There's a great debate that will rage until the end of time about whether it's more skillful to win a massive, World Series of Poker main event-esque minefield of a monster event, or conquer an elite but small field. David Williams now has a good excuse to argue in defense of the latter.
Williams, who found international fame with his runner-up finish in the 2004 World Series of Poker main event, took down the second-largest score of his career this weekend with his $1,530,537 win in the Bellagio's World Poker Tour Championship. Long considered one of the crown jewels of the poker calendar, the Championship suffered massive losses in attendance for the third year running, with just 195 players putting up the $25,000 entry fee.
Williams triumphed over a star-studded final table that was almost as noteworthy for who was missing as it was for who was there. Deep runs by former WSOP world champions Phil Hellmuth and Scotty Nguyen had onlookers talking about either player joining Carlos Mortensen as the only players with both the WSOP and WPT crowns, but their twin ousters at seventh and eighth, respectively, left the focus on five remaining stars and one relative newcomer.
Williams defeated reigning Card Player Magazine Player of the Year Eric Baldwin (who won $1,034,715) in a final that saw Williams enter with and maintain a vast chip lead throughout. Baldwin's elimination was the last on a day that saw former WPT winner Shawn Buchanan ($587,906) finish third, 2009 WSOP bracelet winner David Benyamine ($329,228) finish fourth, poker Hall of Famer and seven-time bracelet winner Billy Baxter finish fifth and Irish online pro John O'Shea finish sixth as the first player eliminated at the final table.
For Williams, the tough lineup brought a surprising measure of comfort. "The lineup of name players who I've played before calmed me down," Williams said. "I knew what to expect from them because I'd played with all of them before. With new players, I don't know what's coming and there's a lot of pressure with the expectation to win. There was no pressure to win because if I lost, I mean, hey, I lost to a great player."
For Williams, the victory ended a drought of almost two years in which he failed to score a six-figure win. "It definitely boosts my confidence. I haven't had anything big going on for the last couple of years, so it makes me feel like I'm doing things right now. I've made a lot of changes. I'm very happy."
Among those changes was working with Sam Chauhan, the mindset coach who gained attention by working with Antonio Esfandiari prior to his deep WSOP main event run last year. "He taught me a lot about being positive, focusing, meditating and being thankful for what you have," Williams said. "It's amazing what that positive energy can do for you. I never went on tilt in the tournament. Frustration never affected me. I was able to stay calm and focus on my game."
In addition to the money, the victory ensures Williams a continued run in the spotlight that brought him his Bodog sponsorship. He doesn't seem too interested in the changes in lifestyle $1.5 million can bring.
"I'll just keep doing what I'm doing," Williams said. "It'll get me on NBC heads-up and all that. Poker's not as publicized as it was a few years ago, so having a televised win helps. Any publicity to me isn't bad. I enjoy the limelight. As long as I'm in the headlines I'm happy about that."
For runner-up Baldwin, the high finish serves as validation for his Player of the Year title. "It's a real big deal," Baldwin said, enthused. "With all the success I had last year, none of it was in super high-profile tournaments. I always have friends and family asking, 'When will I see you on TV?' and it'll be nice to finally have an answer for them. I also realize it's tough to make a name for yourself in poker nowadays because the market's really saturated with stars. The original generation is still playing. This helps, though, and I picked a great tournament to finally break through on TV."
Buchanan's elimination in third place put an end to the WPT's most wide-open Player of the Year race to date. While Faraz Jaka (the Player of the Year leader coming into the event) seemed poised to take the title when he held a chip lead with 18 players remaining, his 14th-place ouster left the door open for Buchanan, Hellmuth and Nguyen, each of whom needed to win the tournament to take the title.
"I think by day two, there were still several dozen people who had a shot had they made final table," said WPT live reporting team member BJ Nemeth. "Faraz was the point leader with 1,300 points. You need to finish seventh or higher to get points. There was like a 16-way tie at 1,000 between all of the season's champions and anyone who finished fifth or higher at a final table this year could have also caught him. It was pretty crazy.
"For Scotty, it would have moved him close to the top of the standings," Nemeth said. "Hellmuth would have won his first WPT title, a WPT championship and WPT Player of the Year in one shot. He called it a dream of his on Twitter. I think his ego would have found a whole other level. WPT would have loved it because he's so high-profile. Fans would have loved or hated it, but they'd definitely have noticed either way."
While it was a triumphant day for Williams, Baldwin and Jaka, this was not a triumphant moment for the WPT or the Bellagio. The 195 registrants were down from 338 a year ago, 545 in 2008 and 639 in 2007. While the world and poker economies, one large cloud of volcanic ash and the timing of EPT San Remo were all partially to blame, the Bellagio's unpopular decision to make preliminary tournaments at the annual Five Star World Poker Classic all rebuy events caused a sharp downturn in registration throughout the month. With so little action in-house, there was little incentive for players to attempt a parlay. With the EPT Championship in Monte Carlo this coming week and relatively little easy money in the field, there was little incentive for pros to make dual trips across the Atlantic.
The Bellagio is already atoning for its miscues. It was announced this week that next year's Five Star series would be moved to May in order to incentivize early arrival for WSOP players, but there are real questions about whether this crown jewel has now been permanently damaged. For Williams, however, the decreased attendance allowed him to topple one of the toughest player-for-player fields of the year. (Credit: ESPN)
Website Network
Media Man
Global Gaming Directory
Poker News Media
Media Man Poker
Media Man Casino
Casino News Media
Welcome to the Media Man Group blog. The Media Man Group includes but is not limited to Media Man Australia, Media Man Int, Australian Sports Entertainment, Australian Sports Entertainment, Greg Tingle Photography and Eastern Suburbs Media.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
PartyPoker News: The Million Dollar Hand Returns In May! Over $175,000 Extra Up For Grabs For Palladium Lounge Members
Gibraltar – 29th April 2010 - The Million Dollar Hand at PartyPoker.com is back! The popular promotion runs from Tuesday 4th May until Tuesday 23rd May. The Million Dollar Hand offers the chance to win a cool $1 million or even more! Players at PartyPoker.com’s real money tables will get a playing card for every 15 PartyPoints they earn during this period and will receive a prize when they’ve built a five-card hand. There’s a guaranteed cash prize if the hand features a pair or better – a royal flush will pay $1 million!
There is no limit on the number of royal flushes that can be hit and the promotion starts with players getting their first card for free. This card will be available in a player’s PartyAccount on Tuesday 4th May. Points are not removed from player accounts following the promotion – they all count towards Palladium Lounge targets.
PartyPoker.com: ‘The Million Dollar Hand’ 4th – 23rd May 2010 - Prize Structure
Royal flush $1,000,000
Straight flush $10,000
Four of a kind $1,000
Full house $150
Flush $100
Straight $50
Three of a kind $20
Two pair $10
One pair $3
Players will only be able to reveal a maximum of two hands per day across the whole of the promotion period. All players have to go to their Party Account to reveal their cards; any unrevealed card/hand will not be taken into account. Full terms and conditions can be found at PartyPoker.com.
More information can be found at: PartyPoker.com
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “The Million Dollar Hand is back! As Mike Sexton says ‘May all your cards be live and your pots be monsters!’ Thousands of cards are set to be revealed from Tuesday 4th May. The question remains – will the big one hit this time around? We’ve seen straight flushes and scared the insurers but nobody has hit the royal…yet! The Million Dollar Hand also provides amazing extra value for members of the Palladium Lounge through the VIP Race.”
For members of the Palladium Lounge there is a brilliant value Million Dollar Hand VIP Race with more than $175,000 and $13,000 WSOP packages up for grabs. All Palladium Lounge members have to do is earn cards through the Million Dollar Hand as normal and for every one pair or better, in addition to the normal cash prizes, they will earn points which contribute towards the race. For more information see: PartyPoker.com
World Series of Poker”® and “WSOP”®, WSOPE”® are registered trade marks of Harrah’s License Company LLC. No license, affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement is claimed, or should be inferred from the use of these trademarks here. PartyGaming is not licensed by or otherwise affiliated with Harrah’s License Company LLC or the World Series of Poker®, in any way.
Website Network
Media Man
Global Gaming Directory
Poker News Media
Media Man Poker
Media Man Casino
Casino News Media
There is no limit on the number of royal flushes that can be hit and the promotion starts with players getting their first card for free. This card will be available in a player’s PartyAccount on Tuesday 4th May. Points are not removed from player accounts following the promotion – they all count towards Palladium Lounge targets.
PartyPoker.com: ‘The Million Dollar Hand’ 4th – 23rd May 2010 - Prize Structure
Royal flush $1,000,000
Straight flush $10,000
Four of a kind $1,000
Full house $150
Flush $100
Straight $50
Three of a kind $20
Two pair $10
One pair $3
Players will only be able to reveal a maximum of two hands per day across the whole of the promotion period. All players have to go to their Party Account to reveal their cards; any unrevealed card/hand will not be taken into account. Full terms and conditions can be found at PartyPoker.com.
More information can be found at: PartyPoker.com
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “The Million Dollar Hand is back! As Mike Sexton says ‘May all your cards be live and your pots be monsters!’ Thousands of cards are set to be revealed from Tuesday 4th May. The question remains – will the big one hit this time around? We’ve seen straight flushes and scared the insurers but nobody has hit the royal…yet! The Million Dollar Hand also provides amazing extra value for members of the Palladium Lounge through the VIP Race.”
For members of the Palladium Lounge there is a brilliant value Million Dollar Hand VIP Race with more than $175,000 and $13,000 WSOP packages up for grabs. All Palladium Lounge members have to do is earn cards through the Million Dollar Hand as normal and for every one pair or better, in addition to the normal cash prizes, they will earn points which contribute towards the race. For more information see: PartyPoker.com
World Series of Poker”® and “WSOP”®, WSOPE”® are registered trade marks of Harrah’s License Company LLC. No license, affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement is claimed, or should be inferred from the use of these trademarks here. PartyGaming is not licensed by or otherwise affiliated with Harrah’s License Company LLC or the World Series of Poker®, in any way.
Website Network
Media Man
Global Gaming Directory
Poker News Media
Media Man Poker
Media Man Casino
Casino News Media
PKR scoops top industry award
02 February 2010 – PKR.com has picked up its first award of 2010 by winning the International Gaming Awards Online Poker Operator of the Year title.
The IGA’s Online Poker Operator of the Year award recognises the online operator that made the most headway in the real-money poker sector during 2009. Operators are judged according to originality, growth and scale, usability, payment processing and marketing. Special consideration is also given to the most innovative operators and those with a unique and or outstanding brand setting it aside from the competition.
PKR.com’s unique blend of advanced 3D graphics, immersive gameplay and enhanced community focus through its new integrated social media platform saw off competition from all major rivals including big shots like Pokerstars, Full Tilt, PartyPoker, Betfair, Ladbrokes, and 888.com.
PKR CEO Malcolm Graham said, “It is a wonderful achievement for us to be named Online Poker Operator of the Year. We are absolutely delighted to be honoured by the International Gaming Awards in this way.”
The annual International Gaming Awards are hosted in London’s Millennium Gloucester Hotel & Conference Centre and seek to reward excellence in all areas of the online gaming industry. Nominations are made across a range of categories with judges selected from leading industry professionals, journalists, analysts and representatives of the Awards’ main sponsors.
Website Network
Media Man Poker
Poker News Media
Media Man Casino
Virtual Worlds Media
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Media Man
The IGA’s Online Poker Operator of the Year award recognises the online operator that made the most headway in the real-money poker sector during 2009. Operators are judged according to originality, growth and scale, usability, payment processing and marketing. Special consideration is also given to the most innovative operators and those with a unique and or outstanding brand setting it aside from the competition.
PKR.com’s unique blend of advanced 3D graphics, immersive gameplay and enhanced community focus through its new integrated social media platform saw off competition from all major rivals including big shots like Pokerstars, Full Tilt, PartyPoker, Betfair, Ladbrokes, and 888.com.
PKR CEO Malcolm Graham said, “It is a wonderful achievement for us to be named Online Poker Operator of the Year. We are absolutely delighted to be honoured by the International Gaming Awards in this way.”
The annual International Gaming Awards are hosted in London’s Millennium Gloucester Hotel & Conference Centre and seek to reward excellence in all areas of the online gaming industry. Nominations are made across a range of categories with judges selected from leading industry professionals, journalists, analysts and representatives of the Awards’ main sponsors.
Website Network
Media Man Poker
Poker News Media
Media Man Casino
Virtual Worlds Media
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Media Man
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
PartyPoker News: Drive The Dream - Win An Aston Martin DB9 Coupe For Free At PartyPoker
WIN AN ASTON MARTIN DB9 COUPE FOR FREE AT PARTYPOKER.COM!
GET OUT OF MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR!
Gibraltar – 27th April 2010 - One lucky poker player could win a brand new Aston Martin DB9 Coupe for FREE at PartyPoker.com thanks to its new ‘Drive the Dream’ promotion. To win the dream car you don’t have to go on an international spying mission or play heads-up with an international criminal mastermind ‘Casino Royale’ style – all you have to do is log on to PartyPoker.com and take part in the ‘Drive the Dream’ promotion!
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: "It is simple to get involved, just join the daily freerolls, qualifying through to the monthly satellites where you can win your seat to the live final in London! This is well and truly the opportunity of a lifetime – the possibility of winning an Aston Martin DB9 Coupe for free!"
The freerolls take place EVERY DAY from Tuesday April 27th and run until Sunday September 12th. The lucky winners from the main satellites that are held every second Sunday of the month at 14.00 ET then have the opportunity of a lifetime to play for the car in a live tournament in London on the weekend of October 2nd. PartyPoker.com will fly those that make the final table to London to play a nine handed table for the Aston Martin DB9 Coupe! It is not a case of winner takes all, however, as all nine players who have made it to London all win fantastic prizes!
The prizes for the live final table in London are as follows:
1st - 2010 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe
2nd - Lamborghini Extreme Driving Academy Package
3rd - Ferrari Driving Experience Package
4th - Porsche Sport Driving School Package
5th - F1 Grand Prix Brazil Package (Sao Paulo)
6th - F1 Grand Prix Santander D'Italia Package (Monza)
7th - US$4,000 Cash
8th - US$3,000 Cash
9th - US$2,000 cash
As you can see from these fantastic prizes the opportunity to ‘Drive the Dream’ is not merely the chance to win the Aston Martin DB9 Coupe. Second place gets a Lamborghini Extreme Driving Package, third place sees a serious ride in a Ferrari and fourth is a Porsche Sport Driving School Package. Fifth and sixth win chances to watch F1 in the most exotic places around the world.
For more information see: PartyPoker.com
That’s not all - there is also hard cash to be won through the qualifiers: see PartyPoker.com for more information on the structure.
PartyPoker.com ambassador and WPT presenter Mike Sexton is excited about the promotion. “A couple of years ago I challenged Paris Hilton to play heads-up for a Bentley but my offer wasn’t accepted – maybe she’d play for an Aston Martin instead? The chance of winning an Aston Martin DB9 Coupe for absolutely nothing is quite some freeroll!”
**The marks ‘Aston Martin,’ ‘Aston Martin DB’ and ‘DB9’ are registered trademarks of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. This promotion is in no way affiliated with or sanctioned by Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. PartyGaming is not licensed by, or otherwise affiliated with, Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd, or any member of its group. No licence, affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement by Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd is claimed or should be inferred.**
Website Network
Global Gaming Directory
Media Man
Media Man Poker
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
GET OUT OF MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR!
Gibraltar – 27th April 2010 - One lucky poker player could win a brand new Aston Martin DB9 Coupe for FREE at PartyPoker.com thanks to its new ‘Drive the Dream’ promotion. To win the dream car you don’t have to go on an international spying mission or play heads-up with an international criminal mastermind ‘Casino Royale’ style – all you have to do is log on to PartyPoker.com and take part in the ‘Drive the Dream’ promotion!
