Aussie Casino Gossip, by Greg Tingle - 28th March 2011

G'day punters, sports nuts, one and all. We're got a bush tucker bag of Aussie casino and gambling news and gossip for you today. Media Man and Gambling911 play eye in the sky with this special report...

Sin City Sydney Looks To NSW Casino Liquor and Gaming Control Authority For Entertainment Approval...

Down under's city of sin could have a better chance of premiering big musical productions after news that the only two state-of-the-art lyric theatres in Sydney capable of housing big Broadway shows are about to have the same owner. The Foundation Entertainment Group, the owner and operator of the Capitol Theatre in Haymarket, has announced its plan to acquire and manage the Lyric Theatre at Star City in Pyrmont, pending approval from the NSW Casino Liquor and Gaming Control Authority. In recent years the rival 2000-seat theatres have been part of a bidding war for the Australian premieres of the musicals The Producers, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Mary Poppins, Hairspray and Rock of Ages. In every instance Melbourne clinched the deal mainly because of Sydney's theatre shortage or timing issues.

Conrad Hotels 25th Anniversary Free Night Offered March 1-June 30...

Our friends at Wikipedia advise the first Conrad Hotel opened in 1985 with the Conrad Jupiters Gold Coast in Australia. So why 25 years in 2011? Apparently the hotel had a soft partial opening in November 1985 (start of summer season in Australia) and the hotel officially opened in February 1986 – 25 years ago. Conrad Hotels is celebrating its 25th Anniversary since the opening of the first Conrad Jupiters Gold Coast, Australia in 1986, yet this Hilton Worldwide hotel brand currently has just 16 hotel locations after a quarter century. Conrad was Hilton’s flagship luxury hotel brand until Waldorf-Astoria Collection developed into a Hilton brand in 2006. The emphasis, it seems to me, has been on Waldorf-Astoria Collection marketing over the past five years while Conrad has added very few properties and lost a couple of hotels. Conrad Sanya in China’s southeastern beach resort location just opened December 2010. Conrad Bali (2004), Conrad Miami (2004) and Conrad Maldives (2007) opened in the past seven years. The two Aussie Conrad hotels rebranded in April 2010 after a 20-year management contract expired and are no longer part of Conrad Hotels and Hilton Worldwide. Treasury Brisbane and Jupiters Gold Coast are casino hotels and Jupiters is affiliated with 450 global independent hotels in World Hotels. Nothing stays the same forever.

Alice Springs - Concert Raises $17,729 For QLD Flood Victims...

Lasseters Hotel Casino and the Alice Springs Convention Centre hosted an all age’s benefit concert on the lawns of the Juicy Rump on Friday to raise money for those affected by the Queensland flood disaster and had an exceptional turnout. On Friday 28th January the Juicy Rump lawns were packed with musicians and concert goers who generously donated over $17,729.10 to the Premiers Disaster Relief Fund. Approximately 600 people attended the event that was hosted by Imparja Television Newsreader Ryan Liddle. Whilst Yamba circulated the crowd, the talented Gareth J Dawkins and Leon Spurling were the first to wow the crowds with their smooth acoustic sounds. Mayor Damien Ryan officially welcomed the crowd to the important fundraiser which was followed by an astounding performance of the Australian National Anthem by local vocalist Claire Ryan followed by a minutes silence to remember those who had lost their lives. The line up of local talent included with Gareth J Dawkins, Leon Spurling, the Polynesian Dance Group who performed a traditional dance and the ‘haka’. Heavy metal band Miazma, Dr Strangeways and finished with the talented hip hop group Catch the Fly. All musicians and performers donated their time. Lasseters Hotel Casino Marketing Manager Megan Thompson says “We were overwhelmed with the turnout and the money raised, door donations generated $4405.60 which was astounding. The Alice Springs community really came out in force to show the people of Queensland that they care”. In addition to organising and hosting the Queensland Flood Relief Concert, Lasseters Hotel Casino and the Alice Springs Convention Centre are donating $5000. The Alice Springs Airport donated $3000, followed by the MacDonnell Shire Council who donated $2000 in addition to their employees reaching into their pockets and donating another $400. Door donations were $4405.60, raffle ticket sales reached $2645.40, merchandise sales were $158.55 and the Lil Antz Childcare face painting stand raised $118.35. The event would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the generous support of sponsors who included Imparja Television, SunFM, Harvey Norman and Staging Connections.

Cairns, Northern Queensand: Pullman Reef Hotel Casino Cairns Gets New Director Of Sales & Marketing...

