Thursday, July 29, 2010

Australian And New Zealand Casino And Gambling News, by Greg Tingle - 28th July 2010

The Aussie and Kiwi casino, gambling and sports betting scene shows little sign of slowing down, pending Australian election or not (you can bet on it too). Aussie gaming fans rejoice as PartyGaming release more branded games, and the industry awaits return fire from the land based casino sector as the battle for the gambling and entertainment dollar continues. Media Man and Gambling911, no virgin's to the region, once again do the Asia Pacific... News, PR or shades of grey... readers, er punters...you be the judge...

Australian And Kiwi Casino Fans Rejoice With PartyGaming's Sly Rocky Classic...

Aussie's and New Zealanders had reason to cheer last night with a range of PartyGaming casinos releasing the long rumoured Rocky online slot game. It's the original 1976 classic and it must be said that Sylvester Stallone and the Party powers that be have delivered a world class result. The rumour mill says that Party will soon be following up with the Pink Panther themed slot. The 1963 film classic directed by Blake Edwards and co-written by Edwards and Maurice Richlin, is a comedy film, starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine and Claudia Cardinale. Insiders say PartyGaming has done a fine job with it, and be watching Media Man, Noble Casino and Casino Las Vegas for more clues! The tag line..."A Madcap Frolic Of Crime and Fun".

SkyCity Alpine Adventure tournament: New Zealand Poker Tour (NZPT): Student Wins $75k...

With Aussie poker players making up 8 of the 9 places at the final table of this past weekend's poker tournament in Queenstown, it was no surprise to see the winner's cheque going to an Aussie. Julian Cohen, a recent uni grad from Melbourne snatched $75,000 first place prize in the SkyCity Alpine Adventure tournament, part of the New Zealand Poker Tour (NZPT). The only Kiwi to make the final, Emerson Riwi of Rotorua, finished in 6th place, earning over $15k. Rewi is a 35 year old Department of Justice employee. He finished 4th at the 2008 Auckland championships, but this was his biggest payday to date. An original starting field of 119 players battled for a total prize pool of $267,750. 13 countries were represented, including Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore, United States, Germany, Korea, Macau, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. The big names in the main event didn't last through to the finals. Australian's Tony Hachem and Chris Levick, Singapore's Bryan Huang and New Zealand's Lee Nelson were all out in the early rounds. Simon Watt, who became New Zealand's most famous poker face overnight with his bracelet win in the World Series of Poker, couldn't get past past day 2.

Final Standings And Money:

1. Julian Cohen (Australia) $73,630.00
2. Andrew Watson (Australia) $46,860.00
3. Vesko Zmukic (Australia) $27,440.00
4. Michael Spilkin (Australia) $22,760.00
5. Tim Clarke (Australia) $18,740.00
6. Emerson Rewi (New Zealand) $15,400.00
7. Jason Gray (Australia) $12,720.00
8. John Maklouf (Australia) $10,040.00
9. Bryan Huang (Australia) $8,030.00


GenerationOne Ideas Forum In Sydney; Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest Flys Flag This Week, Mate James Packer Casino King Still Cruising Globe...

Media Man Rounds Up Sydney Community Entrepreneurs To Chip In... In an effort close to our hearts, GenerationOne is to hold their Ideas Forum at Fox. Aussie casino king might be cruising the high sees but the Bondi Beach entrepreneurs connection will be represented well with a Media Man army of social and community entrepreneurs set to hit Fox. The forum will be broadcast live at approx 1pm. Where: Fox Studios, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia - Thursday 29th July...


Sydney: Star City Casino Gunman Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder...

A male mongrel has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of his former girlfriend at Sydney's Star City Casino. Todd Devaney was charged with a range of offences after the shooting of fitness babe and instructor Holly Graham aka "Casino Model" as she was teaching yoga at the casinos gym in May of 2008. The legal eagle courthouse had previously been advised that the model instructor was shot twice...below the ribs and in the hip region. Devaney fled the scene on foot but was arrested a short time later. Star City sports multiple hundreds of videocameras, a powerful "eye in the sky" or two, and dozens of security officers. In Sydney's Downing Centre District Court early today, the gunman pleaded guilty to 4 charges including shooting (with intention to murder) and the possession of 3 firearms, which he was banned from carrying on his person. He is set to be sentenced on 15th September. Ms Graham was in court to witness Devaney plead guilty. Afterwards she told the press she was pleased with the outcome. "I'm really, really lucky that I've recovered and I just hope that he gets put away for a long time," Ms Graham said. Media Man friends and associates wish Holly well with her ongoing journey.

Crown Casino To Get Celebrity Chef TV Show...

