Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Crown Casino - Crown Limited punts $1.5bn to fend off competition, by Greg Tingle - 26th August 2011

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Crown is counting on on a $1.5 billion capital expenditure program at its Australian land based casinos to help lift earnings in the second half of 2012 and beyond to help offset the impact of increased competition on Australian soil and offshore.

The James Packer-backed company reported a 15 per cent increase in annual net profit to $335.9 million, struck on a 3 per cent increase in revenue to $2.41bn.

It declared a final dividend of 19c a share, 50 per cent franked.

However, the profit increase was largely underpinned by a better-than-expected result from the Macau-based Melco Crown Entertainment (MPEL) joint venture, in which Crown holds a 33.4 per cent stake.

Crown's actual share of MPEL's bumper earnings was $34.9m for 2011, normalised to $19.2m when taking into account the win rate on VIP program play, compared with Crown's $69.5m share of MPEL's loss last year.

Macau's year-on-year gaming revenue growth in the seven months to July was 45.2 per cent.

But results at Crown's Australian casinos - Crown in Melbourne and Burswood in Perth - were largely flat in 2011 as they battled increased competition from new casinos in Singapore, softening consumer sentiment and refurbishment disruptions.

"We expect the impact of Singapore, we will continue to feel that, and obviously it is a question of how we can replace that business with new business out of China and new business out of Singapore," Crown chief executive Rowen Craigie said yesterday.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation at Burswood was $176.2m in 2011, down from $183.5m a year earlier. Mr Craigie said Burswood's earnings would remain under pressure until the completion of the refurbishment program of the casino's VIP facilities, which is due by Christmas. "Burswood is playing in this game with one hand tied behind its back, given Macau and Singapore have largely completed their cap-ex programs. Burswood is yet to complete theirs," Mr Craigie said.

Analysts yesterday were generally happy with the group's result.

"We view Crown's FY11 slightly ahead of consensus result as sound," Deutsche Bank told clients. However, Crown shares closed 2.7 per cent lower at $7.87.

Mr Craigie said main gaming floor revenue growth for the start of the new financial year to date in the group's Australian casinos was 3.8 per cent, and non-gaming revenue was up 7.4 per cent.

This is in contrast to Echo Entertainment, owner of Sydney's Star City casino and Jupiters casino on the Gold Coast, which last week reported revenue growth of 8 per cent in the year to date. Echo is confident a landmark $1bn facelift for Star City will significantly boost revenues in the second half of next year, but Mr Craigie played down the competitive threat to Crown.

Crown also revealed it would buy back up to 30 million shares or 4 per cent of its issued equity.

The buyback is expected to lift Mr Packer's 43 per cent stake in Crown.

Crown continues to hold a 4.9 per cent stake in both Echo Entertainment and Tabcorp.

The stakes were acquired before the Tabcorp demerger.

Analysts said the announcement of a buyback indicated Crown had no intention to move on either company.

"Crown has stated it has no intention of increasing its holding in either, and the announcement on the buyback would seem to confirm this," Citi analysts said.

Crown says it intends to appoint former Howard government minister Helen Coonan as an additional independent non-executive director.


Crown feels heat from Singapore...

Casinos operator Crown Ltd says it is feeling the effect of competition from new casinos in Singapore.

But the company may be in a better position when extensive refurbishments of its Melbourne and Perth casinos are completed.

"We expect to continue to feel the impact of Singapore, and it's a question as to how we can replace that business with new business out of China and also new business out of Singapore,'' Crown chief executive Rowen Craigie said yesterday.

"We have programs in place to pursue both those objectives."

Crown yesterday reported a 14.9 per cent rise in annual net profit to $335.9 million for the 12 months to June 30, boosted by a $34.9 million gain from its 33 per cent stake in casino operator Melco Crown Entertainment in Macau.

The Crown casino in Melbourne and Burswood casino in Perth had a mixed performance as operations continued to be disrupted by renovations.

Crown has spent about $1.5 billion in capital expenditure from 2007 to 2011 and will spend about $540 million on Crown and Burswood in the 2012 financial year.

Crown also said that in the second half of the 2010-11 financial year, a few areas of its Australian operations had been affected by a softening in consumer sentiment.

Both casinos were affected by competition from two new casino-resorts that opened in Singapore.

Burswood casino experienced a 32.3 per cent fall in revenue from VIP gamblers as Burswood's new VIP facilities were not yet finished, and Asian high-rollers decided to carry out their betting in Singapore.

Mr Craigie said Singaporean gamblers now had options of close-to-home casinos and did not have to travel to Macau or Australia to gamble.

"That needs to be factored into the business, going forward, but the good news is the VIP market continues to grow strongly, courtesy of China," Mr Craigie said.

He said that it had to borne in mind that the refurbishments in Melbourne and Perth were still to be completed.

"So Perth is playing in this game with one hand tied behind its back," Mr Craigie said.

He declined to provide estimates of Burswood's future VIP revenue but said: "I think you could say we're looking forward to the Burswood VIP (refurbishment) program to be completed.

"If the Burswood VIP assets are completed by Christmas, and we think they will be, I probably wouldn't have to be Einstein to suggest that Burswood, going forward, is probably going to do better than Burswood has in the last 12 months."

Mr Craigie said the 2011 results reflected a "reasonable" performance from the Australian casinos in the non-VIP businesses.

Main-floor gaming generated revenue growth of 5.6 per cent.

Non-gaming revenue grew by 10.6 per cent, benefiting from the first full year of operation if the Crown Metropol hotel in Melbourne.

Mr Craigie said the Melco Crown Entertainment joint venture in Macau continued to improve its performance and was the major contributor to the profit growth of the group.

Crown said that in trading across both its casinos from July 1 to August 18, main-floor gaming revenue had grown by 3.8 per cent and non-gaming revenue was up 7.4 per cent.

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Sydney Reveals Its New Darling: The Star

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The Darling, Sydney's newest hotel, will breathe new life into the Sydney hotel landscape when it opens in October 2011. Nestled on the edge of Sydney harbour, The Darling will exemplify attention to detail, making this imaginative gem an indulgent and relaxing experience. The boutique accommodation will boast panoramic views of the city skyline, Harbour Bridge and out to the Blue Mountains.

The Darling will include 171 stylish rooms and suites, with the top floors dedicated to the ultimate in luxury, featuring two bedroom penthouse suites. The suites, uniquely designed by renowned LA designer, Lawrence Lee, feature floor-to-ceiling Sydney harbour views, bespoke furniture, fireplaces, media rooms, butler service and a private VIP arrival.

The Darling is a key feature in the $860 million refurbishment and extension of The Star, transforming it into a one-of-a-kind entertainment destination and a strong addition to Sydney’s overall leisure landscape. The entire complex will be re-orientated to face Darling Harbour, plus will introduce over 20 new bars, cafes and restaurants, a shopping area and a fully refurbished casino when it re-opens towards the end of the year.

The Darling has been designed as a stand-alone hotel, with its own arrival experience, amenities and alluring personality. It is the first five-star new build hotel in Sydney since the 2000 Olympic Games. Built in addition to the existing hotel and apartments, The Darling will bring the total rooms and suites at The Star to over 650 across three towers.

Introducing Drew Schlesinger

The new hotel General Manager, Drew Schlesinger, was hand-picked to manage the new hotel, based on his experience and success of opening and managing landmark hotels around the globe including the InterContinental at New York Times Square, The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and The Water Club in Atlantic City and the Mondrian Hotel Los Angeles.

“Our philosophy of The Darling is to take every aspect, whether it is a water glass or a coat hanger, and pay close attention to its form and function. From the coloured, soft coat hangers, to the hand-made drinking glasses in guest rooms. From the Egyptian cotton thread count bed sheets to the quality of the mattresses,” Drew explained.

“The architecture and design is sleek with subdued hues, yet the ambiance is warm and inviting – and there's certainly nothing modest about our plush comforts. The spa will round out the experience and be a welcome addition to Sydney,” he added.

Spa and Restaurant

A luxurious day spa with 16 private rooms is set to deliver pampering to the highest levels. An extensive array of Asian and European inspired treatments will feature at the spa, including an indulgent hamam, which is a Turkish variant of a steam bath, sauna or Russian Bath, distinguished by a focus on water.

