Press Release
Virgin Games wins "Affiliate Program of the Year" at EGR Awards 2010
London, November 25th, 2010 – Virgin Games is delighted to announce that last night it won Affiliate Program of the Year at the 6th annual eGaming Review (EGR) Awards. The company beat some stiff competition from a host of other providers, including Betfair, PartyGaming and 888.
Pierrick Leveque, Head of Acquisition, Virgin Games, commented: “The team at Virgin Games is very proud to have won this prestigious award for the second year running. Competition was equally tough this year, and getting the top mark once more from such a panel of industry experts is a welcome and heartwarming sign that we haven’t let our guard down.
“Our team has worked really hard over the last few years to create and service an award winning in-house affiliate system that we can be proud of. But the real key to our success is the relationships we have built with our loyal affiliates. We work very closely with the best in class and have formed trusting relationships which have been hugely beneficial to our business model. This award is our affiliates’ as much as it is ours.”
Virgin Games, who made the shortlist in 2008 and won the award in 2009, has one of the leading affiliate programmes in the industry. The Company runs a bespoke, in house affiliate system with some of the best reporting in the business, very fast commission payments and 50% commission rates for the first two months following sign up. Besides being very selective over the affiliates it works with, the key to its success lies in statistics accuracy, system stability and quality of service.
This latest win adds to a string of awards Virgin Games has acquired for its affiliate program, including: Winner “Affiliate Program of the Year” EGR Awards 2009, Winner “Best Bingo Affiliate Manager” CAP Awards 2009 and Winner “Best Casino and Gaming Affiliate Program” A4U Awards 2008.
Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Ash Gaming, Virtue Fusion and Boss Media.
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Calling All Earthlings-Virgin Casino Has Lift Off!
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- 11/11/10 -- Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company - Virgin Games, is pleased to announce the launch of What On Earth, a 5-reel, 9-payline space themed slot by game developer, Microgaming.
With Beam Me Up, Contest and Destination bonuses, What On Earth is one of the most rewarding tiered bonus games available online. There is also a maximum jackpot of 37,500 coins to be won, a wild symbol and a whole range of new scatters.
Players will be entertained by chasing the highest value Earthlings to beam up. They can visit New York, London, Cairo or Tokyo for a 400x win if they lock-on and beam up the main themed character for each city.
Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "Microgaming has come up with a gem of a game. This is set to become a star of a game with our customers with its sky-high bonuses and fantastic outer space theme. What On Earth has broad appeal because it is both hugely rewarding and great fun to play - a winning formula!"
Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.
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Hang Out With the Osbournes at Virgin Casino
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 14th Oct 2010 - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company – Virgin Games, is pleased to announce the launch of a new slot, The Osbournes, by Microgaming. The branded slot game is based on the TV series and features all the members of the unconventional family of aging rocker, Ozzy Osbourne, and offers additional opportunities to win with an innovative on-screen trail feature that unfolds above the reels.
The Osbournes is a 5 reel 20 pay-line slot with great graphics that captures the outrageous spirit and humour of the famously dysfunctional family and creates an engrossing new slot that is jam-packed with great opportunities to score free spins, multiplier boosts and solid cash prizes.
Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "Just as the TV show of this dysfunctional family provides hours of entertainment, The Osbournes slot does not fail to deliver in the entertainment stakes whilst also providing fantastic rewards. With free spins, multiplier boosts and great cash prizes, players don't have to be a fan of the show to enjoy playing this great new game".
Players can choose their currency - GBP, $, € - and win up to 75,000.00 in the base game and 150,000.00 in Free Spins. Whilst in the new Door Knocker bonus a further 50,000.00 is available and additional bonuses can bring in another 3,000.00. The betting range is anything from 0.01 to 0.50 and up to ten coins a line, making a maximum bet of 100.00 possible.
Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.
About Virgin Games:
Virgin Games launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:
Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Microgaming, CryptoLogic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games.
Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros – as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry
Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games
*Sorry, no U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory
Press Release
Thunderstruck II Arrives at Virgin Casino
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -8th Oct 2010 - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company – Virgin Games, is pleased to announce the launch of Thunderstruck II by top game developer, Microgaming. The game's predecessor, Thunderstruck, which launched in 2003, is one of the most successful and entertaining video slots in online gaming; a feature-rich game which has achieved iconic stature over the years with a wide player demographic.
This latest game promises to be a big hit with fans of Thunderstruck and offers even more features and opportunities to win big rewards. Based on the innovative 5 reel, 243 ways to win concept, this slot offers the player a range of benefits that includes Wilds and Expanding Wilds, four different Bonuses, Scatter action, four different Free Spins rewards, Multipliers ranging from 2x to 6x and absorbing free games.
Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "Given the success of its predecessor, Thunderstruck II is set to become a firm favourite with our customers. It offers players hours of entertaining gaming with the real possibility of great rewards. Thunderstruck II truly enhances our games portfolio and helps deliver on our promise to provide the best online casino experience available."
All the mystical Nordic gods are present in Thunderstruck II, depicted in high quality graphics along with theme-setting symbols like long ships, kings and Asgard, a rainbow city from the great Nordic sagas.
The gods of Thunderstruck II offers players new features, such as the randomly triggered WildStorm award with its held Wild reels, and the introduction of a Player Achievements structure. The achievements concept is a new feature for online slots, empowering players to achieve gold status by winning the range of payouts of each symbol.
Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.
*Sorry, no U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory
Press Release
Virgin Casino Premieres Brand New Online Slot Game - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring(TM) Win a Luxury 10-Night Break to New Zealand With Virgin Casino
Virgin Casino Premieres Brand New Online Slot Game - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring(TM) Win a Luxury 10-Night Break to New Zealand With Virgin Casino
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 09/03/10 - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company - Virgin Games, is proud to announce that it is one of the first online casinos to introduce Microgaming's eagerly awaited five reel cinematic online slot game, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The game, which promises to be one of the biggest launched this year, offers players a massive 243 ways to win and will be one of the most graphically rich, innovative and exciting online slot games to date.
To celebrate the launch of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Virgin Casino is offering a fantastic prize for one very lucky customer and a partner of their choice - a luxury 10 night break to New Zealand. The winner will be flown to New Zealand where they will stay in the 5(i) Rees Hotel which has amazing views of both Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkable Mountains. This picturesque setting is the perfect place to relax before the exciting Lord of the Rings mini tours begin. For every GBP 50 wagered customers will receive a ticket for the prize draw.
In the online slot game, players follow the Hobbit "Frodo Baggins" as he sets out to ensure the destruction of the Dark Lord Sauron. The five reel online slot will have unrivalled game graphics and include beloved characters from the film, such as Frodo, Aragorn, Saruman and the deadly Black Riders; along with some of the film's iconic footage, featuring Ringwraiths during the attack at Weathertop, Balrog in the Mines of Moria, and Uruk-hai in the woods of Middle-earth.
Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "This is truly a fantastic game and we are incredibly proud to be one of the first casinos to launch what is sure to become one of the biggest online gaming hits of the year. At the beginning of the year we stated our vision for Virgin Casino was to offer more choice to our customers and expand on the titles we offered. We are now doing this in spades."
Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.
© 2010 New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc.
Notes to editors:
About Virgin Games:
Virgin Games launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:
- Virgin Casino: offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Microgaming, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games, with a current jackpot value of over GBP 2,500,000
- Virgin Poker: part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros - as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry
- Virgin Bingo: part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.
*Sorry, no U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory
Virgin Casino Gets 9 New Slot Games
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -(Sept. 2, 2010) - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company – Virgin Games, has today announced that it is launching nine new games in September from four leading games producers – Microgaming, WagerWorks, Virtue Fusion and Ash Gaming. Amongst the new games are some big titles, including, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring™ and Tomb Raider - The Secret of the Sword.
Virgin Casino now has over 130 slot games from 11 games producers on its site. The wide range of leading gaming operators with which Virgin Casino has partnered allows the Company to select the best games available on the market, and as such it has become the natural home for players that want instant play (non download) online slot games.
Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "We're really thrilled to be offering such great titles from these leading online game developers as they greatly enhance both choice and player experience for Virgin Casino customers, making it one of the most exciting online casinos around.
"We launch at least one new game a week, and with our multiple partnerships allowing us to cherry pick the best of breed games we now offer unrivalled entertainment for players wanting instant play."
Tomb Raider - The Secret of the Sword is the first game to be launched in September. Presented in a glossy 5 reel 30 pay-line multi-faceted package, this game offers hours of interactive entertainment and the chance to hit major rewards through a variety of free spins, bonuses, wild and scatter awards and free games.
Also to be launched in September are The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Loaded and Tally Ho, all by Microgaming, Bitten by WagerWorks, Challenge Roulette, Fruity Burst, Sacred 7's all by Virtue Fusion, and Alice's Wonderland by Ash Gaming.
Notes to editors:
About Virgin Games:
Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com) launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:
• Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Microgaming, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games, with a current jackpot value of over £2,500,000
• Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros – as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry
• Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.
*Sorry, no U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory
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Virgin Casino Introduces Major New Games in September
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -(Sept. 2, 2010) - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company – Virgin Games, has today announced that it is launching nine new games in September from four leading games producers – Microgaming, WagerWorks, Virtue Fusion and Ash Gaming. Amongst the new games are some big titles, including, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring™ and Tomb Raider - The Secret of the Sword.
Virgin Casino now has over 130 slot games from 11 games producers on its site. The wide range of leading gaming operators with which Virgin Casino has partnered allows the Company to select the best games available on the market, and as such it has become the natural home for players that want instant play (non download) online slot games.
Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "We're really thrilled to be offering such great titles from these leading online game developers as they greatly enhance both choice and player experience for Virgin Casino customers, making it one of the most exciting online casinos around.
"We launch at least one new game a week, and with our multiple partnerships allowing us to cherry pick the best of breed games we now offer unrivalled entertainment for players wanting instant play."
Tomb Raider - The Secret of the Sword is the first game to be launched in September. Presented in a glossy 5 reel 30 pay-line multi-faceted package, this game offers hours of interactive entertainment and the chance to hit major rewards through a variety of free spins, bonuses, wild and scatter awards and free games.
Also to be launched in September are The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Loaded and Tally Ho, all by Microgaming, Bitten by WagerWorks, Challenge Roulette, Fruity Burst, Sacred 7's all by Virtue Fusion, and Alice's Wonderland by Ash Gaming.
Notes to editors:
About Virgin Games:
Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com) launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:
• Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Microgaming, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games, with a current jackpot value of over £2,500,000
• Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros – as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry
• Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.
*Sorry, no U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory
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Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Casino News Media: Win A Dream Holiday And Guaranteed Entry Into WPT Celebrity Invitational; PartyCasino Big One Near $3 Million
Win A Dream Holiday And Guaranteed Entry Into WPT Celebrity Invitational; PartyCasino Big One Near $3 Million
‘The Big One’ at PartyCasino.com is nearing $3,000,000 while the accumulated jackpots on the world’s largest online casino are nearing $4,000,000! ‘The Big One’ is structured as a five tiered pool. The highest tier - Colossal Cash - seeds at $1.5 million, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry, and currently stands at $2,840,000. Customers can play for ‘The Big One’ through traditional slot Melon Madness and the recently introduced Snow Business. Somebody is going to win very big!
PartyPoker.com recently introduced anonymous heads-up tables. How does that change your game? We asked Kara Scott et all for their views.
Win A Dream Holiday And Guaranteed Entry Into WPT Celebrity Invitational
Gibraltar – 16th November 2010 -- PartyPoker.com is offering customers the opportunity to indulge themselves in the world of the rich and famous by winning a four-day dream holiday to Los Angeles, including a seat in the prestigious WPT Celebrity Invitational at the Commerce.
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “Win one of our amazing prize packages and we’ll make sure you live it up in one of the coolest cities on the planet. Last year we took package winners on a tour of Hollywood and Beverley Hills as well as organising a fun-filled day at the world-famous Universal Studios – and this time it could be you experiencing the A-list lifestyle. As well as the sightseeing you’ll also get a seat at the exclusive WPT Celebrity Invitational. This event is packed full of celebrities and big names from poker but we’ve made sure our winners will have their place among the elite for a chance to win a major slice of the $200,000 prize pool.”
"These packages are sure to be popular. We don’t know how many of the 14 packages we’ll give away in each weekly satellite so remember, once they’re gone they’re gone and the promotion will be over."
PartyPoker.com’s Los Angeles packages include:
Four nights’ hotel accommodation
$2,000 spending money
Our world-renowned hospitality throughout your stay in Los Angeles
Guaranteed entry to the WPT Celebrity Invitational
There are a wide range of daily qualifiers that run until the 19th December or until 14 packages are given away. Daily freerolls mean there is the chance to win the trip to LA for free!
The WPT Celebrity Invitational is the curtain raiser for the LA Poker Classic and takes place on the 18th – 19th February 2011 – the event is overseen by WPT Executive Tour Director Matt Savage. The event is strictly invite only. Amongst the celebrities spotted in the field in 2010 were Ricki Lake and Terri Hatcher, with reality star Trishella Cannatella and poker pro Thor Hansen making the final table. Amateur Leron Washington took the $100,000 first prize.
Full information can be found at: PartyPoker.com
Please note that players have to be 21 to take part in the WPT Celebrity Invitational.
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‘The Big One’ at PartyCasino.com is nearing $3,000,000 while the accumulated jackpots on the world’s largest online casino are nearing $4,000,000! ‘The Big One’ is structured as a five tiered pool. The highest tier - Colossal Cash - seeds at $1.5 million, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry, and currently stands at $2,840,000. Customers can play for ‘The Big One’ through traditional slot Melon Madness and the recently introduced Snow Business. Somebody is going to win very big!
PartyPoker.com recently introduced anonymous heads-up tables. How does that change your game? We asked Kara Scott et all for their views.
Win A Dream Holiday And Guaranteed Entry Into WPT Celebrity Invitational
Gibraltar – 16th November 2010 -- PartyPoker.com is offering customers the opportunity to indulge themselves in the world of the rich and famous by winning a four-day dream holiday to Los Angeles, including a seat in the prestigious WPT Celebrity Invitational at the Commerce.
