PartyCasino.com Wins Media Man Online Casino Award
PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".
PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.
The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com
The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".
The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.
PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.
PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.
PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.
PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
Casino News Media offer online casino news, land based casino news, game reviews, casino gossip, gaming news, online gaming, online poker, interviews, articles, press releases, event news, multimedia and more.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Australia And New Zealand Gaming Stocks; Beancounter Special, by Greg Tingle - 27th February 2011
G'day punters, gaming and casino millionaires, billionaires, beancounters and everyone else. Today we look at whose numbers are up, down and steady Media Man and Gambling911 with your beancounter special for the weekend...
Crown Limited Profit Up 33%...
James Packer’s Crown Ltd (ASX:CWN) has reported a 33% lift in its first half net profit. The casino, hotel and gaming operator says net profit increased to $153 million while revenue lifted just 0.8% to $1.2 billion in the 6 months to 31 December, 2010. Crown says growth in non-gaming and main floor gaming revenues at its casinos in Perth and Melbourne offset a weaker performance from VIPs. An interim dividend of 18 cents per share has been declared. Shares in Crown fell 1.79 per cent to close at $8.23.
SkyCity Entertainment: New Zealand Based Media Darling Attracting High Rollers; Boosting Profits...
High rolling VIP's greatly assisted a lift to NZ based casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group’s revenue since New Year but its traditional gaming machine revenue is also growing strongly. SkyCity advised revenue in the first 6 weeks of the calendar year was up more than 9%. Chief exec Nigel 'Money Man' Morrison told the press stripping out its international, or VIP, business, revenue was up 6% or 7%. "International adds a bit of cream to that. Auckland, Hamilton, Darwin have all been good for us – Adelaide’s been flat." The Auckland casino, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of first-half operating earnings, had a rotten first quarter. Its first-half revenue was down slightly and operating earnings fell 3.6% to $96.9 million. The company said Auckland’s second-quarter gaming revenue was up 5% and that momentum has continued since. Operating earnings from its next biggest asset, its Darwin land based casino, fell 13.4% in Australian dollar terms, understood to reflect the impact of the smoking ban introduced in January last year. Morrison said historically it's taken between 18 months to 2 years for casinos to recover from the imposition of smoking bans. "If we can do it with 18 months we would be pretty pleased," he said. The modest Auckland and Darwin results contributed to a 5.5% fall in overall net profit to $67.1 million in the six months ended Dec. 31. The October increase in GST added nearly $3 million in costs while the year-on-year comparison was also damaged by earnings from the cinemas business, sold in February last year, being included in the year-earlier result. On a normalised basis, profit was up 2% while revenue rose 2.6% to $447.7 million. The latest results were more or less in line with analysts’ expectations and the company reiterated previous guidance that "we would be disappointed if we did not achieve normalised NPAT (net profit after tax) of $127.4 million for the 2011 financial year." Consensus forecasts are currently about $130 million for the full-year. Experts and industry analysts advise more time is needed to get the full picture of what's in store. In addition, the Chinese New Year period x factor and Oriental high roller whales and larger dolphins are in the mix of Sky City patrons. While the share market reacted negatively to begin with, marking down the shares 8 cents to $3.25, they gradually recovered and are currently 2 cents higher at $3.35. The shares have traded between $2.79 and $3.45 during the last 12 months. One of the firms smaller casinos, the Adelaide land based found its revenue up just 0.7% but its operating earnings were up 5.9%, boosted by strong 12% bar and restaurant sales growth which offset a 2.9% in revenue generated from gambling - gaming machines. Morrison advised the retail environment in Australia has softened and is especially weak in Adelaide. "It’s going to be pretty tough for the next six months at least." SkyCity’s Hamilton casino jumped earnings 3.1% while the contribution from its Queenstown and Christchurch operations was flat. The outfit is well advanced on a number of projects which will be completed in time for the expected flow of 85,000 plus visitors for the Rugby World Cup, Morrison said. SkyCity will pay a first-half dividend of 8 cents per share, unchanged from last year, at the upper spectrum of the company’s policy to distribute between 60% and 70% of net profit. The company has introduced a dividend reinvestment plan allowing shareholders to take shares at either the market price or a discount up to 5% at the company’s discretion.
Sportingbet: Aussie - British Connection Serving Bottom Line Well...
We are not big fans of them, but you have to give the devil's their due. They are performing well, both in the UK and down under. Pommie online gambling co Sportingbet (SBT.L) reported an increase in second-quarter earnings on Thursday and said strong growth in Australia, Turkey and its emerging markets had offset weakness in Europe. The company said EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) rose to 14.5 million pounds ($23.5 million) in the three months to end January from 13.6 million the year before. "Strong growth in Australia, Emerging Markets and Turkey more than offset the recessionary weakness of Europe, particularly notable in our larger markets of Greece and Spain. This demonstrates the attractiveness of a geographically diverse operation," said chief executive Andy McIver. Sportingbet is paying an interim dividend of 0.6 pence, up from 0.5 pence the year before. Shares in Sportingbet closed on Thursday at 45 pence, valuing the business at 228 million pounds.
Aristocrat Leisure: Gaming Company Comeback Of The Decade?...
Go Aussie Go, who they have so quickly recovered from being down in the dumps (share price and image) over the past year or so is anyones guess (unless you might be too close for your own good), but you have to hand it to these guys. They even got the IGT (International Game Technology) legal case sorted (or stopped the leaks). Aristocrat Leisure has announced profits of $54.6 million for the 2010 full year and says its turnaround program is on-track to deliver growth in 2011. The operating profit was down from the $116.4 recorded for 2009 but in-line with its November guidance to the market. Aristocrat revealed that 2010 had been a challenging year for the group but added that the business was only 18 months into a 5-year turnaround program to deliver a much sustained improvement in performance. Significant headwinds, including the generally weak market conditions and ongoing strength of the Australian dollar, dampened reported results for 2010. CEO and managing director Jamie Odell said he was encouraged by the progress the company had seen in these markets where it has delivered new generation games and more competitive products with state of the art technology. "Our impressive widescreen innovation in North America helped the group achieve value and share growth in the outright sale segment in 2010, despite a double-digit fall in overall demand," he said. "The fee per day performance of our new gaming operations products is also very encouraging, and significantly ahead of the average fee per day performance of our legacy products. "Portfolio quality is key to performance improvement. As a result, we expect to continue to see faster progress in those markets such as North America where our turnaround program is more advanced, than Australia and Japan." Shares in Aristocrat have rallied since the announcement and were trading at $3.26 at 1pm today (Feb 25), up from $3.04 a full week days ago. The firm is looking good.
Other International Stocks (17th Feb): Credit Google News, Wires / Agencies...
MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) slid 0.40% to $15. The stock has a 52-week range of $8.92-$16.94. The stock has average daily volume of 26.20 million shares. At current market price, the market capitalization of the company stands at $7.33 billion.
Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd
Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd (NASDAQ:MPEL) is down 0.48% to $7.30. Melco Crown Entertainment Limited is a developer, owner and, through its subsidiary Melco Crown Gaming, operator of casino gaming and entertainment resort facilities focused on the Macau market. The stock opened at $7.26 and is trading within the range of $7.25-$7.33.
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) added 0.19% to $48.36. The stock has a 52-week range of $15.50-$55.47. The stock has average daily volume of 26.80 million shares. At current market price, the market capitalization of the company stands at $33.11 billion.
Boyd Gaming Corporation
Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD) is up 0.69% to $11.70. The stock opened at $11.61 and is trading within the range of $11.55-$11.74.
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
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 Limited Profit Up 33%...
James Packer’s Crown Ltd (ASX:CWN) has reported a 33% lift in its first half net profit. The casino, hotel and gaming operator says net profit increased to $153 million while revenue lifted just 0.8% to $1.2 billion in the 6 months to 31 December, 2010. Crown says growth in non-gaming and main floor gaming revenues at its casinos in Perth and Melbourne offset a weaker performance from VIPs. An interim dividend of 18 cents per share has been declared. Shares in Crown fell 1.79 per cent to close at $8.23.
SkyCity Entertainment: New Zealand Based Media Darling Attracting High Rollers; Boosting Profits...
High rolling VIP's greatly assisted a lift to NZ based casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group’s revenue since New Year but its traditional gaming machine revenue is also growing strongly. SkyCity advised revenue in the first 6 weeks of the calendar year was up more than 9%. Chief exec Nigel 'Money Man' Morrison told the press stripping out its international, or VIP, business, revenue was up 6% or 7%. "International adds a bit of cream to that. Auckland, Hamilton, Darwin have all been good for us – Adelaide’s been flat." The Auckland casino, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of first-half operating earnings, had a rotten first quarter. Its first-half revenue was down slightly and operating earnings fell 3.6% to $96.9 million. The company said Auckland’s second-quarter gaming revenue was up 5% and that momentum has continued since. Operating earnings from its next biggest asset, its Darwin land based casino, fell 13.4% in Australian dollar terms, understood to reflect the impact of the smoking ban introduced in January last year. Morrison said historically it's taken between 18 months to 2 years for casinos to recover from the imposition of smoking bans. "If we can do it with 18 months we would be pretty pleased," he said. The modest Auckland and Darwin results contributed to a 5.5% fall in overall net profit to $67.1 million in the six months ended Dec. 31. The October increase in GST added nearly $3 million in costs while the year-on-year comparison was also damaged by earnings from the cinemas business, sold in February last year, being included in the year-earlier result. On a normalised basis, profit was up 2% while revenue rose 2.6% to $447.7 million. The latest results were more or less in line with analysts’ expectations and the company reiterated previous guidance that "we would be disappointed if we did not achieve normalised NPAT (net profit after tax) of $127.4 million for the 2011 financial year." Consensus forecasts are currently about $130 million for the full-year. Experts and industry analysts advise more time is needed to get the full picture of what's in store. In addition, the Chinese New Year period x factor and Oriental high roller whales and larger dolphins are in the mix of Sky City patrons. While the share market reacted negatively to begin with, marking down the shares 8 cents to $3.25, they gradually recovered and are currently 2 cents higher at $3.35. The shares have traded between $2.79 and $3.45 during the last 12 months. One of the firms smaller casinos, the Adelaide land based found its revenue up just 0.7% but its operating earnings were up 5.9%, boosted by strong 12% bar and restaurant sales growth which offset a 2.9% in revenue generated from gambling - gaming machines. Morrison advised the retail environment in Australia has softened and is especially weak in Adelaide. "It’s going to be pretty tough for the next six months at least." SkyCity’s Hamilton casino jumped earnings 3.1% while the contribution from its Queenstown and Christchurch operations was flat. The outfit is well advanced on a number of projects which will be completed in time for the expected flow of 85,000 plus visitors for the Rugby World Cup, Morrison said. SkyCity will pay a first-half dividend of 8 cents per share, unchanged from last year, at the upper spectrum of the company’s policy to distribute between 60% and 70% of net profit. The company has introduced a dividend reinvestment plan allowing shareholders to take shares at either the market price or a discount up to 5% at the company’s discretion.
Sportingbet: Aussie - British Connection Serving Bottom Line Well...