The spa will be run by experienced international spa operator, Jeanette Haua. Jeanette’s experience includes managing Shangri La CHI spas in Mactan, Boracay and Manila in the Phillipines, plus spa experience in Fiji and Turkey.

The hotel will also be home to a stunning, contemporary Japanese restaurant called Sokyo, from Chase Kojima, formerly with Nobu restaurants, delivering an exciting and unexpected menu.

Luxury Retail Offering

A sophisticated new retail area will feature some of the leading luxury brands, including Chanel Fragrance and Beauty Boutique, Gucci and Bottega Veneta. Boasting 5,500m2 of floor space, the upscale retail space will be conveniently located between the hotel, refurbished casino, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Other features of The Darling include:

· An outdoor custom designed pool area with a deck, cabanas and bar.
· Access to the 20 new restaurants, bars and cafes featuring renowned Australian and international chefs including David Chang, Teage Ezard, Stefano Manfredi, Adriano Zumbo, Flying Fish & Chips and Golden Century.
· Access to the new retail collection including the following brands:
o G Star Raw, Calvin Klein Jeans, IM lingerie, Chanel Fragrance and Beauty Boutique, Salvatore Ferragamo , LK Jewellery, Gucci, Bottega Veneta , Moda Emporio

Reservations for The Darling will start from August 2011, on 1800 800 830. The Star will open its new bars, restaurants and retail collection from September whilst The Darling opens in late October 2011.

For further information, please visit www.thedarling.com.au

Notes to Editors

Room features:
- King and double/double size beds plus pillows designed exclusively for The Darling
- Kitchens located in penthouse suites and spa tubs in selected suites
- Sheets – 400 thread count Egyptian long-staple cotton throughout
- High Definition HD LED TVs and cable TV with on demand features
- Latest in-room entertainment centre (iPod, radio etc)
- State of the art telecommunications systems with conference and speaker capability with fibre optics and IP TV’s.
- Private/direct line access availability to specific rooms and data port connections for modem/fax hook ups

Drew Schlesinger- Bio

With 34 years of experience, Drew has served as General Manager and Director of Operations in major metropolitan cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Atlanta. Most recently he was the General Manager for the InterContinental at New York Times Square.

Drew has also managed operations of the The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and The Water Club in Atlantic City; managed the pre-opening and grand opening of 70 Park Avenue Hotel, The Kimpton Hotels & Resorts’ first hotel in New York City; and served as General Manager of Mondrian Hotel Los Angeles, an Ian Schrager Hotel.

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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Sydney Hilton Hotel Zeta Bar titillates and tantalises again with ‘extreme cabaret’ - 26th August 2011

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Hilton Sydney’s Zeta Bar is continuing to take guests back to the sexy mystique of the nineteenth century underworld, or Underbelly if you will, every Friday night until the end of September.

Management, staff and guests are having a who ha of a time as the boundaries of traditional cabaret continue to be pushed, such is the is the titillating and tantalising nature of the
experience at Zeta’s brand new ‘Extreme Cabaret’, now into its 5th fantasy - devilish week.

It's world famous Zeta Bar was once again transformed into a theatrical era gone by. It's Moulin Rouge meets Burlesque, plus a dash of Underbelly, with live sensual themes to tantalise and titillate you naughty little guys and girls, and then of course you have the addictive cocktails to keep things kicking along. Don't drink too much please or you might end up dreaming about 'Eyes Wide Shut' and it's version of adult style fantasy fun and games. Oh, you must give 'Green Fairy' absinthe a go. It's the hip drink to have when being titillatated by the ‘Extreme Cabaret’ were hear.

Zeta’s very own in-house ‘ringmaster’ of cocktails and international expert bar consultant, Grant Collins, is the mastermind behind Extreme Cabaret at Zeta.

“To mirror the unique and vibrant event concept, I have developed a menu of cocktails with the same theatre and ‘shock factor’ as the dramatic décor and extraordinary acts,” Collins said. “Be prepared to expect the unexpected at Extreme Cabaret! I have no doubt that the acts, atmosphere and cocktails will amaze everyone who experiences them and keep them coming back for more.”

Be there every funky and flirty Friday night, live entertainment will transport you to a lurid fantasy world, including pretty extreme burlesque performers, juggling little people, fire acts, complete with shock-humour and Ringmaster, and maybe even one or two unspeakables, but you will just have to get your body to turn up and find out for yourself you curious souls.

Last night it was one of the Human Statue models Anastasiya Bakss performing in a wonderful yellow and red 2 piece peacock feathered styled number, and believe me, there was more skin than feathers darlings.

Anastasiya was just wonderful once the performance got on the way. What the public didn't see was all of the hard work that went into the costume and make-up, backstage in the green room, as artists worked to ultra stiff deadlines. The models were transformed them into Extreme Cabaret superstars with the unique Human Statue look and style.

Network Nine 'Underbelly' stars were back in attendance tonight, but we've been asked not to name names. You'll see some of them back on Channel Nine this Sunday night as 'Underbelly Razor' enters its second week back on the box.

Special thanks to Grant, Manual, Dave and Karina at the Hilton for keeping things running so beautifully for us, and partygoers might like to also add themselves to the Hilton Hotel Honours Club like my friend and I did.

If you desire to be titillated and tantalised to your hearts content, this is your opportunity to snatch and seize the night.

*photography by Eva Rinaldi Photography

*artistic creations by Human Statue Bodyart



















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Friday, August 26, 2011

Wynn Resorts May Purchase Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, by Greg Tingle - 20th August 2011

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Earlier this year, PartyGaming and bwin merged to create Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, which is traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol BPTY. In an news article that appeared in The Independent last Tuesday, it was noted that since the two online gaming giants merged, the combined company’s share price has dipped by nearly half. While part of the drop might be due to a slowing economic environment worldwide and so no action might be needed, other entities felt that an infusion could be in the offing.

The Independent added that Wynn Resorts, headed up by Steve Wynn, has emerged as a possible investor in the newly formed gaming giant, which is focused on the European market and continues to feature two separate online poker rooms. Readers will recall just before Black Friday in the United States, PokerStars and Wynn Resorts announced that, once a gaming license was secured in the United States, the two companies would team up to launch Poker Stars Wynn.

Following Black Friday, in which the founders of PokerStars were indicted on charges that included money laundering and bank fraud, the deal with Wynn was called off as you would expect.

The news outlet cautioned, however, that investors might wait for the gaming environment in the United States to be sorted out first: "Not everyone agreed with the chatter, however, with one trader saying acquisitions in the sector were unlikely until there was further clarification over the potential regulation of online gambling in the U.S."

On Thursday, shares of Bwin.Party closed at 106.50 in London. Other rumored "aggressors," as the Independent calls prospective investors, include William Hill, which is also publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. Shares of BPTY stood above 160 pence in April, but have since dipped.

One poster on the TwoPlusTwo forum, questioned whether the rumors of a Wynn takeover were plausible: "So the newly merged Bwin.Party will sell to Wynn before even taking advantage of all the millions of Euros they will make in the first two years by virtue of the their merger synergies?"

Despite the merger, PartyPoker.com remains the flagship site of its own network, while bwin makes its home on the Ongame Network alongside rooms such as Betfair.

Caesars Entertainment, one of the principal competitors of Wynn Resorts, has partnered with 888, also a publicly traded company in London. Prior to Black Friday, Full Tilt Poker teamed up with Fertitta Interactive, whose ownership group has strong ties to Station Casinos. Along with the PokerStars - Wynn deal, the latter fell by the wayside once the U.S. Department of Justice took action in April.

Other members of TwoPlusTwo continued to cast doubt on the validity of The Independent’s report. One player wrote, "Party has never had any interest in selling. This feels like an absolute recycle of the previous such rumor that they were going to be bought out by Harrah’s. Unsurprisingly, it turns out there was never such a thing on the table and the only connection was former Party CEO Mitch Garber moving to Caesars Interactive."

Rumors have also persisted that the Ongame Network could be sold outright. To that end, Sharecast.com noted in a recent article, "Bwin.Party, the world's largest online gaming group, already has its poker network, Ongame, on the auction block. The sale is expected to generate between 20M and 30M Euros ($28.5m to $42.7m), a modest figure reflecting the loss of players the network will incur through the sale."

