A Nevada casino once owned by legend Frank Sinatra and patronised by Hollywood stars and mobsters has closed due to plunging gambling rates and competition from the Vegas strip.
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate, as we mix it up with Hollywooders, journos, academics and mobsters...
Associations with the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior has not been enough to save the Cal Neva Lodge Casino from the distressed US land based casino industry.
The casino, situated on Lake Tahoe near the California border, last year saw its revenues fall to approximately 50% of what they enjoyed in 1992 allowing for inflation, tipped Mr William Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada.
Other local casinos continue to close or have downsized, unable to compete with Las Vegas, not in good shape itself – and the growing number of gambling resorts on Native American Indian reservations.
"The realities are when you have that kind of decline the weakest operators typically get pushed out," advised Mr Eadington. "The older, tired casinos and the Cal Neva is a great example, don't have much to offer for gaming."
Understood to be America's oldest licensed casino, the Cal Neva opened for business in 1926. The Cal Veva enjoyed its peak in the early 1960s when it was bought by Sinatra, reportedly in partnership with Sam Giancana, a Chicago mobster.
Adding a 35-seat celebrity showroom and rooftop helicopter pad, Samy and Frank ensured film stars, singers and Mafiosi enjoyed its blackjack games and roulette tables.
A network of underground tunnels, built to smuggle alcohol during Prohibition, allowed the VIP guests to move around the establishment without being seen by the general public.
Monroe actually spent the last weekend of her colourful life at The Cal in 1962 as a guest of the infamous 'Rat Pack' actor Peter Lawford and his wife.
Various stories circulate as to why the blond goddess was there. One story goes on to say she discussed making a film with Dean Martin and to patch things up with her second husband, baseball icon Joe DiMaggio, yet another Cal Neva regular. The other side of the story we learn is that a 1999 biography claimed Monroe was brought there to be threatened not to reveal her Mafia links, drugged in her cabin and photographed in compromising positions! Another Cal Neva rumour claims she used the resort for a tryst with John F Kennedy.
Staff concede the resort has traded off its colourful history but Guy Rocha, a former Nevada state archivist, said it would not register with younger gamblers. The hotel and restaurant remain open, but the tables, slots and other gambling activity are history.
"The Cal Neva doesn't capture people's imagination the way it once did," he said.
The Sinatra name is however alive and strong on the internet. Media Man has created an online tribute (with the help of Wikipedia) which is found here
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/sinatra.html and an authentic Sinatra online slot game, developed by 'The Games Studio' of PartyGaming fame is also showcased. Frank Sinatra Enterprises came to business terms with PartyGaming last year and the slot game has proven to be one of the most popular of all time, even competing with the legendary Cleopatra, developed by IGT (International Gaming Technology) and WagerWorks. Gangster and mob related games are some of the most popular found anywhere in the world. 'The Godfather' franchise also has an online slot game and rumours are circulating that Australia's late Kerry Packer (code named "The Goanna" in The Costigan Commission report) may also get the same treatment.
PartyGaming is also currently rumoured to be in discussions with the Canadian Poker Tour aka HeadsUp Entertainment, as well as enjoying M&A talk with Bwin and others. This past week PartyGaming inked a b2b multi year deal with Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU). Party will provide its poker product to its horse racing website. Party continues its global strategy with France, South America, India, the U.S and Australia in its sights.
Media Man remains optimistic about America's igaming industry growth, having created http://www.americangamingnews.com and http://www.hollywoodslotgames.com
A Media Man insider was overheard, "If only the U.S igaming market would open up sooner rather than later. We could kick some major goals under Gambling911 and the Sly Stallone - Arnie connection guidance. I guess we will have to stick mainly to poker and sports betting in the U.S sector for now, but when things change those Gambling911 guys, PartyGaming and the Media Man crew might just take over Vegas and Atlantic City... we could back door it in via Canada and North America with those Canadian Poker tournament guys. It will be just like the good old days, and you know history repeats my friend".
*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 firm covers approximately a dozen business vertical markets including gaming and igaming
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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
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Monday, March 29, 2010
Casino News Media: Armed gang raids packed casino - 29th March 2010
Media Man and Casino News Media report
An armed gang of masked men raided a casino packed with about 600 guests and made off with hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to Swiss prosecutors.
In a statement, prosecutors in Basel described a scene like an action-film heist:
About 10 men dressed in black arrived in two cars at the Grand Casino near Basel shortly after 4:00 am.
One smashed the front door with a sledgehammer, and the others ran inside with machine guns and pistols, the statement said.
Speaking French, a group of men ordered the guests and employees to the floor, while their accomplices emptied registers in the basement and an upper floor, it said. They could not get into the strong room, despite shooting at the locked door, prosecutors said.
"The criminals fired a number of shots, but luckily no one was hit," said the statement.
It said some guests and one security guard were lightly injured from being hit or stepped on, and that Swiss and French police were trying to track down the men. Swiss police said the men fled the casino quickly, driving away in two silver Audis with French license plates.
A woman who accidentally drove between the two getaway cars and blocked the casino's exit was pulled from her vehicle and beaten, police said. They said it was possible that the men fired a shot at another car during their high-speed escape.
The Grand Casino is located little more than 200 meters from Switzerland's border with France. The men made off with "several hundreds of thousands" of francs, police said.
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An armed gang of masked men raided a casino packed with about 600 guests and made off with hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to Swiss prosecutors.
In a statement, prosecutors in Basel described a scene like an action-film heist:
About 10 men dressed in black arrived in two cars at the Grand Casino near Basel shortly after 4:00 am.
One smashed the front door with a sledgehammer, and the others ran inside with machine guns and pistols, the statement said.
Speaking French, a group of men ordered the guests and employees to the floor, while their accomplices emptied registers in the basement and an upper floor, it said. They could not get into the strong room, despite shooting at the locked door, prosecutors said.
"The criminals fired a number of shots, but luckily no one was hit," said the statement.
It said some guests and one security guard were lightly injured from being hit or stepped on, and that Swiss and French police were trying to track down the men. Swiss police said the men fled the casino quickly, driving away in two silver Audis with French license plates.
A woman who accidentally drove between the two getaway cars and blocked the casino's exit was pulled from her vehicle and beaten, police said. They said it was possible that the men fired a shot at another car during their high-speed escape.
The Grand Casino is located little more than 200 meters from Switzerland's border with France. The men made off with "several hundreds of thousands" of francs, police said.
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Sunday, March 28, 2010
Packer's Aussie Crown Gets Gulfstream Jet For VIPs, by Greg Tingle - 29th March 2010
Think Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Macau get all the casino high rollers and VIP's? Think again, enter James Packer's Crown Casino, which is about to further live up to its 'World Of Entertainment' tag, thanks to a new Gulfstream jet and massive casino makeover, VIP style.
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate...
Crown Casino in the beautiful city of Melbourne, Australia, will soon purchase a $30 million new Gulfstream jet and greatly expand its VIP gambling areas in a move to counter competition from luxury casinos opening in the greater Asia Pacific region.
We reckon he's been speaking to aviation and lifestyle king of the world Richard Branson, who caught up with "Our James" last year at the Australian Grand Prix.
We understand Bodog's Calvin Ayre has been trying to give Packer and Branson a bit of a run for their money, but "C" seems too busy with online ventures, race tracks, coffee and babes, than to be a serious threat, and long time Packer family connection Damian Aspinall, has been very quite of late, no longer doing the social rounds with Australia's Elle "The Body" MacPherson.
Down to business...
The Crown $212 million upgrade will include the transformation of the 'presidential villa' on level 39 of Crown Towers into a VIP gambling area. Crown's Mahogany Room will also be expanded by 50 per cent, with 16 additional gaming tables. This is some of the action anti gambling campaigners were making all the fuss about last year including "sweetheart deal" allegations, and all sorts of innuendo.
The extra greens are legally permitted under an official deal the Victorian government inked with Crown last year, allowing Crown an extra 150 gambling tables in exchange for much needs extra tax revenue. The money's got to come from somewhere!
The CEO of Crown, David Courtney, advised press under the refurbishment there would be no increase in the smoking area at Crown, which just happens to have a lock on being the only licensed venue in Victoria where smoking indoors is permitted. We learned that no gambling facilities at Crown's new Metropol hotel, to be opened in April.
Mr Courtney said it was vital that Crown provide a premium attraction for its VIP gamblers, including free tickets to big events, high-quality food and accommodation. He said Crown's international business contributed $400 million, or 30 per cent of the casino's revenue. It's estimated that last years Tiger Woods visit alone brought in at least $10 million
"Over the past 18 months we have grown our international business by over 50 per cent. Competition for the high-end gaming customer is intense. To protect our existing business and to position us for growth, Crown will embark on a $212 million upgrade of its premium facilities" Mr Courtney emphasised.
"As part of this program, Crown will acquire a long range G5 Gulfstream jet. It is being custom-fitted out at the moment to the highest standards and will sleep nine people.
"That brings our total jets owned by Crown to three. (A jet) is now an expectation of the very top end customers, and so we do need to satisfy the demand of those customers.".
Packer's national competition on the Gold Coast, Conrad Jupiters, has recently upgraded their poker room in somewhat of a counter strategy in a "art of war' type maneuver, but we reckon nothing beats the strategic alliances and friendships that the Packer empire has built over the years. From Macau to the land down under, James Packer's Billionaire Inc has all the action covered.
We wish management and punters good luck at the casino, and above all else, keep it fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, covering over a dozen industry sectors, gaming included
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Media Man and Gambling911 investigate...
Crown Casino in the beautiful city of Melbourne, Australia, will soon purchase a $30 million new Gulfstream jet and greatly expand its VIP gambling areas in a move to counter competition from luxury casinos opening in the greater Asia Pacific region.
We reckon he's been speaking to aviation and lifestyle king of the world Richard Branson, who caught up with "Our James" last year at the Australian Grand Prix.
We understand Bodog's Calvin Ayre has been trying to give Packer and Branson a bit of a run for their money, but "C" seems too busy with online ventures, race tracks, coffee and babes, than to be a serious threat, and long time Packer family connection Damian Aspinall, has been very quite of late, no longer doing the social rounds with Australia's Elle "The Body" MacPherson.
Down to business...
The Crown $212 million upgrade will include the transformation of the 'presidential villa' on level 39 of Crown Towers into a VIP gambling area. Crown's Mahogany Room will also be expanded by 50 per cent, with 16 additional gaming tables. This is some of the action anti gambling campaigners were making all the fuss about last year including "sweetheart deal" allegations, and all sorts of innuendo.
The extra greens are legally permitted under an official deal the Victorian government inked with Crown last year, allowing Crown an extra 150 gambling tables in exchange for much needs extra tax revenue. The money's got to come from somewhere!
The CEO of Crown, David Courtney, advised press under the refurbishment there would be no increase in the smoking area at Crown, which just happens to have a lock on being the only licensed venue in Victoria where smoking indoors is permitted. We learned that no gambling facilities at Crown's new Metropol hotel, to be opened in April.
Mr Courtney said it was vital that Crown provide a premium attraction for its VIP gamblers, including free tickets to big events, high-quality food and accommodation. He said Crown's international business contributed $400 million, or 30 per cent of the casino's revenue. It's estimated that last years Tiger Woods visit alone brought in at least $10 million
"Over the past 18 months we have grown our international business by over 50 per cent. Competition for the high-end gaming customer is intense. To protect our existing business and to position us for growth, Crown will embark on a $212 million upgrade of its premium facilities" Mr Courtney emphasised.
"As part of this program, Crown will acquire a long range G5 Gulfstream jet. It is being custom-fitted out at the moment to the highest standards and will sleep nine people.
"That brings our total jets owned by Crown to three. (A jet) is now an expectation of the very top end customers, and so we do need to satisfy the demand of those customers.".
Packer's national competition on the Gold Coast, Conrad Jupiters, has recently upgraded their poker room in somewhat of a counter strategy in a "art of war' type maneuver, but we reckon nothing beats the strategic alliances and friendships that the Packer empire has built over the years. From Macau to the land down under, James Packer's Billionaire Inc has all the action covered.
We wish management and punters good luck at the casino, and above all else, keep it fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, covering over a dozen industry sectors, gaming included
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Saturday, March 27, 2010
PartyGaming Eyes French With PMU Deal; Global Strategy Sees Punters And Government's Win, by Greg Tingle - 27th March 2010
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PartyGaming is aiming to take advantage of the newly regulated online gambling market opening up in France by inking a deal with Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) to provide an online poker offering to the French horse racing betting group.