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: "It is simple to get involved, just join the daily freerolls, qualifying through to the monthly satellites where you can win your seat to the live final in London! This is well and truly the opportunity of a lifetime – the possibility of winning an Aston Martin DB9 Coupe for free!"
The freerolls take place EVERY DAY from Tuesday April 27th and run until Sunday September 12th. The lucky winners from the main satellites that are held every second Sunday of the month at 14.00 ET then have the opportunity of a lifetime to play for the car in a live tournament in London on the weekend of October 2nd. PartyPoker.com will fly those that make the final table to London to play a nine handed table for the Aston Martin DB9 Coupe! It is not a case of winner takes all, however, as all nine players who have made it to London all win fantastic prizes!
The prizes for the live final table in London are as follows:
1st - 2010 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe
2nd - Lamborghini Extreme Driving Academy Package
3rd - Ferrari Driving Experience Package
4th - Porsche Sport Driving School Package
5th - F1 Grand Prix Brazil Package (Sao Paulo)
6th - F1 Grand Prix Santander D'Italia Package (Monza)
7th - US$4,000 Cash
8th - US$3,000 Cash
9th - US$2,000 cash
As you can see from these fantastic prizes the opportunity to ‘Drive the Dream’ is not merely the chance to win the Aston Martin DB9 Coupe. Second place gets a Lamborghini Extreme Driving Package, third place sees a serious ride in a Ferrari and fourth is a Porsche Sport Driving School Package. Fifth and sixth win chances to watch F1 in the most exotic places around the world.
For more information see: PartyPoker.com
That’s not all - there is also hard cash to be won through the qualifiers: see PartyPoker.com for more information on the structure.
PartyPoker.com ambassador and WPT presenter Mike Sexton is excited about the promotion. “A couple of years ago I challenged Paris Hilton to play heads-up for a Bentley but my offer wasn’t accepted – maybe she’d play for an Aston Martin instead? The chance of winning an Aston Martin DB9 Coupe for absolutely nothing is quite some freeroll!”
**The marks ‘Aston Martin,’ ‘Aston Martin DB’ and ‘DB9’ are registered trademarks of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. This promotion is in no way affiliated with or sanctioned by Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. PartyGaming is not licensed by, or otherwise affiliated with, Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd, or any member of its group. No licence, affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement by Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd is claimed or should be inferred.**
Website Network
Global Gaming Directory
Media Man
Media Man Poker
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
Monday, April 26, 2010
PokerStars: Canadian Australian Media Man Poker Connection, by Greg Tingle - 27th April 2010
PokerStars, the largest online poker site in the world, has announced four new players signed to their Team PokerStars Pro Canada Team.
Canada has proved to be very fertile ground for the professional and amateur poker (and online casino) scene, with PokerStars, PartyGaming's PartyPoker, PKR Poker, and Richard Branson's Virgin Games all enjoy strong business in the region. Media Man's also recently established a Canadian website portal. PartyGaming is rumoured to be eyeing off the Canadian Poker Tour, adding to its World Poker Tour (Mike Sector brand ambassador), PartyPoker and Noble Poker (Tony G star) brands. Canadian - Brit Kara Scott is making waves for PartyPoker both in the region and across the globe and is up for Media Man poker babe of the month award. So is Jenny Woo at Gambling911 ... don't ask, but the world knows she's quite a talent.
Need more examples of hot poker action is in Canada? The first Poker Pro Canada Classic poker tournament recently took place at the Four Aces Card Club in Montreal. The tourney went from the 15th - 18th April. 250 players competed for a prize pool of $369,000.
Media Man and Gambling911 probes some of the happenings in the red hot region.
PokerStars News
Joining Daniel Negreanu and Darus Suharto, are Canadians Greg DeBora, Patrick Pezzin, Marcello Del Grosso and Anh Van Nguyen.
The players are world calibre, as you might expect from PokerStars.
Recent Action...
All four competed at the PokerStars North American Poker Tour held at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, 6 – 13 April.
The Talent...
Greg DeBora is from Toronto and started playing poker at 19 in a "charity casino". Within a year he was making good money and decided to make a career out of it. He frequently plays mostly at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles and online. His winnings over 8 years exceed $350,000. Bests include the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in 2005 where he finished seventh. At WSOP 2008 main he finished 109th.
Patrick Pezzin is a from Toronto and started playing poker in 1994, turning pro the next year. Part of the Moneymaker internet phase, playing tournaments online to improve his game. $700,000 in live tourney cashes ain't too shabby.
Marcello Del Grosso was born in Woodbridge, Ontario. The 33 year-old turned professionally in 2006. Since then he has travelled the globe. Bests are the WSOP main event getting deep runs in 2005 and 2006. Tourney winnings are approx $400,000.
Anh Van Nguyen was born in Vietnam, however moved to Canada at 10 years of age. Residing in Mississauga, Ontario, Nguyen has been playing for 14 years and went pro in 2004. His record includes deep runs in the WSOP main and the Spring Championship of Online Poker main event last year. In the 2004 World Championship of Online Poker main event he finished sixth. He has also won a side event at the Five Diamond in Bellagio in 2007. Tourney winnings to date are $676,720.
Overview Facts
PokerStars is licensed in the Isle Of Man.
PokerStars is the largest online poker cardroom in the world.PokerStars' satellite tournaments produced the 2003 World Series of Poker champion, Chris Moneymaker, as well as the 2004 champion, Greg "Fossilman" Raymer. Those two now act as spokespeople for the cardroom, as does 2005 champion, Aussie Joe Hachem.
* Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
* Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Media Man covers a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
* Media Man was founded in Sydney, Australia in 2001, and enjoys a global audience and website network spanning the globe
* Media Man Poker http://www.mediamanpoker.com forms part of the Media Man network, including Media Man International, Media Man Casino and Media Man Canada
Website Network
Media Man
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Poker News Media
Media Man Poker
Media Man Canada
Canada has proved to be very fertile ground for the professional and amateur poker (and online casino) scene, with PokerStars, PartyGaming's PartyPoker, PKR Poker, and Richard Branson's Virgin Games all enjoy strong business in the region. Media Man's also recently established a Canadian website portal. PartyGaming is rumoured to be eyeing off the Canadian Poker Tour, adding to its World Poker Tour (Mike Sector brand ambassador), PartyPoker and Noble Poker (Tony G star) brands. Canadian - Brit Kara Scott is making waves for PartyPoker both in the region and across the globe and is up for Media Man poker babe of the month award. So is Jenny Woo at Gambling911 ... don't ask, but the world knows she's quite a talent.
Need more examples of hot poker action is in Canada? The first Poker Pro Canada Classic poker tournament recently took place at the Four Aces Card Club in Montreal. The tourney went from the 15th - 18th April. 250 players competed for a prize pool of $369,000.
Media Man and Gambling911 probes some of the happenings in the red hot region.
PokerStars News
Joining Daniel Negreanu and Darus Suharto, are Canadians Greg DeBora, Patrick Pezzin, Marcello Del Grosso and Anh Van Nguyen.
The players are world calibre, as you might expect from PokerStars.
Recent Action...
All four competed at the PokerStars North American Poker Tour held at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, 6 – 13 April.
The Talent...
Greg DeBora is from Toronto and started playing poker at 19 in a "charity casino". Within a year he was making good money and decided to make a career out of it. He frequently plays mostly at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles and online. His winnings over 8 years exceed $350,000. Bests include the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in 2005 where he finished seventh. At WSOP 2008 main he finished 109th.
Patrick Pezzin is a from Toronto and started playing poker in 1994, turning pro the next year. Part of the Moneymaker internet phase, playing tournaments online to improve his game. $700,000 in live tourney cashes ain't too shabby.
Marcello Del Grosso was born in Woodbridge, Ontario. The 33 year-old turned professionally in 2006. Since then he has travelled the globe. Bests are the WSOP main event getting deep runs in 2005 and 2006. Tourney winnings are approx $400,000.
Anh Van Nguyen was born in Vietnam, however moved to Canada at 10 years of age. Residing in Mississauga, Ontario, Nguyen has been playing for 14 years and went pro in 2004. His record includes deep runs in the WSOP main and the Spring Championship of Online Poker main event last year. In the 2004 World Championship of Online Poker main event he finished sixth. He has also won a side event at the Five Diamond in Bellagio in 2007. Tourney winnings to date are $676,720.
Overview Facts
PokerStars is licensed in the Isle Of Man.
PokerStars is the largest online poker cardroom in the world.PokerStars' satellite tournaments produced the 2003 World Series of Poker champion, Chris Moneymaker, as well as the 2004 champion, Greg "Fossilman" Raymer. Those two now act as spokespeople for the cardroom, as does 2005 champion, Aussie Joe Hachem.
* Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
* Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Media Man covers a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
* Media Man was founded in Sydney, Australia in 2001, and enjoys a global audience and website network spanning the globe
* Media Man Poker http://www.mediamanpoker.com forms part of the Media Man network, including Media Man International, Media Man Casino and Media Man Canada
Website Network
Media Man
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Poker News Media
Media Man Poker
Media Man Canada
Friday, April 23, 2010
2010 AUSSIE MILLIONS WINNER TYRON KROST JOINS TEAM PARTYPOKER
2010 AUSSIE MILLIONS WINNER TYRON KROST JOINS TEAM PARTYPOKER
TONY G’S NEW ‘TOUR DE FORCE’ IN THE POKER WORLD?
Gibraltar – 22nd April 2010 – PartyPoker.com is delighted to confirm that 2010 Aussie Millions Main Event winner Tyron Krost has joined Team PartyPoker.com. Tyron, 23, scooped AUD$2,000,000 at the southern hemisphere’s biggest poker event back in January.
Krost works in his family owned office furniture business but now looks to be part of the furniture on the world poker circuit after securing a sponsorship deal. He will make his official debut in Team PartyPoker.com colours as a global ambassador very soon. The 2010 Aussie Millions champ will also be travelling to France for the WPT Grand Prix de Paris at the Aviation Club between May 8th – 13th.
“It is a dream come true to accept sponsorship. It is fantastic to become a member of Team PartyPoker.com. Winning the Aussie Millions was a crazy experience for me and the security and opportunity it gives me makes me feel hugely confident about the future.”
Tyron writes about his new deal at the PartyPoker blog.
Team PartyPoker.com’s Tony G was the first to welcome Tyron into the ranks. “Tyron crushed the field at the Aussie Millions and it is a pleasure to get him on the team. When I first saw him I thought he may need a trike but now I expect him to be a Tour de Force in the poker world! There is so much more to come from him.”
Tyron joins Tony G, Mike Sexton, Kara Scott, Bodo Sbrzesny, Dragan Galic, Ian Frazer and Felipe ‘Mojave’ Ramos in the Team PartyPoker.com ranks. The PartyPoker group of brands also features ambassadors such as F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella and Italian soccer legend Francesco Totti.
Tyron overcome a field of 749 players to win the 2010 Aussie Millions Main Event. The final table included the likes of Annette Obrestad and Sorel Mizzi.
® AUSSIE MILLIONS, AUSSIE MILLIONS POKER CHAMPIONSHIP and CROWN Device and associated trade marks are trade marks of Crown Melbourne Limited. No license, affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement, is claimed, or should be inferred from the use of these trademarks here. PartyGaming is not affiliated, licensed, by, or otherwise affiliated with Crown Melbourne Limited in any way.
Website
PartyPoker.com
Profiles
PartyPoker.com
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoints
PartyGaming
Aussie Millions
Crown Casino
James Packer
World Poker Tour
Australia
Poker
Website Network
Poker News Media
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Party Casino News
Media Man Casino
Media Man
TONY G’S NEW ‘TOUR DE FORCE’ IN THE POKER WORLD?
Gibraltar – 22nd April 2010 – PartyPoker.com is delighted to confirm that 2010 Aussie Millions Main Event winner Tyron Krost has joined Team PartyPoker.com. Tyron, 23, scooped AUD$2,000,000 at the southern hemisphere’s biggest poker event back in January.
Krost works in his family owned office furniture business but now looks to be part of the furniture on the world poker circuit after securing a sponsorship deal. He will make his official debut in Team PartyPoker.com colours as a global ambassador very soon. The 2010 Aussie Millions champ will also be travelling to France for the WPT Grand Prix de Paris at the Aviation Club between May 8th – 13th.
“It is a dream come true to accept sponsorship. It is fantastic to become a member of Team PartyPoker.com. Winning the Aussie Millions was a crazy experience for me and the security and opportunity it gives me makes me feel hugely confident about the future.”
Tyron writes about his new deal at the PartyPoker blog.
Team PartyPoker.com’s Tony G was the first to welcome Tyron into the ranks. “Tyron crushed the field at the Aussie Millions and it is a pleasure to get him on the team. When I first saw him I thought he may need a trike but now I expect him to be a Tour de Force in the poker world! There is so much more to come from him.”
Tyron joins Tony G, Mike Sexton, Kara Scott, Bodo Sbrzesny, Dragan Galic, Ian Frazer and Felipe ‘Mojave’ Ramos in the Team PartyPoker.com ranks. The PartyPoker group of brands also features ambassadors such as F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella and Italian soccer legend Francesco Totti.
Tyron overcome a field of 749 players to win the 2010 Aussie Millions Main Event. The final table included the likes of Annette Obrestad and Sorel Mizzi.
® AUSSIE MILLIONS, AUSSIE MILLIONS POKER CHAMPIONSHIP and CROWN Device and associated trade marks are trade marks of Crown Melbourne Limited. No license, affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement, is claimed, or should be inferred from the use of these trademarks here. PartyGaming is not affiliated, licensed, by, or otherwise affiliated with Crown Melbourne Limited in any way.
Website
PartyPoker.com
Profiles
PartyPoker.com
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoints
PartyGaming
Aussie Millions
Crown Casino
James Packer
World Poker Tour
Australia
Poker
Website Network
Poker News Media
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Party Casino News
Media Man Casino
Media Man
Thursday, April 22, 2010
PKR Poker Profile
Media Man Casino Profiles
PKR Poker
PKR Casino
PKR
Website Network
Media Man Casino
Media Man
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
PKR Poker
PKR Casino
PKR
Website Network
Media Man Casino
Media Man
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Monday, April 19, 2010
PartyGaming News: AB Groupe to join PartyGaming’s French Poker Network
19th April 2010
Websites
PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com PartyBingo.com WPTPoker.com WPTCasino.com
PartyGaming, the world’s leading listed online gaming company, today announces its second B2B deal in France with an exclusive multi-year agreement to provide a white label online poker service for AB Groupe, one of the country’s leading TV broadcasters.
The new service will be branded ‘LuckyJeux’ and will join PartyGaming’s French poker network which will also include www.partypoker.fr. Once PartyGaming obtains the required licence and is operational, players on the network will benefit from a shared pool of player liquidity operating on a single platform.
AB Groupe has approximately 52 million paid subscribers and offers 15 subscription channels in France and other French speaking countries, including RTL9, AB1 and AB MOTEURS. The new LuckyJeux poker service will be extensively promoted across the AB Groupe network both on air and online.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of PartyGaming, said:
"AB Groupe is a first rate addition to our French poker network and is consistent with our stated strategy of combining B2C and B2B offerings in newly regulated markets. Together with our recently announced alliance with PMU, we are in great shape ahead of the market opening and are excited about our prospects."
Editor’s Notes
About PartyGaming:
PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index with its shares listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY. In the year to 31 December 2009, PartyGaming’s Continuing operations generated revenue of $446.2m and Clean EBITDA of $135.0m. PartyGaming’s principal brands are www.PartyPoker.com, one of the world’s largest online poker rooms, www.PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, www.PartyBingo.com, www.PartyGammon.com, www.PartyBets.com, www.InterTrader.com, www.FoxyBingo.com, www.GetMinted.com, www.Gamebookers.com and www.WorldPokerTour.com. None of the Group’s sites accept real money customers located in the US.
PartyGaming is regulated and licensed by the Government of Gibraltar and by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and it is also certified as a responsible gaming operator by GamCare, the leading UK authority on the provision of advice, practical help, support and counselling in addressing the social impact of gambling. PartyGaming’s shares are also a constituent member of the FTSE4Good Index Series, which enables investors to identify companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards.
