Australia enjoys a largely positive history with our Greek friends. But, in recent years Intralot has impacted Australia's gaming sector in a less than stellar fashion. Media Man and Gambling911 investigate and probe seeking answers .....sounds like Greek or not...
Intralot Australia in quite a pickle, has borrowed multiple millions of dollars to attempt to care card of business down under in Australia.
It's still weathering the storm from its ill fated entry into the Australian instant lottery market circa 2008 with machines that "spoke" (read) in Greek tongue.
The roots go back in history to Athens... its birthplace. Maybe they should have stayed there, as much as we love the Greeks and their world famous cuisine, hospitality and goddess like sexy women.
It's now understood they lost $15 million in 2009. Their 2 year loss is in the region of $28.4 million. It's loans from what insiders call "related parties" were $21.5 million in 2009, compared with "only" $6.5 million circa 2008. Detractors who are choosing to remain nameless at present are starting to question if "loan sharks" or "dodgy deals" are part of the problem.
We understand that Intralot Australia had borrowed an additional $1.65 million from Intralot UK Finance.
The company GM, Leo Watling, is tight lipped about if more loans will be in order.
Before things soured with the Greek salad, going pear shaped, the outfit was hopeful of winning a New South Wales licence, recently awarded to Tatts. There was controversy over the inclusion element re unclaimed prizes. A number of other bidders state they were not given an opportunity to bid. Intralot has consulted with legal eagles and 'Do We Cheat Em & How' (just kidding) and is still considering suing the NSW government over it. Mama and Papa know the government has enough problems to deal with at the moment, without a legal situation mixing it up with convicts and Greek gods and goddesses.
For the uninitiated our learned friends Intralot entered the Victorian gambling sector in the middle of 2008. The company offers scratch cards in Tasmania and look after information technology support services for Western Australia's Lotterywest brand.
Its Victorian entry was not god or goddess like. Even "Osiris magic" tactics were not going to save it, never mind a resurrection.
Of course the "the blame game" started and newsagents claimed they lost 15% of their lotteries income through a range of issues including faulty technology, complex scratch games and piss poor sales, marketing, branding and the like. It was a bad comedy, being compared to 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'. Punters, would you believe the machines installed to check tickets gave instructions in Greek tongue!
Intralot is arguing with passion that its sales have been hampered by Tatts' refusal to permit the firm to place their branded products (scratchies etc) on shop counters where Tatts scratchies were previously sold to the punting public.
"We continue to explain to the Victorian government that the existence of the Tattersall's dedicated area is not only unfair but anti-competitive," Mr Watling spoke.
Tatts remains unwilling to negotiation on this point. Intralot Australia's financial statement for 2009 shows its Victorian lottery sales: $56 million. Total revenue: $66 million, however it paid $31 million in prizes, good news for punters...almost $18.8 million in lottery tax and licence fees, and millions more on a fruit basket of miscellaneous expenses.
"We had always anticipated that the first few years would be loss-making due to the substantial investment required to develop this current licence and others opportunities in the region," Mr Watling explained.
"Sales are trending upwards and our relationships with our vendors … have never been better. They have appreciated the recent efforts we have made with the introduction of new scratch ticket dispensers and the relaunched Keno game."
The jury is out re Intralot soon to be ancient (Greek) history, or will they get the power of Isis with 'Assimilation of Mut'?
Greek Online Slot Games...
Call Of The Colosseum
ThunderStruck
ThunderStruck II
Mega Moolah Isis
Gladiator
Words Of Wisdom...With Public Thank You To Jimmy Wales Of Wikipedia...
"It is difficult not to wonder whether that combination of elements which produces a machine for labor does not create also a soul of sorts, a dull resentful metallic will, which can rebel at times." -Pearl S. Buck
"It is questionable if all the mechanical inventions yet made have lightened the day's toil of any human being." -John Stuart Mill
"The machine does not isolate man from the great problems of nature but plunges him more deeply into them." -Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand, and Stars, 1939
"Once upon a time we were just plain people. But that was before we began having relationships with mechanical systems. Get involved with a machine and sooner or later you are reduced to a factor." -Ellen Goodman, "The Human Factor," The Washington Post, January 1987
"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man." -Elbert Hubbard, The Roycroft Dictionary and Book of Epigrams, 1923
"The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do." B.F. Skinner, Contingencies of Reinforcement, 1969
"Soon silence will have passed into legend. Man has turned his back on silence. Day after day he invents machines and devices that increase noise and distract humanity from the essence of life, contemplation, meditation...tooting, howling, screeching, booming, crashing, whistling, grinding, and trilling bolster his ego. His anxiety subsides. His inhuman void spreads monstrously like a gray vegetation." -Jean Arp
"We are becoming the servants in thought, as in action, of the machine we have created to serve us." -John Kenneth Galbraith
"When a machine begins to run without human aid, it is time to scrap it - whether it be a factory or a government." -Alexander Chase, Perspectives, 1966
"You cannot endow even the best machine with initiative; the jolliest steam-roller will not plant flowers." -Walter Lippmann
"The best machine is one you don't have to turn on." - Great quote, but whose is it?
Greek Trivia Fact...
Modern Greeks can still wholly or partly understand texts written in non-archaic forms of ancient Greek shows the affinity of modern Greek language to its ancestral predecessor!
Wrap Up (In English)...
Gods and goddesses, don your mask and spin to win, scratch to hatch, or whatever is your poison. Isis tells us that a number of online casino games are awaiting your custom, and yes, they come in multi currency, and some come both in English and Greek variations, with strong security protection like eCogra. As Aussie Greek cultural icon Con The Fruitier says, "Beautiful". Bet responsibly and watch out for hot headed Greeks, unless they are hot Greek chicks or for the ladies, Mr Cleopatra 'Bachelor of the Year' cum Underbelly Fireass!
*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 sectors they cover.
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6/16/2010
Richard Branson: Virgin Gaming - The World Is Not Enough, by Greg Tingle - 16th June 2010
Richard Branson, the world's most famous celebrity businessman and social and community entrepreneur, keeps powering along with the official launch of his Virgin Gaming at E3 Expo is Los Angeles overnight. Is there no stopping this man and his Virgin powerhouse? Media Man and Gambling911 investigate the way Sir Branson has smartly put life in the online gaming sector with Virgin Gaming, adding to his already impressive Virgin empire...
Richard Branson, publicity stunt, media and lifestyle king, who jumped and only just survived 407 feet from the top of the Palms Hotel Casino in Las Vegas circa 2007 to promote Virgin domestic flight service in the U.S., took a virtual leap back into videogames, adding to his 200 plus companies, including Virgin Casino.
The strategic move is tipped to also help Branson offer an online casino product to the United States and Australia, when the time is right. Branson's spy crew have been keeping a tab of PartyGaming's PartyCasino and World Poker Tour brands, including their penetration into Australia, as well as Google's successful worldwide splash of Google Pac-Man, the arcade classic.
Branson announced a joint venture with WorldGaming.com, a medium size Canadian start-up, to launch Virgin Gaming, a service that lets gamers battle for cold, hard cash. We reckon he's likely to pick up a few poker players and casino punters, who consider themselves more skillful than the average bear..er Wolverine - Wolf Runner. Due to its potential tie in with gambling, such wagering is only permitted in 39 U.S states, including California. Ah, politics and relationships matter, especially in show business and government legal eagle matters, and gaming and gambling is one of the hottest political subjects on a global scale as we go to press.
Schwarzenegger, the 38th Governor of California, also features in the Terminator online slot game, exclusive to PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com, and Arnie mate, Sly Stallone, features in the Rambo online slot, again exclusive to PartyGaming.
Branson has been publicly spotted with Arnie, so could this be a sign that before long Arnie and Sly themed games will also be found at Virgin Gaming? Stranger things have happened. Don't forget, the Stan Lee connection - Marvel Entertainment themed games are found at Virgin Casino these days also. We're learned Tomb Raider (Angelina Jolie) and Cleopatra is also on the radar. Aussie babe Elle MacPherson (former friend with benifits...we think) of Branson chum, Damian Aspinall (UK casino tycoon), is looking for some fun and games with Branson based on her media comments and teasers of late. Elle aka 'The Body' has noted the success of Angelia in the gaming and super hero - ine sector.
As champion of the Virgin Group, Branson The Billionaire, knows how to create positive buzz and stand out from the pack.
When he bungie jumped off the Palms Casino, only just surviving, tossed out free tickets to fly Virgin. At a presser held on the eve (pun intended for Mrs Eve Branson) of the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo aka E3, the man proclaimed that Virgin Gaming would give away $1 million bucks in cash, in addition to other prizes over the year.
This is Branson's second entry into video games. His firms Virgin Interactive arm published console and computer games from '81 to '98 before selling the biz to Electronic Arts.
"Virgin loves to jump in where there is a gap in the market," Branson said. "As a brand, we're one of the most respected. ... Obviously, gaming is one of the most important for this generation."
Branson jokingly and perhaps covering his ass noted, "I lost both my children for three to four years to gaming."
Team Branson are understood to have done the homework on World Gaming - Virgin Gaming, and experts believe that Branson will make money with this venture, and have quite a bit of fun in the process.
Gaming Or Gambling Explained And Other Legal Stuff...
The company is converting the WorldGaming.com. site, which has 30,000 members, to the Virgin Gaming site. Virgin has also taken into account financial responsibility for gamers. Virgin Gaming has in fact imposed several financial safeguards. While the maximum bet is $1,000, participants, who must be 18, are limited to adding $500 to their account every seven days. A company spokesman said participants who consistently lose large sums will be contacted "to discuss a restructuring of their account".
To help ensure that players are evenly matched at Virgin Gaming, skills are judged after several opening matches. Players also report on their opponents’ abilities and decorum.
People who are active on the site also win points redeemable in the Virgin online store for Virgin America airline tickets and console accessories. "One day we may offer a trip on Virgin Galactic," the company’s space flight venture, said Billy Levy, Virgin Gaming’s president.
Business Development And Counter Attack To PartyGaming, Sega And Google Et Al?...
A media man spokesperson pointed out "Branson's Virgin Gaming achieved a number of things. Fills the gap in the gaming market, gets massive media attention an puts focus on games of skill, away from the more controversial Virgin Casino - Virgin Games, which is gambling, other than the poker product. The move will also put pressure on states and countries in regard to internet censorship and game classification. Branson carries massive political and financial clout and switched on politicians and law makers would do well to play ball with Team Branson we think. Publishing and internet entrepreneurs are hopeful that there will be some b2b and / or online affiliate program opportunities with Virgin Gaming, as there are with Virgin Games. This move should counter some of the success of operators such as PartyGaming and PKR, who are starting to make more noise re 2D and 3D gaming. The product may also fit in with Virgin's plans to be more pro active in the motion picture industry, as teased with Stan Lee and Marvel Comics a couple of years ago. Plans, trains, automobiles, spaceships and now gaming. What an impressive business model".
Media Man is yet to determine what all of this means for existing Virgin Games affiliates, or the AWOMO brand for that matter. Insiders get the vibe that World Gaming took the place of AWOMO, but that is yet to be discovered.
Branson's Virgin may have a few other big plans in the wind for down under in Australia, given his relationship with Crown Casino - City Of Dreams - Burswood casino king James Packer. Packer also have a relationship with Aspinall going back decades... ah, what a small world, one that RB keeps shrinking with his games, planes and spaceships.
Websites Of Reference
Virgin
VirginGaming.com
AWOMO.com
Party,
*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 including sports betting is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover. They also publish Virtual Worlds Media http://www.virtualworldsmedia.net
*The writer owns shares in Virgin
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Richard Branson, publicity stunt, media and lifestyle king, who jumped and only just survived 407 feet from the top of the Palms Hotel Casino in Las Vegas circa 2007 to promote Virgin domestic flight service in the U.S., took a virtual leap back into videogames, adding to his 200 plus companies, including Virgin Casino.
The strategic move is tipped to also help Branson offer an online casino product to the United States and Australia, when the time is right. Branson's spy crew have been keeping a tab of PartyGaming's PartyCasino and World Poker Tour brands, including their penetration into Australia, as well as Google's successful worldwide splash of Google Pac-Man, the arcade classic.
Branson announced a joint venture with WorldGaming.com, a medium size Canadian start-up, to launch Virgin Gaming, a service that lets gamers battle for cold, hard cash. We reckon he's likely to pick up a few poker players and casino punters, who consider themselves more skillful than the average bear..er Wolverine - Wolf Runner. Due to its potential tie in with gambling, such wagering is only permitted in 39 U.S states, including California. Ah, politics and relationships matter, especially in show business and government legal eagle matters, and gaming and gambling is one of the hottest political subjects on a global scale as we go to press.
Schwarzenegger, the 38th Governor of California, also features in the Terminator online slot game, exclusive to PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com, and Arnie mate, Sly Stallone, features in the Rambo online slot, again exclusive to PartyGaming.
Branson has been publicly spotted with Arnie, so could this be a sign that before long Arnie and Sly themed games will also be found at Virgin Gaming? Stranger things have happened. Don't forget, the Stan Lee connection - Marvel Entertainment themed games are found at Virgin Casino these days also. We're learned Tomb Raider (Angelina Jolie) and Cleopatra is also on the radar. Aussie babe Elle MacPherson (former friend with benifits...we think) of Branson chum, Damian Aspinall (UK casino tycoon), is looking for some fun and games with Branson based on her media comments and teasers of late. Elle aka 'The Body' has noted the success of Angelia in the gaming and super hero - ine sector.
As champion of the Virgin Group, Branson The Billionaire, knows how to create positive buzz and stand out from the pack.
When he bungie jumped off the Palms Casino, only just surviving, tossed out free tickets to fly Virgin. At a presser held on the eve (pun intended for Mrs Eve Branson) of the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo aka E3, the man proclaimed that Virgin Gaming would give away $1 million bucks in cash, in addition to other prizes over the year.
This is Branson's second entry into video games. His firms Virgin Interactive arm published console and computer games from '81 to '98 before selling the biz to Electronic Arts.
"Virgin loves to jump in where there is a gap in the market," Branson said. "As a brand, we're one of the most respected. ... Obviously, gaming is one of the most important for this generation."
Branson jokingly and perhaps covering his ass noted, "I lost both my children for three to four years to gaming."
Team Branson are understood to have done the homework on World Gaming - Virgin Gaming, and experts believe that Branson will make money with this venture, and have quite a bit of fun in the process.
Gaming Or Gambling Explained And Other Legal Stuff...
The company is converting the WorldGaming.com. site, which has 30,000 members, to the Virgin Gaming site. Virgin has also taken into account financial responsibility for gamers. Virgin Gaming has in fact imposed several financial safeguards. While the maximum bet is $1,000, participants, who must be 18, are limited to adding $500 to their account every seven days. A company spokesman said participants who consistently lose large sums will be contacted "to discuss a restructuring of their account".
To help ensure that players are evenly matched at Virgin Gaming, skills are judged after several opening matches. Players also report on their opponents’ abilities and decorum.
People who are active on the site also win points redeemable in the Virgin online store for Virgin America airline tickets and console accessories. "One day we may offer a trip on Virgin Galactic," the company’s space flight venture, said Billy Levy, Virgin Gaming’s president.
Business Development And Counter Attack To PartyGaming, Sega And Google Et Al?...
A media man spokesperson pointed out "Branson's Virgin Gaming achieved a number of things. Fills the gap in the gaming market, gets massive media attention an puts focus on games of skill, away from the more controversial Virgin Casino - Virgin Games, which is gambling, other than the poker product. The move will also put pressure on states and countries in regard to internet censorship and game classification. Branson carries massive political and financial clout and switched on politicians and law makers would do well to play ball with Team Branson we think. Publishing and internet entrepreneurs are hopeful that there will be some b2b and / or online affiliate program opportunities with Virgin Gaming, as there are with Virgin Games. This move should counter some of the success of operators such as PartyGaming and PKR, who are starting to make more noise re 2D and 3D gaming. The product may also fit in with Virgin's plans to be more pro active in the motion picture industry, as teased with Stan Lee and Marvel Comics a couple of years ago. Plans, trains, automobiles, spaceships and now gaming. What an impressive business model".