Network Nine has signed last year's MasterChef winner Julie Goodwin for her own show, Home Cooked. Nine is also set to produce Celebrity Chef Live from Melbourne's Crown Casino. Ten is responding with Junior MasterChef, which will screen from mid-October, and MasterChef USA, hosted by Gordon Ramsay. Auditions for the third series of MasterChef Australia are to take place around the country from October. Ten's program manager, Peter Andrews, is confident MasterChef can weather the storm. "We're actually quite flattered that Seven and Nine are jumping on the bandwagon," he said.
"I think the audience can smell a copycat program from a mile away so if any of these cooking shows aren't entertaining, the audience will desert them in a flash." Media analyst Steve Allen said Nine and Seven were playing a spoiling game. "Everyone is crowding into the same space and it will be counterproductive in the end," he said. "Nine and Seven want to overcook the cooking genre so that it lowers the ratings for MasterChef in 2011.". Australian casinos are home to some of the world's finest chefs, and Crown Casino and Star City have a foodie casino war on their hands. What network and casino is to get egg on their face remains to be seen.


Shane 888 Warnie Does The Races With Babe Elizabeth Hurley...

The cricket - celeb poker icon just off comparing the Australia VS Pakistan games, accompanied the British babe socialite to the Glorious Goodwood race meet on Tuesday. Warnie filled the void for Hurley's husband and friend, Arun Nayar who was missing in action from the sexy sporting Sussex. The rumour mill reckon Warnie and his filly for the day might be at least slightly addicted to Twitter (and poker). We understand Warnie made time to place a wager with bookies on the horses. Elizabeth Hurley Twittered "Glorious Goodwood tomorrow...just got some tips from my racing mad shepherd whilst trying on hats." The very friendly couple have been friends for years and occasionally share friendly chats Twitter. Also among Hurley’s Australian Twitter mates are Russell Crowe and Media Man mate Max Markson aka Mr Fame, seems to swap the odd wise crack online, often about food or coffee. Crowe doesn't bet, but Warne more than makes up for the shortfall. The ex spinner is also chummy with Packer and they get spotted together from time to time at casinos and sports fields.

Australian TV Broadcasters To Ramp Up Poker And Gambling Coverage...

Network Ten - One HD, Foxtel and friends have only just scratched the surface of Australian poker and gambling programs such as The Poker Star and World Series of Poker highlights. The Media Man bush telegraph says to perhaps even expect a casino king type program or two, that will cover both only and offline activity. Broadcasters and sponsors are keen to see plain language warnings on the broadcasts advising punters not to overdo it and "bet with your head, not over it, and set limits". The shows are tipped to cut into air time formally occupied by traditional gambling programming like horse racing. Sky Sports was not commenting. Ten's The 7PM Project mentions poker and casinos from time to time and let's not forget Packer pal David Gyngell, CEO of Nine, a smart cookie by all accounts, is aware of Crown's total entertainment experience, which includes gambling and poker tournaments, including the famed Aussie Millions coming up in January.


Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group To See Kids Skill Games Removed From Pokie Palaces...

He king of poker machines in Victoria has voted to remove children's arcade games that offer prizes such as iPods from its venues nationwide. Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, a JV between supermarket tsar Woolworths and billionaire poker machine operator Mr Bruce Mathieson, has now confirmed that games offering prizes more valuable than "stuffed toys or chocolate" would be removed for good from all its venues over the next year, or as soon as the games' contracts permit. The decision was made at a board meeting on Friday. A Woolworths spokeswoman, Clare Buchanan, said "We've made a decision that we are going to be removing what's known as tile machines from our venues - the (games with) more high-value prizes but less chance of winning the prize." The games are in roughly 280 of the group's 286 palaces, including the "vast majority" of the 96 or so venues in Victoria. She said it was appropriate to remove them. "We did a bit of research among patrons and these weren't games that we felt were adding any value to the venues," Buchanan said. The move follows Fairfax Media reports that experts believed arcade games with prizes were "grooming" children to gamble.

Boxing: Green VS Brigg's Does Hurricane Type Damage To Boxing Betting In Australia...

The match has done great damage to both Australian boxing and the sports betting elect of such. The day of the "fight" there was a rush across betting agencies for Briggs to be knocked out in the 1st or 2nd round. One agency shortened its odds from $7 early in the day to even money. Others closed the market! Multiple bookies said the activity was odd, with a spokesman for Centrebet going on record..."We've never in the history of boxing seen so much go on a specific decision outcome." Line-betting is enjoying mega popularity with punters and fans. Sport remains the fastest growing sector of the Aussie gambling industry, increasing by 12% last financial year, compared with 1.2% for pokies and 0.5% for horse-racing. In response to the Briggs-Green bout, some betting agencies have advised they will no longer take line bets on boxing fights down under. Boxing can no longer be trusted says Media Man informers. Boxing is more high risk to betting corruption than most other sports. A 1:1 "contest" is easier to rig, as their are less people involved! Word leaked to MM from an Aussie legal eagle report carried by some wires including Fairfax...Team sports are not immune to the ills of line-betting. The common thread in many recent international betting scandals in basketball, soccer and cricket is that they involved large-scale betting on immaterial outcomes, such as the winning margin in a lopsided contest. A classic example is "point shaving" in US basketball; where players or referees influence the winning margin, or "point spread", of a game without affecting the result. Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has called for a ban on sport betting until the federal government establishes regulations. Given the recent Aussie sports scandals "Mr X" has a leg up on the sports gamblers on this matter, even if some of X's proposals relating to gaming and gambling are in "fantasy land", whispered a Media Man staffer.

