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Saturday, July 31, 2010

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)

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Friday, July 30, 2010

Australian, Kiwi, Asia Pacific Gambling News, by Greg Tingle - 30th July 2010

Readers er punters, another huge news week for the Australian - Asia Pacific including New Zealand region. Aussie's and Kiwi's rejoice at the PartyGaming - bwin deal, Australia's most dangerous casino named, Kiwi in Hong Kong poker sting, Star City Casino gunman awaiting sentencing, under age gambling probe on cards and more. heat. Media Man and Gambling911 play Pink Panther and Cluedo with this exciting and newsy Asia Pacific news round up...

Jupiters Hotel and Casino Gold Coast: Australia's Most Dangerous? World Dangerous List...

Australia's Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast is now considered one of the world's most dangerous according to numerous Media Man informers who don't wish to be named (funny that). This news follows the trial of the Star City Casino gunman as reported in Gambling911 just two days ago. Some commentators say Monte Carlo may be home to the world's most dangerous casino, with a couple of casinos on the U.S Las Vegas Strip giving them a run for their money. High profile incidents like a celebrity committing a crime at a casino, like the O.J Simpson matter in Vegas and Van der Sloot might raise the profile of a casino, but it doesn't mean that they are the most dangerous, as there are a number of criteria to judge... bashings and assaults, deaths and injuries, theft, guns and / or knives and so it goes on. iGaming insiders sometimes joked that Grand Prive, Lucky Ace, Platinum Partners were the most dangerous online casino brands! Last year Casino Tropez was an online casino hangout for a players who went on to commit murder, but that shouldn't mean that that casino was dangerous - just not good luck for the player or casino on that matter. More about these cases in the Media Man online casino reviews and of course Gambling911 has an extensive Gambling News and Casino Crime section on their website portal.

Gambling 911 Star City Casino Gunman news
http://www.gambling911.com/gambling-news/australian-new-zealand-gambling-news-july-28-2010-072810.html

'Casino Model Holly Graham revelled'
http://www.mediamanint.com/articles/casino_model.html

Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast - Broadbeach to be precise, is the most dangerous casino in Queensland, and one of the world's most dangerous casinos occurring to numerous sources to afraid to provide names. Jupiter's recorded more than double the number of assaults as the Treasury Casino in Queensland's biggest city, Brisbane, last year. Queensland Police numbers released under a Right To Information application have disclosed more than 1 offence was committed on average per day at the casino in 2009 including serious assaults, rape, extortion, stalking, fraud, car stealing, theft and a huge number of liquor and drunkenness offences. Get that, 1 offence per day folks!

Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports via Gambling911 for more "can't miss" information on Australian and global casino wars, land based and online.

Crown Casino Restaurant Lift Traps Firefighter; Lucky To Be Alive...

A Melbourne firefighter got covered fat, dehydrated and totally exhausted due to spending a night...11 bloody hours in a shaft above a Crown Casino restaurant... speculation and bad jokes circulating is it was Maze (get it) or an attempt to audition for Ramsey's 'Hell's Kitchen'... if the glove fits, put it on hey. Escaping with his life the 25-year-old firey couldn't remember how he got there! The sequence of misadventures went something like this... 11pm Wednesday night, gaining access to the exhaust duct from a Crown stairwell, travelling 30 metres like a rat, 2 vertical drops, through duct maze until stuck in a 1 metre X 50 centimetre space apparently above the Automatic Cafe. Staffers heard him banging on the duct area at roughly 9.30am. Ramsey is not suspected of fowl play, nor was he spotted on sight with his Hell's Kitchen props. A Crown Casino restaurant is tipped to be the site of a Ramsey reality TV show next year. Guess the audience is warmed up unless the goose is already cooked? The victim is expected to have gone off eating at Crown and visiting cafes. Needless to say he lost his bet with the Crown elevators! He's resting in the Alfred hospital where his condition is returning to normal, and police are awaiting to interview he about the situation that led to him becoming hot under the collar.

New Zealand National Banker Arrested In Hong Kong Poker Game...

Michael Tan Boon Suan, a 42-year-old Kiwi national employed as a licensed securities trader and corporate finance adviser with the Wall Street mob in downtown Hong Kong, was arrested along with unlucky 7 others this past March and has now only now been formally charged with gambling in a gaming establishment. An underground game of Texas hold'em run by two women from Hong Kong and their partners from Nepal is what got the Kiwi unstuck. Other defendants arrested include another banker, 2 investment consultants, 2 company directors, a businessman, a bank teller and a partridge in a pear tree (just kidding, but it adds humour to a serious matter). None of them entered pleas when they appeared in court yesterday. Posting bail of only HK $1,000 (US $130) each their cases were adjourned for the next 3 months. When cops raided the Texas game there was some HK $3,000,000 (US $390,000) on the table. Folks, gambling in Hong Kong is illegal, unless its numbers lottery, soccer games and horse races run by the state-sanctioned Hong Kong Jockey Club. Punters, to play legal in those neck of the woods you need to travel to Macau, where poker, slots and other games are legalized and available in casinos such as James Packer's City Of Dreams. Don't make your gambling a nightmare, visit City of Dreams...and check out the Dancing With Water show. Thank us later James. "Twiggy" and the panel did a fine job at GenerationOne on Thursday at Fox if you missed the broadcast on the cruiser internet connection.

