Australia remains one of the world's biggest gambling nations.
We investigative and learn that some patches of corporate Australia are getting into the pokie business, lured by massive revenue opportunities, while anti pokie activists fight back.
It's a mix of politics, beer, cigarettes, bible bashers, sports clubs, spin and money...lots of it. Enjoy! Media Man and Gambling911 probe the situation...
Anti-pokie activists are calling on gaming revenue tax discounts for clubs to be stripped, claiming the "community benefits" provided by clubs are B.S.
Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, the Reverend Tim Costello and activist Paul Bendat are calling for the tax break to be stopped.
Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH), a J.V between Woolworths (The Fast Food ... er, Fast Cash People) and pokies kingpin Bruce Mathieson, struck business deals seeing 660 plus one armed bandits in up to 10 major venues registered as clubs.
Footy clubs Collingwood, Richmond, Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn football are in on the action (the take).
The current Victorian gaming law states commercial operators of pokies pubs must pay a 33.3% tax on gambling revenue. The 33.3% is a key reason governments won't give up pokies, says detractors.
Clubs on the other hand snatch 8.3% discount on the pokies tax and pay 25% to the State Government (if they can demonstrate a "community benefit"), even including employee pay, operating costs and TV's for patrons.
"This is clearly debatable and I think it's scandalous that the Woolworths joint venture is greedily exploiting pokies club tax breaks and the Victorian Government needs to close this loophole soon," Senator Xenophon stressed.
"This highlights the difficulties with the concept of community benefit is when the money is being made off the backs of problem gamblers.
"The great irony here is that people hooked on the pokies can't even afford to buy the groceries that Woolworths sells."
Costello said governments promoted pokies as good things because of the tax revenue they generated.
"But now we see there is effectively unethical tax avoidance going on," he said.
ALH owns the venues and leases out the pokies area to the clubs. It then charges the sports clubs rent and a "management fee" to operate the machines.
A search of Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation documents shows lion's share of the revenue goes to ALH. Not all the financials show up however.
The business arrangements between the clubs and the ALH are totally legal, but detractors advised they are averting taxes.
Community Benefit Statements do not require a full accounting of all payments.
Monash University gambling expert Prof Charles Livingstone, who has studied the community benefit claims of AFL clubs, said: "Expenses of operating venues, including wages, direct and indirect expenses and fixed assets, amounted to more than 94% ($12.73 million) of the value of community benefits claimed by AFL-operated club venues."
"Clearly charitable or philanthropic expenditures amounted to $462,264, a little more than 3.4 per cent of claims for community benefit".
Pokies activist Paul Bendat is calling on Woolworths' shareholders to question their company's involvement in the gambling industry.
"Woolworths should not be in the pokie business," he said.
"It has nothing to do with their core retail objectives. Woolworths's exploitation of these tax breaks is a disgrace."
The Australian Productivity Commission report into Gambling is due to go into the public domain any day now, however the Government is late again, just as they were with their proposed internet filter, much to the delight of the gaming media and news media who are having a field day take the Rudd - Conroy duo to task on an every increasing frequency.
Australian land based casinos also enjoy generous tax breaks and incentives, with most insiders agreeing James Packer, Crown Casino king, gets the best deals, including a rumoured $1 per year rent - lease on the Crown site in Melbourne. If you can get a great deal, take it.
May you have good punting on the pokies, fruit machines, slots, or whatever the lingo is in you're neck of the woods. Bet responsibly and keep it fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Casino News
Australian Sports Entertainment
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Saturday, April 10, 2010
Station Casinos reorganization plan: Sell several properties - 25th March 2010
Station Casinos Inc. filed a reorganization plan in its bankruptcy case Wednesday proposing the sale of its interests in certain land holdings and 13 of its 18 gaming properties.
Four major hotel-casinos generating the bulk of the company's revenue and a fifth property would remain under control of the reorganized Station Casinos, which would be owned by lenders to those properties and existing Station owners Colony Capital of Los Angeles and the Fertitta family of Las Vegas.
Those major properties are Red Rock Resort, Palace Station, Boulder Station and Sunset Station and are known as the "PropCo" properties. The fifth property is the Wild Wild West motel and casino and associated land on Tropicana Avenue west of Interstate 15.
Court records show the Fertittas and Colony Capital would pay $85.6 million for a 50 percent stake in the new company holding Red Rock, Palace Station, Boulder Station, Sunset Station, the Wild Wild West and certain land holdings -- and that company would assume $1.6 billion in mortgage debt. The Fertittas would manage these five properties.
The Fertittas would own 46 percent of the reorganized company and Colony Capital would hold 4 percent. Since there are several lenders, the Fertittas would be the largest shareholder.
"Reaching a deal on the PropCo Properties marks a significant step toward the restructuring of Station Casinos," Frank Fertitta III, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Station Casinos, said in a statement. "I’m committed to the successful reorganization of the company that my family founded."
The plan, if approved, would lead to the sale of the remaining company assets.
The assets include Indian casino management contracts as well as Texas Station, Santa Fe Station, Fiesta Rancho, Fiesta Henderson, Wildfire Rancho, Wildfire Boulder, the Gold Rush, Lake Mead Casino and the company's 50 percent interest in Green Valley Ranch Resort, Aliante Station and the smaller Barley's, the Greens and Wildfire Lanes.
The assets to be sold include extensive land holdings in California (1,321 acres), the Reno area (200 acres) and at key gaming-entitled sites in the Las Vegas Valley at Durango Road and the southern Las Vegas Beltway, Town Center Dive and the Beltway and in Henderson's Inspirada development. The land holdings also include 52 acres south of Palace Station planned as a retail, entertainment and residential development.
Besides keeping the Wild Wild West acreage, once proposed as the site for a $10 billion "Viva" megaresort that would compete with Las Vegas Strip properties, the new Fertitta-run company would continue to own gaming-entitled land at Cactus Avenue and the southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard.
The Greenspun family, owner of the Las Vegas Sun, is Station's partner in Green Valley Ranch, Aliante Station and the smaller 50 percent-owned properties. A Greenspun affiliate is suing in a separate bankruptcy case to remove Station as the manager of Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson, charging mismanagement there. Station has denied those allegations and said they were made by a disgruntled fired former manager.
Based on their previous interest in expanding in the Las Vegas market, potential bidders of the assets to be sold likely would include Boyd Gaming Corp., Penn National Gaming and investor Carl Icahn. Icahn controls Las Vegas-based Tropicana Entertainment and the mothballed Fontainebleau resort. The Fertittas are also expected to bid for the assets, which the company hopes will be sold as a package and not separately.
"Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta remain keenly interested in these properties and Fertitta Gaming would like to aggressively pursue the acquisition of these assets," said a statement from Marc Falcone, chief financial officer of the brothers' company Fertitta Gaming.
Lorenzo Fertitta has served as a Station director since 1991 and was its president through June 2008. He co-owns Zuffa LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and has served as its chairman and chief executive since June 2008.
"The plan contemplates that Station Casinos will conduct an orderly sale process for the ... properties on a going concern basis, under the supervision of the Bankruptcy Court and in a manner designed to procure the highest and best transaction available," Station said in court papers.
Station said the reorganization plan is supported by lenders of nearly all of the $2.475 billion in debt encumbering Red Rock, Palace Station, Boulder Station and Sunset Station.
Bondholders owed $2.3 billion have yet to weigh in on the plan. Attorneys for the bondholders, organized as the bankruptcy case's Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, said Thursday they had no immediate comment on the reorganization plan.
Station's filing extends for 60 days the period in which Station alone can file a reorganization plan.
The bondholders have previously sought permission to sue Station over 2007's $8.8 billion going-private transaction in which the company was sold to Colony and the Fertittas, charging the deal crippled Station with an additional $1.7 billion in debt.
Station last reported in November that its debt and liabilities totaled $6.8 billion -- a sum the company has been unable to service because the recession has reduced spending at its hotels and casinos. Station's inability to meet its debt obligations and the refusal of some creditors to agree to a consensual reorganization led to last summer's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Station, which has been targeted by a Culinary Union labor organizing campaign, said in Wednesday's filing that after emerging from bankruptcy it intends to "mitigate the impact on its team members of the restructuring process."
