5/30/2011

Games Of The Month: Cleopatra, Sinatra Slot, Monopoly, The Sting, The Terminator, The Godfather and Rambo

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Media Man is delighted to name the slot games of the month: Sinatra Slot, Cleopatra, Monopoly, The Sting, The Terminator, The Godfather and Rambo.

In the coming months we look forward to more rumoured Hollywood and entertainment industry themed games including the Hulk Hogan slot, Andre The Giant, and other games coming from Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.

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bwin.party digital entertainment, the parent company of PartyCasino, is the world's biggest and most successful online gaming company. They also offer games of skill and table games such as poker, blackjack and roulette, as well as offering a 'Live Dealer' option and world class jackpots.

They have won a number of awards and commendation including Media Man 'Online Casino of The Month' and EGR 'Slots Operator Of The Year' and 'Socially Responsible Operator Of The Year'.

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5/29/2011

Crown Casino: Good VS Evil?; Preacher Man, by Greg Tingle - 29th May 2001



It seems of late that there's a bit of Good VS Evil and Good Cop VS Bad Cop going on at Melbourne's Crown Casino as of late. We get up close to a man of god somewhat aligned with Crown and also probe to see if Crown may be targeting oldies. Australia is once again home to some of the world's hottest gambling and casino news today, with James Packer and his Crown Casino in the centre of the action. Media Man pounds the pavement with the news you need to know...

Crown Casino Chaplain: No Such Thing As Luck; Punters Need To Take Self Responsibility...

The casino's resident chaplain aka man of Gold, has warned that luck has become a "new religion" as punters crave financial reward for little or no effort. Father James Grant says he sees growing numbers of folks gambling in the hope they will win a fortune before losing devastating sums of money. Speaking at a recent event to raise awareness around problem gambling, Father Grant advised the lack of individual responsibility was alarming. "An increasing number of patrons believe that luck is on their side," he preached. "In our society luck has become a new secular deity. "We are people who believe that it is possible to get something for nothing, that our lives are in the grip of fate … rather than our own responsibility. None of this is Crown's doing. "Rather I would argue that Crown is actually moving into a framework that is going in exactly the opposite direction." The event, held to coincide with the state government's Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, also came a day after it came to light that the casino had hired former ALP chief Karl Bitar to try to push back proposed anti-gambling laws. Father Grant, an Anglican, would not say if he supported the proposed laws. But he was sceptical of anything that "tinkered around the edges" rather than dealt with motivations - real reasons behind people's irresponsibility. Father Grant spends about 20 hours a week at the casino through his Chaplains Without Borders program, an inter-faith agency that serves companies and other organisations. He said the casino responsible gaming support centre was staffed around the clock to help people in need, while casino staff kept watch for people gambling beyond their limits. "It's very easy to bash Crown without really understanding what efforts it does go to," he said. "I don't think Crown gets any credit for what it's doing in terms of trying to encourage individuals to take more responsibility for their life." The man of God is well liked both by patrons, staff and management, and media reckons he's great for a quote to two also. Thanks father, there is a god.

Crown Casino Targeting Oldies?...

The famous casino has been accused of luring senior citizens and struggling community clubs to the casino by offering rebates, exposing weak and vulnerable punters to problem gambling, gambling researcher Professor Linda Hancock says. Professor Hancock, from Deakin University, will soon release her book Regulatory Failure: The Case of Crown Casino, in which she argues that the regulation of the casino is failing people because of "weak sanctions" on the irresponsible service of alcohol and on those failing to implement the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct. In the controversial new book, Professor Hancock said seniors and people from non-English-speaking backgrounds were being targeted by Crown's "Red Carpet Program", which was promoted to social clubs as a special outing. Bus packages are available for groups and clubs can earn a rebate but only if they stay for at least four hours, or six for a non-gambling function. Patrons are given gambling vouchers, as well as lunch coupons, upon arrival. Visitors on tours are also signed up to loyalty programs, which exposes them to marketing for other gambling products. In her book, Professor Hancock quotes a survey of 204 participants on 6 Crown bus packages from northern suburbs social clubs, which found evidence of "at-risk" gambling behaviours with 42.9% spending more than they had planned and 23.7% saying they planned to return to the casino to win back money. Crown Casino's did not respond as we went to press.

Bitar's New Crown Casino Gig Is Wrong: Bob Brown...

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown says the appointment of a former Labor strategist to a job lobbying for the gambling industry is "worrying". Former ALP national secretary Karl Bitar has taken up a gig with Melbourne's Crown Casino. The appointment comes as the Gillard Labor government works on a new policy to limit the amount of money players can put through poker machines, to prevent problem gambling. Senator Brown said it was an example of the "spectre of undue influence" raising its head. "The appointment by Crown Casino is very worrying, it's very troubling, because he's been a major mover and shaker in politics in Australia," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday. "You can't tell me or anybody else that that's not going to open doors for Crown Casino that other people don't have open to them and can't go through." Senator Brown said there should at least be a cooling off period for such appointments. "It is wrong and we should certainly see much stronger regulations and rules about ex-politicians and senior political insiders being able to move to use the knowledge they've had from being on the political inside not only to their own advantage but to the advantage of sectional interests." Anti-gambling campaigner Tim Costello says Bitar's appointment by Crown is not a shock. "Crown has everything to lose from pokies reform, so it's no surprise they employed Karl Bitar," he said. Costello also attacked Crown's involvement in Victoria's Responsible Gambling Awareness Week. The casino made its contribution to the week on Wednesday at an event in which former aerobics champion Sue Stanley compared an addiction to exercise with gambling. Stanley said she needed help when she was addicted to exercise and gamblers should do likewise. The casino's chaplain Father James Grant then said Crown was doing a good job with problem gambling. No Crown officials would take questions from the media at the event. "It's a joke," Costello said. "Crown and its involvement in Responsible Gambling Awareness Week is quite frankly like putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank." Victorian Liberal premier Ted Baillieu said he could work with Mr Bitar. "To some extent I'm surprised that somebody in that position in the ALP would undertake that position but that's a matter for them," he told the press.

Punter Spent Phoney Cash On Sex And Poker At Crown Casino...

A Melbourne fella spent more than $10,000 of counterfeit Canadian currency on prostitutes and poker machines after exchanging the money for Australian dollars at Crown Casino, a court has heard. Cosimo Candido, 34, of Sunshine, was arrested this week by Australian Federal Police after he exchanged counterfeit money he claims he was minding in a shoe box for a friend who had asked him to look after it. Up to seven passports from various jurisdictions were also found in the shoe box in the name of a man who police confirmed is dead. Candido claimed he did not known the money was counterfeit, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard. He is alleged to have told police he was with a prostitute in St Kilda on April 30, got bored, then decided to take the cash to the casino to exchange it. He advised he approached a cashier with $1000 of the currency "to see if it would work" and received $885 in return. He went to another cashier and exchanged $3000 counterfeit Canadian dollars and received $2657 before he was handed $4645 by a third cashier. All transactions were captured on CCTV cameras. Crown staff later contacted police after suspecting the cash was fake. Candido was charged with uttering counterfeit money under the Crimes Currency Act 1981. The Commonwealth offence carries a maximum penalty of 12 years' jail. The court heard that Candido told police his friend who asked him to mind the items had the cash and passports because he was trying to receive the dead man's assets. The police informant, who asked not to be named because of ongoing investigations, said Candido told investigators he had spent the money he received after the exchanges on hookers, hotels and at the pokies. Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg granted Candido bail to re-appear at the same court on July 13. Crime does not pay... not usually.

James Packer VS Or With Andrew Wilkie; Wilkie's Big Day At Packer's Crown Casino; Win - Win?...

He's the face of Australian gambling haters, but he had a wonder through James Packer's Crown Casino in Melbourne just the other day, but for good reason. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday. The 'Tasmanian Devil' (satire) independent MP had a tour of gambling house in March with James Packer. The gambling king and the political face of gambling dislike took a walk around the place before making way to a conference room with staff to discuss issues of mutual interest we hear. Packer is very interested in Wilkie's plans to slow cash flow of the poker machine industry by imposing a mandatory national system requiring punters to set a limit on their losses. Pokies have been the talk of the town for weeks. State and territory ministers won't shut up about the 'one armed bandits' and Wilkie props. Packer's Crown Limited just appointed Labor's ex national secretary Karl Bitar to boost Crown's lobbying effort against the reforms. There's was a rumour that one or two threats were made in the meeting. What constitutes a threat anyway? Crown rejects that idea. "Mr Packer did not threaten Mr Wilkie in any way, shape or form," a Crown spokesman said yesterday. "The meeting with Mr Wilkie on 20 March at Crown was both civil and constructive. Mr Packer would be disappointed if anyone is claiming anything other than that." Clubs and pubs are pro active with an full on public campaign against the Wilkie proposal; the casino king apparently signalled in the boardroom he was prepared to contribute funds and add his politically influential voice to the objections. Given his interest in the outcome, the agro around the political class and the posture of the pubs and clubs, it would be surprising if he did otherwise. Packer has also made his objections known to other parliamentary crossbenchers, calling on MP's Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott. Wilkie has refused to discuss the meeting. "The content of the discussion was confidential," he said, adding "unless James Packer wants to reveal it, in which case I have no objection". Fun, games and politics continue to mix it up down under, but we haven't heard the last of Packer VS Wilkie, or whatever the relationship is punters.

