. Most level headed people, the
non extremists, see the merit in the Centrebet deal, and we understand that now
the likes of PartyGaming, Betfair and others will be exploring possibilities for
their firms, which might just help save the NRL for massive financial stress.
It looks like a win - win win". The Federal Minister for Sport, Mark Arbib,
is working diligently with reps of Australia's 7 major sporting codes on ways
to wipe out match-fixing but said the Panthers' stadium deal was not a concern.
A report compiled by a working party commissioned by the the Coalition of Major
Professional Sports is set to be out by next month. "Sponsorship of sporting
codes and stadiums is a matter for the individual stadium owners and sporting
organisations. The NRL have advised the government that the sponsorship agreement
between the Panthers and Centrebet meets its own gambling and sponsorship guidelines.
The select council on gambling reform led by Minister (Jenny) Macklin has put
the regulation of online gambling in their forward work agenda. And as sports
minister I'm working with the sporting codes, including the NRL, on the issue
of match-fixing and integrity in sport." Centrebet currently has sponsorships
with 4 other clubs in the National Rugby League, which forces all betting agencies
associated with the game to sign integrity agreements. The stadium sponsorship
was called as a great boon for Penrith by the football club's chief executive,
Michael Leary. "Centrebet has been a responsible corporate partner of the
Panthers since coming on board with the club in 2010. Our stadium has become a
centre of excellence by not only hosting high-level rugby league in the national
competition but through its ability to be community-centric in accommodating several
community organisations. Centbet, The Footy Show sponsored corner on Network Nine's
'The Footy show', now Centrebet Stadium, next The World. Spies continue to tell
us that PartyGaming, Betfair and others are circling the wagons and won't be taking
it lying down. Punters, get ready for another round of Australian gambling wars.
This week: Gambling lovers and punters 1 - haters - Nil! Newcastle;
NSW - Publican In Hot Water Over Cash Loans To Punter Patrons... An
ex licensee of West Wallsend’s Museum Hotel has been fined after admitting
to giving $730 in cash advancements to patrons but has defended other claims of
lending pub regulars thousands of dollars to spend on alcohol and gambling. In
a written decision last month the Casino, Liquor, Gaming and Control Authority
fined Peter Francis Dobb $2920, after he admitted a modest $730 in payments were
unlawful cash advances. However he rejected allegations from the Office of Liquor,
Gaming and Racing that a further $4455 of transactions were loans or repayments
of loans from or to regular customers to spend on beer and "one armed bandits"
and other items. The complaint to the authority was dated March 10, 2010, but
grew legs from a complaint to the office back in 2007. Dobb was the licensee of
the hotel from October 2006 to September 2008. For the record the current licensee
was not the subject of any complaint. The office submitted that two inspectors
visited the hotel to investigate in October 2007. They reported finding and seizing
a number of TAB betting tickets and other pieces of paper with names or nicknames
written on them and sums of money, what appeared to be records of payment and
a deposit book. The names included the fair dinkim Aussie nicknames "Beryl",
"Dapto", "Chief", "Supa" and "Vinnie".
The inspectors advised they interviewed several parties including "Beryl"
who said she regularly borrowed money before pension day to buy cigarettes and
"a couple of beers". Another punter claimed he borrowed money to play
the pokies because he sometimes exceeded his key card limit. Mnn, some folks said
the pokies limit aka "mandatory" wouldn't work, and one may speculate
if this is the first high profile case of proof. Or, is it a coincidence, and
its just beers and ciggies"? Dobb said some records related to invoices the
hotel had issued for items including an 18th birthday function and two beer kegs
for a soccer final. Other records related to patrons’ money that was held
in the hotel safe to mind. The office argued the invoices were handwritten and
may have been drawn up after the event. It coughed up that a $55 record marked
"roo chooks" was paid to Red Lea Chickens before a chook raffle. No,
Pluka-Duke was not a witness to the events, nor were they called to court. The
authority concluded it would need to hear from witnesses who lived out of the
area to discover the truth of the $4400. It noted the "likely costs"
of further investigations and the amount in dispute then opted to rule on the
payments Dobb conceded. Dobb’s solicitor Paul Sullivan said yesterday his
client now ran another country hotel and had not been the subject of any further
matters. We challenge the readership to find us a better regional Aussie yarn
that this one ok maties. Tatts
eyes bank market to refinance $US700m... Gaming
and wagering giant Tatts Group Ltd is considering refinancing its $700 million
in bank debt with its existing lenders after tapping the United States private
market in December, its CFO said last Wednesday. The company, which had $911 million
($US909 million) of bank loans maturing in June 2011, refinanced $US225 million
in the US private placement market at the end of 2010, leaving around $700 million
outstanding. "We are contemplating an option of whether our banks wish to
roll over the rest of the debt," Tatts chief financial officer Ray Gunston
told the press. According to data from Thomson Reuters LPC, Tatts existing lenders
are ANZ Ltd, BNP Paribas, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank,
Royal Bank of Scotland and Westpac Banking Corp. There is ample liquidity in the
bank market and banks are willing to lend for longer maturities for the right
credit. This compared to during the financial crisis where borrowers struggled
to get tenors beyond three years. "We are still working through our options.
But it is my understanding five-year bank debt has become more available than
previously," Gunston said. The company is also keeping an eye on the fledging
retail bond market as a funding option though, but sees it as pricey. "We
have not taken (retail bonds) off the agenda," Gunston said. "We are
looking at where it fits into our profile. But it is still expensive and there
are a number of issues." The overall costs of retail bonds still remain quite
high in Australia despite measures introduced last year to reduce lengthy prospectus
documents and cut costs for small bond issues. Tatts is not publicly rated but
US debt investors estimate its ratings to stand between Standard & Poor's
BBB-plus and BBB-minus. Melbourne,
Australia and UK: Aussie Millions Gossip: Did Poker Ace Warnie Poke Her?... The
champion spinner and reported ladies man, Shane Warne, admitted he had been "busted"
spending a romantic weekend with English actress - babe Elizabeth Hurley. The
cricket legend had been trying to keep the reunion under wraps after making a
last-minute dash to Los Angeles to rendezvous with the glamourous movie star.
But Warne, 41, was outed by keen News Limited newspaper readers who spotted him
on a flight back from Los Angeles on Sunday evening. Approached by the News Limited's
Herald Sun at Crown's Aussie Millions Poker charity fundraiser on Wednesday night,
Warne grinned and said: "Yeah, I know we've been busted." He declined
further comment on the success of his reunion with the 45-year-old beauty. "Er,
next question," he replied. But mates at the benefit later revealed Warne
had confirmed his weekend had gone "very well" and he had rekindled
the flame with Hurley. Their romance has slowed a touch when it was revealed Warne
has apparently sent more than 100 text messages to married Brighton woman Adele
Angelari. "Let's just say he was pretty happy," said a mate. Hurley
made no secret of being in Los Angeles, tweeting about the weather and saying
she watched the Golden Globe Awards from her hotel. Shortly after Warne boarded
the plane for home, she tweeted: "A great weekend. Best in a long, long time."
We think congratulations may be in order for Warnie's speculative "innings"
across the water. Yeah Warnie keep row row rowing the boat, life might be such
a breze. May the good fortune of Warnie rub off on you and may every hand and
women bring you a champion result. Warnie is not only a solid poker players, but
is a face of Crown Poker, and also a keen golf player. It's not known if he has
scored a hole in one, but he sure knows how to play them birdies. You know what
we mean.
News
Too
Much Gambling And Gaming Regulation Won't Stop 'Problem Gambling', by Greg Tingle
- 15th January 2011 Australia's
largest poker machine operator has
warned against over-regulation of the industry, arguing it will push people to
other forms of gambling. The Australian Leisure and Hospitality (ALH) Group, currently
75% per cent owned by Woolworths - has told a federal parliamentary inquiry that
it will be impossible to wipe out problem gambling. The company's spokesman, David
Curry, says cracking down on one form of gambling will only encourage people to
try other things. "There is a wide internet opportunity out there for people.
If you over-regulate one part of the business, then people will simply shift and
that would be the unintended consequence." ALH described regulation of gambling
in Australia as "highly politicised". Curry also warned over-regulation
could make the product no longer attractive to recreational players. Already media
and gaming insiders point to traditional punters flocking to entertainment, news
and gambling related website portals for news, information, tips and game reviews,
and the like where punters can then elect to play for free or play for money.
Already many traditional news companies as well as new media companies in Australia
and New Zealand are starting to dedicate large sections of their website, newspapers
and magazines to cover gaming and gambling. A leak advised that even News Limited
and Fairfax Media (The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age) even have in-house -
in-website gambling and sports betting odds, and strong coverage of the poker
and casino industry. One thing is for sure, the battle between gambling and gaming
lovers VS haters continues at fever pitch, with a number of politicians being
very outspoken about the industry. It's also very big and serious news, and the
news media has picked up the ball and continues to run hard with it. The so called
"Independent" Senator Nick Xenophon doesn't agree with much information
spoken from the pro gambling sector, including the clubs and manufactures. He
says the ALH does not understand the problem at hand! Maybe they don't want to
understand, or is is 'Mr X' (satire) doesn't want to understand? "This shows
either a wilful ignorance or a disingenuousness. "What Woolworths is in effect
saying here, through its subsidiary ALH, is that they don't want a level of regulation
that will tackle problem gambling effectively. The solution to the risks posed
by online gambling is to properly deal with that." Perth
- Western Australia - Kambalda Lotto Player Strikes Gold... The
Goldfields town of Kambalda is in the grip of lotto fever after a local newsagency
sold one of two division one winning tickets in Saturday night's draw. The $700,000
prize is the state's first division one win for 2011, the second winning ticket
was sold in Perth. Susan Schoch from Kambalda's Good News Newsagency says there
has been a steady stream of hopeful locals checking their tickets. "Well
the town's buzzing. They're all racing in to check their tickets to see if they're
the winner or not," she said. "Someone else has just walked in the door,
no they're very excited, something that we really needed I think." Australian
Internet Gambling Would Do Well To Get Regulation; Laws Fallen Behind Reality
Says Legal Eagles... The
Australian Productivity Commission report released last year shows online gambling
is rising rapidly, and shows no sign of slowing down. The report estimates the
"unofficial" online poker and casino industry could be worth as much
as $800 million. Dr Sally Gainsbury, a leading researcher in online gambling in
Australia, says it is rising about 10% to 20% each year, while the Nielsen Internet
and Technology Report found about 30% of Aussies aged over 16 have gambled online.
Research also shows that people betting online are becoming problem gamblers to
a greater extent than those using land-based venues. "Twenty per cent of
people who are gambling online at the moment are in the category of problem gambler,"
Gambling Help Network chairman Derek Tuffield said. "For people who are land-based
gamblers, it's about 1% - so it's a very big difference. "I still think it's
a major issue for the Australian Government to look at. It has limited legislation
which sits with it at the moment, but the fact that it's so accessible and easy
to do, I think we're going to see that climb at a faster rate than land-based
gambling." Jamie Nettleton, a legal eagle who has even done work for Media
Man Int, a senior counsel specialising in gambling law and marketing - b2b , advises
the Government's prohibitionary stance means Australia has fallen behind in the
regulation of online gaming. "There's no doubt that at the time this law
(against online gaming) came into place, Australia was a world leader in connection
to online gambling operations and the rest of the world looked to Australia as
a leader," he said. "Australia is now perceived to be a pariah in connection
with online gaming operations. That could be viewed favourably on the basis that
Australia has taken a very strict approach in respect of the regulation of gambling,
but the difficulty is the prohibition just isn't working in practice." Dr
Gainsbury agrees the Federal Government has not kept up with the growing online
gaming industry. "Australia was initially a real forerunner in terms of regulation
for internet gambling in the late 1990s, but then when the Interactive Gaming
Act was introduced in 2001, regulation just stopped, policy just stopped - a prohibitionary
stance and nothing's happened since then," she said. "Internet gambling
is very dynamic and it's moved and changed and participation has increased, so
it is suggested that this prohibitionary stance might be outdated and more up-to-date
regulation is needed to deal appropriately with online gambling in Australia." A
Media Man Int spokesperson agreed with
the legal eagle. "We agree with many aspects of what our legal friend Jamie
Nettleton says in regards to internet gaming and gambling. We are global running
many .coms, .nets and .orgs. We cover over a dozen different business sectors,
gaming and gambling is just one of them. We report the news. We also participate
in dozens of affiliate programmes, these days only keeping the best, and we also
help put together media, publicity, online and event campaigns. Gambling and gaming
is big news. We are not a casino or an adult company. We just cover the sector
sometimes and its news, and sometimes showcase different brands. b2b is very popular
on the internet. News Limited, Fairfax Media, IGN, Marvel Entertainment and a
swag of other companies are big into b2g. Gaming and gambling appears to work
better in the b2b - website to website sector better than many other sectors.
Travel, magazines, books and burlesque work well too, but gaming seems to be number
one at the moment". NRL
Sports Betting Scandal Update... Mr
Ryan Tandy and Brad Murray are of great interest to the NSW Crime Commission hearing
as police get ready to blow the lid on it, after a major investigation. The players
will front up to the commission this week to be probed about the "irregular
betting patterns" on the Canterbury Bulldogs VS North Queensland Cowboys
game last August. Those summoned must truthfully answer all questions or will
risk going to the can - jail! Police will decide whether to pass information over
to the NRL. Police have interviewed more than 80 people after a massive amount
of money backed North Queensland to open the scoring via a penalty goal in the
round 24 match at Dairy Farmers Stadium. The Cowboys had a opp to do just that
after Bulldogs forward Tandy made two mistakes. There were a sloppy play-the-ball
and a penalty for not getting off a tackled player quickly enough. However, Cowboys
utility Anthony Watts took a quick tap that led to a try and the alleged sting
backfired, if you follow. Tandy has denied intentionally giving away a penalty.
How do you prove intentionally giving the other team a break. Some things are
hard to prove. The betting surge happened just over a month after Canterbury players
attended a seminar on the dangers of gambling. "We've made it clear from
the outset that we have co-operated at every opportunity with the NRL and the
police," Todd Greenberg, Canterbury's chief executive, said. "We're
hoping to have the matter resolved as soon as possible, certainly prior to the
start of the season." Tandy is contracted to the Bulldogs until the end of
2012. At this time we're not sure if it is "watertight" in nature. A
police rep said the investigations were continuing. Last month police issued a
photograph of a person of interest, later identified as Murray. The 20-year-old
halfback, who placed a bet in a Flemington hotel in Sydney's west, joined Parramatta
in the off season after a stint with the Sydney Roosters. The Doggies and Eels
are awaiting the outcome of the police investigation before deciding their players'
futures. Tandy, Murray and Watts are all managed by Sam Ayoub, who placed a bet
on the Cowboys penalty goal option. It is legal for player agents to wager on
matches and Ayoub has denied any wrongdoing. It was Fairfax Media who got the
scoop on the story re the betting plunge back on August 27, which triggered a
meeting of police, the NRL and Australian Jockey Club chief steward Ray Murrihy.