Workers at the new Fertitta-run company would receive pay increases and restoration of a match for their 401(K) investment plan and the new company would "take other steps to ensure that its team members enjoy competitive wages and benefits," Station said in its filing.
Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer D. Taylor issued this statement in response to the reorganization plan:
“Workers are organizing to form a union at Station Casinos and what is important to these workers is not who ends up running their casinos and what financial maneuverings are going on in the bankruptcy proceedings, but that their jobs, benefits, and rights are protected. They have suffered greatly at Station Casinos. Their retirement benefits have been slashed, their health insurance costs have gone up, and hundreds of workers have lost jobs as a result of subcontracting. These workers are concerned about their future and their ability to take care of themselves and their families and that is why they came to the union. They don’t want their employer, whoever it may end up being, to be able to turn their lives upside down on a whim. They also want their right to form a union to be respected. They don’t want to be harassed, intimidated or coerced simply because they support the union.”
Station has denied union charges of harassing workers supportive of the union.
Besides being a potential bidder for assets if Station's reorganization plan is approved, Boyd Gaming on Thursday signaled the reorganization plan itself may face objections.
"Based on the limited information Station has provided regarding their proposed reorganization plan, it appears to favor Station insiders and includes the transfer of certain unspecified 'OpCo' assets to PropCo. Such a transfer of assets could harm the value of OpCo at the expense of creditors. It's important to note that Station’s entire plan of reorganization will be unsuccessful without the support of the OpCo creditors," Boyd said in a statement. "We remain interested in acquiring all of Station’s assets and continue to believe that Boyd Gaming is in the best position to offer maximum value to Station’s creditors, and to protect the interests of its employees, customers and the Las Vegas community."
The "OpCo" assets Boyd referred to are Station assets other than Red Rock, Palace Station, Boulder Station and Sunset Station.
Four major hotel-casinos generating the bulk of the company's revenue and a fifth property would remain under control of the reorganized Station Casinos, which would be owned by lenders to those properties and existing Station owners Colony Capital of Los Angeles and the Fertitta family of Las Vegas.
Those major properties are Red Rock Resort, Palace Station, Boulder Station and Sunset Station and are known as the "PropCo" properties. The fifth property is the Wild Wild West motel and casino and associated land on Tropicana Avenue west of Interstate 15.
Court records show the Fertittas and Colony Capital would pay $85.6 million for a 50 percent stake in the new company holding Red Rock, Palace Station, Boulder Station, Sunset Station, the Wild Wild West and certain land holdings -- and that company would assume $1.6 billion in mortgage debt. The Fertittas would manage these five properties.
The Fertittas would own 46 percent of the reorganized company and Colony Capital would hold 4 percent. Since there are several lenders, the Fertittas would be the largest shareholder.
"Reaching a deal on the PropCo Properties marks a significant step toward the restructuring of Station Casinos," Frank Fertitta III, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Station Casinos, said in a statement. "I’m committed to the successful reorganization of the company that my family founded."
The plan, if approved, would lead to the sale of the remaining company assets.
The assets include Indian casino management contracts as well as Texas Station, Santa Fe Station, Fiesta Rancho, Fiesta Henderson, Wildfire Rancho, Wildfire Boulder, the Gold Rush, Lake Mead Casino and the company's 50 percent interest in Green Valley Ranch Resort, Aliante Station and the smaller Barley's, the Greens and Wildfire Lanes.
The assets to be sold include extensive land holdings in California (1,321 acres), the Reno area (200 acres) and at key gaming-entitled sites in the Las Vegas Valley at Durango Road and the southern Las Vegas Beltway, Town Center Dive and the Beltway and in Henderson's Inspirada development. The land holdings also include 52 acres south of Palace Station planned as a retail, entertainment and residential development.
Besides keeping the Wild Wild West acreage, once proposed as the site for a $10 billion "Viva" megaresort that would compete with Las Vegas Strip properties, the new Fertitta-run company would continue to own gaming-entitled land at Cactus Avenue and the southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard.
The Greenspun family, owner of the Las Vegas Sun, is Station's partner in Green Valley Ranch, Aliante Station and the smaller 50 percent-owned properties. A Greenspun affiliate is suing in a separate bankruptcy case to remove Station as the manager of Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson, charging mismanagement there. Station has denied those allegations and said they were made by a disgruntled fired former manager.
Based on their previous interest in expanding in the Las Vegas market, potential bidders of the assets to be sold likely would include Boyd Gaming Corp., Penn National Gaming and investor Carl Icahn. Icahn controls Las Vegas-based Tropicana Entertainment and the mothballed Fontainebleau resort. The Fertittas are also expected to bid for the assets, which the company hopes will be sold as a package and not separately.
"Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta remain keenly interested in these properties and Fertitta Gaming would like to aggressively pursue the acquisition of these assets," said a statement from Marc Falcone, chief financial officer of the brothers' company Fertitta Gaming.
Lorenzo Fertitta has served as a Station director since 1991 and was its president through June 2008. He co-owns Zuffa LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and has served as its chairman and chief executive since June 2008.
"The plan contemplates that Station Casinos will conduct an orderly sale process for the ... properties on a going concern basis, under the supervision of the Bankruptcy Court and in a manner designed to procure the highest and best transaction available," Station said in court papers.
Station said the reorganization plan is supported by lenders of nearly all of the $2.475 billion in debt encumbering Red Rock, Palace Station, Boulder Station and Sunset Station.
Bondholders owed $2.3 billion have yet to weigh in on the plan. Attorneys for the bondholders, organized as the bankruptcy case's Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, said Thursday they had no immediate comment on the reorganization plan.
Station's filing extends for 60 days the period in which Station alone can file a reorganization plan.
The bondholders have previously sought permission to sue Station over 2007's $8.8 billion going-private transaction in which the company was sold to Colony and the Fertittas, charging the deal crippled Station with an additional $1.7 billion in debt.
Station last reported in November that its debt and liabilities totaled $6.8 billion -- a sum the company has been unable to service because the recession has reduced spending at its hotels and casinos. Station's inability to meet its debt obligations and the refusal of some creditors to agree to a consensual reorganization led to last summer's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Station, which has been targeted by a Culinary Union labor organizing campaign, said in Wednesday's filing that after emerging from bankruptcy it intends to "mitigate the impact on its team members of the restructuring process."
Workers at the new Fertitta-run company would receive pay increases and restoration of a match for their 401(K) investment plan and the new company would "take other steps to ensure that its team members enjoy competitive wages and benefits," Station said in its filing.
Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer D. Taylor issued this statement in response to the reorganization plan:
“Workers are organizing to form a union at Station Casinos and what is important to these workers is not who ends up running their casinos and what financial maneuverings are going on in the bankruptcy proceedings, but that their jobs, benefits, and rights are protected. They have suffered greatly at Station Casinos. Their retirement benefits have been slashed, their health insurance costs have gone up, and hundreds of workers have lost jobs as a result of subcontracting. These workers are concerned about their future and their ability to take care of themselves and their families and that is why they came to the union. They don’t want their employer, whoever it may end up being, to be able to turn their lives upside down on a whim. They also want their right to form a union to be respected. They don’t want to be harassed, intimidated or coerced simply because they support the union.”
Station has denied union charges of harassing workers supportive of the union.
Besides being a potential bidder for assets if Station's reorganization plan is approved, Boyd Gaming on Thursday signaled the reorganization plan itself may face objections.
"Based on the limited information Station has provided regarding their proposed reorganization plan, it appears to favor Station insiders and includes the transfer of certain unspecified 'OpCo' assets to PropCo. Such a transfer of assets could harm the value of OpCo at the expense of creditors. It's important to note that Station’s entire plan of reorganization will be unsuccessful without the support of the OpCo creditors," Boyd said in a statement. "We remain interested in acquiring all of Station’s assets and continue to believe that Boyd Gaming is in the best position to offer maximum value to Station’s creditors, and to protect the interests of its employees, customers and the Las Vegas community."