But could a deal between Wynn and Bwin.Party be finalized before online poker is legalized in the United States? And will it matter? This week, the New York Post published an article stating that online poker legislation could be coming sooner rather than later. One source told the Post, "I think there is becoming a feeling in Congress that this is something that needs to be regulated and be done. I believe there is a possibility a bill will pass towards the end of the year."

Media Man will be following the story with weekly reports.

*The writer has conducted b2 with Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment and Betfair.

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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Gaming And Financial Market Report: Investors take a flutter on Bwin.party bid talk - 16th August 2011

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Takeover talk was on the cards for Bwin.party yesterday, as investors mulled over whether to take a gamble on the online gaming group after rumours emerged it could be in line for an approach from the US.

The company has existed in its current form only since March, when the merger between PartyGaming and Austria's Bwin was completed. Since then, however, a steady slide – exacerbated by the sharp falls seen across the markets in the past few weeks – has resulted in its share price plummeting by 45 per cent.

The move has prompted chatter that the world's biggest listed online gambling group may become a target, and yesterday vague speculation suggested the casinos group Wynn Resorts, whose chief executive is the Las Vegas billionaire Steve Wynn, could be a potential aggressor.

With the gossip claiming a possible bid could reach as high as 170p a share, Bwin.party managed to touch 107.8p during trading before closing at 105.7p, a rise over the session of 1.7p.

Not everyone agreed with the chatter, however, with one trader saying acquisitions in the sector were unlikely until there was further clarification over the potential regulation of online gambling in the US.

The recent rumours came after mutterings last week suggested potential aggressors for Bwin.party could come from closer to home, with William Hill – up 1.9p to 224p – one of the names linked.

Those in the City returning to their desks after the FTSE 100's volatile movements last week would not have been blamed for being somewhat fearful over what the days ahead would hold, yet the top-tier index ended up powering forwards 30.55 points to 5,350.58, its third consecutive session on the rise.

Nonetheless, traders were still cautious. "We are not out of the woods yet," said one, who added that he would feel more confident if the banks managed a sustained rally as well. That was certainly not the case yesterday as – with nerves raised ahead of today's key meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and France's President Nicolas Sarkozy on the eurozone crisis – the sector was left in the red.

Following reports suggesting "ring fencing" proposals could be tougher than anticipated, Barclays dropped 3.85p to 183.35p, while Lloyds Banking Group was 0.59p behind at 33.23p. Meanwhile, HSBC fell 4.6p to 547.2p despite being picked by JP Morgan Cazenove as one of the more attractive stocks after the recent sell-off.

Saying that "equity markets are oversold and [we] see many signs of panic", the broker added that "indiscriminate selling is offering great opportunities if one can look through the current extreme volatility."

Also among its picks were Amec, which finished 43.5p stronger at 949p, and Xstrata. The latter was lifted 21.5p to 1,092.5p, and – with data from Japan showing its economy for the second quarter had shrunk less than feared – the rest of the miners were also rising.

SABMiller pushed up 15p to 2,105p after Nomura raised its glass to the Grolsch brewer and toasted its emerging markets exposure. Cutting its growth expectations for the amount of beer consumed in Western Europe and US, the broker pointed out that around 84 per cent of SABMiller's profits come from outside these regions and raised its recommendation to "buy" as a result.

However, Nomura's analysts were less keen on Diageo, dropping its advice to "neutral", thanks to its new estimates that spirit volumes Stateside will rise only 1 per cent next year, although the owner of Smirnoff vodka and Bell's whisky still ticked up 11p to 1,189p.

Down on the FTSE 250, there was a definite appetite for Domino's Pizza as the pizza delivery company – recently the subject of bid rumours – surged forwards 24p to 486.8p, helped by Peel Hunt upgrading its rating to "buy".

As well as claiming that investors now have "a rare second chance to buy into Domino's iconic marketing enterprise", the broker's analysts added that they would "also take seriously recent social developments which, even after calm has been restored, may result in a subtle shift between the considerations for going out as opposed to staying at home".

The wooden spoon on the mid-tier index was taken by Michael Page, with the recruiter dropping sharply as it released its interim results. The company ended up shedding 32.4p to finish at 368p after saying it was being knocked by hiring freezes among the European banks, several of which have recently announced large job losses.

It was a good session for the explorers operating off the coast of the Falkland Islands, with Rockhopper increasing its estimates for its Sea Lion discovery. As a result it spurted up 19.25p to 237p on the Alternative Investment Market, while Desire Petroleum – which operates in the same region – was 2.25p higher at 19.25p.


Sportingbet chatter a rare ray of light in a gloomy market; UK Report...

Takeover tittle-tattle engulfing the internet gambling industry provided a welcome distraction on an otherwise miserable morning in the markets today.

Sportingbet, at present being courted by Ladbrokes, rose 3.3p to 53.7p as investors bet that a deal is imminent. Sportingbet's rival GVC Holdings said it is in exclusive discussions with the company about buying its Turkish language website. According to Evolution Securities, a sale of the site would "pave the way for a Ladbrokes takeover [of Sportingbet]."

Recycled bid speculation also pushed Bwin.party Digital Entertainment into first place on the FTSE 250 winners' list. The ludicrously named gambling group is rumoured to be in the sights of either bookmaker William Hill or a predator from across the Atlantic, Wynn Resorts. Gossips named a price of up to 170p per share for an approach: that's already 10p more than they were dreaming about last Friday. Bwin.party, formed from the merger of PartyGaming and Austria's Bwin, surged 7.4p to 113.1p.

UBS also gave the stock a boost, noting that it is trading at levels last seen during the market panic which ensued after the collapse of Lehman Brothers. That is, according to the big-hitting bank, despite the prospect of €55 million (£48.3 million) of "merger synergies", the demise of a major rival (Full Tilt Poker) and better-than-ever prospects for re-entering the US poker market.

But analyst Simon Whittington added that first-half results at the end of the month are likely to be lacklustre and may provide an even better buying opportunity. He is a buyer of Bwin, and has a 185p price target.

Shares in London ended their three-day winning streak after disappointing German GDP data renewed investors' fears for global growth. The FTSE 100 fell 55.16 points to 5295.42, dragged down by mining stocks because of their exposure to economic growth. Xstrata dropped 35½p to 1057p, Kazakhmys lost 28p to 1022p and Chilean copper producer Antofagasta shed 34p to 1230p.

Car parts maker GKN was the worst performer on the top flight though, off 7.5p at 194.7p, as auto stocks were sold-off amid concerns that the economic slowdown will hit demand.

Only a smattering of blue-chips managed to post any gains. They were mostly "safe haven" stocks: drug-makers Shire and GlaxoSmithKline ticked up 14p to 1965p and 5p to 1282p respectively, and gold miner Randgold Resources climbed 60p to 6240p.

Recruitment firm Harvey Nash was 4p up at 72p as investors applauded a 40% jump in first-half profits. Polo Resources surged 0.4p to 5.3p after doubling its proposed special dividend to 2p per share. It comes after the mining investment vehicle sold its stake in Caledon Resources.


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Saturday, August 13, 2011

Property News Media Blog: a building or room used for social amusements specifically : one used for gambling 2 or less commonly cassino : a card game in which cards are won by matching or combining cards in a hand with those exposed on the table

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: a building or room used for social amusements specifically : one used for gambling 2 or less commonly cassino : a card game in which cards are won by matching or combining cards in a hand with those exposed on the table





List

Punters, here's 10 of the world's top land based casinos for you to mark down in your travel plans.

Monte Carlo, Monaco: Perched above the Mediterranean and bounded by the French
and Italian coastlines on either side, Monaco provides a spectacular and luxurious setting for the wealthy and the wannabees. Home to the Monaco Grand Prix and the legendary Casino de Monte Carlo, this isn't the place for those on a tight
budget. The magnificent Casino hosts the annual European Poker Tour and was also the scene of several James Bond Films, including the original "Casino Royale" and "Golden Eye".

Paradise Island, Bahamas: Located just off the shore of the city of Nassau, Paradise
Island is best known for its sprawling 'Vegas-by-the-sea' resort, Atlantis. The resort spans seven acres along a lagoon, where guests can soak up the Caribbean sun and choose from a variety of outdoor gaming areas. When in need of a break from
the tables, guests can enjoy the private beach or one of the resorts 20 sunlit pools.

