Media Man News

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Asia Pacific Mega Gambling News Update, by Greg Tingle - 9th April 2011

In what must be the busiest gambling and casino new this year, Media Man and Gambling911 continue to pound the pavement to bring you the best and most entertaining, red hot news available anywhere. Media Man and Gambling911 with the Asia Pacific - Australian - Kiwi special...

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.

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

*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.

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Media Man News: Australian Media Says Sorry To Packer And Tingle - 5th April 2011

G'day everyone. We have a different kind of news for you today. It's media apology time. Yep, for both Mr and Mrs James Packer (Erica Baxter) and yours truly - Media Man. All have been targeted. Crikey Media and some of their readers took cheap shots at The Packers, and a dodgy website got caught publishing untrue and defamatory information on ourselves, with one allegation stating that we ripped off someone on a property deal for $150,000, and another that we have a criminal record. Neither allegation being true and we've alerted Australian media, communications authorities and legal entities. One of the dodgy websites containing untrue information has since being shut down. Fancy that! Some false information remains on a dodgy social media website as we go to press. Media Man and Gambling911 take a look at who is sorry to James and Erica Baxter, wife of James Packer, casino mogul, as well as who wrote rubbish about Media Man, and why...

Crikey Media Website Forced To Remove James Packer And Erica Baxter Slur Articles And Feedback...

The infamous Crikey website was recently forced to remove all the entries in its most recent "caption contest", after their readership misused the opportunity and abused the Packer's including slurring his beautiful wife, Erica. One of the entries was so bad it cannot be republished. It related to the couple's children. Hate and abuse was also leveled against Packer's staff and his sexual performance. This is not the first time Crikey Media has been forced to remove entries from one of its so called "reader competitions". Back in November 2008, Crikey powers that be requested their readership to suggest names for US President Barack Obama's new dog. One reader wrote "a mongrel called Trig", Trig being the same of Sarah Palin's Down syndrome son. Recently Crikey published a photo of The Packer's and Melbourne businessman Ron Walker at the Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne. Crikey journalist Paul Barry who has written biographies of JP and his late father, Kerry, went with "Come on, Crikey readers. Tell us what James Packer and Ron Walker were laughing about as they boogied it up at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. "Big Ron told the Herald Sun that young Mr P was thrilled because he had just made 'a donation' to Japan. But surely you can do better than that? "Mind you, James dancing a jig after giving his money away would be a story. Unlike his father Kerry -- who was a 'Great Australian' and 'very caring individual', according to Ron -- James has a poor record in the philanthropy stakes. "Perhaps Crikey readers have a better explanation for Ron and James's song and dance. Best caption or speech bubble (leave your response in comments) wins." Responses were pulled from Crikey's website with no explanation, but we suspect legal reasons. The photograph remained for a time, with readers asked to submit entries by email, directly to Crikey editor Sophie Black. It's unclear whether a prize will be awarded, but some media analysts in Australia have whispered that Crikey Media wins the "Most Reckless and Irresponsible Australian Website" for both March and April, due to the inappropriate content". Packer's office is well aware of the slurs and was yesterday considering the material. Barry is not commenting, but quite a few media folks are commenting on them over watercoolers in media firms across Australia.

Rip Off Report Website Off The Air; Legal Eagle Apology To Media Man...

'WITHOUT PREJUDICE' RE: Ripoffreport matter

We act for Mr Mahendra Singh who has instructed this firm to respond to your email of the 1.4.2011 , 2.34am

Mr Singh has instructed that he has immediately upon receipt of your email withdrawn the published material which was the substance of your concern.

He has instructed that the material may have been published due to an error such as "a software problem or was auto published and or sent live".

In the circumstances he appreciates your prompt email advising the material published contained incorrect information, and does not pertain to you, and he has, as a consequence, for the time being turned off the website pending an investigation of the circumstances which led to the material being published.

He wishes to Thank you for your professional courtesy in giving him the opportunity to address your concern.


Legal Letter Of Apology For?"

What did they apologize for? Good question. The answer is the following totally untrue allegations leveled against Media Man they were posted in their forum and not checked for accuracy...

"Greg Tingle totally conned me out of $150,000 and he should have gone straight to jail back then . Unfortunately I bought some land in the Whitsundays in Qld through Tingle back in 2003 when he claimed to be a real estate agent. This was another one of his bogus fake titles. He didn't have a real estate agents licence and I foolishly believed this con artist and his spiel. Tingle got me to sign over $150,000 into his business account and that was the last I saw of my money. Needless to say there was no such land either. The police arrested and charged him with fraud and the court found him guilty and convicted Tingle with a 2 year suspended sentence ( way too lenient on this sort of crime) and even though the prosecution fought well for me and we won, by the time he was ordered to pay damages as well as the $150,000 for the bogus non existent land , they found out that he was totally broke. This Greg Tingle bum just went bankrupt and had absolutely no remorse in court about ripping me off for all my money. It came out in court that Tingle was involved in many illegal shonky business deals over the years and the cops told me that finally his past had caught up with him. A word of warning Do Not Approach Greg Tingle he is bad news. I feel sorry for the lady who was stalked by Greg Tingle. That's just too sick for words. Hope he gets put away soon. Greg Tingle totally conned me out of $150,000 for a bogus land deal in Queensland Whitsundays Company Name: Greg Tingle, Greg Starr-Diamond Greg Carnicelli Greg Diamond 2/9 New Orleans Court Maroubra, Sydney Australia, Maroubra, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2035 Website: www.mediaman.com.au


Media Man Quote On The Matter...

