G'day punters, casino millionaires and billionaires, politicians, legal eagles, one and all. Australia's leading gaming companies, namely Tabcorp (Star City etc) and Crown Limited (Crown Casino and Burswood Casino etc) are demanding the the Australian government lift its game to help down under become more high roller whale friendly, especially at our international airports in Sydney and Melbourne. We probe and examine if the fact that the Gillard government not officially being a big fan of gambling is a factor, or if its a smoke screen hiding something more sinister. Media Man and Gambling911 hit the runway as we play plans, trains, automobiles (and politics)...
Tabcorp And Crown Limited To Aussie Government: Lift You're Game For High Rollers In Airports...
Tabcorp casinos big wig Larry Mullin has joined the pack of not happy Aussie casino and gambling tycoons and top brass telling the federal government to lift their game - streamline customs and immigration paperwork and checks for Oriental high-rollers flying down under into Australia, backing up his Crown Casino equal Rowen Craigie. Mullin advised making visas easier to obtain and installing "VIP customs lounges" at major airports to allow high-roller customers to avoid unsatisfactory queues should be seriously considered, and pronto. He said Australia needed to consider a similar model to Singapore, which has created a private lounge to fast-track customs and immigration processing for high-rolling whales. It's understood revenue from Singapore's two land based casinos opened last year is already close to $US5 billion a year. "The customers and the customer experience is everything. That first and last impression is so helpful, especially after long flights. "You go into Singapore, they pick you up in a golf cart and drive you to a private area and there's a government official in the receiving area. You almost feel as if you are going into a hotel experience, that was the seamlessness of it. I understand why you need the processes that are there, but I think we need to explore and get as fast as we can similar type of conveniences here." Mullin said Crown Casino chief exec Rowen Craigie was heading up the discussions with the federal government in his role as the president of the Australasian Casino Association. Craigie last month said the improvements were necessary in order for Australia to plug into the lucrative middle and upper-class Chinese tourism market and compete with Singapore. Tabcorp, which will launch its first personalised jet service for high-roller customers tomorrow, generates less than 10% of its casino revenues from high-rollers. But it is the fastest-growing arm of its business, with revenues from VIP customers up 36% to $32.9 million in the December half. Tabcorp is understood to have spent about $40m leasing the 14-seater jet which came on high recommendation by rock star Bon Jovi, a friend of Mullin. It will start transiting in punters from Asia tomorrow. The firm, which is spending a massive $960m on renovating its flagship Star City casino in Sydney, is now also throwing in $160m on its domestic and international VIP businesses to upgrade digs, improve and expand private gambling facilities and lease two private jets. Originally the jets were going to be purchased, but the bean counters thought better to lease. Mullin also advised Tabcorp, which plans to demerge its casino division by mid-year, was planning to work with the New South Wales government on tourism campaigns targeting potential casino customers. "As our project gets more mature we would like to get better placed in that," he said. Various gambling experts have leaked to Media Man that they expect Crown and Tabcorp to have a better year than last, as well as improved government dealings.
Tatts Gets Profit; Good News Finally...
Tatts Group Ltd has reported a 3.4% lift in first half net profit as the gambling and gaming company sees signs of growth reemerging after set backs due to recent natural disasters such as floods and cyclones. Net profit rose to $149.91 million for the 6 months to December 31 from $144.96 million a year earlier, Melbourne based Tatts said in a statement on Thursday. Revenue jumped 17.4% to $1.62 billion. The firm declared a interim dividend of 10.5 cents per share, fully franked. Chief executive Dick McIlwain said the growth rates of the first half were showing signs of re-emerging after the disruption from the floods in Queensland and Victoria and Cyclone Yasi in Northern Queensland. Tatts said investors and other observers had enquired about the effect on the business from the natural disasters. The company said there was very little damage to company facilities while a significant number of agents and hosts suffered short term damage to electricity supply. Shares in Tatts declined 3.5 cents, or 1.4 per cent, to $2.435.
Aristocrat Leisure Shares Up; Back To Profit!