Websites
PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com PartyBingo.com WPTPoker.com WPTCasino.com
PartyGaming, the world’s leading listed online gaming company, today announces its second B2B deal in France with an exclusive multi-year agreement to provide a white label online poker service for AB Groupe, one of the country’s leading TV broadcasters.
The new service will be branded ‘LuckyJeux’ and will join PartyGaming’s French poker network which will also include www.partypoker.fr. Once PartyGaming obtains the required licence and is operational, players on the network will benefit from a shared pool of player liquidity operating on a single platform.
AB Groupe has approximately 52 million paid subscribers and offers 15 subscription channels in France and other French speaking countries, including RTL9, AB1 and AB MOTEURS. The new LuckyJeux poker service will be extensively promoted across the AB Groupe network both on air and online.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of PartyGaming, said:
"AB Groupe is a first rate addition to our French poker network and is consistent with our stated strategy of combining B2C and B2B offerings in newly regulated markets. Together with our recently announced alliance with PMU, we are in great shape ahead of the market opening and are excited about our prospects."
Editor’s Notes
About PartyGaming:
PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index with its shares listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY. In the year to 31 December 2009, PartyGaming’s Continuing operations generated revenue of $446.2m and Clean EBITDA of $135.0m. PartyGaming’s principal brands are www.PartyPoker.com, one of the world’s largest online poker rooms, www.PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, www.PartyBingo.com, www.PartyGammon.com, www.PartyBets.com, www.InterTrader.com, www.FoxyBingo.com, www.GetMinted.com, www.Gamebookers.com and www.WorldPokerTour.com. None of the Group’s sites accept real money customers located in the US.
PartyGaming is regulated and licensed by the Government of Gibraltar and by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and it is also certified as a responsible gaming operator by GamCare, the leading UK authority on the provision of advice, practical help, support and counselling in addressing the social impact of gambling. PartyGaming’s shares are also a constituent member of the FTSE4Good Index Series, which enables investors to identify companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Poker News Media: The Rise And Fall Of Daniel Tzvetkoff
AUGUST 2001: BT Projects founded
FEBRUARY 2007: Online payment company Intabill registered
MARCH 2008: Tzvetkoff buys Hedges Avenue mansion for $28 million. Has additional property portfolio of more than $21 million
AUGUST 2008: Features on Sunday Mail Rich List worth $82 million
MARCH 2009: Buys V8 supercar team, Inta Racing
APRIL 2009: Sacks 96 staff at his Intabill office
JULY 2009: BT Projects placed in liquidation with debts of $80 million
JULY 2009: Business partner Sam Sciacca sues Tzvetkoff for $100 million
JULY 2009: Online poker house Kolyma sues for $52 million
JULY 2009: Sells partnership in Zuri nightclub
AUGUST 2009: Sells 30m superyacht Maximus
NOVEMBER 2009: Hedges Ave mansion sold for $17 million
JANUARY 2010: Files for bankruptcy
APRIL 2010: Charged by US authorities with money laundering. Faces 75 years in jail
Website Network
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man International
FEBRUARY 2007: Online payment company Intabill registered
MARCH 2008: Tzvetkoff buys Hedges Avenue mansion for $28 million. Has additional property portfolio of more than $21 million
AUGUST 2008: Features on Sunday Mail Rich List worth $82 million
MARCH 2009: Buys V8 supercar team, Inta Racing
APRIL 2009: Sacks 96 staff at his Intabill office
JULY 2009: BT Projects placed in liquidation with debts of $80 million
JULY 2009: Business partner Sam Sciacca sues Tzvetkoff for $100 million
JULY 2009: Online poker house Kolyma sues for $52 million
JULY 2009: Sells partnership in Zuri nightclub
AUGUST 2009: Sells 30m superyacht Maximus
NOVEMBER 2009: Hedges Ave mansion sold for $17 million
JANUARY 2010: Files for bankruptcy
APRIL 2010: Charged by US authorities with money laundering. Faces 75 years in jail
Website Network
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man International
WSOP Releases Top 20 Tournament of Champions Vote-Getters
On Friday, World Series of Poker (WSOP) officials released the top 20 vote-getters for the 2010 Tournament of Champions, which will be played in an all-star game format. The list predictably features some of the top names in poker.
The top three bracelet winners in WSOP history would make their way to Las Vegas to play in the 2010 Tournament of Champions if voting closed today. Phil Hellmuth appears on the list of the top 20 vote-getters and leads the industry with 11 bracelets. Hellmuth has more than $6 million in career WSOP earnings, but has been shut out of the bracelet podium since 2007, when he took down a $1,500 No Limit Hold’em tournament for $637,000. Also appearing in the top 20 are Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan, who hold 10 WSOP bracelets each, tied for the second most overall.
A total of $1 million will be up for grabs in the Tournament of Champions, which will see 27 players take to the felts on June 27th at the Rio. Five players have qualified automatically for the prestigious event, including Joe Cada and Barry Shulman, who won the 2009 WSOP Main Event and WSOP Europe Main Event, respectively. The three previous winners of the Tournament of Champions events also received automatic bids: Annie Duke (2004), Mike Matusow (2005), and Mike Sexton (2006). Two more spots in the 2010 version will be awarded to qualifiers, although WSOP officials have not announced how players can enter. The tournament will be carried on ESPN.
Only three WSOP Main Event champions since 2000 appear in the top 20 vote-getters: Chris Ferguson (2000), Greg Raymer (2004), and Joe Hachem (2005). Curiously absent is Chris Moneymaker, widely considered to be the man who ignited the modern poker boom after winning the $10,000 buy-in tournament in 2003. A total of 250,000 votes have been cast so far and fans of the game who have not yet weighed in can do so anytime before June 15th at Midnight ET.
Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment Vice President Ty Stewart, who was a recent guest on the UB.com sponsored poker news show “Poker2Nite,” commented in a press release, “The poker community has rallied behind this event and judging by the results thus far, hosting a tournament with a field such as this would be a tremendous event. Saying that, the voting is so tight and close and with two months of voting to go, we can see this list changing dramatically between now and June 15th.”
Only one woman appears in the top 20 vote-getters for the 2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions, Full Tilt Poker’s Jennifer Harman. She’s a two-time WSOP bracelet winner and one of the industry’s top ambassadors. Harman is fresh off holding her annual fundraiser benefiting the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and, along with Barry Greenstein, has long been associated with the world of charity.
Also lobbying hard, but not making the current top 20, is Annette “Annette_15” Obrestad, the 2007 WSOP Europe Main Event champion. Obrestad had been camped out in Las Vegas tuning up for the 2010 WSOP, which kicks off on May 28th. She also revealed that she may head to Monaco for the European Poker Tour (EPT) Monte Carlo Grand Final, but will enter the $25,000 World Poker Tour (WPT) Championship first. The WPT Championship kicks off on Sunday from the Bellagio.
Also noticeably absent from the list are the game’s “young guns,” who include Obrestad, Jason Mercier, Brandon Cantu, and Eric “basebaldy” Baldwin. Here are the top 20 vote getters for the 2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions as of Friday. WSOP officials posted the list in alphabetical order:
Doyle Brunson
Johnny Chan
T.J. Cloutier
Allen Cunningham
Antonio Esfandiari
Sam Farha
Chris Ferguson
Barry Greenstein
Joe Hachem
Jennifer Harman
Dan Harrington
Phil Hellmuth
Phil Ivey
John Juanda
Howard Lederer
Daniel Negreanu
Scotty Nguyen
Greg Raymer
Huck Seed
Erik Seidel
Voters can select up to 20 bracelet winners using an online ballot.
(Credit: Poker News Daily)
Website Network
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
Media Man
Global Gaming Directory
Media Man Casino
The top three bracelet winners in WSOP history would make their way to Las Vegas to play in the 2010 Tournament of Champions if voting closed today. Phil Hellmuth appears on the list of the top 20 vote-getters and leads the industry with 11 bracelets. Hellmuth has more than $6 million in career WSOP earnings, but has been shut out of the bracelet podium since 2007, when he took down a $1,500 No Limit Hold’em tournament for $637,000. Also appearing in the top 20 are Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan, who hold 10 WSOP bracelets each, tied for the second most overall.
A total of $1 million will be up for grabs in the Tournament of Champions, which will see 27 players take to the felts on June 27th at the Rio. Five players have qualified automatically for the prestigious event, including Joe Cada and Barry Shulman, who won the 2009 WSOP Main Event and WSOP Europe Main Event, respectively. The three previous winners of the Tournament of Champions events also received automatic bids: Annie Duke (2004), Mike Matusow (2005), and Mike Sexton (2006). Two more spots in the 2010 version will be awarded to qualifiers, although WSOP officials have not announced how players can enter. The tournament will be carried on ESPN.
Only three WSOP Main Event champions since 2000 appear in the top 20 vote-getters: Chris Ferguson (2000), Greg Raymer (2004), and Joe Hachem (2005). Curiously absent is Chris Moneymaker, widely considered to be the man who ignited the modern poker boom after winning the $10,000 buy-in tournament in 2003. A total of 250,000 votes have been cast so far and fans of the game who have not yet weighed in can do so anytime before June 15th at Midnight ET.
Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment Vice President Ty Stewart, who was a recent guest on the UB.com sponsored poker news show “Poker2Nite,” commented in a press release, “The poker community has rallied behind this event and judging by the results thus far, hosting a tournament with a field such as this would be a tremendous event. Saying that, the voting is so tight and close and with two months of voting to go, we can see this list changing dramatically between now and June 15th.”
Only one woman appears in the top 20 vote-getters for the 2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions, Full Tilt Poker’s Jennifer Harman. She’s a two-time WSOP bracelet winner and one of the industry’s top ambassadors. Harman is fresh off holding her annual fundraiser benefiting the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and, along with Barry Greenstein, has long been associated with the world of charity.
Also lobbying hard, but not making the current top 20, is Annette “Annette_15” Obrestad, the 2007 WSOP Europe Main Event champion. Obrestad had been camped out in Las Vegas tuning up for the 2010 WSOP, which kicks off on May 28th. She also revealed that she may head to Monaco for the European Poker Tour (EPT) Monte Carlo Grand Final, but will enter the $25,000 World Poker Tour (WPT) Championship first. The WPT Championship kicks off on Sunday from the Bellagio.
Also noticeably absent from the list are the game’s “young guns,” who include Obrestad, Jason Mercier, Brandon Cantu, and Eric “basebaldy” Baldwin. Here are the top 20 vote getters for the 2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions as of Friday. WSOP officials posted the list in alphabetical order:
Doyle Brunson
Johnny Chan
T.J. Cloutier
Allen Cunningham
Antonio Esfandiari
Sam Farha
Chris Ferguson
Barry Greenstein
Joe Hachem
Jennifer Harman
Dan Harrington
Phil Hellmuth
Phil Ivey
John Juanda
Howard Lederer
Daniel Negreanu
Scotty Nguyen
Greg Raymer
Huck Seed
Erik Seidel
Voters can select up to 20 bracelet winners using an online ballot.
(Credit: Poker News Daily)
Website Network
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
Media Man
Global Gaming Directory
Media Man Casino
Friday, April 16, 2010
PartyGaming and Bwin to merge in summer - report, by Greg Tingle - 16th April 2010
PartyGaming and Bwin to merge in summer - report
Websites
PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com WPTCasino.com WPTPoker.com PartyBingo.com PartyBets.com
Online gambling groups PartyGaming and Bwin, long the subject of merger speculation, will complete a deal this summer, an Austrian magazine reported on Friday without citing sources.
"The merger should be wrapped up this summer," Format magazine said, adding that talks had entered an "intensive phase."
Bwin was not immediately available for comment.
In December, Bwin denied a British newspaper report that it was in advanced merger talks with PartyGaming, and said it was not in such talks with any other partners. Bwin also said at the time it expected more sector consolidation.
"We will not comment on market speculation," a PartyGaming spokesman said on Friday.
PartyGaming said last month it remained in talks over potential deal opportunities in a sector which analysts say is fragmented and rife for consolidation.
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Casino
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Poker News Media
Party Casino News
Party Gaming Media
Australian Casino News
Websites
PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com WPTCasino.com WPTPoker.com PartyBingo.com PartyBets.com
Online gambling groups PartyGaming and Bwin, long the subject of merger speculation, will complete a deal this summer, an Austrian magazine reported on Friday without citing sources.
"The merger should be wrapped up this summer," Format magazine said, adding that talks had entered an "intensive phase."
Bwin was not immediately available for comment.
In December, Bwin denied a British newspaper report that it was in advanced merger talks with PartyGaming, and said it was not in such talks with any other partners. Bwin also said at the time it expected more sector consolidation.
"We will not comment on market speculation," a PartyGaming spokesman said on Friday.
PartyGaming said last month it remained in talks over potential deal opportunities in a sector which analysts say is fragmented and rife for consolidation.
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Casino
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Poker News Media
Party Casino News
Party Gaming Media
Australian Casino News
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Australia Likely To Get Online Gambling Legalisation Soon, by Greg Tingle - 16th April 2010
Australia is heading towards getting new laws, legislation... the works, to cover the online gaming - gambling sector, following the global trend.
Media Man and Gambling911 continue to probe, as the global war for online gambling domination heats up.
It appears that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for most, certainly in the Asia Pacific - Australian sector at this stage, is the general feeling from the vast majority of people we speak to. Legal eagles, company CEOs, webmasters, media entrepreneurs, financial analysts, even most politicians, say that legalisation is the the way forward.
As Media Man and Gambling911 have previously covered, when things become illegal or go into "grey area", they go often go "underground". Often the industry will thrive, but will be at least somewhat hidden by public view. When this happens some consumer protection can be lost. Gambling and other "vices" still exist, and word is that Sydney's Kings Cross could be on the verge of become a bit of a gambling mecca, albeit attracting a somewhat different patronage to those who frequent our friends at Star City Casino and Crown Casino in Melbourne. Network Nine's TV smash hit show 'Underbelly' has of course brought some underground industries back into the public spotlight, but that's another story.
New laws to officially permit gaming companies to offer online gambling products and services in Australia are "inevitable," as the federal government stands to benefit from the tax brought into government coffers, corporate bean counting outfit KPMG says.
The firm has released a report into the global growth of online gaming suggesting the global market will grow by approximately 42% to $32 billion by 2012 from 2008 levels.
The Australian Productivity Commission states Aussies spent $790 million on online gambling through overseas websites in 2008! Media Man recalls that 2008 was a big growth year for business, building up the website portfolio into double digits to keep up with consumer and b2b demand.
"While illegal and invisible in official records, online gaming appears to have grown very rapidly, and could amount to 4 per cent of gambling expenditure," the commission writes in its recent draft report on Australian gambling.
The commission recommended the Aussie government liberalise online gambling by allowing Aussie companies to provide internet poker and casino games to local customers. Online wagering as well as sports betting is already permitted by law.
Of course, all of the current excitement about Australia's online gaming and gambling industry has attracted the ire of bible bashers and anti gaming campaigners.
Senator Nick Xenophon says the Australian government should resist the lure of extra tax revenue.
"If you open the floodgates to online gambling you will see a new tidal wave of problem gamblers, particularly younger people. Governments shouldn't cave into the temptation of regulating this on the basis that they can get taxes".