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “Win one of our amazing prize packages and we’ll make sure you live it up in one of the coolest cities on the planet. Last year we took package winners on a tour of Hollywood and Beverley Hills as well as organising a fun-filled day at the world-famous Universal Studios – and this time it could be you experiencing the A-list lifestyle. As well as the sightseeing you’ll also get a seat at the exclusive WPT Celebrity Invitational. This event is packed full of celebrities and big names from poker but we’ve made sure our winners will have their place among the elite for a chance to win a major slice of the $200,000 prize pool.”
"These packages are sure to be popular. We don’t know how many of the 14 packages we’ll give away in each weekly satellite so remember, once they’re gone they’re gone and the promotion will be over."
PartyPoker.com’s Los Angeles packages include:
Four nights’ hotel accommodation
$2,000 spending money
Our world-renowned hospitality throughout your stay in Los Angeles
Guaranteed entry to the WPT Celebrity Invitational
There are a wide range of daily qualifiers that run until the 19th December or until 14 packages are given away. Daily freerolls mean there is the chance to win the trip to LA for free!
The WPT Celebrity Invitational is the curtain raiser for the LA Poker Classic and takes place on the 18th – 19th February 2011 – the event is overseen by WPT Executive Tour Director Matt Savage. The event is strictly invite only. Amongst the celebrities spotted in the field in 2010 were Ricki Lake and Terri Hatcher, with reality star Trishella Cannatella and poker pro Thor Hansen making the final table. Amateur Leron Washington took the $100,000 first prize.
Full information can be found at: PartyPoker.com
Please note that players have to be 21 to take part in the WPT Celebrity Invitational.
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Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Mildura Jewel Casino: Impossible Dream?, by Greg Tingle - 24th November 2010
Readers, punters, politicians, casino millionaires, billionaires, tourism operators, one and all. You've been asking for more information on the Mildura Jewel Casino proposal from down under in Victoria, Australia, and today we deliver. Media Man and Gambling911 take a ride on the farm tractor and put on the cowboy hat and work boots with this special report...
Dreaming is often encouraged by Australian aboriginal elders, as was re quoted by rocker Bob Geldof on his journey to Australia borrowing from German writer Johann von Goethe..."Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.".
Now some media and gaming analysts, academics and Mildura residents and political types are asking themselves what is dream and what is fantasy, in regard to the celebrated Mildura Jewel Casino proposal.
Local candidate Doug Tonge has slammed an academic report which deems the Jewel casino project an "impossible dream".
PhD student and business lecturer Larry O’Connor presented his review of the proposed Jewel development at a press conference convened by La Trobe University last Thursday
Recently a number of Australian university studies and research papers have come under fire, for appearing bias and being geared to get the result they want, not being entirely based on fact or scientific results, but we will quote the Uni brain anyway, us being good sports and all.
In his study entitled "Gambling with Mildura’s Future," O’Connor said a casino/hotel may be viable but not the full $300-$400 million Jewel proposal...which also included a business convention and entertainment centre.
But pro-casino independent candidate Doug Tonge branded the report a political stunt, and a number of media and gambling analysts tend to agree.
"This is probably the most useless piece of information I have read in considering the pros and cons of the Jewel proposal," Tonge said.
"Mr O’Connor draws a comparative example of the proposed Mildura project and concludes that the venture would be unviable and detrimental to the Mildura community.”
The presentation was chaired by Mallee Family Care executive director Vernon Knight, who welcomed Mr O’Connor’s report as a definitive statement to the merits of the Jewel proposal.
A Media Man spokesperson said "We are certain that the universities negative findings on the Mildura Jewel was a stunt, and we know a thing or two about political stunts, and this reeks of it and something else that comes out of the backside of the cows down there in Mildura. Australian universities have recently being releasing a number of negative based findings on casinos and gambling, so this should come as no surprise".
More political lobbying, reports and community consultation will continues, but when the merry go round stops and the casino development starts is anyone's guess at this stage. If one person in Australia might know if its a green or red light that would be Victorian Premier John Brumby, who has done well for Melbourne's Crown Casino and is largely seen as a very successful premier who gets the job done and also finds the right balance between business and community. We're rooting for you John.
Candidates’ Each Way Bet On Casino; Says National Party...
All of the data used by Mildura accounting academic Larry O’Connor in his report Gambling With Mildura’s Future was sourced from publicly available information material. “The pro-casino Independent candidate claims that I used statistics from Mr O’Connor’s report in the week before it was released,” says Member for Mildura Peter Crisp. “Actually, I’ve been using facts and figures on casino operations for much longer, because they’ve been available in documents produced by the Productivity Commission and in a report produced for the Australasian Casino Association by the Allen Consulting Group. “For example, I said via a news release on October 26 that: “More than 80% of customers of casinos in Australia are drawn from the city/state in which the casino is located, according to a 2009 report to the Australasian Casino Association by the Allen Consulting Group”. “I was making the point that a casino would drag patrons away from local community-owned clubs, which I reiterated throughout the campaign. “The Workers Club made the same point in a full-page advertisement in the Sunraysia Daily in early November. “Had the pro-casino Independent candidate done even a scrap of research he would know that a casino in Mildura would bankrupt a number of existing community-owned clubs.
Report Questioning Casino 'Irrelevant'...
The developer planning to build a casino in Mildura has dismissed an independent report questioning the project's viability. Larry O'Connor from the La Trobe Regional School of Business says even the most generous business modelling cannot support the Jewel Casino, hotel and function centre development. He says a $300 million or $400 million complex cannot generate enough income to sustain it. But developer John Haddad says the viability of the complex is the concern of the investors, the political argument is whether it will be allowed. "It'll be the Parliament that will give the turnkey to the casino, so it's irrelevant (for) this gentlemen, whoever he is, to do this research. The object is for us to build it," he said. Most tourism experts believe the casino proposal will give the region a much needed boost, as its continues to bounce back from the world's financial crisis.
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Wrap Up...
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Should the Mildura Jewel Casino development start construction, or are more checks and balances required? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.
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Dreaming is often encouraged by Australian aboriginal elders, as was re quoted by rocker Bob Geldof on his journey to Australia borrowing from German writer Johann von Goethe..."Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.".
Now some media and gaming analysts, academics and Mildura residents and political types are asking themselves what is dream and what is fantasy, in regard to the celebrated Mildura Jewel Casino proposal.
Local candidate Doug Tonge has slammed an academic report which deems the Jewel casino project an "impossible dream".
PhD student and business lecturer Larry O’Connor presented his review of the proposed Jewel development at a press conference convened by La Trobe University last Thursday
Recently a number of Australian university studies and research papers have come under fire, for appearing bias and being geared to get the result they want, not being entirely based on fact or scientific results, but we will quote the Uni brain anyway, us being good sports and all.
In his study entitled "Gambling with Mildura’s Future," O’Connor said a casino/hotel may be viable but not the full $300-$400 million Jewel proposal...which also included a business convention and entertainment centre.
But pro-casino independent candidate Doug Tonge branded the report a political stunt, and a number of media and gambling analysts tend to agree.
"This is probably the most useless piece of information I have read in considering the pros and cons of the Jewel proposal," Tonge said.
"Mr O’Connor draws a comparative example of the proposed Mildura project and concludes that the venture would be unviable and detrimental to the Mildura community.”
The presentation was chaired by Mallee Family Care executive director Vernon Knight, who welcomed Mr O’Connor’s report as a definitive statement to the merits of the Jewel proposal.
A Media Man spokesperson said "We are certain that the universities negative findings on the Mildura Jewel was a stunt, and we know a thing or two about political stunts, and this reeks of it and something else that comes out of the backside of the cows down there in Mildura. Australian universities have recently being releasing a number of negative based findings on casinos and gambling, so this should come as no surprise".
More political lobbying, reports and community consultation will continues, but when the merry go round stops and the casino development starts is anyone's guess at this stage. If one person in Australia might know if its a green or red light that would be Victorian Premier John Brumby, who has done well for Melbourne's Crown Casino and is largely seen as a very successful premier who gets the job done and also finds the right balance between business and community. We're rooting for you John.
Candidates’ Each Way Bet On Casino; Says National Party...
All of the data used by Mildura accounting academic Larry O’Connor in his report Gambling With Mildura’s Future was sourced from publicly available information material. “The pro-casino Independent candidate claims that I used statistics from Mr O’Connor’s report in the week before it was released,” says Member for Mildura Peter Crisp. “Actually, I’ve been using facts and figures on casino operations for much longer, because they’ve been available in documents produced by the Productivity Commission and in a report produced for the Australasian Casino Association by the Allen Consulting Group. “For example, I said via a news release on October 26 that: “More than 80% of customers of casinos in Australia are drawn from the city/state in which the casino is located, according to a 2009 report to the Australasian Casino Association by the Allen Consulting Group”. “I was making the point that a casino would drag patrons away from local community-owned clubs, which I reiterated throughout the campaign. “The Workers Club made the same point in a full-page advertisement in the Sunraysia Daily in early November. “Had the pro-casino Independent candidate done even a scrap of research he would know that a casino in Mildura would bankrupt a number of existing community-owned clubs.
Report Questioning Casino 'Irrelevant'...
The developer planning to build a casino in Mildura has dismissed an independent report questioning the project's viability. Larry O'Connor from the La Trobe Regional School of Business says even the most generous business modelling cannot support the Jewel Casino, hotel and function centre development. He says a $300 million or $400 million complex cannot generate enough income to sustain it. But developer John Haddad says the viability of the complex is the concern of the investors, the political argument is whether it will be allowed. "It'll be the Parliament that will give the turnkey to the casino, so it's irrelevant (for) this gentlemen, whoever he is, to do this research. The object is for us to build it," he said. Most tourism experts believe the casino proposal will give the region a much needed boost, as its continues to bounce back from the world's financial crisis.
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Wrap Up...
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Should the Mildura Jewel Casino development start construction, or are more checks and balances required? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.
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Australian Gambling And Entertainment News, by Greg Tingle - 24th November 2010
Welcome to another jam packed news update from down under in Australia. We're got pro casino and gaming VS the haters, news media players, politic, entertainment goss and lots more. Media Man and Gambling911 take bring you the best in Aussie gambling and entertainment news. Lights, camera, action...
Biggest Police Raid In Victorian History; Gambling And Pokies Connection; Real Life Underbelly...
34 people, mainly Aussies and some Chinese and Taiwani are locked up after the biggest drug operation in Victoria's history sent 650 police storming into scores of properties allegedly linked to a $400 million cannabis-farms syndicate. Police raided 68 properties all allegedly connected to a cannabis cartel producing indoor hydroponic crops – each worth $80,000. Deputy Commissioner Sir Ken Jones revealed the raids would have happened sooner but US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Melbourne had diverted too many resources. But Sir Ken said suggestions the raids had been timed to benefit the State Government days before the election were "absolute rubbish". "We're not going to threaten our operations to suit any political cycle," he said. Today's raids are part of a long-term police investigation codenamed Entity.
Many of the properties raided today were used as hydroponic "farms’’. As part of the investigation police have previously raided 50 properties in Victoria and New Zealand, seizing more than $20 million in assets. The investigation involves Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police, customs, tax and immigration officials. Investigators say the main targets are members of the Vietnamese community. Police say some of the funds reaped from the marijuana crops have been used to buy heroin in Vietnam, which has been imported into Australia. Detective Superintendent Gerry Ryan said early reports were the operation was going well. Police have long maintained there is a direct link between Vietnamese syndicates trafficking in both cannabis and heroin. Police have identified seven major heroin syndicates, which have recruited more than 100 Melbourne-based couriers. Police were ready to raid the houses two weeks ago, however the operation had to be delayed because of US Secretary of State Hillary Ms Clinton's visit. Drug Taskforce investigators say the syndicates target members of the Vietnamese community with gambling debts who are susceptible to pressure from loan sharks. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade figures show 25 Australian nationals are in Vietnamese jails on drug charges. Since 2003, seven Australians sentenced to death in Vietnam have had their penalty commuted after pleas for clemency from the Australian Government. A police taskforce of drug taskforce detectives, Customs and Border Protection officers, the Australian Crime Commission and Australian Federal Police has been set up to investigate the syndicates. Operation Ripsaw has resulted in the arrest of more than 30 suspects in Australia and Vietnam in the past two years. In August police seized commercial and residential properties valued at $20 million they allege had been purchased through laundered funds made by the syndicates through heroin trafficking. More than 20 suspects have been arrested and $3 million in cash seized during the raids in Fitzroy, Brunswick, St Albans, Maribyrnong, Footscray, Sunshine and Collingwood. Detectives say heroin couriers fly into Melbourne from Vietnam every week and some have made several trips.
They have identified one female syndicate leader in her 30s, who bet $3.7 million at Crown Casino in six months and regularly wagered $50,000 a hand. Another key figure bet $12 million in Australian casinos in just over five years. Couriers are paid up to $24,000 to import four 70-gram heroin pellets (80 percent pure). Syndicates can net more than $700,000 from the drugs sold on Melbourne streets. On June 4, 2006, Australian Federal Police arrested Vietnam Airlines pilot Van Dang Tranas at Sydney International Airport with more than $540,000 concealed in his cabin luggage. The Australian Crime Commission money-laundering Taskforce Gordian found that he had smuggled $6.5 million out of Australia in less than 12 months. He pleaded guilty and in 2007 was sentenced to a minimum of two years' jail. It is alleged that crime syndicates used the Long Thanh Money Transfer Company in Footscray to launder more than $93 million.
Shane Warne Has Nerves About New TV Show...
Warne has he and Aussie gambling and media king, James Packer, were nervous before his interview before new show, Warnie. The interview is Packer's first one-on-one TV interview in 20 years and a real coup for Warne. Speaking at Channel 9's Ashes launch this week, Warne said the two had been friends for two decades, which contributed to the nerves. "Not many people know James Packer that well," he said. "He is a wonderful guy. He's been a good friend to me for 20 years." Warne's interview subjects for his new show include Dannii Minogue, Coldplay's Chris Martin and Sting. He said he just tried to be himself when interviewing the big names. "I think the one thing about this show is, when I'm doing the interview, I'm not one of those guys who ask those silly questions about the past and that sort of crap. "I want to know how you spend your life away from this, how you relax and have a bit of a laugh. "I think people will see a good side to so many different people." Joining Warne on the show is his old mate Merv Hughes, who will be a reporter on the street, and Nine's rising star in the world of news, Today reporter Alicia Gorey. The first episode of Warnie airs on Wednesday - that's tonight on Channel 9, of course! Ok, it could of been Network Ten, but 10 out of 10 for 9, for putting this show together.
Poker Machined Banned From Shopping Centre...
