G'day punters, journos, high rollers - casino whales, gambling millionaires and billionaires, entertainment news junkies, media tycoons, politicians, insiders, outsiders, ... one and all. You know who you are. Today we take a close look at what's news in the world of Australian and Oriental casino and media whales. We've got James Packer, Rupert Murdoch, Stanley Ho and more. Media Man and Gambling911 probe the sector with a report that is right on the money...
James Packer; Australian Gambling's Favorite Son...
We like him, and so should you. He is the ever rising gambling and media powerhouse of the Asia Pacific region, and Australia's undisputed casino king. Yep, he's 'Our James'. Yeah, we are shareholders in Crown Limited and Ten Network too, but we've always been up front about it. What's news with Packer? Glad you asked...
Packer Earnings?...
James Packer: the executive chairman of Crown Limited was valued at $4.1 billion by Business Review Weekly last year but drew no directors fees from the casino company or Consolidated Media Holdings. It was his old man Kerry, who started initiative. Crown offered up JP $112 million of dividends in 2010 whilst CMH provided $46 million so we guess a salary is not required when you have an annual income of $158 million.
Stanley Ho (Update)
More Twists And Turns In War For Casino Tycoon's Millions...
Family members involved in a dispute with unwell casino mogul Stanley Ho over ownership of his gambling empire said he has dropped his lawsuit against them, but a law firm representing the billionaire denied it Monday. It's yet another twist in a family feud that erupted last week over who will control Ho's stake, worth about $1.6 billion, in his casino company in Macau, the world's most lucrative gambling market.
Ho, who was hospitalized for seven months after reportedly undergoing brain surgery in August 2009, has 16 surviving children by four women he calls his "wives." The unfolding drama highlights a power struggle between different branches of the family for control of his casino empire. The families of Ho's second and third wives said late Sunday that Ho "does not see any point" in going through with the legal action filed last week, which alleged that the shares were improperly transferred from Ho to them. The two families released a letter written in Chinese purportedly signed by Ho in which he said that he is dropping the "unnecessary steps of legal procedures," which he had taken because of a recent lack of understanding and communication. But law firm Oldham, Li and Nie said it is going forward with the lawsuit, saying Ho confirmed his wishes to "take all available action" to ensure that his assets are divided equally among the families of his four wives. "His wishes are to continue to pursue this matter," senior partner Gordon Oldham said in comments broadcast Monday on a local cable television news channel. The controversy erupted a week ago when Hong Kong-listed casino operator Sociedade de Jogos de Macau announced that Ho, who owns roughly 18 percent of the company through a series of holdings, transferred the stake to his third wife and five children from his second wife. Oldham said Ho believed the transfer was improper, while the family members released documents they said proved he agreed to it. Oldham then filed suit to reclaim the assets. At one point, Ho appeared on television with his third wife and one of their daughters to say he was dropping the suit. But Oldham said Ho told him later he was pressured into making the statement.
26th January 2011...
Billionaire Stanley Ho has accelerated the handover of his Macau casino empire to his family, including his son Lawrence, a partner in the Melco Crown Entertainment joint venture with James Packer. Ten months after leaving hospital, Mr Ho, 89, has given a 31.7 per cent stake in Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau (STDM), the parent company of Asia's largest casino operator, SJM Holdings, to two companies owned by members of his family. SJM shares fell sharply after the announcement in Hong Kong on concern the transfer may affect decision making at the casino company. Mr Ho, who held a gambling monopoly in Macau for four decades until 2004, was discharged from hospital last March after seven months and two operations. "He's been the real strength," said Andrew Sullivan at OSK Securities Hong Kong. "Now, instead of dealing with Stanley, you may deal with a lot more people. It introduces a huge element of uncertainty in what is already a cut-throat business." SJM stock closed 4 per cent lower at $HK13.80 ($1.78) after earlier falling nearly 9 per cent. The stock had more than tripled in the past year. The stake in STDM will be held by a company called Lanceford. Action Winner Holdings will hold a 50.55 per cent stake in Lanceford and Ranillo Investment will have 49.45 per cent. Action Winner is owned by Mr Ho's third wife, Chan Un-chan, and Ranillo by Mr Ho's children Pansy, Daisy, Maisy, Josie and Lawrence. ''Stanley Ho is getting old,'' said Victor Yip, an analyst at UOB-Kay Hian. "(This) is part of his plan to distribute his wealth to family members. SJM's daily operations are already handled by Ho's assistants." SJM has a market share of 32.6% in Macau, the world's biggest gambling hub and the only place in China where casinos are legal. Melco Crown, a joint venture between Lawrence Ho's company and James Packer's Crown, has a market share of 11.7 per cent. SJM runs 20 casinos in Macau, including its flagship Casino Lisboa. Casino revenue in Macau could rise to $US30 billion this year as visitors from mainland China increase. Last year's rise of $US8.6 billion is 50% more than the total revenue for the Las Vegas Strip for all of 2010.
Gambling And Media Man Pay Packets Of Aussies (and Murdoch Senior)...
Bruce Mathieson: the 25% owner of the giant ALH pokies joint venture controlled by Woolworths is valued by BRW at $1 billion, but the retailer has declined to reveal what, if anything, the veteran publican is paid to run the operation. His package has never been disclosed in a Woolworths remuneration report over the five years he's been in charge so it must be relatively modest.
Rupert Murdoch & sons: BRW does not put a price on RM because he is actually a US citizen, but his family's controlling stake in News Corporation is worth roughly $5.5 billion and carries no debt. The News Corp executive chairman was paid a total of $US22.72 million in 2009-10, down a tad from a high of $US30 million in 2007-08. Rupert's youngest son James Murdoch pocketed $US10.3 million last year, but at least this was down from $US17.1 million in 2007-08.
Lachlan Murdoch: Elder son Lachlan Murdoch is now a non-executive director who snatched US1.8 million in 2009-10 thanks to an adjustment to his severance package, so the total salary take for the Murdoch family was a sweet $US34.8 million. Just imagine what other benefits come with being a Murdoch!
Gina Rinehart: she (not he) is the mining heiress (she's not that keen on the tag) is valued at $4.75 billion but her only public board followed on from the purchase of 10% stake in Ten Network Holdings last year. Ten advises that the board is yet to determine what, if anything, billionaire directors such as James Packer and Gina Rinehart will be paid. At least it's not a "No Way". The other non-executive directors averaged about $90,000 in 2010, which is chicken feed for the likes of 'Our Gina', yeah, she gets a loveable nickname too. Welcome to the inner fold GR!
James Warburton And Friends...
Nine Questions Ten Board Of Directors Advertising Figures...
The Nine Network's managing director Jeffrey Browne has written to the board of Ten Network Holdings, in a bid persuade the broadcaster to reverse its decision in pulling out of free-to-air television's revenue share figures. According to The Australian, the request will be considered by all board members, including the recently appointed James Packer, Win Television owner Bruce Gordon, and mining executive Gina Rinehart. Together, they have the power to override the decision made by Ten's chief executive Grant Blackley. Ten withdrew from the collection of data in July, citing "serious concerns regarding the accuracy and allocation of metropolitan commercial television revenue data". "The reason for our decision was detailed last year and our position has not changed," a Ten spokesman said. While accountancy firm KPMG Australia collects television advertising revenue, it does not audit the figures. Ten executives believed that Nine, who flatly deny the suggestion, overstated revenue for clients dealing directly with the network. Last year's figures released by Free TV Australia, showed that Ten's share of the television advertising market fell well short of Blackley's 30 per cent forecast. It instead positioned third with 28.9 per cent, well behind Nine on 32.2 percent and market leader Seven on 37.9 per cent. The three commercial networks rarely see eye-to-eye on television ratings or revenue. Television ratings reports, which were released at the end of the 2010 survey period, saw each network quote figures against differing benchmarks in order to highlight their performance. Each network claimed victory, but results depended on how they measured success in a changing television landscape. Meanwhile, in what could be described as a rarity, Seven and Nine appear to have agreed on the issue. "The debate about performance would be far more objective if all networks submitted to the decision of...KPMG," said Browne. Similarly, Seven's chief of sales and digital officer, James Warburton, said, "It's a shame not to have an official industry number." But it wasn't long before the rivals were back arguing over the final results, with each network preferring different research houses. Nine's provider leaves out figures for direct bookings, whilst Seven's provider Adex does not include coverage for digital multichannels. True to form, both networks went on to claim a dominant performance in the 2010 ratings race, seemingly forgetting about Ten in order to take another shot at each other.
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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Media Man Canada
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Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Crown Casino Demands Aussie Government Lift Game For Asian High Rollers, by Greg Tingle - 30th January 2011
G'day punters, journos, high rollers - casino whale VIP's, gambling millionaires and billionaires, poker sharks, entertainment and arts news junkies, media tycoons, politicians, insiders, outsiders, legal eagles... one and all. You know who you are. Oriental high rolling VIP's, all 200 plus of them, are the world's most sought after casino clients, and James Packer's Crown Limited is demanding that the Australian government life their own game to help ensure the whales will come swimming (and jetting) to Australia. Media Man and Gambling911 with this high rolling report...
Casino and gambling big wigs have started to force the hand of the federal Government to streamline customs and immigration processing for Oriental high rolling whales flying down under into Australia.
James Packer's Crown Casino, and now Burswood and floating 'Infinity' wants visas made much easier to obtain, more frequent direct flights from Asia and VIP customs lounges at airports so high rolling gamblers can bypass those long queues.
Crown's chief executive Rowen Craigie advised the press the enhancements were absolutely necessary if Australia hopes to plug into the extremely lucrative middle and upper-class Chinese tourism market.
"They are the sort of issues we want to talk about with the federal Government," Craigie said, noting high-rollers wanted first-class treatment (in all aspects of their visit.)
In Singapore, where two world class casino resorts worth $11 billion opened last year, the Government has built a private lounge to fast-track customs and immigration processing for high-rollers. Officials meet and greet VIPs at the air-bridge and escort them through the process, then casino valets and porters arrive.
"It needs to be competitive," Craigie said. "At the moment, it's not."
Craigie welcomed the review that the Government announced last month into education visas. He said a similar process needed to be applied to tourist visas.
In another ultra competitive sector, higher education, the industry won the review into education visa processing after complaining that lack of access was discouraging students from studying in Australia. A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Chris Bowen would not commit to reviewing tourist visas.
Some insiders say the Immigration Department and some casinos have long-standing, prior arrangements for certain VIPs to access slightly more streamlined immigration processing.
"Australia's migration and visa programs are global and non-discriminatory," the spokeswoman said. "Where possible (we) offer streamlined processing to low-risk clients, primarily through electronic visas but also through preferred processing of applications lodged through trusted agents, as occurs in China."
Packer mate, Sir Richard Branson, king of Virgin (airline included) has casino whales on his radar, however its unclear if RB will be going after the sector this year. Packer's other Brit mate, Damian Aspinall, earlier this week advised he would be closing his Aspinall's (land based) casino, which can't have given the sector much of a confidence boost, but it might have lifted the confidence levels of gamblers, with gamblers obviously chipping away at the profits by winning. And we all thought the house always wins! Well, maybe it does, but Aspinall's house is down. Packer won't want the same luck, nor will Branson.
Stay tuned for more on the high rolling VIP's and Crown Casino management wish list.
Sneak Peak Into The World Of Oriental Casino Whales And High Rollers...
The king of the Oriental casino whales, Stanley Ho, has been in the news a lot lately, so we thought it was timely to offer the loyal readership a glimpse into the world of a whale and his pool of Asia high rollers, who by the way James Packer's Crown Casino (and Tabcorp's Star City) just to be fair, are looking to lure down under to Australia.
This is Lifestyle of the rich (and often not so famous). They don't want to be that well known outside their inner circle casino and poker dens of choice. They are the world's real casino whales and super VIP's.
Stanley Ho is one of the world's most powerful casino super whales, and he's got about 200 other whales to keep satisfied. Australian gambling entrepreneurs are looking for a greater bite of the whales swimming the ocean, and one needs to have the best lure, bait and service to ensure the whale clientele keep coming back for more.
It's the high stakes world of casino and poker tourism, and competition for the gambling and entertainment dollar has never been tougher.
They jet in for free on a $40 million Gulfstream, direct from Shanghai. The family of three is whisked from the airport in a limousine to villa valued at $27,000 a night and occupying the entire 38th floor at Melbourne's Crown Towers.
A team of staff, including a butler and chef, just meet just about any request the whale will have.
On Level 39 just about anything can happen, if the whale desires. There's gaming salons, all private, a croupier, cards and a wooden pallet are at the table. Officially betting limits are $300,000 per hand, but by special arrangement, this high roller could punt $1 million or more on a single hand of baccarat. He's one of the new US-dollar billionaires of China, a group that jumped by double last year. China is home to about 200 billionaires, second only to the United States, sitting on 403.
Casinos from Sydney, to Melbourne, to Macau to Singapore and Las Vegas are investing billions to secure a good part of this rapidly expanding sector. In Australia, the two biggest casino operators, Crown Limited and Tabcorp are spending $1.9 billion and $1.6 billion respectively on their gaming venues across four states. You could call it cash burn on the casinos part, but the rewards can be high for winning casino operators, where money (and world class service and entertainment) are the name of the game.
New six-star hotels, private jets, entertainment rooms, private gaming salons and dozens of celebrity-chef restaurants are all part of the extreme makeovers designed to make the likes of Star City, Crown Melbourne, Perth's Burswood, and Jupiters on the Gold Coast mega entertainment and tourism destinations. James Packer even has his 'Infinity' yacht ready for them off the coast of Western Australia.
The last Kerry Packer was once the king of the whales and only a few casinos in Las Vegas would accommodate him, thanks to his ability to break a casino, if lady luck went his way, and if often did.
Today, high rollers, most of them from China, also play hard and millions of dollars can pass across the table in an hour or two.
"I wouldn't call it war," Crown boss Rowen Craigie said.
"But obviously there's major investments in integrated resorts."