We are not big fans of them, but you have to give the devil's their due. They are performing well, both in the UK and down under. Pommie online gambling co Sportingbet (SBT.L) reported an increase in second-quarter earnings on Thursday and said strong growth in Australia, Turkey and its emerging markets had offset weakness in Europe. The company said EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) rose to 14.5 million pounds ($23.5 million) in the three months to end January from 13.6 million the year before. "Strong growth in Australia, Emerging Markets and Turkey more than offset the recessionary weakness of Europe, particularly notable in our larger markets of Greece and Spain. This demonstrates the attractiveness of a geographically diverse operation," said chief executive Andy McIver. Sportingbet is paying an interim dividend of 0.6 pence, up from 0.5 pence the year before. Shares in Sportingbet closed on Thursday at 45 pence, valuing the business at 228 million pounds.
Aristocrat Leisure: Gaming Company Comeback Of The Decade?...
Go Aussie Go, who they have so quickly recovered from being down in the dumps (share price and image) over the past year or so is anyones guess (unless you might be too close for your own good), but you have to hand it to these guys. They even got the IGT (International Game Technology) legal case sorted (or stopped the leaks). Aristocrat Leisure has announced profits of $54.6 million for the 2010 full year and says its turnaround program is on-track to deliver growth in 2011. The operating profit was down from the $116.4 recorded for 2009 but in-line with its November guidance to the market. Aristocrat revealed that 2010 had been a challenging year for the group but added that the business was only 18 months into a 5-year turnaround program to deliver a much sustained improvement in performance. Significant headwinds, including the generally weak market conditions and ongoing strength of the Australian dollar, dampened reported results for 2010. CEO and managing director Jamie Odell said he was encouraged by the progress the company had seen in these markets where it has delivered new generation games and more competitive products with state of the art technology. "Our impressive widescreen innovation in North America helped the group achieve value and share growth in the outright sale segment in 2010, despite a double-digit fall in overall demand," he said. "The fee per day performance of our new gaming operations products is also very encouraging, and significantly ahead of the average fee per day performance of our legacy products. "Portfolio quality is key to performance improvement. As a result, we expect to continue to see faster progress in those markets such as North America where our turnaround program is more advanced, than Australia and Japan." Shares in Aristocrat have rallied since the announcement and were trading at $3.26 at 1pm today (Feb 25), up from $3.04 a full week days ago. The firm is looking good.
Other International Stocks (17th Feb): Credit Google News, Wires / Agencies...
MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) slid 0.40% to $15. The stock has a 52-week range of $8.92-$16.94. The stock has average daily volume of 26.20 million shares. At current market price, the market capitalization of the company stands at $7.33 billion.
Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd
Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd (NASDAQ:MPEL) is down 0.48% to $7.30. Melco Crown Entertainment Limited is a developer, owner and, through its subsidiary Melco Crown Gaming, operator of casino gaming and entertainment resort facilities focused on the Macau market. The stock opened at $7.26 and is trading within the range of $7.25-$7.33.
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) added 0.19% to $48.36. The stock has a 52-week range of $15.50-$55.47. The stock has average daily volume of 26.80 million shares. At current market price, the market capitalization of the company stands at $33.11 billion.
Boyd Gaming Corporation
Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD) is up 0.69% to $11.70. The stock opened at $11.61 and is trading within the range of $11.55-$11.74.
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
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 News Media: PartyCasino Wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' Award
PartyCasino.com Wins Media Man Online Casino Award
PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".
PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.
The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com
The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".
The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.
PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.
PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.
PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.
PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".
PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.
The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com
The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".
The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.
PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.
PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.
PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.
PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions
Friday, February 25, 2011
Asia Pacific Casino Wars: Burswood Casino Targets High Roller VIPs, by Greg Tingle - 25th February 2011
G'day everyone. It's yet another episode of the Australian casino wars, with a dash of the Australians VS the Singaporeans, with a dash of Aussie political wars to boot. Media Man and Gambling911 with your special report from the war zone...
James Packer's Burswood Casino is continuing to feel a bit of pressure from from a couple of resorts in Singapore, as its high roller takings drops about 14%, but it would be worse, and most experts expect Crown Limited casinos in Australia to close the gap within 6 months.
Crown, owner of Burswood Entertainment Complex, Melbourne’s Crown Casino and a range of entities in the Asia Pacific just released its first-half financial report.
We learned of a 32.9% lift in first half net profit to $153.14 million on a "solid" performance from its Australian non-VIP businesses and non-gaming operations.
Normalised net profit, which takes into account variations via "theoretical win rate" against VIP gamblers and pre-opening costs in respect of the jointly owned City of Dreams casino-resort in Macau, thanks to the Ho family connection, was 13.9% higher at $165.8 million.
VIP revenue dropped 8% to $290.8 million, a result of the opening of 2, yes 2, new casino "integrated resorts" in downtown Singapore.
At Burswood, VIP revenue dropped 14.3% to $78.3 million on turnover of $5.8 billion.
Normalised earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation was $107.3 million, down 4.4%, while normalised revenue was pretty steady at $376.8 million.
Crown chief exec Rowen Craigie told the press that the VIP market was growing strongly, evidenced by the uplift of the VIP market in Macau.
"The Singapore casinos are going gang-busters - they're probably the two most profitable casinos in the world at the moment," Craigie said.
"So, the market is there. The challenge for us is to replace the business we've lost to Singapore with new business out of China but also new business out of South East Asia.
"What Macau has proved and what Singapore will also prove is that additions to the supply of quality-integrated resorts triggers the demand."
Craigie said facility upgrades in progress at Crown and Burswood would help boost Crown's share of VIP numbers.
The casinos owned and operated by Crown Limited also had to focus on providing quality service, and Crown had to ensure that it had the right sales force in key markets to persuade well to do gamblers (whales and good size dolphins) to come down under to Australia.
Craigie advised many VIP gamblers from South East Asia were now choosing to play their games of choice locally, and some of Crown's key VIP customers were back and forward between Australia, Macau, Las Vegas, and Singapore.
The boss said an upgrade of facilities by Australian rival casino operator Tabcorp would also make a visit to Australia by VIP gamblers a more attractive proposition.
"We know they property hop," Craigie said.
Crown also announced today that it had received regulatory approval in Nevada and Pennsylvania in the U.S to convert a "preferred instrument" held in Cannery Casino Resorts into equity. Upon conversion, Crown will hold a 24.5% share in Cannery. Craigie said that once the conversion took place, Crown would be entitled to share in any profit distribution and a seat on Cannery's management committee. This marks a return to American gaming and casino action for Crown, which successfully got out of a few deals over the past few years, preferring to cut their losses and run. One such well documented deal was March 2009 - Crown abandoned a $US1.8 billion deal to acquire Cannery. Crown chief financial officer Ken Barton said the Cannery investment was valued in Crown's books at $US60 million ($A59.54 million).
Craigie said Crown "still needs to see what happens" with the Cannery investment. "In terms of future plans for Cannery, we're only a 25% shareholder. That's a wait-and-see," Craigie said.
Crown said trading in the new calendar year had so far been good, however the first 7 weeks of 2011 was not comparable to the same period in 2010 due to the difference in the timing of Chinese New Year. Chinese people are very suspicious, and the calender effects their gambling habits. Craigie said Crown Melbourne was benefiting from capital refurbishments.
However, Burswood had been affected by complex-wide renovations during the half year. Crown's revenue for the 6 months to December 31, 2010 grew 0.8% to $1.2 billion. Crown declared an interim dividend of 18cc per share, with 10.8 cents franked, steady on the dividend in the prior corresponding period. Shares in Crown were down 18 cents at $8.20.
Numerous media and gaming insiders have told Media Man that both Crown's Burswood Casino in Perth and Crown Casino in Melbourne are fully expected to close the gap on Singapore casino resorts in the coming months, as Crown and competitor, Tabcorp (Star City in 'Sin City' Sydney) continue to lobby the Australian government for enhanced facilities at major Australian airports to ensure high rollers VIP's are looked after like gold, easing restrictions on paperwork ala immigration and other entry requirements. Ah, let the Australian casino wars and Aussie political fun and games wars continue. Incoming!
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
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
James Packer's Burswood Casino is continuing to feel a bit of pressure from from a couple of resorts in Singapore, as its high roller takings drops about 14%, but it would be worse, and most experts expect Crown Limited casinos in Australia to close the gap within 6 months.
Crown, owner of Burswood Entertainment Complex, Melbourne’s Crown Casino and a range of entities in the Asia Pacific just released its first-half financial report.
We learned of a 32.9% lift in first half net profit to $153.14 million on a "solid" performance from its Australian non-VIP businesses and non-gaming operations.
Normalised net profit, which takes into account variations via "theoretical win rate" against VIP gamblers and pre-opening costs in respect of the jointly owned City of Dreams casino-resort in Macau, thanks to the Ho family connection, was 13.9% higher at $165.8 million.
VIP revenue dropped 8% to $290.8 million, a result of the opening of 2, yes 2, new casino "integrated resorts" in downtown Singapore.
At Burswood, VIP revenue dropped 14.3% to $78.3 million on turnover of $5.8 billion.
Normalised earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation was $107.3 million, down 4.4%, while normalised revenue was pretty steady at $376.8 million.
Crown chief exec Rowen Craigie told the press that the VIP market was growing strongly, evidenced by the uplift of the VIP market in Macau.
"The Singapore casinos are going gang-busters - they're probably the two most profitable casinos in the world at the moment," Craigie said.
"So, the market is there. The challenge for us is to replace the business we've lost to Singapore with new business out of China but also new business out of South East Asia.
"What Macau has proved and what Singapore will also prove is that additions to the supply of quality-integrated resorts triggers the demand."
Craigie said facility upgrades in progress at Crown and Burswood would help boost Crown's share of VIP numbers.
The casinos owned and operated by Crown Limited also had to focus on providing quality service, and Crown had to ensure that it had the right sales force in key markets to persuade well to do gamblers (whales and good size dolphins) to come down under to Australia.
Craigie advised many VIP gamblers from South East Asia were now choosing to play their games of choice locally, and some of Crown's key VIP customers were back and forward between Australia, Macau, Las Vegas, and Singapore.
The boss said an upgrade of facilities by Australian rival casino operator Tabcorp would also make a visit to Australia by VIP gamblers a more attractive proposition.
"We know they property hop," Craigie said.
Crown also announced today that it had received regulatory approval in Nevada and Pennsylvania in the U.S to convert a "preferred instrument" held in Cannery Casino Resorts into equity. Upon conversion, Crown will hold a 24.5% share in Cannery. Craigie said that once the conversion took place, Crown would be entitled to share in any profit distribution and a seat on Cannery's management committee. This marks a return to American gaming and casino action for Crown, which successfully got out of a few deals over the past few years, preferring to cut their losses and run. One such well documented deal was March 2009 - Crown abandoned a $US1.8 billion deal to acquire Cannery. Crown chief financial officer Ken Barton said the Cannery investment was valued in Crown's books at $US60 million ($A59.54 million).
Craigie said Crown "still needs to see what happens" with the Cannery investment. "In terms of future plans for Cannery, we're only a 25% shareholder. That's a wait-and-see," Craigie said.
