G'day punters, sports nuts, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, legal eagles, and politicians...one and all. Well, you could have bet money on it. Fortunately (or unfortunately), depending on your view of the world, 'Punter' Brendan Fevola has been caught gambling again, and no, its not just playing poker (by himself) this time. It was man VS machine at Berwick Inn down in 'Underbelly Mother' Melbourne. We're not going to give him a media beat-up, but we're here just to report the facts (Casino) Jack. Media Man and Gambling911 pull the 'one armed bandit' with this special report on Australia's most known, if not notorious, Punter...
Punter Fev Caught Still Punting; Horses, Now Slots...
Arguably Australia's most famous gambler of the modern era (with the possible exception of the late Kerry Packer) Brendan Fevola reckons he was not told to leave a pokies venue this morning, but admitted putting $50 in the machine to "muck about".
Fev, attempting to restore his footy career in the VFL, journeyed to the Berwick Inn in Melbourne's southeast this morning and put money into a slot. Not a crime by any means, not good good for someone who says they are trying to get their gambling addiction under control.
In an interview with the MTR radio station earlier today, he advised that playing the pokies had nothing to do with his gambling problem.
He said he thought he would "pop in" after getting some money from an ATM on the way to training with the Casey Scorpions ahead of his VFL debut this weekend.
"I put in 50 bucks...it obviously went, that’s why I left," he admitted.
When quizzed if he should be playing the slots after entering rehab, Fevola said he went to rehab for addiction to alcohol and gambling on horses.
"The horses are the problem, I don't understand what people don't get about this," Fevola said.
"It's my life, I can f---ing do whatever I want.
"(The rehab) was more for drinking in the end. It’s the horses mate, that’s the problem.
"It’s ridiculous. I’m just a normal person now who plays VFL and I can do whatever I want and it’s my money … It’s got absolutely nothing to do with anyone."
When probed if he should return to rehab, he replied: "What for? I’ve been sober since New Year's Eve."
When the interview Mr King pointed out that people were worried about him, Fevola said: "They shouldn't be worried, I'm as happy as Larry."
He denied being asked to leave or wearing a hoodie to help hide his identity, saying he had a jumper on instead.
He said life at Casey Scorpions was "really good" and again denied being sacked from management firm Velocity Sports, insisting it was his decision to leave them.
A spokesman for Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, which operates the venue, said Fevola was wearing a hoodie when staff approached him.
"Our staff, (as we request them to do), requested that the hoodie be removed," the spokesman said.
"They realised it was Brendan Fevola. He realised they knew who he was at which point in time he immediately left the venue." Fev knew they knew who he was, and were in the loop with some of Fev's gambling issues.
It is believed Fev played the pokies for about 20 minutes before he was recognised, but its not totally clear what games he played. Cleopatra, Black Rhino, Gone Fishing and Where's The Gold are some of the most popular land based pokies found in Australian clubs.
Independent Senator Nick 'Mr X' (satire) Xenophon today called on the community not to judge Fevola.
"I know some in the community will be tempted to shake their heads and blame Fevola for being weak or giving in, "he said.
"We need to remember Brendan has an addiction and addicts aren't always able to exercise free will. Brendan has sought treatment for gambling addiction previously, and I would encourage him to seek further help to deal with this issue."
But Senator Xenophon questioned why staff at the pokie den did not ask Fevola to remove the hooded top he was wearing for an hour.
He said the venue was jointly owned by Woolworths and former Carlton powerbroker and pokies magnate Bruce Mathieson.
"The sad fact is that Brendan was lucky to be recognised by staff," Senator Xenophon said.
"If it was anyone else struggling with a gambling addiction, the venue would most likely have let them sit there all day and into the night losing their money."
Senator Xenophon hit out at Mathieson, saying he showed little sympathy for Fevola when he left Carlton and described him at the time as a cancer on the club and not someone you would do business with - but now was more than happy to take his money.
"Apparently Bruce's venue was happy to do business with Brendan, at least for an hour."
Senator Xenophon said poker machines were "designed to turn casual gamblers into problem gamblers", a claim yet to be proven scientifically, and no, we are not talking about whale research science conducted in Japan.
"I do believe in people taking personal responsibility for their lives, but the fact is that these machines are designed to be addictive and right now 100,000 Australians are addicted to poker machines and a further 200,000 Australians are showing the signs of developing a full-blown addiction."
Two weeks ago Fevola was ejected from Crown Casino after he played poker (by himself).
The Crown incident happened just hours before Fev's tell-all interview on Network Nine's The Footy Show, during which he confessed to gambling losses of nearly $1 million, that he suffered depression and attention deficit disorder and that he had attempted to take his life.
Just a couple of hours before that interview went to air, Fev was approached by a Crown casino employee while he was playing poker.
"He was told: "In the circumstances Mr Fevola, Crown believes that it would be better for you not to be on the gaming floor'," a casino spokesman said after the incident.
"He understood the point we were making and he left of his own volition."
Fevola recently returned from a trip to Los Angeles in the wake of his sacking from the Brisbane Lions. It's not known if Fev gambled while on U.S soil.
Popular Melbourne based radio broadcaster, author and media commentator, Derryn Hinch documented his thoughts on Fev for anyone interested to read:
It says something about football and the state it’s in doesn’t it when the season starts tonight with Carlton playing Richmond and the names that lead the news are not Chris Judd and Jack Riewoldt but Brendan Fevola and Ricky Nixon.
And they’re not even playing.
Nixon because of the latest developments in his cocaine and teenage sex scandal and Fevola ... because he’s Fevola.
As you would have heard on the news Fevola was spotted playing the poker machines at the Berwick Inn this morning while trying to disguise himself with a hoodie.
I just want to go back to what I said after he was escorted out of Crown earlier this month because nothing much has changed.
I said: "This may sound harsh but you have to remember here that Fevola is not a rebellious teenager. He is a 30-year-old man. A father. And at some time in your life you have to take responsibility for your own life and your own actions."
He has been acting like a drunken lout for more than a decade. And because he can kick a football, successive clubs have humoured him. Even Brisbane, which took him in when he was on the nose, has rewarded him with a million dollar plus payout. Some punishment.
Surely he was in breach of contract and had brought the club into disrepute.
The other thing to remember here is that football clubs are sporting clubs. They are not designed to be, their management are not equipped to be, psychiatric clinics, or Alcoholics Anonymous, or rehab centres.
I also said I believe the suicide attempt Fevola described on The Footy Show back then was at best a touch of attention-seeking, self-centred exaggerated drama.
He claims he ‘had a crack it’ by slashing a wrist. Yeah, right.
That recovered gambling addict and fellow footballer, David Schwarz, said he had tried to help Fevola since he admitted a gambling habit a year ago.
But, in a telling understatement, Shwarzsaid: ‘I think Fev’s biggest problem is he doesn’t listen’.
If people had stopped pandering to this boofhead years ago, had stopped covering up for him, stopped making excuses for him from Brownlow Night to Ireland and China, maybe he would have found some backbone to be a responsible human being.
And if you were a betting man: What are the odds that Fevola will turn up on Channel Nine in another paid interview and maybe reveal that his current lapse was caused by the pressure of something like an Intervention Order?
Hinch does not gamble, but did have a drinking demon for many years. 'The Human Headline' does enjoy one game, Scrabble, but he doesn't play it for money - in a gambling capacity.
A Media Man spokesperson said "We have not given up on Punter Fev. The bloke clearly needs more help with his addiction. In the past we found some merit in the mind, body and spirit course that are conducted at health retreats. That could be an option, as could either hanging out with the family or chilling at the beach. Life long friends can often be of some assistance when one is going through a touch time. Fev, if or when you and your minders read this report, know that we just want the best for you. Self responsibility is an issue, but when things are tough sometimes you only have a few close mates left to confide in. Work out who your real mates are and do your utmost to get back to your old self (without the indulgence in gambling). Maybe find a new addiction or hobby - sex, smoking or a new sport? Be strong. Know the odds and have fun, as they say".
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
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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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Thursday, March 24, 2011
'Captain America' begins to exact his revenge [trailer] - Los Angeles Times - 23rd March 2011
The full "Captain America: The First Avenger" trailer hit the Web today. And while it only fleshes out a little more of the summer movie's backstory — Chris Evan's Steve Rogers is the puny victim who joins the army for reasons of toughness, before becoming the super soldier of the title — there's still enough to keep the buzz above the "Green Lantern" line.
The Marvel film has an unusual challenge: it has to satisfy the modern appetite for superhero movies while staying true to the 1940's setting and all we're conditioned to know about it. So far it seems to be dancing the line.
The World War II vibe here is considerably more straight-laced than the last time we saw it in a summer movie, in "Inglourious Basterds." But the Joe Johnston film still manages to convey a sense of rise-of-Hitler importance without skimping on the flashy weaponry, origin story and mysterious villains now common to Marvel movies. (There's also a notable absence of American flags and other jingoism, no doubt a function of the movie's need to travel.)
Comics die-hards may parse each frame for details, but basically the trailer doesn't offer much more than a man becoming a soldier to fight Nazis and other enemies. It does provide the opportunity to watch Tommy Lee Jones bark orders to troops "Fugitive"-style. And the ever-versatile Stanley Tucci gets his Erskine on, even getting off perhaps the first antibiotics joke in the history of summer tent poles. (Credit: Los Angeles Times)
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The Marvel film has an unusual challenge: it has to satisfy the modern appetite for superhero movies while staying true to the 1940's setting and all we're conditioned to know about it. So far it seems to be dancing the line.
The World War II vibe here is considerably more straight-laced than the last time we saw it in a summer movie, in "Inglourious Basterds." But the Joe Johnston film still manages to convey a sense of rise-of-Hitler importance without skimping on the flashy weaponry, origin story and mysterious villains now common to Marvel movies. (There's also a notable absence of American flags and other jingoism, no doubt a function of the movie's need to travel.)
Comics die-hards may parse each frame for details, but basically the trailer doesn't offer much more than a man becoming a soldier to fight Nazis and other enemies. It does provide the opportunity to watch Tommy Lee Jones bark orders to troops "Fugitive"-style. And the ever-versatile Stanley Tucci gets his Erskine on, even getting off perhaps the first antibiotics joke in the history of summer tent poles. (Credit: Los Angeles Times)
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Australian Anti Gambling MP May Cost Labor Election, by Greg Tingle - 24th March 2011
G'day punters, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, legal eagles, politicians officials...one and all. How hot is the gambling debate in Australia? Well, hot enough to win or loose an election it seems according to numbers we have obtained, and the Liberal - Nationals coalition are heavily tipped to smash the Gillard Labor government. No surprises there, but the giant margin between the parties is the shock, as well as some surprised that Labor appears to be sticking by the man who looks primed to be a key reason for their upcoming defeat. Media Man and Gambling911 probe the gambling with politics debate, as Labor dives head first into what may be one of their most embarrassing election loses in decades...
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie Anti Gambling Stance Tipped To Cost Labour Election...
How much difference can one man - an MP make? Well, they can cost an election victory Labor is tipped to suffer.
The clearly bias MP, not independent in his views, has been cause of much of the political - gambling news to come out of Australia for well over a year, and the man many describe as a professional mischief maker may be soon going back to school, so to speak, as Gillard and co may ponder what went wrong.
Australia is estimated to have roughly 100,000 problem gamblers, if you believe the numbers which get spoken about (numbers we are skeptical about as their are agenda driven). MP Wilkie is hell bent to drive forward and create a national gambling pre-commitment system, that would allow individuals to set limits on their addictive behaviour. At least, that's the concept, but many world leading experts say his plan is doomed to fails, and just one reason is that gamblers will always find a way to gamble - finding the loop holes, be it borrowing a mates card, club swapping, fake ID, online gambling, illegal Kings Cross gambling dens and underground poker games in the suburbs of 'Sin City' Sydney and 'Underbelly Mother' Melbourne.
Clubs Australia king hit Labour and the independents yesterday at a conference held at the National Press Club in Canberra, with president Peter Newell proudly announcing a $20 million marketing campaign against the Wilkie reforms.
Newell believes that the scheme will not work, pushing pokie players into buying black market 'smart cards' – the proposed means of tracking users' gambling spend Australia wide. Clubs Australia believe pokie players will also leap across to other forms of gambling or set very high levels of 'pre-commitment' anyway. And, he says, it will be the death of 11,500 jobs and rape $800 million or so from the NSW economy.
Wilkie was pretty pissed off yesterday, holding a long press conference and here's some of what he had to say "If Clubs Australia think they can intimidate me with the nonsense we heard today, then they misjudge me badly. If anything, I feel more committed to these reforms than I have ever have."
Senator Nick Xenophon, another big anti gambling supporter, tag teamed with Wilkie at the press conference to sprout off the colourful "The poker machine lobby reminds me a bit like the slave owners of the 19th century in the United States, who say their whole way of life would be ruined if there were any changes bought about. That's how the industry is behaving."
This is one hell of a mighty WrestleMania like political battle. Wilkie achieved support from the Gillard government to pursue the pre-commitment scheme in return for helping it form minority government. He also snatched research from the Productivity Commission, some of which is heavily disputed from many experts. The PC reckons that 7 lives of family or friends are seriously impacted by each problem gambler, with a national social cost in the region of $4.7 billion a year.
