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Internet Television Shane McMahon WWE Wrestling Hollywood China United States Warner Bros.
Shane McMahon has been pounding the pavement hard in the past few years... all part of leaping out of a famous father's shadow.
Make no mistake, these days Shane McMahon is his own man...and on a global scale - U.S, China and most points in between.
Recently word leaked that when young Shane was 5 years old his old man, Vince McMahon (wrestling king of the world) and WWE Chairman...got him working hard pacing from from barber shop to barber hanging up wrestling fliers and posters. It's a tough job, and Shane was man enough for it.
The young McMahon stayed loyal to his father to circa 2009, working as the WWE's executive vice president of global media. He was a big part of getting WWE content and events in almost 150 countries.
The 41 year old McMahon is aiming to do for Hollywood what he did for the WWE. Earlier this week his company You on Demand formed a strategic partnership with Warner Bros. to get the entertainment giant's content into China via pay-per-view and video-on-demand cable platforms. You on Demand has access to homes in China through a 20-year deal with China Home Cinema, the pay-television arm of that country's CCTV-6 network. Cable operators can deliver the content into homes. You on Demand advised it expects to have as many as 3 million subscribers this season.
China, home to 1.3 billion, has become a business priority for Hollywood. The Motion Picture Assn. of America is attempting to get the Chinese government to ease up on its restrictions on foreign films and double the current quota to as many as 40.
In the meantime, Hollywood is trying to find other avenues into China. Earlier this month, Legendary Pictures, a Burbank company that co-financed "The Hangover" and "The Dark Knight," unveiled a joint venture with a Chinese entertainment conglomerate to make English-language films in China that would be exported around the world. Cable represents another window into the market and Warner Bros. will make current as well as older product available through You on Demand.
McMahon was previously working his tosh off for his famous father at WWE. He had been working there professionally since graduating from Boston University...holding positions in marketing, sales, promotion and production. He even reffed some matches and got in the squared circle on occasion and then as "Shane-O-Mac."
Rising high up the executive ranks, McMahon was seen as a potential successor to his father. There was only one problem. "He wasn't going anywhere," he said and laughed.
As a favor to a friend, McMahon took a meeting with Marc Urbach, who was chief financial officer of what was then known as China Broadband Inc. The company had just secured a license to operate in China and Urbach, who grew up as a fan of the WWE, wanted to pick McMahon's brains about the region. McMahon had spent a lot of time schmoozing government officials to get WWE content inside the country.
"At first I didn't believe them," McMahon said when he was told the company had a green light to set up shop in China. "Getting the license is the hardest thing in the world." He did his due diligence, even flying to China to visit the company's offices there.
Initially, McMahon was approached about joining China Broadband Inc.'s board of directors. The more time he spent studying the company, the more intrigued he became. He joined the company in late 2009 as its chairman and chief executive and invested a cool $4 million.
"It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make," McMahon said of his leaving WWE to strike out on his own. "I didn't want to wake up when I was 70 and say, 'I should have done that.'" Telling his father he wanted to leave was "brutal" and now, almost two years later, there remains some residual tension. "It's still hard," he said.
McMahon is confident that he is entering a buyer's market in China. The heavy piracy there has convinced him that consumers are hungry for content.
"If you give them access and it's better quality, why aren't they going to watch it," he said.
McMahon said he is "very far down the road" with other studios about signing deals similar to the Warner Bros. agreement.
Probed if he'd be striking any deals with his father for WWE content on You on Demand, McMahon cracked, "I don't know, I'm a tough negotiator."
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Saturday, June 18, 2011
World Poker Tour TV Ratings Up 35% - 17th June 2011
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The vast changes made to the broadcast of the World Poker Tour during its ninth season are apparently paying off. According to a WPT press release this week, FSN’s coverage of the popular program has increased in ratings by 35 percent over last season, with an average number of weekly viewers at 669,000. The WPT is now the top-rated program on the network.
WPT CEO Steve Heller and President Adam Pliska don’t feel that it’s an aberration, either. The two set out to make drastic changes to the show’s format and cast in Season IX, infusing “YES” programming (younger, edgier, sexier elements) into the series. The result? A show that appeals to every poker demographic.
“WPT is having a banner year on FSN. This season is on pace to be our most-watched ever,” said FSN VP of Programming David Sussin.
The show has instilled several new enhancements, including a new anchor in Kimberly Lansing and an on-air segment called the “Raw Deal” with brash poker pro Tony Dunst, who pulls no punches in dissecting the play at the final table. Dunst beat out more than a thousand hopefuls during an intense audition process to earn the coveted position. He told Poker News Daily, “I was given an opportunity to get a foothold on the business side of poker and it combines everything I’m good at.”
The WPT has also added a handful of poker “ambassadors” in the Royal Flush Girls, who include 2010 Maxim Hometown Hottie of the Year Melanie Iglesias, 2007 Miss Kentucky USA Michelle Banzer, “FHM Singapore” cover girl Sunisa Kim, and Formula Drift car builder Melyssa Grace. The striking ladies appear in every episode and brighten up the atmosphere of the tense final table arena.
But not everything has changed. The faces of the WPT, commentators Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, returned for their ninth season in the booth to the delight of the show’s following. And viewers will get to witness history this season as Sexton reached a WPT final table for the first time ever, opening up a guest appearance in the commentary booth for the show.
Season IX of the WPT on FSN is only halfway done, as the network will air eight more episodes over the next eight Sunday nights (8 and 11 p.m.). Among the tournaments yet to air include the Hollywood Poker Open, Seminole Hard Rock Showdown, Bay 101 Shooting Star, and the $25,000 WPT World Championship at Bellagio.
In addition, there will be special coverage of the inaugural World Poker Tour Super High Roller, in which 29 of the game’s top pros bought in for $100,000, the highest buy-in event in U.S. history. The final table included poker legends such as Eric Seidel, Daniel Negreanu, and Erick Lindgren, as well as online superstars Justin Bonomo and Vivek Rajkumar.