Adelaide, SA: Flinders University Brains Call To Ban Computers From Kids Bedrooms...

Electronic media like computers and gaming devices have no place in childrens’ bedrooms because of their adverse effects on sleep and behavioural development, experts in Adelaide say. Sleep researchers from Flinders University reviewed 36 studies of relationship between sleep and electronic media in school-aged kids and adolescents, and found evidence for an overall negative effect on sleep from television viewing, use of computers, electronic gaming, using the web and mobiles.
Publishing their findings in 'Sleep Medicine' they state adverse effects on sleep is largely due to delayed bedtime and shorter total sleep time associated with excessive media use. They note that recent studies show 55% of U.S adolescents access the web and 24% play computer games after 9pm, while 1 in 3 adolescents reported text messaging and 44% reported talking on the phone after 9 pm. Shock, Horror hey. They say their findings should be used to develop guidelines on electronic media use by children, given that sleep is important for learning and memory, as well as having implications for emotional regulation and behaviour. Insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality have also been linked to impairments in memory and concentration, which may translate into poor academic performance. Professional and semi pro poker players have come under the spotlight for alleged legal and illegal drug and stimulant use to assist in late night poker games, be it legal or illegal games. "Considering the evidence to date it appears that watching television and using other media devices at bedtime should generally be discouraged. Parents should also be informed that simply having electronic media devices in the bedroom can negatively affect their children’s sleep. Parents may also consider not having a TV in the bedroom, unless it improves the sensual and sexual experience, rather than hinder it. Adult partners are also known to get curious as to whom their partner may be texting in dark hours, so often switching off mobile and other electronic devices helps improve relationships with your most loved ones.

AFL Legend David Schwarz Comes Clean...

Thanks to our friends at News Limited we have learned the following which is something to keep in mind for gamblers or potential gamblers, no matter the size of the punts. As a kid he witnessed his father's murder, he gambled away $4 million, had 3 knee reconstructions, spent most of the years between retirement and becoming a father being, in his own words, a "prick". Next week Schwarz will release his biography, All Bets Are Off, which he describes as uplifting and confronting. "I'm at a point in my life where I can say, this is where I've come from and this is where I am and where I was 10 years ago and to where I am today, well, people just wouldn't believe it," says the legend. 'The Day I Won $500,000 At The Track'..."The drinking I don't think was critical, but it was certainly not conducive to gambling. Every time I abused both of them it was a bad result". His gambling, including binges at casinos including Las Vegas, and his favourite vice - the horses. The evening Schwarz let The Footy Show cameras film his retirement speech to his footy teammates, Schwarz spoke, cried and then drove to the Mahogany Room at Crown, where he gambled for 3 days, living off toasted sandwiches and energy/alcohol drinks. Another time he took $2000 to the races and left with almost $500,000. One of the worst times, he said, was explaining to Karen's father, Brian, why he needed money. He said he had blown everything, he loved his daughter and could Brian help him. Schwarz met Karen in 2003, and was married in 2008. Asked where he would be without her, he was frank... "Dead or in jail.". As Gambling911 and the Media man say, for god's sake keep it fun.

Boxer's Sister Wanted For Illegal Gambling...

Philippine cops said on Friday sis of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao was involved in running an illegal gambling racket, after detaining 25 people in a raid on her home aka den. A police vice squad detained the suspects and seized evidence, including gambling materials and cash, in Thursday's raid on the digs of Pacquiao's elder sister, Isidra Paglinawan, said Chief Inspector Leo Sua. Pacquiao, the 7-time world champion who was elected to a seat in the Philippine parliament this year, personally watched as police searched the house, but vowed not to interfere. A lower court in the southern port of General Santos ordered the raid as part of a police crackdown against an illegal numbers game, locally called "masiao", but the 34-year-old sister was not at home, Sua told the press. He said the detained people were bet collectors for the illegal numbers racket, in which bettors place wagers on the last 2 digits of the winning ticket of the Philippine lottery! Cops seized 33,000 pesos (about $A800) in suspected bets, advised Sua, who headed the raid. He said police would ask state prosecutors to file illegal gambling charges in court against Paglinawan and the 25 other suspects. Sua said police were still searching for Paglinawan. Pacquiao told reporters on Friday he was attending his father's birthday party when police raided his sibling's house next door. He said he would ask the police to investigate whether his sister was indeed a "masiao" operator. "I will not interfere. Let the law take its course,". Betting in an illegal numbers game, or allowing one's property to be used in its operation, is punishable by up to 6 years in the slammer. Working for an illegal gambling operation, or actually running it, carries penalties of between 8 and 20 years in prison. The sister sought by police and her husband have no known permanent jobs. More lessons learned hey folks.

