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Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Monday, May 29, 2023
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Friday, May 26, 2023
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Casino News Media Blog: Resorts Casino Atlantic City to host 45th anniversary celebration
Casino News Media Blog
Resorts Casino Atlantic City to host 45th anniversary celebration 24 May 2023 (PRESS RELEASE)
Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City is celebrating its 45th anniversary this Memorial Day weekend. The celebration gets started on Friday, 26 May at 1 p.m. with a special giveaway, activities and live entertainment. Plus, meet on the boardwalk at 5 p.m. for the beloved Beach Ball Drop, where over 5,000 beach balls will help kick off Hot Summer Fun at Resorts. Guests can also head over to the new retro-themed 45th-anniversary pop-up, Lounge78 at Bar One, for a grand opening and commemorative toast.
Tote Bag Giveaway | 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Boardwalk Activities & Entertainment | Noon – 5 p.m. Opening of the Sea | 1 p.m. Beach Ball Drop | 5 p.m. Commemorative Toast in Lounge 78 at Bar One | 5:30 p.m. New York Bee Gees Show Super Star Theater| 9 p.m.
Starting at 1 p.m. on Friday, the activities get underway as Kelsey Grammer and Mayor Marty Small Sr. host the Annual Opening of the Sea Ceremony. Resorts Star Card members can head to the Promotions Booth to redeem a complimentary 45th anniversary reusable tote bag from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., or while supplies last.
Entertainment throughout the day consists of viewing unique sand sculptures by renowned artist John Gowdy, promotions from Wiseguy Entertainment, The Kilted Rogues Bagpipers, Brittany Lynn from Philly Drag Mafia and more.
Once the clock strikes 5 p.m., guests can enjoy the Annual Beach Ball Drop at the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk. To top the night off, the New York Bee Gees will be performing in the Superstar Theater at 9 p.m. Tickets to the New York Bee Gees can be purchased at ResortsAC.com.
Casino News Media Blog: Online gaming talk with Native American tribes
Casino News Media Blog
Online gaming talk with Native American tribes
Flashback to November 2011
Native American tribes advised Thursday they want their cut of the jobs and revenue if online gambling is allowed in the United States but they don't want to lose their sovereignty to get it.
Internet gambling has been prohibited in the U.S. since 2006, which has seen players and their cash go to to websites and internet portals based offshore. With Congress searching for money to cut the deficit and create new jobs, supporters see an opening for legalizing at least some online gambling opportunities.
Should Congress act, the federal government will have to write rules and will likely collect taxes from proceeds. Native American tribes want the federal government to ensure they are allowed to operate, regulate, tax and license online gambling as well, if they choose to get in on the business.
"Although there is no legislation before the committee right now, one thing we are all aware of is the need for additional resources at the federal level," said Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka, chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which held a hearing Thursday to air tribes' concerns on the issue. "The discussions surrounding potential Internet gaming legislation have only increased as Congress looks to the supercommittee to find revenue sources and Congress looks to create jobs ..."
The supercommittee Akaka referred to is a bipartisan committee of 12 lawmakers created this summer to find a plan to reduce government borrowing by least $1.2 trillion over the next decade. The committee is stalled in part over whether to raise new revenue.
A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee planned to hold its second hearing Friday on Internet gambling. There is bipartisan support for at least some Internet gambling. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., has pushed for its legalization for years.
While there is no Internet gambling bill before the Senate committee, there is legislation in the House, though it already has opposition from tribal leaders.
Ernie Stevens, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, said tribes have united behind some core principles, including no taxation of tribal revenues. Current Internet gambling proposals violate those principles, "and we oppose their passage," Stevens said.
One such measure, sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, would legalize online poker. Spokesman Sean Brown said the legislation would allow tribes, like states, to opt out of allowing Internet gambling if they chose.
Some at Thursday's hearing expressed concern about proposals to allow the Department of Commerce to regulate operators of Internet games. Tribal leaders are calling for the National Indian Gaming Commission to continue to regulate their businesses.
The commission reported that last year, 236 tribes operated 422 gambling facilities in 28 states, generating $27 billion in revenue, evidence that the commission has the expertise to regulate tribal Internet gambling and won't have to start from scratch, learning laws particular to tribes as well as cultural considerations, witnesses at the hearing said.
Not all tribes support Internet gambling. Some see it as a potential competitor to their established brick-and-mortar casinos.
"The Tulalip tribe sees the legalization of Internet gambling as a direct threat to the economic growth in Indian Country," said Glen Gobin, vice chairman of the Tulalip Tribes of Tulalip, West Virginia.
"Do you think tribes are going to be able to compete with someone like Harrah's on Internet gaming?" Gobin asked.
Many U.S gaming companies including land based casinos are now starting to adopt online gaming into their business model.
It's widely believed that the U.S will see legal online gambling up and running soon, but then again, that's been the world for years, so for much of the gaming industry, they will believe it when they see it.
Native American tribes advised Thursday they want their cut of the jobs and revenue if online gambling is allowed in the United States but they don't want to lose their sovereignty to get it.
Internet gambling has been prohibited in the U.S. since 2006, which has seen players and their cash go to to websites and internet portals based offshore. With Congress searching for money to cut the deficit and create new jobs, supporters see an opening for legalizing at least some online gambling opportunities.
Should Congress act, the federal government will have to write rules and will likely collect taxes from proceeds. Native American tribes want the federal government to ensure they are allowed to operate, regulate, tax and license online gambling as well, if they choose to get in on the business.
"Although there is no legislation before the committee right now, one thing we are all aware of is the need for additional resources at the federal level," said Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka, chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which held a hearing Thursday to air tribes' concerns on the issue. "The discussions surrounding potential Internet gaming legislation have only increased as Congress looks to the supercommittee to find revenue sources and Congress looks to create jobs ..."
The supercommittee Akaka referred to is a bipartisan committee of 12 lawmakers created this summer to find a plan to reduce government borrowing by least $1.2 trillion over the next decade. The committee is stalled in part over whether to raise new revenue.
A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee planned to hold its second hearing Friday on Internet gambling. There is bipartisan support for at least some Internet gambling. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., has pushed for its legalization for years.
While there is no Internet gambling bill before the Senate committee, there is legislation in the House, though it already has opposition from tribal leaders.
Ernie Stevens, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, said tribes have united behind some core principles, including no taxation of tribal revenues. Current Internet gambling proposals violate those principles, "and we oppose their passage," Stevens said.
One such measure, sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, would legalize online poker. Spokesman Sean Brown said the legislation would allow tribes, like states, to opt out of allowing Internet gambling if they chose.
Some at Thursday's hearing expressed concern about proposals to allow the Department of Commerce to regulate operators of Internet games. Tribal leaders are calling for the National Indian Gaming Commission to continue to regulate their businesses.
The commission reported that last year, 236 tribes operated 422 gambling facilities in 28 states, generating $27 billion in revenue, evidence that the commission has the expertise to regulate tribal Internet gambling and won't have to start from scratch, learning laws particular to tribes as well as cultural considerations, witnesses at the hearing said.
Not all tribes support Internet gambling. Some see it as a potential competitor to their established brick-and-mortar casinos.
"The Tulalip tribe sees the legalization of Internet gambling as a direct threat to the economic growth in Indian Country," said Glen Gobin, vice chairman of the Tulalip Tribes of Tulalip, West Virginia.
"Do you think tribes are going to be able to compete with someone like Harrah's on Internet gaming?" Gobin asked.
Many U.S gaming companies including land based casinos are now starting to adopt online gaming into their business model.
It's widely believed that the U.S will see legal online gambling up and running soon, but then again, that's been the world for years, so for much of the gaming industry, they will believe it when they see it.
Casino News Media Blog: Pop Culture flashback
Casino News Media Blog
Pop Culture Flashback
Alan Jones joins cast of Annie Tbe Musical at Lyric Theatre; The Star
Australian broadcasting legend Alan Jones will demonstrate his singing skills when he makes his musical theatre debut in a new Australian production of Annie - The Musical.
Jones will star alongside Anthony Warlow, Todd McKenney and Nancye Hayes in producer John Frost's latest show.
The musical marks a return to the role of Daddy Warbucks for Warlow, who played the character in a 2000 production of Annie, about an orphan girl taken in by the multi-millionaire in Depression-era New York.
"It was a wonderful experience then. People say never work with children and animals, but in this case the children were wonderful," Warlow said.
Jones, who will perform a musical number in his role as president Roosevelt, was handpicked by Frost, who advised he had Jones in mind from the early casting days.
"I wanted to pull a rabbit out of the hat in a way," Frost said.
In a video message played at the show's launch on Monday, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said he couldn't believe Frost had taken Jones on, "because he never ever takes direction".
Jones talked down his part in the production, requesting news media to direct questions to "the stars" of the show.
He said he just hoped he could do the role justice.
"I have a lot of good people to help me. I hope I'm going to do alright and not let the team down," he said.
Frost, who is the man behind the smash hit Australian productions of Wicked, Chicago and Phantom of the Opera, is confident Jones will not need any acting or singing lessons, despite having no previous theatrical experience.