Friends, good punting, know your limits and bet with your head, not over it.

Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports for more "can't miss" information on Australian pokies, gaming and casino wars.

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

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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5/28/2011

Marvel Entertainment To Get More Games Via Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment



Marvel Hero Jackpot Marvel Entertainment bwin.party digital entertainment

PartyCasino.com already offers Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four and hundreds more games, and in the near future PartyCasino.com is tipped to get even more Marvel comics themed slot games. Go for the Marvel Hero Jackpot, Super Hero Jackpot and more. New players get up to $3000 sign up bonus. As Marvel Entertainment legend Stan Lee says, Excelsior!

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5/27/2011

Australian Gambling And Casino News; Crown Casino - James Packer Special, by Greg Tingle - 27th May 2011



Australia is once again home to some of the world's hottest gambling and casino news today, with James Packer and his Crown Casino in the centre of the action. Media Man and Gambling911 pound the pavement with the news you need to know...

Bitar's New Crown Casino Gig Is Wrong: Bob Brown...

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown says the appointment of a former Labor strategist to a job lobbying for the gambling industry is "worrying". Former ALP national secretary Karl Bitar has taken up a gig with Melbourne's Crown Casino. The appointment comes as the Gillard Labor government works on a new policy to limit the amount of money players can put through poker machines, to prevent problem gambling. Senator Brown said it was an example of the "spectre of undue influence" raising its head. "The appointment by Crown Casino is very worrying, it's very troubling, because he's been a major mover and shaker in politics in Australia," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday. "You can't tell me or anybody else that that's not going to open doors for Crown Casino that other people don't have open to them and can't go through." Senator Brown said there should at least be a cooling off period for such appointments. "It is wrong and we should certainly see much stronger regulations and rules about ex-politicians and senior political insiders being able to move to use the knowledge they've had from being on the political inside not only to their own advantage but to the advantage of sectional interests." Anti-gambling campaigner Tim Costello says Bitar's appointment by Crown is not a shock. "Crown has everything to lose from pokies reform, so it's no surprise they employed Karl Bitar," he said. Costello also attacked Crown's involvement in Victoria's Responsible Gambling Awareness Week. The casino made its contribution to the week on Wednesday at an event in which former aerobics champion Sue Stanley compared an addiction to exercise with gambling. Stanley said she needed help when she was addicted to exercise and gamblers should do likewise. The casino's chaplain Father James Grant then said Crown was doing a good job with problem gambling. No Crown officials would take questions from the media at the event. "It's a joke," Costello said. "Crown and its involvement in Responsible Gambling Awareness Week is quite frankly like putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank." Victorian Liberal premier Ted Baillieu said he could work with Mr Bitar. "To some extent I'm surprised that somebody in that position in the ALP would undertake that position but that's a matter for them," he told the press.

Punter Spent Phoney Cash On Sex And Poker At Crown Casino...

A Melbourne fella spent more than $10,000 of counterfeit Canadian currency on prostitutes and poker machines after exchanging the money for Australian dollars at Crown Casino, a court has heard. Cosimo Candido, 34, of Sunshine, was arrested this week by Australian Federal Police after he exchanged counterfeit money he claims he was minding in a shoe box for a friend who had asked him to look after it. Up to seven passports from various jurisdictions were also found in the shoe box in the name of a man who police confirmed is dead. Candido claimed he did not known the money was counterfeit, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard. He is alleged to have told police he was with a prostitute in St Kilda on April 30, got bored, then decided to take the cash to the casino to exchange it. He advised he approached a cashier with $1000 of the currency "to see if it would work" and received $885 in return. He went to another cashier and exchanged $3000 counterfeit Canadian dollars and received $2657 before he was handed $4645 by a third cashier. All transactions were captured on CCTV cameras. Crown staff later contacted police after suspecting the cash was fake. Candido was charged with uttering counterfeit money under the Crimes Currency Act 1981. The Commonwealth offence carries a maximum penalty of 12 years' jail. The court heard that Candido told police his friend who asked him to mind the items had the cash and passports because he was trying to receive the dead man's assets. The police informant, who asked not to be named because of ongoing investigations, said Candido told investigators he had spent the money he received after the exchanges on hookers, hotels and at the pokies. Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg granted Candido bail to re-appear at the same court on July 13. Crime does not pay... not usually.

James Packer VS Or With Andrew Wilkie; Wilkie's Big Day At Packer's Crown Casino; Win - Win?...

He's the face of Australian gambling haters, but he had a wonder through James Packer's Crown Casino in Melbourne just the other day, but for good reason. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday. The 'Tasmanian Devil' (satire) independent MP had a tour of gambling house in March with James Packer. The gambling king and the political face of gambling dislike took a walk around the place before making way to a conference room with staff to discuss issues of mutual interest we hear. Packer is very interested in Wilkie's plans to slow cash flow of the poker machine industry by imposing a mandatory national system requiring punters to set a limit on their losses. Pokies have been the talk of the town for weeks. State and territory ministers won't shut up about the 'one armed bandits' and Wilkie props. Packer's Crown Limited just appointed Labor's ex national secretary Karl Bitar to boost Crown's lobbying effort against the reforms. There's was a rumour that one or two threats were made in the meeting. What constitutes a threat anyway? Crown rejects that idea. "Mr Packer did not threaten Mr Wilkie in any way, shape or form," a Crown spokesman said yesterday. "The meeting with Mr Wilkie on 20 March at Crown was both civil and constructive. Mr Packer would be disappointed if anyone is claiming anything other than that." Clubs and pubs are pro active with an full on public campaign against the Wilkie proposal; the casino king apparently signalled in the boardroom he was prepared to contribute funds and add his politically influential voice to the objections. Given his interest in the outcome, the agro around the political class and the posture of the pubs and clubs, it would be surprising if he did otherwise. Packer has also made his objections known to other parliamentary crossbenchers, calling on MP's Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott. Wilkie has refused to discuss the meeting. "The content of the discussion was confidential," he said, adding "unless James Packer wants to reveal it, in which case I have no objection". Fun, games and politics continue to mix it up down under, but we haven't heard the last of Packer VS Wilkie, or whatever the relationship is punters.

Friends, good punting, know your limits and bet with your head, not over it.

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

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

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

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5/23/2011

Australians Still Biggest Gamblers In World, by Greg Tingle - 22nd May 2011



Australians are still widely believed to be the biggest and most passionate gamblers in the world, according to new research that has came to light. Gambling reform proposals have triggered the findings. Media Man and Gambling911 have previously covered the passion and spending habits of Aussies, and today we offer up further detail on the world's biggest gamblers...

We've been telling you a few years now that Aussies are the biggest gamblers, and now more proof of this bold claim has arrived.

The latest issue of The Economist hit out desks and they also rank Australians as the world's biggest gamblers per capita, spending the equivalent of €902 ($1208.75) each last year.

The report states "Australia has led for the past decade, since we started doing this, and has always been well ahead of the other nations," advised Joel Keeble of H2 Gambling Capital, which provided the data.

Ok, first you have to basically ignore the stats anomaly that is Singapore...both their new casinos nearly match the famous Las Vegas strip in the U.S in terms of the gambling spend...the next closest competition for down under in Oz is Ireland, which spent less than half as much on gambling.

EGM's - Electronic gaming machines...including slots / poker machines, account for most of the lead lead. They also pointed out that Aussie's love to engage in a wide range of betting activity.

Not just slots, pokies, horses and football... the state of the Australian economy..bets on next month's interest rate decision by the Reserve Bank after the commission dropped attempts to ban the practice.

Centrebet was offering punters a $1.12 return if interest rates remain unchanged and $26 if they are cut.

The corporate watchdog didn't approve on the grounds that this amounts to trading in derivatives without a financial licence.

Slots aka poker machines are the most popular. Cleopatra and Queen Of The Nile are the most popular. Exact replicas of these two particular games can be found on the internet.

A report by the Productivity Commission stated $19 billion was spent on gambling in 2008-09, $12 billion of it on pokies aka one armed bandits.

The commission stated up to 40% of the money spent on the games comes from problem gamblers...a $5 billion hole on an estimated 90,000 people. Clubs Australia and many experts in media do not agree with the figures, starting the report was bias.

Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, who received greatly needed support of the independent MP Andrew Wilkie to form a minority government by agreeing to put in place a national "mandatory precommitment system" to combat problem gambling.

Betting agencies such as Centrebet has the Coalition as more likely to win the next federal election at the time of press, but Gillard will find it interesting that she is tipped by punters to lead the Labor Party to the election.

We prefer the slots and poker over political betting, but to each their own.