Airistocrat shares surged to a 3-month high today after the gaming machine supplier returned to the profit zone for 2010. Its stock rose 14 cents, or 4.4%, to $3.30 by 1029 AEDT, the best since November 25, 2010. Aristocrat Leisure today booked a net profit of $77.19 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to a loss of $157.8m in 2009. Revenue fell 25.1% to $680.5m. Aristocrat declared a dividend of 1.5 cents per share, nil franked, compared to no final dividend in the prior year.
Melco Crown Makes US$16 Million Profit; Crown's James Packer Pleased; Could Have Been Much Worse...
Melco Crown Entertainment announced yesterday it recorded net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 of US$16.3 million (MOP130 million), compared with a net loss of US$89.7 million a year earlier. It was the company’s second consecutive quarterly profit. The gain in bottom-line results was driven by the year-over-year improvement in the operating performance at City of Dreams and Altira Macau, the company said. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was US$133.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of US$2.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Lawrence Ho, co-chairman and chief executive officer of Melco Crown Entertainment, said "our fourth quarter results demonstrate our success in driving operating leverage and in improving the profitability of our portfolio of assets. Our mass market table games business continues to grow and our rolling chip segment remains strong," he said. James Packer, who teamed up on the project via Melco Crown, is understood to have been pleased with the result. The Packer family remains on good terms with the Ho's. It's one happy family again (or at least mainly), which is what we like to hear.
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin
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Thursday, February 24, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Virgin Casino Customer Scoops Progressive Jackpot with £1 Bet
Monday 7th February, 2011: Virgin Casino is delighted to announce that one of its customers became significantly richer by scooping a progressive win when playing the online slot, Mega Moolah. Mr. W, a customer of Virgin Games for a mere six days, won £37,672.62 off a £1 bet on Microgaming’s popular progressive jackpot slot.
Virgin Casino caught up with the lucky winner, who said he was "shocked and over the moon" when the win was confirmed. When asked what his plans were for the big cash win, Mr. W commented: "I'm going to use the money to finish off my house. It’s a restoration project I've been busy with for some time."
Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "Virgin Casino appears to be the home of winners at the moment. We’ve seen a number of our players scoop big prizes, many of which have been from very small stakes. We are delighted for Mr. W and send him a huge congratulations and hopes he enjoys spending his riches!"
Visit Virgin Casino at: www.virgincasino.com
*Sorry, No U.S, Australian or Canadian players. See World Casino Directory
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.
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Virgin Casino caught up with the lucky winner, who said he was "shocked and over the moon" when the win was confirmed. When asked what his plans were for the big cash win, Mr. W commented: "I'm going to use the money to finish off my house. It’s a restoration project I've been busy with for some time."
Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "Virgin Casino appears to be the home of winners at the moment. We’ve seen a number of our players scoop big prizes, many of which have been from very small stakes. We are delighted for Mr. W and send him a huge congratulations and hopes he enjoys spending his riches!"
Visit Virgin Casino at: www.virgincasino.com
*Sorry, No U.S, Australian or Canadian players. See World Casino Directory
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.
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Thursday, February 10, 2011
Australian Gambling and Politics: Cat And Mouse Games, by Greg Tingle - 10th February 2011
G'day everyone. It's another huge week for gambling, gaming and sports betting news in Australia, with the usual strong dose of political fun and gaming. We're got the The Western Australia Opposition asking gambling and media billionaire James Packer to help pay for a Perth Sports Stadium if it is to be built close by to his Burswood Casino, pokie lovers vs haters, and even the Aristocrat (yep, gaming firm) awards. Media Man and Gambling911 with your Aussie round up you have grown to love. Grab a few beers and tell your mates...
James Packer Asked To Pay For Perth Sports Stadium...
Western Australia is poised to get a new sport stadium, and guess who has been asked to help finance it, James Packer. We guess the world got out that's his a billionaire, and now "only" Australia' 3rd richest person. A government-funded stadium taskforce determined that the least expensive option would be to develop at Kitchener Park, right next door to iconic Subiaco Oval. It found that building a sports stadium on state-owned land at Burswood would cost an additional $300 million. Ripper (not Rip Off)...just having fun readers, says the casino owner James Packer should be requested to assist in proving the funds needed. "I would be horrified if we spent a single dollar more than we need to spend on the stadium, I'd be particularly horrified if it was $300 million more of our dollars that was spent in a wasteful fashion," he said. Ripper reckons Packer would make a lot of money if the stadium was built next to the casino. "That would be a huge advantage to the casino, of course, because the 60,000 people attending a football match if it was a great football match would then flow on over to the casino. So, if the Government wants to build it there or if the casino wants it there, then the Government should be asking the casino to cough up that $300 million extra." An official survey is yet to be held on the mater, but punters, please throw us your 2 cents worth in the forum
Bushfires Hit Perth On Black Sunday; Spoil Fun For Gambling Grandmother...