Electronic gaming machines have been banned from the Mansfield strip shopping centre. The amendment to the Mansfield Planning Scheme banning the machines has been approved by the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development. A survey conducted by the shire found 87 per cent of respondents did not want gaming machines in the Mansfield Shopping Centre. The CEO of Mansfield Shire, David Roff, says the shire's research shows the amendment is in line with community beliefs. "Effectively, what the amendment does is it identifies the Mansfield strip shopping centre as an area where gaming machines are prohibited but it recognises that gaming is a legitimate activity but for areas not so close to the centre of town," he said.
Candidates’ Each Way Bet On Casino; Says National Party...
All of the data used by Mildura accounting academic Larry O’Connor in his report Gambling With Mildura’s Future was sourced from publicly available information material. “The pro-casino Independent candidate claims that I used statistics from Mr O’Connor’s report in the week before it was released,” says Member for Mildura Peter Crisp. “Actually, I’ve been using facts and figures on casino operations for much longer, because they’ve been available in documents produced by the Productivity Commission and in a report produced for the Australasian Casino Association by the Allen Consulting Group. “For example, I said via a news release on October 26 that: “More than 80% of customers of casinos in Australia are drawn from the city/state in which the casino is located, according to a 2009 report to the Australasian Casino Association by the Allen Consulting Group”. “I was making the point that a casino would drag patrons away from local community-owned clubs, which I reiterated throughout the campaign. “The Workers Club made the same point in a full-page advertisement in the Sunraysia Daily in early November. “Had the pro-casino Independent candidate done even a scrap of research he would know that a casino in Mildura would bankrupt a number of existing community-owned clubs.
Murdoch Media Power; Sarah Murdoch Fires Production Company After Model Mistake...
If you stuff up big time at work, the firm you work for decide to sack you: that's how it usually works. Not if you're Sarah Murdoch, part of the powerful media family dynasty it doesn't. If you're Sarah Murdoch, you fire the company. Foxtel, which is partially owned by the Murdoch family, had, at her insistence, dumped Granada Media Australia, the production company behind the past 6 series of Australia's Next Top Model...which Murdoch presents and executive-produces...to slide in with a new production company for the show's 11th series. Media Man has been hitting the phones... AAP, Fairfax Media, News Limited, and this amazing news is confirmed. Exactly what new production company will get the gig now open is not known at this time, but the favourite was Shine, which is owned by sister-in-law Elisabeth Murdoch. When called Granada, where a spokesperson couldn't confirm that it had lost the show. Calls were also placed to to Foxtel, explaining the nature of the enquiry, but no one called back. Then Murdoch went on record, confirming the change in production company and gave the following: "Granada produced Australia's Top Model for six years. I worked with them for two years. They are a very talented and hard working crew. But after what happened this year I thought very hard about it and decided it was probably time for a change." The readerership might recall that on the final live episode of the show, Murdoch momentarily panicked after a breakdown in communication with the backstage production team, and announced the wrong model as the series winner. It was a simple, embarrassing and pretty exciting misunderstanding that had everyone in a bit of a fluster, but also generated extra publicity. Murdoch is understood to be a driving force to firing Granada. So Sarah's stirred up things, and husband Lachlan now involved with Network Ten, Elisabeth at Shine and old man Rupert still plugging away, there's a Murdoch's everywhere. We expect James Packer to enjoy much smoother sailing with his Lachlan Murdoch and Network Nine dealings, and even Shane Warne wouldn't likely get a gaffe as rough as this one.
'Grandfather' Of Australian Paparazzi Peter Carrette Dies At 63...
Good friend of Bondi Beach's Media Man, Peter Carrette, and friend to many, died on the weekend we are sad to report. Veteran paparazzo Peter Carrette, who infamously fired a water pistol at Heath Ledger, has died in his Bondi Beach office. The man dubbed the "grandfather of Australian paparazzi" was discovered by a friend slumped at his desk at his home at Bondi Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs. "They found him this morning - he was still at his computer," said his friend of 11 years, journalist Natalie O'Brien. The 63-year-old Carrette had worked around the world, including Paris and New York, and is survived by a son and a daughter. "He was just a beautiful guy," O'Brien told AAP. "In a dog-eat-dog world, he was a very kind man." Asked about the key to his success and long career, O'Brien said: "He knew everybody and everybody trusted him. They would come to him with information and he did the right thing by people. Everyone who knew him loved him."
Man Man Tribute To Peter...
RIP Peter Carrette. Peter, you were an angel among us. I feel blessed to have known you. Glad we caught up at the Bondi Beach Sea Shepherd on Friday. It was strange how we first met at Kerry Packer's funeral in 2005, at the Sydney Opera House, on a day which was more a celebration of life, rather than a focus on his death. When I moved to Bondi Beach in 2008 our friendship blossomed, and you were always an attentive ear, and a wonderful source of information and humor. Your Packer and nightlife stories were fantastic and music to my years. Being able to make modest donations to your orphanage in Cambodia was and always will occupy a special place in my heart and memory, as it will for our dear friend, Eva, who also just loved your presence, generosity of heart and sprit, and your photos of course. Eva and I just loved the gifts we got from you at the beach on the weekend, having been sent over from your orphanage in Cambodia. Your Tony Abbott costume you wore to the Sea Shepherd No Compromise! event on Friday night was a classic, just as you were. Knowing you enriched my life, and that of so many of my friends and acquaintances. You were one of the Australian media's great guys, and I think you knew that I saw you as a bit of a father figure or uncle also, even though I never said those words. You were smart enough to know. The visits to the "best office in the world' at the pad at Bondi Beach were also a fun and memorable experience. Your beautify energy, passion and warmth will always be remembered. You made me, and others, probably look so much better than we actually were, thanks to your artistic and creative gifts. Your colorful shoes will be hard to fill. Always in my mind, and whenever I walk down the hill to the beach I will continue to think of you fondly. You were way too good, in too many ways, to only be remembered as a great photographer. You were a wonderful human being. Another legend has been lost, but will never be forgotten
Greg Tingle, Founder and Director, Media Man
Australian Media and Photographer Legend Dies, by Greg Tingle
One of Australia's most colorful and successful photographers Peter Carrette has died of a heart attack this past weekend. Regarded as one of the good guys in the pap and photography biz, London born Carrette first came to prominence when he photographed a sick Marianne Faithful in a drug coma in her hospital bed circa 1969. Faithful had tripped to Australia with musician Mick Jagger who was to star in a film about Ned Kelly. She had over-dosed after, it was claimed in the British press, she had discovered Jagger in bed as it were, with another woman. Carrette donned a white doctor's coat and stethoscope and sneaked into Faithful's room, snapped the photo that was flashed around the world as one of the first examples of intrusive photography. Earlier this year when Faithful was in town for the Sydney Festival, she advised new media outlet 'The Shuttle' she'd still like to give the snapper a "quick boot in the backside". However she later revealed she had forgiven him. After a stint of studying photography in London, Carrette traveled to Sydney and picked up gig as Sir Frank Packer's copy boy when the media baron owned Daily Mirror newspaper. Once established he worked for various publications photographing news. He ambushed the US invasion of Grenada by hiring a smuggler's boat while the world's news media waited for official transport in downtown Barbados. He also did well in New York for 6 years and photographed for leading fashion title Vogue in Paris for 2 years. A few years back here in Sydney he and another pap squirted the actor Heath Ledger with water pistols at a Sydney film premiere. The images of a startled and wet Ledger was flashed around the world. He was ever so briefly banned by film companies from movie premieres and the like, but later made peace with Ledger shortly before he died in New York. Carrette also supported an orphanage in Cambodia by donating the fees received from his exclusive candid photos of celebrities often taken around Bondi Beach. He ran his own studio and photo biz from a Bondi Beach flat, "The greatest office in the world" he said, where he had lived for the past 20 years. The flat is owned by his good mate, Jack Thompson. Carrette was well liked in the industry, a keen philanthropist, and gave a lot back to the industry. He attended the Sea Shepherd Bondi No Compromise! event at the beach on Friday night at the invitation of Media Man, who has collaborated closely with Peter over the past 3 years, usually at Bondi Beach and often on community based projects. It's understood he passed away on Sunday evening from heart failure while working at his computer.
James Packer Likely Inspired Australia's Richest Woman Share Raid On Network Ten...
It all happened at the event to celebrate Alan Jones's 25 years in radio. Gina Rinehart witnesses history, and decided to play a big part in it. Australia's richest woman was in the mix of the 1100 media and political in crowd who gathered at Sydney's Darling Harbour on November 5 to toast Jones and witness tributes from the likes of former prime minister John Howard, Liberal powerbroker Michael Kroger, opposition Treasury spokesman Joe Hockey, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally and British conservative icon Jeffrey Archer. An emotional address from gaming and media mogul James Packer clearly made an impression. In a rare public display, Packer opened up about Jones. "Alan, no one will ever take your place," he said. "You are without peer, my friend." Packer had just raised his already considerable public profile by grabbing 18% of Ten Network Holdings in a shock sharemarket raid. Here was confirmation he was back in town after some moments of severe doubt during the global financial crisis. Rinehart was paying attention. It is understood the mining heiress wrote to her fellow billionaire afterwards, congratulating him on his speech, expressing her support for Jones and wishing Packer luck with his $280 million Ten investment. Within days, traders noticed that Morgan Stanley Smith Barney...a retail brokerage that accounts for less than 1% of Ten trading on an average day...was responsible for a whopping 24.3% of turnover. That was November 10. The brokerage continued to soak up stock in the following days. Seek co-founder Paul Bassat, adman John Singleton and media company News Limited (publisher of The Australian) were all rumoured to be behind the trades. But this week the mystery buyer was revealed as power woman Rinehart. Nobody could have guessed, except perhaps Packer, who received another letter from Rinehart yesterday, telling him she had spent more than $150m on 10 per cent of Ten. Without being too specific, Rinehart indicated broad support for the Ten shake-up and said she liked the look of the new board. Here was confirmation that Georgina Hope Rinehart was not content to confine her $4.5 billion fortune to the mining sector. Rinehart is said to resent the description "mining heiress", believing she deserves credit for building on her father's legacy. She also does not want to be remembered as the person who took Porteous to court. Some associates believe she wants to make her mark on a bigger stage, much as fellow iron ore magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has in championing the cause of indigenous Australians in recent years. She hinted at issues of national interest in the short statement released on late Monday. "Our company group is interested in making an investment towards the media business, given its importance to the nation's future, and has selected Channel 10 for this investment," it said. So notions of legacy and influence perhaps explain why Rinehart jumped on the truck to help lead the big crowd in a chant of "axe the tax". She used a megaphone to do it that day. Others have found owning part of a media company is another way to open doors in Canberra. Media Man will be following up the fun, games and media power plays of Australia's Richest women and think she might be the source of more major news for media friends and partners across the global, especially for the good folks at the always hard hitting and switched on Gambling911.
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Wrap Up...
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.
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Biggest Police Raid In Victorian History; Gambling And Pokies Connection; Real Life Underbelly...
34 people, mainly Aussies and some Chinese and Taiwani are locked up after the biggest drug operation in Victoria's history sent 650 police storming into scores of properties allegedly linked to a $400 million cannabis-farms syndicate. Police raided 68 properties all allegedly connected to a cannabis cartel producing indoor hydroponic crops – each worth $80,000. Deputy Commissioner Sir Ken Jones revealed the raids would have happened sooner but US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Melbourne had diverted too many resources. But Sir Ken said suggestions the raids had been timed to benefit the State Government days before the election were "absolute rubbish". "We're not going to threaten our operations to suit any political cycle," he said. Today's raids are part of a long-term police investigation codenamed Entity.
Many of the properties raided today were used as hydroponic "farms’’. As part of the investigation police have previously raided 50 properties in Victoria and New Zealand, seizing more than $20 million in assets. The investigation involves Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police, customs, tax and immigration officials. Investigators say the main targets are members of the Vietnamese community. Police say some of the funds reaped from the marijuana crops have been used to buy heroin in Vietnam, which has been imported into Australia. Detective Superintendent Gerry Ryan said early reports were the operation was going well. Police have long maintained there is a direct link between Vietnamese syndicates trafficking in both cannabis and heroin. Police have identified seven major heroin syndicates, which have recruited more than 100 Melbourne-based couriers. Police were ready to raid the houses two weeks ago, however the operation had to be delayed because of US Secretary of State Hillary Ms Clinton's visit. Drug Taskforce investigators say the syndicates target members of the Vietnamese community with gambling debts who are susceptible to pressure from loan sharks. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade figures show 25 Australian nationals are in Vietnamese jails on drug charges. Since 2003, seven Australians sentenced to death in Vietnam have had their penalty commuted after pleas for clemency from the Australian Government. A police taskforce of drug taskforce detectives, Customs and Border Protection officers, the Australian Crime Commission and Australian Federal Police has been set up to investigate the syndicates. Operation Ripsaw has resulted in the arrest of more than 30 suspects in Australia and Vietnam in the past two years. In August police seized commercial and residential properties valued at $20 million they allege had been purchased through laundered funds made by the syndicates through heroin trafficking. More than 20 suspects have been arrested and $3 million in cash seized during the raids in Fitzroy, Brunswick, St Albans, Maribyrnong, Footscray, Sunshine and Collingwood. Detectives say heroin couriers fly into Melbourne from Vietnam every week and some have made several trips.
They have identified one female syndicate leader in her 30s, who bet $3.7 million at Crown Casino in six months and regularly wagered $50,000 a hand. Another key figure bet $12 million in Australian casinos in just over five years. Couriers are paid up to $24,000 to import four 70-gram heroin pellets (80 percent pure). Syndicates can net more than $700,000 from the drugs sold on Melbourne streets. On June 4, 2006, Australian Federal Police arrested Vietnam Airlines pilot Van Dang Tranas at Sydney International Airport with more than $540,000 concealed in his cabin luggage. The Australian Crime Commission money-laundering Taskforce Gordian found that he had smuggled $6.5 million out of Australia in less than 12 months. He pleaded guilty and in 2007 was sentenced to a minimum of two years' jail. It is alleged that crime syndicates used the Long Thanh Money Transfer Company in Footscray to launder more than $93 million.
Shane Warne Has Nerves About New TV Show...