Several betting agencies, including TAB Sportsbet, suspended betting on the first-scoring-play
option after a deluge of money. Centrebet media representative Neil Evans said
his agency's odds on a Cowboys penalty goal were cut from $13 to $3 after the
plunge, which came from three Sydney clients. The link between gambling and rugby
league was highlighted during the week when the Sydney Morning Herald revealed
that Penrith are to rename their home ground Centrebet Stadium, the story hitting
numbers entertainment, sports and gambling websites around the world, with it
being a strong point of interest at the American Gambling911 website portal. The
move has angered the anti-gambling movement. South Australian senator Nick Xenophon
has claimed gambling is "ruining the game. 'Mr X' (satire) is not expect
to back any Betfair Pink Pigeons are care about NRL, AFL or UFC betting odds,
nore does he play online casino games. He is sometimes listed an "Independent
Senator', but his views often come across an bias and just trying to push his
own agenda. He's currently in a media war and war of world with Australian clubs,
ClubsNSW and ClubsAustralia, and shows no sign of quitting - at the time of publication.
Australia's are some of the world's most passionate punters and are currently
placed in the world's top ten for gambling. Gambling
And Media King James Packer; Becoming Property King Of Sydney... James
Packer is building a space age type home - mansion - bunker, in Sydney's eastern
suburbs. He even ordered demolition of two neighbouring mansions. Vaucluse will
never be the same again. Now earth-moving equipment has moved in. By the time
the job is finished in about 18 months time, the pad will have cost 'Our James'
in the region of $50 million. It was circa June 2009 he invested A$18 million
on a 6-bedroom 1970s mansion, later snatching up two neighbouring pads for more
than A$12 million. His estate is massive and is understood to cover 3345sq m of
prime real estate. Packer engaged the services of architect Alec Tzannes to design
the new extensions, the same bloke responsible for the Point Piper pad owned by
property and financial services king John Symond. It's understood the the who
family is really looking forward to moving into the palace with toys, treats and
fun for kids all all ages. Wife Erica Packer and the happy couple's children,
Indigo and Jackson, are really looking forward to giant swimming pool. Yep, the
Packer's continue to make waves in the Aussie media, entertainment and lifestyle
sector. A Media Man spokesperson said
'The Packers are really doing it in style. It goes to show you want hard work
and smart work can do for a person. It's pretty inspirational, considering what
he bounced back from a couple of years ago. As is often the case, James Packer
has the last laugh". Packer is expect to sometime show up at the Melbourne
Aussie Millions to say G'day on site at his Crown Casino down south in Melbourne.
Yep, Packer is on a roll, with no signs of slowing down. Australia
Will Get Gambling Arenas; Aussie Aussie Aussie; Oi Oi Oil... With
Australia being in the world's top 10 gambling nations, it shouldn't shock or
surprise that we're tipped to soon have a number of sporting arenas and grounds
named after gambling and gaming companies, both national and international brands.
Yep, money will talk where B.S sometimes walks. James Packer's Betfair is understood
to build upon their Betfair Park branding, Europe's PartyGaming is keen, and currently
Centrebet looks to be leading the charge, with many insiders saying its a case
of when, not if, for the household name brand. Centrebet already has significant
branding, thanks in part to a swag of TV and online adverts, plus who can forget
the Centrebet branded part of Network Nine's 'The Footy Show'. The gambling companies
already have a number of key targets, and many cash strapped and / or cash handy
NRL team and home grounds are near the top of the hit list. For instance NRL team,
The Penrith Panthers, are seriously considering having their home stadium named
Centrebet Stadium. We kid you not punters. If the deal goes through, they will
make history becoming the first major Australian sporting team to snatch a betting
firm as the naming-rights partner for a playing venue. Horse Racing already has
some naming rights deals with tracks and in the mix such as Betfair Park and then
you have races named after gambling brands such as the Lasseters Cup, Lasseters
known for its hotel - casino up in Australia's top end. The forecast Betfair deal
comes as a police continue to probe the NRL gambling scandal that from last season
following a number of "irregular" wagers was picked up in the Canterbury
Bulldogs VS North Queensland Cowboys match up. The Panthers, Centrebet and a swag
of gambling companies, have rather pissed off the gambling and gaming haters,
who continues to get organised into lobby groups. A Media Man spokesperson such
"Many people in and out of news media and gaming, the general public, are
starting to get really pissed off at the gaming, gambling and sports betting haters.
The bible bashers. Who do they think they are trying to push their beliefs onto
others. Many Australians just love a punt, and that's the way it is. Some of the
gaming haters have strong ties to church groups and there appears to be some sort
of brainwashing system going on. They keep discussing the 'evils of gambling'.
I mean, seriously, come on. People know not to over-do it on on the slots, sports
events, poker and the like, but the haters keep trying to be the thought police.
Gambling companies in Australia have a very high focus on responsible gambling
with warnings everywhere. It's great to see the gambling and gaming industry place
so much focus on safe better. The sports stadiums will be great for business,
, but no one is forcing anyone to have a bet. It's a personal decision, as it
always has been. 2011 is going to be a very exciting year for punters, especially
those who like to have a bet of sports matches, and television and online website
portals and brands will bring it all together nicely". Ric Simpson, Panthers
Group chief exec since last July, said a culture change and "renewal of process"
across Panthers clubs had improved their situation. Analysts question that was
a PR line or absolute truth. Mind you, we don't blame club for trying to focus
on positives. "We're probably looking at reducing that loss by somewhere
in the order of $8-$9 million," Simpson said. A Media Man spokesperson said
"At this stage of the gaming the overseas trend of seeing sports groups and
football teams pick up sponsorship and strong branding for gambling, gaming...
sports betting companies looks to be moving full speed ahead down under in Australia.
Centrebet might become the Bwin of Australia. PartyGaming is said to be currently
crunching numbers to see if an Australian sports ground deal is viable. They already
have a Aussie Millions former champion sponsored by their poker brand and a couple
of Aussie poker players signed up, so anything is possible. James Packer's Betfair,
a direct competitor of Centrebet is not likely to take the situation lying down
either. Betfair is 50% Packer owned and wants to keep building their sports betting
brand, as well as opening up many online casino games in Australia, poker and
more. Could an Australian sports stadium ever be known as PartyGaming stadium
or WPT Stadium? Not overnight, but never say never, stranger things have happened.
It's all going to add a lot of money into the game and business of sport and entertainment,
and already our firm is starting to experience some positive spin off benefits.
It's all very exciting and profitable". Shane
Warne; Cricket Great And Poker Celeb Wants To Help Australian Flood Disaster Efforts;
Warnie Birth's A Non Hair Brained Idea And Hits The Phones... Aussie
cricket test legend Shane Warne has been hitting the phones to his entertainment,
media and sports world friends and associates, wishing to support plans for a
cricketing 'Big Day Out' that may raise as much as $20 million bucks for those
effected in the Australian floods, primarily effecting Queensland banana benders.
The news of the Queensland's flood disaster journeyed across to Britain... Pommie
Land, and ex fast bowler Darren Gough expressed his significant interest in playing
in a Legends Charity Twenty20 match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground later this
month. Warnie once again took to Twitter like a duck to water and basically offered
his services to an Australian Legends team that may also include Glenn 'Ow Ah'
McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Haydenand Darren Lehmann. The Pommie team would
be almost certainly captained by Michael Vaughan, with Gough and former Test all-rounder
Adam Hollioake also confirming their availability less than 48 hours ago. Warnie
then contacted Network Nine boss David 'Gyng' Gyngell and event promoter Michael
Gudinski to ensure maximum exposure and benefits for the proposed event. Warne
was also involved in talks with Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland. Cricket
Australia could ratify an Australia-England Legends Twenty20 showdown within days,
with Warnie hoping Gudinski can transform the day into a cricketing festival by
presiding over a post-match concert. Australia does have a solid track record
for raising big bucks when the right group of people from entertainment, media,
sports and business are brought together. Cricket's last charity match, for Victoria's
Black Saturday bushfire victims back in 2009, raised more than $20 million. James
Packer's Crown Limited and The Salvation Army also helped raise towards a million
dollars for the bushfire appeals. As a nation Aussies from many walks of life
are able to bond together when the going gets tough, with Mother Nature hitting
the Aussies for six and then some over the past week. The proposed fundraiser
could be staged before the England-Australia one-day international on January
30 for example. A Cricket Australia spokesman was able to confirm planning for
the Legends match was under way and offered "It's early but we're looking
at co-ordinating a Legends match. We're still to nut out details but James Sutherland
had has a chat to Shane (Warne)," the spokesman said. "There will be
a series of things leading up to that match that we're going to be doing. We think
the Legends match is a great idea so we're working out ways to benefit from that
enthusiasm for the people of Queensland. All funds will be going straight to the
Queensland Premier's Fund appeal." Australia
VS England Cricket Test Aftermath: Clarke, Hughes 'Supreme Error Of Judgment'... Michael
Clarke and Phillip Hughes made a "supreme error of judgment" in attending
functions on the morning of Ashes Tests, according to Cricket Australia's chief
executive James Sutherland. The Age reported that the pair attended a Shane Warne
Foundation breakfast on Boxing Day, and they were interviewed at 7.30am at Melbourne's
Crown Casino, before returning to the team hotel. When the match started three
hours later, Hughes slashed to gully for 16 and Clarke wafted outside his off
stump to be caught behind for 20. It was all part of Australia's horror innings
of 98 after they were sent in by Andrew Strauss, and with the series at 1-1, that
morning was a turning point from which the Australians never recovered. Clarke
also reportedly attended breakfast functions during the Sydney Test, where he
was captain the absence of the injured Ricky Ponting. Sutherland, speaking on
the Melbourne radio station 3AW, said it was not a wise move for the players to
be involved in such events on the morning of a Test. "That was a supreme
error of judgment on their part," Sutherland said. "The players decided
that of their own will. I would be surprised if we see that happening again. You
don't leave yourself open to the chance of criticism. As a professional footballer,
you would never do that." Sutherland also said it was "unfortunate"
that the chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, had said publicly after the 3-1
series drubbing that he felt his panel had done a good job. The selectors made
some odd decisions, including axing Nathan Hauritz and playing Xavier Doherty
and Michael Beer, who took a combined tally 4 for 418. "Andrew's comments
were unfortunate, and I think what he was trying to say was the selectors had
tried their hardest," Sutherland said. Everyone involved needs to take responsibility
for what was a very disappointing performance." Marvel
Slots Maintain Popularity With Australians; More Brands Get Marvel In Fit For
Asia Pacific Domination... Stan
Lee's Marvel Comics - Entertainment branded slots have been a big hit since going
live into a number of the world's online casinos over a year ago. PartyGaming's
PartyCasino a favorite
with Aussies has hinted that Marvel slot games played a bit part of their success
in Australia. Virgin got the slots, but Aussies can't play at Virgin. Perhaps
smartly both PKR Casino and
Winner Casino has picked up on this fact and is now offering the Marvel slot games
to the Asia Pacific region, with Australia's adopting them like a duck to water.
A Media Man spokesperson said "Australians
just love the Marvel Comics and Marvel Entertainment brands. You just have to
look at the popularity of the Marvel blockbuster movies that hit the movie theatres
a few times a year. When the Marvel games hit the internet we noticed a spike
in numbers, and its been strong ever since. The Winner and PKR brands have smartly
worked out that adding Marvel slots to their portfolio should be very good for
business. The games can be played for free and played for money, a concept that
Australia's have found very appealing. As Stan Lee says, Excelsior!" Canberra
Pubs And Clubs To Be Hit Hard By New Gaming, Gambling Laws; Job Losses Expected... Canberra
based clubs and hotels are facing down the barrel of a gun at a $51million cut
to revenue, the result of amendments to national gambling laws, with smaller venues
at great risk of becoming history in the battle against poker machines, according
to Clubs ACT and local publicans. 11 hotels run 70 of the 5014 gaming machines
in the ACT. Moby Dick's Tavern publican Darcy Henry said he would be forced to
give up his two gaming machines if new anti-gambling reforms were passed. The
new laws, promised to Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie in return for support
for the minority Labor Government, will force gamblers to pre-commit to a spending
limit on their gambling. The technology would link up 200,000 poker machines across
Australia to stop gamblers moving from machine to machine if their self-imposed
limit had been reached. But licensed clubs have reacted angrily to the proposal.
In its submission to the 2011-12 ACT Government budget, Clubs ACT claimed the
changes would cost the national industry $4billion annually a 30% decrease. "In
the ACT, that would equate to a $51.8million cut in revenue to clubs, with the
tax revenue to the ACT Government falling by approximately $11million," the
submission said. Clubs ACT estimated it would cost $3000 to retrofit each of the
5014 machines operating in the ACT with the new technology. Maintenance on the
system was expected to cost a further $1billion a year nationwide. Take
the time to research and learn games before placing down money Media
Man http://www.mediamanint.com, Casino
News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are
recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central
points to games, news, reviews and more. News Australia
To Get Sports Stadiums Branded By Gambling and Gaming Companies, by Greg Tingle
- 15th January 2011 G'day
punters, journos, high rollers, sports news, entertainment news junkies, politicians,
insiders, outsiders... one and all. Today we probe the situation where a number
of Australian sports grounds could soon be named after gaming and gambling companies.
How do like the sound of Betfair Stadium, Centrebet Park and PartyGaming Cricket
Ground? Don't laugh, this type of scenario is on the cards, with local gaming
brands likely the first to pounce, followed by international powerhouses. Media
Man http://www.mediamanint.com and Gambling911
with another ground breaking news report from the land of world class casino,
media companies and sports arenas... Australia
Will Get Gambling Arenas; Aussie Aussie Aussie; Oi Oi Oi... With
Australia being in the world's top 10 gambling nations, it shouldn't shock or
surprise that we're tipped to soon have a number of sporting arenas and grounds
named after gambling and gaming companies, both national and international brands.
Yep, money will talk where B.S sometimes walks. James
Packer's Betfair is understood to build upon their Betfair Park branding, Europe's
PartyGaming is keen, and currently Centrebet looks to be leading the charge, with
many insiders saying its a case of when, not if, for the household name brand. Centrebet
already has significant branding, thanks in part to a swag of TV and online adverts,
plus who can forget the Centrebet branded part of Network Nine's 'The Footy Show'. The
gambling companies already have a number of key targets, and many cash strapped
and / or cash handy NRL team and home grounds are near the top of the hit list. For
instance NRL team, The Penrith Panthers, are seriously considering having their
home stadium named Centrebet Stadium. We kid you not punters. If
the deal goes through, they will make history becoming the first major Australian
sporting team to snatch a betting firm as the naming-rights partner for a playing
venue. Horse
Racing already has some naming rights deals with tracks and in the mix such as
Betfair Park and then you have races named after gambling brands such as the Lasseters
Cup, Lasseters known for its hotel - casino up in Australia's top end. The
forecast Betfair deal comes as a police continue to probe the NRL gambling scandal
that from last season following a number of "irregular" wagers was picked
up in the Canterbury Bulldogs VS North Queensland Cowboys match up. The
Panthers, Centrebet and a swag of gambling companies, have rather pissed off the
gambling and gaming haters, who continues to get organised into lobby groups. A
Media Man spokesperson such "Many
people in and out of news media and gaming, the general public, are starting to
get really pissed off at the gaming, gambling and sports betting haters. The bible
bashers. Who do they think they are trying to push their beliefs onto others.