Under-Age Pokie Win Investigation...

Queensland's gaming watchdog is probing the Upper Ross Hotel aka pokie palace, after an alleged minor won an $18,790 poker machine jackpot. The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation move follows the win at the Rasmussen hotel on Wednesday by a punter believed to be 17. The hotel managers face a fine of up to $25,000 if found guilty of allowing a minor to play a gaming machine. The winner did not receive his payout, and faces a maximum fine of $2500. Gaming whistleblowers have claimed the youth was "a regular" and that a woman would sign on his behalf to claim his winnings of more than $100. But one Upper Ross patron, who gave his name only as Kenneth, said the winner was 18 but without photographic ID. "I know the dude, I know his father," he said. "He's 18, he just hasn't got his 18-plus card or photo ID and that's the reason they couldn't pay him out." The hotel did not comment. The probe comes as State Government figures show more than $35 million was lost on Townsville pokies in the first 6 months of this year. Cairns punters lost $31 million. Social service and family groups yesterday expressed their concern amid the allegations. "We do not condone a 17-year-old (being) in a gaming premises of a licensed hotel, the authorities need to look into that and the appropriate penalties applied if found true," Herbert Family First candidate Michael Punshon said. "The fact patrons know him, security staff should have known who he was and removed him from the premises if he did not have the appropriate identification." The Salvos Major Bruce Harmer said the incident was "very concerning". "It may appear this young gentleman had a win but I bet London to a brick he's put many more thousands of dollars in than he's won," he said. Maj Harmer said it was important publicans and licensees were mindful of minors attempting to enter gaming areas. "Clubs do what they can do to uphold the law, but it is incumbent on any person operating a licensed or gaming premises to ensure the people frequenting their establishment are over 18 years of age and have the appropriate identification," he said. "If it is found that this alleged minor is a minor, then certainly more resources need to be allocated to make sure only appropriate patrons are in these areas."


Victoria's Wagering Licence Up For Grabs; 3 Outfits In Race...

British betting powerhouse Ladbrokes is still in the running for Victoria's wagering licence from 2012 after being named as 1 of 3 companies shortlisted by the state government. Ladbrokes joins the incumbent Tabcorp Holdings and competitor Tatts Group for the 12-year wagering and betting licence. It will also allow the successful applicant to run the first Victorian-based betting exchange which is a huge bonus for future proofing the operation. The decision to shortlist Ladbrokes offers stiff competition for the licence as the British outfit brings 120 years experience as a bookie and high tech for wagering on racing, sports et al. In reaching the decision to shortlist just three companies to apply for the licence, a number of interesting bidders were ignored. It is understood the Hong Kong Jockey Club as well as Irish Paddy Power, Greek firm, the embattled Intralot and betting exchange company Betfair, were overlooked. Jesus, James Packer, I guess we can't win them all. The licence will grant the successful applicant the sole authority to conduct wagering and betting via "off-course agencies". The winner of the licence can also offer pari-mutuel and fixed-odds betting on racing, sports and other events such as political elections. The licence will provide the right to establish and operate the sole betting exchange based in Victoria, and the opportunity to offer simulated racing games, similar to 'Trackside' (TAB). The only betting exchange based in Australia is UK's Betfair, which is out of Tassie. It is understood that the ability to provide a competitive betting exchange model is paramount on the decision to be made over the next couple of months. Tabcorp is looking strong and tipped to regain the licence, being the incumbent, but Tatts Group is expected to forward forward an impressive proposal for the license. The contract won't be up for grabs again until 2024, which is like a lifetime in the gaming and racing sector. The government will name the winner by the conclusion of the year.

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So, whether you prefer land based casinos or online, slots, poker, boxing, racing or other, please take precautions. As always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun. Good luck.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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Australia's Most Dangerous Casino?, by Greg Tingle - 30th July 2010

Australian land based casino and pubs, clubs and hotels have a bit of a reputation as not exactly totally safe places to hang out. Some of the dangers of land based casinos in Australia were touched on in the Productivity Report into gaming, but new findings further back this up with the Gold's Coast's Jupiters getting the most heat. Media Man and Gambling911 bring in the bodyguards with bullet proof vests, baton sticks and plastic handcuffs at the ready with this special report...

Australia's Conrad Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast is now considered one of the world's most dangerous occurring to numerous Media Man informers who don't wish to be named (funny that).