Australian Music Groups Do U.S Hotel Casinos...

Fresh off U.S performances, The Australian Bee Gees and Air Supply, are both understood to be keen to clock up a few more gigs at American hotels and casinos. Folks, let's be honest... a number of land based casinos are in a better position than many venues to be able to pay good bucks to top notch Australian groups. Music helps get customers into the premises, and some will of course "feel lucky". Some will be lucky, and some won't... that's the nature of a casino. Punters generally have "more luck" playing games of skill, be it poker or other table games, while slots aka pokies, are basically pure luck, but remain popular with casino punters the world over.

Media Man Profiles

Australian Casinos
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/australian_casios.html

PartyGaming

Rocky

Pink Panther

Boxing

War Of The Worlds

New Zealand

GenerationOne
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/generationone.html

As always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun. Good luck.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming. Media Man also publish Australian Sports Entertainment
http://www.australiansportsentertainment.com and Casino News Media
http://www.casinonewsmedia.com

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Asia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Casino News Media

Poker News Media

Global Gaming Directory

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Casino Travel Media: Rocky Slot Game Hits PartyGaming - Noble Casino

Rocky Slot Game Hits PartyGaming - Noble Casino

The new Rocky slot game has become Playtech’s most sought after title as online gaming fans flock to box as Rocky Balboa.

The great features of Playtech’s video slot have made the game one of the most popular of all time. Rocky Slots sets the pace for PartyGaming and Playtech, with Pink Panther soon to follow.

Rocky Slots traces the fortunes of the kind hearted south paw Rocky Balboa from the 1976 film starring Sylvester Stallone. The game has fast and well designed features and game play as well as a pounding soundtrack to match...this really gets the excitement and adrenaline flowing! Bonus features include a special Knockout Bonus round where players can pick Rocky’s opponents, watch a ten round boxing match and win big money.

Playtech have upped the ante with Rocky Slots as the game features more advanced graphics, better sound and more sophisticated detail than other similar games. This makes Rocky Slots an absolute knock out to play.

The spinning reels sound like a punch bag to make players feel that they are hearing Rocky train in his favourite Philadelphia gym. Players need to spell out ROCKY on the 5 reels in order to receive an instant 5x total bet payout. And if you manage to achieve this in the free spin rounds you will receive a massive 10x total bet payout!

Perhaps the more impressive feature of the Rocky Slots game from Playtech is the Knockout Bonus Round. This is where players choose from three prize fights to spar against Rocky in a ten round match – including the famous film world champion Apollo Creed. The player watches the stunning fight from a front line seat, featuring real footage from the fight scenes in the film.

During the Knockout Bonus Round players have the chance of winning up to a 30x total bet payout if Rocky manages to knock his opponent out in a fast enough time. Go Rocky!

PartyGaming also offer PartyCasino.com which offers dozens more movie and TV themed slot games, as well as other online casino games that can be played for free or played for money.

PartyGaming was established in 1997 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Websites

Noble Casino

Rocky slot website

Profiles

Rocky

Rambo

Sylvester Stallone

Playtech

PartyCasino.com

PartyGaming

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Virgin Casino Gets The War Of The Worlds Slot Game; Virgin Bingo Gets Three More Games - 21st July 2010

Casino Travel Media

Virgin Casino Gets The War Of The Worlds Slot Game; Virgin Bingo Gets Three More Games

Profiles

Virgin Casino Virgin Games Virgin Bingo Virgin New Games Richard Branson

H.G. Wells Steven Spielberg Jeff Wayne

*Sorry, no U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory

The invasion has begun! Spin now to save Mankind and win a x700 bonus!

Introduction

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds is a 5-reel 100-line slot machine, with each reel being 4 symbols tall. In addition to a bonus round (where winnings are awarded for damaging and killing the Fighting Machines), the game features special Wild symbols which react together to fill a reel with wilds.

Step 1: Getting Started
When you load the game you will be given the option to load the Full high quality version of the game (which has all the animations and sounds) or the Reduced quality version which has fewer sounds and animations and lower quality graphics so the overall file size is smaller and quicker to download. The game functionality and payouts are exactly the same for both versions. After the version you have selected has all been loaded you will see the main screen:

Press the 'STAKE UP' and 'STAKE DOWN' buttons to choose a stake per line.

Your selected stake per line will be multiplied by 100 lines. You cannot change the number of lines in this game.

The total amount you have staked will be shown in the TOTAL STAKE box at the bottom right of the screen.

Click on the 'Paytable' button to view the paytable, which shows the potential winnings for each reel combination,

Step 2: How To Play
Press 'PLAY' to start the game (Alternatively you can press the Spacebar on your keyboard to spin).

The reels will spin and eventually stop at random.

