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Casino News Media Blog: New Jersey casinos want 10 more years of internet gambling, but NJ may only approve for 2 more

Casino News Media Blog

New Jersey casinos want 10 more years of internet gambling, but NJ may only approve for 2 more - June 2023

New Jersey’s casinos want to expand the state’s tops-in-the-nation internet gambling market for another 10 years, but state lawmakers may only approve it for an additional two years.

A state Assembly committee approved a bill Tuesday that originally would have allowed online casino gambling to run through 2033.

But the committee amended it to reduce the extension to just two years. The changes were not made public during the hearing, and lawmakers could not be reached for comment after the vote.

It is unclear when a final vote might be held.

Internet gambling has been a success story in New Jersey, which has won more from online gamblers than any of the five other states that also allow it.

Since New Jersey began taking online bets in November 2013, Atlantic City’s casinos and their online partners have won $6.29 billion from gamblers, according to the American Gaming Association, the casino industry’s national trade group. That does not include money from online sports bets.

It was widely credited with helping Atlantic City’s casinos stay afloat during 3 1/2 months of shutdowns in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in the lean months that followed the casinos reopening, as many gamblers remained wary of venturing out to crowded indoor spaces.

“The reauthorization of the internet gaming bill for 10 years is vital to the continued success of the gaming industry in New Jersey and the programs that are supported by the taxes collected,” said Mark Giannantonio, president of Resorts Casino Hotel and of the Casino Association of New Jersey. “This will also provide investor confidence in the New Jersey internet gaming industry.”

He declined to comment on the change in the bill reducing it from 10 to two years.

While it has undoubtedly provided a new revenue stream for Atlantic City’s casinos, internet gambling appears to be permanently changing the habits of some gamblers who would rather bet from home, the office, the beach or other places instead of visiting casinos in person.

Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at Stockton University, which studies the Atlantic City gambling market, said internet gambling is becoming part of the new normal for many gamblers.

While welcoming the additional revenue, casino executives caution that internet gambling winnings can be misleading in terms of the overall health of their businesses. Money from online winnings must be shared with partners like tech platforms and, in the case of sports betting, sports books, and is not solely for the casinos to keep. Some casino executives say as much as 70% of online winnings go to their partners in online ventures.

In addition to New Jersey, internet gambling is legal in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, Delaware and West Virginia.

Casino News Media Blog: Musk Zuck

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Musk vs Zuck 

Potential MMA fight in the UFC Octagon. UFC boss Dana White dealing with both gentelement. The Fight Of The Century. Twitter Twit vs Facebook Cyborg

Casino News Media Blog: PPVs at Casinos ala UFC

Casino News Media Blog

PPVS at Casinos ala UFC

Could help raise extra cash for a Elon Musk vs Mark Zuck dream match between tech tycoons

Sports News via Media Man

Musk vs Zuck

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Casino News Media Blog: Bitcoin hits highest in a year as crypto rebounds from scandals

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Bitcoin hits highest in a year as crypto rebounds from scandals

Bitcoin hit its highest level in a year amid renewed fervour for digital assets despite a slew of challenges for the industry.

The original digital currency crossed above $US31,013, its 2023 peak, to reach its highest level since June 2022, Bloomberg data show. The surge brought bitcoin to as high as $US31,410 before the gain was pared.

The token is up by almost 90 per cent since the start of the year, though still more than 50 per cent below an all-time high of almost $US69,000. Other cryptocurrencies followed suit, with Ether also rallying.

At 3.48am AEST, bitcoin was 3.4 per cent higher to $US31,158 on bitstamp.net.

It’s a remarkable development — and show of resiliency — for a market that many had written off as being on the verge of extinction following a number of high-profile and high-impact scams and company fallouts that left the industry besmirched among investors.

“From the ardent Bitcoiner’s perspective, the token’s most fundamental investment thesis is playing out: inflation, monetary mismanagement, banking crises, sovereign debt anxiety, US-dollar-reserve-status questions are all playing a role in giving Bitcoiners an ‘I told you so’ moment,” said Strahinja Savic, head of data and analytics at FRNT Financial. “I would not describe rallying to new all-time highs despite the challenging environment, but rather because of it.”