A Media Man spokesperson said "We have believed that Australians were the most passionate and biggest spending punters on the planet for years. The new report is further proof. Aussies would even bet on pro wrestling matches if odds were available, even though winners are predetermined. Two-Up, betting on two flies crawling up a wall, Aussies will be on anything and big".

Friends, good punting, know your limits and bet with your head, not over it.

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

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

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

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5/21/2011

Casino News Media: Virgin Games Gets New Slot Machines; Virgin Casino And Virgin Bingo Players Win



Arnold Schwarzenegger and Richard Branson

Virgin Games, a arm of Richard Branson's Virgin Enterprises Limited, continues to launch new slot games.

As many game players will know Virgin Games is extremely popular in the UK. Unfortunately at this time players in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Africa and France are not able to play Virgin games for money. Have a look at the Global Gaming Directory which Media Man Int has put together to assist in your selection.

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Virgin Games has been getting many new slot games in the past months, with most going into both Virgin Casino and Virgin Bingo.

A number of new slot machines have been launched by Virgin recently so check them out punters.

Shaaark! SuperBet: Sun, sea and sand, oh and look out for the SHAAARK! Watch as it chomps symbols into WILDS. This is one shark you won't want to miss. THE GAME: The game is a five-reel slot machine with a DOUBLE BONUS FEATURE to multiply your winnings. During the regular play, the goal is to achieve a winning combination of symbols on any of the selectable lines. Payouts depend on the bet per line played and the winning combination of symbols achieved. The theoretical average return to player (RTP) is 95.36% with Super Bet enabled or 93.49% (with Super Bet disabled). Malfunction voids all pays and plays. Play 1 to 25 lines. All symbols pay Left to Right except scattered FIN which pays any.

Alice's Wonderland is a 5-reel 20-line slot game. The game features a Progressive Jackpot in the Mad Hatter's Tea Party bonus round, an in-reel Rabbit Hole bonus, as well as freespins with extra wild symbols. It is also possible to win all 3 bonus features in one spin! Which makes this ASH Gaming game very popular with both new and expert slot players.

Bejeweled 2 has 20 lines of glittering reel action including 3 Bonus Games. Bonus rounds include: Free Spins Scatter, Wheel of Riches Scatter, Bejeweled Bonus Scatter. Enjoy this sequel to the classic gem-swapping puzzler and start promoting this fantastic game from Blueprint Gaming.

CryptoLogic’s Batman Slot: The Batman Slot is one of the new breed of online slots using high end technology with bonus rounds more like an actual arcade game than a traditional slot machine game. The new slot even features a bonus bet which gives the player a chance to scoop a larger jackpot.

As with most new online slots released at Virgin Bingo and indeed Virgin Casino there is also a matching new promotion. Starting today and running until 23:59 Monday 2nd May players can earn additional cash back just by playing a range of slots which of course includes the new Batman slots. The amount of cash back you receive depends on the amount you actually wager but amazingly you can earn up to £500. Virgin Games have stated that all bonuses for the promotion will be paid into players accounts on Tuesday 3rd.

Virgin Bingo Rooms

Necker Island & Marrakesh (90-ball bingo): Play traditional 90-ball bingo in a room that's as luxurious as Richard's very own tropical paradise, Necker Island, or rock the Kasbah, by playing in the bustling and colourful room, Marrakesh.

Galactic (90-ball speed bingo): It’s Bingo, Jim, but not as we know it! Play bingo at warp-speed by joining the super-fast Virgin Galactic room, where games are blasting off every two minutes.
Miami (75-ball bingo) : Grab your sunglasses and hit the beach with some 75-ball bingo action in the sunny shores of Miami.

Ulusaba (80-ball bingo): Play in Sir Richard’s very own private game reserve, Ulusaba, for some classic 80-ball bingo.


Press Release

Virgin Games Reveals Luckiest Star Signs...


Expert Astrologer, Russell Grant, Comments on Findings

In the run up to Friday 13th, online gaming company Virgin Games, has analysed a 50,000 player sample of its database to find the luckiest and unluckiest star signs when it comes to winning money.

The data showed that Aquarius, closely followed by Capricorn are the luckiest star signs, while Libra is the unluckiest. Players were defined as 'lucky' by having a winning session of more than GBP1,000.

Expert Astrologer, Russell Grant, commented on the findings: "All signs have the potential for being lucky and as the planets are constantly moving, people will move in and out of lucky phases.

That's why you should never give up if your sign falls at the bottom of the lucky/unlucky chart. For some months now Saturn has been traveling retrograde in Libra but the good news is, as from mid-June, Saturn turns direct and Librans could well start to see more good fortune in their life.
"Also in June, the lucky planet Jupiter will be entering Taurus. Taurus already seems to have had more than its fair share of luck lately and that's probably because this careful sign will have cleverly worked out gambling tactics that help them improve their gambling odds. It is interesting to see that all the more cautious Earth signs: Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo are in the top five lucky signs.

"What can the more impulsive Fire signs Leo, Aries and Sagittarius learn from this? Maybe to curb their impulsiveness, work out the odds, take calculated risks and pause and watch for the next good opportunity. However, don't hesitate for too long! Because Libra, the only Air sign at the bottom of the list has a tendency to vacillate and as the old saying goes: he who hesitates is lost. So as Librans pull themselves out of a more restrictive Saturn phase, they should take a leaf out of their Aquarian friends' books and let their motto be: He who dares, wins!"

Simon Burridge, CEO of Virgin Games, commented: "As Friday 13th hits us, we thought it would be a good idea to look at the fortune of our customers and to try and understand whether certain star signs are luckier than others. Of course, this is just a bit of fun, but I may steer clear from letting a Libran deal with my money on this inauspicious day!"

From luckiest to unluckiest, the findings of Virgin Games' data was as follows:

1. Aquarius
2. Capricorn
3. Taurus
4. Gemini
5. Virgo
6. Cancer
7. Leo
8. Aries
9. Pisces
10. Scorpio
11. Sagittarius
12. Libra

Russell Grant will be hosting a live web chat with Virgin Bingo customers on Friday 13th May from 8pm-9pm in the Hidden Treasure Room. Russell will also be giving away five signed copies of his latest book, Russell Grant's Sun Sign Book. To join Russell go to Virgin Games Founded in 2004.

Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 250 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, IGT, Cryptologic, Freemantle, Ash Gaming and Mazooma Interactive Games.

About Virgin Games:

Virgin Games launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:

Virgin Casino offers content from a range of games suppliers including IGT, Microgaming, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games.

Virgin Online Poker part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros - as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry.

Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.

Virgin Games has won a number of awards and commendations over the years including the prestigious Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' and a range of EGR awards. As always, be with your head, not over it, and have fun.

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5/20/2011

PartyGaming - bwin.party digital entertainment and other gaming firms financial market update, by Greg Tingle - 17th May 2011



The recent merger between PartyGaming and Austria's bwin, which created the world's largest online gaming group, was seen as the potential catalyst for a wave of takeover activity in the gambling industry. Yep, bwin.party digital entertainment are the top dogs in the industry.

Gibraltar-based bookmaker 888 Holdings, which supplies services to Caesars Entertainment, is understood to be the likeliest bid target and it has been whispered more than once that its days of independence are numbered.

A well-above-average 8m-plus shares changed hands as they touched 36.25p on talk of a 60p a share bid from bigger rival Sportingbet before closing flat at 36p. There was also gossip that 888's management is also considering taking the company private.

Betting outfit giant Ladbrokes (1.3p easier at 148.45p) in April walked away from a 200m-plus bid for 888, the second time in four years that a deal had collapsed. 888's controlling Israeli Shaked and Ben-Yitzhak families apparently could not agree on a price. During the abortive talks, 888's chief executive Gigi Levy stepped down to "pursue other interests," a development which many said left 888 even more vulnerable to predatory interest.

Sportingbet currently has a focus on acquisition. Following the termination of its talks with Unibet, the Swedish operator, it confirmed it was interested in acquiring Australian betting operator Centrebet. Snatching Centrebet would give it 33% of the Australian online betting market.

Many of the world's leading media, financial and gaming analysts believe that bwin.party digital entertainment is the igaming company best positioned to expand into new markets as regulation of the industry continues.

bwin.party was formed from the merger of bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming Plc in March 2011 to create the world’s largest listed online gaming company. Incorporated and licensed in Gibraltar, the Group has over 3,100 employees across Europe, India, Israel and the US and generated pro forma revenues in 2009 of €724.1m and pro forma Clean EBITDA of €193.7m. They command leading market positions in each of our four key product verticals: online sports betting, poker, casino and bingo with some of the world’s biggest online gaming brands including bwin, PartyPoker, PartyCasino and Foxy Bingo. At the heart of their business model, a proprietary gaming software and associated platforms allow the firm to differentiate their offer from competitors that is supplemented by some of the world’s best games.

The iGaming sector is one of the world's most volatile industries, but also one with some of the greatest opportunities.

Stay tuned to the Media Man network for much more about the exciting world of online gaming and gambling.

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5/16/2011

Australian Casino King James Packer Lobbies Re Pokies, by Greg Tingle - 16th May 2011

Aussie casino and lifestyle king of the kids, James Packer, has been doing a bit of lobbying key people associated with Australian pokies reforms Media Man has learned.