The deal which is understood to be similar to b2b agreements PartyGaming has signed in Italy and Denmark, enables the company to operate its world famous PartyPoker website – provided it wins a licence in the regulated market – as well as power PMU’s poker offering.
Players on both sites will be brought into one poker liquidity pool.
Jim Ryan, PartyGaming’s chief executive, said the company intended to strike other B2B poker deals in France. "The objective is to have the largest poker liquidity pool in France," he said.
PartyGaming declined to disclose terms of the deal. PMU, which has signed up Paddy Power as its partner in sports betting, last year made turnover of €9.3bn and has 6.5m customers.
Wyn Ellis, analyst with Numis, advised the deal could add £5m to 2011 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. "Party has a scale that has allowed it put people and resources into multiple markets to allow it to exploit the changing regulatory environment," Mr Ellis said.
Burt Paul Leyland of Collins Stewart said while the deal would give Party a leading place in the French market, it would not obviously drive revenue.
PartyGaming would have to absorb the loss of revenues coming out of France in the unregulated market, he said, adding that, given the proposed tax rates in the new regime, "Party could easily still be a net loser".
Ryan remains upbeat and positive, emphasising revenues coming out of France were small and that the opportunity for PartyGaming to advertise in France was crucial. "I don’t share the view that we can expect ebit margins to shrink," he said.
France plans to open the new market in time for the start of the World Cup in June. Under the new regime, the PMU is protected by regulations that require bets on horse racing to be pari-mutuel, but fixed-odds betting is allowed on sports.
PartyGaming's global strategy continues to take shape. A return to the United States this year, or next, would likely be the firms jackpot, however they continue to make progress in many regions. Other countries that Party are keen to expand into include Australia, India and South America.
The company's amicable settlement with the U.S Government last year, exceeding $100m, is tangible proof of financial stability and willingness to go the extra mile as to adapt to the market, while satisfying crucial legal requirements. Party's financial strength and positive result for the United States coffers has not gone unnoticed by Government bean counters across the globe. Clearly Party have far greater resources and experience than most of their would be competitors. Mainstream brands Virgin (Games) and Sega are also looking to expand internationally, but in the case of Virgin its more of a non gambling product push. In the eyes of most media and gaming analysts, PartyGaming is way ahead of the pack, with only Harrah's Entertainment giving them a real run for their money in the U.S.
Ryan sees a number of mergers and acquisitions on the cards. Industry buzz of late is that Party may be about to secure a deal with a major Canadian based poker tour brand, and such a deal would add to Party's poker tour portfolio headed up by the World Poker Tour.
"With some acquisitions and major B2B deals already under our belt, we plan to do more in 2010 and I believe we are on course to meet our objective of becoming the world's most valuable online gaming company."
PartyCasino.com remains a big hit for Party and its customers, with Hollywood branded games such as the Sinatra slot, Rambo, The Terminator, Mission: Impossible and Saturday Night Fever enjoying record popularity. The deal with Marvel Entertainment also continues to serve Party, its partners and customers well, and let us not forget upcoming Marvel films, Thor and Spider-Man, that will further propel the Hollywood themed games.
Party is also utilizing the strength of other world class non gaming brands to stand out from the pack. This month PartyCasino players have a chance to win a Porsche playing slot games, a promotion most other competitors would die for.
Australians can currently play virtually all PartyGaming brands including PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com, WPTCasino.com, WPTPoker.com, PartyBingo.com, PartyGammon.com and PartyBets.com
Shares in PartyGaming rose ½p to finish at 329.3p on Friday.
*The writer has a b2b agreement with a number of PartyGaming brands, as they do with dozens of companies in the gaming, media and entertainment sector.
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PartyGaming is aiming to take advantage of the newly regulated online gambling market opening up in France by inking a deal with Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) to provide an online poker offering to the French horse racing betting group.
The deal which is understood to be similar to b2b agreements PartyGaming has signed in Italy and Denmark, enables the company to operate its world famous PartyPoker website – provided it wins a licence in the regulated market – as well as power PMU’s poker offering.
Players on both sites will be brought into one poker liquidity pool.
Jim Ryan, PartyGaming’s chief executive, said the company intended to strike other B2B poker deals in France. "The objective is to have the largest poker liquidity pool in France," he said.
PartyGaming declined to disclose terms of the deal. PMU, which has signed up Paddy Power as its partner in sports betting, last year made turnover of €9.3bn and has 6.5m customers.
Wyn Ellis, analyst with Numis, advised the deal could add £5m to 2011 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. "Party has a scale that has allowed it put people and resources into multiple markets to allow it to exploit the changing regulatory environment," Mr Ellis said.
Burt Paul Leyland of Collins Stewart said while the deal would give Party a leading place in the French market, it would not obviously drive revenue.
PartyGaming would have to absorb the loss of revenues coming out of France in the unregulated market, he said, adding that, given the proposed tax rates in the new regime, "Party could easily still be a net loser".
Ryan remains upbeat and positive, emphasising revenues coming out of France were small and that the opportunity for PartyGaming to advertise in France was crucial. "I don’t share the view that we can expect ebit margins to shrink," he said.
France plans to open the new market in time for the start of the World Cup in June. Under the new regime, the PMU is protected by regulations that require bets on horse racing to be pari-mutuel, but fixed-odds betting is allowed on sports.
PartyGaming's global strategy continues to take shape. A return to the United States this year, or next, would likely be the firms jackpot, however they continue to make progress in many regions. Other countries that Party are keen to expand into include Australia, India and South America.
The company's amicable settlement with the U.S Government last year, exceeding $100m, is tangible proof of financial stability and willingness to go the extra mile as to adapt to the market, while satisfying crucial legal requirements. Party's financial strength and positive result for the United States coffers has not gone unnoticed by Government bean counters across the globe. Clearly Party have far greater resources and experience than most of their would be competitors. Mainstream brands Virgin (Games) and Sega are also looking to expand internationally, but in the case of Virgin its more of a non gambling product push. In the eyes of most media and gaming analysts, PartyGaming is way ahead of the pack, with only Harrah's Entertainment giving them a real run for their money in the U.S.
Ryan sees a number of mergers and acquisitions on the cards. Industry buzz of late is that Party may be about to secure a deal with a major Canadian based poker tour brand, and such a deal would add to Party's poker tour portfolio headed up by the World Poker Tour.
"With some acquisitions and major B2B deals already under our belt, we plan to do more in 2010 and I believe we are on course to meet our objective of becoming the world's most valuable online gaming company."
PartyCasino.com remains a big hit for Party and its customers, with Hollywood branded games such as the Sinatra slot, Rambo, The Terminator, Mission: Impossible and Saturday Night Fever enjoying record popularity. The deal with Marvel Entertainment also continues to serve Party, its partners and customers well, and let us not forget upcoming Marvel films, Thor and Spider-Man, that will further propel the Hollywood themed games.
Party is also utilizing the strength of other world class non gaming brands to stand out from the pack. This month PartyCasino players have a chance to win a Porsche playing slot games, a promotion most other competitors would die for.
Australians can currently play virtually all PartyGaming brands including PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com, WPTCasino.com, WPTPoker.com, PartyBingo.com, PartyGammon.com and PartyBets.com
Shares in PartyGaming rose ½p to finish at 329.3p on Friday.
*The writer has a b2b agreement with a number of PartyGaming brands, as they do with dozens of companies in the gaming, media and entertainment sector.
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Friday, March 26, 2010
PKR Poker Springfest 2010 - 26th March 2010
It’s time for PKR’s Springfest!
This awesome series kicks off on Friday 26th March lasting almost two weeks with more than $130,000 worth of prizes waiting to be won!
Springfest’s 11 events will be giving players the chance to test their online poker skills in a range of exciting formats which include: Deep stacks, Bounty events, Omaha, Rebuys and Terminators all featuring in this year’s line-up.
In addition to this, the festival will also feature a special PKR Live IV freeroll.
Players that enter at least 6 out of the 11 spring fest events will be able to enter the tournament where three PKR Live IV packages will be up for grabs. These great packages include your ticket, travel to London and expenses!
PKR Marketing Manager Erika Schwartz said, "Springfest is a staple on the PKR calendar and player response is always fantastic. This year’s calendar of events is really exciting, with lots of variation, playable structures and very affordable buy-ins."
You can buy in direct or play satellites in order to take part in the Springfest events, check the PKR lobby for more details.
Be also sure to check out the PKR Casino slots and new sports betting, all part of the unique PKR experience.
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This awesome series kicks off on Friday 26th March lasting almost two weeks with more than $130,000 worth of prizes waiting to be won!
Springfest’s 11 events will be giving players the chance to test their online poker skills in a range of exciting formats which include: Deep stacks, Bounty events, Omaha, Rebuys and Terminators all featuring in this year’s line-up.
In addition to this, the festival will also feature a special PKR Live IV freeroll.
Players that enter at least 6 out of the 11 spring fest events will be able to enter the tournament where three PKR Live IV packages will be up for grabs. These great packages include your ticket, travel to London and expenses!
PKR Marketing Manager Erika Schwartz said, "Springfest is a staple on the PKR calendar and player response is always fantastic. This year’s calendar of events is really exciting, with lots of variation, playable structures and very affordable buy-ins."
You can buy in direct or play satellites in order to take part in the Springfest events, check the PKR lobby for more details.
Be also sure to check out the PKR Casino slots and new sports betting, all part of the unique PKR experience.
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Thursday, March 25, 2010
Australia's Crown Casino To Get $212 Million Revamp Creating Jobs, by Greg Tingle - 26th March 2010
Crown Casino, iconic Australian tourism icon, is to receive a revamp that will keep the demanding high rollers happy, and at the same time create hundreds more jobs.
Crown's most upmarket (and most expensive) area is to get a $212 million facelift to satisfy up whales, dolphins and the high roller type client who often prefer more luxurious casinos overseas. Good thing Mr James Packer also has the City Of Dreams in Macau, which is also on a roll at the moment.
The Mahogany Room upgrade will include 11 new private gaming salons installed and the Crown villas will also be refurbished to match standards found anywhere in the world.
A G5 Gulfstream jet, customized for casino high rollers, will be added to the casino's two existing jets at the cost of a cool $30 million.
Crown CEO David Courtney told the press that the casino planned to introduce an extra 26 tables in the new gaming club and expand the world famous Mahogany Room by 50 per cent.
Thirty-five new tables have already been introduced on the ground level game floor as part of the 150 extra tables granted by the Victorian Government in its agreement with Crown's king of the castle, James Packer.
Four new private gaming suites will allow individual high rollers to gamble by themselves, have their own massage and dining rooms and be waited on by butlers. It's all very much like the James Bond type of thing, but for real, for the elite who can afford such luxury.
Mr Courtney said the upgrade was necessary to help attract international gamblers from other, more modern and luxurious casinos in Asia.
"The competition for high-end gaming customers is intense. We need to make these investments. This is a continuation of our three or four-year program to upgrade. The timing is important to upgrade our rooms and facilities."
The upgrade follows amendments to the Crown licence, negotiated with the Government and ratified by Parliament last year. The business deal allows more gaming tables and a higher tax on gaming machines.
Anti-gambling activist Tim Costello attacked the project with remarks such as "Crown gets whatever it wants. It has extraordinary power."
The presidential suite on level 39, which has housed high-profile figures such as former U.S president Bill Clinton, Pavarotti, Barbra Streisand Katie Holmes, and Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible, Top Gun) will move to level 38 and take up the entire floor.
At the same time Crown is looking into who to best adapt to the online gaming world. The company enjoyed some success last year with referrals from online poker brand, PartyPoker, a PartyGaming offering, for their Aussie Millions Poker Championship.
Media Man has suggested the addition of a Kerry Packer, Ned Kelly and Underbelly themed games to be incorporated into Crown's overall online-offline strategy, citing that punters want to see more slots than existing Cleopatra, Black Rhino, Big Red, Wheel Of Fortune and the like.
Crown Casino is also pro actively involved with movement, GenerationOne, an initiative to help created upwards of 50,000 jobs for Indigenous Australia. Thus far Packer's created 200, mining magnate mate, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest with 2000, NSW government committing over 2000, and Media Man earmarking 2 part time positions. Speaking at the iGaming Business conference at Sydney's Star City, Media Man advised that employment for people has to come from somewhere, and that casinos and the gaming industry do enjoy significant resources, some of which go a long way to providing sustainable employment, tied in with the travel and tourism sector.