A Media Man spokesperson said "We suspect this internet attack was based on some of our hard nosed journalism work over the years. It stands to reason that criminals do not like journalists how expose them. In addition, there's a bit of jealously out there also and some crims clearly have too much time on their deranged minds. We hope they get help for their illness soon".


I.R.O.C 2 Website Still Publishing Lies On Companies And Individuals...

The relatively unknown social media start-up, I.R.O.C 2, hanging off social media website, Ning, is continuing to allow untrue information to be published, with Media Man being one of the entities being targeted. A Media Man spokesperson said "We know about the lies on I.R.O.C 2 and we are currently considering our options. We have made contact with legal eagles, various communications bodies, law makers and news media. Almost everyone knows the outlandish allegations are untrue, but its not pleasant to read such rubbish none the less. We're starting to think that more control needs to be placed over the internet, just as Australia's Senator Stephen Conroy has said. The internet has turned into more than the Wild Wild West, and more accountability is clearly needed. We are looking forward to making some positive contributions on that front and major news media continues to be receptive to our ideas".

Reputations Go Awol In Social Media Says The Sydney Morning Herald...Targeted: Corporates, Media Firms, Airlines, Fast Food Outlets, Gaming And Casino Firms...

The Sydney Morning Herald writes...In an age in which one negative online review can destroy brands, social media has become one of the top risks keeping C-level executives up at night, a survey of 446 major Australian corporations and public sector organisations has found. Company bigwigs typically fret over things such as liquidity and government regulation but the No.1 concern raised in the Risk Management Benchmarking Survey conducted by global consultancy firm Aon was "brand and image". Social media was specifically singled out as a key risk. "Increased use of social networks was specifically sighted [sic] as providing potential risk to an organisation's brand, image and reputation," read Aon's report on the survey, which is now in its ninth year. According to a recent report in AdAge, more than 50 per cent of Fortune 50 companies have no social media icons on their home pages at all, while 60 per cent hide their Twitter streams. Michael Braude, general manager of treasury, risk and insurance at Coca-Cola Amatil, said he saw social media as a "big issue". "Someone could decide to use social media to make derogatory remarks about any number of elements associated with an organisation," Mr Braude said. Peter Fraser, a partner with social media intelligence firm SR7, which recently struck up a partnership with Aon, said the survey confirmed that social media was an emerging risk that is taken seriously by chief executives and boards. He pointed to recent comments by Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, who said erroneous social media posts claiming a Qantas plane had crashed led to a collapse in the airline's share price. "Social media and networks are not all about marketing. Social media risk is now shaping key business decisions at the Australian C-level," Mr Fraser said. Qantas isn't the only brand to have been affected by Twitter posts recently, as Vodafone, the St Kilda football club and car manufacturer Chrysler can attest. Julian Cole, digital strategist at The Conscience Organisation, said firms were "scared" of social media because it enabled consumers' opinions to be voiced more loudly than ever before. "Where someone used to tell their 10 closest friends about their bad experience with a product, they can now tweet, status update and blog to 1000 of their friends about their trouble," he said. "The other major impact of this is that there is a higher chance for consumer stories to spread faster using social media." Mr Cole cited as an example a video uploaded to YouTube in which a consumer demonstrated how they could pick a Kryptonite bike lock in seconds with a BIC pen. He said social media also led to companies losing control of what their employees were saying about their brands online. Mr Cole used the infamous example of the Domino's Pizza employees who published videos of themselves on the web fouling up customers' food. Another example is the three scantily clad Californian teens who were fired from their jobs at KFC for publishing photos of themselves on MySpace bathing in a KFC basin. Companies can even be held responsible for false, misleading and deceptive testimonials published on their Facebook pages by outside observers, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recently said. Electronics retailer Bing Lee faced an onslaught of criticism for trying to raise money for the Queensland flood victims by getting people to "like" its company on Facebook.
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/reputation-wrecking-social-media-alarm-sounds-20110405-1d17z.html

The casino and gaming sector has also been targeted, with recent attacks against Mr and Mrs James Packer, Crown Casino, Media Man, Star City, Jupiters Hotel and Casino, IGT, Aristocrat, Betfair, Centrebet and a number of lesser known brands.

Melbourne Press Club Does Crown Casino...