In the blue corner, introducing 'The Devil'. Just kidding readers. Clubs Australia is well aware that an avalanche of clubs, pub and pokie palace closures will send massive anti-Labor sentiment through the communities they accommodate. We're talking about clubs like Blacktown RSL, which held a political debate with Labor coming off not looking too bad in the 2010 election campaign. But, Labor did not win in their own right.
Yesterday Wilkie was pretty fired up at the press conference. This is his main agenda - get rid of pokies, or all but close them down. What a life hey. Some believe he has the numbers to get the bill through the lower house, and via Nick 'Mr X' (satire) Xenophon will no longer hold the balance of power in the Senate by the time the bill arrives, Bob Brown's Greens will – and they are tipped to embrace the push, and will want to make it one of their own. But Greens don't like 'Big Brother' type tactics, so they say, so its a big time 'Art Of War' thing going on here.
$20 million bucks will help show that Labor is making a massive screw up. That might trigger Gillard screw over Wilkie.
Wilkie's may just have the numbers to play "silly buggers" (mold and manipulate et al) with the Gillard legislative agenda if he does not get his way, tipped to be the way of the bible basing brigade.
It's WrestleMania time both in the U.S and Australia and Clubs Australia VS the government are our main event. Is it going to be a steel cage match, a no holds barred contest for the championship, or will it go to a street fight 'real life Underbelly' style? Stay tuned fans.
Aussie Punters Bet Labor Will Be History In New South Wales...
The bookies have given the kiss of death to NSW Labor. Deputy Premier Carmel Tebbutt is a rank outsider in her electorate, as are Verity Firth in Balmain, Frank Terenzini in Maitland and Jodi McKay in Newcastle. Centrebet's preliminary odds, published today, show the bookies are sure Labor is a dead duck in the inner city and the Hunter. Ms Tebbutt is at $2.25 to $1.58 for Fiona Byrnes of the Greens. Ms Firth is $3.70 against $1.24 for the Greens' Jamie Parker. Ms Firth's fight for Balmain was spectacularly unsettled on January 28, after her husband Matthew Chesher, the chief-of-staff to the Roads Minister David Borger, was charged with buying an ecstasy pill. Mr Terenzini is tipped to lose his seat, with the Liberal Robyn Parker a favourite at $1.52 to $2.40. In Newcastle Ms McKay is an outsider against John Tate, an independent who is also the lord mayor. Neil Evans of Centrebet said punters generally showed more nous than pollsters.
"We're talking about very connected people who are not betting to lose," he said. "The closer you get to an election, the more informed the money is. You can take a snap of 500 people in a poll, but they might think something one day and something different the next."
Sportsbet's odds are even worse news for Labor. It puts a win by Ms Tebbutt at $4.50 to Ms Byrne's $1.10, and Ms Firth at $7 to $1.28 for Mr Parker. As for who will be premier, 90% of Centrebet punters say Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell. It is not all bad news for Labor. Betting agencies say Kristina Keneally and her predecessor as premier, Nathan Rees, will both win their seats. Centrebet has priced a win by Ms Keneally in Heffron at $1.06, with the Liberal and Greens candidates both long shots at $8 and $9.50. Mr Rees, who bypassed a rank-and-file ballot to be endorsed as the candidate by the party's national executive, appears to have more competition in Toongabbie - his odds are at $1.74 to $2 for the Coalition. Sportsbet has already compiled odds for who will be the Labor leader at the 2015 election, and it does not look good for Ms Keneally. She is equal third with Mr Borger, behind Transport Minister John Robertson and Police Minister Michael Daley. In the lead-up to the 2010 federal election, Centrebet's seat-by-seat odds showed a hung parliament, with Labor holding 75 seats, the Coalition 71, independents three and the Greens one - pretty close to the actual result of Labor 72, Coalition 73, independents four and Greens one. Do Aussie punters know a thing or two about election betting? Just ask Labor... in about a week. Can we have mops ready please to clean up the bloody crimson mass!
Aussie Punter bets $30,000 on NSW coalition...
One punter put their money where their mouth is and has wagered $30,000 on a win for the NSW coalition in the upcoming state elections. A Centrebet spokesman said tonight that a client has bet $30,000 on the NSW Coalition at $1.015 to win Saturday's state election. The person who placed the bet would gain only $450 if the coalition wins as NSW Labor has drifted to the high price of $16, according to Centrebet. "Nearly $250,000 has been bet into the election - and the money split is 93-7 the coalition's way," Centrebet spokesman Neil Evans said. Word of the Aussie political betting has leaked to the likes of PartyGaming and Virgin Games, with both becoming more interested to start taking bets on Australian elections.
A Media Man spokesperson said "The Aussie punter who placed the wager must know we most of us already know - Labor is going to cop an almighty beating. The only difference is that they placed money on it. Overseas betting agencies have also taken note, always looking at new ways to expand business. Quite ironic that the anti gambling brigade has been so vocal in this election. We prefer slots and tables games over election betting, but don't let that stop you. Know the odds and have fun, as they say".
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
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
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
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Australian Casino News
Casino News Australia
Global Gaming Directory
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie Anti Gambling Stance Tipped To Cost Labour Election...
How much difference can one man - an MP make? Well, they can cost an election victory Labor is tipped to suffer.
The clearly bias MP, not independent in his views, has been cause of much of the political - gambling news to come out of Australia for well over a year, and the man many describe as a professional mischief maker may be soon going back to school, so to speak, as Gillard and co may ponder what went wrong.
Australia is estimated to have roughly 100,000 problem gamblers, if you believe the numbers which get spoken about (numbers we are skeptical about as their are agenda driven). MP Wilkie is hell bent to drive forward and create a national gambling pre-commitment system, that would allow individuals to set limits on their addictive behaviour. At least, that's the concept, but many world leading experts say his plan is doomed to fails, and just one reason is that gamblers will always find a way to gamble - finding the loop holes, be it borrowing a mates card, club swapping, fake ID, online gambling, illegal Kings Cross gambling dens and underground poker games in the suburbs of 'Sin City' Sydney and 'Underbelly Mother' Melbourne.
Clubs Australia king hit Labour and the independents yesterday at a conference held at the National Press Club in Canberra, with president Peter Newell proudly announcing a $20 million marketing campaign against the Wilkie reforms.
Newell believes that the scheme will not work, pushing pokie players into buying black market 'smart cards' – the proposed means of tracking users' gambling spend Australia wide. Clubs Australia believe pokie players will also leap across to other forms of gambling or set very high levels of 'pre-commitment' anyway. And, he says, it will be the death of 11,500 jobs and rape $800 million or so from the NSW economy.
Wilkie was pretty pissed off yesterday, holding a long press conference and here's some of what he had to say "If Clubs Australia think they can intimidate me with the nonsense we heard today, then they misjudge me badly. If anything, I feel more committed to these reforms than I have ever have."
Senator Nick Xenophon, another big anti gambling supporter, tag teamed with Wilkie at the press conference to sprout off the colourful "The poker machine lobby reminds me a bit like the slave owners of the 19th century in the United States, who say their whole way of life would be ruined if there were any changes bought about. That's how the industry is behaving."
This is one hell of a mighty WrestleMania like political battle. Wilkie achieved support from the Gillard government to pursue the pre-commitment scheme in return for helping it form minority government. He also snatched research from the Productivity Commission, some of which is heavily disputed from many experts. The PC reckons that 7 lives of family or friends are seriously impacted by each problem gambler, with a national social cost in the region of $4.7 billion a year.
In the blue corner, introducing 'The Devil'. Just kidding readers. Clubs Australia is well aware that an avalanche of clubs, pub and pokie palace closures will send massive anti-Labor sentiment through the communities they accommodate. We're talking about clubs like Blacktown RSL, which held a political debate with Labor coming off not looking too bad in the 2010 election campaign. But, Labor did not win in their own right.
Yesterday Wilkie was pretty fired up at the press conference. This is his main agenda - get rid of pokies, or all but close them down. What a life hey. Some believe he has the numbers to get the bill through the lower house, and via Nick 'Mr X' (satire) Xenophon will no longer hold the balance of power in the Senate by the time the bill arrives, Bob Brown's Greens will – and they are tipped to embrace the push, and will want to make it one of their own. But Greens don't like 'Big Brother' type tactics, so they say, so its a big time 'Art Of War' thing going on here.
$20 million bucks will help show that Labor is making a massive screw up. That might trigger Gillard screw over Wilkie.
Wilkie's may just have the numbers to play "silly buggers" (mold and manipulate et al) with the Gillard legislative agenda if he does not get his way, tipped to be the way of the bible basing brigade.
It's WrestleMania time both in the U.S and Australia and Clubs Australia VS the government are our main event. Is it going to be a steel cage match, a no holds barred contest for the championship, or will it go to a street fight 'real life Underbelly' style? Stay tuned fans.
Aussie Punters Bet Labor Will Be History In New South Wales...
The bookies have given the kiss of death to NSW Labor. Deputy Premier Carmel Tebbutt is a rank outsider in her electorate, as are Verity Firth in Balmain, Frank Terenzini in Maitland and Jodi McKay in Newcastle. Centrebet's preliminary odds, published today, show the bookies are sure Labor is a dead duck in the inner city and the Hunter. Ms Tebbutt is at $2.25 to $1.58 for Fiona Byrnes of the Greens. Ms Firth is $3.70 against $1.24 for the Greens' Jamie Parker. Ms Firth's fight for Balmain was spectacularly unsettled on January 28, after her husband Matthew Chesher, the chief-of-staff to the Roads Minister David Borger, was charged with buying an ecstasy pill. Mr Terenzini is tipped to lose his seat, with the Liberal Robyn Parker a favourite at $1.52 to $2.40. In Newcastle Ms McKay is an outsider against John Tate, an independent who is also the lord mayor. Neil Evans of Centrebet said punters generally showed more nous than pollsters.
"We're talking about very connected people who are not betting to lose," he said. "The closer you get to an election, the more informed the money is. You can take a snap of 500 people in a poll, but they might think something one day and something different the next."
Sportsbet's odds are even worse news for Labor. It puts a win by Ms Tebbutt at $4.50 to Ms Byrne's $1.10, and Ms Firth at $7 to $1.28 for Mr Parker. As for who will be premier, 90% of Centrebet punters say Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell. It is not all bad news for Labor. Betting agencies say Kristina Keneally and her predecessor as premier, Nathan Rees, will both win their seats. Centrebet has priced a win by Ms Keneally in Heffron at $1.06, with the Liberal and Greens candidates both long shots at $8 and $9.50. Mr Rees, who bypassed a rank-and-file ballot to be endorsed as the candidate by the party's national executive, appears to have more competition in Toongabbie - his odds are at $1.74 to $2 for the Coalition. Sportsbet has already compiled odds for who will be the Labor leader at the 2015 election, and it does not look good for Ms Keneally. She is equal third with Mr Borger, behind Transport Minister John Robertson and Police Minister Michael Daley. In the lead-up to the 2010 federal election, Centrebet's seat-by-seat odds showed a hung parliament, with Labor holding 75 seats, the Coalition 71, independents three and the Greens one - pretty close to the actual result of Labor 72, Coalition 73, independents four and Greens one. Do Aussie punters know a thing or two about election betting? Just ask Labor... in about a week. Can we have mops ready please to clean up the bloody crimson mass!
Aussie Punter bets $30,000 on NSW coalition...
One punter put their money where their mouth is and has wagered $30,000 on a win for the NSW coalition in the upcoming state elections. A Centrebet spokesman said tonight that a client has bet $30,000 on the NSW Coalition at $1.015 to win Saturday's state election. The person who placed the bet would gain only $450 if the coalition wins as NSW Labor has drifted to the high price of $16, according to Centrebet. "Nearly $250,000 has been bet into the election - and the money split is 93-7 the coalition's way," Centrebet spokesman Neil Evans said. Word of the Aussie political betting has leaked to the likes of PartyGaming and Virgin Games, with both becoming more interested to start taking bets on Australian elections.
A Media Man spokesperson said "The Aussie punter who placed the wager must know we most of us already know - Labor is going to cop an almighty beating. The only difference is that they placed money on it. Overseas betting agencies have also taken note, always looking at new ways to expand business. Quite ironic that the anti gambling brigade has been so vocal in this election. We prefer slots and tables games over election betting, but don't let that stop you. Know the odds and have fun, as they say".
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
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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PartyGaming News: Court Sanctions Merger with bwin - 23rd March 2011
Court Sanctions Merger with bwin Interactive Entertainment AG (“bwin”)
PartyGaming is pleased to announce that the Supreme Court of Gibraltar has today issued a court order sanctioning the merger of the Company and bwin (the “Merger”). This court order comes into full effect on 31 March 2011 (the “Effective Date”).
Today’s development follows the announcement by bwin on 15 March 2011 that the Merger had formally been entered into the companies’ registry in Vienna, Austria by the Vienna Commercial Court.