Many Australians just love a punt, and that's the way it is. Some of the gaming
haters have strong ties to church groups and there appears to be some sort of
brainwashing system going on. They keep discussing the 'evils of gambling'. I
mean, seriously, come on. People know not to over-do it on on the slots, sports
events, poker and the like, but the haters keep trying to be the thought police.
Gambling companies in Australia have a very high focus on responsible gambling
with warnings everywhere. It's great to see the gambling and gaming industry place
so much focus on safe better. The sports stadiums will be great for business,
, but no one is forcing anyone to have a bet. It's a personal decision, as it
always has been. 2011 is going to be a very exciting year for punters, especially
those who like to have a bet of sports matches, and television and online website
portals and brands will bring it all together nicely". Back
to the first prime target #1...The modest 22,500-capacity sports ground, owned
by Penrith City Council, was in a past life known as CUA Stadium. What's up is
that the club's contract with the Brisbane financial services company has expired,
and negotiations between Panthers, the footy club and Centrebet have been taking
place, even prior to Christmas about renaming the stadium. Other clubs and stadiums
have also caught the buzz and are opening chequebooks and crunching the numbers. The
first of its kind business agreement between the club and Centrebet is just about
a done deal, and ink is expecting to try on contracts sooner rather than later,
possibly within a fortnight. An exciting, if not controversial type of announcement
is fully expected by the Panthers in the coming week. Sports and gambling commentators
are quick to point out that Penrith already has ties to Centrebet, the gambling
brand being lit up across the top of the video screen at the stadium. This kind
of exposure has also been very good for their mobile - hand held device sector. Anti-gambling
campaigner Senator Nick Xenophon is especially unhappy with the development of
the gambling branded sports stadiums in Australia. He went on recent with: "How
can a footy code currently embroiled in a betting scandal possibly allow a stadium
to be named after a betting agency? There was a time when rugby league was all
about the game. Now it's all about the odds, and that is ruining the game". Over
the last couple of years the NRL (and AFL) has watered down its laws and regulations
relating to clubs' deals and partnerships with gambling - sports betting firms,
allowing them to be branded on footy jerseys for a virgin time. Cronulla Sharks
have sponsor PokerStars (.net) on their jersey sleeves while cashed up Manly Sea
Eagles are tipped to have Centrebet's signage on the back of their jerseys this
season after a widely reported $1 million plus deal with the Northern Territory
based betting outfit announced just before Christmas. Yep, it looks like a few
clubs and stadiums will be getting their Christmas presents and will have lots
to celebrate, while the gambling haters will be spewing in Grinch like fashion. The
National Rugby League of course also has corporate ties with TAB Sportsbet, and
is understood to snatch a 5% "product fee" via the company's rugby league
betting profit. NRL
spokesman John Brady advised he would not comment on individual clubs' sponsorship
agreements but maintained there was no concern about the prospect of gambling
agencies assuming naming rights for the game's venues, at least from his take
on the situation. "It's
an area that was relaxed last year. As such there are a number of betting sponsorships
that are available to clubs in terms of jerseys and other opportunities,"
Brady said. He
advised any and all betting firms involved with the NRL via sponsorship of clubs
were made to sign "integrity agreements" to ensure transparency. The
majority of NRL clubs now have corporate deals with betting agencies. Centrebet
sponsors five teams: Penrith, Manly, Parramatta, St George Illawarra and North
Queensland. "Comon' Betfair and PartyGaming, pull you're finger out",
a Media Man sports journalist was overheard shouting when he found out the news
of Centrebet's ongoing infiltration of the sport. Penrith's
stadium pending name change has been intertwined we understand by some to the
financial problems that have hit the football club's parent body, Panthers Group. The
licensed club is no longer quite the licence to print money as it was in the 90s
Some audited figures about to do public by the conclusion of the month are expected
to show black and white confirmation of a Murdoch - News Limited news story of
last February that said Panthers were due to report a rather embarrassing net
loss of $11 million bucks. Panthers
are not afraid to speak on the record about their on and off field performance,
which has seen better days. Ric
Simpson, Panthers Group chief exec since last July, said a culture change and
"renewal of process" across Panthers clubs had improved their situation.
Analysts question that was a PR line or absolute truth. Mind you, we don't blame
club for trying to focus on positives. "We're probably looking at reducing
that loss by somewhere in the order of $8-$9 million," Simpson said. A
Media Man spokesperson said "At
this stage of the gaming the overseas trend of seeing sports groups and football
teams pick up sponsorship and strong branding for gambling, gaming... sports betting
companies looks to be moving full speed ahead down under in Australia. Centrebet
might become the Bwin of Australia. PartyGaming is said to be currently crunching
numbers to see if an Australian sports ground deal is viable. They already have
a Aussie Millions former champion sponsored by their poker brand and a couple
of Aussie poker players signed up, so anything is possible. James Packer's Betfair,
a direct competitor of Centrebet is not likely to take the situation lying down
either. Betfair is 50% Packer owned and wants to keep building their sports betting
brand, as well as opening up many online casino games in Australia, poker and
more. Could an Australian sports stadium ever be known as PartyGaming stadium
or WPT Stadium? Not overnight, but never say never, stranger things have happened.
It's all going to add a lot of money into the game and business of sport and entertainment,
and already our firm is starting to experience some positive spin off benefits.
It's all very exciting and profitable". News Australian
Pokie And News Media Wars, by Greg Tingle - 14th January 2011 G'day
punters, journos, high rollers, politicians, insiders, outsiders... one and all.
The battle for your hearts, minds, wallets and purses continue as Australian gambling
and media companies continue to pull out all the stops in order to achieve market
domination, or is it world domination? There's something for everyone here, be
it casino lovers, haters, media tarts or other. Media
Man and Gambling911 with rip snorter
of a news roundup for you from the land of Kangaroos, Koalas, convicts and all
manner of critters... Tennis
Babe Transforms Into Casino Babe At Packer's Crown; Australian Media's Next Hot
Yummie Mummy To Be? Tennis
babe Maria Sharapova commenced the Australian Open Tennis in red hot fashion 2
nights ago the world's hottest and sexiest players landed in Melbourne, home of
Australia's original TV 'Underbelly'. The babe of the moment showed off a sparkling
engagement ring and smile. This particular Russian babe has taken quite a liking
to down under and was more than happy to show off quite a bit of leg, but only
a slight bit of cleavage in her new range of tennis gear showcased at a Crown
casino media and PR gig. Sharapova's lucky boyfriend, Los Angeles Lakers basketballer
Sasha Vujacic, popped the big and brave question to the tennis babe last red October.
Her competitors did not seem to be bothered by Sharapova's "media darling"
statue or expectational good looks. World #1 Rafael Nadal stripped down during
a relaxed practice session on centre court and Ana Ivanovic strutted her stuff
on an outside court. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray enjoyed a soccer workout with
Melbourne Victory players at AAMI Park. Oh, weather was also a concern, with all
the floods that hit Queensland, tipped to also catch part of Victoria. Tourney
director Craig Tiley declared the Open weather-proof. "We have two roofs
we can close. We also have five indoor courts, so for us rain is - unlike the
US Open - easier to deal with. If we are thrown more challenges with the elements
we will be able to do what we need to. We have those plans in place to help in
terms of scheduling." Isolated showers across southern Victoria could affect
the first few days of the event, which starts on Monday. The first week of last
year's open was relatively mild but the mercury rose to the mid-30s by the second
week of play. In 2009, tennis stars endured scorching conditions with at least
three consecutive days above 43C. Paramedics had their work cut out with more
than 100 spectators treated for heat exhausting or sunburn. Tiley said major redevelopment
work at Melbourne Park would not get in the way of this year's Open. More than
600,000 spectators are expected to flood the Grand Slam venue over two weeks.
Insiders reckon the latest range of Tennis babes cum Casino babes, are bound to
raise temperates in more ways that one. Feel the heat. Sin
City Sydney - Star City Soccer Fans Ralley... Sydney
FC CEO Edwin Lugt has urged more interaction with supporters across the country
after the successful staging of a fan forum in Sydney last night. Lugt spoke at
a fan forum organised by Footy Fans Downunder held at Sydney’s Star City
Casino Sports Theatre Bar. The forum which will head to Melbourne next month discussed
a wide range of topics with fans being given the floor to ask any questions of
the panel. Passionate debate and some lively ideas were discussed in front of
almost 200 fans. The night also served as a fund-raiser for the Queensland flood
tragedy. But as a forum for ideas, it was also a useful exercise, said Lugt. "The
fact that we have this (fan forum) means the game is getting serious. It’s
maturing". It's understood a few of the fans tried their luck on the pokies
and roulette after the forum, some winning, some loosing, and others breaking
even. The event was a win - win for both Star City, the fans and soccer big wigs. Australian
Gaming And Gambling Shares... Company
Name Price Change % Change
National Leisure & Gaming 0.01 +0.00 UP +16.66%
Crown Limited 8.57 +0.13 UP +1.54%
Aristocrat Leisure 2.94 +0.04 UP +1.37%
Ainsworth Game Technology 0.27 -0.04 DOWN - 12.91%
Centrebet International
1.49 -0.02 DOWN -1.33%
Sky City 2.57 -0.03 DOWN -1.16% Independent
Senator Or Bias Senator; Bluffing The News Media Or Sincere?... The
South Australian based Senator Nick Xenaphon aka 'Mr X's in gambling and media
circles, has basically accused Clubs New South Wales of resisting moves to implement
new gambling legislation. Senator Xenaphon has backed anti-pokies campaigner Paul
Bendat who has took it upon himself to place a full newspaper in the Illawarra
Mercury, and is considering doing more. One of his targets is Clubs New South
Wales chairman and former Mercury editor Peter Newell. Bendat has been threatened
with legal action over the ads. Yep, its getting personal and legal. Senator Xenaphon
says the ad calls on Newell to direct his members to "tell the truth"
about the Federal Government's mandatory pre-commitment plans for poker machines.
"When you consider that literally billions of dollars are lost each year
by problem gamblers in this country and that could be avoidable, it could be substantially
reduced by a sensible system of pre-commitment. "Then the club's propaganda
on this whole issue in terms of how expensive it will be and how impractical it
will be, these things need to be exposed." A spokesman for Clubs New South
Wales says an earlier advertisement had implied Newell had been untruthful and
the ad was overly personal. Joke for readers... How do you know when a politician
is lying? Answer: When their lips are moving! Crown
Casino, Melbourne: 2011 Aussie Millions Poker Championship On The Way... Australia's
biggest, best and richest poker tournament has just got on the way. Aussie Millions
commenced at James Packers' Crown Casino in beautiful Melbourne, home to the original
'Underbelly' TV series which featured gambling themes. We understand that the
$10,600 AUD no-limit hold’em main event will snatch the attention of the
poker players and commentators when it fires off on January 23rd. An deep field
of 746 punters participated in the 2010 main event, with our own Tyron Krost being
crowned champion, picking up $2 million, and soon after being signed u by PartyGaming's
PartyPoker. Many other players (and brands) and keen to knock him off as you might
expect. The field is expected to be one of the greatest ever, if not the best.
High-stakes events include the $100,000 Challenge that commences on January 22,
as well as the Aussie Millions high stakes cash game featuring a $200,000 minimum
buy-in on Jan 24th. Last year the $100,000 Challenge attracted 24 players for
a prize pool of $2.4 million, and it was Dan Shak who bested Phil Ivey heads up
to earn a cool $1.2 million. Other substantial buy-in events this year include
the $10,500 Australia no-limit hold’em heads-up championship and a $10,500
eight-game mixed event. Stay glued to this dial for more coverage, and don't be
surprised if Fox Sports and or / ESPN give it a bit of TV coverage. Poker is big
business in Australia and around the world, and media companies are keen to cash
in too. Good luck to all players, and on James Packer for your commitment to the
"sport". Aussie
Millions Media Run Down... The
Aussie Millions Poker Championship is the largest, richest and most prestigious
gaming event in the Southern Hemisphere and ranked fifth largest in the world.
Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker variation,
the Aussie Millions is poker's longest running tournament in the Southern Hemisphere,
dating back to 1998. Facts -
The Aussie Millions Poker Championship is held each January at Crown Casino, in
Melbourne Australia
- The Aussie Millions ranks as the fifth largest poker
tournament in the world by player number
- The championship includes over
20 tournaments culminating in the coveted AUD$10,600 No Limit Holdem ‘Main
Event' on Sunday 23 January for Day 1 - Flight 1 (Mon 24 Flight 2, Tues 25 Flight
3 with Day 2 starting on Wednesday 26 January 2011)
- The 2011 Aussie Millions
is expected to reach a prize pool of almost AUD$20 million with an expected first
prize of AUD$2 million for the AUD$10,600 No Limit Holdem ‘Main Event'
- Over 2,500 individual entrants will participant and more than 600 international
visitors are expected to attend including players from the United States, England,
Ireland, South Africa, Scandinavia, Canada, Israel, Estonia, Portugal and Russia
- The Aussie Millions generated approximately 8,000 room nights across Melbourne
in January 2010, including over 5,000 at Crown alone
- The 2010 Aussie Millions
held the largest, cash buy in tournament ever with a $100,500 event attracting
30 players
- It is expected that there will be almost 900 individual players
in the $10,600 Buy-In No Limit Holdem ‘Main Event'
What is being billed
as the biggest game ever played, the ‘Million Dollar Cash Game' will see
10 of the greatest and most influential poker players of all-time stake a minimum
of AUD$1 million to play. However, players can (and will) bring more than a mere
million dollars to the table! IMG
Tennis Party: Tennis And Poker Celebs - Sunday 16th January See
some of the world's greatest tennis stars including David Nalbandian, Donald Young,
Feliciano Lopez, James Blake, Marcos Baghdatis, Maria Sharapova, Marion Bartoli,
Mark Knowles, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Venus Williams. Along with some
of the world's greatest poker players in town for the Aussie Millions Poker Championship
including 2005 WSOP Champion and Crown Ambassador Joe Hachem, Team Full Tilt pro's
Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, Howard Lederer, John Juanda etc. This exclusive gathering
of world class tennis pro's and entertainment industry heavy weights will make
this event one of the best parties of 2011. Crown's IMG Tennis Players Party has
become one of the most high profile events of the year. Held on the eve of the
Australian Open, the party is also a regular meeting spot for IMG's star players
who are staying at Crown. Aussie
Millions Event Number 8 - $100,000 Challenge - Saturday 23rd January... $100,000
No Limit Holdem Challenge will be for those with deep pockets! Look out for some
high profile players with wallets in hand, looking for some wild action including
the Phil Ivey and 2007 Aussie Millions Champion Gus Hansen. Up to 30 of the most
prestigious and high profile poker players in the world will descend upon the
Crown Poker Room for this event. Some of the world's greatest poker players heading
the list include; Alexander Kostritsyn, Chris Ferguson, Erick Lindgren, Erik Seidel,
Gus Hansen, Howard Lederer, Ivan Demidov, Jeff Lisandro, John Juanda, Patrik Antonius,
Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, Tong G and Tony Bloom *Total Cost (Buy-In + Entry Fee) $100,500
($100,000 +$500). *Special thanks to Crown Casino for providing our news media
with the detailed information. We look forward to continuing to cover the action. Melbourne:
Gambling Research Agenda Continues At Monash University... Researchers
from Monash University's Department of Marketing are interviewing men and women,
from a range of backgrounds and age groups across Victoria, to find out more about
the reasons why people gamble and how it makes them feel. Study Principal Investigator
Dr Samantha Thomas said research was usually focused on problem gamblers with
'next to no' research being done on people who gamble for fun or those who feel
they don't have a problem with it. "Most research is fixated on problem gamblers
and psychological and social impacts associated with the negative aspects of gambling.