Warne has he and Aussie gambling and media king, James Packer, were nervous before his interview before new show, Warnie. The interview is Packer's first one-on-one TV interview in 20 years and a real coup for Warne. Speaking at Channel 9's Ashes launch this week, Warne said the two had been friends for two decades, which contributed to the nerves. "Not many people know James Packer that well," he said. "He is a wonderful guy. He's been a good friend to me for 20 years." Warne's interview subjects for his new show include Dannii Minogue, Coldplay's Chris Martin and Sting. He said he just tried to be himself when interviewing the big names. "I think the one thing about this show is, when I'm doing the interview, I'm not one of those guys who ask those silly questions about the past and that sort of crap. "I want to know how you spend your life away from this, how you relax and have a bit of a laugh. "I think people will see a good side to so many different people." Joining Warne on the show is his old mate Merv Hughes, who will be a reporter on the street, and Nine's rising star in the world of news, Today reporter Alicia Gorey. The first episode of Warnie airs on Wednesday - that's tonight on Channel 9, of course! Ok, it could of been Network Ten, but 10 out of 10 for 9, for putting this show together.
Poker Machined Banned From Shopping Centre...
Electronic gaming machines have been banned from the Mansfield strip shopping centre. The amendment to the Mansfield Planning Scheme banning the machines has been approved by the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development. A survey conducted by the shire found 87 per cent of respondents did not want gaming machines in the Mansfield Shopping Centre. The CEO of Mansfield Shire, David Roff, says the shire's research shows the amendment is in line with community beliefs. "Effectively, what the amendment does is it identifies the Mansfield strip shopping centre as an area where gaming machines are prohibited but it recognises that gaming is a legitimate activity but for areas not so close to the centre of town," he said.
Candidates’ Each Way Bet On Casino; Says National Party...
All of the data used by Mildura accounting academic Larry O’Connor in his report Gambling With Mildura’s Future was sourced from publicly available information material. “The pro-casino Independent candidate claims that I used statistics from Mr O’Connor’s report in the week before it was released,” says Member for Mildura Peter Crisp. “Actually, I’ve been using facts and figures on casino operations for much longer, because they’ve been available in documents produced by the Productivity Commission and in a report produced for the Australasian Casino Association by the Allen Consulting Group. “For example, I said via a news release on October 26 that: “More than 80% of customers of casinos in Australia are drawn from the city/state in which the casino is located, according to a 2009 report to the Australasian Casino Association by the Allen Consulting Group”. “I was making the point that a casino would drag patrons away from local community-owned clubs, which I reiterated throughout the campaign. “The Workers Club made the same point in a full-page advertisement in the Sunraysia Daily in early November. “Had the pro-casino Independent candidate done even a scrap of research he would know that a casino in Mildura would bankrupt a number of existing community-owned clubs.
Murdoch Media Power; Sarah Murdoch Fires Production Company After Model Mistake...
If you stuff up big time at work, the firm you work for decide to sack you: that's how it usually works. Not if you're Sarah Murdoch, part of the powerful media family dynasty it doesn't. If you're Sarah Murdoch, you fire the company. Foxtel, which is partially owned by the Murdoch family, had, at her insistence, dumped Granada Media Australia, the production company behind the past 6 series of Australia's Next Top Model...which Murdoch presents and executive-produces...to slide in with a new production company for the show's 11th series. Media Man has been hitting the phones... AAP, Fairfax Media, News Limited, and this amazing news is confirmed. Exactly what new production company will get the gig now open is not known at this time, but the favourite was Shine, which is owned by sister-in-law Elisabeth Murdoch. When called Granada, where a spokesperson couldn't confirm that it had lost the show. Calls were also placed to to Foxtel, explaining the nature of the enquiry, but no one called back. Then Murdoch went on record, confirming the change in production company and gave the following: "Granada produced Australia's Top Model for six years. I worked with them for two years. They are a very talented and hard working crew. But after what happened this year I thought very hard about it and decided it was probably time for a change." The readerership might recall that on the final live episode of the show, Murdoch momentarily panicked after a breakdown in communication with the backstage production team, and announced the wrong model as the series winner. It was a simple, embarrassing and pretty exciting misunderstanding that had everyone in a bit of a fluster, but also generated extra publicity. Murdoch is understood to be a driving force to firing Granada. So Sarah's stirred up things, and husband Lachlan now involved with Network Ten, Elisabeth at Shine and old man Rupert still plugging away, there's a Murdoch's everywhere. We expect James Packer to enjoy much smoother sailing with his Lachlan Murdoch and Network Nine dealings, and even Shane Warne wouldn't likely get a gaffe as rough as this one.
'Grandfather' Of Australian Paparazzi Peter Carrette Dies At 63...
Good friend of Bondi Beach's Media Man, Peter Carrette, and friend to many, died on the weekend we are sad to report. Veteran paparazzo Peter Carrette, who infamously fired a water pistol at Heath Ledger, has died in his Bondi Beach office. The man dubbed the "grandfather of Australian paparazzi" was discovered by a friend slumped at his desk at his home at Bondi Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs. "They found him this morning - he was still at his computer," said his friend of 11 years, journalist Natalie O'Brien. The 63-year-old Carrette had worked around the world, including Paris and New York, and is survived by a son and a daughter. "He was just a beautiful guy," O'Brien told AAP. "In a dog-eat-dog world, he was a very kind man." Asked about the key to his success and long career, O'Brien said: "He knew everybody and everybody trusted him. They would come to him with information and he did the right thing by people. Everyone who knew him loved him."
Man Man Tribute To Peter...
RIP Peter Carrette. Peter, you were an angel among us. I feel blessed to have known you. Glad we caught up at the Bondi Beach Sea Shepherd on Friday. It was strange how we first met at Kerry Packer's funeral in 2005, at the Sydney Opera House, on a day which was more a celebration of life, rather than a focus on his death. When I moved to Bondi Beach in 2008 our friendship blossomed, and you were always an attentive ear, and a wonderful source of information and humor. Your Packer and nightlife stories were fantastic and music to my years. Being able to make modest donations to your orphanage in Cambodia was and always will occupy a special place in my heart and memory, as it will for our dear friend, Eva, who also just loved your presence, generosity of heart and sprit, and your photos of course. Eva and I just loved the gifts we got from you at the beach on the weekend, having been sent over from your orphanage in Cambodia. Your Tony Abbott costume you wore to the Sea Shepherd No Compromise! event on Friday night was a classic, just as you were. Knowing you enriched my life, and that of so many of my friends and acquaintances. You were one of the Australian media's great guys, and I think you knew that I saw you as a bit of a father figure or uncle also, even though I never said those words. You were smart enough to know. The visits to the "best office in the world' at the pad at Bondi Beach were also a fun and memorable experience. Your beautify energy, passion and warmth will always be remembered. You made me, and others, probably look so much better than we actually were, thanks to your artistic and creative gifts. Your colorful shoes will be hard to fill. Always in my mind, and whenever I walk down the hill to the beach I will continue to think of you fondly. You were way too good, in too many ways, to only be remembered as a great photographer. You were a wonderful human being. Another legend has been lost, but will never be forgotten
Greg Tingle, Founder and Director, Media Man
Australian Media and Photographer Legend Dies, by Greg Tingle
One of Australia's most colorful and successful photographers Peter Carrette has died of a heart attack this past weekend. Regarded as one of the good guys in the pap and photography biz, London born Carrette first came to prominence when he photographed a sick Marianne Faithful in a drug coma in her hospital bed circa 1969. Faithful had tripped to Australia with musician Mick Jagger who was to star in a film about Ned Kelly. She had over-dosed after, it was claimed in the British press, she had discovered Jagger in bed as it were, with another woman. Carrette donned a white doctor's coat and stethoscope and sneaked into Faithful's room, snapped the photo that was flashed around the world as one of the first examples of intrusive photography. Earlier this year when Faithful was in town for the Sydney Festival, she advised new media outlet 'The Shuttle' she'd still like to give the snapper a "quick boot in the backside". However she later revealed she had forgiven him. After a stint of studying photography in London, Carrette traveled to Sydney and picked up gig as Sir Frank Packer's copy boy when the media baron owned Daily Mirror newspaper. Once established he worked for various publications photographing news. He ambushed the US invasion of Grenada by hiring a smuggler's boat while the world's news media waited for official transport in downtown Barbados. He also did well in New York for 6 years and photographed for leading fashion title Vogue in Paris for 2 years. A few years back here in Sydney he and another pap squirted the actor Heath Ledger with water pistols at a Sydney film premiere. The images of a startled and wet Ledger was flashed around the world. He was ever so briefly banned by film companies from movie premieres and the like, but later made peace with Ledger shortly before he died in New York. Carrette also supported an orphanage in Cambodia by donating the fees received from his exclusive candid photos of celebrities often taken around Bondi Beach. He ran his own studio and photo biz from a Bondi Beach flat, "The greatest office in the world" he said, where he had lived for the past 20 years. The flat is owned by his good mate, Jack Thompson. Carrette was well liked in the industry, a keen philanthropist, and gave a lot back to the industry. He attended the Sea Shepherd Bondi No Compromise! event at the beach on Friday night at the invitation of Media Man, who has collaborated closely with Peter over the past 3 years, usually at Bondi Beach and often on community based projects. It's understood he passed away on Sunday evening from heart failure while working at his computer.
James Packer Likely Inspired Australia's Richest Woman Share Raid On Network Ten...
It all happened at the event to celebrate Alan Jones's 25 years in radio. Gina Rinehart witnesses history, and decided to play a big part in it. Australia's richest woman was in the mix of the 1100 media and political in crowd who gathered at Sydney's Darling Harbour on November 5 to toast Jones and witness tributes from the likes of former prime minister John Howard, Liberal powerbroker Michael Kroger, opposition Treasury spokesman Joe Hockey, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally and British conservative icon Jeffrey Archer. An emotional address from gaming and media mogul James Packer clearly made an impression. In a rare public display, Packer opened up about Jones. "Alan, no one will ever take your place," he said. "You are without peer, my friend." Packer had just raised his already considerable public profile by grabbing 18% of Ten Network Holdings in a shock sharemarket raid. Here was confirmation he was back in town after some moments of severe doubt during the global financial crisis. Rinehart was paying attention. It is understood the mining heiress wrote to her fellow billionaire afterwards, congratulating him on his speech, expressing her support for Jones and wishing Packer luck with his $280 million Ten investment. Within days, traders noticed that Morgan Stanley Smith Barney...a retail brokerage that accounts for less than 1% of Ten trading on an average day...was responsible for a whopping 24.3% of turnover. That was November 10. The brokerage continued to soak up stock in the following days. Seek co-founder Paul Bassat, adman John Singleton and media company News Limited (publisher of The Australian) were all rumoured to be behind the trades. But this week the mystery buyer was revealed as power woman Rinehart. Nobody could have guessed, except perhaps Packer, who received another letter from Rinehart yesterday, telling him she had spent more than $150m on 10 per cent of Ten. Without being too specific, Rinehart indicated broad support for the Ten shake-up and said she liked the look of the new board. Here was confirmation that Georgina Hope Rinehart was not content to confine her $4.5 billion fortune to the mining sector. Rinehart is said to resent the description "mining heiress", believing she deserves credit for building on her father's legacy. She also does not want to be remembered as the person who took Porteous to court. Some associates believe she wants to make her mark on a bigger stage, much as fellow iron ore magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has in championing the cause of indigenous Australians in recent years. She hinted at issues of national interest in the short statement released on late Monday. "Our company group is interested in making an investment towards the media business, given its importance to the nation's future, and has selected Channel 10 for this investment," it said. So notions of legacy and influence perhaps explain why Rinehart jumped on the truck to help lead the big crowd in a chant of "axe the tax". She used a megaphone to do it that day. Others have found owning part of a media company is another way to open doors in Canberra. Media Man will be following up the fun, games and media power plays of Australia's Richest women and think she might be the source of more major news for media friends and partners across the global, especially for the good folks at the always hard hitting and switched on Gambling911.
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Wrap Up...
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Online gaming groups say they are on winning streak - 20th December 2009
Online gaming companies in for huge 2011
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Could online gaming firms be in the mix of the top stockmarket investments to make in 2011?
The listing of Betfair (BET) at the conclusion of October on a fancy multiple and the $3.3 billion megamerger between PartyGaming and Bwin (PRTY), due to complete in the first quarter of 2011, appears to have added spark to the industry of late.
Then there is the prospect, albeit slight, of the liberalisation of the US igaming market which has put the industry firmly on investors' watch list, including ours, for next year.
It is understandable, as even a snapshot look at the stockmarket gains of the world’s biggest online gaming companies between circa 2004-2006 reveals just how quickly fortunes were made and lost.
The iGaming Global Top 30 Index, an index of the stockmarket performance of the biggest 30 online gaming companies, surged 40% between July 2004 and August 2005. This was followed by 12 months of extreme volatility before sinking thanks to a controversial piece of legislation in the US.
Since 2006, online gaming’s real story has been dominated by America’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
The multibillion-pound global industry virtually collapsed in a heap after its biggest market - the US - was closed down overnight when Congress introduced a surprise clause to legislation in September 2006, in effect making internet betting illegal. Not only was that a blow for investors - it was a hugely expensive one.
British-based companies were among the biggest casualties.
As soon as the London Stock Exchange opened the following Monday morning, shares in PartyGaming - then a FTSE 100 member - dived by 58%, while rivals 888 Holdings (888) and Sportingbet saw their shares slide by 26% and 64% respectively, wiping an estimated £4 billion off the sector's value.
The companies were forced to focus on opportunities in other parts of the world, but the businesses have never fully recovered from the impact of losing their most lucrative market. Last year, online gambling was worth an estimated $5.4 billion (£3.5 billion) overall, a figure that could rise to $12-$16 billion if the market was opened up, analysts say.
Despite the recent loss of a sympathetic Democrat majority in Congress last month, there is renewed hope of floated gambling companies being dealt a good hand on both sides of the Pond.
The new Republican chairman of the House financial services committee is likely to be an old-style Alabaman named Spencer Bachus.
Yet he is likely to listen to the prospects of a reinvigorated gambling sector for the ailing US economy. The Federal government’s non-partisan accountants, the Joint Committee on Taxation, have estimated online gambling could generate between $10 billion and $42 billion in new revenue by 2019, depending on the number of states that opt into a federal regulatory programme.
Yet he is likely to listen to the prospects of a reinvigorated gambling sector for the ailing US economy.
The Federal government’s non-partisan accountants, the Joint Committee on Taxation, have estimated online gambling could generate between $10 billion and $42 billion in new revenue by 2019, depending on the number of states that opt into a Federal regulatory programme.