The casino rooms revamp project is on track to be completed in the first half of 2012.
*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
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Crown's most upmarket (and most expensive) area is to get a $212 million facelift to satisfy up whales, dolphins and the high roller type client who often prefer more luxurious casinos overseas. Good thing Mr James Packer also has the City Of Dreams in Macau, which is also on a roll at the moment.
The Mahogany Room upgrade will include 11 new private gaming salons installed and the Crown villas will also be refurbished to match standards found anywhere in the world.
A G5 Gulfstream jet, customized for casino high rollers, will be added to the casino's two existing jets at the cost of a cool $30 million.
Crown CEO David Courtney told the press that the casino planned to introduce an extra 26 tables in the new gaming club and expand the world famous Mahogany Room by 50 per cent.
Thirty-five new tables have already been introduced on the ground level game floor as part of the 150 extra tables granted by the Victorian Government in its agreement with Crown's king of the castle, James Packer.
Four new private gaming suites will allow individual high rollers to gamble by themselves, have their own massage and dining rooms and be waited on by butlers. It's all very much like the James Bond type of thing, but for real, for the elite who can afford such luxury.
Mr Courtney said the upgrade was necessary to help attract international gamblers from other, more modern and luxurious casinos in Asia.
"The competition for high-end gaming customers is intense. We need to make these investments. This is a continuation of our three or four-year program to upgrade. The timing is important to upgrade our rooms and facilities."
The upgrade follows amendments to the Crown licence, negotiated with the Government and ratified by Parliament last year. The business deal allows more gaming tables and a higher tax on gaming machines.
Anti-gambling activist Tim Costello attacked the project with remarks such as "Crown gets whatever it wants. It has extraordinary power."
The presidential suite on level 39, which has housed high-profile figures such as former U.S president Bill Clinton, Pavarotti, Barbra Streisand Katie Holmes, and Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible, Top Gun) will move to level 38 and take up the entire floor.
At the same time Crown is looking into who to best adapt to the online gaming world. The company enjoyed some success last year with referrals from online poker brand, PartyPoker, a PartyGaming offering, for their Aussie Millions Poker Championship.
Media Man has suggested the addition of a Kerry Packer, Ned Kelly and Underbelly themed games to be incorporated into Crown's overall online-offline strategy, citing that punters want to see more slots than existing Cleopatra, Black Rhino, Big Red, Wheel Of Fortune and the like.
Crown Casino is also pro actively involved with movement, GenerationOne, an initiative to help created upwards of 50,000 jobs for Indigenous Australia. Thus far Packer's created 200, mining magnate mate, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest with 2000, NSW government committing over 2000, and Media Man earmarking 2 part time positions. Speaking at the iGaming Business conference at Sydney's Star City, Media Man advised that employment for people has to come from somewhere, and that casinos and the gaming industry do enjoy significant resources, some of which go a long way to providing sustainable employment, tied in with the travel and tourism sector.
The casino rooms revamp project is on track to be completed in the first half of 2012.
*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
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Wednesday, March 24, 2010
PartyPoker Women's World Open IV Underway - 23rd March 2010
London – The PartyPoker.com Women’s World Open IV is underway in London today, running from the 23rd – 24th March 2010.
To keep up to date with the latest news see PartyPoker.com
Play is expected to run until midnight tonight.
The 24 player $3,000 buy-in tournament features a total prize pool of $72,000 and a six-seat final table. The top two players from each of the three deep-stacked eight handed heats carry their chips through to the final table. Starting stacks for the heats are 200,000, with blinds starting at 1,000/2,000. Taking part are Team PartyPoker.com’s Kara Scott, who will also spend time in the commentary box, plus and the one and only Annette Obrestad. Joining them are Women’s World Open III winner Aisling Collins and last year’s runner-up, Kim Wooka from Japan. Other confirmations include Laurence Grondin, Maria Demetriou, Christine Klecz, Pippa Flanders and season two winner Soraya Homam.
Commentary will be provided by Jesse May, who will be joined by both Annette Obrestad and Kara Scott in the booth. Presenting duties will be shared between the glamorous pairing of Kara Scott and Tatjana Pasalic. Coverage of the Matchroom Sport organised event will first be broadcast on Five in the UK later this year and then distributed internationally.
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To keep up to date with the latest news see PartyPoker.com
Play is expected to run until midnight tonight.
The 24 player $3,000 buy-in tournament features a total prize pool of $72,000 and a six-seat final table. The top two players from each of the three deep-stacked eight handed heats carry their chips through to the final table. Starting stacks for the heats are 200,000, with blinds starting at 1,000/2,000. Taking part are Team PartyPoker.com’s Kara Scott, who will also spend time in the commentary box, plus and the one and only Annette Obrestad. Joining them are Women’s World Open III winner Aisling Collins and last year’s runner-up, Kim Wooka from Japan. Other confirmations include Laurence Grondin, Maria Demetriou, Christine Klecz, Pippa Flanders and season two winner Soraya Homam.
Commentary will be provided by Jesse May, who will be joined by both Annette Obrestad and Kara Scott in the booth. Presenting duties will be shared between the glamorous pairing of Kara Scott and Tatjana Pasalic. Coverage of the Matchroom Sport organised event will first be broadcast on Five in the UK later this year and then distributed internationally.
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Asia Pacific Tax Revenues Increase, by Greg Tingle - 23rd March 2010
Our friends in the Asia Pacific, Macau, to be specific, are riding a wave of success.
Media Man and Gambling911 have learned that Australia's James Packer and Asian casino king, Stanley Ho (and the Ho family), have rejuvenated the Macau casino and gaming landscape in recent months. Packer, Ho's and the Macau tax office are laughing all the way to the bank as their fortunes have turned for the better.
Now, the number crunching and vital statistics, to back up the bold claims. A word of warning, if your not a numbers person or mathematically inclined you might like to switch off for just a couple of paragraphs.
Direct gaming tax revenues in January - February, rose 54 percent to MOP 9.26 billion, the Financial Services Bureau (DSF) announced. Meanwhile, analysts said casino earnings may set a new record in March and shares continue to go up.
Direct gaming tax receipts accounted for 86.55 percent of total government revenue. Total government revenue reached MOP 10.7 billion, a year-on-year increase of 45.8 percent. Government expenditure fell by 46.5 percent, to MOP 1.26 million.
Macau’s public finances confounded the international crisis last year as total public revenue in 2009 amounted to MOP 57.64 billion, an increase of 0.014 percent or MOP 8.1 million over the previous year.
Analysts at Citi said Macau gaming is on pace for a record month in March. According to the firm’s note, checks show gaming revenue in Macau has reached around MOP 7.5 billion in the first 16 days of March, up 58 percent from last year.
Year-to-date, gaming revenue is up 66 percent from last year the firm notes. If the current run-rate continues, Macau’s gaming revenue could reach a new high at around MOP 14.5 billion.
The company said SJM is the only winner in terms of market share gains for the month. In addition, it appears that Wynn, MGM and Melco-Crown have lost one percentage point each in market share in March so far versus February.
Moreover, Gabriel Chan, an analyst at Credit Suisse Group AG in Hong Kong, said that gaming stocks "are heading into a major substantial re-rating over the next couple of months".
"Over the past couple of months, we have seen, especially for Macau, month after month of much better than expected gaming revenue numbers, but share prices hardly reacted to that good news," he told our friends at Bloomberg.
"We have to adjust expectations a lot higher to accommodate much stronger growth – we are entering a stage where no one can ignore the growth anymore," Chan said. In his view, "valuation has not fully priced in the growth potential yet". You can just envisage Mr Packer and Mr Ho smiling as they read this. James will be jumping off his luxury liner (again) after getting his daily dose of Gambling911 news.
MGM are about to further shake up the region, pulling out of Atlantic City due to some friendly advise (diplomatic not) from the U.S government. MGM's elected to follow the Ho's money trail to Macau - Macao parts. MGM's expecting a warm welcome, unlike the public besmirching they endured while on U.S soil, in downtown A.C.
Media Man's little investment in an .Asia domain name, adding to the stable of 20 something internet portals and domains, not to mention the Crown Limited shares, have certainly paid dividends to date. The media and gaming industry awaits MM's next move!
Media Man and Gambling911 publicly congratulate Crown's James Packer on his "comeback of the decade" and Asian casino king, Stanley Ho, on his heath recovery.
May the power and good luck of the friendly dragon be with you whether City of Dreams or online casinos take your fancy.
*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 is currently evaluating a shares purchase in a number of Macau based casinos
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Media Man and Gambling911 have learned that Australia's James Packer and Asian casino king, Stanley Ho (and the Ho family), have rejuvenated the Macau casino and gaming landscape in recent months. Packer, Ho's and the Macau tax office are laughing all the way to the bank as their fortunes have turned for the better.
Now, the number crunching and vital statistics, to back up the bold claims. A word of warning, if your not a numbers person or mathematically inclined you might like to switch off for just a couple of paragraphs.
Direct gaming tax revenues in January - February, rose 54 percent to MOP 9.26 billion, the Financial Services Bureau (DSF) announced. Meanwhile, analysts said casino earnings may set a new record in March and shares continue to go up.
Direct gaming tax receipts accounted for 86.55 percent of total government revenue. Total government revenue reached MOP 10.7 billion, a year-on-year increase of 45.8 percent. Government expenditure fell by 46.5 percent, to MOP 1.26 million.
Macau’s public finances confounded the international crisis last year as total public revenue in 2009 amounted to MOP 57.64 billion, an increase of 0.014 percent or MOP 8.1 million over the previous year.
Analysts at Citi said Macau gaming is on pace for a record month in March. According to the firm’s note, checks show gaming revenue in Macau has reached around MOP 7.5 billion in the first 16 days of March, up 58 percent from last year.
Year-to-date, gaming revenue is up 66 percent from last year the firm notes. If the current run-rate continues, Macau’s gaming revenue could reach a new high at around MOP 14.5 billion.
The company said SJM is the only winner in terms of market share gains for the month. In addition, it appears that Wynn, MGM and Melco-Crown have lost one percentage point each in market share in March so far versus February.
Moreover, Gabriel Chan, an analyst at Credit Suisse Group AG in Hong Kong, said that gaming stocks "are heading into a major substantial re-rating over the next couple of months".
"Over the past couple of months, we have seen, especially for Macau, month after month of much better than expected gaming revenue numbers, but share prices hardly reacted to that good news," he told our friends at Bloomberg.
"We have to adjust expectations a lot higher to accommodate much stronger growth – we are entering a stage where no one can ignore the growth anymore," Chan said. In his view, "valuation has not fully priced in the growth potential yet". You can just envisage Mr Packer and Mr Ho smiling as they read this. James will be jumping off his luxury liner (again) after getting his daily dose of Gambling911 news.
MGM are about to further shake up the region, pulling out of Atlantic City due to some friendly advise (diplomatic not) from the U.S government. MGM's elected to follow the Ho's money trail to Macau - Macao parts. MGM's expecting a warm welcome, unlike the public besmirching they endured while on U.S soil, in downtown A.C.
Media Man's little investment in an .Asia domain name, adding to the stable of 20 something internet portals and domains, not to mention the Crown Limited shares, have certainly paid dividends to date. The media and gaming industry awaits MM's next move!
Media Man and Gambling911 publicly congratulate Crown's James Packer on his "comeback of the decade" and Asian casino king, Stanley Ho, on his heath recovery.
May the power and good luck of the friendly dragon be with you whether City of Dreams or online casinos take your fancy.
*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 is currently evaluating a shares purchase in a number of Macau based casinos
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PartyCasino News: Avatar type technology and innovation at PartyGaming's PartyCasino, by Greg Tingle - March 2010
Avatar type technology and innovation at PartyGaming's PartyCasino; More out of this world game experiences at PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com
PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com, established since 1997, is widely acknowledged as the world's biggest and best online casino... a big claim, we know.
Evidence... hundreds of games... slots, table games, skill games, poker and more.
Exclusive Hollywood blockbusters... Rambo, Saturday Night Fever, Sinatra, Tarzan, High Noon, Top Gun, Resident Evil, The Naked Gun, Mission: Impossible.