Packer has raised concerns over the impact reforms may have on Australian land based casinos.

Anti pokie campaigner and all round poster child, MP Andrew Wilkie confirmed he met Packer at Crown Casino on March 20 and had spoken with him by phone a number of times, but played down the significance.

"Just about every heavyweight involved in the debate has spoken with me, or me with them, by now".

Packer hasn't commented to the press re his meeting with Wilkie as best as reporters can ascertain.

Wilkie has been busy meeting members of the crossbench while Packer is of course busy taking care of business...and family matters.

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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5/14/2011

Australian Gambling News, by Greg Tingle - 14th May 2011



It's been a big week for Australian gambling news, both down under in Australia, as well as Aussie gambling entities making waves overseas. Plus we're got the IGT VS Aristocrat legal update, Australian gambling and media stock price updates and loads more.

Media Man, Casino News Media, Media Man News, Property News Media and Global Gaming Directory team up to deliver this jam packed news update, with some help from friends at Fairfax Media, Google News and wires.

Credit To Gambling Companies And Players Where Credit Is Due...

Congrats to Crown's James Packer for his ongoing development of Crown Limited, creating employment opportunities for thousands of Australians, in addition to continuing to assist GenerationOne, focused on sustainable solutions for Aboriginal Australians, which employment and welling being key aspects. Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment's PartyCasino.com has snatched another Media Man 'Online Casino of The Month' award too, and Vegas gambling tycoon Steve Wynn has gotten himself married, and invited some of Australia's most notable citizens, including you guessed it - The Packers. We also thank Fairfax Media, The Daily Telegraph and The New York Times for their responsible reporting on the gaming and gambling industry, and also well done to Gambling911 and Poker News Daily for their daily colourful stories covering the sector. Life would be more dull around gambling if it wasn't for Chris, Jenny and the team and Gambling911. Media Man of course remains independent, certainly for new media and gaming coverage standards, but once in a while do an official campaign for quality brands and individuals.

Packer Family And Other Aussie Billionaires Attend Wynn Wedding In Las Vegas...

Gambling tycoon James Packer and wife, Erica, Wolverine Hugh Jackman and his wife, Deborra-lee Furness, billionaire truck driver - transport entrepreneur Lindsay Fox and his wife, Paula, retail big wig Solomon Lew and wife, Rosie, were the Australian guests at casino king of the kids Steve Wynn's extravagant wedding. The Aussies enjoyed themselves big time at the ball that went for 3 days, which featured a swag of entertainment including Lionel Richie and Garth Brooks. Clint Eastwood was best man. Wynn married his Pommie sweetheart, divorcee Andrea Hissom, and the lovely couple have been named by the press "duke and duchess of Vegas". Wynn first met Hissom during a trip to the French Riviera circa 2008. Wynn aged 69, and Hissom, understood to be in her 40s, got married at the cost of $US5 million ($4.7 million), with 500 guests from around the globe. Other guests included Donald Trump, Sylvester Stallone and Celine Dion. The super A-list guests were flown in for a poolside "white" party on the day prior to the elaborate wedding. A "Grand Celebration" was housed in Wynn's Encore Ballroom...was put together by Michael Jackson's ex musical - events et al genius Kenny Ortega. Brunch was held on the Sunday morning. Wynn's ex wife, Elaine, was not on the list. She's mum to Steve's two kids. Last year the ex was awarded one of the largest divorce settlements in US history - $US741 million in stock in Wynn Resorts. It's understood the Packers enjoyed napoleon of tuna with caviar and roasted turbot with red wine sauce and cauliflower puree. The Wynn's are understood to be delighted at the way everything went down, and the Australia's were equally delighted we understand.

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment's PartyCasino Wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month'

PartyCasino has once again won the Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award'. The well known and respected online casino brand has won the Media Man awards over a dozen times in the past three years. The award is given out based on a number of factors including gameplay, portfolio of games, customer services, affiliate partners offerings, value for money, innovation and overall customer service. Richard Branson's Virgin Casino has also won the award, but Branson's brand doesn't accept Australians which has held back the firm in recent years. PKR Casino and Captain Cooks Casino have been Media Man semi finalists over the years, but PartyCasino looks like a safe bet to maintain it's stranglehold on the title for now. Well done Party.

Las Vegas Live at Burswood Theatre...

When: Friday 20 May...Take a trip to Las Vegas without the airfare or expenses. Viva Las Vegas has all the razzle dazzle and glitz of the entertainment capital of the world, and is coming to Burswood for one night only! The show combines sensational song and dance numbers with exciting specialty acts. Viva Las Vegas will take viewers on a spellbinding journey to Las Vegas, without leaving their seat. Show-goers will witness the gorgeous Vegas Showgirls in spectacular costumes and dazzling choreography, plus the remarkable illusions of Magic2. Audiences will also experience the best celebrity impersonators, Tom Jones tribute artist and world class Elvis impersonator Rick Charles performing together with a live band. This is 90 minutes of spectacular Las Vegas entertainment, a fabulous night to be remembered forever.

UK Gaming Giant Keen On Centrebet...

Alice Springs-based online gaming - gambling giant Centrebet International has confirmed a London-listed company is proposing a takeover bid. A spokesman for Centrebet says discussions are being held with Sportingbet. The UK gaming company is proposing to acquire shares and performance rights for starters. The spokesman says no agreement has been reached as yet. He says the Centrebet licence would most likely remain in Alice Springs if a takeover bid is successful.

MP Wilkie Keen To Discuss Poker Machines With Victoria...

Federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie says he is happy to talk to Victoria about its concerns regarding his planned poker machine changes. Wilkie is insisting on a compulsory scheme where pokie players will have to pre-set how much they are willing to lose or play on machines, which will only accept $1 bets. Victoria opposes a mandatory scheme and says Mr Wilkie should see the voluntary scheme it is putting in place. Mr Wilkie, who is threatening to bring down the Federal Government if he does not get his way, says he is happy to speak with the Victorian Government. "But I want to make one thing perfectly clear: it is not an option for Victoria to be exempted from these national reforms. It is as simple as that," he said. "There will be mandatory pre-comittment on these high-intensity poker machines, full stop."

Aussie Lottery Winners Unlucky With Love Life...

They used to be a couple whose relationship would not endure for love or money - not even $3 million bucks. They split up a year after the woman bought a winning lottery ticket, and the Federal Magistrates Court had to decide how to divide the fortune. Known by the pseudonyms Ms Kneen and Mr Crockford, the pair - aged in their 20s - had lived together on and off for a while. In September 2008, after spending much of the year in women's shelters, Ms Kneen moved back in with Mr Crockford. A month later she bought a Powerball ticket at a Canberra newsagency and was stunned when she learnt she had won $3 million. Establishing the facts was not easy; the federal magistrate who determined the property settlement, Stuart Lindsay, said both parties were "very poor witnesses" who lied to help their own case. Kneen claimed she was the only one who bought lottery tickets and that Mr Crockford was "dismissive of her buying tickets and encouraged her not to". ''She said that she always referred to the tickets as her tickets,'' Mr Lindsay said. ''She said that she had only ever won small amounts … and that she always kept those winnings for herself.'' But Mr Crockford said they both played Powerball or Lotto every week and each contributed to the tickets, on the understanding that "whoever bought it, it was a joint ticket and that they would share the winnings," Mr Lindsay said. After the $3 million windfall, they bought three properties. The pair flew to Melbourne together to claim the winnings and Ms Kneen was with Mr Crockford when the cheque was made payable to his account, Mr Lindsay said, suggesting a relationship where the money would likely "be regarded by them both as having been jointly won". Mr Lindsay allocated $100,000 to Ms Kneen because she earned less than her former partner, but split the rest equally. (Credit: www.smh.com.au)

One.Tel Legal Case Against James Packer And Lachlan Murdoch Dismissed...

The New South Wales court has dismissed a civil case against James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch in relation to the collapse of phone company, One.Tel. Some of One Tel's creditors appointed a special purpose liquidator, Paul Weston, to investigate why the board withdrew financial support for the company and put it into voluntary administration in 2001. Mr Murdoch and Mr Packer were directors of the board and companies linked to them were investors. But Justice Julie Ward said the case was stale and the proceedings should be dismissed. Mr Weston has been ordered to pay the costs of the case. The High Court has agreed to hear an appeal by ASIC against the dismissal of civil penalties against former James Hardie directors. In 2009, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission won a landmark court case against the company's former executives and directors for misleading the market about asbestos compensation. James Hardie was fined, and the former executives and directors were fined and disqualified. The case was partially overturned on appeal and the former directors had their penalties quashed. The local share market ended higher after a volatile day. The All Ordinaries Index rose 11 points, or nearly 0.25 of a per cent to 4,787. Spot gold is higher at just over US$1,510 an ounce. West Texas Crude oil is at US$98.97 a barrel. The Australian dollar is nearly $US1.07. Congrats to 'Our James' and 'Our Lachlan'.