Both Australian and (quality) global gaming giants are also expected to benefit, through greater consolidation of the industry. Gibraltar based PartyGaming, the world's leading gaming and igaming company looks to be in a strong position, just coming of a deal with France based PMU, and Richard Branson's Virgin Games also has an outstanding record of ethics, customer service, b2b and giving back to society. At present Branson's Virgin Games does not accept Australian players, while PartyGaming casino, poker, betting, bingo and sports brands can. Playtech, Sega, William Hill and others are expected to make a play, but Media Man's top international picks are Virgin and PartyGaming. Betfair is also poised to soon add casino and poker to their impressive sports betting portfolio. Betfair is half owned by Australia's casino king, James Packer, which won't go astray. Packer also enjoys a long time relationship with many Hollywood A-listers and money men, with Tom Cruise being featured in PartyGaming's Top Gun and Mission: Impossible online games, Stallone in 'Rambo', Travolta in 'Saturday Night Fever' and Arnie in 'The Terminator'. Marvel Entertainment has also strategically embedded themselves in the online gambling sector. Marvel's 'Thor', 'Captain America' and 'Wolverine' - 'X-Men' are rumored for game remakes, and PartyGaming and Playtech have "branded" slot games at high priority. Australia's Hugh Jackman, featuring in a couple of Marvel slot games, has not spoken on the igaming - online gambling industry to date. Jackman also enjoys a friendship with News Corp king of the world, Rupert Murdoch. PKR enjoy a b2b relationship with Nuts and FHM, however it is unclear if Nuts and FHM magazines containing PKR Poker advertising have appeared in Australian news agencies.
Australians currently rate in the world's top ten Forbes, Hitwise and Google lists for online gambling, offline gambling, movie attendance and comic books.
Some inside the Australian gambling industry believe it is unlikely the government will move to liberalise online gambling during an election year, as the government has so many fires to attend to in the meantime like health reform, illegal boat people, not to mention the so called "blacklist" and proposed Australian internet filter, all said to quite likely increase the odds of the Australian Government loosing the next election. One punter bet $10,000 that Labor will loose.
Some Australian anti-gambling entities advise that regulation of the igaming sector could have some benefits. Legalising the service would enable authorities to better control it and protect "problem gamblers", who are already gambling online via offshore websites.
Senator Xenophon interestingly opposes the Australian internet filter, but states policing offshore gaming websites is possible with "political will".
Readers... gamblers, entrepreneurs and media owners... what do you think? Are you with the "coalition of the willing" to use George Bush's expression, or are you for outlaws? Tell us what you think in the forum.
*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 being just one of over a dozen sectors they cover.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin, and has conducted b2b with PartyGaming, Virgin and Betfair.
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Media Man Casino
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casino News
Australian Casinos
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Australian Sports Entertainment
Media Man and Gambling911 continue to probe, as the global war for online gambling domination heats up.
It appears that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for most, certainly in the Asia Pacific - Australian sector at this stage, is the general feeling from the vast majority of people we speak to. Legal eagles, company CEOs, webmasters, media entrepreneurs, financial analysts, even most politicians, say that legalisation is the the way forward.
As Media Man and Gambling911 have previously covered, when things become illegal or go into "grey area", they go often go "underground". Often the industry will thrive, but will be at least somewhat hidden by public view. When this happens some consumer protection can be lost. Gambling and other "vices" still exist, and word is that Sydney's Kings Cross could be on the verge of become a bit of a gambling mecca, albeit attracting a somewhat different patronage to those who frequent our friends at Star City Casino and Crown Casino in Melbourne. Network Nine's TV smash hit show 'Underbelly' has of course brought some underground industries back into the public spotlight, but that's another story.
New laws to officially permit gaming companies to offer online gambling products and services in Australia are "inevitable," as the federal government stands to benefit from the tax brought into government coffers, corporate bean counting outfit KPMG says.
The firm has released a report into the global growth of online gaming suggesting the global market will grow by approximately 42% to $32 billion by 2012 from 2008 levels.
The Australian Productivity Commission states Aussies spent $790 million on online gambling through overseas websites in 2008! Media Man recalls that 2008 was a big growth year for business, building up the website portfolio into double digits to keep up with consumer and b2b demand.
"While illegal and invisible in official records, online gaming appears to have grown very rapidly, and could amount to 4 per cent of gambling expenditure," the commission writes in its recent draft report on Australian gambling.
The commission recommended the Aussie government liberalise online gambling by allowing Aussie companies to provide internet poker and casino games to local customers. Online wagering as well as sports betting is already permitted by law.
Of course, all of the current excitement about Australia's online gaming and gambling industry has attracted the ire of bible bashers and anti gaming campaigners.
Senator Nick Xenophon says the Australian government should resist the lure of extra tax revenue.
"If you open the floodgates to online gambling you will see a new tidal wave of problem gamblers, particularly younger people. Governments shouldn't cave into the temptation of regulating this on the basis that they can get taxes".
Both Australian and (quality) global gaming giants are also expected to benefit, through greater consolidation of the industry. Gibraltar based PartyGaming, the world's leading gaming and igaming company looks to be in a strong position, just coming of a deal with France based PMU, and Richard Branson's Virgin Games also has an outstanding record of ethics, customer service, b2b and giving back to society. At present Branson's Virgin Games does not accept Australian players, while PartyGaming casino, poker, betting, bingo and sports brands can. Playtech, Sega, William Hill and others are expected to make a play, but Media Man's top international picks are Virgin and PartyGaming. Betfair is also poised to soon add casino and poker to their impressive sports betting portfolio. Betfair is half owned by Australia's casino king, James Packer, which won't go astray. Packer also enjoys a long time relationship with many Hollywood A-listers and money men, with Tom Cruise being featured in PartyGaming's Top Gun and Mission: Impossible online games, Stallone in 'Rambo', Travolta in 'Saturday Night Fever' and Arnie in 'The Terminator'. Marvel Entertainment has also strategically embedded themselves in the online gambling sector. Marvel's 'Thor', 'Captain America' and 'Wolverine' - 'X-Men' are rumored for game remakes, and PartyGaming and Playtech have "branded" slot games at high priority. Australia's Hugh Jackman, featuring in a couple of Marvel slot games, has not spoken on the igaming - online gambling industry to date. Jackman also enjoys a friendship with News Corp king of the world, Rupert Murdoch. PKR enjoy a b2b relationship with Nuts and FHM, however it is unclear if Nuts and FHM magazines containing PKR Poker advertising have appeared in Australian news agencies.
Australians currently rate in the world's top ten Forbes, Hitwise and Google lists for online gambling, offline gambling, movie attendance and comic books.
Some inside the Australian gambling industry believe it is unlikely the government will move to liberalise online gambling during an election year, as the government has so many fires to attend to in the meantime like health reform, illegal boat people, not to mention the so called "blacklist" and proposed Australian internet filter, all said to quite likely increase the odds of the Australian Government loosing the next election. One punter bet $10,000 that Labor will loose.
Some Australian anti-gambling entities advise that regulation of the igaming sector could have some benefits. Legalising the service would enable authorities to better control it and protect "problem gamblers", who are already gambling online via offshore websites.
Senator Xenophon interestingly opposes the Australian internet filter, but states policing offshore gaming websites is possible with "political will".
Readers... gamblers, entrepreneurs and media owners... what do you think? Are you with the "coalition of the willing" to use George Bush's expression, or are you for outlaws? Tell us what you think in the forum.
*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 being just one of over a dozen sectors they cover.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin, and has conducted b2b with PartyGaming, Virgin and Betfair.
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Media Man Casino
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casino News
Australian Casinos
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Australian Sports Entertainment
Australian And American Newspaper And Magazines Get Gambling Deals, by Greg Tingle - 15th April 2010
Mainstream newspapers in Australia and the United States are starting to plug into the streets paved with gold - online gambling, following the lead from our United Kingdom based media mates.
Media Man and Gambling911 probe the situation in an Aussie - Yankee double investigation, with earlier indicators showing that newspapers are seeing the "green", following the money trail to gambling, be it in AUD, USD, GBP or monetary other denominations.
New York based media baron Mort Zuckerman, top brass at The New York Daily News, US News and World Report, last year publicly advised that online b2b and advertising deals in the gambling - gaming sector could be a way for mainstream newspapers to loose their sinking feeling - diminished revues, and in extreme cases, some newspapers going out of business, unable to compete with their online counterparts. Zuckerman was largely referring to sports betting (which can also include a sub group in what's commonly known as "Fantasy Betting").
Let's face it, Media Man and Gambling911 don't have the overheads of The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media), The Daily Telegraph (News Limited), The Sun or The New York Times for that matter.
Let's take a look at the landscape of the land...
Google - a few years ago headlines like "Google follows the money trail to gambling' were the order of the day, however the business model is getting more complex, as Google deals with both technical and legal considerations.
Though Google CEO Eric Schmidt and seemingly everyone else is telling publishers they should place some bets on potential new business models, The Philadelphia Inquirer venture may not be exactly what they had in mind. Google is also working on some gaming and igaming models for its YouTube platform and top ten website, so maybe Google is working a deal with The Philly behind the scenes. Stranger things have happened.
Philly.com, the online arm of the Inquirer and "sister" newspaper the Philadelphia Daily News, has recently launched an apparently legal online betting service called Instant Fantasy Games. The firm advised last week that they are the first in their industry to make a foray into online betting, according to a report in Editor & Publisher, a newspaper trade journal. Gambling911 and Media Man think this may be correct for the U.S sector, but certainly not taking into account the U.K newspaper industry, who appear to be light years ahead, with bingo, poker, sports, fantasy and more.
"We're trying to serve two goals," said Yoni Greenbaum, VP of Product Development at Philly.com. "Those are content differentiation and revenue. If you're looking at the sports sites out there, a lot of them have the same stuff...The challenge that this creates is we need to offer more. In this day and age, sports fans have insatiable appetites."
FanDuel, a British wagering company helped Philly.com launch Instant Fantasy. Part fantasy league and part sports book, the service enables bettors to pick groups of players from professional baseball, hockey, or basketball leagues. It operates much like the fantasy leagues from Yahoo.com, CBSSports.com (parent company of CNET), and ESPN--except those games are just for fun.
With Instant Fantasy, players pay $5 to $50 a game with the chance to win as much as $90, Greenbaum said. It's one-on-one, and players can compete with a friend or family member. If they don't have anyone they want to play against, the game's system will match them up with someone five minutes before competition begins. Games are held daily.
Internet gambling is current illegal in the United States (depending who you want to believe as opinions vary, even from legal eagles) but in 2006, the government made some exceptions involving fantasy sports leagues, Editor & Publisher reported.
Last Sunday evening, Google's Schmidt addressed a group of newspaper execs in Washington D.C. at the American Society of News Editors. "We have a business model problem," Schmidt told the crowd. "We don't have a news problem."
Schmidt said newspapers are "fundamental" to democracy and predicted they would find a new business model based on advertising and subscription revenue. Maybe he should have included creating a sports book.
Our friend Mort seems to share a few similar thoughts on the newspaper - gambling model as Schmidt.
Zuckerman goes on record with "There is something that can be done, and the federal government ought to do it: allow sports betting on newspaper Websites. That would save every newspaper in America. The New York Times.com could do it. Plenty of British papers do this; for them it's a crucial part of their net revenue stream. I know a major newspaper in London that makes $15 million a year from sports betting alone".
Australia Update
New Limited newspapers (hard copy and online) continue to ramp up with both advertising a range of sports betting brands, in the past 2 months pushing their own in-house brands which look to be white label and things are strongly featured next to online sports news and on the world famous Fox Sports (Australian version) website. 'Fantasy NRL' looks to be their prime white label brand and they are also accepting a number of online sports betting adds, with Packer 50% share Betfair featuring prominently. Packer is also a huge fan of Premier Media Group, which has also has an investment in as we understand.
Fairfax Media (inc The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age) newspapers websites, along with their online only sites including Brisbane Times and WA Today. 'Pro Tipping' by all accounts is the Fairfax Media white label sports betting branding.
Media Man remains independent, despite having grown to over 20 website portals. The group has previously declined offers to by all or part of the company, still riding a wave of growth. The company is considering "white label" deals, but has enjoyed excellent results "teaming up" with a handful of the world's leading igaming brands, mixed in with some traditional and new media publicity campaigns, so has stuck to the a global based business model that is working well on a marketing, branding, legal, financial and overall basis. Media Man sees Google, PartyGaming, Betfair, Crown Limited, Virgin (and maybe Tabcorp and NextGen Gaming) being a big part of its further development in the gaming and igaming sector, with Crown and Tabcorp moving forward casino travel and tourism ventures. Media Man remains in close liaison with GenerationOne, the Indigenous Australian employment initiative championed by Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest and James Packer, as to how to best collaborate, grow the business, and employ a few more hard working Australians in the progress.
Summary
The business model of newspapers (and other media companies) has changed... it had to, just to see its survival, with owners and editors even advising their journalists that they are to adapt their style for the internet, and some who failed to change have indeed lost their jobs. Some high up in the Murdoch and Fairfax Media empires even refer to their journalists and "content writers" or "content producers"... so much for the good old days when Clark Kent "Superman" types paved the pavements in search of a good story!
The bottom line is what counts to owners, bean counters and investors, and while media purists have a case to be "Not Happy Jan", it is part of the evolution of media, for better of worse.
One of the main dangers to the credibility of print newspapers is when too much focus is given to the bottom line and advertisers, and not enough on hard nosed journalism.
For these reasons and more Gambling911 readers can be assured that more hard nosed articles are on the way, sourced from the worldwide "freelance" contacts and relationships formed over many years. Freelance and independent generally means less PR spin jobs (as often found in some mainstream press) and a more gutsy, in your face style... the sort of stuff that sometimes sees legal eagles writing in trying to save face for their clients! (when the truth gets out). Media Man recently dealt with a couple of these sorts of scenarios, hard news being the catalyst, so we knew were were doing a great job.
We foresee a continuation of mainstream media companies plugging into the gaming and igaming sector, just at PartyGaming top brass Jim Ryan has rightly predicted would happen almost 2 years ago... that's why Ryan takes home (and secures for Party) the big bucks... the man is a visionary. Ryan has also smartly got in place a number of strategic alliances and purchased solid businesses such as the World Poker Tour. The combination of these things has made PartyGaming very appealing to Government departments, be it in France (hello our friends at PMU), Canada (poker tour on the radar) and Australia. The Party deals with Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures also continue to serve the company, partners and affiliates well. Strong branding and even stronger financials, see PartyGaming stand head and shoulders about the rest in the igaming sector on a global scale. Virgin (Games) has the potential to be a real challenge to PartyGaming, in our opinion, as Richard Branson and his group have developed such a strong a loyal Virgin following over the years. When Virgin expand into new markets they automatically pick up new customers who were waiting for them. Virgin thinks this may be the case with their AWOMO (A World Of My Own) platform, a deal they have with Game Domain International, however Virgin is seeking more investors before taking the project ballistic and entering new markets. Rupert Murdoch's Sky (Vegas and family) is strong in the UK but is hardly on the radar in Australia (or anywhere else) from what we can make out. Sega and Sony have the potential to be major top ten players in the igaming space, but as of this writing, PartyGaming is our top pick, on a global scale, with Betfair sitting pretty for strong growth down under in Australia.
Readers may recall that earlier in the week that Australia media entrepreneur and and racing horse owner, Alan Jones, spoke at the Asian Racing Conference in Sydney. Jones called for united, as his certainly smart enough to see the potential threat from overseas based companies "invading" Australia, and doing it better. Australia's TAB isn't exactly known for having world class efficiencies, however they had previously enjoyed an almost monopoly and stranglehold in the Australian sector, however its no longer the case. TAB legal eagles are going to remain busy in the months ahead and Betfair is well prepared for a lengthy and expensive war, Betfair pink pigeon birdies have told us.
For dynamic media - new media enterprises such as Gambling911 and Media Man, the future continues to look bright. Low staff overheads, quick turnaround on articles, and business relationships in place with some of the world's top gaming, igaming, poker and sports betting brands. Just as important, the websites are Google and Google News friendly, and they don't discriminate against Yahoo! or Bing either, as well as being referenced in "bible" and top ten sites like Wikipedia. Social media brands such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter continue to be a benefit to the agile business models, and mobile / WAP looks to be a logic area to develop in the months ahead... can't wait for that Google mobile phone, that looks likely to take a huge bite out of Apple. Google is clearly the internet giant in the prime position to best capitalise on the growth of the gaming and gambling sector, at least by Media Man estimations (sorry Richard Branson, Yahoo and Wikipedia).