Residents have been forced to flee with little more than just the clothes on their backs as a flaming "war zone" attacked on their homes in the south-eastern Perth suburb of Roleystone this past Sunday. In a smart move an evacuation centre has been constructed at the Armadale Arena, where about 1000 concerned residents gathered for a community get together at 10.30am to catch up with the latest news on the bushfire. As the stream of people started arriving at the centre, Department of Child Protection support worker Lauren Lawrence advised tension was starting to build. Some residents were treated for anxiety, stress and grief. During the meet up, residents were divided up into 3 groups and told which addresses in the 59 homes had been destroyed. Several broke down upon hearing the news. In a casino twist, a great-grandmother who was at Burswood Casino got a telephone call from one of her neighbours telling her to get home. It was time to stop the gaming and entertainment vibe at Packer's casino. She did her best to fight off the fire with a hose before police aka 'The Boys In Blue' arrived and told her to get out of town, well, get out of harms way, you know what we're saying. "The flames that were coming through, it was just like being in a sauna," an emotional Mrs Parker said. She said she thought she had lost everything except her 50-year-old pet galah, Charlie. Included among her loss were photos of her husband, who passed away last year. "I've got nothing... but at least I'm alive." We commend the brave men and women who have helped fight off the fire and those who are assisting in the cleanup. The tragic event follows a string of nature disasters and unusual weather conditions to to hit down under in recent months including floods in Queensland and Victoria, a Northern Queensland cyclone and 3 days of heatwave conditions in 'Sin City' Sydney averaging 40 degrees. The question begs, where will Mother Nature strike next in Australia. Mother Nature, not a bad name for a casino game we think, and would be right at home with former Media Man 'Online Slot Game Of The Month' Goanna Gold. Captain Cooks offers Aussie style 'Bush Telegraph', but officially its the South African nature and wildlife featured. Readers may like to also check out the Fire Hawk game, found at a few online casinos including those by PartyGaming. It remains to been seen if any Australian based gaming or casino companies will donate to the relief effort. Crown Limited has previously teamed up with well respected charity - The Salvation Army, to help ease the pain when Mother Nature got the better of Aussies. We wish our Western Australian friends well as they put their lives back together again. As we remind the readership from time to time, keep your head above water, and always bet with your head, not over it.
Aristocrat Entertainer of the Year Via Tamworth Country Music Festival Won By Melody Feder...
Talented singer-songwriter Melody Feder has beaten Australia’s top country music talent to win Aristocrat Entertainer of the Year at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Aristocrat, the gambling machine maker, has the major naming rights for the award as you can gather. Feder, 22, won the coveted title by beating 60 other emerging stars at last month’s festival. She impressing judges, including country music star Beccy Cole, with her impressive performance in the lead up, the Vista resident wowed the crowd in the grand final to take home the prize. Even Keith Urban has taken part in the competition in previous years. "It was amazing. I never really expected to win, so it was a huge shock, but it’s definitely the highlight of my career so far.". The win completed a hectic year for Feder, who made the second stage of the TV talent series The X-Factor before being eliminated. Feder grew up in Dernancourt and studied music while at Mary MacKillop College, Kensington. She entered her first country music talent quest aged 12. "Dad always liked to play country music around the house, so it was a given that I was going to be a country singer," she said. Feder’s career took off two years ago when she taught herself to play guitar by studying online YouTube videos. Last month, she released her debut six-track EP, Dirt Roads and Diamonds. Well done to the latest Aristocrat Entertainer of the Year - just another way the gaming - entertainment business gives back to the larger entertainment and arts industry as a whole.
Australian Clubs Tell Off 'Greedy Government'...
