Monday, September 28, 2009

Global Gaming News - Casino News Media - 29th September 2009

PartyGaming continues global strategy and focus; France, Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, World Poker Tour

Virgin Games inks deal with CryptoLogic; will get Marvel Entertainment themed slots

Captain Cooks Casino maintains strong position in Australia, Asia Pacific

Multi Currency Casino website portal launched by Media Man Australia network

France may be next to regulate online gambling

United States - World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker give PartyGaming, Harrah's Entertainment and 888 an edge over rivals

Ric Flair's Wooooooo! NC Educational Lottery ticket performing well

Hulk Hogan's The Hulkamania Experience slot well received by industry, Andre The Giant slot in land based and online casinos may be next, other pro wrestling legends interested to lend names to branded slot games

NextGen Gaming - PartyGaming deal on track

EU - holding out numerous offshore igaming companies

Gaming entrepreneurs a plenty in Forbes rich list

Egyptian themed online slot games remain popular - Cleopatra, Cleopatra II, Tomb Raider, King Tuts Fortune

Gold Mega Jackpot - win a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S

Marvel pushes forward with superhero branded slot game deal, despite Disney deal

Hollywood slot games - expect more brand to enter market; Sega, Sony, FremantleMedia

World Series of Poker Europe starts at Casino at the Empire, London

Titan Poker hosts European Championship of Online Poker V

PKR.com announce its own poker Oktoberfest promo

Celebrity poker tournaments still all the rage

American Gaming - South Carolina - judged reverses convictions of five poker players

UFC sports betting; PartyBets.com poised to challenge BetUS.com domination

Crown Casino, Melbourne, keen to expand on igaming involvement

Poker Media - Network Ten, Australia to launch Poker Star reality TV

iGaming - iGB Affiliate Awards at London Affiliate Conference: 28th January 2010

Online casino - players prefer strong and known brands

News Corporation pushes along igaming business - Sky Vegas, Sky Bet, Sky Poker

Google - more igaming offerings said to follow Monopoly City Streets

Casino News Media "Online Casino of the Month", Virgin Casino may pose threat to PartyCasino.com crown in coming months

Casino legal - responsible websites ramp up cautions on online gambling

Media Man Australia network now exceeds a dozen website portals, exceeds 3 million hits per month

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

CryptoLogic Hooks Up With Virgin Games

Multi-year licensing deal provides at least 10 online casino games to top consumer brand

DUBLIN, IRELAND, Sep 28, 2009 -- CryptoLogic Limited today consolidated its position as a leading global developer of branded online betting games and Internet casino software by signing a multi-year licensing deal with Virgin Games, part of the Virgin Group.

The agreement enables Virgin Games to provide at least 10 of CryptoLogic's top branded and non-branded online slot games to its customers. The games include comic book classics and innovative casual slots, with some games linked into the CryptoLogic jackpot network. These games will bring a new level of enjoyment and rich content to players, while giving them a chance to win a jackpot that has reached over GBP 4 million, one of the online industry's largest prizes.

One game is already live on www.virgingames.com, with more scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of 2009 and further roll-outs planned in the first half of next year. The games will be deployed through Gaming Technology Solutions PLC, a CryptoLogic technology partner, on its GTS Edge platform.

The agreement is in line with CryptoLogic's build-once-license-often growth strategy and will generate recurring revenue based on a share of wagers placed by players.

Brian Hadfield, President and Chief Executive of CryptoLogic, said: "The deal with Virgin is another example of how CryptoLogic is building a solid platform for long-term growth by creating and licensing the industry's most exciting proprietary games to the world's marquee brands."

Virgin Games, a wholly owned subsidiary of Virgin Group, was set up in 2004 and has grown quickly to establish itself as one of the leading gaming sites in the UK.

Simon Burridge, Chief Executive of Virgin Games, said: "CryptoLogic has a track record of delivering the industry's most compelling games while the Virgin brand is widely associated with fun and great value. Our agreement is sure to be a winning combination delivering unrivalled enjoyment and potential prizes to Virgin Games' players."