While we're not ignoring that exists we also believe that for most people who
gamble, whether it's a problem or not, that gambling has, at some stage, been
a social, enjoyable past-time," Dr Thomas said. "At what point does
it go from being a 'bit of a harmless flutter' to an issue that consumes their
lives? At what point do gamblers realize they have a problem and does public messaging
warning of the dangers of gambling have any influence on their thinking or behaviour?"
Dr Thomas said public messaging and support group programs specifically responded
to problem gambling using poker machines. "We know that people's gambling
habits are much broader than poker machines and while the 'pokies' have been portrayed
as 'evil' and 'addictive', problem gambling is also evident with people who bet
online, through sports betting outlets or on casino tables," Dr Thomas said.
Dr Thomas said the research involves extensive interviews and participants will
be compensated for their time. "Learning more about why people gamble, when
they first started to gamble, and what their social sphere is like is incredibly
important in being able to put into perspective behaviours and perceptions of
gambling." Dr Thomas said one emerging trend in their research to date is
that it appears people who bet on sporting outcomes often do so because they believe
it requires skill and knowledge and that winning on 'the punt' is a sign of personal
achievement rather than just financial gain. "In contrast we see people who
bet on poker machines believing more in 'personal luck' and a desire to 'beat
the system' with their goal being a financial reward. Dr Thomas said the team
was particularly interested in the experiences of women. "Australia has high
rates of gambling in women, and we are particularly interested to how women perceive
their gambling activities," Dr Thomas said. Dr Thomas said it was important
for government agencies, community help organisations and the industry to be provided
with information about gambling behaviours that will contribute to shaping policy
and community responses. A
Media Man spokesperson said of the study "Finally, a gambling study that
appears fair and balanced, and not just an attack on the great Aussie tradition
of having a punt. They will be interviewing a wide array of punters, not just
being focused on the so called problem gamblers, which has been quite the fodder
of media beat-ups and junk science research for well over a year. We are not certain
the gambling hating senators of Australia will use data from this particular study.
Why? Because it looks to be honest and straight up, and not just pandering to
the Australian government, the like way some Aussie politicians pandered to the
American government over Wikileaks. Balanced studies on gambling in Australia
are such a breath of fresh air. I just might have a punt to celebrate the good
news". Foxtel
Purchases ABC TV Programs; WTF... ABC
Commercial has recently finalized contracts on more than a dozen programs to Foxtel’s
owned and operated channels. The deals include the first two series of THE LIBRARIANS
(12 x 30’) and all three series of THE GRUEN TRANSFER (32 x 30’), to
screen on Foxtel’s Comedy Channel. A further nine programs were sold to Foxtel’s
History Channel, including Screen Australia documentary series KOKODA (2 x 56’)
and Chinese/Australian co-production PUYI: THE LAST CHINESE EMPEROR (2 x 52’)
which will be an Australian premiere for the channel. Two documentaries, GIRLS
OWN WAR STORIES (1 x 55’) and ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE (1 x 55’) were
also sold to the Bio Channel. “Our business with Foxtel continues to grow
and grow. We are very happy to be able to provide Foxtel with some of the best
Australian content in the market,” said Natalie Lawley, ABC Commercial’s
Sales Manager for Asia, Australia & NZ. If we hear of more gambling or poker
programing on Foxtel or ABC, readers, we will let you know. Be on the lookout
for Aussie Millions to get a few mentions on Foxtel - Fox Sports, as well as on
the news, and ABC TV is rumoured to do some fair and balanced coverage on their
sports reports via TV, radio and online. Take
the time to research and learn games before placing down money Media
Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911
are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading
websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews
and more. Readers...
er, punters, how did you like our report? What's your goss for us? Tell us in
the forum. If
you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have
fun. *Greg
Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
News Australian
And New Zealand Gambling And Entertainment News, by Greg Tingle - 9th January
2011 Punters,
January continues to shape up as a huge news month for both Australia and our
Kiwi friends in New Zealand. Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com
and Gambling911 with another non sheep like report - often imitated, never duplicated,
from the Pacific to the Tasman, and all points in between... Alice
Springs - Northern Territory - Clubs, Pubs, Pokie Palaces, Lasseter's Hotel Casino
Gets Tough On Violent Drunks... Alcohol
laws designed with the key objective of stop drunken violence dead on Darwin's
meet streets, namely Mitchell Street, are being rolled out to Palmerston and Alice
Springs. Drunk bastards can by law be banned for 48 hours from the 3nominated
areas and will be staring down the loaded gun barrel of a $133 on-the-spot fine,
slam bam, thank you mam. There's been 9 bans issued since the Darwin law was introduced
on October 1 of last year, Acting Chief Minister Delia Lawrie shared and it was
"important to give police the tool to issue on-the-spot fines and bans. It's
a preventative measure to stop people who have too much alcohol in their system
from carrying on like lunatics." In Palmerston, the ban precinct encompasses
a 1km radius around the central business district. Mayor Robert MacLeod supports
the ban. "The ones who are causing trouble are the ones that have to watch
out," he said. Macleod denied the law would unfairly target itinerants and
ban them from parks within Palmerston. "If we sit back and do nothing, it
stays the same way...as leaders of the community, you have to make decisions.
If we don't try something then why are we here?" The Alice Springs precinct
boundary is Wills and Leichhardt Tce, the golf course, Lasseter's Hotel Casino
and Stephens Rd to Telegraph Tce. Mayor Damien Ryan is hopeful the strong arm
of the law will shift troublemakers out of the town centre. "It's everybody's
right to have an evening out without being hassled by others who cause grief,"
he said. Banned people can enter the designated area to work but not for recreation.
The NT Government plans to introduce 48-hour precinct bans in Katherine and Tennant
Creek. Yep, we breed in tough in the "top end" of Australia, but mongrel
bastards of the drunk variety will not be tolerated thank you. Promoting
Lottery Syndicates; Australian Newsagents Thumps Up On Sin D Catates!... An
insider leaked across the www "We continue to have good success with lottery
syndicate sales, even in our small temporary location. The small A5 mini-posters
which we have stuck on the pole holding the lottery terminal screens works a treat
for us. It is terrific seeing a customer make a purchase and decide on a syndicate
ticket as well as the items they brought to the sales counter. It costs nothing
to make the A5 poster. In a one hour stint last week I saw four syndicate shares
sold specifically because of this promotional placement. We change the syndicates
we promote in this location regularly. Syndicates are also promoted at our lottery
entry table (workbench) as well as in a display behind the counter." Ed:
apparently this is pretty big news in the world of Australian newsagents who delight
at selling lottery tickets, so don't blame us is it doesn't turn you on! Elvis
Presley Impersonators Coming Up For King Title At Milwaukee Casino; Australian
Look And Act Alikes In The Mix At Casino In Next Round... Elvis
Mania is running wild at America's Milwakee Casino, and yep, Australians from
down under at trying their luck to be 'The King'. "Tribute to The King"
is the gig at Milwaukee's Potawatomi Bingo Casino. You've got all sorts of Elvis
want a bees. The Elvis impersonation comp...always near Elvis Presley's birthdate
enjoys a cult-like following. 500 folks fill up the seats for the first round
of action. Elvis nuts arrive early to snatch the prime seats of the house. After
4our days of competition in 2010, one of these great pretenders...Matt Joyce of
Arkansas...left with the $25,001 grand prize, billed as the largest in the world
for this type of competition. Among the judges were three of The Imperials, a
group known for backing up Elvis Presley on his albums and tours until 1971. "I
don't think enough realize what a wonderful singer Elvis was," says Sherman,
a friend of Elvis' who joined The Imperials as lead vocalist after their work
with the music icon ended. The event began as a look-alike contest nine years
ago, then morphed into much more. Now Elvis fans schedule a week of vacation around
the competition, says Rachel Buelow, the theater's entertainment coordinator.
Performance videos are part of the contestant screening process. Judges are told
to notice and rate the appearance, costume, vocals, choreography and "overall
replication of The King." Contestants supply their own background music,
props (only guitars and scarves are allowed) and arrive ready to perform because
of a lack of changing rooms. Next week's "Tribute to The King" contestants
include Elvis impersonators from down under in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Preliminary competitions start at noon Tuesday through Thursday and 3 p.m. Tuesday
through Friday. Admission is free, but seats fill quickly. Tickets are $20 to
$35 to daily finals, which start at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and include
a show by Elvis impersonators Ryan Pelton and Matt Joyce as Double Trouble. Tickets
to Friday's grand championship, as usual, sold out soon after going on sale in
late November. Australia's
Air Supply Soft Rock Legends To Perform At Casino New Brunswick in Moncton... Aussie
soft-rock band Air Supply, best known and loved for '80s ballads like 'All Out
of Love' and 'Even the Nights Are Better', will perform at Casino New Brunswick
in Moncton on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. Yeap, we know, love songs in a casino,
but at least they are not hate songs! Tickets for the show have only just recently
gone on sale today at the casino box office for $29.50, which is pretty good value
to see an hear living legends. Air Supply has been doing their things since 1975,
when Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock met while rehearsing for the musical
Jesus Christ Superstar in 'Sin City' Sydney, Australia. They started out with
one guitar and two voices, playing coffee houses and local nightclubs, building
up a reputation for their harmonies and original songs. They got a break with
CBS Records and went on tour in Australia and Canada with Rod Stewart. They signed
with Arista Records in 1980 and began a string of hits that pulled on the heartstrings
of listeners around the world. Their rise to success coincided with the boom in
music videos through MTV and MuchMusic. Their biggest hits included Lost in Love,
All out of Love, Even The Nights Are Better and Making Love Out of Nothing At
All. Air Supply was the first western group to tour the orient - China, Taiwan
and other countries that would not allow pop music across their borders. They
continue to tour and record. The band has released a new album called Mumbo Jumbo.
Recorded at Graham Russell's home studio in Utah and at the Odds On Records' studio
in Las Vegas with top session musicians and an orchestra, Mumbo Jumbo was produced
by Russell and engineered by Sean O'Dwyer (Pink Floyd, Randy Newman and Blink-182).
"Because of our crazy touring schedule, Mumbo Jumbo took three years to complete,"
Russell says. "Hitchcock and I couldn't be happier with the results. We had
been releasing projects independently for a long time. While sticking to our vow
of never making an album unless we are convinced it has numerous potential hit
singles, we also believe that we have emerged with our best overall collection
to date." The band reckon the new album was welcome news to millions of Airheads
who were waiting for the duo's latest work. Among them are Ozzy Osbourne (who
has attended their shows in disguise) and Al Pacino, who recently was spotted
hanging out in a dark booth in the back of Orleans in Las Vegas, one of the duo's
regular venues. Hitchcock added, "We had 12 songs recorded for the album,
which to me seemed like plenty, but Graham came to me with two more he wanted
to record, and I had an equally positive reaction to those. When he said, OK,
now we have everything we need, I knew instinctively that we had a finished project.
Writing and recording new material is our lifeblood that keeps us fresh and excited.
In concert, we know we raise eyebrows when we say we're going to start playing
new songs, but then we start and the audience realizes how much love and care
go into them. We've been around nearly 40 years and are not only holding our own
out there but firmly believe, with albums like Mumbo Jumbo, that our best days
are still ahead of us." Air Supply will perform at Casino New Brunswick on
Thursday, Feb. 17. Tickets for the show are $29.50 (plus tax and applicable surcharge)
and are available at the Casino Gift Shop (located at 21 Casino Drive in Moncton,
exit #450 off the Trans-Canada Highway), by calling 1-866-9-GET-TIX/ 1-866- 943-8849.
If the songs make you feel lucky for the opposite sex, or whatever tickles your
fancy, you might want to have a flutter on casino games also. But, remember, bet
with you head, not over it. Victoria
- New Pokies Policy Stops More Pokie Palaces In Regional Port Phillip... Port
Phillip Council will reject any and all new applications for gambling venues as
part of its new gaming policy. Could that be a form of discrimination many political
and gaming commentators are asking. The make on the run policy is a knee jerk
response to some folks who are concerned about the number of venues in the area.
Insiders say many bible basher, good two shoe types are behind it. The small but
vocal minority, who like to have a whinge and a wine about all matter of things.
If you're reading, you know who you are! There are at least count 18 TABs and
384 electronic gaming machines, operating from 10 licensed venues within the city.
Melbourne's Crown Casino also sits just outside Port Phillip’s border. Mayor
Rachel Powning said the council wanted to introduce strategies to help those at
risk of problem gambling. "It comes under part of the social justice area
of council business," Cr Powning said. “Local agencies are under stress
in the inner-city and it is the low to middle-income earners for which gambling
is a problem here. "Along with gambling comes depression, social isolation,
mental health issues and substance abuse." Commission for Gambling Regulation
figures show $28.2 million was put into gaming machines in Port Phillip in 2009/2010.
The move is expected to drive forward the expansion of illegal home poker games,
gambling dens, as well as driving more punters onto the internet sites and games
and entertainment portals. Australian
Pokie Education And Political Format Website Portal In War With 'The Truth'... Here's
how it goes punters...Owing entirely to mistakes made by the Illawarra Mercury,
the Truth About Pre-Commitment Reform was not published as contracted. Since the
time that the ad should have run, I have been accused of actions I did not take,
hung up on, indirectly threatened with legal action by ClubsNSW (again), and withstood
suggestions to alter the advertisement that would destroy it's core message. Provided
the Mercury make good on the commercial directors email that states: "We
are good. I will book the ad into next weeks Mercury for Jan 11, 12 and 13. The
attached copy is the one approved to run so please not that we will not accept
any variation to this copy without it going through the same approval process."
Readers, for more on the story and to make your own mind up, check out
http://blog.pokieact.org/2011/01/battle-to-publish-truth-advertisement.html
Kaitaia, New Zealand; Land Of Sheep Sees 3 Lotto Wins Born...
The
word is out - Kaitaia is lucky... or at least it just was. 3 major prizes worth
a cool combo of $654,456 grand were won in township in the span of past week.
A Lotto Strike first division ticket sold at Kaitaia Pak'nSave won a local fella
$529,456 in last Saturday's draw, and on Wednesday, the local supermarket sold
a $100,000 Instant Kiwi ticket to another local. That same night, a ticket sold
at Kaitaia's Paper Plus won the holder $25,000 in the Big Wednesday draw, but
that prize has yet to be claimed. The $529,456 Lotto Strike prize was claimed
by a local man who had made a last-minute addition to his grocery shopping. Buying
a Triple Dip was a spur-of-the-moment decision. He checked his tickets online
after the January 1 draw and thought it was "pretty cool" that he had
3 of the right numbers. "I then checked again and realised that I had all
four of the right Strike numbers, and thought, 'Oh no, that's me'," said
the man, who did not want to be named. "I'm planning a party to celebrate.