If good business is about adapting to the times and spreading risk, we think a number of American newspapers like The Philly and Aussie titles such as The Tele and The Herald, are doing a mighty fine job... we're pretty happy with our own efforts also.
Wild cards that may potentially develop a significant gaming business down under include Network Nine Australia (perhaps with a Hey Hey It's Saturday 'Pluka Duck' tie in along with the possibility of a rumored 'Underbelly' online and offline slot machine offering which punters are crying out for). The late Big Tim Bristow and George Freeman would have loved to see what's come of the igaming and gambling business now, we're certain.
Loyal readers, until next time, keep it legal, stay safe, bet with your head, not over it, know the odds, and above all, 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
* The writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Casino
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Casino News
Poker News Media
Australian Sports Entertainment
Sports Entertainment News
Media Man and Gambling911 probe the situation in an Aussie - Yankee double investigation, with earlier indicators showing that newspapers are seeing the "green", following the money trail to gambling, be it in AUD, USD, GBP or monetary other denominations.
New York based media baron Mort Zuckerman, top brass at The New York Daily News, US News and World Report, last year publicly advised that online b2b and advertising deals in the gambling - gaming sector could be a way for mainstream newspapers to loose their sinking feeling - diminished revues, and in extreme cases, some newspapers going out of business, unable to compete with their online counterparts. Zuckerman was largely referring to sports betting (which can also include a sub group in what's commonly known as "Fantasy Betting").
Let's face it, Media Man and Gambling911 don't have the overheads of The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media), The Daily Telegraph (News Limited), The Sun or The New York Times for that matter.
Let's take a look at the landscape of the land...
Google - a few years ago headlines like "Google follows the money trail to gambling' were the order of the day, however the business model is getting more complex, as Google deals with both technical and legal considerations.
Though Google CEO Eric Schmidt and seemingly everyone else is telling publishers they should place some bets on potential new business models, The Philadelphia Inquirer venture may not be exactly what they had in mind. Google is also working on some gaming and igaming models for its YouTube platform and top ten website, so maybe Google is working a deal with The Philly behind the scenes. Stranger things have happened.
Philly.com, the online arm of the Inquirer and "sister" newspaper the Philadelphia Daily News, has recently launched an apparently legal online betting service called Instant Fantasy Games. The firm advised last week that they are the first in their industry to make a foray into online betting, according to a report in Editor & Publisher, a newspaper trade journal. Gambling911 and Media Man think this may be correct for the U.S sector, but certainly not taking into account the U.K newspaper industry, who appear to be light years ahead, with bingo, poker, sports, fantasy and more.
"We're trying to serve two goals," said Yoni Greenbaum, VP of Product Development at Philly.com. "Those are content differentiation and revenue. If you're looking at the sports sites out there, a lot of them have the same stuff...The challenge that this creates is we need to offer more. In this day and age, sports fans have insatiable appetites."
FanDuel, a British wagering company helped Philly.com launch Instant Fantasy. Part fantasy league and part sports book, the service enables bettors to pick groups of players from professional baseball, hockey, or basketball leagues. It operates much like the fantasy leagues from Yahoo.com, CBSSports.com (parent company of CNET), and ESPN--except those games are just for fun.
With Instant Fantasy, players pay $5 to $50 a game with the chance to win as much as $90, Greenbaum said. It's one-on-one, and players can compete with a friend or family member. If they don't have anyone they want to play against, the game's system will match them up with someone five minutes before competition begins. Games are held daily.
Internet gambling is current illegal in the United States (depending who you want to believe as opinions vary, even from legal eagles) but in 2006, the government made some exceptions involving fantasy sports leagues, Editor & Publisher reported.
Last Sunday evening, Google's Schmidt addressed a group of newspaper execs in Washington D.C. at the American Society of News Editors. "We have a business model problem," Schmidt told the crowd. "We don't have a news problem."
Schmidt said newspapers are "fundamental" to democracy and predicted they would find a new business model based on advertising and subscription revenue. Maybe he should have included creating a sports book.
Our friend Mort seems to share a few similar thoughts on the newspaper - gambling model as Schmidt.
Zuckerman goes on record with "There is something that can be done, and the federal government ought to do it: allow sports betting on newspaper Websites. That would save every newspaper in America. The New York Times.com could do it. Plenty of British papers do this; for them it's a crucial part of their net revenue stream. I know a major newspaper in London that makes $15 million a year from sports betting alone".
Australia Update
New Limited newspapers (hard copy and online) continue to ramp up with both advertising a range of sports betting brands, in the past 2 months pushing their own in-house brands which look to be white label and things are strongly featured next to online sports news and on the world famous Fox Sports (Australian version) website. 'Fantasy NRL' looks to be their prime white label brand and they are also accepting a number of online sports betting adds, with Packer 50% share Betfair featuring prominently. Packer is also a huge fan of Premier Media Group, which has also has an investment in as we understand.
Fairfax Media (inc The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age) newspapers websites, along with their online only sites including Brisbane Times and WA Today. 'Pro Tipping' by all accounts is the Fairfax Media white label sports betting branding.
Media Man remains independent, despite having grown to over 20 website portals. The group has previously declined offers to by all or part of the company, still riding a wave of growth. The company is considering "white label" deals, but has enjoyed excellent results "teaming up" with a handful of the world's leading igaming brands, mixed in with some traditional and new media publicity campaigns, so has stuck to the a global based business model that is working well on a marketing, branding, legal, financial and overall basis. Media Man sees Google, PartyGaming, Betfair, Crown Limited, Virgin (and maybe Tabcorp and NextGen Gaming) being a big part of its further development in the gaming and igaming sector, with Crown and Tabcorp moving forward casino travel and tourism ventures. Media Man remains in close liaison with GenerationOne, the Indigenous Australian employment initiative championed by Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest and James Packer, as to how to best collaborate, grow the business, and employ a few more hard working Australians in the progress.
Summary
The business model of newspapers (and other media companies) has changed... it had to, just to see its survival, with owners and editors even advising their journalists that they are to adapt their style for the internet, and some who failed to change have indeed lost their jobs. Some high up in the Murdoch and Fairfax Media empires even refer to their journalists and "content writers" or "content producers"... so much for the good old days when Clark Kent "Superman" types paved the pavements in search of a good story!
The bottom line is what counts to owners, bean counters and investors, and while media purists have a case to be "Not Happy Jan", it is part of the evolution of media, for better of worse.
One of the main dangers to the credibility of print newspapers is when too much focus is given to the bottom line and advertisers, and not enough on hard nosed journalism.
For these reasons and more Gambling911 readers can be assured that more hard nosed articles are on the way, sourced from the worldwide "freelance" contacts and relationships formed over many years. Freelance and independent generally means less PR spin jobs (as often found in some mainstream press) and a more gutsy, in your face style... the sort of stuff that sometimes sees legal eagles writing in trying to save face for their clients! (when the truth gets out). Media Man recently dealt with a couple of these sorts of scenarios, hard news being the catalyst, so we knew were were doing a great job.
We foresee a continuation of mainstream media companies plugging into the gaming and igaming sector, just at PartyGaming top brass Jim Ryan has rightly predicted would happen almost 2 years ago... that's why Ryan takes home (and secures for Party) the big bucks... the man is a visionary. Ryan has also smartly got in place a number of strategic alliances and purchased solid businesses such as the World Poker Tour. The combination of these things has made PartyGaming very appealing to Government departments, be it in France (hello our friends at PMU), Canada (poker tour on the radar) and Australia. The Party deals with Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures also continue to serve the company, partners and affiliates well. Strong branding and even stronger financials, see PartyGaming stand head and shoulders about the rest in the igaming sector on a global scale. Virgin (Games) has the potential to be a real challenge to PartyGaming, in our opinion, as Richard Branson and his group have developed such a strong a loyal Virgin following over the years. When Virgin expand into new markets they automatically pick up new customers who were waiting for them. Virgin thinks this may be the case with their AWOMO (A World Of My Own) platform, a deal they have with Game Domain International, however Virgin is seeking more investors before taking the project ballistic and entering new markets. Rupert Murdoch's Sky (Vegas and family) is strong in the UK but is hardly on the radar in Australia (or anywhere else) from what we can make out. Sega and Sony have the potential to be major top ten players in the igaming space, but as of this writing, PartyGaming is our top pick, on a global scale, with Betfair sitting pretty for strong growth down under in Australia.
Readers may recall that earlier in the week that Australia media entrepreneur and and racing horse owner, Alan Jones, spoke at the Asian Racing Conference in Sydney. Jones called for united, as his certainly smart enough to see the potential threat from overseas based companies "invading" Australia, and doing it better. Australia's TAB isn't exactly known for having world class efficiencies, however they had previously enjoyed an almost monopoly and stranglehold in the Australian sector, however its no longer the case. TAB legal eagles are going to remain busy in the months ahead and Betfair is well prepared for a lengthy and expensive war, Betfair pink pigeon birdies have told us.
For dynamic media - new media enterprises such as Gambling911 and Media Man, the future continues to look bright. Low staff overheads, quick turnaround on articles, and business relationships in place with some of the world's top gaming, igaming, poker and sports betting brands. Just as important, the websites are Google and Google News friendly, and they don't discriminate against Yahoo! or Bing either, as well as being referenced in "bible" and top ten sites like Wikipedia. Social media brands such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter continue to be a benefit to the agile business models, and mobile / WAP looks to be a logic area to develop in the months ahead... can't wait for that Google mobile phone, that looks likely to take a huge bite out of Apple. Google is clearly the internet giant in the prime position to best capitalise on the growth of the gaming and gambling sector, at least by Media Man estimations (sorry Richard Branson, Yahoo and Wikipedia).
If good business is about adapting to the times and spreading risk, we think a number of American newspapers like The Philly and Aussie titles such as The Tele and The Herald, are doing a mighty fine job... we're pretty happy with our own efforts also.
Wild cards that may potentially develop a significant gaming business down under include Network Nine Australia (perhaps with a Hey Hey It's Saturday 'Pluka Duck' tie in along with the possibility of a rumored 'Underbelly' online and offline slot machine offering which punters are crying out for). The late Big Tim Bristow and George Freeman would have loved to see what's come of the igaming and gambling business now, we're certain.
Loyal readers, until next time, keep it legal, stay safe, bet with your head, not over it, know the odds, and above all, 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
* The writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Casino
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Casino News
Poker News Media
Australian Sports Entertainment
Sports Entertainment News
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Live Cash Tournament Part of New Strategy for PartyPoker - 6th April 2010
Online Poker Giant Changes Up Strategy, Offering Up New Live Online Cash Game Series Instead of Traditional Online Poker Tournament Series
As part of a move to change up its online poker strategy in the hopes of recapturing its once-dominant online poker market position, PartyPoker has announced the start of a new online cash game series called the PartyPoker Online Cash Game Championship (OCGC).
Kicked off earlier this week, the OCGC is made up of seven progressive levels of cash game poker, giving the site’s biggest cash game winners a share of a $250,000 prize pool as well as a seat at an exclusive final table on May 7. Called "the world's first Online Cash Game Championships," the new series is unlike other poker tournaments series — not a standard multi-table tournament but an evenly available cash game series for players of all levels.
"Anyone can claim the crown — you don't have to be a regular at the high-stakes tables,” states the PartyPoker website. “It's a long, hard road to victory with $250,000, waiting to be won, the tables are sure to be packed this April. But, when the dust has settled, only the most skillful cash players will take the plaudits."
Website Network
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
Media Man
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Casino News
Australian Sports Entertainment
Sports Entertainment News
As part of a move to change up its online poker strategy in the hopes of recapturing its once-dominant online poker market position, PartyPoker has announced the start of a new online cash game series called the PartyPoker Online Cash Game Championship (OCGC).
Kicked off earlier this week, the OCGC is made up of seven progressive levels of cash game poker, giving the site’s biggest cash game winners a share of a $250,000 prize pool as well as a seat at an exclusive final table on May 7. Called "the world's first Online Cash Game Championships," the new series is unlike other poker tournaments series — not a standard multi-table tournament but an evenly available cash game series for players of all levels.
"Anyone can claim the crown — you don't have to be a regular at the high-stakes tables,” states the PartyPoker website. “It's a long, hard road to victory with $250,000, waiting to be won, the tables are sure to be packed this April. But, when the dust has settled, only the most skillful cash players will take the plaudits."
Website Network
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
Media Man
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Casino News
Australian Sports Entertainment
Sports Entertainment News
Saturday, April 10, 2010
PartyPoker News: Isildur1 Pulls Out of PartyPoker Big Game IV - 10th April 2010
In breaking news from London, Swedish online poker phenomenon Isildur1 has pulled out of the PartyPoker Big Game IV one day before its scheduled start. He was reportedly contemplating wearing a mask during his appearance.
Whether the announcement that Isildur1 was competing was simply a publicity stunt from the start remains to be seen. In a blog posted on PartyPoker, site pro Tony G expressed his frustration with the youngster withdrawing from the high-stakes 48-hour cash game: “To say I am disappointed is an understatement. I have spent so much time talking to him and reassuring him recently, but he’s just not going to come.” Tony G and Isildur1 had a 50-50 staking deal in place.
Tony G emphasized that Isildur1 originally approached him about playing: “It has left a bad taste in my mouth. What you have to understand is that he reached out to me first and asked and then agreed to play. As far as I am concerned, I am washing my hands with him and moving on.” The ring game begins at 8:00pm local time on Sunday from the Les Ambassadeurs Club in Mayfair, London and will conclude 48 hours later. PartyPoker personality Kara Scott, who is the floor reporter for GSN’s “High Stakes Poker,” will serve in the same capacity in London during the 7:00pm to 7:00am shifts.
Tony G cited “personal issues” as to why Isildur1 is officially a no-show. Isildur1 reportedly told Tony G that the stakes of the PartyPoker Big Game IV were too low. In addition, Tony G explained, “I know for a fact that he is soon taking his driving test.” Isildur1 originally accepted the offer to compete in the PartyPoker Big Game IV on March 31st. The mystery Swede is widely believed to be Viktor “blom30” Blom, whose blowup in the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Europe Main Event was shown during ESPN’s coverage of the tournament. Isildur1 has tangled with several of poker’s high-stakes elite, including Phil Ivey, Tom “durrrr” Dwan, and Brian Hastings.
Among those who haven’t backed out of the PartyPoker Big Game IV is Drag the Bar instructor Dusty “Leatherass” Schmidt, who will take to the felts to the tune of “Pass Out” by Tinie Tempah and be joined by fellow American young guns Justin “ZeeJustin” Bonomo and Isaac Haxton. Others heading to the London casino include Phil Laak, Jennifer Tilly, Neil Channing, David “Viffer” Peat, Roland de Wolfe, Bodo Sbrzesny, James Mitchell, Robert Williamson III, Andrew Feldman, Simon "Schnibl0r" Münz, Roberto Romanello, Andy Greekfish, Barny Boatman, Laurence Grondin, Jake Cody, Sam Trickett, Josh Gould, Richard Wheatley, and Paul Zimbler. In addition, Tony G has brought an “amazing player” with him to London. However, his identity is unknown.
As you’d expect, the reaction to Isildur1 pulling out of his highly anticipated appearance has been anything but positive. On the TwoPlusTwo online poker forum, posters were outraged over the cancellation. TwoPlusTwo member “inn_Nstruct” frustratingly penned, “What a joke. Lame way to get attention for this show.” Fellow community member “DangerError” added, “It’s all fake. I don’t believe Tony G, even a word.”
Isildur1 sent Tony G a text message simply stating, “Sry for not coming, take care bud.” The seven-word phrase has drawn criticism, with “GaryLQ” explaining, “This text message sounds totally fake to me. 'Take care bud' is a slang British phrase, most commonly used in the Southwest of England. I find it hard to believe it's the sort of language a Swede would use.”