Media Man is yet to determine what all of this means for existing Virgin Games affiliates, or the AWOMO brand for that matter. Insiders get the vibe that World Gaming took the place of AWOMO, but that is yet to be discovered.
Branson's Virgin may have a few other big plans in the wind for down under in Australia, given his relationship with Crown Casino - City Of Dreams - Burswood casino king James Packer. Packer also have a relationship with Aspinall going back decades... ah, what a small world, one that RB keeps shrinking with his games, planes and spaceships.
Websites Of Reference
Virgin
VirginGaming.com
AWOMO.com
Party,
*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 including sports betting is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover. They also publish Virtual Worlds Media http://www.virtualworldsmedia.net
*The writer owns shares in Virgin
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Media Man Australia
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Aussie Pokies Manufacture Aristocrat Loosing Out To Foreigners, by Greg Tingle - 16th June 2010
Australia and the Asia Pacific region is such a strong gaming market that its setting a number of worldwide trends. Globalisation has hit the Aussie sector in a big way and this can mean big wins or losses for casino whales and game makers, depending upon which side of the equation they find themselves on. Media Man. Media Man and Gambling911 play bean counter and auditor with this special report...
Aussie Pokies Manufacture Aristocrat Loosing Out To Foreigners...
Pokie maker Aristocrat is facing a possible threat to its long-held dominance of the local market, with its biggest New South Wales hotel customer considering moving to a rival machine maker.
The big cheese of listed National Leisure and Gaming, Andrew Jolliffe, said he was in talks with Aristocrat to replace 100 Aristocrat video poker machines that were just 1 year old.
Jolliffe advised he was considering returning them to Aristocrat under their lease-style system and replacing them with machines from American firms Bally or Aruze, or even local rival Len Ainsworth.
A move away by NLG to another firm won't be a good look for their former supplier... which would point to 'The Big A' Aristocrat's.
NLG are the "largest player" in New South Wales, and other pokie machine buyers are watching the situation with interest. "It could cause a ripple effect, even an avalanche", whispered a Media Man insider.
Fairfax and News Limited leaks advise Jolliffe and Aristocrat top brass Jamie Odell are negotiating in Macau at Asia's biggest gambling conference, as covered by Gambling911.
It should be noted that the new machines have enhanced graphics, games and screens with more options and features than the originals - oldies, Aristocrat's "Generation 7" pokies have not been as hot as the decade-old classic slots Queen of the Nile and Five Dragons.
NLG has in excess of 900 pokies spanning 31 New South Wales pubs and hotels. At least 90% are Aristocrat, but fortune tellers (and the well informed), are tipping a decline, but punters keep playing, despite the world's financial crisis.
Whales and potential whales...are you a trend follower or a trend maker? Australia may be a far cry from the bright lights of Las Vegas, but the land of Kangaroos and Aussie Pokies is setting trends that will continue to have worldwide repercussions. Not sure? Look up Mrs Crocodile Hunter Terri Irwin and her Crocodile A Mania or James Packer and his Crown Casino empire. These Aussie's are world beaters, and whilst not the typical Aussie battler any longer, they are key foundations of Aussie business tycoons shaking things up on a global scale, and Media Man is delighted to be closer to the action that most. Note that they all enjoy collaborations and balanced news media coverage on a global scale, be it Macau, Mandalay Bay, Canada, or our Yankee friends - Vegas, Atlantic City, Florida et al, doing their best to keep the American Dream alive. Don't bet against NLG, Terri Irwin, James Packer or the Media Man. As the late, great, Kerry Packer said famously, "I'll toss you for it"!
The Late News!...
MM Online Casino Of The Month Shortlist...
It's anyone's guess who will win the Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month'. At the moment it could be PartyCasino.com, Virgin Casino, PKR or Captain Cooks Casino. A couple of dark horses and wild cards are also making a strong half month big for the top honors. We will keep you posted and the month draws closer to conclusion. Betfair and Centrebet are fighting it out for #1 Aussie sports betting website, and PartyPoker, World Poker Tour, PKR are on the shortlist for Online Poker Room Of The Month. Mixed reports coming in on both Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars, so eliminate those couple from awards this month. Insiders say casino and poker room 'rouge pit' reporters are waiting keenly for word on the worst poker and casino rooms! Think red flag to a bull or to borrow a quote from a Aussie politician, Dracula running the Blood Bank!
Friendly Reminder To Punters...
Know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and for Christ's sake, have fun!
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming including sports betting is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
Website Network
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Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Aussie Pokies Manufacture Aristocrat Loosing Out To Foreigners...
Pokie maker Aristocrat is facing a possible threat to its long-held dominance of the local market, with its biggest New South Wales hotel customer considering moving to a rival machine maker.
The big cheese of listed National Leisure and Gaming, Andrew Jolliffe, said he was in talks with Aristocrat to replace 100 Aristocrat video poker machines that were just 1 year old.
Jolliffe advised he was considering returning them to Aristocrat under their lease-style system and replacing them with machines from American firms Bally or Aruze, or even local rival Len Ainsworth.
A move away by NLG to another firm won't be a good look for their former supplier... which would point to 'The Big A' Aristocrat's.
NLG are the "largest player" in New South Wales, and other pokie machine buyers are watching the situation with interest. "It could cause a ripple effect, even an avalanche", whispered a Media Man insider.
Fairfax and News Limited leaks advise Jolliffe and Aristocrat top brass Jamie Odell are negotiating in Macau at Asia's biggest gambling conference, as covered by Gambling911.
It should be noted that the new machines have enhanced graphics, games and screens with more options and features than the originals - oldies, Aristocrat's "Generation 7" pokies have not been as hot as the decade-old classic slots Queen of the Nile and Five Dragons.
NLG has in excess of 900 pokies spanning 31 New South Wales pubs and hotels. At least 90% are Aristocrat, but fortune tellers (and the well informed), are tipping a decline, but punters keep playing, despite the world's financial crisis.
Whales and potential whales...are you a trend follower or a trend maker? Australia may be a far cry from the bright lights of Las Vegas, but the land of Kangaroos and Aussie Pokies is setting trends that will continue to have worldwide repercussions. Not sure? Look up Mrs Crocodile Hunter Terri Irwin and her Crocodile A Mania or James Packer and his Crown Casino empire. These Aussie's are world beaters, and whilst not the typical Aussie battler any longer, they are key foundations of Aussie business tycoons shaking things up on a global scale, and Media Man is delighted to be closer to the action that most. Note that they all enjoy collaborations and balanced news media coverage on a global scale, be it Macau, Mandalay Bay, Canada, or our Yankee friends - Vegas, Atlantic City, Florida et al, doing their best to keep the American Dream alive. Don't bet against NLG, Terri Irwin, James Packer or the Media Man. As the late, great, Kerry Packer said famously, "I'll toss you for it"!
The Late News!...
MM Online Casino Of The Month Shortlist...
It's anyone's guess who will win the Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month'. At the moment it could be PartyCasino.com, Virgin Casino, PKR or Captain Cooks Casino. A couple of dark horses and wild cards are also making a strong half month big for the top honors. We will keep you posted and the month draws closer to conclusion. Betfair and Centrebet are fighting it out for #1 Aussie sports betting website, and PartyPoker, World Poker Tour, PKR are on the shortlist for Online Poker Room Of The Month. Mixed reports coming in on both Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars, so eliminate those couple from awards this month. Insiders say casino and poker room 'rouge pit' reporters are waiting keenly for word on the worst poker and casino rooms! Think red flag to a bull or to borrow a quote from a Aussie politician, Dracula running the Blood Bank!
Friendly Reminder To Punters...
Know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and for Christ's sake, have fun!
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming including sports betting is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
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Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Australia - Asia Pacific Gaming And Casino News Update, by Greg Tingle - 15th June 2010
Australia and the Asia Pacific region remains a hot bed for casino, online casino, gaming, political and internet censorship news. Media Man and Gambling911 have been busy on the phones and pounding the pavement, as we take you on a voyage of casino news discovery that even explorer Captain James Cook may have been proud of.
FIFA World Cup...
Public thank you for your efforts to Australia's Socceroos and congratulations to Germany, who kicked Aussie ass 4-0. It was all that funny soccer balls' fault... just kidding, maybe it effected the Aussie's just a tad, but Germany simply outclassed the convicts. Kangaroos, we wish you better in your next match. Betting and sports experts advise Australians betting on the World Cup will reach roughly $300 million, but insiders tell us the vast majority of Aussies are betting on Australia to loose, of course.
An estimated 2.9 million (16.5%) Australians almost always or occasionally watch FIFA World Cup on TV according to the Roy Morgan Research sports data.
When you take a closer look at the FIFA World Cup viewers, 71% are male. They are also 63% more likely than the average Australian to agree with the statement ‘I love to do as many sports as possible’, and 95% more likely to participate in team sports compared to the general population.
This is an important and valuable group with 28% being in the AB Quintile (top 20%) and 42% being Big Spenders.
Mildura Jewel Casino Proposal Still Alive; Gaining Support ...
The proposal by the Mildura Development Corporation to build a land based casino continues to garner community, council, government and news media support. Victorian Premier John Brumby does however advise more paperwork and consultation is required. Casino and property developer John Haddad has secured a letter from Premier Brumby indicating support for his $400 million plan. Brumby's letter restates his position has not changed and that there is no legal restriction on building a casino more than 150 kilometres from Melbourne. He went on record with "Nobody has ever been interested in building one. He's interested. There's no process in place to do it and all I've said publicly is that it would need to enjoy, firstly, strong community support,". Mr Haddad has responded by saying he has not yet been able to meet Mr Brumby to pass on the indications of support he has received. The local council agreed at its latest meeting that the casino presents a major investment opportunity and asked Mr Haddad to prepare more information on his plans. "That's all I needed and that letter is a very strong letter for me to go back to the Premier in addition to the letters I have from the Mildura Development Corporation and the Mildura tourism body," Mr Haddad said.
Internet Censorship - Australia - Asia Pacific - Indonesia - Philippines - Singapore...
Australian and Singaporean Internet-filtering strategies are not appropriate for Indonesia, a blogger says in response to a government proposal to investigate how other countries regulate the web. Singapore has rigid regulations on Internet censorship and imposes heavy criminal penalties on perpetrators, noted blogger Enda Nasution said on Monday. “They can do so because they already have a solid legal infrastructure in place, including [laws] banning pornography and defamation of the government,” he told the The Jakarta Post. “They don’t have freedom of speech in Singapore,” he added. Internet censorship regulations were still under public scrutiny in Australia, he said. Communications and Information Technology Minister Tifatul Sembiring said on Sunday he would seek to limit Indonesia’s access to pornographic web sites. “We need to make the same regulation as Australia, the same as Singapore, but not like China, I think,” he told The New York Times. “I think today the people understand the usefulness of that type of regulation.” The minister’s statement came in the wake of a scandal involving local pop singer Nazril Ilham, known as Ariel, and his girlfriend, actress Luna Maya. A homemade video that allegedly features the pair spread on the Internet earlier this month and was followed by a second sex video that allegedly features Ariel and television presenter Cut Tari. The video has spread across Indonesia and schools have inspected students’ mobile phones for the pornographic videos. The country needs rules that ban negative web content, Tifatul said last week. The ministry previously proposed regulations aimed at filtering multimedia content. The idea died after a public uproar, which included opposition from the burgeoning online community. Critics said the regulation would have killed the content provider industry in Indonesia. “The regulations fatal mistake was that (it made) content providers responsible for content, when the creators, writers or those who upload the content (should be accountable),” information technology analyst Onno W. Purbo said in February. The draft regulation also said that multimedia service providers be banned from distributing, transmitting and making accessible content deemed pornographic or that violated public decency. The regulation also proposed prohibiting online gambling or “carrying lies and misleading information” on the Internet. Content providers who failed to remove such content could have had their permits revoked. Tifatul said that the sex-video scandal was “a good reason” to revive the regulation. Bottom line, internet censorship is a form of censorship, and goes against the free flow of information as described re human rights and the United Nations!
The Indonesian comms and information technology minister said sex videos allegedly featuring celebrities made him "feverish", adding that the country needed a rule to ban "negative" content on the web. In the absence of such a ban, Mi-nister Tifatul Sembiring said he would summon Internet service providers to help stop the spread of the clips, Antara news agency reported. He said he hadn’t seen the video but a report on them from his subordinates made him "feverish". "Why would anyone tape such a private thing?" he said.
Centrebet Limited Gets Chartwell Games Platform...
("Centrebet") is the latest international gaming brand to select the Chartwell Games Platform ("CGP") to power its online flash casino. Established in 1992, Centrebet has grown into an established brand in its core market of Australia, Greece and Scandinavian regions with over 60,000 active customers. Their competitive advantage comes from highly experienced management in the field of gaming and wagering, highlighted by a broad product offering. Centrebet is well positioned to continue to increase market share in a strong and growing Australian online wagering market. Centrebet listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2006 and since then have achieved a 23% compounded annual growth rate in wagering turnover. In 2009 they reported total revenues of $66.2M and EBITDA of $11.8M and of that the online casino contributed 21% of total revenue at $13.8 M. "Choosing Chartwell to provide our latest Casino platform was an easy decision, the range of content, flexibility, power of CGP and their plans for the future were defining factors. We are looking forward to working with them closely as we continue to grow our business." Comments Chris Bowler, Head of Europe for Centrebet LTD. Centrebet commenced operations in 1992 and in 1996 was the first licensed bookmaker in the Southern Hemisphere to offer online sports betting. Centrebet is now a leading International online wagering and gaming operator offering fixed odds betting on a wide variety of Australian and International sporting, racing, entertainment and political events, as well as online poker and casino products. Online poker and casino products are not offered to Australian residents due to regulatory considerations. Centrebet is a publicly traded company on the Australian Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol "CIL".
Betfair Cleans Up On FIFA World Cup Betting Down Under...
Industry insiders say that up to 65% of sport bets placed on the World Cup by Australians have gone through Betfair. Betfair is 50% owned by James Packer. Huge congratulations Betfair. Tabcorp's PR was putting a word out around town that they had taken about half of all Aussie bets, but we're told it was "spin based". Just maybe Betfair and / or Packer may like provide some extra resources to the Socceroos next time around, as something was a miss, and it was more than that funny soccer ball. Australian sports is known to be not well funded in compassions to many other sporting nations, while Packer's casino and gaming empire is regarded as one of the world's most successful and profitable.
Aussie Casino King James Packer Invests In Marketing And Communications: Photon...
Keeping us on the edge of our seats,'Our James' has further diversified his investment portfolio.
The Australian Financial Review states Packer has been buying shares in the firm over a number of weeks and has now accumulated a 4.5% holding.
Photon is understood to be one of the largest marketing services companies in the world and insiders reckon they own about 50 companies in Australia and offshore.
The outfit was founded by big media players Hughes and legendary Reg Grundy; Grundy is understood to retain a stake of 23.8% in the powerhouse.
Packer is said to be keen to keep his shareholding "low-key" and will keep his stake below the 5% mark at which he needs to formally announce his presence on Photon's share registry as a "substantial shareholder".
Analysts have commented that the investment in Photon reverses a recent trend of Mr Packer selling out his direct equity investment. Last year the king sold his personal stakes in Challenger Financial Services and property group Sunland, as he was starting to hit his straps and prove the knockers wrong again.