Amanda Balaam has been appointed to the role of Director of Sales for Accor Hotel’s Pullman Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns, effective the 24th of March 2011. Amanda will relocate to Cairns from Melbourne where she was responsible for managing sales for the Grand Hotel Melbourne – a member of Accor’s exclusive MGallery collection – for the past two years. Previously Amanda was National Sales Manager for the Seasons Apartment Hotel Group based in Melbourne, and Business Development Manager for the Hotel Grand Chancellor Group. Amanda’s sales experience also extends to work with the Old Melbourne Hotel, Toga Hospitality (Travelodge) as well as 10 years experience with Ansett Airlines based in Australia and the UK. Pullman’s Hotel General Manager Adrian Williams says, "We are extremely pleased to welcome Amanda to Cairns and the Pullman family. Her extensive sales experience across various sectors of the tourism industry, and solid hotel history, will certainly be a big asset to our business as we look to strengthen our profile post cyclone Yasi in the coming months." The Pullman Reef Hotel Casino is in the heart of Cairns, overlooking the majestic Trinity Inlet and packed with great dining and entertainment options including award winning restaurant, Tamarind. The hotel is close to numerous shops and restaurants, located in walking distance to the Great Barrier Reef Terminal, Esplanade Lagoon and famous Cairns boardwalk. Each of its 128 rooms features its own private garden balcony and spa bath, and there is a rooftop swimming pool, full gym, and Cairns Wildlife Dome on the rooftop offering a complete ‘zoo in the heart of the city’ experience – complete with wallabies, native birds and a giant crocodile. In addition the Pullman hotel and casino complex offers endless entertainment options for guests, including cocktails in Vertigo Bar, and then the chance to party the night away in the Reef Casino (a boutique two level Casino), or Velvet Underground Nightclub.

Brisbane - LNP Win Hooks $20,000 Bet...

A Punter with an interest in Queensland politics has put up $20,000 in a bet that the LNP will snatch the next state election. Centrebet accepted the wager less than a week after Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman announced he would lead the opposition team at the next election. The punter will pick up a cool $36,000 at $1.80 odds if the LNP comes through. Centrebet spokesman Neil Evans said the bet had changed the LNP's odds from $1.80 to $1.70. Labor's odds have pushed out from $2 to $2.14.
"The ALP got a boost when the LNP's leadership team resigned in disgust over Mr Newman's takeover-style move, firming in from $2.10, but it didn't take long for the money to arrive and anoint Newman as the man who would be premier," Evans said in a statement. Sportingbet has the LNP as $1.75 favourite and Labor at $2.05.

Punter Fev Dropped By Management?...

Fevola’s footballing future has been thrown into more doubt with reports he has been dumped by his management. On the day he returned to Australia after a US holiday which caused concern to managers Alastair Lynch and Peter Blucher, Fevola and the firm were said to have split. "Our total focus is to make sure he gets himself well and we will continue to look after Brendan in terms of his health. But as far as his contract is concerned, we just don't feel we can represent Brendan because he has changed direction several times,” Lynch told The Age. The split comes after several differences of opinion between Fevola and Velocity, surrounding the holiday, his tell-all TV interview, his ill-advised trip to Crown Casino and his potential VFL club. Fevola was said to have misled his managers over whether he has spoken to Frankston, after training with Casey before he left for the US. Frankston coach Simon Goosey said last week he planned to speak to Fevola on his return, but Lynch said he knew nothing about the interest from the Dolphins. It's understood Velocity may also have been misled by Fevola on the morning of his appearance at the Melbourne casino.
Mention of Fevola was taken of Velocity’s website. Fevola had trained with Casey Scorpions before he left the country – a move that infuriated affiliate club Melbourne, who felt the move could hinder the development of some of their younger, taller players. “When Brendan gets back from the US ... he said to me that he would sit down with us and discuss the possibility of playing with Frankston,” Goosey said. “Brendan did not realise that Casey had to play 16 Melbourne players and six Casey players, and we are not dictated to by an AFL club so it probably sits a little bit better with him. “But until we speak with Brendan we don’t know what he is going to decide.” Fevola’s appearance at the Crown Casino in the hours before a tell-all TV interview had Casey considering their decision to open the door to Fevola. After Fevola was spotted and asked to leave Crown Casino on Thursday, hours before a tell-all TV interview, the Melbourne Demons-affiliate were considering his future. But despite his admission of numerous issues, including ADD, alcohol binges, depression and gambling addiction, Casey president John Sharkie said they would continue their association with Fevola. The club said it would "work with Brendan and his management to support his desire to play football".