I also plan some sensible investments with the money to make it last." Kaitaia
Pak'nSave owner Maurice Te Brake was delighted that his store had helped put some
much-needed money into the local economy. "That's just awesome. They [the
two big winners] are local shoppers and it's absolutely fantastic to know we've
helped put over $600,000 into the town," Te Brake said. "I'm sure some
of the money will get circulated locally." A Media Man spokesperson said
of the new "This is great pr for the lotto industry. It could have a few
possible outcomes. More folks will buy tickets at the shops or newsagents, or
some may hit lotto more on the internet, possibly both. It brings some much welcome
positive news to the Kiwi lottery sector. Online casino jackpot games much also
experience a spike, as punters will be thinking to go after the big one". New
Zealand: Internal Affairs Loses Gambling Machine Battle, Gambling Execs And Punters
Celebrate; Machine Haters VS Machine Lovers Kiwi Style... The
land of sheep' Department of Internal Affairs has lost a 3 year war to prevent
passionate gamblers playing gaming machines in the smoking area of a popular Wellington
tavern that acts are a pokie haven of sorts. Since 2007, the department has attempted
to add a "special condition" (discrimination?) to the Kilbirnie Tavern's
gambling licence that would stop people playing the machines in areas where having
a puff is permitted. The department reckons smoking and playing pokies encourages
problem gambling. The Gambling Commission has allowed an appeal by gaming machine
operator Lion Foundation against the condition Internal Affairs wanted to impose.
The Kilbirnie Tavern is one of lucky 7 pokie venues in New Zealand where gambling
machines are played in smoking areas. It is common for club pokie players to enjoy
a smoke while on the punt. Online pokie players are less inclined to smoke according
to a Media Man spokesperson. Punters, 2 sins for the price of one! Ok, were are
just lightning things up for you. If you get on the punt, please know the odds,
and most of all, have fun, with or without having a puff on whatever weed takes
your fancy. Media
Man and Gambling911 remind our readers
to keep the following in mind: Take
the time to research and learn games before placing down money Media
Man http://www.mediamanint.com Casino News Media and Gambling911.com are website
portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites
that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more. Readers...
er, punters, how did you like our report? How did you see in the new year? Did
you like the extra New Zealand supplement? Tell us in the forum. If
you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have
fun. *Greg
Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911 *Media
Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily
a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one
of a dozen sectors covered News Australian
Kids Copy Parents Gambling; Gambling Crocs Again, by Greg Tingle - 8th January
2011 Punters,
January continues to be a huge month from the land down under in Australia. We've
got kids copying their parents gambling habits, more gambling crocodile tests
from Australia's top end, Aussie casino and media wars, casino haters VS casino
loves and more. Australian
Kids Copy Parents Gambling... Aussie
kids are adopting the gambling and sports betting habits of their parents and
guardians new academic research shows. Of course, the question needs to be asked
if the data can be trusted, as the readership is well aware of many "junk
science" reports from academic institutions that service to act as propaganda,
if delivering results and data the the Australian Labor Party wants to see, and
many times sponsored educational programs doing the research! Think Japanese "scientific
research", but on with the story. In a the latest report, 60% of 13 to 17-year-olds
reveal that they have gambled at least one time in the year. The Australian Psychological
Society study states that household exposure to gambling by adults, especially
dads, increases the risk that kids will become passionate punters and will develop
gambling problems in later life! We hear you shaking your head already. Report
co-author Associate Professor Paul Delfabbro gave a stern warning that there was
already frequent exposure on the www. "All the time they are reminded of
the opportunity to gamble and this awareness, in addition to opportunities like
at poker machines or betting at the TAB, can pose risks for young people,"
Prof Delfabbro said. It's currently being debated that interactive gambling services
such as online casino games are prohibited in Australia, but many operates such
as Betfair, Centrebet, PKR and PartyGaming offer a range of games, some for free
play, some for money. Prof Delfabbro warned that even everyday pastimes such as
card games could normalise gambling for young people. "All the evidence shows
that we do what our parents do, and if kids are learning casino-style card games
that teach them how to gamble, they will repeat that behaviour elsewhere,"
he said. He encouraged parents to have mature conversations with their kids about
the risks involved in gambling and the likelihood of success. "The important
thing is that young people should recognise the nature of the industry is to make
a profit like any other business," he said. "The industry knows how
to ensure that they make money from your behaviour." Prof Delfabbro cautioned
parents against telling young people that they won't win in the short term. "In
order to lose large amounts of money, most people have to win big first,"
he said. "The problem is that gamblers can't win in the longer term,"
he said. UnitingCare Wesley spokesman Mark Henley said young people were particularly
susceptible to online gambling. "Young people are much more tech-savvy than
their parents and with online gambling you don't even need to leave the house,"
he said. "The fact is if parents are gambling in any form, children are more
likely to gamble too." Henley said children should be educated at school
about the dangers of gambling, just as they are taught about sex and drugs. A
Media Man spokesperson said "Fair and balanced information on gambling and
the risks involved are the way to go. We advise to stick to strong and trusted
brands when possible, like PartyGaming, Betfair and Centrebet. Stick to brands
and sources you can trust, and keep things fun. If the gambling stops being fun,
you know you have a problem". Tabcorp
Business Split Up Speculation... There
is more solid info coming in about the split up, although no one is betting on
either arm surviving as a stand-alone operation for long, with predators already
getting hungry for both divisions. James Packer's gambling operation, Crown Limited,
has been cited as a likely purchaser of Tabcorp's casinos while Tattersall's chief
executive, Dick McIlwain, has a noted interest in the wagering and gaming business,
which would put all Aussies traditional wagering pools under one roof for the
first time in history. Northern
NSW: Internet Gambling Study From Southern Cross University... Researchers
from Southern Cross University have launched an online survey aimed at understanding
internet gambling behaviour in Australia. SCU’s Dr Sally Gainsbury will collaborate
with an international team to understand one of the fastest growing forms of gambling
in Australia. “My hope is that it will assist key stakeholders, including
governments, regulators and gambling operators to develop appropriate policies
to regulate internet gambling,” she said. “My aim is that the results
will give a clearer indication of the behaviour of gamblers and the participation
rates in all forms of gambling.” Two members of the research team, Professor
Alex Blaszczynski of Sydney University and Nerilee Hing of SCU, were appointed
to the Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling last year. “The establishment
of that group shows that there is increasing recognition from politicians, regulators,
gambling operators and the community that we need to develop more knowledge about
gambling and its prominence in society,” Dr Gainsbury said. Central
Queensland University Students And Teachers Love Gambling Crocodile Study; Popular
Thesis And Fun Subject!... Crocs
are one again being used to shed light rays on the numerous factors that make
punters more likely to become "problem gamblers". Psychologist, Dr Matthew
Rockloff and Nancy Greer of Central Queensland University in Bundaberg, reported
their findings in the Journal of Gambling Studies. It is well known that gambling
is often exciting and causes measurable symptoms of physiological arousal such
as increased heart rate, says Rockloff. In the gaming environment, players often
interpret such excitement as a "lucky feeling" and there is significant
suggestion that this makes them more likely to take higher risks. Like "double
of nothing" or pressing the "gamble" button on a pokie. Rockloff
says casinos already use methods that cause excitement, including ringing bells,
flashing lights and an open gaming floor. It's a bells and whistles type environment,
and never boring! "They don't know why it works but they've noticed that
if they have small gaming venues that they don't make as much money as larger
gaming venues," he went on record with. Rockloff is interested in testing
whether excitement really does cause you to lose yourself and take greater risks,
and if so under what circumstances! In previous experiments, he blasted white
noise at people who were gambling. This caused people to gamble more intensively,
playing faster and placing larger bets. "If you do that in a casino environment,
you're going to lose more money more quickly." Next up, he wanted to find
a more clever and secret way of getting people excited, so he could see whether
the same thing happened. So, enter 'The Crocodile Test' - Who is smiling? - read
on...The smiling professor designed an experiment that recruited some 103 visitors
to a Queensland crocodile farm to play a simulated Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM)
on a laptop computer. A control group were asked to play the EGM before seeing
the crocodiles. The test group were asked to play after taking a tour of the farm,
during which time they were told stories about crocodile attacks, saw a crocodile
jumping at a piece of meat and even got to hold a live young croc. Each participant
was given $20 bucks, which they could use as credit for their gambling so they
felt they were gambling with their own money. No participants knew of the connection
between the crocodile farm and the gambling study. "They just thought it
was a convenient place for us to carry out the study," says Rockloff. Rockloff
found that people with a pre-existing gambling problem who appeared to have fun
holding the live crocodile took greater risks in the gambling than those who were
anxious and nervous as hell after touring the crock farm. He also found some people
in the control group (who had not yet had contact with the crocodiles) took more
risks if they had high negative emotions, compared to those who said they were
feeling happy. Rockloff says the crocodile experiment was not "highly controlled",
but taken together with the 'white noise' experiment suggests there is a three-way
interaction between previous gambling history, emotion and physiological excitement.
He says the findings suggest problem gamblers should watch out for certain emotional
states that are likely to make them gamble greater amounts. "Don't go to
the casino when you're depressed. Don't go to the casino when you're feeling so
lucky you're absolutely sure you're going to win." There you have it punters.
As always, only bet what you can afford to lose, and for God's sake, keep it fun. Aussie
Casino And Media King James Packer Gets $43 Million Dollar Compound - Mansion
In Sydney's Eastern Suburbs... He's
got 3 properties already purchased and 2 houses now demolished, billionaire James
Packer is well on his way to building a massive compound in Sydney's east. It
will include 13-car garage, 23m pool, underground cinema, gym and staff quarters.
News Limited is understood to be first to break the news, with it spreading like
wildfire on the web and across news wires. The renovations alone will cost close
to $13 mill, and that's on top of the $30m already spent consolidating the three
properties in upmarket Vaucluse. Although the title deeds are now in Packer's
name, the paperwork behind the deals shows the three properties were transferred
to him only in mid-December by a Manoc Developments Pty Ltd "without monetary
consideration". The "capital investment value" will be $12.96m,
according to the report, which praised the overall design process and consultation
with heritage consultants, describing it as "exemplary" and "a
best-practice model". In addition to the new "module", renovations
and additions will occur in the main house, made out of "a lightweight glass
and steel structure". Any neighbours will find it difficult to peek. At least
two pedestrian entrances are to be sealed off and the only access will be via
"two new 1.7m-high metal picket vehicular entry gates". Once past these
gates, visitors will then find themselves facing a 2.4m-high "metal security
fence". Well, casino and media types do seem to get a lot of attention, sometimes
too much. SkyCity
New Zealand Enters Asia Pacific Casino Wars; Hunting High Roller Whales... High-rolling
whales from mainland China gambling at SkyCity in Auckland are up a solid 33%
in the past 6 months. Not content, they are reaching for the stars and is looking
to boost the market "many times over". Last year, Macau casinos reported
record takings of US$23.5 billion ($31.1 billion). That's 4 time the revenues
generated at the world famous Las Vegas Strip...largely because of mainland Chinese
punters. SkyCity says it is keen to lure some of these high-spending players to
New Zealand. An agreement had been reached with Air New Zealand for priority access
to ticketing and the casino is working with Immigration New Zealand to "fast-track"
visas for "known players" from the mainland, said SkyCity's international
business president, Ejaaz Dean. In the 5 months ending in November, SkyCity's
international business grew more than 100% - with China topping the list, ahead
of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. "Most of what's fuelling
the growth are from mainland China," Dean said. Regional rivals, such as
Singapore, which last year opened 2 glitz and glam casinos, are competing hard
for the market, but SkyCity is undeterred. "Sure, we have lost some of our
Singaporean clients, who now prefer to gamble locally, and that's understandable.
But we have a lot of things in New Zealand that Singapore cannot replicate,"
Dean said. "We have great golf courses here, we have great vineyards, and
these are things that attract high-rollers here, rather than Singapore."
SkyCity had already been booked by 30 high-spending dolphins and whales from China
to spend Chinese New Year, which falls in early February, in Auckland rather than
in Asia, Dean said. The gambling and entertainment company expects to have 4 dedicated
private gaming rooms for high-rollers, up from 1, by the middle of the year, and
is also undertaking several facility upgrades at its hotels, restaurants and bars
to ensure they are world class all the way. SkyCity is targeting a net profit
of at least $127.4 million for the year to June. Dean said having a dedicated
sales office in Singapore had helped in "redirecting" some of the high-value
punters to New Zealand. Macau's casinos last year cashed in 188.3 billion patacas
($31.1 billion), up from 119.3 billion patacas in 2009. That's four times higher
than the US$6 billion gamblers were expected to have spent on the Last Vegas Strip
in 2010, Hong Kong-based brokerage CLSA told AFP. Aaron Fischer, a CLSA gaming
analyst, said Macau's revenue was largely driven by high-roller gamblers, including
many wealthy Chinese tourists riding high on the country's surging economy. The
biggest spending punters are in order from highest: China, Thailand, Singapore
/ Malaysia, Australia and then Pacific Island nations. Queensland
Gets Two Lotto Millionaires Within 48 Hours... Queensland
got two more millionaire lottery winners in the past 48 hours. The two lucky families
bring the tally of millionaire winners to 5 since the year began 6 days ago. A
dad on Brisbane's westside couldn't believe his luck when he found his family
was $1 million richer after all their numbers came up in last night's Gold Lotto
draw. "When I saw that I had won I started shaking, but quickly reminded
myself not to get too excited in case there had been a mistake," he said.
It took until this morning, when Golden Casket verified the win, for the family
to have their hopes confirmed. The dad, who bought his ticket online, still can't
quite believe it's really happening. "This is unbelievable. It means so much
to us," he said. We'll pay off the mortgage and set up scholarship accounts
for our children." The other division one winners from last night, a Sunshine
Coast couple, had no idea they had picked up the big prize until Golden Casket
gave them a million-dollar wake-up call this morning. The couple said they had
been playing lotto every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday since the 1980s,
and their dedication finally paid off to the tune of $1 million when their numbers
came up last night. "What amazing news. We'll use some of the prize money
to help our children and the rest to fund our retirement," they said. The
two wins have added to Queensland's huge group of millionaire winners thus far
in 2011. The earliest lotto millionaire of the year was the mystery recipient
of a $1.35 million first division prize, who finally claimed her win on New Years
Day, exactly 2 weeks after the draw. On Tuesday, a Brisbane man picked up a cool
$10 million on Oz 7 Lotto after playing for more than five years, joking that
he would use the winnings to pay off his debts, retire and top up his go card.