Crown said trading in the new calendar year had so far been good, however the first 7 weeks of 2011 was not comparable to the same period in 2010 due to the difference in the timing of Chinese New Year. Chinese people are very suspicious, and the calender effects their gambling habits. Craigie said Crown Melbourne was benefiting from capital refurbishments.
However, Burswood had been affected by complex-wide renovations during the half year. Crown's revenue for the 6 months to December 31, 2010 grew 0.8% to $1.2 billion. Crown declared an interim dividend of 18cc per share, with 10.8 cents franked, steady on the dividend in the prior corresponding period. Shares in Crown were down 18 cents at $8.20.
Numerous media and gaming insiders have told Media Man that both Crown's Burswood Casino in Perth and Crown Casino in Melbourne are fully expected to close the gap on Singapore casino resorts in the coming months, as Crown and competitor, Tabcorp (Star City in 'Sin City' Sydney) continue to lobby the Australian government for enhanced facilities at major Australian airports to ensure high rollers VIP's are looked after like gold, easing restrictions on paperwork ala immigration and other entry requirements. Ah, let the Australian casino wars and Aussie political fun and games wars continue. Incoming!
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
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
Sin City Sydney: Darling Habour Gets Star City Rub, by Greg Tingle - 25th February 2011
G'day everyone. It's yet another huge gambling and casino news updated from down under in Australia. We've got political fun and games, lovers VS haters, man VS machine, Big Brother VS The People, and you get the idea. Media Man and Gambling911 with your regular Aussie round up...
Sin City Sydney's Darling Harbour, in the shadow of Chinatown and neighbouring Pyrmont, is to get a make over, and tourism tied in with the revamped Star City casino are in the think of the action. Well darlings, the money have to come from somewhere doesn't it!
The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is going to be a huge part of the revamp to. The expo centre has hosted 1000s of events, trade shows and the likes over the years.
Property - land developer Lend Lease's will be doing a $6 billion or so redevelopment of Barangaroo, on the east side of Darling Harbour.
Your favorite bank and ours NOT, the Commonwealth Bank, will have their 'Piggy Bank' (satire) in the Darling Walk region.
Lend Lease chief exec, Steve McCann, advised Barangaroo was set to start work later this year.
Star City casino is of course also getting a massive makeover, and readers will know its budget is close to 900 million bucks. Insides tip it may go over budget, and their parent, Tabcorp, do have funds available. Watch out for a 1000 new slots, more entertainment facilities and yet more places to sink a cold one and grab a bite. Oh, try not to get pissed (drunk) before putting too much money in the "one armed bandits". Unless your as rich as Star City mega fan Jon Bon Jovi, you better show some restraint.
The development plans were released a fortnight ago and have only just been leaked to us, so better late than never hey punters.
Top brass from the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre joined the director of communication and marketing for Barangaroo, Scott Maclean, and MD of Star City, Sid Vaikunta, to promote the redevelopments at a media bash at the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo in Melbourne, home to the original 'Underbelly' down under.
Chief exec of Sydney Events, Jon Hutchison, said "NSW businesses and the NSW government are working closely together to ensure Sydney remains the Asia-Pacific's leading business events destination for decades to come. The developments represent a once-in-200-year opportunity to transform Sydney's CBD waterfront precincts for the business travel market and leverage the next phase of Sydney's economic growth."
The redevelopment of the Entertainment Centre is set to cost $550 million.
In a surprise move to rock concert and event fans, the Sydney Entertainment Centre will be torn down - yep, gone! It will be replaced and an entertainment auditorium will be built. Entertainment junkies, don't worry. The Sydney Ent Centre should still be standing for another year or two, before its on the scrap heap. Expect the whole development to be complete by 2015.
The $860 million Star City casino redevelopment will transform the casino into a "world-class venue", with a 3000-seat multipurpose events centre, an extra 172-room hotel, adding to the existing 350 hotel rooms and 130 apartments, and more restaurants, and don't forget more table games and slots.
Sydney Events believes the project will add $530 million to the NSW economy in years ahead.
So, whether games, food, drinks, entertainment or tourism is your poison, they will have something for you. A devilish, daring and impressive development if there ever was.
We're proud of you 'Sin City' Sydney, and kudos to Star City (even if we do own shares in your competitor). Ah, let the tourism and Aussie casino and business wars continue. Incoming!
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
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Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Sin City Sydney's Darling Harbour, in the shadow of Chinatown and neighbouring Pyrmont, is to get a make over, and tourism tied in with the revamped Star City casino are in the think of the action. Well darlings, the money have to come from somewhere doesn't it!
The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is going to be a huge part of the revamp to. The expo centre has hosted 1000s of events, trade shows and the likes over the years.
Property - land developer Lend Lease's will be doing a $6 billion or so redevelopment of Barangaroo, on the east side of Darling Harbour.
Your favorite bank and ours NOT, the Commonwealth Bank, will have their 'Piggy Bank' (satire) in the Darling Walk region.
Lend Lease chief exec, Steve McCann, advised Barangaroo was set to start work later this year.
Star City casino is of course also getting a massive makeover, and readers will know its budget is close to 900 million bucks. Insides tip it may go over budget, and their parent, Tabcorp, do have funds available. Watch out for a 1000 new slots, more entertainment facilities and yet more places to sink a cold one and grab a bite. Oh, try not to get pissed (drunk) before putting too much money in the "one armed bandits". Unless your as rich as Star City mega fan Jon Bon Jovi, you better show some restraint.
The development plans were released a fortnight ago and have only just been leaked to us, so better late than never hey punters.
Top brass from the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre joined the director of communication and marketing for Barangaroo, Scott Maclean, and MD of Star City, Sid Vaikunta, to promote the redevelopments at a media bash at the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo in Melbourne, home to the original 'Underbelly' down under.
Chief exec of Sydney Events, Jon Hutchison, said "NSW businesses and the NSW government are working closely together to ensure Sydney remains the Asia-Pacific's leading business events destination for decades to come. The developments represent a once-in-200-year opportunity to transform Sydney's CBD waterfront precincts for the business travel market and leverage the next phase of Sydney's economic growth."
The redevelopment of the Entertainment Centre is set to cost $550 million.
In a surprise move to rock concert and event fans, the Sydney Entertainment Centre will be torn down - yep, gone! It will be replaced and an entertainment auditorium will be built. Entertainment junkies, don't worry. The Sydney Ent Centre should still be standing for another year or two, before its on the scrap heap. Expect the whole development to be complete by 2015.
The $860 million Star City casino redevelopment will transform the casino into a "world-class venue", with a 3000-seat multipurpose events centre, an extra 172-room hotel, adding to the existing 350 hotel rooms and 130 apartments, and more restaurants, and don't forget more table games and slots.
Sydney Events believes the project will add $530 million to the NSW economy in years ahead.
So, whether games, food, drinks, entertainment or tourism is your poison, they will have something for you. A devilish, daring and impressive development if there ever was.
We're proud of you 'Sin City' Sydney, and kudos to Star City (even if we do own shares in your competitor). Ah, let the tourism and Aussie casino and business wars continue. Incoming!
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
Australian And New Zealand Gambling And Casino News, by Greg Tingle - 17th February 2011
G'day everyone. It's yet another huge gambling and casino news updated from down under in Australia. We've got political fun and games, lovers VS haters, man VS machine, Big Brother VS The People, and you get the idea. Media Man and Gambling911 with your regular Aussie round up...
Pokies limits Likely To Cost Hotels Up To $4b'...
The Hotels Association says it would cost the industry up to $4 billion to comply with proposed new laws for pokies. The Federal Government aims to force gamblers to set limits on how much money they are prepared to lose before they play machines. But the Australian Hotels Association says the scheme would drive people to other forms of gambling, like illegal or online, and lead down the road to job losses. John Whelan from the Association has told anyone that would listen at a Parliamentary inquiry half of all machines would need to be replaced. "What's being asked of the industry this time around will involve a multi-billion dollar capital cost. It's very unlikely that those many venues or most venues around (have) the cash to do that, and it's equally unlikely that the banks will lend them the money to fund that capital cost."
Proposed Pokie Laws Will Send Smaller Clubs Broke...
Industry group, Clubs New South Wales, says the cost of complying with proposed new poker machine laws will send clubs across the region broke and put thousands out of work. The Productivity Commission has told a parliamentary inquiry, responsible hotels and clubs will barely notice the impact on revenue from the proposed laws designed to help problem gamblers. The new laws would require individuals to register and nominate a maximum spend amount and then use a USB card in converted machines. Clubs NSW Hunter spokesman, John Chin says his Hexham club will have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to convert 87 poker machines. "We're talking around $400,000 just to be compliant. I'm sure it's not going to do what they think it's going to do and that's to help the problem gambler." Chin says he understands the Prime Minister's dilemma, but she needs to understand the impact it will have on local clubs and 5,000 Hunter jobs. She had given him the agreement that she would push this through. We are fighting basically a life and death struggle for us and we are not going to give way, saying they can have it their way. We will fight this to the very end."
Higher Power At Work In Gambling; Godsend To Bendigo, Victoria...
Well respected Social welfare agency St Luke’s, has a rather new approach to tackle problem gambling...reaching out to workers at the Bendigo region’s gaming venues. St Luke’s will kick off its new venue support worker program, aimed at helping staff at gaming venues recognise and assist potential problem gamblers. The initiative comes as a new Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation survey of gaming venue managers and staff showed about two-thirds were less than comfortable to approach someone with a gambling problem and that almost 10% had never been instructed on dealing with problem gamblers. Trevor Rice is one of 26 Gamblers Help venue support workers across Victoria and covers 23 venues in the area from Gisborne and Maryborough to Swan Hill and Echuca. "I go and work out with the venues what training they require. Most venues are looking at how to approach people, and I think it’s a confidence thing. We’ve had some good responses. Some are very proactive, and all of the managers are very positive about the program." Rice said a problem gambler may exhibit one of more than 100 signs, including playing for long periods, attachment to a particular machine, aggression and continued visits to ATMs. Bendigo Stadium chief executive officer Eric Pascoe said Rice began training staff at the stadium last week after he initiated a meeting with Rice and Gamblers Help counsellors at St Luke’s. "The stadium is a community organisation, and we wanted to be a leader in helping problem gamblers and take a very active approach. Some insiders question if a staff member should be required to look out for over 100 different signs in players, thinking that may be more the thing for a body language expert of psychologist, attempting to move the responsibility and legal burden to a club employer. A Media Man spokesperson said "In regard to watching out to problem gamblers, the program has some merit, but it looks like there may be some buck passing going on already. Club workers are not psychologists. One may question if them having to remember up to 100 signs of a problem gambler is fair cop. An agro patron being questioned if they have a problem may also potentially wish to argue or get in a fight with who questions them. This proposal is fraught with questions and risks".
Queensland Banana Benders Punters Spend $5 Million Bucks Per Day On Poker Machines...