The Melbourne Press Club did Crown casino and interesting goss is coming in. Julia Gillard impersonator Amanda Bishop got em talking with a line on Crown Casino and media commentators Andrew Bolt's head...the venue reminded her of nothing so much as the inside of Andrew Bolt’s head. Bolt being a soft target, since he's currently in court fighting for his good name. The joke got mixed reactions. Crown media and events hotshot Anne Peacock is understood to be concerned about Crown's image with the Press Club connection. Master of ceremonies Peter Mitchell gave Peacock special thanks in his address to the crowd. There was no on the record response from Crown Casino powers that be. It's understood that its hard to censor a Press Club speech. or news media in general.

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

Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...

Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...

PartyCasino.com (Many of the world's best slot games. Aussies and Kiwi's welcome).

Captain Cooks Casino

Betfair (sports betting only)

PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)

PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)

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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, 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.

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

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Media Man News - Australian Media Wars: Warburton Most Wanted, by Greg Tingle - 8th April 2011

G'day media watchers, news media movers n shakers, punters, sports nuts, legal eagles, one and all. Today we probe the fun and games relating to James Warburton's early departure from Channel Seven, with the intention of starting at Network Ten, which has seen JW a regular in Australian court and talk of the Australian media landscape. Media Man and Gambling911 with the Warburton media war special...

AFL Rights Raised Via Warburton Stoush; Day 2 In Court Update...

Channel Seven's commercial director advised the process for awarding the Australian Football League's next sports broadcasting contract still had some way to run, the NSW Supreme Court heard on day 2 of the court hearing. Bruce McWilliam was giving evidence during the second day of Channel Seven's legal bid to postpone its former chief sales and digital officer James Warburton starting his new job as chief executive of Channel Ten. The current AFL broadcast deal, involving Seven, Ten and pay television operator, Foxtel, is in its final year. The AFL is understood to be seeking $1 billion in rights fees for the next 5-year deal. Quizzed by the super legal eagle - barrister for Warburton, John West, QC, whether the result of negotiations between the AFL and broadcasters would be known very soon, McWilliam said, "There's no end in sight in the current process in my mind." McWilliam then went on to say initial expectations were that the negotiations would be concluded at about the time of last year's AFL grand final but these kept being delayed. Channel's Seven and Ten made a preliminary presentation to the AFL recently, McWilliam told the court. He also said additional meetings would likely take place. "It just depends what the AFL requires and how they wish to conduct the process," McWilliam said. Ten announced Warburton's appointment as chief executive on March 2, with a commencement date of July 14 this year. Channel Seven states that conditions in Warburton's employment contract and participation in a management equity plan, dictate that Warburton has to wait until October 2012 before commencing work with any other media firm. That's quite a wait. Warburton's legal team says it believes the proposed transaction that will have Seven's media assets transferred to West Australian Newspapers Holdings, via a series of complex transactions, will cause the management equity plan to cease to exist. With that would disappear some of the restraints included in the plan on Warburton working for another media company. McWilliam said the proposed deal, due to be voted on by WAN shareholders later this month, would not dissolve the management equity plan. "'The scheme most definitely continues," McWilliam said. The case continues.

Media Contacts Printed Off By Warburton's Computer Prior To Resignation; Day 3 In Court...

Confidential contact details of clients, agencies and Seven Network staff were printed from James Warburton’s computer the day before he resigned from the company it has been alleged in court. On the third day of the trial brought by Seven, the NSW Supreme court also heard that Warburton’s knowledge of tech Channel Seven had acquired that allows products to be superimposed into programs had the potential to harm the business. Seven is attempting to hold back Warburton from switching to Ten to become its chief executive until October next year, claiming he is in breach of a management equity plan. Warburton wants to start at Ten in July this year. Referring to a document of good old fashioned Microsoft Outlook contacts, the network director of sales at Seven and Warburton’s former deputy, stated in an affidavit: "I note from the information at the bottom of the document that it appears to have been printed by Mr Warburton’s executive assistant… at 8.39am on 1 March 2011, being the day before Mr Warburton resigned from SMG. The contacts list includes the telephone and email contact details of numerous SMG employees and a number of SMG clients and agencies." Under a heading in his affidavit called "Virtual advertising", Burnette told how in December last year Channel Seven inked a deal with a company that provides technology which enables products to be superimposed into a program during the post production-phase. He said Warburton’s inside knowledge of a potential revenue stream it could deliver to Seven was information a competitor would value highly. Burnette also recounted a chat he had with Warburton in December last year after Seven’s direct group sales manager, David Bellamy, announced he was resigning to move to Ten. Burnette claims Warburton said: "OK. He needs to be put on gardening leave immediately and keep him from starting for the three months or whatever the maximum is." The hearing continues.

Warburton Advised Leave Channel Seven Immediately Sir...