Here’s a look at the remaining WPT schedule on FSN:
June 19th: Bay 101 Shooting Star
June 26th: Bay 101 Shooting Star
July 3rd: Hollywood Poker Open
July 10th: Hollywood Poker Open
July 17th: Seminole Hard Rock
July 24th: Seminole Hard Rock
July 31st: WPT Championship
August 7th: WPT Championship
The ninth season of the WPT will air again from Episode 1 beginning on August 14, 2011. Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest coverage from the World Poker Tour. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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The vast changes made to the broadcast of the World Poker Tour during its ninth season are apparently paying off. According to a WPT press release this week, FSN’s coverage of the popular program has increased in ratings by 35 percent over last season, with an average number of weekly viewers at 669,000. The WPT is now the top-rated program on the network.
WPT CEO Steve Heller and President Adam Pliska don’t feel that it’s an aberration, either. The two set out to make drastic changes to the show’s format and cast in Season IX, infusing “YES” programming (younger, edgier, sexier elements) into the series. The result? A show that appeals to every poker demographic.
“WPT is having a banner year on FSN. This season is on pace to be our most-watched ever,” said FSN VP of Programming David Sussin.
The show has instilled several new enhancements, including a new anchor in Kimberly Lansing and an on-air segment called the “Raw Deal” with brash poker pro Tony Dunst, who pulls no punches in dissecting the play at the final table. Dunst beat out more than a thousand hopefuls during an intense audition process to earn the coveted position. He told Poker News Daily, “I was given an opportunity to get a foothold on the business side of poker and it combines everything I’m good at.”
The WPT has also added a handful of poker “ambassadors” in the Royal Flush Girls, who include 2010 Maxim Hometown Hottie of the Year Melanie Iglesias, 2007 Miss Kentucky USA Michelle Banzer, “FHM Singapore” cover girl Sunisa Kim, and Formula Drift car builder Melyssa Grace. The striking ladies appear in every episode and brighten up the atmosphere of the tense final table arena.
But not everything has changed. The faces of the WPT, commentators Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, returned for their ninth season in the booth to the delight of the show’s following. And viewers will get to witness history this season as Sexton reached a WPT final table for the first time ever, opening up a guest appearance in the commentary booth for the show.
Season IX of the WPT on FSN is only halfway done, as the network will air eight more episodes over the next eight Sunday nights (8 and 11 p.m.). Among the tournaments yet to air include the Hollywood Poker Open, Seminole Hard Rock Showdown, Bay 101 Shooting Star, and the $25,000 WPT World Championship at Bellagio.
In addition, there will be special coverage of the inaugural World Poker Tour Super High Roller, in which 29 of the game’s top pros bought in for $100,000, the highest buy-in event in U.S. history. The final table included poker legends such as Eric Seidel, Daniel Negreanu, and Erick Lindgren, as well as online superstars Justin Bonomo and Vivek Rajkumar.
Here’s a look at the remaining WPT schedule on FSN:
June 19th: Bay 101 Shooting Star
June 26th: Bay 101 Shooting Star
July 3rd: Hollywood Poker Open
July 10th: Hollywood Poker Open
July 17th: Seminole Hard Rock
July 24th: Seminole Hard Rock
July 31st: WPT Championship
August 7th: WPT Championship
The ninth season of the WPT will air again from Episode 1 beginning on August 14, 2011. Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest coverage from the World Poker Tour. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Australian Gambling, Rock And Pop Culture Connection, by Greg Tingle - 18th June 2011
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James Packer Gambling On 3rd Macau Casino, by Greg Tingle - 18th June 2011
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Media Man Crown Casino James Packer Tabcorp Holdings Asia Pacific Games Gambling911 Internet City Of Dreams Macau Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Australia
Asia Pacific gambling news remains red hot with Crown Limited's James Packer busy in Macau with Mr Lawrence Ho aiming to build a third land based casino... Media Man and Gambling911 with the hottest Aussie and Asia Pacific gambling news available anywhere...
JP's Macau casino joint venture plans to build a massive $US2.5 billion ($2.3bn) casino resort...the group's lucky third in the Chinese territory. This will see them look capitalise on surging gaming revenues in the red hot part of the world.
Melco Crown Entertainment yesterday signed off on a $US360 million deal to gain control of the Macau Studio City project, an "integrated resort project" on hold since the global financial crisis and in planning for more than 10 years.
The firms chief executive, Lawrence Ho, advised the property's theme and demographic target focus would be differentiated from the company's existing Macau property assets, the City of Dreams and the Altira Macau.
Construction is due to start early next year and it is believed the partners have no plans for an equity issue to fund the project.
"We believe Macau Studio City's existing land grant and previously completed site work will allow us to significantly expedite its construction timetable," Ho told the press yesterday.
It will be Melco Crown's second project on Macau's Cotai strip, a vast stretch of reclaimed land situated between the islands of Taipa and Coloane that land based casino developers in Macau, such as Ho and Packer, are promoting as the orient's answer to the Las Vegas strip aka "Sin City". City of Dreams is in Cotai.
Last year, Ho said Melco Crown was prepared to build more casino resort developments in Macau and elsewhere in Asia. Packer's Crown holds a 33.4% stake in Melco Crown.
The Studio City site is one of the last prime land sites available in Macau for development.
It is located at the Lotus Bridge immigration point, making it the virgin resort that tourists encounter via entering Cotai.
Before the financial meltdown, Melco Crown had a management arrangement with Studio City's owners to run the casino at the site, but elected to take control of the project after it became troublesome for the owners to properly fund it within the prior structure.
Melco Crown is understood to have codenamed the deal Project Eagle.
The deal ends 3 long years of delays caused by legal matters and a range of dramas between the Hong Kong and US investors.
Studio City was previously owned by a joint venture between Hong Kong-listed entertainment company eSun Holdings and New Cotai Holdings, an entity controlled by funds managed by US firms Silver Point Capital and Oaktree Capital Management.
New Cotai Holdings will hold a 40% stake.
Melco Crown will pay New Cotai $US100m in 3 instalments over two years.
Before the financial crunch, the casino development was to have included a specially designed 4000-seat arena, a 2300-seat theatre, Asia's first "Playboy Mansion" and 4 new classy hotels - a Ritz-Carlton, a W Hotel, a Marriott and the world's first Tang Hotel.