Frost knows Jones is a safe bet.
"He's full of confidence and he holds a tune well," he said.
"If anything I'd love to put another song in for him, but I can't."
He said the show will be a true performance of the original stage production.
"The timing now is right to bring it back. With a fresh cast, I think it's got a good chance of being a great success," Frost said.
The battle for the Australian entertainment dollar continues, and certainly Sydney's The Star is going full speed ahead and betting that world class entertainment will remain paramount in the quest to bring more punters to land based casinos and entertainment complexes.
Media blurb we secured...
The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including It's the Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, N.Y.C. and the ever-optimistic Tomorrow, Annie is one of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time. Reprising one of his all-time favourite roles as the charismatic and sophisticated New York ‘zillionaire' Daddy Warbucks, is Anthony Warlow. He will be joined by the ever-popular Nancye Hayes playing everyone's favourite villain, Miss Hannigan. Todd McKenney, Chloë Dallimore and Julie Goodwin also bring their talents to this delightful musical. And in a special treat, radio star Alan Jones will join the cast in the role of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
A MESSAGE FROM PRODUCER JOHN FROST
It gives me great pleasure to bring ANNIE back to Australian audiences. When I produced this show 12 years ago I was overwhelmed by the response it received. ANNIE is such a well known, well loved production that appeals to so many different age groups. Its popularity means that it is staged once a year in many countries around the world, and I have no doubt that the Australian audiences are well and truly ready to see it again.
This time around, I am especially delighted to be able to work once more with Australia's favourite leading man, Anthony Warlow and theatrical legend Nancye Hayes.
To be taking this wonderful show and the star studded cast on tour in 2012 presents a unique and exciting opportunity to reach a new generation of Australians and it gives me enormous pleasure to think that people Australia wide will again be able to experience this special production.
Australian broadcasting legend Alan Jones will demonstrate his singing skills when he makes his musical theatre debut in a new Australian production of Annie - The Musical.
Jones will star alongside Anthony Warlow, Todd McKenney and Nancye Hayes in producer John Frost's latest show.
The musical marks a return to the role of Daddy Warbucks for Warlow, who played the character in a 2000 production of Annie, about an orphan girl taken in by the multi-millionaire in Depression-era New York.
"It was a wonderful experience then. People say never work with children and animals, but in this case the children were wonderful," Warlow said.
Jones, who will perform a musical number in his role as president Roosevelt, was handpicked by Frost, who advised he had Jones in mind from the early casting days.
"I wanted to pull a rabbit out of the hat in a way," Frost said.
In a video message played at the show's launch on Monday, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said he couldn't believe Frost had taken Jones on, "because he never ever takes direction".
Jones talked down his part in the production, requesting news media to direct questions to "the stars" of the show.
He said he just hoped he could do the role justice.
"I have a lot of good people to help me. I hope I'm going to do alright and not let the team down," he said.
Frost, who is the man behind the smash hit Australian productions of Wicked, Chicago and Phantom of the Opera, is confident Jones will not need any acting or singing lessons, despite having no previous theatrical experience.
Frost knows Jones is a safe bet.
"He's full of confidence and he holds a tune well," he said.
"If anything I'd love to put another song in for him, but I can't."
He said the show will be a true performance of the original stage production.
"The timing now is right to bring it back. With a fresh cast, I think it's got a good chance of being a great success," Frost said.
The battle for the Australian entertainment dollar continues, and certainly Sydney's The Star is going full speed ahead and betting that world class entertainment will remain paramount in the quest to bring more punters to land based casinos and entertainment complexes.
Media blurb we secured...
The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including It's the Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, N.Y.C. and the ever-optimistic Tomorrow, Annie is one of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time. Reprising one of his all-time favourite roles as the charismatic and sophisticated New York ‘zillionaire' Daddy Warbucks, is Anthony Warlow. He will be joined by the ever-popular Nancye Hayes playing everyone's favourite villain, Miss Hannigan. Todd McKenney, Chloë Dallimore and Julie Goodwin also bring their talents to this delightful musical. And in a special treat, radio star Alan Jones will join the cast in the role of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
A MESSAGE FROM PRODUCER JOHN FROST
It gives me great pleasure to bring ANNIE back to Australian audiences. When I produced this show 12 years ago I was overwhelmed by the response it received. ANNIE is such a well known, well loved production that appeals to so many different age groups. Its popularity means that it is staged once a year in many countries around the world, and I have no doubt that the Australian audiences are well and truly ready to see it again.
This time around, I am especially delighted to be able to work once more with Australia's favourite leading man, Anthony Warlow and theatrical legend Nancye Hayes.
To be taking this wonderful show and the star studded cast on tour in 2012 presents a unique and exciting opportunity to reach a new generation of Australians and it gives me enormous pleasure to think that people Australia wide will again be able to experience this special production.
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Casino News Media Blog: US commercial gaming revenue sees eighth straight record-breaking quarter - May 2023
Casino News Media Blog
Casino News: US commercial gaming revenue sees eighth straight record-breaking quarter - May 2023
U.S. commercial gaming revenue reached a quarterly record of $16.60 billion in Q1 2023, marking the industry’s eighth straight record-breaking quarter. The quarter was highlighted by the industry’s highest-grossing month ever of $5.90 billion in March, according to the American Gaming Association.
Across the country, 18 of 35 commercial gaming markets set new revenue records for the quarter, with only Mississippi trailing its quarterly revenue from Q1 2022.
Retail gaming accounted for 75.3% of total revenue while online gaming represented its largest share ever, 24.7%.
“After two full years of successive growth post-COVID, the U.S. gaming industry has never been stronger,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “With records across every gaming vertical—from brick-and-mortar casinos to mobile gaming—American adults continue to choose gaming as one of their top entertainment options.”
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Casino News Media Blog: Casino and pop culture connection
Casino News Media Blog
Casino and Pop Culture connection
Pop culture flashback
Pop culture flashback
New X Men, Wolverine 2 Film Revealed Possible New Viper Actress...
New X Men, Wolverine 2 film revealed possible new Viper actress. According to a new report from Collider, talks with Jessica Biel to play character Viper in the new Wolverine 2 flick, did not workout,so now, this new Russian actress Svetlana Khodchenkova is currently in talks to play Viper instead. It’s also reported that Svetlana is expected to close a deal with the studio pretty quickly.
The character of Viper is said to be of Eastern European decent, and has a complex relationship with Wolverine that includes, at one point, a sham marriage. Svetlana is mostly known for her work in Russia, but she appeared last year in the espionage flick “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.”
On location work on The Wolverine will be done in Japan, while stage work will be shot in Australia in August. The movie stars: Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hal Yamanouchi, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Brian Tee, and is scheduled to hit theaters on July 26th,2013. Stay tuned.
Wolverine sequel: Jessica Biel out...
Just days after Jessica Biel was announced to play Viper in the forthcoming Wolverine sequel, The Wolverine, it has emerged that the actress has now walked away from the project after contract talks broke down.
James Mangold has taken the reins for this installment with Hugh Jackman returning to play the titular title role. It will hopefully stay faithful to the Chris Claremont/Frank Miller series which sees Wolverine transported to Japan in one of his darkest storylines.
Biel had been cast as Viper, a character who has a tempestuous relationship with Wolverine/Logan, including blackmail, a forced marriage and the odd wound – both physical and mental. Viper is also known as Lady Hydra, a high ranking officer in the Hydra network, but this may not be referenced in The Wolverine as the rights to Hydra are with Disney/Marvel Studios and Hydra was used in Captain America: The First Avenger.
The Wolverine has had a bumpy ride so far getting to the big screen, with Darren Aronofsky leaving the project very early on. This caused a delay in filming, which then grew as Hugh Jackman had commitments to film Les Miserables.
It’s another setback for the production that commences in Australia this August before filming on location in Japan. Sources say that Fox are now talking to other actors about the role as they look to move quickly to replace Biel.
The film is scheduled for release July 2013.
Comic Book Movies News Update...
DC Comics:
Director and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino will soon be scripting for DC Comics. The announcement, made at San Diego Comic Con, was nothing short of cryptic, and we are waiting on more details to be divulged.
Marvel Comics:
The Marvel NOW! Point-One teaser sequentially revealed the heroes that will be strongly implicated in the special issue to be released this Fall. The characters are Nick Fury, Jr., Cable, Ant Man, Loki, Wiccan, Miss America, Nova and Starlord.
Film and Television:
Dreamworks recently entered a bidding war for Classic Media film and television rights to properties like He-Man, Godzilla, Voltron, Turok, Dick Tracy, Archie, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and many more.
Marvel Studios is investigating the leak that uncovered the production of a Guardians of the Galaxy film weeks before the film's planned announcement at San Diego Comic Con.
The Dark Knight Rises has reportedly earned $162 million at the box office in its opening weekend despite tragedy. The gross puts TDKR third behind Marvel's The Avengers and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II, both of which had inflated grosses due to 3D ticket sales.