Governments are greedy. Yeah, so what - tell us something we don't know! It's a crying shame but community based organisations have only enjoyed 1 very small rise in pokies funding but the Government snatched a whopping 282% gain over 15 years. Community groups are up in arms and have demanded more of the purse taking go into the fund bucked to be indexed, telling all and sundry they down between $200 million and $300 million since they were introduced. Not happy John! The funds are paid a set amount from poker machine revenue and from the hotels and licensed clubs. The funds in question are the Sport and Recreation Fund, the Charitable and Social Welfare Fund, the Community Benefit Fund and the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund, which get $31.3 million a year. Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund is correct. We we're told a bad joke about "If its not broken, don't fix it", but we will digress. The total is set down in legislation but is not indexed and has not been amended since circa 1996, apart from a generous $1 million increase in the sport fund in 2002. What about the gamblers we ask? Community groups are furious that they are still scratching the tins for money while most of the big bucks from pokies goes into the Treasury coffers where the bean counters delight in the numbers with lots of 0's after them... millions upon millions. We also learnt that tax take from 'one armed bandits' has grown from $108 million in circa 1995-96 to an estimated $305 mil in the current fin year... an increase of 282%. No wonder the government is being tight. Under the legislation, the Sport and Recreation Fund is paid roughly $3.5 million a year, the Charitable and Social Welfare Fund $4 million, the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund $3.8 million and the Community Development Fund $20 million. The South Australia Council of Social Services raised the issue in its 2011-12 Budget submission saying without indexation, the real value of the contribution of the funds had declined by 22% over the past 5 years. "The lack of indexation has resulted in $20 million of gambling taxes not being paid into those funds," it says. SIDS and Kids SA state manager Colin Cameron said it was alarming the funds had not kept pace with gaming revenue increase. "While state revenue has almost tripled ... the increases to these funds for social benefit have not kept pace...increasing by only 30%" Cameron said. Greedy Government mmn? A Media Man street survey at Bondi Beach (sample 50 random people) concluded that 85% of the population believed that the Australian government was greedy, with 95% advising that Australia's state and federal government are "not to be trusted". Insiders, media and political analysts were not surprised in the results, but all were disappointed in the government not assisting community groups and charities as much as they could. Liberal is tipped to win the next Federal election and things are not looking much better for Labor on the state level either, with strong odd backing a Liberal win in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
Betfair Secure Naming Rights On Wentworth Park Gold Cup...
On the heels of the lucrative sponsorship agreement between leading Australian bookmaker Centrebet and the NSW GBOTA, the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association have today announced that betting exchange Betfair will receive prominent signage and sponsorship of the Group 2 Wentworth Park Gold Cup. Betfair and NSW GBOTA officials will mark the start of the partnership on Saturday night, with the unveiling of feature signage and presentation to the winner of the Betfair Stakes. Association Chairman, Geoff Rose said the announcement of the Betfair agreement marked an exciting week in the GBOTA’s year, following other sponsorship deals concluded earlier in the week. "Betfair are a progressive wagering entity and we have great delight in welcoming them on board as the Group 2 Gold Cup sponsor," Rose said. NSW GBOTA Executive Officer, Brenton Scott, stated that the agreement cemented Betfair’s position as Wentworth Park’s betting exchange partner. "We are confident that the relationship with Betfair will complement those in place with other wagering operators," said Scott. "The wagering market place now irreversibly includes traditional TABs, corporate bookmakers and betting exchanges.
Betfair’s Media and Communication Manager Hugh Taggart, believes the sponsorship agreement will only serve to increase the exposure of the outstanding greyhound product already on display in NSW. The deal follows the Centrebet - Penrith Panthers and Crown Casino deal and South Sydney Rabbitoh's - Star City front of jersey deal. Oh, some media commentators are questioning whether horse racing should even be called a sport, saying its little more than just another way for people to bet on the outcome of something. In the meantime TAB's 'Trackside' electronic horse racing games continues to enjoy good patronage, helping keep punters at a TAB branch, rather than at the racetrack.
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett Not Seeing Eye To Eye With Fed Government...