Eddie Hearn, who has been organizing and promoting the PartyPoker Big Game IV for Matchroom Sport, told Poker News Daily on Saturday, "Obviously, it’s disappointing that Isildur1 couldn't join us for the Big Game, but the show must go on. I spoke with him at length on Thursday night and the magnitude of the media interest surrounding his appearance is something he was struggling to come to terms with. It’s a shame, as we would have liked him to be part of the new music walk-ons and evictions that have been introduced to this series. I'm sure you will see him soon though, perhaps at a more low-key event that doesn't reach such a vast global audience."
The news represents the latest twist in the Isildur1 saga, which began after the Swede stormed onto the high-stakes online poker scene on Full Tilt last September. His career peak according to PokerTableRatings.com was $5.0 million, which came in November. Three months later, he was in the hole $2.8 million. Isildur1 has taken $4.5 million off Dwan alone, but lost nearly the same amount to Hastings.
On the UB.com sponsored program “Poker2Nite,” Tony G confirmed that Isildur1 is under 21 years-old and indeed hails from Sweden. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Media Man Australia
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Casino News
Poker News Media
Whether the announcement that Isildur1 was competing was simply a publicity stunt from the start remains to be seen. In a blog posted on PartyPoker, site pro Tony G expressed his frustration with the youngster withdrawing from the high-stakes 48-hour cash game: “To say I am disappointed is an understatement. I have spent so much time talking to him and reassuring him recently, but he’s just not going to come.” Tony G and Isildur1 had a 50-50 staking deal in place.
Tony G emphasized that Isildur1 originally approached him about playing: “It has left a bad taste in my mouth. What you have to understand is that he reached out to me first and asked and then agreed to play. As far as I am concerned, I am washing my hands with him and moving on.” The ring game begins at 8:00pm local time on Sunday from the Les Ambassadeurs Club in Mayfair, London and will conclude 48 hours later. PartyPoker personality Kara Scott, who is the floor reporter for GSN’s “High Stakes Poker,” will serve in the same capacity in London during the 7:00pm to 7:00am shifts.
Tony G cited “personal issues” as to why Isildur1 is officially a no-show. Isildur1 reportedly told Tony G that the stakes of the PartyPoker Big Game IV were too low. In addition, Tony G explained, “I know for a fact that he is soon taking his driving test.” Isildur1 originally accepted the offer to compete in the PartyPoker Big Game IV on March 31st. The mystery Swede is widely believed to be Viktor “blom30” Blom, whose blowup in the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Europe Main Event was shown during ESPN’s coverage of the tournament. Isildur1 has tangled with several of poker’s high-stakes elite, including Phil Ivey, Tom “durrrr” Dwan, and Brian Hastings.
Among those who haven’t backed out of the PartyPoker Big Game IV is Drag the Bar instructor Dusty “Leatherass” Schmidt, who will take to the felts to the tune of “Pass Out” by Tinie Tempah and be joined by fellow American young guns Justin “ZeeJustin” Bonomo and Isaac Haxton. Others heading to the London casino include Phil Laak, Jennifer Tilly, Neil Channing, David “Viffer” Peat, Roland de Wolfe, Bodo Sbrzesny, James Mitchell, Robert Williamson III, Andrew Feldman, Simon "Schnibl0r" Münz, Roberto Romanello, Andy Greekfish, Barny Boatman, Laurence Grondin, Jake Cody, Sam Trickett, Josh Gould, Richard Wheatley, and Paul Zimbler. In addition, Tony G has brought an “amazing player” with him to London. However, his identity is unknown.
As you’d expect, the reaction to Isildur1 pulling out of his highly anticipated appearance has been anything but positive. On the TwoPlusTwo online poker forum, posters were outraged over the cancellation. TwoPlusTwo member “inn_Nstruct” frustratingly penned, “What a joke. Lame way to get attention for this show.” Fellow community member “DangerError” added, “It’s all fake. I don’t believe Tony G, even a word.”
Isildur1 sent Tony G a text message simply stating, “Sry for not coming, take care bud.” The seven-word phrase has drawn criticism, with “GaryLQ” explaining, “This text message sounds totally fake to me. 'Take care bud' is a slang British phrase, most commonly used in the Southwest of England. I find it hard to believe it's the sort of language a Swede would use.”
Eddie Hearn, who has been organizing and promoting the PartyPoker Big Game IV for Matchroom Sport, told Poker News Daily on Saturday, "Obviously, it’s disappointing that Isildur1 couldn't join us for the Big Game, but the show must go on. I spoke with him at length on Thursday night and the magnitude of the media interest surrounding his appearance is something he was struggling to come to terms with. It’s a shame, as we would have liked him to be part of the new music walk-ons and evictions that have been introduced to this series. I'm sure you will see him soon though, perhaps at a more low-key event that doesn't reach such a vast global audience."
The news represents the latest twist in the Isildur1 saga, which began after the Swede stormed onto the high-stakes online poker scene on Full Tilt last September. His career peak according to PokerTableRatings.com was $5.0 million, which came in November. Three months later, he was in the hole $2.8 million. Isildur1 has taken $4.5 million off Dwan alone, but lost nearly the same amount to Hastings.
On the UB.com sponsored program “Poker2Nite,” Tony G confirmed that Isildur1 is under 21 years-old and indeed hails from Sweden. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Media Man Australia
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Casino News
Poker News Media
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Casino Cash Rolls In To Australia Political Parties, by Greg Tingle - 8th April 2010
Australian political parties and land based casino operators remain under the spotlight as more revelations about substantial donations from casinos to politics goes public.
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate 'Casino Jack' style, as we explore a new patch of Australia's 'Underbelly'.
From the get go, let it be said that it is not illegal (yet anyway) to make donations to Aussie political parties. Cash and cheques hit their coffers from any number of business sectors, certainly not restricted to the casino, hotel, club and resort sector et al. It's almost part of Australia business culture to cough up dollars to the majority of the political parties.
However, just because something is legal, or illegal for that matter, doesn't mean it is just.
In recent months Labor and Liberal have been inundated with buckets of cash from corporate Australia, and it doesn't get much more corporate that Tabcorp's Star City Casino and Crown Limited's Crown Casino.
Numbers obtained by the NSW Election Funding Authority show state Labor accepted $2.5 million in donations and union affiliation fees between July and December, while the Liberals and Nationals took in $1.9 million. Ah, Jack Abramoff from 'Casino Jack' fame would be proud.
The massive donations are a sign that big business aims win favour and positive history with an incoming Coalition government, the Liberals and Nationals have raised $19.5 million since the 2007 election from the hotels (inc casinos), clubs (pokie heaven), finance, pharmaceutical, lobbyist and property (more casinos) sector.
We've learned that in the same window, Labor snatched $16.5 million to its coffers, some of which is used for television commercials promoting NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally. We alert readers to the fact that Australian TV stations have been extremely quite on the internet censorship debate, while newspapers and radio, and internet forums, have been very vocal, but more on that non - coincidence later, if we're not busy playing a spot of golf with the 'Minister Of Silly Lists' and Censorship... if he's not busy being summoned to a "Please Explain" meeting with Prime Minster Kevin Rudd... (if he's not busy getting an "ear bashing" from U.S President Barack Obama about censorship). Readers, are you following this trail?
The political donations are putting intense pressure on the Australian government to implement recommendations handed down by a parliamentary committee last week, including a cap on donations at just $2000 per political party, group or independent candidate each financial year.
It's no secret that Labor received $115,000 from Star City Casino in the second half of last year, around the same times as the laws regulating the casino were being loosened and its exclusive licence was extended in Parliament. In 2008 Star donated $110,000 just two months before it was granted approval for a $575 million redevelopment, and readers will recall that their budget has just been increased by $100 million or so, which helps build more entertainment rooms, and may even go towards learjets for high rolling VIP's, as they go to "war" with Packer's Crown.
A spokeswoman for Ms Keneally said any suggestion that political donations had influenced concessions that allowed gambling controls and surveillance to be watered down was not correct. "Donations have no impact on the timing of bills going through Parliament.".
Political donations are keenly watched as an indication of which companies and wealthy individuals may be lobbying government. The Australian and international gaming community is watching closely to see what moves PartyGaming and Betfair may make in this space.
PartyGaming famously came to financial terms with the United States Department Of Justice last year to the tune of $100 million or thereabouts. It wasn't a pure donation, however the U.S knew Party had the money, and it was an opportunity for PartyGaming to move forward. PartyGaming and its brands such as PartyCasino and PartyPoker are making strategic moves to return to the U.S market and regulation changes are afoot, just its World Poker Tour is making pro active steps to boost things along with a pending play in the North American - Canadian region, which may see much of the U.S change its stance on igaming, poker tournaments and the like. Last fortnight PartyGaming inked an impressive business deal with France horse racing operator PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain). PartyGaming also enjoys b2b dealings with such mainstream brands as Marvel Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Frank Sinatra Enterprises, StudioCanal, Blizard Entertainment, Infinity Ward, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Hasbro, MGM and FremantleMedia. PartyGaming are understood to be in the "good books" of internet giants Google, Yahoo! and Bing!... something that has also served Gambling911 and Media Man International well over the years. Google is currently developing its own advanced web hosting and ISP services in a move that has has generated massive interest from mainstream media, new media and gaming operators.
Back to the pure political news...Figures Gambling911 and Media Man sourced via Fairfax Media and News Limited state the following...
In the second half of last year the biggest donors included: Clubs NSW, which gave $59,000 to Labor and $101,555 to the Coalition; Manildra Group, $40,850 (Labor) and $19,050 (Coalition); property developer Memo Corporation, $36,850 (Labor) and $22,200 (Liberal); and the Independent Retailers Association, $77,820 (Labor) and $9000 (Liberal). The Liberals accepted $57,926 from the Australian Hotels Association and $49,750 from British American Tobacco.
The Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell, personally raised $174,650 at 10 fund-raisers held in his name and in his electorate, including raising some $108,100 at the Ku-ring-gai Business Breakfast last September.
Not to be outdone Labor collected in excess of $1 million in "affiliation fees" paid by unions between July and December.
In the coming weeks and months we will continue our probe into the relationships between Australian political parties and casinos, igaming operator, SP bookmakers and the like. Firms on our radar include but are not limited to Betfair, Centrebet, Full Tilt Poker (Easts Roosters NRL team connection), 888 (Warnie's the face of them for Australia), and a few others that will remain nameless for the moment.
Aussie's, anyone taking bets on what Australian land based casino operators are interested to enjoy a spot of golf with Senator Stephen Conroy (Minster of Communications, Censorship and "Silly Lists") Last time a casino exec played golf with our friend cash registers hit the jackpot. Ah, life is full of coincidences, just ask 'Casino Jack', coming soon to a movie theater near you if your an Aussie, Yankee or Kanok, but if your behind "The Great Internet Firewall" Of China, good luck, you will need it.
Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott, stay on Kevin "Bloody" Rudd, we sense Rudd's corner man Conroy is going down for the count as we approach the 12th round of action, broadcast from Sydney to Las Vegas, Macau, Florida and beyond via the internet channel (that no one owns, Australian government included). Special referee Jesse "The Body" Ventura and his 'Conspiracy Theory' actuality TV show remain pro actively interested in the connection between Australian casinos, political parties and proposed internet filter and blacklist initiatives.
Media Man and Gambling911 offer this public service announcement: Bet with your head, not over it, and keep it fun (and that messages is also applicable to Australian political parties).
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The network attracts approximately 6 million hits per month and has portals in Australia, Canada, Europe, Asia and the United States
*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Media Man Casino
Media Manager International
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casino News
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Australian Sports Entertainment
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate 'Casino Jack' style, as we explore a new patch of Australia's 'Underbelly'.
From the get go, let it be said that it is not illegal (yet anyway) to make donations to Aussie political parties. Cash and cheques hit their coffers from any number of business sectors, certainly not restricted to the casino, hotel, club and resort sector et al. It's almost part of Australia business culture to cough up dollars to the majority of the political parties.
However, just because something is legal, or illegal for that matter, doesn't mean it is just.
In recent months Labor and Liberal have been inundated with buckets of cash from corporate Australia, and it doesn't get much more corporate that Tabcorp's Star City Casino and Crown Limited's Crown Casino.
Numbers obtained by the NSW Election Funding Authority show state Labor accepted $2.5 million in donations and union affiliation fees between July and December, while the Liberals and Nationals took in $1.9 million. Ah, Jack Abramoff from 'Casino Jack' fame would be proud.
The massive donations are a sign that big business aims win favour and positive history with an incoming Coalition government, the Liberals and Nationals have raised $19.5 million since the 2007 election from the hotels (inc casinos), clubs (pokie heaven), finance, pharmaceutical, lobbyist and property (more casinos) sector.
We've learned that in the same window, Labor snatched $16.5 million to its coffers, some of which is used for television commercials promoting NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally. We alert readers to the fact that Australian TV stations have been extremely quite on the internet censorship debate, while newspapers and radio, and internet forums, have been very vocal, but more on that non - coincidence later, if we're not busy playing a spot of golf with the 'Minister Of Silly Lists' and Censorship... if he's not busy being summoned to a "Please Explain" meeting with Prime Minster Kevin Rudd... (if he's not busy getting an "ear bashing" from U.S President Barack Obama about censorship). Readers, are you following this trail?
The political donations are putting intense pressure on the Australian government to implement recommendations handed down by a parliamentary committee last week, including a cap on donations at just $2000 per political party, group or independent candidate each financial year.
It's no secret that Labor received $115,000 from Star City Casino in the second half of last year, around the same times as the laws regulating the casino were being loosened and its exclusive licence was extended in Parliament. In 2008 Star donated $110,000 just two months before it was granted approval for a $575 million redevelopment, and readers will recall that their budget has just been increased by $100 million or so, which helps build more entertainment rooms, and may even go towards learjets for high rolling VIP's, as they go to "war" with Packer's Crown.
A spokeswoman for Ms Keneally said any suggestion that political donations had influenced concessions that allowed gambling controls and surveillance to be watered down was not correct. "Donations have no impact on the timing of bills going through Parliament.".
Political donations are keenly watched as an indication of which companies and wealthy individuals may be lobbying government. The Australian and international gaming community is watching closely to see what moves PartyGaming and Betfair may make in this space.
PartyGaming famously came to financial terms with the United States Department Of Justice last year to the tune of $100 million or thereabouts. It wasn't a pure donation, however the U.S knew Party had the money, and it was an opportunity for PartyGaming to move forward. PartyGaming and its brands such as PartyCasino and PartyPoker are making strategic moves to return to the U.S market and regulation changes are afoot, just its World Poker Tour is making pro active steps to boost things along with a pending play in the North American - Canadian region, which may see much of the U.S change its stance on igaming, poker tournaments and the like. Last fortnight PartyGaming inked an impressive business deal with France horse racing operator PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain). PartyGaming also enjoys b2b dealings with such mainstream brands as Marvel Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Frank Sinatra Enterprises, StudioCanal, Blizard Entertainment, Infinity Ward, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Hasbro, MGM and FremantleMedia. PartyGaming are understood to be in the "good books" of internet giants Google, Yahoo! and Bing!... something that has also served Gambling911 and Media Man International well over the years. Google is currently developing its own advanced web hosting and ISP services in a move that has has generated massive interest from mainstream media, new media and gaming operators.
Back to the pure political news...Figures Gambling911 and Media Man sourced via Fairfax Media and News Limited state the following...
In the second half of last year the biggest donors included: Clubs NSW, which gave $59,000 to Labor and $101,555 to the Coalition; Manildra Group, $40,850 (Labor) and $19,050 (Coalition); property developer Memo Corporation, $36,850 (Labor) and $22,200 (Liberal); and the Independent Retailers Association, $77,820 (Labor) and $9000 (Liberal). The Liberals accepted $57,926 from the Australian Hotels Association and $49,750 from British American Tobacco.
The Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell, personally raised $174,650 at 10 fund-raisers held in his name and in his electorate, including raising some $108,100 at the Ku-ring-gai Business Breakfast last September.
Not to be outdone Labor collected in excess of $1 million in "affiliation fees" paid by unions between July and December.
