4/10/2010

Australian Pokies Sports Club Connection, by Greg Tingle - 10th April 2010

Australia remains one of the world's biggest gambling nations.

We investigative and learn that some patches of corporate Australia are getting into the pokie business, lured by massive revenue opportunities, while anti pokie activists fight back.

It's a mix of politics, beer, cigarettes, bible bashers, sports clubs, spin and money...lots of it. Enjoy! Media Man and Gambling911 probe the situation...

Anti-pokie activists are calling on gaming revenue tax discounts for clubs to be stripped, claiming the "community benefits" provided by clubs are B.S.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, the Reverend Tim Costello and activist Paul Bendat are calling for the tax break to be stopped.

Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH), a J.V between Woolworths (The Fast Food ... er, Fast Cash People) and pokies kingpin Bruce Mathieson, struck business deals seeing 660 plus one armed bandits in up to 10 major venues registered as clubs.

Footy clubs Collingwood, Richmond, Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn football are in on the action (the take).

The current Victorian gaming law states commercial operators of pokies pubs must pay a 33.3% tax on gambling revenue. The 33.3% is a key reason governments won't give up pokies, says detractors.

Clubs on the other hand snatch 8.3% discount on the pokies tax and pay 25% to the State Government (if they can demonstrate a "community benefit"), even including employee pay, operating costs and TV's for patrons.

"This is clearly debatable and I think it's scandalous that the Woolworths joint venture is greedily exploiting pokies club tax breaks and the Victorian Government needs to close this loophole soon," Senator Xenophon stressed.

"This highlights the difficulties with the concept of community benefit is when the money is being made off the backs of problem gamblers.

"The great irony here is that people hooked on the pokies can't even afford to buy the groceries that Woolworths sells."

Costello said governments promoted pokies as good things because of the tax revenue they generated.

"But now we see there is effectively unethical tax avoidance going on," he said.

ALH owns the venues and leases out the pokies area to the clubs. It then charges the sports clubs rent and a "management fee" to operate the machines.

A search of Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation documents shows lion's share of the revenue goes to ALH. Not all the financials show up however.

The business arrangements between the clubs and the ALH are totally legal, but detractors advised they are averting taxes.

Community Benefit Statements do not require a full accounting of all payments.

Monash University gambling expert Prof Charles Livingstone, who has studied the community benefit claims of AFL clubs, said: "Expenses of operating venues, including wages, direct and indirect expenses and fixed assets, amounted to more than 94% ($12.73 million) of the value of community benefits claimed by AFL-operated club venues."

"Clearly charitable or philanthropic expenditures amounted to $462,264, a little more than 3.4 per cent of claims for community benefit".

Pokies activist Paul Bendat is calling on Woolworths' shareholders to question their company's involvement in the gambling industry.

"Woolworths should not be in the pokie business," he said.

"It has nothing to do with their core retail objectives. Woolworths's exploitation of these tax breaks is a disgrace."

The Australian Productivity Commission report into Gambling is due to go into the public domain any day now, however the Government is late again, just as they were with their proposed internet filter, much to the delight of the gaming media and news media who are having a field day take the Rudd - Conroy duo to task on an every increasing frequency.

Australian land based casinos also enjoy generous tax breaks and incentives, with most insiders agreeing James Packer, Crown Casino king, gets the best deals, including a rumoured $1 per year rent - lease on the Crown site in Melbourne. If you can get a great deal, take it.

May you have good punting on the pokies, fruit machines, slots, or whatever the lingo is in you're neck of the woods. Bet responsibly and keep it fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company

*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino

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Casino Affiliate Marketing Dirty Little Secrets, by Greg Tingle - 10th April 2010

Readers - punters, entrepreneurs, affiliate marketers, news media and the public and large, in life, as in business, there's what's known in cliche terms as "dirty little secrets".

Now, it shouldn't surprise any of you that both the casino affiliate industry, and the affiliate industry as a whole, has more than a few black marks on its name.

Reporting on the good, the bad and the ugly of the affiliate industry keeps Gambling911 and Media Man pretty busy, but in the tradition of telling it like it is - what you need to know, not necessarily of you want to hear, we report on it, usually in quite a no holds barred, uncensored fashion.

The collapse of the world's financial markets and the subsequent negative domino flow on effects, have left many of the affiliate programs in pretty bad shape.

As in any business vertical, there's only so much room at the top, and only so many can stand head and shoulders above the status quo.

Ok, we know you want know some strong and ethical brand so here goes... PartyGaming - PartyPartners, Virgin Games, Rewards Affiliates, Commission Junction, DGM, LinkShare, Playboy and Penthouse. We understand Bodog is making a nice comeback also. We actually hear a wide variety of reports of CJ, but that's another article in its own for a future date.

Now, let's swing into the real hard news stuff...

Enormous changes are happening in the industry. Companies are announcing mergers, putting themselves out there to be sold, and many are closing up. There is a little dirty secret that is only being talked about behind closed doors in the industry and folks need to pay attention.

Over the past few years a number of companies came from nowhere to enjoy prominent and million dollar profits, some only to collapse and disappear without trace. As you may suspect, often affiliate markets get caught out and left short changed, and of course the industry continues on, albeit it with a further tarnished name. Backend "flogs" were just one of the dodgy tactics some the affiliate programs employed. Black Hat techniques are still riff, and as you would expect, crims do their best to keep cloak and dagger tactics out of the public view.

Eventually the FTC and the credit card merchant companies caught up withe bad apples, affiliates walked, negative buzz kicked in and many went MIA. E-mails were not returned, phones rang out or were disconnected, and you get the idea.

PR spin jobs - press releases built on B.S keep coming out of various firms, but readers, be skeptical. How valuable is your time and reputation, and if your already satisfied with some solid brands you enjoy strong track record with, why would you change and upset the applecart?

No one knows for sure what doing to happen in the coming weeks and months, but true to the law of the jungle, only the strong will survive.

Be aware of questionable press releases like "Deal Worth $100 million dollars", unless its from a giant like a Virgin, PartyGaming, Playtech or Betfair... we know you get the gist of it.

Make no mistake, many affiliate groups and networks are loaded up with debt and are looking to escape the chaos.

This isn't a FUD (Fear, Uncertainly and Doubt) article for the hell of it, its here because its real, and if your note sure, do a retake on the industry body count over the past few years.

We predict more regulation of the industry, both in affiliate programs across the board, and most certainly in the casino and igaming affiliate sector, as the U.S, European and Australian governments will be looking for their slice of the action.

Media Man and Gambling911 urge you to consider who you do business with, where their money comes from, what's credentials they have, and if they can pay for a job well done!

This also brings us to another point - check out (real) clients and partner testimonials and if need be, do reference checks, and be watching out for "smoke and mirrors".

Punters, we suggest you stick with the companies - brands which have served your well over time and earned your trust and respect. We're not trying to make things harder for new entrants to the market, but we're calling a spade a spade. Risk management is an important part of both the business and gambling sector, so make you you do your own before jumping off the deep end.

Bet with your head, not over, and keep it fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gambling is just one of a dozen sectors they cover.

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4/09/2010

Australian Casino News: Crown Casino PR Style With `Disarray', by Greg Tingle - 9th April 2010

In the land "down under" sometimes hard news is kept quite for a while, but invariably the cat gets out of the bag. You want evident, well look no further than the Australian Government internet "blacklist" and proposed internet filter. The more they tried to keep it quite, the bigger the story got, pushed along nicely by Media Man and Gambling911 we might add.

Today the blacklist may be the Australian governments biggest headache, on both a national and international scale. Even the U.S President and his Administrative army are none too pleased to hear that Australia is becoming one of the world's biggest 'Enemys Of The Internet' according to Reporters Without Boarders.

Now Conroy and Rudd are trying their luck of rolling out a multi million (or billion) dollar broadband network, something that may take up to a decade to complete, and yes, its supposed to come with censorship measures included (which the majority of technology experts say will slow the bloody thing down), but that's another story and scandal building for the dynamic duo of Kevin "Bloody" Rudd and Stephen "Mr Censorship" Conroy. We think Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott will have defeated Rudd via knockout punch soon enough.