Last month, Macau gaming revenues rose 42.4% to a record $US3.03bn, what Vegas casino operators dream of.
They were rocketed by the opening of Galaxy Entertainment Group's $US2bn resort development at Cotai, which is nearby to the City of Dreams.
"We remain bullish on Macau's prospects and believe high-quality new supply, such as Macau Studio City, will continue to drive incremental demand," Ho said.
Media Man has been speaking to property and gaming experts about the Packer - Macau developments, with 95% believing that the latest Packer Macau project with be a "good to great business and investment".
Friends, good punting, know your limits and bet with your head, not over it.
Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man and Gambling911 reports for more "can't miss" information on Asia Pacific pokies, gaming and casino wars.
*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 publishes Media Man News
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
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Casino News Media: Frank Miller's Sin City Comes To The World's Largest Online Casino
Casino News Media: Frank Miller's Sin City Comes To The World's Largest Online Casino
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Gibraltar - 17th June 2011 - Following up on last week’s release of Frank Miller’s Sin City: The Hard Goodbye at Digital DarkHorse comes more exciting news around this legendary title. Sin City has now entered the online gaming world, with a new game at PartyCasino.com This new five-reel, fifty-line slot features art and story from the widely acclaimed series by comics legend Frank Miller.
When Sin City originally appeared in Dark Horse Presents: Fifth Anniversary Special in April 1991, it was clear that the face of the comics medium had changed forever. Since that time, Miller’s groundbreaking comics noir has found its way into the public consciousness with toys, games, and even a feature-length motion picture. Frank Miller’s Sin City remains one of the most stylized works in the history of the medium, drawing heavily from film noir, including its use of shadow and stark backgrounds. The black-and-white comic was perfectly suited to the original format of Dark Horse’s flagship anthology, with occasional spot usage of primary colors added to later volumes and editions.
"Frank Miller’s Sin City is a very different slot to any other we have launched in recent times. The striking artwork and mature content mean this isn’t a game for the faint hearted," said a spokesman for PartyCasino.com
There are five featured games, which win the player free spins and multipliers: “Straight to Hell,” “The Hard Goodbye,” “He Never Screams,” “Deadly Little Miho,” and “Just Get Warmed Up.” The games feature the series’ main characters: Hartigan, Nancy, Miho, Marv, Kevin, the Yellow B*stard, and Dwight. The game includes mature content and scenes of violence, nudity, and depravation.
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. “The Big One” is structured as a five-tiered pool. The highest tier—Colossal Cash—seeds at $1.5 million, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry, and currently stands at over $1.6 million.
About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.
SIN CITY, FRANK MILLER’S SIN CITY and all characters therein and all depictions thereof are trademarks of Frank Miller, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ©2011 Frank Miller, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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In the meantime PartyCasino.com continues to roll out new games and initiatives.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Sin City, Unicorn Legend, Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $4 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.
PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Sin City, The Sting, Unicorn Legend, Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.
PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
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Friday, June 17, 2011
James Bond News: New Bondi Girl?: Naomie Harris
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Naomie Harris has confirmed she is in the running to star opposite Daniel Craig in the next 007 film, insisting she "would love to" become the next Bond girl.
Rumours emerged last week linking the British actress to a part in the upcoming 23rd James Bond movie, which will see Craig step into the superspy role for a third time.
Harris has now opened up about the speculation, revealing she has been in talks with movie bosses, but has yet to sign a deal.
She tells Britain's Radio Times, "Nothing is confirmed, but I would love to be part of the Bond movies."
The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest star also reveals her admiration for the latest 007 films, because they portray Bond girls as more than just sex symbols.
She adds, "What makes them (Bond movies) work is that they are responsive to the times. Eva Green's character in Casino Royale was not scantily clad. She was an intelligent, strong, modern woman. The older idea of the Bond movie is in the past. Now it appeals to all generations, ages and sexes..."
However, Harris is adamant that if she gets the part, she won't be taking her clothes off onscreen: "It's the objectification that I don't like. I didn't sign up to be a stripper... I'm very anti the pressure that is put on women to take their clothes off."
The currently untitled Bond 23, to be directed by Sam Mendes, is slated for release next year.
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Thursday, June 16, 2011
Premier League Snooker back for 25th season
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With an exciting new format in place for the 2011 PartyCasino.com Premier League Snooker, Matchroom Sport can announce the eleven venues and fixtures for this year’s event. The competition gets underway on Thursday 18th August at the Embassy Theatre, Skegness, and visits venues old and new through September, October and November.
The PartyCasino.com Premier League Snooker is Matchroom Sport's flagship cue sports event and is now entering its 25th season. Televised live by Sky Sports in the UK, it is also syndicated globally ton a world-wide audience.
World Champion John Higgins and People’s Champion Jimmy White get proceedings underway with the winner playing either Neil Robertson or Matthew Stevens in the evening’s final match.
The following evening sees the debut of defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan as he takes on Shaun Murphy. The winner then faces either mark Williams or White.
With ten players in the PartyCasino.com Premier League, each player competes on four nights only. With three matches per evening – two semi-finals followed by the final – each match is the best of five frames with no dead frames played.
In the event of a match reaching two frames each, the decider will be played to the rules of the hugely successful ‘Shoot-Out’ tournament, which means a maximum of ten minutes, a 20 second shot-clock for the first five minutes and then 15 seconds for the remaining five.
Points will be awarded for frames won; therefore the maximum number of points a player can gain are six in one evening and 24 over the whole qualifying section of the Premier League. By contrast, the minimum number of points a player can win is zero.