Aristocrat Names Gaming Visionary Rich Schneider Chief Product Officer‎...

Aristocrat Technologies has named legendary gaming visionary Rich Schneider as its new Chief Product Officer. As CPO, Schneider will lead all aspects of product design, portfolio management and global marketing activities, and he will direct the overall leadership of Aristocrat's vibrant creative studios. Schneider will be based in the company's Las Vegas office and will report directly to CEO and Managing Director Jamie Odell. "The appointment of our CPO is significant, and we are fortunate to have attracted someone of Rich's calibre, and he will play a critical leadership role in the next stage of our turnaround story," Odell said. "His skill set, knowledge of the industry and years of experience will be tremendous assets to Aristocrat's Executive Leadership Team and to our business." "I could not be more delighted about joining Jamie and the entire Aristocrat team. Aristocrat's breadth of product, coupled with a great game library, and a strong tradition of delivering games that players just love to play are all great building blocks for a successful future," said Schneider. Schneider is widely regarded as an important force in the gaming industry and has played significant roles in shaping its future. Most notably, Schneider was Executive Vice President of Product Strategy at IGT. He has also served as IGT's Senior Vice President of Server Based Gaming and President of IGT Systems. Prior to IGT, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Acres Gaming. He has also been V.P. of Game Development for CDS and Director of Engineering for United Coin Machine. Schneider's vision has helped lead to the creation and proving the value of system bonusing products that have become the industry standard for building patron loyalty and driving casino revenues. He also played a vital role in conceiving what is now known as the Gaming Standards Association and has been a tireless advocate for open standards. Schneider has held several important positions in GSA, including Board Member and Vice Chairman of the Board. Schneider holds a BS in Engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He will begin his tenure at Aristocrat on July 28. Aristocrat Technologies Inc. is a subsidiary of Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL), a leading global provider of gaming solutions. The Company is licensed by more than 200 regulators and its products and services are available in more than 90 countries around the world. Aristocrat offers a diverse range of products and services including electronic gaming machines and casino management systems.

Aristocrat v. IGT: Attorney Negligence, Revival, and Inequitable Conduct...(Credit: www.patentlyo.com)

Aristocrat Techs. v. Int'l. Game Tech. & IGT (N.D. Cal. 2011)

Patent attorneys regularly have hundreds of patent applications pending, each with their own due dates – far too many for anyone remember on their own. We keep track through docketing systems, paralegals, and attorney cross-checks. We are often overwhelmed – especially when firms change and staff leaves (as happened in this case). One of the comments to this post astutely introduced the old adage: "there but for the grace of God go I."

The Aussie slot-machine manufacturer Aristocrat missed its US national stage patent filing deadline by one day. The patent was saved when the USPTO granted Aristocrat's US attorney's petition to revive the abandoned application based on the claim that the "entire delay" in filing the appropriate papers was "unintentional." During infringement litigation against market leader IGT, the district court first held the patent invalid based on a defense of improper revival. In particular, the district court held that the USPTO lacked authority to revive national stage applications unless the abandonment met the much higher standard of being unavoidable. On appeal, the Federal Circuit reversed — holding that improper revival did not constitute a cognizable defense to allegations of infringement under 35 U.S.C. 282.

On remand, IGT shifted its focus to unenforceability — alleging that Aristocrat committed inequitable conduct in the revival of its abandoned application.

Late Filing and Hiding Abandonment from Client: The district court used one-hundred-twelve paragraphs to described the facts relating to the abandonment and revival. Here are a few key facts:

January 10, 2000: On the day of the 30–month deadline, Aristocrat's US patent counsel (Shahan Islam) used US Express mail to file the necessary documents to enter US national stage examination. The USPTO received the documents the next day (January 11, 2000). However, according to the USPTO, Islam did not include sufficient evidence to prove the January 10, 2000 mailing date. And, Mr. Islam's firm did not retain the filing evidence in a locally held file.

June 2001: The USPTO dismissed Islam's petition to correct the filing date and indicated that the application remained abandoned. Mr. Islam later testified that he did not remember receiving the June 2001 decision. The court found that Mr. Islam likely saw the decision shortly after it was mailed.

November 2001: Aristocrat requested a status update on the application from Mr. Islam. (Up to that time, Aristocrat had been told nothing of the abandonment issues). In December 2001, Mr. Islam responded in an e-mail that "we have learned that the application won't be examined for at least another nine months(!) [or] so in view of the backlog." The e-mail did not indicate anything about the abandonment. Mr. Islam also forwarded his response to another attorney at his law firm saying "lets discuss."

During this same time period, eight other Aristocrat applications being prosecuted by Mr. Islam also went abandoned based on failure to respond to PTO notices mailed in 2001.

July 18, 2002: Mr. Islam (at this point with the KMZ firm) filed a petition for revival for unintentional abandonment — included a statement that "the entire delay in filing the required reply from the due date for the reply until the filing of a grantable petition under 37 CFR 1.137(b) was unintentional." In addition, Mr. Islam filed a preliminary amendment and petition for accelerated examination. In a letter to Aristocrat, Mr. Islam incorrectly (and apparently intentionally) stated that the amendment & petition to accelerate had been filed in January 2002. The letter did not mention the petition for revival.

September 3, 2002: USPTO granted the petition to revive.

2003: KMZ attorneys informed Aristocrat of the abandonments & revivals.
Revival: The USPTO typically does not require documentation to revive under the unintentional delay standard. Rather, the office relies on the applicant's statements that the entire delay in filing a response was unintentional. Here, the USPTO did not require specific documentation.

Unintentional versus Not Intentional: In its analysis, the district court held that the facts did not provide clear and convincing evidence that Mr. Islam had intentionally delayed the petition filing. In particular, the court could find no motive for the delay. Instead, the delay appeared to be the result of Mr. Islam's ongoing negligence rather than intentional misbehavior. Negligence is the foundational non-intentional tort and therefore a finding of negligence does not suggest that the delay was intentional. In an odd logical analysis, Judge Whyte concluded that Islam's failure to notify Aristocrat of the abandonment "actually suggests that the delay was unintentional."

Mr. Islam did not want to disclose his errors [to Aristocrat] because he was likely embarrassed by his failure to act in accordance with his client's instruction. Had it been granted, Mr. Islam's Petition to Correct would have avoided abandonment altogether. Mr. Islam's deflections in December 2001 show that he was fully aware that Aristocrat wished to proceed with the '717 application. Mr. Islam's comments to Mr. Owen's regarding the PTO backlog at the time further avoided acknowledging any personal responsibility for delay but it may have been correct, especially considering that the '717 application remained in an abandoned state even after the PTO had officially revived it. Still further, Mr. Islam's incorrectly dated Second Preliminary Amendment is further evidence that Mr. Islam's chief motive was to hide his failures from Aristocrat. Once the June 2001 Decision was sent, a decision to deliberately delay reviving the '717 application would not have helped to hide his errors from Aristocrat.

Although Judge Whyte found "Mr. Islam's testimony was disturbingly vague and his lack of memory difficult to believe," the Judge agreed with the notion the delay was entirely explained by Mr. Islam's disorganization and the "out of control" state of his practice at the time. "Even if Mr. Islam failed to properly prosecute the '717 application, 'unintentional' delay does not require that the delay have occurred despite the exercise of due care and diligence (as does 'unavoidable' delay)."

After holding that the delay was not intentional, the court concluded that the statement regarding unintentional delay could not be a material misrepresentation and therefore that the defense of inequitable conduct could not stand.

Expert Opinion: Two leading patent law experts testified at the inequitable conduct hearing: Charles Van Horn for Aristocrat and Paul Gardner for IGT. While the court found the testimony helpful for explaining the prosecution of PCT applications, it found the experts' extensive legal conclusions filled with "blatant advocacy" to be "not helpful." Judge Whyte has been known to speak critically against expert testimony in patent cases. (Credit: www.patentlyo.com)

Ex IGT Exec joins Aristocrat...

Former International Game Technology executive Rich Schneider will join Aristocrat Technologies in July as its chief product officer. Working out of the company American headquarters in Las Vegas, Schneider will oversee slot machine development for Australian-based Aristocrat. Schneider will report directly to Aristocrat CEO Jamie Odell. Schneider served in various executive capacities with IGT, overseeing game design, gaming systems and developing server-based gaming products. Odell said Schneider’s “knowledge of the industry and years of experience will be tremendous assets to our business.” Prior to joining IGT, Schneider held executive positions at Acres Gaming and United Coin Machine.

S&P Revises SKYCITY Outlook To Stable; Rating Affirmed...

May 13, 2011--Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today said that it had revised its outlook on New Zealand-based gaming company SKYCITY Entertainment Group Ltd. (SKYCITY) to stable, from positive, and affirmed its 'BBB-' long-term corporate credit rating on the company. The rating affirmation and stable outlook reflects our view that SKYCITY's financial profile and credit measures--while incorporating some leeway to allow management the flexibility to pursue growth and shareholder-return objectives--will remain commensurate with the 'BBB-' rating over the medium term.