Melbourne, Australia: As Australia's sporting and entertainment capital, Melbourne
offers the perfect option for high rollers looking for a local break. Aussies need look no further than Crown Casino on the southern bank of the Yarra River, which is one of the largest casino complexes in the southern hemisphere. The main gambling
floor stretches more than half a kilometre and the casino was the first to introduce the new game Rapid Roulette, which allows players to place bets on a personal electronic touch screen connected to a central roulette wheel.

Macau, China: Known as the 'Monte Carlo of the Orient,' and the gambling capital of Asia, Macau now rivals Monaco and Las Vegas as one of the premier gambling destinations in the world. With no less than 33 casinos, in addition to local horse and greyhound racing venues, Macau is perfect for the betting junkie. The Wynn Macau
casino is a standout, highlighted by 24-carat gold 'Tree of Prosperity' at the entrance, extravagant water displays and Moon Jellyfish Aquarium at reception.

Baden-Baden, Germany: Situated on the western foothills of the Black Forest and on
the banks of the Oos River, Baden-Baden is not your typical casino town. However, in addition to its hot springs and picturesque countryside, the town is also known for its 200-year-old 'Spielbank' casino - the oldest of its type in Germany. With French chateau-style salons rooms named after historical figures such as Madame Pompadour and Louis XV's mistress, the quirky casino provides visitors with a very unique
gaming experience.

Las Vegas, United States: With over 1700 licensed casinos in operation, Las Vegas
offers the ultimate package for travellers who fancy a flutter. A visit to the famous 'Strip' is a must for any player, whether they're looking for a spin on the roulette table or a game of blackjack - this city has it all. 

The iconic Caesar's Palace hotel and casino offers 129,000 square feet of casino space plus an endless smorgasbord of entertainment, shopping and fine dining options, including Cleopatra's barge, a floating lounge perfect for a relaxing drink after a jam-packed night on the
casino floor.

Manila, The Philippines: With a favourable exchange rate, Manila provides great value
for Aussies wanting to live the high-life overseas. The city offers a range of shopping and entertainment options, along with a world-class casino at the Hyatt Hotel. Spread across three levels, the sparkling casino offers the newest in gaming
facilities for both hotel guests and visitors, and is just a short distance from Manila's tourist hub.

Sun City, South Africa: Known as 'Africa's Kingdom of Pleasure,' this luxury resort
and casino complex, just two hours from Johannesburg, boasts two large casinos, two 18-hole golf courses and a wildlife reserve. At the extravagant yet picturesque Palace of the Lost City, guests are treated to stunning valley views from the guestrooms, along with exclusive access to the Grand Pool. The nearby Sun City Casino is the entertainment Mecca of the resort, featuring a myriad of gaming options as well as an indoor jungle of native foliage and water fountains.

Atlantic City, United States: Regarded as the US's 'Las Vegas of the East', Atlantic City in New Jersey is renowned for its gambling, shopping and fine dining. Towering above the banks of the Atlantic Ocean, the Trump Taj Mahal casino is an icon of the city, with an on-site shopping district and an abundance of restaurants and bars. The
157,000 square-foot casino is also hard to miss, with 3,500 slot machines and 200 table games. Unveiled in 1990 by a number of celebrities, including the late Michael Jackson, the casino is the second-largest in Atlantic City and well worth a visit.

Genting Highlands, Malaysia: Nestled on the Titiwangsa mountain range, just an hour's
drive from Kuala Lumpur and 6,000 feet above sea level, the Resorts World Genting offers 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. This spectacular resort has first-class accommodation, dining and entertainment, while avoiding the hustle and bustle of a capital city. The on-site casino, which covers 200,000 square feet, is Malaysia's sole gaming venue and is divided into separate themed areas, such as Hollywood and Monte Carlo, for the ultimate gambling experience.


Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Casino News Media - Media Man: Online Promotions, Land Based Developments, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, MGM, Crown Casino VS The Star... - 9th August 2011

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Bwin.Party. Digital Entertainment Shares Dip To Record Low; Online Players Up...

The global economic slump has once again impacted the share price of Bwin.Party, as share prices of the parent company that owns PartyCasino.com World Poker Tour and PartyPoker.com reached a record low less than 48 hours ago.

Bwin.Party share prices dropped as low as 113.8p prior to closing at 116.9p - a 5.7% decline in one day. Experts are investigating what may have caused a sudden decline in the share prices of the gaming giant.

There is an overall downward trend of the market. Bwin also has an increased reliance on Euro-zone troubled markets. Before merger of PartyGaming and Bwin, the latter showed that 11% of its revenue is generated from Greece.

The European Commission’s president Jose Manuel Barroso is warning European governments that the financial troubles of Greece, Portugal and Ireland could spread to Italy and Spain. Italy alone represents 10% of Bwin’s revenues.

Bwin.Party's online arm is business usual. PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com is continuing to run a number of attractive promotions, and the company looks like a safe bet to retain it's #1 position as the world's leading online gambling firm.


Party Poker Sending Players to Oktoberfest...

Starting this coming Friday, PartyPoker players will be able to take the first step on a possible trip to Germany to join in one of the world’s most famous parties. Through the first week of September, PartyPoker will award 16 packages to the 201-year old Oktoberfest, held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.

Beginning at the stroke of midnight on August 12th, PartyPoker will hold a VIP Oktoberfest Race, in which players can try to earn as many PartyPoints as possible at real money tables through August 21st. When the Race period is complete, the top seven points earners will each win Oktoberfest prize packages. In addition to those winners, players who finish from 8th to 25th will receive $250, 26th through 75th place will win $100, and places 76 through 400 will all receive a seat in September’s VIP Oktoberfest and Super Gadget Freeroll.

There will then be a second VIP Oktoberfest Race starting immediately after the first one ends, at midnight on August 22nd, and running through 11:59pm on August 31st. All of the prizes are exactly the same for Race number two.

Those who finish in the top 25 in both races will be gifted a 16 GB Apple iPad2, while anyone who finishes in the top 75 in both races will win a 64 GB iPod Touch.

The VIP Oktoberfest and Super Gadget Freeroll will be held on September 4th at 2:00pm ET. An Oktoberfest prize package will be handed out to the top two finishers in the tournament, while the remainder of the top 30 will receive Apple electronics. Those who round out the top five will win 4 GB Apple iPhones, 6th through 10th will get the 16 GB Apple iPad2, and 11th through 30th will win a 64 GB iPod Touch.

Players are allowed to win a maximum of one Oktoberfest prize package and one Apple electronic gadget.

The Oktoberfest prize package includes two night’s accommodation for two, with breakfast, at the Le Meridien hotel in Munich, dinner and drinks at the Hippodrom Oktoberfest tent, dinner and poker at the Olympic Tower restaurant, access to a reserved area and drinks at the P1 nightclub, daytime activities, all transportation in Munich, VIP hospitality, and $600 spending money. Travel to and from Munich is the responsibility of the winner, which is why the $600 is included.

Keep in mind that, like most of PartyPoker’s promotions, players must opt-in in order to participate. The option to opt-in can be found on players’ PartyPoker account pages. In addition, prizes cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash, so if you win a trip to Germany, you are going or you get nothing. For the rest of the terms and conditions, including how to claim prizes (yes, players must claim their Apple gadget prizes – they are not mailed automatically), visit PartyPoker’s web page.

PartyPoker is currently the third largest online poker room or network in terms of cash game traffic, according to PokerScout.com. With a seven day average of 4,200 cash game players, it is neck-and-neck with the iPoker Network, which has 4,250 cash game players. (Credit: Poker News Daily)


$35M renovations to downtown Plaza in Las Vegas nearly done; Hotel reopens Sept. 1...

LAS VEGAS — A roughly $35 million overhaul of the downtown Plaza Las Vegas hotel-casino is ahead of schedule, keeping the property on track for a Sept. 1 reopening, the chief executive of its operator tells The Associated Press.

CEO Tony Santo of Play LV said buying furniture, fixtures, wallpaper and other items at a discount from the shuttered Fontainebleau project on the Las Vegas Strip helped stretch the Plaza’s renovation budget.

“It elevated what we were originally thinking about doing here,” he said.