Integrated resorts is a term now frequently used by the newest player on the block, Singapore, to describe the mega entertainment and tourism complexes it has built around casinos. Singapore saw the boom coming, and threw out gambling restrictions in 2004 to invite private investment of $US11 billion in two super ambitious gaming, hotel and convention resorts.
The effect on inbound tourism was virtually immediate, increasing by 22% since Marina Bay Sands and Resort World Sentosa opened in the past year. "When it comes to tackling tourism from China, you have to look at what Singapore is doing," Craigie said.
At Marina Bay Sands, which cost $US6 billion, daily gaming revenue hit $4.5 million late last year, after the mid-2010 opening. It came at a cost to casinos elsewhere, with Crown's VIP revenues at its Melbourne and Perth casinos in the first six months of this financial year taking a hit, down 10% or about $35 million.
Crown's chairman James Packer used the company's AGM late last year to call for state and federal governments to change their attitude from ignoring to instead promoting casinos in official domestic and international tourism campaigns. Packer would like to see heavy private investment in "integrated resorts" matched by government backing in the form of marketing, improved visa access and procedures for VIPs and other gamblers and more direct flights from Asia.
In Singapore, high rollers are greeted by officials at Changi airport, and escorted through a private lounge for fast-tracked customs and immigration formalities. The Singaporean government actively promotes the two resorts through a special branch within its tourism authority. The resorts are a crucial part of the national campaign to rebrand Singapore as a fun place to be.
Packer told the AGM in November "I believe that Australia needs to meet the challenges and capture the opportunities that the fast growing tourism markets from Asia are presenting to this country. In order to progress this, I truly believe that it will be necessary for federal and state governments, the broader tourism industry and key Asian-focused tourism operators such as Crown to work more closely together."
A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Chris Bowen would not commit to reviewing tourist visas for gamblers. "Australia's migration and visa programs are global and non-discriminatory," the spokeswoman said.
Cashed-up Chinese tourists want to gamble, but they also want to experience the finer things in life, Craigie said. Their preference is for urban attractions, so Uluru, Sydney's beaches and the Great Barrier Reef are not enough.
"You need urban tourist attractions, not just natural resource tourist attractions," Craigie said.
At Singapore's Marina Bay Sands conventions of up to 45,000 delegates can be accommodated, there are 2,560 hotel rooms and suites and a SkyPark which sits like a gigantic ship's deck stretched atop three high-rise towers. The Iron Chef of America Mario Batali, is one of a handful of world-class celebrity chefs running restaurants in the complex. There's an art and science museum and in coming weeks theatre guests can take their pick of The Lion King, Elvis Costello or Slumdog Millionaire's AR Rahman.
In lifting gambling bans in 2004, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong withstood considerable community pressure, including claims that the casinos would cost Singaporean families more than $500 million a year due to problem gambling. Locals are taxed $S100 a day to gamble in the casinos.
In 2005 Lee said: "The great majority will not go there to gamble. They will be tourists, executives or businessmen who go to enjoy the resort of attend conventions or conferences."
Tabcorp backs Packer and Crown's sentiment on the need for casinos and government co-operation to boost tourism. Crown customer research found that its clients venture out of the complex to enjoy other tourist attractions during their visit, spending about $40 million (check) outside the Crown site every year.
Tabcorp is spending almost $1 billion upgrading Sydney's Star City and another $625 billion upgrading its three casinos in Queensland. "I absolutely believe Star City will boost tourism," Star's managing director Sid Vaikunta told Agenda.
In Sydney, Tabcorp is making its first serious play for the high roller and luxury tourism market, which for Crown Casino, the market leader on VIPs, means the first real domestic competition.
High rollers collectively plunged $28 billion on Australian gaming tables in the first six months of last year. Tabcorp's share was 16 per cent, or $4.48 billion. Across the 12 months to June 2010, VIP turnover at Crown's two casinos in Melbourne and Perth was $40 billion.
"Our goal is to grow the market," Vaikunta said. The biggest gaming revenue day of the year at Star is Christmas Day and Star's intention with the redevelopment is to continue to look after its main audience of local gamblers, while opening up a new market of VIPs and rich tourists.
"We believe in the city, it has charisma, and we want it to reach that potential, as a charismatic city," Vaikunta said. "We are spending almost $1 billion and a large part of that is a trade-up in quality."
Over the next year or so a new luxury 172-room hotel will open and among the six celebrity chefs fronting 20 new restaurants are David Chang from New York, master of modern Italian Stefano Manfedi and Masterchef star Adriano Zumbo. Last week Star spent the first half of a $100 million budget for two private jets for VIPs: a Bombardier Global Express XRS.
Vaikunta said the exclusive A-list concert with Bon Jovi at Star City in December last year was a taste of things to come, when a $100-million, 3000-seat events centre is completed next year (2012). Take any big act that toured Australia last year - Lady Gaga, ACDC, Guns N Roses - and this is the calibre of musical exclusive the casino hopes to sell, at a premium price, in this new venue, he said.
The complex is being re-orientated to face the harbour, with floor to ceiling glass, outdoor gaming and balconies. Inside will be significantly changed from the windowless maze of gaming rooms that Star has been lampooned for in the past. Also going is the dated and gawdy tropical oasis display and in its place will be chandeliers and contemporary furniture.
Vaikunta hopes that in return the state and federal governments will promote Star, and give it more poker machine licenses. While no formal proposal on increasing poker machine licenses had been put to the NSW Government or opposition, Vaikunta pointed out that Crown Melbourne had 2500 poker machines, about 1000 more than Star. QLD Premier Anna Bligh recently gave the go ahead to increase by 500 the number of poker machines in two of Tabcorp's 3 QLD casinos. The Victorian Government last year gave Crown Melbourne the green light to add another 150 new gaming tables.
Macau, the only Chinese territory where gaming is legal, has just overtaken Las Vegas as the world's biggest destination for gamblers. In recent years $A17 billion has been invested in casino resorts and monthly gross casino revenue hit $US2.4 billion in December. Annual gross gaming revenue hit a record $23.5 billion, trumping Las Vegas strip takings by four fold, according to analysts. Visitors to the modest sized province have increased from 9.5 million in 2001 to more than 23 million.
Singapore is forecast to become the gaming capital of the world by 2012 and national target for visitors is 17 million by 2015. In Australia, Packer told his AGM, tourist numbers had been flat for a decade at around 5 million people.
Packer must be sorry his bid to develop one of the Singapore casinos failed. But he is tipped to raise his hand again, when other markets open up overseas. Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines are all considering "integrated resort" developments.
Stay tuned for more on the super whales and high rolling VIP's, and if you can't wait for the next plane, feel welcome to browse the casino games and reviews on the website. You don't get a butler online, but at least its private. Might be just the thing to get you in the mood to visit Crown's super whale offerings down under in Melbourne, or take your gambling to a new level of Packer's 'Infinity' floating casino.
Crown Limited and Australian government departments - your throw of the dice. No bluff!
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 Ten Network Holdings
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Casino and gambling big wigs have started to force the hand of the federal Government to streamline customs and immigration processing for Oriental high rolling whales flying down under into Australia.
James Packer's Crown Casino, and now Burswood and floating 'Infinity' wants visas made much easier to obtain, more frequent direct flights from Asia and VIP customs lounges at airports so high rolling gamblers can bypass those long queues.
Crown's chief executive Rowen Craigie advised the press the enhancements were absolutely necessary if Australia hopes to plug into the extremely lucrative middle and upper-class Chinese tourism market.
"They are the sort of issues we want to talk about with the federal Government," Craigie said, noting high-rollers wanted first-class treatment (in all aspects of their visit.)
In Singapore, where two world class casino resorts worth $11 billion opened last year, the Government has built a private lounge to fast-track customs and immigration processing for high-rollers. Officials meet and greet VIPs at the air-bridge and escort them through the process, then casino valets and porters arrive.
"It needs to be competitive," Craigie said. "At the moment, it's not."
Craigie welcomed the review that the Government announced last month into education visas. He said a similar process needed to be applied to tourist visas.
In another ultra competitive sector, higher education, the industry won the review into education visa processing after complaining that lack of access was discouraging students from studying in Australia. A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Chris Bowen would not commit to reviewing tourist visas.
Some insiders say the Immigration Department and some casinos have long-standing, prior arrangements for certain VIPs to access slightly more streamlined immigration processing.
"Australia's migration and visa programs are global and non-discriminatory," the spokeswoman said. "Where possible (we) offer streamlined processing to low-risk clients, primarily through electronic visas but also through preferred processing of applications lodged through trusted agents, as occurs in China."
Packer mate, Sir Richard Branson, king of Virgin (airline included) has casino whales on his radar, however its unclear if RB will be going after the sector this year. Packer's other Brit mate, Damian Aspinall, earlier this week advised he would be closing his Aspinall's (land based) casino, which can't have given the sector much of a confidence boost, but it might have lifted the confidence levels of gamblers, with gamblers obviously chipping away at the profits by winning. And we all thought the house always wins! Well, maybe it does, but Aspinall's house is down. Packer won't want the same luck, nor will Branson.
Stay tuned for more on the high rolling VIP's and Crown Casino management wish list.
Sneak Peak Into The World Of Oriental Casino Whales And High Rollers...
The king of the Oriental casino whales, Stanley Ho, has been in the news a lot lately, so we thought it was timely to offer the loyal readership a glimpse into the world of a whale and his pool of Asia high rollers, who by the way James Packer's Crown Casino (and Tabcorp's Star City) just to be fair, are looking to lure down under to Australia.
This is Lifestyle of the rich (and often not so famous). They don't want to be that well known outside their inner circle casino and poker dens of choice. They are the world's real casino whales and super VIP's.
Stanley Ho is one of the world's most powerful casino super whales, and he's got about 200 other whales to keep satisfied. Australian gambling entrepreneurs are looking for a greater bite of the whales swimming the ocean, and one needs to have the best lure, bait and service to ensure the whale clientele keep coming back for more.
It's the high stakes world of casino and poker tourism, and competition for the gambling and entertainment dollar has never been tougher.
They jet in for free on a $40 million Gulfstream, direct from Shanghai. The family of three is whisked from the airport in a limousine to villa valued at $27,000 a night and occupying the entire 38th floor at Melbourne's Crown Towers.
A team of staff, including a butler and chef, just meet just about any request the whale will have.
On Level 39 just about anything can happen, if the whale desires. There's gaming salons, all private, a croupier, cards and a wooden pallet are at the table. Officially betting limits are $300,000 per hand, but by special arrangement, this high roller could punt $1 million or more on a single hand of baccarat. He's one of the new US-dollar billionaires of China, a group that jumped by double last year. China is home to about 200 billionaires, second only to the United States, sitting on 403.
Casinos from Sydney, to Melbourne, to Macau to Singapore and Las Vegas are investing billions to secure a good part of this rapidly expanding sector. In Australia, the two biggest casino operators, Crown Limited and Tabcorp are spending $1.9 billion and $1.6 billion respectively on their gaming venues across four states. You could call it cash burn on the casinos part, but the rewards can be high for winning casino operators, where money (and world class service and entertainment) are the name of the game.
New six-star hotels, private jets, entertainment rooms, private gaming salons and dozens of celebrity-chef restaurants are all part of the extreme makeovers designed to make the likes of Star City, Crown Melbourne, Perth's Burswood, and Jupiters on the Gold Coast mega entertainment and tourism destinations. James Packer even has his 'Infinity' yacht ready for them off the coast of Western Australia.
The last Kerry Packer was once the king of the whales and only a few casinos in Las Vegas would accommodate him, thanks to his ability to break a casino, if lady luck went his way, and if often did.
Today, high rollers, most of them from China, also play hard and millions of dollars can pass across the table in an hour or two.
"I wouldn't call it war," Crown boss Rowen Craigie said.
"But obviously there's major investments in integrated resorts."
Integrated resorts is a term now frequently used by the newest player on the block, Singapore, to describe the mega entertainment and tourism complexes it has built around casinos. Singapore saw the boom coming, and threw out gambling restrictions in 2004 to invite private investment of $US11 billion in two super ambitious gaming, hotel and convention resorts.
The effect on inbound tourism was virtually immediate, increasing by 22% since Marina Bay Sands and Resort World Sentosa opened in the past year. "When it comes to tackling tourism from China, you have to look at what Singapore is doing," Craigie said.
At Marina Bay Sands, which cost $US6 billion, daily gaming revenue hit $4.5 million late last year, after the mid-2010 opening. It came at a cost to casinos elsewhere, with Crown's VIP revenues at its Melbourne and Perth casinos in the first six months of this financial year taking a hit, down 10% or about $35 million.
Crown's chairman James Packer used the company's AGM late last year to call for state and federal governments to change their attitude from ignoring to instead promoting casinos in official domestic and international tourism campaigns. Packer would like to see heavy private investment in "integrated resorts" matched by government backing in the form of marketing, improved visa access and procedures for VIPs and other gamblers and more direct flights from Asia.
In Singapore, high rollers are greeted by officials at Changi airport, and escorted through a private lounge for fast-tracked customs and immigration formalities. The Singaporean government actively promotes the two resorts through a special branch within its tourism authority. The resorts are a crucial part of the national campaign to rebrand Singapore as a fun place to be.
Packer told the AGM in November "I believe that Australia needs to meet the challenges and capture the opportunities that the fast growing tourism markets from Asia are presenting to this country. In order to progress this, I truly believe that it will be necessary for federal and state governments, the broader tourism industry and key Asian-focused tourism operators such as Crown to work more closely together."
A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Chris Bowen would not commit to reviewing tourist visas for gamblers. "Australia's migration and visa programs are global and non-discriminatory," the spokeswoman said.
Cashed-up Chinese tourists want to gamble, but they also want to experience the finer things in life, Craigie said. Their preference is for urban attractions, so Uluru, Sydney's beaches and the Great Barrier Reef are not enough.
"You need urban tourist attractions, not just natural resource tourist attractions," Craigie said.