Hugh Jackman echoes sorrow over massacre...
Australian actor Hugh Jackman has expressed his sadness following the mass shooting at a US screening of The Dark Knight Rises.
'All I can echo is the sorrow I feel for the families, the community, for everybody,' he says.
'It's an issue that goes way beyond, obviously beyond acting, beyond film or anything like that.
'This is just a tragedy on a level that we have experienced in Australia many years ago in Tasmania and it's devastating and I can't comment on (it) anymore than as a human being and my feelings for those people involved.'
Jackman was speaking in Sydney at a press conference on Tuesday for his new film The Wolverine, alongside its director, James Mangold, and Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Jackman was sporting a red right eye, but it wasn't because of training for the action movie, but rather 'a very energetic game of tag with my kids', which he thinks burst a blood vessel.
Jackman says it wasn't easy getting back into shape for the part, particularly coming from his last role as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.
'That was a particular challenge because Les Mis, I had to start at 83 kilos and I finished at about 97 kilos by the end of the movie,' he says.
'We did have a holiday recently, but it was more like boot camp for me. But the kids and Deb (his wife, actress Deborra-Lee Furness) were happy.'
Shooting of The Wolverine is scheduled to start in Sydney on July 30, after a number of setbacks for the sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Last March, director Darren Aronofsky left the project, and Mangold stepped in to replace him. Then the shoot, which was originally meant to be in Japan, was postponed last October because of weather conditions.
Mangold says The Wolverine is based on a series of comics that detail the mutant's journeys in Japan and he refuted reports that Jessica Biel had turned down the lead role of Viper.
'The story couldn't be more of a fantasy frankly, in terms of what I was reading, so it was nothing more than a list of people we were considering and still are,' he says.
Jackman, who has played Wolverine now in five different movies over the past 12 years, says he takes the movies on one at a time.
For The Wolverine, he saw the screenplay and was sold.
'I feel like a golfer, always looking for a hole in one and I thought this was the best script we've had,' he says.
Hollywood declares box office truce after massacre...
The Hollywood studio behind the Batman movies has decided not to publish weekend box office figures after the Colorado theatre massacre.
Twelve people were killed and 58 injured when a gunman dressed in full body armour opened fire at a packed midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises in Denver.
James Holmes, 24, was taken into custody outside the cinema after the attack. He is in solitary confinement and is due in court on Monday morning.
Within hours of the attack, Warner Brothers had cancelled the movie's Paris premiere, which was to have been accompanied by a press junket with the cast and crew including director Christopher Nolan and main star Christian Bale.
The company also cancelled red carpet events for the film in France, Japan and Mexico, although screenings will go ahead as planned.
Warner Bros has now confirmed it will not publish weekend takings - a form of crowing about box office success - until Monday.
This was despite the fact that unofficial figures cited by industry daily Variety suggest that it made $US75 million on Friday alone, the third biggest opening day ever at the US box office.
The move was swiftly followed by major Hollywood rivals including Disney, Fox, Sony, Lionsgate and Universal.
After initial radio silence from most of the cast and crew, Nolan issued a statement lamenting the "senseless tragedy," and expressing "our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community".
On Saturday Bale, who plays Bruce Wayne aka Batman, also expressed his sadness.
"Words cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them," he said in a statement.
In a separate move Warner Bros scrambled to pull a trailer for another film, Gangster Squad, including a scene in which mobsters shoot at theatre audiences. (AFP)
Christian Bale: My Heart Aches for Victims
The film is expected to be among the most lucrative movie openings and possibly contend with the record $207.4 million brought in by "The Avengers."
"The Dark Knight Rises" star Christian Bale said Saturday that his heart goes out to the victims of the Colorado shootings, a tragedy that brought Hollywood studios together in a rare show of solidarity as they opted to give the weekend box-office a rest.
"Words cannot express the horror that I feel," Bale, who plays the caped crusader in the film, said in a statement. "I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them."
Meanwhile, Sony, Fox, Disney, Universal, Fox, Paramount and Lionsgate said Saturday that they are joining "Dark Knight Rises" distributor Warner Bros. in withholding their box-office numbers for the weekend.
Warner Bros. announced Friday that it would forgo the usual revenue reports until Monday out of respect for the victims and their families in the Aurora, Colo., shooting that killed 12 and wounded 58 at the midnight show of "The Dark Knight Rises" earlier in the day.
The other studios said they also would not report numbers until Monday. Box-office tracking service Rentrak, too, said it would not report figures this weekend.
Sunday box-office estimates are a weekly routine for Hollywood, with studios jostling for bragging rights as the No. 1 movie and always aiming to break revenue records.
Before the shooting in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater at a midnight screening of the new Batman film, the box-office performance of "The Dark Knight Rises" had been eagerly anticipated. The film is expected to be among the most lucrative movie openings and possibly contend with the record $207.4 million brought in by "The Avengers."
But that now appears unlikely, even though "The Dark Knight Rises" earned $30.6 million from midnight screenings alone. Hollywood trade publications Variety and Hollywood Reporter reported estimates of roughly $75 million to $77 million for the film on Friday, based on box-office insiders.
That would put it on track for somewhere around $165 million for the weekend. Such a total would be the second highest weekend opening ever, after "The Avengers."
Any projections, though, are bound to be rough approximates given the atypical nature of the situation. Many of Friday's tickets were presold before the shooting. Moviegoers making their way to theaters also faced increased security and, in some places, bag checks. AMC Theaters, the country's second-largest movie chain, said it would not allow costumed fans or face-covered masks into its theaters.
Warner Bros. rushed to react to the tragedy, immediately canceling a Friday night premiere in Paris. On Saturday, it also canceled the other remaining red-carpet extravaganzas in Mexico City and Tokyo.
The studio, a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., also moved to pull trailers from its upcoming film "Gangster Squad" from theaters. The trailer of the film, which stars Sean Penn and Ryan Gosling in a ruthless war between Los Angeles police and the mob, includes a scene of mobsters firing into a crowded movie theater from behind the screen.
Christopher Nolan, the director of "The Dark Knight Rises" earlier responded to the tragedy, expressing his sorrow for the victims and their families.
Said Nolan: "The movie theater is my home and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me."
New X Men, Wolverine 2 film revealed possible new Viper actress. According to a new report from Collider, talks with Jessica Biel to play character Viper in the new Wolverine 2 flick, did not workout,so now, this new Russian actress Svetlana Khodchenkova is currently in talks to play Viper instead. It’s also reported that Svetlana is expected to close a deal with the studio pretty quickly.
The character of Viper is said to be of Eastern European decent, and has a complex relationship with Wolverine that includes, at one point, a sham marriage. Svetlana is mostly known for her work in Russia, but she appeared last year in the espionage flick “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.”
On location work on The Wolverine will be done in Japan, while stage work will be shot in Australia in August. The movie stars: Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hal Yamanouchi, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Brian Tee, and is scheduled to hit theaters on July 26th,2013. Stay tuned.
Wolverine sequel: Jessica Biel out...
Just days after Jessica Biel was announced to play Viper in the forthcoming Wolverine sequel, The Wolverine, it has emerged that the actress has now walked away from the project after contract talks broke down.
James Mangold has taken the reins for this installment with Hugh Jackman returning to play the titular title role. It will hopefully stay faithful to the Chris Claremont/Frank Miller series which sees Wolverine transported to Japan in one of his darkest storylines.
Biel had been cast as Viper, a character who has a tempestuous relationship with Wolverine/Logan, including blackmail, a forced marriage and the odd wound – both physical and mental. Viper is also known as Lady Hydra, a high ranking officer in the Hydra network, but this may not be referenced in The Wolverine as the rights to Hydra are with Disney/Marvel Studios and Hydra was used in Captain America: The First Avenger.
The Wolverine has had a bumpy ride so far getting to the big screen, with Darren Aronofsky leaving the project very early on. This caused a delay in filming, which then grew as Hugh Jackman had commitments to film Les Miserables.
It’s another setback for the production that commences in Australia this August before filming on location in Japan. Sources say that Fox are now talking to other actors about the role as they look to move quickly to replace Biel.
The film is scheduled for release July 2013.
Comic Book Movies News Update...
DC Comics:
Director and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino will soon be scripting for DC Comics. The announcement, made at San Diego Comic Con, was nothing short of cryptic, and we are waiting on more details to be divulged.
Marvel Comics:
The Marvel NOW! Point-One teaser sequentially revealed the heroes that will be strongly implicated in the special issue to be released this Fall. The characters are Nick Fury, Jr., Cable, Ant Man, Loki, Wiccan, Miss America, Nova and Starlord.
Film and Television:
Dreamworks recently entered a bidding war for Classic Media film and television rights to properties like He-Man, Godzilla, Voltron, Turok, Dick Tracy, Archie, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and many more.
Marvel Studios is investigating the leak that uncovered the production of a Guardians of the Galaxy film weeks before the film's planned announcement at San Diego Comic Con.