Classic slots like Cleopatra, Monopoly, Cluedo, Wheel Of Fortune...
Marvel super hero fans? Don't just watch the movies, play the games! The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four. Excelsior!
Rewards... PartyGaming's PartyPoints and Palladium Lounge
Trust and credibility... listed on the London Stock Exchange and winner of numerous igaming and business awards and commendations including eGaming Review "Operator Of The Year" and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month"
Easy for players... multi currency and multi language, and PartyCasino is available for most European, Canadian, South African, South American and Australian customers. Go Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!
PartyGaming also own and operate the world famous World Poker Tour, a claim only one igaming operator can make... that's PartyGaming. Check out WPTCasino.com and WPTPoker.com
Play for free or play for money. Feel the excitement at PartyCasino.com
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PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com, established since 1997, is widely acknowledged as the world's biggest and best online casino... a big claim, we know.
Evidence... hundreds of games... slots, table games, skill games, poker and more.
Exclusive Hollywood blockbusters... Rambo, Saturday Night Fever, Sinatra, Tarzan, High Noon, Top Gun, Resident Evil, The Naked Gun, Mission: Impossible.
Classic slots like Cleopatra, Monopoly, Cluedo, Wheel Of Fortune...
Marvel super hero fans? Don't just watch the movies, play the games! The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four. Excelsior!
Rewards... PartyGaming's PartyPoints and Palladium Lounge
Trust and credibility... listed on the London Stock Exchange and winner of numerous igaming and business awards and commendations including eGaming Review "Operator Of The Year" and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month"
Easy for players... multi currency and multi language, and PartyCasino is available for most European, Canadian, South African, South American and Australian customers. Go Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!
PartyGaming also own and operate the world famous World Poker Tour, a claim only one igaming operator can make... that's PartyGaming. Check out WPTCasino.com and WPTPoker.com
Play for free or play for money. Feel the excitement at PartyCasino.com
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Monday, March 22, 2010
Casino News Media Website Network Updated
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Asian casino boss has mob ties in China
New Jersey casino regulators said Wednesday that they have evidence Stanley Ho, the Asian casino magnate, has extensive ties to organized crime in China.
Their suspicions led MGM Mirage to agree last week to sell its half of Atlantic City's top casino — rather than abandon the lucrative Chinese market, where it has a joint venture with Ho's daughter.
Considered the father of modern gambling in China, Ho lets criminal gangs "operate and thrive" inside his casinos, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement said in a report issued to the casino last May and made public Wednesday. The division found that Pansy Ho, his daughter, is dependent on him and his money and remains under his influence.
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Their suspicions led MGM Mirage to agree last week to sell its half of Atlantic City's top casino — rather than abandon the lucrative Chinese market, where it has a joint venture with Ho's daughter.
Considered the father of modern gambling in China, Ho lets criminal gangs "operate and thrive" inside his casinos, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement said in a report issued to the casino last May and made public Wednesday. The division found that Pansy Ho, his daughter, is dependent on him and his money and remains under his influence.
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PartyCasino Brings Back The Porsche Promotion!
PartyCasino.com Win A Porsche Playing Online Slots - The Godfather, Mega Fortune Wheel, Super Joker, Super Star And More!
PartyCasino Brings Back The Porsche Promotion!
Get Out Of My Dreams! Get Into My Car!
Gibraltar – 16th March 2010 – PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, is pleased to announce the return of its Porsche Promotion! If the Gold Mega Jackpot is won between 18th – 31st March 2010 the player who earns the most PartyPoints by playing the Gold Mega Jackpot games: The Godfather, Mega Fortune Wheel, Super Joker, Super Mystic, Super Fortune Wheel and Super Star wins the sports car!
There is a leaderboard running through PartyAccount and if the jackpot is won within two weeks one of PartyGaming’s Palladium Lounge VIP hosts will call with the news that the Porsche has been won. If the Gold Mega Jackpot is not won between 18th – 31st March cash prizes will be awarded to players 1st – 600th on the leaderboard with a total value of $80,000.* For more details and terms and conditions please see your individual PartyAccount.
Players ranked 1st – 5th will be rewarded as follows: 1st - $15,000, 2nd - $12,500, 3rd - $10,000, 4th - $7,500, 5th – 9th - $1,000. Hotspots for every 10 ranks between 10th and 300th pays $750 cash bonus. Hotspots for every 10 ranks between 310th and 600th pays $250 cash bonus.
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "The Porsche promotion is back and if someone doesn’t win a flashy car there is still going to be real cash rewards for customers! If the Gold Mega Jackpot doesn’t take your fancy then Colossal Cash, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry, currently stands at over $2.5 million – it really is a big one!"
At the start of 2010, PartyCasino.com launched the largest progressive seeded jackpot in the online gaming industry in the form of ‘The Big One’ and introduced classic slot Melon Madness. The Big One is structured as a five tiered pool. The highest tier - Colossal Cash - seeds at $1.5m, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry. Melon Madness is designed to be a classic 30 line video slot. Play is fast and the free spin feature is played in-reel.
PartyCasino.com now offers over 140 games, including 100 slots, and pays out easily over $10 million EVERY DAY to players. The world’s largest online casino continues to expand rapidly. The record Gold Mega Jackpot was hit with a fateful spin at 20.42ET on December 2nd 2009. The stake was $45 on popular PartyCasino.com Gold Mega Jackpot game, the Mega Fortune Wheel. The screen exploded with congratulations and colour as ‘gamago’ turned $45 into a record busting $4,978,336.62!
PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index and the FTSE4Good Index Series, which measures the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. PartyGaming’s shares are listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY
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PartyCasino Brings Back The Porsche Promotion!
Get Out Of My Dreams! Get Into My Car!
Gibraltar – 16th March 2010 – PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, is pleased to announce the return of its Porsche Promotion! If the Gold Mega Jackpot is won between 18th – 31st March 2010 the player who earns the most PartyPoints by playing the Gold Mega Jackpot games: The Godfather, Mega Fortune Wheel, Super Joker, Super Mystic, Super Fortune Wheel and Super Star wins the sports car!
There is a leaderboard running through PartyAccount and if the jackpot is won within two weeks one of PartyGaming’s Palladium Lounge VIP hosts will call with the news that the Porsche has been won. If the Gold Mega Jackpot is not won between 18th – 31st March cash prizes will be awarded to players 1st – 600th on the leaderboard with a total value of $80,000.* For more details and terms and conditions please see your individual PartyAccount.
Players ranked 1st – 5th will be rewarded as follows: 1st - $15,000, 2nd - $12,500, 3rd - $10,000, 4th - $7,500, 5th – 9th - $1,000. Hotspots for every 10 ranks between 10th and 300th pays $750 cash bonus. Hotspots for every 10 ranks between 310th and 600th pays $250 cash bonus.
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "The Porsche promotion is back and if someone doesn’t win a flashy car there is still going to be real cash rewards for customers! If the Gold Mega Jackpot doesn’t take your fancy then Colossal Cash, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry, currently stands at over $2.5 million – it really is a big one!"
At the start of 2010, PartyCasino.com launched the largest progressive seeded jackpot in the online gaming industry in the form of ‘The Big One’ and introduced classic slot Melon Madness. The Big One is structured as a five tiered pool. The highest tier - Colossal Cash - seeds at $1.5m, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry. Melon Madness is designed to be a classic 30 line video slot. Play is fast and the free spin feature is played in-reel.
PartyCasino.com now offers over 140 games, including 100 slots, and pays out easily over $10 million EVERY DAY to players. The world’s largest online casino continues to expand rapidly. The record Gold Mega Jackpot was hit with a fateful spin at 20.42ET on December 2nd 2009. The stake was $45 on popular PartyCasino.com Gold Mega Jackpot game, the Mega Fortune Wheel. The screen exploded with congratulations and colour as ‘gamago’ turned $45 into a record busting $4,978,336.62!
PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index and the FTSE4Good Index Series, which measures the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. PartyGaming’s shares are listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY
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Saturday, March 20, 2010
PartyGaming still in M&A talks: Eyes return to United States - March 2010
Online gambling group PartyGaming, the firm behind PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com, PartyBingo.com, PartyBets.com, Cashcade and World Poker Tour, said it remained in talks over potential deal opportunities and was optimistic about a possible return to the United States as its 2009 earnings beat expectations.
"We are certainly in discussions with a few parties on a number of different opportunities," Chief Executive Jim Ryan told reporters.
However, he stressed that talks remained at a preliminary stage and declined to comment on the size or identity of the companies PartyGaming is talking to.
Analysts say the online gaming industry is fragmented and rife for consolidation and PartyGaming has been linked to a possible merger with Austria's bwin.
"There are a list of suspects who one would expect us to be talking to given that our focus is consolidating the online gaming sector," Ryan said.
PartyGaming said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from continuing operations fell to $135 million from $144.2 million the year before, reflecting a decline in poker revenues.
That was ahead of the consensus forecast of $133.3 million, according to a poll of analysts supplied by the company.
PartyGaming's poker revenues have been hit by competition from online gaming businesses which continue to offer services to U.S. based players despite the industry being made illegal in that country in 2006.
Ryan said he was encouraged by recent moves in the U.S. to overturn the legislation. U.S. congressmen Barney Frank and Jim McDermott are attempting to push through a new bill to regulate the industry. They argue that, if it was introduced, it would generate tax revenues of about $42 billion over ten years.
PartyGaming has already reached agreement with U.S. authorities which will protect it from being prosecuted over its past activities there.
Ryan said the settlement will make it easier for PartyGaming to re-enter the U.S. market and also clears the way for it to engage in M&A activity.
"We are talking to a number of U.S. entities about doing business with them when the U.S. market regulates. It's positioned us for growth from an M&A perspective and, from an operational perspective, I think it's our ticket back into the United States."
Other operators such as 888 and Sportingbet have yet to reach a deal with the Department of Justice.
Ryan said he thinks the U.S. is moving closer to re-opening to online gaming companies.
"We're hearing rumors that we're going to get support from the land-based operators for online gaming so it seems like momentum is building," he said, adding it was "not impossible" new legislation could be introduced this year.
Shares in PartyGaming, which have risen by 17 percent in the last 3 months, were up 0.13 percent to 303.4 pence at time of publication.
"PartyGaming is remarkably well prepared for a whole variety of changes. Although there is no new information on a possible game-changing acquisition, we believe it is more likely than not," said Numis analyst Wyn Ellis.
An insider said "PartyGaming is also said to be in a leading position to secure the Canadian Poker Tour, which could be another strategic way into the U.S market and beyond. Party also own and operate the World Poker Tour which has the strong potential to become bigger than the World Series of Poker and European Poker Tour put together. Poker and online poker generally remain more government and media friendly than pure casino and online casino products, so Party has an edge in that department also".
More news as it come to light.
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"We are certainly in discussions with a few parties on a number of different opportunities," Chief Executive Jim Ryan told reporters.
However, he stressed that talks remained at a preliminary stage and declined to comment on the size or identity of the companies PartyGaming is talking to.
Analysts say the online gaming industry is fragmented and rife for consolidation and PartyGaming has been linked to a possible merger with Austria's bwin.
"There are a list of suspects who one would expect us to be talking to given that our focus is consolidating the online gaming sector," Ryan said.
PartyGaming said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from continuing operations fell to $135 million from $144.2 million the year before, reflecting a decline in poker revenues.
That was ahead of the consensus forecast of $133.3 million, according to a poll of analysts supplied by the company.
PartyGaming's poker revenues have been hit by competition from online gaming businesses which continue to offer services to U.S. based players despite the industry being made illegal in that country in 2006.
Ryan said he was encouraged by recent moves in the U.S. to overturn the legislation. U.S. congressmen Barney Frank and Jim McDermott are attempting to push through a new bill to regulate the industry. They argue that, if it was introduced, it would generate tax revenues of about $42 billion over ten years.
PartyGaming has already reached agreement with U.S. authorities which will protect it from being prosecuted over its past activities there.
Ryan said the settlement will make it easier for PartyGaming to re-enter the U.S. market and also clears the way for it to engage in M&A activity.
"We are talking to a number of U.S. entities about doing business with them when the U.S. market regulates. It's positioned us for growth from an M&A perspective and, from an operational perspective, I think it's our ticket back into the United States."
Other operators such as 888 and Sportingbet have yet to reach a deal with the Department of Justice.