The Fixtures
Thursday 18th August Embassy Theatre, Skegness
John Higgins v Jimmy White
Neil Robertson v Matthew Stevens
Thursday 1st September Guildford Spectrum
Jimmy White v Mark Williams
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Shaun Murphy
Thursday 22nd September Ravenscraig Sports Facility, Motherwell
John Higgins v Neil Robertson
Ding Junhui v Shaun Murphy
Thursday 29th September The Dome, Doncaster
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Matthew Stevens
Ding Junhui v Ali Carter
Thursday 6th October Hutton Moor Leisure Centre, Weston-Super-Mare
Mark Williams v Judd Trump
John Higgins v Matthew Stevens
Thursday 13th October Biddulph Valley Leisure Centre, Stoke
Mark Williams v Ali Carter
Jimmy White v Ding Junhui
Thursday 20th October Riverside Leisure Centre, Exeter
Ali Carter v Judd Trump
Shaun Murphy v Neil Robertson
Thursday 3rd November Guildhall, Southampton
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Judd Trump
Neil Robertson v Ding Junhui
Thursday 10th November Spiceball Leisure Centre, Banbury
John Higgins v Ali Carter
Mark Williams v Matthew Stevens
Thursday 17th November Grimsby Auditorium
Judd Trump v Shaun Murphy
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Jimmy White
Saturday 26th November Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton-on-Sea
Semi-Final 1
Semi-Final 2
Sunday 27th November Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton-on-Sea
The Final
All evenings commence at 7.30pm.
In the meantime PartyCasino.com continues to roll out new games and initiatives.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Unicorn Legend, Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $4 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.
PartyCasino's most recent game releases include The Sting, Unicorn Legend, Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.
PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
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Superhero Movies This Year: Thor, X-Men, Green Lantern, Batman and Iron-Man, by Greg Tingle - 16th June 2011
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We’re half way through the year and what a range of superhero movies we're already enjoyed – Thor and X-Men: First Class are now behind us, with Green Lantern and Captain America: The First Avenger coming up soon.
Surprisingly the vast majority of superhero movie releases have received positive reviews from both critics and fans, and the flicks are making money at the box office.
Thor hammered home in the box office and the 3D worked a charm.
X-Men: First Class is and interesting one. It wasn’t as terrible as many movie critics thought it may be, nor did it underperform as badly as many had expected, and don't forget - No Hugh Jackman as Wolverine this time around. It was the lowest opening of any of the X-Men movies to date, but considering the state that the franchise has been in since The Last Stand and Wolverine, the fact it made $40 million plus is impressive, and it only dropped about 60% in the second week.
Seems that any half decent superhero movies are doing to go well at the box office, and a number of them will also be adapted to games and other merchandise and money makers.
How's Green Lantern going to go I wonder. The funny green character with the ring and all. Doesn't have quite the same wow and pow factor as a Captain America, a Thor, a Hulk or a Batman, not to mention Iron-Man, if you get my point.
Captain America: The First Avenger is yet to be tested at the box office, but the PR and vibe is good, and the posters look out of this world.
You've got a pretty well-known lead actor, but one who hasn't done superhero flicks before.
This year has been Excelsior all the way for fans of superhero movies, but can Hollywood continue to deliver for the fans, beancounters and critics? You will just have to keep watching this space.
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Thor X-Men Wolverine Thor Green Lantern Batman Iron-Man Marvel Entertainment Marvel Comics Marvel Studios Marvel Slots DC Comics Warner Bros Paramount Pictures Hollywood Movies Media Man
We’re half way through the year and what a range of superhero movies we're already enjoyed – Thor and X-Men: First Class are now behind us, with Green Lantern and Captain America: The First Avenger coming up soon.
Surprisingly the vast majority of superhero movie releases have received positive reviews from both critics and fans, and the flicks are making money at the box office.
Thor hammered home in the box office and the 3D worked a charm.
X-Men: First Class is and interesting one. It wasn’t as terrible as many movie critics thought it may be, nor did it underperform as badly as many had expected, and don't forget - No Hugh Jackman as Wolverine this time around. It was the lowest opening of any of the X-Men movies to date, but considering the state that the franchise has been in since The Last Stand and Wolverine, the fact it made $40 million plus is impressive, and it only dropped about 60% in the second week.
Seems that any half decent superhero movies are doing to go well at the box office, and a number of them will also be adapted to games and other merchandise and money makers.
How's Green Lantern going to go I wonder. The funny green character with the ring and all. Doesn't have quite the same wow and pow factor as a Captain America, a Thor, a Hulk or a Batman, not to mention Iron-Man, if you get my point.
Captain America: The First Avenger is yet to be tested at the box office, but the PR and vibe is good, and the posters look out of this world.
You've got a pretty well-known lead actor, but one who hasn't done superhero flicks before.
This year has been Excelsior all the way for fans of superhero movies, but can Hollywood continue to deliver for the fans, beancounters and critics? You will just have to keep watching this space.
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Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Sports Sponsorship Deal, by Greg Tingle
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bwin.party the parent company of brands such as PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com and World Poker Tour has reached agreement to extend its sponsorship deal with the basketball regulatory body FIBA until 2014. The deal, which will include live streaming in 30 different countries, incorporates Olympic qualifying and the 2014 FIBA World Championships, among other events.
The rights include EuroBasket 2011, the 2012 Olympic qualifying tournaments, EuroBasket 2013 and the 2014 FIBA World Championships, an event that will be held for both men and women.
Co-CEO of bwin.party digital entertainment, Norbert Teufelberger, commented: "The promotion of sports has always been an essential component of the bwin sports brand philosophy. Basketball, along with football and motorcycle racing, is one of the three pillars of our sport sponsorship strategy."
The FIBA secretary general and International Olympic Committee member, Patrick Baumann, added: “We are very happy to announce that bwin.party will continue to be a global partner of FIBA until 2014."
In the meantime PartyCasino.com continues to roll out new games and initiatives.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Unicorn Legend, Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
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Wrestling News Media: Jim Ross Website Update: Tuesday Ramblings..RAW Thoughts...UFC..Strikeforce..'Death Clutch'..Store Still TEMPORARILY Closed.
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Thanks for stopping by for a quick hitting portion of Tuesday Ramblings.....
Watching Monday Night Raw from Norman brought back lots of memories of the Nassau Coliseum. Great arena with lots of WWE heritage plus when I lived in Connecticut it was a Raw that did not necessitate an airplane ride. Long Island is a beautiful part of the northeast and I wish I had spent some time out there while I was stationed in the Nutmeg State.
Both former WWE alums Mick Foley and Taz call that part of the world home.
Raw thoughts:
@steveaustinBSR and @R_Roddy_Piper were the two highlights for this old schooler on Monday's Raw. They both know how to fully command an audience and still have 'it.'