And you can see why if you glance at the forecast numbers.
With the US nationwide unemployment rate at 10%, 48 of 50 states facing budget shortfalls and a Federal deficit approaching $1.3 trillion, the economic backdrop against which to promote regulation and taxation of internet gambling has arguably never been more favourable.
Yet those companies poised to get a real boost should America legalise online gambling, such as the impressive PartyGaming/Bwin combine, are getting excited about the future.
"We are seeing things from a legislative perspective that are quite exciting for us," says Jim Ryan, chief executive of PartyGaming, whose comments undoubtedly reflect the mood of a growing contingent of gambling operators on both sides of the Atlantic.
There has been speculation that PartyGaming and Bwin have decided to merge at this time precisely because they will be better placed than any other operator to seize a huge market share should the US decide to legalise online gambling. You only have to look at the market share that Party was able to capture by becoming one of the first operators into the online poker market back in 2001.
Analysts agree the enlarged company is in a strong position to exploit the opening up of the US market.
In a note to investors recently, the Morgan Stanley leisure analyst Vaughan Lewis said: "The overall political tide is moving firmly in favour of regulation, rather than prohibition.
"With its expertise... market-leading technology, strong marketing capability and good brands, we think the combined entity of PartyGaming and Bwin would be extremely well positioned to benefit from any market opening in the US. We include nothing in our forecasts for the US, so any new market here is pure upside."
And in a recent Barclays Capital research note, the investment bank said: "In the event of Federal regulation, we believe PartyGaming would be the likely key beneficiary.
"Under this hypothetical scenario, we estimate the potential [underlying profits] uplift could be 94% for PartyGaming and 58% for Bwin and 888. On a state-by-state hypothetical scenario, we estimate the uplift for the group would be considerably lower, but still meaningful."
Meanwhile, at the end of October analysts at Numis published a note saying there is 50% upside potential at Party when the merger with Bwin completes in March 2011. With the shares trading at around 230p at the beginning of November Numis have put a price target of 400p on the stock.
The PartyGaming/Bwin merger has got the other big companies in the sector scurrying around to do similar deals. They don't want to be left behind in what will become a gold rush should the US legalise online gaming.
888 and Sportingbet are also possible future takeover targets as the industry consolidates, but only once their legal liabilities in the US market are cleared. Serious negotiations in the PartyGaming/Bwin merger were only concluded once Party had secured a $105 million settlement with US authorities.
Analysts say a resolution would clear the way for 888 and Sportingbet to re-enter the lucrative US market should moves to overturn the 2006 legislation succeed.
Sportingbet has already acted telling shareholders at its latest results meeting that it had made a £22.8 million settlement with the US Department of Justice over an investigation into illegal internet gambling. The agreement means the firm will avoid being prosecuted in the US for accepting online bets made by Americans between 1998 and 2006.
Sportingbet would hold the most appeal to potential bidders, analysts reckon, pointing to its very strong market positioning in Australia and commenting that Ladbrokes (LAD) and William Hill (WMH) could be interested in a takeover.
Liberum Capital analyst Richard Taylor recently highlighted the strength of Sportingbet’s sports betting business, which he said had one of the best gross margins in the sector at around 10%. In addition, he said Sportingbet’s management was open to a bid, having previously stated up to 55% of their cost base could be removed.
Another former giant of the sector, now somewhat depleted thanks to the UIGEA, is 888.
Analysts say 888's attraction would be the potential for cost savings in a tie-up with a rival online gaming operator, and that Party/Bwin might be a possible buyer. What would make it attractive is that both Party and Bwin use 888 as a supplier.
However, the Shaked family who founded the company, and who control over 50% of the shares, would be looking for a price significantly above the 40p at which the company currently trades.
There have been whispers among London traders in the last few weeks that a £262 million, or 76p a share, cash bid from a much bigger industry player, possibly US entertainment giant Harrah's, which already has close business links with 888 could be on the cards.
Certainly 888 chief executive Gigi Levy has said recently that he looks at consolidation as one of the possible routes to realising shareholder value.
Another giant of the industry looking to become bigger still is the mighty Betfair. Having listed on the LSE at the end of October at 1,300p, the shares soon touched 1,600p-plus, as tracker funds piled in confident it will canter into the FTSE 250 index at the December review with a market value above £1.6 billion.
If things are hotting up at the Federal level for the online gaming industry there are also some exciting developments at state level.
So far in 2010, four states have considered whether or not to legalise some combination of online poker, casino gaming and sports betting: Iowa, Florida, California and New Jersey.
The state making most headway is New Jersey, where internet gambling has been under consideration by lawmakers since 2001. It is finally receiving serious consideration in the state Senate where two bills, which would legalise internet sports betting and casino gaming respectively, have already passed the committee stage this year.
From California to New Jersey to Florida, more state and federal congressmen are taking the reality of a legal online gambling regime a lot more seriously.
Whoever wins the race, state or federal, one thing is clear: more and more stakeholders in the US are finally coming around to understand the risks and implication of a ‘do nothing’ strategy. This is an opportunity cost and gambling companies are getting their bets on regardless.
But ongoing political deadlock clearly poses a real threat to regulatory efforts at all levels of American government. But even as gambling industry stakeholders duke it out in the halls of legislatures around the country, as well as on Capitol Hill in Washington, the very fact that the conflict between them is intensifying signals that interest and investment in pushing for online gaming regulation is rising.
With billions of dollars out there to harvest and market share to win, the entire online gaming sector looks ripe for an upturn in coming months. Investing in online gaming companies has always been a white knuckle ride - and there looks to be every sign this particular circus is once again rolling back into town.
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Could online gaming firms be in the mix of the top stockmarket investments to make in 2011?
The listing of Betfair (BET) at the conclusion of October on a fancy multiple and the $3.3 billion megamerger between PartyGaming and Bwin (PRTY), due to complete in the first quarter of 2011, appears to have added spark to the industry of late.
Then there is the prospect, albeit slight, of the liberalisation of the US igaming market which has put the industry firmly on investors' watch list, including ours, for next year.
It is understandable, as even a snapshot look at the stockmarket gains of the world’s biggest online gaming companies between circa 2004-2006 reveals just how quickly fortunes were made and lost.
The iGaming Global Top 30 Index, an index of the stockmarket performance of the biggest 30 online gaming companies, surged 40% between July 2004 and August 2005. This was followed by 12 months of extreme volatility before sinking thanks to a controversial piece of legislation in the US.
Since 2006, online gaming’s real story has been dominated by America’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
The multibillion-pound global industry virtually collapsed in a heap after its biggest market - the US - was closed down overnight when Congress introduced a surprise clause to legislation in September 2006, in effect making internet betting illegal. Not only was that a blow for investors - it was a hugely expensive one.
British-based companies were among the biggest casualties.
As soon as the London Stock Exchange opened the following Monday morning, shares in PartyGaming - then a FTSE 100 member - dived by 58%, while rivals 888 Holdings (888) and Sportingbet saw their shares slide by 26% and 64% respectively, wiping an estimated £4 billion off the sector's value.
The companies were forced to focus on opportunities in other parts of the world, but the businesses have never fully recovered from the impact of losing their most lucrative market. Last year, online gambling was worth an estimated $5.4 billion (£3.5 billion) overall, a figure that could rise to $12-$16 billion if the market was opened up, analysts say.
Despite the recent loss of a sympathetic Democrat majority in Congress last month, there is renewed hope of floated gambling companies being dealt a good hand on both sides of the Pond.
The new Republican chairman of the House financial services committee is likely to be an old-style Alabaman named Spencer Bachus.
Yet he is likely to listen to the prospects of a reinvigorated gambling sector for the ailing US economy. The Federal government’s non-partisan accountants, the Joint Committee on Taxation, have estimated online gambling could generate between $10 billion and $42 billion in new revenue by 2019, depending on the number of states that opt into a federal regulatory programme.
Yet he is likely to listen to the prospects of a reinvigorated gambling sector for the ailing US economy.
The Federal government’s non-partisan accountants, the Joint Committee on Taxation, have estimated online gambling could generate between $10 billion and $42 billion in new revenue by 2019, depending on the number of states that opt into a Federal regulatory programme.
And you can see why if you glance at the forecast numbers.
With the US nationwide unemployment rate at 10%, 48 of 50 states facing budget shortfalls and a Federal deficit approaching $1.3 trillion, the economic backdrop against which to promote regulation and taxation of internet gambling has arguably never been more favourable.
Yet those companies poised to get a real boost should America legalise online gambling, such as the impressive PartyGaming/Bwin combine, are getting excited about the future.
"We are seeing things from a legislative perspective that are quite exciting for us," says Jim Ryan, chief executive of PartyGaming, whose comments undoubtedly reflect the mood of a growing contingent of gambling operators on both sides of the Atlantic.
There has been speculation that PartyGaming and Bwin have decided to merge at this time precisely because they will be better placed than any other operator to seize a huge market share should the US decide to legalise online gambling. You only have to look at the market share that Party was able to capture by becoming one of the first operators into the online poker market back in 2001.
Analysts agree the enlarged company is in a strong position to exploit the opening up of the US market.
In a note to investors recently, the Morgan Stanley leisure analyst Vaughan Lewis said: "The overall political tide is moving firmly in favour of regulation, rather than prohibition.
"With its expertise... market-leading technology, strong marketing capability and good brands, we think the combined entity of PartyGaming and Bwin would be extremely well positioned to benefit from any market opening in the US. We include nothing in our forecasts for the US, so any new market here is pure upside."
And in a recent Barclays Capital research note, the investment bank said: "In the event of Federal regulation, we believe PartyGaming would be the likely key beneficiary.
"Under this hypothetical scenario, we estimate the potential [underlying profits] uplift could be 94% for PartyGaming and 58% for Bwin and 888. On a state-by-state hypothetical scenario, we estimate the uplift for the group would be considerably lower, but still meaningful."
Meanwhile, at the end of October analysts at Numis published a note saying there is 50% upside potential at Party when the merger with Bwin completes in March 2011. With the shares trading at around 230p at the beginning of November Numis have put a price target of 400p on the stock.
The PartyGaming/Bwin merger has got the other big companies in the sector scurrying around to do similar deals. They don't want to be left behind in what will become a gold rush should the US legalise online gaming.
888 and Sportingbet are also possible future takeover targets as the industry consolidates, but only once their legal liabilities in the US market are cleared. Serious negotiations in the PartyGaming/Bwin merger were only concluded once Party had secured a $105 million settlement with US authorities.
Analysts say a resolution would clear the way for 888 and Sportingbet to re-enter the lucrative US market should moves to overturn the 2006 legislation succeed.
Sportingbet has already acted telling shareholders at its latest results meeting that it had made a £22.8 million settlement with the US Department of Justice over an investigation into illegal internet gambling. The agreement means the firm will avoid being prosecuted in the US for accepting online bets made by Americans between 1998 and 2006.
Sportingbet would hold the most appeal to potential bidders, analysts reckon, pointing to its very strong market positioning in Australia and commenting that Ladbrokes (LAD) and William Hill (WMH) could be interested in a takeover.
Liberum Capital analyst Richard Taylor recently highlighted the strength of Sportingbet’s sports betting business, which he said had one of the best gross margins in the sector at around 10%. In addition, he said Sportingbet’s management was open to a bid, having previously stated up to 55% of their cost base could be removed.
Another former giant of the sector, now somewhat depleted thanks to the UIGEA, is 888.
Analysts say 888's attraction would be the potential for cost savings in a tie-up with a rival online gaming operator, and that Party/Bwin might be a possible buyer. What would make it attractive is that both Party and Bwin use 888 as a supplier.
However, the Shaked family who founded the company, and who control over 50% of the shares, would be looking for a price significantly above the 40p at which the company currently trades.
There have been whispers among London traders in the last few weeks that a £262 million, or 76p a share, cash bid from a much bigger industry player, possibly US entertainment giant Harrah's, which already has close business links with 888 could be on the cards.
Certainly 888 chief executive Gigi Levy has said recently that he looks at consolidation as one of the possible routes to realising shareholder value.
Another giant of the industry looking to become bigger still is the mighty Betfair. Having listed on the LSE at the end of October at 1,300p, the shares soon touched 1,600p-plus, as tracker funds piled in confident it will canter into the FTSE 250 index at the December review with a market value above £1.6 billion.
If things are hotting up at the Federal level for the online gaming industry there are also some exciting developments at state level.
So far in 2010, four states have considered whether or not to legalise some combination of online poker, casino gaming and sports betting: Iowa, Florida, California and New Jersey.
The state making most headway is New Jersey, where internet gambling has been under consideration by lawmakers since 2001. It is finally receiving serious consideration in the state Senate where two bills, which would legalise internet sports betting and casino gaming respectively, have already passed the committee stage this year.
From California to New Jersey to Florida, more state and federal congressmen are taking the reality of a legal online gambling regime a lot more seriously.
Whoever wins the race, state or federal, one thing is clear: more and more stakeholders in the US are finally coming around to understand the risks and implication of a ‘do nothing’ strategy. This is an opportunity cost and gambling companies are getting their bets on regardless.
But ongoing political deadlock clearly poses a real threat to regulatory efforts at all levels of American government. But even as gambling industry stakeholders duke it out in the halls of legislatures around the country, as well as on Capitol Hill in Washington, the very fact that the conflict between them is intensifying signals that interest and investment in pushing for online gaming regulation is rising.
With billions of dollars out there to harvest and market share to win, the entire online gaming sector looks ripe for an upturn in coming months. Investing in online gaming companies has always been a white knuckle ride - and there looks to be every sign this particular circus is once again rolling back into town.
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Monday, November 22, 2010
PartyGaming News: PartyCasino Wins Media Man Online Casino Of The Month Award
PartyCasino.com Wins Media Man Online Casino Award
PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".
PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.
The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com
The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".
The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.
PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.
PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.
PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.
PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
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PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".
PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.
The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com
The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".
The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.
PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.
PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.
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Thursday, November 18, 2010
James Packer And Shane Warne Casino Deal; Tiger Gossip, by Greg Tingle - 18th November 2010
What sort of business deals might an Aussie cricket legend and Australian casino king James Packer get up to? How about a Warnie branded poker room, and opening a bar or two, and plenty more win - wins in the works say those in the know. Warnie and Packer have also taken a liking to Tiger Woods, and some more good business is understood to be on the horizon for the daily double, soon to become a trio. Media Man and Gambling911 take a swing with the bats and balls and sink a cold one with this special report...