About CryptoLogic(R) (www.cryptologic.com)

Focused on integrity and innovation, CryptoLogic Limited is a leading public developer and supplier of Internet gaming software. With more than 280 games, CryptoLogic has one of the most comprehensive casino suites on the Internet, with award-winning games featuring some of the world's most famous action and entertainment characters. The company's licensees include many top Internet gaming brands, including the "big four" international operators. CryptoLogic's leadership in regulatory compliance makes it one of the few companies with gaming software certified to strict standards similar to land-based gaming. WagerLogic(R) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CryptoLogic, is responsible for the licensing of gaming software and services to blue-chip customers that offer their games to non-U.S. based players around the world. For information on WagerLogic, please visit www.wagerlogic.com.

CryptoLogic's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CRY, CXY), the NASDAQ Global Select Market (CRYP) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (CRP).

About Virgin Games

Virgin Games, a wholly owned subsidiary of Virgin Group, was set up in 2004 and has grown quickly to establish itself as one of the leading gaming sites in the UK.

The company has something that no other gaming site has, and that's the chance to earn V-POINTS that can be swapped for loads of Virgin goodies including Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Miles. Players can also win Virgin prizes in regular promotions as well as cash.

Virgin Games' offices are based in Guernsey and the U.K.

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Friday, September 25, 2009

James Packer's Double Bay to double pay - 25th September 2009

NSW casino control authorities have knocked on the head rumours that James Packer has plans to build a casino in the ritzy and prestigious Sydney harbourside suburb of Double Bay.

Double Bay businesses have been abuzz in recent weeks with talk that casino magnate Packer has been talking about acquiring the old Ritz Hotel with a view to fixing it up and putting a casino on the site at a future date.

But the State Government was quick to scotch the rumours.

A spokeswoman said yesterday that legislation prohibited establishment of a second casino in NSW for at least 10 years, adding NSW "is a one-casino state". She said there was "one licence to be had" and Tabcorp had recently renewed it.

Tabcorp has a 12-year licence on Star City. It was renewed in October, 2007 and has another 10 years to run until its expiry.

According to the Casino Control Act of 1992, the business of gambling in NSW will be kept in check with licensing restrictions preventing the operation of a second casino.

Like his father, Packer has long had designs on getting a casino licence in NSW.

But the licensing restrictions mean that he will either have to apply for the existing licence now held by Tabcorp or lobby the Government to make a second licence available.

Kerry Packer and a consortium spent a small fortune bidding for the first casino licence but lost out to the Showboat group in 1994. It is a dream James still hopes to realise, say sources.

In the meantime, the Government has approved expansion plans for Star City - but poker-machine numbers will remain unchanged. (Credit: News Limited, Wires, Google News)

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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Casino News Media - Global Gaming Directory - Media Man Australia News Update - 24th September 2009

PartyCasino.com releases Tarzan and High Noon online slots, and Multi-Hand Blackjack Pro

Virgin Games to release Bejeweled classic in coming days

CAP Down Under II coming to Australia, March 2010, land based casinos have interest

Ric Flair's NC Education Lottery Wooooo! scratch card a winner

Hulk Hogan may expand on igaming deals, The Hulkamania Experience and Marvel's "The Hulk" may be just the tip of the iceberg

Titan Poker to back European Championship of Online Poker V

James Packer's City Of Dreams, Macau, on the upswing, casino commissions on track

Crown Casino continues to attract world class entertainment acts, with Aussie Millions coming in January 2010

Crown Casino Brownlow Medal awards night see over indulgence of drinking

Harrah’s Entertainment debt restructure

Google may build upon igaming, following Monopoly City Streets

Playtech - Sega "Sonic" deal on cards this October

Multi currency casino options a favorite of gamblers

European Union legal outcomes may see online gaming go underground

PartyBets.com ramps up UFC and boxing sports betting, eating into BetUS.com, others

Sports betting - fixing and corruption can be linked to small % of athletes officials

Slots tournaments popular with punters

Horse racing slot machines may hit Australian TAB suburban outlets

Bingo online sector still growing

Gaming Entrepreneurs - reputation, deals, associates and bottom line show real industry power players... spin free zone