Austin can be so intense that it bleeds through the TV screen. His Clint Eastwood-esque delivered line to CM Punk...."punk" was golden. @CMPunk and Austin have excellent on screen chemistry and back in the day they would have had a helluva run. Nothing but money.
R Truth' s professional career has never been more elevated. He fits the role that he's in well and it would not shock me to see, by hook or crook, R Truth upset @JohnCena this Sunday on PPV to win the WWE Title. Long shot? Perhaps....but stranger things have occurred on a WWE PPV and no one can argue that a Truth title win wouldn't 're-shuffle the deck.'
@MikeTheMiz is so easy to dislike which is a marketable necessity for any villain. Guys that can talk as well as Miz, who I Tweeted reminded me of a male Kardashian, are essentially Teflon coated. Essentially no matter what occurs in the ring, more often than not, they are right back to where they need to be when provided the opportunity to speak.
Austin's mic work with Miz, Vickie Guerrero, and CM Punk were three of the most memorable moments of the three hour Raw.
BTW Vickie is looking great and her change in diet and exercise are working for her.
Ever notice how stunning Alicia Fox is especially when watching the Anti Bullying promos that aired within Raw? She's a very nice young lady with a main event look that could take her beyond the squared circle.
Thought Booker T had his best nite to date at the announce table with King and Cole. Way to go Book! Announcing live TV for WWE isn't an easy job especially when one is 'green' in that area and have had little or no formal training or ample practice.
WWE.com did a list of WWE's top 25 managers. These lists always encourage plenty of debate. It isn't the list that I would have complied but I enjoyed the feature. Check it out at http://www.wwe.com. Leaving off Gary Hart and JJ Dillon made no sense until it was made clear that the list was for WWE alums only. I do agree that Bobby Heenan is a clear cut #1 and is miles ahead of the competition. 'The Brain' is THE BEST MANAGER EVER for my money. Bobby is still battling health issues and I think about him every day. Keep 'The Wease' in your prayers.
One of my pet peeves over the years is showing a wrestler "Running to the ring" as many grapplers have had knee issues, etc and don't run well. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well the Big Show moved when he ran to the ring Monday night. The big guy is dropping pounds and let's not forget that he was a former collegiate basketball player where running is a big part of the game.
We received a ton of Tweets @JRsBBQ and emails to this site about Long Island's Zach Ryder not being on Monday Night Raw from his 'home town.' Not exactly sure what it was that some thought I could do about it but they vented nonetheless. Lighten Up, Francis.
@RealKevinNash defended his wife against a drunk dude with a beer bottle in hand and it was Kevin who got arrested and where it was made to look like a big deal by TMZ. Must have been a slow news day. Kevin protecting his wife isn't a crime the last I looked and it sounds as if the police over reacted. When Kevin told me this story last week, I never dreamed that it would actually become national gossip/news. I'd love to do a sit down DVD interview w/ 'Big Sexy' about his career.
Emailers.....Our Restaurant is CLOSED and has been for over a year. We still get fans emailing us wanting to come by and eat and say hello. Sorry we can't accommodate.
Upon reading @brocklesnarDC and @HeymanHustle 'Death Clutch' again it seems that, simply put, the reason for Brock Lesnar's premature departure from WWE was a gross lack of communication. Again, wrestling fans in particular will enjoy this quick read, I read it in less than three hours but for the anal media I don't have an EXACT time, as Lesnar was always somewhat private and this book gives those that have been fans of 'The Next Big Thing' in WWE or UFC a peek behind his well positioned curtain. It's obvious if Lesnar's schedule had been managed more efficiently by all involved that there's a good chance that Brock might not have ever left WWE but that's purely speculation and certainly no guarantee. Bottom line is that Lesnar got into a line of work that fits his personality and his skill set famously and I for one hope that he kicks diverticulitis ass and can resume his UFC career in 2012.
For the record, with Junior Dos Santos or Cain Velásquez being the UFC heavyweight champion in all likelihood upon Brock's return, hope the monster from Minnesota will sharpen his striking defense skills as JDS and Cain are deadly with their hands.
I would also like to see a fight when Lesnar returns against Frank Mir as it would be their 'rubber match' and the two men don't like each other whatsoever which would add to the imperative, personal issue a bout needs especially when there is no title at stake. Doesn't seem logical that Brock's first fight back in UFC be against Velásquez or Dos Santos.
If the State of New York doesn't fully license/sanction UFC in their state then the whole, damn crew of Empire State politicos are "Wieners." What a no brainer it is to bring another revenue producing sport to America's #1 market and throughout the state.
Our trip down to Dallas this weekend to watch the Strikeforce show live is in the TBD category at this hour due to my surgery which is only hours away. If I don't or am not allowed to travel, I will certainly watch the event on TV Saturday night. Too bad Gina Carano couldn't get right and make her fight. Rumor has it she has 'weight issues' with which many of us can identify but also many of us aren't trying to make weight for a fight/payday.
With UFC buying Strikeforce, is the window of opportunity closing for female MMA fighters once the existing Strikeforce deals in place have been honored? I feel the female athletes are marketable over the long haul and if UFC bails on the gender someone else will likely give it a shot.
We are working to get all the internal tweaks done to re-open our store and will know more in a few days. Thanks for everyone's patience and support.
Follow us on Twitter @JRsBBQ and I'll keep every one updated on what's going on this week as I can. However, there will be NO Tweeting while I'm attached to any sort of IV's. :)
Boomer Sooner!
J.R. (Credit: JR's Blog)
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Wrestling JR Steve Austin Hulk Hogan Randy Savage Roddy Piper Miz Kevin Nash The Big Show Mick Foley Brock Lesnar WWE UFC TNA Wrestling
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Thanks for stopping by for a quick hitting portion of Tuesday Ramblings.....
Watching Monday Night Raw from Norman brought back lots of memories of the Nassau Coliseum. Great arena with lots of WWE heritage plus when I lived in Connecticut it was a Raw that did not necessitate an airplane ride. Long Island is a beautiful part of the northeast and I wish I had spent some time out there while I was stationed in the Nutmeg State.