BlackRock’s shock filing

Most recently, it’s been news about BlackRock’s shock filing for a US spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund that’s reignited fervour for crypto, with some in the market hoping that such a product — which currently doesn’t exist — gets approval from regulators. An approval — whatever its odds — would mark a win for fans who have for years longed for such an investment product.

“BlackRock’s filing is big news for bitcoin due to its close ties with regulators and a very strong ETF-approval track record,” wrote K33’s Bendik Schei and Vetle Lunde. “It’s also worth noting that BlackRock would not dedicate time and resources to this filing if they did not view the probability of long-term strength from BTC, and thus strong inflows, as substantially high.”

They added: “An approval would profoundly impact the market structure of bitcoin, as it would reduce the barriers for financial advisors to offer exposure to BTC through an accessible investment vehicle with daily creations and redemptions delivered by a trusted issuer.”

Other recent news also reinforced crypto believers’ faith in the rally. A new crypto exchange backed by firms including Citadel Securities, Fidelity Digital Assets and Charles Schwab — called EDX Markets — said it’s gone live.

And, among other pieces of news, JPMorgan Chase & Co expanded one of the most high-profile projects to bring blockchain technology to traditional banking, introducing euro-denominated payments for corporate clients using its JPM Coin.

Crypto winter fades

“The effects of the so-called ‘crypto winter’ seem less persistent today than a year ago, as various jurisdictions and institutional players continue to embrace crypto-related initiatives,” David Duong, head of research at Coinbase, said in a recent note.

On Twitter, where a lot of crypto discourse takes place, a number of users cited FOMO — or the fear of missing out — as part of the recent price surge, whereby some investors jump into the market because they are watching others reap the benefits of the rally and want to take part in it.

But the fact that the industry is facing harsh regulatory oversight has not dissipated, despite all the renewed hype over prices surging.

The SEC has set its sights on the crypto space following last year’s numerous instances of scams and fallouts of once-vaunted companies, including FTX and a number of lenders. It’s led to a mass exodus by retail investors in particular, who have collectively lost billions of dollars in the wake of the revelations and implosions.

Trading volumes have dried up as a result. In May, the combined spot and derivatives trading volumes on centralised exchanges fell more than 15 per cent to $US2.4 trillion ($3.6 trillion), according to CCData.

Spot trading volumes alone dropped nearly 22 per cent to $US495 billion, notching the lowest monthly reading since March 2019, the researcher said in a report.

“Given the thin liquidity and the relatively scant amount of BTC available to new entrants (no eager sellers at these levels), even a tiny uptick in large investor interest would be enough to move the price,” said Noelle Acheson, author of the “Crypto Is Macro Now” newsletter.

Others point out that hype around a potential spot-Bitcoin ETF has come and gone in the past, without regulators ever approving such a product.

“People are speculating BlackRock’s heft in the financial markets will help them get approval. I am not quite there yet,” said Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading. “The SEC has been aggressively cracking down on the crypto space, it seems a bit early for such an about-face.”

Casino News Media Blog: Casino News Meda YouTube Channel

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Casino News Media Blog: Flashback

Casino News Media Blog

Flashback 2011

Baron Corbin strikes it big in Las Vegas. Circa 2022 (Image credit: WWE)

The Vegas casinos that Media Man and Gambling911 insiders hint are in the mix include MGM, Las Vegas Sands, Boyd Gaming and Caesars (former Harrahs Entertainment). It's unlikely a Donald Trump casino is in, as he's just sold at least one of his establishments. Trump is a fan of online casinos, but leaks say he is frustrated by what appears to be slow progress of igaming into mainstream America.

Casino News Media Blog: Casinos Of The World

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Casinos Of The World

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Casino News Media Blog: Las Vegas, Nevada

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Las Vegas

Las Vegas (US:; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and 2nd-largest in the Southwestern United States. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city, known primarily for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife. The Las Vegas Valley as a whole serves as the leading financial, commercial, and cultural center for Nevada.