The "OpCo" assets Boyd referred to are Station assets other than Red Rock, Palace Station, Boulder Station and Sunset Station.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Australian Casino News: Crown Casino PR Style With `Disarray', by Greg Tingle - 9th April 2010
In the land "down under" sometimes hard news is kept quite for a while, but invariably the cat gets out of the bag. You want evident, well look no further than the Australian Government internet "blacklist" and proposed internet filter. The more they tried to keep it quite, the bigger the story got, pushed along nicely by Media Man and Gambling911 we might add.
Today the blacklist may be the Australian governments biggest headache, on both a national and international scale. Even the U.S President and his Administrative army are none too pleased to hear that Australia is becoming one of the world's biggest 'Enemys Of The Internet' according to Reporters Without Boarders.
Now Conroy and Rudd are trying their luck of rolling out a multi million (or billion) dollar broadband network, something that may take up to a decade to complete, and yes, its supposed to come with censorship measures included (which the majority of technology experts say will slow the bloody thing down), but that's another story and scandal building for the dynamic duo of Kevin "Bloody" Rudd and Stephen "Mr Censorship" Conroy. We think Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott will have defeated Rudd via knockout punch soon enough.
Recently our friends at James Packer's Crown Casino had a problem to iron out in relation to the annual Logie awards, which Packer and Billionaire Inc have managed to keep under the hat of Crown City Casino in Melbourne.
Media Man and Gambling911 go undercover with this report...
Crown Casino has been the hosting venture of the TV Week Logie Awards for years now, despite competitors such as Tabcorp's Jupiters on the Gold Coast trying to steal it away.
Less than a month before Australian television's "night of nights", ACP Magazines furiously fired the PR outfit it engaged to handle this year's Logie's at Crown.
The PR in the lead-up to the Crown Casino event on the 2nd has put cold water on what is Australia's major annual red carpet and television event.
The event is usually good PR for Packer's Crown aka 'World Of Entertainment', but this year is proving more challenging that most, even though Crown bean counters and legal eagles are happy.
The firing of specialist fashion PR outfit Torstar came just four days after News Limited revealed the Logie nominations breaky held at Sydney's Ivy Bar 10 days prior had been heavily criticised and panned severely by the television networks for being "disorganised".
Insiders said one of the Torstar publicists had not known who Rebecca Gibney (last year's Gold Logie Award winner and star of Packed to the Rafters), was.
Media Man and Gambling911 advise that its possible that there was a conspiracy to get rid of the original PR firm, especially giving the often "bitchy" and "precious" nature of the Australian entertainment - showbiz landscape, and the high stakes involved. A Media Man insider whispered "The Australian media and entertainment landscape and business is extremely political. If certain folks decide they want to get rid of X, that's it, it happens".
Gibney is one of a eight contenders going for the coveted Gold Logie, including comedians Shaun Micallef, Paul McDermott, Rove McManus and Wil Anderson, and actors Ray Meagher and Esther Anderson. Australian casino king James Packer has not being nominated for any awards (but we enjoyed his guitar smashing antics anyway exhibited at City Of Dreams Macau last year). A birdie tells us a few folks from 'Underbelly' fame have been nominated, some of which played out gambling themes in the international smash hit.
Last week ACP Magazines (owner of The Logies), made an approach to The Lantern Group about taking over the event. "ACP and Torstar have mutually agreed not to continue to work together on the remainder of the TV Week Logies project 2010," ACP advised in a media statement.
Torstar's Tory Archbold told News Limited's The Australian that her contract with ACP was secure and she remained the "mouthpiece for TV Week".
"I know we did a good job" she proclaimed.
However, last night, ACP confirmed that The Lantern Group had been engaged to run the event.
Media Man - Jac Bowie burlesque queen and main squeeze, is rumored to attend the Logie's with of or two of her world class burlesque performers. MM and JB partner in crime, Grant Galea, famous for his Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra act, is also strongly rumored to appear. Buzz builds that communications and property entrepreneur, Kym Illman, may show up with his famous 'Money Girl' in toe (dressed in nothing but $50 and $100 notes we understand!). Illman, a former Media Man client (from a Shane Warne spinner campaign) is understood to be a key Media Man "secret weapon" in Australia's casino war. Bowie and Galea are extremely excited about Australia's casino was opening up more opportunities for the elite of the Australian and international entertainment industry. At the time of publication it remains unclear if Shane Warne will attend the event, as Warnie has been very busy of late (and that's not including the 888 poker brand situation). Media analysts reckon Warnie would do well to change brands, maybe jumping ship to PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com and friends, if a deal can be reached. Betfair may also be another option. Ah, its nice to be wanted isn't it Warnie. Warne enjoys a long and largely positive history with Network Nine and ACP, as does most of the Media Man family and friends.
Team Packer and Team ACP Magazines will likely be glad when their affair is history. Crown Casino has bigger fish to fry, such as their focus to lure in the world's biggest gamblers, Gulfstream Jets and all, as NSW competitor, Star City Casino gets jets of their own, as Australia's casino wars continue to heat up. No word as yet if plastic handcuffs will be used on guests, performers or burlesque queens, but we promise to keep you posted.
If its true that news is something, someone, somewhere, doesn't want someone else to know, everything else is PR, I think we proved the point once again here at your uncensored, unfiltered, friendly gaming, igaming, betting, entertainment and political window to the world. Gambling911, dedicated to providing you with the news... not always what you want to hear, but what you need to know... just ask Jesse "The Body" Ventura at 'Conspiracy Theory', if he's not too busy investigating the Australian political and casino landscape 'Casino Jack' style. A bridie tells us one of his key targets is Senator Stephen Conroy (Minster of Communications aka Minister of Censorship and Silly Lists). Good hunting and punting.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of industry verticals they report on. Media Man operates website portals in Australia, Asia, Canada, Europe and the United States.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casino News
Australian Casinos
Property News Media
Australian Sports Entertainment
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Today the blacklist may be the Australian governments biggest headache, on both a national and international scale. Even the U.S President and his Administrative army are none too pleased to hear that Australia is becoming one of the world's biggest 'Enemys Of The Internet' according to Reporters Without Boarders.
Now Conroy and Rudd are trying their luck of rolling out a multi million (or billion) dollar broadband network, something that may take up to a decade to complete, and yes, its supposed to come with censorship measures included (which the majority of technology experts say will slow the bloody thing down), but that's another story and scandal building for the dynamic duo of Kevin "Bloody" Rudd and Stephen "Mr Censorship" Conroy. We think Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott will have defeated Rudd via knockout punch soon enough.
Recently our friends at James Packer's Crown Casino had a problem to iron out in relation to the annual Logie awards, which Packer and Billionaire Inc have managed to keep under the hat of Crown City Casino in Melbourne.
Media Man and Gambling911 go undercover with this report...
Crown Casino has been the hosting venture of the TV Week Logie Awards for years now, despite competitors such as Tabcorp's Jupiters on the Gold Coast trying to steal it away.
Less than a month before Australian television's "night of nights", ACP Magazines furiously fired the PR outfit it engaged to handle this year's Logie's at Crown.
The PR in the lead-up to the Crown Casino event on the 2nd has put cold water on what is Australia's major annual red carpet and television event.
The event is usually good PR for Packer's Crown aka 'World Of Entertainment', but this year is proving more challenging that most, even though Crown bean counters and legal eagles are happy.
The firing of specialist fashion PR outfit Torstar came just four days after News Limited revealed the Logie nominations breaky held at Sydney's Ivy Bar 10 days prior had been heavily criticised and panned severely by the television networks for being "disorganised".
Insiders said one of the Torstar publicists had not known who Rebecca Gibney (last year's Gold Logie Award winner and star of Packed to the Rafters), was.
Media Man and Gambling911 advise that its possible that there was a conspiracy to get rid of the original PR firm, especially giving the often "bitchy" and "precious" nature of the Australian entertainment - showbiz landscape, and the high stakes involved. A Media Man insider whispered "The Australian media and entertainment landscape and business is extremely political. If certain folks decide they want to get rid of X, that's it, it happens".