Commercial director of Channel Seven, Bruce McWilliam, said it would have been "very impolite" for him to have told a departing executive, James Warburton, that he wouldn't be able to take up Ten's offer as chief executive for a year because of anti-competition rules within a management equity participation scheme. McWilliam advised he had requested HR staff to check the restraint period, and had been aware that a press release from Channel Ten stated Warburton would start with the network as chief executive in July. McWilliam said Warburton told him that Seven's chief executive, David Leckie, wanted him out of the building immediately. "I … wouldn't always take what is said at face value," McWilliam told the restraint of competition case brought by Seven against Warburton. He believed it was "harsh to someone who had been with the company so long". In an affidavit put forward in the court, McWilliam advised Leckie had told him he didn't want Warburton "mixing with staff and being around whatever deals are done, it is untenable". McWilliam said: "But you didn't imply he was terminated did you?", to which Leckie responded, "Of course not. I am not stupid. I said to him, "You have to go on gardening leave, or whatever it is called." The court was advised that while Warburton had run the numbers for Channel Seven's passing interest in MasterChef, and was the sole Seven executive who advised against broadcasting Wimbledon as it was a "dying tradition", Warburton could not retain so much confidential information in his head that would justify Seven restraining him from working in the television industry until October 2012. Warburton's barrister, John West, QC, rejected Seven's contention of Warburton's "total mastery". In one cheeky interlude with McWilliam, West said: "You really can't help yourself, you keep on over-egging the custard", to which McWilliam responded: "He doesn't just forward emails. If the information in the email was incorrect he would have gone back to them and corrected it …"
The hearing before Justice Michael Pembroke continues.

Warburton Didn't Steal Media Documents; Day 4 (18th Apri 2011)...

SMG (Seven Media Group) has withdrawn on claims that ex executive James Warburton stole confidential information upon his sudden departure from the firm. Warburton walked on Seven in March to join competitor Ten Network as chief executive officer, a move that pissed off Seven. Warburton was to have commenced with Ten in July, but Seven has taken legal action in the NSW Supreme Court in a bid to delay him starting until October 2012. Seven contends provisions in his employment contract and participation in a management equity plan at Seven constrain him from working at another media firm. Seven had also argued in court that Warburton had snatched confidential information when he left the group, including strategy reports as well as ratings and revenue data. In the NSW Supreme Court yesterday, Tony Meagher, SC, representing Seven told the court that this claim has now been retracted. "There is no longer a threat he will use the confidential information," Meagher told the court, according to news reports. The case continues today, with Seven Media boss executive David Leckie to take the stand after the media group's HR. Australian media has been talking about the case under watercoolers and in coffee shops since it commenced, and the legal eagles are understood to be making a financial killing, as is often the case on high level legal media battles. WAR...BURTON - sure sounds like he's ready for another round on Aussie media wars. James Packer might like to see him take on Ten's gaming arm (or whatever the secret project might be). Bang!

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

*The writer owns shares in Network Ten

Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...

Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...

PartyCasino.com (Many of the world's best slot games. Aussies and Kiwi's welcome).

Captain Cooks Casino

Betfair (sports betting only)

PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)

PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)

Profiles

Australian Casinos

World Casino Directory

Global Gaming Directory

Casino Travel

Casinos

Australia

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, 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.

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

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Kiwi Christchurch Casino Quake Staff Fail Redundancy, by Greg Tingle - 9th April 2011

New Zealand land based casino news is the order of the day. Christchurch Casino workers have failed in their attempt to snatch a larger redundancy payout. Media Man and Gambling911 check out the employment and legal scene in New Zealand...

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.

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

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http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/australian_casinos.html

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.

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Friday, April 08, 2011

Aussie AFL To Advertise More Responsibly, by Greg Tingle - 8th April 2011

The AFL code has listened to news media, knockers, parents, players, media commentators, politicians and just about every other demo and cross section of Australian society and decided that they will make an effort to have their gambling advertising done more "responsibly." Just exactly how and what is involved remains to be fully disclosed, but the early signs are very encouraging. Media Man and Gambling911 probe responsible betting Aussie Rules style...

AFL CEO top dog Andrew Demetriou advises the code is rather concerned about the level of gambling advertising in and around the great game and is aiming to make promotions more responsible.

Advertisements of gambling are a dime a dozen in and near venues, during television and radio broadcasts, in magazines (including their own) newspapers and on websites, once again - including their own.

Demetriou advised the league, which has deal with betting agencies such as Tabcorp and James Packer 50% owned Betfair so the game's integrity can be maintained, would look to make wagering advertising and the like less obtrusive.

A Media Man spokesperson said "At present AFL betting ads and promos are pretty impossible to miss and quite a dear in headlights situation. Blind Freddy wouldn't miss the gambling promos. We think its a good thing that they water down the ads and promos. A lot of punters have already signed up, but of course there's always going to be more. It's about striking the balance and being responsible".

Demetriou said "Obviously they've got to advertise and we'd like to see if we can explore ways of doing it more responsibly and a bit more sensitively, and I don't think that's an uncommon view. It's everywhere. You only have to pick up a newspaper and it's there, watch television and it's there, it's on our website. It's going to be there. It's a matter of whether we look at ways we can try and do it a bit more responsibly."

Demetriou threw water on the suggestions the broadcasting rights arrangement would be announced at some stage on Friday and said there remained no deadline for an agreement to be reached.