Ryan said he thinks the U.S. is moving closer to re-opening to online gaming companies.
"We're hearing rumors that we're going to get support from the land-based operators for online gaming so it seems like momentum is building," he said, adding it was "not impossible" new legislation could be introduced this year.
Shares in PartyGaming, which have risen by 17 percent in the last 3 months, were up 0.13 percent to 303.4 pence at time of publication.
"PartyGaming is remarkably well prepared for a whole variety of changes. Although there is no new information on a possible game-changing acquisition, we believe it is more likely than not," said Numis analyst Wyn Ellis.
An insider said "PartyGaming is also said to be in a leading position to secure the Canadian Poker Tour, which could be another strategic way into the U.S market and beyond. Party also own and operate the World Poker Tour which has the strong potential to become bigger than the World Series of Poker and European Poker Tour put together. Poker and online poker generally remain more government and media friendly than pure casino and online casino products, so Party has an edge in that department also".
More news as it come to light.
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Thursday, March 18, 2010
Australian Casino King, Business Tycoons And Social And Community Entrepreneurs Unite For Indigenous, by Greg Tingle - 19th March 2010
Tonight's the night!
Australian casino king, James Packer, friends, associates and even a few Hollywooders will gather at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney in aid of indigenous Australians - GenerationOne!
Mr Packer and mate, Andrew Forrest, having been working the phones and rumor has it even Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett will be there. Billionaires and celebs a plenty.
They will all get together to project their hands via a colourful laser display on the Opera House to launch GenerationOne - an ambitious project to secure appropriate training and employment for indigenous Australians.
A positive and determine billionaires' swag - one that Packer, Forrest, Kerry Stokes, Lowy clan and Lindsay Fox make the running on a cause they have taken into their own hands.
Media Man is hopeful of getting up close to the action tonight, and rest assured follow up stores will follow, many of which positive outcomes are forecast.
Prime Minster Kevin Rudd has publicly said Sorry to indigenous Australians, but saying sorry is not enough... actions speak louder than words, and who better to action than influential whales and dolphins in the casino, media and entertainment industry.
Numerous Australian government agencies and charity groups have previously given money and attention towards Aboriginal Australians, but sustainable solutions - jobs and the like are what's needed. Just throwing money at problems doesn't work, and the Packer - Forrest clan has runs on the board and has experienced indigenous Australia close up... both the good and the bad.
These leaders of business have their work cut out for themselves, but they are used to beating the odds... and winning. Look at Packer's recent "comeback of the decade". Big business, backed by positive (and cashed up) folks, coupled with people power, has a good chance to win this struggle.
Corporate social responsibility has become a focus for many companies over the past years. Sustainable employment seems to have overshadowed the environmental - greeny barrow. A Media Man insider was overheard, "All this talk about the environment... well and good, but if someone is sleeping in a cardboard box and hungry, that's their environment. Millionaires, billionaires and the right mix of social and community entrepreneurs can sort out many of Australia's problems".
Billionaire Inc is willing to use some of its its money and clout garner community interest and balanced news media attention to push a unified cause. Egos will be pushed to the side, results being paramount.
Forrest is the individual who has driven this to date. He's got jobs for the right folks, so has Packer. All members of the brains trust understand that correct training, willingness to learn, adapt, hard work and positive mental attitude is key.
The initial jobs target is 50,000 indigenous placings. Packer's Crown and Forrest's mining operation can't fill all of the positions, so they are looking to other suitable Australian companies to assist. It's seen as a win - win - win.
Part of the task for Team Forrest - Packer is about convincing big business that indigenous employees, properly trained and equally valued, are economically valuable and inspirational to the other employees and can become mentors. This isn't about fulfilling a charitable quota.
For Forrest and Packer this quest is most personal.
Forrest was raised in a remote West Australian station where until the age of nine all his friends were Aborigines. He says that the Aboriginal elders mentored him and taught him many life skills, including how to track and how to fight.
"I grew up believing the more you know Aboriginal people the more you love them", he told Fairfax Media.
At the age of nine Forrest was sent to a boarding hostel where Aborigines lived.
The majority of the billionaires he has mustered have either experienced their own struggle or have learnt hardship from their parents.
The Packer and Forrest collective empires are in a strong position at present, and perhaps this has been instrumental in the timing of this bold project.
Media Man and Gambling911 applaud this champion effort. It's mate helping mate, breaking down the divide between the haves and the have nots. Media Man and Gambling911 hope your gaming experience is a positive and enjoyable one, and if you get lucky, please consider assisting a worthy cause or two. In the coming days and weeks more details will be provided on GenerationOne. Crew, let's hear it... Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company.
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Australian casino king, James Packer, friends, associates and even a few Hollywooders will gather at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney in aid of indigenous Australians - GenerationOne!
Mr Packer and mate, Andrew Forrest, having been working the phones and rumor has it even Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett will be there. Billionaires and celebs a plenty.
They will all get together to project their hands via a colourful laser display on the Opera House to launch GenerationOne - an ambitious project to secure appropriate training and employment for indigenous Australians.
A positive and determine billionaires' swag - one that Packer, Forrest, Kerry Stokes, Lowy clan and Lindsay Fox make the running on a cause they have taken into their own hands.
Media Man is hopeful of getting up close to the action tonight, and rest assured follow up stores will follow, many of which positive outcomes are forecast.
Prime Minster Kevin Rudd has publicly said Sorry to indigenous Australians, but saying sorry is not enough... actions speak louder than words, and who better to action than influential whales and dolphins in the casino, media and entertainment industry.
Numerous Australian government agencies and charity groups have previously given money and attention towards Aboriginal Australians, but sustainable solutions - jobs and the like are what's needed. Just throwing money at problems doesn't work, and the Packer - Forrest clan has runs on the board and has experienced indigenous Australia close up... both the good and the bad.
These leaders of business have their work cut out for themselves, but they are used to beating the odds... and winning. Look at Packer's recent "comeback of the decade". Big business, backed by positive (and cashed up) folks, coupled with people power, has a good chance to win this struggle.
Corporate social responsibility has become a focus for many companies over the past years. Sustainable employment seems to have overshadowed the environmental - greeny barrow. A Media Man insider was overheard, "All this talk about the environment... well and good, but if someone is sleeping in a cardboard box and hungry, that's their environment. Millionaires, billionaires and the right mix of social and community entrepreneurs can sort out many of Australia's problems".
Billionaire Inc is willing to use some of its its money and clout garner community interest and balanced news media attention to push a unified cause. Egos will be pushed to the side, results being paramount.
Forrest is the individual who has driven this to date. He's got jobs for the right folks, so has Packer. All members of the brains trust understand that correct training, willingness to learn, adapt, hard work and positive mental attitude is key.
The initial jobs target is 50,000 indigenous placings. Packer's Crown and Forrest's mining operation can't fill all of the positions, so they are looking to other suitable Australian companies to assist. It's seen as a win - win - win.
Part of the task for Team Forrest - Packer is about convincing big business that indigenous employees, properly trained and equally valued, are economically valuable and inspirational to the other employees and can become mentors. This isn't about fulfilling a charitable quota.
For Forrest and Packer this quest is most personal.
Forrest was raised in a remote West Australian station where until the age of nine all his friends were Aborigines. He says that the Aboriginal elders mentored him and taught him many life skills, including how to track and how to fight.
"I grew up believing the more you know Aboriginal people the more you love them", he told Fairfax Media.
At the age of nine Forrest was sent to a boarding hostel where Aborigines lived.
The majority of the billionaires he has mustered have either experienced their own struggle or have learnt hardship from their parents.
The Packer and Forrest collective empires are in a strong position at present, and perhaps this has been instrumental in the timing of this bold project.
Media Man and Gambling911 applaud this champion effort. It's mate helping mate, breaking down the divide between the haves and the have nots. Media Man and Gambling911 hope your gaming experience is a positive and enjoyable one, and if you get lucky, please consider assisting a worthy cause or two. In the coming days and weeks more details will be provided on GenerationOne. Crew, let's hear it... Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Virgin New Games: Hole In The Wall, Call Of Duty, Thor, King Kong and more - March 2010
Virgin New Games
Hole In The Wall, Call Of Duty, Thor, King Kong and more.
Sorry, no U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory
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Hole In The Wall, Call Of Duty, Thor, King Kong and more.
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Perfect casino does exist - Press Holdings - 17th March 2010
S'pore's earliest casino advocate now cautions about their odds for survival
For the longest time, he agitated for a casino.
Now that the Republic's first casino is upon us, Singapore's earliest and staunchest casino advocate has apprehensions over how it is taking shape.
For almost three decades, Mr Ronald Tan lobbied the Government to set up a casino here. In 1981, he wrote his first letter to the then Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, proposing a restricted- access casino at Sentosa.
Now 65, the gaming and hospitality consultant, who recently addressed an Institute of Policy Studies roundtable on casinos, recounts ruefully: 'I received a phone call from an officer saying that Singapore was not ready for it.'
Leisure and gaming are his life's work
Over the last 35 years, Mr Ronald Tan has worked as a retail, leisure, hospitality and gaming industry consultant. Now 65, he has dabbled in many businesses, from military defence equipment to casinos, F&B consultancy to convenience stores.
In 1970, his link with casinos began when he represented the Genting Group in Singapore and sold travel packages from a 1,000 sq ft Golden Mile office.
He went on to advise gaming companies such as Australia's Federal Pacific Group and Britain's Mecca Leisure Group. He was involved in setting up many casinos, including the Wrest Point Hotel Casino in Tasmania, Star City in Sydney, Diamond Beach in Darwin, and the Christmas Island Casino.
Until recently, he was consultant to InterContinental Hotels, helping to rebrand hotels in the region. He presently consults for several hotel owners and is a regular speaker at regional casino conferences.
In 1981, he tried to save flailing standalone provision stores by overhauling them into self-service Econ Minimarts, designing everything from the chain's logo, jingle and house brands to centralised operations.
The alumnus of Kuala Lumpur's Royal Military College is now working on two books, on the future of hotels and sustainable gaming.
He is married to Serene, a housewife. They have three children - a lawyer, an engineer and an economist - and three grandchildren.
Q&A with gaming consultant Ronald Tan
Q: Do you think the current safeguards - like restrictions on ATMs and the $100 local admission - are sufficient? What else needs to be done?
A: Most of these measures are merely an appeasement to show steps are being taken to prevent wage earners here from losing their whole salary.
From my observation, if you really want to get serious, what has really worked is the UK Gaming Act, which is now widely followed in most casinos in Britain, New Zealand and Australia.
Admission to these casino clubs is by membership. To qualify, one must have a proposer and a seconder. Members must also undergo a stringent character and means test.
The main safeguard is that you have to first register as a club member and submit an application for betting, before you can even to start to play 24 hours later.
All members' data gets captured on the computer at the entrance and if they are found to have a criminal record or are blacklisted by other casinos, membership is immediately revoked.
With the latest technology, further state-of-the-art controls can be introduced here. The same way credit card companies appraise prospective card applicants can apply to granting membership. Using the help of a credit bureau and linkages to other casinos, most of the member's credit standing can be established. This rating is not for credit purposes but for the casino to monitor whether the member is over-gambling, or playing beyond his means.
Such pre-vetting also weeds out undesirable characters, such as those who are likely to wager money they cannot afford to lose, or loan sharks and underworld figures who are really there for money laundering purposes.
Q: Do you think our self-exclusion orders will work?
A: The exclusion order on its own is not watertight. You also need a character test that I mentioned earlier.
If a patron has just been dismissed from his job, or a man is having an affair and having to spend a lot of money on mistresses, it could be the beginning of a whole series of problems.
Generally, about 99 per cent of casino patrons are not affected by gambling, they go in for a good time and a laugh. But those with company or personal problems go in with an unstable state of mind and get burnt.
When you go into a casino with "fear money", which is either borrow or embezzled and which you know you've to replace, that's when you likely lose. People almost always are weakened by their senses of fear, stubbornness, disbelief or greed.
Taking it a step further, in Australian casinos, a team of trained psychologists walk around casinos to spot problem gamblers playing beyond their means. Once spotted, they are given counselling and if necessary, they can choose to ban themselves from the casino for a period of time.
Q: However, you've also warned against overdoing the legislation bit...
A: Yes, don't use a sledgehammer to kill an ant.
There tends to be a one-upmanship of councils here, where everyone wants to pile on his own agenda.