If the combination of symbols appearing on the reels form a line (starting from the left reel) of 3, 4 or 5 matching symbols on one of the 100 win lines then you win.

Any symbols that were part of a win will be highlighted and your winnings will be credited to your account balance.

The total winnings are shown in the top right and the total number of lines that had a win are shown in the bottom left of the screen.

Fighting Machine Bonus
The Fighting Machine bonus game is a special bonus win, triggered by getting 3 BONUS symbols anywhere on the reels (this is a scatter win, so the BONUS symbols do not have to be on the same winline).

There is no line win attached to the BONUS scatter win - only entry to the bonus game, which itself guarantees a win.

When the game enters the bonus round, you will see the introduction screen showing details of the bonus game. The idea of this bonus is to shoot as many of the Fighting Machines as you can before they shoot all 3 of your cannons.

You have 3 cannons and there are 3 Fighting Machines to shoot, each of your cannons can only shoot forwards at the machine in front of it (you cannot aim left or right, you can only adjust the power by pressing the Fire button at a different time).

When the power meter is on the amount you want then press the Fire button to fire that cannon. The cannon will then be disabled for a moment while it reloads.

If you kill all 3 of the machines then you will get onto the next stage. There are 3 stages in total and you get a bonus of 500 times your total stake if you complete them all by killing all 9 Fighting Machines.

The game ends when you have no more cannons left or when you have killed all 9 machines. You will then be awarded your winnings and taken back to the main game.

Wild Symbols
The WILD symbol substitutes all other symbols except for the BONUS symbol to enhance your chances of getting a winning line.

If 2 WILD symbols are revealed on the same reel - one at the top and one at the bottom - then they will expand to change the two symbols in-between them to WILD symbols as well, and so increasing your chance of getting several wins. This expanding wild event occurs even if there are no wins created.

A row of WILD symbols on an active win line does not have any associated payout - the WILD pays only when used as a substitute for another symbol.

Auto Play
By selecting 'AUTO PLAY' you can choose to place up to 25 bets automatically, one after the other. Click 'AUTO PLAY' and select the number of automatic bets you want before clicking the 'PLAY' button to start those bets.

You can stop Auto Play from continuing onto the next spin by clicking 'STOP AUTO' (which replaces the 'AUTO PLAY' button when you are in Auto Play.

Auto Play will turn off if you get into the bonus round.

GENERAL NOTES
This game has a Return to Player of 94.7%. - System malfunction voids all pays and play.

Profile

The War Of The Worlds


Virgin Games Launches Three New Virtue Fusion Games

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - July 21, 2010 - Leading online gaming company, Virgin Games, has today launched three new titles to add to its extensive offering. The games, all developed by the innovative online games producer, Virtue Fusion, are Multi Balls (available on Virgin Bingo), George and the Dragon, and Treasure Time Traveller (available on both Virgin Casino and Virgin Bingo).

Multi Balls
Multi Balls is a multi-player game where the higher up on the leader board you are, the greater the share of the community jackpot you win. Payouts are awarded for achieving groups of 5 or more horizontally or vertically adjacent balls that are the same character – there are 6 different characters to play with.

George and the Dragon
George and the Dragon is a 5 reel, 20 five line slot with a progressive jackpot, a feature game and exploding reels. There is a Bonus Feature that is triggered when a Dragon symbol appears in reels 1, 3 and 5. The Bonus Feature will play out once all winning combinations on the reels have been completed.

Treasure Time Traveller
Treasure Time Traveller is a 9-square scratch card. To qualify for the bonus round players have to scratch and match 3 odometer symbols.
The launch of these new games coincides with an exciting promotional offering at Virgin Bingo. For the first time players will be able to pre buy tickets for specific games incentivised by a range of some of the most fantastic prizes Virgin Bingo have ever offered, such as weekend breaks to New York and 42 inch Flatscreen TVs.

Warren Eloff, Product Manager at Virgin Games, commented:
"With these exciting new games and fantastic promotions Virgin Games truly offers one of the best online gaming experiences available. At the beginning of the year we stated that our priority was to offer great choice to our customers - and we're now doing that in spades. The range of games we have is superb and the promotional offerings have just raised the bar!"

Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.

Websites

Virgin Casino.

Virgin Bingo

Notes to editors

About Virgin Games:

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

-- Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Microgaming, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games, with a current jackpot value of over GBP 2,500,000

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

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

Websites

Virgin Bingo

Virgin Casino.

Join now and get a £100 Casino Welcome Bonus at Virgin Casino.

Virgin Games has won a number of industry awards and commendations including awards from Media Man, Casino News Media and eGaming Review. Virgin Casino won the Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' for June 2010 and is in the running again this month.

At present Virgin Casino is unable to accept money players from the United States, Australia or New Zealand. Please see World Casino Directory.