The Dark Knight Rises has reportedly earned $162 million at the box office in its opening weekend despite tragedy. The gross puts TDKR third behind Marvel's The Avengers and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II, both of which had inflated grosses due to 3D ticket sales.
Hugh Jackman echoes sorrow over massacre...
Australian actor Hugh Jackman has expressed his sadness following the mass shooting at a US screening of The Dark Knight Rises.
'All I can echo is the sorrow I feel for the families, the community, for everybody,' he says.
'It's an issue that goes way beyond, obviously beyond acting, beyond film or anything like that.
'This is just a tragedy on a level that we have experienced in Australia many years ago in Tasmania and it's devastating and I can't comment on (it) anymore than as a human being and my feelings for those people involved.'
Jackman was speaking in Sydney at a press conference on Tuesday for his new film The Wolverine, alongside its director, James Mangold, and Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Jackman was sporting a red right eye, but it wasn't because of training for the action movie, but rather 'a very energetic game of tag with my kids', which he thinks burst a blood vessel.
Jackman says it wasn't easy getting back into shape for the part, particularly coming from his last role as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.
'That was a particular challenge because Les Mis, I had to start at 83 kilos and I finished at about 97 kilos by the end of the movie,' he says.
'We did have a holiday recently, but it was more like boot camp for me. But the kids and Deb (his wife, actress Deborra-Lee Furness) were happy.'
Shooting of The Wolverine is scheduled to start in Sydney on July 30, after a number of setbacks for the sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Last March, director Darren Aronofsky left the project, and Mangold stepped in to replace him. Then the shoot, which was originally meant to be in Japan, was postponed last October because of weather conditions.
Mangold says The Wolverine is based on a series of comics that detail the mutant's journeys in Japan and he refuted reports that Jessica Biel had turned down the lead role of Viper.
'The story couldn't be more of a fantasy frankly, in terms of what I was reading, so it was nothing more than a list of people we were considering and still are,' he says.
Jackman, who has played Wolverine now in five different movies over the past 12 years, says he takes the movies on one at a time.
For The Wolverine, he saw the screenplay and was sold.
'I feel like a golfer, always looking for a hole in one and I thought this was the best script we've had,' he says.
Hollywood declares box office truce after massacre...
The Hollywood studio behind the Batman movies has decided not to publish weekend box office figures after the Colorado theatre massacre.
Twelve people were killed and 58 injured when a gunman dressed in full body armour opened fire at a packed midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises in Denver.
James Holmes, 24, was taken into custody outside the cinema after the attack. He is in solitary confinement and is due in court on Monday morning.
Within hours of the attack, Warner Brothers had cancelled the movie's Paris premiere, which was to have been accompanied by a press junket with the cast and crew including director Christopher Nolan and main star Christian Bale.
The company also cancelled red carpet events for the film in France, Japan and Mexico, although screenings will go ahead as planned.
Warner Bros has now confirmed it will not publish weekend takings - a form of crowing about box office success - until Monday.
This was despite the fact that unofficial figures cited by industry daily Variety suggest that it made $US75 million on Friday alone, the third biggest opening day ever at the US box office.
The move was swiftly followed by major Hollywood rivals including Disney, Fox, Sony, Lionsgate and Universal.
After initial radio silence from most of the cast and crew, Nolan issued a statement lamenting the "senseless tragedy," and expressing "our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community".
On Saturday Bale, who plays Bruce Wayne aka Batman, also expressed his sadness.
"Words cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them," he said in a statement.
In a separate move Warner Bros scrambled to pull a trailer for another film, Gangster Squad, including a scene in which mobsters shoot at theatre audiences. (AFP)
Christian Bale: My Heart Aches for Victims
The film is expected to be among the most lucrative movie openings and possibly contend with the record $207.4 million brought in by "The Avengers."
"The Dark Knight Rises" star Christian Bale said Saturday that his heart goes out to the victims of the Colorado shootings, a tragedy that brought Hollywood studios together in a rare show of solidarity as they opted to give the weekend box-office a rest.
"Words cannot express the horror that I feel," Bale, who plays the caped crusader in the film, said in a statement. "I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them."
Meanwhile, Sony, Fox, Disney, Universal, Fox, Paramount and Lionsgate said Saturday that they are joining "Dark Knight Rises" distributor Warner Bros. in withholding their box-office numbers for the weekend.
Warner Bros. announced Friday that it would forgo the usual revenue reports until Monday out of respect for the victims and their families in the Aurora, Colo., shooting that killed 12 and wounded 58 at the midnight show of "The Dark Knight Rises" earlier in the day.
The other studios said they also would not report numbers until Monday. Box-office tracking service Rentrak, too, said it would not report figures this weekend.
Sunday box-office estimates are a weekly routine for Hollywood, with studios jostling for bragging rights as the No. 1 movie and always aiming to break revenue records.
Before the shooting in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater at a midnight screening of the new Batman film, the box-office performance of "The Dark Knight Rises" had been eagerly anticipated. The film is expected to be among the most lucrative movie openings and possibly contend with the record $207.4 million brought in by "The Avengers."
But that now appears unlikely, even though "The Dark Knight Rises" earned $30.6 million from midnight screenings alone. Hollywood trade publications Variety and Hollywood Reporter reported estimates of roughly $75 million to $77 million for the film on Friday, based on box-office insiders.
That would put it on track for somewhere around $165 million for the weekend. Such a total would be the second highest weekend opening ever, after "The Avengers."
Any projections, though, are bound to be rough approximates given the atypical nature of the situation. Many of Friday's tickets were presold before the shooting. Moviegoers making their way to theaters also faced increased security and, in some places, bag checks. AMC Theaters, the country's second-largest movie chain, said it would not allow costumed fans or face-covered masks into its theaters.
Warner Bros. rushed to react to the tragedy, immediately canceling a Friday night premiere in Paris. On Saturday, it also canceled the other remaining red-carpet extravaganzas in Mexico City and Tokyo.
The studio, a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., also moved to pull trailers from its upcoming film "Gangster Squad" from theaters. The trailer of the film, which stars Sean Penn and Ryan Gosling in a ruthless war between Los Angeles police and the mob, includes a scene of mobsters firing into a crowded movie theater from behind the screen.
Christopher Nolan, the director of "The Dark Knight Rises" earlier responded to the tragedy, expressing his sorrow for the victims and their families.
Said Nolan: "The movie theater is my home and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me."
Casino News Media Blog: Crown wants world's best hotel for Sydney
Casino News Media Blog
Crown wants world's best hotel for Sydney
Flashback
Crown wants world's best hotel for Sydney
Billionaire casino mogul James Packer says he will build the world's best hotel in Sydney if he gets approval to include a gambling facility for high rollers in the development.
Mr Packer, the executive chairman of casinos operator Crown Ltd, said on Thursday that Crown wanted to build a hotel at Barangaroo South that would attract millions of tourists to Sydney and create thousands of new jobs.
Barangaroo is a residential, office and parkland development currently under construction on Sydney Harbour.
Crown and Lend Lease, the developer of Barangaroo, have signed a two-year exclusive dealing arrangement for the hotel development, but building approvals are still required from the NSW government.
"Sydney deserves one of the world's great hotels on its magnificent harbour," Mr Packer said in a statement.
"My desire is for Crown to build the best hotel in the world at Barangaroo."
Mr Packer said Crown wanted to incorporate a "VIP-only" gambling facility into the hotel, which would require approval from the NSW government and gaming authorities.
He said a facility for high rollers was "necessary to provide the commercial underpinning for any development and for the operation of a world-class six-star hotel resort".
Acting NSW Premier Andrew Stoner appeared to welcome Mr Packer's plan to build a world-leading hotel at Barangaroo, but stopped short of commenting on plans for a gambling room.
"The creation of a hotel of this stature would deliver new jobs in construction, off-site manufacturing and the tourism industry, along with hundreds of millions of dollars for the state economy each year," he said.
Crown chief financial officer Ken Barton told AAP that Crown said detailed costing of the project would be developed in the next two years.
He said if Crown was to operate a gaming facility in Sydney it would require the NSW government to issue a new licence, or it would have to be done as part of the existing licence which is held by Echo Entertainment Group, the operator of The Star casino in Sydney.
"I guess that's part of the two-year program as well: working through a licensing scenario," Mr Barton said.
"If the NSW government were to issue another licence between now and November 2019, it would be exposed to a requirement to pay compensation to Echo."
Asked if Crown had engaged with the NSW government to sound out its attitude towards a second licence, Mr Barton said: "Not in any conclusive way."
Crown operates casinos in Melbourne and Perth and is pushing for a presence in Sydney, where it holds a stake of around 10 per cent in Echo.
Crown has applied to regulators in NSW and Queensland for permission to lift its stake in Echo to up to 25 per cent.
Crown has been upgrading its casinos in Melbourne and Perth in a move to entice more high-rolling VIP gamblers from Asia.
It is planning to spend $568 million building a new six-star hotel at its Burswood complex in Perth.