Australian Casinos, Clubs, Poker, Sports Use Celebs To Promote Gambling...

A boom in online sports betting has seen punters' overall losses double in 5 years. Sports commentators (mainly in cricket, and to a lesser extent, AFL and NRL) are feeding the gambling beast and some say, putting Aussie kids at risk. Pick the odds the promoters shout. "Check out our betting promotions", says a sports commentator, and you get the picture. The leap in online betting firms and smartphone tech has allowed Aussies access to would you believe 2319 or so online gambling websites. Say G'day to Alex Blaszczynski, a psychologist who is treating a growing number of sports betting addicts. He's called for a crackdown on how gambling is marketed. "These sports stars are role models that people look up to," Prof Blaszczynski said. "My concern is over the next few years we're going to see a steady rise in sports-related problem gambling." Aussie punters are tipped to lose $611 million via online sports betting this year, up from $264 million in 2006, Global Betting and Gaming Consultants figures state. Total sports betting is much higher as the amounts do not include bets through phone calls, TAB outlets and some sports betting sites also offer casino games. One commentators called the marketing campaign techniques "blitzkrieg" in nature, which sounds pretty effective, if not evil. Sporting figures spruiking brands, promos and odds during matches are very big. "That is normalising gambling. Let's be sensible about it now and have a balance of appropriate advertising," Prof Blaszczynski said. We understand there were 24 new sports betting clients at Prof Blaszczynski's University of Sydney gambling treatment clinic last year...a 70% jump from 14 new clients the previous year.

Casino King James Packer And Ron Walker Share A Laugh At At Grand Prix...

Sebastian Vettel was burning things up in the F1 and in Pit Paddock lane Murdoch and Walker clutched hands and shared a laugh. Earlier in the day the Packers were seen together. It's rumored Packer and / or Walker have made a sizable donation to Japan to help out with disaster recovery. Watch the space.

Where Does Aussie Gambling Money Go To?...

About 50% of the gambling revenues go directly to state governments, about a third to the owners of the machines (Tatts, Tabcorp etc) and the rest to the pubs and clubs that house them. We’ve all heard the argument that state governments and pubs are dependent on gambling revenues and that if you took this revenue away from them they’d all go broke. It sums up everything that is most repellent about politicians that they can make these claims and expect people to believe them. If you turned all pokies to dust overnight what would happen to that $11 billion? The ABC 'Drum Unleashed' brains say "It doesn’t just vanish; it’s still floating around the economy, getting itself into trouble. That $11 billion is all in the form of personal earnings, so if you don’t put it into pokies it’s mostly going to end up as discretionary spending (shoes, holidays, restaurants, bars, art galleries, chocolate bars, piercings and football memberships), property (rent or mortgage repayments), entrepreneurial activities (starting or growing a new business) or savings. So if you took that money away from pokies it doesn’t mean that the government loses all that revenue, they just get it in another form: GST, land tax, dog registration, payroll tax, stamp duty and the like." So, punters, are you with the ABC or against them?

Burswood Casino Gets Another Attack...

A woman had her handbag stolen after leaving the Burswood Casino about 2am Saturday. She didn't get a glimpse of her assailants, however police said she recalled hearing a woman yell "Give me your handbag" before it was stolen. She was not injured in the incident. Security has been beefed up at Burswood in recent months, but obviously crime can and still does happen at casinos, despite how much security is out in force.

Kerry Packer Featured In Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo (Not The Slot - The Mag)...

Stay tuned Kerry Packer fans. The late gambling and media tycoon will be played by actor Rob Carlton and Asher Keddie will portray Ita Buttrose. It's a 22-part series and is understood to be one of the better shows to be screened by the ABC this year. If gambling is to be mentioned, it will be very lightly, with Packer's media interests, namely Cleo, an ACP women's publication, the main focus. Don't confuse the Cleo publication with the Cleo or Cleopatra slot game - they are very different animals.

Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.

If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered

Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...

Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...

PartyCasino.com (Many of the world's best slot games. Aussies and Kiwi's welcome).

Captain Cooks Casino

Betfair (sports betting only)

PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)

PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)

Profiles

Australian Casinos

World Casino Directory

Global Gaming Directory

Casino Travel

Casinos

Australia

Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:

Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money

Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.

If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Casino News Media

Poker News Media

Australian Casino News

Casino News Australia

Global Gaming Directory