Websites

Virgin Bingo

VirginCasino.com

Profiles

Virgin Bingo

Virgin Casino

Virgin Games

Neteller

Cleopatra

Cleopatra 2

The War Of The Worlds

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Asia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Casino

Media Man Poker

Casino News Media

Casino Travel Media

Global Gaming Directory

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

PartyCasino: The World's Leading Online Casino; A PartyGaming Company

PartyCasino: The World's Leading Online Casino

New Players get up to $500 sign up bonus at PartyCasino.com

PartyGaming also operates casinos, online poker rooms and bingo through various websites, including PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com, PartyBingo.com, WPTCasino.com and WPTPoker.com

PartyCasino is the Group’s most popular casino brand by far although other brands include CasinoKing and CasinoLasVegas.com The Group's casinos offer a huge variety of over 150 games including slots, blackjack, roulette, and video poker. As well as these traditional online casino games, the Group also offers virtual horse and virtual dog racing as well as multi-player blackjack.

Except for casino tournaments, all players place bets against the house, and the outcome is determined by randomly generated results. Wager limits vary from $0.01 to $1,000, depending on the game. Casino revenue represents the net win, being the amount wagered less player winnings and any change in liability of progressive prize pools. Bingo revenue represents player buy-in less prize payouts.

In 2007, the Group’s casino product was substantially improved through a series of software upgrades, the addition of a number of new slot machines and the integration of the acquisitions from EOL and IOG. Casino, which includes bingo games, is the Group’s second largest business segment and in 2007 it generated Continuing revenue of $146.7 million (2006: $51.0 million) and Continuing Clean EBITDA of $43.6 million (2006: $15.9 million).

PartyGaming's principle brands include PartyPoker.com, PartyCasino.com and World Poker Tour

Profiles







Website Network















Friday, July 16, 2010

Casino Travel Media: Australian And New Zealand Casino And Gambling News, by Greg Tingle - 16th July 2010

Australia is the source of an interesting mix of news this week. Aussie casino wars, casino tycoons big boys toys, casinos buying into other investments, Aussie poker Twit - ers, rumors and more. Media Man and Gambling911 with your Aussie wrap up...

Australians All Out Of World Series Of Poker...

Aussie cricket legend, Shane Warne aka "The Spin King", Jeff Fenech "The Marrickville Mauler" and Joe Hachem "The Poker Star" are all out of this years WSOP. Insiders advised to see at least a few of them at the Crown Casino Aussie Millions Poker Champion in Melbourne this January. Aussie Millions is Australia's richest poker tournament.

Aussie Joe Hachem Returns To The Age, WSOP Dreams Smashed...

Hachem's WSOP 2010 bid is history but we understand Fairfax Media's The Age is more than happy to have Hachem back to writing duties at the paper. Joe, idea for you... how would you feel about endorsing a casino rooms also, like Mike Sexton at World Poker Tour does... with WTP Casino? Maybe it would be 'The Age Casino'... just kidding, I think, but stranger things have happened.

Lasseters Wharf Casino Buys Restaurant - New Zealand...

Queenstown’s Lasseters casino has purchased one of the resort’s premier restaurants.
Boardwalk Seafood Restaurant heads Adele and Grant Jackson confirm they’ve sold the business to neighbour, Lasseters Wharf Casino. The deal is understood to have been competed in the past 48 hours. Jackson understands the casino plans to reopen the Steamer Wharf eatery and a walkway linking to the casino next month. Boardwalk’s chef Grant took part-ownership of the establishment with his wife a decade ago, and full ownership three years ago. Grant says the deal has been in the offing for 11 months, pending New Zealand Gambling Commission approval. Restaurant numbers have "exploded" in Queenstown during his time at Boardwalk, Grant advised. "A big night used to be 160 to 170 diners – now if we have 100 it’s a bloody good night." The Jacksons have no fixed future plans but intend "looking at every option" once they return from an overseas holiday. More casino deals perhaps? New Zealanders remain on many of the world's top 10 casino and gaming lists, with their passion for a punt up there with Aussies.

Aussie Elle MacPherson Eyes Richard Branson; Plays Backgammon...

'The Body' from down under remains a bit of fixture around the Australian and international casino and gaming landscape. With her adventure with James Packer UK lad Damian Aspinall apparently history, Elle has recently championed Bondi Beach loving Richard Branson, his book and business. Elle, was it Branson's Virgin Casino or Virgin Gaming, or both? Elle enjoys playing backgammon, so maybe an online casino endorsement could be in the works? One little problem, Australia's can't play at Virgin Casino, not yet anyway, so we will leave it to the powers that be.

James Packer and $50M Yacht Spotted On Gold Coast?...

Packer's yacht has been sighted on the Gold Coast, but where's James hiding?

The 50-metre Italian built Mangusta Leopold 165 has the region buzzing and eyeballs googling for the casino and lifestyle billionaire tycoon James Packer. No sign of wife Erica at this stage either. Marina Mirage management is not disclosing if Mr Packer was on board. The close by exclusive Palazzo Versace, a former Media Man hangout, is a logical "hiding place" for Packer, but staffers say no one by the name of "James Packer" name had checked in. Maybe "John Smith" and "Jane Doe" did? Gold Coast is the home of Tabcorp's Jupiters Hotel and Casino. We don't suspect the Packer clan will be paying them a visit, but stranger things have happened. As they say, keep you friends close and your enemies closer. Rumours still persist of Packer to by Tabcorp part of fully, but that's not forecast until circa 2012. No rush James, enjoys your digs, be it sea, land or both.