This news follows the trial of the Star City Casino gunman as reported in Gambling911 just two days ago.

Some commentators say Monte Carlo may be home to the world's most dangerous casino, with a couple of casinos on the U.S Las Vegas Strip giving them a run for their money. High profile incidents like a celebrity committing a crime at a casino, like the O.J Simpson matter in Vegas and Van der Sloot might raise the profile of a casino, but it doesn't mean that they are the most dangerous, as there are a number of criteria to judge... bashings and assaults, deaths and injuries, theft, guns and / or knives and so it goes on.

iGaming insiders sometimes joked that Grand Prive, Lucky Ace, Platinum Partners were the most dangerous online casino brands! Last year Casino Tropez was an online casino hangout for a players who went on to commit murder, but that shouldn't mean that that casino was dangerous - just not good luck for the player or casino on that matter. More about these cases in the Media Man online casino reviews and of course Gambling911 has an expensive Gambling News and Casino Crime section on their website portal.

Gambling 911 Star City Casino Gunman news
http://www.gambling911.com/gambling-news/australian-new-zealand-gambling-news-july-28-2010-072810.html

'Casino Model Holly Graham revelled'
http://www.mediamanint.com/articles/casino_model.html

Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast - Broadbeach to be precise, is the most dangerous casino in Queensland, and one of the world's most dangerous casinos occurring to numerous sources to afraid to provide names. Jupiter's recorded more than double the number of assaults as the Treasury Casino in Queensland's biggest city, Brisbane, last year.

Queensland Police numbers released under a Right To Information application have disclosed more than 1 offence was committed on average per day at the casino in 2009 including serious assaults, rape, extortion, stalking, fraud, car stealing, theft and a huge number of liquor and drunkenness offences. Get that, 1 offence per day folks!

Some 30 assaults were listed in the charges, including 18 incidents considered grievous or serious, in comparison to a total of "only" 13 assaults in Conrad Treasury Casino in Brisbane, 4 assaults in The Reef Hotel and Casino in Cairns, and just 2 in Jupiters Townsville Hotel and Casino.

Among the more than 350 charges were 35 odd offences against the person, 92 offences against property and 230 other charges including drugs, drunkenness and good order, or minor, offences.

Full details on the the deaths, guns and knives cases are not in the public domain.

The local Mermaid Beach Member For Parliament Ray Stevens (Media Man tag "The Crippler") advised the casino was by a country mile the biggest 24-hour venue in the state so it was not surprising there were a ton of incidents.

"It also shows an attitude of zero tolerance," he said, balancing the scales.

"I suppose the concerning thing is (assaults) were double the number for the Brisbane Treasury."

Tabcorp Holdings Ltd, owner of Jupiters (formally Conrad) advised 15,000 people a day visited the Gold Coast based casino which was about 5.5 million a year compared to about 3 million who visited the Brisbane casino owned by the gaming giant. Tabcorp remains the major competitor to Crown Limited in the Australian gaming sector.

The casino advised press it operated on a "0 tolerance" approach towards illegal and undesirable behaviour and had one of the best surveillance systems available in the world. Surveillance involves more than just the famed "Eye In The Sky" and casino bouncers aka "gorillas in suits".

"Combined with highly trained staff and constant vigilance means that detection rates of illegal and undesirable behaviours are very high," said the PR release.

All incidents were reported to police and to the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.

The presser said casino safety and security officers often responded to incidents outside the venues, providing emergency assistance, first-aid and contacting police.

"It is important to note that in 2009 over 8.5 million people visited the southeast Queensland casinos," it noted.

"Therefore, the total number of incidents reported to the Queensland Police during that time represents just .02% of the total number of visitors."

Gold Coast police superintendent Jim Keogh, told News Limited it was difficult to compare the figures between the two cities.

"The Gold Coast (casino) would be busier than Brisbane. They are worlds apart. Brisbane seems to cater for a different demographic."

A Media Man spokesperson said "What type of demographic is attracted to Conrad Jupiters is open to interpretation. I've been there myself, thankfully with no incidents. The numbers don't lie, but Jupiter's do bring in a lot of punters and tourists, so there's going to be incidents from time to time. Still, one case per days still seems high. Not as high we understand at Star City in Casino or Crown Casino in Melbourne. At least the Tabcorp powers that be are aware of the situation and are taking action, rather than closing their eyes and ears to the matter. I guess the Aussie casino wars continue to evolved, this time with security and crime being a sub sector of the wars. We commend the take no prisoners and zero tolerance mantra and policy".

Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports via Gambling911 for more "can't miss" information on Australian and global casino wars, land based and online.