Recently our friends at James Packer's Crown Casino had a problem to iron out in relation to the annual Logie awards, which Packer and Billionaire Inc have managed to keep under the hat of Crown City Casino in Melbourne.

Media Man and Gambling911 go undercover with this report...

Crown Casino has been the hosting venture of the TV Week Logie Awards for years now, despite competitors such as Tabcorp's Jupiters on the Gold Coast trying to steal it away.

Less than a month before Australian television's "night of nights", ACP Magazines furiously fired the PR outfit it engaged to handle this year's Logie's at Crown.

The PR in the lead-up to the Crown Casino event on the 2nd has put cold water on what is Australia's major annual red carpet and television event.

The event is usually good PR for Packer's Crown aka 'World Of Entertainment', but this year is proving more challenging that most, even though Crown bean counters and legal eagles are happy.

The firing of specialist fashion PR outfit Torstar came just four days after News Limited revealed the Logie nominations breaky held at Sydney's Ivy Bar 10 days prior had been heavily criticised and panned severely by the television networks for being "disorganised".

Insiders said one of the Torstar publicists had not known who Rebecca Gibney (last year's Gold Logie Award winner and star of Packed to the Rafters), was.

Media Man and Gambling911 advise that its possible that there was a conspiracy to get rid of the original PR firm, especially giving the often "bitchy" and "precious" nature of the Australian entertainment - showbiz landscape, and the high stakes involved. A Media Man insider whispered "The Australian media and entertainment landscape and business is extremely political. If certain folks decide they want to get rid of X, that's it, it happens".

Gibney is one of a eight contenders going for the coveted Gold Logie, including comedians Shaun Micallef, Paul McDermott, Rove McManus and Wil Anderson, and actors Ray Meagher and Esther Anderson. Australian casino king James Packer has not being nominated for any awards (but we enjoyed his guitar smashing antics anyway exhibited at City Of Dreams Macau last year). A birdie tells us a few folks from 'Underbelly' fame have been nominated, some of which played out gambling themes in the international smash hit.

Last week ACP Magazines (owner of The Logies), made an approach to The Lantern Group about taking over the event. "ACP and Torstar have mutually agreed not to continue to work together on the remainder of the TV Week Logies project 2010," ACP advised in a media statement.

Torstar's Tory Archbold told News Limited's The Australian that her contract with ACP was secure and she remained the "mouthpiece for TV Week".

"I know we did a good job" she proclaimed.

However, last night, ACP confirmed that The Lantern Group had been engaged to run the event.

Media Man - Jac Bowie burlesque queen and main squeeze, is rumored to attend the Logie's with of or two of her world class burlesque performers. MM and JB partner in crime, Grant Galea, famous for his Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra act, is also strongly rumored to appear. Buzz builds that communications and property entrepreneur, Kym Illman, may show up with his famous 'Money Girl' in toe (dressed in nothing but $50 and $100 notes we understand!). Illman, a former Media Man client (from a Shane Warne spinner campaign) is understood to be a key Media Man "secret weapon" in Australia's casino war. Bowie and Galea are extremely excited about Australia's casino was opening up more opportunities for the elite of the Australian and international entertainment industry. At the time of publication it remains unclear if Shane Warne will attend the event, as Warnie has been very busy of late (and that's not including the 888 poker brand situation). Media analysts reckon Warnie would do well to change brands, maybe jumping ship to PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com and friends, if a deal can be reached. Betfair may also be another option. Ah, its nice to be wanted isn't it Warnie. Warne enjoys a long and largely positive history with Network Nine and ACP, as does most of the Media Man family and friends.

Team Packer and Team ACP Magazines will likely be glad when their affair is history. Crown Casino has bigger fish to fry, such as their focus to lure in the world's biggest gamblers, Gulfstream Jets and all, as NSW competitor, Star City Casino gets jets of their own, as Australia's casino wars continue to heat up. No word as yet if plastic handcuffs will be used on guests, performers or burlesque queens, but we promise to keep you posted.

If its true that news is something, someone, somewhere, doesn't want someone else to know, everything else is PR, I think we proved the point once again here at your uncensored, unfiltered, friendly gaming, igaming, betting, entertainment and political window to the world. Gambling911, dedicated to providing you with the news... not always what you want to hear, but what you need to know... just ask Jesse "The Body" Ventura at 'Conspiracy Theory', if he's not too busy investigating the Australian political and casino landscape 'Casino Jack' style. A bridie tells us one of his key targets is Senator Stephen Conroy (Minster of Communications aka Minister of Censorship and Silly Lists). Good hunting and punting.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of industry verticals they report on. Media Man operates website portals in Australia, Asia, Canada, Europe and the United States.

*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino

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4/08/2010

PartyCasino News And PartyGaming News: Race to the Top of the Circus for your share of $150,000, by Greg Tingle

PartyCasino.com News: Race to the Top of the Circus for your share of $150,000

Starts: 00:00 ET, 6th April
Ends: 23:59 ET, 20th April

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be astounded by the Circus, our sensational new slot game that’s like nothing you’ve ever played before!

To celebrate its triumphant arrival we’re inviting you to Race to the Top, where you play for a share of $150,000 across two leader boards. Our Palladium VIPs will compete for more than $95,000 on their leader board, while our regular players will have a shot at more than $60,000.

To get yourself on board, simply collect PartyPoints by playing on Circus or any of our fabulous big-money slots and jackpot slots from 6th to 20th April. The higher you climb up a leader board, the bigger your reward.

Earn double points when you play on Circus

To make sure your Circus career starts in style we’ll give you double points when you play our brand-new slot game. Please note that these extra points awarded will not count towards the Race to the Top leader boards.

As the world’s first role-playing slot, Circus is packed full of features that will amaze all our players. Choose one of four unique characters, play 16 bonus games for big-money multipliers and unlock an adventure that will keep you coming back for more and more.

The greatest show on earth has arrived. Join the Circus today.

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Casino Cash Rolls In To Australia Political Parties, by Greg Tingle - 8th April 2010

Australian political parties and land based casino operators remain under the spotlight as more revelations about substantial donations from casinos to politics goes public.

Media Man and Gambling911 investigate 'Casino Jack' style, as we explore a new patch of Australia's 'Underbelly'.

From the get go, let it be said that it is not illegal (yet anyway) to make donations to Aussie political parties. Cash and cheques hit their coffers from any number of business sectors, certainly not restricted to the casino, hotel, club and resort sector et al. It's almost part of Australia business culture to cough up dollars to the majority of the political parties.

However, just because something is legal, or illegal for that matter, doesn't mean it is just.

In recent months Labor and Liberal have been inundated with buckets of cash from corporate Australia, and it doesn't get much more corporate that Tabcorp's Star City Casino and Crown Limited's Crown Casino.

Numbers obtained by the NSW Election Funding Authority show state Labor accepted $2.5 million in donations and union affiliation fees between July and December, while the Liberals and Nationals took in $1.9 million. Ah, Jack Abramoff from 'Casino Jack' fame would be proud.

The massive donations are a sign that big business aims win favour and positive history with an incoming Coalition government, the Liberals and Nationals have raised $19.5 million since the 2007 election from the hotels (inc casinos), clubs (pokie heaven), finance, pharmaceutical, lobbyist and property (more casinos) sector.

We've learned that in the same window, Labor snatched $16.5 million to its coffers, some of which is used for television commercials promoting NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally. We alert readers to the fact that Australian TV stations have been extremely quite on the internet censorship debate, while newspapers and radio, and internet forums, have been very vocal, but more on that non - coincidence later, if we're not busy playing a spot of golf with the 'Minister Of Silly Lists' and Censorship... if he's not busy being summoned to a "Please Explain" meeting with Prime Minster Kevin Rudd... (if he's not busy getting an "ear bashing" from U.S President Barack Obama about censorship). Readers, are you following this trail?