Mildura Jewel Casino And Media Wars...

The battle for your mind (as Alex Jones puts it) is still on as the Mildura pro and anti casino mobs stick to their guns. A Media Man birdie says that there's more chance of the casino going ahead than not. The anti casino troupe are moving forward on their website "dedicated" to the proposed casino. The working title to the website is 'Sunraysia Against Casinos'.

The pro casino mob have a friend or supporter of sorts in Michael Bailey, Marketing Manager for Launceston’s Country Club Tasmania. He says his city has reaped many benefits, with millions of dollars poured back into the community, since the country club’s boutique casino was established.

Bailey, a former executive with the mainland’s WIN TV network, advised there would always be a minority who would voice opposition, but usually these were people who were not aware of the long-term benefits that multi-million dollar projects brought to a community. Some may also be 'God Squad' or 'Bible Bashers' who just hate casinos with a passion... you know Hellfire and Brimstone stuff. He also tipped there would also be a few "stirrers" with no connection to the region who would jump on the anti-casino bandwagon and voice an opinion. "I’ve heard it all before," he said. "They said the same about Wrest Point… Crown Casino… here in Launceston… the fact that legal gaming venues would draw a gangster element, street crime will rise… all the usual arguments. The fact is that the Australian casino industry is so tightly regulated there is very little margin for criminals to take advantage. There are very few negatives with this sort of development.".

Victorian Premier John Brumby has gone on re Mildura Jewel Casino "If there was clear community support and if there was clear bipartisan support. 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."

Aussie Casino King, James Packer, head of Crown Limited is quite on the Mildura proposal, but insiders understand he doesn't see it as a threat, but perhaps more of an opportunity and perhaps as more positive buzz for the Australian and Asia Pacific casino industry. Like Crown, Jewel would be more of a total entertainment, lifestyle and tourism experience... not just slots, roulette and poker. Read up on the interesting history of Mildura re gaming...

Gambling911 'Australian Casino Wars: Mildura Media Wars?'
http://www.gambling911.com/gambling-news/australian-casino-wars-mildura-media-wars-071010.html

Media Man Profiles

Australia
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/australia.html

New Zealand
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/new_zealand.html

Mildura
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/mildura.html

Kings Cross
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/kings_cross.html

Media Man
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/media_man.html

James Packer
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/packer2.html

John Ibrahim
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/ibrahim.html

Elle Macpherson "The Body"
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/macpherson.html

Wrap Up...

Welcome back to Australia Jeff, Joe and Warnie. Got to love the 'Gumleaf Mafia'. Australia's PartyPoker front man Tony G didn't compete, but has a few promotional gigs to keep him busy, when he's not fighting off the ladies. Hachem is expected to write quite a bit on Vegas and the WSOP in the upcoming Melbourne Age. Expect the Australian casino and gaming sector to peg onto the upcoming Australian Federal election, just as Kym Illman has with his recent viral campaign. Illman counts Aussie cricketer - poker star Warnie as a mate. Ah, tiny world. Warnie might be ready to continue discussions with Packer now, last spotted together at Crown Casino a few months back. Virgin Casino might have won an 'Online Casino Of The Month' award last month (even though Aussies can't play there), but this month PartyCasino is holding a lead, and Microgaming powered Captain Cooks Casino is giving them a run for their money. Ah, legendary explorer Captain Cook would be proud. Aussie punters are still calling on a Kerry Packer themed slot to be released, and also have Andre The Giant on their wish list. The good news is that more insiders say that Sly Stallone's Rocky Balboa slot will appear at one of two PartyGaming powered casinos before year end. Last time Stallone visited Australia he was stopped at an airport and searched, with some pharmaceutical products being found. Oh, fellow Hollywooder Robert De Niro (star of 'Casino' and 'The Killer Elite') has been doing Melbourne of late. De Niro owns a restaurant or two in Australia is doing some modest media promos. He's also opened up a couple of film opps for Aussie - Greek actor Firass Durani from 'Underbelly'. Durani played club tycoon John Ibrahim in the most recent 'Underbelly' series 'The Golden Mile. MM mate and client John "Vulcan" Seru also featured alongside 'Our Firass' in the Underbelly series. Gawd its a small world aint it. The rumour Mill says Ibrahim has joined the Media Man - Casino News Media Facebook, with Media Man extending the olive branch, noticing a number of mutual friends (in the real world). MM is said to been keen to meet up with JI soon to discuss various online ventures "ideally suited to existing bricks and mortal establishments at Kings Cross and beyond". Sounds intriguing hey. Readers, know something we don't? Did you get any secret tips from Paul The Octopus or any of his good mates? Smart money on the Australian election - "Jungle Girl" Gillard VS "The Bruiser" Abbott. Tell us in the forum. Have fun, know the odds and keep it legal.