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Online casinos, perhaps recognizing the sometimes crime link with land based casinos, going back to 'The Mob' in Vegas and Chicago have a number of game titles with dangerous titles such as The Godfather, Hitman, Heist, Mafia Millions, Predator, High Noon and Resident Evil? Just good Hollywood fun or something perhaps more sinister? In the meantime Aussies continue to call for an Underbelly and Kerry Packer themed slot game, but have to settle for Pink Panther within weeks and Andre The Giant likely before year end. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers. PartyGaming, Virgin Casino and Captain Cooks remain some of the world's must trusted, ethical and popular online casinos, with Party leading the charge down under followed by Captain Cook.

So, whether you prefer land based casinos or online, please take precautions. As always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun. Good luck.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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GenerationOne Ideas Forum - Fox Studios, Sydney, Australia - 29th July 2010

GenerationOne had its first Ideas Forum today on Indigenous employment that lasts. The key outcomes of the forum focused on job specific training fostered by industry and backed by governments. Jenny Brockie, from SBS TV’s Insight hosted a thought provoking forum with panelists Andrew Forrest (Founder of GenerationOne), Melinda Cilento (Business Council of Australia) Danny Lester (Aboriginal Employment Strategy), Leah Armstrong (Incoming CEO Reconciliation Australia) and Bruce McQualter (ANZ).

*Media Man founder and director, Greg Tingle, is a pro active campaigner and supporter of GenerationOne. Greg Tingle attended, pitched questions and conducted 1:1's after the forum

*Public thank you and well done to everyone involved in GenerationOne

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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Aborigines need hand into work: Twiggy - AAP - Fairfax Media - 29th July 2010

Mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has called on politicians of all persuasions to help indigenous people get a start in the workforce.

The Fortescue Metals CEO on Thursday said he wasn't a bleeding heart, and skilling-up indigenous people made good business sense.

One of Australia's richest men, Mr Forrest said indigenous people didn't need more welfare money - but they do need real leadership.

"The government really needs to move itself along and say 'OK, welfare really hasn't worked'," he said in Sydney on Thursday.

Mr Forrest was speaking on the panel of an indigenous employment forum, organised by action group GenerationOne, of which he is the founder.

Employment is the key to ending indigenous disparity, he said.

"If the government encourages industries which can really make a difference, and yes it is mining, but it's also construction, it's also hospitality, it's also tourism.

"If they encourage those industries to deliver the training themselves (then) other companies ... will have the faith to continue the employment."

He added that the government would need to step up and provide funding or subsidise the costs of training indigenous employees.

Deputy Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, Melinda Cliento, also on the GenerationOne panel, said standards needed to be lifted so indigenous children didn't leave school and go into unemployment.

"My really strong view is that we have to make sure that we don't have future lost generations," Mr Cliento said.

"We've got a huge pool of people who are unemployed at the moment. (We need) to stop the flow into that unemployment."

Mr Forrest said it was also in the interest of Australian businesses to employ indigenous people.

"I'm not doing this because I'm a philanthropist or because I've got a bleeding heart. I'm doing this essentially because it's great for business," he said.

"The more business grows, the morale of your people, the culture deepens of your workforce - you become a more valuable company." (Credit: Fairfax Media - AAP)

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Braggin' Branson's card trick - The Australian - 29th July 2010

Braggin' Branson's card trick

Budding cosmonaut and serial entrepreneur Richard Branson was in characteristically bullish mode yesterday on Channel 9's Today program.

The billionaire was spruiking his credit card venture with Citibank.

He explained away the demise of a previous card deal with Westpac, saying it turned out to be a runaway winner but gave the bank the heebie-jeebies. The Virgin credit card was "so successful", Sir Richard said, that Westpac "panicked . . . when our contract came up they decided to terminate . . . but we got 800,000 people signed up in three years".

One analyst yesterday laughed and said the last card had gone well, but mainly with "ute men over 30" who either kept a low balance or, in a small number of cases, failed to pay.

He also noted that the new card would charge 16.95 per cent -- more than the old one did. (Credit: The Australian - News Limited)

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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Australian And New Zealand Casino And Gambling News, by Greg Tingle - 28th July 2010

The Aussie and Kiwi casino, gambling and sports betting scene shows little sign of slowing down, pending Australian election or not (you can bet on it too). Aussie gaming fans rejoice as PartyGaming release more branded games, and the industry awaits return fire from the land based casino sector as the battle for the gambling and entertainment dollar continues. Media Man and Gambling911, no virgin's to the region, once again do the Asia Pacific... News, PR or shades of grey... readers, er punters...you be the judge...

Australian And Kiwi Casino Fans Rejoice With PartyGaming's Sly Rocky Classic...