Macau caps junket fees at 1.25%, cutting casino costs

Media Man Australia and Casino News Media company and web network will add more sites

Cleopatra casino classic still world's #1 online casino game

Captain Cooks Casino enjoying strong popularity with Aussies, Asia Pacific region

Mobile casino game market still growing

Domain names investment trend continues, Media Man Australia and Global Gaming Directory in leading pack

Hitwise - Media Man Australia website makes top ten (January - June 2009)

Online casinos further ramp up safe gambling awareness

PartyGaming continues global domination on world's online casino, gaming markets, World Poker Tour, Noble Poker and Hollywood themed casino portfolio to further expand

Virgin Unite - Virgin Games campaign supported by Media Man Australia

Asia Pacific sector remains "promised land" for some igaming companies

PartyCasino.com wins Media Man Australia "Online Casino Of The Month" again

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Casinos told: 'cut commissions', by Chia-Peck Wong - 23rd September 2009

Macau, the world's biggest gambling hub, will limit the commissions casino operators pay to junket agents at 1.25 per cent of the betting chips bought by high rollers, helping gambling companies cut costs.

The cap will apply to all future and current commissions, Francis Tam, Macau's Secretary for Economic and Finance, said in a statement on Monday. Operators in the only Chinese city where casinos are legal have until October 1 to change their agreements with the agents, he said.

Macau's six casino operators, including SJM Holdings, Las Vegas Sands and James Packer's venture, Melco Crown Entertainment, have been lobbying the Government to limit the commissions they pay junket agencies for bringing in VIP gamblers. The casinos pay the middlemen a percentage of the amount high rollers spend using non-negotiable chips, which they cannot convert back into cash. The cap was one of the main issues operators lobbied for when they formally set up a coalition in late July.

Mr Packer's Melco Crown had created controversy among the operators by lifting the commission it paid to its junket operators to 1.35 per cent at its Altira casino, previously known as the Crown Macau, leading to accusations of a commission war.

As reported in BusinessDay yesterday, the casino derives almost all its revenue from the VIP gamblers provided by the junket operators.

Stanley Ho, the billionaire who controls SJM, the Macau operator with the biggest market share, said in July that the commissions were too high and should be limited to 1.25 per cent.

Shares in Galaxy Entertainment Group, the Hong Kong-listed casino operator controlled by the tycoon Lui Che Woo, have more than tripled this year. Wynn Resorts and MGM Mirage's joint venture are the other two operators in Macau.

Bloomberg with Colin Kruger

Credit: Wires, Fairfax Media, Bloomberg, Google News

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Thursday, September 17, 2009

Casino News Media - Media Man Australia - Global Gaming News Update

PartyCasino.com still most popular online casino in Australia, Asia Pacific

Cleopatra remains #1 online casino game globally

Trump Plaza - Casino dealers seek to end representation under UAW

PartyGaming, 888 Holdings focused on global strategy, strategic growth

Harrah's Entertainment buys a slice of Planet Hollywood's debt

Betfair Shock Poker Ad Suggestive 15 Year Old

Crown Casino wins on table deal, despite investigation and protests

Crown Casino prepares for potential record breaking Aussie Millions this January

Virgin Casino access denied errors in Australia, still strong in Europe, UK; PartyCasino, Captain Cooks Casino capitalize

Virgin Games - Virgin Unite - charity drive - Bright-On Target-Virgin Games Set to Raise 10k for Charity

Marvel Entertainment - Disney's purchase of Marvel Entertainment not effecting popularity on Marvel themed online slot games to date

Aspers Damian Aspinall and company quite of late, company restructure rumours

Playtech - Sega sonic slot deal moves forward, CAP, iGaming Business follows up

Playtech powered online casino comp heats up, Casino Las Vegas, Casino King, Casino Swiss, Titan Casino, Casino Tropez, Europa Casino, battle for punters