The Plaza will reopen with a new casino floor, lounges, entertainment and several restaurants, including a steakhouse named for former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Santo said he expects the hotel to compete with top hotels downtown, including the Golden Nugget, and others citywide during a time when Sin City is hoping for an overall rebound in tourism and hoteliers are battling one another for gamblers to patronize their properties.

Gambling revenues in downtown Las Vegas have remained essentially flat through the first five months of 2011, ticking up less than 1 percent compared with the first five months of 2010, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The number of visitors citywide went up 4.7 percent over the same period.

The Plaza closed in November as owner Tamares Group started the renovations, opting to make most of its changes all at once rather than keeping open and changing little by little.

“Our existing product was so bad, it wasn’t worth it to struggle and keep it open,” Santo said.

Roughly one month before the reopening, the Plaza’s rooms look like they’re from a completely different hotel, while construction crews have pulled the carpeting, light fixtures and other elements of the casino floor and are starting anew.

“There’s really nothing on the casino floor that hasn’t been touched,” Santo said.

He said the Plaza plans to target typical Sin City customers, including Las Vegas locals and people from the Midwest and West Coast.

He said success will come by convincing gamblers and others that the Plaza has truly changed.

“You have to start somewhere,” he said.


MGM Resorts posts 2Q profit, aided by MGM China...

NEW YORK (AP) — Casino operator MGM Resorts International said Monday it swung to a profit in the second quarter as the company benefited from taking a controlling stake in its China venture. The company's adjusted net loss was narrower than analysts expected as both gambling and hotel room revenue increased.

The positive results, which came after the market closed, were largely overshadowed on a day when the stock market swooned as anxiety overtook investors on the first trading day since Standard & Poor's downgraded American debt. The Dow Jones industrials fell 634.76 points, the worst one-day drop since December 2008.

MGM shares fell 24 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $11.30 in aftermarket trading, after closing the day down nearly 9 percent at $11.54.

Still, MGM's results mark the first two consecutive sequential quarters of operational improvement since the downturn, said CEO Jim Murren in a call with investors.

"This, combined with very positive forward trends that we are currently seeing, leads us to believe that the signs of the recovery" in Las Vegas are consistent, he said. "We are going to see continued improvement as we move into the back half of this year and into 2012."

Net income totaled $3.44 billion, or $6.22 per share during the three months ended June 30. That compares with a net loss of $883.5 million, or $2 per share last year, which included a charge of $1.12 billion for impairment of the company's investment in the CityCenter joint venture.
The latest results benefited from a hefty $3.5 billion gain, or $6.30 per share, related to acquiring a controlling interest in MGM China Holdings Ltd.

MGM China Holdings Ltd. operates a profitable casino in Macau, which is the only place in China where casino gambling is legal. MGM took a controlling 51 percent stake in MGM China Holdings when it went public on the Hong Kong stock exchange in June. Before that it had a 50 percent stake.

That move is "an important step in expanding our global operations and profitability," said Murren in a statement.

Excluding that as well as a 3 cents per share impairment charge, MGM Resorts' net loss totaled 5 cents per share. Analysts expected a loss of 14 cents per share, according to FactSet.

Revenue rose nearly 17 percent to $1.81 billion from $1.55 billion last year. That beat analysts' expectations of $1.58 billion.

Revenue from the company's domestic results totaled $1.5 billion, up 4 percent compared with the prior year quarter as room prices and occupancy rates increased.

Domestically, casino revenue rose 1 percent, including a 4 percent increase in slots revenue.
Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian is a major investor in MGM Resorts International, which is based in Las Vegas. (Credit: Google News, Wires, AP)


Sands China Signs Deal With Hilton, IHG for Cotai Project...

HONG KONG—Sands China Ltd. has signed franchise agreements with Hilton Worldwide and InterContinental Hotels Group PLC. for hotels at the casino operator's $4 billion-plus resort in Macau's Cotai area, Sands said Friday, solidifying plans for the long-delayed expansion project.

Hilton's five-star Conrad is expected to open at the Sands Cotai Central property in the first quarter of 2012 with more than 600 rooms, Las Vegas Sands Corp. unit said in a statement.

A four-star Holiday Inn by InterContinental is also scheduled to open late in first quarter 2012 with more than 1,200 rooms, it added. Dow Jones in March reported Sands China was in talks with the hotelier amid a failed agreement with Shangri-La Asia Ltd.

In July Las Vegas Sands Chief Operating Officer Mike Leven said Sands China plans to launch nearly 2,000 Sheraton-branded hotel rooms at the Cotai property in the third quarter, and that in early 2013 it should open an additional 2,000 rooms under the Sheraton Towers brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.

Construction of the project, which Sands China has said will have 6,000 hotel rooms in total, has been slowed at least in part by government restrictions on how many foreign workers companies in the labor-starved territory can hire.

The number of gaming tables at the resort has been a thorny issue as well since the government imposed a cap on tables until 2013. Mr. Leven last week said Sands Cotai Central will have as many as 530 tables versus the 670 the company was planning previously. (Credit: The Wall Street Journal)


New casino opens on NY Mohawk reservation...

ALBANY, N.Y. — A group of Mohawks has quietly opened a casino on the tribe's reservation along New York's northern border with some 400 electronic gambling machines and plans to expand and host poker games, drawing criticism from tribal leaders responsible for the established casino and bingo hall located nearby.

The Three Feathers Casino operates in a commercial building six miles down Route 37 from the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, which has electronic slot machines and table games under a state compact. The new venture is separate and has no similar state or federal approvals.

Three Feathers organizers, from the Men's Council of the People of the Way of the Long House, say they established their own gaming commission last year that set regulations. "By no means is anyone looking for any confrontation," spokesman Chaz Kader said, adding that would be negative for everyone on the reservation.

Kader cited economic development efforts and plans to use 20 to 25 percent of revenue to support the Long House, including help for elders in the community, as reasons for opening Three Feathers.

"It's employing over 100 of our local people," he said.

Open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight, it began operating July 13, has had incremental increases in customers and had 500 visitors its second Sunday, Kader said. There's no alcohol, but smoking is allowed.

The Akwesasne casino, with some 1,600 Las Vegas-style slot machines and 22 table games including blackjack, craps, roulette and poker, is operated around the clock by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe under a New York compact that calls for sharing 25 percent of profits from the electronic slot machines with the state. St. Regis tribal officials said the only two "legitimate" gaming properties in Akwesasne are their casino and their Mohawk Bingo Palace, noting regulatory oversight by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Gaming Commission along with the National Indian Gaming Commission.

On a reservation with factions and some history of tensions, including over whether the original casino should have opened in 1999, the new enterprise drew criticism from the tribal government responsible for the first casino and bingo hall, saying their profits already support programs for tribal members.

"The unlicensed gaming facility cannot compare to our legal casinos in terms of safety, gaming integrity and regulatory oversight," St. Regis Tribal Chief Mark Garrow said. In a statement, the St. Regis tribal government said the new casino's suppliers, operators and financiers had not undergone background checks in accordance with the federal law and they are all under investigation.

Men's Council members told KahnawakeNews.Com that their gaming regulations meet or exceed the others and they'd like to see all casinos on Mohawk territory follow them. Kader said the regulations are based on the foundational great law of peace, considered a superseding document to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Charter, that can apply to other areas and that specifies revenue sharing and doesn't include the state compact.

"As the public becomes more confident with this extra venue, we've seen word of mouth and satisfied gaming players liked what they saw and would be back," Kader said.

According to state gambling officials, Congress in 1988 permitted federally recognized tribes to regulate traditional forms of Indian gaming in conjunction with the federal commission or by themselves. They include bingo, pull tabs, lotto, punch boards, tip jars and certain card games, with all other gaming subject to regulation set under state-tribal compacts.

Kader said the new casino's machines operate "in an electronic bingo environment," where they are operating on a single computer server that has different architecture and software than self-contained slot machines. He said long-term plans include adding more machines and that poker is being discussed and that's likely, but with players betting against each other and not against the house.

Gamblers will get individual financial statements about winnings, but any reporting for tax purposes will be up to them, he said.

Lee Park, spokesman for the Racing & Wagering Board, said there is no compact between the state and the Mohawk group that opened Three Feathers and so it is not under the board's regulatory oversight.