At Singapore's Marina Bay Sands conventions of up to 45,000 delegates can be accommodated, there are 2,560 hotel rooms and suites and a SkyPark which sits like a gigantic ship's deck stretched atop three high-rise towers. The Iron Chef of America Mario Batali, is one of a handful of world-class celebrity chefs running restaurants in the complex. There's an art and science museum and in coming weeks theatre guests can take their pick of The Lion King, Elvis Costello or Slumdog Millionaire's AR Rahman.
In lifting gambling bans in 2004, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong withstood considerable community pressure, including claims that the casinos would cost Singaporean families more than $500 million a year due to problem gambling. Locals are taxed $S100 a day to gamble in the casinos.
In 2005 Lee said: "The great majority will not go there to gamble. They will be tourists, executives or businessmen who go to enjoy the resort of attend conventions or conferences."
Tabcorp backs Packer and Crown's sentiment on the need for casinos and government co-operation to boost tourism. Crown customer research found that its clients venture out of the complex to enjoy other tourist attractions during their visit, spending about $40 million (check) outside the Crown site every year.
Tabcorp is spending almost $1 billion upgrading Sydney's Star City and another $625 billion upgrading its three casinos in Queensland. "I absolutely believe Star City will boost tourism," Star's managing director Sid Vaikunta told Agenda.
In Sydney, Tabcorp is making its first serious play for the high roller and luxury tourism market, which for Crown Casino, the market leader on VIPs, means the first real domestic competition.
High rollers collectively plunged $28 billion on Australian gaming tables in the first six months of last year. Tabcorp's share was 16 per cent, or $4.48 billion. Across the 12 months to June 2010, VIP turnover at Crown's two casinos in Melbourne and Perth was $40 billion.
"Our goal is to grow the market," Vaikunta said. The biggest gaming revenue day of the year at Star is Christmas Day and Star's intention with the redevelopment is to continue to look after its main audience of local gamblers, while opening up a new market of VIPs and rich tourists.
"We believe in the city, it has charisma, and we want it to reach that potential, as a charismatic city," Vaikunta said. "We are spending almost $1 billion and a large part of that is a trade-up in quality."
Over the next year or so a new luxury 172-room hotel will open and among the six celebrity chefs fronting 20 new restaurants are David Chang from New York, master of modern Italian Stefano Manfedi and Masterchef star Adriano Zumbo. Last week Star spent the first half of a $100 million budget for two private jets for VIPs: a Bombardier Global Express XRS.
Vaikunta said the exclusive A-list concert with Bon Jovi at Star City in December last year was a taste of things to come, when a $100-million, 3000-seat events centre is completed next year (2012). Take any big act that toured Australia last year - Lady Gaga, ACDC, Guns N Roses - and this is the calibre of musical exclusive the casino hopes to sell, at a premium price, in this new venue, he said.
The complex is being re-orientated to face the harbour, with floor to ceiling glass, outdoor gaming and balconies. Inside will be significantly changed from the windowless maze of gaming rooms that Star has been lampooned for in the past. Also going is the dated and gawdy tropical oasis display and in its place will be chandeliers and contemporary furniture.
Vaikunta hopes that in return the state and federal governments will promote Star, and give it more poker machine licenses. While no formal proposal on increasing poker machine licenses had been put to the NSW Government or opposition, Vaikunta pointed out that Crown Melbourne had 2500 poker machines, about 1000 more than Star. QLD Premier Anna Bligh recently gave the go ahead to increase by 500 the number of poker machines in two of Tabcorp's 3 QLD casinos. The Victorian Government last year gave Crown Melbourne the green light to add another 150 new gaming tables.
Macau, the only Chinese territory where gaming is legal, has just overtaken Las Vegas as the world's biggest destination for gamblers. In recent years $A17 billion has been invested in casino resorts and monthly gross casino revenue hit $US2.4 billion in December. Annual gross gaming revenue hit a record $23.5 billion, trumping Las Vegas strip takings by four fold, according to analysts. Visitors to the modest sized province have increased from 9.5 million in 2001 to more than 23 million.
Singapore is forecast to become the gaming capital of the world by 2012 and national target for visitors is 17 million by 2015. In Australia, Packer told his AGM, tourist numbers had been flat for a decade at around 5 million people.
Packer must be sorry his bid to develop one of the Singapore casinos failed. But he is tipped to raise his hand again, when other markets open up overseas. Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines are all considering "integrated resort" developments.
Stay tuned for more on the super whales and high rolling VIP's, and if you can't wait for the next plane, feel welcome to browse the casino games and reviews on the website. You don't get a butler online, but at least its private. Might be just the thing to get you in the mood to visit Crown's super whale offerings down under in Melbourne, or take your gambling to a new level of Packer's 'Infinity' floating casino.
Crown Limited and Australian government departments - your throw of the dice. No bluff!
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 Ten Network Holdings
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Australia Zoo Viva Crocodile Las Vegas Back On, by Greg Tingle - 30th January 2011
G'day punters, journos, high rollers - casino whales, gambling millionaires and billionaires, entertainment and arts news junkies, media tycoons, politicians, insiders, outsiders, legal eagles and friends at Australia Zoo... one and all. You know who you are. They say never smile at a crocodile, but today we learn that some Australia Zoo management are smiling at Las Vegas opportunities, while some zoo staff are not smiling back at the zoo's management and best laid plans. Media Man and Gambling911 probe crocodiles, management, staff and the Las Vegas Strip with their ferocious report...
Australia Zoo Management Smiling At Las Vegas Trip; Some Zoo Staff Crocodile Tears...
Zoo Director Wes Mannion and General Manager Frank Muscillo recently flew business class to Las Vegas, also taking in California, two days after more than 20 employees were relieved of their services (fired or retrenched if you will) from Terri Irwin's world famous zoo last Monday.
The main goal of the trip is to secure a large business deal for Terri and the Zoo in or around the Las Vegas Strip. Think Crocodile A Mania or crocodile - wild life entertainment complex. Wayne's World meets Oprah Winfrey Show meets PT Barnum? You be the judge, but you get the idea.
Gaming and gambling are big business and a significant part of the entertainment industry. Look no further than the recent South Sydney Rabbitoh's deal with Star City casino or the Penrith Panthers deal with Centrebet. PartyGaming also inked a few deals with U.S land based casinos last week.
Yes, these deals sent gaming haters animal, but they still happened.
An Australia Zoo spokesperson said head crocodile - humans Mannion and Muscillo were in California seeking opportunities that would cement the financial future for Australia Zoo and attract international tourists back to the Coast.
"These business class flights were booked a year in advance on a travel sale," the spokesperson said.
Last June, Terri Irwin announced Australia Zoo was pushing ahead with a $300 million plan to replicate the famed Beerwah wildlife haven in the gambling mecca of Las Vegas, a story well publicised by news powerhouses Media Man and Gambling911, and picked up many wires the world over.
Terri advised the plans would employ about 900 people – about half of them Australians.
At the zoo dozens of ex workers are struggling to come to terms with the recent job losses, with a few tears been shed.
A dismissed staff member, who does not wish to be named for fear of backlash, said news of the pair’s overseas trip was "an insult".
"In the face of something like this they have just disappeared, while everyone else is left behind trying to work out how to pay the bills. It’s un-Australian – if things are so tight that they need to lay off staff, why aren’t they flying economy? It’s not just casuals that have lost their jobs either, there are full-time staff that have been there for considerable amounts of time and are now unemployed."
Retrenched zoo staff were further aggravated, if not embarrassed, this week when a mass e-mail was circulated containing an information fact sheet to help with their search for new employment.
"The email addresses of all staff members who were presumably made redundant were there for everyone to see. There has been no respect for anyone’s privacy. It’s unprofessional.", said a leaker.
Well, its all out in the open now. Who will be the next prey? Just kidding.
Las Vegas Strip or California to catch Terri's Crocodile-A-Mania? Tell us in the forum!
Media Man and Gambling911 are smiling at the Zoo's proposal. Just if or when the smiles in Vegas turns into dollars and a deal for Terri Irwin and team remains to be seen, but our spies on the strip tell us that Team Terri will be grinning ear to ear soon enough, dispute crocodile tears from some of her detractors. As fellow Aussie media and entertainment entrepreneur Russell Crowe recently covered in regards to gambling and having a punt, "Business is business. It's a reality check." Yep, having a punt in only natural. Enter the jungle!
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
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australia Zoo Management Smiling At Las Vegas Trip; Some Zoo Staff Crocodile Tears...
Zoo Director Wes Mannion and General Manager Frank Muscillo recently flew business class to Las Vegas, also taking in California, two days after more than 20 employees were relieved of their services (fired or retrenched if you will) from Terri Irwin's world famous zoo last Monday.
The main goal of the trip is to secure a large business deal for Terri and the Zoo in or around the Las Vegas Strip. Think Crocodile A Mania or crocodile - wild life entertainment complex. Wayne's World meets Oprah Winfrey Show meets PT Barnum? You be the judge, but you get the idea.
Gaming and gambling are big business and a significant part of the entertainment industry. Look no further than the recent South Sydney Rabbitoh's deal with Star City casino or the Penrith Panthers deal with Centrebet. PartyGaming also inked a few deals with U.S land based casinos last week.
Yes, these deals sent gaming haters animal, but they still happened.
An Australia Zoo spokesperson said head crocodile - humans Mannion and Muscillo were in California seeking opportunities that would cement the financial future for Australia Zoo and attract international tourists back to the Coast.
"These business class flights were booked a year in advance on a travel sale," the spokesperson said.
Last June, Terri Irwin announced Australia Zoo was pushing ahead with a $300 million plan to replicate the famed Beerwah wildlife haven in the gambling mecca of Las Vegas, a story well publicised by news powerhouses Media Man and Gambling911, and picked up many wires the world over.
Terri advised the plans would employ about 900 people – about half of them Australians.
At the zoo dozens of ex workers are struggling to come to terms with the recent job losses, with a few tears been shed.
A dismissed staff member, who does not wish to be named for fear of backlash, said news of the pair’s overseas trip was "an insult".
"In the face of something like this they have just disappeared, while everyone else is left behind trying to work out how to pay the bills. It’s un-Australian – if things are so tight that they need to lay off staff, why aren’t they flying economy? It’s not just casuals that have lost their jobs either, there are full-time staff that have been there for considerable amounts of time and are now unemployed."
Retrenched zoo staff were further aggravated, if not embarrassed, this week when a mass e-mail was circulated containing an information fact sheet to help with their search for new employment.
"The email addresses of all staff members who were presumably made redundant were there for everyone to see. There has been no respect for anyone’s privacy. It’s unprofessional.", said a leaker.
Well, its all out in the open now. Who will be the next prey? Just kidding.
Las Vegas Strip or California to catch Terri's Crocodile-A-Mania? Tell us in the forum!
Media Man and Gambling911 are smiling at the Zoo's proposal. Just if or when the smiles in Vegas turns into dollars and a deal for Terri Irwin and team remains to be seen, but our spies on the strip tell us that Team Terri will be grinning ear to ear soon enough, dispute crocodile tears from some of her detractors. As fellow Aussie media and entertainment entrepreneur Russell Crowe recently covered in regards to gambling and having a punt, "Business is business. It's a reality check." Yep, having a punt in only natural. Enter the jungle!
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
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Australian Celeb News: Media, Casino And Gaming Celebs, by Greg Tingle - 29th January 2011
G'day punters, celebrities, journos, high rollers - casino whales, gambling millionaires and billionaires, poker sharks, entertainment news junkies, media tycoons, politicians, insiders, outsiders, legal eagles,... one and all. You know who you are. Seems just about everyone is a celebrity, or knows a celebrity these days. God know the poker world is full of them. This is our Aussie celebrity special, featuring Aussie celebs from the world of media, gaming, poker and more, and even a few ring-ins for good measure. Media Man and Gambling911 with celebrities you love to love, and even a couple you love to hate...
Shane Warne...And Liz Hurley...
Warnie and Liz look to be in love, with each other and with Twitter. The spinner is hanging out for a game of poker or "poke her" with Liz, almost begging for Hurley Burley to come down under for a face to face. The couple have taken to Twitter like ducks to water. Warne and Hurley's developing romance is good fodder out for their almost half a million Twitter followers. They are now publicly planning her trip Down Under. The poker - fashion babe might be in Australia within weeks. Hurley has been tweeting about her new parrot, Ping Pong. "I'm getting jealous of ping pong! Think it's time you left ping pong alone for a while & come visit me in Australia," Warne tweeted. "No need for jealousy SW, she's not getting any cuddles or kisses!" Hurley replied. The model brunette is teaching the parrot to talk and Saints fan Warne has urged her to teach it the St Kilda club song.
"Don't forget advance Australia fair !!!! In tune too please ping pong . . . Ps organized kangaroos and koalas for your trip," he wrote. The affair between the former spinner and the movie - poker babe went public in December and the pair were busted on a romantic weekend in LA earlier this month. Both have bounce back, and judging by the Tweets, can't wait to bounce, fly and play together. Is it an Aussie expression... a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush? Never mind. Tweet me at twitter.com/mediamanint
Russell Crowe: Ex Kiwi (On Defending His South Sydney Rabbitoh's Star City Casino Deal)...
"The football club is a completely different organisation from the leagues club. We don't have any control over what the leagues club does; they run their own game." Crowe then went on to defend the move by pitching Star City as primarily an entertainment precinct and putting forward society benefits from gaming revenue, of which there is some truth in. Entertainment is the name of the game, and its broken into sub sectors. "This is an entertainment venue in general; it's not just about gaming. Let's get real about this situation; we're living in a state where they're telling us that the revenue from poker machines is paying for our hospitals. What we're talking about here is about a connection between two organisations that are all about entertainment, that are all about the future of Sydney." Souths chief executive Shane Richardson seconded the views put forward forward by NRL chief executive David "Gambling" (MM satire) Gallop this week that the association between sport and gambling "is as old as sport itself". "Let's be honest no sport in the world could ignore it, we're not holier than thou, the NFL, the English Premier League, wherever it is, there's gambling. As David Gallop said all along, it's going to be there, it's a major part of what sport is whether we like it or not and we've got to be part of it to have some sort of control over it." Crowe did concede that his own personal beliefs on gambling were at odds with the deal and recognised that problem gamblers were an issue of concern. "I don't like them (pokies). I'm not a fan of them; I've made that clear in the past. "But in life I am a gambler. The fact that I took on South Sydney underlines that." Media Man and Gambling911 congratulate both the Rabbitohs, Crowe and Tabcorp's Star City for taking a bet on this. Life is a gamble, just don't let it get the better of you, and always have fun... on and off the field. Work hard and play harder!