Shares in Crown closed eight cents lower at $8.39 on Thursday. (AAP)
Mr Packer, the executive chairman of casinos operator Crown Ltd, said on Thursday that Crown wanted to build a hotel at Barangaroo South that would attract millions of tourists to Sydney and create thousands of new jobs.
Barangaroo is a residential, office and parkland development currently under construction on Sydney Harbour.
Crown and Lend Lease, the developer of Barangaroo, have signed a two-year exclusive dealing arrangement for the hotel development, but building approvals are still required from the NSW government.
"Sydney deserves one of the world's great hotels on its magnificent harbour," Mr Packer said in a statement.
"My desire is for Crown to build the best hotel in the world at Barangaroo."
Mr Packer said Crown wanted to incorporate a "VIP-only" gambling facility into the hotel, which would require approval from the NSW government and gaming authorities.
He said a facility for high rollers was "necessary to provide the commercial underpinning for any development and for the operation of a world-class six-star hotel resort".
Acting NSW Premier Andrew Stoner appeared to welcome Mr Packer's plan to build a world-leading hotel at Barangaroo, but stopped short of commenting on plans for a gambling room.
"The creation of a hotel of this stature would deliver new jobs in construction, off-site manufacturing and the tourism industry, along with hundreds of millions of dollars for the state economy each year," he said.
Crown chief financial officer Ken Barton told AAP that Crown said detailed costing of the project would be developed in the next two years.
He said if Crown was to operate a gaming facility in Sydney it would require the NSW government to issue a new licence, or it would have to be done as part of the existing licence which is held by Echo Entertainment Group, the operator of The Star casino in Sydney.
"I guess that's part of the two-year program as well: working through a licensing scenario," Mr Barton said.
"If the NSW government were to issue another licence between now and November 2019, it would be exposed to a requirement to pay compensation to Echo."
Asked if Crown had engaged with the NSW government to sound out its attitude towards a second licence, Mr Barton said: "Not in any conclusive way."
Crown operates casinos in Melbourne and Perth and is pushing for a presence in Sydney, where it holds a stake of around 10 per cent in Echo.
Crown has applied to regulators in NSW and Queensland for permission to lift its stake in Echo to up to 25 per cent.
Crown has been upgrading its casinos in Melbourne and Perth in a move to entice more high-rolling VIP gamblers from Asia.
It is planning to spend $568 million building a new six-star hotel at its Burswood complex in Perth.
Shares in Crown closed eight cents lower at $8.39 on Thursday. (AAP)
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Casino News Media Blog: Gaming related content will redefine entertainment and I am looking forward to leading the way. - Dr. Disrespect
Casino News Media Blog
Gaming related content will redefine entertainment and I am looking forward to leading the way. - Dr. Disrespect
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Casino News Media Blog; Pop Culture Flashback
Casino News Media Blog
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Pop Culture flashback, WWE, UFC and MMA news and developments
Pop Culture, Pop Art, Trends, Movies, TV, Music, Photography, Sports and more
Niche media, marketing and media campaigns the way to go, says Media Man agency
Advertising and media rights, plus ticket sales, make the world go round for WWE, UFC, Bellator, Boxing, Australian cricket under pressure for men and women competitors
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Endeavor president Mark Shapiro promises not to ‘over-commercialize’ WWE - May 2023
The president of Endeavor says they will look at ways to increase WWE's sponsorship revenue, but they are not going to "over-commercialize" the product.
Mark Shapiro appeared on the Sports Media Podcast on Wednesday and was asked about WWE sponsorship opportunities that could potentially involve putting brand logos on wrestlers' ring gear.
Shapiro responded:
"Look, you want to be authentic, you want to be seamless, you want to be organic, you want to be true to your audience. So, no, we're not going to put a brand on somebody's robe walking into the ring. Now, by the way, do UFC fighters wear Venom apparel and Project Rock shoes when they come into the octagon? Yes, they do. Could the WWE benefit from an apparel deal as such? A shoe deal as such? Absolutely but we're not going to over-commercialize it, we're not going to saturate it to the point that we cheap it out, we trick it out, and you turn off the fanbase.
You've gotta figure out what's right in the ring, in the octagon. You've gotta figure out what's right with the arena, indoor, outdoor. You've gotta figure out what's right with the fighters and the participants, and you gotta walk before you run."
However, Shapiro emphasized that the transaction has not been completed and they are not currently in a position to make decisions regarding WWE.
Shapiro's comments regarding WWE's sponsorship potential echoes what had prevaiously been expressed by Endeavor CEO, Ari Emanuel. During an appearance on CNBC's Squawk on the Street earlier this month, Emanuel noted that they will let WWE "do what they want to do" while his group works to drive revenue. He says it's the same playbook they used with UFC.
"Right now, we're focused on saving some cost, doing sponsorship, which they didn't have. It's the same formula we used at UFC," Emanuel said.
Shapiro also commented on the success of this strategy during an interview with Sports Business Journal's John Ourand last month.
Shapiro said:
"That's the strategy. That's how it has successfully played out for the UFC over the last six years. Remember when we bought it for $4.1 billion? People thought that price was crazy. Now, it is valued at $12.1 billion. I mean, what a story. We hope to do the same thing with the WWE."
WWE Creates Placeholder Company for Endeavor Acquisition, Nick Khan Issues Letter to WWE Shareholders, More - 12th May 2023
WWE has created a new LLC, titled NEW WHALE INC., as a placeholder company for the Endeavor acquisition. The filing reiterates what was said several weeks back, noting that when the merger is finalized later this year, a new name will be revealed for the new company that Endeavor will run to oversee WWE and UFC. The stock market initials, as announced before, will be TKO, and that could be a hint at the planned company name.
The SEC filings included a letter from WWE CEO Nick Khan to stockholders in regards to the Endeavor acquisition. The letter outlines potential risk factors, transactions/closing, and more. WWE also released a Q&A for stockholders, and both can be seen below.
The letter from Khan reads like this:
To Our Stockholders:
On behalf of the board of directors of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which we refer to as “WWE,” we are pleased to enclose the information statement/prospectus relating to the proposed transaction between WWE and Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc., which we refer to as “Endeavor,” pursuant to which WWE and Endeavor propose to combine the businesses of WWE and Zuffa Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a subsidiary of Endeavor, which owns and operates the Ultimate Fighting Championship (“UFC”) and which we refer to as “HoldCo,” which combined business will be managed by a newly public listed company that is currently named New Whale Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct, wholly owned subsidiary of WWE, which we refer to as “New PubCo,” which will be implemented through a sequence of transactions (the “Transactions”).
On April 2, 2023, Endeavor, WWE, Endeavor Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor, which we refer to as “EDR OpCo,” HoldCo, New PubCo, and Whale Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of New PubCo, which we refer to as “Merger Sub,” entered into a transaction agreement, which, as the same may be amended from time to time, we refer to as the “transaction agreement.” In connection with the transaction agreement, WWE formed New PubCo and Merger Sub. The Transactions include (i) an internal reorganization of WWE (the “Pre-Closing Reorganization”), (ii) following the Pre-Closing Reorganization, the merger of Merger Sub with and into WWE, with WWE surviving the merger as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of New PubCo (the “merger”)—as a result of the merger, (x) each outstanding share of WWE’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “WWE Class A common stock”) and (y) each outstanding share of WWE’s Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “WWE Class B common stock,” and together with the WWE Class A common stock, the “WWE common stock”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (the “effective time”), but excluding any cancelled WWE shares (as defined herein), will, in each case, be converted automatically into the right to receive one share of New PubCo Class A common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “New PubCo Class A common stock”), (iii) following the merger, the conversion of the surviving corporation in the merger to a Delaware limited liability company (“WWE LLC”) (the “conversion”), which will be wholly owned by New PubCo immediately prior to the WWE transfer, (iv) following the conversion, (x) the contribution by New PubCo of all of the equity interests in WWE LLC to HoldCo in exchange for 49% of the membership interests in HoldCo on a fully diluted basis after giving effect to any issuance of membership interests in HoldCo in connection with such exchange (such contribution, the “WWE transfer”, and such membership interests, the “WWE Transfer Consideration”) and (y) the issuance to EDR OpCo and certain of its subsidiaries of a number of shares of New PubCo Class B common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “New PubCo Class B common stock”), representing, in the aggregate, 51% of the voting power of New PubCo on a fully diluted basis and no economic rights in New PubCo, in exchange for a payment equal to the par value of such New PubCo Class B common stock.
Upon the effective time, each issued and outstanding share of WWE common stock (other than cancelled WWE shares) will be converted automatically into one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of New PubCo Class A common stock, which we refer to as the “transaction consideration,” and all such converted shares will then cease to exist and will no longer be outstanding. WWE Class A common stock currently trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “WWE.” On March 31, 2023, the closing price of WWE Class A common stock was $91.26 per share.
Upon completion of the Transactions, including the merger, which we refer to as the “Closing,” subsidiaries of Endeavor are expected to collectively own 51% of the voting power of New PubCo and 51% of the economic interests in HoldCo, with former securityholders of WWE common stock indirectly owning 49% of the economic interests in HoldCo, 49% of the voting power of New PubCo and 100% of the economic ownership of New PubCo, in each case, on a fully diluted basis. Shares of New PubCo Class A common stock are expected to be listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, which we refer to as the “NYSE,” under the ticker symbol “TKO.”