Aussie's and New Zealanders had reason to cheer last night with a range of PartyGaming casinos releasing the long rumoured Rocky online slot game. It's the original 1976 classic and it must be said that Sylvester Stallone and the Party powers that be have delivered a world class result. The rumour mill says that Party will soon be following up with the Pink Panther themed slot. The 1963 film classic directed by Blake Edwards and co-written by Edwards and Maurice Richlin, is a comedy film, starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine and Claudia Cardinale. Insiders say PartyGaming has done a fine job with it, and be watching Media Man, Noble Casino and Casino Las Vegas for more clues! The tag line..."A Madcap Frolic Of Crime and Fun".

SkyCity Alpine Adventure tournament: New Zealand Poker Tour (NZPT): Student Wins $75k...

With Aussie poker players making up 8 of the 9 places at the final table of this past weekend's poker tournament in Queenstown, it was no surprise to see the winner's cheque going to an Aussie. Julian Cohen, a recent uni grad from Melbourne snatched $75,000 first place prize in the SkyCity Alpine Adventure tournament, part of the New Zealand Poker Tour (NZPT). The only Kiwi to make the final, Emerson Riwi of Rotorua, finished in 6th place, earning over $15k. Rewi is a 35 year old Department of Justice employee. He finished 4th at the 2008 Auckland championships, but this was his biggest payday to date. An original starting field of 119 players battled for a total prize pool of $267,750. 13 countries were represented, including Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore, United States, Germany, Korea, Macau, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. The big names in the main event didn't last through to the finals. Australian's Tony Hachem and Chris Levick, Singapore's Bryan Huang and New Zealand's Lee Nelson were all out in the early rounds. Simon Watt, who became New Zealand's most famous poker face overnight with his bracelet win in the World Series of Poker, couldn't get past past day 2.

Final Standings And Money:

1. Julian Cohen (Australia) $73,630.00
2. Andrew Watson (Australia) $46,860.00
3. Vesko Zmukic (Australia) $27,440.00
4. Michael Spilkin (Australia) $22,760.00
5. Tim Clarke (Australia) $18,740.00
6. Emerson Rewi (New Zealand) $15,400.00
7. Jason Gray (Australia) $12,720.00
8. John Maklouf (Australia) $10,040.00
9. Bryan Huang (Australia) $8,030.00


GenerationOne Ideas Forum In Sydney; Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest Flys Flag This Week, Mate James Packer Casino King Still Cruising Globe...

Media Man Rounds Up Sydney Community Entrepreneurs To Chip In... In an effort close to our hearts, GenerationOne is to hold their Ideas Forum at Fox. Aussie casino king might be cruising the high sees but the Bondi Beach entrepreneurs connection will be represented well with a Media Man army of social and community entrepreneurs set to hit Fox. The forum will be broadcast live at approx 1pm. Where: Fox Studios, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia - Thursday 29th July...


Sydney: Star City Casino Gunman Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder...

A male mongrel has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of his former girlfriend at Sydney's Star City Casino. Todd Devaney was charged with a range of offences after the shooting of fitness babe and instructor Holly Graham aka "Casino Model" as she was teaching yoga at the casinos gym in May of 2008. The legal eagle courthouse had previously been advised that the model instructor was shot twice...below the ribs and in the hip region. Devaney fled the scene on foot but was arrested a short time later. Star City sports multiple hundreds of videocameras, a powerful "eye in the sky" or two, and dozens of security officers. In Sydney's Downing Centre District Court early today, the gunman pleaded guilty to 4 charges including shooting (with intention to murder) and the possession of 3 firearms, which he was banned from carrying on his person. He is set to be sentenced on 15th September. Ms Graham was in court to witness Devaney plead guilty. Afterwards she told the press she was pleased with the outcome. "I'm really, really lucky that I've recovered and I just hope that he gets put away for a long time," Ms Graham said. Media Man friends and associates wish Holly well with her ongoing journey.

Crown Casino To Get Celebrity Chef TV Show...

Network Nine has signed last year's MasterChef winner Julie Goodwin for her own show, Home Cooked. Nine is also set to produce Celebrity Chef Live from Melbourne's Crown Casino. Ten is responding with Junior MasterChef, which will screen from mid-October, and MasterChef USA, hosted by Gordon Ramsay. Auditions for the third series of MasterChef Australia are to take place around the country from October. Ten's program manager, Peter Andrews, is confident MasterChef can weather the storm. "We're actually quite flattered that Seven and Nine are jumping on the bandwagon," he said.
"I think the audience can smell a copycat program from a mile away so if any of these cooking shows aren't entertaining, the audience will desert them in a flash." Media analyst Steve Allen said Nine and Seven were playing a spoiling game. "Everyone is crowding into the same space and it will be counterproductive in the end," he said. "Nine and Seven want to overcook the cooking genre so that it lowers the ratings for MasterChef in 2011.". Australian casinos are home to some of the world's finest chefs, and Crown Casino and Star City have a foodie casino war on their hands. What network and casino is to get egg on their face remains to be seen.