Shane Warne Expands Business Empire...
Aussie cricket living legend Shane Warne is further expanding his business.
He's the face of a poker brand, might have a poker room named after him, has a hair care endorsement, a venue music deal with Media Man mate Kym Illman, and now word leaks of both a Warnie talk show coming up on Network Nine, and perhaps a drinking bar - watering hole at Crown too. What a party animal, (with brains, and friends in all of the right places).
The champion spinner is coming back from more business deals offered to him from good mate and self appointed mentor, James Packer. Get this, the Crown Casino rooftop bar might also offer cigars and be smoker friendly, but details are a tad sketchy at the moment.
Warne was happy to confirm he and Packer were looking at a joint venture deal but wasn't able to, or willing, to discuss details at this stage of the game.
"Myself and James Packer are going into business and doing something at Crown," he said. "There might be something happening at Crown in the next 12 months."
Quizzed if it would be on the rooftop, cheeky Warne replied with "It should be very good views."
Both Packer and Warnie are smokers and the former cricketer is known to enjoy a good cigar. Warnie new mate, golfer, Tiger Woods, is understood to be keen to spend more time with the spinner, but if he will brave the night air and a ciggy on the roof at Crown Casino is unclear.
A Crown spokesperson yesterday said Crown had "no comment on this matter at this stage".
Warne is also strongly rumoured to have a hamburger business deal in the worlds. We got a report he was seen eating a McDonald's burger, that might have been branded as his own. How hot or not the burger might be is the talk of cafes and bars in Melbourne. On the burger he's understood to have said "I don't do spicy stuff. Too many years in India."
He also said he had no problem endorsing Maccas, noting they offered many healthy options.
"We did a bit of due diligence on McDonalds," he said.
Warne event went as far to say his three kids don't mind a bit of Maccas.
"Once a week I say, 'What would you like to have?' ... eight out of 10 times, it's McDonald's."
Shane Warne Talk Show; May Mention Poker, Gambling...
It's going to be called Warne’s World, the chat show is scheduled to air on Thursdays at 9.30pm once the Ashes series kicks off next month. "We’ve secured two or three big-name guests at this stage so things are going well," Warne said. The hunt is on for potential co-hosts. It will also feature a slew of international mates. A production source said, "Warnie knows so many people – there are many closet cricket fans out there – so we’re expecting anyone who’s in town, whether it be a superstar singer or a Hollywood actor, to be called on by Shane." Maybe it possibly work as a summer cricketing counterpart to The Footy Show? Warne also recently appeared Top Gear Australia, the show he was heavily rumoured to be hosting, but the host gig didn't come off, of course. Warne's World sounds like a better fit for the former spinner.
Warnie Mate Tiger Woods Also Likes His Twitter...
Tiger Woods is now on Twitter. In his first tweet , the world's former No.1 golfer said, "What’s up everyone. Finally decided to try out twitter!" In a second tweet, TigerWoods said, "Yep, it’s me. I think I like this twitter thing. You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the love." Woods' public image has taken a beating since last November, when a car accident outside his Florida home triggered reports of numerous extramarital affairs. Woods and ex-wife Elin Nordegren finalised their divorce in August. Woods has also struggled on the golf course in 2010, failing to win a tournament for the first time in his professional career. He lost the world No.1 ranking to Lee Westwood on October 31. Woods, currently "down under" in Australia, is understood to have a chance of winning the Australian Masters, and insiders reckon his time with Aussie cricket legend and lady lover, Shane Warne, are helping the Tiger mindset. At the Masters - Crown Casino press conference their similar nocturnal habits were brought up, which got a smile and laugh from the "dream team". Granted, with the ladies or the press, Tiger is no Shane Warne, but he doesn't need to be. Go get 'em Tiger.
Warnie Did Not Have Facelift; Hair Treatment Works!...
Warne has denied having plastic surgery after a spat of rumours and innuendo about his appearance. The famous cricketer was finally forced to use his Twitter account to set the record straight after a picture of him at an event in Melbourne sparked a whirl of speculation. "No have not had facelift or any work done to face, training hard and lost 5kg. Yes have had teeth whitened," he tweeted. He later added: "NO have not had hair transplant, have re-grown my own hair with laser therapy!! It works and happy with results!!"
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Wrap Up...
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? How's things looking for a Packer - Warnie, and maybe Tiger Woods deal? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.
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Shane Warne Expands Business Empire...
Aussie cricket living legend Shane Warne is further expanding his business.
He's the face of a poker brand, might have a poker room named after him, has a hair care endorsement, a venue music deal with Media Man mate Kym Illman, and now word leaks of both a Warnie talk show coming up on Network Nine, and perhaps a drinking bar - watering hole at Crown too. What a party animal, (with brains, and friends in all of the right places).
The champion spinner is coming back from more business deals offered to him from good mate and self appointed mentor, James Packer. Get this, the Crown Casino rooftop bar might also offer cigars and be smoker friendly, but details are a tad sketchy at the moment.
Warne was happy to confirm he and Packer were looking at a joint venture deal but wasn't able to, or willing, to discuss details at this stage of the game.
"Myself and James Packer are going into business and doing something at Crown," he said. "There might be something happening at Crown in the next 12 months."
Quizzed if it would be on the rooftop, cheeky Warne replied with "It should be very good views."
Both Packer and Warnie are smokers and the former cricketer is known to enjoy a good cigar. Warnie new mate, golfer, Tiger Woods, is understood to be keen to spend more time with the spinner, but if he will brave the night air and a ciggy on the roof at Crown Casino is unclear.
A Crown spokesperson yesterday said Crown had "no comment on this matter at this stage".
Warne is also strongly rumoured to have a hamburger business deal in the worlds. We got a report he was seen eating a McDonald's burger, that might have been branded as his own. How hot or not the burger might be is the talk of cafes and bars in Melbourne. On the burger he's understood to have said "I don't do spicy stuff. Too many years in India."
He also said he had no problem endorsing Maccas, noting they offered many healthy options.
"We did a bit of due diligence on McDonalds," he said.
Warne event went as far to say his three kids don't mind a bit of Maccas.
"Once a week I say, 'What would you like to have?' ... eight out of 10 times, it's McDonald's."
Shane Warne Talk Show; May Mention Poker, Gambling...
It's going to be called Warne’s World, the chat show is scheduled to air on Thursdays at 9.30pm once the Ashes series kicks off next month. "We’ve secured two or three big-name guests at this stage so things are going well," Warne said. The hunt is on for potential co-hosts. It will also feature a slew of international mates. A production source said, "Warnie knows so many people – there are many closet cricket fans out there – so we’re expecting anyone who’s in town, whether it be a superstar singer or a Hollywood actor, to be called on by Shane." Maybe it possibly work as a summer cricketing counterpart to The Footy Show? Warne also recently appeared Top Gear Australia, the show he was heavily rumoured to be hosting, but the host gig didn't come off, of course. Warne's World sounds like a better fit for the former spinner.
Warnie Mate Tiger Woods Also Likes His Twitter...
Tiger Woods is now on Twitter. In his first tweet , the world's former No.1 golfer said, "What’s up everyone. Finally decided to try out twitter!" In a second tweet, TigerWoods said, "Yep, it’s me. I think I like this twitter thing. You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the love." Woods' public image has taken a beating since last November, when a car accident outside his Florida home triggered reports of numerous extramarital affairs. Woods and ex-wife Elin Nordegren finalised their divorce in August. Woods has also struggled on the golf course in 2010, failing to win a tournament for the first time in his professional career. He lost the world No.1 ranking to Lee Westwood on October 31. Woods, currently "down under" in Australia, is understood to have a chance of winning the Australian Masters, and insiders reckon his time with Aussie cricket legend and lady lover, Shane Warne, are helping the Tiger mindset. At the Masters - Crown Casino press conference their similar nocturnal habits were brought up, which got a smile and laugh from the "dream team". Granted, with the ladies or the press, Tiger is no Shane Warne, but he doesn't need to be. Go get 'em Tiger.
Warnie Did Not Have Facelift; Hair Treatment Works!...
Warne has denied having plastic surgery after a spat of rumours and innuendo about his appearance. The famous cricketer was finally forced to use his Twitter account to set the record straight after a picture of him at an event in Melbourne sparked a whirl of speculation. "No have not had facelift or any work done to face, training hard and lost 5kg. Yes have had teeth whitened," he tweeted. He later added: "NO have not had hair transplant, have re-grown my own hair with laser therapy!! It works and happy with results!!"
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Wrap Up...
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? How's things looking for a Packer - Warnie, and maybe Tiger Woods deal? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Australian Gambling And Entertainment News, by Greg Tingle – 15th November 2010
G'day punters, gamers, entertainment news junkies, casino and media millionaires and billionaires, journalists, politicians and one and all. We’re back with yet another jam packed report focusing on “down under” Australia. Gambling law, Mark Webber and F1, pub pokies, poker news, and a whole lot more. Media Man and Gambling911 with the latest and greatest from Aussie land...
Burswood Casino Bandits Targeting Woman Arrested...
We are pleased to report that two mongrel bastard youths have been charged over a series of robberies and bashings targeting women leaving the Burswood Casino in Perth. In the latest incident, a 77 year-old woman from Midvale had her hand bag snatched after arriving home from the casino. A 49 year-old woman from Fremantle, a 63 year-old from Cannington and a 68 year-old from Warnbro were robbed on the doorsteps of their homes last week. An 18 year-old young punk has been charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and a 16 year-old "boy" has been charged with aggravated robbery. Insiders reckon the "boy" will soon become a "man". Word is a few folks in Perth want to teach the punks a lesson...something about a beating to to help turn they into men. They are expected to appear in a Perth court today. All we can say is show no mercy!
Australian Woolworths Supermarket Chain And Aussie Pokies Pubs Doing Well…
Woolworths aka ‘The Fresh Food People’ aka ‘The Fast Cash People’ (satire) has cleaned up in the gaming sector and its New South Wales hotels are kicking ass, having got in place sweet licenses in the past quarter. The ‘fast cash’ operator's Pritchards Hotel, Colyton Hotel, Smithfield Tavern and Blacktown Inn Hotel are among the big gainers, according to rankings of the state's pokie palaces, released by our friends at the NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing. The numbers report the amount of moolah stuffed down the throat of one armed bandits in the 3 months up to September. The stats also show that the state's pub pokie kings, such as Arthur ‘Lucky’ Laundy and Cyril ‘Money Man’ Maloney, have been cunningly jostling for positions as they look to boost their rankings. Laundy was a strong winner, with his beloved Belfield Hotel surging from 48th spot to 13th, with takings estimated to have grown from $70,000 to $105,000 a week. It’s not know if individual pokie game titles such as Cleopatra, Black Rhino, Wheel Of Fortune, Where’s The Gold, Penguin Pays, Gone Fishing or Pink Panther played much of a factor in the jump. Speculation is that it may have been a combination of top games, great staff and service, food and customer friendly hours. Pokie industry knockers might say more money launders hit his hotel more than others, but that’s purely speculative, with not a trace of evidence. We mention this as last month The Sydney Morning Herald, Media Man and others ran stories that suggested some pokie palaces are used as a laundry of sorts for dirty money…. To “clean it”, resulting in a winners payment from over the counters when the cleaning is completed. Back to the list and away from speculation, Maloney's Bondi Hotel fell from 94th to 152nd position, with takings diving in a reverse jackpot fashion from $65,000 a week to “only” $50,000. Maloney has been under the gun financially over the past year, with his bankers urging him to offload some assets to raise cash. His attempts to sell his penthouse apartment overlooking Circular Quay in the Bennelong building, widely known as ''The Toaster'', have failed. Other winners in the latest rankings include Charlie Chan's Bar in the city, the Three Swallows Hotel in Bankstown, and the well known Ashfield Hotel, owned by a former lord mayor of Sydney, Nelson Meers. Those pokie dens to dived include the Stardust Hotel in Cabramatta, owned by the Lubo-Medich family, Scruffy Murphy's in the city, owned by Malcolm McGuinness, and the Golden Sheaf Hotel in upmarket Double Bay. There were 95,605 poker machines in NSW in 2008-09, according to the Department of Arts, Sport and Recreation. Passionate Aussie gamblers gifted roughly $4.8 billion into pokies in clubs and hotels in 2008-09, according to the Productivity Commission inquiry into gambling. Woolworths has about 11,000 poker machines in its 284 hotels across Australia under the Australian Leisure & Hospitality joint venture with the pub pokies king Bruce Mathieson. They advised shareholders last month that its poker machine revenues had jumped by 2% between July and October, when compared with the same time duration last year. Yep, there’s still a dollar to be made in the pub pokie business.
Sin City Sydney: Amsterdam Of The South Pacific!…
Many media and gaming commentators are now calling Sydney the Amsterdam of the South Pacific', and they might just be hinting at something like real life 'Underbelly' or even real life 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Dirty Deeds' type happenings.
Gamblers Paradise...
Ok, there's Star City Casino, the only legal casino in Sydney, but have you heard about the non legal games of poker and two-up at Bondi Beach, Maroubra Beach, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and Goulburn? Have you found those illegal slots - one armed bandits at those secret locations in and around Sydney? Word is that are usually back of venue and "invitation only" - mate telling mate, and certainly not advertised. Melbourne, down south in the state of Victorian is understood to not be far behind for those who like a punt, with the Melbourne Cup and James Packer owned Crown Casino being the two most prominent above board (legal) brands. The success of those should tell the reader a thing or two about just how popular gambling remains to be in Australia, financial crisis or not. Website portals with some gambling news and content also remain to be in the Hitwise Australia top ten, year after year. Yeah maties, Australia love a punt.
Sex In The City And Sex In The Suburbs - The Oldest Profession...