Banana Benders sank almost $5 million a day into poker machines in the first month of this year. The state's more than 42,000 machines collected nearly $153 million in metered wins in January. This is about $10 million more than January last year and up more than $18 million for the year to date. Queensland Council of Social Service director Jill Lang advised the number of at-risk and problem gamblers lay between 8 and 9% and were responsible for about 40% per cent of money generated. Some insiders question the numbers, with social groups known to sometimes use misleading numbers in attempt to push their own agenda. Lang said QCOSS supports many of the recommendations from the ongoing federal parliamentary inquiry into gambling, including pre-commitment machines, where gamblers set a limit. She advised that along with slowing down the betting rate and removing ATMs from the area where possible, pre-commitment was a good idea, despite industry saying this week that it would be too expensive. Clubs Queensland CEO Doug Flockhart said despite the higher year-to-date figures, the floods had led a drop in revenue in the central west by almost 44%. He said pokies upgrades would cost between $3500 and $5000 per machine. "Pre-commitment machines are another tool in the box. Any addict, whether it be alcohol or drugs, until they make the decision to stop, there'll be no way to stop them".
Aussie Hotels Want Pokie Limit Trial...
The Australian Hotels Association has just about begged the government to carry out detailed research and trials of mandatory pre-commitment poker machines before rolling out restrictions nationwide. The AHA's written submission to an inquiry on pre-commitment pokies was critical of the push by independent Andrew Wilkie, the committee's chairman, to have the pre-commitment system rolled out in 2014, despite the Productivity Commission saying it should begin in 2016, with exemptions for small hotels until 2018. The AHA warned that it could cost the industry up to $2.5 billion to upgrade machines to make them capable of having a pre-commitment function limiting the amount of money punters can wager. Older machines, mainly in regional areas, would have to be completely replaced at a cost of $25,000 each to make them capable of having a mandatory pre-commitment. In its submission, the AHA said it wished to work with government "to develop a sensible, evidenced-based way forward - that will continue to minimise harm from gambling, but will not close our businesses, slash our workforce and reduce our community support". AHA's national chief executive Des Crowe and director for responsible gaming John Whelan fronted the joint standing committee on gambling reform yesterday. The Productivity Commission also appeared before the committee yesterday highlighting the need for any trial of pre-commitment technology to be held in a large area, such as Tasmania. The commission warned that a small trial zone would allow people to drive to the next suburb where they could play unrestricted. The commission also dismissed concerns that people's privacy could be breached by new technology. On Friday the committee will reconvene in Hobart, where it will hear from Anglicare and the Australasian Casino Association. Media Man has interviewed dozens of journalists and gaming experts about pre commitment over the past few months with all questioned saying they don't see the Gillard government proposal offering a total solution and that trials overseas showed that the pre commitment doesn't work properly. It's widely known that gamblers and problem gamblers will gamble no matter what government restrictions are put in place. An uprising off illegal poker and casino game events are expect in Australia on an invitation only basis. This follows the U.S and Canadian pattern, where if some forms of gambling become illegal or too restricted, they thrive in the underground, falling off the map of government reports and bean counter types.
Crown Casino Loves Rugby Union Too...
James Packer's Crown Casino is enjoying the company of other sports fans at a lunch for Melbourne's new rugby union team, the Rebels. 1200 people showed their support at the lunch, with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and opera singer Teddy Tahu Rhodes part of the fun. Mike Brady gave a preview of his new rugby anthem. Rebels board member Gary Gray, whose involvement with Victorian rugby goes back to the failed 2005 bid to get a licence from the Australian Rugby Union, said rugby's support in Melbourne was a complex and varied mix. Rugby is an international game. You have a lot of people that have been starved for it in this town - expats both from interstate and from New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, even France and other parts of Europe where rugby's popular." Gray said there was also strong support from the local south Pacific island community, which has fielded many top players, and local clubs. "In Victoria there's the south Pacific island community, some of the state schools play rugby, most of the private schools play.". Crown Casino continues to back sport, having recently sponsored the NRL's Melbourne Storm.
Adelaide SkyCity Casino Feels Some Pain...
The popular casino's pre-tax earnings climbed to $16.1 million as its owner predicted subdued future trading. Sky City's half year profit fell 2.2% to $51 million ($NZ67.1 million) and chief executive Nigel Morrison said a quiet retail environment would impact on gaming revenue in Adelaide as it works with the State Government on developing the Riverfront precinct. Adelaide Casino lifted revenue by just $500,000 to $74.4 million but pre-tax earnings climbed 5.6 per cent to $16.1 million in the six months to December 31 thanks to "good cost controls and food and beverage revenue", Morrison said. Smoking bans in Darwin impacted on Australian casino earnings which fell 2% to $NZ47.2 million. The economic environment in this country remained challenging, particularly in discretionary retail, while the Australian discretionary retail sector was now also reporting more challenging times, Morrison said. Normalised net profit climbed 2.1% to $51 million after adjusting for comparisons without its divested cinemas group, the company said. Normalised revenue from ordinary activities rose 3.1 per cent on a year earlier to $NZ410.1 million.
An interim dividend of 8c a share has been declared. Gamblers from the orient - China and Thailand into the company's Auckland casino boosted the company's international business division, which almost doubled revenue to $1.1 billion. That growth underpinned the decision to invest in increased capacity and world class facilities for international customers in Auckland, Sky City said. Sky City reiterated its full year profit guidance to $96.1 million. Talks with the South Australian government on the proposed Adelaide Casino redevelopment and casino regulatory reforms were continuing, Morrison said. "We continue to stress the importance of a level playing field in respect of casino regulation and believe in the potential of the Adelaide market to deliver strong growth should some of the current challenges be adequately addressed," the company said. Sky City shares are trading steady at $2.49.
Sky City New Zealand And Australia Half Yearly Profits Drop...
The economic slowdown in New Zealand and Australia has led to a fall in half-year profit at casino operator Sky City Entertainment Group. The company made $67.1 million in the six months to December, a decrease of 6% on the same period a year ago. Stripping out a contribution from its now sold cinema operations, the listed company's underlying profit rose 2% to $67.4 million. Revenue rose 3% to $448 million, with growth in Adelaide and Hamilton partly offseting a fall at Darwin due to the introduction of a smoking ban.
Sky City chief executive Nigel Morrision says earnings at its flagship Auckland casino remained flat, as the subdued economy deterred local gamblers, although turnover doubled from high rollers, mainly from Asia. He says revenue rose 9% for the first six weeks of this year compared with the same period a year ago. Looking ahead, Sky City expects a full year profit of $127.4 million, compared with last year's normalised profit of $129 million.
A dividend payout of 8 cents a shares has been declared. Media Man analysts were not prepared to comment on what the financial position the firm would likely to be in come end of year results.
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
Pokies limits Likely To Cost Hotels Up To $4b'...
The Hotels Association says it would cost the industry up to $4 billion to comply with proposed new laws for pokies. The Federal Government aims to force gamblers to set limits on how much money they are prepared to lose before they play machines. But the Australian Hotels Association says the scheme would drive people to other forms of gambling, like illegal or online, and lead down the road to job losses. John Whelan from the Association has told anyone that would listen at a Parliamentary inquiry half of all machines would need to be replaced. "What's being asked of the industry this time around will involve a multi-billion dollar capital cost. It's very unlikely that those many venues or most venues around (have) the cash to do that, and it's equally unlikely that the banks will lend them the money to fund that capital cost."
Proposed Pokie Laws Will Send Smaller Clubs Broke...
Industry group, Clubs New South Wales, says the cost of complying with proposed new poker machine laws will send clubs across the region broke and put thousands out of work. The Productivity Commission has told a parliamentary inquiry, responsible hotels and clubs will barely notice the impact on revenue from the proposed laws designed to help problem gamblers. The new laws would require individuals to register and nominate a maximum spend amount and then use a USB card in converted machines. Clubs NSW Hunter spokesman, John Chin says his Hexham club will have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to convert 87 poker machines. "We're talking around $400,000 just to be compliant. I'm sure it's not going to do what they think it's going to do and that's to help the problem gambler." Chin says he understands the Prime Minister's dilemma, but she needs to understand the impact it will have on local clubs and 5,000 Hunter jobs. She had given him the agreement that she would push this through. We are fighting basically a life and death struggle for us and we are not going to give way, saying they can have it their way. We will fight this to the very end."
Higher Power At Work In Gambling; Godsend To Bendigo, Victoria...
Well respected Social welfare agency St Luke’s, has a rather new approach to tackle problem gambling...reaching out to workers at the Bendigo region’s gaming venues. St Luke’s will kick off its new venue support worker program, aimed at helping staff at gaming venues recognise and assist potential problem gamblers. The initiative comes as a new Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation survey of gaming venue managers and staff showed about two-thirds were less than comfortable to approach someone with a gambling problem and that almost 10% had never been instructed on dealing with problem gamblers. Trevor Rice is one of 26 Gamblers Help venue support workers across Victoria and covers 23 venues in the area from Gisborne and Maryborough to Swan Hill and Echuca. "I go and work out with the venues what training they require. Most venues are looking at how to approach people, and I think it’s a confidence thing. We’ve had some good responses. Some are very proactive, and all of the managers are very positive about the program." Rice said a problem gambler may exhibit one of more than 100 signs, including playing for long periods, attachment to a particular machine, aggression and continued visits to ATMs. Bendigo Stadium chief executive officer Eric Pascoe said Rice began training staff at the stadium last week after he initiated a meeting with Rice and Gamblers Help counsellors at St Luke’s. "The stadium is a community organisation, and we wanted to be a leader in helping problem gamblers and take a very active approach. Some insiders question if a staff member should be required to look out for over 100 different signs in players, thinking that may be more the thing for a body language expert of psychologist, attempting to move the responsibility and legal burden to a club employer. A Media Man spokesperson said "In regard to watching out to problem gamblers, the program has some merit, but it looks like there may be some buck passing going on already. Club workers are not psychologists. One may question if them having to remember up to 100 signs of a problem gambler is fair cop. An agro patron being questioned if they have a problem may also potentially wish to argue or get in a fight with who questions them. This proposal is fraught with questions and risks".
Queensland Banana Benders Punters Spend $5 Million Bucks Per Day On Poker Machines...
Banana Benders sank almost $5 million a day into poker machines in the first month of this year. The state's more than 42,000 machines collected nearly $153 million in metered wins in January. This is about $10 million more than January last year and up more than $18 million for the year to date. Queensland Council of Social Service director Jill Lang advised the number of at-risk and problem gamblers lay between 8 and 9% and were responsible for about 40% per cent of money generated. Some insiders question the numbers, with social groups known to sometimes use misleading numbers in attempt to push their own agenda. Lang said QCOSS supports many of the recommendations from the ongoing federal parliamentary inquiry into gambling, including pre-commitment machines, where gamblers set a limit. She advised that along with slowing down the betting rate and removing ATMs from the area where possible, pre-commitment was a good idea, despite industry saying this week that it would be too expensive. Clubs Queensland CEO Doug Flockhart said despite the higher year-to-date figures, the floods had led a drop in revenue in the central west by almost 44%. He said pokies upgrades would cost between $3500 and $5000 per machine. "Pre-commitment machines are another tool in the box. Any addict, whether it be alcohol or drugs, until they make the decision to stop, there'll be no way to stop them".
Aussie Hotels Want Pokie Limit Trial...