Gibney is one of a eight contenders going for the coveted Gold Logie, including comedians Shaun Micallef, Paul McDermott, Rove McManus and Wil Anderson, and actors Ray Meagher and Esther Anderson. Australian casino king James Packer has not being nominated for any awards (but we enjoyed his guitar smashing antics anyway exhibited at City Of Dreams Macau last year). A birdie tells us a few folks from 'Underbelly' fame have been nominated, some of which played out gambling themes in the international smash hit.
Last week ACP Magazines (owner of The Logies), made an approach to The Lantern Group about taking over the event. "ACP and Torstar have mutually agreed not to continue to work together on the remainder of the TV Week Logies project 2010," ACP advised in a media statement.
Torstar's Tory Archbold told News Limited's The Australian that her contract with ACP was secure and she remained the "mouthpiece for TV Week".
"I know we did a good job" she proclaimed.
However, last night, ACP confirmed that The Lantern Group had been engaged to run the event.
Media Man - Jac Bowie burlesque queen and main squeeze, is rumored to attend the Logie's with of or two of her world class burlesque performers. MM and JB partner in crime, Grant Galea, famous for his Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra act, is also strongly rumored to appear. Buzz builds that communications and property entrepreneur, Kym Illman, may show up with his famous 'Money Girl' in toe (dressed in nothing but $50 and $100 notes we understand!). Illman, a former Media Man client (from a Shane Warne spinner campaign) is understood to be a key Media Man "secret weapon" in Australia's casino war. Bowie and Galea are extremely excited about Australia's casino was opening up more opportunities for the elite of the Australian and international entertainment industry. At the time of publication it remains unclear if Shane Warne will attend the event, as Warnie has been very busy of late (and that's not including the 888 poker brand situation). Media analysts reckon Warnie would do well to change brands, maybe jumping ship to PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com and friends, if a deal can be reached. Betfair may also be another option. Ah, its nice to be wanted isn't it Warnie. Warne enjoys a long and largely positive history with Network Nine and ACP, as does most of the Media Man family and friends.
Team Packer and Team ACP Magazines will likely be glad when their affair is history. Crown Casino has bigger fish to fry, such as their focus to lure in the world's biggest gamblers, Gulfstream Jets and all, as NSW competitor, Star City Casino gets jets of their own, as Australia's casino wars continue to heat up. No word as yet if plastic handcuffs will be used on guests, performers or burlesque queens, but we promise to keep you posted.
If its true that news is something, someone, somewhere, doesn't want someone else to know, everything else is PR, I think we proved the point once again here at your uncensored, unfiltered, friendly gaming, igaming, betting, entertainment and political window to the world. Gambling911, dedicated to providing you with the news... not always what you want to hear, but what you need to know... just ask Jesse "The Body" Ventura at 'Conspiracy Theory', if he's not too busy investigating the Australian political and casino landscape 'Casino Jack' style. A bridie tells us one of his key targets is Senator Stephen Conroy (Minster of Communications aka Minister of Censorship and Silly Lists). Good hunting and punting.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of industry verticals they report on. Media Man operates website portals in Australia, Asia, Canada, Europe and the United States.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casino News
Australian Casinos
Property News Media
Australian Sports Entertainment
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Casino Cash Rolls In To Australia Political Parties, by Greg Tingle - 8th April 2010
Australian political parties and land based casino operators remain under the spotlight as more revelations about substantial donations from casinos to politics goes public.
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate 'Casino Jack' style, as we explore a new patch of Australia's 'Underbelly'.
From the get go, let it be said that it is not illegal (yet anyway) to make donations to Aussie political parties. Cash and cheques hit their coffers from any number of business sectors, certainly not restricted to the casino, hotel, club and resort sector et al. It's almost part of Australia business culture to cough up dollars to the majority of the political parties.
However, just because something is legal, or illegal for that matter, doesn't mean it is just.
In recent months Labor and Liberal have been inundated with buckets of cash from corporate Australia, and it doesn't get much more corporate that Tabcorp's Star City Casino and Crown Limited's Crown Casino.
Numbers obtained by the NSW Election Funding Authority show state Labor accepted $2.5 million in donations and union affiliation fees between July and December, while the Liberals and Nationals took in $1.9 million. Ah, Jack Abramoff from 'Casino Jack' fame would be proud.
The massive donations are a sign that big business aims win favour and positive history with an incoming Coalition government, the Liberals and Nationals have raised $19.5 million since the 2007 election from the hotels (inc casinos), clubs (pokie heaven), finance, pharmaceutical, lobbyist and property (more casinos) sector.
We've learned that in the same window, Labor snatched $16.5 million to its coffers, some of which is used for television commercials promoting NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally. We alert readers to the fact that Australian TV stations have been extremely quite on the internet censorship debate, while newspapers and radio, and internet forums, have been very vocal, but more on that non - coincidence later, if we're not busy playing a spot of golf with the 'Minister Of Silly Lists' and Censorship... if he's not busy being summoned to a "Please Explain" meeting with Prime Minster Kevin Rudd... (if he's not busy getting an "ear bashing" from U.S President Barack Obama about censorship). Readers, are you following this trail?
The political donations are putting intense pressure on the Australian government to implement recommendations handed down by a parliamentary committee last week, including a cap on donations at just $2000 per political party, group or independent candidate each financial year.
It's no secret that Labor received $115,000 from Star City Casino in the second half of last year, around the same times as the laws regulating the casino were being loosened and its exclusive licence was extended in Parliament. In 2008 Star donated $110,000 just two months before it was granted approval for a $575 million redevelopment, and readers will recall that their budget has just been increased by $100 million or so, which helps build more entertainment rooms, and may even go towards learjets for high rolling VIP's, as they go to "war" with Packer's Crown.
A spokeswoman for Ms Keneally said any suggestion that political donations had influenced concessions that allowed gambling controls and surveillance to be watered down was not correct. "Donations have no impact on the timing of bills going through Parliament.".
Political donations are keenly watched as an indication of which companies and wealthy individuals may be lobbying government. The Australian and international gaming community is watching closely to see what moves PartyGaming and Betfair may make in this space.
PartyGaming famously came to financial terms with the United States Department Of Justice last year to the tune of $100 million or thereabouts. It wasn't a pure donation, however the U.S knew Party had the money, and it was an opportunity for PartyGaming to move forward. PartyGaming and its brands such as PartyCasino and PartyPoker are making strategic moves to return to the U.S market and regulation changes are afoot, just its World Poker Tour is making pro active steps to boost things along with a pending play in the North American - Canadian region, which may see much of the U.S change its stance on igaming, poker tournaments and the like. Last fortnight PartyGaming inked an impressive business deal with France horse racing operator PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain). PartyGaming also enjoys b2b dealings with such mainstream brands as Marvel Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Frank Sinatra Enterprises, StudioCanal, Blizard Entertainment, Infinity Ward, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Hasbro, MGM and FremantleMedia. PartyGaming are understood to be in the "good books" of internet giants Google, Yahoo! and Bing!... something that has also served Gambling911 and Media Man International well over the years. Google is currently developing its own advanced web hosting and ISP services in a move that has has generated massive interest from mainstream media, new media and gaming operators.
Back to the pure political news...Figures Gambling911 and Media Man sourced via Fairfax Media and News Limited state the following...
In the second half of last year the biggest donors included: Clubs NSW, which gave $59,000 to Labor and $101,555 to the Coalition; Manildra Group, $40,850 (Labor) and $19,050 (Coalition); property developer Memo Corporation, $36,850 (Labor) and $22,200 (Liberal); and the Independent Retailers Association, $77,820 (Labor) and $9000 (Liberal). The Liberals accepted $57,926 from the Australian Hotels Association and $49,750 from British American Tobacco.
The Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell, personally raised $174,650 at 10 fund-raisers held in his name and in his electorate, including raising some $108,100 at the Ku-ring-gai Business Breakfast last September.
Not to be outdone Labor collected in excess of $1 million in "affiliation fees" paid by unions between July and December.