And the identity of another Queensland lotto millionaire still remains a mystery,
with a $1.6 million prize remaining unclaimed. The winning ticket was for the
New Year's Eve Gold Lotto Megadraw, and was purchased at the Kenmore Tavern Plaza
News in Brisbane's Western suburbs. A spokeswoman from Golden Casket said Queensland
Lotto players are on a roll with close to $17 million in prize money claimed in
the past week. Embattled
Australian Aristocrat Technologies Pokie Maker To Be In The Mix At London's ICE
2011... ICE
is ebing held from January 25 to January 27, the International Casino Exhibition
(ICE) this year will celebrate 21 years of high-stakes gaming at the event. Australia's
embattled Aristocrat is in the mix of one armed bandit makers who will exhibit.
Readers will recall from last month that there's a legal situation between Aussie
Aristocrat and American made IGT (International Game Technology). IGT is claiming
copyright infringement and a whole lot more, and Aristocrats shares price has
not been pretty to say the least in recent months. The event will see exhibitors
Aristocrat Technologies, Barcrest Group, CMS, Cummins-Allison, Eurocoin, Funworld
and TCSJohnHuxley represented, according to Clarion Gaming, the organiser of the
event.
As well as the big-name exhibitors, more than 400 companies will be
present.
The 20,000 square metres of space will be taken up by those active
in the online, casino, mobile, betting, bingo, lottery and street gaming sectors
who will deliver "the most comprehensive insight to the latest gaming innovations
from every corner of the world." Clarion Gaming has described ICE 2011, to
take place at London's Earl Court Exhibition Centre, to be "the most comprehensive
and international business-to-business gaming event on the world stage."
Kate Chambers, Show Director for ICE 2011, stated that "our opening ceremony
will celebrate 21 years of working in partnership to provide a source of product
innovation and inspirational ideas for the international gaming industry."
"Few could have thought some 21 years ago that a pioneering niche within
an existing exhibition would flourish in such a way," she continued. Chambers
also stated that "most, if not all, of the ground-breaking and iconic gaming
products to impact the sector over the last 21 years have been launched at ICE
and I'm certain that the breakthrough product of 2011 will also be found at ICE,
which is why the exhibition remains the immense asset it is to the global gaming
industry and a must-attend event." ICE 2011 promises to be an exciting event
with plenty of exhibitions to keep visitors occupied. Aussies, Yankees, Canooks
and Pommies are looking forward to downing a few drinks and inking a few details
together, as the industry looking forward to seeing better days, with last year
being one of the worst in history as far as many firms bottom lines went. All
power to those who attend, and we hope you get your money's worth. Stand don't
always come cheap! Queensland
- Gold Coast Might Get 'Sin City' Kings Cross Style Make Over; `Kings Cross Strip'
Surfers Paradise Prop With City Council Powers That Be... 'Real
Life Underbelly' might be coming to Surfers' Paradise. Some say is already there.
Plans filed with the city council on Christmas Eve for a multi-level adult nightclub
in Surfers Paradise have sparked fears it could turn into a Kings Cross-type slum.
Area councillor Susie Douglas said the proposal had not been discussed with her
but it was the type of development the council wanted to shut out. "The Hilton
will put us on the international map and we can't afford to have visitors leaving
thinking we are a sleazy city," she said. The proposal, by the Hollywood
Showgirls nightclub owners Duffy Night Club No 1, wants to expand the first floor
and connect it to the neighbouring nightclub 21, which has approval for a second
nightclub on its first floor. Australian
Bee Gees Show Hits Las Vegas Strip... The
Australian Bee Gees Show...A Tribute to The Bee Gees, will make its exciting debut
at Excalibur Hotel and Casino Tuesday, Feb. 1 when the talented tribute band brings
the music of the famous Gibb brothers to the Las Vegas Strip. Tickets priced at
$54.95 and $44.95, plus tax and service fees, are now on sale. Performances are
Tuesday-Sunday at 7 p.m. nightly. To charge by phone call (702) 597-7600. Tickets
are also available for purchase at the Excalibur box office and online. The 75-minute
multi-media concert event is a contemporary perspective featuring state-of-the-art
sound, superb lighting and giant screens featuring video clips, live camera images
and stunning graphics. It is the definitive live celebration of five decades of
memorable music written by the Brothers Gibb, one of the most successful and adored
acts in musical history. Adam Steck, CEO of SPI Entertainment and producer of
the show, said, "I grew up on Bee Gees music so I'm especially thrilled to
bring this amazing tribute to Las Vegas. They nail their unbelievable harmonies
and the show literally turns into one big sing-along!" Excalibur's President
and COO Renee West said, "The legacy of The Bee Gees and their music has
been incredibly enduring, appealing to generation after generation. This tribute
show is sure to be a fun and energetic celebration of music and memories that
visitors from around the world will relate to." Since 1996, The Australian
Bee Gees Show - A Tribute to The Bee Gees has performed to more than 1 million
people in sold-out theaters and concert halls across the globe in more than 40
countries. The group's unbelievable resemblance and sound of the legendary Bee
Gees has garnered international kudos from media and show goers alike. The show
has become the world's leading Bee Gees show and Terri Bridge, president of the
U.S. Bee Gees Fan Club said, "In my opinion they are the best Bee Gees tribute
in the world." About Excalibur Hotel and Casino: A myriad of entertainment,
fine food and comfortable accommodations make for an inviting atmosphere within
contemporary castle walls at Excalibur Hotel and Casino. The resort offers 3,981
guest rooms, including 2,000 recently remodeled Widescreen Rooms, delightful dining
experiences including Dick's Last Resort and The Steakhouse at Camelot, the Tournament
of Kings Dinner Show, the all-male revue Thunder From Down Under and the hilarious
comedy of the Broadway smash Defending the Caveman. Excalibur also offers dozens
of shops, an expansive pool complex, a wedding chapel featuring costume ceremonies,
the Royal Treatment Spa & Fitness Center and a convention area with more than
12,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space. Excalibur is a wholly owned subsidiary
of MGM Resorts International. It's a good night, go on, get your ass in there! Berg's
Gaming: Bondi Icebergs Club Gaming Not On Par With Other On Site Amenities; North
Bondi RSL Club Much Better Pokies Plus Poker Nights... Don't
get us wrong, we love Bondi Icebergs, but the gaming facilities are a bit lacking.
Granted, the pokies are not the main attraction of the club, the pool, restaurant,
bar, entertainment and view are, but if you're going to have pokies, have more
up to date ones (like Sinatra and Top Gun), or don't have them at all. We couldn't
even find Cleopatra Queen Of The Nile, Black Rhino or Penguin Pays. Also, how
about a poker and bingo night, like the other competing club down the road, North
Bondi RSL Club does. For the record Media Man is a member of both clubs, but North
Bondi RSL has it all over 'The Bergs' as far as gaming and gambling goes, but
The Icebergs wins in just about every other category. Gaming and business tycoon
is a big fan of Bondi Iceberg's restaurant, as is U2 front man Bono (Paul Hewson),
even if he did have to wait for a table, like everyone else. Hey, just sayin! Hoff
Hits Bondi Beach, Sydney; Next Beach To Hit - Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Australia... Yeah,
we know, 'The Hoff' doesn't have much to do with gaming and gambling, but its
big enough entertainment news to get a run. Oh, an online Baywatch slot machine
was released a number of years ago, but Aussies can't access that one any way,
so on with the story... Former Knight Rider and Baywatch star David Hasselhoff,
fresh of his hot Bondi Beach swimming and posing with hot women a few days back,
will now hit the golden sands of the Gold Coast's Main Beach to promote Streets
new ice creams Splice Real Fruits. Yeah, there's the product plus. I guess someone
has to do the job don't they, as who better than 'The Hoff'?! Hoff hit Bondi Beach
on an inflatable rescue boat aka 'rubber ducky' wearing his famous hot red shorts,
and surrounded by blonde goddesses beach babes (but no Jaime Wright - original
Bondi Blonde) in Baywatch-style swimsuits. The 58-year-old's running action no
longer requires editing to appear in slow motion, yet 'The Hoff' still has what
it takes to draw a crowd. But if you head to check out the spectacle remember
one thing: don't hassle The Hoff. Sydney
Red Hot Brothel Raided By Thieves For Cold Hard Cash... Two
blokes men have robbed a Sydney brothel, clobbering the manager with an iron bar,
then robbing the female working girls. Cops say the pair burst into the business
in Cosgrove Road, South Strathfield, about 1.45am last last Saturday and hit the
51-year-old manager. They snatched cash from the female staff and a till, then
bolted off. The manager was taken to hospital and is in a stable condition. The
robbers were described as being of Pacific Islander appearance and wore blue hooded
tops. Police want to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity around the brothel
this morning. Who will talk, that's the question. Punter
Fev On Leave After Huge New Years Eve; Into Rehab... AFL's
most notorious (and nocturnal we understand) play, bad ass Brendan 'Punter Fev'
Fevola has been granted indefinite leave from the Queensland's Brisbane Lions
after being arrested during drunken New Year’s Eve celebrations in Bris Vegas
(Brisbane), not be be confused with 'Sin City' Sydney! Feb might be trying to
get Brissy a reputation for sin, but you will still have to try harder next time
mate... just kidding. Fev was released from lockup about 11am after spending in
excess of 5 hours in the watchhouse. You know, in "the can". He was
bailed out on charges of public nuisance and obstructing police and will appear
in a court of law on January 18. QLD police confirmed a 29-year-old Norman Park
chap was arrested in the nightclub lurks of Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
aka 'The Valley' (where Underbelly 4 and perhaps 5 will be featured). In a statement
yesterday, the Brisbane Lions advised Fevola had request indefinite leave "in
order to receive professional assistance for a number of personal issues. The
request for leave was made by Fevola following an incident in the early hours
of this morning where he was arrested and charged with public nuisance and obstructing
police in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley," the statement says. "Fevola
was released from police custody at around 11am and immediately sought leave from
the Lions to receive professional assistance. As a result, Fevola will not be
at training this Monday when the team resumes its preparations for the 2011 AFL
Season. While the Brisbane Lions AFC places the well being of all its staff as
a primary focus, the club will hold talks next week regarding what action may
be required as a direct result of this morning’s incident." AFL General
Manager Football Operations Adrian Anderson said the Lions had told him of Fevola's
latest incident, the latest in a string, with Crown Casino's antics likely being
the most famous, captured on film. He advised the club was still gathering the
full details and the AFL would await Brisbane's detailed report before considering
any action. It’s believed Lions officials are seething about this latest
incident and he now faces an uncertain future. Club officials state it’s
unlikely the Lions will have an emergency board meeting to discuss Fevola’s
future. However, that could change. The Lions investigated terminating Fevola’s
hefty contract last year after claims he allegedly exposed himself to a mum of
four at a local football club function. The club had major salary cap issues which
played a major role in key midfielders Michael Rischitelli and Jared Brennan leaving
to join the Gold Coast Suns. As was the case then, Fevola could also face action
from the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute. An AFL spokesman said the league
could issue a statement this afternoon. This latest incident is another black
mark on Fevola’s chequered career. On New Year’s Eve Fevola tweeted:
‘‘Good bye 2010 thank god! Bring on 2011 lions will roar again :)’’.
The Lions full-forward endured a turbulent 2010. He was accused of releasing nude
photos of former lover and model Lara Bingle, who at the time was engaged to stand-in
Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke. The AFL later said there was "insufficient
evidence" to show Fevola had distributed the photograph. Queensland police
were later unable to lay charges he had exposed himself to the mother of four
because of a lack of evidence. He was only cleared in recent weeks by the AFL
of bringing the game into disrepute. Fevola also confirmed he had major gambling
debts, with some estimating these were as high as $200,000. In his first year
at the club since he was dumped by Carlton, Fevola also endured a wretched on-field
season because of a serious groin injury as the Lions, finalists in 2009, tumbled
to the bottom wrungs of the AFL ladder. Pokies
Not The Only Answer To Aussie Pub Profits... Pokies
might not the the big drawcard for Aussie pubs that they used to be. Pokies hit
the scene about 10 years ago and did a roaring trade, but they seemed to have
lost at least some of their appeals in the clubs. Some publicans have revamped
facilities and pokie rooms, at some media reckons drinkers and those wanting a
good feed, beers and other other forms of entertainment may have suffered. A Media
Man spokesperson said 'When you visit an Aussie pub these days and look around
the pokie machines, they are definitely quieter than they used to be. It's got
the be the recession. Let us not also forget that many punters are also hitting
the pokies and other casino games on the web theses days. Some Aussies got a big
worried at the violence at some Aussie pubs with glassings becoming a frequent
thing. Now beer is often served in plastic cups, thanks to a few morons who spoil
it for everyone. Advertising, media man and bloke of business brilliance John
Singleton has not being quite hitting the jackpot with the pubs as much as predicted
either. That man knows beer. Oh, a few yews ago he did 'Whale Safe Beer' at North
Bondi with our friends at Sea Shepherd, followed a few years late with Bondi Blonde
at Icebergs, but that's another story. If Singo isn't going that great in pubs
what chance does an average Aussie bloke have hey! insiders will know he recently
purchased 4 pubs with his mates and is looking for return on investment. It may
take longer than at first anticipated. Is Singo next to join the online gambling
biz, following the trends that sees James Packer and Richard Branson making giant
ways, with 2011 set to be a year it creates a massive tidal wave effect. Catch
the wave and stay tuned to Gambling911 and Media Man. Australian
Gambling, Entertainment And Media News, by Greg Tingle - 23rd December 2010 G'day
again and Merry Christmas punters, casino and gambling millionaires, billionaires,
entertainment news junkies, insiders, outsiders, politicians, journalists and
everyone else. What a year it has been. It's just 2 sleeps before Christmas hits,
depending upon where you live, but the cracker Aussie news just keeps coming think
and fast. We thank you, the loyal readership for your custom this year, and we
look forward to continuing to satisfy your desire for the best in gambling, gaming,
casino, entertainment and sports news and information in 2011. Media Man and Gambling911
with a Santa's sleigh full stocking of news. Ho Ho Ho!... Aussie
Rat-Pack Vice King Dies At 82; Secrets Of Australia Vice Dies With Da Man... Former
senior detective Tony Murphy, a king of Australian vice including the gambling
and prostitution biz has died. Legend has is that he was once one of the most
feared fit it and can do men in Sydney. By circa 2000 however has had assumed
the position as the licensed operator of the TAB betting facility at Dunwich on
Stradbroke Island, north east of Brisbane. Journey back to 70's as he was the
law man now to cross, striking fear in the hearts of those who dared crossed him,
and who, according to many who knew him, was the boss of corruption in a Queensland
police force that was as rotten you could get. It was the landmark inquiry into
police and political corruption headed by Tony Fitzgerald QC began in 1987 and
concluded in July 1989, that resulting in the locking up of 4 National Party ministers
as well as police commissioner Terry Lewis, and the charging of more than 250
other people, of whom 139 were found guilty. That's lot of heads, crooked cops
et al. All told, 30 coppers were charged with crimes, 36 charges of official corruption
laid and 10 indemnities granted to corrupt senior police who were involved in
protecting illegal casino dens, brothels and unlicensed bookmakers. Yep, crooks
and cops has finger in all sorts of pie. One against whom a bush tucked bag of
allegations were made but who was never charged after the Fitzgerald inquiry was
'Our Murphy', who retired from his position of assistant commissioner in 1983
after a "smashing" 38-year career. The Fitzgerald inquiry was told that
Murphy headed what was known as "The Rat Pack": a trio of crooked cops
who organised the standover and the "creaming off" of organised crime
in Queensland. The Rat Pack comprised Murphy who was the tough as shoe leather
boss man, detective Glen Hallahan and Terry Lewis. Some insider say they were
basically the creme and puppet masters of the brothels, gambling dens and a range
of other popular vice industries. Yet another chapter of Queensland's love affair
with vice and corruption has been put to rest. Aussie
Gambling And Media King James Packer And Mining King Andrew Forrest Tag Team On
Resources Investment... It's
not quite the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip, or even Packer's Crown Casino,
but Packer and good friend "Twiggy" Forrest have teamed up again, the
last known tag match being our favorite GenerationOne indigenous employment initiative.