"We believe SKYCITY's strengthened balance sheet and debt-maturity profile, combined with our expectation of relatively stable property-level EBITDA and cash flow generation, will enable the company to undertake debt-funded growth opportunities in a manner that preserves credit quality at the 'BBB-' long-term rating," Standard & Poor's credit analyst Jennifer Wee said.

The rating and outlook incorporates our expectation that SKYCITY will maintain the competitive positioning of its New Zealand and Australian casino assets, underpinned by a supportive licensing environment and measured capital investment. Furthermore, we expect the company to continue its relatively stable cash flow performance and disciplined financial policy, balancing future potential capital projects and dividends with the maintenance of rating-commensurate credit measures over the medium term.


Packer To Spend $281m For Extra Aussie Casino Development....

Packer's Crown Casino is raising its bet on the business, announcing it would spend an extra $281 million upgrading its Australian casinos. It is also making acquisitions that include consolidating its ownership of the Aspinall's Club in London. The new money s on top of $139 million previously earmarked for upgrades of the Crown Casino in Melbourne and Burswood Casino in Perth, signalling the company's confidence in the market and its ability to attract high-rollers to the casinos' VIP gambling service. Crown's buys include the Holiday Inn hotel building and associated assets at Burswood Casino for $79 million. "Burswood will be entitled to a greater share of hotel profits,'' the company said. A further $81 million will be spent upgrading Burswood's gambling floor, catering, convention centre and VIP accommodation services. Crown Casino in Melbourne will enjoy $132 million in upgrades, with a more extensive investment in the gambling floor and catering as well as a new bar and lounge that will feature Shane Warne and the poker champion Joe Hachem as ambassadors. Further upgrades to its VIP facilities were also announced, including refurbishing the casino's jet. Crown and Tabcorp's Star City had announced upgrades to the VIP gambling businesses to meet growing competition from new casinos in Singapore and Macau. In December Mr Packer, Crown's chairman, said Australia would need to work harder to compete with new Asian developments and called on other companies to take up some of the slack. ''Australian investment in large-scale tourism attractions has been relatively modest in recent years. In contrast, Crown has been and continues to be a significant investor in Australian tourism infrastructure." Crown will acquire a 100% interest in Aspinall's Club. The casino was owned by the Aspinall's Group, Crown's joint venture with the Packer family friend Damian Aspinall. The venture will use the $55 million in proceeds to pay debt.

James Packer Says Kangaroos And Clichés Stifling Australian Tourism...

Australian tourism is letting itself down by sticking to outdated clichés, according to one of the country’s richest men. Marketing campaigns promising to “throw a shrimp on the barbie” and asking “where the bloody hell are you?” have been a waste of $500 million of taxpayers' money, says James Packer, son of the late media tycoon Kerry Packer. Tourism’s contribution to the national economy has plummeted from 3.4 percent to 2.6 percent over the last decade. Its world ranking in tourism competitiveness has dived from fourth in 2008 to 13th, according to a World Economic Forum Report. Casino mogul Packer says the latest campaign –- featuring Americans navigating a four-wheel drive through the outback looking for kangaroos –- is geared towards backpackers on “$50 a day," and would do little to change fortunes. In a rare interview with The Saturday Age, a frustrated Packer said tourism was a "lost opportunity." He said a "tired and aging … Sydney has fallen behind not only other Australian cities like Melbourne, but also our regional competitors. And it is a regional market -- we're competing with Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur." James Packer, who has an estimated net worth of $3 billion, believes marketing should target the affluent, middle-class Asian market to arrest stagnation in the sector. This comes as the Chinese have emerged as the primary force in Australia's tourism sector. Packer believes Australia needs to market the cities –- and imitate Singapore's and Macau's initiatives -- rather than selling the Great Barrier Reef and the desert. “The majority of tourists want to go to man-made attractions, not the outback," he said.
And Packer, who owns Melbourne’s Crown Casino and another in Macau, believes this is what Asian tourists are after, putting him at odds with a Federal campaign to limit gambling. He believes tourism is being held back by five factors: a strong Australian dollar, antiquated visa applications for Asian visitors, run-down tourist facilities, key inbound tourist markets suffering natural disasters, and fierce competition from our Asian neighbors. Australia’s selling itself short, according to Packer. Hotel owners and tour operators desperate for business agree. Even the chairman of Tourism Australia, Geoff Dixon, believes a lack of investment in tourism infrastructure and protectionist visa regulations are holding Australia back. The premier, Barry O’Farrell, agreed that tourism needs to sell a modern Sydney, rather than outdated clichés, reports Smh.com.au. He said the multicultural hub of Cabramatta was an “extraordinary place to visit on a weekend." "And there are many other places like that across this city," O’Farrell said. "So I think we are dealing with a far more sophisticated tourism trade than simply sausages on barbies and looking for kangaroos."

Australian Shares: Media And Gaming - 13th May 2011

CWN - CROWN LTD - up one cent at $8.51

Casino operator Crown will spend an extra $281 million to buy new properties and further upgrade its flagship casinos in Melbourne and Perth.

FXJ - FAIRFAX MEDIA LTD - down 3.5 cents at $1.09

Fairfax Media has confirmed it will outsource all sub-editing work from its flagship Sydney and Melbourne newspapers, the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance says.

TEN - TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS LTD - up 1.5 cents at $1.275

SVW - SEVEN GROUP HOLDINGS LTD - down 64 cents at $8.96

*Television executive James Warburton will have to wait until January 1, 2012, to start as the boss of Ten Network Holdings, a court has ruled.


Media Man Firm May Sell Some Website Portals...

As Media Man continues to develop and desersify they are apparently looking to sell a few of their website portals. A well placed leak said "Media Man is looking to raise some fast cash to fuel other non gaming ventures. They found that gaming related ventures are down from last years numbers and have decided to get into more online - non gambling related services, following the Packer strategy. It's also rumoured Media Man sold some of their shares in Crown Limited, Ten Holdings and Virgin Blue to also raise extra cash, after apparently over spending as they over invested back in their business". Don't be mistaken however, Media Man still own approximately 30 website portals and remain a well known and established media, publicity brand and internet brand, and are understood to be getting further investor ready.

*Media Man has an online news syndication arrangement with Fairfax Media and The New York Times

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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5/05/2011

Casino News Media: Congratulations CAMEEQ8! Gold Mega Jackpot Hit At Nearly $2 Million

CONGRATULATIONS CAMEEQ8! GOLD MEGA JACKPOT HIT AT NEARLY $2 MILLION!; ‘THE BIG ONE’ STANDS AT RECORD HIGH OF OVER $4 MILLION!




Gibraltar – 4th May 2011 – In recent weeks jackpots have been at an all time record high at PartyCasino.com the world’s largest online casino, but the Gold Mega Jackpot has been hit in spectacularly fashion by Cameeq8 who scooped just under $2,000,000 ($1,986,161.61) playing SuperStar!

Cameeq8 described how she won: "I deposited $50 and kept playing until it got to $4,500 and all of a sudden there was this different box pop up to pick six out of nine boxes. I hit two dollar signs and then I saw $1.9 million on the screen. I then told my spouse that there was nothing to get excited about, I hadn’t won that amount. My spouse then left the house to pick up our pizza and now all alone at home I checked my balance and saw $1.9 million dollars! I started screaming with excitement. I am going to pay off debts, provide education for my children, fix my house, travel with my buddies and relax. It’s a dream come true!"

The Gold Mega Jackpot may have hit but The Big One still stands at over $4,000,000 and is waiting to be hit – it’s at an all time high! The Big One is structured as a five tiered pool. The highest tier - Colossal Cash - seeds at $1.5 million, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry. Games where ‘The Big One’ can be hit include the classic ‘Melon Madness’ and firm favourite ‘Snowbusiness.’

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

bwin.party was formed from the merger of bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming Plc in April 2011 to create the world’s largest listed online gaming company.

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PartyCasino.com is the firms most popular gaming brand.

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bwin.party digital entertainment to reveal KPIs - 4th May 2011; bwin.party profile




Online gaming group bwin.party digital entertainment will announce its key performance indicators for the quarter ended 31st March on 6th May.

At 1:08pm: (LON:BPTY) share price was -3.1p at 149.4p.

bwin.party was formed from the merger of bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming Plc in April 2011 to create the world’s largest listed online gaming company.

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bwin.party digital entertainment PartyGaming PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com PartyBingo.com World Poker Tour Casino Las Vegas

Following the merger of bwin and PartyGaming that completed in March 2011, bwin.party is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker: BPTY and a member of the FTSE250 Index. A leader in digital entertainment, they are also the world’s largest listed online gaming business with millions of customers worldwide and pro forma net revenue in 2009 of €696.2 million and Clean EBITDA of €193.7 million. Regulated and licensed in multiple territories including Gibraltar, Alderney, France and Italy, they have around 3,100 employees in offices worldwide.

Online Casino...

Excluding the US, the global online casino market was estimated at $5.1 billion of GGY in 2010 and is forecast by H2GC to reach $8.0 billion by 2015, implying a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%.

Source: H2 Gambling Capital, February 2011

How online casino works...