PKR ramps up online slots, sports betting on the way

Income Access - brand shuffle continues

Mob Candy Magazine, on again, off again dealings with Media Man

Bodog remains keen on South American and coffee deals et al

Argentinean government may regular online gambling this year

Asia Pacific region "the next Macau and promised land" says Media Man Australia

Casino reviews - punters prefer strong, established, proven brands

NRL - some teams and players under spotlight over "tanking", alleged betting on matches

UFC - PartyBets may challenge BetUS.com dominance, Gamebookers ramps up

Las Vegas wild parties at casino - hotels - resorts

Domain name buy ups trend continues in igaming, gaming, online casino space

Hitwise Australia - Media Man Australia network holding dominance, others want in

Multi currency casino options remains an industry favorite

Google pushes forward with online gaming - Monopoly City Streets hits web

Virtual worlds - PartyCasino.com Live Dealer, PKR Casino challenge Second Life's hold

Global Gaming Directory launch pushes Media Man Australia into world's top 50 gaming, igaming most influential

Classic Slots Online and Classic Casino Games niche remains strong

Media companies in Australia starting to push forward sports betting, igaming, following European business model

Poker tournaments - competition heats up between World Poker Tour (PartyGaming), World Series of Poker (Harrah's Entertainment tie in), and others

Poker Cup Australia - PartyPoker.com, Noble Poker and Titan Poker satellites send players to Crown Casino, Melbourne, Australia

YouTube.com popular site for potential and existing online casino game players

Casino legal? - check your local laws in state, city and country

Online gambling - could be more addictive than other forms of gambling says experts

CasinoNewsMedia.com website traffic triples, following GlobalGamingDirectory.com launch

PartyCasino.com wins Media Man Australia - Casino News Media "online casino of the month"

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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Bright-On Target-Virgin Games Set to Raise 10k for Charity

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, Sep 07 - On Saturday 18th September, the team at Virgin Games will be putting on their best red cycling shorts and embarking on a charity bike ride from London to Brighton. Setting off from the company's HQ in Hammersmith, the team of 40 employees will be braving the 84 kilometres with the aim of raising a target of Pounds Sterling 10,000 for their chosen Virgin Unite charity, Kids Company. Founded by Camilla Batmanghelidjh in 1996 in order to provide practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children and young people, Kids Company are supported by Virgin Unite who pledged to raise 2.5 million by April 2010. As part of the Virgin Group, the London to Brighton charity bike ride is part of Virgin Games contribution to this goal.

Regularly offering their time and support to Kids Company, previous activities have included the Virgin Games team pulling together to redecorate an East London School and most recently arranging a sports day for children in Hackney. This year, the team of mixed cycling abilities will set off together at 8am and hope to reach their final destination of Brighton beach by 4 pm having raised Pounds Sterling 10,000 with all
stragglers accounted for! Keen cyclist Warren Eloff, Product Manager, who regularly cycles into work is tipped to lead the pack and CEO, Simon Burridge who is sitting on the saddle for the first time in 20 years, is set to surprise his team with his 'dusted down' cycling skills!

Simon Burridge, CEO at Virgin Games and Virgin Unite trustee comments: "At Virgin Games we are passionate about Virgin Unite and the work that Kids Company carry out in the communities they work with. We believe Kids Company are a great charity and realise our support is all the more important now, with the current economic climate making it harder for them to achieve the funding they need to keep up the great work they are doing with young people all over the capital. I can't think of more deserving charity to be brushing the cobwebs off my cycling shorts for!"

Visit http://www.virginunite.com/fundraiser/Virgin-Games-go-to-Brighton to make a donation and support the Virgin Games team.

About Virgin Games

Virgin Games was launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:

- Virgin Casino, part of the Wagerworks network, brings consumers casino games like blackjack and roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Cluedo, Dungeons and Dragons Fortress of Fortunes(TM) and the highly popular Mega Jackpots progressive games, with a seeding value of Pounds Sterling 1,500,000

- Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros - as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry

- Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo games and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.

(Credit: Wires, Virgin Unite, Google News, Virgin Games)

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Saturday, September 12, 2009

Egyptian Treasures: art of the pharaohs, Australian Museum

The Australian Museum in Sydney is currently running their Egyptian Treasures: art of the pharaohs exhibition.