Some background and history as to what's likely driving the changes, with Packer getting into Photon.
Photon has enjoyed a recent appointment of new chief executive Jeremy Philips, who used to work at eCorp. That firm was owned by the Packer family's former media holding company, Publishing & Broadcasting Limited.
Phillips recently worked as senior VP at Murdoch's News Corp, was appointed in May.
The Big P share price is good value...it's fallen from a touch below $4 to just 95c over the last 2 years. The buzz is Packer will likely do very well with his new buy in, just as long as he hangs in there. Closer to home... the Bondi Beach - Maroubra Beach connection...Media Man is working on becoming one step closer to becoming fully investor ready.
Aussie Pokies Manufacture Aristocrat Loosing Out To Foreigners...
Pokie maker Aristocrat is facing a possible threat to its long-held dominance of the local market, with its biggest New South Wales hotel customer considering moving to a rival machine maker.
The big cheese of listed National Leisure and Gaming, Andrew Jolliffe, said he was in talks with Aristocrat to replace 100 Aristocrat video poker machines that were just 1 year old.
Jolliffe advised he was considering returning them to Aristocrat under their lease-style system and replacing them with machines from American firms Bally or Aruze, or even local rival Len Ainsworth.
A move away by NLG to another firm won't be a good look for their former supplier... which would point to 'The Big A' Aristocrat's.
NLG are the "largest player" in New South Wales, and other pokie machine buyers are watching the situation with interest. "It could cause a ripple effect, even an alalance", whispered a Media Man insider.
Fairfax and News Limited leaks advise Jolliffe and Aristocrat top brass Jamie Odell are negotiating in Macau at Asia's biggest gambling conference, as covered by Gambling911.
It should be noted that the new machines have enhanced graphics, games and screens with more options and features than the originals - oldies, Aristocrat's "Generation 7" pokies have not been as hot as the decade-old classic slots Queen of the Nile and Five Dragons.
NLG has in excess of 900 pokies spanning 31 New South Wales pubs and hotels. At least 90% are Aristocrat, but fortune tellers (and the well informed), are tipping a decline, but punters keep playing, despite the world's financial crisis.
Readers, there you have it. We trust that satisfied your fix for red hot gaming, casino, igaming and political news.
More Late News!...
Gamers back Sex Party in push for R18+ And Political Fun And Games...
Resistance to the establishment of an adult category for video games has the gamers and political arm of Australia's sex industry talking turkey.
South Australian small time party Gamers4Croydon, which picked up a decent share of votes in the state's last election, has encouraged its members to support the Australian Sex Party at the coming federal contest. It's focus - campaign to win an R18+ category for hardcore and soft core games.
An insider advised that Gamers4Croydon's leadership was trying to swing its supporters into the Sex Party after its own bid to register for the federal election hit a snag. Mr X said the two contemplated a formal merger, but Gamers4Croydon campaign manager David Doe didn't give it the nod.
"We're telling people about the Sex Party because we think it is one of the more progressive parties running in the federal election, but there's been no call put out to members to actively switch to the Australian Sex Party," Mr Doe said. It looked like they were on the same side because their policies were "very well aligned". Th parties have found political common ground in their effort to have Australia's content classification regime overhauled. Gamers4Croydon focused on getting an R18+ category for games, but it also shares the Sex Party's objection to Labor's internet filtering proposal, as do about 90% of Aussies. Overhauling the regime requires agreement from all states' attorneys-general, but South Australia's former attorney-general, Michael Atkinson, had refused to budge. Other R18+ camps are also keeping up the pressure. Game.com.au and the Pal Gaming Network said they had received support from two federal senators to table an 89,000- signature petition in the upper house in August. British Tycoon and his spies are said to be watching the Aussie internet filtering and political space closely, with the upcoming launch of Virgin Gaming in Los Angeles cum 15th June. A Media Man spokesperson said "PartyGaming, Sega, Google, Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, UFC and Microsoft are also included in the growing list of international giants watching the Australian government's moves on censorship, some of which have already spoke out against Australia's proposed 'Great Firewall' aka internet censorship. Punters, fear not, check out Proxy.com and a host of others re 'proxy'. Internet publishers have already started backing up websites and have back up websites at the ready in a bush tucker bag of geographic regions".
Mrs Crocodile Hunter Via Croc Vegas Crocodile A Mania Gathering Steam...
Media Man can confirm that a number of switched on business folks have made contact with Australia Zoo regarding Team Terri Irwin's ambitious plans to create a crocodile and nature extravaganza on the Las Vegas Strip. The Rumour Mill is a buzz that pro wrestling legend Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka, orginally from Fiji in the South Pacific, is planing to contact Terri. Snuka was part of the main event at WWE WrestleMania and is a genuine wrestling legend. Snuka is also featured in a number of pro wrestling games including 'Legends Of WrestleMania. Snuka has taken note of the success that Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair have enjoyed in the gaming and igaming sector, and we think the Aussie - Las Vegas Strip connection is a bloody riper mate. Long live the Superfly splash, just maybe coming to Las Vegas. Australia's 'Outback Jack', now living in Florida, is keeping a keen eye of the situation. Interestingly, a slot machine is also entitled 'Outback Jack', and we're seen it in action at Sydney's Tabcorp owned Star City Casino. WWE had previously owned a casino in Vegas however didn't complete the project and remarkably sold the building for a profit (that was before Las Vegas started bleeding. Note to Snuka and Team Terri Irwin... "red turns to green" (just ask Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and UFC's Dana White, who is also linked to the casino industry via Station Casinos). Station Casinos is making progress working through their financial challanges as documented over the past months.
MM Online Casino Of The Month Shortlist...
It's anyone's guess who will win the Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month'. At the moment it could be PartyCasino.com, Virgin Casino, PKR or Captain Cooks Casino. A couple of dark horses and wild cards are also making a strong half month big for the top honors. We will keep you posted and the month draws closer to conclusion. Betfair and Centrebet are fighting it out for #1 Aussie sports betting website, and PartyPoker, World Poker Tour, PKR are on the shortlist for Online Poker Room Of The Month. Mixed reports coming in on both Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars, so eliminate those couple from awards this month. Insiders say casino and poker room 'rouge pit' reporters are waiting keenly for word on the worst poker and casino rooms! Think red flag to a bull or to borrow a quote from a Aussie politicion, Dracula running the Blood Bank!
Friendly Reminder To Punters...
We share your passion for gaming and sports betting, but, if you think your passion for the punt may be causing you problems, please seek professional assistance. And...try to avoid mixing drugs and alcohol with wagering.
Know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and for Christ's sake, have fun!
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming including sports betting is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover. Media Man also publish Media Man Asia and Casino News Media
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin
Website Network
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FIFA World Cup...
Public thank you for your efforts to Australia's Socceroos and congratulations to Germany, who kicked Aussie ass 4-0. It was all that funny soccer balls' fault... just kidding, maybe it effected the Aussie's just a tad, but Germany simply outclassed the convicts. Kangaroos, we wish you better in your next match. Betting and sports experts advise Australians betting on the World Cup will reach roughly $300 million, but insiders tell us the vast majority of Aussies are betting on Australia to loose, of course.
An estimated 2.9 million (16.5%) Australians almost always or occasionally watch FIFA World Cup on TV according to the Roy Morgan Research sports data.
When you take a closer look at the FIFA World Cup viewers, 71% are male. They are also 63% more likely than the average Australian to agree with the statement ‘I love to do as many sports as possible’, and 95% more likely to participate in team sports compared to the general population.
This is an important and valuable group with 28% being in the AB Quintile (top 20%) and 42% being Big Spenders.
Mildura Jewel Casino Proposal Still Alive; Gaining Support ...
The proposal by the Mildura Development Corporation to build a land based casino continues to garner community, council, government and news media support. Victorian Premier John Brumby does however advise more paperwork and consultation is required. Casino and property developer John Haddad has secured a letter from Premier Brumby indicating support for his $400 million plan. Brumby's letter restates his position has not changed and that there is no legal restriction on building a casino more than 150 kilometres from Melbourne. He went on record with "Nobody has ever been interested in building one. He's interested. There's no process in place to do it and all I've said publicly is that it would need to enjoy, firstly, strong community support,". Mr Haddad has responded by saying he has not yet been able to meet Mr Brumby to pass on the indications of support he has received. The local council agreed at its latest meeting that the casino presents a major investment opportunity and asked Mr Haddad to prepare more information on his plans. "That's all I needed and that letter is a very strong letter for me to go back to the Premier in addition to the letters I have from the Mildura Development Corporation and the Mildura tourism body," Mr Haddad said.
Internet Censorship - Australia - Asia Pacific - Indonesia - Philippines - Singapore...
Australian and Singaporean Internet-filtering strategies are not appropriate for Indonesia, a blogger says in response to a government proposal to investigate how other countries regulate the web. Singapore has rigid regulations on Internet censorship and imposes heavy criminal penalties on perpetrators, noted blogger Enda Nasution said on Monday. “They can do so because they already have a solid legal infrastructure in place, including [laws] banning pornography and defamation of the government,” he told the The Jakarta Post. “They don’t have freedom of speech in Singapore,” he added. Internet censorship regulations were still under public scrutiny in Australia, he said. Communications and Information Technology Minister Tifatul Sembiring said on Sunday he would seek to limit Indonesia’s access to pornographic web sites. “We need to make the same regulation as Australia, the same as Singapore, but not like China, I think,” he told The New York Times. “I think today the people understand the usefulness of that type of regulation.” The minister’s statement came in the wake of a scandal involving local pop singer Nazril Ilham, known as Ariel, and his girlfriend, actress Luna Maya. A homemade video that allegedly features the pair spread on the Internet earlier this month and was followed by a second sex video that allegedly features Ariel and television presenter Cut Tari. The video has spread across Indonesia and schools have inspected students’ mobile phones for the pornographic videos. The country needs rules that ban negative web content, Tifatul said last week. The ministry previously proposed regulations aimed at filtering multimedia content. The idea died after a public uproar, which included opposition from the burgeoning online community. Critics said the regulation would have killed the content provider industry in Indonesia. “The regulations fatal mistake was that (it made) content providers responsible for content, when the creators, writers or those who upload the content (should be accountable),” information technology analyst Onno W. Purbo said in February. The draft regulation also said that multimedia service providers be banned from distributing, transmitting and making accessible content deemed pornographic or that violated public decency. The regulation also proposed prohibiting online gambling or “carrying lies and misleading information” on the Internet. Content providers who failed to remove such content could have had their permits revoked. Tifatul said that the sex-video scandal was “a good reason” to revive the regulation. Bottom line, internet censorship is a form of censorship, and goes against the free flow of information as described re human rights and the United Nations!
The Indonesian comms and information technology minister said sex videos allegedly featuring celebrities made him "feverish", adding that the country needed a rule to ban "negative" content on the web. In the absence of such a ban, Mi-nister Tifatul Sembiring said he would summon Internet service providers to help stop the spread of the clips, Antara news agency reported. He said he hadn’t seen the video but a report on them from his subordinates made him "feverish". "Why would anyone tape such a private thing?" he said.
Centrebet Limited Gets Chartwell Games Platform...
("Centrebet") is the latest international gaming brand to select the Chartwell Games Platform ("CGP") to power its online flash casino. Established in 1992, Centrebet has grown into an established brand in its core market of Australia, Greece and Scandinavian regions with over 60,000 active customers. Their competitive advantage comes from highly experienced management in the field of gaming and wagering, highlighted by a broad product offering. Centrebet is well positioned to continue to increase market share in a strong and growing Australian online wagering market. Centrebet listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2006 and since then have achieved a 23% compounded annual growth rate in wagering turnover. In 2009 they reported total revenues of $66.2M and EBITDA of $11.8M and of that the online casino contributed 21% of total revenue at $13.8 M. "Choosing Chartwell to provide our latest Casino platform was an easy decision, the range of content, flexibility, power of CGP and their plans for the future were defining factors. We are looking forward to working with them closely as we continue to grow our business." Comments Chris Bowler, Head of Europe for Centrebet LTD. Centrebet commenced operations in 1992 and in 1996 was the first licensed bookmaker in the Southern Hemisphere to offer online sports betting. Centrebet is now a leading International online wagering and gaming operator offering fixed odds betting on a wide variety of Australian and International sporting, racing, entertainment and political events, as well as online poker and casino products. Online poker and casino products are not offered to Australian residents due to regulatory considerations. Centrebet is a publicly traded company on the Australian Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol "CIL".
Betfair Cleans Up On FIFA World Cup Betting Down Under...
Industry insiders say that up to 65% of sport bets placed on the World Cup by Australians have gone through Betfair. Betfair is 50% owned by James Packer. Huge congratulations Betfair. Tabcorp's PR was putting a word out around town that they had taken about half of all Aussie bets, but we're told it was "spin based". Just maybe Betfair and / or Packer may like provide some extra resources to the Socceroos next time around, as something was a miss, and it was more than that funny soccer ball. Australian sports is known to be not well funded in compassions to many other sporting nations, while Packer's casino and gaming empire is regarded as one of the world's most successful and profitable.
Aussie Casino King James Packer Invests In Marketing And Communications: Photon...
Keeping us on the edge of our seats,'Our James' has further diversified his investment portfolio.
The Australian Financial Review states Packer has been buying shares in the firm over a number of weeks and has now accumulated a 4.5% holding.
Photon is understood to be one of the largest marketing services companies in the world and insiders reckon they own about 50 companies in Australia and offshore.
The outfit was founded by big media players Hughes and legendary Reg Grundy; Grundy is understood to retain a stake of 23.8% in the powerhouse.
Packer is said to be keen to keep his shareholding "low-key" and will keep his stake below the 5% mark at which he needs to formally announce his presence on Photon's share registry as a "substantial shareholder".
Analysts have commented that the investment in Photon reverses a recent trend of Mr Packer selling out his direct equity investment. Last year the king sold his personal stakes in Challenger Financial Services and property group Sunland, as he was starting to hit his straps and prove the knockers wrong again.
Some background and history as to what's likely driving the changes, with Packer getting into Photon.
Photon has enjoyed a recent appointment of new chief executive Jeremy Philips, who used to work at eCorp. That firm was owned by the Packer family's former media holding company, Publishing & Broadcasting Limited.
Phillips recently worked as senior VP at Murdoch's News Corp, was appointed in May.
The Big P share price is good value...it's fallen from a touch below $4 to just 95c over the last 2 years. The buzz is Packer will likely do very well with his new buy in, just as long as he hangs in there. Closer to home... the Bondi Beach - Maroubra Beach connection...Media Man is working on becoming one step closer to becoming fully investor ready.
Aussie Pokies Manufacture Aristocrat Loosing Out To Foreigners...
Pokie maker Aristocrat is facing a possible threat to its long-held dominance of the local market, with its biggest New South Wales hotel customer considering moving to a rival machine maker.
The big cheese of listed National Leisure and Gaming, Andrew Jolliffe, said he was in talks with Aristocrat to replace 100 Aristocrat video poker machines that were just 1 year old.
Jolliffe advised he was considering returning them to Aristocrat under their lease-style system and replacing them with machines from American firms Bally or Aruze, or even local rival Len Ainsworth.
A move away by NLG to another firm won't be a good look for their former supplier... which would point to 'The Big A' Aristocrat's.
NLG are the "largest player" in New South Wales, and other pokie machine buyers are watching the situation with interest. "It could cause a ripple effect, even an alalance", whispered a Media Man insider.
Fairfax and News Limited leaks advise Jolliffe and Aristocrat top brass Jamie Odell are negotiating in Macau at Asia's biggest gambling conference, as covered by Gambling911.
It should be noted that the new machines have enhanced graphics, games and screens with more options and features than the originals - oldies, Aristocrat's "Generation 7" pokies have not been as hot as the decade-old classic slots Queen of the Nile and Five Dragons.