Casino players play against the house and so player liquidity is not as important for delivering an enjoyable player experience as it is in peer-to-peer games such as poker. The house has a statistical advantage over the player (the ‘house edge’) which varies with different types of casino games. Typical games offered by online casino operators include blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, video poker and slot machines.

While player liquidity is less of an issue in casino, scale is important as it means that operators can offer larger jackpot prizes that are a major attraction for casino customers – offering the opportunity to win large amounts with a relatively small bet. At bwin.party we offer some of the largest jackpots on the internet: our Melon Madness slot, which was developed by our in-house team, re-seeds at $1.5 million after the jackpot has been hit. Big jackpot wins paid out on our slots in 2010 included £2.3 million on Sweet Hawaii, £1.8 million on Fire Drake, £1.9 million on Melon Madness and £1.5 million on Snow Business, another of our in-house productions.

Despite playing against the house, casino games can also be multi player. Multi player casino games make it possible for several players to sit around the same virtual table to play and socialise (through online chat features) replicating the experience of a land based casino.

Even though casino games tend to command a greater proportion of ‘high rollers’ than other games, average gross win margins from casino games are relatively stable when compared with other games such as sports betting. This is due to the fact that online casinos tend to operate with appropriate risk management systems in place, avoiding large exposures through hedging or player limits and because they tend to offer a broad variety of different games that are played by a large and diverse player base, thereby spreading any associated risks. The long term profitability of an online casino operator depends on maintaining a large betting volume across its product base whilst managing its risks and controlling marginal costs.

All market data supplied by H2 Gambling Capital, February 2011

PartyCasino.com is the firms most popular gaming brand.

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5/04/2011

Australian Gambling News Round-Up, by Greg Tingle - 4th May 2011

G'day gamblers, casino high rollers, billionaires, journalists... one and all. Today we have another jam packed edition of the Aussie gambling news round-up. Lovers VS haters, political fun and games, Underbelly star arrested at Crown Casino on Logies night, share prices and much more.. Media Man and Gambling911 with the news you need to know...

MP Ley Calling For New Proposed Pokie Laws To Hit The Scrap Heap...

Yep, it won't stay out of the news. The Federal Member for Farrer says proposed poker machine legislation will be the death of small town clubs and pubs. The government is under pressure to consider exemptions for smaller clubs in the deal with Independent Andrew Wilkie. Sussan Ley says some MP's are talking about exemptions, in order to look after their own electorate, when they should be looking at the nation as a whole. "Clubs play a vital part in the fabric of small communities and if we start trying to say there's a threshold here and some clubs are exempt then it just becomes very difficult, even large clubs, I mean remember the larger the income that comes through that club, the more that club gives back to its local community." Ms Ley says the only solution is to scrap the bill altogether, as exemptions would see some clubs still miss out. She says the situation is absolutely critical for smaller clubs in regional areas. "Often it's the key focus of the town where it is, there's no where else to go for a quiet drink, for a cheap cup of coffee or a bingo night, particularly for our older less mobile members of the community. "Our clubs, no matter how big or small they are really do have an important role to play, and it's one that is under threat from this proposal." The Lovers VS Haters war continues.

West Sydney Clubs Told To Find New Ways To Raise Cash...

A mob that monitors the impact of gambling says far west clubs will need to find new ways to survive, if poker machine revenue is limited. The Federal Member for Farrer, Sussan Lee, says proposed poker machine legislation will be the death of small, regional clubs and should be scrapped. But the chairwoman of the State Gambling Impact Society, Kate Roberts, says clubs should not be relying so heavily on revenue from the machines. "We need clubs to start diversifying. "You will find that many of them have already done that but some small clubs in the process of that have had to amalgamate and perhaps streamline their services and look at tailoring their services more what they're communities need," she said. "81 per cent of the community is saying they want to have a means to limit losses on poker machines." Ms Roberts says gambling addiction is a big cost to the community. "Eighty per cent of people who are presenting to counselling services with problems are there with poker machine addiction. "It is a business model that is unsustainable and really this is an opportunity to start looking at how can we start diversify and how can we lessen that dependence and more importantly lessen the cost of $4.7b that this is costing our community."

Aussie Pokies King Len Ainsworth Keeps Hitting Jackpots...

A shareholder at yesterday's AGM was having a go at Aristocrat's poor performance pointed out that the new pokies being installed in his local are from Ainsworth's new firm Ainsworth Game Technology, not Aristocrat. The valid remark was taken on board by the Aristocrat chairman, Ian Blackburne, who responded with "Aristocrat was, quite frankly, uncompetitive", while insisting things were improving under the man in town, Jamie Odell. Ainsworth's contract before leaving Aristocrat costs shareholders a big however. Mr A still receives $100,000 a year "for the term of his natural life" plus a car of his choice. "And yes, he changes cars," Odell went on to say. Sshareholders agreed to approve performance share rights yesterday that could award him more than a million shares over the next three years. The current share price is less than 20% of its 2006 level, the dividend per share has dived even more and earnings per share is almost as bad, just to add salt into the wound. Mr A keeps winning. Charlie Sheen would be proud.

Burwood Casino Apprentice Charged After Picking Up $100 From Floor...

A casino worker apprentice was charged on the first day of the month with stealing from Burswood Casino after allegedly pocketing two $100 notes he found on the floor will fight the charges. Adrian Lamonica-Miraglio of Lockridge pleaded not guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court to one count of stealing. It is alleged that at 8.30pm on March 27 the 22-year-old refrigeration mechanic was having drinks with friends at one of the casino's bars when he noticed the cash and picked it up and put it in his pocket. He claims he made no attempt to spend the money and handed it over when he was approached by casino security staff. Police later arrived at the scene and charged him with stealing. He has since been handed a life ban from Burswood Casino. Mr Lamonica-Miraglio will stand trail in August. Casino theft by employees is thought of a big no no by Crown Limited king of the castle, James Packer. Some speculation as to if it was a golden opportunity to rid the casino of a worker that they may not have wanted any longer, however that may be impossible to prove.

Centrelink High-Rollers Told To Pay Back Big Brother Millions...

The Aussie Government has ordering customers nabbed losing huge amounts of money gambling while on Centrelink payments to pay back more than $9 million. Through cross-referencing casino high-roller information with Centrelink customers, the Government has found in excess of 500 people who gambled thousands of dollars while receiving benefits. Those caught have been ordered to pay back more than $9 million to the Government. Human Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says in many cases people gave Centrelink false information about their income or assets. "It's also the case that some people may start out correctly in receipt of benefits and then their circumstances change, they return to work for example but they don't tell Centrelink that their circumstances have changed," she said. Plibersek advised some of the offenders were found to be laundering money for criminals. "We don't understand how someone who is on new start or a disability support pension or an aged pension can afford to put $200,000 or $300,000 through a casino," she said. "It often means someone has undeclared income or undeclared assets or they're engaged in a criminal enterprise of money laundering." Numerous media commentators agree - gambling and being a Centrebet customer do not mix.

West Australia To Get Strong Anti Smoking Laws; Burswood Casino Will Be Effected...

WA would get the strongest anti-smoking laws down under under proposals which include a complete ban in outdoor areas where people eat, watch sport or catch buses. The bans are among 15 proposals contained in a Health Department discussion paper being released today, which includes removing a controversial exemption that allows gamblers to smoke in Burswood Casino's high-rollers room. One option is to ban smoking in all outdoor eating areas, which would be an Australian first. Another recommends a ban at all busy outdoors areas, including concerts, public waiting areas such as bus stops and venues popular with children. Another proposes a 5m smoke-free buffer zone around entrances to public buildings to stop smokers from congregating outside. The department says the proposed changes to the Tobacco Products Control Act will be open for public comment for six weeks until June 10. Despite rates of smoking in WA being among the lowest in the country, it says tighter laws might be needed because tobacco claims the lives of more than 1200 West Australians a year and is one of the most preventable causes of death. Australian Medical Association WA president Dave Mountain said WA had a reputation as a world leader in anti-smoking measures, reflected in its low smoking rates. "We need to maintain a strong legislative approach to stay ahead of the game and we . . . need to phase out smoking altogether so it becomes a relic of history," he said. "We strongly support these proposals, including banning smoking in Burswood's high-rollers room which exposes staff to smoke just to attract dollars and pander to the big end of town." Dr Mountain said he supported wider bans outdoors because seeing other people smoke gave a visual cue that it was still acceptable to smoke around other people. Smokers, you have been warned.

Retailer Giant Woolworths Will Ramp Up Pokies Business...

Woolworths, best known for their supermarkets rather than poker machines, and sometimes called 'The Fast Cash People', has not let the pending mandatory pre-commitment betting scheme hinder its plans for expansion. It was announced that Woolworths could strengthen its grip on the poker machine industry if it goes ahead with talks for a partnership with the state’s gambling king, Arthur Laundy. Anti gambling advocated remain up in arms about the Woollies involvement in gambling, but appear powerful to stop the juggernaut.

Nevada Bankruptcy Trustees Sue Australian Gaming Mob: Press Release - 29th April 2011...