The city bills itself as the Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous for its luxurious and extremely large casino-hotels. With over 2.9 million visitors as of 2019, Las Vegas is the sixth-most visited city in the United States after New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Francisco. It is a top three destination in the United States for business conventions and a global leader in the hospitality industry, claiming more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any other city in the world. Today, Las Vegas annually ranks as one of the world's most visited tourist destinations. The city's tolerance for numerous forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of "Sin City", and has made Las Vegas a popular setting for literature, films, television programs, and music videos.

References:

Wikipedia, Google, Las Vegas Tourism)

Casino News Media Blog: DraftKings lays off roughly 140 employees in corporate restructure

Casino News Media Blog

DraftKings lays off roughly 140 employees in corporate restructure  DraftKings is eliminating about 140 jobs, part of what the sports betting company is calling a reorganization. A majority of the eliminated positions are based in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and primarily span both engineering and HR roles related to hiring, according to someone with direct knowledge of the moves. The 140 positions amount to a low single-digit percentage of the company’s workforce. DraftKings stock jumped nearly 10% on the day to close at $16.48.  Penn Entertainment reports small year-over-year revenue increase in Q4 despite Mattress Mack payout  Despite a huge winning bet by Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale and inclement weather in December, Penn Entertainment’s 2022 fourth-quarter results were consistent, according to CEO Jay Snowden during Thursday’s investors’ call. McIngvale’s bet on the Houston Astros to win the World Series via Penn’s Barstool Sportsbook cost Penn $10 million. And Snowden claimed that “severe weather in certain parts of the country”...put a drag on revenue.

Casino News Media Blog: Flashback

Casino News Media Blog

Flashback

Online gaming companies in for huge 2011

Online Gaming Heating Up in Australia

Australian Gambling News: Congrats to Crown Casino’s James Packer

Australian Underbelly: Razor

Australian Gambling News Easter Special

Australia to Crack Down on Internet Gambling

Tingle: Casino Visit By Butcher Blamed For Wife Slaying

Un-Australian Gambling Reforms

Australian Pokies: Lovers VS Haters

Tingle: Jupiters Casino and Hotel World’s Most Dangerous

Deckmedia, SlotoCash Online Casino Affiliates Screwed

Australian Gambling's Dark Side: Drugs, Child Neglect

Aussie Gambling Firms Push Via Sports Broadcasts

In Australia Do Gambling And Politics Mix? Volatile Cocktail

Brendan Fevola Can’t Kick His Gambling Addiction

Australian Casinos And Sports Use Celeb Push Of Gambling

Gambling Business: James Packer Won’t Pursue Vegas Again

Aussie One Armed Bandits The New Big Brother

Tasmanian 'Devil Independent' Wilkie Hates Club Pokies Ad Campaign

Self-Proclaimed “Gambling Addict” and Bad Boy Brendan Fevola Punted From Crown Casino

Japan Tsunami And Quake Effect On Gaming In Australia

Gambling911.com’s Media Man Greg Tingle Targeted By Crim

Australian Casinos: A Look at What’s Happening Down Under in Gambling

Aussie MP Seeks iGaming Crackdown: Australia In Top 10 Gambling Nations

Packer 50 Percent Owned Betfair Signs Australian Super Rugby

Following Gambling Scandal: NRL And AFL Boys, Codes Under Spotlight

NRL Match Fixers Face 10 Years Jail; Pokies Law Could Kill Clubs

James Packer Aussie Media And Gambling King Quits Ten For Good Of Team

Cruise Ships Gamble On Western Australia

Tingle: Australia And New Zealand Gaming Stocks; Beancounter Special

Sin City Sydney: Darling Habour Gets Star City Rub

Aussie Pokie Reforms To Cost Australian Clubs 100M Plus

Sin City Sydney: Kings Cross Gambling On Real Life Underbelly

Aussie Hotels Want Pokie Limit Trial...

Higher Power At Work In Gambling; Godsend To Bendigo, Victoria...

Australian Sports Want And Need National Gaming - Gambling Regulations

Aussie James Packer Riding Wave Of Success

Australian Gambling and Politics: Cat And Mouse Games

Australian Gambling And Politics: Fun And Games

Real Life Underbelly NRL Style

Queensland Floods Cost Tabcorp Millions In Lost Revenue And More…

Gambling With Australian Federal Police; Legal Eagles Ready

Australian And Asia Pacific Gambling Tycoon News: February 1, 2011

Joe Francis - Indicted Over Alleged $2M Gambling Debt

Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine; Punters With Problems Targeted By Crime Lords

Australia Zoo Viva Crocodile Las Vegas Back On

Crown Casino Demands Aussie Govt Lift Game For Asian High Rollers

Crown Aussie Million's Poker $250,000 - Greg Tingle Australia Report

NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs: Star City Casino Partnership!