The political donations are putting intense pressure on the Australian government to implement recommendations handed down by a parliamentary committee last week, including a cap on donations at just $2000 per political party, group or independent candidate each financial year.

It's no secret that Labor received $115,000 from Star City Casino in the second half of last year, around the same times as the laws regulating the casino were being loosened and its exclusive licence was extended in Parliament. In 2008 Star donated $110,000 just two months before it was granted approval for a $575 million redevelopment, and readers will recall that their budget has just been increased by $100 million or so, which helps build more entertainment rooms, and may even go towards learjets for high rolling VIP's, as they go to "war" with Packer's Crown.

A spokeswoman for Ms Keneally said any suggestion that political donations had influenced concessions that allowed gambling controls and surveillance to be watered down was not correct. "Donations have no impact on the timing of bills going through Parliament.".

Political donations are keenly watched as an indication of which companies and wealthy individuals may be lobbying government. The Australian and international gaming community is watching closely to see what moves PartyGaming and Betfair may make in this space.

PartyGaming famously came to financial terms with the United States Department Of Justice last year to the tune of $100 million or thereabouts. It wasn't a pure donation, however the U.S knew Party had the money, and it was an opportunity for PartyGaming to move forward. PartyGaming and its brands such as PartyCasino and PartyPoker are making strategic moves to return to the U.S market and regulation changes are afoot, just its World Poker Tour is making pro active steps to boost things along with a pending play in the North American - Canadian region, which may see much of the U.S change its stance on igaming, poker tournaments and the like. Last fortnight PartyGaming inked an impressive business deal with France horse racing operator PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain). PartyGaming also enjoys b2b dealings with such mainstream brands as Marvel Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Frank Sinatra Enterprises, StudioCanal, Blizard Entertainment, Infinity Ward, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Hasbro, MGM and FremantleMedia. PartyGaming are understood to be in the "good books" of internet giants Google, Yahoo! and Bing!... something that has also served Gambling911 and Media Man International well over the years. Google is currently developing its own advanced web hosting and ISP services in a move that has has generated massive interest from mainstream media, new media and gaming operators.

Back to the pure political news...Figures Gambling911 and Media Man sourced via Fairfax Media and News Limited state the following...

In the second half of last year the biggest donors included: Clubs NSW, which gave $59,000 to Labor and $101,555 to the Coalition; Manildra Group, $40,850 (Labor) and $19,050 (Coalition); property developer Memo Corporation, $36,850 (Labor) and $22,200 (Liberal); and the Independent Retailers Association, $77,820 (Labor) and $9000 (Liberal). The Liberals accepted $57,926 from the Australian Hotels Association and $49,750 from British American Tobacco.

The Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell, personally raised $174,650 at 10 fund-raisers held in his name and in his electorate, including raising some $108,100 at the Ku-ring-gai Business Breakfast last September.

Not to be outdone Labor collected in excess of $1 million in "affiliation fees" paid by unions between July and December.

In the coming weeks and months we will continue our probe into the relationships between Australian political parties and casinos, igaming operator, SP bookmakers and the like. Firms on our radar include but are not limited to Betfair, Centrebet, Full Tilt Poker (Easts Roosters NRL team connection), 888 (Warnie's the face of them for Australia), and a few others that will remain nameless for the moment.

Aussie's, anyone taking bets on what Australian land based casino operators are interested to enjoy a spot of golf with Senator Stephen Conroy (Minster of Communications, Censorship and "Silly Lists") Last time a casino exec played golf with our friend cash registers hit the jackpot. Ah, life is full of coincidences, just ask 'Casino Jack', coming soon to a movie theater near you if your an Aussie, Yankee or Kanok, but if your behind "The Great Internet Firewall" Of China, good luck, you will need it.

Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott, stay on Kevin "Bloody" Rudd, we sense Rudd's corner man Conroy is going down for the count as we approach the 12th round of action, broadcast from Sydney to Las Vegas, Macau, Florida and beyond via the internet channel (that no one owns, Australian government included). Special referee Jesse "The Body" Ventura and his 'Conspiracy Theory' actuality TV show remain pro actively interested in the connection between Australian casinos, political parties and proposed internet filter and blacklist initiatives.

Media Man and Gambling911 offer this public service announcement: Bet with your head, not over it, and keep it fun (and that messages is also applicable to Australian political parties).

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The network attracts approximately 6 million hits per month and has portals in Australia, Canada, Europe, Asia and the United States

*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino

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4/07/2010

Crown Casino Ready For War With Sydney's Star City, by Greg Tingle - 7th April 2010

Casino wars are about to explode down under between Sydney (The Blues) and Melbournites (Melbourne).

Experts are divided as to who deal the first strike, but James Packer's "sweet deals" from the Victorian Government, along with the pending private jet purchase for VIP high flyers have certainly raised the ante.

Star City chiefs promise to turn it around from "an RSL club on steroids" aka "Pyrmont Workers Club" into a glamour showbiz icon of mammoth proportions. Vegas, look out baby! is the word.

They desire to crack Melbourne's lockdown on VIP high rollers, a couple of which are also being lured to Jupiters on the Gold Coast.

The action comes only one week after the New South Wales Government announced it indented to nab Melbourne's Formula 1 Grand Prix, Star City "mafia" have unleashed a new interstate - State Of Origin type war.

Sydney's "Star", owned by corporate "whale" Tabcorp, is expected to change its name and keep expanding, including adding a massive showbiz section... all part of a now a $640 million revitalisation, blowing the original budget by approximately $100 million. "It certainly has shades of the Crown Macau, now Altira Macau transformation up north in the Asia Pacific land of the dragons" whispered a Media Man insider.

The casino desires to host some of the world's biggest stars and entertainment icons with a new 4000 plus seat, $65 million international events centre.

Elton John, Lady Gaga, Rolling Stones, KISS, UFC and WWE are said to be on the want list, however the venue still may not be big enough to host them! Star wants Virgin's Richard Branson to pop in for a beer and photos, but Media Man spies advise Packer's got Branson nicely locked down and "more than satisfied with Crown", as is Tom Cruise. Sydney's Grant Galea and his world famous Dean Martin (and sometimes Frank Sintra act) is expected to make a return performance to Star City as the stakes climb. Hot off the heels of a Queen Elizabeth cruise liner show to a thousand patrons, Deano is hot, rocked, locked and ready to roll at Star and Crown. Galea and Media Man burlesque PR queen squeeze, Jac Bowie, is super excited about the casino wars heating up and sees the opportunity to showcase some more of Australia's and the world's burlesque queens... watch out Dita Von Teese! Sydney's icon sex symbol, Madame Lash, is rumoured to be interested to bring her VIP "Provocateur Package" (as enjoyed at Sydney's Hilton Hotel) to Star City and Crown. Some of the name wants by Star may be ambitions, but not all are Mission: Impossible.

Crown Casino is understood to be attracting 46,000 visitors a day (17 million a year), just about double Star City's patronage. Who said casinos are not tourism attractions... just another media beat up from detractors, but Packer's Crown and Star City are used to the knockers, so its water off a 'Pluka' ducks back.

Sydney is prepared for an epic battle with Crown, and wallets and passionate punters, and a few dolphins and whales are largely seen as the ultimate "catch" er prize. The bait is on the lure and rod, and they are looking forward to a happy hunting season, one which will break their drought of sorts.

Tabcorp top brass Larry Mullin advised Star City holds 20% of the lucrative VIP market.

He estimates Crown has 80% of turnover from high rollers, worth a cool $25 billion a year. So that's where Packer is pulling in the big bucks for big boys toys.

"We're getting the same high rollers, we're just not getting as many," Mullin said.

Crown cemented its place as The destination for international high rolling VIPs by offering the works, including a fleet of Gulfstream jets, soon to be expanded, as Gambling911 reported last week.