Julian Assange...
He is possibly Australia's most notorious public figure in a strange sort of way. Hero or Villain? Guess it depends on who you ask. If you ask Prime Minister Julia Gillard we think you know the answer! This weekends' The Australian newspaper fueled rumours that the James Bond franchise might like to have an Assange type in an upcoming flick. The journo penned...Ian Fleming could have turned the WikiLeaks boss into a villain in a James Bond novel. Given the pervasiveness of the Bond myth, it is no surprise that Assange, like Osama bin Laden before him, should be likened to a Bond villain. He has been labelled many things both positive and negative, from champion of free speech to cyber-terrorist. Perhaps the strangest, and for many fans of popular culture most glamorous, epithet applied to Julian Assange is that of Bond villain. Moreover, it is an epithet that has found widespread media acceptance. The connection has been made in blogs and especially tabloid newspapers, and equally it has surfaced in such diverse publications as Britain's The Guardian, The Financial Times and the US's The Washington Post. The most conspicuous parallel between Assange and the fantasy world of Ian Fleming's James Bond involves the Bond villain's lair. The WikiLeaks HQ, known as the Pionen data centre, is a remodelled Swedish nuclear bunker set in a granite mountain face. Special thanks to Simon Caterson at News Limited. We like your work mate.
Elle Macpherson...
The once former flame of Brit gambling tycoon Damian Aspinall has got busy again as of late. Elle Macpherson and Cate Blanchett were guests at the major bling event for the Portofino range at a dinner in Geneva yesterday. They were joined by Lost's Matthew Fox - looking heavier and a bit ratty in a Brad Pitt-style Catweazle beard - plus Kevin Spacey, Ronan Keating and more. We're sure it was a fun event. And we're sure all received a special gift.
Damian Aspinall (James Packer Mate) To Sell Aspinall's Casino In Britain Following Bad Luck!..
Damian does business with Australia's James Packer, but its possible that soon that may come to an end. The Brit has had relationships with glamorous women, including the TV presenter Donna Air, Elle Macpherson and Naomi Campbell. He confirmed the scale of the club’s debts but said it was not unusual for a casino business. He said: “You are talking about a business that has £250 million a year drop (the money staked by its clients). So it is a bit circular. You are looking at unlucky years. That is the business we are in.
“Anyone in the business with high value VIP tables will have years when you do well and years when they don’t do well because it is volatile." Asked about the house’s performance last year, he added: “That’s completely normal. You are talking about a volatile business.” He said over a 10-year period Aspinall’s was winning 18 per cent of the money gambled at its tables. But he added: “You have years when you do nine per cent and years when you do 24 per cent.” The most recent available accounts for the club are for 2009 and Mr Aspinall said the club was now doing better. He said that despite his plan to move away from the elite clubs founded by his father such businesses would not die out. “I think there is a future. You have got to be grown up about those sorts of investments. You lose £10 million one week, and win £8 million the next. It is part of the business. When you lose these amounts it is a knock for the casino concerned, but you have weeks like that. We also had a week where we won £11 million in six days. It is big numbers these days. The winners could be three people over a number of days, it can be one person in one night. There are plenty of players all over the world who have won and lost that sort of money in a night."
Mel Gibson...
American law enforcement sources say Summit Entertainment which is distributing Aussie Mel's upcoming movie, "The Beaver" - gave Mel the final cut of the movie on DVD. Mel screened it at his home, and at 10:45 AM put the DVD in his mailbox so a courier could pick it up and return it to Summit. The DVD was rumoured to go missing in action, not Mel!
Hugh Jackman...
Hugh Jackman, Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry and Marisa Tomei Among Oscar Presenters...Tony Award winner and previous Academy Awards host Hugh Jackman will be part of this year's Oscar ceremony, according to the Associated Press. Jackman will be a presenter at the 83rd Academy Awards. Other presenters currently include Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges, Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry and Marisa Tomei. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 will be presented Feb. 27 at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. The awards will be televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 8 PM ET. James Franco and Anne Hathaway will co-host this year's ceremony. Jackman, who was seen on screen in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," earned a Tony Award for his work in the Broadway musical The Boy From Oz. He is also known for his film roles in the "X-Men" trilogy, "Someone Like You," "Swordfish," "Kate and Leopold," "Van Helsing" and the recent "The Fountain" and "Happy Feet" (in voice). His stage credits also include Trevor Nunn's staging of Oklahoma! at Britian's National Theatre and award-winning work in productions of Sunset Boulevard and Beauty and the Beast.
John Travolta...(As John Gotti)...
Travolta was at Amici restaurant in Brentwood a few nights ago. He wasn't giving much away about taking the role. But Marty Ingels, Executive Producer of the movie was much more direct, stating Travolta will play the lead role in the movie, "Gotti." Leaks tell us James Franco has been approached to play John Gotti, Jr. Bang! Hit us up for an update soon.
David Gyngell...
Gyng is tipped to be very shortly flying to the U.S to test the waters re the upcoming float on the stock market on his CVC. Nine Entertainment's private equity owners will assess the health of the local equity and advertising markets this month. After which, they will decide the date for a $5 billion listing of the television, magazine and digital group. According to market sources, Nine's owner, CVC Asia Pacific, is yet to decide on the listing date although most observers expect the debt-laden group to test the waters as soon as April if global equity markets remain relatively strong. Management, including newly installed chief executive David Gyngell, will travel to the US next month to gauge the interest of potential offshore investors.
Celebrity Poker Pros: Tyron Krost And Stewart Scott: Celebrity Stars Going Down In Ratings; Direct Response To Poor Showing In Aussie Millions 2011
These couple of poker celebs were on fire at some point, but lately a shower has been thrown on their parade. Both are former Aussie Millions champs - Krost from last year, Scott from 2009. Fellas, time to win some big games again or you might not even be thought as celebs any more. Start performing or might those sponsorship deals with PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com dry up?
Van Marcus...
Poker pro Van Marcus, currently in Melbourne for Aussie Millions, is the chap who has his red rare Ferrari nicked from the Crown valet parking last year, in a story that generated massive international headlines. In the past days Marcus has been seeing driving around Melbourne in what looks to be the same card, but this time reportedly with a hot blonde or brunette in the passenger seat. Hows the ride girls?
Australian Chris Hemsworth Plays Father To Thor; Anthony Hopkins Is Thor!...
The Aussies and Brits are teaming up again in film, thanks to our friends at Marvel Entertainment. The industry is abuzz for Aussie Hemsworth and Brit Hopkins. Hopkins has portrayed so many notable characters from history, literature, and the arts, that it’s no surprise we will see him in yet another role of stature. In this year’s hotly anticipated Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment epic adventure Thor, he will be Odin, the major god of Norse mythology, and father to Thor, (played by Australian Chris Hemsworth). The film is based on the Stan Lee comic book version, and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Excelsior! Marvel Entertainment: Don't just buy the comics and watch the movies, play the games at PartyGaming. May the power of Thor be with you.
James Packer And Co...
Marketing and gaming advisers to James Packer have leaked that they see merit in having an Aussie Millions branded online slot game. They saw the popularity of Cleopatra and Sinatra in an online environment, and well as PartyGaming's World Poker Tour slot in land based casinos. They have not confirmed a Kerry Packer themed slot game, with some concerns it may be a uncomfortable proposal for one or two of the Packer family, however many punters and insiders think that Kerry would have loved the idea, and further would have loved the concept that a slot game will his likeness via tribute slot would actually make Crown Limited money. PartyGaming, WMS and IGT are keen to talk turkey with Crown Limited with their online plans, which may also compliment what's in store for the further development of Packer 50% owned Betfair. Who is tipped to the the contract? We think PartyGaming, based on their strong US land based casino deals, ink still drying over the last few days, but you will just have to keep watching the space.
As they say on TV, I'm a celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here!
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 special celebrity 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 Ten Network Holdings
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
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Shane Warne...And Liz Hurley...
Warnie and Liz look to be in love, with each other and with Twitter. The spinner is hanging out for a game of poker or "poke her" with Liz, almost begging for Hurley Burley to come down under for a face to face. The couple have taken to Twitter like ducks to water. Warne and Hurley's developing romance is good fodder out for their almost half a million Twitter followers. They are now publicly planning her trip Down Under. The poker - fashion babe might be in Australia within weeks. Hurley has been tweeting about her new parrot, Ping Pong. "I'm getting jealous of ping pong! Think it's time you left ping pong alone for a while & come visit me in Australia," Warne tweeted. "No need for jealousy SW, she's not getting any cuddles or kisses!" Hurley replied. The model brunette is teaching the parrot to talk and Saints fan Warne has urged her to teach it the St Kilda club song.
"Don't forget advance Australia fair !!!! In tune too please ping pong . . . Ps organized kangaroos and koalas for your trip," he wrote. The affair between the former spinner and the movie - poker babe went public in December and the pair were busted on a romantic weekend in LA earlier this month. Both have bounce back, and judging by the Tweets, can't wait to bounce, fly and play together. Is it an Aussie expression... a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush? Never mind. Tweet me at twitter.com/mediamanint
Russell Crowe: Ex Kiwi (On Defending His South Sydney Rabbitoh's Star City Casino Deal)...
"The football club is a completely different organisation from the leagues club. We don't have any control over what the leagues club does; they run their own game." Crowe then went on to defend the move by pitching Star City as primarily an entertainment precinct and putting forward society benefits from gaming revenue, of which there is some truth in. Entertainment is the name of the game, and its broken into sub sectors. "This is an entertainment venue in general; it's not just about gaming. Let's get real about this situation; we're living in a state where they're telling us that the revenue from poker machines is paying for our hospitals. What we're talking about here is about a connection between two organisations that are all about entertainment, that are all about the future of Sydney." Souths chief executive Shane Richardson seconded the views put forward forward by NRL chief executive David "Gambling" (MM satire) Gallop this week that the association between sport and gambling "is as old as sport itself". "Let's be honest no sport in the world could ignore it, we're not holier than thou, the NFL, the English Premier League, wherever it is, there's gambling. As David Gallop said all along, it's going to be there, it's a major part of what sport is whether we like it or not and we've got to be part of it to have some sort of control over it." Crowe did concede that his own personal beliefs on gambling were at odds with the deal and recognised that problem gamblers were an issue of concern. "I don't like them (pokies). I'm not a fan of them; I've made that clear in the past. "But in life I am a gambler. The fact that I took on South Sydney underlines that." Media Man and Gambling911 congratulate both the Rabbitohs, Crowe and Tabcorp's Star City for taking a bet on this. Life is a gamble, just don't let it get the better of you, and always have fun... on and off the field. Work hard and play harder!
Julian Assange...
He is possibly Australia's most notorious public figure in a strange sort of way. Hero or Villain? Guess it depends on who you ask. If you ask Prime Minister Julia Gillard we think you know the answer! This weekends' The Australian newspaper fueled rumours that the James Bond franchise might like to have an Assange type in an upcoming flick. The journo penned...Ian Fleming could have turned the WikiLeaks boss into a villain in a James Bond novel. Given the pervasiveness of the Bond myth, it is no surprise that Assange, like Osama bin Laden before him, should be likened to a Bond villain. He has been labelled many things both positive and negative, from champion of free speech to cyber-terrorist. Perhaps the strangest, and for many fans of popular culture most glamorous, epithet applied to Julian Assange is that of Bond villain. Moreover, it is an epithet that has found widespread media acceptance. The connection has been made in blogs and especially tabloid newspapers, and equally it has surfaced in such diverse publications as Britain's The Guardian, The Financial Times and the US's The Washington Post. The most conspicuous parallel between Assange and the fantasy world of Ian Fleming's James Bond involves the Bond villain's lair. The WikiLeaks HQ, known as the Pionen data centre, is a remodelled Swedish nuclear bunker set in a granite mountain face. Special thanks to Simon Caterson at News Limited. We like your work mate.
Elle Macpherson...
The once former flame of Brit gambling tycoon Damian Aspinall has got busy again as of late. Elle Macpherson and Cate Blanchett were guests at the major bling event for the Portofino range at a dinner in Geneva yesterday. They were joined by Lost's Matthew Fox - looking heavier and a bit ratty in a Brad Pitt-style Catweazle beard - plus Kevin Spacey, Ronan Keating and more. We're sure it was a fun event. And we're sure all received a special gift.
Damian Aspinall (James Packer Mate) To Sell Aspinall's Casino In Britain Following Bad Luck!..
Damian does business with Australia's James Packer, but its possible that soon that may come to an end. The Brit has had relationships with glamorous women, including the TV presenter Donna Air, Elle Macpherson and Naomi Campbell. He confirmed the scale of the club’s debts but said it was not unusual for a casino business. He said: “You are talking about a business that has £250 million a year drop (the money staked by its clients). So it is a bit circular. You are looking at unlucky years. That is the business we are in.
“Anyone in the business with high value VIP tables will have years when you do well and years when they don’t do well because it is volatile." Asked about the house’s performance last year, he added: “That’s completely normal. You are talking about a volatile business.” He said over a 10-year period Aspinall’s was winning 18 per cent of the money gambled at its tables. But he added: “You have years when you do nine per cent and years when you do 24 per cent.” The most recent available accounts for the club are for 2009 and Mr Aspinall said the club was now doing better. He said that despite his plan to move away from the elite clubs founded by his father such businesses would not die out. “I think there is a future. You have got to be grown up about those sorts of investments. You lose £10 million one week, and win £8 million the next. It is part of the business. When you lose these amounts it is a knock for the casino concerned, but you have weeks like that. We also had a week where we won £11 million in six days. It is big numbers these days. The winners could be three people over a number of days, it can be one person in one night. There are plenty of players all over the world who have won and lost that sort of money in a night."