Following the above developments, the approval of the Merger by PartyGaming and bwin shareholders on 28 January 2011 and the approval of the Merger by various national anti-trust and gaming regulatory authorities, there are no further conditions precedent remaining to be satisfied as part of the Merger process save for the matters set out below which will be effected on completion.
Completion of the Merger is now expected to take place on the Effective Date, when the Company’s name will change to ‘bwin.party digital entertainment plc’. The Company’s ordinary shares of 0.015 pence each (“Shares”) are expected to be de-listed and then re-admitted to the premium segment of the official list and commence dealing on the London Stock Exchange’s main market at 8.00 a.m. (London time) on the Effective Date. New Shares are expected to be issued to the bwin shareholders on the Effective Date, when CREST accounts are also expected to be credited with dematerialised depositary interests in respect of the Company’s Shares.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
PartyGaming is pleased to announce that the Supreme Court of Gibraltar has today issued a court order sanctioning the merger of the Company and bwin (the “Merger”). This court order comes into full effect on 31 March 2011 (the “Effective Date”).
Today’s development follows the announcement by bwin on 15 March 2011 that the Merger had formally been entered into the companies’ registry in Vienna, Austria by the Vienna Commercial Court.
Following the above developments, the approval of the Merger by PartyGaming and bwin shareholders on 28 January 2011 and the approval of the Merger by various national anti-trust and gaming regulatory authorities, there are no further conditions precedent remaining to be satisfied as part of the Merger process save for the matters set out below which will be effected on completion.
Completion of the Merger is now expected to take place on the Effective Date, when the Company’s name will change to ‘bwin.party digital entertainment plc’. The Company’s ordinary shares of 0.015 pence each (“Shares”) are expected to be de-listed and then re-admitted to the premium segment of the official list and commence dealing on the London Stock Exchange’s main market at 8.00 a.m. (London time) on the Effective Date. New Shares are expected to be issued to the bwin shareholders on the Effective Date, when CREST accounts are also expected to be credited with dematerialised depositary interests in respect of the Company’s Shares.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Media Man - Casino News Media: Aviso bwin - Publication of Q4 and Financial Year 2010
VIENNA, March 22, 2011 - Due to the planned merger with PartyGaming Plc on 31 March 2011, bwin will publish its results for the fourth quarter and the financial year 2010 on Wednesday, 23 March 2011.
About bwin
The bwin Group has over 20 million registered customers in more than 25 core markets. On a number of different platforms, the Group offers sports betting, poker, casino games, soft and skill games, as well as audio and video streams of top sporting events such as the German Soccer League. The holding company bwin Interactive Entertainment AG is listed in the ATX on the Vienna Stock Exchange (ID code BWIN, Reuters ID code BWIN.VI), and as the parent company provides various services such as software development, marketing, communications, human resources and finance for its subsidiaries and associated companies. The operational business of the bwin Group is carried out by subsidiaries and associated companies on the basis of licences (e.g. France, Italy and Gibraltar).
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
Website Network
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About bwin
The bwin Group has over 20 million registered customers in more than 25 core markets. On a number of different platforms, the Group offers sports betting, poker, casino games, soft and skill games, as well as audio and video streams of top sporting events such as the German Soccer League. The holding company bwin Interactive Entertainment AG is listed in the ATX on the Vienna Stock Exchange (ID code BWIN, Reuters ID code BWIN.VI), and as the parent company provides various services such as software development, marketing, communications, human resources and finance for its subsidiaries and associated companies. The operational business of the bwin Group is carried out by subsidiaries and associated companies on the basis of licences (e.g. France, Italy and Gibraltar).
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
PartyGaming, Casino, Sports Betting, Bingo up, by Greg Tingle
PartyGaming is on a financial and innovation role, impressing players, the stock market, partners such as Bwin, and media associates including yours truly - Media Man.
The London Stock Exchange listing igaming firm posted final results before it merges with Bwin on 31 March.
It needs to be noted that the world's leading igaming company is in good shares with its online casino, bingo and sports betting arms all up and popular with players and partners.
Developing regulated markets remains a prime strategic focus of PartyGaming, and news media opportunities such as televised events, media portal deals and even stadium or venue naming rights are all understood to be of considerable interest to the firm.
Party's across the board revenue was up 15% to €357m with EBITDA up 7% on 2009, just overtaking the €100m mark. Online casino revenue rose €15m from €136.8m in 2009 to €151.4m last year, understood to be driven forward by its 'The Games Studio' slot game offerings; online bingo was up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m with both arts getting positive spin off via its Cashcade acquisition back in 2009, not to mention its international expansion across Europe; while its modest sports wagering arm was up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m. Online poker revenues are down, dipping €11m from €136.8m in 2009 to €124.8m last year. It's PartyPoker and World Poker Tour brands are expected to bounce back as news media and website portal - b2b deals develop in the coming months.
Party's World Poker Tour brand brought home €6.5m, while its B2B network services customers generated in the region of €2.4m. Taking a look at its social media, the WPT's Facebook app is Facebook’s fourth largest poker application, according to Party, and its WPT Hold ‘em III mobile poker application has been generated 16m million downloads, which is big in anyones language. Little wonder established company brands such as Media Man, Virgin, Google, News Limited, Fairfax Media, UFC and WWE keep pushing forward with the social media strategy, since that's where many punters and potential customers are located.
Journey across to France. The bottom line is looking good. Second half pre-tax revenue for 2010 is up 220% and post-tax revenue up 77%. PartyGaming continues to be placed in #3 slot in the .coms poker sector.
Party at present holds a 14% market share in France. Experts forecast the Bwin merger will see this double.
With its online casino arm, Party advised of its 10 best revenue generating slots were developed in-house. Sinatra, The Godfather, Rambo, Saturday Night Fever, Top Gun and Mission: Impossible are in the mix of their most popular and profitable. It's 4 Marvel Entertainment branded slots were not developed in-house, but also remain very popular, and some new 3D themed slots are in the works via b2b2 following the success of Heist. It's classic bread and butter slots via the likes of WagerWorks (Cleopatra, Wheel Of Fortune, Monopoly and Cluedo) also continue to bring home the bacon for the company, and remain favs for players.
PartyGaming advised the merger with Bwin is well on track to finalise by the conclusion of this month and that this year would present great opportunities in newly regulated US and European markets. Australia and New Zealand also remain of great interest, where the company already enjoys a solid player base.
Party’s chief exec advised the company had achieved its 2010 objectives growing its player base by a solid 16% over the previous year catapulted primarily by its acquisition of Cashcade and its expansion into newly regulated markets that traditionally increase player volumes. The new markets also get the word out to the masses as PartyGaming can push the message via advertising without any legal consequences, be it .com or .net. CEO Jim Ryan warmly welcomed more regulation and advised the firm was in a strong position to make the most of new markets including Spain, Greece, Denmark and the United States when it opens. Canada continues to perform very well for the company, but they keep the Canadian numbers closely under wraps.
Ryan noted he expected New Jersey governor Chris Christie to veto the state’s egaming bill, but that this "wouldn't be bad news" as several other US states were building strong momentum to regulate online gambling.
"UIGEA has failed, the market already exists and the market has grown since it was enforced. Legislation is being driven by US companies who are tired of seeing revenues flow offshore. Combine this with the need to generate tax revenue and create jobs and this will create the perfect storm. The passage of online gambling laws will happen at some point soon."
Media Man advised that Party and a range of other igaming companies remain in close contact with a number of leading Australian and New Zealand media companies and brands, and that the Australian print, online publishing and television sector remains extremely interested in exploring b2b with Party, having become aware of Party's success with leading website portals that are available in the region, plus the popularity of Hollywood brands down under like Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.
Media moguls with strong ties to Australia such as James Packer, mate Lachlan Murdoch, and News Corp old guard, Rupert Murdoch, were all aware of Party's success in the Asia Pacific, pushed along by internet commerce, and are open to exploring business possibilities with the Gibraltar igaming powerhouse.
The PartyCasino.com website remains the most popular of the Party branded gaming sites.
By The Numbers
Overall revenue up 15% to €357m
Casino revenue up €15m from €136.8m to €151.4m
Bingo up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m
Sports betting up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m
Poker down €11m from €136.8m to €124.8m
World Poker Tour contributes €6.5m
B2B network services customers generate €2.4m
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
The London Stock Exchange listing igaming firm posted final results before it merges with Bwin on 31 March.
It needs to be noted that the world's leading igaming company is in good shares with its online casino, bingo and sports betting arms all up and popular with players and partners.
Developing regulated markets remains a prime strategic focus of PartyGaming, and news media opportunities such as televised events, media portal deals and even stadium or venue naming rights are all understood to be of considerable interest to the firm.
Party's across the board revenue was up 15% to €357m with EBITDA up 7% on 2009, just overtaking the €100m mark. Online casino revenue rose €15m from €136.8m in 2009 to €151.4m last year, understood to be driven forward by its 'The Games Studio' slot game offerings; online bingo was up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m with both arts getting positive spin off via its Cashcade acquisition back in 2009, not to mention its international expansion across Europe; while its modest sports wagering arm was up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m. Online poker revenues are down, dipping €11m from €136.8m in 2009 to €124.8m last year. It's PartyPoker and World Poker Tour brands are expected to bounce back as news media and website portal - b2b deals develop in the coming months.
Party's World Poker Tour brand brought home €6.5m, while its B2B network services customers generated in the region of €2.4m. Taking a look at its social media, the WPT's Facebook app is Facebook’s fourth largest poker application, according to Party, and its WPT Hold ‘em III mobile poker application has been generated 16m million downloads, which is big in anyones language. Little wonder established company brands such as Media Man, Virgin, Google, News Limited, Fairfax Media, UFC and WWE keep pushing forward with the social media strategy, since that's where many punters and potential customers are located.
Journey across to France. The bottom line is looking good. Second half pre-tax revenue for 2010 is up 220% and post-tax revenue up 77%. PartyGaming continues to be placed in #3 slot in the .coms poker sector.
Party at present holds a 14% market share in France. Experts forecast the Bwin merger will see this double.
With its online casino arm, Party advised of its 10 best revenue generating slots were developed in-house. Sinatra, The Godfather, Rambo, Saturday Night Fever, Top Gun and Mission: Impossible are in the mix of their most popular and profitable. It's 4 Marvel Entertainment branded slots were not developed in-house, but also remain very popular, and some new 3D themed slots are in the works via b2b2 following the success of Heist. It's classic bread and butter slots via the likes of WagerWorks (Cleopatra, Wheel Of Fortune, Monopoly and Cluedo) also continue to bring home the bacon for the company, and remain favs for players.
PartyGaming advised the merger with Bwin is well on track to finalise by the conclusion of this month and that this year would present great opportunities in newly regulated US and European markets. Australia and New Zealand also remain of great interest, where the company already enjoys a solid player base.
Party’s chief exec advised the company had achieved its 2010 objectives growing its player base by a solid 16% over the previous year catapulted primarily by its acquisition of Cashcade and its expansion into newly regulated markets that traditionally increase player volumes. The new markets also get the word out to the masses as PartyGaming can push the message via advertising without any legal consequences, be it .com or .net. CEO Jim Ryan warmly welcomed more regulation and advised the firm was in a strong position to make the most of new markets including Spain, Greece, Denmark and the United States when it opens. Canada continues to perform very well for the company, but they keep the Canadian numbers closely under wraps.
Ryan noted he expected New Jersey governor Chris Christie to veto the state’s egaming bill, but that this "wouldn't be bad news" as several other US states were building strong momentum to regulate online gambling.
"UIGEA has failed, the market already exists and the market has grown since it was enforced. Legislation is being driven by US companies who are tired of seeing revenues flow offshore. Combine this with the need to generate tax revenue and create jobs and this will create the perfect storm. The passage of online gambling laws will happen at some point soon."
Media Man advised that Party and a range of other igaming companies remain in close contact with a number of leading Australian and New Zealand media companies and brands, and that the Australian print, online publishing and television sector remains extremely interested in exploring b2b with Party, having become aware of Party's success with leading website portals that are available in the region, plus the popularity of Hollywood brands down under like Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.
Media moguls with strong ties to Australia such as James Packer, mate Lachlan Murdoch, and News Corp old guard, Rupert Murdoch, were all aware of Party's success in the Asia Pacific, pushed along by internet commerce, and are open to exploring business possibilities with the Gibraltar igaming powerhouse.
The PartyCasino.com website remains the most popular of the Party branded gaming sites.
By The Numbers
Overall revenue up 15% to €357m
Casino revenue up €15m from €136.8m to €151.4m
Bingo up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m
Sports betting up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m
Poker down €11m from €136.8m to €124.8m
World Poker Tour contributes €6.5m
B2B network services customers generate €2.4m
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Aussie James Packer Gun Shy On Vegas, U.S Casinos, by Greg Tingle - 22nd March 2011
G'day punters, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, legal eagles, officials...one and all. All that glitters is not gold - that's the mindset of Australian gambling and media tycoon James Packer, when it comes to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and other gambling hubs in the U.S. Yep, its once bitten, twice shy for 'Our James' when it comes to U.S gambling investments. Media Man and Gambling911 probe the situation regarding in Mr Packer's coldness on American gaming and gambling investments...