Australian-listed Medical Corporation saw its shares surge 342.86% to 16c yesterday,
after it announced it was to buy Amphion International, a private company backed
by Packer and Forrest, along with a $2.8 million share placement. Packer is also
understood to be a shareholder in the Twig Meister's Fortescue Metals Group and
as a vocal supporter of the mining king's Generation One program. Mining vet Miles
Kennedy, the head of Amphion, will head up the new project, along with Medical
Corp chairman Simon Lee, who has vast experience in the gold sector. Packer, Forrest,
along with ex Multiplex director Tim Roberts, have supported the power play and
will take up their full entitlement in the share placement, in a vote of confidence
in the team finding a resource project. It is understood Medical Corp will soon
change its name to reflect its new focus on the business of mining. The purchase
of Amphion and the share placement would leave Medical Corp with about $12m in
cash and listed shares to seek out a "suitable investment" in the resources
sector. We wish the tag team will in their hunt for their next jackpot, and we
might even pick up a shares soon, in yet another show of support in the Packer
- Forrest dream team. Aussie
Casino And Media Tycoon James Packer And Media Boss Kerry Stokes Now Mates!... Having
spent years, if not decades, in a war for news media dominance down under, the
families are now sharing luxury ski lodge digs over Xmas. We hear that The Packer's
and their two juniors are heading to Beaver Creek in Vail Colorado for Christmas
where they will be the guests of Seven Network big cheese Kerry Stokes. Stokes
has been buying up properties in the luxury ski resort for years and has a world
class penthouse in the region which will suit fellow billionaire Packer to a tee.
Earlier in the year JP and Stokes clashed, when Stokes made a hostile raid on
'Our James' Consolidated Media Holdings, but both gents have moved forward. Packer
has of course bought a large bite of Ten and insiders reckon there's will be plenty
of sport to go around the Aussie media landscape, should it get split up from
Ten's digital channel OneHD. Afterwards The Packer's will snatch a lend of a a
boat and cruise up to the Bahamas. Packer family matriarch Ros has flown to Paris,
France, to catch up with daughter Gretel for Xmas. Ok, that's you first lot of
Xmas media celeb goss. Stay tuned. Aussie
Shane Warne May Focus More On Cricket And Poker; Love Life Suffers Blow; Twitter-Gate... Love
him or hate him (we like him lots, but not too much), Warnie is newsworthy. Mate
and biz partner or the rich and famous, like James Packer, just to name one, has
a thing for poker (and ladies). Warne's romance with British babe Liz Hurley has
suffered a blow out. Hurley has apparently distanced Warne the leg-spinner's loose
fingers (phone and other... satire) and love for hot women again led distracted
him, says Murdoch's News Of The World. The 41-year-old legend reportedly pumped
out more than 100 hot texts to a married 44-year-old Melbourne mother of two,
Adele Angeleri, while he was courting Hurley. The pair met when Angeleri, who
runs a shop across the road from Warne's office, allegedly approached him with
a business proposal only to receive a string of propositions herself. The sexy
text affair reportedly spun out of control when the woman's husband, lawyer Denis
Angeleri, found out and stormed into Warne's office demanding to speak to him.
The following day Warne is understood - alleged to have telephoned a not happy
Angeleri in an attempt to keep the affair secret. Warne, who had reportedly told
friends he wanted to marry Hurley, has not been his usually happy go lucky self
on Twitter recently. "Still no sleep… so got up out of bed, now staring
at the water here in Perth, sulking and feeling grumpy!! Need cheering up today!"
Warne said in the early hours of Friday morning. Not even Australia's comeback
in the Perth cricket Test could boost Warne's spirits. He also asked why "some
people enjoy being nasty, it's good to be nice to." Media Man will be checking
in with Warnie's Twitter for further updates. Crown
Casino Aussie Cricket Yarns And Gossip... Cricket
Legend Jeff Thomson hit the stage at Melbourne's Crown Casino in a shirt that
Yankee ex politician and pro wrestling colour man, Jesse 'The Body' Ventura would
have been proud of. Pink, yeah Pink! He also sported black pants, black tie and
a lovely cream jacket, with his trademark mop of white hair hanging over his shoulders.
Maybe he mas been watching too many re runs of WWE WrestleMania is its heyday
or something. Anyway, on with the story... the 60 year old or so veteran was straight
up at them Cricket Victoria luncheon, and let loose with some ripper quotes on
the Pommie batsmen. Thomson had some words of wisdom for Australia's selectors
ahead of the 4th Ashes Test commencing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this Sunday.
"Don't worry about a spinner. Just keep the quicks. I think we can frighten
the s**t out of those blokes." Thommo got to trade sledges with old rival
Colin Cowdrey on stage. Back in the day the story goes "Jeff Thomson, I've
been dying to meet you". Ex England batsman David Lloyd, who suffered a nasty
blow to the groin region thanks to a Thommo thunderbolt in the 1974-75 series.
Hundred of guests laughed as they crossed to video footage showed Lloyd sinking
to the turf in agony after been hit in the balls. Lloyd, dressed in a short-sleeved
shirt and a tie, evened the score by sledging Thommo's dress last night. "You
look like a bag of s**t," Thommo responded. Thommo was supportive of the
Aussie side, that have been bad ass with the sledging of late. "It's all
part and parcel of the game. "You are just trying to upset the guy's concentration.
You're out there for six hours, you get bored sh*tless. You've got to say something."
Known for his speed in the roaring 70s, Thommo was quizzed about reports that
his 160 km/h bowling had now estimated at closer to 170 km/h. "They came
out pretty quick. I hit a lot of sightscreens on the full. I wanted to be the
quickest and scare shit out of everybody and I think I achieved that". National
Australia Bank Reduces Gamble On Tabcorp Shares... Gamiing
an gambling giant Tabcorp Holdings advised National Australia Bank has reduced
its holding in the firm. Tabcorp advised in a statement on Monday that NAB had
decreased its relevant interest in the company to 34,911,845 ordinary shares representing
5.097% of its issued fully paid ordinary capital. On December 6, NAB was listed
as holding 45,655, 936 shares in Tabcorp, representing 6.67%. Tabcorp said the
shares were sold on December 14. Aussie
Pub And Land Based Pokie Players Loose $2m Per Day!.. One
armed bandit punters are set to lose a record $800 million this year. Nearly $2.2
million a day ($200.4 million) was lost between July and September, the third-highest
quarterly loss in South Australian history. If punters continue at this rate,
they will lose more than the record $792.6 million they fed poker machines in
the 2006-07 financial year. The last occurrence that ore than $200 million was
lost in a three-month period was leading up to smoking bans in November 2007.
Since then, losses steadily have decreased, with pokes recording a 7-year low
$729.4 million profit in 2009-10. Last September, the state and federal governments
released the findings of two pre-commitment technology trials in SA. They showed
the technology, which allows people to determine the amount of money they want
to spend before gambling, may be effective in reducing the amount of money problem
gamblers lose. South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon said the latest poker machine
figures highlighted the urgency of implementing a national mandatory pre-commitment
scheme. "Voluntary pre-commitment is a joke," he said. "What it
does show is the technology can work, but the only way to do it properly is there
has to be a mandatory all-in pre-commitment scheme." State Gambling Minister
Tom Koutsantonis said South Australia was leading the nation with pre-commitment
technologies. "This can empower individuals to take control over their own
spending behaviour," he said. Yep, its man VS machine, citizens VS "big
brother". Nine
Entertainment Company Continues To Get New Blood Pumped In... Nine
is doing its utmost to give the business every chance of hitting mega paydirt
this year, with yet another shot of new blood into the ranks. David Coleman will
lead Nine Entertainment’s digital growth. David Coleman has been promoted
internally to head up digital activities across Nine Entertainment, the recently
rebranded PBL Media. Coleman, previously PBL’s director of strategy, will
retain his original portfolio. but adds good does of digital into the nex mix
of cocktail. Nine Entertainment’s assets include the Nine Network, ACP Magazines
and joint venture with Microsoft NineMSN. Nine Entertainment CEO David Gyngell
said "David brings great experience and understanding to our ever growing
digital businesses, having worked in the Internet industry since the late 90s.
That hands-on experience, and his runs on the board already with our group, make
him the logical choice for the new role in what is a key growth area for Nine
Entertainment Co." Coleman said "Our digital assets are the best in
the Australian media sector, and we intend to build on them in the future. We
see great opportunities to both grow our existing digital activities, and enter
new categories. I am looking forward to working with David and the broader management
team as we aggressively build our position in digital media." Coleman first
joined the PBL family 5 years back. He now reps the firm on the boards of several
group assets, including NineMSN, Rate City, Cudo and Sky News. Prior to joining
the group, he worked like a demon at Internet companies Looksmart and dstore,
as well as for one or two consulting firms. We wish Colman well with his ongoing
career at Nine, part of Team Gyngell, an offshoot of what's know around Aussie
media and gambling circles as the 'Aussie Gumleaf Mafia'. Wrap
Up... Readers...
er, punters, how did you like our report? Have you been naughty or nice, and what
sort of Xmas present are you gambling on? Tell us in the forum. If
you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have
fun. *Greg Tingle
is a special contributor for Gambling911 Promotions Win
cash prizes and grab exclusive gadgets by spinning our huge range of generous
slots. Starts:
00:00 ET, 11th November
Ends: 23:59 ET, 25th November Unlock
the Slot Vault! VIP
Slot Vault is a brand-new promotion that rewards you for playing all your favourite
casino slots. You
could play our Marvel slots like The Incredible Hulk, where you can scoop superhero
payouts of up to 5,000 times your line bet. Or enjoy slot classics like Cleopatra,
Coral Cash, and Fruit Party for fun action and generous payouts. Whatever
slot games you play, it all helps unlock the Slot Vault! Just
earn 100 points a day for 6 days during the promotional period, and you’ll
receive a cash prize of $50. Earn more points and play more days, and you could
win an iPhone 4, a 46” Sony Bravia HD TV with PlayStation 3, and a $5,000
Samsung home entertainment bundle. News PartyCasino.com
Gets New Games: Shaaark SuperBet, Alice’s Wonderland Chain Reactors, Crocodopolis,
Glamour Puss, Heist, Palladium Slot, Super Cubes, Crocodopolis
Slide-a-Wild™, Unicorn Legend Select-a-Play™ PartyCasino.com
Wins Media Man Online Casino Of The Month - August 2010 Virgin
Casino Runner Up Media Man Online Casino Of The Month - Aug 10 Roxy
Inks Deal With Media Man - September 2010 PartyCasino
Wins Media Man Online Casino Of The Month - July 2010 Virgin
Games Inks Deal With Microgaming - August 2010 Casino
News Media Website Network Attracting 6 Million Hits Per Month - August 2010 Media
Man Website Network Attracting 6 Million Hits Per Month; Media Man Remains In
Hitwise Australia Top 10 (Entertainment - Personality) Websites - August 2010 Press
Release PartyCasino
News: New Instant Play PartyCasino Jackpot Time? The Big One Is Over $2,500,000! Gibraltar
– 22nd September 2010 – PartyCasino.com,
the world’s largest online casino, is pleased to announce that it has launched
its new instant casino! In addition, ‘The Big One’ at PartyCasino.com,
the largest progressive seeded jackpot in the online gaming industry, is now over
$2,500,000, while the Gold Mega Jackpot currently exceeds $1,300,000! In total
PartyCasino.com’s
jackpots total over $4,000,000!
A PartyCasino.com
spokesman said: "The new instant casino is now live. Play direct from the
website in 14 languages with the improved user interface. Everything else remains
the same - continue to enjoy a huge range of casino games, jackpots and promotions!
The Big One was last hit on the 29th May this year and we have seen frantic activity
in recent days – it seems customers think someone is going to hit it very
soon now the $2,500,000 landmark has been crossed. The Gold Mega Jackpot also
looks ripe to payout and hasn’t been hit since the 1st June.”
The Big One is structured as a five tiered pool. The highest tier - Colossal Cash
- seeds at $1.5 million, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry and currently
stands at over $2.1 million. Customers can play for ‘The Big One’ through
traditional slot Melon Madness. PartyCasino.com
has also recently introduced another way of hitting ‘The Big One’ in
the form of Snow Business. This slot is a five-reel, 30 line jackpot slot game
with a Free Spins feature. When three or more scattered iceberg symbols appear
anywhere in view, the feature screen is displayed where the player is required
to catch a random number of fish, each of which reveals a random number of free
spins or a random free spins multiplier.