In the coming weeks and months we will continue our probe into the relationships between Australian political parties and casinos, igaming operator, SP bookmakers and the like. Firms on our radar include but are not limited to Betfair, Centrebet, Full Tilt Poker (Easts Roosters NRL team connection), 888 (Warnie's the face of them for Australia), and a few others that will remain nameless for the moment.
Aussie's, anyone taking bets on what Australian land based casino operators are interested to enjoy a spot of golf with Senator Stephen Conroy (Minster of Communications, Censorship and "Silly Lists") Last time a casino exec played golf with our friend cash registers hit the jackpot. Ah, life is full of coincidences, just ask 'Casino Jack', coming soon to a movie theater near you if your an Aussie, Yankee or Kanok, but if your behind "The Great Internet Firewall" Of China, good luck, you will need it.
Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott, stay on Kevin "Bloody" Rudd, we sense Rudd's corner man Conroy is going down for the count as we approach the 12th round of action, broadcast from Sydney to Las Vegas, Macau, Florida and beyond via the internet channel (that no one owns, Australian government included). Special referee Jesse "The Body" Ventura and his 'Conspiracy Theory' actuality TV show remain pro actively interested in the connection between Australian casinos, political parties and proposed internet filter and blacklist initiatives.
Media Man and Gambling911 offer this public service announcement: Bet with your head, not over it, and keep it fun (and that messages is also applicable to Australian political parties).
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The network attracts approximately 6 million hits per month and has portals in Australia, Canada, Europe, Asia and the United States
*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Media Man Casino
Media Manager International
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casino News
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Australian Sports Entertainment
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate 'Casino Jack' style, as we explore a new patch of Australia's 'Underbelly'.
From the get go, let it be said that it is not illegal (yet anyway) to make donations to Aussie political parties. Cash and cheques hit their coffers from any number of business sectors, certainly not restricted to the casino, hotel, club and resort sector et al. It's almost part of Australia business culture to cough up dollars to the majority of the political parties.
However, just because something is legal, or illegal for that matter, doesn't mean it is just.
In recent months Labor and Liberal have been inundated with buckets of cash from corporate Australia, and it doesn't get much more corporate that Tabcorp's Star City Casino and Crown Limited's Crown Casino.
Numbers obtained by the NSW Election Funding Authority show state Labor accepted $2.5 million in donations and union affiliation fees between July and December, while the Liberals and Nationals took in $1.9 million. Ah, Jack Abramoff from 'Casino Jack' fame would be proud.
The massive donations are a sign that big business aims win favour and positive history with an incoming Coalition government, the Liberals and Nationals have raised $19.5 million since the 2007 election from the hotels (inc casinos), clubs (pokie heaven), finance, pharmaceutical, lobbyist and property (more casinos) sector.
We've learned that in the same window, Labor snatched $16.5 million to its coffers, some of which is used for television commercials promoting NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally. We alert readers to the fact that Australian TV stations have been extremely quite on the internet censorship debate, while newspapers and radio, and internet forums, have been very vocal, but more on that non - coincidence later, if we're not busy playing a spot of golf with the 'Minister Of Silly Lists' and Censorship... if he's not busy being summoned to a "Please Explain" meeting with Prime Minster Kevin Rudd... (if he's not busy getting an "ear bashing" from U.S President Barack Obama about censorship). Readers, are you following this trail?
The political donations are putting intense pressure on the Australian government to implement recommendations handed down by a parliamentary committee last week, including a cap on donations at just $2000 per political party, group or independent candidate each financial year.
It's no secret that Labor received $115,000 from Star City Casino in the second half of last year, around the same times as the laws regulating the casino were being loosened and its exclusive licence was extended in Parliament. In 2008 Star donated $110,000 just two months before it was granted approval for a $575 million redevelopment, and readers will recall that their budget has just been increased by $100 million or so, which helps build more entertainment rooms, and may even go towards learjets for high rolling VIP's, as they go to "war" with Packer's Crown.
A spokeswoman for Ms Keneally said any suggestion that political donations had influenced concessions that allowed gambling controls and surveillance to be watered down was not correct. "Donations have no impact on the timing of bills going through Parliament.".
Political donations are keenly watched as an indication of which companies and wealthy individuals may be lobbying government. The Australian and international gaming community is watching closely to see what moves PartyGaming and Betfair may make in this space.
PartyGaming famously came to financial terms with the United States Department Of Justice last year to the tune of $100 million or thereabouts. It wasn't a pure donation, however the U.S knew Party had the money, and it was an opportunity for PartyGaming to move forward. PartyGaming and its brands such as PartyCasino and PartyPoker are making strategic moves to return to the U.S market and regulation changes are afoot, just its World Poker Tour is making pro active steps to boost things along with a pending play in the North American - Canadian region, which may see much of the U.S change its stance on igaming, poker tournaments and the like. Last fortnight PartyGaming inked an impressive business deal with France horse racing operator PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain). PartyGaming also enjoys b2b dealings with such mainstream brands as Marvel Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Frank Sinatra Enterprises, StudioCanal, Blizard Entertainment, Infinity Ward, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Hasbro, MGM and FremantleMedia. PartyGaming are understood to be in the "good books" of internet giants Google, Yahoo! and Bing!... something that has also served Gambling911 and Media Man International well over the years. Google is currently developing its own advanced web hosting and ISP services in a move that has has generated massive interest from mainstream media, new media and gaming operators.
Back to the pure political news...Figures Gambling911 and Media Man sourced via Fairfax Media and News Limited state the following...
In the second half of last year the biggest donors included: Clubs NSW, which gave $59,000 to Labor and $101,555 to the Coalition; Manildra Group, $40,850 (Labor) and $19,050 (Coalition); property developer Memo Corporation, $36,850 (Labor) and $22,200 (Liberal); and the Independent Retailers Association, $77,820 (Labor) and $9000 (Liberal). The Liberals accepted $57,926 from the Australian Hotels Association and $49,750 from British American Tobacco.
The Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell, personally raised $174,650 at 10 fund-raisers held in his name and in his electorate, including raising some $108,100 at the Ku-ring-gai Business Breakfast last September.
Not to be outdone Labor collected in excess of $1 million in "affiliation fees" paid by unions between July and December.
In the coming weeks and months we will continue our probe into the relationships between Australian political parties and casinos, igaming operator, SP bookmakers and the like. Firms on our radar include but are not limited to Betfair, Centrebet, Full Tilt Poker (Easts Roosters NRL team connection), 888 (Warnie's the face of them for Australia), and a few others that will remain nameless for the moment.
Aussie's, anyone taking bets on what Australian land based casino operators are interested to enjoy a spot of golf with Senator Stephen Conroy (Minster of Communications, Censorship and "Silly Lists") Last time a casino exec played golf with our friend cash registers hit the jackpot. Ah, life is full of coincidences, just ask 'Casino Jack', coming soon to a movie theater near you if your an Aussie, Yankee or Kanok, but if your behind "The Great Internet Firewall" Of China, good luck, you will need it.
Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott, stay on Kevin "Bloody" Rudd, we sense Rudd's corner man Conroy is going down for the count as we approach the 12th round of action, broadcast from Sydney to Las Vegas, Macau, Florida and beyond via the internet channel (that no one owns, Australian government included). Special referee Jesse "The Body" Ventura and his 'Conspiracy Theory' actuality TV show remain pro actively interested in the connection between Australian casinos, political parties and proposed internet filter and blacklist initiatives.
Media Man and Gambling911 offer this public service announcement: Bet with your head, not over it, and keep it fun (and that messages is also applicable to Australian political parties).
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The network attracts approximately 6 million hits per month and has portals in Australia, Canada, Europe, Asia and the United States
*The writer owns shares in Crown Casino
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Asia
Media Man Casino
Media Manager International
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casino News
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Australian Sports Entertainment
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Crown Casino Ready For War With Sydney's Star City, by Greg Tingle - 7th April 2010
Casino wars are about to explode down under between Sydney (The Blues) and Melbournites (Melbourne).
Experts are divided as to who deal the first strike, but James Packer's "sweet deals" from the Victorian Government, along with the pending private jet purchase for VIP high flyers have certainly raised the ante.