Mel Gibson...
American law enforcement sources say Summit Entertainment which is distributing Aussie Mel's upcoming movie, "The Beaver" - gave Mel the final cut of the movie on DVD. Mel screened it at his home, and at 10:45 AM put the DVD in his mailbox so a courier could pick it up and return it to Summit. The DVD was rumoured to go missing in action, not Mel!
Hugh Jackman...
Hugh Jackman, Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry and Marisa Tomei Among Oscar Presenters...Tony Award winner and previous Academy Awards host Hugh Jackman will be part of this year's Oscar ceremony, according to the Associated Press. Jackman will be a presenter at the 83rd Academy Awards. Other presenters currently include Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges, Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry and Marisa Tomei. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 will be presented Feb. 27 at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. The awards will be televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 8 PM ET. James Franco and Anne Hathaway will co-host this year's ceremony. Jackman, who was seen on screen in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," earned a Tony Award for his work in the Broadway musical The Boy From Oz. He is also known for his film roles in the "X-Men" trilogy, "Someone Like You," "Swordfish," "Kate and Leopold," "Van Helsing" and the recent "The Fountain" and "Happy Feet" (in voice). His stage credits also include Trevor Nunn's staging of Oklahoma! at Britian's National Theatre and award-winning work in productions of Sunset Boulevard and Beauty and the Beast.
John Travolta...(As John Gotti)...
Travolta was at Amici restaurant in Brentwood a few nights ago. He wasn't giving much away about taking the role. But Marty Ingels, Executive Producer of the movie was much more direct, stating Travolta will play the lead role in the movie, "Gotti." Leaks tell us James Franco has been approached to play John Gotti, Jr. Bang! Hit us up for an update soon.
David Gyngell...
Gyng is tipped to be very shortly flying to the U.S to test the waters re the upcoming float on the stock market on his CVC. Nine Entertainment's private equity owners will assess the health of the local equity and advertising markets this month. After which, they will decide the date for a $5 billion listing of the television, magazine and digital group. According to market sources, Nine's owner, CVC Asia Pacific, is yet to decide on the listing date although most observers expect the debt-laden group to test the waters as soon as April if global equity markets remain relatively strong. Management, including newly installed chief executive David Gyngell, will travel to the US next month to gauge the interest of potential offshore investors.
Celebrity Poker Pros: Tyron Krost And Stewart Scott: Celebrity Stars Going Down In Ratings; Direct Response To Poor Showing In Aussie Millions 2011
These couple of poker celebs were on fire at some point, but lately a shower has been thrown on their parade. Both are former Aussie Millions champs - Krost from last year, Scott from 2009. Fellas, time to win some big games again or you might not even be thought as celebs any more. Start performing or might those sponsorship deals with PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com dry up?
Van Marcus...
Poker pro Van Marcus, currently in Melbourne for Aussie Millions, is the chap who has his red rare Ferrari nicked from the Crown valet parking last year, in a story that generated massive international headlines. In the past days Marcus has been seeing driving around Melbourne in what looks to be the same card, but this time reportedly with a hot blonde or brunette in the passenger seat. Hows the ride girls?
Australian Chris Hemsworth Plays Father To Thor; Anthony Hopkins Is Thor!...
The Aussies and Brits are teaming up again in film, thanks to our friends at Marvel Entertainment. The industry is abuzz for Aussie Hemsworth and Brit Hopkins. Hopkins has portrayed so many notable characters from history, literature, and the arts, that it’s no surprise we will see him in yet another role of stature. In this year’s hotly anticipated Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment epic adventure Thor, he will be Odin, the major god of Norse mythology, and father to Thor, (played by Australian Chris Hemsworth). The film is based on the Stan Lee comic book version, and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Excelsior! Marvel Entertainment: Don't just buy the comics and watch the movies, play the games at PartyGaming. May the power of Thor be with you.
James Packer And Co...
Marketing and gaming advisers to James Packer have leaked that they see merit in having an Aussie Millions branded online slot game. They saw the popularity of Cleopatra and Sinatra in an online environment, and well as PartyGaming's World Poker Tour slot in land based casinos. They have not confirmed a Kerry Packer themed slot game, with some concerns it may be a uncomfortable proposal for one or two of the Packer family, however many punters and insiders think that Kerry would have loved the idea, and further would have loved the concept that a slot game will his likeness via tribute slot would actually make Crown Limited money. PartyGaming, WMS and IGT are keen to talk turkey with Crown Limited with their online plans, which may also compliment what's in store for the further development of Packer 50% owned Betfair. Who is tipped to the the contract? We think PartyGaming, based on their strong US land based casino deals, ink still drying over the last few days, but you will just have to keep watching the space.
As they say on TV, I'm a celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here!
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 special celebrity 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 Ten Network Holdings
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bwin and PartyGaming shareholders approve merger
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bwin and PartyGaming shareholders approve merger
The legal measures specified by the merger plan can now be implemented during the next few weeks.
Vienna/Gibraltar, 28 January 2011 – bwin Interactive Entertainment AG (bwin) and PartyGaming Plc (PartyGaming) shareholders have today approved the merger of their two companies. These approvals in both extraordinary general meetings (EGM) were a condition for carrying out the proposed merger.
Commenting on the results of today’s EGMs, Jim Ryan and Norbert Teufelberger, the proposed co-CEOs of bwin.party digital entertainment plc, said: "Today’s shareholder meetings were a key milestone in the overall process, putting the transformational merger of our two companies well on the way to completion. We are delighted that both sets of shareholders have overwhelmingly recognised the strategic, operational and financial benefits of creating the world’s largest listed online gaming company."
bwin EGM details
A total of 335 shareholders attended bwin's EGM, representing a total of 18.1 million shares. The results of voting at the general meeting in Vienna have been published at www.bwin.org. The legal measures specified by the merger plan can now be implemented during the next few weeks. bwin shareholders will receive 12.23 bwin.party shares denominated in GBP for each bwin share. This share exchange will be carried out automatically and free of charge for bwin shareholders.
PartyGaming EGM details
At PartyGaming’s EGM held in Gibraltar today, all 9 resolutions relating to the approval of the merger with bwin and associated matters, including the change of name from PartyGaming Plc to bwin.party digital entertainment plc, were approved by PartyGaming shareholders.
About bwin
The bwin Group has over 20 million registered customers in more than 25 core markets. On a number of different platforms, the Group offers sports betting, poker, casino games, soft and skill games, as well as audio and video streams of top sporting events such as the German Soccer League. The holding company bwin Interactive Entertainment AG is listed in the ATX on the Vienna Stock Exchange (ID code BWIN, Reuters ID code BWIN.VI), and as the parent company provides various services such as software development, marketing, communications, human resources and finance for its subsidiaries and associated companies. The operational business of the bwin Group is carried out by subsidiaries and associated companies on the basis of licences (e.g. Germany, Italy and Gibraltar). Full details about the Company can be found on its investor relations website.
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bwin and PartyGaming shareholders approve merger
The legal measures specified by the merger plan can now be implemented during the next few weeks.
Vienna/Gibraltar, 28 January 2011 – bwin Interactive Entertainment AG (bwin) and PartyGaming Plc (PartyGaming) shareholders have today approved the merger of their two companies. These approvals in both extraordinary general meetings (EGM) were a condition for carrying out the proposed merger.
Commenting on the results of today’s EGMs, Jim Ryan and Norbert Teufelberger, the proposed co-CEOs of bwin.party digital entertainment plc, said: "Today’s shareholder meetings were a key milestone in the overall process, putting the transformational merger of our two companies well on the way to completion. We are delighted that both sets of shareholders have overwhelmingly recognised the strategic, operational and financial benefits of creating the world’s largest listed online gaming company."
bwin EGM details
A total of 335 shareholders attended bwin's EGM, representing a total of 18.1 million shares. The results of voting at the general meeting in Vienna have been published at www.bwin.org. The legal measures specified by the merger plan can now be implemented during the next few weeks. bwin shareholders will receive 12.23 bwin.party shares denominated in GBP for each bwin share. This share exchange will be carried out automatically and free of charge for bwin shareholders.
PartyGaming EGM details
At PartyGaming’s EGM held in Gibraltar today, all 9 resolutions relating to the approval of the merger with bwin and associated matters, including the change of name from PartyGaming Plc to bwin.party digital entertainment plc, were approved by PartyGaming shareholders.
About bwin
The bwin Group has over 20 million registered customers in more than 25 core markets. On a number of different platforms, the Group offers sports betting, poker, casino games, soft and skill games, as well as audio and video streams of top sporting events such as the German Soccer League. The holding company bwin Interactive Entertainment AG is listed in the ATX on the Vienna Stock Exchange (ID code BWIN, Reuters ID code BWIN.VI), and as the parent company provides various services such as software development, marketing, communications, human resources and finance for its subsidiaries and associated companies. The operational business of the bwin Group is carried out by subsidiaries and associated companies on the basis of licences (e.g. Germany, Italy and Gibraltar). Full details about the Company can be found on its investor relations website.
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Friday, January 28, 2011
NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs: Star City Casino Partnership: Crowe Defends, by Greg Tingle - 28th January 2011
G'day punters, journos, high rollers, sports nuts, casino and football team owners, entertainment news junkies, politicians, insiders, outsiders, politicians, journos... one and all. Today we once again probe the new and exciting deal between the legendary Aussie NRL footy team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the "partnership" with Tabcorp's Star City Casino. This follow the recent deal between the NRL's Penrith Panthers and Centrebet some 7 or so days ago, with the teams football ground now known as Centrebet Stadium, in a $5 million dollar deal, tipped to secure the financial future of the club. Other clubs and plugging into the lucrative gambling and betting dollars, with more win - wins on the way, but at what cost? Can NRL and betting co exist in a sustainable fashion, without more sports betting scandals on the way. Centrebet Stadium, PartyGaming Cricket Ground, Paddy Power Park, Betfair Entertainment Centre?! Who knows what may be around the corner. Media Man and Gambling911 kick another goal between the posts in the second half with this special report...
The tie ins between the National Rugby League and gambling, sports betting et al, continue this week with South Sydney celebrity owner Russell Crowe presenting the Bunnies' new 5-year, multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with Tabcorp's Star City.
Owner - Actor - Gambler In Life And Biz: Russell Crowe Defends Deal; Crash Tackles Hecklers And Haters...
South Sydney Rabbitoh's owner and 'favorite son' (most of the time) Russell Crowe has viciously defended his club's 5 million-dollar deal with Tabcorp's Star City casino, as the war continues over the NRL's association with gambling.. Lovers VS Haters are taking it to the footy field, board room, and news media with a vengeance.
Earlier today the Rabbitoh's powers that be announced the sponsorship deal with Star City casino that see the Star City logo proudly appearing on the front section of Bunnies' home jerseys for the 3 three seasons. Yep, a trifecta folks, or if you prefer, a 3 reel slot jackpot bonanza that would make Kenny Rogers and Johnny Cash proud. Won't do to much for anti poker singing Tim Freedman we suspect!
The most impressive deal that Media Man has awarded as 'Australian Gambling Deal Of The Month' comes just days after Penrith announced the renaming of their home ground as Centrebet Stadium, while Manly Sea Eagles will also have the Centrebet logo on the back of their jumper this season.
Australia might just becoming the new Gibraltar - 'Gamblers Paradise' if you will!
The well publicised announcement of the sponsorships comes of the back of a deep probe into betting "irregularities" during a footy match between Canterbury Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys last year.
Souths' new and somewhat stunning and exciting commercial arrangements represent quite a reverse train of thought and action from Crowe and co-owner Peter Holmes a Court, who in 2007 attempted to remove pokies from Souths Leagues Club, stating that taking monies from 'one armed bandits' machines was not with the club's program.
"The football club is a completely different organisation from the leagues club. We don't have any control over what the leagues club does; they run their own game."
Crowe then went on to defend the move by pitching Star City as primarily an entertainment precinct and putting forward society benefits from gaming revenue, of which there is some truth in. Entertainment is the name of the game, and its broken into sub sectors.
"This is an entertainment venue in general; it's not just about gaming. Let's get real about this situation; we're living in a state where they're telling us that the revenue from poker machines is paying for our hospitals. What we're talking about here is about a connection between two organisations that are all about entertainment, that are all about the future of Sydney."
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson seconded the views put forward forward by NRL chief executive David "Gambling" (MM satire) Gallop this week that the association between sport and gambling "is as old as sport itself".
"Let's be honest no sport in the world could ignore it, we're not holier than thou, the NFL, the English Premier League, wherever it is, there's gambling. As David Gallop said all along, it's going to be there, it's a major part of what sport is whether we like it or not and we've got to be part of it to have some sort of control over it."
Crowe did conceed that his own personal beliefs on gambling were at odds with the deal and recognised that problem gamblers were an issue of concern.
"I don't like them (pokies). I'm not a fan of them; I've made that clear in the past.
"But in life I am a gambler. The fact that I took on South Sydney underlines that."
Media Man and Gambling911 congratulate both the Rabbitohs, Crowe and Tabcorp's Star City for taking a bet on this. Life is a gamble, just don't let it get the better of you, and always have fun... on an off the field. Work hard and play harder!
Recap (In Case You Blinked)
A press conference including Crowe has been scheduled for the Pyrmont's Star City. Souths also yesterday announced the bookmaker, Luxbet (linked to Tabcorp), as a corporate partner for 2011. The online agency will run in house tipping service Bunnybet, taking over from Betezy, which launched the gambling website portal as a joint venture with the Rabbitohs in 2009, in a media campaign pushed far and wide by the Media Man agency, which covers the sector in a fair and balanced fashion, and known to focus on the positives, while also doing hard nosed coverage on the potential dangerous of excess gambling - betting.