A new confidential New South Wales Government document reveals Sydney alone has more than 50% the number of legal brothels than in the whole of Victoria and Queensland combined. In Sydney there were officially 244 legal brothels, with a further 90 complaints about "suspected" illegal brothels. By comparison, all of Victoria has just over 90 legal brothels, while Queensland has 24. All up, NSW has 271 legal brothels, including full-service and "happy ending" massage brothels. Just look for the tantalising and titillating names on buildings and listed in the 'Adult Services' section of the newspapers, we understand you will be on the right track. A few months ago a Gambling911 - Media Man report outlined how Murdoch's News Limited websites came under the spotlight as "porn". It's understood that a couple of well organised 'bible bashers' and 'God Squad' types were behind the outing of News Limited. Adult services and the like are well advertised in Australia, and in recent years mainstream media has been doing strong coverage of risque and adult activities, brands and so on. The last few years of 'Sexpo' has been a huge success, and the Sydney leg of the event is held at Fox Studios, Moore Park. It's almost a "family affair". Oh, for the record Media Man is a former pro active member of EROS - the Australian Adult Entertainment Association, so we know a thing or two about these things. For the record, we are not in the Australian adult entertainment business, but we have covered it from time to time over the years.
Brothels Thriving; Easier And Cheaper To Establish And Run Than Pokie Palace Pub...
The numbers coming in are understood to be the first definitive statistics compiled statewide. Just what law enforcement will do now that they have the hard date remains to been seen. Now get this...only 56 of the state's 152 councils took the time to respond to the survey by the NSW Government. The state's other 96 councils refused or put in in the "too hard basket" or "no comment" category. Country NSW is where a number of the quite councils are based.
A Media Man spokesperson was prepared to go on record with "As is the case with many industries, its often a matter of who you know, relationships, history, associates giving you tip offs and the like. Some things are a pretty exclusive club. Most parts of the world have an underground, hidden industry or two. An underbelly if you will. Sin Sydney is no different but at times its like Sydney likes to show it off. Lad’s mags, internet porn websites, adult directories and even burlesque events may have even fueled it along. A large part of Sydney just loves their vice. To each their own. Sin Sydney seems appropriately named."
Australian Man Of God: Gambling And Arms Not A Cardinal Sin!...
Speaking at an ethics in business lunch early this week, Cardinal George Pell said that gambling isn't intrinsically wrong...unless it becomes an addiction. He added that countries could produce arms morally, to defend themselves, reports the Fairfax Media broadsheet The Sydney Morning Herald. Cardinal Pell said on the proliferation of pokies in NSW Catholic clubs: "I must confess I do feel a bit uneasy about that, but only a bit uneasy,'' he admitted. ''Because culturally I'm an Irish Australian and we grew up gambling." Only when it became an addiction, threatening the well-being of oneself and one's family, did it become a sin. Speaking on "God and Mammon"
need or greed in the big end of town", Cardinal Pell said at the lunch, hosted by Notre Dame University, that as far as the ethics of selling tobacco went, supplying adults who were aware of the risks and still chose to smoke was nothing to rush to the confessional about. And when quizzed about the ethics of selling arms, he hypothesised that global military contractors may in fact be acting on a moral imperative. "I think you can produce arms morally ... You might say in some cases it is necessary. We are a peaceful country. If we were unarmed that would be an enticement to evil people. The best way to stay as we are is to be strong and effectively armed so I think you could make the case," he said. Instead, the cardinal's wrath honed in on corporate fat cat salaries, which were morally suspect, he said.
Pokie Palaces Key In Money Laundering Down Under In New Zealand And Australia Says GamblingWatch...
Gambling lobby group GamblingWatch is becoming alarmed at the evidence that money laundered by criminals provides a significant turnover though pokie machines in Pubs and Casinos. GamblingWatch co-ordinator Dave Macpherson says that in New Zealand and Australia, recent cases and claims are revealing that pokie machines in pubs and casinos are used for laundering the proceeds of illicit earnings by 'P' dealers. Macpherson refers to the $20 million spent at Sky City by two of Auckland's biggest methamphetamine ('P') dealers as a laundering method. Well over 20,000 of these machines are located throughout the country and big and small time dealers can use them to launder thousands and millions of dollars of drug money. Australia is embarking on a programme of introducing pre-commit cards to pokie machines and this has been seen as a "threat" to the money laundering operations of criminals. Macpherson notes that the Sydney Morning Herald reported that industry sources claim that as much as $2 billion is laundered through these machines every year. "This is a frightening figure," says Macpherson. "GamblingWatch has been concerned for years now about the damage done to individuals and families by gambling, especially gambling on pokies. It seems that pokie takings from problem gamblers are actually being bolstered by laundered drug money." This money is the same money that finds its way into community organisations such as schools, hospitals, councils, sports and other community interest groups. The money is highly tainted, not only by the suffering of problem gamblers, their families, friends and workplaces, but also by the fact that sale of devastating drugs such as "P" could be funding community organisations." Macpherson says "this situation is so serious that a Select Committee of Parliament should be making detailed and aggressive enquiries into the source and application of pokie funds." "MP Te Ururoa Flavell's Gambling Harm Reduction Bill would empower such a committee of Parliament to examine all aspects of gambling harm associated with pokies and to get full answers to some very difficult questions. It is crucial that the Bill passes a first reading and goes to Select Committee stage, and we call on the Government to take a responsible stance and support its coalition partner in this effort."
Star City In Sin City Sydney Getting Extra World Class Chefs At Part Of Revamp...
David Chang is set to open his first restaurant outside the USA as he heads a stellar line-up of international and Australian chefs set to open their doors at Sydney's all new Star City in 2011. Chang is the chef and owner of the Momofuku group of restaurants in New York City and his impact on global food trends cannot be underestimated – he was named in TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world for 2010. Chang heads a stellar line-up of chefs who today announced they would open their doors at what is set to become a one-of-a-kind lifestyle and entertainment destination when the $860 million redevelopment is complete in late 2011. The line-up of Australian chefs bristles with culinary excitement and adventure with Melbourne's favourite Teage Ezard, Italian maestro Stefano Manfredi, MasterChef darling Adriano Zumbo and Sydney's best-loved Cantonese restaurant, Golden Century, all set to open signature restaurants. Joining David Chang from the USA will be Chase Kojima, a young gun from the Nobu empire who will open a stunning, contemporary Japanese restaurant. Restaurant names, designs and capacities are almost complete and more detailed plans of each individual venue will be available in 2011. Chefs and restaurants to open include: David Chang
It all started when Chang turned his back on fine dining and opened the Momofuku Noodle Bar in New York's East Village in 2004. His Korean upbringing combined with classical technique in the kitchen is emulated the world over. "When I first visited Australia earlier this year, I knew at once there was an affinity. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to share the Momofuku philosophy at this world-class dining destination." Chang's Momofuku Ko in New York has two Michelin stars.
Chase Kojima
Formerly executive chef at Nobu in the Bahamas, Chase will bring his modern-Asian aesthetic to an already eager Sydney audience. Expect ultra-modern design, located at new five-star lifestyle hotel. "Sydney is renowned for its already daring take on Asian cuisine so it's an honour to be able to join the stellar line-up at the reinvigorated Star City," commented Kojima.
This all-star line-up joins Star City's current stable of chefs including executive chef Andy North, plus consultant chef to Fat Noodle, Luke Nguyen of Red Lantern fame. Victor Tiffany, Head of Hospitality, Casinos Division, Tabcorp commented; "It's incredibly exciting to be welcoming such a spectacular roster of global talent to our home. We feel privileged to be working with both our international and local culinary stars, and taking a part in the revitalisation of the Sydney dining scene." Sid Vaikunta, Managing Director, Star City, said; "This is an inspiring milestone as our vision to create a truly international dining and nightlife destination is well underway. Sydney is a world-class destination and we are incredibly proud of the part we will play in keeping this city a truly great place to live and visit for years to come." Located on beautful Sydney Harbour, Star City is the only casino in New South Wales. Star City is being transformed into a one-of-a kind leisure and entertainment destination. The $860 million redevelopment includes the re-orientation of the casino to embrace Sydney's Harbour and city skyline, plus the addition of a new five-star hotel and spa, over 20 restaurants, bars, cafes and improved entertainment and gaming facilities. The work is expected to be completed late 2011. Tabcorp hopes its money well spent, as they look to lure more whales and dolphins (of the human kind) away from James Packer's Crown Casino in Melbourne, and the fight for the high rollers, big spenders continue. The world class chefs snapped up by Star should serve Tabcorp well as they aim to become the new #1 in Australian gambling - casino sector. Best of luck to both Tabcorp and Crown Limited, and may be best super whale win.
Aussie Red Bull Mark Webber Loses; Congrats Team Mate Seb Vettel; No Bull!...
Aussie driver Mark Webber on Monday congratulated his Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel on winning the drivers' title in Abu Dhabi. Webber, 34, and German Vettel had been fighting for the top spot along with Ferrari driver Spain's two-time champion Fernando Alonso and Briton Lewis Hamilton - world champion in 2008 - of McLaren throughout the season. Vettel's victory in Abu Dhabi won him the crown to become the youngest ever champion while Webber finished a distant eighth after an early pit-stop ruined any chance he had of taking the title. Although the two Red Bull drivers had been locking horns throughout the season, Webber congratulated Vettel and insisted that their heated relationship had only helped spur each other on. "I've got to take my hat off to Sebastian because he's done a good job this year," Webber said on his official website. "We've had our ups and downs, but we've pushed each other and it's always rewarding to get out of bed to do that. "It's amazing to think that the only time he led the championship was after the last race, but that's the only time it matters. Well done to him." Webber, who had led the championship at several stages in the season, admitted he was frustrated not to have been crowned champion, but insisted that he would come back stronger and aim to become Australia's first world champion since Alan Jones in 1980. "I'm very disappointed by what happened on Sunday evening, I aimed for the biggest target in motorsport and it didn't work out," he said. "I'm reminded of that great adage - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, I'm still alive and I'm sure I'll bounce back from this season a better driver.
"Right now though, I need a good break. The gas has been wide open since the third week in January and it's been a long season. There's been a lot of travel, a lot of emotion and a lot of effort. It's time for some time out." Many Australians still think Webber will be a future world champion.
Victoria: University of Ballarat Gambling Study...
A University of Ballarat research team is undertaking a landmark study into the community effects of electronic gaming machines. The first-of-its-kind research is focusing on the introduction of pokies into a developing estate at Whittlesea. PhD candidate Deb Greenslade said 40 machines proposed for a local tavern would generate $4 million in losses to players in the first year, and the community is determined to fight the proposal. Greenslade said Victoria had almost 30,000 EGMs, with a high proportion located in disadvantage areas. She said residents of Laurimar Estate opposed the scheme because they feared an increase in hardship on local families, an increase in crime and the introduction of a "known" social problem. Residents also said the project was too large for the housing development and they thought they were getting a small wine bar and not a pokie venue. Greenslade said Victorian gaming machines produced $2.7 billion revenue a year, shared by venues, Tatts and Tabcorp and the state government. More than $1 billion goes to state government revenue. Greenslade said each Victorian machine takes an average of $97,810 per year. Only 33 per cent of adults play pokies with the average loss being $3073 per year. She said weekly players lose an average of $7000-$8000 annually, according to the Productivity Commission. Associated problems include child neglect, depression, family violence, suicide or attempted suicide and relationship problems, according to Greenslade. Project leader Associate Professor John McDonald said the university passed up an offer from the gambling industry to fund the research. He said the university wanted to avoid the conflicts of interest that have arisen with research into alchohol, tobacco and pharmaceuticals being funded by industry heavyweights. The project is being funded by the Australian Research Council along with 25 councils across the state, including the City of Ballarat. Co-ordination is being undertaken by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Crown Casino News: Can Rachael Finch Sing Asks Audience...
People have been questioning if Rachael Finch could sing. They still area after her weekend performance at Crown Casino. The Miss Universe contender was left blushing when she struggled through a rendition of Fever at the 'Starry Starry Night' gala dinner, sort of forgeting some words say leaks. She did find a friend in significant other Michael Miziner at Melbourne's Crown Casino. Keep trying Rach. Practice makes perfect, we hope.
*Greg Tingle is a Special Contributor to the Gambling911.com website and proprietor of Media Man International
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Burswood Casino Bandits Targeting Woman Arrested...
We are pleased to report that two mongrel bastard youths have been charged over a series of robberies and bashings targeting women leaving the Burswood Casino in Perth. In the latest incident, a 77 year-old woman from Midvale had her hand bag snatched after arriving home from the casino. A 49 year-old woman from Fremantle, a 63 year-old from Cannington and a 68 year-old from Warnbro were robbed on the doorsteps of their homes last week. An 18 year-old young punk has been charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and a 16 year-old "boy" has been charged with aggravated robbery. Insiders reckon the "boy" will soon become a "man". Word is a few folks in Perth want to teach the punks a lesson...something about a beating to to help turn they into men. They are expected to appear in a Perth court today. All we can say is show no mercy!
Australian Woolworths Supermarket Chain And Aussie Pokies Pubs Doing Well…
Woolworths aka ‘The Fresh Food People’ aka ‘The Fast Cash People’ (satire) has cleaned up in the gaming sector and its New South Wales hotels are kicking ass, having got in place sweet licenses in the past quarter. The ‘fast cash’ operator's Pritchards Hotel, Colyton Hotel, Smithfield Tavern and Blacktown Inn Hotel are among the big gainers, according to rankings of the state's pokie palaces, released by our friends at the NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing. The numbers report the amount of moolah stuffed down the throat of one armed bandits in the 3 months up to September. The stats also show that the state's pub pokie kings, such as Arthur ‘Lucky’ Laundy and Cyril ‘Money Man’ Maloney, have been cunningly jostling for positions as they look to boost their rankings. Laundy was a strong winner, with his beloved Belfield Hotel surging from 48th spot to 13th, with takings estimated to have grown from $70,000 to $105,000 a week. It’s not know if individual pokie game titles such as Cleopatra, Black Rhino, Wheel Of Fortune, Where’s The Gold, Penguin Pays, Gone Fishing or Pink Panther played much of a factor in the jump. Speculation is that it may have been a combination of top games, great staff and service, food and customer friendly hours. Pokie industry knockers might say more money launders hit his hotel more than others, but that’s purely speculative, with not a trace of evidence. We mention this as last month The Sydney Morning Herald, Media Man and others ran stories that suggested some pokie palaces are used as a laundry of sorts for dirty money…. To “clean it”, resulting in a winners payment from over the counters when the cleaning is completed. Back to the list and away from speculation, Maloney's Bondi Hotel fell from 94th to 152nd position, with takings diving in a reverse jackpot fashion from $65,000 a week to “only” $50,000. Maloney has been under the gun financially over the past year, with his bankers urging him to offload some assets to raise cash. His attempts to sell his penthouse apartment overlooking Circular Quay in the Bennelong building, widely known as ''The Toaster'', have failed. Other winners in the latest rankings include Charlie Chan's Bar in the city, the Three Swallows Hotel in Bankstown, and the well known Ashfield Hotel, owned by a former lord mayor of Sydney, Nelson Meers. Those pokie dens to dived include the Stardust Hotel in Cabramatta, owned by the Lubo-Medich family, Scruffy Murphy's in the city, owned by Malcolm McGuinness, and the Golden Sheaf Hotel in upmarket Double Bay. There were 95,605 poker machines in NSW in 2008-09, according to the Department of Arts, Sport and Recreation. Passionate Aussie gamblers gifted roughly $4.8 billion into pokies in clubs and hotels in 2008-09, according to the Productivity Commission inquiry into gambling. Woolworths has about 11,000 poker machines in its 284 hotels across Australia under the Australian Leisure & Hospitality joint venture with the pub pokies king Bruce Mathieson. They advised shareholders last month that its poker machine revenues had jumped by 2% between July and October, when compared with the same time duration last year. Yep, there’s still a dollar to be made in the pub pokie business.