The Shane Warne Show At Aussie Millions 2011

Australia Day 2011 Gambling Special

Crown Aussie Millions; James Packer Special

Running out of Internet Addresses: We Were Right

Tingle: 3D Movies And Slot Games Not Dead Yet

Tingle: Australian Underbelly History and the Anti Pokie Song

Aussie Celeb News; James Bond Casino Icon Connection

Real Life Underbelly in Sin City Sydney

Australian Gambling: Deals, Art, Politics And Vice

Australian Gambling On Pre-Commitment Pokies: Lovers vs. Haters

International Gaming Technology vs. Aristocrat Leisure Legal Battle Ensues

Australian Casino Tourism Smoking Hot Report

Gambling On Australia's Anti-Money Laundering Counter Terrorism Hit List

Tingle: Australian Gambling Regulation Won't Wipe Out Problem Gambling

Australia To Get Sports Stadiums Branded By Gambling and Gaming Companies

Australia Pokie and News Media Wars for January 14, 2011

Australia Remains In Top 10 For Gambling

Australian Pokies Saviour Or Villain; Lovers VS Haters

Crown Casino Refuse Jackpot Payment; ClubsNSW VS PokieAct

Lasseter’s Hotel Casino Getting Tough On Violent Drunks

Australian Kids Copy Parents Gambling Habits

Aussie Media Man Talks Domain Names: Gambling.com, Poker.com.au

Australian Casino, Sporting And Gambling Round Up – January 8

Brendan Fevola Released From Jail: Adelaide Clubs Get Tough On Gambling

Costigan Commission Going After Kerry Packer

Australian Land Based Casinos Rank Among The Best In The World?

Casino News Media Blog: “I still pinch myself that I have a second-hand Aston Martin DBS Volante, the convertible model of James Bond’s car from ‘Quantum of Solace’ and ‘Casino Royale.” - Paul Hollywood

Casino News Media Blog

"I still pinch myself that I have a second-hand Aston Martin DBS Volante, the convertible model of James Bond’s car from ‘Quantum of Solace’ and ‘Casino Royale.” - Paul Hollywood 

Casino News Media Blog: Australian Gambling And Casino News - Flashback to 2011

Casino News Media Blog

Flashback to May 2011

Australian gambling and casino news keeps coming thick and fast, as new laws are tipped to be hitting down under in the very near future... mind you, that's story has been around for months, but certainly new developments in the gambling sector are under way in Australia. Media Man and Gambling911 with the catch of the day containing all the gambling news that matters from the land of kangaroos and koalas...

Sky City Group Plans To Build Casino In Darwin; Aussie Casino Wars May Escalate...

Sky City Casino has released previously top secret plans for a 50 million dollar resort - casino featuring villas which could cost as much as two thousand dollars a night. The flashy integrated resort is to be built next to the current land based casino site, at Little Mindil, with the company also looking at the operation of a corporate jet to shuttle VIP whales between Asian cities and Darwin. he Chief Minister Paul Henderson says it's fantastic news for the Territory. "I'd like to congratulate Sky City for their confidence in Darwin and the Northern Territory at a time when it is a bit soft out there. "Whilst we're waiting for the major projects to come online, a final decision from Inpex, you know the banks are being a lot tighter at the moment in terms of their lending so it's hard for developers to get projects off the ground," says Henderson. Penny Tastula is a savvy tourism consultant specialising in domestic and Asian destinations who was involved in one of the losing bids for tourism developments at the Little Mindil site. Ms Tastula says this is a missed opportunity. "We're not getting the high rollers in now, we've got so many huge new casinos opened up in South East Asia, the Marina Bay sands and the one at Sentosa Island, just at our doorstep, what's Darwin going to attract to bring them down, where's the Versace and all of the upper end shops?," Ms Tastula told the press. Ms Tastula says this resort won't appeal to the majority of the domestic tourism market. "We could have had an absolutely amazing four to five star still beautiful resort, strata titled, attracting three to four hundred families to come up at a time and stay. "I wanted to see a resort there that would ... start the mechanics into place to turn Darwin into a destination in its own right," she stated. She advised there's lot's of hotels which allow people to come and stay for three or four days, but nowhere to attract people to stay for two weeks and really explore the Top End of Australia. "What have we got for Little Mindil? Instead of having our catalyst, beautiful long-term holiday resort that was available for Territory families to use, available for visitors all around the world and all around Australia to use, and now we've got a venue where they can have a party for four thousand people twice a year. I mean it still makes me cringe every time I walk past." Media Man staffers were heard saying it sounded like a "very go ahead idea".