*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Asia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Casino

Media Man Poker

Casino News Media

Casino Travel Media

Global Gaming Directory

Australian Sports Entertainment

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Virgin Casino Cleopatra Tournament 12th - 18th July 2010

Virgin Casino, part of Richard Branson's Virgin Group, is running its Cleopatra Tournament.

£1,000 will be given away to the Cleopatra slot top 46 players every day.

Be one of the top 46 players to have bet the most on the day via the casino classics Cleopatra and Cleopatra II and you'll walk away with a cash prize at Virgin Casino.

Prizes

1st place - £250
2nd to 6th place – £50 each
7th to 16th place - £25 each
17th to 36th place - £10 each
37th to 46th place - £5 each

Join now and get a £100 Casino Welcome Bonus at Virgin Casino.

Virgin Games has won a number of industry awards and commendations including awards from Media Man, Casino News Media and eGaming Review. Virgin Casino won the Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' for June 2010 and is in the running again this month.

At present Virgin Casino is unable to accept money players from the United States, Australia or New Zealand. Please see World Casino Directory.

Website

VirginCasino.com

Profiles

Virgin Casino

Virgin Games

Cleopatra

Cleopatra 2

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Asia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Casino

Media Man Poker

Casino News Media

Casino Travel Media

Global Gaming Directory

Cleopatra Games

Cleopatra 2

Cleopatra Slot News

Casino News Media.net

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Australian Casino Wars: Mildura Media Wars?, by Greg Tingle - 11th July 2010

Readers er punters, casino billionaires, politicians, media barons, journalists, insiders and everyone else... the casino war battleground with a solid media war component has recently expanded in Australia, now no longer limited to the Crown Casino VS Star City Casino element, with a dash of Aus Vegas debate in Cairns, Victoria's regional Mildura is seeing an all mighty battle for the minds, media headlines, as the Mildura Jewel - for and against campaigners turns up the heat. Media Man and Gambling911, along with the sniffer dogs, Bluey and Timmy, hit the regional trail with this special report down under...

The latest casino war in the Asia Pacific is happening in Victorian Mildura, but its not Casino VS Casino, its pro casino campaigners VS the anti casino establishment, with media and new media (such as Media Man and Gambling911) being a significant part of the battlefield ala "the art of war".

The bush tucker mob against the Jewel Casino in regional Mildura advise they will continue a media saturation campaign to help ensure residents could make an "informed decision" about the proposal. You know, the good old fashioned community consultation type of thing, but the anti casino mob of course have their view out in the open for all.

Media Man research to date indicates that its a small ish but very vocal swag against the casino, with roughly 85% of the township wanting the neon lights, primed to offer jobs, a tourism boost and sustainable growth prospects, bringing money in to the community, then to be shared in a fair and balanced capacity, with government - council checks and balances.

Sunraysia Against Casinos spokesman Lance Milne said only overwhelming community support for the development would convince the organisation that it was wanted. Milne said in the meantime the organisation would be steadfast in its opposition against a casino in their backyard.

"We initiated a newspaper advertising campaign some weeks ago and we have booked 43 television advertisements to gain feedback and discuss before deciding on our next course of action.We also have plans to develop a website which will be our main form of communication with the public aside from media outlets. The advertising has been funded through donations from people who attended one of our earlier meetings and wanted to help out. We haven’t solicited donations as such, but we now have enough to cover our immediate plans.".

Media Man, Gambling911 and a swag of Australian based media and new media companies are delighted to hear that Sunraysia Against Casinos will be launching their own website and do believe that community consultation and awareness is a sound strategy.

A Media Man spokesperson said "Great to hear about the upcoming Sunraysia Against Casinos website. New media and in particular websites is a perfect way to get awareness both locally, state, nationally and internationally. The internet is a global medium. They will be able to get more feedback from the community, but maybe will get a few detractors and hate mail also. We think that the local council might do well to ramp up their coverage of the proposed casino also, perhaps by launching their own sub-site or website for the subject. That will counteract things are the Mildura casino, media and political wars continue to heat up. Here's to a good, clean fight and may the best campaigner win".

Punters er readers, stay tuned for more on Australian casino wars, and don't forget to check out the Darwin Aus Vegas casino - political wars also, certainly giving Mildura wars a run for their battle, despite one anti casino campaigning calling a proposal "Barzaar"! Oh, Terri Irwin (Mrs Crocodile Hunter) is moving forward her plans for a Viva Croc Vegas - Crocodile A Mania theme park on the Las Vegas Strip as lady luck looks to be smiling for the Crocodile Queen on the jungle. Terri will create 1000s of jobs for Aussies and Yankees. As Australian casino king James Packer could tell you, there's money in and around the casino, gaming and tourism sector when done right. Something Mildura is just starting to grasp like an Aussie grass snake. Ssssss.