Barnett let it be known to the government on Thursday he's pissed off, stating the national reforms could lead the way for poker machines to enter WA via the "back door." WA, with support from both major parties, has long banned "one armed bandits" from pubs and clubs, and Burswood Casino has them exclusively (unless other places have them on an illegal basis, so draw your own conclusions). The WA Premier said by exercising its constitutional powers to enforce the uniform legislation, the federal government was opening the way for major hoteliers to legally challenge the state's ban on pokies. But federal Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin said Barnett was actually incorrect as state governments had the power to decide the number and location of pokies in their state and that would remain the case. "I have today written to Mr Barnett to explain that the Australian government's reforms are targeted at making poker machines safer for problem gamblers and will not impact on the number of poker machines in WA, or any other state or territory," Macklin said in a prepared statement. She said the premier would have known this if the WA government had participated in the Council of Australian Government (COAG) Select Council on gambling reform. "WA is the only state or territory that declined to participate in the COAG Select Council on Gambling Reform," Macklin said. "The invitation remains open and I strongly encourage Barnett and his government to attend the next meeting on February 25 to get the facts on the Australian government's gambling reforms." A Media Man insider whispered "Facts or truth"?, suggesting the Fed government is trying to back WA into a corner, as the cat and mouse game continues. Cat and mouse... should be the name of a slot game hey? Better than 'Perfect Mousetrap', once used to describe how shopping centres have been designed to trap the shoppers in there, so they spend as much money as possibly, with filling the centre with music to lure in shoppers. Some comparisons have been made between shopping centre "perfect mousetraps" to poker machine dens. Some pubs and hotels have also draw fire for having some kids "skill games" on site, as a way to lure in a younger audience and "groom" them to become gamblers, a 'Mr X' has publicly commented on in he past. Back to matters at hand the Federal Community Services Minister said the legal advice that stated the commonwealth had the constitutional powers to enforce national poker machine regulations through taxation and corporation law related only to certain areas. These included a pre-commitment system for gamblers and a $250 daily withdrawal limit for ATMs in all gambling venues except casinos. WA Labor senator Louise Pratt said Barnett was playing politics over the issue instead of helping problem gamblers. "The premier should be working with Canberra in a bipartisan way to help people affected and should stop playing politics on this issue. Had he been working with the commonwealth, he would have known that the reforms are focused on making poker machines safer for problem gamblers." The name calling and cat and mouse continues.
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
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James Packer Asked To Pay For Perth Sports Stadium...
Western Australia is poised to get a new sport stadium, and guess who has been asked to help finance it, James Packer. We guess the world got out that's his a billionaire, and now "only" Australia' 3rd richest person. A government-funded stadium taskforce determined that the least expensive option would be to develop at Kitchener Park, right next door to iconic Subiaco Oval. It found that building a sports stadium on state-owned land at Burswood would cost an additional $300 million. Ripper (not Rip Off)...just having fun readers, says the casino owner James Packer should be requested to assist in proving the funds needed. "I would be horrified if we spent a single dollar more than we need to spend on the stadium, I'd be particularly horrified if it was $300 million more of our dollars that was spent in a wasteful fashion," he said. Ripper reckons Packer would make a lot of money if the stadium was built next to the casino. "That would be a huge advantage to the casino, of course, because the 60,000 people attending a football match if it was a great football match would then flow on over to the casino. So, if the Government wants to build it there or if the casino wants it there, then the Government should be asking the casino to cough up that $300 million extra." An official survey is yet to be held on the mater, but punters, please throw us your 2 cents worth in the forum
Bushfires Hit Perth On Black Sunday; Spoil Fun For Gambling Grandmother...