If your in town why not take a close up look at Cleopatra and her friends and enemies at this world class exhibition.

Cleopatra and Egyptian fans may like to experience Egypt via some of the fantastic online slot games. Cleopatra, Cleopatra II, Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider: Secret Of The Sword, Queen Of The Pyramids, King Tuts Fortune and more.

Our most recommended online casino for online casino games including a number of Egyptian themed titles is PartyCasino.com

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Monday, September 07, 2009

PartyGaming News Media Update

PartyGaming Friday reported a less-than-expected 6.5% fall in first-half earnings, hurt by the stronger dollar against the pound and fierce poker competition online, and said second-half trading so far has been in line with management's expectations.

Chief Executive Jim Ryan advised trading in the three weeks ended 18th August, which represents the peak holiday season in most of the group's core markets, has been "strong," inline with management's business expectations.

Mr Ryan said the company's three-year strategy is on track and that it remains "confident about the group's prospects and look forward to the rest of the year with confidence."

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization from continuing operations - the key figure watched by U.K. gaming analysts - fell 6.5% to $60.7 million in the first half to June 30, ahead of market expectations of $58.7 million. This compares with $64.9 million over the same period last year.

First-half net revenue dropped 21% to $201.3 million, inline with expectations, from $254.8 million a year earlier.

PartyGaming, the world's biggest listed-online gaming group by market capitalization, has been on the acquisition trail since its long-awaited settlement with U.S. authorities over its defunct gaming operations there in April.

Its first purchase was London-based bingo and casino operator Cashcade Ltd. for GBP95.9 million last month, and earlier this week it agreed to buy the bulk of WPT Enterprises Inc.'s operating assets for $12.3 million as well as 5% of the revenue generated by the assets.

Gibraltar-based PartyGaming didn't declare an interim dividend, in line with expectations, preferring to stock-pile money for "attractive consolidation opportunities." The U.K.-listed company hasn't paid a dividend since the U.S. government banned the online gaming industry in October 2006.

PartyGaming shares closed at 266 pence, valuing the company at GBP1.08 billion on the London Stock Exchange. The stock has risen 37% since January, fueled by its legal settlement with U.S. authorities and expansion plans.

PartyGaming's flagship brands are PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com, and is looking to ramp up its recent purchased brands, World Poker Tour and Foxy Bingo.

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Sunday, September 06, 2009

Macau gambling revenues hit record - 3rd September 2009

Shares of Macau casino operators rose on Thursday on reports gambling revenues in Macau rose to a new high in August, signalling a faster-than-expected recovery in the world's largest gambling market.

Shares of Galaxy Entertainment Group rose as much as 6.4 percent to a near one-month high of HK$2.39, while Melco International Development, which is owned by Macau gambling scion Lawrence Ho, rose as much as 7.1 percent to a one-week high of HK$4.95.

Macau casino revenue soared 17.2 percent to 11.27 billion patacas ($US1.41 billion) in August, compared with a year earlier, according to analyst reports citing Portuguese news agency Lusa.

The growth rate surpassed the previous record set in January 2008, when casino revenues hit 10.34 billion patacas.

Gaming revenues are expected to record an even stronger year-on-year growth rate starting in September because of the slump in the market in the same period a year ago, analysts said.

"With excitement about the upcoming IPOs as well as positive macro news flow, including the relaxation of visa restrictions and implementation of a junket commission cap, we believe there is still money to be made in the near term," said Credit Suisse analyst Gabriel Chan in a note.

U.S. casino arch rivals Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts have filed for listings on the Hong Kong stock exchange, at a time when analysts are forecasting that the former Portuguese colony of Macau will recover faster than Las Vegas...

SJM Holdings, Macau gambling tycoon Stanley Ho's flagship firm, gained as much as 4.6 per cent to a one-week high of HK$3.40, while Shun Tak Holdings, which operates the ferries from Hong Kong to Macau, soared as much as 8.2 per cent to a one-week high of HK$5.66.

SJM, which already has the biggest market share of the mass-market and VIP segments, was the biggest winner in August. Its market share rose to 27 per cent in August from 23 percent a month earlier, according to Citigroup analysts.