Shane 888 Warnie Does The Races With Babe Elizabeth Hurley...

The cricket - celeb poker icon just off comparing the Australia VS Pakistan games, accompanied the British babe socialite to the Glorious Goodwood race meet on Tuesday. Warnie filled the void for Hurley's husband and friend, Arun Nayar who was missing in action from the sexy sporting Sussex. The rumour mill reckon Warnie and his filly for the day might be at least slightly addicted to Twitter (and poker). We understand Warnie made time to place a wager with bookies on the horses. Elizabeth Hurley Twittered "Glorious Goodwood tomorrow...just got some tips from my racing mad shepherd whilst trying on hats." The very friendly couple have been friends for years and occasionally share friendly chats Twitter. Also among Hurley’s Australian Twitter mates are Russell Crowe and Media Man mate Max Markson aka Mr Fame, seems to swap the odd wise crack online, often about food or coffee. Crowe doesn't bet, but Warne more than makes up for the shortfall. The ex spinner is also chummy with Packer and they get spotted together from time to time at casinos and sports fields.

Australian TV Broadcasters To Ramp Up Poker And Gambling Coverage...

Network Ten - One HD, Foxtel and friends have only just scratched the surface of Australian poker and gambling programs such as The Poker Star and World Series of Poker highlights. The Media Man bush telegraph says to perhaps even expect a casino king type program or two, that will cover both only and offline activity. Broadcasters and sponsors are keen to see plain language warnings on the broadcasts advising punters not to overdo it and "bet with your head, not over it, and set limits". The shows are tipped to cut into air time formally occupied by traditional gambling programming like horse racing. Sky Sports was not commenting. Ten's The 7PM Project mentions poker and casinos from time to time and let's not forget Packer pal David Gyngell, CEO of Nine, a smart cookie by all accounts, is aware of Crown's total entertainment experience, which includes gambling and poker tournaments, including the famed Aussie Millions coming up in January.


Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group To See Kids Skill Games Removed From Pokie Palaces...

He king of poker machines in Victoria has voted to remove children's arcade games that offer prizes such as iPods from its venues nationwide. Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, a JV between supermarket tsar Woolworths and billionaire poker machine operator Mr Bruce Mathieson, has now confirmed that games offering prizes more valuable than "stuffed toys or chocolate" would be removed for good from all its venues over the next year, or as soon as the games' contracts permit. The decision was made at a board meeting on Friday. A Woolworths spokeswoman, Clare Buchanan, said "We've made a decision that we are going to be removing what's known as tile machines from our venues - the (games with) more high-value prizes but less chance of winning the prize." The games are in roughly 280 of the group's 286 palaces, including the "vast majority" of the 96 or so venues in Victoria. She said it was appropriate to remove them. "We did a bit of research among patrons and these weren't games that we felt were adding any value to the venues," Buchanan said. The move follows Fairfax Media reports that experts believed arcade games with prizes were "grooming" children to gamble.

Boxing: Green VS Brigg's Does Hurricane Type Damage To Boxing Betting In Australia...

The match has done great damage to both Australian boxing and the sports betting elect of such. The day of the "fight" there was a rush across betting agencies for Briggs to be knocked out in the 1st or 2nd round. One agency shortened its odds from $7 early in the day to even money. Others closed the market! Multiple bookies said the activity was odd, with a spokesman for Centrebet going on record..."We've never in the history of boxing seen so much go on a specific decision outcome." Line-betting is enjoying mega popularity with punters and fans. Sport remains the fastest growing sector of the Aussie gambling industry, increasing by 12% last financial year, compared with 1.2% for pokies and 0.5% for horse-racing. In response to the Briggs-Green bout, some betting agencies have advised they will no longer take line bets on boxing fights down under. Boxing can no longer be trusted says Media Man informers. Boxing is more high risk to betting corruption than most other sports. A 1:1 "contest" is easier to rig, as their are less people involved! Word leaked to MM from an Aussie legal eagle report carried by some wires including Fairfax...Team sports are not immune to the ills of line-betting. The common thread in many recent international betting scandals in basketball, soccer and cricket is that they involved large-scale betting on immaterial outcomes, such as the winning margin in a lopsided contest. A classic example is "point shaving" in US basketball; where players or referees influence the winning margin, or "point spread", of a game without affecting the result. Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has called for a ban on sport betting until the federal government establishes regulations. Given the recent Aussie sports scandals "Mr X" has a leg up on the sports gamblers on this matter, even if some of X's proposals relating to gaming and gambling are in "fantasy land", whispered a Media Man staffer.

Australian Music Groups Do U.S Hotel Casinos...