Aussie Sports Bosses Worried About Sports Betting...

Think you know all there is about the politics and proposed laws re sports betting in Australia? Think again. The money men - the top brass behind the elite sports codes in Australia just yesterday expressed their unease at the full on advertising delivered by enthusiastic promoter types in the betting agencies. The money stream for the sporting codes has been a financial shot in the arm for pro sports, but many now question at what cost. Most advertising budgets in Australia have slowed over the last few years, but not sorts betting, a close cousin to gambling. Live betting - exotic betting - are the forms of sports betting which have the majority of sports code bosses very worried, and we all know there's been a few scandals with the "exotics", and we're not talking about casino babes or sports babes folks. The prestigious Tattersall's CEO's Sports Luncheon was held yesterday with reps from the AFL, NRL, ARU, FFA and Cricket Australia going on record that they felt somewhat uneasy with the tactics being employed by gambling firms, despite the big bucks they made from the association with sports betting. "I think I speak for all of us when I say some of that more aggressive 'bet now' advertising is concerning us," NRL boss David Gallop said. "We would prefer to see that in a less aggressive mode. But it's difficult when the media outlets are going to take that advertising anyway, so the sports need to be in control of it." After demonstrating initial caution, the Australian Football League has embraced the gambling universe, even permitting teams to accept gambling organisations as jersey, sports and internet sports sponsors, as plugging live odds on the AFL website during matches and showing live match odds on the scoreboard during games as part of an agreement with Betfair. AFL chief exec Andrew Demetriou said it was issue beyond sport. "If it's in your face at the football, it can be really off-putting," he said. "But let's not delude ourselves; don't just concentrate this on the sports. The newspapers are littered with advertising about sports betting. Let's look at issues across the board, not just in sport. We're genuinely trying to do the right thing. Once sports betting became deregulated … everyone became exposed to it, not just kids at the football." Australian Rugby Union top dog John O'Neill stated the massive money being thrown around by gambling firms had inevitably bought them a slice of power. "We certainly do express a view if it's in your face, it's over the top. But that's the level of influence [they now have]," he said. "There is a source of revenue there." Assurances that all professional sporting events are not tampered with by bookmakers - or that players, coaches or officials are not betting on outcomes - has added another layer to the complex relationship between sports and agencies. Cricket Australia exec James Sutherland advised all sports had to retain their integrity to survive. "The critical issue for us is that the success of sport is built on the connection between the fan and the sport. They need to know this is a real contest, this is the real thing," he said. "If there is any question or taint around that then the integrity and value of the sport is significantly downgraded. That's something we're very conscious of. We can't have corruption in our game." Federal Sports Minister Mark Arbib has expressed his support for tougher match-fixing laws, and is due to meet his state counterparts next month. Just when all the confusion will come to an end is anyone's bet. Gambling continues to be one of the world's most successful industries and most popular pastimes, and Aussie gamblers - sports betters are some of the most popular in the world. With the Aussie news media and internet push on it seems unlikely that sports betting offline or online are going to decline in popularity any time soon. All gambling sub sectors are generally on the increase with the public, and now it just seems that all regulations across the board need to get up to speed with the reality of internet sports betting. You can bet legal eagles will continue to be busy and media reports will continue to be pumped out, keeping punters, politicians and all other interested parties abreast of the latest news. What else is left to say than good punting, and bet with your head, not over it. Folks, will it come to pass and become written in law? Tipsters advise we may know in the coming weeks, and no, we are not taking bets on it before you ask, but feel free to check out other gaming and betting promotions right here.