The sharp as a sharks tooth James Packer has dismissed a return to the the embattled and politically red hot American gaming market. At least, for the near future, but never say never.
The likable executive chairman of Crown Limited issued the statement in the hard to forget aftermath of the firms horrendous AU$3 billion (US$2.99 billion) expansion into the United States before the global financial crisis. You know, the one that George W's leadership saw in, and the same one that Barack Omama inherited.
Crown still holds a modest a 24.5% stake in the Cannery casino group, which operates three pretty decent casinos in Las Vegas and the Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Pennsylvania.
Punters should note that it's strongly written down the investment after getting loose from a full $US1.75 billion Cannery buyout in March 2009, by cleverly reworking the terms of the deal with the group's private equity owners.
"I have had a bad experience in the US, so I am not rushing to go back," Packer said.
"Crown is not a company looking to issue fresh equity and we are already spending more than our profits on our capital expenditure program. That means there is a limit to what you can do."
Cannery wasn't the only not so good experience JP had in Yankee land Crown took stakes in US casino giants Harrah's Entertainment and Stations Casino Group, which it was subsequently forced to write down.
It also has a ridiculously low 1% stake in Canuck (Canadian) group Gateway Casinos & Entertainment, which was also written down.
In 2009 it closed its Vegas corporate offices after tossing aside its once bold plans to build a Crown Las Vegas casino and hotel complex with private equity partner York Capital Management and Chris Milam, a Texan property developer. Insiders reckon you have to watch them Texans, no offence Chris.
Packer High On Macau Quality, Down On U.S Economy...
Despite continued competition on the Cotai Strip, co-chairman of Melco Crown Entertainment, James Packer is very confident in his City of Dreams property and believes that quality is the thing that will endure in the grand scheme of things.
Packer believes different from analysts who claimed that City of Dreams, which is developed by a joint venture between Packer and Lawrence Ho Yau Lung, has not differentiated itself well enough from its rivals such as media darling, The Venetian Resort Hotel.
While Sands China’s "parcels 5 and 6" consisting of three renowned hotels are being built next door to City of Dreams and Galaxy Entertainment is also due to open its flagship property on the Cotai Strip on May 15, JP seemed not to be too concerned.
"I disagree with the Macquarie analyst. Steve Wynn, whom I know a little bit and respect enormously, gave me a piece of advice once. It was: "Just build things as good as you can and quality will beat out gimmicks over time’," Packer said.
"And that is not to say that The Venetian is not high quality or a gimmick-based hotel, but I am very proud of what we have got up there. Time will be its friend," he added.
'The House of Dancing Water' show that was launched in September last year is another factor that boosts Packer’s confidence in City of Dreams.
He advised the show had lifted December quarter turnover and was drawing a "new breed of clientèle" to the premises.
COD posted a pretty average performance in 2009, but revenues have been improving regardless of its focus on the mass market.
"I think that one of the things that people underestimate is how hard it is to be the sixth player in a market. We started three years after the first five".
Packer also said that he is certain that Macau is the right place for Melco Crown.
"Macau is beginning to work out really well for us. Macau stands on its own two feet on a stand-alone basis, but it also helps us develop new contacts in the region, meet new people, meet new players," he said.
"And it is a great dissemination of our brand. What we are trying to do against some of the biggest and most successful companies in the world is produce a product that is world class," he added.
Packer also stressed out that Macau is "one of the most competitive markets in the world, with a standard of product that is ‑ if not the world’s best already - on the way to being the world’s best".
"What has happened in Macau over the past 10 years has been incredible. It is now an incredibly diverse locale, with some of the most amazing facilities in the world," he said.
Global Perspective...
Australia is the 6th biggest gambling nation on Earth, and a number of experts think we may reach the top 3 within the next few years. The U.S is #1, and James Packer and Co and doing their best to see Macau nudge closer to #2. It's times like these that Team Packer is glad they have a global strategy, but clearly the U.S will have to improve somewhat before the likable Aussie buys in to Yankee land again in a financial way. Yanks, don't worry. Us Aussies still love you, but we just don't love your economic situation right at the moment, but with more positive momentum for gambling regulation in the U.S, pushed along by Crown Limited "partners in crime" (friends), PartyGaming, who do a bit of b2b dealing with Packer's Crown when 'Aussie Millions' time comes upon us. Stay tuned, and don't blink for a second.
Macau...
Casino gambling leaped in Macau soared in 2010 to reach a record high, according to official figures. Revenue totalled $23.5bn (£15.2bn), up 57% on the previous year, reinforcing the territory's position as the world's most lucrative gambling market. Earnings have been driven by an influx of gamblers from mainland China. Macau - a former Portuguese colony returned to China in 1999 - is the only Chinese city where gambling is legal. It opened up its gambling industry to foreign competition in 2002, triggering a building boom. In 2007 gambling revenue there overtook that of the Las Vegas Strip in the US. The figures for 2010 were released by Macau's Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. As well as an annual record, gambling revenue also set a monthly record in December 2010 of $2.36bn - up 66% year on the year.
United States Snapshot...
In much of the Unites States casinos are forbidden or tightly regulated. A few places allow casinos, and they have become well-known as centers of legal gambling. Relatively small places such as Las Vegas are best-known for gambling; larger cities such as Chicago are not defined by their casinos in spite of the large turnover.
Las Vegas has the largest concentration of casinos in the United States. Based on revenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey ranks second, and the Chicago region third.
Top American Casino Markets by Revenue (2009 Annual Revenues):
1. Las Vegas Strip $5.550 billion
2. Atlantic City $3.943 billion
3. Chicago region $2.092 billion
4. Connecticut $1.448 billion
5. Detroit $1.36 billion
6. St. Louis $1.050 billion
7. Tunica Resorts, Mississippi $997.02 million
8. Biloxi, Miss. $833.50 million
9. Shreveport, La. $779.65 million
10. Boulder Strip (Las Vegas) $774.33 million
12. Reno, Nevada $715.23 million
15. New Orleans, La. $653.05 million
18. Downtown Las Vegas $523.82 million
19. Laughlin, Nevada $492.51 million
The Nevada Gaming Control Board divides Clark County, which is coextensive with the Las Vegas metropolitan area, into seven regions for reporting purposes. Indian gaming has been responsible for a rise in the number of casinos outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
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
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
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
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The sharp as a sharks tooth James Packer has dismissed a return to the the embattled and politically red hot American gaming market. At least, for the near future, but never say never.
The likable executive chairman of Crown Limited issued the statement in the hard to forget aftermath of the firms horrendous AU$3 billion (US$2.99 billion) expansion into the United States before the global financial crisis. You know, the one that George W's leadership saw in, and the same one that Barack Omama inherited.
Crown still holds a modest a 24.5% stake in the Cannery casino group, which operates three pretty decent casinos in Las Vegas and the Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Pennsylvania.
Punters should note that it's strongly written down the investment after getting loose from a full $US1.75 billion Cannery buyout in March 2009, by cleverly reworking the terms of the deal with the group's private equity owners.
"I have had a bad experience in the US, so I am not rushing to go back," Packer said.
"Crown is not a company looking to issue fresh equity and we are already spending more than our profits on our capital expenditure program. That means there is a limit to what you can do."
Cannery wasn't the only not so good experience JP had in Yankee land Crown took stakes in US casino giants Harrah's Entertainment and Stations Casino Group, which it was subsequently forced to write down.
It also has a ridiculously low 1% stake in Canuck (Canadian) group Gateway Casinos & Entertainment, which was also written down.
In 2009 it closed its Vegas corporate offices after tossing aside its once bold plans to build a Crown Las Vegas casino and hotel complex with private equity partner York Capital Management and Chris Milam, a Texan property developer. Insiders reckon you have to watch them Texans, no offence Chris.
Packer High On Macau Quality, Down On U.S Economy...
Despite continued competition on the Cotai Strip, co-chairman of Melco Crown Entertainment, James Packer is very confident in his City of Dreams property and believes that quality is the thing that will endure in the grand scheme of things.
Packer believes different from analysts who claimed that City of Dreams, which is developed by a joint venture between Packer and Lawrence Ho Yau Lung, has not differentiated itself well enough from its rivals such as media darling, The Venetian Resort Hotel.
While Sands China’s "parcels 5 and 6" consisting of three renowned hotels are being built next door to City of Dreams and Galaxy Entertainment is also due to open its flagship property on the Cotai Strip on May 15, JP seemed not to be too concerned.
"I disagree with the Macquarie analyst. Steve Wynn, whom I know a little bit and respect enormously, gave me a piece of advice once. It was: "Just build things as good as you can and quality will beat out gimmicks over time’," Packer said.
"And that is not to say that The Venetian is not high quality or a gimmick-based hotel, but I am very proud of what we have got up there. Time will be its friend," he added.
'The House of Dancing Water' show that was launched in September last year is another factor that boosts Packer’s confidence in City of Dreams.
He advised the show had lifted December quarter turnover and was drawing a "new breed of clientèle" to the premises.
COD posted a pretty average performance in 2009, but revenues have been improving regardless of its focus on the mass market.
"I think that one of the things that people underestimate is how hard it is to be the sixth player in a market. We started three years after the first five".
Packer also said that he is certain that Macau is the right place for Melco Crown.
"Macau is beginning to work out really well for us. Macau stands on its own two feet on a stand-alone basis, but it also helps us develop new contacts in the region, meet new people, meet new players," he said.
"And it is a great dissemination of our brand. What we are trying to do against some of the biggest and most successful companies in the world is produce a product that is world class," he added.
Packer also stressed out that Macau is "one of the most competitive markets in the world, with a standard of product that is ‑ if not the world’s best already - on the way to being the world’s best".
"What has happened in Macau over the past 10 years has been incredible. It is now an incredibly diverse locale, with some of the most amazing facilities in the world," he said.
Global Perspective...
Australia is the 6th biggest gambling nation on Earth, and a number of experts think we may reach the top 3 within the next few years. The U.S is #1, and James Packer and Co and doing their best to see Macau nudge closer to #2. It's times like these that Team Packer is glad they have a global strategy, but clearly the U.S will have to improve somewhat before the likable Aussie buys in to Yankee land again in a financial way. Yanks, don't worry. Us Aussies still love you, but we just don't love your economic situation right at the moment, but with more positive momentum for gambling regulation in the U.S, pushed along by Crown Limited "partners in crime" (friends), PartyGaming, who do a bit of b2b dealing with Packer's Crown when 'Aussie Millions' time comes upon us. Stay tuned, and don't blink for a second.
Macau...
Casino gambling leaped in Macau soared in 2010 to reach a record high, according to official figures. Revenue totalled $23.5bn (£15.2bn), up 57% on the previous year, reinforcing the territory's position as the world's most lucrative gambling market. Earnings have been driven by an influx of gamblers from mainland China. Macau - a former Portuguese colony returned to China in 1999 - is the only Chinese city where gambling is legal. It opened up its gambling industry to foreign competition in 2002, triggering a building boom. In 2007 gambling revenue there overtook that of the Las Vegas Strip in the US. The figures for 2010 were released by Macau's Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. As well as an annual record, gambling revenue also set a monthly record in December 2010 of $2.36bn - up 66% year on the year.
United States Snapshot...
In much of the Unites States casinos are forbidden or tightly regulated. A few places allow casinos, and they have become well-known as centers of legal gambling. Relatively small places such as Las Vegas are best-known for gambling; larger cities such as Chicago are not defined by their casinos in spite of the large turnover.
Las Vegas has the largest concentration of casinos in the United States. Based on revenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey ranks second, and the Chicago region third.
Top American Casino Markets by Revenue (2009 Annual Revenues):
1. Las Vegas Strip $5.550 billion
2. Atlantic City $3.943 billion
3. Chicago region $2.092 billion
4. Connecticut $1.448 billion
5. Detroit $1.36 billion
6. St. Louis $1.050 billion
7. Tunica Resorts, Mississippi $997.02 million
8. Biloxi, Miss. $833.50 million
9. Shreveport, La. $779.65 million
10. Boulder Strip (Las Vegas) $774.33 million
12. Reno, Nevada $715.23 million
15. New Orleans, La. $653.05 million
18. Downtown Las Vegas $523.82 million
19. Laughlin, Nevada $492.51 million
The Nevada Gaming Control Board divides Clark County, which is coextensive with the Las Vegas metropolitan area, into seven regions for reporting purposes. Indian gaming has been responsible for a rise in the number of casinos outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
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
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
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
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Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Aussie One Armed Bandits The New Big Brother, by Greg Tingle - 21st March 2011
G'day punters, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, legal eagles, government officials...one and all. Today we further investigate the case of proposed mandatory betting limits and the like on Australian poker machines. Media Man and Gambling911 probe the Big Brother Australian pokier machine proposals...
It's game on as the Gillard - Labor government, independent MP Andrew Wilkie and a few more supporters try their best to force pokies players to commit to how much they plan to lose. Never mind about winning, but focus on the losing scenario ok.
The announcement that this mandatory plan for 'one armed bandits' will depend on smartcards (not biometrics), will go quite a ways in addressing concerns over privacy and the expensive of the rollout.
The Australian gambling sector that relies on the pokies pulls in some $12 billion in income a year.