Sydney is fighting back, with a makeover to its VIP high rollers' den and plans to purchase its own fleet of jets. Why not buy a share in Virgin Galactic and the Queen Elizabeth Ocean Liner and other toys while the cash splash is on.

Star's new MD, Sid Vaikunta, advised the revamp was imperative because the casino was treated by the general public as an "RSL club on steroids" aka "Pyrmont Workers Club".

Crown was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

Sydney has warned Victoria that it wanted the Australian Grand Prix when the Melbourne contract expires in 2014.

The was sees Major Events Minister Tim Holding name calling the NSW Government the "nation's biggest blowhards", but we reckon its better to blow hard, than not blow at all.

Media Man and Gambling911 advise burlesque performers, "casino babes" and "poker babe tournaments and events" may be a "secret weapon in the process", and maybe some risque b2b may factor in the process, be it casino and entertainment website portals, pole dancers and maybe even some sort of escort VIP "service" for VIP's, of course. Star City and Crown Casino remain tight lipped on such initiatives. If its not talked about, it doesn't exist... yeah right!

Sydney and Melbourne's nightlife is expected to prosper as the casino war heats up, and the big winners are expected to be the NSW and VIC state governments, and maybe even Rudd's Federal government might make a dollar or two out of it also (even though Rudd and "Minster Of Silly Lists", Stephen Conroy, don't like pokies) and have recently displayed what many see as their blatant favoritism to "bible bashers" and fun police as "save the children" campaigners continue to try to spoil everyones fun, even dissing our beloved FHM, Playboy, Penthouse, Zoo and Maxim poker babes. Ya bloody mongrels!

Rest assured Media Man and Gambling911 will continue to cover the scene in an uncensored and no holds barred type approach, one that may or may not get caught up in the "Great Australian Firewall" as D Day approaches.

Australia's land based casinos are also being seen to be taking the fight to online casinos aka cyber casinos, as Betfair, PartyGaming and others compete for the new breed of gambler, one who prefers to do it from home, without the need for limos, let alone learjets.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, gaming being just one of a dozen industry verticals covered.

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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4/06/2010

PartyCasino News: Race to the Top of the Circus for your share of $150,000, by Greg Tingle

PartyCasino.com News: Race to the Top of the Circus for your share of $150,000

Starts: 00:00 ET, 6th April
Ends: 23:59 ET, 20th April

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be astounded by the Circus, our sensational new slot game that’s like nothing you’ve ever played before!

To celebrate its triumphant arrival we’re inviting you to Race to the Top, where you play for a share of $150,000 across two leader boards. Our Palladium VIPs will compete for more than $95,000 on their leader board, while our regular players will have a shot at more than $60,000.

To get yourself on board, simply collect PartyPoints by playing on Circus or any of our fabulous big-money slots and jackpot slots from 6th to 20th April. The higher you climb up a leader board, the bigger your reward.

Earn double points when you play on Circus

To make sure your Circus career starts in style we’ll give you double points when you play our brand-new slot game. Please note that these extra points awarded will not count towards the Race to the Top leader boards.

As the world’s first role-playing slot, Circus is packed full of features that will amaze all our players. Choose one of four unique characters, play 16 bonus games for big-money multipliers and unlock an adventure that will keep you coming back for more and more.

The greatest show on earth has arrived. Join the Circus today.

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PartyPoints

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Australia Gambling On Conspiracy Theory Or Not? by Greg Tingle - 6th April 2010

Readers, make no mistake, we live in volatile times.

The Media Man and Gambling911 (and our lotto mate Pluka Duck), have been inundated with letters of support for our ongoing investigation into online (and offline) censorship, government spooks and Big Brother et al. Folks, the political machines of the world have been busy attempting to stop your poker and casino fun, poker babes, FHM, Playboy... the lot.

Australian and Asia Pacific casino king, James Packer, is dealing with changes better than most, but owning a number of Asia Pacific's casinos and being Australia's 3rd richest man puts you in a stronger position than most. A round of golf with an Aussie politician doesn't go astray either.

You're freedom of speech, freedom of expression and basic human rights are at risk. Never has this been more evident than if your an American, Canadian or Australian reader. Don't get us started on China, but its likely our friends in China will never get to read this article, or see this website, as "The Great Firewall Of China" has quite likely blocked it! Don't laugh, your country may be next, and if your not quite certain as to believe our word on it, read up on some of Jesse Ventura's (former Navy Seal and U.S politician) writings, or better yet, watch his hit TV show 'Conspiracy Theory'. Think Underbelly meets They Live meets Michael Moore, and you're on the right track!

Has your Government (or ISP) blocked your favorite poker, casino and / or porn sites (yet)? If not, it may be just a matter or time... the thought police and "bible bashers" are in full campaign swing. Just wait to you learn what the Aussie's are up to at the moment, and even more scary, its happening on the watch of poker and porn hating Australian prime minister, Kevin Rudd, and second lieutenant, Senator Stephen Conroy (Australian Communications Minister aka Minister Of Censorship And Silly Lists).

Ok, with that Stephen Spielberg sci-fi intro, let's bring it back down to earth with some more traditional hard news out of Australia, with a gambling, government, protectionism twist... it's all about money, power and control, and more money, of course!


Aussie NSW Lotteries Deal Heading For Courtroom

Rival bidders to Tatts Group are considering taking legal action in the Supreme Court of Australia in an attempt to overturn the sale of NSW Lotteries after receiving legal advice that the $850 million sale is illegal!

Sources confirm that bidders have been talking to legal eagles about a possible challenge stemming from the decision of the government and its consultants to allow Tatts Group to throw into its bid pitch a potential $200 million worth of unclaimed prizes, in the final stages of the process. Tatts was allowed to make the move despite all bidders previously being notified that they could not bid for the unclaimed prizes. Are your following this? That's what we thought... stay with us...

The Aussie government says it has legal advice that the sale is in fact legal, despite its legislation indicating unclaimed prizes would go to the taxpayer. WTF?

The Sydney Morning Herald, a Fairfax Media publication, revealed last week claims by industry sources that in the original bids, Centrebet had in fact bid $750 million, G-Tech $730 million and Tatts Group $700 million, but Tatts Group's bid was boosted to $850 million by unclaimed prizes. Bonus hey!

NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally, said on talk back radio that "all bidders in the ... lotteries tender process were given the exact same information and they had the opportunity, all of them, to put in a conforming bid and a non-conforming bid. I'm advised that all of them took the opportunity to do that, and that the Tatts Group proposal was the best in value for the taxpayer."

Bidders dispute this full stop. They advise they were repeatedly told unclaimed prizes would stay with the state and be off-limits.

Speculation exists as to whether Tatts Group had won the right to unclaimed prizes would mean that NSW Lotteries would now be less inclined to publicise large prizes that had not been claimed.

Tatts formally took control of NSW Lotteries on the 1st April. NSW Lotteries press releases called on the winner of $30million on Tuesday night, with a ticket bought in Sydney's inner west, to come forward. An Ashfield couple claimed the prize.

Mike Baird, the opposition's Treasury spokesman, said "This whole transaction is symptomatic of Labor arrogance, incompetence and backroom deals. This ... needs to be exposed and we need to understand what requirements there are of Tatts to ensure unclaimed prizes are given every opportunity to be claimed."

Mr Baird heavily criticised the government for not releasing the legal advice supporting the sale.

Questioned as to why the legals had not been released, a spokesman for the Treasurer said it would be given to the Auditor-General, who is looking into the sale.

Two sets of legal advice to a bidder sighted by The Sydney Morning Herald state the sale is in breach of the Lotteries Act legislation.

Section 27 A of the legislation says money from unclaimed prizes should go to a consolidated fund, as directed by the minister, and liability for that money should rest with the state.

The Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell, said that a simple reading of the legislation suggested it would have to be returned to the Parliament and if that occurred, it would then be blocked in the upper house.

The government and opposition are now waiting for the Auditor-General's report.


Aussie Censorship - Online, Offline, And Everything In Between!