NLG has in excess of 900 pokies spanning 31 New South Wales pubs and hotels. At least 90% are Aristocrat, but fortune tellers (and the well informed), are tipping a decline, but punters keep playing, despite the world's financial crisis.
Readers, there you have it. We trust that satisfied your fix for red hot gaming, casino, igaming and political news.
More Late News!...
Gamers back Sex Party in push for R18+ And Political Fun And Games...
Resistance to the establishment of an adult category for video games has the gamers and political arm of Australia's sex industry talking turkey.
South Australian small time party Gamers4Croydon, which picked up a decent share of votes in the state's last election, has encouraged its members to support the Australian Sex Party at the coming federal contest. It's focus - campaign to win an R18+ category for hardcore and soft core games.
An insider advised that Gamers4Croydon's leadership was trying to swing its supporters into the Sex Party after its own bid to register for the federal election hit a snag. Mr X said the two contemplated a formal merger, but Gamers4Croydon campaign manager David Doe didn't give it the nod.
"We're telling people about the Sex Party because we think it is one of the more progressive parties running in the federal election, but there's been no call put out to members to actively switch to the Australian Sex Party," Mr Doe said. It looked like they were on the same side because their policies were "very well aligned". Th parties have found political common ground in their effort to have Australia's content classification regime overhauled. Gamers4Croydon focused on getting an R18+ category for games, but it also shares the Sex Party's objection to Labor's internet filtering proposal, as do about 90% of Aussies. Overhauling the regime requires agreement from all states' attorneys-general, but South Australia's former attorney-general, Michael Atkinson, had refused to budge. Other R18+ camps are also keeping up the pressure. Game.com.au and the Pal Gaming Network said they had received support from two federal senators to table an 89,000- signature petition in the upper house in August. British Tycoon and his spies are said to be watching the Aussie internet filtering and political space closely, with the upcoming launch of Virgin Gaming in Los Angeles cum 15th June. A Media Man spokesperson said "PartyGaming, Sega, Google, Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, UFC and Microsoft are also included in the growing list of international giants watching the Australian government's moves on censorship, some of which have already spoke out against Australia's proposed 'Great Firewall' aka internet censorship. Punters, fear not, check out Proxy.com and a host of others re 'proxy'. Internet publishers have already started backing up websites and have back up websites at the ready in a bush tucker bag of geographic regions".
Mrs Crocodile Hunter Via Croc Vegas Crocodile A Mania Gathering Steam...
Media Man can confirm that a number of switched on business folks have made contact with Australia Zoo regarding Team Terri Irwin's ambitious plans to create a crocodile and nature extravaganza on the Las Vegas Strip. The Rumour Mill is a buzz that pro wrestling legend Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka, orginally from Fiji in the South Pacific, is planing to contact Terri. Snuka was part of the main event at WWE WrestleMania and is a genuine wrestling legend. Snuka is also featured in a number of pro wrestling games including 'Legends Of WrestleMania. Snuka has taken note of the success that Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair have enjoyed in the gaming and igaming sector, and we think the Aussie - Las Vegas Strip connection is a bloody riper mate. Long live the Superfly splash, just maybe coming to Las Vegas. Australia's 'Outback Jack', now living in Florida, is keeping a keen eye of the situation. Interestingly, a slot machine is also entitled 'Outback Jack', and we're seen it in action at Sydney's Tabcorp owned Star City Casino. WWE had previously owned a casino in Vegas however didn't complete the project and remarkably sold the building for a profit (that was before Las Vegas started bleeding. Note to Snuka and Team Terri Irwin... "red turns to green" (just ask Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and UFC's Dana White, who is also linked to the casino industry via Station Casinos). Station Casinos is making progress working through their financial challanges as documented over the past months.
MM Online Casino Of The Month Shortlist...
It's anyone's guess who will win the Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month'. At the moment it could be PartyCasino.com, Virgin Casino, PKR or Captain Cooks Casino. A couple of dark horses and wild cards are also making a strong half month big for the top honors. We will keep you posted and the month draws closer to conclusion. Betfair and Centrebet are fighting it out for #1 Aussie sports betting website, and PartyPoker, World Poker Tour, PKR are on the shortlist for Online Poker Room Of The Month. Mixed reports coming in on both Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars, so eliminate those couple from awards this month. Insiders say casino and poker room 'rouge pit' reporters are waiting keenly for word on the worst poker and casino rooms! Think red flag to a bull or to borrow a quote from a Aussie politicion, Dracula running the Blood Bank!
Friendly Reminder To Punters...
We share your passion for gaming and sports betting, but, if you think your passion for the punt may be causing you problems, please seek professional assistance. And...try to avoid mixing drugs and alcohol with wagering.
Know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and for Christ's sake, have fun!
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming including sports betting is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover. Media Man also publish Media Man Asia and Casino News Media
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin
Website Network
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Australian Sports Entertainment
6/13/2010
World Cup Soccer Betting Aussie Style, by Greg Tingle - 12th June 2010
World Cup fever in in full swing, and while the Aussie's don't stand a chance in hell of getting to the finals, the fans remain some of the most passionate, with betting exchanges showing fans money going where their mouth is. Media Man and Gambling911 blow the whistle on the situation...
Betting and sports experts in the know advise Australians betting on the World Cup will reach roughly $300 million.
Betfair, Centrebet and Tabcorp are understood to be getting the lions share of bets on the cup by Aussies, while BetUS, Gamebookers and BetEzy get scraps in comparison.
Tabcorp MD Craig Nugent shares his thoughts on this year's World Cup.
For the uninitiated Tabcorp is Australia's biggest gambling company. The betting outfit and casino owner - operator expects to handle about 50% of the bets made during the World Cup, but other insiders say Tabcorp may be bluffing, and the real figure is closer to 30%.
Numerous Aussie pubs, clubs and TAB's are unsurprisingly extending trading hours to satisfy demand to watch the footy games that run between 9.30 p.m. and 4.30 a.m down under in Aussie Land.
Aussies gamble about $17 billion each year, which works out $1,123 per capita, according to the Queensland government's Office of Economic and Statistical Research.
World Cup betting is cutting into the prior dominance of sports betting on the NRL and AFL.
Tabcorp is understood to have commenced an application for Apple iPhones aka smartphone to place bets. Gambling911 has previously warned punters to be careful placing bets on smartphones as on occasion data charges are known to go through the roof, with one MP's son raking up a $10,000 bill!
Tabcorp shares rose 1.5% to $6.65 at the close of trading. The stock has fallen 4.3% this year compared with a 7.5% drop in the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index.
The firm owns 4 casinos, Star City being the most famous, and operates roughly 2,500 betting shops down under. A Tab leak reckons they will look after 4 million bets on the 64 World Cup, and that will come in from approximately 400,000 happy punters.
The Australian Socceroos will play their first game of the tournament on June 13, Sydney time, against the Germans.
If the Socceroos get to the 2nd round and face England, betting history will be made says most experts.
The Late News...
Soccer Nutter Lives In Soccer Ball Bubble Outside Crown Casino
Australia's Adam Santarossa aka "Man In The Ball" living and breathing World Cup Soccer fever, living in a giant ball outside crown for the next month.
The punter one a comp via the Aussie edition of soccer mag Four Four Two.
He's won a $10,000 prize, including $3000 cold hard cash.
Santarossa only gets to leave the ball for an hour a day to have a shower and have a piss and a #2, and is fully expected to post daily blogs and video diaries to the 'manintheball' Facebook page. If he doesn't, serious questions will be raised on the up and coming sports journo. Sant mate, we trust this report will give you more fodder to blog you soccer nut. Next thing you will want to be a special blogger for Virgin Games 'Big Brother' or PartyGaming's Safari Soccer game or something. Ok mate, that's your 5 minutes of fame for the moment.
More Late News!...
Supermodel Super Freak Naomi Campbell Crown Casino Lift Sage Court Told...
Campbell went rabid when she was forced to share a lift with members of the public in Australia. Oh you poor thing... I think I've got an *itch.
The 1999 tit tat outburst came to light again during court in the United States this past week.
The Camp One then went up to her room and wouldn't come back down for a fashion show.
After being told of Campbell's no-show the 600 audience ended up booing her. That's tit for tat. Hope that *itch doesn't come back.
Punters, stay tuned to Gambling911 for more World Cup reports, and by the way, kudos to SBS TV for outstanding coverage of the World Cup broadcast down under to Australia.
Bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming including sports betting is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
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Betting and sports experts in the know advise Australians betting on the World Cup will reach roughly $300 million.
Betfair, Centrebet and Tabcorp are understood to be getting the lions share of bets on the cup by Aussies, while BetUS, Gamebookers and BetEzy get scraps in comparison.
Tabcorp MD Craig Nugent shares his thoughts on this year's World Cup.
For the uninitiated Tabcorp is Australia's biggest gambling company. The betting outfit and casino owner - operator expects to handle about 50% of the bets made during the World Cup, but other insiders say Tabcorp may be bluffing, and the real figure is closer to 30%.
Numerous Aussie pubs, clubs and TAB's are unsurprisingly extending trading hours to satisfy demand to watch the footy games that run between 9.30 p.m. and 4.30 a.m down under in Aussie Land.
Aussies gamble about $17 billion each year, which works out $1,123 per capita, according to the Queensland government's Office of Economic and Statistical Research.
World Cup betting is cutting into the prior dominance of sports betting on the NRL and AFL.
Tabcorp is understood to have commenced an application for Apple iPhones aka smartphone to place bets. Gambling911 has previously warned punters to be careful placing bets on smartphones as on occasion data charges are known to go through the roof, with one MP's son raking up a $10,000 bill!
Tabcorp shares rose 1.5% to $6.65 at the close of trading. The stock has fallen 4.3% this year compared with a 7.5% drop in the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index.
The firm owns 4 casinos, Star City being the most famous, and operates roughly 2,500 betting shops down under. A Tab leak reckons they will look after 4 million bets on the 64 World Cup, and that will come in from approximately 400,000 happy punters.
The Australian Socceroos will play their first game of the tournament on June 13, Sydney time, against the Germans.
If the Socceroos get to the 2nd round and face England, betting history will be made says most experts.
The Late News...
Soccer Nutter Lives In Soccer Ball Bubble Outside Crown Casino
Australia's Adam Santarossa aka "Man In The Ball" living and breathing World Cup Soccer fever, living in a giant ball outside crown for the next month.
The punter one a comp via the Aussie edition of soccer mag Four Four Two.
He's won a $10,000 prize, including $3000 cold hard cash.
Santarossa only gets to leave the ball for an hour a day to have a shower and have a piss and a #2, and is fully expected to post daily blogs and video diaries to the 'manintheball' Facebook page. If he doesn't, serious questions will be raised on the up and coming sports journo. Sant mate, we trust this report will give you more fodder to blog you soccer nut. Next thing you will want to be a special blogger for Virgin Games 'Big Brother' or PartyGaming's Safari Soccer game or something. Ok mate, that's your 5 minutes of fame for the moment.
More Late News!...
Supermodel Super Freak Naomi Campbell Crown Casino Lift Sage Court Told...
Campbell went rabid when she was forced to share a lift with members of the public in Australia. Oh you poor thing... I think I've got an *itch.
The 1999 tit tat outburst came to light again during court in the United States this past week.
The Camp One then went up to her room and wouldn't come back down for a fashion show.
After being told of Campbell's no-show the 600 audience ended up booing her. That's tit for tat. Hope that *itch doesn't come back.
Punters, stay tuned to Gambling911 for more World Cup reports, and by the way, kudos to SBS TV for outstanding coverage of the World Cup broadcast down under to Australia.
Bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming including sports betting is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
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6/11/2010
PartyCasino News: Magic May Was Record Jackpot Month On PartyCasino - Biggest Payout Month In History Of World's Largest Online Casino
PartyCasino.com News: Magic May Was Record Jackpot Month On PartyCasino - Biggest Payout Month In History Of World's Largest Online Casino
Gibraltar – 9th June 2010 - PartyCasino.com the world’s largest online casino, can confirm that May was a record jackpot month. During May, PartyCasino.com has paid out more money in jackpots than any other month in its history! The payout bonanza for May up until the end of the 1st June saw a total of $6,429,000 in jackpots over $10k paid out! Not included in these jackpot figures was the fact that the player at the top of the Grand Win Auto leaderboard became entitled to pick up a brand new Maserati Grand Turismo when ‘Arkry222’ scooped the $1.88 million Gold Mega Jackpot on the 7th May – making it an even bigger month for monster payouts!
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "We have never seen a month like it! May was the biggest jackpot winning month in our history – highlights include two massive wins in 24 hours for two players from Belgium. The fateful day was Saturday 29th May when a Palladium Lounge VIP took down The Big One for US$3,057,043, while his fellow countryman ‘Silverdxp’ took out over $123,000 in jackpots. To add to this, ‘Arkry222’ scooped US$1.88million jackpot on the Gold Mega Jackpot on the 7th May, sparking the Maserati Gran Turismo payout. If that wasn’t enough, another casino player weighed in and won over $685,000 on June 1st!"
"The amount paid out in jackpots in May smashed the previous record set in December 2009. There’s a lot more to come though as already the total jackpot amount on the site exceeds $2,300,000, including ‘The Big One,’ the largest progressive seeded jackpot in the online gaming industry."
One player who was super happy with taking a piece of this record month of jackpots was ‘Silverdxp’ who took out over $123,000 in jackpots on the same day his fellow Belgian won over $3,000,000. "The win is a life changer for me, I am very much an occasional player,” he said. "The world economic crisis has hit my own business hard and this money is going to be vital in helping it continue to operate. It is hard to believe that on the same day a fellow Belgian won over $3,000,000 as well. I suppose I should have played much more that day and that huge jackpot would have been mine!"
For the latest jackpots see PartyCasino.com
PartyCasino.com speculates on what $6,429,000 might get you?
Just under 5% of the total value of the insurance of Portuguese World Cup star Cristiano Ronaldo legs!
8 meetings with Prince Andrew (according to Sarah Ferguson)
WSOP For Life - Main Event buy-in for 642 years
A unique and rare 5.16-carat blue diamond sold at auction in Hong Kong in April 2010
The rise in the salary cap for National Hockey League teams in 2008
The total prizepool of the Women’s Football World Cup in 2007
The April 2010 paycheck of global singing sensation Susan Boyle
The basic salary of David Beckham at Real Madrid in 2005
For the latest news and promotions including an introductory 100% bonus on you’re your first four deposits up to $500 see: www.PartyCasino.com
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Gibraltar – 9th June 2010 - PartyCasino.com the world’s largest online casino, can confirm that May was a record jackpot month. During May, PartyCasino.com has paid out more money in jackpots than any other month in its history! The payout bonanza for May up until the end of the 1st June saw a total of $6,429,000 in jackpots over $10k paid out! Not included in these jackpot figures was the fact that the player at the top of the Grand Win Auto leaderboard became entitled to pick up a brand new Maserati Grand Turismo when ‘Arkry222’ scooped the $1.88 million Gold Mega Jackpot on the 7th May – making it an even bigger month for monster payouts!
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "We have never seen a month like it! May was the biggest jackpot winning month in our history – highlights include two massive wins in 24 hours for two players from Belgium. The fateful day was Saturday 29th May when a Palladium Lounge VIP took down The Big One for US$3,057,043, while his fellow countryman ‘Silverdxp’ took out over $123,000 in jackpots. To add to this, ‘Arkry222’ scooped US$1.88million jackpot on the Gold Mega Jackpot on the 7th May, sparking the Maserati Gran Turismo payout. If that wasn’t enough, another casino player weighed in and won over $685,000 on June 1st!"