"There's no cut-off. We have broadcast rights partners until the end of 2011 and it's only April. We've still got eight months. I don't like to give timelines because in my experience, they end up being longer than you predict. That's okay. We're having good, constructive dialogue, it's very positive, heading in the right direction but there's no rush."

Poached Sydney media man James "Man Of War" (MM tag) Warburton has been quizzed in court over the past week about his defection from Channel Seven to Network Ten, and the AFL broadcast rights have also been discussed in the court sessions.

A Media Man spokesperson joked "James and legal eagles, always remember, its better to make love than war, but as our LA friend Elvira said 'All is fair in love and war', and she told the world this at one of the very first WrestleMania's. In the world of news media its often a case of there being little no go signs as the stakes are that high. We think Warburton and the legal eagles have earned a relaxing weekend. Hopefully the focus can get back on quality football matches and not on websites, betting or legal aspects. Av a good weekend, work hard and play harder".

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 Network Ten

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PartyCasino News: Record Jackpots At PartyCasino - Biggest Ever!; The Big One Over $4 Million And Total Jackpots Over $6 Million

Record Jackpots At PartyCasino - Biggest Ever!; The Big One Over $4 Million And Total Jackpots Over $6 Million

Gibraltar – 7th April 2011 – Records are tumbling at PartyCasino.com the world’s largest online casino, with ‘The Big One’ crossing $4 million for the first time and total jackpots amazingly over $6 million, the highest they have ever been!

A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "To say that people feel a jackpot coming on is an understatement – the total of the jackpots on the site have reached a record high and they can be hit by just wagering one cent! The Big One has never been so big! 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, staggeringly, currently stands at over $4 million. Games where ‘The Big One’ can be hit include the classic 'Melon Madness’ and firm favourite ‘Snowbusiness.’"

In addition, the billionth dollar has been wagered on an online slot machine for the first time! The slot in question was the famous Firedrake, an online casino classic. The lucky player to hit the milestone is Koka11, who not only takes the prestigious honour but is handsomely rewarded with a dream VIP trip to Las Vegas along with $2,500 cash. 665 players also won thanks to Koka11! For more information see: PartyCasino.com

PartyCasino.com has recently introduced a new Gold Jackpot slot game ‘The Sting.’ This hexagon based game features buzzing busy bees and has a pleasant sting in its tail with an expanding honeystick wild and free spins! PartyCasino.com has the most frequent game launches in the industry and offers over 160 games, including over 100 slots. PartyCasino.com pays out easily over $10 million EVERY DAY to players.

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Australian Media Wars: Warburton Most Wanted, by Greg Tingle - 8th April 2011

G'day media watchers, news media movers n shakers, punters, sports nuts, legal eagles, one and all. Today we probe the fun and games relating to James Warburton's early departure from Channel Seven, with the intention of starting at Network Ten, which has seen JW a regular in Australian court and talk of the Australian media landscape. Media Man and Gambling911 with the Warburton media war special...

AFL Rights Raised Via Warburton Stoush; Day 2 In Court Update...

Channel Seven's commercial director advised the process for awarding the Australian Football League's next sports broadcasting contract still had some way to run, the NSW Supreme Court heard on day 2 of the court hearing. Bruce McWilliam was giving evidence during the second day of Channel Seven's legal bid to postpone its former chief sales and digital officer James Warburton starting his new job as chief executive of Channel Ten. The current AFL broadcast deal, involving Seven, Ten and pay television operator, Foxtel, is in its final year. The AFL is understood to be seeking $1 billion in rights fees for the next 5-year deal. Quizzed by the super legal eagle - barrister for Warburton, John West, QC, whether the result of negotiations between the AFL and broadcasters would be known very soon, McWilliam said, "There's no end in sight in the current process in my mind." McWilliam then went on to say initial expectations were that the negotiations would be concluded at about the time of last year's AFL grand final but these kept being delayed. Channel's Seven and Ten made a preliminary presentation to the AFL recently, McWilliam told the court. He also said additional meetings would likely take place. "It just depends what the AFL requires and how they wish to conduct the process," McWilliam said. Ten announced Warburton's appointment as chief executive on March 2, with a commencement date of July 14 this year. Channel Seven states that conditions in Warburton's employment contract and participation in a management equity plan, dictate that Warburton has to wait until October 2012 before commencing work with any other media firm. That's quite a wait. Warburton's legal team says it believes the proposed transaction that will have Seven's media assets transferred to West Australian Newspapers Holdings, via a series of complex transactions, will cause the management equity plan to cease to exist. With that would disappear some of the restraints included in the plan on Warburton working for another media company. McWilliam said the proposed deal, due to be voted on by WAN shareholders later this month, would not dissolve the management equity plan. "'The scheme most definitely continues," McWilliam said. The case continues.

Media Contacts Printed Off By Warburton's Computer Prior To Resignation; Day 3 In Court...