The state board regulates four other Indian casinos, including the Oneidas' Turning Stone in central New York at Verona and three Seneca casinos in western New York at Salamanca, Niagara Falls and Buffalo.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council last year stopped sharing Akwesasne Mohawk Casino revenue with the state, claiming the gambling compact provision that gave them exclusive seven-county rights to install and operate slot machines had been violated. Tribe spokesman David Staddon said the case is in mediation.

The Mohawks' outstanding state liability now is $17.7 million from a year of non-payments, said state Budget Division spokesman Morris Peters. The Senecas, who haven't made payments for more than two years, have a state liability of $288.3 million, he said. (Credit: Google News; Wires; AP)

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Palazzo Versace's fabulous new Fitness & Wellbeing Centre is now open!

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Palazzo Versace’s fabulous new Fitness & Wellbeing Centre is now open!

QUEENSLAND, 4 AUGUST 2011 – The extremely good looking and technologically advanced Fitness & Wellbeing Centre at Palazzo Versace Gold Coast is now officially open! The facility was launched at a gala cocktail event in late July by the fashionably fit Shannan Ponton from Channel 10’s The Biggest Loser. Australia’s first and only fashion branded hotel spent half a million dollars creating the luxury, world class Fitness & Wellbeing Centre which features leading edge Wellness Key System technology by Technogym.

Technogym together with the Wellness Key System is the most sought after exercise equipment around the world and the first of its kind in a luxury hotel in Australia. The exclusive new equipment combined with an array of luxurious member facilities demonstrates that Palazzo Versace is now not only a premiere accommodation and dining destination but also home to a leading health and fitness facility.

Palazzo Versace’s Fitness & Wellbeing Centre is offering a range of bespoke membership levels which have been designed with the total wellbeing experience in mind. Membership level inclusions range from luxe accommodation, deep tissue massages, S.P.A time pampers, poolside Water Salon retreats and personal training sessions, as well as VIP benefits throughout the hotel, such as 10% off food and beverage, 20% off Palazzo Versace S.P.A treatments and access to the hotels steam and sauna facilities. Palazzo Versace is offering numerous membership levels for the Fitness & Wellbeing Centre starting from classic access to platinum membership for the full Palazzo Versace wellness experience.

The new Fitness & Wellbeing Centre will be complimentary to guests of the hotel and adds to Palazzo Versace’s already impressive list of guest amenities. Guests will be able to improve their fitness whilst enjoying the expanded space, which includes stylish parquetry flooring and diamond shape mirrors and is luxuriously appointed in the classic Versace style which the property is famous for.

To book your stay at Palazzo Versace or to enquire about membership at the new Fitness & Wellbeing Centre please call 07 5509 8000 or visit www.palazzoversace.com.au.

-Ends-

Palazzo Versace

In 1998, Sunland Group, a publicly-listed company on the Australian Stock Exchange, together with Gianni Versace SpA had a bold vision to create the world’s first fashion-branded hotel and residence experience. In September 2000, the $300 million Palazzo Versace opened its doors on Australia’s famous Gold Coast and a new luxury address was born.

Palazzo Versace Gold Coast, the world’s first luxury designer hotel, incorporates 200 classically elegant rooms and suites, 72 neighbouring condominiums, three award-winning restaurants and a private marina, all on a historic site in Southern Queensland on the edge of the Gold Coast Broadwater.

Following the success of Palazzo Versace Gold Coast, the two companies signed an exclusive global rollout agreement to develop 15 Palazzo Versace hotels worldwide over the next 30 years.
The second Palazzo Versace development, currently under construction in Dubai and opening in early 2012, is a joint venture development between Sunland Group Limited and Emirates International Holdings. The luxury hotel is located in the Culture Village on the Dubai Creek, and will offer 169 luxury residences ranging from one to six bedrooms, a health spa, restaurant and 217 hotel rooms and suites, all entirely designed by Versace and furnished with an exclusive line of products from the Versace Home Collection. Future Palazzo Versace hotel and residential projects will be located in cities where there is an established property investment market, strong tourism and leisure growth, and an appreciation and demand for international brands and luxury.

2011 Awards:

Best Australian Hotel in Luxury Travel Magazine’s Gold List for the fourth consecutive year

2010 Awards:

Best Luxury Hotel at the World Luxury Hotel Awards
Outstanding Service and Outstanding Luxury awards in HotelClub.com’s reader awards
Australasia’s Leading Hotel and Australasia’s Leading Spa Resort at the World Travel Awards

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Caesars Entertainment wins approval for $500m Vegas project - 9th August 2011

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Caesars Entertainment has won approval for a major new entertainment, retail and dining development – codenamed Project Ling – in Las Vegas.

Clark County commissioners offered its approval to the project – situated between the Imperial Palace and the Flamingo casinos – earlier, with Caesars now hoping to break ground later this month.

When completed – in 2013 - the $500 million complex will include the biggest Ferris wheel in the world.

At 550-foot, the wheel will be larger than the Singapore Flyer and the London Eye.

“This is more of an entertainment experience,” explained Caesars spokesman Gary Thompson, noting Project Ling will offer no central gaming area.

It is hoped the project will create 3,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs.


Caesars Palace Las Vegas Gets World Class Entertainment...

Celine Dion
Celine has always been a pioneer when it comes to creating groundbreaking concert performances and this next adventure promises to be the best ever! Featuring 31 musicians, consisting of orchestra and band, Celine’s new show will include her biggest hits performed with a stunning visual presentation.

Jerry Seinfeld
Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner and entertainment icon Jerry Seinfeld is still a front-runner in the ratings. As a testament to its success in the television landscape, TV Guide's poll of the "Greatest Shows of All Time" listed "Seinfeld" as #1.

Rod Stewart
Legendary rock icon Rod Stewart returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for the first 18 concerts of his two-year Las Vegas residency, kicking off on August 24, 2011. Rod Stewart: The Hits. will be a concert celebration featuring a set list of the rock and R&B favorites which have defined Stewart’s unparalleled five-decade-long career.

Luis Miguel
Latin music superstar Luis Miguel will return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in celebration of the 2011 Mexican Independence Day weekend September 15-18 at 9 p.m. The four night engagement is presented jointly by AEG Live and Caesars Palace.

Elton John's Million Dollar Piano
World-renowned singer, songwriter and performer, Elton John will return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with an all new show, “The Million Dollar Piano,” beginning September 28 for sixteen shows. Elton’s September return will mark the beginning of a three-year residency at The Colosseum and his second as a Caesars Palace headliner.

Shania Twain
Shania Twain, international superstar and the world’s best-selling female country artist of all time returns to the stage and vocal spotlight with a two-year residency at The Colosseum.

Matt Goss
Produced by Robin Antin, creator of The Pussycat Dolls, Goss' show will offer a dynamic blend of musical talent.

Spiegeltent At Caesars Palace

Absinthe
Absinthe is taking Las Vegas by storm, stripside at Caesars Palace. Described by The New York Times as “Cirque channeled through The Rocky Horror Show”, Absinthe is an intoxicating collision of circus, burlesque and vaudeville featuring curious creatures, heavenly bodies and outrageous comedy.

*Media Man public thank you to Caesars Palace management and media unit.

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Monday, August 08, 2011

Australian Gambling News; Asia Pacific Gaming Connection: James Packer...Crown Melco, by Greg Tingle - 8th August 2011

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Perth's Burswood Casino Sued After Stolen Cash Gambled Away...

Burswood Casino is being sued for in the region of $600,000 stolen from a Perth engineering company by an accountant who used the money to help fund his gambling addiction.

In a Supreme Court writ lodged last week, Exceleng Corporation claims Burswood was "unjustly enriched" at its expense when accountant Anthony Bianco deposited stolen funds in a casino account from which he could withdraw gambling vouchers.

Bianco, who pleaded guilty to nearly 300 counts of stealing as a servant between 1998 and 2005, was sentenced to 3.5 years jail in 2007 and served at least 21 months for siphoning $925,000 from his Naval Base employer.

Lawyers for Exceleng, trading as Alltype Engineering Services, argue that Burswood facilitated Bianco's breach of trust.

"(Burswood) recklessly failed to make any reasonable inquiry as to the funds so transferred into (the casino's) account and their source, and should reasonably have been aware, given the quantum of such transfers, that inquiry as to the funds and their source was required," the writ states.

Alltype managing director Colin Heitman said Burswood had a case to answer, claiming it ignored an obligation to report big transactions for independent tracking.