'James-Bond' Style Taxi Security For Aussie Casino Region Drivers...

The exciting trail is to commence in Perth, WA, where James Packer's Burswood Casino seems to attracts a bit of a mug element now and again, scaring off punters and patrons in general. Drivers will trial an Australian-first James Bond-style duress wristwatch that will track them by satellite and record conversations at the press of a button. Burswood Casino has privately sponsored the trial, issuing the devices free to 200 of Perth's 2000 taxi drivers on a first-come, first-served basis. Drivers will pay $1 a day for the service, which will go live after an official launch early next month. Transport Minister Troy Buswell welcomed industry initiatives to improve safety for drivers, and "will take a keen interest in the outcomes of such initiatives". The James Bond style watches will be monitored around the clock by operators at the headquarters of Swan Taxis in Victoria Park. Once the emergency channel is activated, the driver's picture, identity and location will flash up on a computer screen within 1.5 seconds. Staff will be able to listen to the recorded conversations and use their discretion to contact police, Land based casino mongrels, you have been warned.

James Packer's Crown Limited Looking To Spend Hundreds Of Millions To Attract Whales And Dolphins...

JP's Crown Limited is to invest at least another $281 million upgrading its Australian casinos. It is also making acquisitions that include consolidating its ownership of the famous Aspinall's Club in London which is part owned by his mate Damian Aspinall. The new funding is on top of $139 million previously put aside for upgrades of the Crown Casino in Melbourne and Burswood Casino in Perth, showing the company's confidence in the market and its talent in attracting whale VIP's. Crown's buys include the Holiday Inn hotel building and associated assets at Burswood Casino for $79 million. "Burswood will be entitled to a greater share of hotel profits," the company said. A further $81 million will be spent upgrading Burswood's gambling floor, catering, convention centre and VIP accommodation services. Crown Casino down in Melbourne will enjoy $132 million in revamps, with a more extensive investment in the gambling floor and catering, plus new bar and lounge that will feature the colourful Shane Warne and the Aussie ex poker champion Joe Hachem as ambassadors. Further upgrades to its VIP facilities were also announced, including refurbishing the casino's jets. Crown and competitors Tabcorp's Star City had announced upgrades to the VIP gambling businesses to meet growing competition from new casino developments in Singapore and Macau. It was in December when Packer, Crown's chairman, advised Australia would need to work harder to compete with new Asian developments and called on other companies to take up some of the slack. "Australian investment in large-scale tourism attractions has been relatively modest in recent years. In contrast, Crown has been and continues to be a significant investor in Australian tourism infrastructure." Crown will acquire a 100% interest in Aspinall's Club. The land cased casino, which also has an online arm, was owned by the Aspinall's Group, Crown's joint venture with the Packer family friend Damian Aspinall. The venture will use the $55 million in proceeds to pay debt. Don't bet against Packer, he's on a winning steak, and delighted in proving the knockers wrong.

Ex NRL Parramatta Eels Boss Denis Fitzgerald Under Spotlight For Alleged Pokies Deal...

The Sydney Morning Herald broadsheet has obtained financial documents which demonstrate Fitzgerald acquired a substantial number of shares in one of Australia's biggest poker machine provider, Aristocrat, which was subsequently awarded a lucrative contract with Parramatta Leagues club at "the emperor's" (nick name) encouragement. Forms lodged with the NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Licensing show in 2005 he held Aristocrat shares worth more than $1.3 million. At that time he also had another $1.2 million of holdings in companies which had a commercial relationship with the club; including E Bet gaming systems, the brewer Foster's, Tabcorp and Westpac. By 2008 the value of Fitzgerald's Aristocrat shares were worth a whopping $1.6 million. And it was in that February Parramatta directors decided, despite the losses of the previous year, to replace E Bet as the provider of its poker machines and accompanying IT software. See the full story here
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/the-emperor-the-pokies-and-a-dramatic-fall-from-grace-20110519-1ev2d.html

NRL Legend Benny Elias: I'm Sorry For Queensland Flood Gaffe Made At Star City...