Confidential contact details of clients, agencies and Seven Network staff were printed from James Warburton’s computer the day before he resigned from the company it has been alleged in court. On the third day of the trial brought by Seven, the NSW Supreme court also heard that Warburton’s knowledge of tech Channel Seven had acquired that allows products to be superimposed into programs had the potential to harm the business. Seven is attempting to hold back Warburton from switching to Ten to become its chief executive until October next year, claiming he is in breach of a management equity plan. Warburton wants to start at Ten in July this year. Referring to a document of good old fashioned Microsoft Outlook contacts, the network director of sales at Seven and Warburton’s former deputy, stated in an affidavit: "I note from the information at the bottom of the document that it appears to have been printed by Mr Warburton’s executive assistant… at 8.39am on 1 March 2011, being the day before Mr Warburton resigned from SMG. The contacts list includes the telephone and email contact details of numerous SMG employees and a number of SMG clients and agencies." Under a heading in his affidavit called "Virtual advertising", Burnette told how in December last year Channel Seven inked a deal with a company that provides technology which enables products to be superimposed into a program during the post production-phase. He said Warburton’s inside knowledge of a potential revenue stream it could deliver to Seven was information a competitor would value highly. Burnette also recounted a chat he had with Warburton in December last year after Seven’s direct group sales manager, David Bellamy, announced he was resigning to move to Ten. Burnette claims Warburton said: "OK. He needs to be put on gardening leave immediately and keep him from starting for the three months or whatever the maximum is." The hearing continues.

Warburton Advised Leave Channel Seven Immediately Sir...

Commercial director of Channel Seven, Bruce McWilliam, said it would have been "very impolite" for him to have told a departing executive, James Warburton, that he wouldn't be able to take up Ten's offer as chief executive for a year because of anti-competition rules within a management equity participation scheme. McWilliam advised he had requested HR staff to check the restraint period, and had been aware that a press release from Channel Ten stated Warburton would start with the network as chief executive in July. McWilliam said Warburton told him that Seven's chief executive, David Leckie, wanted him out of the building immediately. "I … wouldn't always take what is said at face value," McWilliam told the restraint of competition case brought by Seven against Warburton. He believed it was "harsh to someone who had been with the company so long". In an affidavit put forward in the court, McWilliam advised Leckie had told him he didn't want Warburton "mixing with staff and being around whatever deals are done, it is untenable". McWilliam said: "But you didn't imply he was terminated did you?", to which Leckie responded, "Of course not. I am not stupid. I said to him, "You have to go on gardening leave, or whatever it is called." The court was advised that while Warburton had run the numbers for Channel Seven's passing interest in MasterChef, and was the sole Seven executive who advised against broadcasting Wimbledon as it was a "dying tradition", Warburton could not retain so much confidential information in his head that would justify Seven restraining him from working in the television industry until October 2012. Warburton's barrister, John West, QC, rejected Seven's contention of Warburton's "total mastery". In one cheeky interlude with McWilliam, West said: "You really can't help yourself, you keep on over-egging the custard", to which McWilliam responded: "He doesn't just forward emails. If the information in the email was incorrect he would have gone back to them and corrected it …"
The hearing before Justice Michael Pembroke continues.

Warburton Didn't Steal Media Documents; Day 4 (18th Apri 2011)...

SMG (Seven Media Group) has withdrawn on claims that ex executive James Warburton stole confidential information upon his sudden departure from the firm. Warburton walked on Seven in March to join competitor Ten Network as chief executive officer, a move that pissed off Seven. Warburton was to have commenced with Ten in July, but Seven has taken legal action in the NSW Supreme Court in a bid to delay him starting until October 2012. Seven contends provisions in his employment contract and participation in a management equity plan at Seven constrain him from working at another media firm. Seven had also argued in court that Warburton had snatched confidential information when he left the group, including strategy reports as well as ratings and revenue data. In the NSW Supreme Court yesterday, Tony Meagher, SC, representing Seven told the court that this claim has now been retracted. "There is no longer a threat he will use the confidential information," Meagher told the court, according to news reports. The case continues today, with Seven Media boss executive David Leckie to take the stand after the media group's HR. Australian media has been talking about the case under watercoolers and in coffee shops since it commenced, and the legal eagles are understood to be making a financial killing, as is often the case on high level legal media battles. WAR...BURTON - sure sounds like he's ready for another round on Aussie media wars. James Packer might like to see him take on Ten's gaming arm (or whatever the secret project might be). Bang!

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

*The writer owns shares in Network Ten

Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...

Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...

PartyCasino.com (Many of the world's best slot games. Aussies and Kiwi's welcome).

Captain Cooks Casino

Betfair (sports betting only)

PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)

PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)

Profiles

Australian Casinos

World Casino Directory

Global Gaming Directory

Casino Travel

Casinos

Australia

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, 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.

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

Website Network

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Thursday, April 07, 2011

Bwin.party digital entertainment effected as Germany proposes tax, by Greg Tingle - 7th April 2011

Bwin.party digital entertainment Plc, the company formed by last month’s merger of Bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming Plc, dipped 16% in London trading after German states’ prime ministers proposed a 16.67% tax on the sports betting sector.