"I think Burswood has an obligation to protect businesses and individuals against fraud and they don't do that," he said.

"I don't think they uphold their duty of care when it comes to protecting people against electronic fraud.

"It was an extraordinary amount of money.

"Fortunately we've survived and moved on."

Bianco, of Cannington, said yesterday: "That was like six years ago.

"I'm all finished, I'm finished with that."

In a 2007 Court of Appeal decision that increased Bianco's original 2.5 year term by a year, Bianco was described as an immature man in denial about his gambling addiction.

"His immaturity led him to identify achievement as related to being admired as a high roller and being well known in the casino context," the judgment said.

Burswood Casino declined to comment on the legal action.


Malaysian Gamblers Drown Fleeing...

Police say five men have drowned in northern Malaysia after leaping into a river to escape a gambling raid.

A police spokesman in Malaysia's northern Kedah state says the men were among 20 suspects who were playing dice games by a river on Saturday when police tried to detain them.

He says five men sought to escape by swimming to another village across the river, but a search team found their bodies over the next few hours. Most of them were in their 40s and 50s.

Betting and gambling in public without a licence is punishable by a six-month prison term and a fine.


Melco Crown To List In Hong Kong...

James Packer's Macau casino joint venture Melco Crown Entertainment plans to list its shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to improve liquidity and raise equity to help fund a new $US2.5 billion ($2.38bn) casino resort development.

Melco Crown chief executive Lawrence Ho said the proposed dual listing -- the stock is already listed on Nasdaq -- would give Oriental investors a more direct access to the stock and put Melco on a par with other Macau casino operators that all have Hong Kong listings.

"We believe our proposed dual listing on the local bourse will not only put us on par with our competitors but will also provide our existing shareholders with much enhanced liquidity, while providing us with access to an additional source of capital," Mr Ho said in a statement.

It is widely believed Melco Crown wants to proceed with the issue before the end of the year.

The move is likely to include an equity raising rather than simply a compliance listing, although analysts expect the raising to be small given they expect neither joint venture partner will want to be diluted in the issue.

Packer's Crown owns a 33.5% stake in Melco. The equity will help fund the development of Macau Studio City, a $US2.5bn integrated gaming, retail and entertainment resort to be developed in Macau, although much of the project is expected to be debt-funded.

It will be Melco Crown's third casino in Macau, although the joint-venture partners must first negotiate with local authorities to ensure a casino is included in the project plans. The current government-approved plans do not contain any gaming elements.

Citi said a dual listing would allow Melco Crown to join key benchmark indices and improve liquidity.

Macau's gaming regulator has revealed that July gross gaming revenue was $US3bn, the second-best month this year.

However, Melco shares have fallen sharply. They opened at $US16 last Monday but closed at $US12.94 in Thursday trading on the Nasdaq, down 13.15% on the day. The shares rose 21% last month.

Readers...er, punters, please bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.

*the writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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Friday, August 05, 2011

Casinos Of The World; Land Based And Online Casinos



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Punters, here's 10 of the world's top land based casinos for you to mark down in your travel plans.

Monte Carlo, Monaco: Perched above the Mediterranean and bounded by the French
and Italian coastlines on either side, Monaco provides a spectacular and luxurious setting for the wealthy and the wannabees. Home to the Monaco Grand Prix and the legendary Casino de Monte Carlo, this isn't the place for those on a tight
budget. The magnificent Casino hosts the annual European Poker Tour and was also the scene of several James Bond Films, including the original "Casino Royale" and "Golden Eye".

Paradise Island, Bahamas: Located just off the shore of the city of Nassau, Paradise
Island is best known for its sprawling 'Vegas-by-the-sea' resort, Atlantis. The resort spans seven acres along a lagoon, where guests can soak up the Caribbean sun and choose from a variety of outdoor gaming areas. When in need of a break from
the tables, guests can enjoy the private beach or one of the resorts 20 sunlit pools.

Melbourne, Australia: As Australia's sporting and entertainment capital, Melbourne
offers the perfect option for high rollers looking for a local break. Aussies need look no further than Crown Casino on the southern bank of the Yarra River, which is one of the largest casino complexes in the southern hemisphere. The main gambling
floor stretches more than half a kilometre and the casino was the first to introduce the new game Rapid Roulette, which allows players to place bets on a personal electronic touch screen connected to a central roulette wheel.

Macau, China: Known as the 'Monte Carlo of the Orient,' and the gambling capital of Asia, Macau now rivals Monaco and Las Vegas as one of the premier gambling destinations in the world. With no less than 33 casinos, in addition to local horse and greyhound racing venues, Macau is perfect for the betting junkie. The Wynn Macau
casino is a standout, highlighted by 24-carat gold 'Tree of Prosperity' at the entrance, extravagant water displays and Moon Jellyfish Aquarium at reception.

Baden-Baden, Germany: Situated on the western foothills of the Black Forest and on
the banks of the Oos River, Baden-Baden is not your typical casino town. However, in addition to its hot springs and picturesque countryside, the town is also known for its 200-year-old 'Spielbank' casino - the oldest of its type in Germany. With French chateau-style salons rooms named after historical figures such as Madame Pompadour and Louis XV's mistress, the quirky casino provides visitors with a very unique
gaming experience.

Las Vegas, United States: With over 1700 licensed casinos in operation, Las Vegas
offers the ultimate package for travellers who fancy a flutter. A visit to the famous 'Strip' is a must for any player, whether they're looking for a spin on the roulette table or a game of blackjack - this city has it all. The iconic Caesar's Palace
hotel and casino offers 129,000 square feet of casino space plus an endless smorgasbord of entertainment, shopping and fine dining options, including Cleopatra's barge, a floating lounge perfect for a relaxing drink after a jam-packed night on the
casino floor.

Manila, The Philippines: With a favourable exchange rate, Manila provides great value
for Aussies wanting to live the high-life overseas. The city offers a range of shopping and entertainment options, along with a world-class casino at the Hyatt Hotel. Spread across three levels, the sparkling casino offers the newest in gaming
facilities for both hotel guests and visitors, and is just a short distance from Manila's tourist hub.

Sun City, South Africa: Known as 'Africa's Kingdom of Pleasure,' this luxury resort
and casino complex, just two hours from Johannesburg, boasts two large casinos, two 18-hole golf courses and a wildlife reserve. At the extravagant yet picturesque Palace of the Lost City, guests are treated to stunning valley views from the guestrooms, along with exclusive access to the Grand Pool. The nearby Sun City Casino is the entertainment Mecca of the resort, featuring a myriad of gaming options as well as an indoor jungle of native foliage and water fountains.

Atlantic City, United States: Regarded as the US's 'Las Vegas of the East', Atlantic City in New Jersey is renowned for its gambling, shopping and fine dining. Towering above the banks of the Atlantic Ocean, the Trump Taj Mahal casino is an icon of the city, with an on-site shopping district and an abundance of restaurants and bars. The
157,000 square-foot casino is also hard to miss, with 3,500 slot machines and 200 table games. Unveiled in 1990 by a number of celebrities, including the late Michael Jackson, the casino is the second-largest in Atlantic City and well worth a visit.

Genting Highlands, Malaysia: Nestled on the Titiwangsa mountain range, just an hour's
drive from Kuala Lumpur and 6,000 feet above sea level, the Resorts World Genting offers 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. This spectacular resort has first-class accommodation, dining and entertainment, while avoiding the hustle and bustle of a capital city. The on-site casino, which covers 200,000 square feet, is Malaysia's sole gaming venue and is divided into separate themed areas, such as Hollywood and Monte Carlo, for the ultimate gambling experience.

Online Casinos:

PartyCasino.com : The world's leading online casino brand and part of Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment. Play for free or play for money at PartyCasino.com New players get up to $3000 sign up bonus via Media Man.

VirginCasino.com : Virgin Casino is part of Virgin Games. The parent company is Virgin Enterprises Limited, the creation of the world's most famous and celebrated entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson. Unfortunately the casino does not accept players from many countries due to what is known in legal circles as "grey areas". Most European players can play, but no Americans, Canadians, Australians or New Zealanders.

Captain Cooks Casino : Was once a very popular online casino with Australians and New Zealanders, however we understand these days they can only accept players from a few regions such as Europe, South Africa, Canada and South America.