"The amount paid out in jackpots in May smashed the previous record set in December 2009. There’s a lot more to come though as already the total jackpot amount on the site exceeds $2,300,000, including ‘The Big One,’ the largest progressive seeded jackpot in the online gaming industry."
One player who was super happy with taking a piece of this record month of jackpots was ‘Silverdxp’ who took out over $123,000 in jackpots on the same day his fellow Belgian won over $3,000,000. "The win is a life changer for me, I am very much an occasional player,” he said. "The world economic crisis has hit my own business hard and this money is going to be vital in helping it continue to operate. It is hard to believe that on the same day a fellow Belgian won over $3,000,000 as well. I suppose I should have played much more that day and that huge jackpot would have been mine!"
For the latest jackpots see PartyCasino.com
PartyCasino.com speculates on what $6,429,000 might get you?
Just under 5% of the total value of the insurance of Portuguese World Cup star Cristiano Ronaldo legs!
8 meetings with Prince Andrew (according to Sarah Ferguson)
WSOP For Life - Main Event buy-in for 642 years
A unique and rare 5.16-carat blue diamond sold at auction in Hong Kong in April 2010
The rise in the salary cap for National Hockey League teams in 2008
The total prizepool of the Women’s Football World Cup in 2007
The April 2010 paycheck of global singing sensation Susan Boyle
The basic salary of David Beckham at Real Madrid in 2005
For the latest news and promotions including an introductory 100% bonus on you’re your first four deposits up to $500 see: www.PartyCasino.com
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FIFA World Cup: Australian Business To Score, by Greg Tingle - 11th June 2010
FIFA World Cup has taken the world by storm. Down Under in Australia punters, casual fans and news media et al know that the Socceroos don't stand a chance in hell, likely aiming for a draw we hear, but its still shaping up to be a business bonanza. Media Man and Gambling911 have obtained some interesting hard numbers, statistics and the like, which is bound to be of interest to the sports betting savvy audience that those who need to know everything World Cup! Let's kick off, and may you score your own goals...
The Socceroos are not going to get far in the World Cup. That's a given. However, FIFA's soccer mania is adding to Australia's and the world's economy, and we're not just talking about the lucrative sports betting market, which has already been well covered on the pages of new media powerhouse Gambling911.
Who is set to win, other than sports mad fans and media companies? Merchandisers, retailers, football organisations and bookmakers. Yes, Media Man (Australia and International) is winning also, we admit it.
Stats nuts. Did you know that about 1 in 17 Australians play organised soccer (football for Europeans). That a mile in front of rival footy codes Australian Rules (1 in 49), rugby league (1 in 117) and rugby union (1 in 170).
That FIFA stats are going to influence a number of Australian business sectors, coming off the Socceroos - South Africa connection, win (won't happen), loose or draw (if we're lucky).
TV
The FIFA World Cup is the world’s largest sports event and a cumulative total of more than 40 billion viewers are expected to tune into this year’s tournament that runs from 11 June to 11 July. 60% or so of Aussies (13 million of the Kangaroos nation) watched the 2006 FIFA World Cup and insiders says the 2010 FIFA World Cup viewing audience will be greater ("on the back of the success of the A-League, grassroots soccer programs and Socceroos results in recent years").
Fan Supporting - $ Support
A number of media analyst's and sports business experts predict Socceroo interest at the FIFA 2010 World Cup will generate approx the average Aussie will spend $AUD40.05 (total being $884.2 million), no matter how great or bad or team does.
Should the Socceroos playing more than their 3 2010 FIFA World Cup 'Group D' matches – unlikely, then these numbers might kick on towards $369.51 per Australian (a total of $8.16 billion) in the event that they reach the final (and Hell freezes over).
The Aussie stats are small compared to a number of our overseas "friends"...
England, Germany and Spain. Get this, experts reckon that a grand total of $265.6 billion will be spend out worldwide. Don't ask us what the illegal sports betting numbers are. We are not in a position to know (with Media Man and Gambling911 being above board and not underground).
Merchandise: Show Me The Money
1 million Aussies will buy merchandise. What you ask? Jersey, scarf, beanie... whatever. Think $85 million on clothing. Socceroos merchandise is forecast to account for the majority of the estimated clothing spending ($74 million), with the others... $11 million going on crap... er quality items... of the other 31 teams.
FIFA is also being used to promote everything from TV shows, breakfast cereals to online casino games. Think an extra $300 million in revenue, or 3% of Australia’s overall monthly retail spend.
Games and TV's
The World Cup will help move more TV's and games, but retail and stats insiders say most who were going to buy a new TV, 3D or not, already have. The NRL State Of Origin and the positive press re Network Nine Australia and Foxtel, was a trigger point for many a month or two back. DVD and and hard-drive recorders and TiVo devices are likely to get a decent boost. There's going to be most of the 64 games broadcast to Aussie land.
Think a 4% revenue boost for Australia’s TV and electrical goods bracket, which is about $10 million all told.
Pubs - Clubs and Hotels
Aussies use sport as a thing to share with family and friends. Pubs, clubs and hotels are going to get a good slice of the action. The Sydney International FIFA Fan Fest at Darling Harbour will be huge, as will sports bars at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Coogee and Kings Cross. Tourism hubs, fueled by mad backpackers, will be biggest.
For Aussies, kick-offs are going to be in the wee hours of the morning, so that will effect numbers and pints of beer sold. If the Socceroos go well, more drinks will be sold, and more people will be likely to spend more.
Food and Drinks
Liquor retailers, take-away, convenience shops will also benefit. Think June - mid July $21.6 on takeaway and $20.5 on drinks.
Sports Punting
Sports betting is the biggest growing gambling sector in Australia according to the Australian Productivity Commission report.
Wagering to be an estimated $104.6 million despite the fact that the Socceroos are odds on (4-11) not to get past the Group Stage and long odds (66-1) to win the tourney.
It's possible to bet on everything from the winning team to Australia’s top goal scorer.
Advertising
Product tie ins gone crazy. Cars, clothing, FMCG, food and drinks. Just about nothing is sacred.
South Africa Tourism
18,000 Socceroos fans will fly into to join the 300,000 international supporters at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Forecasts of 700,000 visitors to South Africa!
Australians will spend $180 mil following the Socceroos at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This is compared to the modest $68 million spent by 14,000 Australians at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Suffer China, just kidding, despite what the Sydney taxi drivers tell us via the Australian Taxi Driver News Network, as Media Man and friends know it.
Punters, keep chipping in via the Gambling911 forum, don't score an own goal, and as always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun. Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi, Aussie Oi, Aussie Oi, 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. Gaming including sports betting is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
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Australian Sports Entertainment
The Socceroos are not going to get far in the World Cup. That's a given. However, FIFA's soccer mania is adding to Australia's and the world's economy, and we're not just talking about the lucrative sports betting market, which has already been well covered on the pages of new media powerhouse Gambling911.
Who is set to win, other than sports mad fans and media companies? Merchandisers, retailers, football organisations and bookmakers. Yes, Media Man (Australia and International) is winning also, we admit it.
Stats nuts. Did you know that about 1 in 17 Australians play organised soccer (football for Europeans). That a mile in front of rival footy codes Australian Rules (1 in 49), rugby league (1 in 117) and rugby union (1 in 170).
That FIFA stats are going to influence a number of Australian business sectors, coming off the Socceroos - South Africa connection, win (won't happen), loose or draw (if we're lucky).
TV
The FIFA World Cup is the world’s largest sports event and a cumulative total of more than 40 billion viewers are expected to tune into this year’s tournament that runs from 11 June to 11 July. 60% or so of Aussies (13 million of the Kangaroos nation) watched the 2006 FIFA World Cup and insiders says the 2010 FIFA World Cup viewing audience will be greater ("on the back of the success of the A-League, grassroots soccer programs and Socceroos results in recent years").
Fan Supporting - $ Support
A number of media analyst's and sports business experts predict Socceroo interest at the FIFA 2010 World Cup will generate approx the average Aussie will spend $AUD40.05 (total being $884.2 million), no matter how great or bad or team does.
Should the Socceroos playing more than their 3 2010 FIFA World Cup 'Group D' matches – unlikely, then these numbers might kick on towards $369.51 per Australian (a total of $8.16 billion) in the event that they reach the final (and Hell freezes over).
The Aussie stats are small compared to a number of our overseas "friends"...
England, Germany and Spain. Get this, experts reckon that a grand total of $265.6 billion will be spend out worldwide. Don't ask us what the illegal sports betting numbers are. We are not in a position to know (with Media Man and Gambling911 being above board and not underground).
Merchandise: Show Me The Money
1 million Aussies will buy merchandise. What you ask? Jersey, scarf, beanie... whatever. Think $85 million on clothing. Socceroos merchandise is forecast to account for the majority of the estimated clothing spending ($74 million), with the others... $11 million going on crap... er quality items... of the other 31 teams.
FIFA is also being used to promote everything from TV shows, breakfast cereals to online casino games. Think an extra $300 million in revenue, or 3% of Australia’s overall monthly retail spend.
Games and TV's
The World Cup will help move more TV's and games, but retail and stats insiders say most who were going to buy a new TV, 3D or not, already have. The NRL State Of Origin and the positive press re Network Nine Australia and Foxtel, was a trigger point for many a month or two back. DVD and and hard-drive recorders and TiVo devices are likely to get a decent boost. There's going to be most of the 64 games broadcast to Aussie land.
Think a 4% revenue boost for Australia’s TV and electrical goods bracket, which is about $10 million all told.
Pubs - Clubs and Hotels
Aussies use sport as a thing to share with family and friends. Pubs, clubs and hotels are going to get a good slice of the action. The Sydney International FIFA Fan Fest at Darling Harbour will be huge, as will sports bars at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Coogee and Kings Cross. Tourism hubs, fueled by mad backpackers, will be biggest.
For Aussies, kick-offs are going to be in the wee hours of the morning, so that will effect numbers and pints of beer sold. If the Socceroos go well, more drinks will be sold, and more people will be likely to spend more.
Food and Drinks
Liquor retailers, take-away, convenience shops will also benefit. Think June - mid July $21.6 on takeaway and $20.5 on drinks.
Sports Punting
Sports betting is the biggest growing gambling sector in Australia according to the Australian Productivity Commission report.
Wagering to be an estimated $104.6 million despite the fact that the Socceroos are odds on (4-11) not to get past the Group Stage and long odds (66-1) to win the tourney.
It's possible to bet on everything from the winning team to Australia’s top goal scorer.
Advertising
Product tie ins gone crazy. Cars, clothing, FMCG, food and drinks. Just about nothing is sacred.
South Africa Tourism
18,000 Socceroos fans will fly into to join the 300,000 international supporters at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Forecasts of 700,000 visitors to South Africa!
Australians will spend $180 mil following the Socceroos at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This is compared to the modest $68 million spent by 14,000 Australians at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Suffer China, just kidding, despite what the Sydney taxi drivers tell us via the Australian Taxi Driver News Network, as Media Man and friends know it.
Punters, keep chipping in via the Gambling911 forum, don't score an own goal, and as always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun. Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi, Aussie Oi, Aussie Oi, 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. Gaming including sports betting is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
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Star City Casino Hotbed For Aussie Casino Cheats, by Greg Tingle - 11th June 2010
Down under in Australia, land of the convicts, seems some of those criminal tendencies keep coming to the surface at land based casinos and pubs. As the "Friendly Casino War" continues between James Packer owned Crown Casino in Melbourne and Star City in Sydney, its seems apparent that Sin City's Star have more of a cheating clientele, or at least that's what the official numbers are showing. Media Man and Gambling911 put on our private detective coats and load up the plastic handcuffs and batons with this special report.
Aussie's seem to have quite the cheating casino type make up according to information obtained by Media Man. Just as compulsive gambling may be in the genes as recently reported by Gambling911, so might be cheating and straight out stealing.
The number of cheaters at Sydney's Star City Casino is alarming, and that's only the ones we know about.
Fines are being handed out left, right and centre, yet cheaters keep coming back for more. This may be linked to the face that Star City is Sydney's only land based casino, mind you, a $100 or so plane ticked will fly a punter down to Melbourne so they can try their luck at Crown Casino.
Fines issued to punters at Star are almost an every day occurrences we've learned. Cheats are trying every trick in the book, both old and new. Favorites include moving chips to winning numbers, underage teenagers showing fake IDs and banned patrons trying to worm into the casino.
Infringements at the Star volcanoed roughly 70% circa 2007-08, and this punting financial year is expected to further escalate.
Cheaters caught totals 23 mongrel mug punters.
The casino itself is not off the hook either. Tabcorp, the parent company of Star, has had its knuckles dusted by the casino regulator at least 4 times this punting year for breaches re responsible gaming requirements. Minors being located in gaming areas like slots, table games and the big wheel, are a major problem.
A source choosing to remain anonymous leaked "We understand the teens seem to like the Hollywood themed games and some of them see themselves at James Bond 007 types. Most of them also seem to know about Monopoly, Cleopatra, Queen Of The Nile, and of course poker. Gambling, gaming and poker is always in the news, the TV, the newspapers, magazines, associated with sports, so its just everywhere".
Media Man via News Limited secured figures that show that nine months to March 31 this year, 51 underage teens were busted trying to enter the casino using phony IDs.
Casino Penalties From Gaming Enforcer
20 breaches of responsible gaming rules, including:
* Teenage girl used fake ID to successfully get into the casino and busted drinking and gambling;
* Casino staff member who didn't immediately report a minor to a casino authority inspector;
* 17-year-old young bloke busted gambling on the premises; and
* 13 more kids, all aged under 14, busted in the casino area, however its understood it was accidental.
Star City's spokesman (casino) advised staff are being trained up to spot tech in fake IDs, which made up about 40% of the fines issued.
Sydney leading newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, reveled last week, there is a sophisticated operation run by teenagers that alters driver's licences for $80. It' a bit hit with teens who like casinos and exclusive clubs. Star City said the number of teens caught with fake IDs was fairly steady. They are reviewing its procedures and security staff were being trained to better identify phony cards.
A Star City spokesman "We review all breaches to see how we can improve our procedures to prevent minors gaining access to licensed areas. The numbers have remained pretty steady over the last few years but our security officers are constantly being trained to detect the latest style of fake IDs."
Daring excluded persons caught sneaking back into the casino rose significantly to 55.
Anyone busted using a fake ID is fined $110, banned persons $550 and cheats $660.
Media Man is not a legal advisory service, but recommends Do We Cheatem & How. Just kidding!
Casino lovers, young and old, please obey the law. God knows we have enough serious casino crime to cover already, without listing you by name.
The rumour mill says Tony Clifton and Andy Kaufman are considering doing some jokes about casino cheats, so if you what to make the list, you know what it entails.
In the meantime, online casinos continue to increase their safeguards, with award winning PartyCasino.com getting the gold star and browny points for its outstanding security, safeguards, service and play for free and play for money offerings. Online casinos continue to chip into the traditional gambling market, but the powers that be at Star City and Crown Casino have plans on the way to further incorporate online games. Packer, head of Crown Casino, is a 50% owner of sports betting operator Betfair, which plans to add online poker and online casino. PartyCasino.com remains a favorite with Aussies, and punters keep calling for an online Underbelly and Kerry Packer slot game, but have to make do with The Godfather, Rambo, Cleopatra, Hitman, Sinatra, Tomb Raider and Mission: Impossible and a few others for the meantime.
Punters, feel free to chip in via the Gambling911 forum, and as always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
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Aussie's seem to have quite the cheating casino type make up according to information obtained by Media Man. Just as compulsive gambling may be in the genes as recently reported by Gambling911, so might be cheating and straight out stealing.
The number of cheaters at Sydney's Star City Casino is alarming, and that's only the ones we know about.
Fines are being handed out left, right and centre, yet cheaters keep coming back for more. This may be linked to the face that Star City is Sydney's only land based casino, mind you, a $100 or so plane ticked will fly a punter down to Melbourne so they can try their luck at Crown Casino.