The Australian Hotels Association has just about begged the government to carry out detailed research and trials of mandatory pre-commitment poker machines before rolling out restrictions nationwide. The AHA's written submission to an inquiry on pre-commitment pokies was critical of the push by independent Andrew Wilkie, the committee's chairman, to have the pre-commitment system rolled out in 2014, despite the Productivity Commission saying it should begin in 2016, with exemptions for small hotels until 2018. The AHA warned that it could cost the industry up to $2.5 billion to upgrade machines to make them capable of having a pre-commitment function limiting the amount of money punters can wager. Older machines, mainly in regional areas, would have to be completely replaced at a cost of $25,000 each to make them capable of having a mandatory pre-commitment. In its submission, the AHA said it wished to work with government "to develop a sensible, evidenced-based way forward - that will continue to minimise harm from gambling, but will not close our businesses, slash our workforce and reduce our community support". AHA's national chief executive Des Crowe and director for responsible gaming John Whelan fronted the joint standing committee on gambling reform yesterday. The Productivity Commission also appeared before the committee yesterday highlighting the need for any trial of pre-commitment technology to be held in a large area, such as Tasmania. The commission warned that a small trial zone would allow people to drive to the next suburb where they could play unrestricted. The commission also dismissed concerns that people's privacy could be breached by new technology. On Friday the committee will reconvene in Hobart, where it will hear from Anglicare and the Australasian Casino Association. Media Man has interviewed dozens of journalists and gaming experts about pre commitment over the past few months with all questioned saying they don't see the Gillard government proposal offering a total solution and that trials overseas showed that the pre commitment doesn't work properly. It's widely known that gamblers and problem gamblers will gamble no matter what government restrictions are put in place. An uprising off illegal poker and casino game events are expect in Australia on an invitation only basis. This follows the U.S and Canadian pattern, where if some forms of gambling become illegal or too restricted, they thrive in the underground, falling off the map of government reports and bean counter types.
Crown Casino Loves Rugby Union Too...
James Packer's Crown Casino is enjoying the company of other sports fans at a lunch for Melbourne's new rugby union team, the Rebels. 1200 people showed their support at the lunch, with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and opera singer Teddy Tahu Rhodes part of the fun. Mike Brady gave a preview of his new rugby anthem. Rebels board member Gary Gray, whose involvement with Victorian rugby goes back to the failed 2005 bid to get a licence from the Australian Rugby Union, said rugby's support in Melbourne was a complex and varied mix. Rugby is an international game. You have a lot of people that have been starved for it in this town - expats both from interstate and from New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, even France and other parts of Europe where rugby's popular." Gray said there was also strong support from the local south Pacific island community, which has fielded many top players, and local clubs. "In Victoria there's the south Pacific island community, some of the state schools play rugby, most of the private schools play.". Crown Casino continues to back sport, having recently sponsored the NRL's Melbourne Storm.
Adelaide SkyCity Casino Feels Some Pain...
The popular casino's pre-tax earnings climbed to $16.1 million as its owner predicted subdued future trading. Sky City's half year profit fell 2.2% to $51 million ($NZ67.1 million) and chief executive Nigel Morrison said a quiet retail environment would impact on gaming revenue in Adelaide as it works with the State Government on developing the Riverfront precinct. Adelaide Casino lifted revenue by just $500,000 to $74.4 million but pre-tax earnings climbed 5.6 per cent to $16.1 million in the six months to December 31 thanks to "good cost controls and food and beverage revenue", Morrison said. Smoking bans in Darwin impacted on Australian casino earnings which fell 2% to $NZ47.2 million. The economic environment in this country remained challenging, particularly in discretionary retail, while the Australian discretionary retail sector was now also reporting more challenging times, Morrison said. Normalised net profit climbed 2.1% to $51 million after adjusting for comparisons without its divested cinemas group, the company said. Normalised revenue from ordinary activities rose 3.1 per cent on a year earlier to $NZ410.1 million.
An interim dividend of 8c a share has been declared. Gamblers from the orient - China and Thailand into the company's Auckland casino boosted the company's international business division, which almost doubled revenue to $1.1 billion. That growth underpinned the decision to invest in increased capacity and world class facilities for international customers in Auckland, Sky City said. Sky City reiterated its full year profit guidance to $96.1 million. Talks with the South Australian government on the proposed Adelaide Casino redevelopment and casino regulatory reforms were continuing, Morrison said. "We continue to stress the importance of a level playing field in respect of casino regulation and believe in the potential of the Adelaide market to deliver strong growth should some of the current challenges be adequately addressed," the company said. Sky City shares are trading steady at $2.49.
Sky City New Zealand And Australia Half Yearly Profits Drop...
The economic slowdown in New Zealand and Australia has led to a fall in half-year profit at casino operator Sky City Entertainment Group. The company made $67.1 million in the six months to December, a decrease of 6% on the same period a year ago. Stripping out a contribution from its now sold cinema operations, the listed company's underlying profit rose 2% to $67.4 million. Revenue rose 3% to $448 million, with growth in Adelaide and Hamilton partly offseting a fall at Darwin due to the introduction of a smoking ban.
Sky City chief executive Nigel Morrision says earnings at its flagship Auckland casino remained flat, as the subdued economy deterred local gamblers, although turnover doubled from high rollers, mainly from Asia. He says revenue rose 9% for the first six weeks of this year compared with the same period a year ago. Looking ahead, Sky City expects a full year profit of $127.4 million, compared with last year's normalised profit of $129 million.
A dividend payout of 8 cents a shares has been declared. Media Man analysts were not prepared to comment on what the financial position the firm would likely to be in come end of year results.
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
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tabcorp And Crown Want Aussie Gvt To Lift Game On High Rollers, by Greg Tingle - 24th February 2011
G'day punters, casino millionaires and billionaires, politicians, legal eagles, one and all. Australia's leading gaming companies, namely Tabcorp (Star City etc) and Crown Limited (Crown Casino and Burswood Casino etc) are demanding the the Australian government lift its game to help down under become more high roller whale friendly, especially at our international airports in Sydney and Melbourne. We probe and examine if the fact that the Gillard government not officially being a big fan of gambling is a factor, or if its a smoke screen hiding something more sinister. Media Man and Gambling911 hit the runway as we play plans, trains, automobiles (and politics)...
Tabcorp And Crown Limited To Aussie Government: Lift You're Game For High Rollers In Airports...
Tabcorp casinos big wig Larry Mullin has joined the pack of not happy Aussie casino and gambling tycoons and top brass telling the federal government to lift their game - streamline customs and immigration paperwork and checks for Oriental high-rollers flying down under into Australia, backing up his Crown Casino equal Rowen Craigie. Mullin advised making visas easier to obtain and installing "VIP customs lounges" at major airports to allow high-roller customers to avoid unsatisfactory queues should be seriously considered, and pronto. He said Australia needed to consider a similar model to Singapore, which has created a private lounge to fast-track customs and immigration processing for high-rolling whales. It's understood revenue from Singapore's two land based casinos opened last year is already close to $US5 billion a year. "The customers and the customer experience is everything. That first and last impression is so helpful, especially after long flights. "You go into Singapore, they pick you up in a golf cart and drive you to a private area and there's a government official in the receiving area. You almost feel as if you are going into a hotel experience, that was the seamlessness of it. I understand why you need the processes that are there, but I think we need to explore and get as fast as we can similar type of conveniences here." Mullin said Crown Casino chief exec Rowen Craigie was heading up the discussions with the federal government in his role as the president of the Australasian Casino Association. Craigie last month said the improvements were necessary in order for Australia to plug into the lucrative middle and upper-class Chinese tourism market and compete with Singapore. Tabcorp, which will launch its first personalised jet service for high-roller customers tomorrow, generates less than 10% of its casino revenues from high-rollers. But it is the fastest-growing arm of its business, with revenues from VIP customers up 36% to $32.9 million in the December half. Tabcorp is understood to have spent about $40m leasing the 14-seater jet which came on high recommendation by rock star Bon Jovi, a friend of Mullin. It will start transiting in punters from Asia tomorrow. The firm, which is spending a massive $960m on renovating its flagship Star City casino in Sydney, is now also throwing in $160m on its domestic and international VIP businesses to upgrade digs, improve and expand private gambling facilities and lease two private jets. Originally the jets were going to be purchased, but the bean counters thought better to lease. Mullin also advised Tabcorp, which plans to demerge its casino division by mid-year, was planning to work with the New South Wales government on tourism campaigns targeting potential casino customers. "As our project gets more mature we would like to get better placed in that," he said. Various gambling experts have leaked to Media Man that they expect Crown and Tabcorp to have a better year than last, as well as improved government dealings.
Tatts Gets Profit; Good News Finally...
Tatts Group Ltd has reported a 3.4% lift in first half net profit as the gambling and gaming company sees signs of growth reemerging after set backs due to recent natural disasters such as floods and cyclones. Net profit rose to $149.91 million for the 6 months to December 31 from $144.96 million a year earlier, Melbourne based Tatts said in a statement on Thursday. Revenue jumped 17.4% to $1.62 billion. The firm declared a interim dividend of 10.5 cents per share, fully franked. Chief executive Dick McIlwain said the growth rates of the first half were showing signs of re-emerging after the disruption from the floods in Queensland and Victoria and Cyclone Yasi in Northern Queensland. Tatts said investors and other observers had enquired about the effect on the business from the natural disasters. The company said there was very little damage to company facilities while a significant number of agents and hosts suffered short term damage to electricity supply. Shares in Tatts declined 3.5 cents, or 1.4 per cent, to $2.435.
Aristocrat Leisure Shares Up; Back To Profit!
Airistocrat shares surged to a 3-month high today after the gaming machine supplier returned to the profit zone for 2010. Its stock rose 14 cents, or 4.4%, to $3.30 by 1029 AEDT, the best since November 25, 2010. Aristocrat Leisure today booked a net profit of $77.19 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to a loss of $157.8m in 2009. Revenue fell 25.1% to $680.5m. Aristocrat declared a dividend of 1.5 cents per share, nil franked, compared to no final dividend in the prior year.
Melco Crown Makes US$16 Million Profit; Crown's James Packer Pleased; Could Have Been Much Worse...
Melco Crown Entertainment announced yesterday it recorded net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 of US$16.3 million (MOP130 million), compared with a net loss of US$89.7 million a year earlier. It was the company’s second consecutive quarterly profit. The gain in bottom-line results was driven by the year-over-year improvement in the operating performance at City of Dreams and Altira Macau, the company said. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was US$133.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of US$2.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Lawrence Ho, co-chairman and chief executive officer of Melco Crown Entertainment, said "our fourth quarter results demonstrate our success in driving operating leverage and in improving the profitability of our portfolio of assets. Our mass market table games business continues to grow and our rolling chip segment remains strong," he said. James Packer, who teamed up on the project via Melco Crown, is understood to have been pleased with the result. The Packer family remains on good terms with the Ho's. It's one happy family again (or at least mainly), which is what we like to hear.
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin
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
Tabcorp And Crown Limited To Aussie Government: Lift You're Game For High Rollers In Airports...