For more information see: PartyCasino.com
PartyCasino.com
has the most frequent game launches and largest jackpots in the industry and offers
over 150 games, including over 100 slots. PartyCasino.com
pays out easily over $10 million EVERY DAY to players. Online
betting firm bwin announces merger with PartyGaming - 30th July 2010 Austrian
online betting company bwin announced Thursday it had signed a merger agreement
with British rival PartyGaming. The
move, giving bwin a 51.6-percent stake in the new group compared to 48.4 percent
for PartyGaming, will become effective in the first quarter of 2011, the Austria
Press Agency reported. "This
business combination makes great strategic, operational and financial sense,"
bwin chief executive Norbert Teufelberger said in a statement. "We
will be in pole position to capitalise on the wealth of opportunities that will
flow from the continued evolution and expansion of the global online gaming industry,"
he added. PartyGaming
chief executive Jim Ryan echoed that sentiment, saying: "The enlarged group
will have a winning formula to exploit the growing online gaming market, supported
by a strong balance sheet, significant cashflow generation and a highly experienced
management team." The
two men will become co-chief executives of the new company, which will have its
seat in Gibraltar and be listed on the London Stock Exchange. Meanwhile,
bwin will be delisted from the Vienna Stock Exchange. The
new group will be the largest listed online gaming company. In
late trade Thursday, bwin shares were up 20.35 percent to 42.88 euros in Vienna
and PartyGaming gained 19.49 percent to 307.1 pounds in London. (Credit:
Fairfax Media) 
 
CasinoNewsMedia.com
AustralianCasinoNews.com MarvelSlotsOnline.com Global
Gaming Directory Classic Slots
Online Classic Casino Games PartyCasino.com
website PartyCasino.com
profile PartyCasino.com
Slots
Rocky
Balboa slot game profile Sylvester
Stallone profile Boxing
Movies Rocky
online slot game website Rocky
online slot game (direct download)
Circus
Slot Safari
Soccer Slot Slotbox
Rubik's Slot
Rocky Balboa
Jenga
PartyCasino.com
website PartyCasino.com
profile PartyCasino.com
Slots 
Profiles Sylvester
Stallone Boxing
profile Fighting
Games profile News Rocky
Slot Game Hits PartyGaming - Noble
Casino The
new Rocky slot game has become Playtech’s most sought after title as online
gaming fans flock to box as Rocky Balboa. The
great features of Playtech’s video slot have made the game one of the most
popular of all time. Rocky Slots sets the pace for PartyGaming and Playtech, with
Pink Panther soon to follow. Rocky
Slots traces the fortunes of the kind hearted south paw Rocky Balboa from the
1976 film starring Sylvester Stallone. The game has fast and well designed features
and game play as well as a pounding soundtrack to match...this really gets the
excitement and adrenaline flowing! Bonus features include a special Knockout Bonus
round where players can pick Rocky’s opponents, watch a ten round boxing
match and win big money. Playtech
have upped the ante with Rocky Slots as the game features more advanced graphics,
better sound and more sophisticated detail than other similar games. This makes
Rocky Slots an absolute knock out to play. The
spinning reels sound like a punch bag to make players feel that they are hearing
Rocky train in his favourite Philadelphia gym. Players need to spell out ROCKY
on the 5 reels in order to receive an instant 5x total bet payout. And if you
manage to achieve this in the free spin rounds you will receive a massive 10x
total bet payout! Perhaps
the more impressive feature of the Rocky Slots game from Playtech is the Knockout
Bonus Round. This is where players choose from three prize fights to spar against
Rocky in a ten round match – including the famous film world champion Apollo
Creed. The player watches the stunning fight from a front line seat, featuring
real footage from the fight scenes in the film. During
the Knockout Bonus Round players have the chance of winning up to a 30x total
bet payout if Rocky manages to knock his opponent out in a fast enough time. Go
Rocky! PartyGaming
also offer PartyCasino.com which offers dozens more movie and TV themed slot games,
as well as other online casino games that can be played for free or played for
money. PartyGaming
was established in 1997 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Global
Gaming Directory Goes Live
Jungle
Boogie! The Lord Of The Jungle Swings Into PartyCasino.com - Multi-Hand Blackjack
Pro For Serious Players - Return Of Gold Mega Jackpot Porsche Challenge! New
Games For PartyCasino.com PartyCasino.com
Wins Media Man Australia Online Casino Award PartyCasino
Releases More Slot Games PartyCasino
- the world's biggest and best online casino, new games, record jackpot and more
- October 2009 Casino
News Media Update - Media Man Australia - 28th August 2009 Casino
News Media Update - Media Man Australia - 25th August 2009 Casino
News Media - Media Man Australia News Update - 20th August 2009 PartyGaming
Moves For World Poker Tour Assets With Superior Offer Casino
News Media - Casinos, Online Casinos, Media Companies, Newspapers, TV Shows All
In Battle For Entertainment Dollar, Traffic And Eyeballs -
11th August 2009 Aussie
gambling gossip from the Media Man - 8th August 2009 Australian
Poker Machines - most popular online poker machines - August 2009 Casino
and poker comps heat up in news media business - August 2009 PartyGaming
purchases Cashcade - 23rd July 2009 PartyGaming,
Aspinalls, Titan Casino, Titan Poker, JackpotCity, Casino Club, Slots Club, Belle
Rock, Euro Partners and others target Asia Pacific - July 2009 
PartyCasino.com
PartyCasino.com
News PartyPoker.com
News
Virgin Casino Virgin
Poker PKR PKR
Casino PKR Poker
Virgin Casino
Slots New
Games Added! Marvel Slots Online
Marvel Slot Games
Hollywood Slots 2009
News Casino
News Media - Media Man Australia News Update - 20th August 2009 Casino
News Media - Casinos, Online Casinos, Media Companies, Newspapers, TV Shows All
In Battle For Entertainment Dollar, Traffic And Eyeballs -
11th August 2009 Aussie
gambling gossip from the Media Man - 8th August 2009 PartyGaming
purchases Cashcade - 23rd July 2009 World
Casino Directory, World Gaming Directory, Global Gaming via Media Man Casino
and poker comps heat up in news media business - August 2009 PartyCasino.com
Wins Media Man Australia Online Casino Award Internet
Gambling Makes Push in Asia Pacific Region - 22nd July 2009 PartyGaming,
Aspinalls, Titan Casino, Titan Poker, JackpotCity, Casino Club, Slots Club, Belle
Rock, Euro Partners and others target Asia Pacific - July 2009 Damian
Aspinall's Aspinalls Poker and Aspinalls Casino Targets Australia Damian
Aspinall remains confident in Aspers igaming - August 2009 Microgaming
Releases A Glorious Summer Bonanza Of Themed Slots Titan
Poker and Titan Casino Offering Huge Bonuses Titan
Poker and Titan Casino make play for Australian - Asia Pacific region Casino
Tropez New Depositors Tournament Promo (30th July to 2nd Aug 2009) Playtech
Boss Dating Leonardo DiCaprio Ex Free
Online Casino Games? Cool
Hand Poker by Belle Rock Entertainment Advise No Sharks Go
for Gold at CasinoTropez.com Star
City Casino, Sydney, Australia Hosts Miss World Australia Australia
Gambling News: iGaming firms target Asia Pacific - July 2009 Hollywood
slot games and blockbuster slots remain popular on web Euro
Partners target Asia Pacific, pushing Europa Casino and Casino Tropez PKR,
famous 3D Poker Now Offering Online Slot Games In Line Up Crown
Casino, Melbourne, advises Australian Government of Aussie Millions Poker Plan Wrestlers
and Arnold Schwarzenegger Gambling, Poker Connection - 4th May 2009 Virgin
king and Crown Casino king talk shop and Media Man makes a play -
2nd April
2009 Australia
Looks to Ban Online Poker Sites - March 2009 Google
Follows the Money Trail to Gambling July
2009 PartyCasino.com
releases Frank Sinatra slot PartyGaming
boosted by casino arm - 9th July 2009 CasinoClub.com
releases Maya Gold and Wild Pirates slot; and in German! PartyGaming
inks Noble Poker - iPoker Network deal Marvel
slots via CryptoLogic experiencing mega success with PartyCasino.com Crown
Casino king James Packer hosts Mission: Impossible star, Tom Cruise and Katie
Holmes at Crown Towers, Melbourne, Australia Aspinall's
Online enters Australian igaming space via Media Man Australia Titan
Casino and Titan Poker push forward into Asia Pacific market German
land based casinos closed by government Online
bingo surges in Australia following Australian Oz Lotteries jackpot Transformers
themed slot a hit at Virgin Casino Classic
Slots Online website portal attracts classic slot game fans Casino
Travel Media online casino portal popular with multi currency players Poker
News Media.com launches with PartyPoker.com, PKR and Virgin connection Sports
betting investigation on Australia's Gold Coast on the way April
2009 PartyCasino.com
releases Rambo Slot and Live Dealer feature - 17th April 2009 Virgin
king and Crown Casino king talk shop and Media Man makes a play - 2nd April 2009 Australia's
Crown Casino and James Packer on the Upswing - 3rd April 2009 Guide
to the best online casinos More
iGaming Ads Banned in U.K. March
2009 James
and Erica Packer out in public again - 29th March 2009 AFL
slammed for free gambling vouchers - 2nd April 2009 Internet
Filtering Continues to be Hot Topic in Australia - 31st March 2009 Playtech
2008 Revenues Climb 70 Percent - 27th March 2009 Playtech
Stock Rises After Deal With Casino Gran Madrid - 17th March 2009 William
Hill To Concentrate Online - 9th March 2009 Playtech
Success Story Continues - March 2009 Aussie
Blacklist Controversy Escalates Australia
Looks to Ban Online Poker Sites - March 2009 Google
Follows the Money Trail to Gambling InterCasino.com
releases Spider-Man II, The Hulk II Ultimate Revenge and more Australia
Gambling News: Reports on Playtech, Tabcorp, Bodog - Internet - PR - PR - 15th
March 2009 James
Packer Scraps Cannery Casino Resorts Crown Casino Deal - Internet - 13th March
2009 My
Thoughts on Casino Mogul James Packer - 7th March 2009 Online
Gambling Heating Up in Australia - 6th February 2009 James
Packer, Crown Casino Help With Australia Fires - 3rd March 2009 News
Archive A
Sporting Legend and the Media Man - February - March 2009 Underbelly:
A Tale of Two Cities to Employ Gambling Theme - 12th February 2009 Underbelly:
A Tale of Two Cities Highest Rated Launch Ever - 10th February 2009 Brennan
Starts off 2009 in Style - 6th January 2008 Media
Man Australia In Talks With Marvel Entertainment and NextGen Gaming RewardsAffiliates.com
Affiliate Manager Crowned Number One for the Second Year Running - 31st January
2009 NRL
Clubs Bank on Betting Revenues - 29th January 2009 BetEzy
Teams Up With Media Man For NRL Footy Teams Campaign - Jan 2009 PartyCasino.com
to add Rambo, The Hulk and more Paramount Pictures Slots Virgin
Games and WagerWorks to release Battleship, Dungeons & Dragons and Cleopatra
MegaJackpots - February 2009 VirginCasinoNews.com World
Poker Tour Debuts on Fox Sports Net, by Dan Cypra - 5th January 2009 Pamela
Anderson May Play in Aussie Millions, by Brett Collson - 5th January 2009 2008
News eGaming
Review Magazine Announces Awards Nominees, by Maria Del Mar - 12th September 2008 James
Packer Sells Cattle Stations To Fund Casinos - 31st December 2008 PartyGaming
Makes World Wide News - December 2008 BetFair
Gets Heat From Church Groups Re TV Adverts - December 2008 PartyGaming
and AffClub.com Sponsors CAP Euro 2008 UltimateBet
Attracts Negative Media and Industry Buzz Again - 25th Dec 2008 Media
Man Australia Adds Classic Casino Slot Games Casino
News Media blog Casino
News Media YouTube CasinoNewsMedia.com
website goes live - October 2008 Casino
News Media Ning.com Media
Man Australia Inks Deal With Slotland - Win A Day Casino - December 08 Media
Man Inks Deal With PartyGaming - PartyCasino and AffClub - Nov 08 Hulk
Hogan Launches The Hulkamania Experience TM Slot - Nov 2008 CAP
Down Under, Sydney, Australia, chaired by Media Man - profile
- website Marvel
Slots Online.com Goes Live - November 2008 Hitwise
Top 10 "Gambling -- Poker" sites for the week ending July 12, 2008 Enter
the Dragon's Den of fortune with the new Virgin Casino slot game, Triple
Fortune Dragon Casino
news and poker down under heating up Casino,
gaming and poker sector continues to heat up down under in Australia
Casino
and poker comps heat up in news media business Media
Man Australia director meets with Virgin founder, Richard
Branson Macau
casino tycoon delays Hong Kong listing - 10th July 2008 PKR.Com
is set to Expand into Television - 21st May 2008 The
Poker Revolution will be televised - 19th May 2008
PKR
Poker means business PKR
sets sail for APT Macau - 19th June 2008 VMTV
launches gaming channel - 2nd July 2008 Virgin
backs gaming channel - 2nd July 2008 Virgin
TV backs Challenge Jackpot with £3m campaign - 1st July 2008 Challenge
Jackpot Channel To Include Roulette Game - 1st July 2008 Roulette
Nation launches at Virgin Games - Challenge Jackpot Warney
set to spin some magic in Vegas - 1st July 2008 Virgin
Games wins 'Best Gaming Affiliate Programme' at Affiliate Marketing Industry's
a4uAwards 2008 Pitt,
Clooney 'can't play poker' - 16th June 2008 ICE
expands global reach South
Sydney Rabbitohs co-owner Peter
Holmes a Court speaks on SBS TV Insight Bodog
Entertainment Group founder, Calvin
Ayre sells to Morris
Mohawk Virgin
Games Affiliates shortlisted for UK affiliate award - 27th May 2008 Casino
gunman stalked victim, court told - 10th May 2008 Bubbly'
ex-model stable after shooting - 9th May 2008 Casino
model Holly Graham revealed - 9th May 2008 Casino
gunman had stalked victim: court - 9th May 2008 Blow-out
in turnover weighs on Aristocrat - 8th May 2008
Online
betting community goes live - 7th May 2008 Melco
shares 'may rise 50% in few years' - 5th May 2008 World
Series of Poker Announcers Enhancement to 2008 Main Event Final Table Format Hi-tech
pokies chase young gamers - 22nd April 2008 Macau
draws the line on its casino industry - 23rd April 2008 Virgin
Games to launch £2m 'Vegas' push, by Melinda Varley - 26th March 2008 Texting
trouble sets back Shane Warne's poker career - 16th January 2008 Poker
to stop Shane Warne playing cricket - 16th January 2008 Macau
odds-on as prices soar - 29th March 2008 Souths
Juniors throws a ball - 31st March 2008 Casino
model Holly Graham revealed - 9th May 2008 Trump
casinos available to right buyer, company says - 9th May 2008 Casino
gunman stalked victim, court told - 10th May 2008 PKR
unveils new tournament schedule - 8th Feb 2008 Poker
Strategy - The Importance of Selection Las
Vegas Sands Eyes Macau Big-Time Cruise
ships can run casinos while in Bermuda ports Binion's
Horseshoe - Classic WSOP Ground Ban
Mike Tyson from Australia, says crime victims NAATF
Announces The 1st Annual World World Series Of Poker Tournament World
Series of Poker Announcers Enhancement to 2008 Main Event Final Table Format Betting
on tourism Playboy
Ladies Poker should be an eye opener World
Series Of Poker Satellite Cheaters Caught Cellphone
poker alerts Aussie
Millions robbers arrested Google
News results for poker news News
Archive Warne
poker deals new turmoil Virgin
Games Installs Green Storage System - 27th August 2007 Virgin
Bingo launches US jackpots - 23rd August 2007 BA
edits Branson from Casino Royale - 23rd April 2007 Bwin
puts temporary halt on Turkey gambling offers - 2nd March 2007 Macau's
house take grows 23% to $8.9b - 24th January 2007 Sir
Richard Branson 'bought' his cameo in Casino Royale - 11th Dec 2006 Catch
Me If You Can - 27th March 2006 Celeb
poker hits the jackpot - 6th April 2004 Bwin
Games expanding Cruise
ships can run casinos while in Bermuda ports Binion's
Horseshoe - Classic WSOP Ground Poker
Strategy - The Importance of Selection Cellphone
poker alerts Betting
on tourism Aussie
Millions robbers arrested Vegas:
Fantasy meets economic reality - 7th November 2008 Casino
and poker comps heat up in news media business Punters
ready to splurge as countdown to the cup begins, by Danielle Teutschs - 5th Nov
2006 Online
betting community goes live - 7th May 2008 Catch
Me If You Can UK
online gambling license for Bodog Young
Garvan Comes of Age - Viva Las Vegas @ Ruby Rabbit 
Virgin's
Richard Branson has a word with Greg Tingle 
| 