Fines issued to punters at Star are almost an every day occurrences we've learned. Cheats are trying every trick in the book, both old and new. Favorites include moving chips to winning numbers, underage teenagers showing fake IDs and banned patrons trying to worm into the casino.
Infringements at the Star volcanoed roughly 70% circa 2007-08, and this punting financial year is expected to further escalate.
Cheaters caught totals 23 mongrel mug punters.
The casino itself is not off the hook either. Tabcorp, the parent company of Star, has had its knuckles dusted by the casino regulator at least 4 times this punting year for breaches re responsible gaming requirements. Minors being located in gaming areas like slots, table games and the big wheel, are a major problem.
A source choosing to remain anonymous leaked "We understand the teens seem to like the Hollywood themed games and some of them see themselves at James Bond 007 types. Most of them also seem to know about Monopoly, Cleopatra, Queen Of The Nile, and of course poker. Gambling, gaming and poker is always in the news, the TV, the newspapers, magazines, associated with sports, so its just everywhere".
Media Man via News Limited secured figures that show that nine months to March 31 this year, 51 underage teens were busted trying to enter the casino using phony IDs.
Casino Penalties From Gaming Enforcer
20 breaches of responsible gaming rules, including:
* Teenage girl used fake ID to successfully get into the casino and busted drinking and gambling;
* Casino staff member who didn't immediately report a minor to a casino authority inspector;
* 17-year-old young bloke busted gambling on the premises; and
* 13 more kids, all aged under 14, busted in the casino area, however its understood it was accidental.
Star City's spokesman (casino) advised staff are being trained up to spot tech in fake IDs, which made up about 40% of the fines issued.
Sydney leading newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, reveled last week, there is a sophisticated operation run by teenagers that alters driver's licences for $80. It' a bit hit with teens who like casinos and exclusive clubs. Star City said the number of teens caught with fake IDs was fairly steady. They are reviewing its procedures and security staff were being trained to better identify phony cards.
A Star City spokesman "We review all breaches to see how we can improve our procedures to prevent minors gaining access to licensed areas. The numbers have remained pretty steady over the last few years but our security officers are constantly being trained to detect the latest style of fake IDs."
Daring excluded persons caught sneaking back into the casino rose significantly to 55.
Anyone busted using a fake ID is fined $110, banned persons $550 and cheats $660.
Media Man is not a legal advisory service, but recommends Do We Cheatem & How. Just kidding!
Casino lovers, young and old, please obey the law. God knows we have enough serious casino crime to cover already, without listing you by name.
The rumour mill says Tony Clifton and Andy Kaufman are considering doing some jokes about casino cheats, so if you what to make the list, you know what it entails.
In the meantime, online casinos continue to increase their safeguards, with award winning PartyCasino.com getting the gold star and browny points for its outstanding security, safeguards, service and play for free and play for money offerings. Online casinos continue to chip into the traditional gambling market, but the powers that be at Star City and Crown Casino have plans on the way to further incorporate online games. Packer, head of Crown Casino, is a 50% owner of sports betting operator Betfair, which plans to add online poker and online casino. PartyCasino.com remains a favorite with Aussies, and punters keep calling for an online Underbelly and Kerry Packer slot game, but have to make do with The Godfather, Rambo, Cleopatra, Hitman, Sinatra, Tomb Raider and Mission: Impossible and a few others for the meantime.
Punters, feel free to chip in via the Gambling911 forum, and as always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
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6/10/2010
Australian Casino Jewel Mildura: Christmas Is Coming, by Greg Tingle - 10th June 2010
Down under in Australia, Mildura way in regional Victoria, the debate over a new casino development heats up. Media Man and Gambling911 with the story...
Who will win? The casino "lovers" or the casino "haters"? Mildura is enjoying its own 'State Of Origin' type mini casino war, within its own country patch. It's not quite Crown Casino VS Sydney's Star City, but the passion and the size of the fight in the dogs is on the same level.
An anti-casino campaigner reckons the Mildura folks ought to think hard and carefully at Mildura casino proponent John Haddad's "track record" in the casino and gaming biz.
Mr Haddad is looking to develop the Jewel Casino in Mildura and includes his Christmas Island Casino experience in his credentials.
The Xmas Island operation was once upon a time considered the most profitable in Australia but closed in the fateful year of 1998.
Anti-pokies campaigner Paul Bendat says he is quite concerned about Mr Haddad's links to the Christmas Island Casino and has offered his 2 cents...
"One has to be very, very careful that there is some sort of a long-term commitment to Mildura. The casino at Christmas Island, the one Mr Hadddad spruiks his association with, has been closed for 10 years. The buildings are deteriorating and there is a proposal to use them for asylum seekers."
In this rebuttal Mr Haddad says his involvement with the Indonesian-backed Christmas Island Casino cannot be called into question.
He says in his role as the administrator he recommended the closure of the casino licence because the Indonesian owners refused to comply with Australia's regulations.
"Actually the whole casino operation in Australia was jeopardised by what the Indonesians were asking me to proceed with and that's something that was not tenable to me," he emphasized.
"The control of that was scrupulous - in fact, I should have been complimented, I would have thought, on the way I protected the casino environment in Australia."
Heroes or Villains, good or evil? Who will survive in this battle where the casino developer is looking to bring home the bacon for both themselves and the region, community et al?
Punters, feel free to chip in via the Gambling911 forum, and as always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
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Who will win? The casino "lovers" or the casino "haters"? Mildura is enjoying its own 'State Of Origin' type mini casino war, within its own country patch. It's not quite Crown Casino VS Sydney's Star City, but the passion and the size of the fight in the dogs is on the same level.
An anti-casino campaigner reckons the Mildura folks ought to think hard and carefully at Mildura casino proponent John Haddad's "track record" in the casino and gaming biz.
Mr Haddad is looking to develop the Jewel Casino in Mildura and includes his Christmas Island Casino experience in his credentials.
The Xmas Island operation was once upon a time considered the most profitable in Australia but closed in the fateful year of 1998.
Anti-pokies campaigner Paul Bendat says he is quite concerned about Mr Haddad's links to the Christmas Island Casino and has offered his 2 cents...
"One has to be very, very careful that there is some sort of a long-term commitment to Mildura. The casino at Christmas Island, the one Mr Hadddad spruiks his association with, has been closed for 10 years. The buildings are deteriorating and there is a proposal to use them for asylum seekers."
In this rebuttal Mr Haddad says his involvement with the Indonesian-backed Christmas Island Casino cannot be called into question.
He says in his role as the administrator he recommended the closure of the casino licence because the Indonesian owners refused to comply with Australia's regulations.
"Actually the whole casino operation in Australia was jeopardised by what the Indonesians were asking me to proceed with and that's something that was not tenable to me," he emphasized.
"The control of that was scrupulous - in fact, I should have been complimented, I would have thought, on the way I protected the casino environment in Australia."
Heroes or Villains, good or evil? Who will survive in this battle where the casino developer is looking to bring home the bacon for both themselves and the region, community et al?
Punters, feel free to chip in via the Gambling911 forum, and as always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
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Aussie Pokie Pub Palace Kings Cash In Tax Cuts, by Greg Tingle - 10th June 2010
Down under in Australia the Aussie pubs have more to say cheers to and celebrate, as the gaming industry remains under the spotlight. Media Man and Gambling911 probe the pokie bean counter inc...
Aussie hotels and pubs aka "pokie palaces" owned by some of Sydney's must cashed up pub tycoons won't have to pay tax or have their tax bill cut on poker machine profits following an overhaul of sorts to gambling taxes in the state budget, which the industry has celebrated as "a result of historic proportions.
The government is calling the changes as a "rescue package" for small country pubs, but Fairfax Media is stating that the upmarket Beresford Hotel in Sydney's Surry Hills, bought by the multimillionaire Justin Hemmes just two months ago for $14.6 million, is among 485 pubs that will no longer have to pay tax on gambling profits. Jackpot Bingo!
A tax-free threshold of $200,000 will apply to pokies profits for five years from July 1, mixed in with a new taxation scale. The changes mean 1100 NSW pubs - or 65% will either end up paying no tax or significantly less.
The Beresford's pokies profits are only about $50 grand... so its annual gambling tax bill will be trimmed to Nil... bonus. American and European clubs and casinos are following the Aussie gambling tax cuts with keen interest.
A spokesman for the Hemmes family company, Merivale Group, said "Merivale controls or owns eight venues with poker machines, one of which is the Beresford Hotel. The Beresford is the only venue of the eight not required to pay tax, leaving seven of the eight paying tax. As a group, Merivale is paying more tax as a result of the changes.".
Calculations passed to Fairfax Media, that Media Man got across demonstrate pubs with gambling profits of up to $700,000 will have annual savings of between $2473 and $27,543.
The Captain Cook Hotel located on Sydney's Flinders Street and owned by the developer Matthew Lepouris, has a pokies profit of about $400,000. The hotel's tax bill will be cut by about $11,000.
The Royal Hotel at Paddo, owned by the Kelly family, and the Bristol Arms on Sussex St, owned by New South Wales largest hotel owner, National Leisure and Gaming, will pay less tax.
The NSW president of the Australian Hotels Association, Scott Leach, celebrated the move in an email to members earlier this week.
"The AHA NSW has successfully lobbied the NSW government to guarantee future gaming tax rates and deliver an immediate tax cut to 65 per cent of NSW hotels," he wrote. "This is a result of historic proportions for the industry following speculation last year the government was seriously considering increasing hotel tax rates."
Insiders say the "deal" was brokered by John Whelan, a former chief-of-staff to the former minister for gaming and racing, Grant McBride, who these days works for the AHA. Ah, relationships, history and networking matters.
Whelan declined to discuss his role in securing the tax changes. The AHA did not return calls.
Media Man and Gambling911 think the situation shows that lobbying can still work with government, when done in a (Legal) "Casino Jack" fashion. Gambling911 and MM pass on our congrats to the pub barons and the NSW government on coming to business terms that suit both parties.
Punters, as always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
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Aussie hotels and pubs aka "pokie palaces" owned by some of Sydney's must cashed up pub tycoons won't have to pay tax or have their tax bill cut on poker machine profits following an overhaul of sorts to gambling taxes in the state budget, which the industry has celebrated as "a result of historic proportions.
The government is calling the changes as a "rescue package" for small country pubs, but Fairfax Media is stating that the upmarket Beresford Hotel in Sydney's Surry Hills, bought by the multimillionaire Justin Hemmes just two months ago for $14.6 million, is among 485 pubs that will no longer have to pay tax on gambling profits. Jackpot Bingo!
A tax-free threshold of $200,000 will apply to pokies profits for five years from July 1, mixed in with a new taxation scale. The changes mean 1100 NSW pubs - or 65% will either end up paying no tax or significantly less.
The Beresford's pokies profits are only about $50 grand... so its annual gambling tax bill will be trimmed to Nil... bonus. American and European clubs and casinos are following the Aussie gambling tax cuts with keen interest.
A spokesman for the Hemmes family company, Merivale Group, said "Merivale controls or owns eight venues with poker machines, one of which is the Beresford Hotel. The Beresford is the only venue of the eight not required to pay tax, leaving seven of the eight paying tax. As a group, Merivale is paying more tax as a result of the changes.".
Calculations passed to Fairfax Media, that Media Man got across demonstrate pubs with gambling profits of up to $700,000 will have annual savings of between $2473 and $27,543.
The Captain Cook Hotel located on Sydney's Flinders Street and owned by the developer Matthew Lepouris, has a pokies profit of about $400,000. The hotel's tax bill will be cut by about $11,000.
The Royal Hotel at Paddo, owned by the Kelly family, and the Bristol Arms on Sussex St, owned by New South Wales largest hotel owner, National Leisure and Gaming, will pay less tax.
The NSW president of the Australian Hotels Association, Scott Leach, celebrated the move in an email to members earlier this week.
"The AHA NSW has successfully lobbied the NSW government to guarantee future gaming tax rates and deliver an immediate tax cut to 65 per cent of NSW hotels," he wrote. "This is a result of historic proportions for the industry following speculation last year the government was seriously considering increasing hotel tax rates."
Insiders say the "deal" was brokered by John Whelan, a former chief-of-staff to the former minister for gaming and racing, Grant McBride, who these days works for the AHA. Ah, relationships, history and networking matters.
Whelan declined to discuss his role in securing the tax changes. The AHA did not return calls.
Media Man and Gambling911 think the situation shows that lobbying can still work with government, when done in a (Legal) "Casino Jack" fashion. Gambling911 and MM pass on our congrats to the pub barons and the NSW government on coming to business terms that suit both parties.
Punters, as always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
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6/08/2010
Macau prepares for gaming expo
Macau will this week host a three-day gaming expo as the former Portuguese colony powers ahead as the world's biggest gambling centre, defying dire predictions of a slowdown.
Several thousand people will attend Global Gaming Expo Asia from Tuesday, where industry leaders will discuss a range of issues from the region's future growth to combating cheating at the tables.
The expo comes as Macau continues to post record-setting revenue figures with May gaming sales up 95 per cent year-over-year to 17 billion Macau patacas ($A2.56 billion), according to Hong Kong brokerage CLSA.
Macau, the only place in China where casino gambling is legal, has already leapfrogged Las Vegas in gaming revenue after opening up its market to overseas operators in 2002.
"We've been saying for eight months that things would slow down, but they haven't," said Aaron Fischer, a CLSA gaming analyst.
"Logic would say it's going to slow down."
Fischer said he expects Macau tourist arrivals to increase about 10 per cent annually with construction of several stalled casino-hotel developments being restarted on the reclaimed Cotai Strip.
Soaring revenues in the high-roller market are driving the huge gains, rather than an across-the-board surge in money spent on the gaming tables, he added.
Frank Fahrenkopf, head of the American Gaming Association, said the city's record-breaking revenues stood in sharp contrast to US destination venues such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City, which have been hit by the global downturn.
"Those are big numbers - people in Asia love to gamble," he told AFP.
"Proximity is an important factor. You've got millions of people within two hours of Macau."
Other Asian countries have keyed in to Macau's success with Singapore opening its second casino in April as part of a bid to lure big spenders from across the region.
The 5.5 billion US dollar Marina Bay Sands was opened by US gaming giant Las Vegas Sands, already a big player in Macau, as part of the firm's bet on Asia as the future of the gaming industry.
Asians "see gaming as a form of entertainment" while Westerners would rather spend money on dining and going out with friends, Sands Chief Executive Sheldon Adelson said when Marina Bay opened its doors.
An expected growth in the number of Asian multimillionaires and middle class following the region's sharp rebound from the economic slump should drive regional travel, including people playing at casinos, observers have said.
Despite concerns over its social impact, Singapore gave the green light for casino gambling in 2005 in a bid to increase tourist arrivals and cash in on a growing trend in Asia.
Outside Macau, casinos are authorised in Australia, Cambodia, Malaysia and the Philippines among others, while more are underway.
Fahrenkopf dismissed speculation that Macau could face hard times as Singapore and other Asian destinations challenge its dominance.
Las Vegas in the US state of Nevada shivered when New Jersey's Atlantic City opened its doors in the late Seventies, he noted.
"When Atlantic City came online ... everyone in Nevada was deeply concerned," Fahrenkopf said.
"But all it did was introduce more people to casino gaming."
Several thousand people will attend Global Gaming Expo Asia from Tuesday, where industry leaders will discuss a range of issues from the region's future growth to combating cheating at the tables.
The expo comes as Macau continues to post record-setting revenue figures with May gaming sales up 95 per cent year-over-year to 17 billion Macau patacas ($A2.56 billion), according to Hong Kong brokerage CLSA.