Tabcorp casinos big wig Larry Mullin has joined the pack of not happy Aussie casino and gambling tycoons and top brass telling the federal government to lift their game - streamline customs and immigration paperwork and checks for Oriental high-rollers flying down under into Australia, backing up his Crown Casino equal Rowen Craigie. Mullin advised making visas easier to obtain and installing "VIP customs lounges" at major airports to allow high-roller customers to avoid unsatisfactory queues should be seriously considered, and pronto. He said Australia needed to consider a similar model to Singapore, which has created a private lounge to fast-track customs and immigration processing for high-rolling whales. It's understood revenue from Singapore's two land based casinos opened last year is already close to $US5 billion a year. "The customers and the customer experience is everything. That first and last impression is so helpful, especially after long flights. "You go into Singapore, they pick you up in a golf cart and drive you to a private area and there's a government official in the receiving area. You almost feel as if you are going into a hotel experience, that was the seamlessness of it. I understand why you need the processes that are there, but I think we need to explore and get as fast as we can similar type of conveniences here." Mullin said Crown Casino chief exec Rowen Craigie was heading up the discussions with the federal government in his role as the president of the Australasian Casino Association. Craigie last month said the improvements were necessary in order for Australia to plug into the lucrative middle and upper-class Chinese tourism market and compete with Singapore. Tabcorp, which will launch its first personalised jet service for high-roller customers tomorrow, generates less than 10% of its casino revenues from high-rollers. But it is the fastest-growing arm of its business, with revenues from VIP customers up 36% to $32.9 million in the December half. Tabcorp is understood to have spent about $40m leasing the 14-seater jet which came on high recommendation by rock star Bon Jovi, a friend of Mullin. It will start transiting in punters from Asia tomorrow. The firm, which is spending a massive $960m on renovating its flagship Star City casino in Sydney, is now also throwing in $160m on its domestic and international VIP businesses to upgrade digs, improve and expand private gambling facilities and lease two private jets. Originally the jets were going to be purchased, but the bean counters thought better to lease. Mullin also advised Tabcorp, which plans to demerge its casino division by mid-year, was planning to work with the New South Wales government on tourism campaigns targeting potential casino customers. "As our project gets more mature we would like to get better placed in that," he said. Various gambling experts have leaked to Media Man that they expect Crown and Tabcorp to have a better year than last, as well as improved government dealings.
Tatts Gets Profit; Good News Finally...
Tatts Group Ltd has reported a 3.4% lift in first half net profit as the gambling and gaming company sees signs of growth reemerging after set backs due to recent natural disasters such as floods and cyclones. Net profit rose to $149.91 million for the 6 months to December 31 from $144.96 million a year earlier, Melbourne based Tatts said in a statement on Thursday. Revenue jumped 17.4% to $1.62 billion. The firm declared a interim dividend of 10.5 cents per share, fully franked. Chief executive Dick McIlwain said the growth rates of the first half were showing signs of re-emerging after the disruption from the floods in Queensland and Victoria and Cyclone Yasi in Northern Queensland. Tatts said investors and other observers had enquired about the effect on the business from the natural disasters. The company said there was very little damage to company facilities while a significant number of agents and hosts suffered short term damage to electricity supply. Shares in Tatts declined 3.5 cents, or 1.4 per cent, to $2.435.
Aristocrat Leisure Shares Up; Back To Profit!
Airistocrat shares surged to a 3-month high today after the gaming machine supplier returned to the profit zone for 2010. Its stock rose 14 cents, or 4.4%, to $3.30 by 1029 AEDT, the best since November 25, 2010. Aristocrat Leisure today booked a net profit of $77.19 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to a loss of $157.8m in 2009. Revenue fell 25.1% to $680.5m. Aristocrat declared a dividend of 1.5 cents per share, nil franked, compared to no final dividend in the prior year.
Melco Crown Makes US$16 Million Profit; Crown's James Packer Pleased; Could Have Been Much Worse...
Melco Crown Entertainment announced yesterday it recorded net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 of US$16.3 million (MOP130 million), compared with a net loss of US$89.7 million a year earlier. It was the company’s second consecutive quarterly profit. The gain in bottom-line results was driven by the year-over-year improvement in the operating performance at City of Dreams and Altira Macau, the company said. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was US$133.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of US$2.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Lawrence Ho, co-chairman and chief executive officer of Melco Crown Entertainment, said "our fourth quarter results demonstrate our success in driving operating leverage and in improving the profitability of our portfolio of assets. Our mass market table games business continues to grow and our rolling chip segment remains strong," he said. James Packer, who teamed up on the project via Melco Crown, is understood to have been pleased with the result. The Packer family remains on good terms with the Ho's. It's one happy family again (or at least mainly), which is what we like to hear.
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin
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 News Media: PartyCasino Wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' Award
PartyCasino.com Wins Media Man Online Casino Award
PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".
PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.
The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com
The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".
The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.
PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.
PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.
PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.
PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour
PartyGaming
PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".
PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.
The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com
The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".
The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.
PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.
PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.
PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.
PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour
PartyGaming
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Aussie Pokie Reforms To Cost Australian Clubs 100M Plus, by Greg Tingle - 23rd February 2011
G'day casino and gambling millionaires, billionaires, punters, legal eagles, politicians...one and all. What's news in the Australian gambling and casino industry of late? A hell of a lots you're about to find out. Media Man and Gambling911 roam far and wide down under to bring you the news that matters...
New South Wales: Western Sydney Clubs: Westie Land To Lose Millions If Pokies Reforms Float; Thousands To Loose Jobs...
Westie land clubs will have to fork out $40 million for so for tech to be installed on poker machines that is supposed to stopping problem gambling. Many experts say problem gambling can't be stopped, as some people just have problems, and playing the pokies too much might be just one of their issues. The 'mandatory pre-commitment' technology requires every person who uses a pokie to have a licence to gamble and they will be restricted by betting limits. Reps from local clubs met in western outpost Orange on the weekend to discuss how they will be affected by the compulsory roll-out. The Clubs New South Wales Chairman, Peter Newell, says the technology has not worked in Norway and local clubs will lose around 40% of their yearly gaming revenue. "Forty-two million is the Central West figure, it runs to billions of dollars for the rest of New South Wales and Australia," he said. "Quite clearly they couldn't afford that just as the rest of the industry couldn't afford it. "The tragedy of it is, it will do nothing to assist problem gamblers." Clubs New South Wales says local sporting groups and community organisations will feel the impact of the lost revenue. Newell says there will be flow-on effects in towns where local clubs sponsor sporting groups and charities. "In many towns the local club is the town hall. "It's the meeting place, it's where people gather, it's where they socialise. "The local club puts in heaps of money and in kind support to local sport, the junior sport. "It will certainly be felt largely right across the state, but particularly in the regional areas." The Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has demanded it be rolled out across Australia, in return for supporting Julia Gillard in the election deadlock.
Canberra; Having A Punt On Pokies Like Having A McDonald's Happy Meal; Just Don't Eat Too Much Too Often; Anything In Moderation; Pokies, Sex Et Al...
Head honcho at Woolworths' ('The Fast Cash People' - satire) gambling subsidiary, ALH has compared pokies to hamburgers, telling a parliamentary inquiry that both were safe unless in the hands of addicts. The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, promised to introduce a national system to limit problem gambling in return for the support of the independent MP Andrew Wilkie to form minority government. The Woolworths subsidiary ALH told a parliamentary inquiry headed by r Wilkie that its poker machine division had "one of the highest gross profit margins" in the company, and its gambling revenue was likely to drop 20% if mandatory technology to control poker machine play was introduced. This would have an impact on jobs across its hospitality business, the ALH general manager, David Curry, said. "I think the product is safe. Some people have addictions, be it to fast food or drugs … are we asking, 'Is a hamburger safe?'," Curry said. He also said Woolworths would cut its $36.3 million spending on community programs if its poker machine revenue fell. "We don't think mandatory pre-commitment is sound policy … we do see that it will significantly impact recreational gamblers," he said. The industry body for poker machine suppliers estimated it would cost $1.5 billion to implement the national, mandatory scheme to limit problem gambling that the federal government has promised. Introducing a national system would be ''difficult, but technically feasible", the chief executive of the Gaming Technologies Association, Ross Ferrar, said. He said recreational gamblers would find it too intrusive and it would put at risk the financial viability of the industry. Ferrar said setting daily limits for gamblers was "an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff", and more immediate intervention with the compulsive gambler - sending dynamic messages that display on the pokie screen between presses of the button and disrupt the cycle of play - would work better. The federal government is considering a smart card or biometric system to identify individual players, but gaming company E-Bet said half of gamblers in NSW refuse to use card loyalty systems because of privacy concerns.
Aussie Banks Might Join Pokie War...
Australian banks would be able to stop pokie addicts getting cash from joint bank accounts under proposed rules. The Department of Families and Housing is putting forward the proposal as part of Federal Government reforms to the state administration of poker machines. Research by the SA Centre for Economic Studies is being considered by a panel of experts. The Government has promised tough action on the industry to help it retain the support of independents Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie and SA Senator Nick Xenophon. The proposal, which hinges on across the board co-operation from banks, would involve them monitoring customer spending habits. Initial concerns could be raised with the customer and ongoing concerns could be raised with the department. Ultimately, banks would have the power to stop large withdrawals from home loans or joint bank accounts, or refuse applications for further credit. An FaHCSIA spokesman said the policy proposal had not yet been released publicly. The State Government's Responsible Gambling Working Party has offered to assist with a trial of the project if financial institutions can be convinced it is viable. UnitingCare Wesley spokesman and member of the working party, Mark Henley, welcomed the idea of encouraging financial institutions to help in the fight against gambling addiction. He was critical of the failure of the banking industry to help regulators in the past. "I have had a bank debtors manager tell me that he could identify a problem gambler from one look at a customer's statement but officially, the banks deny this, of course," Henley said. "It would be great to put a bit of heat on the banks in terms of their customer responsibilities re gambling. "The SA Parliament decided years ago to set a withdrawal limit on ATMs in gaming rooms - I understand that this was taken to the Ministerial Council on Gambling and a working party established, because the banks said that they couldn't possibly do anything in one jurisdiction, but still, they have resisted acting at a national level." Banks yesterday would not commit to the proposal, but one spokesman for a bank that did not wish to express a public view told The Advertiser pokie addicts were often well known to bank branches and their withdrawal and lending practices could be at least questioned by staff. In hearings for an inquiry by Wilkie and Senator Xenophon, witnesses described how pokies addicts lost possessions, including their homes, through addiction. Family breakdown caused by the loss of shared assets such as shared bank accounts and shared homes, has been a common theme.
Victoria: Club Italia Club Wants Pokies Please...
Club Italia Sporting club has appealed decisions by Brimbank Council and the Victorian Commission for Gaming Regulation not to grant permission for an additional 22 poker machines. VCAT decided last week that the club’s two applications for review...one of the council’s decision and the other of the commission’s decision - could be heard at the same time over four days, beginning on May 23. Club Italia won entitlements for an extra 22 machines on top of the 38 they already have at last year’s State Government auction. But despite the results of the auction - which are to apply from 2012 - any venue wishing to operate additional machines must obtain approval from the VCGR and their local council. Brimbank Council knocked back Club Italia’s application last year and the commission did the same in December. In its December decision, the commission noted the municipality’s above-average spend on poker machines. "Average expenditure by adults on machines in the municipality is $1002, 54% above the state average and 46% above the metropolitan average," the commission said. Presenting the case for Club Italia, general manager at the time Charles D’Abico argued that profits from extra machines were needed to fund upgrade works and that the club existed solely for the purpose of providing community services and benefits."