At a meeting of the board of directors of WWE, which we refer to as the “WWE Board,” the WWE Board unanimously adopted resolutions (i) determining that it was advisable and in the best interests of WWE and the WWE stockholders to enter into the transaction agreement and to consummate the Transactions, (ii) approving the execution, delivery and performance of the transaction agreement and the consummation of the Transactions and (iii) resolving to recommend that WWE stockholders adopt the transaction agreement.
The adoption of the transaction agreement and, therefore, the approval of the Transactions, including the merger, required the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the shares of WWE common stock entitled to vote on such matters. On April 2, 2023, Vincent K. McMahon (“Mr. McMahon”), who, as of the date thereof, was the record holder of 69,157 shares of WWE Class A common stock and 28,682,948 shares of WWE Class B common stock, representing approximately 81.0% of the aggregate voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of WWE common stock on such date, delivered a written consent, which we refer to as the “Written Consent,” adopting and, therefore, approving the transaction agreement and the Transactions, including the merger. Accordingly, the delivery of the Written Consent was sufficient to adopt the transaction agreement and, therefore, approve the Transactions, on behalf of WWE stockholders. WWE has not solicited and is not soliciting your adoption of the transaction agreement or approval of the Transactions, including the merger.
No further action by any Endeavor stockholder or WWE stockholder is required under applicable law, and neither Endeavor nor WWE will solicit the votes of their respective stockholders for the adoption or approval of the transaction agreement or the Transactions, including the merger. Neither Endeavor nor WWE will call a special meeting of their respective stockholders for purposes of voting on adoption or approval of the transaction agreement or the Transactions, including the merger. This information statement/prospectus and notice of action by written consent is being provided to you for informational purposes only and shall be considered the notice required under Section 228(e) of the DGCL. You are not being asked for a proxy, and you are requested not to send a proxy.
Endeavor and WWE are not required to complete the Transactions, including the merger, unless a number of conditions are satisfied or waived, which we refer to as the “closing conditions,” including: (i) the expiration of the waiting period under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (ii) obtaining other applicable regulatory approvals, (iii) the absence of any order or legal requirement that enjoins, restrains or otherwise prevents the consummation of the Transactions, (iv) the effectiveness of New PubCo’s registration statement on Form S-4, of which the accompanying information statement/prospectus forms a part, and the absence of any stop order or other proceeding that suspends or otherwise threatens such effectiveness, (v) the registration, and the authorization of listing on the NYSE, of New PubCo Class A common stock, and (vi) the consummation of the Pre-Closing Reorganization. The closing date of the Transactions will be at least 20 business days after the mailing of the accompanying information statement/prospectus to WWE stockholders, in accordance with Rule 14c-2(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act.
We encourage you to read the entire accompanying information statement/prospectus carefully, in particular the risk factors set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 31 of the accompanying information statement/prospectus.
On behalf of WWE, thank you for your consideration and continued support.
Nick Khan
Chief Executive Officer
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
The Q&A reads like this:
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE TRANSACTIONS
The following questions and answers are intended to briefly address some commonly asked questions regarding the transaction agreement and the Transactions, including the merger. You are encouraged to carefully read the remainder of this information statement/prospectus, its annexes and exhibits and the documents that are referred to in this information statement/prospectus and to pay special attention to the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on pages 31 and 29, respectively, of this information statement/prospectus, because the information contained in this section may not provide all the information that might be important to you with respect to the transaction agreement and the Transactions, including the merger. For further information, please read the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 288 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: Why am I receiving this information statement/prospectus?
A: On April 2, 2023, Endeavor, EDR OpCo, HoldCo, WWE, New PubCo and Merger Sub entered into the transaction agreement, pursuant to which WWE and Endeavor propose to combine the businesses of WWE and HoldCo, which owns and operates UFC, which combined business will be managed by New PubCo, a new publicly listed company, once the Transactions, including the merger, are implemented.
In connection with the transaction agreement, WWE formed two wholly owned subsidiaries, New PubCo and Merger Sub. Subject to the terms and conditions of the transaction agreement, (i) WWE will undertake the Pre-Closing Reorganization, (ii) following the Pre-Closing Reorganization, Merger Sub will merge with and into WWE, with WWE surviving the merger as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of New PubCo, (iii) following the merger, the surviving corporation will be converted to WWE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which will be wholly owned by New PubCo, immediately prior to the WWE transfer and (iv) following the conversion, New PubCo will (a) contribute all of the equity interests in WWE LLC to HoldCo in exchange for 49% of the membership interests in HoldCo on a fully diluted basis after giving effect to any issuance of membership interests in HoldCo in connection with such exchange and (b) issue to EDR OpCo and certain of its subsidiaries a number of shares of New PubCo Class B common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, representing, in the aggregate, 51% of the voting power of New PubCo on a fully diluted basis and no economic rights in New PubCo, in exchange for a payment equal to the par value of such New PubCo Class B common stock. As a result of the Transactions, including the merger, subsidiaries of Endeavor are expected to collectively own 51% of the voting power of New PubCo and 51% of the economic interests in HoldCo, with former securityholders of WWE common stock indirectly owning 49% of the economic interests in HoldCo, 49% of the voting power of New PubCo and 100% of the economic ownership of New PubCo, in each case, on a fully diluted basis. In addition, New PubCo will be renamed “[ ]” immediately following the completion of the Transactions, including the merger.
Upon completion of the Transactions, including the merger, former securityholders of WWE common stock will own shares of New PubCo Class A common stock, which is expected to be listed for trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “TKO.” For further information on the rights of such shares, please read the section entitled “Summary of the Transaction Agreement— Transaction Consideration; Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates” beginning on page 144 of this information statement/prospectus.
We have included in this information statement/prospectus important information about the Transactions, including the merger, and the transaction agreement (a copy of which is attached as Annex A). You should carefully read this information and the documents referred to therein in their entirety.
Please note that the delivery of the Written Consent is sufficient to adopt and approve the transaction agreement and the Transactions (including the merger) on behalf of stockholders of WWE. You are not being asked for a proxy, and you are requested not to send a proxy.
Q: Why is WWE proposing the Transactions?
A: The WWE Board has unanimously approved the transaction agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and determined that the transaction agreement and the transactions contemplated by the transaction agreement, are in the best interest of WWE and its stockholders. WWE believes that the Transactions, including the merger, will benefit WWE stockholders. For further information, please read the sections entitled “The Transactions—WWE’s Reasons for the Transactions; Recommendation of the WWE Board of Directors” beginning on page 95 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: What will WWE stockholders receive in the Transactions?
A: At the effective time, each issued and outstanding share of WWE Class A common stock and WWE Class B common stock (other than cancelled WWE shares) will be converted automatically into one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of New PubCo Class A common stock, and all such converted shares will then cease to exist and will no longer be outstanding. For further information, please read the section entitled “Summary of the Transaction Agreement— Transaction Consideration; Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates” beginning on page 144 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: What will holders of WWE equity awards receive in the Transactions?
A: At the effective time, each award of WWE RSUs and WWE PSUs, including any dividend equivalent rights granted with respect thereof, that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time will be converted into an equivalent award of restricted stock units or performance stock units of New PubCo, respectively, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the award of WWE RSUs or WWE PSUs immediately prior to the effective time (including any provisions for acceleration); provided, that, any applicable performance-vesting conditions will be equitably adjusted, as necessary, including by the WWE Compensation Committee in good faith, following consultation and reasonable consideration of comments from Endeavor and in a manner consistent with past practice, to take into account the effects, if any, of the Transactions, including the merger.
Prior to the effective time, the WWE Board (or an appropriate committee thereof) will take necessary actions such that any offering period under the WWE ESPP during which the effective time would otherwise have occurred will be deemed to have ended on the fifth business day prior to the closing date and each outstanding purchase right under the WWE ESPP will automatically be exercised on such date.
For further information, please read the section entitled “Summary of the Transaction Agreement— Transaction Consideration; Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates” beginning on page 144 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: Should I send in my share certificates now for exchange?
A: No, you should not send in your WWE share certificates now for exchange. At the effective time, each WWE share certificate will automatically be converted into an equivalent number of shares of New PubCo Class A common stock. Following the effective time, stockholders may request to exchange their WWE stock certificates for New PubCo stock certificates by contacting New PubCo’s transfer agent (as defined below). For further information, please read the section entitled “Summary of the Transaction Agreement— Transaction Consideration; Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates” beginning on page 144 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: Who will serve on New PubCo’s board of directors and as management?
A: The New PubCo Board will consist of 11 members who will be determined at a date prior to the closing of the Transactions, five of whom will be selected by WWE (the “WWE Designees”), of whom (x) two will be members of the WWE management team (one of whom will be Mr. McMahon) and (y) three will be independent, and six of whom will be selected by Endeavor (the “EDR Designees”), of whom (x) three will be members of the Endeavor management team or Endeavor directors (one of whom will be Ariel Emanuel (“Mr. Emanuel”)) and (y) three will be independent. As such, New PubCo will be a controlled company with a majority of New PubCo directors that will be independent.