The Souths Rabbitohs deals comes only 5 days after the Penrith Panthers announced their Australia-first venue naming-rights contract with a sports betting and gambling company, rebranding their home ground Centrebet Stadium Penrith. The northern beaches based Manly Sea Eagles will also this year have the Centrebet logo on their jumper. No word yet what's happening to the Full Tilt Poker logo that was on East's Rooters players shorts.
This bush tucker bag of NRL - gambling news comes at the same time that a high-profile NRL player is battling a huge problem, dropping at least $1500 a week at Star City. In addition, a police investigation, as well as New South Wales Crime Commission hearings, is not yet complete into irregular betting patterns reported in last year's round-24 match between North Queensland Cowboys and and Canterbury Bulldogs aka 'The Doggies' in Townsville. 'The Doggies' still struggle to live down a football betting and sex scandal from years ago, with the obviously sexual reference tie in off 'Doggie style', a often preferred sexual position of women.
Souths' Rabbitohs new commercial deals also equate to a bit of a back down from Crowe and co-owner Peter Holmes a Court since they proposed to to remove the pokies aka 'one armed bandits' from Souths Leagues Club in 2007. "There is a time and a place for gaming and I don't believe that South Sydney is the time or the place," Holmes a Court said way back then. The club has faced serious cash flow challenges, not to mention a poor win rate over the past years, despite having a club history second to none.
Current Souths chief executive Shane Richardson would not comment on the Star City sponsorship yesterday. NRL chief executive David Gallop mentioned that many of the NRL clubs have corporate partnerships with betting firms and the NRL itself is aligned with TAB Sportsbet, for which that company pays a product fee of 5 per cent of profit on rugby league punting.
Overseas operators such as PartyGaming, Paddy Power and others are said to be keen to get in on the action, and in the meantime the international headlines add fuel to the fire.
Betting agencies associated with the game must sign integrity agreements that insist on co-operation.
"Gambling on sport is as old as sport itself. We have to accept that being able to bet on a game adds a very enjoyable aspect to viewing," Gallop said. "The arrangements that we now have with betting agencies put us in a lot better position not only in terms of being compensated for the use of our intellectual property but also in our ability to access information about irregular betting. We've worked hard with all the sports to get ourselves to that position and indeed some of the matters that have been investigated and are currently being investigated - those investigations have only been possible because of those arrangements. Our ability to get to the bottom of issues … is greatly improved by those arrangements."
Gallop, however, listened to concerns that issues such as "spot betting" were a concern, as was hard core promotion. NRL broadcaster Channel Nine has been criticised for the past 12 months for its commentators' plugging betting options during broadcasts of the game.
"In terms of the promotion of gambling we do have restrictions. Individual players can't endorse individual agencies. There are elements that are concerning such as types of bets and aggressive promotion."
'Gambling Man' (MM tag) Gallop said he was not alarmed by reporting of players with gambling problems. "Our players are a cross-section of the community and there are going to be players with social problems, be they gambling , alcohol or drugs," he said.
Media Man and Gambling911 will continue to revel more details as they come to hand, so don't change your dial.
Australia Gets Gambling Arenas; Penrith Panthers First Cab Of The Rank; South Sydney Or Who Next?...
With Australia being in the world's top 10 gambling nations, it shouldn't shock or surprise that we're tipped to soon have a number of sporting arenas and grounds named after gambling and gaming companies, both national and international brands. Yep, money will talk where B.S sometimes walks. James Packer's Betfair is understood to build upon their Betfair Park branding, Europe's PartyGaming is keen, and currently Centrebet looks to be leading the charge, with many insiders saying its a case of when, not if, for the household name brand. Centrebet already has significant branding, thanks in part to a swag of TV and online adverts, plus who can forget the Centrebet branded part of Network Nine's 'The Footy Show'. The gambling companies already have a number of key targets, and many cash strapped and / or cash handy NRL team and home grounds are near the top of the hit list. For instance NRL team, The Penrith Panthers, are seriously considering having their home stadium named Centrebet Stadium. We kid you not punters. If the deal goes through, they will make history becoming the first major Australian sporting team to snatch a betting firm as the naming-rights partner for a playing venue. Horse Racing already has some naming rights deals with tracks and in the mix such as Betfair Park and then you have races named after gambling brands such as the Lasseters Cup, Lasseters known for its hotel - casino up in Australia's top end. The forecast Betfair deal comes as a police continue to probe the NRL gambling scandal that from last season following a number of "irregular" wagers was picked up in the Canterbury Bulldogs VS North Queensland Cowboys match up. The Panthers, Centrebet and a swag of gambling companies, have rather pissed off the gambling and gaming haters, who continues to get organised into lobby groups. A Media Man spokesperson such "Many people in and out of news media and gaming, the general public, are starting to get really pissed off at the gaming, gambling and sports betting haters. The bible bashers. Who do they think they are trying to push their beliefs onto others. Many Australians just love a punt, and that's the way it is. Some of the gaming haters have strong ties to church groups and there appears to be some sort of brainwashing system going on. They keep discussing the 'evils of gambling'. I mean, seriously, come on. People know not to over-do it on on the slots, sports events, poker and the like, but the haters keep trying to be the thought police. Gambling companies in Australia have a very high focus on responsible gambling with warnings everywhere. It's great to see the gambling and gaming industry place so much focus on safe better. The sports stadiums will be great for business, , but no one is forcing anyone to have a bet. It's a personal decision, as it always has been. 2011 is going to be a very exciting year for punters, especially those who like to have a bet of sports matches, and television and online website portals and brands will bring it all together nicely".
Back to the first prime target #1...The modest 22,500-capacity sports ground, owned by Penrith City Council, was in a past life known as CUA Stadium. What's up is that the club's contract with the Brisbane financial services company has expired, and negotiations between Panthers, the footy club and Centrebet have been taking place, even prior to Christmas about renaming the stadium. Other clubs and stadiums have also caught the buzz and are opening chequebooks and crunching the numbers. The first of its kind business agreement between the club and Centrebet is just about a done deal, and ink is expecting to try on contracts sooner rather than later, possibly within a fortnight. An exciting, if not controversial type of announcement is fully expected by the Panthers in the coming week. Sports and gambling commentators are quick to point out that Penrith already has ties to Centrebet, the gambling brand being lit up across the top of the video screen at the stadium. This kind of exposure has also been very good for their mobile - hand held device sector. Anti-gambling campaigner Senator Nick Xenophon is especially unhappy with the development of the gambling branded sports stadiums in Australia. He went on recent with: "How can a footy code currently embroiled in a betting scandal possibly allow a stadium to be named after a betting agency? There was a time when rugby league was all about the game. Now it's all about the odds, and that is ruining the game". Over the last couple of years the NRL (and AFL) has watered down its laws and regulations relating to clubs' deals and partnerships with gambling - sports betting firms, allowing them to be branded on footy jerseys for a virgin time. Cronulla Sharks have sponsor PokerStars (.net) on their jersey sleeves while cashed up Manly Sea Eagles are tipped to have Centrebet's signage on the back of their jerseys this season after a widely reported $1 million plus deal with the Northern Territory based betting outfit announced just before Christmas. Yep, it looks like a few clubs and stadiums will be getting their Christmas presents and will have lots to celebrate, while the gambling haters will be spewing in Grinch like fashion. The National Rugby League of course also has corporate ties with TAB Sportsbet, and is understood to snatch a 5% "product fee" via the company's rugby league betting profit. NRL spokesman John Brady advised he would not comment on individual clubs' sponsorship agreements but maintained there was no concern about the prospect of gambling agencies assuming naming rights for the game's venues, at least from his take on the situation. "It's an area that was relaxed last year. As such there are a number of betting sponsorships that are available to clubs in terms of jerseys and other opportunities," Brady said. He advised any and all betting firms involved with the NRL via sponsorship of clubs were made to sign "integrity agreements" to ensure transparency. The majority of NRL clubs now have corporate deals with betting agencies. Centrebet sponsors five teams: Penrith, Manly, Parramatta, St George Illawarra and North Queensland.
"Comon' Betfair and PartyGaming, pull you're finger out", a Media Man sports journalist was overheard shouting when he found out the news of Centrebet's ongoing infiltration of the sport.
Penrith's stadium pending name change has been intertwined we understand by some to the financial problems that have hit the football club's parent body, Panthers Group.
The licensed club is no longer quite the licence to print money as it was in the 90s Some audited figures about to do public by the conclusion of the month are expected to show black and white confirmation of a Murdoch - News Limited news story of last February that said Panthers were due to report a rather embarrassing net loss of $11 million bucks. Panthers are not afraid to speak on the record about their on and off field performance, which has seen better days. Ric Simpson, Panthers Group chief exec since last July, said a culture change and "renewal of process" across Panthers clubs had improved their situation. Analysts question that was a PR line or absolute truth. Mind you, we don't blame club for trying to focus on positives. "We're probably looking at reducing that loss by somewhere in the order of $8-$9 million," Simpson said.
A Media Man spokesperson said "At this stage of the gaming the overseas trend of seeing sports groups and football teams pick up sponsorship and strong branding for gambling, gaming... sports betting companies looks to be moving full speed ahead down under in Australia. Centrebet might become the Bwin of Australia. PartyGaming is said to be currently crunching numbers to see if an Australian sports ground deal is viable. They already have a Aussie Millions former champion sponsored by their poker brand and a couple of Aussie poker players signed up, so anything is possible. James Packer's Betfair, a direct competitor of Centrebet is not likely to take the situation lying down either. Betfair is 50% Packer owned and wants to keep building their sports betting brand, as well as opening up many online casino games in Australia, poker and more. Could an Australian sports stadium ever be known as PartyGaming stadium or WPT Stadium? Not overnight, but never say never, stranger things have happened. It's all going to add a lot of money into the game and business of sport and entertainment, and already our firm is starting to experience some positive spin off benefits. It's all very exciting and profitable".
Australian Politics: Opposition Leader Tony Abbott Says Julia Gillard Gambling With Australia's Tech Future...
Technology infrastructer like broadband is a key component in the interactive gambling landscape.
Some folks say the internet was made for gambling inc sports betting (and porn), with both sectors being key drivers of the tech sector in Australia and in most of the western world.
Aussie Opposition Leader Tony 'The Bruiser' Abbott has again called for the Federal Government’s National Broadband Network project to be put on the scrap heap, claiming Queensland residents suffering in the aftermath of the state’s terrible floods would rather have transport infrastructure rebuilt than the "interactive gambling" that he said the NBN would deliver. Media Man has been trying to get to the true message of what Abbott really means.
In a presser yesterday, the bullish Coalition leader stated he agreed Australia needed broadband...but it didn’t need "a $50 billion white elephant", which he said was likely to result from the creation of a new government-backed monopoly broadband infrastructure provider.
"So, look, I’m against the NBN and I certainly think that as far as the general public of flood ravaged Queensland and Victoria are concerned, what they want is restored roads, restored railways, bridges that you can safely cross. They don’t necessarily want more interactive gambling or more movie downloads," he said.
The comments loudly echo previous Coalition remarks on the infrastructure project. After the Labor Federal Government released NBN Co’s business case in late December, Abbott claimed the NBN would primarily be used to fuel the nation’s passion for high-end video and gaming content.
"It’s pretty obvious that the main usage for the NBN is going to be internet-based television, video entertainment and gaming," the Opposition leader said back then. "We are not against using the internet for all these things, but do we really want to invest $50 billion worth of hard-earned taxpayers’ money in what is essentially a video entertainment system?"
However, comments by Prime Minister Julia Gillard this week appear to strongly suggest the NBN will go ahead as planned in Queensland.
"More infrastructure is already needed to nurture the mining boom and support economic growth, so the Government is investing in long lived economic assets and infrastructure like high speed broadband, ports, roads and rail," the Labor leader said in a speech to the National Press Club this week.
"So 2011 remains a year when I will be delivering the national broadband network, creating more opportunity through education reforms and improving health care as well as a year when I will make long-term decisions on workforce participation and a carbon price."
Union reps also are backing the NBN...with Peter Tighe, national secretary of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, telling the ABC’s PM program it was "abhorrent" to use the current situation in Queensland to run a political argument about what was appropriate infrastructure.
And NBN Co chief Mike Quigley also backed the union’s comments on the same program, saying it was "a little misguided" to say there was a choice between deploying the NBN or spending the money on other infrastructure.
Australian media and gambling tycoon is understood to be keen to roll out more online gambling and gaming via both the internet and through his stake in Ten Network Holdings, always on the lookout for more programming and content that is going to deliver strong revenues. Packer mate, Virgin's Richard Branson, continues to eye off Australia for his Virgin Games and Virgin Gaming opportunities, while PartyGaming and local outfit Centrebet, already have quite the head start in some regards. May the best team... er, army win. All is fair in love and war (and gambling), so we are told by a local flock of Betfair pink pigeons.
Crowe, Holmes A Court, Richardson, Gallop, Packer, Murdoch (both of you sirs), Gyngell, Gillard, Abbott, Turnbull and a few others - you're throw of the football and dice!
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 (mainly poker and some casino 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
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
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Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
The tie ins between the National Rugby League and gambling, sports betting et al, continue this week with South Sydney celebrity owner Russell Crowe presenting the Bunnies' new 5-year, multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with Tabcorp's Star City.
Owner - Actor - Gambler In Life And Biz: Russell Crowe Defends Deal; Crash Tackles Hecklers And Haters...
South Sydney Rabbitoh's owner and 'favorite son' (most of the time) Russell Crowe has viciously defended his club's 5 million-dollar deal with Tabcorp's Star City casino, as the war continues over the NRL's association with gambling.. Lovers VS Haters are taking it to the footy field, board room, and news media with a vengeance.
Earlier today the Rabbitoh's powers that be announced the sponsorship deal with Star City casino that see the Star City logo proudly appearing on the front section of Bunnies' home jerseys for the 3 three seasons. Yep, a trifecta folks, or if you prefer, a 3 reel slot jackpot bonanza that would make Kenny Rogers and Johnny Cash proud. Won't do to much for anti poker singing Tim Freedman we suspect!