Melbourne Black Saturday Fire Victims Don't Like Pokies Luck...
A regional community town victimised by the Black Saturday fires is fighting a bid by Tattersalls to put a pokies venue in their new housing estate. Residents of the Laurimar estate on the city's northern fringe claim pokies will lift crime rates in the area and have a financial impact on families. Whittlesea Council has gone to the VCAT in a bid to reverse a decision by the state's gambling regulator to grant a licence for the venue. Tattersalls wants to install 40 poker machines at the planned Laurimar hotel, with annual gaming revenue expected to reach up to $4.2 million. The Rev Glynis Dickins, pastor of Plenty Valley Baptist Church in Doreen, told a VCAT hearing that pokies were not welcome and locals were still traumatised by 2009's devastating fires. Ms Dickins said the fires came close to the suburb and some residents had family members and friends who died or who lost their homes. "The bushfires really upset them," she said. "We don't need something else that will upset this balance in their lives." Ms Dickins said developers of the Laurimar estate had indicated there would be no pokies venue on the site and residents had expected "nice little eating places with waterfront views". Told that the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation had described it as a boutique gaming venue, Ms Dickins said: "I don't think any sort of gaming room is appropriate to the area." A video featuring Laurimar residents and business owners who oppose the plan was shown to the hearing. It included claims that a pokie venue will attract crime, lead to financial pain for families and be a bad influence on children. Judge Felicity Hampel said it would be helpful if the parties could provide research on how new housing estates develop a "sense of community". The case continues.
James Packers' Crown Casino To Host TV Week Logies Again...
The Logie Awards will be held at Crown Casino, Melbourne on May 1. Voting for your fav celebs and shows closed on Sunday, February 20. Final nominations will be announced next week! Vote early, and vote often. Just kidding! How about, work hard and play harder!
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
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New South Wales: Western Sydney Clubs: Westie Land To Lose Millions If Pokies Reforms Float; Thousands To Loose Jobs...
Westie land clubs will have to fork out $40 million for so for tech to be installed on poker machines that is supposed to stopping problem gambling. Many experts say problem gambling can't be stopped, as some people just have problems, and playing the pokies too much might be just one of their issues. The 'mandatory pre-commitment' technology requires every person who uses a pokie to have a licence to gamble and they will be restricted by betting limits. Reps from local clubs met in western outpost Orange on the weekend to discuss how they will be affected by the compulsory roll-out. The Clubs New South Wales Chairman, Peter Newell, says the technology has not worked in Norway and local clubs will lose around 40% of their yearly gaming revenue. "Forty-two million is the Central West figure, it runs to billions of dollars for the rest of New South Wales and Australia," he said. "Quite clearly they couldn't afford that just as the rest of the industry couldn't afford it. "The tragedy of it is, it will do nothing to assist problem gamblers." Clubs New South Wales says local sporting groups and community organisations will feel the impact of the lost revenue. Newell says there will be flow-on effects in towns where local clubs sponsor sporting groups and charities. "In many towns the local club is the town hall. "It's the meeting place, it's where people gather, it's where they socialise. "The local club puts in heaps of money and in kind support to local sport, the junior sport. "It will certainly be felt largely right across the state, but particularly in the regional areas." The Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has demanded it be rolled out across Australia, in return for supporting Julia Gillard in the election deadlock.
Canberra; Having A Punt On Pokies Like Having A McDonald's Happy Meal; Just Don't Eat Too Much Too Often; Anything In Moderation; Pokies, Sex Et Al...
Head honcho at Woolworths' ('The Fast Cash People' - satire) gambling subsidiary, ALH has compared pokies to hamburgers, telling a parliamentary inquiry that both were safe unless in the hands of addicts. The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, promised to introduce a national system to limit problem gambling in return for the support of the independent MP Andrew Wilkie to form minority government. The Woolworths subsidiary ALH told a parliamentary inquiry headed by r Wilkie that its poker machine division had "one of the highest gross profit margins" in the company, and its gambling revenue was likely to drop 20% if mandatory technology to control poker machine play was introduced. This would have an impact on jobs across its hospitality business, the ALH general manager, David Curry, said. "I think the product is safe. Some people have addictions, be it to fast food or drugs … are we asking, 'Is a hamburger safe?'," Curry said. He also said Woolworths would cut its $36.3 million spending on community programs if its poker machine revenue fell. "We don't think mandatory pre-commitment is sound policy … we do see that it will significantly impact recreational gamblers," he said. The industry body for poker machine suppliers estimated it would cost $1.5 billion to implement the national, mandatory scheme to limit problem gambling that the federal government has promised. Introducing a national system would be ''difficult, but technically feasible", the chief executive of the Gaming Technologies Association, Ross Ferrar, said. He said recreational gamblers would find it too intrusive and it would put at risk the financial viability of the industry. Ferrar said setting daily limits for gamblers was "an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff", and more immediate intervention with the compulsive gambler - sending dynamic messages that display on the pokie screen between presses of the button and disrupt the cycle of play - would work better. The federal government is considering a smart card or biometric system to identify individual players, but gaming company E-Bet said half of gamblers in NSW refuse to use card loyalty systems because of privacy concerns.
Aussie Banks Might Join Pokie War...
Australian banks would be able to stop pokie addicts getting cash from joint bank accounts under proposed rules. The Department of Families and Housing is putting forward the proposal as part of Federal Government reforms to the state administration of poker machines. Research by the SA Centre for Economic Studies is being considered by a panel of experts. The Government has promised tough action on the industry to help it retain the support of independents Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie and SA Senator Nick Xenophon. The proposal, which hinges on across the board co-operation from banks, would involve them monitoring customer spending habits. Initial concerns could be raised with the customer and ongoing concerns could be raised with the department. Ultimately, banks would have the power to stop large withdrawals from home loans or joint bank accounts, or refuse applications for further credit. An FaHCSIA spokesman said the policy proposal had not yet been released publicly. The State Government's Responsible Gambling Working Party has offered to assist with a trial of the project if financial institutions can be convinced it is viable. UnitingCare Wesley spokesman and member of the working party, Mark Henley, welcomed the idea of encouraging financial institutions to help in the fight against gambling addiction. He was critical of the failure of the banking industry to help regulators in the past. "I have had a bank debtors manager tell me that he could identify a problem gambler from one look at a customer's statement but officially, the banks deny this, of course," Henley said. "It would be great to put a bit of heat on the banks in terms of their customer responsibilities re gambling. "The SA Parliament decided years ago to set a withdrawal limit on ATMs in gaming rooms - I understand that this was taken to the Ministerial Council on Gambling and a working party established, because the banks said that they couldn't possibly do anything in one jurisdiction, but still, they have resisted acting at a national level." Banks yesterday would not commit to the proposal, but one spokesman for a bank that did not wish to express a public view told The Advertiser pokie addicts were often well known to bank branches and their withdrawal and lending practices could be at least questioned by staff. In hearings for an inquiry by Wilkie and Senator Xenophon, witnesses described how pokies addicts lost possessions, including their homes, through addiction. Family breakdown caused by the loss of shared assets such as shared bank accounts and shared homes, has been a common theme.
Victoria: Club Italia Club Wants Pokies Please...
Club Italia Sporting club has appealed decisions by Brimbank Council and the Victorian Commission for Gaming Regulation not to grant permission for an additional 22 poker machines. VCAT decided last week that the club’s two applications for review...one of the council’s decision and the other of the commission’s decision - could be heard at the same time over four days, beginning on May 23. Club Italia won entitlements for an extra 22 machines on top of the 38 they already have at last year’s State Government auction. But despite the results of the auction - which are to apply from 2012 - any venue wishing to operate additional machines must obtain approval from the VCGR and their local council. Brimbank Council knocked back Club Italia’s application last year and the commission did the same in December. In its December decision, the commission noted the municipality’s above-average spend on poker machines. "Average expenditure by adults on machines in the municipality is $1002, 54% above the state average and 46% above the metropolitan average," the commission said. Presenting the case for Club Italia, general manager at the time Charles D’Abico argued that profits from extra machines were needed to fund upgrade works and that the club existed solely for the purpose of providing community services and benefits."
Melbourne Black Saturday Fire Victims Don't Like Pokies Luck...
A regional community town victimised by the Black Saturday fires is fighting a bid by Tattersalls to put a pokies venue in their new housing estate. Residents of the Laurimar estate on the city's northern fringe claim pokies will lift crime rates in the area and have a financial impact on families. Whittlesea Council has gone to the VCAT in a bid to reverse a decision by the state's gambling regulator to grant a licence for the venue. Tattersalls wants to install 40 poker machines at the planned Laurimar hotel, with annual gaming revenue expected to reach up to $4.2 million. The Rev Glynis Dickins, pastor of Plenty Valley Baptist Church in Doreen, told a VCAT hearing that pokies were not welcome and locals were still traumatised by 2009's devastating fires. Ms Dickins said the fires came close to the suburb and some residents had family members and friends who died or who lost their homes. "The bushfires really upset them," she said. "We don't need something else that will upset this balance in their lives." Ms Dickins said developers of the Laurimar estate had indicated there would be no pokies venue on the site and residents had expected "nice little eating places with waterfront views". Told that the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation had described it as a boutique gaming venue, Ms Dickins said: "I don't think any sort of gaming room is appropriate to the area." A video featuring Laurimar residents and business owners who oppose the plan was shown to the hearing. It included claims that a pokie venue will attract crime, lead to financial pain for families and be a bad influence on children. Judge Felicity Hampel said it would be helpful if the parties could provide research on how new housing estates develop a "sense of community". The case continues.
James Packers' Crown Casino To Host TV Week Logies Again...
The Logie Awards will be held at Crown Casino, Melbourne on May 1. Voting for your fav celebs and shows closed on Sunday, February 20. Final nominations will be announced next week! Vote early, and vote often. Just kidding! How about, work hard and play harder!
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
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Tuesday, February 22, 2011
PartyGaming News: PartyCasino And PartyGaming Get New Promotions, by Greg Tingle
Websites
PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com PartyBingo.com PartyGammon.com World Poker Tour
PartyGaming, the Gibraltar based iGaming powerhouse, has came up with the great new promos, helping further cement their spot as the world's leading online casino and igaming company.
Jack in the Box:
Starting Feb 21st through 25th, our blackjack tables are packed with thousand of cash gifts, bonuses and free points. The rewards are hidden inside a surprise Jack in the Box. Players just need to play in any of our blackjack games and act fast to claim their prizes when the Jack in the Box appears.
Find your Jack in the Box surprise
Starts: 00:00 ET, 21st February
Ends: 23:59 ET, 25th February
We’ve packed our blackjack tables with thousands of cash gifts, bonuses and free points. Our rewards are hidden inside a surprise Jack in the Box. You won’t have to look hard to find it – the Jack in the Box will find you!