Following the Closing, New PubCo is expected to be led by Mr. Emanuel as Chief Executive Officer (who is expected to also continue in his role as Chief Executive Officer of Endeavor); Mr. McMahon as Executive Chair of the New PubCo Board; Mark Shapiro (“Mr. Shapiro”) as President and Chief Operating Officer (who is expected to also continue in his role as President and as Chief Operating Officer of Endeavor); Andrew Schleimer (“Mr. Schleimer”) as Chief Financial Officer (who is expected to also continue in his role as Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Endeavor); and Seth Krauss (“Mr. Krauss”) as Chief Legal Officer (who is expected to also continue in his role as Chief Legal Officer of Endeavor). For further information, please read the section entitled “Management and Directors of New PubCo After the Transactions” beginning on page 221 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: What equity stake will WWE stockholders hold in New PubCo and HoldCo?
A: WWE stockholders will receive one share of New PubCo Class A common stock for each share of WWE common stock that they hold. As of the Closing, subsidiaries of Endeavor are expected to collectively own 51% of the voting power of New PubCo and 51% of the economic interests in HoldCo, with former securityholders of WWE common stock indirectly owning 49% of the economic interests in HoldCo, 49% of the voting power of New PubCo and 100% of the economic ownership of New PubCo, in each case, on a fully diluted basis.
For further information, please read the section entitled “The Transactions—Ownership of New PubCo after the Transactions” beginning on page 84 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: How do I calculate the value of the transaction consideration?
A: WWE stockholders will receive one share of New PubCo Class A common stock for each share of WWE common stock that they hold. As of the Closing, subsidiaries of Endeavor are expected to collectively own 51% of the voting power of New PubCo and 51% of the economic interests in HoldCo, with former securityholders of WWE common stock indirectly owning 49% of the economic interests in HoldCo, 49% of the voting power of New PubCo and 100% of the economic ownership of New PubCo, in each case, on a fully diluted basis. The value of the transaction consideration the WWE stockholders will receive in the Transactions, including the merger, will therefore depend on the combined value of HoldCo and WWE at the effective time.
The values of WWE common stock and of HoldCo have fluctuated since the date of the announcement of the transaction agreement and will continue to fluctuate from the date of this information statement/prospectus until the date the Transactions, including the merger, are completed. Because the ownership percentages described above will not be adjusted to reflect any changes in the values of WWE common stock or HoldCo, the value of the transaction consideration may be higher or lower than the value of the WWE common stock on earlier dates. Therefore, until the completion of the Transactions, including the merger, the WWE stockholders will not know or be able to determine the value, on a fully diluted basis, of the New PubCo Class A common stock that they will receive pursuant to the transaction agreement.
On March 31, 2023, which was the last trading day before the public announcement of the Transactions, the closing price on the NYSE was $91.26 per share of WWE Class A common stock. On [ ], 2023, which was the latest practicable date before the printing of this information statement/prospectus, the closing price on the NYSE was $ [ ] per share of WWE Class A common stock.
Changes in the market price of WWE common stock may result from a variety of factors that are beyond the control of WWE, including, but not limited to, changes in their businesses, operations and prospects, regulatory considerations, governmental actions, and legal proceedings and developments. You are encouraged to obtain up-to-date market prices for shares of WWE common stock.
Q: What conditions must be satisfied to complete the Transactions, including the merger?
A: Endeavor and WWE are not required to complete the Transactions, including the merger, unless a number of conditions are satisfied or waived, which we refer to as the “closing conditions.” These closing conditions include, among others:
• the adoption of the transaction agreement by WWE stockholders (which was satisfied by the delivery of the Written Consent);
• the completion of the Pre-Closing Reorganization;
• the absence of certain legal restraints that would prohibit or seek to prohibit the Transactions;
• the receipt of certain regulatory approvals;
• the approval for listing on the NYSE of the shares of New PubCo Class A common stock to be issued to WWE stockholders;
• the ancillary agreements being in full force and effect;
• the absence, since the date of the transaction agreement, of any event, change, occurrence or development that has had a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of WWE or HoldCo;
• delivery by Endeavor to WWE of certain required audited financial statements of HoldCo, and the operating income reflected in such financial statements not being less than a defined threshold (which was satisfied on April 23, 2023 by the delivery of such audited financial statements reflecting such level of operating income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022); and
• the prior mailing and effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4, of which this information statement/prospectus forms a part.
In addition, each of Endeavor’s and WWE’s respective obligations to complete the Transactions, including the merger, is subject to, among other conditions, the accuracy of the other party’s representations and warranties described in the transaction agreement (subject in most cases to “materiality” and “material adverse effect” qualifications) and the other party’s compliance with its covenants and agreements in the transaction agreement in all material respects.
For a more complete summary of the closing conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to the completion of the Transactions, including the merger, please read the section entitled “Summary of the Transaction Agreement—Conditions to the Closing” beginning on page 170 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: When do you expect the Transactions, including the merger, to be completed?
A: Endeavor and WWE are working to complete the Transactions, including the merger, as soon as possible. As described above, certain closing conditions must be satisfied or waived before Endeavor and WWE can complete the Transactions, including the merger. For further information, please read the section entitled “Summary of the Transaction Agreement—Conditions to the Closing” beginning on page 170 of this information statement/prospectus.
Assuming timely satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions, the Transactions, including the merger, are expected to close in the second half of 2023. The closing date of the Transactions, including the merger, will be at least 20 business days after the mailing of this information statement/prospectus to WWE stockholders, in accordance with Rule 14c-2(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act.
Q: Is New PubCo expected to hold any assets other than the common units?
A: In addition to the common units, New PubCo is expected to hold an amount of cash that will be distributed by WWE LLC to New PubCo in connection with the closing of the Transactions, as further described immediately below.
Q: Does WWE expect to distribute cash to New PubCo?
A: Yes, WWE is permitted to distribute cash to New PubCo prior to the closing of the Transactions. It is expected that an amount of cash, if any, in excess of the WWE Minimum Cash Requirement (as defined in the transaction agreement) will be distributed by WWE LLC to New PubCo. For further information, please read the section entitled “Summary of the Transaction Agreement—Cash Distributions” beginning on page 143 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: What happens if the Transactions, including the merger, are not completed?
A: If the Transactions, including the merger, are not completed for any reason, (1) WWE stockholders will not receive the transaction consideration, (2) WWE will remain an independent public company, (3) WWE Class A common stock will continue to be traded on the NYSE, (4) New PubCo, which is currently a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of WWE, will not become a publicly traded corporation, (5) the WWE RSUs and the WWE PSUs will not be converted into equivalent restricted stock units and performance stock units, respectively, of New PubCo, and (6) to the extent applicable, any then-current offering period under the WWE ESPP will remain outstanding through its original end date and will not be truncated.
As a result of the delivery of the Written Consent, no termination fees are payable in respect of the termination of the transaction agreement. For further information, please read the section entitled “Summary of the Transaction Agreement—Effect of Termination; Termination Fees; Expenses” beginning on page 174 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: What approval by WWE stockholders is required to adopt the transaction agreement and, therefore, approve the Transactions, including the merger?
A: The adoption of the transaction agreement and, therefore, the approval of the Transactions, including the merger, required the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of WWE common stock entitled to vote on such matters. On April 2, 2023, Mr. McMahon, who, as of the date thereof, was the record holder of 69,157 shares of WWE Class A common stock and 28,682,948 shares of WWE Class B common stock, representing approximately 81.0% of the aggregate voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of WWE common stock on such date, delivered a written consent adopting and, therefore, approving the transaction agreement and the Transactions, including the merger. Accordingly, the delivery of the Written Consent was sufficient to adopt the transaction agreement and, therefore, approve the Transactions, including the merger, on behalf of WWE stockholders. WWE has not solicited and is not soliciting your adoption of the transaction agreement or approval of the Transactions, including the merger. No further action by any other WWE stockholder is required under applicable law, and WWE will not solicit the vote of WWE stockholders for the adoption of the transaction agreement or approval of the Transactions, including the merger and will not call a special meeting of WWE stockholders for purposes of voting on the adoption of the transaction agreement or approval of the Transactions, including the merger. For this reason, the accompanying information statement/prospectus is being provided to you for informational purposes only. You are not being asked for a proxy, and you are requested not to send a proxy.
For further information, please read the section entitled “Further Stockholder Approval Not Required” beginning on page 138 of this information statement/prospectus
Q: What are the expected United States federal income tax consequences of the transactions for holders of WWE Class A common stock?
A: For United States federal income tax purposes, the merger and the conversion are, taken together, intended to qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Code. Assuming that the merger and the conversion will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, holders of WWE Class A common stock are not expected to recognize any gain or loss as a result of the merger and conversion.