Biometric tech was said to be a more comprehensive solution, but what's on the cards is going to be a lot easy to sidestep, says the word in the street and in and around the pokie dens.
Biometrics was going to cost the gaming industry many millions, if you believe the press releases. Punters and many media commentators also got a bit freaked about about the "New World Order" and "Big Brother" feel to the whole thing.
The smartcards are more user friendly and a bit easier to swallow
"The card is programmed and all the machine sees is: yes you can play," said Ian Donald, an executive with smartcard consultant Regis Controls.
He advised the joint Senate select committee on gambling reform that half of Australia's poker machines had smartcard readers. He placed the cost of full implementation at $500-$1000 a machine. All the information is contained on the card. That's the easy part. But how the cards are issued and controlled could produce unpopular recommendations when the committee reports to Parliament. One suggestion is that the cards be issued in the same way as a passport or driver's licence, with a 100-point identification system as well as a photo, to prevent card swapping among problem gamblers.
To the pubs and clubs bodies, such as Clubs Australia...plus local casinos already fighting to compete for high rolling VIPS with new casinos in Macau and Singapore - the concept of the casual gambler being forced to endure a ton of obstacles just to bet can be mind boggling.
These groups are leading the charge for a venue-based, voluntary, preset limit system.
One case put forward by the biggest poker machine beneficiaries, clubs and pubs, was whether the proposed system threatens the worst of all worlds...an expensive system that would scare away casual pokie lovers while providing little help to problem gamblers.
"Registering to use an entertainment product, carrying around a device and preselecting limits will be a disincentive to play for all," Clubs Australia president Peter Newell says.
"If clubs lose their recreational punters, they lose an important source of revenue and will no longer remain viable."
The Australasian Casino Association's Chris Downey sees problems ahead. The gambler would face an "unnecessarily bureaucratic process" if the smartcard system relied on a government agency to regulate and issue cards, although this would only apply to the casino's OABs (one armed bandits) and not, for example, its blackjack, roulette or another gambling offerings.
Clubs Australia flat our rejects the Productivity Commission's findings that up to 40% of poker machine earnings are derived from problem gamblers, but is promoting another 40% statistic; it says this is the potential revenue loss pubs and clubs face if mandatory limits are enacted, leading to huge lay offs.
Clubs with gambling facilities get about 61% of revenue from gambling, with almost the entire amount sourced from poker machines, according to the Productivity Commission's 2010 report on the gambling industry.
Clubs Australia says this is actually down from 5 years back when clubs started diversifying their revenue base.
The commission noted that some "very large clubs with gambling services" predominantly in New South Wales, derive 80% or more of their income from gambling. This means they are more reliant on gambling for their livelihood than Australia's land based casinos, which sourced 78% of revenue from gambling in 2007-08.
Pokies snatch some 41% of casino revenue.
The 12 biggest clubs in New South Wales netted $580 million from poker machine losses in 2007, according to the report.
The state government taxes gouge get about 25% of gambling revenue every year.
Gambling accounted 9% of NSW state revenue in 2008-09 and 13% of Victoria's. That's $1.6 billion for each state. Slots are the biggest money spinners.
The Victorian government has issues with the prop but it is seen to be tackling the problem with plans to remove ATMs from gaming venues by July next year, and the rollout of a voluntary scheme for gamblers by 2015-16.
Gillard and co are pushing hard since these sort of matters were a good part of the foundation of the much-needed support of independent MPs such as Wilkie. His written agreement with the Prime Minister includes the implementation of a national mandatory limit scheme to start in 2014.
Should problem gamblers set their own limits or should "Big Brother" keep out?
Speaking before the committee's public hearings last month, Professor Alex Blaszczynski, head of Sydney University's gambling treatment unit, supported the idea that limits can be effective if implemented properly but highlighted some of their flaws.
"Irrespective of whether you have a voluntary or a mandatory system, the real question in my view is for those problem and pathological gamblers who have impaired control: how do you stop them from increasing the limits?"
Blaszczynski says his biggest problem with the Productivity Commission report "is that it is based on an absence of effective research or evidence base".
This is not the fault of the commission or its findings, he says. "The difficulty is, of course, that the quality of research addressing many of these issues I think is lacking and, as a consequence, there is a lot of speculation about what the impacts are of specific gambling measures."
Australia is the 6th biggest gambling nation on Earth, and a number of experts think we may reach the top 3 within the next few years.
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
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
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Australian Casino News
Casino News Australia
Global Gaming Directory
It's game on as the Gillard - Labor government, independent MP Andrew Wilkie and a few more supporters try their best to force pokies players to commit to how much they plan to lose. Never mind about winning, but focus on the losing scenario ok.
The announcement that this mandatory plan for 'one armed bandits' will depend on smartcards (not biometrics), will go quite a ways in addressing concerns over privacy and the expensive of the rollout.
The Australian gambling sector that relies on the pokies pulls in some $12 billion in income a year.
Biometric tech was said to be a more comprehensive solution, but what's on the cards is going to be a lot easy to sidestep, says the word in the street and in and around the pokie dens.
Biometrics was going to cost the gaming industry many millions, if you believe the press releases. Punters and many media commentators also got a bit freaked about about the "New World Order" and "Big Brother" feel to the whole thing.
The smartcards are more user friendly and a bit easier to swallow
"The card is programmed and all the machine sees is: yes you can play," said Ian Donald, an executive with smartcard consultant Regis Controls.
He advised the joint Senate select committee on gambling reform that half of Australia's poker machines had smartcard readers. He placed the cost of full implementation at $500-$1000 a machine. All the information is contained on the card. That's the easy part. But how the cards are issued and controlled could produce unpopular recommendations when the committee reports to Parliament. One suggestion is that the cards be issued in the same way as a passport or driver's licence, with a 100-point identification system as well as a photo, to prevent card swapping among problem gamblers.
To the pubs and clubs bodies, such as Clubs Australia...plus local casinos already fighting to compete for high rolling VIPS with new casinos in Macau and Singapore - the concept of the casual gambler being forced to endure a ton of obstacles just to bet can be mind boggling.
These groups are leading the charge for a venue-based, voluntary, preset limit system.
One case put forward by the biggest poker machine beneficiaries, clubs and pubs, was whether the proposed system threatens the worst of all worlds...an expensive system that would scare away casual pokie lovers while providing little help to problem gamblers.
"Registering to use an entertainment product, carrying around a device and preselecting limits will be a disincentive to play for all," Clubs Australia president Peter Newell says.
"If clubs lose their recreational punters, they lose an important source of revenue and will no longer remain viable."
The Australasian Casino Association's Chris Downey sees problems ahead. The gambler would face an "unnecessarily bureaucratic process" if the smartcard system relied on a government agency to regulate and issue cards, although this would only apply to the casino's OABs (one armed bandits) and not, for example, its blackjack, roulette or another gambling offerings.
Clubs Australia flat our rejects the Productivity Commission's findings that up to 40% of poker machine earnings are derived from problem gamblers, but is promoting another 40% statistic; it says this is the potential revenue loss pubs and clubs face if mandatory limits are enacted, leading to huge lay offs.
Clubs with gambling facilities get about 61% of revenue from gambling, with almost the entire amount sourced from poker machines, according to the Productivity Commission's 2010 report on the gambling industry.
Clubs Australia says this is actually down from 5 years back when clubs started diversifying their revenue base.
The commission noted that some "very large clubs with gambling services" predominantly in New South Wales, derive 80% or more of their income from gambling. This means they are more reliant on gambling for their livelihood than Australia's land based casinos, which sourced 78% of revenue from gambling in 2007-08.
Pokies snatch some 41% of casino revenue.
The 12 biggest clubs in New South Wales netted $580 million from poker machine losses in 2007, according to the report.
The state government taxes gouge get about 25% of gambling revenue every year.
Gambling accounted 9% of NSW state revenue in 2008-09 and 13% of Victoria's. That's $1.6 billion for each state. Slots are the biggest money spinners.
The Victorian government has issues with the prop but it is seen to be tackling the problem with plans to remove ATMs from gaming venues by July next year, and the rollout of a voluntary scheme for gamblers by 2015-16.
Gillard and co are pushing hard since these sort of matters were a good part of the foundation of the much-needed support of independent MPs such as Wilkie. His written agreement with the Prime Minister includes the implementation of a national mandatory limit scheme to start in 2014.
Should problem gamblers set their own limits or should "Big Brother" keep out?
Speaking before the committee's public hearings last month, Professor Alex Blaszczynski, head of Sydney University's gambling treatment unit, supported the idea that limits can be effective if implemented properly but highlighted some of their flaws.
"Irrespective of whether you have a voluntary or a mandatory system, the real question in my view is for those problem and pathological gamblers who have impaired control: how do you stop them from increasing the limits?"
Blaszczynski says his biggest problem with the Productivity Commission report "is that it is based on an absence of effective research or evidence base".
This is not the fault of the commission or its findings, he says. "The difficulty is, of course, that the quality of research addressing many of these issues I think is lacking and, as a consequence, there is a lot of speculation about what the impacts are of specific gambling measures."
Australia is the 6th biggest gambling nation on Earth, and a number of experts think we may reach the top 3 within the next few years.
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
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
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
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Poker News Media
Australian Casino News
Casino News Australia
Global Gaming Directory
Monday, March 21, 2011
Goa's offshore casinos running without mandatory NOCs, by Greg Tingle
Three offshore casinos, including India's biggest one, have been operating on the Mandovi river in Goa without a mandatory no objection certificate (NOC) for nearly two years, a minister said Wednesday.
Minister for Ports Nilkanth Halarnkar told the Goa legislative assembly that the three casino vessels were operating on expired NOCs.
'Action will be taken against these casino operators if they do not provide the required NOCs by April,' Halarnkar assured the assembly after the opposition grilled the minister for allowing the casinos to operate illegally.
The casinos with expired NOCs are M.V. Casino Royale, M.V. San Domino and M.V. Boa Sorte. NOCs of the first two expired in 2009.
Casino Royale is India's largest casino vessel. It has five operational decks with over 12,000 sq ft of gaming area, and has 50 gaming tables and 30 slot machines.
Even ruling bench legislators took the minister to task over the failure to check contamination of the Mandovi river due to sewage discharged by the seven casino vessels anchored on it.
"Fish are vanishing from the Mandovi river because of contamination of its waters following illegal sewage discharge from the casino vessels. The Arabian sea is pushing the sewage inwards into the river, further contaminating it," Congress legislator Dayanand Narvekar told the assembly.
Speaker Pratapsingh Rane has asked the state environment ministry to probe into the contamination issue.
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Minister for Ports Nilkanth Halarnkar told the Goa legislative assembly that the three casino vessels were operating on expired NOCs.
'Action will be taken against these casino operators if they do not provide the required NOCs by April,' Halarnkar assured the assembly after the opposition grilled the minister for allowing the casinos to operate illegally.
The casinos with expired NOCs are M.V. Casino Royale, M.V. San Domino and M.V. Boa Sorte. NOCs of the first two expired in 2009.
Casino Royale is India's largest casino vessel. It has five operational decks with over 12,000 sq ft of gaming area, and has 50 gaming tables and 30 slot machines.
Even ruling bench legislators took the minister to task over the failure to check contamination of the Mandovi river due to sewage discharged by the seven casino vessels anchored on it.
"Fish are vanishing from the Mandovi river because of contamination of its waters following illegal sewage discharge from the casino vessels. The Arabian sea is pushing the sewage inwards into the river, further contaminating it," Congress legislator Dayanand Narvekar told the assembly.
Speaker Pratapsingh Rane has asked the state environment ministry to probe into the contamination issue.
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PartyGaming Bwin merger nears completion, by Greg Tingle - 21st March 2011
The proposed merger between gaming giants PartyGaming and Bwin is set to be completed by 31 March, subject to the formal approval of the Gibraltar Supreme Court, after being formally entered into the companies' register by the Vienna Commercial Court last week.
In a statement released bwin revealed that trading in its shares on the Vienna Stock Exchange will cease at the close of business in 25 March with existing bwin shareholders receiving 12.23 bwin.party depositary interests for each bwin share free of charge on 1 April. Shareholders will then be able to trade them on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BPTY.L.
The new bwin.party depositary interests will carry a dividend entitlement with effect from 1 January 2010. The company's dividend policy will be determined by the new board of bwin.party digital entertainment plc over the next few months.
In addition to the approval of Germany's Federal Cartel Office and the Austrian Federal Competition authority the merger has also received anti-trust approval from authorities in Romania.
PartyGaming is regarded by most as the world's leading igaming company, and is currently looking to ramp up in many countries, with a re entry into the U.S as a major focus point. PartyGaming's World Poker Tour brand already enjoys strong press in the U.S, Canada, as well as other countries with a strong passion for gaming and gambling such as Australia. Pay TV, magazines and the internet are the main media platforms unitized by PartyGaming. They are also looking at sports and entertainment stadium sponsorships and naming rights opportunities, taking note of strategies used by the likes of Betfair and Centrebet in Australia.