The gaming industry should be left alone to grow by itself. Gaming is about fun, not rigidity. We tend to overdo things.
Q: The Christian lobby here was vociferously against casinos. So how do you personally reconcile being a Christian and a casino consultant ?
A: The difference between me and rest of world is I gamble - smartly. I understand what goes on in a gambler's mind.
Two of my friends suffered heart attacks and died in casinos. One went to a Jakarta casino one Friday afternoon, played non-stop for three days till Sunday evening, and died on the Baccarat table in 1981. Another died in London playing roulette in the mid 70s. He had been losing so much that he suffered a reverse shock when the number he bet came up, he had a heart attack.
I also know of others who have committed suicide over the years. Because of such intimate knowledge, I developed this curiosity about the psychology of gambling and how it works. I also got to know many owners and operators of casinos and got to understand what motivates them to run casinos.
I feel with the knowledge I've gained over the years, I should broaden the understanding of the gaming industry here. It's wrong to bury my head in the sand like an ostrich.
If something is bad, the last thing I want to do is walk away from it. I should face it, confront it and make the best of it. Casinos and drugs are all around us. But I believe God has also chosen means and ways to contain it. (Credit: Singapore Press Holdings)
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For the longest time, he agitated for a casino.
Now that the Republic's first casino is upon us, Singapore's earliest and staunchest casino advocate has apprehensions over how it is taking shape.
For almost three decades, Mr Ronald Tan lobbied the Government to set up a casino here. In 1981, he wrote his first letter to the then Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, proposing a restricted- access casino at Sentosa.
Now 65, the gaming and hospitality consultant, who recently addressed an Institute of Policy Studies roundtable on casinos, recounts ruefully: 'I received a phone call from an officer saying that Singapore was not ready for it.'
Leisure and gaming are his life's work
Over the last 35 years, Mr Ronald Tan has worked as a retail, leisure, hospitality and gaming industry consultant. Now 65, he has dabbled in many businesses, from military defence equipment to casinos, F&B consultancy to convenience stores.
In 1970, his link with casinos began when he represented the Genting Group in Singapore and sold travel packages from a 1,000 sq ft Golden Mile office.
He went on to advise gaming companies such as Australia's Federal Pacific Group and Britain's Mecca Leisure Group. He was involved in setting up many casinos, including the Wrest Point Hotel Casino in Tasmania, Star City in Sydney, Diamond Beach in Darwin, and the Christmas Island Casino.
Until recently, he was consultant to InterContinental Hotels, helping to rebrand hotels in the region. He presently consults for several hotel owners and is a regular speaker at regional casino conferences.
In 1981, he tried to save flailing standalone provision stores by overhauling them into self-service Econ Minimarts, designing everything from the chain's logo, jingle and house brands to centralised operations.
The alumnus of Kuala Lumpur's Royal Military College is now working on two books, on the future of hotels and sustainable gaming.
He is married to Serene, a housewife. They have three children - a lawyer, an engineer and an economist - and three grandchildren.
Q&A with gaming consultant Ronald Tan
Q: Do you think the current safeguards - like restrictions on ATMs and the $100 local admission - are sufficient? What else needs to be done?
A: Most of these measures are merely an appeasement to show steps are being taken to prevent wage earners here from losing their whole salary.
From my observation, if you really want to get serious, what has really worked is the UK Gaming Act, which is now widely followed in most casinos in Britain, New Zealand and Australia.
Admission to these casino clubs is by membership. To qualify, one must have a proposer and a seconder. Members must also undergo a stringent character and means test.
The main safeguard is that you have to first register as a club member and submit an application for betting, before you can even to start to play 24 hours later.
All members' data gets captured on the computer at the entrance and if they are found to have a criminal record or are blacklisted by other casinos, membership is immediately revoked.
With the latest technology, further state-of-the-art controls can be introduced here. The same way credit card companies appraise prospective card applicants can apply to granting membership. Using the help of a credit bureau and linkages to other casinos, most of the member's credit standing can be established. This rating is not for credit purposes but for the casino to monitor whether the member is over-gambling, or playing beyond his means.
Such pre-vetting also weeds out undesirable characters, such as those who are likely to wager money they cannot afford to lose, or loan sharks and underworld figures who are really there for money laundering purposes.
Q: Do you think our self-exclusion orders will work?
A: The exclusion order on its own is not watertight. You also need a character test that I mentioned earlier.
If a patron has just been dismissed from his job, or a man is having an affair and having to spend a lot of money on mistresses, it could be the beginning of a whole series of problems.
Generally, about 99 per cent of casino patrons are not affected by gambling, they go in for a good time and a laugh. But those with company or personal problems go in with an unstable state of mind and get burnt.
When you go into a casino with "fear money", which is either borrow or embezzled and which you know you've to replace, that's when you likely lose. People almost always are weakened by their senses of fear, stubbornness, disbelief or greed.
Taking it a step further, in Australian casinos, a team of trained psychologists walk around casinos to spot problem gamblers playing beyond their means. Once spotted, they are given counselling and if necessary, they can choose to ban themselves from the casino for a period of time.
Q: However, you've also warned against overdoing the legislation bit...
A: Yes, don't use a sledgehammer to kill an ant.
There tends to be a one-upmanship of councils here, where everyone wants to pile on his own agenda.
The gaming industry should be left alone to grow by itself. Gaming is about fun, not rigidity. We tend to overdo things.
Q: The Christian lobby here was vociferously against casinos. So how do you personally reconcile being a Christian and a casino consultant ?
A: The difference between me and rest of world is I gamble - smartly. I understand what goes on in a gambler's mind.
Two of my friends suffered heart attacks and died in casinos. One went to a Jakarta casino one Friday afternoon, played non-stop for three days till Sunday evening, and died on the Baccarat table in 1981. Another died in London playing roulette in the mid 70s. He had been losing so much that he suffered a reverse shock when the number he bet came up, he had a heart attack.
I also know of others who have committed suicide over the years. Because of such intimate knowledge, I developed this curiosity about the psychology of gambling and how it works. I also got to know many owners and operators of casinos and got to understand what motivates them to run casinos.
I feel with the knowledge I've gained over the years, I should broaden the understanding of the gaming industry here. It's wrong to bury my head in the sand like an ostrich.
If something is bad, the last thing I want to do is walk away from it. I should face it, confront it and make the best of it. Casinos and drugs are all around us. But I believe God has also chosen means and ways to contain it. (Credit: Singapore Press Holdings)
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Casino Stock Alert for Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. Issued by Beacon Equity
DALLAS, March 11, 2010 - Beacon Equity announces an investment report featuring casino and resort company Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (Nasdaq:MPEL - News). The report includes financial, comparative and investment analyses, and industry information you need to know to make an educated investment decision.
Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (MPEL) develops and operates casino gaming and entertainment resorts within Macau. The Company operates through its subsidiary Melco Crown Gaming (Macau) Limited. The Company is one of six companies granted license to operate casinos within Macau.
In the report, the analyst notes:
"For the foreseeable future, the industry is expected to stabilize in revenue, with consolidations, rightsizing, mergers and acquisitions, as well as industry deleveraging anticipated to continue well into the future.
"Operators outside of the United States and Europe are expected to attract investor capital, as fiscal and trade imbalances between the West and East play out. Macau remains as a wild card location for the industry, a location more likely to run counter trend to the soft demand of the West.
"On the bullish side, Macau operators may benefit from the anticipated upward adjustments in the value of the Renminbi, which has been under pressure for several years to appreciate against the Euro and U.S. dollar as a mechanism of rebalancing trade between the West and China. Revenue generated in Renminbi offers investors an additional incentive associated with a rising trend in the value of the Renminbi."
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Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (MPEL) develops and operates casino gaming and entertainment resorts within Macau. The Company operates through its subsidiary Melco Crown Gaming (Macau) Limited. The Company is one of six companies granted license to operate casinos within Macau.
In the report, the analyst notes:
"For the foreseeable future, the industry is expected to stabilize in revenue, with consolidations, rightsizing, mergers and acquisitions, as well as industry deleveraging anticipated to continue well into the future.
"Operators outside of the United States and Europe are expected to attract investor capital, as fiscal and trade imbalances between the West and East play out. Macau remains as a wild card location for the industry, a location more likely to run counter trend to the soft demand of the West.
"On the bullish side, Macau operators may benefit from the anticipated upward adjustments in the value of the Renminbi, which has been under pressure for several years to appreciate against the Euro and U.S. dollar as a mechanism of rebalancing trade between the West and China. Revenue generated in Renminbi offers investors an additional incentive associated with a rising trend in the value of the Renminbi."
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010
PartyCasino Brings Back The Porsche Promotion!
PartyCasino Brings Back The Porsche Promotion!
Get Out Of My Dreams! Get Into My Car!
Gibraltar – 16th March 2010 – PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, is pleased to announce the return of its Porsche Promotion! If the Gold Mega Jackpot is won between 18th – 31st March 2010 the player who earns the most PartyPoints by playing the Gold Mega Jackpot games: The Godfather, Mega Fortune Wheel, Super Joker, Super Mystic, Super Fortune Wheel and Super Star wins the sports car!
There is a leaderboard running through PartyAccount and if the jackpot is won within two weeks one of PartyGaming’s Palladium Lounge VIP hosts will call with the news that the Porsche has been won. If the Gold Mega Jackpot is not won between 18th – 31st March cash prizes will be awarded to players 1st – 600th on the leaderboard with a total value of $80,000.* For more details and terms and conditions please see your individual PartyAccount.
Players ranked 1st – 5th will be rewarded as follows: 1st - $15,000, 2nd - $12,500, 3rd - $10,000, 4th - $7,500, 5th – 9th - $1,000. Hotspots for every 10 ranks between 10th and 300th pays $750 cash bonus. Hotspots for every 10 ranks between 310th and 600th pays $250 cash bonus.
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "The Porsche promotion is back and if someone doesn’t win a flashy car there is still going to be real cash rewards for customers! If the Gold Mega Jackpot doesn’t take your fancy then Colossal Cash, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry, currently stands at over $2.5 million – it really is a big one!"
At the start of 2010, PartyCasino.com launched the largest progressive seeded jackpot in the online gaming industry in the form of ‘The Big One’ and introduced classic slot Melon Madness. The Big One is structured as a five tiered pool. The highest tier - Colossal Cash - seeds at $1.5m, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry. Melon Madness is designed to be a classic 30 line video slot. Play is fast and the free spin feature is played in-reel.
PartyCasino.com now offers over 140 games, including 100 slots, and pays out easily over $10 million EVERY DAY to players. The world’s largest online casino continues to expand rapidly. The record Gold Mega Jackpot was hit with a fateful spin at 20.42ET on December 2nd 2009. The stake was $45 on popular PartyCasino.com Gold Mega Jackpot game, the Mega Fortune Wheel. The screen exploded with congratulations and colour as ‘gamago’ turned $45 into a record busting $4,978,336.62!
PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index and the FTSE4Good Index Series, which measures the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. PartyGaming’s shares are listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY
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Get Out Of My Dreams! Get Into My Car!
Gibraltar – 16th March 2010 – PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, is pleased to announce the return of its Porsche Promotion! If the Gold Mega Jackpot is won between 18th – 31st March 2010 the player who earns the most PartyPoints by playing the Gold Mega Jackpot games: The Godfather, Mega Fortune Wheel, Super Joker, Super Mystic, Super Fortune Wheel and Super Star wins the sports car!
There is a leaderboard running through PartyAccount and if the jackpot is won within two weeks one of PartyGaming’s Palladium Lounge VIP hosts will call with the news that the Porsche has been won. If the Gold Mega Jackpot is not won between 18th – 31st March cash prizes will be awarded to players 1st – 600th on the leaderboard with a total value of $80,000.* For more details and terms and conditions please see your individual PartyAccount.
Players ranked 1st – 5th will be rewarded as follows: 1st - $15,000, 2nd - $12,500, 3rd - $10,000, 4th - $7,500, 5th – 9th - $1,000. Hotspots for every 10 ranks between 10th and 300th pays $750 cash bonus. Hotspots for every 10 ranks between 310th and 600th pays $250 cash bonus.
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "The Porsche promotion is back and if someone doesn’t win a flashy car there is still going to be real cash rewards for customers! If the Gold Mega Jackpot doesn’t take your fancy then Colossal Cash, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry, currently stands at over $2.5 million – it really is a big one!"