Both former WWE alums Mick Foley and Taz call that part of the world home.
Raw thoughts:
@steveaustinBSR and @R_Roddy_Piper were the two highlights for this old schooler on Monday's Raw. They both know how to fully command an audience and still have 'it.'
Austin can be so intense that it bleeds through the TV screen. His Clint Eastwood-esque delivered line to CM Punk...."punk" was golden. @CMPunk and Austin have excellent on screen chemistry and back in the day they would have had a helluva run. Nothing but money.
R Truth' s professional career has never been more elevated. He fits the role that he's in well and it would not shock me to see, by hook or crook, R Truth upset @JohnCena this Sunday on PPV to win the WWE Title. Long shot? Perhaps....but stranger things have occurred on a WWE PPV and no one can argue that a Truth title win wouldn't 're-shuffle the deck.'
@MikeTheMiz is so easy to dislike which is a marketable necessity for any villain. Guys that can talk as well as Miz, who I Tweeted reminded me of a male Kardashian, are essentially Teflon coated. Essentially no matter what occurs in the ring, more often than not, they are right back to where they need to be when provided the opportunity to speak.
Austin's mic work with Miz, Vickie Guerrero, and CM Punk were three of the most memorable moments of the three hour Raw.
BTW Vickie is looking great and her change in diet and exercise are working for her.
Ever notice how stunning Alicia Fox is especially when watching the Anti Bullying promos that aired within Raw? She's a very nice young lady with a main event look that could take her beyond the squared circle.
Thought Booker T had his best nite to date at the announce table with King and Cole. Way to go Book! Announcing live TV for WWE isn't an easy job especially when one is 'green' in that area and have had little or no formal training or ample practice.
WWE.com did a list of WWE's top 25 managers. These lists always encourage plenty of debate. It isn't the list that I would have complied but I enjoyed the feature. Check it out at http://www.wwe.com. Leaving off Gary Hart and JJ Dillon made no sense until it was made clear that the list was for WWE alums only. I do agree that Bobby Heenan is a clear cut #1 and is miles ahead of the competition. 'The Brain' is THE BEST MANAGER EVER for my money. Bobby is still battling health issues and I think about him every day. Keep 'The Wease' in your prayers.
One of my pet peeves over the years is showing a wrestler "Running to the ring" as many grapplers have had knee issues, etc and don't run well. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well the Big Show moved when he ran to the ring Monday night. The big guy is dropping pounds and let's not forget that he was a former collegiate basketball player where running is a big part of the game.
We received a ton of Tweets @JRsBBQ and emails to this site about Long Island's Zach Ryder not being on Monday Night Raw from his 'home town.' Not exactly sure what it was that some thought I could do about it but they vented nonetheless. Lighten Up, Francis.
@RealKevinNash defended his wife against a drunk dude with a beer bottle in hand and it was Kevin who got arrested and where it was made to look like a big deal by TMZ. Must have been a slow news day. Kevin protecting his wife isn't a crime the last I looked and it sounds as if the police over reacted. When Kevin told me this story last week, I never dreamed that it would actually become national gossip/news. I'd love to do a sit down DVD interview w/ 'Big Sexy' about his career.
Emailers.....Our Restaurant is CLOSED and has been for over a year. We still get fans emailing us wanting to come by and eat and say hello. Sorry we can't accommodate.
Upon reading @brocklesnarDC and @HeymanHustle 'Death Clutch' again it seems that, simply put, the reason for Brock Lesnar's premature departure from WWE was a gross lack of communication. Again, wrestling fans in particular will enjoy this quick read, I read it in less than three hours but for the anal media I don't have an EXACT time, as Lesnar was always somewhat private and this book gives those that have been fans of 'The Next Big Thing' in WWE or UFC a peek behind his well positioned curtain. It's obvious if Lesnar's schedule had been managed more efficiently by all involved that there's a good chance that Brock might not have ever left WWE but that's purely speculation and certainly no guarantee. Bottom line is that Lesnar got into a line of work that fits his personality and his skill set famously and I for one hope that he kicks diverticulitis ass and can resume his UFC career in 2012.
For the record, with Junior Dos Santos or Cain Velásquez being the UFC heavyweight champion in all likelihood upon Brock's return, hope the monster from Minnesota will sharpen his striking defense skills as JDS and Cain are deadly with their hands.
I would also like to see a fight when Lesnar returns against Frank Mir as it would be their 'rubber match' and the two men don't like each other whatsoever which would add to the imperative, personal issue a bout needs especially when there is no title at stake. Doesn't seem logical that Brock's first fight back in UFC be against Velásquez or Dos Santos.
If the State of New York doesn't fully license/sanction UFC in their state then the whole, damn crew of Empire State politicos are "Wieners." What a no brainer it is to bring another revenue producing sport to America's #1 market and throughout the state.
Our trip down to Dallas this weekend to watch the Strikeforce show live is in the TBD category at this hour due to my surgery which is only hours away. If I don't or am not allowed to travel, I will certainly watch the event on TV Saturday night. Too bad Gina Carano couldn't get right and make her fight. Rumor has it she has 'weight issues' with which many of us can identify but also many of us aren't trying to make weight for a fight/payday.
With UFC buying Strikeforce, is the window of opportunity closing for female MMA fighters once the existing Strikeforce deals in place have been honored? I feel the female athletes are marketable over the long haul and if UFC bails on the gender someone else will likely give it a shot.
We are working to get all the internal tweaks done to re-open our store and will know more in a few days. Thanks for everyone's patience and support.
Follow us on Twitter @JRsBBQ and I'll keep every one updated on what's going on this week as I can. However, there will be NO Tweeting while I'm attached to any sort of IV's. :)
Boomer Sooner!
J.R. (Credit: JR's Blog)
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Australian Gambling News Update, by Greg Tingle - 15th June 2011
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Australia's gambling sector continues to run re hot with both political fun and games and casino expansions and legal matters the order of the day.
Media Man and Gambling911 with the latest and greatest from down under...
Crown Casino Took Advantage Of Whale Punter Harry Kakavas Court Advised...