The dip was the greatest since the U.S. banned internet-gambling financial transactions back in 2006, sending PartyGaming down. Germany plans to bring ina 16.67% levy on sports bets when it introduces its sports-gambling market to private firms in 2012, the Saxony-Anhalt state government advised on its website, citing a meeting in Berlin yesterday.

The newly merged outfit snatches about 23% of its pro-forma revenue from Germany, with half coming from sports, according to David Jennings, an analyst with Dublin-based Davy. Bwin and PartyGaming combined March 31 to enter European markets as they regulate and tax online gambling.

"Clearly the proposals look a lot more severe and restrictive than the operators and the market would have hoped for," said Nick Batram, an analyst with Peel Hunt who has a "buy" recommendation on the stock. "It would significantly restrict the ability of bwin.party to make money in the German market."

Bwin.party dropped 31.5 pence to 166.4 pence, giving the firm a market value of 1.4 billion pounds ($2.3 billion).

"There is still a long way to go, and we are confident in the end Germany will comply with European Union law and implement a commercially viable licensing regime," said John Shepherd, a spokesman for bwin.party in a telephone call.

Other counties such Australia, Canada, United States and New Zealand look on with keen interest, with politicians and the business sector knowing that gaming is one of the most lucrative markets on a global scale and that full regulation with raise much needed cash for government cofers.

bwin-party's PartyCasino.com remains arguably the world's most popular and trusted online casino brand while PartyPoker.com is not the world's third most popular online poker brand.

bwin.party digital entertainment are currently considering mass media campaigns into a number of new markets, however have to get their legals done first, as to keep their growth on track with appropriate risk management

*the writer has conducted b2b with a number of the companies featured in the article.

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Aussie Casino Babes Do Star City Ralph, by Greg Tingle - 7th April 2011

G'day punters, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, sports nuts, fashion freaks, babe watchers, politicians, legal eagles, one and all. Popular men's magazine Ralph is hosting a bikini modelling contest at Star City in 'Sin City' Sydney, hence 'Casino Babes' and 'Poker Babes'. We've got that plus news from the international casino babes and models sector, and more. Media Man and Gambling911 with the casino babes and poker babes special from 'Sin City' Sydney...

Casino And Poker Babes At Star City For Ralph Tonight...

Sexy guys and girls... its time for the babes to strut their stuff at Star City casino tonight.

The babes from across Australia are aiming to become Ralph Australian Swimwear Model of the Year.

The field has gone down from 2000 model hopefuls, the 38 finalists showed off their bikini bodies last Tuesday at the casinos pool in preparation for the finals tonight which promises to be a tantalizing and titillating affair.

The Aussie and Kiwi (New Zealander) babes from down under and the Tasman, are competing for the the big one - Ralph Australian Swimwear Model of the Year and a share of $50,000 in prizes.

West Australian babe Emmi Moore is the defending champion and was prepared to generously share this...

"I tell them to just be themselves and try and have fun with it. The judges are looking for someone who's having a good time and not taking themselves too seriously. And be natural. It's really put my foot in the door, I've done a number of photo shoots and been in a number of magazines. I'd like to get into presenting but I still need a bit of work."

Moore is committed to living in Perth, as guys - she's taken by boyfriend, West Coast Eagles midfielder Chris Masten.

"My partner's based in Perth so it is hard but I don't mind flying over every few weeks," Moore said.

See you all there tonight. It's casino and poker babes gone wild - that's the hope anyway.


North Queensland Model Tanika McDonald To Compete At Ralph Finals At Star City...

Model Tanika McDonald from the Whitsundays in Northern Queensland is competing tonight.

The Cannonvale native won her local final in Mackay just last month, which got her slotted into the national final.

McDonald advised she was really looking forward to tonight.

"I'm going to try to make the most out of it," she said.

Ms McDonald has been doing her thing with swimwear comps since 2008. Her titles include Batercard Miss Indy National Finalist in 2009 and made the calendar shoot in 2010.

"I was surprised the first time. If I do better than what I did last time it would be a bonus.

The week-long festivities are at Sydney's Star Casino. McDonald will be just one of 39 babes from Australia and New Zealand who will be competing for the tag of Australian Ralph swimwear model of the year.

She will be strutting her stuff in the evening and swim wear categories and will also do a bush tucker bag of interviews, photo shoots and media conferences in front of a panel of judges.

McDonald said her goal was to make the top 12 calendar photo shoot.

"I don't want to be too ambitious. There are a lot of girls who are very well-known in the industry. The thing is the more you put into it, the more you'll get recognised."

But tells us it's not just about good looks.

"You can be the prettiest girl in the competition but that doesn't count if you don't have personality. The judges look for natural, down-to-earth girls who try to see the positive in things," she said.

May the best, fairest and hottest babe win.


Atlantic City Casino Babes Come In Many Shapes And Sizes; Resorts Casino Hotel Learns The Hard Way...