But they added that Wynn could have lost market share to a new casino opening. Its market share fell 2 percentage points to 13 per cent in August, placing it slightly ahead of MGM Mirage, which has 11 per cent, and Galaxy, with 10 per cent. (Credit: Reuters, Wires)

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PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com stays keen on branded slots

PartyCasino.com Naked Gun and Resident Evil already a hit

Crown Casino live poker events upcoming, Poker Cup Australia followed by Aussie Millions in January

Global Gaming Directory.com heading towards Hitwise top ten status, following Media Man Australia's recent Hitwise Award

Casino affiliate industry under spotlight, following Income Access - Smart Live situation

Multi currency options and global strategy very sound, experts agree

UIGEA, iMEGA can't stay out of the news, U.S legal debate continues

Sky Bet, Sky Vegas, Murdoch company making forward progress

Hollywood branded mobile slots predicted to shake up Australian market

Horse Racing betting sector in Australia to go more digital, online

NRL - National Rugby League and club websites dominate Hitwise top ten, Betezy gains


Wrestling news - WWE and TNA open to more online gaming activity

Casino press - industry in battle for unique content, news breaking stories

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Friday, September 04, 2009

Richard Branson Plays Online Casino At? ... Virgin Casino From Virgin Games, by Greg Tingle

Ok, we admit, it's a headline and eyeball grabber, but hey, we're just following the lead by arguably the world's greatest publicity stunt guru, and celebrated business tycoon, Mr.. um, Sir Richard.

Sir Richard Branson has been publicly spotted at casinos a few times over the years. Most recently at The Palms in Vegas, where a stunt didn't go quite as planned, scraping the casino with his pants and hands, and fortunately escaping with his life, thus cheating death, something he's accustomed to with his planes, trains, automobiles and hot air balloons... oh, and now space ships.

Earlier this year Mr Branson was spotted with Australian media tycoon, James Packer, at the Melbourne Grand Prix, but Branson didn't try his luck at Crown, although Mr Tom Cruise (from Top Gun and Mission: Impossible fame) and family did a few months later. Branson also scored (or should that be campaigned) a cameo in Casino Royale a few years ago, if you want to include that "buy in", or gift in kind.

By the way, readers, unfortunately Australian players can't play online casino at Virgin Casino, due to technical reasons we will leave for the legal eagles, however punters can plan in person at Mr Packer's Crown Casino, TAB's Star City Casino, or online via our friends at PartyCasino.com or Captain Cooks Casino, and if poker is your poised and your based down under in Australia, try PartyPoker.com, Noble Poker or Titan Poker, and you might even quality to play at the Poker Cup at Crown Casino next month!

Aussie tongues are also wagging about the Aussie Millions coming up at Crown this January, and PartyGaming is setting the agenda on a global scale with their recent purchase of the World Poker Tour, for a cool 13 million or thereabouts.

Our friends in the national and international news media community provided more than adequate media coverage of the World Poker Tour deal, and they have been more than fair to Branson and his Virgin Group of Companies over the years also.

So, if online casino is your poison and your ISP or firewall will let you into VirginCasino.com, go for it, and if not, try the Global Gaming Directory, World Casino Directory, World Gaming Director or Multi Currency Casino, you might bypass Virgin, and end up at PartyCasino.com Mr Branson should forgive you if you have no other choice, and he might like to write to Australia's ACMA in the meantime to see if it's the Aussie great firewall playing games, or something else.

In any event, work hard and party hard, be it a Virgin, Party Casino animal, or World Poker Tour high flyer. Australia's Team Goanna and Gumleaf Mafia would be proud of the business and casino entrepreneurs efforts, and Mr Packer, CAP, Gambling911, GPWA, Poker News Daily and EGR, keep the bastards honest.

Branson, Packer, Ryan, Ayre, Garber, Weizer, Trump, Adelson, Wynn, Murdoch, Costigan... your're throw of the dice. Cheers me maties.

*Greg Tingle is the founder and director of the Media Man Australia group of companies.

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