PartyCasino.com remains the companies most popular and profitable brand, and also boasts the world's largest jackpots for the online casino sector. PartyGaming are currently taking steps to see their PartyPoker.com poker brand reclaim their number one position, and a return to the U.S would likely see that outcome within a number of months, possibly weeks. World Poker Tour continues to act as powerful media and marketing vehicle boosting awareness, thus business, across the entire PartyGaming portfolio.
Media Man advised that Party and a range of other igaming companies remain in close contact with a number of leading Australian and New Zealand media companies and brands, and that the Australian print, online publishing and television sector remains extremely interested in exploring b2b with Party, having become aware of Party's success with leading website portals that are available in the region, plus the popularity of Hollywood brands down under like Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.
Media moguls with strong ties to Australia such as James Packer, mate Lachlan Murdoch, and News Corp old guard, Rupert Murdoch, are all aware of Party's success in the Asia Pacific, pushed along by internet commerce, and are open to exploring business possibilities with the Gibraltar igaming powerhouse.
The PartyCasino.com website remains the most popular of the Party branded gaming sites.
By The Numbers
Overall revenue up 15% to €357m
Casino revenue up €15m from €136.8m to €151.4m
Bingo up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m
Sports betting up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m
Poker down €11m from €136.8m to €124.8m
World Poker Tour contributes €6.5m
B2B network services customers generate €2.4m
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
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In a statement released bwin revealed that trading in its shares on the Vienna Stock Exchange will cease at the close of business in 25 March with existing bwin shareholders receiving 12.23 bwin.party depositary interests for each bwin share free of charge on 1 April. Shareholders will then be able to trade them on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BPTY.L.
The new bwin.party depositary interests will carry a dividend entitlement with effect from 1 January 2010. The company's dividend policy will be determined by the new board of bwin.party digital entertainment plc over the next few months.
In addition to the approval of Germany's Federal Cartel Office and the Austrian Federal Competition authority the merger has also received anti-trust approval from authorities in Romania.
PartyGaming is regarded by most as the world's leading igaming company, and is currently looking to ramp up in many countries, with a re entry into the U.S as a major focus point. PartyGaming's World Poker Tour brand already enjoys strong press in the U.S, Canada, as well as other countries with a strong passion for gaming and gambling such as Australia. Pay TV, magazines and the internet are the main media platforms unitized by PartyGaming. They are also looking at sports and entertainment stadium sponsorships and naming rights opportunities, taking note of strategies used by the likes of Betfair and Centrebet in Australia.
PartyCasino.com remains the companies most popular and profitable brand, and also boasts the world's largest jackpots for the online casino sector. PartyGaming are currently taking steps to see their PartyPoker.com poker brand reclaim their number one position, and a return to the U.S would likely see that outcome within a number of months, possibly weeks. World Poker Tour continues to act as powerful media and marketing vehicle boosting awareness, thus business, across the entire PartyGaming portfolio.
Media Man advised that Party and a range of other igaming companies remain in close contact with a number of leading Australian and New Zealand media companies and brands, and that the Australian print, online publishing and television sector remains extremely interested in exploring b2b with Party, having become aware of Party's success with leading website portals that are available in the region, plus the popularity of Hollywood brands down under like Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.
Media moguls with strong ties to Australia such as James Packer, mate Lachlan Murdoch, and News Corp old guard, Rupert Murdoch, are all aware of Party's success in the Asia Pacific, pushed along by internet commerce, and are open to exploring business possibilities with the Gibraltar igaming powerhouse.
The PartyCasino.com website remains the most popular of the Party branded gaming sites.
By The Numbers
Overall revenue up 15% to €357m
Casino revenue up €15m from €136.8m to €151.4m
Bingo up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m
Sports betting up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m
Poker down €11m from €136.8m to €124.8m
World Poker Tour contributes €6.5m
B2B network services customers generate €2.4m
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Optus One80Project Festival, by Eva Rinaldi - 20th March 2011
The Australian music industry got a welcome shot in the arm today thanks to media powerhouse MTV Australia, and many backers such as Optus.
The One80Project Festival was held in Sydney's beautiful and large (for the city) Prince Alfred Park.
The park was especially green as for the first few hours we were hit with on again, off again rain, with complimentary yellow beanbags and pillows for the public offering minimal relief. The bags and pillows offered colour and atmosphere, and the fans took to them like ducks to water. A visitor was overheard saying "It's Sydney Swampfest", taking a jab at the weather and muddy patches in the grass, but they said it with a smile on their face, and then went on to sink a complimentary cold beer.
The festival officially started at 5.30pm, but many fans and media showed up early. We think that at its peak there may have been 3,000 at the festival, however that can't be confirmed as the number seems to be a well kept secret and the powers that be are not saying. There was plenty of first aid officers on hand, thank god, as my mate suffered a cut on finger when navigating of boggy patch of mud, and the boys and girls in blue were also well represented, but sadly none on horseback, but that may have suggested that there was only a minimal security risk at the fest.
The VIPs, guest list and media were treated to an undercover - raised area, with an operating bar and bites, but more seating would have been handy. I want to say a big thank you to Paul and Derrick at the bar, who served us early, quickly and with a smile. We later learnt that comedian Rosso was delighted that the bar was open. Rosso also told us that he was impressed that MTV and co had created yet another opportunity to nurture and showcase Australian talent to the world. Rosso didn't mention his old comedian mate Merrick Watts, who went to school with my journo mate at Pittwater High, but he did say there were many beautiful women were at the school, as there was at today's event. The blokes, mainly dressed in smart casual, where mainly very good looking and very intelligent also, as you might expect from Sydney's entertainment, music and media world.
Being a pro photographer, I was delighted that there were plenty of photo opportunities and just some of the friendly souls who I was blessed to photograph included Tim "Rosso" Ross, Craig Wing (NRL player, currently having a season in Japan), Xavier Samuel (Twilight), David Wenham (Lord Of The Rings), Ali Daher (Hollywood Treatment), Georgia Gomen, Nathan Kake (Napoleon Perdis), Katrina McGarry, Maria Bodoeguaard, Andy Cutcliff (When The War Began), Matt Williamsen (Family Tree), Daisy McKenzie-McHarg (MTV), Joe Corrigan (Snobs) and Alana Bowden (Snobs)...the title of their show, not their attitude. Everyone was delightful, and if I forget anyone, sorry, there was so much going on. We loved you all.
It was great to see communications giant Optus get behind the event, but for their sake, I do hope Optus' current enthusiasm for MTV and the music world can be matched in a boost of customer service for their mobile telephone division, of which I've been having some considerable issues with of late.
Back to the festival, it was impressive (for a free fest), and everyone seemed to have a great time.
Aussie Twilight star Xavier Samuel was the guest presenter of the short film festival's Public Vote Award, details of which will soon appear here.
Celebrity judges included David Wenham, actress Kat Stewart, Joel and Nash Edgerton and Animal Kingdom writer and director, David Michod.
The One80project gives aspiring film and TV producers a genuine chance to turn their idea into a shot at the small screen, and then hopefully seeing them progress to the next level of AussieWood, if not Hollywood.
As well as the public vote, awards were passed out for the judges' choice and best student entry, with the judges' pick to be made into a one-hour drama for broadcast on MTV Australia. The full list of winners will soon be published right here!
The festival, now in its fifth year, screened the top 10 finalists and featured a live DJ set by Grammy award winner Mark Ronson with supporting sets from Bag Raiders and Softwar.
Oh, a big thank you to MTV publicist Milly Gattegno who helped get us access to a large number of celebrities with substance, as well as facilitating some top photo opportunities for my company.
A good test on the success of these type of things is to ask the question... would I do it again, and rain, hail or shine, the answer is yes, just as long as my every faithful media team came along with me again too. You rock, and so did the event.
Stay tuned for a confirmation of finalists and winners.
My inside knowledge of the going ons assures me that the substance did match the hype of this enjoyable project, and I'm betting that next year will be even bigger and better.
Websites
MTV Australia
One80Project
Eva Rinaldi Flickr
Eva Rinaldi Photography
The One80Project Festival was held in Sydney's beautiful and large (for the city) Prince Alfred Park.
The park was especially green as for the first few hours we were hit with on again, off again rain, with complimentary yellow beanbags and pillows for the public offering minimal relief. The bags and pillows offered colour and atmosphere, and the fans took to them like ducks to water. A visitor was overheard saying "It's Sydney Swampfest", taking a jab at the weather and muddy patches in the grass, but they said it with a smile on their face, and then went on to sink a complimentary cold beer.
The festival officially started at 5.30pm, but many fans and media showed up early. We think that at its peak there may have been 3,000 at the festival, however that can't be confirmed as the number seems to be a well kept secret and the powers that be are not saying. There was plenty of first aid officers on hand, thank god, as my mate suffered a cut on finger when navigating of boggy patch of mud, and the boys and girls in blue were also well represented, but sadly none on horseback, but that may have suggested that there was only a minimal security risk at the fest.
The VIPs, guest list and media were treated to an undercover - raised area, with an operating bar and bites, but more seating would have been handy. I want to say a big thank you to Paul and Derrick at the bar, who served us early, quickly and with a smile. We later learnt that comedian Rosso was delighted that the bar was open. Rosso also told us that he was impressed that MTV and co had created yet another opportunity to nurture and showcase Australian talent to the world. Rosso didn't mention his old comedian mate Merrick Watts, who went to school with my journo mate at Pittwater High, but he did say there were many beautiful women were at the school, as there was at today's event. The blokes, mainly dressed in smart casual, where mainly very good looking and very intelligent also, as you might expect from Sydney's entertainment, music and media world.
Being a pro photographer, I was delighted that there were plenty of photo opportunities and just some of the friendly souls who I was blessed to photograph included Tim "Rosso" Ross, Craig Wing (NRL player, currently having a season in Japan), Xavier Samuel (Twilight), David Wenham (Lord Of The Rings), Ali Daher (Hollywood Treatment), Georgia Gomen, Nathan Kake (Napoleon Perdis), Katrina McGarry, Maria Bodoeguaard, Andy Cutcliff (When The War Began), Matt Williamsen (Family Tree), Daisy McKenzie-McHarg (MTV), Joe Corrigan (Snobs) and Alana Bowden (Snobs)...the title of their show, not their attitude. Everyone was delightful, and if I forget anyone, sorry, there was so much going on. We loved you all.
It was great to see communications giant Optus get behind the event, but for their sake, I do hope Optus' current enthusiasm for MTV and the music world can be matched in a boost of customer service for their mobile telephone division, of which I've been having some considerable issues with of late.
Back to the festival, it was impressive (for a free fest), and everyone seemed to have a great time.
Aussie Twilight star Xavier Samuel was the guest presenter of the short film festival's Public Vote Award, details of which will soon appear here.
Celebrity judges included David Wenham, actress Kat Stewart, Joel and Nash Edgerton and Animal Kingdom writer and director, David Michod.
The One80project gives aspiring film and TV producers a genuine chance to turn their idea into a shot at the small screen, and then hopefully seeing them progress to the next level of AussieWood, if not Hollywood.
As well as the public vote, awards were passed out for the judges' choice and best student entry, with the judges' pick to be made into a one-hour drama for broadcast on MTV Australia. The full list of winners will soon be published right here!
The festival, now in its fifth year, screened the top 10 finalists and featured a live DJ set by Grammy award winner Mark Ronson with supporting sets from Bag Raiders and Softwar.
Oh, a big thank you to MTV publicist Milly Gattegno who helped get us access to a large number of celebrities with substance, as well as facilitating some top photo opportunities for my company.
A good test on the success of these type of things is to ask the question... would I do it again, and rain, hail or shine, the answer is yes, just as long as my every faithful media team came along with me again too. You rock, and so did the event.
Stay tuned for a confirmation of finalists and winners.
My inside knowledge of the going ons assures me that the substance did match the hype of this enjoyable project, and I'm betting that next year will be even bigger and better.
Websites
MTV Australia
One80Project
Eva Rinaldi Flickr
Eva Rinaldi Photography
PartyGaming, Casino, Sports Betting, Bingo up, by Greg Tingle
PartyGaming is on a financial and innovation role, impressing players, the stock market, partners such as Bwin, and media associates including yours truly - Media Man.
The London Stock Exchange listing igaming firm posted final results before it merges with Bwin on 31 March.
It needs to be noted that the world's leading igaming company is in good shares with its online casino, bingo and sports betting arms all up and popular with players and partners.
Developing regulated markets remains a prime strategic focus of PartyGaming, and news media opportunities such as televised events, media portal deals and even stadium or venue naming rights are all understood to be of considerable interest to the firm.
Party's across the board revenue was up 15% to €357m with EBITDA up 7% on 2009, just overtaking the €100m mark. Online casino revenue rose €15m from €136.8m in 2009 to €151.4m last year, understood to be driven forward by its 'The Games Studio' slot game offerings; online bingo was up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m with both arts getting positive spin off via its Cashcade acquisition back in 2009, not to mention its international expansion across Europe; while its modest sports wagering arm was up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m. Online poker revenues are down, dipping €11m from €136.8m in 2009 to €124.8m last year. It's PartyPoker and World Poker Tour brands are expected to bounce back as news media and website portal - b2b deals develop in the coming months.