The most impressive deal that Media Man has awarded as 'Australian Gambling Deal Of The Month' comes just days after Penrith announced the renaming of their home ground as Centrebet Stadium, while Manly Sea Eagles will also have the Centrebet logo on the back of their jumper this season.
Australia might just becoming the new Gibraltar - 'Gamblers Paradise' if you will!
The well publicised announcement of the sponsorships comes of the back of a deep probe into betting "irregularities" during a footy match between Canterbury Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys last year.
Souths' new and somewhat stunning and exciting commercial arrangements represent quite a reverse train of thought and action from Crowe and co-owner Peter Holmes a Court, who in 2007 attempted to remove pokies from Souths Leagues Club, stating that taking monies from 'one armed bandits' machines was not with the club's program.
"The football club is a completely different organisation from the leagues club. We don't have any control over what the leagues club does; they run their own game."
Crowe then went on to defend the move by pitching Star City as primarily an entertainment precinct and putting forward society benefits from gaming revenue, of which there is some truth in. Entertainment is the name of the game, and its broken into sub sectors.
"This is an entertainment venue in general; it's not just about gaming. Let's get real about this situation; we're living in a state where they're telling us that the revenue from poker machines is paying for our hospitals. What we're talking about here is about a connection between two organisations that are all about entertainment, that are all about the future of Sydney."
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson seconded the views put forward forward by NRL chief executive David "Gambling" (MM satire) Gallop this week that the association between sport and gambling "is as old as sport itself".
"Let's be honest no sport in the world could ignore it, we're not holier than thou, the NFL, the English Premier League, wherever it is, there's gambling. As David Gallop said all along, it's going to be there, it's a major part of what sport is whether we like it or not and we've got to be part of it to have some sort of control over it."
Crowe did conceed that his own personal beliefs on gambling were at odds with the deal and recognised that problem gamblers were an issue of concern.
"I don't like them (pokies). I'm not a fan of them; I've made that clear in the past.
"But in life I am a gambler. The fact that I took on South Sydney underlines that."
Media Man and Gambling911 congratulate both the Rabbitohs, Crowe and Tabcorp's Star City for taking a bet on this. Life is a gamble, just don't let it get the better of you, and always have fun... on an off the field. Work hard and play harder!
Recap (In Case You Blinked)
A press conference including Crowe has been scheduled for the Pyrmont's Star City. Souths also yesterday announced the bookmaker, Luxbet (linked to Tabcorp), as a corporate partner for 2011. The online agency will run in house tipping service Bunnybet, taking over from Betezy, which launched the gambling website portal as a joint venture with the Rabbitohs in 2009, in a media campaign pushed far and wide by the Media Man agency, which covers the sector in a fair and balanced fashion, and known to focus on the positives, while also doing hard nosed coverage on the potential dangerous of excess gambling - betting.
The Souths Rabbitohs deals comes only 5 days after the Penrith Panthers announced their Australia-first venue naming-rights contract with a sports betting and gambling company, rebranding their home ground Centrebet Stadium Penrith. The northern beaches based Manly Sea Eagles will also this year have the Centrebet logo on their jumper. No word yet what's happening to the Full Tilt Poker logo that was on East's Rooters players shorts.
This bush tucker bag of NRL - gambling news comes at the same time that a high-profile NRL player is battling a huge problem, dropping at least $1500 a week at Star City. In addition, a police investigation, as well as New South Wales Crime Commission hearings, is not yet complete into irregular betting patterns reported in last year's round-24 match between North Queensland Cowboys and and Canterbury Bulldogs aka 'The Doggies' in Townsville. 'The Doggies' still struggle to live down a football betting and sex scandal from years ago, with the obviously sexual reference tie in off 'Doggie style', a often preferred sexual position of women.
Souths' Rabbitohs new commercial deals also equate to a bit of a back down from Crowe and co-owner Peter Holmes a Court since they proposed to to remove the pokies aka 'one armed bandits' from Souths Leagues Club in 2007. "There is a time and a place for gaming and I don't believe that South Sydney is the time or the place," Holmes a Court said way back then. The club has faced serious cash flow challenges, not to mention a poor win rate over the past years, despite having a club history second to none.
Current Souths chief executive Shane Richardson would not comment on the Star City sponsorship yesterday. NRL chief executive David Gallop mentioned that many of the NRL clubs have corporate partnerships with betting firms and the NRL itself is aligned with TAB Sportsbet, for which that company pays a product fee of 5 per cent of profit on rugby league punting.
Overseas operators such as PartyGaming, Paddy Power and others are said to be keen to get in on the action, and in the meantime the international headlines add fuel to the fire.
Betting agencies associated with the game must sign integrity agreements that insist on co-operation.
"Gambling on sport is as old as sport itself. We have to accept that being able to bet on a game adds a very enjoyable aspect to viewing," Gallop said. "The arrangements that we now have with betting agencies put us in a lot better position not only in terms of being compensated for the use of our intellectual property but also in our ability to access information about irregular betting. We've worked hard with all the sports to get ourselves to that position and indeed some of the matters that have been investigated and are currently being investigated - those investigations have only been possible because of those arrangements. Our ability to get to the bottom of issues … is greatly improved by those arrangements."
Gallop, however, listened to concerns that issues such as "spot betting" were a concern, as was hard core promotion. NRL broadcaster Channel Nine has been criticised for the past 12 months for its commentators' plugging betting options during broadcasts of the game.
"In terms of the promotion of gambling we do have restrictions. Individual players can't endorse individual agencies. There are elements that are concerning such as types of bets and aggressive promotion."
'Gambling Man' (MM tag) Gallop said he was not alarmed by reporting of players with gambling problems. "Our players are a cross-section of the community and there are going to be players with social problems, be they gambling , alcohol or drugs," he said.
Media Man and Gambling911 will continue to revel more details as they come to hand, so don't change your dial.
Australia Gets Gambling Arenas; Penrith Panthers First Cab Of The Rank; South Sydney Or Who Next?...
With Australia being in the world's top 10 gambling nations, it shouldn't shock or surprise that we're tipped to soon have a number of sporting arenas and grounds named after gambling and gaming companies, both national and international brands. Yep, money will talk where B.S sometimes walks. James Packer's Betfair is understood to build upon their Betfair Park branding, Europe's PartyGaming is keen, and currently Centrebet looks to be leading the charge, with many insiders saying its a case of when, not if, for the household name brand. Centrebet already has significant branding, thanks in part to a swag of TV and online adverts, plus who can forget the Centrebet branded part of Network Nine's 'The Footy Show'. The gambling companies already have a number of key targets, and many cash strapped and / or cash handy NRL team and home grounds are near the top of the hit list. For instance NRL team, The Penrith Panthers, are seriously considering having their home stadium named Centrebet Stadium. We kid you not punters. If the deal goes through, they will make history becoming the first major Australian sporting team to snatch a betting firm as the naming-rights partner for a playing venue. Horse Racing already has some naming rights deals with tracks and in the mix such as Betfair Park and then you have races named after gambling brands such as the Lasseters Cup, Lasseters known for its hotel - casino up in Australia's top end. The forecast Betfair deal comes as a police continue to probe the NRL gambling scandal that from last season following a number of "irregular" wagers was picked up in the Canterbury Bulldogs VS North Queensland Cowboys match up. The Panthers, Centrebet and a swag of gambling companies, have rather pissed off the gambling and gaming haters, who continues to get organised into lobby groups. A Media Man spokesperson such "Many people in and out of news media and gaming, the general public, are starting to get really pissed off at the gaming, gambling and sports betting haters. The bible bashers. Who do they think they are trying to push their beliefs onto others. Many Australians just love a punt, and that's the way it is. Some of the gaming haters have strong ties to church groups and there appears to be some sort of brainwashing system going on. They keep discussing the 'evils of gambling'. I mean, seriously, come on. People know not to over-do it on on the slots, sports events, poker and the like, but the haters keep trying to be the thought police. Gambling companies in Australia have a very high focus on responsible gambling with warnings everywhere. It's great to see the gambling and gaming industry place so much focus on safe better. The sports stadiums will be great for business, , but no one is forcing anyone to have a bet. It's a personal decision, as it always has been. 2011 is going to be a very exciting year for punters, especially those who like to have a bet of sports matches, and television and online website portals and brands will bring it all together nicely".
Back to the first prime target #1...The modest 22,500-capacity sports ground, owned by Penrith City Council, was in a past life known as CUA Stadium. What's up is that the club's contract with the Brisbane financial services company has expired, and negotiations between Panthers, the footy club and Centrebet have been taking place, even prior to Christmas about renaming the stadium. Other clubs and stadiums have also caught the buzz and are opening chequebooks and crunching the numbers. The first of its kind business agreement between the club and Centrebet is just about a done deal, and ink is expecting to try on contracts sooner rather than later, possibly within a fortnight. An exciting, if not controversial type of announcement is fully expected by the Panthers in the coming week. Sports and gambling commentators are quick to point out that Penrith already has ties to Centrebet, the gambling brand being lit up across the top of the video screen at the stadium. This kind of exposure has also been very good for their mobile - hand held device sector. Anti-gambling campaigner Senator Nick Xenophon is especially unhappy with the development of the gambling branded sports stadiums in Australia. He went on recent with: "How can a footy code currently embroiled in a betting scandal possibly allow a stadium to be named after a betting agency? There was a time when rugby league was all about the game. Now it's all about the odds, and that is ruining the game". Over the last couple of years the NRL (and AFL) has watered down its laws and regulations relating to clubs' deals and partnerships with gambling - sports betting firms, allowing them to be branded on footy jerseys for a virgin time. Cronulla Sharks have sponsor PokerStars (.net) on their jersey sleeves while cashed up Manly Sea Eagles are tipped to have Centrebet's signage on the back of their jerseys this season after a widely reported $1 million plus deal with the Northern Territory based betting outfit announced just before Christmas. Yep, it looks like a few clubs and stadiums will be getting their Christmas presents and will have lots to celebrate, while the gambling haters will be spewing in Grinch like fashion. The National Rugby League of course also has corporate ties with TAB Sportsbet, and is understood to snatch a 5% "product fee" via the company's rugby league betting profit. NRL spokesman John Brady advised he would not comment on individual clubs' sponsorship agreements but maintained there was no concern about the prospect of gambling agencies assuming naming rights for the game's venues, at least from his take on the situation. "It's an area that was relaxed last year. As such there are a number of betting sponsorships that are available to clubs in terms of jerseys and other opportunities," Brady said. He advised any and all betting firms involved with the NRL via sponsorship of clubs were made to sign "integrity agreements" to ensure transparency. The majority of NRL clubs now have corporate deals with betting agencies. Centrebet sponsors five teams: Penrith, Manly, Parramatta, St George Illawarra and North Queensland.
"Comon' Betfair and PartyGaming, pull you're finger out", a Media Man sports journalist was overheard shouting when he found out the news of Centrebet's ongoing infiltration of the sport.
Penrith's stadium pending name change has been intertwined we understand by some to the financial problems that have hit the football club's parent body, Panthers Group.
The licensed club is no longer quite the licence to print money as it was in the 90s Some audited figures about to do public by the conclusion of the month are expected to show black and white confirmation of a Murdoch - News Limited news story of last February that said Panthers were due to report a rather embarrassing net loss of $11 million bucks. Panthers are not afraid to speak on the record about their on and off field performance, which has seen better days. Ric Simpson, Panthers Group chief exec since last July, said a culture change and "renewal of process" across Panthers clubs had improved their situation. Analysts question that was a PR line or absolute truth. Mind you, we don't blame club for trying to focus on positives. "We're probably looking at reducing that loss by somewhere in the order of $8-$9 million," Simpson said.
A Media Man spokesperson said "At this stage of the gaming the overseas trend of seeing sports groups and football teams pick up sponsorship and strong branding for gambling, gaming... sports betting companies looks to be moving full speed ahead down under in Australia. Centrebet might become the Bwin of Australia. PartyGaming is said to be currently crunching numbers to see if an Australian sports ground deal is viable. They already have a Aussie Millions former champion sponsored by their poker brand and a couple of Aussie poker players signed up, so anything is possible. James Packer's Betfair, a direct competitor of Centrebet is not likely to take the situation lying down either. Betfair is 50% Packer owned and wants to keep building their sports betting brand, as well as opening up many online casino games in Australia, poker and more. Could an Australian sports stadium ever be known as PartyGaming stadium or WPT Stadium? Not overnight, but never say never, stranger things have happened. It's all going to add a lot of money into the game and business of sport and entertainment, and already our firm is starting to experience some positive spin off benefits. It's all very exciting and profitable".
Australian Politics: Opposition Leader Tony Abbott Says Julia Gillard Gambling With Australia's Tech Future...
Technology infrastructer like broadband is a key component in the interactive gambling landscape.
Some folks say the internet was made for gambling inc sports betting (and porn), with both sectors being key drivers of the tech sector in Australia and in most of the western world.
Aussie Opposition Leader Tony 'The Bruiser' Abbott has again called for the Federal Government’s National Broadband Network project to be put on the scrap heap, claiming Queensland residents suffering in the aftermath of the state’s terrible floods would rather have transport infrastructure rebuilt than the "interactive gambling" that he said the NBN would deliver. Media Man has been trying to get to the true message of what Abbott really means.
In a presser yesterday, the bullish Coalition leader stated he agreed Australia needed broadband...but it didn’t need "a $50 billion white elephant", which he said was likely to result from the creation of a new government-backed monopoly broadband infrastructure provider.
"So, look, I’m against the NBN and I certainly think that as far as the general public of flood ravaged Queensland and Victoria are concerned, what they want is restored roads, restored railways, bridges that you can safely cross. They don’t necessarily want more interactive gambling or more movie downloads," he said.
The comments loudly echo previous Coalition remarks on the infrastructure project. After the Labor Federal Government released NBN Co’s business case in late December, Abbott claimed the NBN would primarily be used to fuel the nation’s passion for high-end video and gaming content.
"It’s pretty obvious that the main usage for the NBN is going to be internet-based television, video entertainment and gaming," the Opposition leader said back then. "We are not against using the internet for all these things, but do we really want to invest $50 billion worth of hard-earned taxpayers’ money in what is essentially a video entertainment system?"