Elias advised Murdoch owned The Daily Telegraph that he was deeply sorry a comment he made at a NSW black tie dinner at Star City was misunderstood. A former Balmain and Australian hooker, Elias has sparked the fuse ahead of game one on Wednesday night, telling the Maroons to expect a Blues side that will "make those floods back in Queensland ... look like an absolute mimic". But Elias was today upset he had offended Queenslanders affected by the tragic floods. "I understand some comments I made on Thursday night about Queensland at a NSW State of Origin dinner were misunderstood. I am a passionate Blues supporter and genuinely love this time of year," Elias said. "I've always felt the barbs and banter between the two states adds to the theatre of State of Origin. "But if a comment I made about the Queensland floods was misinterpreted then I genuinely apologise. "I, like the rest of the world, watched on in horror at what unfolded in Queensland during the New Year floods. "I would hate to be seen as being flippant about such a terrible event. I also hope the NSW-Queensland rivalry never dies. It is what Origin is built on. "If I caused offence, I am sorry. It certainly wasn't personal. I will always be passionate at Origin time. Next Wednesday will be no different." Elias told Fox Sports News at the function on Thursday night that Queensland was "cocky" and "arrogant". "I was in Queensland last week and I don’t know why we’ll even turn up," Elias said. "Up there, they’ve won five series in a row; they’ve got Mal (Meninga) as a super coach; (Darren) Lockyer’s finale. They’re just going to go through the motions. Read the full story here
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/ben-elias-stirs-state-of-origin-pot-saying-nsw-will-make-those-floods-look-like-an-absolute-mimic/story-e6frfghx-1226059537950

Aged and Community Services Western Australia (ACSWA) Handed Out At Burswood Casino...

Packer's Burswood Casino got an interesting gig recently. The Aged and Community Services Western Australia Awards. Interesting venue for the awards, but it's known that some elders folks are pretty keen on a punt, with pokies, bingo, keno and horse racing being their favs.

Burswood Casino To Crack Down On Smoking...

Western Australia would get the strongest anti-smoking laws in the country under proposals which include a complete ban in outdoor areas where people eat, watch sport or catch buses. The bans are among 15 proposals contained in a Health Department discussion paper being released today, which includes removing a controversial exemption that allows gamblers to smoke in Burswood Casino's high-rollers room. One option is to ban smoking in all outdoor eating areas, which would be an Australian first. "We strongly support these proposals, including banning smoking in Burswood's high-rollers room which exposes staff to smoke just to attract dollars and pander to the big end of town." Dr Mountain said he supported wider bans outdoors because seeing other people smoke gave a visual cue that it was still acceptable to smoke around other people.

Burswood Casino Gets Viva Las Vegas Tonight - 20th May 2011; Then Onto Crown...

Burswood Theatre will come alive with showgirls, magicians and Elvis impersonators for the The Viva Las Vegas Spectacular. Direct from sell-out shows at Melbourne's Crown Casino, the show commences at 8pm with a few tickets still available from Ticketek. Take a trip to Las Vegas without the airfare or expenses. Viva Las Vegas has all the razzle dazzle and glitz of the entertainment capital of the world.The show combines sensational song and dance numbers with exciting specialty acts. Viva Las Vegas will take you on a spellbinding journey to Las Vegas. See the gorgeous Vegas Showgirls in spectacular costumes and dazzling choreography, witness the remarkable illusions of Magic2. Experience the best celebrity impersonators, Tom Jones tribute artist and world class Elvis impersonator Rick Charles performing together with a live band. This is 90 minutes of Las Vegas entertainment, a fabulous night that you will remember forever. Don't miss the Viva Las Vegas Spectacular.

TOUR DATES:
Friday 20 May - Burswood Theatre, Perth
Sat 16 Jul - Palms @ Crown, Melbourne

Punters, as you can see, the trend towards total entertainment solutions in around around the gaming and gambling sector continues, and we're proud to be reporting on it for you maties.

Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports via Gambling911 for more "can't miss" information on Australian wagering including pokies, gaming, sports betting and casino wars.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

Casino News Media Blog: Make your own luck!

Casino News Media Blog

Make your own luck! 

Casino News Media Blog: Play games for free, play games for money, or learn about the business of games

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