Star City chiefs promise to turn it around from "an RSL club on steroids" aka "Pyrmont Workers Club" into a glamour showbiz icon of mammoth proportions. Vegas, look out baby! is the word.
They desire to crack Melbourne's lockdown on VIP high rollers, a couple of which are also being lured to Jupiters on the Gold Coast.
The action comes only one week after the New South Wales Government announced it indented to nab Melbourne's Formula 1 Grand Prix, Star City "mafia" have unleashed a new interstate - State Of Origin type war.
Sydney's "Star", owned by corporate "whale" Tabcorp, is expected to change its name and keep expanding, including adding a massive showbiz section... all part of a now a $640 million revitalisation, blowing the original budget by approximately $100 million. "It certainly has shades of the Crown Macau, now Altira Macau transformation up north in the Asia Pacific land of the dragons" whispered a Media Man insider.
The casino desires to host some of the world's biggest stars and entertainment icons with a new 4000 plus seat, $65 million international events centre.
Elton John, Lady Gaga, Rolling Stones, KISS, UFC and WWE are said to be on the want list, however the venue still may not be big enough to host them! Star wants Virgin's Richard Branson to pop in for a beer and photos, but Media Man spies advise Packer's got Branson nicely locked down and "more than satisfied with Crown", as is Tom Cruise. Sydney's Grant Galea and his world famous Dean Martin (and sometimes Frank Sintra act) is expected to make a return performance to Star City as the stakes climb. Hot off the heels of a Queen Elizabeth cruise liner show to a thousand patrons, Deano is hot, rocked, locked and ready to roll at Star and Crown. Galea and Media Man burlesque PR queen squeeze, Jac Bowie, is super excited about the casino wars heating up and sees the opportunity to showcase some more of Australia's and the world's burlesque queens... watch out Dita Von Teese! Sydney's icon sex symbol, Madame Lash, is rumoured to be interested to bring her VIP "Provocateur Package" (as enjoyed at Sydney's Hilton Hotel) to Star City and Crown. Some of the name wants by Star may be ambitions, but not all are Mission: Impossible.
Crown Casino is understood to be attracting 46,000 visitors a day (17 million a year), just about double Star City's patronage. Who said casinos are not tourism attractions... just another media beat up from detractors, but Packer's Crown and Star City are used to the knockers, so its water off a 'Pluka' ducks back.
Sydney is prepared for an epic battle with Crown, and wallets and passionate punters, and a few dolphins and whales are largely seen as the ultimate "catch" er prize. The bait is on the lure and rod, and they are looking forward to a happy hunting season, one which will break their drought of sorts.
Tabcorp top brass Larry Mullin advised Star City holds 20% of the lucrative VIP market.
He estimates Crown has 80% of turnover from high rollers, worth a cool $25 billion a year. So that's where Packer is pulling in the big bucks for big boys toys.
"We're getting the same high rollers, we're just not getting as many," Mullin said.
Crown cemented its place as The destination for international high rolling VIPs by offering the works, including a fleet of Gulfstream jets, soon to be expanded, as Gambling911 reported last week.
Sydney is fighting back, with a makeover to its VIP high rollers' den and plans to purchase its own fleet of jets. Why not buy a share in Virgin Galactic and the Queen Elizabeth Ocean Liner and other toys while the cash splash is on.
Star's new MD, Sid Vaikunta, advised the revamp was imperative because the casino was treated by the general public as an "RSL club on steroids" aka "Pyrmont Workers Club".
Crown was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
Sydney has warned Victoria that it wanted the Australian Grand Prix when the Melbourne contract expires in 2014.
The was sees Major Events Minister Tim Holding name calling the NSW Government the "nation's biggest blowhards", but we reckon its better to blow hard, than not blow at all.
Media Man and Gambling911 advise burlesque performers, "casino babes" and "poker babe tournaments and events" may be a "secret weapon in the process", and maybe some risque b2b may factor in the process, be it casino and entertainment website portals, pole dancers and maybe even some sort of escort VIP "service" for VIP's, of course. Star City and Crown Casino remain tight lipped on such initiatives. If its not talked about, it doesn't exist... yeah right!
Sydney and Melbourne's nightlife is expected to prosper as the casino war heats up, and the big winners are expected to be the NSW and VIC state governments, and maybe even Rudd's Federal government might make a dollar or two out of it also (even though Rudd and "Minster Of Silly Lists", Stephen Conroy, don't like pokies) and have recently displayed what many see as their blatant favoritism to "bible bashers" and fun police as "save the children" campaigners continue to try to spoil everyones fun, even dissing our beloved FHM, Playboy, Penthouse, Zoo and Maxim poker babes. Ya bloody mongrels!
Rest assured Media Man and Gambling911 will continue to cover the scene in an uncensored and no holds barred type approach, one that may or may not get caught up in the "Great Australian Firewall" as D Day approaches.
Australia's land based casinos are also being seen to be taking the fight to online casinos aka cyber casinos, as Betfair, PartyGaming and others compete for the new breed of gambler, one who prefers to do it from home, without the need for limos, let alone learjets.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, gaming being just one of a dozen industry verticals covered.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Casino
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Australian Casino News
Australian Casinos
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Experts are divided as to who deal the first strike, but James Packer's "sweet deals" from the Victorian Government, along with the pending private jet purchase for VIP high flyers have certainly raised the ante.
Star City chiefs promise to turn it around from "an RSL club on steroids" aka "Pyrmont Workers Club" into a glamour showbiz icon of mammoth proportions. Vegas, look out baby! is the word.
They desire to crack Melbourne's lockdown on VIP high rollers, a couple of which are also being lured to Jupiters on the Gold Coast.
The action comes only one week after the New South Wales Government announced it indented to nab Melbourne's Formula 1 Grand Prix, Star City "mafia" have unleashed a new interstate - State Of Origin type war.
Sydney's "Star", owned by corporate "whale" Tabcorp, is expected to change its name and keep expanding, including adding a massive showbiz section... all part of a now a $640 million revitalisation, blowing the original budget by approximately $100 million. "It certainly has shades of the Crown Macau, now Altira Macau transformation up north in the Asia Pacific land of the dragons" whispered a Media Man insider.
The casino desires to host some of the world's biggest stars and entertainment icons with a new 4000 plus seat, $65 million international events centre.
Elton John, Lady Gaga, Rolling Stones, KISS, UFC and WWE are said to be on the want list, however the venue still may not be big enough to host them! Star wants Virgin's Richard Branson to pop in for a beer and photos, but Media Man spies advise Packer's got Branson nicely locked down and "more than satisfied with Crown", as is Tom Cruise. Sydney's Grant Galea and his world famous Dean Martin (and sometimes Frank Sintra act) is expected to make a return performance to Star City as the stakes climb. Hot off the heels of a Queen Elizabeth cruise liner show to a thousand patrons, Deano is hot, rocked, locked and ready to roll at Star and Crown. Galea and Media Man burlesque PR queen squeeze, Jac Bowie, is super excited about the casino wars heating up and sees the opportunity to showcase some more of Australia's and the world's burlesque queens... watch out Dita Von Teese! Sydney's icon sex symbol, Madame Lash, is rumoured to be interested to bring her VIP "Provocateur Package" (as enjoyed at Sydney's Hilton Hotel) to Star City and Crown. Some of the name wants by Star may be ambitions, but not all are Mission: Impossible.
Crown Casino is understood to be attracting 46,000 visitors a day (17 million a year), just about double Star City's patronage. Who said casinos are not tourism attractions... just another media beat up from detractors, but Packer's Crown and Star City are used to the knockers, so its water off a 'Pluka' ducks back.
Sydney is prepared for an epic battle with Crown, and wallets and passionate punters, and a few dolphins and whales are largely seen as the ultimate "catch" er prize. The bait is on the lure and rod, and they are looking forward to a happy hunting season, one which will break their drought of sorts.
Tabcorp top brass Larry Mullin advised Star City holds 20% of the lucrative VIP market.
He estimates Crown has 80% of turnover from high rollers, worth a cool $25 billion a year. So that's where Packer is pulling in the big bucks for big boys toys.
"We're getting the same high rollers, we're just not getting as many," Mullin said.