Child "Experts" Push To Ban Soft Porn From Newsagents, Service Stations

Fairfax's Media's Mary-Anne Toy broke the story, and we're following up...

Dozens of Australian "child experts" are calling for a ban on the sale of porn magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse and other soft porn material from newsagents, milkbars, convenience stores, supermarkets and petrol stations. No, we're kidding you not.

The group (sounds like a cult or sorts) has requested censorship ministers (Hello again, Mr Conroy) to review the rules on which the so-called lads' mags such as People, The Picture, Ralph and Zoo are reviewed, saying they are increasingly explicit and contributing to the sexualisation of children.

A letter to the standing committee of attorneys-general/censorship ministers signed by a former chief justice of the Family Court, Alastair Nicholson, the chief executive of World Vision, Tim Costello, academics, child professionals and advocates states such material should be restricted to adults-only premises.

They are particularly disturbed by the prevalence of "teen sex" magazines featuring women apparently aged more than 18 but looking younger and styled with braces and pigtails but in highly sexualised poses and sometimes performing sex acts.

Gambling911 readers may recall the hugely popular Maxim poker babes feature. Maxim was not named by the clan, but we suspect they are not fans of poker babes Maxim style. Did we mention Jenny Woo, Pam Anderson, Rebecca Liggero, Bessie Bardot, Paris Hilton, and PartyPoker - PartyGaming sponsored Kara Scott, are competing for this month's Media Man Poker Babe Of The Month Award! Seemed timely to give you the heads up.

Julie Gale, director of the lobby group Kids Free 2B Kids, said easy access to the internet meant young people were experiencing unprecedented exposure to porn images, voluntarily or involuntarily. "But allowing pornography and overtly sexualised images to be sold in the public arena with easy access for children and teens tells them that this is acceptable. It gives it public validation."

Another campaigner, Catherine Manning of Say No 4 Kids, sent a petition with 8000 signatures to the attorneys-general calling for tighter restrictions. Many shops segregated adult material but others did not, she said.

"Exposure to adult sexualised material can send the wrong message to children about what's expected of them as adults. Girls think they should behave like 'porn stars' and boys expect them to."

Friends, coincidence or not in the timing of a proposed Australian internet filter and the calling of banning of soft porn in suburban shops et al? Does the Australian government think the public are totally stupid?

What's Really At Stake? American Living Legend Jesse Ventura Speaks Out...

Thanks to our friends at RT.com (Autonomous Nonprofit Organization)
http://www.rt.com
we have secured the following in writing...

We are being watched more than ever in the US

“There are many of us who don’t believe the status quo of what we’ve been told,” acknowledged former governor of the state of Minnesota, actor and TV host Jesse Ventura in an exclusive interview with RT.

Ventura, who has had explosive encounters with the American mainstream media, called it “soundbite news” and said it cannot be trusted at all.

“Major news organizations have really become almost monopolized. The media today is in creating news rather than reporting it. And that’s very dangerous,” he said.

Jesse Ventura shared that “the Internet is getting super powerful now, and that is what the government has to control next.”

The ex-governor warned that “Whenever government says ‘to keep you safe’ – get ready, because you are going to lose your freedoms.”


Summary: Australian, Canadian and American Readers - What Next?

If you are unhappy with your state and federal governments, let them know. Write, protest... you get the idea

Poker players and online casino players, it may be a good idea to become more familiar with the Poker Players Alliance, and become familiar with their associates in your region. Telephone and write to news media, including newspapers and television, but if your an Aussie, you might find more love with print, as Australian TV stations recently received a big payday courtesy of Senator Stephen Conroy's office and most Australian television stations have been very quite on the subject of internet censorship. The ABC, SBS (multi cultural, diverse and global) and Network Ten (covers poker) are most likely to listen to your concerns. Some talk back radio stations may also give you the time of day. Uncensored websites, bloggers and internet forums are a most effective way of getting your voice heard.

Media Man and Gambling911 recommend that you sign up for a multitude of online gaming accounts, be it PartyGaming, World Poker Tour, PokerStars, Captain Cooks, Betfair, BetUS, PKR... you get the idea. That way you have a number of accounts, so if one or more of them eventually get shutdown, or blocked from your countries "friendly" internet filter, you still have more choices. The late news... Full Tilt Poker investigation on the way in the U.S ...maybe scratch them off your "to do" list! Party rules ok, and I think no coincidence that PartyGaming is powering along and signing Government arm deals globally, most recently in France, as they were able to come to amicable terms with the United States government last year for the tune of $100 million or so. Next stop might be Canada, via way of a Canadian poker tour operation, and no coincidence that Media Man now has a Canadian Media Man website portal. http://www.mediamancanada.com

We encourage you to enjoy your "free" and "uncensored" (or thereabouts) version of the internet while you can.

In the coming weeks and months Gambling911 and Media Man will provide more details on how you can likely stop or reduce internet filtering and the "great firewall" when it comes knocking in your home town.

We leave you with more words of wisdom, just in case Jesse Ventura left you hanging for more!

In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed (Charles Darwin)

We wish the readership happy hunting, and let's keep the bastards honest. Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi USA USA Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company

*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino

References: Google News, Fairfax Media, Autonomous Nonprofit Organization, Tru TV

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4/04/2010

Media Man Casino - World Casino Directory - Global Gaming Directory Profiles

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Australian Gambling News: Tattersalls Complete NSW Lottery Sale, by Greg Tingle - 4th April 2010

Australia's gambling, gaming and igaming sector shows little sign of slowing down, in fact it looks like full speed ahead with James Packer's Crown Casino continuing to lead the charge.

Packer has been rumored to be eyeing off a part or full purchase in Tabcorp (owner and operator of Star City Casino in Sydney, and Jupiter's Casino on the Gold Coast), to name but a few.

Could Australian "protectionism" be coming into play? Is "protectionism" a form of racism, as a country aims to protect its own, and blocking out foreign nations in the process? Is Australia continuing down the China path, and who or what will stop the madness? So many questions, yet so few answers, as the Rudd Government sticks to its agenda and "stays on message" (just like the U.S Government did with its crimes against humanity relating to "the war on terrorism"). Jesse Ventura, Australia may need you to expose the truth. It's all good fodder for Conspiracy Theory.

Media Man down under and Gambling911 report...

Tatts Group Ltd says it has completed the acquisition of NSW Lotteries from the NSW Government. The deal is now subject to review by the NSW Auditor General.

Tatts said in a statement on that the acquisition has been completed, "and NSW Lotteries is now part of the Tatts Group".

The sale carries with it a 40-year exclusive licence to conduct public lotteries in NSW.

Controversy has swirled around the deal as it was revealed that Tatts bought the Lotteries with an unconfirmed bid of $850 million.

The bid allowed for the rights to the Lotteries' unclaimed prizes pool to be retained by Tatts, whereas other bidders advise they were denied the right to include unclaimed prizes in their bid.

The NSW Opposition and the NSW Green party now say, supported by advice from unnamed senior partners of two Sydney law firms, that the sale is illegal under the legislation that allowed the deal, according to reports carried by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age last Thursday.

Announcing completion of the acquisition, Tatts Group said that Tatts Lotteries produced earnings before tax, interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $119 million in 2009. Those are the sorts of numbers that even give igaming powerhouse, PartyGaming, a run for their money.

"The acquisition of NSW Lotteries is expected to produce an additional $120 million of EBITDA by 2014," Tatts Group said in its statement.

The late news...

We almost forgot, with casino fever at an all time high, Media Man has bit the bullet and launched http://www.mediamancasino.com It's not "white label", but a little birdie tells us its heading in that direction. Media Man management advise its hosted overseas "in protest to the proposed Australian internet filter and blacklist".

Gambling911 and Media Man International are recommending to readers that may be "down under" in the Asia Pacific region that if you enjoy games of skill and games of chance to sign up now to a few accounts, in case that may help keep online casino and online gaming accounts active, if or when the Australian internet filter aka "Great Australian Firewall" will spoil your fun. PartyGaming (inc World Poker Tour and its Playtech powered casinos), PokerStars, Captain Cooks, PKR and Betfair are some of the brands most popular in Australia.