Just play any of our blackjack games as normal between 00:00 ET on 21st February and 23:59 ET on 25th February. If the Jack in the Box appears, act fast to claim your fabulous prize.
Fruit Medley:
A lovely treat awaits players at Fruit Medley prize. All you need to do is deposit $25 and earn 50 points until February 20th to earn free cash, bonus or points on February 25th.
Current Fruit Medley qualifying period:
Starts: 00:00 ET, 21st February
Ends: 23:59 ET, 20th March
Prizes awarded: 25th March
Fancy making your casino account a little bit sweeter? No problem - our Fruit Medley cards guarantee you a tasty treat on the 25th of every month, from cash gifts to bonuses to PartyPoints.
Our Fruit Medley prizes are even tastier for VIPs. The cards are worth at least $25 and could even be as big as $1,500 - sweet!
Qualifying for your card couldn’t be easier. If you’ve been a real-money player for at least 30 days before the promotion qualifying period starts, just follow these simple steps:
Earn at least 50 PartyPoints and deposit a minimum of $25 from the 21st of one month until the 20th of the next month
Enjoy a guaranteed-win Fruit Medley card on the 25th of that second month
For example, for prizes in March, earn at least 50 points and make a minimum deposit of $25 from 21st February until 20th March; you’ll get your prize on 25th March.
Prizes are awarded on the 25th of the month after the qualifying period has finished and can only be claimed on the same day by clicking on the Fruit Medley card in your account. When you click on the card, we’ll reveal your prize and award it to you straight away.
King Of The Casino:
Here’s your chance to be crowned King of the Casino!
Starts: 00:00 ET on February 16th
Ends: 23:59 ET on March 1st
Sit back and share a king’s ransom of over $70,000 just by earning points playing your favourite slots and jackpot slots.
King of the Casino is exclusive to our Palladium VIP players. You have one week to top the King of the Casino leaderboard, and win $5,000 in cash. You’ll also win a cash prize if you rank anywhere in the top 150 players.
You can track your position against other Palladium VIPs 24 hours a day on the King of the Casino leaderboard.
Do it again!
But that’s not all! The moment King of the Casino finishes, the race begins again! You get a second week-long opportunity to occupy the throne at the top of the King of the Casino leaderboard.
Extra 10%
Rank 1-50 in both week’s leaderboards and we’ll boost your leaderboard winnings by 10%.
$3000 Sign Up Bonus:
Get a welcome bonus of up to $/£/€ 3,000 when you join PartyCasino.com
Get extra cash to play with when you make your first deposit with PartyCasino.com Choose between three big money welcome bonuses:
100% extra, up to $/£/€ 3,000*: recommended
for slot and jackpot slot players
Love slots and jackpot slots? Get 100% extra, up to $/£/€ 750 on your first four deposits. You'll get the first bonus automatically - no bonus code required. Then, just use bonus code 750SLOTS on your next three deposits to pick up your cash.
OR
50% extra up to $200**: recommended
for all casino games players
If you enjoy our other games more than our slots and jackpot slots, pick up 50% extra on your first deposit, up to $200, by using bonus code 200ALLGAMES.
OR
100% up to $500***: recommended
for roulette players
Love roulette? We put together this bonus especially for roulette fans. Make your first deposit and get 100% extra up to $500 to spin our wheels of steel. Just enter bonus code 500ROULETTE when making your first deposit.
PartyPoker News
The Snowball:
With up to $10,000 in cash and freeroll entries worth a total of $100,000 on offer, The Snowball gives players the chance to pick up huge amounts in prizes as they gather momentum. Players just need to earn points by playing at our real money tables until February 28th.
WPT® Vienna:
The newest destination on the WPT calendar is Vienna with all the excitement of the planet’s premier poker tour hitting the famous city's Montesino Casino this March. WPT Vienna promises to be one of the highlights of the 2011 tour, set to attract many of the best players from all over Europe. Players get the best possible to chance to compete for the big money at this new tournament, so we’ve put together a WPT Vienna prize package worth $7000 to be won.
PartyBingo
Lovelines Slot Tournaments:
There's a chance for players to win up to £100 daily in our Lovelines slots tournaments from February 21st through 27th. It doesn’t matter what game is played; the more you play the better the odds of winning the top prize!
PartyBets
Combo Jackpot:
February is when the bets calendar really gets going! We have a seriously action-packed month with the return of the Champions League, the Rugby Six Nations and the Cricket World Cup. There are some epic ties in the Champions League with the favourites, Barcelona taking on Arsenal and newcomers Tottenham Hotspur visiting the San Siro for the second time this season in what could be the tie of the round against AC Milan.
The Rugby Six Nations will give all European fans a taste of what could become the World Cup in September. England go in as favourites but the French will fancy their chances against the old enemy as will the fighting Irish who are always capable of pulling off an upset.
All this bodes well for our Combo Jackpot which could reach record heights this month!
Readers, as always, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
Websites
PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com PartyBingo.com PartyGammon.com World Poker Tour
*Media Man conducts some b2b with PartyGaming brands, as they do with dozens of other media, entertainment and gaming companies. Media Man is not a gaming company, but covers the sector, as they do over a dozen other industry verticals.
*The writer's favorite slot games are Sinatra Slot and Thor!
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PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com PartyBingo.com PartyGammon.com World Poker Tour
PartyGaming, the Gibraltar based iGaming powerhouse, has came up with the great new promos, helping further cement their spot as the world's leading online casino and igaming company.
Jack in the Box:
Starting Feb 21st through 25th, our blackjack tables are packed with thousand of cash gifts, bonuses and free points. The rewards are hidden inside a surprise Jack in the Box. Players just need to play in any of our blackjack games and act fast to claim their prizes when the Jack in the Box appears.
Find your Jack in the Box surprise
Starts: 00:00 ET, 21st February
Ends: 23:59 ET, 25th February
We’ve packed our blackjack tables with thousands of cash gifts, bonuses and free points. Our rewards are hidden inside a surprise Jack in the Box. You won’t have to look hard to find it – the Jack in the Box will find you!
Just play any of our blackjack games as normal between 00:00 ET on 21st February and 23:59 ET on 25th February. If the Jack in the Box appears, act fast to claim your fabulous prize.
Fruit Medley:
A lovely treat awaits players at Fruit Medley prize. All you need to do is deposit $25 and earn 50 points until February 20th to earn free cash, bonus or points on February 25th.
Current Fruit Medley qualifying period:
Starts: 00:00 ET, 21st February
Ends: 23:59 ET, 20th March
Prizes awarded: 25th March
Fancy making your casino account a little bit sweeter? No problem - our Fruit Medley cards guarantee you a tasty treat on the 25th of every month, from cash gifts to bonuses to PartyPoints.
Our Fruit Medley prizes are even tastier for VIPs. The cards are worth at least $25 and could even be as big as $1,500 - sweet!
Qualifying for your card couldn’t be easier. If you’ve been a real-money player for at least 30 days before the promotion qualifying period starts, just follow these simple steps:
Earn at least 50 PartyPoints and deposit a minimum of $25 from the 21st of one month until the 20th of the next month
Enjoy a guaranteed-win Fruit Medley card on the 25th of that second month
For example, for prizes in March, earn at least 50 points and make a minimum deposit of $25 from 21st February until 20th March; you’ll get your prize on 25th March.
Prizes are awarded on the 25th of the month after the qualifying period has finished and can only be claimed on the same day by clicking on the Fruit Medley card in your account. When you click on the card, we’ll reveal your prize and award it to you straight away.
King Of The Casino:
Here’s your chance to be crowned King of the Casino!
Starts: 00:00 ET on February 16th
Ends: 23:59 ET on March 1st
Sit back and share a king’s ransom of over $70,000 just by earning points playing your favourite slots and jackpot slots.
King of the Casino is exclusive to our Palladium VIP players. You have one week to top the King of the Casino leaderboard, and win $5,000 in cash. You’ll also win a cash prize if you rank anywhere in the top 150 players.
You can track your position against other Palladium VIPs 24 hours a day on the King of the Casino leaderboard.
Do it again!
But that’s not all! The moment King of the Casino finishes, the race begins again! You get a second week-long opportunity to occupy the throne at the top of the King of the Casino leaderboard.
Extra 10%
Rank 1-50 in both week’s leaderboards and we’ll boost your leaderboard winnings by 10%.
$3000 Sign Up Bonus:
Get a welcome bonus of up to $/£/€ 3,000 when you join PartyCasino.com
Get extra cash to play with when you make your first deposit with PartyCasino.com Choose between three big money welcome bonuses:
100% extra, up to $/£/€ 3,000*: recommended
for slot and jackpot slot players
Love slots and jackpot slots? Get 100% extra, up to $/£/€ 750 on your first four deposits. You'll get the first bonus automatically - no bonus code required. Then, just use bonus code 750SLOTS on your next three deposits to pick up your cash.
OR
50% extra up to $200**: recommended
for all casino games players
If you enjoy our other games more than our slots and jackpot slots, pick up 50% extra on your first deposit, up to $200, by using bonus code 200ALLGAMES.
OR
100% up to $500***: recommended
for roulette players
Love roulette? We put together this bonus especially for roulette fans. Make your first deposit and get 100% extra up to $500 to spin our wheels of steel. Just enter bonus code 500ROULETTE when making your first deposit.
PartyPoker News
The Snowball:
With up to $10,000 in cash and freeroll entries worth a total of $100,000 on offer, The Snowball gives players the chance to pick up huge amounts in prizes as they gather momentum. Players just need to earn points by playing at our real money tables until February 28th.
WPT® Vienna:
The newest destination on the WPT calendar is Vienna with all the excitement of the planet’s premier poker tour hitting the famous city's Montesino Casino this March. WPT Vienna promises to be one of the highlights of the 2011 tour, set to attract many of the best players from all over Europe. Players get the best possible to chance to compete for the big money at this new tournament, so we’ve put together a WPT Vienna prize package worth $7000 to be won.
PartyBingo
Lovelines Slot Tournaments:
There's a chance for players to win up to £100 daily in our Lovelines slots tournaments from February 21st through 27th. It doesn’t matter what game is played; the more you play the better the odds of winning the top prize!
PartyBets
Combo Jackpot:
February is when the bets calendar really gets going! We have a seriously action-packed month with the return of the Champions League, the Rugby Six Nations and the Cricket World Cup. There are some epic ties in the Champions League with the favourites, Barcelona taking on Arsenal and newcomers Tottenham Hotspur visiting the San Siro for the second time this season in what could be the tie of the round against AC Milan.
The Rugby Six Nations will give all European fans a taste of what could become the World Cup in September. England go in as favourites but the French will fancy their chances against the old enemy as will the fighting Irish who are always capable of pulling off an upset.
All this bodes well for our Combo Jackpot which could reach record heights this month!
Readers, as always, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
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*Media Man conducts some b2b with PartyGaming brands, as they do with dozens of other media, entertainment and gaming companies. Media Man is not a gaming company, but covers the sector, as they do over a dozen other industry verticals.
*The writer's favorite slot games are Sinatra Slot and Thor!
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