When Katharyn Felicia was advised that she and other cocktail waitresses at Resorts Casino Hotel were to pose for photos in skimpy new flapper costumes, she thought it was to evaluate the sexy black outfits to make sure they fit and looked right. What the girls didn't know, she said, was that the photo shoot would determine which of them would still have jobs when the 10-minute encounter was over! You read that correctly. Felicia, who had been with Resorts since the the first day of business back in 1978 and was twice named employee of the month, was one of 15 cocktail waitresses fired last month from Resorts.
The stated reason, they say, was for "violating uniform standards." The real reason, they suspect, is that management wanted to get rid of older women who were judged to be not quite sexy enough to fit in with the new image the casino is trying to project. Seven of the fired ladies are suing Resorts, claiming age and sex discrimination. The others, including Felicia, are considering legal options. "It was very degrading to women," said Felicia, 53. "I feel they never gave me a chance. We had no idea that photo shoot was fighting for our jobs." Resorts said it gave each employee a fair evaluation and said the costumes are an integral part of its rebranding effort. The casino has adopted a roaring '20s theme after the popularity of the hit HBO series "Boardwalk Empire," based on Prohibition-era Atlantic City's reputation as the vice capital of the East Coast.
"A critical aspect of theming is the new costumes front-line employees will be wearing, including the new cocktail server costume," Resorts spokeswoman Courtney Birmingham said. "This particular cocktail server costume was chosen as part of the larger plan to unveil the new Resorts Casino Hotel as a destination for fun, excitement and a one-of-a-kind experience." The sexy and smart costumes include short, skin-revealing black dresses with deep open backs. Waitresses also wear fishnet stockings and ornate jazz era hats. "All cocktail servers were given individual consideration and the selection process was conducted in a fair and objective manner," Birmingham said. "We empathize with the cocktail servers who lost their jobs and gave them hiring preference in other open positions at Resorts. Some took advantage of this offer and some did not." Attorney Kevin Costello, who represents seven of the laid-off servers, said the casino's action was "just more of the same age and gender stereotype discrimination." "Apparently, a modeling agency panel of some sort has decided that the servers didn't have the right look to continue in their jobs despite having the skills to do so," he said. In 2008, two former cocktail servers at Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa settled a multimillion-dollar sex discrimination lawsuit they brought against the casino. They claimed the casino humiliated costumed waitresses — known as "Borgata Babes" — by imposing weight limits, encouraging breast augmentation surgery and emphasizing looks over job performance. Felicia told of a late February photo shoot that was so stressful it made her break out in hives as she struggled to put on a costume that fit properly. She said each of the women who had to be photographed was made to enter a small changing room with the only light coming from a small window above. It was so dark that a small mirror was nearly useless. Costumes were strewn about the floor, and she and others had to kneel or crawl around to try to find a costume to wear. "I was forced to get undressed in front of six co-workers, one of them being my manager," she said. "I had no top on because you can't wear a bra with the uniform. I had stockings on, but that's it. It was the most embarrassing thing I've ever had to do." The costumes' sizes were not marked. The first one she tried on was too big, she said. The second one, which she eventually wore, gave no support to her bosom. "I did not feel I looked very good in it," Felicia said. "I was very nervous. I broke out in hives as I was walking out onto the floor. I was losing it, I was stressing so much." The photographer told her she was not allowed to pose. Rather, he took pictures from three angles: with her facing forward, backward, and from the side. The photos were shot from the neck-down, with Felicia holding a sign with a number on it that would identify her once the photos were evaluated. Although it did not happen to her, she said some co-workers were told to spread their legs a bit, or turn their rear ends toward the camera.
"It's hard to believe that in this day and age women are still put through this," she said. "I'm a good employee. I did my job well; many managers have told me that. I just don't understand this. I'm still in shock. "I understand that cocktail-serving projects sex appeal, you have to be pleasant and radiate a party atmosphere," Felicia said. "I get that. I've done it for nearly 33 years. If it's all about what men want, well, men like all different kinds of shapes and sizes."

A Media Man spokesperson said "We're with the ladies one this one. Many blokes do like all shapes and sizes. It's not just about pretty young things or young and dumb and ready for... action".

Awards...

Casino Babe Of The Month: Jenny Woo (for the articles... yeah right)... it's been over a year since Woo got the nod, so well done for her return to top form
http://www.gambling911.com/gambling-news/jenny-woo.html

Poker Babe Of The Month: Kara Scott (for her brains, beauty and skill)
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/scott3.html

Casino Babe Themed Game Of The Month: Board Babe (by PartyGaming)
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/board_babe.html

Profiles

Casino Babes
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/casino_babes.html

Poker Babes
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/poker_babes.html

Star City
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/star_city.html

Ralph
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/ralph.html

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

Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...

Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...

PartyCasino.com (Many of the world's best slot games. Aussies and Kiwi's welcome).

Captain Cooks Casino

Betfair (sports betting only)

PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)

PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)

Profiles

Australian Casinos

World Casino Directory

Global Gaming Directory

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Casinos

Australia

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, 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.

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

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