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Australian land based casinos continue their entertainment push, with big name celebrities and more expensive casino re-vamps in the works. The massive casino image make-over may have started in 'Sin City' Sydney and spread to Melbourne, but now Perth is centre stage, but not without the usual hassles that are known to hit casinos. As they say, high risk, high rewards, and sometimes even the house doesn't win, which is good news for punters.
Crown Casino Chip Thief - 27th November 2011...
A large amount of casino chips have been pinched from Melbourne's Crown Casino in an early-Sunday morning heist.
The robber, believed to be aged about 20, executed his daring deed in the gaming area near the Clarendon St exit about 1.40am on Friday, November 4.
Murdoch owned Herald Sun was notified that opportunistic chip thefts are on the rise as pit bosses struggle to cope with increasing workloads. Word has got around to Australia's underground, as well as to news media who report on these matters.
A Crown leak advised since Crown's opening in 1994 the number of dealers a supervisor had to monitor had climbed from 4 to 24.
"One pit boss looks after 48 tables. It's absolutely bananas," he said.
The leak claimed a lack of supervision was helping lead to less than honest behaviour among some dealers, chip thefts and a massive increase in threats directed at dealers.
"Crown is running amok and the Government is allowing them to do it," he said.
But Crown spokesman Gary O'Neill denied chip thefts were increasing and said staff were fully supported by a world class security system.
"Chip thefts unfortunately occur from time to time. However, there is no evidence whatsoever to support the suggestion that there has recently been an increase in the number of these incidents," he said.
"Staff on the Crown gaming floor are fully supported by the most comprehensive security and surveillance systems and standards of any casino in Australia."
O'Neill said staffing arrangements were fully approved by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation.
Police have described this month's thief as being of African appearance with short hair and a thin build.
He was wearing a jumper and baggy pants.
It is understood a second man, also described as African in appearance, fled the scene of the crime with the offender.
Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik enjoyed Crown...
Princess Mary and her husband Crown Prince Frederik were the big-name guests at last Saturday night's Starry Starry Night charity ball at Crown Casino in Melbourne.
The well liked and fashionable Danish princess was at the event in her role as international patron for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, which has made the Starry Starry Night one of the must attend functions for Melbourne's social set.
The royal couple was joined by local figures including Delta Goodrem, Garry Lyon, Molly Meldrum, Lisa Wilkinson, Jesinta Campbell and Gary Ablett and his partner Lauren Phillips.
One of the things that makes Starry Starry Night quite different from the norm is that they get celebs to sing. This year some of the entertainment included celebrity chef Manu Feildel singing a French song La Vie en Rose, Cadel Evans' wife Chiara Passerini singing When Love Takes Over, Julia Morris singing Born This Way and MasterChef Australia judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston singing It's Not Unusual.
All funds raised at the gig went to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.
Burswood Casino To Become Crown Perth?...
You and love (maybe) Burswood Entertainment Complex, but soon it will be no longer - the name that is, and is tipped to become Crown Perth?
The chit chat in the business community is that the Western Australian land based casino - hotel will be getting the new name, sooner rather than later, while it also enjoys a physical revamp.
James Packer may reveal its new name as Crown Perth come December, and expect one or two parties to celebrate the second coming of Packer's Perth casino complex.
The Consolidated Press Holdings executive chairman, who is also chairman of the Crown Investment Committee and a director of Crown Melbourne, is tipped to visit Perth for a business breakfast on December 14, in Burswood's Grand Ballroom.
Burswood officials are not confirming the casino's name change, however at least one member of senior management conceded a name change is on cards.
"I can't really speak about it, to be quite honest," said the leak. "But we're looking at it. "Hospitality providers involved with the casino and hotels advised Crown will be in the new name of the famous Perth casino.
Even residents in nearby apartments have been made aware of the imminent name change.
Most insiders, punters and news media think the new name is a vast improvement, and well overdue.
"Listen, I think with the kind of structure they have, that it (rebranding) may well be the kind of thing they are looking at," an unnamed industry leader said.
Creative agency Gatecrasher, which handles the lucrative Burswood account valued at more than $4 million, would not comment.
A Media Man spokesperson said "The name change for the Burswood Casino is thought to be well overdue. Crown is known for quality and stability in the gaming industry, so why not promote that. Packer's Crown Limited is fighting back against competitor of sorts, Echo Entertainment and their Sydney based The Star, and the focus from both gaming giants is well known to be entertainment with a capital E, so it makes sense to change the name soon, and pre Christmas seems like excellent timing. Crown and Echo Entertainment both enjoy healthy gaming revenues, but for business reasons, including public perception and attracting the right Australian and international visitors, re brands and million dollar plus revamps are clearly seen as the way forward."
This news comes as rumours that at least one Northern Queensland based hotel chain may soon apply for a gaming licence, and aims to be able to call itself a hotel - casino within the next 12 to 24 months. That chit chat adds yet further fuel to the fire in the Echo Entertainment - Crown Limited "friendly casino war", as its been come to be known as by industry commentators.
Wrap Up...
The late, great, Kerry Packer would be proud, and supporters of James Packer think he's doing a magnificent job, giving the testing economy, not to mention too many favours from the Gillard - Labor Government.
Stay tuned for more in the epic friendly war between Packer's Crown Entertainment and Echo Entertainment. Who are you tipping, and are you buying shares to prove your loyalty?
*the writer owns shares in Crown Limited
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