However, comments by Prime Minister Julia Gillard this week appear to strongly suggest the NBN will go ahead as planned in Queensland.
"More infrastructure is already needed to nurture the mining boom and support economic growth, so the Government is investing in long lived economic assets and infrastructure like high speed broadband, ports, roads and rail," the Labor leader said in a speech to the National Press Club this week.
"So 2011 remains a year when I will be delivering the national broadband network, creating more opportunity through education reforms and improving health care as well as a year when I will make long-term decisions on workforce participation and a carbon price."
Union reps also are backing the NBN...with Peter Tighe, national secretary of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, telling the ABC’s PM program it was "abhorrent" to use the current situation in Queensland to run a political argument about what was appropriate infrastructure.
And NBN Co chief Mike Quigley also backed the union’s comments on the same program, saying it was "a little misguided" to say there was a choice between deploying the NBN or spending the money on other infrastructure.
Australian media and gambling tycoon is understood to be keen to roll out more online gambling and gaming via both the internet and through his stake in Ten Network Holdings, always on the lookout for more programming and content that is going to deliver strong revenues. Packer mate, Virgin's Richard Branson, continues to eye off Australia for his Virgin Games and Virgin Gaming opportunities, while PartyGaming and local outfit Centrebet, already have quite the head start in some regards. May the best team... er, army win. All is fair in love and war (and gambling), so we are told by a local flock of Betfair pink pigeons.
Crowe, Holmes A Court, Richardson, Gallop, Packer, Murdoch (both of you sirs), Gyngell, Gillard, Abbott, Turnbull and a few others - you're throw of the football and dice!
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 (mainly poker and some casino 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
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Crown Aussie Million's Poker $250,000 World First, by Greg Tingle - 28th January 2011
G'day punters, journos, high rollers - casino whales, gambling millionaires and billionaires, poker sharks, entertainment and arts news junkies, media tycoons, politicians, insiders, outsiders, legal eagles... one and all. You know who you are. Australia continues to have Aussie Millions fever, and the poker world continues to stay clued to the action from the felt. We're got huge news from Crown Casino and also from its parent company, Crown Limited, including the one and only 'Our James' (James Packer) and friends. Media Man and Gambling911 with another exciting report...
Australia Leading The Way In High Stakes Poker Thanks To Packer's Aussie Millions!...
It's the world's richest poker tournament in history. Way to go Aussies.
How would you fancy entering the "Super High Roller" event costs $250,000 just to buy in. That's what happened folks.
We saw 20 players take a seat at the table. Some are also rumoured to have "side bets' with other players, agents and industry wheeler dealers.
The casino executive manager of table games, Sean McCreery, advised the amount of entrants took him by surprise.
"We were confident for eight but 20 players is quite unexpected. It’s exactly where we want to take the Aussie Millions in making it more attractive for the high-end players."
In a win - win - win scenario, the winner of the high-stakes event will take home $2.5 million with the 2nd and 3rd place players taking $1.5 and $1 million respectively.
Celeb poker players in yesterday's celebrity games included Shane "Warnie" Warne, known for often playing "poker her" with a certain Liz.
McCreery is wrapt with the way things have worked us thus far. "You couldn’t ask for a better table. The people who are at the table right now are a who’s who of world poker."
The quarter-of-a-million dollar price tag is the highest buy-in price ever offered with the previous record being shared between the Aussie Millions and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure’s $100,000 challenge.
McCreery said the idea behind the high-stakes game is part of a plan by the casino to make Australia one of the foremost poker destinations in the world. "If you think about it some of these players have to fly 40 hours just to be in the tournament. We try to create a whole experience for them here at Crown. Some of the players have told me this is their favourite event of the season."
At approx 5pm EST the tourney leader was Sam Trickett, with $1.17 million in chips. Organisers were expecting the tournament to run as late as 4am. Stay tuned.
Eric Seidel Wins Aussie Millions $250,000 Super High Roller Game; Sam Trickett Comes In 2nd...
Seidel might just be the world's most famous poker player as we go to press, and Sam Trickett isn't far behind.
The winner is an American professional poker player from Las Vegas, Nevada with 8 World Series of Poker bracelets and a World Poker Tour title. He is also a member of the Poker Hall of Fame. A bit of history...Seidel was born in New York City. Originally a tournament backgammon player for eight years, he eventually started playing the stock market, and then moved on to poker. He was one of the group of now famous players from the Mayfair Club, including Howard Lederer and Dan Harrington. In his first major tournament, Seidel was runner-up in the 1988 World Series of Poker main event to Johnny Chan. This final hand was featured in the movie Rounders. Seidel made the WSOP main event final table again in 1999, finishing in 4th place in the event won by Noel Furlong. He won his first WSOP bracelet in 1992 and won his eighth and most recent bracelet in 2007. Seidel has won bracelets in five different games, including Hold'em, Omaha, and Deuce to Seven Draw. Only four players in the history of the WSOP, world champions Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Johnny Moss, have won more bracelets than Seidel. During the sixth season of the World Poker Tour, Seidel won the 2008 WPT Foxwoods Poker Classic, earning $992,890. In January 2008, Seidel finished in second place in the Aussie Millions $10k main event and won $1,000,000(AUD). In March 2010, Seidel finished in second place in the National Heads-Up Poker Championship and collected $250,000 after a 1-2 loss to Annie 'The Hunt' Duke in the final. His total live tournament winnings exceed $13,700,000, plus add on the 2011 Aussie Millions winning to this total. $4,352,051 has been won at the WSOP. His 60 WSOP cashes put him in 4th for all time, tied with Berry Johnston. What an ace.
Sam Trickett...
Tricket has already won just under $3 million in tournament earnings this month which puts him up to $4.5 million career earnings overall, just behind Devilfish and Roland De Wolfe on the England all-time money list.
Aussie Millions Poker Trivia...
A number of Australia's have previously won the Aussie Millions. Interestingly, the last 2 champions were both Aussies and both ending up securing sponsorship with PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com We're talking about 2010 Champion Tyron Krost and 2009 Champion Stewart Scott.
Poker pro Van Marcus, currently in Melbourne for Aussie Millions, is the chap who has his red rare Ferrari nicked from the Crown valet parking last year, in a story that generated massive international headlines. In the past days Marcus has been seeing driving around Melbourne in what looks to be the same card, but this time reportedly with a hot blonde or brunette in the passenger seat. Hows the ride girls?
Next year, Network Ten Australia is interested to have the entire or a very comprehensive showing of the Aussie Millions tournament broadcast on one or both of their TV channels. The network currently has Network Ten and Eleven. James Packer, big wig at Crown Limited and major shareholder at Network Ten and his army is keen to see Aussie Millions generate substantial TV coverage, and some at the network and casino think it may also lend itself to a reality TV show and or interactive gambling content, and we mean more than just satellite qualified steering only players from PartyPoker or Doyle's to Aussie Millions, if you follow our lead. Sounds like great business movies fellas.
Marketing and gaming advisers to James Packer have leaked that they see merit in having an Aussie Millions branded online slot game. They saw the popularity of Cleopatra and Sinatra in an online environment, and well as PartyGaming's World Poker Tour slot in land based casinos. They have not confirmed a Kerry Packer themed slot game, with some concerns it may be a uncomfortable proposal for one or two of the Packer family, however many punters and insiders think that Kerry would have loved the idea, and further would have loved the concept that a slot game will his likeness via tribute slot would actually make Crown Limited money. PartyGaming, WMS and IGT are keen to talk turkey with Crown Limited with their online plans, which may also compliment what's in store for the further development of Packer 50% owned Betfair. Who is tipped to the the contract? We think PartyGaming, based on their strong US land based casino deals, ink still drying over the last few days, but you will just have to keep watching the space.
The first Aussie Millions was held in 1998 with a $1,000 buy-in and $74k prize pool and 10 international participants mainly from New Zealand. Since then, the tournament has grown year on year, to now be a major event if not the major event (Aussies think so) on the international poker tournament circuit, and a 'must do' for any serious poker player.
Crown Limited and Network Nine powers that be - your throw of the dice. No bluff!
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 Ten Network Holdings
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australia Leading The Way In High Stakes Poker Thanks To Packer's Aussie Millions!...
It's the world's richest poker tournament in history. Way to go Aussies.
How would you fancy entering the "Super High Roller" event costs $250,000 just to buy in. That's what happened folks.
We saw 20 players take a seat at the table. Some are also rumoured to have "side bets' with other players, agents and industry wheeler dealers.
The casino executive manager of table games, Sean McCreery, advised the amount of entrants took him by surprise.
"We were confident for eight but 20 players is quite unexpected. It’s exactly where we want to take the Aussie Millions in making it more attractive for the high-end players."
In a win - win - win scenario, the winner of the high-stakes event will take home $2.5 million with the 2nd and 3rd place players taking $1.5 and $1 million respectively.
Celeb poker players in yesterday's celebrity games included Shane "Warnie" Warne, known for often playing "poker her" with a certain Liz.
McCreery is wrapt with the way things have worked us thus far. "You couldn’t ask for a better table. The people who are at the table right now are a who’s who of world poker."
The quarter-of-a-million dollar price tag is the highest buy-in price ever offered with the previous record being shared between the Aussie Millions and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure’s $100,000 challenge.
McCreery said the idea behind the high-stakes game is part of a plan by the casino to make Australia one of the foremost poker destinations in the world. "If you think about it some of these players have to fly 40 hours just to be in the tournament. We try to create a whole experience for them here at Crown. Some of the players have told me this is their favourite event of the season."
At approx 5pm EST the tourney leader was Sam Trickett, with $1.17 million in chips. Organisers were expecting the tournament to run as late as 4am. Stay tuned.
Eric Seidel Wins Aussie Millions $250,000 Super High Roller Game; Sam Trickett Comes In 2nd...
Seidel might just be the world's most famous poker player as we go to press, and Sam Trickett isn't far behind.
The winner is an American professional poker player from Las Vegas, Nevada with 8 World Series of Poker bracelets and a World Poker Tour title. He is also a member of the Poker Hall of Fame. A bit of history...Seidel was born in New York City. Originally a tournament backgammon player for eight years, he eventually started playing the stock market, and then moved on to poker. He was one of the group of now famous players from the Mayfair Club, including Howard Lederer and Dan Harrington. In his first major tournament, Seidel was runner-up in the 1988 World Series of Poker main event to Johnny Chan. This final hand was featured in the movie Rounders. Seidel made the WSOP main event final table again in 1999, finishing in 4th place in the event won by Noel Furlong. He won his first WSOP bracelet in 1992 and won his eighth and most recent bracelet in 2007. Seidel has won bracelets in five different games, including Hold'em, Omaha, and Deuce to Seven Draw. Only four players in the history of the WSOP, world champions Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Johnny Moss, have won more bracelets than Seidel. During the sixth season of the World Poker Tour, Seidel won the 2008 WPT Foxwoods Poker Classic, earning $992,890. In January 2008, Seidel finished in second place in the Aussie Millions $10k main event and won $1,000,000(AUD). In March 2010, Seidel finished in second place in the National Heads-Up Poker Championship and collected $250,000 after a 1-2 loss to Annie 'The Hunt' Duke in the final. His total live tournament winnings exceed $13,700,000, plus add on the 2011 Aussie Millions winning to this total. $4,352,051 has been won at the WSOP. His 60 WSOP cashes put him in 4th for all time, tied with Berry Johnston. What an ace.
Sam Trickett...
Tricket has already won just under $3 million in tournament earnings this month which puts him up to $4.5 million career earnings overall, just behind Devilfish and Roland De Wolfe on the England all-time money list.
Aussie Millions Poker Trivia...
A number of Australia's have previously won the Aussie Millions. Interestingly, the last 2 champions were both Aussies and both ending up securing sponsorship with PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com We're talking about 2010 Champion Tyron Krost and 2009 Champion Stewart Scott.
Poker pro Van Marcus, currently in Melbourne for Aussie Millions, is the chap who has his red rare Ferrari nicked from the Crown valet parking last year, in a story that generated massive international headlines. In the past days Marcus has been seeing driving around Melbourne in what looks to be the same card, but this time reportedly with a hot blonde or brunette in the passenger seat. Hows the ride girls?
Next year, Network Ten Australia is interested to have the entire or a very comprehensive showing of the Aussie Millions tournament broadcast on one or both of their TV channels. The network currently has Network Ten and Eleven. James Packer, big wig at Crown Limited and major shareholder at Network Ten and his army is keen to see Aussie Millions generate substantial TV coverage, and some at the network and casino think it may also lend itself to a reality TV show and or interactive gambling content, and we mean more than just satellite qualified steering only players from PartyPoker or Doyle's to Aussie Millions, if you follow our lead. Sounds like great business movies fellas.
Marketing and gaming advisers to James Packer have leaked that they see merit in having an Aussie Millions branded online slot game. They saw the popularity of Cleopatra and Sinatra in an online environment, and well as PartyGaming's World Poker Tour slot in land based casinos. They have not confirmed a Kerry Packer themed slot game, with some concerns it may be a uncomfortable proposal for one or two of the Packer family, however many punters and insiders think that Kerry would have loved the idea, and further would have loved the concept that a slot game will his likeness via tribute slot would actually make Crown Limited money. PartyGaming, WMS and IGT are keen to talk turkey with Crown Limited with their online plans, which may also compliment what's in store for the further development of Packer 50% owned Betfair. Who is tipped to the the contract? We think PartyGaming, based on their strong US land based casino deals, ink still drying over the last few days, but you will just have to keep watching the space.
The first Aussie Millions was held in 1998 with a $1,000 buy-in and $74k prize pool and 10 international participants mainly from New Zealand. Since then, the tournament has grown year on year, to now be a major event if not the major event (Aussies think so) on the international poker tournament circuit, and a 'must do' for any serious poker player.
Crown Limited and Network Nine powers that be - your throw of the dice. No bluff!
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 Ten Network Holdings
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
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