Trustees of the bankrupt Sona group of gaming companies in Las Vegas are suing Australian gaming company eBet Ltd., claiming it failed to provide promised financing and that eBet's CEO had a conflict of interest in rejecting the financing. Sona Mobile Holdings Corp. and subsidiaries Sona Innovations Inc. and Sona Mobile Inc. filed for bankruptcy in March 2009. They're still in Chapter 7 liquidation in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Nevada. In a 2008 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Sona Mobile Holdings said that as of Sept. 30, 2008, it had assets of $2 million against liabilities of $6.2 million and had accumulated $26.4 million in losses since 2003 as it developed software for gaming and mobile devices. This software enabled gambling and transactions over wired, cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Based in New York with operations at times in Toronto; Boulder, Colo.; and Las Vegas, the company developed the Sona Gaming System involving casino games that were wired and wireless. The filing said this offered "real-time, multiplayer games that accommodate an unlimited number of players." The system also provided "games on a play-for-free or wagering basis" on cell phones or any carrier, the filing said. The filing said the system also involved horse and sports wagering applications for race and sports books, as well as on-track and off-track wagering, including live streaming video of horse races and other sports events. One use of the system was for patrons in a designated sports book area to make race and sports wagers or play roulette, video poker, slots and table games between races or at halftime, court records say. Remote-betting systems developed in a strategic alliance with Shuffle Master Inc. of Las Vegas were called mCasino and mWager. The bankruptcy court trustees of the three bankrupt Sona entities filed an adversary complaint in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Las Vegas on April 15 in hopes of recovering funds for the benefit of the bankruptcy estates and their creditors. Besides eBet Ltd. of Macquarie Park, Australia, the defendants are eBet Services Pty. Ltd. and eBet CEO Anthony P. Toohey. The complaint says that in August 2008, Sona Holdings entered into a licensing and distribution agreement with eBet, that eBet agreed to a "master services agreement" (MSA) with Sona Holdings and eBet committed to pay a license fee to Sona Holdings of $2.5 million. As part of this deal, eBet Services Pty. would provide advisory services and software development and maintenance services, and Sona Holdings would pay for those services, the complaint says. However, eBet agreed to reimburse Sona Holdings for these costs through a chargeback arrangement, the complaint says. The complaint says that under the companies' arrangement, eBet was allowed to designate the CEO of Sona Holdings and that after Aug. 25, 2008, Toohey served as both CEO of Sona Holdings and eBet Ltd. In February 2009, a Sona Holdings vice president advised Toohey that unspecified amounts were due from eBet to reimburse Sona Holdings for certain costs, including costs for equipment leases and costs for employees whom Sona had anticipated would transition to the employment of eBet, the complaint says. "Sona Holdings expected that eBet would employ most of Sona's technical staff -- including the Canadian technical developers, and thereby reduce Sona's cash outlay obligations," the complaint says. "eBet did not transition Sona employees to eBet but instead agreed to compensate Sona for its employee and personnel costs relating to software development and software maintenance including the costs to employ the Canadian technical developers." "It was Toohey, as CEO and managing director of eBet Ltd., who failed to authorize and direct eBet's reimbursement of Sona's chargeback costs under the MSA and failed to authorize reimbursement to Sona for its employee costs resulting from eBet's refusal to assume and transition Sona's technical employees," the complaint says. The complaint alleges breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and breach of fiduciary duty by Toohey and seeks damages of at least $1.2 million -- not counting unspecified punitive damages. "Toohey, as president and CEO of Sona Holdings, owed a fiduciary duty to Sona Holdings and its shareholders, including a duty of impartiality," the complaint says. "Toohey had a conflict of interest by simultaneously serving as both president and CEO of Sona Holdings and CEO and managing director of eBet Ltd. "Toohey breached his duties to Sona when his decision that eBet not pay Sona Holdings under the MSA benefited eBet and harmed Sona," the complaint says. Toohey, reached by e-mail, said he and eBet had no comment on the complaint. It's unclear from the complaint whether Sona could have survived, even if eBet had continued to fund it, as Sona had warned investors in 2008 it was reliant on continued investments to survive. "Since its inception in November 2003, the company has generated minimal revenue, has incurred substantial losses and has not generated any positive cash flow from operations. The company has relied upon the sale of shares of equity securities and convertible debt to fund its operations in addition to the recent licensing agreement with eBet Ltd., which closed in September 2008. These conditions raise substantial doubt as to the company's ability to continue as a going concern," Sona said in a September 2008 SEC filing. Sona Mobile Holdings lost $4.7 million on revenue of $312,000 in the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2008, the filing said.

Bucky's Casino Mile High PBR Aussie Connection...

The Mile High PBR, which started yesterday with mutton busting preliminaries and a mini-bull expo at Buffalo Wild Wings in Prescott Valley at 6:30 p.m., will featured 45 of the top up-and-coming bull riders and lots of high-scoring bulls. The mutton busting- and mini bull finals will take place at Tim's Toyota Center on Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m., with the main event to follow. Mortensen also invited some the area's top Native American bull riders to get in on the fun. "We've got some of the best bull riders from the Turquoise Circuit," he said. "We've got riders from Tuba City, Kayenta, Round Rock, etc." If this crop of bull riders hasn't shared any hair-raising stories with Diefenbach, or the other members of the Mile High PBR bullfighting crew to date, that may change by the time Sunday morning rolls around. Diefenbach was on the other side of the gate as a young man in Australia, but made the switch to bullfighter when the opportunity popped up. When asked about the first time he faced off with a bull, he said uncertainty as to what would happen once he found himself in the path of an oncoming bull gave him pause. Yeah, he was scared too. He's not scared, per se, of the bull anymore. "I don't get scared. Bull riding and casinos do mix - who would have thought.

Gambling Stocks To Watch...

ALL - ARISTOCRAT LEISURE LTD -

Gaming machine supplier Aristocrat Leisure expects its full year net profit in 2011 to be 10 to 20% than in 2010.


South Australian Charities To Do It Tougher; Crackdown On Gambling Elements...

Minister for Gambling Gail Gago said the Government could make changes to the draft code. "The Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner is currently reviewing the submissions received, taking into consideration the concerns and suggestions raised," she said. "The Commissioner will make recommendations to me, including possible amendments to the draft code of practice. "This is not about increasing unnecessary red tape; it is about ensuring the integrity of charitable donations and collections."

Underbelly: AussieWood and Real Life Big Hits At TV Week Logies...

Life appears to have imitated art at James Packer's Crown Casino in the early hours of this morning when Underbelly actor Dieter Brummer allegedly became involved in an "incident" with up to five security guards. Victorian police were called to the Crown Casino complex and the 34-year-old bloke from North Bondi was charged with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault, behaving in a riotous manner and being drunk in a public place. Yes, quite a list. Crown spokesman Gary O'Neill told the Herald that CCTV footage and a security report was being handed over to police. O'Neill said he had seen the footage, which he claimed indicated Crown's security guards had "followed the appropriate procedures for dealing with these situations". He politely declined to comment any further, but shared "People see these things differently, it is now up to the police to do their work." Following the Logie awards, Brummer was having a drink or five at the JJs Bar inside the Crown Complex, which each year is the venue for the Network Nine afterparty. Channel Nine is the broadcast partner of the Logies. The Underbelly hit show, which showcases the underworld down under in Australia and has been watched by millions of Aussies, has been one of the network's biggest hits and received plenty of Logies this year. Brummer and other stars of the show, including Firas Dirani were in a party state of mind throughout the evening. Reports have come to light that Brummer was asked to leave the Nine party, although this has not been proven at the time we go to press. Witnesses told the press they saw Brummer being pinned to the carpet outside JJs Bar and heard him screaming at the five guards to "get off me". Some observers were also seen filming the alleged incident on their mobile phone cameras. The man was taken from Crown Casino at 2.25am to nearby Prahran police station to be charged. He will appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 29. Life can imitate art, for better of worse.


Underbelly's Firass Dirani Kicks Ass At Logies...

For Underbelly: The Golden Mile’s leading man Firass Dirani there was reasons for trifecta celebration after snatching the Most Popular New Male Talent and Graham Kennedy Award For Most Outstanding New Talent Awards, as well as bringing in his 27th birthday, which was on Friday. And in a most entertaining acceptance speech thanked 'Teenage Dream' queen Katy Perry. Kings Cross based set drama series Underbelly: The Golden Mile was awarded the TV Week Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie. The night's first winner Firass Dirani, who was voted the most popular newcomer for his performance in Underbelly: The Golden Mile, begged American pop chanteuse Katy Perry to have his babies before thanking the shows producers "for taking a chance and injecting some flair and some of that caramel flavour into our TV screens". Insiders say the "caramel flavour" was a reference to the multi cultural thing, given that Durani is not a Caucasian "white" Australian. Tipsters are confident Underbelly will continue for "one or two years more", with more gambling themes to be incorporated into the smash hit franchise.

Readers, if you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.

Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports for more "can't miss" information on the Australian casino and gambling scene.

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

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