Crown cemented its place as The destination for international high rolling VIPs by offering the works, including a fleet of Gulfstream jets, soon to be expanded, as Gambling911 reported last week.
Sydney is fighting back, with a makeover to its VIP high rollers' den and plans to purchase its own fleet of jets. Why not buy a share in Virgin Galactic and the Queen Elizabeth Ocean Liner and other toys while the cash splash is on.
Star's new MD, Sid Vaikunta, advised the revamp was imperative because the casino was treated by the general public as an "RSL club on steroids" aka "Pyrmont Workers Club".
Crown was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
Sydney has warned Victoria that it wanted the Australian Grand Prix when the Melbourne contract expires in 2014.
The was sees Major Events Minister Tim Holding name calling the NSW Government the "nation's biggest blowhards", but we reckon its better to blow hard, than not blow at all.
Media Man and Gambling911 advise burlesque performers, "casino babes" and "poker babe tournaments and events" may be a "secret weapon in the process", and maybe some risque b2b may factor in the process, be it casino and entertainment website portals, pole dancers and maybe even some sort of escort VIP "service" for VIP's, of course. Star City and Crown Casino remain tight lipped on such initiatives. If its not talked about, it doesn't exist... yeah right!
Sydney and Melbourne's nightlife is expected to prosper as the casino war heats up, and the big winners are expected to be the NSW and VIC state governments, and maybe even Rudd's Federal government might make a dollar or two out of it also (even though Rudd and "Minster Of Silly Lists", Stephen Conroy, don't like pokies) and have recently displayed what many see as their blatant favoritism to "bible bashers" and fun police as "save the children" campaigners continue to try to spoil everyones fun, even dissing our beloved FHM, Playboy, Penthouse, Zoo and Maxim poker babes. Ya bloody mongrels!
Rest assured Media Man and Gambling911 will continue to cover the scene in an uncensored and no holds barred type approach, one that may or may not get caught up in the "Great Australian Firewall" as D Day approaches.
Australia's land based casinos are also being seen to be taking the fight to online casinos aka cyber casinos, as Betfair, PartyGaming and others compete for the new breed of gambler, one who prefers to do it from home, without the need for limos, let alone learjets.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, gaming being just one of a dozen industry verticals covered.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Casino
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Australian Casino News
Australian Casinos
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Frank Sinatra Land Based Casino To Close But Sinatra Slot Lives On At PartyGaming, by Greg Tingle - 1st April 2010
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
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man Canada
Media Man Australia
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Racing News Media
Poker News Media
American Casino News
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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Monday, March 29, 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
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casino News
Australian Casinos
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Property News Media Blog: Casinos are usually a gambling and entertainment based venue. Lists of various cainos across the world are often found on the internet as well as in tourism brochures
Property News Media Blog
List Of Casinos of The World
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.
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.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Australia's Mildura Likely To Get Casino; Jobs And Tourism Boost, by Greg Tingle - 27th March 2010
Australia's Mildura is likely to get a new land based casino, with jobs and a tourism boost as part of the deal.
Victorian Premier John Brumby has described plans for a casino in Mildura as a "high-quality proposal".
Media Man and Gambling911 have noted that Australian casino and resort developers are more positive and optimistic than most on a global scale, with parts of the Las Vegas Strip, Atlantic City and Dubai looking like "train wrecks" with casino developers going bust or projects going "on hold" for numerous years.
The developer has been consulting with Mildura residents and business folks outlining the benefits that would come with his project.
Casino developer John Haddad has released design plans to mixed responses.
The name proposed for the casino is the 'Mildura Jewel'.
The $400 million hotel and casino development to be situated next to the Murray River was likely to include "a couple of hundred poker machines and 40 to 50 tables".
Mr Haddad, who has developed five other casinos, said the project would be a tourist drawcard.
"It's good, good, good. It's employment and it generates tourism and it does all the things that Mildura has been trying to do," he advised.
Mr Brumby said yesterday there was nothing to stop a second casino opening in Mildura.
He said the government would consider a second casino only "if there was clear community support and if there was clear bipartisan support". He added: "I have always said personally that I think it is the sort of thing that would attract jobs and investment to the area. So I think it will be good to have the community debate. We will see how people think about this issue in Mildura."
Ross Douglass, of the community group Sunraysia Against Casinos, said many people were opposed to a casino for a range of reasons, including the "collateral damage" it would do to other businesses in the area.
"Some have had bad-luck stories with gambling. If not, they know other people who have," he said.
"I am against it because I believe it is going to bring a lot of [social] damage."
The group has invited Senator Nick Xenophon, Tim Costello and anti-pokies campaigner Paul Bendat to a meeting in Mildura next month.
At this stage James Packer's Crown Limited is not expected to get involved or plans to build their own casino in the region, despite rumors of the country.
Australians remain on the top ten list of land based and online casino players and Victorian are the most passionate and highest spending of all of the Aussie states.
* Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
* Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
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Victorian Premier John Brumby has described plans for a casino in Mildura as a "high-quality proposal".
Media Man and Gambling911 have noted that Australian casino and resort developers are more positive and optimistic than most on a global scale, with parts of the Las Vegas Strip, Atlantic City and Dubai looking like "train wrecks" with casino developers going bust or projects going "on hold" for numerous years.
The developer has been consulting with Mildura residents and business folks outlining the benefits that would come with his project.
Casino developer John Haddad has released design plans to mixed responses.
The name proposed for the casino is the 'Mildura Jewel'.
The $400 million hotel and casino development to be situated next to the Murray River was likely to include "a couple of hundred poker machines and 40 to 50 tables".
Mr Haddad, who has developed five other casinos, said the project would be a tourist drawcard.
"It's good, good, good. It's employment and it generates tourism and it does all the things that Mildura has been trying to do," he advised.
Mr Brumby said yesterday there was nothing to stop a second casino opening in Mildura.
He said the government would consider a second casino only "if there was clear community support and if there was clear bipartisan support". He added: "I have always said personally that I think it is the sort of thing that would attract jobs and investment to the area. So I think it will be good to have the community debate. We will see how people think about this issue in Mildura."
Ross Douglass, of the community group Sunraysia Against Casinos, said many people were opposed to a casino for a range of reasons, including the "collateral damage" it would do to other businesses in the area.
"Some have had bad-luck stories with gambling. If not, they know other people who have," he said.
"I am against it because I believe it is going to bring a lot of [social] damage."
The group has invited Senator Nick Xenophon, Tim Costello and anti-pokies campaigner Paul Bendat to a meeting in Mildura next month.
At this stage James Packer's Crown Limited is not expected to get involved or plans to build their own casino in the region, despite rumors of the country.
Australians remain on the top ten list of land based and online casino players and Victorian are the most passionate and highest spending of all of the Aussie states.
* Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
* Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
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Friday, March 26, 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
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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Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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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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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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Australian Casino And Poker News: Overseas Passenger Terminal And Burswood Casino Packs Em In, by Greg Tingle - 19th March 2010
It's been a huge 24 hours in the Australian casino, employment, poker, media and social and community entrepreneur sectors.
Billionaire Inc Connection...
James Packer's Burswood Casino aka Burswood Entertainment Complex, based in Perth, Western Australia, is on a roll. Poker and online poker continue to do massive numbers, and Crown Limited (Crown Casino and Burswood Casino etc al), PartyGaming's PartyPoker, Media Man and Gambling911 are in the thick of the action.
Must be magic that Packer and Perth mining magnate, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest are weaving. "Twiggy" have brought his infectious can-do attitude, work ethic and Aussie humour in spades to Sydney. Yep, the Billionaire, understood to now be Australia's Richest Man, still has the common touch.
Packer and Forrest were in Sydney last night, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, joined by 500 power players in the Australian business, political and entertainment arena to officially welcome in GenerationOne. For the record, Media Man had to report from the sidelines as the event was jam packed, but did have the pleasure to speaking to some execs very close to the powers that be...and they were pleased to hear of our assistance to groups such as Githabul people, Yuggera tribe, Deadly Awards, Friends of Malabar Headland and Virgin Unite, and mentioning that we owned shares in Crown Casino didn't seem to hurt the cause!