Folks, here's an update on the situation with Harry...Gambler "wasn't responsible for his own actions", Casino knew millionaire had an addiction - court, Earlier $35m appeal against Crown thrown out
Crown Casino apparently took advantage of millionaire property developer Harry Kakavas by allowing him to play the baccarat tables when it knew he had a pathological gambling addiction, three appeal judges heard yesterday. Allan Myers QC, for Kakavas, said his client was not truly responsible for his own actions when he lost millions at Crown and the Melbourne casino should have refused to deal with him.
Myers told the Court of Appeal that a person betting $300,000 every few seconds at the baccarat table was an indication they did not have the ability to look after their own interests. Kakavas had excluded himself from every casino in Australia, including Crown, and it was not disputed he had a "special disability'' that meant he could not deal on equal terms with Crown. "He had a 12-year history with Crown and an evident gambling problem," Myers said. Myers said the law stated that parties to any transaction had to have the ability to "conserve their interests" and casinos were not exempt from the protection offered to people with disabilities. "A person seeking to conserve their interests would not enter a casino," commented Justice Philip Mandie. The Gold Coast property developer turned over $1.5 billion on Crown's baccarat tables between June 2005 and August 2006, betting up to $300,000 a hand.
Kakavas is appealing against a decision of Supreme Court judge Justice David Harper, who threw out Kakavas's $35 million claim against Crown, saying his gambling addiction did not disadvantage him in his dealings with the casino. Justice Harper said he accepted Kakavas had a medically diagnosed gambling addiction, but concluded that he had been in full control of his actions and at all times had the power to self-exclude. In the same judgment, Justice Harper questioned Crown casino's self-proclaimed status as the world's leader in responsible gambling. Myers said the Gambling Regulation Act said that people who self-excluded themselves or were excluded for other reasons should not be allowed to enter a casino or remain in a casino. Justice Mandie asked if it was relevant whether a person was wealthy and could afford to lose large sums of money. Myers said that legally a casino could not accept a $1000 bet from the richest man in the world if he had excluded himself.
"Whether Mr Kakavas could afford to lose is neither here not there,'' he said.
The hearing is continuing.
James Packer (Pro Casinos) And Russell Crowe (Luke Warm On Gambling) Play Jet Ski In Italy...
Mates Russell Crowe (Hollywood actor and NRL team owner) and James Packer (Aussie gambling biz king) were in the same Italian parts on Thursday and took an opp to mingle on the Italian Mediterranean coast along Positano. JP had his superyacht moored up that way. Crowe was in the region for a mates wedding after a working trip to Los Angeles and heard his mate was close. "I gave Jamie a bell and we got on a couple of jet skis - and how about this to spend your day - we went by jet ski from Positano to Amalfi," Crowe told 2DayFM's Kyle and Jackie during Sandilands' 40th birthday broadcast yesterday. "It was wonderful. How did you guys spend your day?" Good to see the sense of humour in fine form.
Tabcorp Split: Investors Cautious...
Shareholders in Tabcorp Holdings Limited (TAH) have finally had a chance to assess the two businesses that have emerged after the gaming giant split its wagering, gaming and Keno interests from its casino operation. Beginning trading on Monday (June 6) on a deferred settlement basis, the new casino wing known as Echo Entertainment Group (EGP) attracted considerable market interest trading over four million common shares and closing at $4.36. TAH shareholders voted 99.56 percent in favour of the demerger, but EGP prices are believed to be high amid speculation that James Packer’s Crown Limited (CWN) was amassing a sizeable stake. The demerger saw shareholders receive one standard share in EGP for each share held in TAH, which gave Packer his opening stake in Echo. The arrangement effectively halved the value of TAH shares, sending them plummeting on Monday when resumed trading saw almost 57 percent wiped off the new TAH’s value as shareholders dumped nearly 17 million standard shares. Media reports suggested that Packer’s interest related only to wanting a vote in any potential takeover bids that come to the EGP table. The CWN announcement appeared to discourage trade, with EGP slumping 2.5% during Tuesday’s trading. The Tabcorp Echo demerger is expected to become official on June 15th following last week’s Supreme Court approval. Punters, are you game to buy in?
Press Release: Pullman Cairns launches Optimum Service Standards to boost Chinese inbound market - 14 June 2011
The Pullman Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns has been announced as the first hotel to be accredited to Accor’s new Optimum Service Standards for Chinese Visitation, paving the way for the hotel to attract greater numbers of Chinese visitors to North Queensland. The formal accreditation follows this week’s announcement in Cairns by Federal Tourism Minister, Martin Ferguson, of a new 10-year strategic plan aimed at boosting China’s inbound tourism to Australia. He extolled the tourism industry to more actively cater for the Chinese market, which is the fastest growing inbound market for Australia, and already worth over $3 billion a year to the economy.
Earlier this year, Accor – Australia’s largest hotel group with 150 hotels under brands such as Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel and Mercure – announced that it would implement an Optimum Services Standards program for hotels in its group that aimed to attract large-scale visitation from the Chinese and Indian markets. It involved hotels implementing a wide range of services to cater for the specific needs of these two growth markets, and only hotels that met (and maintained) these standards would be accredited to pitch for this business. Recognising the potential of Chinese inbound for the Cairns and Tropical North Queensland markets, the Pullman has led the way with adopting services to meet the needs of the emerging China market. These include translation of in-room collateral and the Welcome Kit to Mandarin, Mandarin speaking staff available to handle guest queries, all reception staff trained to give basic greetings in Mandarin, Chinese breakfast and mini-bar items, green tea and comfort items such as slippers. In addition, the Pullman has implemented training for all staff on Chinese cultural practices, so that they can better understand the specific needs and requirements of Chinese travelers. Commenting on the accreditation, Pullman General Manager, Adrian Williams, said that he was very pleased that his hotel was playing a pioneering role in the national push for more Chinese inbound tourists. “The growth in Chinese inbound isn’t new, but the pace of the growth highlights the need for the industry to really look at what is being provided for Chinese travelers and to enhance the offer, because this market represents a significant future for our tourism industry,” said Mr Williams.