At the start of 2010, PartyCasino.com launched the largest progressive seeded jackpot in the online gaming industry in the form of ‘The Big One’ and introduced classic slot Melon Madness. The Big One is structured as a five tiered pool. The highest tier - Colossal Cash - seeds at $1.5m, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry. Melon Madness is designed to be a classic 30 line video slot. Play is fast and the free spin feature is played in-reel.
PartyCasino.com now offers over 140 games, including 100 slots, and pays out easily over $10 million EVERY DAY to players. The world’s largest online casino continues to expand rapidly. The record Gold Mega Jackpot was hit with a fateful spin at 20.42ET on December 2nd 2009. The stake was $45 on popular PartyCasino.com Gold Mega Jackpot game, the Mega Fortune Wheel. The screen exploded with congratulations and colour as ‘gamago’ turned $45 into a record busting $4,978,336.62!
PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index and the FTSE4Good Index Series, which measures the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. PartyGaming’s shares are listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY
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Monday, March 15, 2010
MGM picks Ho, will quit Atlantic City - 15th March 2010
HONG KONG: MGM Mirage has confirmed it will sell its stake in a US casino resort to settle a fight with US gambling regulators over its Macau business partner.
MGM said it would sell its half stake in the Borgata hotel-casino in Atlantic City within the next 30 months so that it could keep a joint venture in the glitzy Asian gambling hub, which has now leapfrogged Las Vegas in terms of gambling revenue.
New Jersey's gambling regulator told MGM in May to cut its ties with Pansy Ho, daughter of the gambling tycoon Stanley Ho, after deeming her unsuitable because of the elder Ho's alleged links to Macau's underworld.
One of his other children, Lawrence Ho, is James Packer's partner in Macau. They were forced to distance their venture Melco International from Stanley Ho in 2006 to obtain regulatory approval from Australian authorities.
Lawrence Ho, who controlled Macau's gambling sector until it was opened to foreign competition in 2002, has denied any ties to organised crime.
MGM Mirage's chairman and chief executive, Jim Murren, said in a statement posted on MGM's website on Friday that he disagreed with the regulator's assessment of Mr Ho.
But he added that the "best course of action for our company and its shareholders is to settle this matter and move forward with the compelling growth opportunities we have in Macau".
MGM operates casinos in several US states, including Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan.
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MGM said it would sell its half stake in the Borgata hotel-casino in Atlantic City within the next 30 months so that it could keep a joint venture in the glitzy Asian gambling hub, which has now leapfrogged Las Vegas in terms of gambling revenue.
New Jersey's gambling regulator told MGM in May to cut its ties with Pansy Ho, daughter of the gambling tycoon Stanley Ho, after deeming her unsuitable because of the elder Ho's alleged links to Macau's underworld.
One of his other children, Lawrence Ho, is James Packer's partner in Macau. They were forced to distance their venture Melco International from Stanley Ho in 2006 to obtain regulatory approval from Australian authorities.
Lawrence Ho, who controlled Macau's gambling sector until it was opened to foreign competition in 2002, has denied any ties to organised crime.
MGM Mirage's chairman and chief executive, Jim Murren, said in a statement posted on MGM's website on Friday that he disagreed with the regulator's assessment of Mr Ho.
But he added that the "best course of action for our company and its shareholders is to settle this matter and move forward with the compelling growth opportunities we have in Macau".
MGM operates casinos in several US states, including Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan.
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Asia Pacific News: SkyCity Half-Year Up 30%, by Greg Tingle - 15th March 2010
We continue our global coverage of the land based and online casino sector with more healthy reports from the Asia Pacific region. Seems Australia's casino king of Crown Limited fame isn't the only one laughing all the way to the bank. The Kiwi's are giving the Yanks and Aussies a run for their money. Skycity's Australian business helps balance the books. Media Man and Gambling911 report.
Casino and hotel operator Skycity Entertainment Group has posted a solid after-tax profit, almost 30% up on last year's half-year to December result, and appears set to deliver double-digit profit growth of up to 15% for the full year. Of course, critics will argue that they are attracting more "problem gamblers".
The positive result was assisted by a combination of factors...lower net interest expenses, which included a $1.9 million gain from the buy-back of an American private placement debt, and better international business growth in Adelaide and Darwin casinos.
SkyCity shares jumped 11c to $3.24, after the announcement.
Total revenue was up 5.9% from $422.1 million to $446.9 million, earnings before interest and tax were up 9.5% at $122.3 million while its after-tax profit was up 29.6% from $54.7 million to $71 million.
Craigs Investment Partners broker Chris Timms advised the figures suggested a "solid result" when overall market conditions for the half were reported to have been challenging.
"Trading was reported to have weakened at the end of the first half.
"In Australia, that was due to the tailing-off of the (Government) fiscal stimulus package," he said. Readers will recall the stimulus that went to homes often ended up in pokie slots and on the table greens, both in Australian and Macau instances.
Forsyth Barr broker Peter Young said the result was in line with the expectations of both Forsyth Barr and market expectations.
"Aussie casinos had 7% growth in ebitda [earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation] and remain the standout, while the key Auckland casino continues to struggle to record growth," Mr Young said.
Mr Timms advised the contribution from the Australian casinos was about 33%.
Adelaide, which was expected to be a "star performer" came in below expectation, while Auckland's contribution was "flat as expected".
The decline in gaming revenue was offset by higher earnings from non-gaming activities.
Skycity reiterated expectations of posting a full-year normalised after-tax profit in the range of 10%-15% higher than the the previous year's result, and excluding the gain from cinema sales, would translate to a profit range of $126.8 million to $132.6 million, Mr Timms said.
"We believe this is a credible target, given the second-half trading will not be getting the support of the cinema business.
"We are currently forecasting at the low end at $127 million, while (analysts') consensus is at $131 million," Mr Timms said.
Mr Young advised in excluding cinema sales and international business growth, revenue was close to expectations, but Auckland's gaming decline disappointed slightly.
"Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation was $160.1 million, up 7.8% on the same period last year, which is a solid result in the operating climate.
"But like recent periods, that was largely driven by Australian operations," Mr Young said.
Last January, Skycity completed the sale of its cinema interests in New Zealand and Fiji, including interests in the Rialto group, for $61 million, to cinema and exhibition operator ASX-listed Amalgamated Holdings Ltd.
The sale included Skycity's core cinema businesses in New Zealand and its joint-venture interests in both Rialto and Fijian interests.
New Zealand may known as the land of sheep, outnumbering humans 12 to 1, but the solid results from our Kiwi friends show that they are anything but sheepish, nor are they following the Las Vegas Strip financial train wreck like results of many. Good punting.
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Casino and hotel operator Skycity Entertainment Group has posted a solid after-tax profit, almost 30% up on last year's half-year to December result, and appears set to deliver double-digit profit growth of up to 15% for the full year. Of course, critics will argue that they are attracting more "problem gamblers".
The positive result was assisted by a combination of factors...lower net interest expenses, which included a $1.9 million gain from the buy-back of an American private placement debt, and better international business growth in Adelaide and Darwin casinos.
SkyCity shares jumped 11c to $3.24, after the announcement.
Total revenue was up 5.9% from $422.1 million to $446.9 million, earnings before interest and tax were up 9.5% at $122.3 million while its after-tax profit was up 29.6% from $54.7 million to $71 million.
Craigs Investment Partners broker Chris Timms advised the figures suggested a "solid result" when overall market conditions for the half were reported to have been challenging.
"Trading was reported to have weakened at the end of the first half.
"In Australia, that was due to the tailing-off of the (Government) fiscal stimulus package," he said. Readers will recall the stimulus that went to homes often ended up in pokie slots and on the table greens, both in Australian and Macau instances.
Forsyth Barr broker Peter Young said the result was in line with the expectations of both Forsyth Barr and market expectations.
"Aussie casinos had 7% growth in ebitda [earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation] and remain the standout, while the key Auckland casino continues to struggle to record growth," Mr Young said.
Mr Timms advised the contribution from the Australian casinos was about 33%.
Adelaide, which was expected to be a "star performer" came in below expectation, while Auckland's contribution was "flat as expected".
The decline in gaming revenue was offset by higher earnings from non-gaming activities.
Skycity reiterated expectations of posting a full-year normalised after-tax profit in the range of 10%-15% higher than the the previous year's result, and excluding the gain from cinema sales, would translate to a profit range of $126.8 million to $132.6 million, Mr Timms said.
"We believe this is a credible target, given the second-half trading will not be getting the support of the cinema business.
"We are currently forecasting at the low end at $127 million, while (analysts') consensus is at $131 million," Mr Timms said.
Mr Young advised in excluding cinema sales and international business growth, revenue was close to expectations, but Auckland's gaming decline disappointed slightly.
"Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation was $160.1 million, up 7.8% on the same period last year, which is a solid result in the operating climate.
"But like recent periods, that was largely driven by Australian operations," Mr Young said.
Last January, Skycity completed the sale of its cinema interests in New Zealand and Fiji, including interests in the Rialto group, for $61 million, to cinema and exhibition operator ASX-listed Amalgamated Holdings Ltd.
The sale included Skycity's core cinema businesses in New Zealand and its joint-venture interests in both Rialto and Fijian interests.
New Zealand may known as the land of sheep, outnumbering humans 12 to 1, but the solid results from our Kiwi friends show that they are anything but sheepish, nor are they following the Las Vegas Strip financial train wreck like results of many. Good punting.
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Australia's Jupiters Casino On The Gold Coast Opens World Class Poker Room, by Greg Tingle - 15th March 2010
Not one to be bias, despite owning shares in Packer's Crown Limited (and none in Tabcorp), we have a look at what's news with our "friends" up Surfers Paradise way at Conrad Jupiters (soon to be dropping the "Conrad" tag)... maybe something to do with Conrad Black...
The poker room at Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast opened for business this past Wednesday night. We hear it was quite the cocktail party, apparently with a few cocks and tails doing the rounds ala Las Vegas Strip, or Macau for that matter.
The VIP's - A, B and C listers were invited to try lady luck on the greens and bet heavy thanks to the advent of "pretend" money, which is even better than "Lucky Money" for those following the Harry K Owes Owes Crown Casino 1 Million Bucks story.
Back to positive PR, Robbie Vail, GM of tables that the rooms was part of Jupiters multi-million dollar make over where the likes of Kerry Packer, Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Greg Norman and many more whales and dolphins tried their luck. No mention of Harry K or James Packer however.
We wish em good luck in the true spirit of competition. If they go well enough Bondi's James' might even have another go at scooping up Tabcorp, if The Price Is Right.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
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The poker room at Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast opened for business this past Wednesday night. We hear it was quite the cocktail party, apparently with a few cocks and tails doing the rounds ala Las Vegas Strip, or Macau for that matter.
The VIP's - A, B and C listers were invited to try lady luck on the greens and bet heavy thanks to the advent of "pretend" money, which is even better than "Lucky Money" for those following the Harry K Owes Owes Crown Casino 1 Million Bucks story.
Back to positive PR, Robbie Vail, GM of tables that the rooms was part of Jupiters multi-million dollar make over where the likes of Kerry Packer, Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Greg Norman and many more whales and dolphins tried their luck. No mention of Harry K or James Packer however.