In the coming weeks and months we will continue our probe into the relationships between Australian political parties and casinos, igaming operator, SP bookmakers and the like. Firms on our radar include but are not limited to Betfair, Centrebet, Full Tilt Poker (Easts Roosters NRL team connection), 888 (Warnie's the face of them for Australia), and a few others that will remain nameless for the moment.
Aussie's, anyone taking bets on what Australian land based casino operators are interested to enjoy a spot of golf with Senator Stephen Conroy (Minster of Communications, Censorship and "Silly Lists") Last time a casino exec played golf with our friend cash registers hit the jackpot. Ah, life is full of coincidences, just ask 'Casino Jack', coming soon to a movie theater near you if your an Aussie, Yankee or Kanok, but if your behind "The Great Internet Firewall" Of China, good luck, you will need it.
Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott, stay on Kevin "Bloody" Rudd, we sense Rudd's corner man Conroy is going down for the count as we approach the 12th round of action, broadcast from Sydney to Las Vegas, Macau, Florida and beyond via the internet channel (that no one owns, Australian government included). Special referee Jesse "The Body" Ventura and his 'Conspiracy Theory' actuality TV show remain pro actively interested in the connection between Australian casinos, political parties and proposed internet filter and blacklist initiatives.
Media Man and Gambling911 offer this public service announcement: Bet with your head, not over it, and keep it fun (and that messages is also applicable to Australian political parties).
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The network attracts approximately 6 million hits per month and has portals in Australia, Canada, Europe, Asia and the United States
*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Media Man Casino
Media Manager International
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casino News
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Australian Sports Entertainment
Monday, April 05, 2010
Australia Gambling On Conspiracy Theory Or Not? by Greg Tingle - 6th April 2010
Readers, make no mistake, we live in volatile times.
The Media Man and Gambling911 (and our lotto mate Pluka Duck), have been inundated with letters of support for our ongoing investigation into online (and offline) censorship, government spooks and Big Brother et al. Folks, the political machines of the world have been busy attempting to stop your poker and casino fun, poker babes, FHM, Playboy... the lot.
Australian and Asia Pacific casino king, James Packer, is dealing with changes better than most, but owning a number of Asia Pacific's casinos and being Australia's 3rd richest man puts you in a stronger position than most. A round of golf with an Aussie politician doesn't go astray either.
You're freedom of speech, freedom of expression and basic human rights are at risk. Never has this been more evident than if your an American, Canadian or Australian reader. Don't get us started on China, but its likely our friends in China will never get to read this article, or see this website, as "The Great Firewall Of China" has quite likely blocked it! Don't laugh, your country may be next, and if your not quite certain as to believe our word on it, read up on some of Jesse Ventura's (former Navy Seal and U.S politician) writings, or better yet, watch his hit TV show 'Conspiracy Theory'. Think Underbelly meets They Live meets Michael Moore, and you're on the right track!
Has your Government (or ISP) blocked your favorite poker, casino and / or porn sites (yet)? If not, it may be just a matter or time... the thought police and "bible bashers" are in full campaign swing. Just wait to you learn what the Aussie's are up to at the moment, and even more scary, its happening on the watch of poker and porn hating Australian prime minister, Kevin Rudd, and second lieutenant, Senator Stephen Conroy (Australian Communications Minister aka Minister Of Censorship And Silly Lists).
Ok, with that Stephen Spielberg sci-fi intro, let's bring it back down to earth with some more traditional hard news out of Australia, with a gambling, government, protectionism twist... it's all about money, power and control, and more money, of course!
Aussie NSW Lotteries Deal Heading For Courtroom
Rival bidders to Tatts Group are considering taking legal action in the Supreme Court of Australia in an attempt to overturn the sale of NSW Lotteries after receiving legal advice that the $850 million sale is illegal!
Sources confirm that bidders have been talking to legal eagles about a possible challenge stemming from the decision of the government and its consultants to allow Tatts Group to throw into its bid pitch a potential $200 million worth of unclaimed prizes, in the final stages of the process. Tatts was allowed to make the move despite all bidders previously being notified that they could not bid for the unclaimed prizes. Are your following this? That's what we thought... stay with us...
The Aussie government says it has legal advice that the sale is in fact legal, despite its legislation indicating unclaimed prizes would go to the taxpayer. WTF?
The Sydney Morning Herald, a Fairfax Media publication, revealed last week claims by industry sources that in the original bids, Centrebet had in fact bid $750 million, G-Tech $730 million and Tatts Group $700 million, but Tatts Group's bid was boosted to $850 million by unclaimed prizes. Bonus hey!
NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally, said on talk back radio that "all bidders in the ... lotteries tender process were given the exact same information and they had the opportunity, all of them, to put in a conforming bid and a non-conforming bid. I'm advised that all of them took the opportunity to do that, and that the Tatts Group proposal was the best in value for the taxpayer."
Bidders dispute this full stop. They advise they were repeatedly told unclaimed prizes would stay with the state and be off-limits.
Speculation exists as to whether Tatts Group had won the right to unclaimed prizes would mean that NSW Lotteries would now be less inclined to publicise large prizes that had not been claimed.
Tatts formally took control of NSW Lotteries on the 1st April. NSW Lotteries press releases called on the winner of $30million on Tuesday night, with a ticket bought in Sydney's inner west, to come forward. An Ashfield couple claimed the prize.
Mike Baird, the opposition's Treasury spokesman, said "This whole transaction is symptomatic of Labor arrogance, incompetence and backroom deals. This ... needs to be exposed and we need to understand what requirements there are of Tatts to ensure unclaimed prizes are given every opportunity to be claimed."
Mr Baird heavily criticised the government for not releasing the legal advice supporting the sale.
Questioned as to why the legals had not been released, a spokesman for the Treasurer said it would be given to the Auditor-General, who is looking into the sale.
Two sets of legal advice to a bidder sighted by The Sydney Morning Herald state the sale is in breach of the Lotteries Act legislation.
Section 27 A of the legislation says money from unclaimed prizes should go to a consolidated fund, as directed by the minister, and liability for that money should rest with the state.
The Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell, said that a simple reading of the legislation suggested it would have to be returned to the Parliament and if that occurred, it would then be blocked in the upper house.
The government and opposition are now waiting for the Auditor-General's report.
Aussie Censorship - Online, Offline, And Everything In Between!
Child "Experts" Push To Ban Soft Porn From Newsagents, Service Stations
Fairfax's Media's Mary-Anne Toy broke the story, and we're following up...
Dozens of Australian "child experts" are calling for a ban on the sale of porn magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse and other soft porn material from newsagents, milkbars, convenience stores, supermarkets and petrol stations. No, we're kidding you not.
The group (sounds like a cult or sorts) has requested censorship ministers (Hello again, Mr Conroy) to review the rules on which the so-called lads' mags such as People, The Picture, Ralph and Zoo are reviewed, saying they are increasingly explicit and contributing to the sexualisation of children.
A letter to the standing committee of attorneys-general/censorship ministers signed by a former chief justice of the Family Court, Alastair Nicholson, the chief executive of World Vision, Tim Costello, academics, child professionals and advocates states such material should be restricted to adults-only premises.
They are particularly disturbed by the prevalence of "teen sex" magazines featuring women apparently aged more than 18 but looking younger and styled with braces and pigtails but in highly sexualised poses and sometimes performing sex acts.
Gambling911 readers may recall the hugely popular Maxim poker babes feature. Maxim was not named by the clan, but we suspect they are not fans of poker babes Maxim style. Did we mention Jenny Woo, Pam Anderson, Rebecca Liggero, Bessie Bardot, Paris Hilton, and PartyPoker - PartyGaming sponsored Kara Scott, are competing for this month's Media Man Poker Babe Of The Month Award! Seemed timely to give you the heads up.
Julie Gale, director of the lobby group Kids Free 2B Kids, said easy access to the internet meant young people were experiencing unprecedented exposure to porn images, voluntarily or involuntarily. "But allowing pornography and overtly sexualised images to be sold in the public arena with easy access for children and teens tells them that this is acceptable. It gives it public validation."
Another campaigner, Catherine Manning of Say No 4 Kids, sent a petition with 8000 signatures to the attorneys-general calling for tighter restrictions. Many shops segregated adult material but others did not, she said.
"Exposure to adult sexualised material can send the wrong message to children about what's expected of them as adults. Girls think they should behave like 'porn stars' and boys expect them to."
Friends, coincidence or not in the timing of a proposed Australian internet filter and the calling of banning of soft porn in suburban shops et al? Does the Australian government think the public are totally stupid?
What's Really At Stake? American Living Legend Jesse Ventura Speaks Out...
Thanks to our friends at RT.com (Autonomous Nonprofit Organization)
http://www.rt.com
we have secured the following in writing...
We are being watched more than ever in the US
“There are many of us who don’t believe the status quo of what we’ve been told,” acknowledged former governor of the state of Minnesota, actor and TV host Jesse Ventura in an exclusive interview with RT.
Ventura, who has had explosive encounters with the American mainstream media, called it “soundbite news” and said it cannot be trusted at all.
“Major news organizations have really become almost monopolized. The media today is in creating news rather than reporting it. And that’s very dangerous,” he said.
Jesse Ventura shared that “the Internet is getting super powerful now, and that is what the government has to control next.”
The ex-governor warned that “Whenever government says ‘to keep you safe’ – get ready, because you are going to lose your freedoms.”
Summary: Australian, Canadian and American Readers - What Next?
If you are unhappy with your state and federal governments, let them know. Write, protest... you get the idea
Poker players and online casino players, it may be a good idea to become more familiar with the Poker Players Alliance, and become familiar with their associates in your region. Telephone and write to news media, including newspapers and television, but if your an Aussie, you might find more love with print, as Australian TV stations recently received a big payday courtesy of Senator Stephen Conroy's office and most Australian television stations have been very quite on the subject of internet censorship. The ABC, SBS (multi cultural, diverse and global) and Network Ten (covers poker) are most likely to listen to your concerns. Some talk back radio stations may also give you the time of day. Uncensored websites, bloggers and internet forums are a most effective way of getting your voice heard.
Media Man and Gambling911 recommend that you sign up for a multitude of online gaming accounts, be it PartyGaming, World Poker Tour, PokerStars, Captain Cooks, Betfair, BetUS, PKR... you get the idea. That way you have a number of accounts, so if one or more of them eventually get shutdown, or blocked from your countries "friendly" internet filter, you still have more choices. The late news... Full Tilt Poker investigation on the way in the U.S ...maybe scratch them off your "to do" list! Party rules ok, and I think no coincidence that PartyGaming is powering along and signing Government arm deals globally, most recently in France, as they were able to come to amicable terms with the United States government last year for the tune of $100 million or so. Next stop might be Canada, via way of a Canadian poker tour operation, and no coincidence that Media Man now has a Canadian Media Man website portal. http://www.mediamancanada.com
We encourage you to enjoy your "free" and "uncensored" (or thereabouts) version of the internet while you can.
In the coming weeks and months Gambling911 and Media Man will provide more details on how you can likely stop or reduce internet filtering and the "great firewall" when it comes knocking in your home town.
We leave you with more words of wisdom, just in case Jesse Ventura left you hanging for more!
In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed (Charles Darwin)
We wish the readership happy hunting, and let's keep the bastards honest. Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi USA USA Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino
References: Google News, Fairfax Media, Autonomous Nonprofit Organization, Tru TV
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Australian Casino News
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
The Media Man and Gambling911 (and our lotto mate Pluka Duck), have been inundated with letters of support for our ongoing investigation into online (and offline) censorship, government spooks and Big Brother et al. Folks, the political machines of the world have been busy attempting to stop your poker and casino fun, poker babes, FHM, Playboy... the lot.
Australian and Asia Pacific casino king, James Packer, is dealing with changes better than most, but owning a number of Asia Pacific's casinos and being Australia's 3rd richest man puts you in a stronger position than most. A round of golf with an Aussie politician doesn't go astray either.
You're freedom of speech, freedom of expression and basic human rights are at risk. Never has this been more evident than if your an American, Canadian or Australian reader. Don't get us started on China, but its likely our friends in China will never get to read this article, or see this website, as "The Great Firewall Of China" has quite likely blocked it! Don't laugh, your country may be next, and if your not quite certain as to believe our word on it, read up on some of Jesse Ventura's (former Navy Seal and U.S politician) writings, or better yet, watch his hit TV show 'Conspiracy Theory'. Think Underbelly meets They Live meets Michael Moore, and you're on the right track!
Has your Government (or ISP) blocked your favorite poker, casino and / or porn sites (yet)? If not, it may be just a matter or time... the thought police and "bible bashers" are in full campaign swing. Just wait to you learn what the Aussie's are up to at the moment, and even more scary, its happening on the watch of poker and porn hating Australian prime minister, Kevin Rudd, and second lieutenant, Senator Stephen Conroy (Australian Communications Minister aka Minister Of Censorship And Silly Lists).
Ok, with that Stephen Spielberg sci-fi intro, let's bring it back down to earth with some more traditional hard news out of Australia, with a gambling, government, protectionism twist... it's all about money, power and control, and more money, of course!
Aussie NSW Lotteries Deal Heading For Courtroom
Rival bidders to Tatts Group are considering taking legal action in the Supreme Court of Australia in an attempt to overturn the sale of NSW Lotteries after receiving legal advice that the $850 million sale is illegal!
Sources confirm that bidders have been talking to legal eagles about a possible challenge stemming from the decision of the government and its consultants to allow Tatts Group to throw into its bid pitch a potential $200 million worth of unclaimed prizes, in the final stages of the process. Tatts was allowed to make the move despite all bidders previously being notified that they could not bid for the unclaimed prizes. Are your following this? That's what we thought... stay with us...
The Aussie government says it has legal advice that the sale is in fact legal, despite its legislation indicating unclaimed prizes would go to the taxpayer. WTF?
The Sydney Morning Herald, a Fairfax Media publication, revealed last week claims by industry sources that in the original bids, Centrebet had in fact bid $750 million, G-Tech $730 million and Tatts Group $700 million, but Tatts Group's bid was boosted to $850 million by unclaimed prizes. Bonus hey!
NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally, said on talk back radio that "all bidders in the ... lotteries tender process were given the exact same information and they had the opportunity, all of them, to put in a conforming bid and a non-conforming bid. I'm advised that all of them took the opportunity to do that, and that the Tatts Group proposal was the best in value for the taxpayer."
Bidders dispute this full stop. They advise they were repeatedly told unclaimed prizes would stay with the state and be off-limits.
Speculation exists as to whether Tatts Group had won the right to unclaimed prizes would mean that NSW Lotteries would now be less inclined to publicise large prizes that had not been claimed.
Tatts formally took control of NSW Lotteries on the 1st April. NSW Lotteries press releases called on the winner of $30million on Tuesday night, with a ticket bought in Sydney's inner west, to come forward. An Ashfield couple claimed the prize.
Mike Baird, the opposition's Treasury spokesman, said "This whole transaction is symptomatic of Labor arrogance, incompetence and backroom deals. This ... needs to be exposed and we need to understand what requirements there are of Tatts to ensure unclaimed prizes are given every opportunity to be claimed."
Mr Baird heavily criticised the government for not releasing the legal advice supporting the sale.
Questioned as to why the legals had not been released, a spokesman for the Treasurer said it would be given to the Auditor-General, who is looking into the sale.
Two sets of legal advice to a bidder sighted by The Sydney Morning Herald state the sale is in breach of the Lotteries Act legislation.
Section 27 A of the legislation says money from unclaimed prizes should go to a consolidated fund, as directed by the minister, and liability for that money should rest with the state.
The Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell, said that a simple reading of the legislation suggested it would have to be returned to the Parliament and if that occurred, it would then be blocked in the upper house.
The government and opposition are now waiting for the Auditor-General's report.
Aussie Censorship - Online, Offline, And Everything In Between!
Child "Experts" Push To Ban Soft Porn From Newsagents, Service Stations
Fairfax's Media's Mary-Anne Toy broke the story, and we're following up...
Dozens of Australian "child experts" are calling for a ban on the sale of porn magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse and other soft porn material from newsagents, milkbars, convenience stores, supermarkets and petrol stations. No, we're kidding you not.