Media Man tips that a device and "secret way" of circumventing the proposed internet filter is on the way, but its not "letting the cat out of the bag" quite yet, as the art of war continues between Aussie web publishers, media companies and the Australian government continues.

Media Man advises publicily that if the Australian government throws too much red tape at media, publising and internet companies, thus reducing productivity, revenue, income et al, that management may have to put promised job offers to Australian indigenous peoples via GenerationOne on hold.

Internet Snapshot Guide And The Idiots Guide to iGaming, Gaming and Politics

No one owns the internet!

The internet was invented in the United States and was designed to withstand a nuclear war.

Australians are some of the most passionate gamblers in the world, both at land based venues and online.

Cleopatra, Sinatra, Black Rhino, Hitman, Mission: Impossible and Tomb Raider are some of Australia's favorite slot games.

Crown Casino is home to one of the world's most popular and richest poker tournaments, Aussie Millions.

It is legal to participate in affiliate programs, casino affiliate programs and the like.

The Australian Federal government has some interest to regulate igaming and their Productivity Commission report is due to go public in approximately a month.

Senator Stephen Conroy have received at least one reported death threat over his censorship agenda, via way of internet forum, and reported in Fairfax Media.

Australia is now on the Enemies Of The Internet list complied by Reports Without Boarders
http://www.rsf.org/en-pays51-Australia.html

The United States administration has gone on record that it does not support Australia's proposed internet filter. The U.S, European Union and World Trade Organization are considering stepping in and urging the Australian government to seriously reconsider its stance on censorship. The censorship may cost the Australian and world economy billions, with media and entertainment giants such as Google, Yahoo!, Bing, Microsoft, News Corp, Marvel - Disney, DC Comics, Sony, Apple, Dell, Virgin Enterprises Limited, Paramount Pictures, Playboy, Penthouse, FHM, UFC, World Poker Tour, World Series of Poker, ESPN, SBS (and Gambling911), being just some of those likely to be adversely affected. Loss of income is set to result in job losses and the price of goods and services skyrocketing in some sectors. Some industries and brands may be forced to go "underground" and many "black markets" are expected to rise and prosper, and demand goes up for certain "vices". Consumer protection measures are likely to be lost should the Australian internet filter go ahead.

In closing, we think Australia's James Packer sums it up beautifully with his famous "Internet is like electricity", something Australian politicians have seemed to cotton on with pretty well of late.

Are we on the cusp of 'The End Days' aka 'The End Times', which Nostradamus gives considerable mention to in the quatrains, as the New World Order continues to take hold, or it just business as usual? 2012 is not far off, and soon you will be able to place bets on it! Readers, you be the judge, and bet with your head, not over it.

PS: Readers, thanks for your letters. Gambling911, Media Man and Plucka Duck (of Hey Hey "Chook Lotto" fame) appreciate each and every one of you.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of industry vertical covered.

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

*Media Man is a member of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance

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4/03/2010

PartyCasino News: Circus Slot New Game For PartyGaming

PartyCasino.com News: Circus Slot New Game For PartyGaming

You’ve never played anything like The Circus

Roll up, roll up! Welcome to the Circus, the spectacular slot game like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

Combining the best elements of slots and games, Circus is the world’s first role-playing slot title. Choose from four memorable characters with varying abilities and unique storylines to take you through your cash-grabbing circus adventure.

Every feature in Circus has been made bigger, better and more exciting than other slots, especially with the inclusion of 16 dazzling bonus games. Step into the shoes of the lion tamer, magician, acrobat and many other classic circus roles as you try to win all the big money up for grabs.

The more you play, the more you’ll unlock. Discover thrilling plot developments, enjoy more rewarding bonus games and increase your abilities to raise your win multiplier for huge cash prizes.

Circus saves your game progress as you go, meaning you can return any time and continue where you left off. You can even start a second, third or fourth adventure with a different character.

This revolutionary game takes slots to a whole new level. Make a deposit and play now for an experience you’ll keep coming back to again and again. Play it now by PartyCasino.com software, or play instantly in your browser

You’ll be amazed at the Circus. Try the greatest spectacular on earth today.

Game Objective:

Circus is a five-reel, twenty-payline slot game with 16 features. 3 or more scattered Big Top symbols anywhere in view trigger and award one of the sixteen features. At the start of the game (when opening the game), player needs to select one character from the 4 characters available in the character selection screen. Player can change the character from within the game. Each character is independent of others. Once a particular feature game is played for a particular character, it cannot be played again until all 16 features are played for the respective character.

Game Information:

The minimum bet amount is $0.01 USD and the maximum bet amount is $1000 USD.

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PKR Poker News Media: Win a Porsche on PKR by playing online poker, by Greg Tingle - April 2010

Take it to the limit!

Make a deposit on PKR this April and you'll be in with a chance of winning a top of the range Porsche Cayman sports car worth over $55,000!

We're giving every player who deposits $25 an entry to win this amazing ride! Deposit $50 and you'll get two entries, $75 will get you three and so on. The more you deposit the more chances you have to win. No purchase necessary, Terms and Conditions apply.

Deposit for the first time and get five free entries!

Make your first deposit on PKR in April and not only will you get our generous 100% deposit bonus, you’ll also get five bonus Porsche Cayman prize draw entries (a total of six chances to win when you deposit $25).

The promotional period runs from 00:01 GMT Thursday, 1 April 2010 to 23:59 GMT Friday, 30 April 2010 with the winner of the Porsche Cayman announced at PKR Live IV.

Drive in style
The Porsche Cayman is one of the most exciting cars on the road today. A head turner with performance to boot - check it out...

0-60 MPH in 5.1 seconds

171 MPH(265 km/h) top speed

Six cylinder engine

Blue tooth connectivity

Bose Surround Sound System

Porsche Communication Management

*Based on UK retail price converted into US$ on 29/03/2010

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PartyCasino delivers the best in online casino entertainment; Cleopatra, Rambo, Sinatra, Call Of Duty 4, Classic Slots, Marvel, Table Games and more

PartyCasino.com continues to deliver the best that the online gaming world has to offer.

The company is maintaining its top position in Asia Pacific and Europe and has released more world class slot games and "Avatar" type technology is on the way.

PartyGaming and in particular, its PartyCasino.com are on a roll.

Under the leadership of CEO Jim Ryan, PartyGaming is maintaining its darling status in the news media and gaming world. Quite an accomplishment since the days when they pulled out of the U.S market.

PartyGaming's leading brands, PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com continue to release new features that satisfy their existing clients, in addition to seeing new clients and partners come on board.

They have also built upon the world famous World Poker Tour brand with WPTCasino.com and WPTPoker.com, offering up to $600 bonus for new players.

Some of the key strengths of PartyGaming and its brands include:

Listed on the London Stock Exchange

Branded slot games that can be played for free or played for money. Rambo by StudioCanal, Sinatra by Frank Sinatra Enterprises, Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Cleopatra by IGT, Monopoly and Cluedo by Hasbro, Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, The Naked Gun, Saturday Night Fever and High Noon by Paramount Pictures, Resident Evil by Capcom and Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four by Marvel Entertainment, Call Of Duty 4 by Activision, King Kong by Universal Studios, The Terminator and Gone With The Wind by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and so the list goes on. As Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee says, "Excelsior!".

PartyGaming also have their own in house game development team entitled 'The Games Studio', that works in collaboration with their business partners.

New technologies have enabled PartyCasino.com to offer "Live Dealer", in collaboration with EvolutionGaming and "Single Wallet" sees players only having to have one account with PartyGaming even if they choose to play a number of games in the portfolio, from slots, to poker, backgammon, sports betting, bingo et al.