Macau, the only place in China where casino gambling is legal, has already leapfrogged Las Vegas in gaming revenue after opening up its market to overseas operators in 2002.
"We've been saying for eight months that things would slow down, but they haven't," said Aaron Fischer, a CLSA gaming analyst.
"Logic would say it's going to slow down."
Fischer said he expects Macau tourist arrivals to increase about 10 per cent annually with construction of several stalled casino-hotel developments being restarted on the reclaimed Cotai Strip.
Soaring revenues in the high-roller market are driving the huge gains, rather than an across-the-board surge in money spent on the gaming tables, he added.
Frank Fahrenkopf, head of the American Gaming Association, said the city's record-breaking revenues stood in sharp contrast to US destination venues such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City, which have been hit by the global downturn.
"Those are big numbers - people in Asia love to gamble," he told AFP.
"Proximity is an important factor. You've got millions of people within two hours of Macau."
Other Asian countries have keyed in to Macau's success with Singapore opening its second casino in April as part of a bid to lure big spenders from across the region.
The 5.5 billion US dollar Marina Bay Sands was opened by US gaming giant Las Vegas Sands, already a big player in Macau, as part of the firm's bet on Asia as the future of the gaming industry.
Asians "see gaming as a form of entertainment" while Westerners would rather spend money on dining and going out with friends, Sands Chief Executive Sheldon Adelson said when Marina Bay opened its doors.
An expected growth in the number of Asian multimillionaires and middle class following the region's sharp rebound from the economic slump should drive regional travel, including people playing at casinos, observers have said.
Despite concerns over its social impact, Singapore gave the green light for casino gambling in 2005 in a bid to increase tourist arrivals and cash in on a growing trend in Asia.
Outside Macau, casinos are authorised in Australia, Cambodia, Malaysia and the Philippines among others, while more are underway.
Fahrenkopf dismissed speculation that Macau could face hard times as Singapore and other Asian destinations challenge its dominance.
Las Vegas in the US state of Nevada shivered when New Jersey's Atlantic City opened its doors in the late Seventies, he noted.
"When Atlantic City came online ... everyone in Nevada was deeply concerned," Fahrenkopf said.
"But all it did was introduce more people to casino gaming."
PKR 3D Casino And 3D Poker News, by Greg Tingle - 7th June 2010
PKR, the world famous online poker and online casino band, is preparing to go fully 3D with their casino offering by year end.
Media and gaming commentators from Media Man, Casino News Media, Gambling911, GPWA, EGR and CAP have been following the developments and progress by PKR for a few years, but as we head towards the second part of 2010 things are ramping up to a whole new level, both for players, front end, back end, for players, business management and futurists.
Our industry friends at EGR have been able to get a number of scoops on PKR, as Media Man and Casino News Media have been more focused on the igaming and online affiliate industry as whole, as well as securing exclusives at PartyGaming and Richard Branson's Virgin Casino - Virgin Games - Virgin Gaming powerhouse. As they say, there's only so much room at the top, but PKR has certainly risen to top 10, if not top 5 status, over the past 6 months.
Team Media Man says PKR is world class these days with innovation, game play, security, affiliate offerings, reliability and customer service.
Speaking to eGaming Review, PKR top brass Malcolm Graham advised a suite of casino games is coming up soon. Furthermore, their 3D poker room has rocketed at an average of one million players per annum since its virgin launch circa 2006.
Mr Graham on the record...“My hypothesis is that there’s an opportunity to leverage a richer visual experience on the table side, hence what we’re doing. At the moment it’s somewhere between 2D and 3D. There are limitations to the movie-esque table experience, which we’re hopeful we can take to another level. We’re in the process of rolling out 3D casino games, which included launching 3D roulette in December. It will be the best roulette product in the market (and) we’ll then be adding table games to that.”
The firm also has grand plans to follow up with blackjack cum July, casino hold ‘em in September and Caribbean stud and baccarat in November. Online slots are on the cards via way of 3rd party agreement.
On 3D casino Mr Graham talks about “world class CRM, payment processing and tournament offerings”.
In addition, expect more online and offline surprises.
Media Man understands 'Avatar' type technology, multi tables, social networking and more aspects like 'Poker In The Park'.
More quotes from 'MR PKR'...“As the online demographic broadens it will attract people who want to chat at the table. But we’re not going to force it down their throats”.
So players, punters, insiders, outsiders, entrepreneurs and everyone else. There you have it.
Most certainly sounds like a big part of the world's poker and casino excitement will remain in the PKR camp, but you can bet the folks at competitors such as PartyGaming - PartyPoker.com, PartyCasino.com, Virgin Games, Centrebet and others will give them a run for their money.
As always, please know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun... something easily done at PKR. Shuffle up and deal.
*Media Man has conducted b2b with PKR, as they have with dozens of entertainment, gaming and technology companies.
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Media and gaming commentators from Media Man, Casino News Media, Gambling911, GPWA, EGR and CAP have been following the developments and progress by PKR for a few years, but as we head towards the second part of 2010 things are ramping up to a whole new level, both for players, front end, back end, for players, business management and futurists.
Our industry friends at EGR have been able to get a number of scoops on PKR, as Media Man and Casino News Media have been more focused on the igaming and online affiliate industry as whole, as well as securing exclusives at PartyGaming and Richard Branson's Virgin Casino - Virgin Games - Virgin Gaming powerhouse. As they say, there's only so much room at the top, but PKR has certainly risen to top 10, if not top 5 status, over the past 6 months.
Team Media Man says PKR is world class these days with innovation, game play, security, affiliate offerings, reliability and customer service.
Speaking to eGaming Review, PKR top brass Malcolm Graham advised a suite of casino games is coming up soon. Furthermore, their 3D poker room has rocketed at an average of one million players per annum since its virgin launch circa 2006.
Mr Graham on the record...“My hypothesis is that there’s an opportunity to leverage a richer visual experience on the table side, hence what we’re doing. At the moment it’s somewhere between 2D and 3D. There are limitations to the movie-esque table experience, which we’re hopeful we can take to another level. We’re in the process of rolling out 3D casino games, which included launching 3D roulette in December. It will be the best roulette product in the market (and) we’ll then be adding table games to that.”
The firm also has grand plans to follow up with blackjack cum July, casino hold ‘em in September and Caribbean stud and baccarat in November. Online slots are on the cards via way of 3rd party agreement.
On 3D casino Mr Graham talks about “world class CRM, payment processing and tournament offerings”.
In addition, expect more online and offline surprises.
Media Man understands 'Avatar' type technology, multi tables, social networking and more aspects like 'Poker In The Park'.
More quotes from 'MR PKR'...“As the online demographic broadens it will attract people who want to chat at the table. But we’re not going to force it down their throats”.
So players, punters, insiders, outsiders, entrepreneurs and everyone else. There you have it.
Most certainly sounds like a big part of the world's poker and casino excitement will remain in the PKR camp, but you can bet the folks at competitors such as PartyGaming - PartyPoker.com, PartyCasino.com, Virgin Games, Centrebet and others will give them a run for their money.
As always, please know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun... something easily done at PKR. Shuffle up and deal.
*Media Man has conducted b2b with PKR, as they have with dozens of entertainment, gaming and technology companies.
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6/07/2010
Australian Crocodile Hunter: Viva Croc Vegas, by Greg Tingle - 6th June 2010
Las Vegas is set to get a massive shake up Aussie style, thanks to Australia's Team Terri Irwin. The wife of the late, great, Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, and her world class team have a vision of everyone doing the Crocodile Rock at an upcoming Croc themed show and expo on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Media Man and Gambling911 take the croc probe to the smiling crocodile situation...
An Irwin extravaganza in Las Vegas has been talked about for years, even as far back as to when the late, great, Steve Irwin was still alive. Talk coming from camp Irwin of late suggests the dream is closer to becoming a reality, which is great news for those in the United States who are not quite ready for a trip down under to visit the Irwin's Australia Zoo in Queensland.
The ambitious project doesn't come cheap... put $AUD 300 million in your jaws to chomp on.
Terri is aware of the downturn in Las Vegas, however her Crocodile A Mania may be the thing to help bring the Strip back to life, in a totally wild way. Might give Vegas wild life and famed wild lifestyles a complete new meaning.
Ms Crocodile Hunter said she was hopeful of purchasing the land site before year end and is on the lookout for investors (aren't we all ... Media Man, Gambling911, Virgin Gaming, casino entrepreneurs et al). Still, Irwin offers a unique opportunity to be part of history plugging into the Irwin legacy. Irwin remains a powerful brand and larger than life.
Some naysayers are saying Terri has bitten off more than she can chew, but not Team Media Man. A Media Man spokesperson said "Don't underestimate the power, vision and capability of Team Terri Irwin. Terri largely put Steve on the map in a global fashion, and for about a decade the Irwin path was paved with gold. If anyone can rejuvenate Vegas it would be Terri and her team, much the same as what Australia's James Packer has done in Macau. Aussie's are street smart. Look no further than 'Crocodile Dundee... ok, he's a Hollywood creation, but you get the idea. The smart money is on Terri to succeed in Las Vegas".
Terri's crocodile eyes are wide open and she's excited, yet realistic offering some words of wisdom...
"It's hard to predict how the economy is going to recover but we'd hope by next year we'd have the investors so we can look towards a date for breaking ground. But it's very much on the go-ahead and it'll be such a brilliant icon for Australia. It's going to be so much about Steve and his dreams, and his philosophy and his message. They'll be nothing jumping through a hoop of fire but they'll be incredible effects instead. Like, instead of the Crocoseum, you'll be in, like a rainforest, with waterfalls and they can make the water levels change height so the croc rises out of the water. It'll be an incredible experience without compromising the animals' needs".
Terri advised said the Croc Vegas initiative would employ roughly 900 folks, plenty o them Aussies.
Media Man thinks its part of the continued Irwin global strategy, which helps ride out the world's financial crisis. She will have teams of Aussies and Yankee's working in both Las Vegas and down under in Aussie land at the Steve Irwin Wildwife Reserve on Cape York.
Mrs Crocodile Hunter explains "Once we have the reserve protected then we'll maintain our presence in the Cape with opportunities in Las Vegas".
See's got the fighting spirit all the way, having to employ it in her battle with Cape Alumina, which intends to mine bauxite from a section of the park entitled Pisolite Hills.
"We've got dance troupes we're working in with now and . . . we won't be taking commission. We'll let all the money come back to the indigenous people. There are opportunities for temporary employment. Young people who want to give it a go . . . can go for three months and not feel alienated from their families".
Media Man and Gambling 911 encourage the loyal readership to take a closer look at the Irwin Croc Vegas project. Maybe, (casino) whales, dolphins and crocodiles do mix. Pubic G'day to James Packer, Richard Branson, Donald Trump, Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson. Comon' fellas, don't be shy. I bet your bottom dollar Terri and the crew at Australia Zoo would love to hear from you.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen industries that they cover.
*Media Man is the former agent (Thank God) of Irwin nemesis 'Crocodile' Mick Pitman.
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An Irwin extravaganza in Las Vegas has been talked about for years, even as far back as to when the late, great, Steve Irwin was still alive. Talk coming from camp Irwin of late suggests the dream is closer to becoming a reality, which is great news for those in the United States who are not quite ready for a trip down under to visit the Irwin's Australia Zoo in Queensland.
The ambitious project doesn't come cheap... put $AUD 300 million in your jaws to chomp on.
Terri is aware of the downturn in Las Vegas, however her Crocodile A Mania may be the thing to help bring the Strip back to life, in a totally wild way. Might give Vegas wild life and famed wild lifestyles a complete new meaning.
Ms Crocodile Hunter said she was hopeful of purchasing the land site before year end and is on the lookout for investors (aren't we all ... Media Man, Gambling911, Virgin Gaming, casino entrepreneurs et al). Still, Irwin offers a unique opportunity to be part of history plugging into the Irwin legacy. Irwin remains a powerful brand and larger than life.
Some naysayers are saying Terri has bitten off more than she can chew, but not Team Media Man. A Media Man spokesperson said "Don't underestimate the power, vision and capability of Team Terri Irwin. Terri largely put Steve on the map in a global fashion, and for about a decade the Irwin path was paved with gold. If anyone can rejuvenate Vegas it would be Terri and her team, much the same as what Australia's James Packer has done in Macau. Aussie's are street smart. Look no further than 'Crocodile Dundee... ok, he's a Hollywood creation, but you get the idea. The smart money is on Terri to succeed in Las Vegas".
Terri's crocodile eyes are wide open and she's excited, yet realistic offering some words of wisdom...
"It's hard to predict how the economy is going to recover but we'd hope by next year we'd have the investors so we can look towards a date for breaking ground. But it's very much on the go-ahead and it'll be such a brilliant icon for Australia. It's going to be so much about Steve and his dreams, and his philosophy and his message. They'll be nothing jumping through a hoop of fire but they'll be incredible effects instead. Like, instead of the Crocoseum, you'll be in, like a rainforest, with waterfalls and they can make the water levels change height so the croc rises out of the water. It'll be an incredible experience without compromising the animals' needs".
Terri advised said the Croc Vegas initiative would employ roughly 900 folks, plenty o them Aussies.
Media Man thinks its part of the continued Irwin global strategy, which helps ride out the world's financial crisis. She will have teams of Aussies and Yankee's working in both Las Vegas and down under in Aussie land at the Steve Irwin Wildwife Reserve on Cape York.
Mrs Crocodile Hunter explains "Once we have the reserve protected then we'll maintain our presence in the Cape with opportunities in Las Vegas".
See's got the fighting spirit all the way, having to employ it in her battle with Cape Alumina, which intends to mine bauxite from a section of the park entitled Pisolite Hills.
"We've got dance troupes we're working in with now and . . . we won't be taking commission. We'll let all the money come back to the indigenous people. There are opportunities for temporary employment. Young people who want to give it a go . . . can go for three months and not feel alienated from their families".
Media Man and Gambling 911 encourage the loyal readership to take a closer look at the Irwin Croc Vegas project. Maybe, (casino) whales, dolphins and crocodiles do mix. Pubic G'day to James Packer, Richard Branson, Donald Trump, Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson. Comon' fellas, don't be shy. I bet your bottom dollar Terri and the crew at Australia Zoo would love to hear from you.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen industries that they cover.
*Media Man is the former agent (Thank God) of Irwin nemesis 'Crocodile' Mick Pitman.
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6/04/2010
Virgin Gambling On Gaming With Sony And AWOMO, by Greg Tingle - 4th June 2010
Gamers, gamblers, punters... Virgin or not...the world at large... the cat's out of the bag. Sir Richard Branson, communications, media and aviation "king of the kids", will be personally launching the global hard launch of his highly anticipated Virgin Gaming at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles cum 15th June. At least its 99% on the cards, unless there's last minute changes, but in the world of Branson's Virgin anything is possible. Media Man and Gambling911 toggle the gaming consul with this special report...
Those switched on folks at Virgin, Virgin Gaming to be precise, having been teasing us for months, every week releasing a new clue or two to the highly anticipated release of Virgin Gaming. The Media Man machine has been adding to the clues with inside tips offs on Twitter and its own Media Man website.
A Bit Of History Re Virgin in gaming
Circa 1981 Virgin Interactive launched
In May 2002, the Spanish arm of Virgin Interactive, known as Virgin Interactive España, was purchased. The offspring was then separated from the main Virgin Interactive company, already part of Titus Software, and retained its own identity as a Virgin brand. Renamed Virgin Play in October 2002, this Spanish publisher has remained as the sole representation of the Virgin Group in the video game industry, until now!
Circa 2004 Virgin Games in born, hatching Virgin Casino, Virgin Poker and Virgin Bingo. Virgin also launch an impressive affiliate program.