Sin City Sydney: Amsterdam Of The South Pacific!…
Many media and gaming commentators are now calling Sydney the Amsterdam of the South Pacific', and they might just be hinting at something like real life 'Underbelly' or even real life 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Dirty Deeds' type happenings.
Gamblers Paradise...
Ok, there's Star City Casino, the only legal casino in Sydney, but have you heard about the non legal games of poker and two-up at Bondi Beach, Maroubra Beach, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and Goulburn? Have you found those illegal slots - one armed bandits at those secret locations in and around Sydney? Word is that are usually back of venue and "invitation only" - mate telling mate, and certainly not advertised. Melbourne, down south in the state of Victorian is understood to not be far behind for those who like a punt, with the Melbourne Cup and James Packer owned Crown Casino being the two most prominent above board (legal) brands. The success of those should tell the reader a thing or two about just how popular gambling remains to be in Australia, financial crisis or not. Website portals with some gambling news and content also remain to be in the Hitwise Australia top ten, year after year. Yeah maties, Australia love a punt.
Sex In The City And Sex In The Suburbs - The Oldest Profession...
A new confidential New South Wales Government document reveals Sydney alone has more than 50% the number of legal brothels than in the whole of Victoria and Queensland combined. In Sydney there were officially 244 legal brothels, with a further 90 complaints about "suspected" illegal brothels. By comparison, all of Victoria has just over 90 legal brothels, while Queensland has 24. All up, NSW has 271 legal brothels, including full-service and "happy ending" massage brothels. Just look for the tantalising and titillating names on buildings and listed in the 'Adult Services' section of the newspapers, we understand you will be on the right track. A few months ago a Gambling911 - Media Man report outlined how Murdoch's News Limited websites came under the spotlight as "porn". It's understood that a couple of well organised 'bible bashers' and 'God Squad' types were behind the outing of News Limited. Adult services and the like are well advertised in Australia, and in recent years mainstream media has been doing strong coverage of risque and adult activities, brands and so on. The last few years of 'Sexpo' has been a huge success, and the Sydney leg of the event is held at Fox Studios, Moore Park. It's almost a "family affair". Oh, for the record Media Man is a former pro active member of EROS - the Australian Adult Entertainment Association, so we know a thing or two about these things. For the record, we are not in the Australian adult entertainment business, but we have covered it from time to time over the years.
Brothels Thriving; Easier And Cheaper To Establish And Run Than Pokie Palace Pub...
The numbers coming in are understood to be the first definitive statistics compiled statewide. Just what law enforcement will do now that they have the hard date remains to been seen. Now get this...only 56 of the state's 152 councils took the time to respond to the survey by the NSW Government. The state's other 96 councils refused or put in in the "too hard basket" or "no comment" category. Country NSW is where a number of the quite councils are based.
A Media Man spokesperson was prepared to go on record with "As is the case with many industries, its often a matter of who you know, relationships, history, associates giving you tip offs and the like. Some things are a pretty exclusive club. Most parts of the world have an underground, hidden industry or two. An underbelly if you will. Sin Sydney is no different but at times its like Sydney likes to show it off. Lad’s mags, internet porn websites, adult directories and even burlesque events may have even fueled it along. A large part of Sydney just loves their vice. To each their own. Sin Sydney seems appropriately named."
Australian Man Of God: Gambling And Arms Not A Cardinal Sin!...
Speaking at an ethics in business lunch early this week, Cardinal George Pell said that gambling isn't intrinsically wrong...unless it becomes an addiction. He added that countries could produce arms morally, to defend themselves, reports the Fairfax Media broadsheet The Sydney Morning Herald. Cardinal Pell said on the proliferation of pokies in NSW Catholic clubs: "I must confess I do feel a bit uneasy about that, but only a bit uneasy,'' he admitted. ''Because culturally I'm an Irish Australian and we grew up gambling." Only when it became an addiction, threatening the well-being of oneself and one's family, did it become a sin. Speaking on "God and Mammon"
need or greed in the big end of town", Cardinal Pell said at the lunch, hosted by Notre Dame University, that as far as the ethics of selling tobacco went, supplying adults who were aware of the risks and still chose to smoke was nothing to rush to the confessional about. And when quizzed about the ethics of selling arms, he hypothesised that global military contractors may in fact be acting on a moral imperative. "I think you can produce arms morally ... You might say in some cases it is necessary. We are a peaceful country. If we were unarmed that would be an enticement to evil people. The best way to stay as we are is to be strong and effectively armed so I think you could make the case," he said. Instead, the cardinal's wrath honed in on corporate fat cat salaries, which were morally suspect, he said.
Pokie Palaces Key In Money Laundering Down Under In New Zealand And Australia Says GamblingWatch...
Gambling lobby group GamblingWatch is becoming alarmed at the evidence that money laundered by criminals provides a significant turnover though pokie machines in Pubs and Casinos. GamblingWatch co-ordinator Dave Macpherson says that in New Zealand and Australia, recent cases and claims are revealing that pokie machines in pubs and casinos are used for laundering the proceeds of illicit earnings by 'P' dealers. Macpherson refers to the $20 million spent at Sky City by two of Auckland's biggest methamphetamine ('P') dealers as a laundering method. Well over 20,000 of these machines are located throughout the country and big and small time dealers can use them to launder thousands and millions of dollars of drug money. Australia is embarking on a programme of introducing pre-commit cards to pokie machines and this has been seen as a "threat" to the money laundering operations of criminals. Macpherson notes that the Sydney Morning Herald reported that industry sources claim that as much as $2 billion is laundered through these machines every year. "This is a frightening figure," says Macpherson. "GamblingWatch has been concerned for years now about the damage done to individuals and families by gambling, especially gambling on pokies. It seems that pokie takings from problem gamblers are actually being bolstered by laundered drug money." This money is the same money that finds its way into community organisations such as schools, hospitals, councils, sports and other community interest groups. The money is highly tainted, not only by the suffering of problem gamblers, their families, friends and workplaces, but also by the fact that sale of devastating drugs such as "P" could be funding community organisations." Macpherson says "this situation is so serious that a Select Committee of Parliament should be making detailed and aggressive enquiries into the source and application of pokie funds." "MP Te Ururoa Flavell's Gambling Harm Reduction Bill would empower such a committee of Parliament to examine all aspects of gambling harm associated with pokies and to get full answers to some very difficult questions. It is crucial that the Bill passes a first reading and goes to Select Committee stage, and we call on the Government to take a responsible stance and support its coalition partner in this effort."
Star City In Sin City Sydney Getting Extra World Class Chefs At Part Of Revamp...
David Chang is set to open his first restaurant outside the USA as he heads a stellar line-up of international and Australian chefs set to open their doors at Sydney's all new Star City in 2011. Chang is the chef and owner of the Momofuku group of restaurants in New York City and his impact on global food trends cannot be underestimated – he was named in TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world for 2010. Chang heads a stellar line-up of chefs who today announced they would open their doors at what is set to become a one-of-a-kind lifestyle and entertainment destination when the $860 million redevelopment is complete in late 2011. The line-up of Australian chefs bristles with culinary excitement and adventure with Melbourne's favourite Teage Ezard, Italian maestro Stefano Manfredi, MasterChef darling Adriano Zumbo and Sydney's best-loved Cantonese restaurant, Golden Century, all set to open signature restaurants. Joining David Chang from the USA will be Chase Kojima, a young gun from the Nobu empire who will open a stunning, contemporary Japanese restaurant. Restaurant names, designs and capacities are almost complete and more detailed plans of each individual venue will be available in 2011. Chefs and restaurants to open include: David Chang
It all started when Chang turned his back on fine dining and opened the Momofuku Noodle Bar in New York's East Village in 2004. His Korean upbringing combined with classical technique in the kitchen is emulated the world over. "When I first visited Australia earlier this year, I knew at once there was an affinity. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to share the Momofuku philosophy at this world-class dining destination." Chang's Momofuku Ko in New York has two Michelin stars.
Chase Kojima
Formerly executive chef at Nobu in the Bahamas, Chase will bring his modern-Asian aesthetic to an already eager Sydney audience. Expect ultra-modern design, located at new five-star lifestyle hotel. "Sydney is renowned for its already daring take on Asian cuisine so it's an honour to be able to join the stellar line-up at the reinvigorated Star City," commented Kojima.
This all-star line-up joins Star City's current stable of chefs including executive chef Andy North, plus consultant chef to Fat Noodle, Luke Nguyen of Red Lantern fame. Victor Tiffany, Head of Hospitality, Casinos Division, Tabcorp commented; "It's incredibly exciting to be welcoming such a spectacular roster of global talent to our home. We feel privileged to be working with both our international and local culinary stars, and taking a part in the revitalisation of the Sydney dining scene." Sid Vaikunta, Managing Director, Star City, said; "This is an inspiring milestone as our vision to create a truly international dining and nightlife destination is well underway. Sydney is a world-class destination and we are incredibly proud of the part we will play in keeping this city a truly great place to live and visit for years to come." Located on beautful Sydney Harbour, Star City is the only casino in New South Wales. Star City is being transformed into a one-of-a kind leisure and entertainment destination. The $860 million redevelopment includes the re-orientation of the casino to embrace Sydney's Harbour and city skyline, plus the addition of a new five-star hotel and spa, over 20 restaurants, bars, cafes and improved entertainment and gaming facilities. The work is expected to be completed late 2011. Tabcorp hopes its money well spent, as they look to lure more whales and dolphins (of the human kind) away from James Packer's Crown Casino in Melbourne, and the fight for the high rollers, big spenders continue. The world class chefs snapped up by Star should serve Tabcorp well as they aim to become the new #1 in Australian gambling - casino sector. Best of luck to both Tabcorp and Crown Limited, and may be best super whale win.
Aussie Red Bull Mark Webber Loses; Congrats Team Mate Seb Vettel; No Bull!...
Aussie driver Mark Webber on Monday congratulated his Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel on winning the drivers' title in Abu Dhabi. Webber, 34, and German Vettel had been fighting for the top spot along with Ferrari driver Spain's two-time champion Fernando Alonso and Briton Lewis Hamilton - world champion in 2008 - of McLaren throughout the season. Vettel's victory in Abu Dhabi won him the crown to become the youngest ever champion while Webber finished a distant eighth after an early pit-stop ruined any chance he had of taking the title. Although the two Red Bull drivers had been locking horns throughout the season, Webber congratulated Vettel and insisted that their heated relationship had only helped spur each other on. "I've got to take my hat off to Sebastian because he's done a good job this year," Webber said on his official website. "We've had our ups and downs, but we've pushed each other and it's always rewarding to get out of bed to do that. "It's amazing to think that the only time he led the championship was after the last race, but that's the only time it matters. Well done to him." Webber, who had led the championship at several stages in the season, admitted he was frustrated not to have been crowned champion, but insisted that he would come back stronger and aim to become Australia's first world champion since Alan Jones in 1980. "I'm very disappointed by what happened on Sunday evening, I aimed for the biggest target in motorsport and it didn't work out," he said. "I'm reminded of that great adage - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, I'm still alive and I'm sure I'll bounce back from this season a better driver.
"Right now though, I need a good break. The gas has been wide open since the third week in January and it's been a long season. There's been a lot of travel, a lot of emotion and a lot of effort. It's time for some time out." Many Australians still think Webber will be a future world champion.
Victoria: University of Ballarat Gambling Study...
A University of Ballarat research team is undertaking a landmark study into the community effects of electronic gaming machines. The first-of-its-kind research is focusing on the introduction of pokies into a developing estate at Whittlesea. PhD candidate Deb Greenslade said 40 machines proposed for a local tavern would generate $4 million in losses to players in the first year, and the community is determined to fight the proposal. Greenslade said Victoria had almost 30,000 EGMs, with a high proportion located in disadvantage areas. She said residents of Laurimar Estate opposed the scheme because they feared an increase in hardship on local families, an increase in crime and the introduction of a "known" social problem. Residents also said the project was too large for the housing development and they thought they were getting a small wine bar and not a pokie venue. Greenslade said Victorian gaming machines produced $2.7 billion revenue a year, shared by venues, Tatts and Tabcorp and the state government. More than $1 billion goes to state government revenue. Greenslade said each Victorian machine takes an average of $97,810 per year. Only 33 per cent of adults play pokies with the average loss being $3073 per year. She said weekly players lose an average of $7000-$8000 annually, according to the Productivity Commission. Associated problems include child neglect, depression, family violence, suicide or attempted suicide and relationship problems, according to Greenslade. Project leader Associate Professor John McDonald said the university passed up an offer from the gambling industry to fund the research. He said the university wanted to avoid the conflicts of interest that have arisen with research into alchohol, tobacco and pharmaceuticals being funded by industry heavyweights. The project is being funded by the Australian Research Council along with 25 councils across the state, including the City of Ballarat. Co-ordination is being undertaken by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Crown Casino News: Can Rachael Finch Sing Asks Audience...
People have been questioning if Rachael Finch could sing. They still area after her weekend performance at Crown Casino. The Miss Universe contender was left blushing when she struggled through a rendition of Fever at the 'Starry Starry Night' gala dinner, sort of forgeting some words say leaks. She did find a friend in significant other Michael Miziner at Melbourne's Crown Casino. Keep trying Rach. Practice makes perfect, we hope.
*Greg Tingle is a Special Contributor to the Gambling911.com website and proprietor of Media Man International
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They also offer political analysis
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