Party's World Poker Tour brand brought home €6.5m, while its B2B network services customers generated in the region of €2.4m. Taking a look at its social media, the WPT's Facebook app is Facebook’s fourth largest poker application, according to Party, and its WPT Hold ‘em III mobile poker application has been generated 16m million downloads, which is big in anyones language. Little wonder established company brands such as Media Man, Virgin, Google, News Limited, Fairfax Media, UFC and WWE keep pushing forward with the social media strategy, since that's where many punters and potential customers are located.
Journey across to France. The bottom line is looking good. Second half pre-tax revenue for 2010 is up 220% and post-tax revenue up 77%. PartyGaming continues to be placed in #3 slot in the .coms poker sector.
Party at present holds a 14% market share in France. Experts forecast the Bwin merger will see this double.
With its online casino arm, Party advised of its 10 best revenue generating slots were developed in-house. Sinatra, The Godfather, Rambo, Saturday Night Fever, Top Gun and Mission: Impossible are in the mix of their most popular and profitable. It's 4 Marvel Entertainment branded slots were not developed in-house, but also remain very popular, and some new 3D themed slots are in the works via b2b2 following the success of Heist. It's classic bread and butter slots via the likes of WagerWorks (Cleopatra, Wheel Of Fortune, Monopoly and Cluedo) also continue to bring home the bacon for the company, and remain favs for players.
PartyGaming advised the merger with Bwin is well on track to finalise by the conclusion of this month and that this year would present great opportunities in newly regulated US and European markets. Australia and New Zealand also remain of great interest, where the company already enjoys a solid player base.
Party’s chief exec advised the company had achieved its 2010 objectives growing its player base by a solid 16% over the previous year catapulted primarily by its acquisition of Cashcade and its expansion into newly regulated markets that traditionally increase player volumes. The new markets also get the word out to the masses as PartyGaming can push the message via advertising without any legal consequences, be it .com or .net. CEO Jim Ryan warmly welcomed more regulation and advised the firm was in a strong position to make the most of new markets including Spain, Greece, Denmark and the United States when it opens. Canada continues to perform very well for the company, but they keep the Canadian numbers closely under wraps.
Ryan noted he expected New Jersey governor Chris Christie to veto the state’s egaming bill, but that this "wouldn't be bad news" as several other US states were building strong momentum to regulate online gambling.
"UIGEA has failed, the market already exists and the market has grown since it was enforced. Legislation is being driven by US companies who are tired of seeing revenues flow offshore. Combine this with the need to generate tax revenue and create jobs and this will create the perfect storm. The passage of online gambling laws will happen at some point soon."
Media Man advised that Party and a range of other igaming companies remain in close contact with a number of leading Australian and New Zealand media companies and brands, and that the Australian print, online publishing and television sector remains extremely interested in exploring b2b with Party, having become aware of Party's success with leading website portals that are available in the region, plus the popularity of Hollywood brands down under like Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.
Media moguls with strong ties to Australia such as James Packer, mate Lachlan Murdoch, and News Corp old guard, Rupert Murdoch, were all aware of Party's success in the Asia Pacific, pushed along by internet commerce, and are open to exploring business possibilities with the Gibraltar igaming powerhouse.
The PartyCasino.com website remains the most popular of the Party branded gaming sites.
By The Numbers
Overall revenue up 15% to €357m
Casino revenue up €15m from €136.8m to €151.4m
Bingo up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m
Sports betting up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m
Poker down €11m from €136.8m to €124.8m
World Poker Tour contributes €6.5m
B2B network services customers generate €2.4m
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
The London Stock Exchange listing igaming firm posted final results before it merges with Bwin on 31 March.
It needs to be noted that the world's leading igaming company is in good shares with its online casino, bingo and sports betting arms all up and popular with players and partners.
Developing regulated markets remains a prime strategic focus of PartyGaming, and news media opportunities such as televised events, media portal deals and even stadium or venue naming rights are all understood to be of considerable interest to the firm.
Party's across the board revenue was up 15% to €357m with EBITDA up 7% on 2009, just overtaking the €100m mark. Online casino revenue rose €15m from €136.8m in 2009 to €151.4m last year, understood to be driven forward by its 'The Games Studio' slot game offerings; online bingo was up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m with both arts getting positive spin off via its Cashcade acquisition back in 2009, not to mention its international expansion across Europe; while its modest sports wagering arm was up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m. Online poker revenues are down, dipping €11m from €136.8m in 2009 to €124.8m last year. It's PartyPoker and World Poker Tour brands are expected to bounce back as news media and website portal - b2b deals develop in the coming months.
Party's World Poker Tour brand brought home €6.5m, while its B2B network services customers generated in the region of €2.4m. Taking a look at its social media, the WPT's Facebook app is Facebook’s fourth largest poker application, according to Party, and its WPT Hold ‘em III mobile poker application has been generated 16m million downloads, which is big in anyones language. Little wonder established company brands such as Media Man, Virgin, Google, News Limited, Fairfax Media, UFC and WWE keep pushing forward with the social media strategy, since that's where many punters and potential customers are located.
Journey across to France. The bottom line is looking good. Second half pre-tax revenue for 2010 is up 220% and post-tax revenue up 77%. PartyGaming continues to be placed in #3 slot in the .coms poker sector.
Party at present holds a 14% market share in France. Experts forecast the Bwin merger will see this double.
With its online casino arm, Party advised of its 10 best revenue generating slots were developed in-house. Sinatra, The Godfather, Rambo, Saturday Night Fever, Top Gun and Mission: Impossible are in the mix of their most popular and profitable. It's 4 Marvel Entertainment branded slots were not developed in-house, but also remain very popular, and some new 3D themed slots are in the works via b2b2 following the success of Heist. It's classic bread and butter slots via the likes of WagerWorks (Cleopatra, Wheel Of Fortune, Monopoly and Cluedo) also continue to bring home the bacon for the company, and remain favs for players.
PartyGaming advised the merger with Bwin is well on track to finalise by the conclusion of this month and that this year would present great opportunities in newly regulated US and European markets. Australia and New Zealand also remain of great interest, where the company already enjoys a solid player base.
Party’s chief exec advised the company had achieved its 2010 objectives growing its player base by a solid 16% over the previous year catapulted primarily by its acquisition of Cashcade and its expansion into newly regulated markets that traditionally increase player volumes. The new markets also get the word out to the masses as PartyGaming can push the message via advertising without any legal consequences, be it .com or .net. CEO Jim Ryan warmly welcomed more regulation and advised the firm was in a strong position to make the most of new markets including Spain, Greece, Denmark and the United States when it opens. Canada continues to perform very well for the company, but they keep the Canadian numbers closely under wraps.
Ryan noted he expected New Jersey governor Chris Christie to veto the state’s egaming bill, but that this "wouldn't be bad news" as several other US states were building strong momentum to regulate online gambling.
"UIGEA has failed, the market already exists and the market has grown since it was enforced. Legislation is being driven by US companies who are tired of seeing revenues flow offshore. Combine this with the need to generate tax revenue and create jobs and this will create the perfect storm. The passage of online gambling laws will happen at some point soon."
Media Man advised that Party and a range of other igaming companies remain in close contact with a number of leading Australian and New Zealand media companies and brands, and that the Australian print, online publishing and television sector remains extremely interested in exploring b2b with Party, having become aware of Party's success with leading website portals that are available in the region, plus the popularity of Hollywood brands down under like Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.
Media moguls with strong ties to Australia such as James Packer, mate Lachlan Murdoch, and News Corp old guard, Rupert Murdoch, were all aware of Party's success in the Asia Pacific, pushed along by internet commerce, and are open to exploring business possibilities with the Gibraltar igaming powerhouse.
The PartyCasino.com website remains the most popular of the Party branded gaming sites.
By The Numbers
Overall revenue up 15% to €357m
Casino revenue up €15m from €136.8m to €151.4m
Bingo up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m
Sports betting up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m
Poker down €11m from €136.8m to €124.8m
World Poker Tour contributes €6.5m
B2B network services customers generate €2.4m
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Sunday, March 20, 2011
James Packer Crown Casino Whale Talks Tourism, by Greg Tingle - 19th March 2011
G'day punters, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, legal eagles, government officials...one and all. Australia's casino king James Packer, top brass of Crown Limited, is not particularly impressed with Australia's state or federal tourism results. Packer states "It's time for the rubber to hit the road" in relation to the government and the casino industry as a whole is telling the Aussie 'Big Brother' government to lift its game. Media Man and Gambling911 probe the high states casino tourism industry with this special report...
Australia's foremost gambling tycoon, James Packer, is growing tied of the Australian government's lack of action in improving the tourism sector, which in return effects his casino tourism arm, with the high rollers, schools of "whales", super dolphins and the like tipping to be swimming more for oriental waters, rather than down under Pacific Ocean way. Yep, that's the general school of thought.
Singapore is continuing a roaring trade in the casino and resort tourism dollar, and insiders think this this may be beginning to really snatch away some potential business from Melbourne's Crown Casino and Burswood, which now boasts two of the most valuable and profitable integrated casino resorts in the world, Packer says the time for talk is over.
"One of the problems for state and federal governments of both political persuasions in Australia is that no one sets any key performance indicators for tourism," he told Rupert Murdoch publication, The Weekend Australian.
"That lets people muddle about on things with good intentions without ever actually making the rubber hit the road. Whereas in Singapore, it is all about the rubber hitting the road.
"They are a country that used to get the same number of tourists as Australia, around 5 million. They are now at 11 million tourists. We are at 5 million. And they have stated publicly that they have an aim and ambition that they will receive 17 million tourists in 2015."
Singapore has bragging rights of 13 consecutive months of record visitor numbers, achieving its highest visitor arrivals for a single month in December with 1.1 million visitors, 16% up on last year.
Experts tip the main attribute in seeing Singapore's big numbers is last year's launch of the $4.4 billion Resorts World Sentosa casino and the $5.94bn Marina Bay Sands, the second most expensive casino in the world.
Both casino resorts are understood to have accounted for 1.7% of Singapore's nominal gross domestic product last year when GDP leap frogged 14.7%.
Packer has a few more reasons than the average Joe to be a bit worried about the rise of the Singapore dragons (no offence to dragons, including dragons in training or Singaporeans). Singapore is writing the "who to" book and blueprint on casino tourism, just when many experts thought Macau were the experts.
The Singapore dragons wrath on the regional casino market gave birth to an 8% dip in VIP turnover at Packer's two dinkum Aussie casinos, Crown in Melbourne and Burswood in Perth, in the 6 months to December 31. Burswood really felt the pain, with VIP whale revenue down 14.3% compared with Crown's 5.5 % dive.
Crown states 15% of its casino revenues comes from high-rollers. That's a considerable amount.
Packer points to the way Australia sells itself to the world, and specifically affluent Asians, as a tourist destination, and he chooses his words carefully.
"We are not saying it is the government's fault. We are saying we would like to work with the government to try and make Australia a more attractive and compelling and successful tourism destination".
The recent Japanese natural disasters, along with our our own floods and cyclones in Queensland, are expected to put increased pressure on Japanese tourism, the fifth-largest provider of inbound tourists to Australia behind New Zealand, Britain, the US and China.
"We all thought the Oprah exercise (where Tourism Australia last year paid $1.5m for 100 minutes of US exposure on Oprah Winfrey's TV chat show) was fantastic, but when I was in America just recently I saw an advertisement with three Americans in a Land Rover driving around a paddock watching kangaroos. And I thought to myself, it is a lovely image but to be kind, it is very niche," Packer says.
Packer says Crown wants more from what he terms his "silent majority partners".
"The total taxes we paid last year to the three levels of government...federal, state and municipal...was well over double our net profit after tax. We believe we are investing in our businesses, providing the government with an excellent economic return for our licences and we also think we are working hard to ensure that our other stakeholders benefit from our business," he says.
"The government is doing very well being the silent majority partner of our company and we are competing against some of the biggest and most successful companies in the world and what we are trying to do is bring more people to Australia to spend money and conduct economic activity here."
Crown and competitor Tabcorp Holdings, owner of 'Sin City' Sydney's Star City and the Gold Coast's Jupiters casinos, are spending billions of dollars on big capital expenditure programs, including revamped VIP gaming facilities, hotels, lear jets and more.
"My impression is that we have spent more on capital expenditure in the past five years than any non-mining industrial company in Australia," Packer says. "I think there is a perception out there that these businesses are licences to print money. They are terrific businesses, but they are not that. These businesses have a very significant ongoing capex requirement, which places limits on the real cash available to be returned to shareholders."
A not particularly well known fact is that last year, Crown received the Employer of the Year award at the Australian Government's Australian Training Awards.
Packer's call for a more integrated tourism strategy for Australia is fully supported by Tourism Australia chairman and ex Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon, who is also on the Crown board. "While I am obviously a director of Crown, it doesn't change the fact that our integrated resorts in Australia must be competitive with those in Asia, especially Singapore," Dixon says.
"This is not just about Crown, it is about...the other integrated resort casinos within Australia."
What Crown and Tabcorp are seeking is additional assistance from government and the private sector on co-ordinating visa access and improving facilities at airports for VIP high roller tourists.