Residents have been forced to flee with little more than just the clothes on their backs as a flaming "war zone" attacked on their homes in the south-eastern Perth suburb of Roleystone this past Sunday. In a smart move an evacuation centre has been constructed at the Armadale Arena, where about 1000 concerned residents gathered for a community get together at 10.30am to catch up with the latest news on the bushfire. As the stream of people started arriving at the centre, Department of Child Protection support worker Lauren Lawrence advised tension was starting to build. Some residents were treated for anxiety, stress and grief. During the meet up, residents were divided up into 3 groups and told which addresses in the 59 homes had been destroyed. Several broke down upon hearing the news. In a casino twist, a great-grandmother who was at Burswood Casino got a telephone call from one of her neighbours telling her to get home. It was time to stop the gaming and entertainment vibe at Packer's casino. She did her best to fight off the fire with a hose before police aka 'The Boys In Blue' arrived and told her to get out of town, well, get out of harms way, you know what we're saying. "The flames that were coming through, it was just like being in a sauna," an emotional Mrs Parker said. She said she thought she had lost everything except her 50-year-old pet galah, Charlie. Included among her loss were photos of her husband, who passed away last year. "I've got nothing... but at least I'm alive." We commend the brave men and women who have helped fight off the fire and those who are assisting in the cleanup. The tragic event follows a string of nature disasters and unusual weather conditions to to hit down under in recent months including floods in Queensland and Victoria, a Northern Queensland cyclone and 3 days of heatwave conditions in 'Sin City' Sydney averaging 40 degrees. The question begs, where will Mother Nature strike next in Australia. Mother Nature, not a bad name for a casino game we think, and would be right at home with former Media Man 'Online Slot Game Of The Month' Goanna Gold. Captain Cooks offers Aussie style 'Bush Telegraph', but officially its the South African nature and wildlife featured. Readers may like to also check out the Fire Hawk game, found at a few online casinos including those by PartyGaming. It remains to been seen if any Australian based gaming or casino companies will donate to the relief effort. Crown Limited has previously teamed up with well respected charity - The Salvation Army, to help ease the pain when Mother Nature got the better of Aussies. We wish our Western Australian friends well as they put their lives back together again. As we remind the readership from time to time, keep your head above water, and always bet with your head, not over it.
Aristocrat Entertainer of the Year Via Tamworth Country Music Festival Won By Melody Feder...
Talented singer-songwriter Melody Feder has beaten Australia’s top country music talent to win Aristocrat Entertainer of the Year at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Aristocrat, the gambling machine maker, has the major naming rights for the award as you can gather. Feder, 22, won the coveted title by beating 60 other emerging stars at last month’s festival. She impressing judges, including country music star Beccy Cole, with her impressive performance in the lead up, the Vista resident wowed the crowd in the grand final to take home the prize. Even Keith Urban has taken part in the competition in previous years. "It was amazing. I never really expected to win, so it was a huge shock, but it’s definitely the highlight of my career so far.". The win completed a hectic year for Feder, who made the second stage of the TV talent series The X-Factor before being eliminated. Feder grew up in Dernancourt and studied music while at Mary MacKillop College, Kensington. She entered her first country music talent quest aged 12. "Dad always liked to play country music around the house, so it was a given that I was going to be a country singer," she said. Feder’s career took off two years ago when she taught herself to play guitar by studying online YouTube videos. Last month, she released her debut six-track EP, Dirt Roads and Diamonds. Well done to the latest Aristocrat Entertainer of the Year - just another way the gaming - entertainment business gives back to the larger entertainment and arts industry as a whole.
Australian Clubs Tell Off 'Greedy Government'...
Governments are greedy. Yeah, so what - tell us something we don't know! It's a crying shame but community based organisations have only enjoyed 1 very small rise in pokies funding but the Government snatched a whopping 282% gain over 15 years. Community groups are up in arms and have demanded more of the purse taking go into the fund bucked to be indexed, telling all and sundry they down between $200 million and $300 million since they were introduced. Not happy John! The funds are paid a set amount from poker machine revenue and from the hotels and licensed clubs. The funds in question are the Sport and Recreation Fund, the Charitable and Social Welfare Fund, the Community Benefit Fund and the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund, which get $31.3 million a year. Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund is correct. We we're told a bad joke about "If its not broken, don't fix it", but we will digress. The total is set down in legislation but is not indexed and has not been amended since circa 1996, apart from a generous $1 million increase in the sport fund in 2002. What about the gamblers we ask? Community groups are furious that they are still scratching the tins for money while most of the big bucks from pokies goes into the Treasury coffers where the bean counters delight in the numbers with lots of 0's after them... millions upon millions. We also learnt that tax take from 'one armed bandits' has grown from $108 million in circa 1995-96 to an estimated $305 mil in the current fin year... an increase of 282%. No wonder the government is being tight. Under the legislation, the Sport and Recreation Fund is paid roughly $3.5 million a year, the Charitable and Social Welfare Fund $4 million, the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund $3.8 million and the Community Development Fund $20 million. The South Australia Council of Social Services raised the issue in its 2011-12 Budget submission saying without indexation, the real value of the contribution of the funds had declined by 22% over the past 5 years. "The lack of indexation has resulted in $20 million of gambling taxes not being paid into those funds," it says. SIDS and Kids SA state manager Colin Cameron said it was alarming the funds had not kept pace with gaming revenue increase. "While state revenue has almost tripled ... the increases to these funds for social benefit have not kept pace...increasing by only 30%" Cameron said. Greedy Government mmn? A Media Man street survey at Bondi Beach (sample 50 random people) concluded that 85% of the population believed that the Australian government was greedy, with 95% advising that Australia's state and federal government are "not to be trusted". Insiders, media and political analysts were not surprised in the results, but all were disappointed in the government not assisting community groups and charities as much as they could. Liberal is tipped to win the next Federal election and things are not looking much better for Labor on the state level either, with strong odd backing a Liberal win in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
Betfair Secure Naming Rights On Wentworth Park Gold Cup...