The group (sounds like a cult or sorts) has requested censorship ministers (Hello again, Mr Conroy) to review the rules on which the so-called lads' mags such as People, The Picture, Ralph and Zoo are reviewed, saying they are increasingly explicit and contributing to the sexualisation of children.
A letter to the standing committee of attorneys-general/censorship ministers signed by a former chief justice of the Family Court, Alastair Nicholson, the chief executive of World Vision, Tim Costello, academics, child professionals and advocates states such material should be restricted to adults-only premises.
They are particularly disturbed by the prevalence of "teen sex" magazines featuring women apparently aged more than 18 but looking younger and styled with braces and pigtails but in highly sexualised poses and sometimes performing sex acts.
Gambling911 readers may recall the hugely popular Maxim poker babes feature. Maxim was not named by the clan, but we suspect they are not fans of poker babes Maxim style. Did we mention Jenny Woo, Pam Anderson, Rebecca Liggero, Bessie Bardot, Paris Hilton, and PartyPoker - PartyGaming sponsored Kara Scott, are competing for this month's Media Man Poker Babe Of The Month Award! Seemed timely to give you the heads up.
Julie Gale, director of the lobby group Kids Free 2B Kids, said easy access to the internet meant young people were experiencing unprecedented exposure to porn images, voluntarily or involuntarily. "But allowing pornography and overtly sexualised images to be sold in the public arena with easy access for children and teens tells them that this is acceptable. It gives it public validation."
Another campaigner, Catherine Manning of Say No 4 Kids, sent a petition with 8000 signatures to the attorneys-general calling for tighter restrictions. Many shops segregated adult material but others did not, she said.
"Exposure to adult sexualised material can send the wrong message to children about what's expected of them as adults. Girls think they should behave like 'porn stars' and boys expect them to."
Friends, coincidence or not in the timing of a proposed Australian internet filter and the calling of banning of soft porn in suburban shops et al? Does the Australian government think the public are totally stupid?
What's Really At Stake? American Living Legend Jesse Ventura Speaks Out...
Thanks to our friends at RT.com (Autonomous Nonprofit Organization)
http://www.rt.com
we have secured the following in writing...
We are being watched more than ever in the US
“There are many of us who don’t believe the status quo of what we’ve been told,” acknowledged former governor of the state of Minnesota, actor and TV host Jesse Ventura in an exclusive interview with RT.
Ventura, who has had explosive encounters with the American mainstream media, called it “soundbite news” and said it cannot be trusted at all.
“Major news organizations have really become almost monopolized. The media today is in creating news rather than reporting it. And that’s very dangerous,” he said.
Jesse Ventura shared that “the Internet is getting super powerful now, and that is what the government has to control next.”
The ex-governor warned that “Whenever government says ‘to keep you safe’ – get ready, because you are going to lose your freedoms.”
Summary: Australian, Canadian and American Readers - What Next?
If you are unhappy with your state and federal governments, let them know. Write, protest... you get the idea
Poker players and online casino players, it may be a good idea to become more familiar with the Poker Players Alliance, and become familiar with their associates in your region. Telephone and write to news media, including newspapers and television, but if your an Aussie, you might find more love with print, as Australian TV stations recently received a big payday courtesy of Senator Stephen Conroy's office and most Australian television stations have been very quite on the subject of internet censorship. The ABC, SBS (multi cultural, diverse and global) and Network Ten (covers poker) are most likely to listen to your concerns. Some talk back radio stations may also give you the time of day. Uncensored websites, bloggers and internet forums are a most effective way of getting your voice heard.
Media Man and Gambling911 recommend that you sign up for a multitude of online gaming accounts, be it PartyGaming, World Poker Tour, PokerStars, Captain Cooks, Betfair, BetUS, PKR... you get the idea. That way you have a number of accounts, so if one or more of them eventually get shutdown, or blocked from your countries "friendly" internet filter, you still have more choices. The late news... Full Tilt Poker investigation on the way in the U.S ...maybe scratch them off your "to do" list! Party rules ok, and I think no coincidence that PartyGaming is powering along and signing Government arm deals globally, most recently in France, as they were able to come to amicable terms with the United States government last year for the tune of $100 million or so. Next stop might be Canada, via way of a Canadian poker tour operation, and no coincidence that Media Man now has a Canadian Media Man website portal. http://www.mediamancanada.com
We encourage you to enjoy your "free" and "uncensored" (or thereabouts) version of the internet while you can.
In the coming weeks and months Gambling911 and Media Man will provide more details on how you can likely stop or reduce internet filtering and the "great firewall" when it comes knocking in your home town.
We leave you with more words of wisdom, just in case Jesse Ventura left you hanging for more!
In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed (Charles Darwin)
We wish the readership happy hunting, and let's keep the bastards honest. Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi USA USA Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino
References: Google News, Fairfax Media, Autonomous Nonprofit Organization, Tru TV
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Australian Casino News
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Australian Gambling News: Tattersalls Complete NSW Lottery Sale, by Greg Tingle - 4th April 2010
Australia's gambling, gaming and igaming sector shows little sign of slowing down, in fact it looks like full speed ahead with James Packer's Crown Casino continuing to lead the charge.
Packer has been rumored to be eyeing off a part or full purchase in Tabcorp (owner and operator of Star City Casino in Sydney, and Jupiter's Casino on the Gold Coast), to name but a few.
Could Australian "protectionism" be coming into play? Is "protectionism" a form of racism, as a country aims to protect its own, and blocking out foreign nations in the process? Is Australia continuing down the China path, and who or what will stop the madness? So many questions, yet so few answers, as the Rudd Government sticks to its agenda and "stays on message" (just like the U.S Government did with its crimes against humanity relating to "the war on terrorism"). Jesse Ventura, Australia may need you to expose the truth. It's all good fodder for Conspiracy Theory.
Media Man down under and Gambling911 report...
Tatts Group Ltd says it has completed the acquisition of NSW Lotteries from the NSW Government. The deal is now subject to review by the NSW Auditor General.
Tatts said in a statement on that the acquisition has been completed, "and NSW Lotteries is now part of the Tatts Group".
The sale carries with it a 40-year exclusive licence to conduct public lotteries in NSW.
Controversy has swirled around the deal as it was revealed that Tatts bought the Lotteries with an unconfirmed bid of $850 million.
The bid allowed for the rights to the Lotteries' unclaimed prizes pool to be retained by Tatts, whereas other bidders advise they were denied the right to include unclaimed prizes in their bid.
The NSW Opposition and the NSW Green party now say, supported by advice from unnamed senior partners of two Sydney law firms, that the sale is illegal under the legislation that allowed the deal, according to reports carried by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age last Thursday.
Announcing completion of the acquisition, Tatts Group said that Tatts Lotteries produced earnings before tax, interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $119 million in 2009. Those are the sorts of numbers that even give igaming powerhouse, PartyGaming, a run for their money.
"The acquisition of NSW Lotteries is expected to produce an additional $120 million of EBITDA by 2014," Tatts Group said in its statement.
The late news...
We almost forgot, with casino fever at an all time high, Media Man has bit the bullet and launched http://www.mediamancasino.com It's not "white label", but a little birdie tells us its heading in that direction. Media Man management advise its hosted overseas "in protest to the proposed Australian internet filter and blacklist".
Gambling911 and Media Man International are recommending to readers that may be "down under" in the Asia Pacific region that if you enjoy games of skill and games of chance to sign up now to a few accounts, in case that may help keep online casino and online gaming accounts active, if or when the Australian internet filter aka "Great Australian Firewall" will spoil your fun. PartyGaming (inc World Poker Tour and its Playtech powered casinos), PokerStars, Captain Cooks, PKR and Betfair are some of the brands most popular in Australia.
Media Man tips that a device and "secret way" of circumventing the proposed internet filter is on the way, but its not "letting the cat out of the bag" quite yet, as the art of war continues between Aussie web publishers, media companies and the Australian government continues.
Media Man advises publicily that if the Australian government throws too much red tape at media, publising and internet companies, thus reducing productivity, revenue, income et al, that management may have to put promised job offers to Australian indigenous peoples via GenerationOne on hold.
Internet Snapshot Guide And The Idiots Guide to iGaming, Gaming and Politics
No one owns the internet!
The internet was invented in the United States and was designed to withstand a nuclear war.
Australians are some of the most passionate gamblers in the world, both at land based venues and online.
Cleopatra, Sinatra, Black Rhino, Hitman, Mission: Impossible and Tomb Raider are some of Australia's favorite slot games.
Crown Casino is home to one of the world's most popular and richest poker tournaments, Aussie Millions.
It is legal to participate in affiliate programs, casino affiliate programs and the like.
The Australian Federal government has some interest to regulate igaming and their Productivity Commission report is due to go public in approximately a month.
Senator Stephen Conroy have received at least one reported death threat over his censorship agenda, via way of internet forum, and reported in Fairfax Media.
Australia is now on the Enemies Of The Internet list complied by Reports Without Boarders
http://www.rsf.org/en-pays51-Australia.html
The United States administration has gone on record that it does not support Australia's proposed internet filter. The U.S, European Union and World Trade Organization are considering stepping in and urging the Australian government to seriously reconsider its stance on censorship. The censorship may cost the Australian and world economy billions, with media and entertainment giants such as Google, Yahoo!, Bing, Microsoft, News Corp, Marvel - Disney, DC Comics, Sony, Apple, Dell, Virgin Enterprises Limited, Paramount Pictures, Playboy, Penthouse, FHM, UFC, World Poker Tour, World Series of Poker, ESPN, SBS (and Gambling911), being just some of those likely to be adversely affected. Loss of income is set to result in job losses and the price of goods and services skyrocketing in some sectors. Some industries and brands may be forced to go "underground" and many "black markets" are expected to rise and prosper, and demand goes up for certain "vices". Consumer protection measures are likely to be lost should the Australian internet filter go ahead.
In closing, we think Australia's James Packer sums it up beautifully with his famous "Internet is like electricity", something Australian politicians have seemed to cotton on with pretty well of late.
Are we on the cusp of 'The End Days' aka 'The End Times', which Nostradamus gives considerable mention to in the quatrains, as the New World Order continues to take hold, or it just business as usual? 2012 is not far off, and soon you will be able to place bets on it! Readers, you be the judge, and bet with your head, not over it.
PS: Readers, thanks for your letters. Gambling911, Media Man and Plucka Duck (of Hey Hey "Chook Lotto" fame) appreciate each and every one of you.
*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 bakers dozen of industry vertical covered.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man is a member of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Casino News Media
Australian Casino News
Australian Sports Entertainment
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Packer has been rumored to be eyeing off a part or full purchase in Tabcorp (owner and operator of Star City Casino in Sydney, and Jupiter's Casino on the Gold Coast), to name but a few.
Could Australian "protectionism" be coming into play? Is "protectionism" a form of racism, as a country aims to protect its own, and blocking out foreign nations in the process? Is Australia continuing down the China path, and who or what will stop the madness? So many questions, yet so few answers, as the Rudd Government sticks to its agenda and "stays on message" (just like the U.S Government did with its crimes against humanity relating to "the war on terrorism"). Jesse Ventura, Australia may need you to expose the truth. It's all good fodder for Conspiracy Theory.
Media Man down under and Gambling911 report...
Tatts Group Ltd says it has completed the acquisition of NSW Lotteries from the NSW Government. The deal is now subject to review by the NSW Auditor General.
Tatts said in a statement on that the acquisition has been completed, "and NSW Lotteries is now part of the Tatts Group".
The sale carries with it a 40-year exclusive licence to conduct public lotteries in NSW.
Controversy has swirled around the deal as it was revealed that Tatts bought the Lotteries with an unconfirmed bid of $850 million.
The bid allowed for the rights to the Lotteries' unclaimed prizes pool to be retained by Tatts, whereas other bidders advise they were denied the right to include unclaimed prizes in their bid.
The NSW Opposition and the NSW Green party now say, supported by advice from unnamed senior partners of two Sydney law firms, that the sale is illegal under the legislation that allowed the deal, according to reports carried by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age last Thursday.
Announcing completion of the acquisition, Tatts Group said that Tatts Lotteries produced earnings before tax, interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $119 million in 2009. Those are the sorts of numbers that even give igaming powerhouse, PartyGaming, a run for their money.
"The acquisition of NSW Lotteries is expected to produce an additional $120 million of EBITDA by 2014," Tatts Group said in its statement.
The late news...
We almost forgot, with casino fever at an all time high, Media Man has bit the bullet and launched http://www.mediamancasino.com It's not "white label", but a little birdie tells us its heading in that direction. Media Man management advise its hosted overseas "in protest to the proposed Australian internet filter and blacklist".
Gambling911 and Media Man International are recommending to readers that may be "down under" in the Asia Pacific region that if you enjoy games of skill and games of chance to sign up now to a few accounts, in case that may help keep online casino and online gaming accounts active, if or when the Australian internet filter aka "Great Australian Firewall" will spoil your fun. PartyGaming (inc World Poker Tour and its Playtech powered casinos), PokerStars, Captain Cooks, PKR and Betfair are some of the brands most popular in Australia.
Media Man tips that a device and "secret way" of circumventing the proposed internet filter is on the way, but its not "letting the cat out of the bag" quite yet, as the art of war continues between Aussie web publishers, media companies and the Australian government continues.
Media Man advises publicily that if the Australian government throws too much red tape at media, publising and internet companies, thus reducing productivity, revenue, income et al, that management may have to put promised job offers to Australian indigenous peoples via GenerationOne on hold.
Internet Snapshot Guide And The Idiots Guide to iGaming, Gaming and Politics
No one owns the internet!
The internet was invented in the United States and was designed to withstand a nuclear war.
Australians are some of the most passionate gamblers in the world, both at land based venues and online.
Cleopatra, Sinatra, Black Rhino, Hitman, Mission: Impossible and Tomb Raider are some of Australia's favorite slot games.
Crown Casino is home to one of the world's most popular and richest poker tournaments, Aussie Millions.
It is legal to participate in affiliate programs, casino affiliate programs and the like.
The Australian Federal government has some interest to regulate igaming and their Productivity Commission report is due to go public in approximately a month.
Senator Stephen Conroy have received at least one reported death threat over his censorship agenda, via way of internet forum, and reported in Fairfax Media.
Australia is now on the Enemies Of The Internet list complied by Reports Without Boarders
http://www.rsf.org/en-pays51-Australia.html
The United States administration has gone on record that it does not support Australia's proposed internet filter. The U.S, European Union and World Trade Organization are considering stepping in and urging the Australian government to seriously reconsider its stance on censorship. The censorship may cost the Australian and world economy billions, with media and entertainment giants such as Google, Yahoo!, Bing, Microsoft, News Corp, Marvel - Disney, DC Comics, Sony, Apple, Dell, Virgin Enterprises Limited, Paramount Pictures, Playboy, Penthouse, FHM, UFC, World Poker Tour, World Series of Poker, ESPN, SBS (and Gambling911), being just some of those likely to be adversely affected. Loss of income is set to result in job losses and the price of goods and services skyrocketing in some sectors. Some industries and brands may be forced to go "underground" and many "black markets" are expected to rise and prosper, and demand goes up for certain "vices". Consumer protection measures are likely to be lost should the Australian internet filter go ahead.
In closing, we think Australia's James Packer sums it up beautifully with his famous "Internet is like electricity", something Australian politicians have seemed to cotton on with pretty well of late.
Are we on the cusp of 'The End Days' aka 'The End Times', which Nostradamus gives considerable mention to in the quatrains, as the New World Order continues to take hold, or it just business as usual? 2012 is not far off, and soon you will be able to place bets on it! Readers, you be the judge, and bet with your head, not over it.
PS: Readers, thanks for your letters. Gambling911, Media Man and Plucka Duck (of Hey Hey "Chook Lotto" fame) appreciate each and every one of you.
*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 bakers dozen of industry vertical covered.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man is a member of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Casino News Media
Australian Casino News
Australian Sports Entertainment
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)