“Many of the measures under the Optimum Service Standards program are fairly straightforward, but it sends a strong signal to Chinese operators that Australia is not only welcoming their clients, but going out of their way to ensure they feel as comfortable as possible when they are here. “Cairns and far North Queensland have so much potential for this market. The Great Barrier Reef is the primary draw-card, but Cairns has many other attractions – natural and man-made – that our ideal for Chinese tourists. The climate is appealing, our infrastructure is well developed, there is good shopping and entertainment, high quality restaurants, and our prices are very competitive. “It was very encouraging that Tourism Minister Ferguson chose Cairns to launch the new China strategy here in Cairns, so it is now up to us operators to translate the strategy into action on the ground. “The Optimum Service Standards will hopefully lead other TNQ operators to follow suit and really look at the specific needs of Chinese travelers.” Pullman Reef Casino Cairns is the largest hotel, tourism and entertainment complex in Far North Queensland, offering 5-star accommodation, the award-winning Tamarind restaurant, the Cairns Wildlife Dome (where visitors can see Australian wildlife icons such as kangaroos, koalas and crocodiles), a range of cafes, bars and shopping, and the Reef Casino.
PokerStars To Be Outlawed In Australia...
PokerStars is to be history in Australia with many online website portals starting to pull off PokerStars promos and articles, also frustrated with not being paid for months. An insider said "PokerStars name is pretty much mud in Australia these days". As previously covered GP Information Services, based in the Erina Heights suburb of Gosford in New South Wales, is according to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission owned by Oldford Group, one of the business entities sought for forfeiture by defendants named by US authorities in the Black Friday indictments. It just happens to provide marketing services for PokerStars in Australia. There's lots of grey area about advertising gambling in Australia, with Media Man legal adviser Nettleton having his phone running hot of late. It's suspected PokerStars is or was a client of Nettleton, who is a partner at Addison's Lawyers. Australian television stations Network Ten and the Nine Network last November escaped a fine re TV adverts with a warning from the country’s media watchdog, which argued they had breached the IGA for promoting PokerStars.net. Reports in the press show authorities might have problems enforcing laws, whether or not a breach is provable. Comms Minister Stephen Conroy says "As the internet is a cross-jurisdictional medium, it is difficult for Australia to enforce our laws on companies not based in Australia." Other online gaming brands such as Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, Captain Cooks and PKR can be accessed by Australians, often mentioned on massive website portals that enjoy worldwide audiences, targeting players worldwide, with maps of the world shown to help potential players see the poker and online casino rooms available for their geographic region, with online gaming warnings and disclaimers a plenty, making sure they cover their own ass.
Australian Exotic Betting And Live Betting Update...
Exotic betting options have hit the headlines because of their association with corrupt behaviour. Cricket's biggest betting stings - on South African captain Hansie Cronje 10 years ago and on three Pakistani players last year - have involved exotic bets, where the players have allegedly rigged small outcomes within matches rather than the overall results. Overseas, exotic betting has a long history. In a minor game on Australia's 1972 cricket tour of England, Dennis Lillee put his teammates' money on taking exactly five wickets by lunch. (They took six wickets, and lost their money.) In Australia, where exotic options have only been available to the public this decade, their potential for corruption has been associated with the charges against rugby league player Ryan Tandy and others over first-scorer bets on an NRL match last year, and the AFL has investigated first-scorer betting patterns last month relating to three players. Some 30 Australian agencies offer exotic sports bets, and many are owned by overseas parents. The British agency Sportingbet is currently attempting to buy the Australian agency Centrebet, which is majority-owned by the bookmaking Kafataris family. The overseas agencies that will lay exotic and other bets with Australian punters - numbering more than 50, according to Centrebet's Gerard Daffy - include 12BET, AllYouBet, bet365, Betfair, Canbet, Pinnacle Sports and William Hill. The Australian bookmakers also contribute 5% of profits to sports bodies such as the NRL and AFL as a product fee, a requirement from which international bookmakers are exempt.
Macau Casino Investors Will Pay More Tax...
Asia pacific gambling tycoon James Packer will already know about this...Investors in Macau casinos, including James Packer's Melco Crown Entertainment, have been warned the Macau government could seek to increase its share of earnings when their licences come up for renewal from 2020. The first of Macau's six casino licences falls due for renewal in March 2020, with Melco Crown's licence due to expire in 2022. Commentators at a conference in Macau last week warned that investors should expect the Macau government would increase its demands for tax revenue from the casinos or impose tougher conditions as the licences are renewed. "Universally, it's normal for governments to get greedy" when negotiating gaming licenses, US expert Nelson Rose, of the Whittier Law School, told the Global Gaming Expo Asia conference last week.
Professor Rose said he did not expect the Macau government to seek to take back the land it had granted casino licensees, but it would have "huge power" in the negotiations given the billions of dollars invested by the licence holders in their Macau casinos. Professor Rose, a visiting scholar at the University of Macau, said the government could demand that the licenceholders invest in more infrastructure, or it could seek to raise taxes. James Packer's Crown Limited has a 33.4% interest in the Nasdaq-listed Melco Crown Entertainment, one of the six casino licenceholders in Macau. Melco Crown this month celebrates the two years of operating its City of Dreams casino complex on Macau's Cotai strip. It also operates a smaller casino, called Altira Macau. Crown this year reported an equity accounted gain of $11.8 million from Melco Crown for the six months to the end of December, but said the "normalised result" for the period was a loss of $6.8m, "after adjusting for an above-theoretical win rate and pre-opening expenses". The government of Macau now taxes casino earnings at 39%, a rate that allows the main operators to make healthy profits. "No one knows how the rules of the game will change at the end of the concessions," Macquarie Securities gaming analyst Gary Pinge said. "But I do think that investors need to think about it." The Macau government could seek to "regulate down" the returns for casino operators, Pinge said. But the government was still considering how to handle the issue. Macau has 6 casino licences covering 33 casinos in the former Portuguese territory, the official casino gambling outlet for China. Good fortune, and may the power of the dragons be with you.
What's you're thoughts on gambling reform in Australia? Do you prefer pokies at the casino, pub, online? What's your favorite slot and online casino? Tell us in the forum.
Readers, good punting, know your limits and have fun.
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Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man and Gambling911 reports for more "can't miss" information on Australian pokies, gaming and casino wars.
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