On the heels of the lucrative sponsorship agreement between leading Australian bookmaker Centrebet and the NSW GBOTA, the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association have today announced that betting exchange Betfair will receive prominent signage and sponsorship of the Group 2 Wentworth Park Gold Cup. Betfair and NSW GBOTA officials will mark the start of the partnership on Saturday night, with the unveiling of feature signage and presentation to the winner of the Betfair Stakes. Association Chairman, Geoff Rose said the announcement of the Betfair agreement marked an exciting week in the GBOTA’s year, following other sponsorship deals concluded earlier in the week. "Betfair are a progressive wagering entity and we have great delight in welcoming them on board as the Group 2 Gold Cup sponsor," Rose said. NSW GBOTA Executive Officer, Brenton Scott, stated that the agreement cemented Betfair’s position as Wentworth Park’s betting exchange partner. "We are confident that the relationship with Betfair will complement those in place with other wagering operators," said Scott. "The wagering market place now irreversibly includes traditional TABs, corporate bookmakers and betting exchanges.
Betfair’s Media and Communication Manager Hugh Taggart, believes the sponsorship agreement will only serve to increase the exposure of the outstanding greyhound product already on display in NSW. The deal follows the Centrebet - Penrith Panthers and Crown Casino deal and South Sydney Rabbitoh's - Star City front of jersey deal. Oh, some media commentators are questioning whether horse racing should even be called a sport, saying its little more than just another way for people to bet on the outcome of something. In the meantime TAB's 'Trackside' electronic horse racing games continues to enjoy good patronage, helping keep punters at a TAB branch, rather than at the racetrack.
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett Not Seeing Eye To Eye With Fed Government...
Barnett let it be known to the government on Thursday he's pissed off, stating the national reforms could lead the way for poker machines to enter WA via the "back door." WA, with support from both major parties, has long banned "one armed bandits" from pubs and clubs, and Burswood Casino has them exclusively (unless other places have them on an illegal basis, so draw your own conclusions). The WA Premier said by exercising its constitutional powers to enforce the uniform legislation, the federal government was opening the way for major hoteliers to legally challenge the state's ban on pokies. But federal Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin said Barnett was actually incorrect as state governments had the power to decide the number and location of pokies in their state and that would remain the case. "I have today written to Mr Barnett to explain that the Australian government's reforms are targeted at making poker machines safer for problem gamblers and will not impact on the number of poker machines in WA, or any other state or territory," Macklin said in a prepared statement. She said the premier would have known this if the WA government had participated in the Council of Australian Government (COAG) Select Council on gambling reform. "WA is the only state or territory that declined to participate in the COAG Select Council on Gambling Reform," Macklin said. "The invitation remains open and I strongly encourage Barnett and his government to attend the next meeting on February 25 to get the facts on the Australian government's gambling reforms." A Media Man insider whispered "Facts or truth"?, suggesting the Fed government is trying to back WA into a corner, as the cat and mouse game continues. Cat and mouse... should be the name of a slot game hey? Better than 'Perfect Mousetrap', once used to describe how shopping centres have been designed to trap the shoppers in there, so they spend as much money as possibly, with filling the centre with music to lure in shoppers. Some comparisons have been made between shopping centre "perfect mousetraps" to poker machine dens. Some pubs and hotels have also draw fire for having some kids "skill games" on site, as a way to lure in a younger audience and "groom" them to become gamblers, a 'Mr X' has publicly commented on in he past. Back to matters at hand the Federal Community Services Minister said the legal advice that stated the commonwealth had the constitutional powers to enforce national poker machine regulations through taxation and corporation law related only to certain areas. These included a pre-commitment system for gamblers and a $250 daily withdrawal limit for ATMs in all gambling venues except casinos. WA Labor senator Louise Pratt said Barnett was playing politics over the issue instead of helping problem gamblers. "The premier should be working with Canberra in a bipartisan way to help people affected and should stop playing politics on this issue. Had he been working with the commonwealth, he would have known that the reforms are focused on making poker machines safer for problem gamblers." The name calling and cat and mouse continues.