For a more complete discussion of the United States federal income tax consequences of the Transactions, including the merger, please read the section entitled “Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page 233 of this information statement/prospectus. Tax matters can be complicated, and the tax consequences of the Transactions, including the merger and the conversion, to a particular holder of WWE common stock will depend on such holder’s particular facts and circumstances. All securityholders of WWE should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the specific United States federal, state, or local or foreign income or other tax consequences of the Transactions, including the merger and the conversion, to them.
Q: Are stockholders of WWE entitled to dissenters’ or appraisal rights in connection with the Transactions?
A: No. Under Delaware law, holders of shares of WWE common stock will not have dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights in connection with the Transactions, including the merger. For more information, please read the section entitled “No Dissenters’ or Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 284 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: Are there any important risks about the Transactions, including the merger, or WWE’s business of which I should be aware?
A: Yes, there are risks involved. WWE encourages you to carefully read in its entirety the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 31 of this information statement/prospectus.
Q: Who do I contact if I have further questions about the Transactions, including the merger, or the transaction agreement?
A: WWE stockholders who have questions about the Transactions, including the merger, or the transaction agreement or who desire additional copies of this information statement/prospectus or other additional materials should contact:
Attention: Investor Relations
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
1241 East Main Street
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
Telephone: (203) 352-8600
UFC News
UFC Australia
"Chinese middle class is going to change the world"
James Packer says man-made attractions important
Mr Packer owns casinos in Melbourne, Perth and Macau
Sydney's The Star already attracting high roller VIP's
Non Packer casino and resorts also want in on the action
"Chinese middle class is going to change the world"
James Packer says man-made attractions important
Mr Packer owns casinos in Melbourne, Perth and Macau
Sydney's The Star already attracting high roller VIP's
Non Packer casino and resorts also want in on the action
Gaming and Tourism Biz Flashback
Australian tourism may be saved by Chinese middle class to large casinos
Gaming Biz Flashback
Gaming Biz Flashback
Sunday night's 60 Minutes report 'Packer's punt' got tongues wagging and telephones running hot across Australia - Melbourne and Perth (both home to existing Packer casinos) and 'Sin City' Sydney (site of the Barangaroo development).
Australia's flagging tourism industry can be saved by attracting the Chinese middle class to large casinos, Crown Limited chairman James Packer told the Nine network.
Mr Packer said recognising the Chinese middle class was as important as recognising the internet.
"It's like saying how big a deal is the internet," Mr Packer told his former business co-hearts Channel Nine.
"The Chinese middle class is going to change the world."
He advised Australia cannot rely on its natural beauty alone, because people are more drawn to man-made attractions.
"A lot of the Chinese tourists like man-made attractions as well as natural attractions," he said.
"We need to have better hotels, better restaurants, better shopping."
Mr Packer gave the United States as an example of how man-made attractions win over natural ones.
"Las Vegas gets 40 million people a year," he said.
"I think maybe the greatest natural attraction is the Grand Canyon. It's a half-hour drive from Las Vegas but gets about three million (visitors) a year."
Mr Packer owns casinos in Melbourne, Perth and Macau.
He also pointed out that casinos in The Philippines were doing well and contributed greatly to that country, and that he didn't currently have any casino interests there.
He said he was keen to secure a tables-only Sydney casino complex at Barangaroo to bring in more Chinese tourists.
Responsible Gambling Awareness Week started yesterday and the NSW Government is encouraging problem gamblers to seek help.
Casino King James Packer really aiming for Echo Entertainment...
Gaming analysts believe billionaire James Packer would consider offloading some of Queensland's casinos if he is successful in acquiring the Echo Entertainment Group.
Greg Fraser, a senior analyst at Fat Prophets, said that Mr Packer's real goal in his expected takeover tilt for Echo was to snatch the scandal-plagued Star Casino in Sydney and merge it into his Crown group.
Cairns casino targeting Chinese tourists: Packer's Crown not the only option for Chinese punters...
The famous Pullman Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns is not letting gaming tsar James Packer have all the action when it comes to attracting cashed-up Chinese gamblers to his legal gambling dens.
Mr Packer said the struggling tourism industry could be saved by attracting Chinese middle class visitors to large casinos.
As well, he said many Chinese tourists liked man-made activities as well as natural attractions.
But Cairns casino chief exec Alan Tan said his venue established a China strategy some six years ago.
"I think, while the casino is important, we offer more than just that. The Great Barrier Reef is very important, especially when I talk to the Chinese who say they like to see the Reef and in the evening they like to enjoy time in the casino as well," Mr Tan said.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Rob Giason said the casino was part of the overall experience for Chinese holidaymakers.
Cairns Airport chief executive officer Kevin Brown said the casino complemented other activities the Chinese tourists wanted to experience, including dining, shopping and cultural activities.
Casino marketing executive manager Richard Porter said its China strategy included the relocation of Cafe China restaurant to the casino, Chinese language signage and information.
He said casino reps frequented China at least six times a year, worked closely with inbound operators and leading Chinese businessman Harry Sou.
Mr Porter said when China Southern Airlines started flying to Brisbane the casino experienced a "giant leap forward" in Chinese visitors.
So there you go... Packer is far from the only switched on casino and gambling baron. It's going to be mighty interesting to see how Pullman's Alan Tan continues to fair in the Australian "casino wars", as Packer continues on his quest to also takeover Echo Entertainment operations, as well as push forward for his greater "Sin City" Sydney ambitions.
It's said "The house always wins" in casino talk, but can the trio of Crown, Pullman and Echo Entertainment all continue to win big time, or is something going to give (like a merger or acquisition)? Stay tuned as we continue to probe for developments.
Australia's flagging tourism industry can be saved by attracting the Chinese middle class to large casinos, Crown Limited chairman James Packer told the Nine network.
Mr Packer said recognising the Chinese middle class was as important as recognising the internet.
"It's like saying how big a deal is the internet," Mr Packer told his former business co-hearts Channel Nine.
"The Chinese middle class is going to change the world."
He advised Australia cannot rely on its natural beauty alone, because people are more drawn to man-made attractions.
"A lot of the Chinese tourists like man-made attractions as well as natural attractions," he said.
"We need to have better hotels, better restaurants, better shopping."
Mr Packer gave the United States as an example of how man-made attractions win over natural ones.
"Las Vegas gets 40 million people a year," he said.
"I think maybe the greatest natural attraction is the Grand Canyon. It's a half-hour drive from Las Vegas but gets about three million (visitors) a year."
Mr Packer owns casinos in Melbourne, Perth and Macau.
He also pointed out that casinos in The Philippines were doing well and contributed greatly to that country, and that he didn't currently have any casino interests there.
He said he was keen to secure a tables-only Sydney casino complex at Barangaroo to bring in more Chinese tourists.
Responsible Gambling Awareness Week started yesterday and the NSW Government is encouraging problem gamblers to seek help.
Casino King James Packer really aiming for Echo Entertainment...
Gaming analysts believe billionaire James Packer would consider offloading some of Queensland's casinos if he is successful in acquiring the Echo Entertainment Group.
Greg Fraser, a senior analyst at Fat Prophets, said that Mr Packer's real goal in his expected takeover tilt for Echo was to snatch the scandal-plagued Star Casino in Sydney and merge it into his Crown group.
Cairns casino targeting Chinese tourists: Packer's Crown not the only option for Chinese punters...
The famous Pullman Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns is not letting gaming tsar James Packer have all the action when it comes to attracting cashed-up Chinese gamblers to his legal gambling dens.
Mr Packer said the struggling tourism industry could be saved by attracting Chinese middle class visitors to large casinos.
As well, he said many Chinese tourists liked man-made activities as well as natural attractions.
But Cairns casino chief exec Alan Tan said his venue established a China strategy some six years ago.
"I think, while the casino is important, we offer more than just that. The Great Barrier Reef is very important, especially when I talk to the Chinese who say they like to see the Reef and in the evening they like to enjoy time in the casino as well," Mr Tan said.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Rob Giason said the casino was part of the overall experience for Chinese holidaymakers.
Cairns Airport chief executive officer Kevin Brown said the casino complemented other activities the Chinese tourists wanted to experience, including dining, shopping and cultural activities.
Casino marketing executive manager Richard Porter said its China strategy included the relocation of Cafe China restaurant to the casino, Chinese language signage and information.
He said casino reps frequented China at least six times a year, worked closely with inbound operators and leading Chinese businessman Harry Sou.
Mr Porter said when China Southern Airlines started flying to Brisbane the casino experienced a "giant leap forward" in Chinese visitors.
So there you go... Packer is far from the only switched on casino and gambling baron. It's going to be mighty interesting to see how Pullman's Alan Tan continues to fair in the Australian "casino wars", as Packer continues on his quest to also takeover Echo Entertainment operations, as well as push forward for his greater "Sin City" Sydney ambitions.
It's said "The house always wins" in casino talk, but can the trio of Crown, Pullman and Echo Entertainment all continue to win big time, or is something going to give (like a merger or acquisition)? Stay tuned as we continue to probe for developments.
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