In Singapore, high rolling whales are greeted by officials at Changi airport, and promptly escorted through a private lounge area for fast-tracked customs and immigration procedures.
"We have started some initial discussions with Melbourne and Perth airports, and they are quite interested in the concept," says Crown chief executive Rowen Craigie. He advised there have been communications with government and the state and federal tourism authorities. "The doors seem to be open," he says confidently.
Federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson agrees casinos have an important role to play in the nation's tourism strategies, as well he should, but he states there needs to be more research before major decisions are taken that affect the sector.
"Casinos attract high-yield visitors that spend on average double that of other international visitors," he shared.
"Through both our marketing efforts such as the $150m global 'There's Nothing Like Australia' campaign and the National Long Term Tourism Strategy, we will continue to work closely with casinos, airlines, hotels, tour operators and the many other hundreds of thousands of small businesses in the tourism sector to ensure Australia remains competitive as a tourism destination.
"That requires encouraging investment in new stock, finding the right staff and reducing barriers to their employment in the sector, while providing comprehensive research to allow informed decisions to be taken."
Chef and restaurant owner Neil Perry, also a mate and business associate of Packer, whose "lucky" seven Australian restaurants include outlets at Crown and Burswood, agrees.
"While I am focused on local clientele, we need a good mix of international tourists to keep this business vibrant," he says.
Chinese tourists account for $2.8bn to the Australian tourism industry and by 2017 analysts expect that market will be worth about $5.5bn.
Korea, Singapore and Malaysia are also developing markets for Australia.
In January, Chinese tourists jumped 63% for the month, largely a spin off from Chinese New Year celebrations falling in February. Hong Kong visits were up 26% and Malaysia 25%.
At times like these Packer must be glad his had a global strategy in place, and is not totally at the mercy of the Australian market.
Packer and his time are also further developing online gaming and revenue aspects of Crown Limited, as well as getting his 50% Betfair better stocked with more online gaming offerings, acutely aware of recession resistance online based businesses like PartyGaming and also watching his mate, Richard Branson, take his airline, tourism, communication and gaming business to the next level.
Don't bet against Packer, but the smart money from betting agencies says that its safe to bet against the Australian state and federal government - with Labor set to fall, and a new and motivated Liberal - Nationals coalition ready to impress the people and the business sector
A Media Man spokesperson said "There's no doubt that the Oprah Winfrey effect has some positive spin off for Australian tourism, certainly awareness leaped. Just hoe much different was made to the bottom line thanks to O is unclear. James Packer makes a good point about Australian tourism. We have a lot more to offer than just kangaroos. Bondi Beach is great, but so are casinos like Crown and Burswood, and our sports tourism and events are always, and how about our Aboriginal heritage. We are world class. More people need to help give the Australian government the message. Casinos are an idea place to help keep things going in the right direction, with all of the tourists, smart money and entertainment to be found."
CEO Magazine Rejects James Packer Interview Rumour...
Bean Media Group, publishers of the influential and highly-regarded business publication, The CEO Magazine, have today refused to confirm reports that The CEO Magazine will be conducting an exclusive interview with Australian businessman, James Packer. The CEO Magazine is Australia's leading business magazine focused directly at high-level executives in Australian companies. The CEO Magazine is a bi-monthly title that provides its readers with a wealth of articles discussing business strategy, expert opinion, analysis, corporate case studies, emerging trends, leadership, growth opportunities and challenges facing our country's leading business leaders. The CEO Magazine explores how Australian businesses can improve the way they manage their operations, staff, technology and supply chains with a view to creating a more profitable and successful business. Whilst The CEO Magazine is extremely meticulous in selection for interviews within the title, rumours of a one-on-one interview with James Packer have surfaced this week. "Due to the high profile nature of The CEO Magazine, it is impossible for us to confirm who will be included in upcoming magazines until publication date. Content is kept strictly between the publisher and any leading senior executive that have been chosen for selection," said a spokesperson for publisher, Bean Media Group. The next issue of The CEO Magazine is due out next month. About The CEO Magazine, Australia's leading business title specifically for high-level and senior executives. The publisher of The CEO Magazine is Bean Media Group, a multi-award-winning media company based in Sydney, Australia.
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
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
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited, Virgin Blue and Network Ten
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Australian Casino News
Casino News Australia
Global Gaming Directory
Australia's foremost gambling tycoon, James Packer, is growing tied of the Australian government's lack of action in improving the tourism sector, which in return effects his casino tourism arm, with the high rollers, schools of "whales", super dolphins and the like tipping to be swimming more for oriental waters, rather than down under Pacific Ocean way. Yep, that's the general school of thought.
Singapore is continuing a roaring trade in the casino and resort tourism dollar, and insiders think this this may be beginning to really snatch away some potential business from Melbourne's Crown Casino and Burswood, which now boasts two of the most valuable and profitable integrated casino resorts in the world, Packer says the time for talk is over.
"One of the problems for state and federal governments of both political persuasions in Australia is that no one sets any key performance indicators for tourism," he told Rupert Murdoch publication, The Weekend Australian.
"That lets people muddle about on things with good intentions without ever actually making the rubber hit the road. Whereas in Singapore, it is all about the rubber hitting the road.
"They are a country that used to get the same number of tourists as Australia, around 5 million. They are now at 11 million tourists. We are at 5 million. And they have stated publicly that they have an aim and ambition that they will receive 17 million tourists in 2015."
Singapore has bragging rights of 13 consecutive months of record visitor numbers, achieving its highest visitor arrivals for a single month in December with 1.1 million visitors, 16% up on last year.
Experts tip the main attribute in seeing Singapore's big numbers is last year's launch of the $4.4 billion Resorts World Sentosa casino and the $5.94bn Marina Bay Sands, the second most expensive casino in the world.
Both casino resorts are understood to have accounted for 1.7% of Singapore's nominal gross domestic product last year when GDP leap frogged 14.7%.
Packer has a few more reasons than the average Joe to be a bit worried about the rise of the Singapore dragons (no offence to dragons, including dragons in training or Singaporeans). Singapore is writing the "who to" book and blueprint on casino tourism, just when many experts thought Macau were the experts.
The Singapore dragons wrath on the regional casino market gave birth to an 8% dip in VIP turnover at Packer's two dinkum Aussie casinos, Crown in Melbourne and Burswood in Perth, in the 6 months to December 31. Burswood really felt the pain, with VIP whale revenue down 14.3% compared with Crown's 5.5 % dive.
Crown states 15% of its casino revenues comes from high-rollers. That's a considerable amount.
Packer points to the way Australia sells itself to the world, and specifically affluent Asians, as a tourist destination, and he chooses his words carefully.
"We are not saying it is the government's fault. We are saying we would like to work with the government to try and make Australia a more attractive and compelling and successful tourism destination".
The recent Japanese natural disasters, along with our our own floods and cyclones in Queensland, are expected to put increased pressure on Japanese tourism, the fifth-largest provider of inbound tourists to Australia behind New Zealand, Britain, the US and China.
"We all thought the Oprah exercise (where Tourism Australia last year paid $1.5m for 100 minutes of US exposure on Oprah Winfrey's TV chat show) was fantastic, but when I was in America just recently I saw an advertisement with three Americans in a Land Rover driving around a paddock watching kangaroos. And I thought to myself, it is a lovely image but to be kind, it is very niche," Packer says.
Packer says Crown wants more from what he terms his "silent majority partners".
"The total taxes we paid last year to the three levels of government...federal, state and municipal...was well over double our net profit after tax. We believe we are investing in our businesses, providing the government with an excellent economic return for our licences and we also think we are working hard to ensure that our other stakeholders benefit from our business," he says.
"The government is doing very well being the silent majority partner of our company and we are competing against some of the biggest and most successful companies in the world and what we are trying to do is bring more people to Australia to spend money and conduct economic activity here."
Crown and competitor Tabcorp Holdings, owner of 'Sin City' Sydney's Star City and the Gold Coast's Jupiters casinos, are spending billions of dollars on big capital expenditure programs, including revamped VIP gaming facilities, hotels, lear jets and more.
"My impression is that we have spent more on capital expenditure in the past five years than any non-mining industrial company in Australia," Packer says. "I think there is a perception out there that these businesses are licences to print money. They are terrific businesses, but they are not that. These businesses have a very significant ongoing capex requirement, which places limits on the real cash available to be returned to shareholders."
A not particularly well known fact is that last year, Crown received the Employer of the Year award at the Australian Government's Australian Training Awards.
Packer's call for a more integrated tourism strategy for Australia is fully supported by Tourism Australia chairman and ex Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon, who is also on the Crown board. "While I am obviously a director of Crown, it doesn't change the fact that our integrated resorts in Australia must be competitive with those in Asia, especially Singapore," Dixon says.
"This is not just about Crown, it is about...the other integrated resort casinos within Australia."
What Crown and Tabcorp are seeking is additional assistance from government and the private sector on co-ordinating visa access and improving facilities at airports for VIP high roller tourists.
In Singapore, high rolling whales are greeted by officials at Changi airport, and promptly escorted through a private lounge area for fast-tracked customs and immigration procedures.
"We have started some initial discussions with Melbourne and Perth airports, and they are quite interested in the concept," says Crown chief executive Rowen Craigie. He advised there have been communications with government and the state and federal tourism authorities. "The doors seem to be open," he says confidently.
Federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson agrees casinos have an important role to play in the nation's tourism strategies, as well he should, but he states there needs to be more research before major decisions are taken that affect the sector.
"Casinos attract high-yield visitors that spend on average double that of other international visitors," he shared.
"Through both our marketing efforts such as the $150m global 'There's Nothing Like Australia' campaign and the National Long Term Tourism Strategy, we will continue to work closely with casinos, airlines, hotels, tour operators and the many other hundreds of thousands of small businesses in the tourism sector to ensure Australia remains competitive as a tourism destination.
"That requires encouraging investment in new stock, finding the right staff and reducing barriers to their employment in the sector, while providing comprehensive research to allow informed decisions to be taken."
Chef and restaurant owner Neil Perry, also a mate and business associate of Packer, whose "lucky" seven Australian restaurants include outlets at Crown and Burswood, agrees.
"While I am focused on local clientele, we need a good mix of international tourists to keep this business vibrant," he says.
Chinese tourists account for $2.8bn to the Australian tourism industry and by 2017 analysts expect that market will be worth about $5.5bn.
Korea, Singapore and Malaysia are also developing markets for Australia.
In January, Chinese tourists jumped 63% for the month, largely a spin off from Chinese New Year celebrations falling in February. Hong Kong visits were up 26% and Malaysia 25%.
At times like these Packer must be glad his had a global strategy in place, and is not totally at the mercy of the Australian market.
Packer and his time are also further developing online gaming and revenue aspects of Crown Limited, as well as getting his 50% Betfair better stocked with more online gaming offerings, acutely aware of recession resistance online based businesses like PartyGaming and also watching his mate, Richard Branson, take his airline, tourism, communication and gaming business to the next level.
Don't bet against Packer, but the smart money from betting agencies says that its safe to bet against the Australian state and federal government - with Labor set to fall, and a new and motivated Liberal - Nationals coalition ready to impress the people and the business sector
A Media Man spokesperson said "There's no doubt that the Oprah Winfrey effect has some positive spin off for Australian tourism, certainly awareness leaped. Just hoe much different was made to the bottom line thanks to O is unclear. James Packer makes a good point about Australian tourism. We have a lot more to offer than just kangaroos. Bondi Beach is great, but so are casinos like Crown and Burswood, and our sports tourism and events are always, and how about our Aboriginal heritage. We are world class. More people need to help give the Australian government the message. Casinos are an idea place to help keep things going in the right direction, with all of the tourists, smart money and entertainment to be found."
CEO Magazine Rejects James Packer Interview Rumour...
Bean Media Group, publishers of the influential and highly-regarded business publication, The CEO Magazine, have today refused to confirm reports that The CEO Magazine will be conducting an exclusive interview with Australian businessman, James Packer. The CEO Magazine is Australia's leading business magazine focused directly at high-level executives in Australian companies. The CEO Magazine is a bi-monthly title that provides its readers with a wealth of articles discussing business strategy, expert opinion, analysis, corporate case studies, emerging trends, leadership, growth opportunities and challenges facing our country's leading business leaders. The CEO Magazine explores how Australian businesses can improve the way they manage their operations, staff, technology and supply chains with a view to creating a more profitable and successful business. Whilst The CEO Magazine is extremely meticulous in selection for interviews within the title, rumours of a one-on-one interview with James Packer have surfaced this week. "Due to the high profile nature of The CEO Magazine, it is impossible for us to confirm who will be included in upcoming magazines until publication date. Content is kept strictly between the publisher and any leading senior executive that have been chosen for selection," said a spokesperson for publisher, Bean Media Group. The next issue of The CEO Magazine is due out next month. About The CEO Magazine, Australia's leading business title specifically for high-level and senior executives. The publisher of The CEO Magazine is Bean Media Group, a multi-award-winning media company based in Sydney, Australia.
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
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
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited, Virgin Blue and Network Ten
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Australian Casino News
Casino News Australia
Global Gaming Directory
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