PKR : Once only a 2D online poker room, they are now more 3D and offer online poker and a good range of online casino games, including classics, Marvel slots and table games.

Media Man's top online casino choice: PartyCasino.com PartyCasino is a multi-time Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' winner and have also won awards from EGR. Earlier this year PartyGaming merged with Bwin to create the worlds leading igaming company, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment.

News

Playtech Signs Gala Coral Contract, Acquires Mobile-Bet Company...


Playtech Ltd, the Internet gambling software maker and content developer which has a joint venture with William Hill Plc (WMH), said it signed a long-term contract with Gala Coral Group Ltd., and acquired Mobenga AB, a mobile-phone sports-betting company.

Playtech will pay as much as 15.8 million euros ($22.4 million) for Mobenga, the Isle of Man-based company said in a statement. Playtech also said second-quarter revenue rose 7 percent to 39.6 million euros over the same period a year earlier, led by online casino games.

Gala Coral, which has 2,000 betting shops in the U.K. and Italy, should become one of Playtech’s top three clients within a year after its software is transferred, in 2012, Playtech’s Chief Executive Officer Mor Weizer said in a telephone interview. Mobenga will help Playtech expand in mobile telephone gambling, which generates 30 percent of bets for some companies, he said.

“This is a very important win for us,” Weizer said. “We already have most of the established operators in the U.K., and Gala Coral we were after for a long time.”
Playtech gained 18.25 pence, or 5.4 percent, to 356.75 pence at 8:47 a.m. in London, after earlier rising as much as 6.3 percent. The shares have fallen 16 percent so far this year, giving the company a market value of 866.3 million pounds.

Stockholm-based Mobenga will give Playtech the ability to combine sports-betting, casino and poker games in one mobile- phone application, Weizer said.

Playtech generates more than 10 million pounds ($16.1 million) from its biggest client, Imperial E-Club Ltd., Weizer said.

‘Players’

Most of the company’s clients attract players through sports, though they make most of their money through games, so they’re always seeking to convert sports betters to game players, he said.

Second-quarter casino revenue gained 9 percent to 27.3 million euros, and bingo sales increased 32 percent to 3.6 million euros, the company said.

Poker sales dropped 32 percent to 5 million euros, the company said. The poker business declined even though the U.S. charged founders of online poker companies still accepting games in the country with money laundering in April.

Weizer said the companies still had cash to lure poker players. Poker numbers have been “picking up” since the end of June, when one of the companies stopped play, he said. Full Tilt Poker, then the world’s second-biggest poker site, lost its license from Alderney on June 29.


PartyCasino Gets New Games...

Aztec Gold, Atomic Fruit, Nag's To Riches and Fairies Forest. Check out the new games here.

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Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Blog: Australian Gambling News, by Greg Tingle - 1st August 2011

Blog - Media Man Entertainment Blog


Media Man with another special feature on Australian gambling news. Be it land based casino news or online casino news, we have your number!


Punter Who Found $200 Convicted Of Stealing...

A Perth man was convicted of stealing for picking up $200 on a casino floor, officials say.

Adrian Lamonica-Miraglio, 22, was found guilty in Perth Magistrate's Court Monday on one count of stealing.

Lamonica-Miraglio, an apprentice refrigeration mechanic, was having drinks with friends at the Burswood Casino in Perth, Australia, March 27th when he noticed the $200 on the floor.

"I noticed there was a note on the floor … I put my foot on it and dragged it," Lamonica-Miraglio told the court. "Once I picked it up there were not that many people around. I hadn't decided to do anything with it."

Mr Hammond told the court it would be “preposterous” to start questioning people inside a casino if money dropped on the floor was theirs.

“I’d imagine there would be a flurry of hands with people saying "It's mine, it's mine,” Mr Hammond said.

“The facts are he believed the money had been abandoned.”

The man conceded he made no effort to find the rightful owner of the money or notify casino staff until questioned by them.

"The accused knew [the money] was not his," Magistrate Wayne Tarr said. "He made a deliberate attempt to conceal it from the victim."

Lamonica-Miraglio's lawyer, John Hammond, said the way his client was treated by the court and by security at the time of the incident was "oppressive."

"He was held in a cell for nearly 3 hours … it was overkill," Hammond said.

Lamonica-Miraglio was fined $500 and ordered to pay more than $300 in court costs.


Passionate Gambler Legal Problem After Breaching Land Based Casino Bans...

An enthusiastic gambler has faced the strong arm of the law - court charged for the 10th time with breaching a ban on entering the Gold Coast and Brisbane casinos.

Ransome "No Randsom" (satire) Williams, a 22 male is front and centre re an exclusion order from Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast and Treasury Casino, the pride of Brisbane aka "Bris Vegas", imposed way back in 2007.

Williams faced Southport Magistrates Court Monday in handcuffs charged with entering or remaining in a (land based) casino contrary to an exclusion order.

The court heard he was caught on surveillance camera at Jupiters at 3.15am last Thursday.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Nicole Conditsis said it was Williams' 10th breach of a casino exclusion order.

Duty lawyer Peter Lancaster said Williams acknowledged a gambling and alcohol problem and arrangements had been for him to go into a Salvation Army rehabilitation program.

Magistrate Brian Kilmartin said Williams had already spent two days in custody and considered this was sufficient punishment.

A gambling insider joked "Now this is one punter who is much better off checking out online gambling via the portals Australia is so well known for".


FITCH Affirms Crown at 'BBB'; Outlook Stable...

August 01 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has affirmed Australia's gaming and entertainment operator Crown Limited's (Crown) Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) and its senior unsecured rating at 'BBB'. The Outlook on the IDR is Stable.

Crown's ratings are supported by the strong market position of its domestic Australian gaming assets - one in Melbourne, Victoria and the other in Perth, Western Australia. These assets have demonstrated consistent cash flow generation, which in part reflect the contributions from stable and predictable local markets and represent over 50% of consolidated revenue, and in part Crown's position as the sole licensed casino operator in the respective regions. Underlying demand for gaming expenditure is supported by expected continued growth in household disposable income (HDI) and by population increase. Offsetting these strengths is the concentration of operating assets in two casinos from which all cash generation is derived.

The Australian assets are in the midst of a capital-intensive cycle with a significant amount of capex still to be spent over the next three fiscal years. In Fitch's view, not only will expansion and property upgrades improve earnings growth, they will also ensure that Crown is well-positioned, particularly in Perth, to manage the impact on the VIP program play sub-segment from increased competition from new integrated resorts in Southeast Asia. Fitch notes that the challenge for Crown from the Singapore casinos will be the convenience to Singapore (versus Perth) for the VIP player.

Expansionary capex will tail-off considerably from FY13, at which time Fitch expects Crown to generate material cash generation, with free cash flow (pre-dividend) to sales margin exceeding 14%. The agency also takes comfort from Crown's publicly stated commitment to its core Australian operations. This focus factors positively into Fitch's assessment of Crown's overall business risk.

Risk associated with Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (MCE), Crown's key investment outside of Australia, has reduced significantly following the completion of various properties and a ramp-up in earnings. Furthermore, MCE has demonstrated a capacity to access a range of debt capital markets (its RMB bond issue and refinancing of its City of Dreams project loan) without shareholder support.

In view of the concentration of assets, and the business risk profile of gaming companies in general, it is unlikely that ratings would be upgraded by more than one notch, irrespective of credit metric levels. An upgrade may be considered if net adjusted debt (excluding working capital cash) to EBITDA falls below 1.75x on a sustained basis. Crown would need to demonstrate that it has rebounded from the competitive pressures presented by Singapore's integrated resorts, and that it has established a track record relative to these resorts. Another important catalyst to any positive rating action includes significant completion of the extensive capex that Crown is undertaking. This would need to be combined with ongoing evidence that Crown's focus will remain on lower-risk assets.

Conversely, if net adjusted debt (excluding working capital cash) to EBITDA increases above 2.5x, this would be a catalyst for a negative rating action. Also, a significant negative regulatory action or material additional financial support of investments could lead to a negative rating action.

With regards to negative regulatory action, Fitch notes that the profitability from electronic gaming machines may be negatively affected by the introduction of mandatory pre-commitment measures, the introduction of which remains unclear, and the financial impact to Crown difficult to measure.


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