The company has ramped up activities and campaigns across the global from Channel Five in Europe, to business deals with Dutch lottery operators and London Capital Group, PMU in France, all the way down to Australia where world class poker player, Stewart Scott is the regions brand ambassador for PartyPoker.com

Government b2b dealings - PartyGaming announced an exclusive, five-year agreement to provide an online gaming platform for poker and casino games in Denmark for Danske Spil A/S (‘Danske Spil’). Danske Spil is controlled by the Danish Government. PartyGaming earlier this week announced a multi year deal with France gaming and racing operator Pari-Mutuel Urbain.

Industry Awards and Commendations: PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com are multi-time award winners of the Media Man - Casino News Media - Global Gaming Directory "Online Casino of the Month" and all entities have also won a range of annual awards handed out by the well respected eGaming Review.

Exclusives - branded slots, Live Dealer, PartyPoints, Palladium Lounge, Single Wallet and more.

For these reasons and more, if you like games, be it playing for free and fun or playing for money, PartyGaming more than likely has a game for you. Numerous multi language and multi currency options are also available, and the customer service is second to none. Don't just play the game, be the game and feel it at PartyCasino.com

PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index with its shares listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY.

*The writer has a b2b relationship with PartyGaming and a number of its brands, as they do with dozens of companies in the gaming and igaming world.

4/02/2010

Australian Chook Lotto Goose Not Laying Golden Gambling Egg, by Greg Tingle - 2nd April 2010

Red tape can be a pain in the tail for web publishers, casino entrepreneurs and the like, and man down under Greg Tingle at Media Man invest egg ates for Gambling911 ...

real news, spin or April Fools... you be the judge..think Donald Trump, Calvin Ayre and Steve Wynn have got issues with red tape, rules and regulations... legal eagles may have a field day with what our friends 'Plucka Duck' and TV host Daryl Somers are going through this Easter.

Australian TV, gambling and lotto, don't mix, at least that's the story thus far for an Australian iconic comedy and variety show.

Hey Hey It's Saturday host Daryl Somers is going to need a special licence in every Australian state and territory to get the showcase segment back on the air cum April 14.

He said 'Chook Lotto', where Jacki MacDonald collected numbered frozen chickens from a cage to award prizes to a contestant, is subject to the same rules as any lottery operator because it is considered a game of luck rather than a game of skill.

Somers also had to apply for a permit for resident chook man 'Plucka Duck'.

"It's absurd," Somers said.

"Bureaucracy is now threatening the very nature of show business these days.

"We're talking about a bit of fun on a variety show not a new poker machine venue!

"All we're trying to do is give people a good entertaining segment that's part of Australian television history and it's being tied down by bureaucrats.

"The segment ran for years and didn't turn viewers into problem gamblers."

The 'chook lotto' matter comes just days after Aussie Formula One driver Mark Webber branded Victoria a "nanny state" for its stringent road rules.

Somers was able to get around the laws in last year's hugely successful reunion specials by not awarding prizes.

He now tells us recreating the cage that holds the frozen chooks had been a costly exercise because it now had to meet complex OH&S guidelines.

"It's 10 times more difficult to get anything done these days because of all this pointless bureaucracy," he said.

Opposition state gaming minister Michael O'Brien slammed the 'Chook Lotto' red tape.

"Gambling laws are designed to limit problem gambling and keep corruption at bay," Mr O'Brien said.

"I don't think the underworld is interested in 'Chook Lotto' and I don't think anyone ever lost their house because of 'Chook Lotto' either.

"It does seem that this is bureaucracy gone mad and I would urge the regulator to sit down and do everything it can to try and ensure this icon returns to our screens."

Spokeswoman for State Gaming Minister, Tony Robinson, advise any competition that offers prizes of more than $5000 needs a permit under state law.

"If Chook Lotto is run the way it always has been in the past, it will need a permit in Victoria if the total prize value is above $5000," she said.

"The purpose of requiring permits is to ensure that lotteries are conducted fairly. "Harmonising state regulations will make it easier to run national trade promotion lotteries - but unfortunately not in time for this year's Hey Hey It's Saturday."

Punters, does Somers, the Aussie Gambling minister or the Cook have egg on its face, you be the judge, and Happy Easter, and may you luck be Eggs Lent.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

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

*No chooks, birds or animals were harmed in this special invest egg ation.

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Casino Rip Fun And Games Licence Suspended, by Greg Tingle - 2nd April 2010

Ah, the fun and games continue in the igaming, gaming and affiliate sector. Not the sort of news we like to report on, as we prefer positive news stories when possible, but of late some questionable operators in and around the igaming and affiliate sector are making it too easy for us hard nosed journalists and media analysts.

Media Man and Gambling911 report

So, you asked for it, and you shall receive...

GameAccount Global Limited, primarily a skill games operator, has had its operating licence suspended by the UK’s Gambling Commission watchdog under section 118 of the Gambling Act of 2005.

GameAccount is the firm behind the CasinoRip.com (known to some insiders as "Casino Rip Off") online blackjack website and the Gambling Commission tells us that it's suspended their licence while it conducts a review.

"The suspension is an interim measure, the need for which will be kept under consideration during the review," read a statement from the Gambling Commission.

"The Commission will make no further comment until the review is complete."

According to section 120 of the Gambling Act of 2005, the Gambling Commission may suspend or revoke an operator’s licence if 'a licensed activity is being or has been carried on in a manner that is inconsistent with the licensing objectives'. In addition, a licence may be delayed or withdrawn if 'a condition of the licence has been breached' or if the licensee has ‘failed to cooperate with a review under section 116' or is ‘unsuitable to carry on the licensed activities'.

Suspension may also be invoked if a 'licensee has failed to comply with a requirement of regulations under section 101' or 'has failed to submit the licence to the Commission for amendment in accordance with section 105'.

Section 120 of the Gambling Act contains a provision when considering a licensee’s suitability that gives the Gambling Commission regard to 'the integrity of the licensee or of any person who exercises a function in connection with or is interested in the licensed activities'. The body may also consider 'the competence of the licensee or of any person who exercises a function in connection with the licensed activities to carry on the licensed activities in a manner consistent with pursuit of the licensing objectives' along with the 'financial and other circumstances of the licensee or of any person who exercises a function in connection with or is interested in the licensed activities and, in particular, the resources available for the purpose of carrying on the licensed activities'.

Punters and insiders, did you make heads or tails of that? That's what we thought. Basically, it looks like GameAccount - CasinoRip, may have been bad boys, and suspended their licence has been suspended by the UK’s Gambling Commission.

GameAccount's TV adverts have also got them some unwanted attention.

The ads stated that "everyone loves to play blackjack. But if you play against the casino, it’s the casino that always wins. At CasinoRIP.com, you play blackjack against other players so a real person always wins, guaranteed!". Following a complaint, the ASA said that GameAccount had not shown that the house consistently won in most hands of casino blackjack and concluded that the ad misleadingly implied that the service offered greater rewards over traditional casinos than were actually available.

Media Man and Gambling911 can however report some more positives in the igaming sector, including in the affiliate sector, as hard as that may be to believe...

PartyGaming's PartyPartners, Virgin Games Affiliates, BetUS Partners, Rewards Affiliates (Captain Cooks Casino etc), PokerStars Partners and PKR Affiliates all continue to impress internet, gaming and publishing entrepreneurs, and Bodog looks to have made some recent improvements also. Mainstream agencies DGM (Betfair, Virgin Mobile etc) and LinkShare (SecondLife.com and Microsoft) continue to impress and pay well.

PartyPartners.com by PartyGaming is a real stand out. Recently they added the World Poker Tour brand to their affiliate offering via WPT Casino and WPT Poker, which is awesome news.

American operators and readers, please note that World Poker Tour also offer an online poker site (and affiliate program) for you. It's entitled ClubWPT. We've found that that commissions for affiliates are not quite as lucrative as they are for PartyPartners and AffClub, but at least because its the World Poker Tour brand, owned and operated by PartyGaming, you can trust them, plus they are seriously cashed up, listed on the London Stock Exchange, and opened for business in 1997, which is like a lifetime in this line of business.