This week
The VirginGaming.com domain name and website go live, albeit in a partial, soft fashion. Check out www.VirginGaming.com/modnation Virgin staffers, management and / or those with too much time on their hands may like to attempt to qualify for ModNation Racers. The website also sports logos from the likes of PS3, Playstation, EB Games and Game Stop. The site graphics also display a Sony branded gaming controller.
World has leaked to us that the developments also include tie ins to AWOMO (A World Of My Own), which sports games such as Warhammer: Mark Of Chaos, Tomb Raider and and Rome, and wait for it.... an acquisition of WorldGaming aka www.WorldGaming.com , which looks to be a good match for Virgin Gaming.
The WorldGaming.com website blurb includes the following:
WorldGaming.com is a safe, secure global platform that gives console gamers the chance to win real money playing video games. Combining a passion for technology with an obsession with fairness, WorldGaming.com is built on a promise to give users the best possible gaming experience on the web.
The WorldGaming.com platform combines a number of unique tools that automatically verify results, ensure secure payouts, and accurately reflect the skill levels of potential opponents. Registered members also gain access to a number of rich community features including member pages, clan support, stats tracking, an invitations to some of the biggest gaming tournaments in the world. For every gaming that has dreamed of holding a controllers high about their head and proclaiming they are the greatest freaking player alive, WorldGaming.com is the ultimate destination to play for real money against gamers from all across the globe.
*Gambling911 readers, please note that a Virgin Gaming - WorldGaming deal is not 100% for certain, however various leaks have tipped us to think its quite likely.
Media Man Inside Tips Of Potential Games (you won't read anywhere else)
James Bond 007 (Sony Pictures connection)
Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future (Virgin Comics and Virgin Play connection)
Marvel VS Capcom (don't ask, Excelsior!)
Doom II
Resident Evil: Gaiden
Inside The Playboy Mansion (no comment, tipster remaining anonymous)
Kids of all ages... "Gamers More Dangerous Than Bikies" as a former South Australian Attorney General said. You be the judge, and keep an eye on the potential censorship complexities re Virgin Gaming and a number of other online gaming sites. Some 'Thought Police' have even suggested a few hours of gaming is more addictive than cocaine, and gives a similar "buzz" and rush of excitement. Read up the UK rags for more on that.
Please enjoy your gaming and gambling, but don't forget to look after your general wellbeing. Tactics such as skipping meals and sleep to enhance gaming time is not recommended.
Virgin Games - Virgin Casino is not currently available for American or Australian players (which is part of the reason for the upcoming global launch of Virgin Gaming).
The late news...
Virgin Casino has just released the City Of Gold online slot game. Playing at Virgin Casino sees the player being able to accumulate exclusive V*Points which are able to be exchanged for a wide variety of Virgin goods and services.
Virgin Casino and Virgin Gaming competitors such as PartyGaming and its PartyCasino, as well as Playtech and Sega, have yet to publicly comment on the pending launch of Virgin Gaming.
Insiders remain divided as to whether Google and its Google Pac-Man will be a potential partner, competitor, or remain in the "grey area". Interestingly Google's Pac-Man had an "insert coin" animated slot, which may be a sign of things to come.
Sony will be heavily involved with Virgin Games, which is extremely exciting given the Sony also have Sony Pictures in their portfolio, and gamers (and gamblers) are known to be passionate about branded games, be it Marvel Superheroes, the DC Comics universe, Avatar, Tomb Raider, Cleopatra, James Bond 007 or other.
Do keep checking the official websites of Gambling911, Media Man and Virgin Gaming for more on the exciting developments at Virgin and Virgin Gaming.
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The gaming sector is just one of a bakers of dozen of industries they cover.
*Media Man has conducted b2b with a number of business arms of Virgin Enterprises Limited, including Virgin Games.
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Those switched on folks at Virgin, Virgin Gaming to be precise, having been teasing us for months, every week releasing a new clue or two to the highly anticipated release of Virgin Gaming. The Media Man machine has been adding to the clues with inside tips offs on Twitter and its own Media Man website.
A Bit Of History Re Virgin in gaming
Circa 1981 Virgin Interactive launched
In May 2002, the Spanish arm of Virgin Interactive, known as Virgin Interactive España, was purchased. The offspring was then separated from the main Virgin Interactive company, already part of Titus Software, and retained its own identity as a Virgin brand. Renamed Virgin Play in October 2002, this Spanish publisher has remained as the sole representation of the Virgin Group in the video game industry, until now!
Circa 2004 Virgin Games in born, hatching Virgin Casino, Virgin Poker and Virgin Bingo. Virgin also launch an impressive affiliate program.
This week
The VirginGaming.com domain name and website go live, albeit in a partial, soft fashion. Check out www.VirginGaming.com/modnation Virgin staffers, management and / or those with too much time on their hands may like to attempt to qualify for ModNation Racers. The website also sports logos from the likes of PS3, Playstation, EB Games and Game Stop. The site graphics also display a Sony branded gaming controller.
World has leaked to us that the developments also include tie ins to AWOMO (A World Of My Own), which sports games such as Warhammer: Mark Of Chaos, Tomb Raider and and Rome, and wait for it.... an acquisition of WorldGaming aka www.WorldGaming.com , which looks to be a good match for Virgin Gaming.
The WorldGaming.com website blurb includes the following:
WorldGaming.com is a safe, secure global platform that gives console gamers the chance to win real money playing video games. Combining a passion for technology with an obsession with fairness, WorldGaming.com is built on a promise to give users the best possible gaming experience on the web.
The WorldGaming.com platform combines a number of unique tools that automatically verify results, ensure secure payouts, and accurately reflect the skill levels of potential opponents. Registered members also gain access to a number of rich community features including member pages, clan support, stats tracking, an invitations to some of the biggest gaming tournaments in the world. For every gaming that has dreamed of holding a controllers high about their head and proclaiming they are the greatest freaking player alive, WorldGaming.com is the ultimate destination to play for real money against gamers from all across the globe.
*Gambling911 readers, please note that a Virgin Gaming - WorldGaming deal is not 100% for certain, however various leaks have tipped us to think its quite likely.
Media Man Inside Tips Of Potential Games (you won't read anywhere else)
James Bond 007 (Sony Pictures connection)
Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future (Virgin Comics and Virgin Play connection)
Marvel VS Capcom (don't ask, Excelsior!)
Doom II
Resident Evil: Gaiden
Inside The Playboy Mansion (no comment, tipster remaining anonymous)
Kids of all ages... "Gamers More Dangerous Than Bikies" as a former South Australian Attorney General said. You be the judge, and keep an eye on the potential censorship complexities re Virgin Gaming and a number of other online gaming sites. Some 'Thought Police' have even suggested a few hours of gaming is more addictive than cocaine, and gives a similar "buzz" and rush of excitement. Read up the UK rags for more on that.
Please enjoy your gaming and gambling, but don't forget to look after your general wellbeing. Tactics such as skipping meals and sleep to enhance gaming time is not recommended.
Virgin Games - Virgin Casino is not currently available for American or Australian players (which is part of the reason for the upcoming global launch of Virgin Gaming).
The late news...
Virgin Casino has just released the City Of Gold online slot game. Playing at Virgin Casino sees the player being able to accumulate exclusive V*Points which are able to be exchanged for a wide variety of Virgin goods and services.
Virgin Casino and Virgin Gaming competitors such as PartyGaming and its PartyCasino, as well as Playtech and Sega, have yet to publicly comment on the pending launch of Virgin Gaming.
Insiders remain divided as to whether Google and its Google Pac-Man will be a potential partner, competitor, or remain in the "grey area". Interestingly Google's Pac-Man had an "insert coin" animated slot, which may be a sign of things to come.
Sony will be heavily involved with Virgin Games, which is extremely exciting given the Sony also have Sony Pictures in their portfolio, and gamers (and gamblers) are known to be passionate about branded games, be it Marvel Superheroes, the DC Comics universe, Avatar, Tomb Raider, Cleopatra, James Bond 007 or other.
Do keep checking the official websites of Gambling911, Media Man and Virgin Gaming for more on the exciting developments at Virgin and Virgin Gaming.
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The gaming sector is just one of a bakers of dozen of industries they cover.
*Media Man has conducted b2b with a number of business arms of Virgin Enterprises Limited, including Virgin Games.
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6/03/2010
Australia Gets New Gambling Watchdog Woof, by Greg Tingle - 3rd June 2010
Australian gambling remains politically red hot. With the changes in town comes a new watchdog... yep, a man of a different breed who appears to be a shoot straight, and takes a balanced view of the industry. Media Man, Gambling911 and our pack of sniffer dogs pound the pavement and sniff out the story... Ruff
Meet Mr Ches Baragwanath, Australia's new Gambling Watchdog. No, he's not affiliated with our unmet friends at Affiliate Guard Dog (or CAP or GPWA for that matter).
For the unacquainted, Baragwanath, is a former auditor-general of Australia circa 1990.
This watchdog has a reputation of not taking rubbish from the animals in Parliament or in the gambling sector.
Via Fairfax Media we learned of a previous masterstroke and key happening today's new sheriff in town ....the Victorian government before last November's election, Mr Baragwanath let it be known to the house he has accepted an invitation to become a commissioner for gambling regulation.
His appointment, announced just yesterday, comes at a pivotal time for the Australian gaming and gambling industry. Shakes ups of late include James Packer's Crown Casino growing, politicians are open to seeing the proposed Mildura "Jewel" Casino happen on their watch.
Baragwanath has his finger on the pulse. No spring chicken, at 75 years of age, he's wiser and more experienced that the best of them, and is understood to process a brilliant mind, understand the typical man in the street (and boasts outstation credentials and business contacts). Insiders say he's expect to make fair but tough rulings, and is not a casino lover nor casino hater. Controlled growth and suitable regulation, maintaining balance, are understood to be high on his priorities.
Mr B says "I've spent a bit of time in Las Vegas; it's a soul-destroying place. I would hate Melbourne to become the Las Vegas of the southern hemisphere. Pokies are the most mindless and boring pastime I could imagine". Still, he respects people to play the pokies, and other legal casino games of their choosing.
The personable, hang on, likable, Mr B (Big) loves the horses, having a beer and is known to even try his luck having a punt on Tattslotto, if you believe the media gossip around town.
The Melbourne Age was able to get this rip snorter quote from the man..."Despite what political parties might say in opposition, once they get into government they are fascinated by the revenue that flows from nicotine, booze and gambling - wait until they decide how to tax sex! The Victorian government - and most governments, for that matter - do very well out of problem gamblers, they do very well out of problem drinkers and they do very well out of problem smokers, so they've got a moral obligation to support those people who are harmed by gambling, nicotine and alcohol. I haven't read the Bible for some time, but I seem to recall the Roman soldiers were rolling dice underneath the crucifix. I would say to them, look, 97.5 or 98 per cent of the population enjoy a mild flutter on poker machines. Should they be penalised because 2 per cent can't control themselves? I enjoy a drink. Should I be penalised because some people can't hold their liquor? If gambling went underground, the criminal element could take over. I can remember when I was a kid growing up in Brunswick just near the Union Hotel, the bigwig in the area was the local SP (starting price) bookmaker. Do we really want SP bookmakers back on the scene? To some extent it (the role) is to ensure the criminal element is kept out of this field - you know, we don't want the bloody Mafia buying into hotels with poker machines".
Whether "Blueys" err, Mr Big's bark is bigger than his bite remains to be seen. Insiders meantime question who let the dogs out, and what side of the fence will "Mr Dog" prefer?
Media Man remains a proud shareholder in Crown Casino, understood to remain a focus point of the new sheriff in town. "Mr Big" will also be acutely aware that the funds the pour into the likes of Crown Casino flow back into the community and create real and sustainable employment opportunities, some of which tie in with celebrated employment initiative GenerationOne, a project of which Media Man remains in close contact with.
Casinos remain a key element in the Australian tourism, entertainment and employment landscape, and "Mr Big" will no doubt remind himself of these facts when it comes to the hard decisions that will be coming his way for as long as he holds the top dog position.
Loyal readers of Gambling911, as always bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The gaming sector is just one of a bakers of dozen of industries they cover.
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Meet Mr Ches Baragwanath, Australia's new Gambling Watchdog. No, he's not affiliated with our unmet friends at Affiliate Guard Dog (or CAP or GPWA for that matter).
For the unacquainted, Baragwanath, is a former auditor-general of Australia circa 1990.
This watchdog has a reputation of not taking rubbish from the animals in Parliament or in the gambling sector.
Via Fairfax Media we learned of a previous masterstroke and key happening today's new sheriff in town ....the Victorian government before last November's election, Mr Baragwanath let it be known to the house he has accepted an invitation to become a commissioner for gambling regulation.
His appointment, announced just yesterday, comes at a pivotal time for the Australian gaming and gambling industry. Shakes ups of late include James Packer's Crown Casino growing, politicians are open to seeing the proposed Mildura "Jewel" Casino happen on their watch.
Baragwanath has his finger on the pulse. No spring chicken, at 75 years of age, he's wiser and more experienced that the best of them, and is understood to process a brilliant mind, understand the typical man in the street (and boasts outstation credentials and business contacts). Insiders say he's expect to make fair but tough rulings, and is not a casino lover nor casino hater. Controlled growth and suitable regulation, maintaining balance, are understood to be high on his priorities.
Mr B says "I've spent a bit of time in Las Vegas; it's a soul-destroying place. I would hate Melbourne to become the Las Vegas of the southern hemisphere. Pokies are the most mindless and boring pastime I could imagine". Still, he respects people to play the pokies, and other legal casino games of their choosing.
The personable, hang on, likable, Mr B (Big) loves the horses, having a beer and is known to even try his luck having a punt on Tattslotto, if you believe the media gossip around town.
The Melbourne Age was able to get this rip snorter quote from the man..."Despite what political parties might say in opposition, once they get into government they are fascinated by the revenue that flows from nicotine, booze and gambling - wait until they decide how to tax sex! The Victorian government - and most governments, for that matter - do very well out of problem gamblers, they do very well out of problem drinkers and they do very well out of problem smokers, so they've got a moral obligation to support those people who are harmed by gambling, nicotine and alcohol. I haven't read the Bible for some time, but I seem to recall the Roman soldiers were rolling dice underneath the crucifix. I would say to them, look, 97.5 or 98 per cent of the population enjoy a mild flutter on poker machines. Should they be penalised because 2 per cent can't control themselves? I enjoy a drink. Should I be penalised because some people can't hold their liquor? If gambling went underground, the criminal element could take over. I can remember when I was a kid growing up in Brunswick just near the Union Hotel, the bigwig in the area was the local SP (starting price) bookmaker. Do we really want SP bookmakers back on the scene? To some extent it (the role) is to ensure the criminal element is kept out of this field - you know, we don't want the bloody Mafia buying into hotels with poker machines".
Whether "Blueys" err, Mr Big's bark is bigger than his bite remains to be seen. Insiders meantime question who let the dogs out, and what side of the fence will "Mr Dog" prefer?
Media Man remains a proud shareholder in Crown Casino, understood to remain a focus point of the new sheriff in town. "Mr Big" will also be acutely aware that the funds the pour into the likes of Crown Casino flow back into the community and create real and sustainable employment opportunities, some of which tie in with celebrated employment initiative GenerationOne, a project of which Media Man remains in close contact with.
Casinos remain a key element in the Australian tourism, entertainment and employment landscape, and "Mr Big" will no doubt remind himself of these facts when it comes to the hard decisions that will be coming his way for as long as he holds the top dog position.
Loyal readers of Gambling911, as always bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The gaming sector is just one of a bakers of dozen of industries they cover.
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6/02/2010
Virgin Gaming News
Virgin Gaming: Rumors and tip offs go wild: Sony, Modnation Racers, E3Expo, Tomb Raider, MTV connection, Media Man in thick of action
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