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
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Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
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Wednesday, February 2, 2011
PartyGaming: A Double Winner at the International Gaming Awards - 31st January 2011
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PartyGaming is proud to announce that it was a double winner at this year’s International Gaming Awards, being voted both best Online Casino Operator and Online Bingo Operator of the year. Held at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London’s Knightsbridge, the awards were open to both land-based and online operators and attracted entries from more than 300 companies from around the world.
In making the Online Casino Operator award to PartyCasino, the independent judging panel said: “PartyCasino is certainly leading the online casino business. PartyCasino has shown that poker is not the only industry on the internet.”
Cashcade, best known for its UK market-leading Foxy Bingo brand and which was acquired by PartyGaming in the Summer of 2009, won the Online Bingo Operator award for the second year running. The citation for the bingo award said: “Foxy looks like great fun and has an outstanding brand identity.”
Colin Thomson, co-founder of the International Gaming Awards, said: “To win two awards was a great achievement, endorsing PartyGaming’s leadership in the online gaming industry. PartyGaming was also a finalist for awards for Socially Responsible Operator, which is open to both land-based and online operators, and for Online Poker Operator. This is a great all-round achievement for PartyGaming!”
Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of PartyGaming, said: “We are delighted to accept these top online gaming industry accolades. The International Gaming Awards are just that – international. They are also fiercely competitive: I’m proud of our casino and bingo teams who have beaten strong competition to win these awards by providing great online gaming entertainment for our customers.”
Profiles
PartyGaming
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBingo.com
PartyGammon.com
PartyBets.com
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FoxyBingo.com
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PartyGaming PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com Bwin PartyBingo.com World Poker Tour
Britain
Gibraltar
Websites
PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com PartyBingo.com PartyGammon.com World Poker Tour
PartyGaming is proud to announce that it was a double winner at this year’s International Gaming Awards, being voted both best Online Casino Operator and Online Bingo Operator of the year. Held at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London’s Knightsbridge, the awards were open to both land-based and online operators and attracted entries from more than 300 companies from around the world.
In making the Online Casino Operator award to PartyCasino, the independent judging panel said: “PartyCasino is certainly leading the online casino business. PartyCasino has shown that poker is not the only industry on the internet.”
Cashcade, best known for its UK market-leading Foxy Bingo brand and which was acquired by PartyGaming in the Summer of 2009, won the Online Bingo Operator award for the second year running. The citation for the bingo award said: “Foxy looks like great fun and has an outstanding brand identity.”
Colin Thomson, co-founder of the International Gaming Awards, said: “To win two awards was a great achievement, endorsing PartyGaming’s leadership in the online gaming industry. PartyGaming was also a finalist for awards for Socially Responsible Operator, which is open to both land-based and online operators, and for Online Poker Operator. This is a great all-round achievement for PartyGaming!”
Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of PartyGaming, said: “We are delighted to accept these top online gaming industry accolades. The International Gaming Awards are just that – international. They are also fiercely competitive: I’m proud of our casino and bingo teams who have beaten strong competition to win these awards by providing great online gaming entertainment for our customers.”
Profiles
PartyGaming
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBingo.com
PartyGammon.com
PartyBets.com
GameBookers.com
FoxyBingo.com
Bwin
Cashcade
World Poker Tour
Politics
Britain
Gibraltar
News
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