Fresh off U.S performances, The Australian Bee Gees and Air Supply, are both understood to be keen to clock up a few more gigs at American hotels and casinos. Folks, let's be honest... a number of land based casinos are in a better position than many venues to be able to pay good bucks to top notch Australian groups. Music helps get customers into the premises, and some will of course "feel lucky". Some will be lucky, and some won't... that's the nature of a casino. Punters generally have "more luck" playing games of skill, be it poker or other table games, while slots aka pokies, are basically pure luck, but remain popular with casino punters the world over.

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As always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun. Good luck.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming. Media Man also publish Australian Sports Entertainment
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Rocky Slot Game Hits PartyGaming - Noble Casino

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.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Monday, July 26, 2010

Comic-Con News: 'Thor' And 'Amaterasu' Tapped For 'Marvel Vs. Capcom 3'?

'Thor' And 'Amaterasu' Tapped For 'Marvel Vs. Capcom 3'?

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Capcom seems to have neglected to mention a couple of gods when it announced Doctor Doom, Super-Skrull, Trish from "Devil May Cry" and Chun-Li as fighters in "Marvel vs. Capcom 3" Tuesday. New purported shots from the game bearing the Marvel.com watermark do not currently appear on the site's "Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds" images page, but a message board poster claims to have acquired them via a leak.

Screenshots clearly showing Marvel's God of Thunder and Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess incarnation from Capcom's "ÅŒkami," did appear on a NeoGAF thread, and if they're fakes, they are darn good ones.

With Marvel's "Thor" movie and Capcom's "ÅŒkamiden" for the Nintendo DS both getting released in the coming year, it would actually be quite a shocker if neither of these characters appeared in "MvC3." Furthermore, Thor's hammer those Three Wolf God Sun shirts are already hanging around the San Diego Convention Center this week, so getting the news out now makes perfect sense.

Given Amaterasu's height (or lack thereof) it's going to be fun to see how the wolf shape fits in with the gameplay. I don't know if squat-kicks and leg sweeps are going to be necessary for getting a blow to connect, but surely a trailer will reveal all soon. (Credit: MTV)

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F1 News: Cheating Ferrari Fined $110,000; Team Orders?, by Greg Tingle - 26th July 2010

The latest in a series of scandals has rocked the Grand Prix world, this time Ferrari being named as the "Turkey", a tag formally held by Australia's Mark Webber, but the Webber tag was more tongue in cheek and was a play on words, while the Turkey tag seems more at home with Team Ferrari, albeit with the actually incident occurring in Germany. Media Man and Gambling911 put you in the drivers seat with this special report...

Ferrari were fined a cool $US100,000 ($110,000), relative chicken feed aka turkey feed, this past Sunday for breaching sporting rules and regulations at the German Grand Prix where their victory was tarnished allegations of using the good old fashioned "team orders."

The sports powers that be, let's say the governing body, FIA said the result, which saw Fernando Alonso snatch victory after "team mate" Felipe Massa allowed him to pass, would stick, despite the mud accompany the matter.

However, the team will be summoned to appear before the FIA's world council at a date in the near future.

The Italian's denied ordering Massa, who was leading the charge on the track, to slow down and allow Alonso to overtake on lap 49.

"Team" orders were banned by the FIA eight years ago after the infamous incident at the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix when Ferrari commanded race leader Rubens Barrichello to "pull over" and allow Michael Schumacher to pass and win the race.

On Sunday, Massa was effectively ordered by race engineer Rob Smedley to let Alonso through as the Spaniard was the quicker driver. Just what the power man "engineered" is being heavily discussed.

"OK, Fernando is faster than you," said Smedley.

"Can you confirm you have understood this message?"

Massa went on to react by letting Alonso pass him on the exit of turn six with only 18 laps remaining.

Following the controversial move and trigger point, Smedley was again on the radio apologising to Massa.

"Good lad - just stick with it now, sorry," he said.

Ferrari went on to secure the 1 - 2 victory.

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali insisted that there were no "team orders" and that it was Massa's decision to let 2-time world champion Alonso past.

"We gave information to the driver and it was his decision to decide how to react," he said. Well, react he did. Well trained money or free thinker?

Domenicali added that Smedley's apology was simply due to the fact that Massa's car was "not as fast" as Alonso's.

"You have to consider that fact that he gave the information to Felipe to help him, and was sorry that his car was not as fast."

Massa clearly upset by the incident, bit his tongue and claimed that it was his decision.

"I didn't have a good pace on the hard tyres and Fernando was quicker," he said.

"It was my decision. You always need to know that we are working for the team and there were no team orders in the race.

"I made the decision because Fernando was faster than me."

Alonso reckons he thought Massa slowed down due to a gear problem.

"There are no team orders," pleaded Alonso.

"I was surprised when I saw Felipe having a problem - I thought it was a gear problem but after hearing Felipe, he was struggling with the hard tyres."

Australia's Mark Webber driving Red Bull scored unlucky 6th place. Some believe 6 is the devil's number!

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*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company