Movie stars Cate Blanchett and Russell Crowe attended last night, where movers and shakers exchanged ideas (plus gossip) and saw their palms projected onto the sails of the Opera House in a show of support. Us Aussies are likely giving the Las Vegas Strip and Atlantic City a few free ideas!
The story that Media Man and Gambling911 collaborated on and broke worldwide, has dominated Google and Google News for the past 24 hours or so, and shows no sign on slowing down for the weekend... a favorite time for punters, both in Australia and around the globe.
The GenerationOne movement has also triggered us to open up negotiations with the state and federal government to see how we here at Media Man may qualify to take on a couple of suitable indigenous peoples as contract staff to assist our business endeavors... could be for photography, video, graphic arts or internet portal development.
Australia New Zealand Poker Tour
The event is the toast of the town in Perth, ok, that may be talking it up a notch, but you get the idea.
Burswood Casino, PokerStars and the online poker community, not to mention bars,
restaurants, taxis and limousines are sure doing well out of it. All the action also means that Burswood will need to keep staff numbers high, which is good news for GenerationOne, but fortunately those infamous plastic handcuffs have yet been witnessed on site.
Insiders advise over 60 players got through day 1b at the PokerStars ANZPT Perth Main Event. Mr Yu-chang Cheng leads as the only player from the flight with over 100,000 in chips.
Many of Australia’s best poker players attended with PokerStars pros Tony Hachem, Eric Assadourian and Grant Levy all surviving with pretty average chips.
Joel "Strong Play" Dodds who continues his roll with ANZPT to sit in third chip position with 97,600 and APPT Sydney champion Aaron Benton returned strongly from a short stack to concluded with 74,900 chips. ANZPT Adelaide champ Rennie Carnevale gets to Day 2 with 47,550.
The ANZPT Perth Main Event attracted 222 players, beating the previous record for a Perth event - 142 players. The top prize is $132,750.
Here's the numbers as of time to publication
Top ten chip counts:
Nik Lackovic – 104,625
Yu-chang Cheng – 101,425
Joel Dodds – 97,600
Dominic Sinagra – 93,350
Aaron Wilson – 90,950
Kelvin Beattie – 90,125
Christopher Evans - 87,600
Tu Le – 84,425
Jimmy Wong – 77,925
Aaron Benton - 74,900
So punters, be casino, poker or community assistance being your passion or poison, as you can see its been a massive period for casino, poker and entertainment news down under.
Wait, there's more!
GenerationOne - The Numbers Build
In the next report we expect to be able to give more updates on the amount of jobs GenerationOne is generating. New South Wales premier Kristina Keneally, already has 2229 jobs earmarked for indigenous people, Packer has approx 100, "Twiggy" with multiple thousands, and Media Man has put aside 2 contract jobs for locals. It's more paperwork, but the end result is worth the effort.
Mr Packer has employed 60 indigenous workers and is looking for 50 more. Like many, he had always wanted to do more in the area and Mr Forrest had shown him how.
"It's not about rich people can do more, or poor people should get off their backsides, or government should get out there … It's about all Australians", Mr Forrest said.
"People tell me, 'This is just another campaign.' I say show me the 20,000 (promised jobs so far) in any other campaign."
Readers, have fun playing your games of preference, and be assured that we will continue to support the readership and community who support us.
Let's hear it again for the Australian - American connection... Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi Aussie Aussie Aussie USA USA Aussie Oi Aussie Oi USA 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, operating in over a bakers dozen vertical markets
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Billionaire Inc Connection...
James Packer's Burswood Casino aka Burswood Entertainment Complex, based in Perth, Western Australia, is on a roll. Poker and online poker continue to do massive numbers, and Crown Limited (Crown Casino and Burswood Casino etc al), PartyGaming's PartyPoker, Media Man and Gambling911 are in the thick of the action.
Must be magic that Packer and Perth mining magnate, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest are weaving. "Twiggy" have brought his infectious can-do attitude, work ethic and Aussie humour in spades to Sydney. Yep, the Billionaire, understood to now be Australia's Richest Man, still has the common touch.
Packer and Forrest were in Sydney last night, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, joined by 500 power players in the Australian business, political and entertainment arena to officially welcome in GenerationOne. For the record, Media Man had to report from the sidelines as the event was jam packed, but did have the pleasure to speaking to some execs very close to the powers that be...and they were pleased to hear of our assistance to groups such as Githabul people, Yuggera tribe, Deadly Awards, Friends of Malabar Headland and Virgin Unite, and mentioning that we owned shares in Crown Casino didn't seem to hurt the cause!
Movie stars Cate Blanchett and Russell Crowe attended last night, where movers and shakers exchanged ideas (plus gossip) and saw their palms projected onto the sails of the Opera House in a show of support. Us Aussies are likely giving the Las Vegas Strip and Atlantic City a few free ideas!
The story that Media Man and Gambling911 collaborated on and broke worldwide, has dominated Google and Google News for the past 24 hours or so, and shows no sign on slowing down for the weekend... a favorite time for punters, both in Australia and around the globe.
The GenerationOne movement has also triggered us to open up negotiations with the state and federal government to see how we here at Media Man may qualify to take on a couple of suitable indigenous peoples as contract staff to assist our business endeavors... could be for photography, video, graphic arts or internet portal development.
Australia New Zealand Poker Tour
The event is the toast of the town in Perth, ok, that may be talking it up a notch, but you get the idea.
Burswood Casino, PokerStars and the online poker community, not to mention bars,
restaurants, taxis and limousines are sure doing well out of it. All the action also means that Burswood will need to keep staff numbers high, which is good news for GenerationOne, but fortunately those infamous plastic handcuffs have yet been witnessed on site.
Insiders advise over 60 players got through day 1b at the PokerStars ANZPT Perth Main Event. Mr Yu-chang Cheng leads as the only player from the flight with over 100,000 in chips.
Many of Australia’s best poker players attended with PokerStars pros Tony Hachem, Eric Assadourian and Grant Levy all surviving with pretty average chips.
Joel "Strong Play" Dodds who continues his roll with ANZPT to sit in third chip position with 97,600 and APPT Sydney champion Aaron Benton returned strongly from a short stack to concluded with 74,900 chips. ANZPT Adelaide champ Rennie Carnevale gets to Day 2 with 47,550.
The ANZPT Perth Main Event attracted 222 players, beating the previous record for a Perth event - 142 players. The top prize is $132,750.
Here's the numbers as of time to publication
Top ten chip counts:
Nik Lackovic – 104,625
Yu-chang Cheng – 101,425
Joel Dodds – 97,600
Dominic Sinagra – 93,350
Aaron Wilson – 90,950
Kelvin Beattie – 90,125
Christopher Evans - 87,600
Tu Le – 84,425
Jimmy Wong – 77,925
Aaron Benton - 74,900
So punters, be casino, poker or community assistance being your passion or poison, as you can see its been a massive period for casino, poker and entertainment news down under.
Wait, there's more!
GenerationOne - The Numbers Build
In the next report we expect to be able to give more updates on the amount of jobs GenerationOne is generating. New South Wales premier Kristina Keneally, already has 2229 jobs earmarked for indigenous people, Packer has approx 100, "Twiggy" with multiple thousands, and Media Man has put aside 2 contract jobs for locals. It's more paperwork, but the end result is worth the effort.
Mr Packer has employed 60 indigenous workers and is looking for 50 more. Like many, he had always wanted to do more in the area and Mr Forrest had shown him how.
"It's not about rich people can do more, or poor people should get off their backsides, or government should get out there … It's about all Australians", Mr Forrest said.
"People tell me, 'This is just another campaign.' I say show me the 20,000 (promised jobs so far) in any other campaign."
Readers, have fun playing your games of preference, and be assured that we will continue to support the readership and community who support us.
Let's hear it again for the Australian - American connection... Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi Aussie Aussie Aussie USA USA Aussie Oi Aussie Oi USA 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, operating in over a bakers dozen vertical markets
Website Network
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Friday, March 19, 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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Thursday, March 18, 2010
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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