We wish em good luck in the true spirit of competition. If they go well enough Bondi's James' might even have another go at scooping up Tabcorp, if The Price Is Right.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
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Sunday, March 14, 2010
Crown Casino News: Bert’s On His Own At TV Logies - 15th March 2010
He first hosted it in 1967 and he has been lead presenter for the past 20 years, but this year Nine’s veteran star Bert Newton is to fly solo as the host of the TV Week Logie Awards from Crown Casino. A copy of TV Week’s exclusive cover story was leaked yesterday, revealing the name of the host and also the special guests: Britain’s Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle, singer-songwriter John Mayer and Aria award-winning artist Gabriella Cilmi are the headline acts. Newton, the host of 20 to 1, is always good value at the Logies as he is the master of the ad lib and he told TV Week he would only do the show unscripted. Anyway, he can’t do worse than former Big Brother host Gretel Killeen last year. (Credit: The Australian)
Media Man - Greg Tingle Analysis and Commentary
Bring on The Logies. Bert Newton is a safe bet as host, that's for sure. Nine's not gambling with this choice. Nothing like those decades of experience to see a host through the night. Bert still has the wit and edge to keep em amused. He's also in tune with the market and society, so it should be relevant. David (and James) can trust this guy not to screw it up, or screw the network. The only other guy I would trust as much would be Hugh "The Wolverine" Jackman, but he may be busy sharpening his claws, or collecting another Marvel Entertainment pay cheque. Look up WWE - WCW - TNA Wrestling for an insider track on risk management and network VS ego scenarios. No Hugh, this doesn't apply to you. It's been said power and money corrupt... The event may be held in a world class casino, but with Bert fronting things and News Limited's The Oz on the trail, this event should be squeaky clean. Drunk footballers and mugs, do us all a favor and stay away, or JP's army may have to bring out the plastic handcuffs! Could be some real life "Underbelly" action coming up too. Media Man books are full, so no phone calls or emails please... try Max at Markson Sparks! or Harry M at you know where. My spies tell me the likes of Betfair, BetUS, Centrebet and PartyBets may be taking bets on a range of potential happenings leading up to and during the festivities. If you want the real inside track you may have to check out the Casino News Media site (as I don't think media embedded ala Bush War On Terrorism, TV Week, is going to let the cat out of the bag). As always, bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, keep it fun. Network Nine, you've hit the jackpot again.
PS: Crown Limited has a plan to initially employ 75 Indigenous Australians, and as part of Generation One, the ultimate goal of the business network is for 75,000 sustainable positions. It will be interesting to see if any new recruits are on duty come the big show, and if so, just what ratbags may keep them busy. Paps, keep those cameras ready, ya never know who will provide the next bingle or wardrobe malfunction. Oh, let Bert vote for himself.
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Media Man - Greg Tingle Analysis and Commentary
Bring on The Logies. Bert Newton is a safe bet as host, that's for sure. Nine's not gambling with this choice. Nothing like those decades of experience to see a host through the night. Bert still has the wit and edge to keep em amused. He's also in tune with the market and society, so it should be relevant. David (and James) can trust this guy not to screw it up, or screw the network. The only other guy I would trust as much would be Hugh "The Wolverine" Jackman, but he may be busy sharpening his claws, or collecting another Marvel Entertainment pay cheque. Look up WWE - WCW - TNA Wrestling for an insider track on risk management and network VS ego scenarios. No Hugh, this doesn't apply to you. It's been said power and money corrupt... The event may be held in a world class casino, but with Bert fronting things and News Limited's The Oz on the trail, this event should be squeaky clean. Drunk footballers and mugs, do us all a favor and stay away, or JP's army may have to bring out the plastic handcuffs! Could be some real life "Underbelly" action coming up too. Media Man books are full, so no phone calls or emails please... try Max at Markson Sparks! or Harry M at you know where. My spies tell me the likes of Betfair, BetUS, Centrebet and PartyBets may be taking bets on a range of potential happenings leading up to and during the festivities. If you want the real inside track you may have to check out the Casino News Media site (as I don't think media embedded ala Bush War On Terrorism, TV Week, is going to let the cat out of the bag). As always, bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, keep it fun. Network Nine, you've hit the jackpot again.
PS: Crown Limited has a plan to initially employ 75 Indigenous Australians, and as part of Generation One, the ultimate goal of the business network is for 75,000 sustainable positions. It will be interesting to see if any new recruits are on duty come the big show, and if so, just what ratbags may keep them busy. Paps, keep those cameras ready, ya never know who will provide the next bingle or wardrobe malfunction. Oh, let Bert vote for himself.
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Saturday, March 13, 2010
Poker News Media: Police: Suspect in poker heist released
BERLIN — Berlin police said Saturday they had released a man previously suspected of taking part in the storming last weekend of a poker tournament in which armed robbers made off with euro240,000 ($328,000) in jackpot money.
A spokeswoman for Berlin police — who did not give her name in keeping with department policy — said the suspect had been set free due to a lack of evidence. The suspect, who was detained late Friday, denied throughout several hours in questioning having taken part in the heist at the Grand Hyatt hotel in the capital.
Police declined to identify the man or give any further details, citing the ongoing investigation.
German authorities have been hunting for four suspects who, armed with guns and machetes, stormed the poker tournament in broad daylight last Saturday in downtown Berlin, stunning the participants and the audience.
Images of the masked men were captured on surveillance cameras.
According to the European Poker tour, the jackpot for the tournament stood at euro 1 million ($1.36 million).
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A spokeswoman for Berlin police — who did not give her name in keeping with department policy — said the suspect had been set free due to a lack of evidence. The suspect, who was detained late Friday, denied throughout several hours in questioning having taken part in the heist at the Grand Hyatt hotel in the capital.
Police declined to identify the man or give any further details, citing the ongoing investigation.
German authorities have been hunting for four suspects who, armed with guns and machetes, stormed the poker tournament in broad daylight last Saturday in downtown Berlin, stunning the participants and the audience.
Images of the masked men were captured on surveillance cameras.
According to the European Poker tour, the jackpot for the tournament stood at euro 1 million ($1.36 million).
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Australian Casino Attacks: Perth's Burswood Bouncer In Hospital Following Headbutt, by Greg Tingle - 14th March 2010
A man has been questioned by police after a bouncer was allegedly head-butted at Burswood Casino in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Police said a 26-year-old man from Southern Cross would be summonsed to appear
in court on an assault charge after he allegedly head-butted the male security officer (aka "Bouncer") about 3.30am.
The victim was taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose.
The alleged offender was apprehended at the scene by security officers before police arrived to take him away for questioning. Ya bloody mongrel.
Media Man and Gambling911 have been following the history of violent attacks at Australian hotels, pubs and casinos for a number of years. Mugs like the above mentioned have been tarnishing the good name of Australian casinos for too long now.
Burswood Entertainment Complex, owned by James Packer's Crown Limited group, is one of numerous Crown venues that will be implementing a plastic handcuff policy, expected to be rolled out later this year.
Negatives Into Positives...
As reported last month, Mr Packer has vouched to help find employment for masses of Indigenous Australian youth, and by the sound of it there's still room to boost the numbers of security offers at the Crown group of facilities. Insiders tip Crown to initially open up close to 100 vacancies for suitably qualified staff, but the overall plan from the Packer - Andrew Forrest - Kerry Stokes - Rupert Murdoch connection is looking to cater to 50,000! Readers, you will be hearing lots more about The Covenant and Generation One.
Burswood and Crown Casino remain iconic Australian tourism landmarks, despite detractors staying otherwise. Last year golfing great Tiger Woods brought in $10 million to Crown coffers alone, largely due in part to a large contingent of casino and golfing whales and dolphins who followed him down under. Tiger's Aussie tour brought more excitement and headlines than expected and witnesses say a certain Miss was seen in Crown Towers... you know, the one who grasped international headlines et Rachel Uchitel. What a bingle that was, of the Aussie Lara Bingle magnitude.
We're hoping things settle down for Tiger and Australian casinos, and the next wave of news will be more positive in nature. We applaud media giants News Limited and Fairfax, both of which have been filing numerous balanced and positive reports on Australian casino king, James Packer, and his substantial empire. Insiders are calling Packer's return to the uppers of the BRW Rich List "the comeback of the decade", likely the only thing he shares in common with Hollywood toughman Mickey Rourke.
No plastic handcuffs required for online casinos, online poker or sports betting, but always bet with your head, not over it.
Big Business Opportunities...
Last call... Media Man thinks Crown might do well to get a b2b deal in place for online casino games with the likes of PartyGaming. Party's PartyPoker secured a large number of online poker players for Crown's Aussie Millions Poker Championship via satellites last January. Party subsequently signed Crown winner Tyron Krost to a lucrative contact. Krost claims he learned to play online poker via PartyPoker.com Party's themed and branded slots such as The Godfather, Mission: Impossible and Top Gun (both featuring Packer's mate Tom Cruise).
Let's face it, some of the attacks at Australian land based casinos are likely going to keep some punters away, but most will have access to an internet connection, thus the online casino. History shows us via the Las Vegas experience that casinos who embrace the internet appropriately are likely to stay ahead of competitors. Packer said himself, "Internet is like electricity".
U.S casino and gaming Giant, Harrah's Entertainment, is the latest U.S casino to make a big splash in online b2b, and we think Packer's Crown should be Australia's first. We understand that Crown competitors TAB and Centrebet are currently making moves to be able to offer Australian's a wide range of online casino games and we think that the Packer People's Army would do well to beat the comp to the punch, pardon the pun, and offer some games featuring some unique Aussie culture. How about a Kerry Packer, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, Underbelly, The Man From Snowy River and Ned Kelly slot? Now I'd be prepared to pay for that, as one would expect from masses of passionate Aussies. Crown shares on 8.170 (share price, not blood alcohol reading). Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi, Oi.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor to Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, gaming being just one of a bakers dozen of sectors covered
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Police said a 26-year-old man from Southern Cross would be summonsed to appear
in court on an assault charge after he allegedly head-butted the male security officer (aka "Bouncer") about 3.30am.
The victim was taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose.
The alleged offender was apprehended at the scene by security officers before police arrived to take him away for questioning. Ya bloody mongrel.
Media Man and Gambling911 have been following the history of violent attacks at Australian hotels, pubs and casinos for a number of years. Mugs like the above mentioned have been tarnishing the good name of Australian casinos for too long now.
Burswood Entertainment Complex, owned by James Packer's Crown Limited group, is one of numerous Crown venues that will be implementing a plastic handcuff policy, expected to be rolled out later this year.
Negatives Into Positives...
As reported last month, Mr Packer has vouched to help find employment for masses of Indigenous Australian youth, and by the sound of it there's still room to boost the numbers of security offers at the Crown group of facilities. Insiders tip Crown to initially open up close to 100 vacancies for suitably qualified staff, but the overall plan from the Packer - Andrew Forrest - Kerry Stokes - Rupert Murdoch connection is looking to cater to 50,000! Readers, you will be hearing lots more about The Covenant and Generation One.
Burswood and Crown Casino remain iconic Australian tourism landmarks, despite detractors staying otherwise. Last year golfing great Tiger Woods brought in $10 million to Crown coffers alone, largely due in part to a large contingent of casino and golfing whales and dolphins who followed him down under. Tiger's Aussie tour brought more excitement and headlines than expected and witnesses say a certain Miss was seen in Crown Towers... you know, the one who grasped international headlines et Rachel Uchitel. What a bingle that was, of the Aussie Lara Bingle magnitude.
We're hoping things settle down for Tiger and Australian casinos, and the next wave of news will be more positive in nature. We applaud media giants News Limited and Fairfax, both of which have been filing numerous balanced and positive reports on Australian casino king, James Packer, and his substantial empire. Insiders are calling Packer's return to the uppers of the BRW Rich List "the comeback of the decade", likely the only thing he shares in common with Hollywood toughman Mickey Rourke.
No plastic handcuffs required for online casinos, online poker or sports betting, but always bet with your head, not over it.
Big Business Opportunities...
Last call... Media Man thinks Crown might do well to get a b2b deal in place for online casino games with the likes of PartyGaming. Party's PartyPoker secured a large number of online poker players for Crown's Aussie Millions Poker Championship via satellites last January. Party subsequently signed Crown winner Tyron Krost to a lucrative contact. Krost claims he learned to play online poker via PartyPoker.com Party's themed and branded slots such as The Godfather, Mission: Impossible and Top Gun (both featuring Packer's mate Tom Cruise).
Let's face it, some of the attacks at Australian land based casinos are likely going to keep some punters away, but most will have access to an internet connection, thus the online casino. History shows us via the Las Vegas experience that casinos who embrace the internet appropriately are likely to stay ahead of competitors. Packer said himself, "Internet is like electricity".
U.S casino and gaming Giant, Harrah's Entertainment, is the latest U.S casino to make a big splash in online b2b, and we think Packer's Crown should be Australia's first. We understand that Crown competitors TAB and Centrebet are currently making moves to be able to offer Australian's a wide range of online casino games and we think that the Packer People's Army would do well to beat the comp to the punch, pardon the pun, and offer some games featuring some unique Aussie culture. How about a Kerry Packer, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, Underbelly, The Man From Snowy River and Ned Kelly slot? Now I'd be prepared to pay for that, as one would expect from masses of passionate Aussies. Crown shares on 8.170 (share price, not blood alcohol reading). Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi, Oi.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor to Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, gaming being just one of a bakers dozen of sectors covered
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