Virgin Games affiliate program has impressed Media Man and co for a number of years however our experience has been that the month to month commissions can greatly fluctuate. We all know the power of the Virgin brand, however because Virgin does not accept players in many parts of the world this has no doubt effected the earnings capacity of many affiliates. Web publishers and gaming entrepreneurs around the global are hopeing the day will come where Virgin will accept American and Australian players, and perhaps their AWOMO (A World Of My Own) initiative will facilitate that, once Virgin get the right investors on board, and fine tune an affiliate program for their virtual worlds offering.

Canada has been looking like fertile territory for new media entrepreneurs, web publishers and the like of late. Canada is of course iGaming's King Of The World, Calvin Ayre original home, before jumping on a plane off to Antigua aka "Parts Unknown". Bodog's servers are understood to be hosted at Morris Mohawk, headquartered in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake in Quebec, Canada - part of the seven communities that make up the Mohawk Nation, but that's anther story. Anyway, Canada was looking so good to the Media Man and friends that they have now successfully infiltrated via way of http://www.mediamancanada.com , and make sure you check out the profiles of Canadian greats, Ayre, Bret "Hitman" Hart, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Trish Status. Yeah, we have a Bodog profile also, but we prefer PartyGaming and Virgin for the time being... sorry Calvin and Bodog Bekky, but nothing stays the same forever, so watch this space!

Webmasters, if your not already participating in Google advertising and affiliate programs, it may be time to take a closer look. Google are obviously one of the world's most stable technology firm. There's Google Affiliate Network, AdSence, YouTube options and more.

Some igaming and gaming entrepreneurs prefer to set up their own in house affiliate programs, but often they are more trouble that they are worth.

Gold stars to PartyGaming, Virgin Games, PKR, DGM and Rewards Affiliates.

Until next time, have fun playing "Spot The Rouge Online Casino" and we wish you well and huge success in all of your affiliate program endeavors (even if the odds are against it).

Quote Of The Day: "Internet is like electricity" (James Packer, Australian and Asia Pacific Casino Owner - Entrepreneur)

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry verticals, gaming and igaming included.

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4/01/2010

Frank Sinatra Land Based Casino To Close But Sinatra Slot Lives On At PartyGaming, by Greg Tingle - 1st April 2010

A Nevada casino once owned by legend Frank Sinatra and patronised by Hollywood stars and mobsters has closed due to plunging gambling rates and competition from the Vegas strip.

Media Man and Gambling911 investigate, as we mix it up with Hollywooders, journos, academics and mobsters...

Associations with the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior has not been enough to save the Cal Neva Lodge Casino from the distressed US land based casino industry.

The casino, situated on Lake Tahoe near the California border, last year saw its revenues fall to approximately 50% of what they enjoyed in 1992 allowing for inflation, tipped Mr William Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada.

Other local casinos continue to close or have downsized, unable to compete with Las Vegas, not in good shape itself – and the growing number of gambling resorts on Native American Indian reservations.

"The realities are when you have that kind of decline the weakest operators typically get pushed out," advised Mr Eadington. "The older, tired casinos and the Cal Neva is a great example, don't have much to offer for gaming."

Understood to be America's oldest licensed casino, the Cal Neva opened for business in 1926. The Cal Veva enjoyed its peak in the early 1960s when it was bought by Sinatra, reportedly in partnership with Sam Giancana, a Chicago mobster.

Adding a 35-seat celebrity showroom and rooftop helicopter pad, Samy and Frank ensured film stars, singers and Mafiosi enjoyed its blackjack games and roulette tables.

A network of underground tunnels, built to smuggle alcohol during Prohibition, allowed the VIP guests to move around the establishment without being seen by the general public.

Monroe actually spent the last weekend of her colourful life at The Cal in 1962 as a guest of the infamous 'Rat Pack' actor Peter Lawford and his wife.

Various stories circulate as to why the blond goddess was there. One story goes on to say she discussed making a film with Dean Martin and to patch things up with her second husband, baseball icon Joe DiMaggio, yet another Cal Neva regular. The other side of the story we learn is that a 1999 biography claimed Monroe was brought there to be threatened not to reveal her Mafia links, drugged in her cabin and photographed in compromising positions! Another Cal Neva rumour claims she used the resort for a tryst with John F Kennedy.

Staff concede the resort has traded off its colourful history but Guy Rocha, a former Nevada state archivist, said it would not register with younger gamblers. The hotel and restaurant remain open, but the tables, slots and other gambling activity are history.

"The Cal Neva doesn't capture people's imagination the way it once did," he said.

The Sinatra name is however alive and strong on the internet. Media Man has created an online tribute (with the help of Wikipedia) which is found here
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/sinatra.html and an authentic Sinatra online slot game, developed by 'The Games Studio' of PartyGaming fame is also showcased. Frank Sinatra Enterprises came to business terms with PartyGaming last year and the slot game has proven to be one of the most popular of all time, even competing with the legendary Cleopatra, developed by IGT (International Gaming Technology) and WagerWorks. Gangster and mob related games are some of the most popular found anywhere in the world. 'The Godfather' franchise also has an online slot game and rumours are circulating that Australia's late Kerry Packer (code named "The Goanna" in The Costigan Commission report) may also get the same treatment.

PartyGaming is also currently rumoured to be in discussions with the Canadian Poker Tour aka HeadsUp Entertainment, as well as enjoying M&A talk with Bwin and others. This past week PartyGaming inked a b2b multi year deal with Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU). Party will provide its poker product to its horse racing website. Party continues its global strategy with France, South America, India, the U.S and Australia in its sights.

Media Man remains optimistic about America's igaming industry growth, having created http://www.americangamingnews.com and http://www.hollywoodslotgames.com

A Media Man insider was overheard, "If only the U.S igaming market would open up sooner rather than later. We could kick some major goals under Gambling911 and the Sly Stallone - Arnie connection guidance. I guess we will have to stick mainly to poker and sports betting in the U.S sector for now, but when things change those Gambling911 guys, PartyGaming and the Media Man crew might just take over Vegas and Atlantic City... we could back door it in via Canada and North America with those Canadian Poker tournament guys. It will be just like the good old days, and you know history repeats my friend".

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The firm covers approximately a dozen business vertical markets including gaming and igaming

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PartyCasino News: Circus Slot New Game For PartyGaming

PartyCasino.com News: Circus Slot New Game For PartyGaming

You’ve never played anything like The Circus

Roll up, roll up! Welcome to the Circus, the spectacular slot game like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

Combining the best elements of slots and games, Circus is the world’s first role-playing slot title. Choose from four memorable characters with varying abilities and unique storylines to take you through your cash-grabbing circus adventure.

Every feature in Circus has been made bigger, better and more exciting than other slots, especially with the inclusion of 16 dazzling bonus games. Step into the shoes of the lion tamer, magician, acrobat and many other classic circus roles as you try to win all the big money up for grabs.

The more you play, the more you’ll unlock. Discover thrilling plot developments, enjoy more rewarding bonus games and increase your abilities to raise your win multiplier for huge cash prizes.

Circus saves your game progress as you go, meaning you can return any time and continue where you left off. You can even start a second, third or fourth adventure with a different character.

This revolutionary game takes slots to a whole new level. Make a deposit and play now for an experience you’ll keep coming back to again and again. Play it now by PartyCasino.com software, or play instantly in your browser

You’ll be amazed at the Circus. Try the greatest spectacular on earth today.

Game Objective:

Circus is a five-reel, twenty-payline slot game with 16 features. 3 or more scattered Big Top symbols anywhere in view trigger and award one of the sixteen features. At the start of the game (when opening the game), player needs to select one character from the 4 characters available in the character selection screen. Player can change the character from within the game. Each character is independent of others. Once a particular feature game is played for a particular character, it cannot be played again until all 16 features are played for the respective character.

Game Information:

The minimum bet amount is $0.01 USD and the maximum bet amount is $1000 USD.

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