'Australian And New Zealand Gambling News'
http://www.gambling911.com/gambling-news/australian-and-new-zealand-gambling-news-070510.html

Media Man Profiles

Australian Casinos
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/australian_casinos.html

Asia Pacific
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/asia_pacific.html

Cairns
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/cairns.html

World
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/world.html

Politics
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/politics.html

Goanna Gold
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/goanna_gold.html

Bush Telegraph
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/bush_telegraph.html

Aus Vegas
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/aus_vegas.html

Wrap Up...

Mildura Jewel Hotel and Casino? Heaven or Hell? Tell us in the forum, and know that your comments will be read by a vast national and international audience, so keep it clean and nasty snakes and crocodiles are not welcome!

*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover. They also offer political commentary and analysis.

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Asia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Casino

Media Man Poker

Casino News Media

Casino Travel Media

Global Gaming Directory

Australian Sports Entertainment

Casino Travel Media: PartyCasino News: Caribbean Cash Fever - Win a share of $100,000 and the holiday of a lifetime

Website

PartyCasino.com

Win a share of $100,000 and the holiday of a lifetime
Starts: 00:00 ET, 6th July
Ends: 23:59 ET, 18th July

We’re welcoming the summer with open arms this year by giving away a massive total of $100,000 across two leader boards.

That’s not all. We’ll also be running a prize draw to send one very lucky player to the beautiful island of St. Kitts to soak up some glorious Caribbean sun.

Fixing your name on one of our leader boards couldn’t be easier; simply collect as many points as you can from 6th to 18th July. Points can be collected on any of our slots and jackpot slots.

Our holiday prize draw is open to all of our players. All you have to do to be in with a chance of jet-setting to paradise is earn an entry ticket by collecting 100 points. You’ll get an entry for every 100 points you notch up, so keep earning those points: the more entries you have, the better your chance of winning the luxurious holiday will be!

Prize details

Two return flights from London to St. Kitts
Return airport transfers in St. Kitts
Seven nights at the Marriott Resort and The Royal Beach Casino for two people
Guided volcano crater tour for two with lunch and drinks
Natural pool jeep tour for two with snacks, drinks, and snorkel equipment
Dinner for two at the hotel’s La Cucina restaurant to the value of $150
Fujifilm Finepix waterproof digital camera with 2.7" LCD screen
$1,000 spending money
Insurance for two
Winner management

Let’s make this a summer to remember with Caribbean Cash Fever.

PartyGaming's principle brands include PartyPoker.com, PartyCasino.com and World Poker Tour

Profiles

PartyCasino.com

PartyPoker.com

World Poker Tour

PartyPoints

PartyBingo.com

PartyGaming

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Asia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Casino

Media Man Poker

Casino News Media

Casino Travel Media

Global Gaming Directory

Poker News Media

Party Casino News

Party Gaming Media

Australian Sports Entertainment

Monday, July 5, 2010

Australia To Get More Casinos And Regulation, by Greg Tingle - 5th July 2010

Australia is likely to get more land based casinos and extra regulation, if the recent turn of events is anything to judge by... Media Man and Gambling911 along with sniffer dogs, Bluey and Timmy, board the Aussie Regional Express and come up with a bush tucker bag of Aussie casino and gaming news as the global hunt continues... Kangaroos get hopping to it...

Outlaw Ban On Aussie And International Crooks From Casinos Down Under...

Australia with its grand plan to build more casinos and increase regulation, is looking to tighten up laws to ban criminals, both Aussies and tourists. The wide believe in the industry, society and police is that more needs to be done, Media Man having researched this and assisted some authorities for the past number of years.

As we go to print (technically Web) plans are being drawn up to stop criminals laundering money through casinos and gambling venues nationally.

Gambling exclusion orders are already imposed, but only at state and territory levels, and there's room for improvement.

Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor advised crims who have been subject to one state exclusion order have moved to other jurisdictions where venues are unaware of the order!

Our learned friend said the federal plan will see each state and territory pass and execute legislation to enable gambling exclusion orders that are issued in other jurisdictions to be recognised within their borders.


Cairns Casino Mecca Proposal Political Casino War...

You've heard of the Aussie Casino Wars, namely Sydney's Star City VS Melbourne's Crown Casino... well, the wars are expanding north to regional Cairns and taking on an ultra political spin. A far Northern Queensland mayor says a plan to turn the city of Cairns into a Las Vegas-style gambling destination is "bizarre and unwelcome". Liberal National Party defector and now independent MP Aidan McLindon wants all of Queensland's pokies, except those in casinos, moved to Cairns and a gambling strip like Vegas established. Cairns Mayor Val Schier says she is opposed to the idea. "I think the suggestion is absolutely bizarre and I'm not quite sure what his motivation is in making it," she said. "Perhaps he is just seeking attention." Cr Schier says the gambling destination will not get public support. "The plan would never get any wings at all," she said. "There would be no support for it at all - the last thing we want is more poker machines concentrated in one area. We know the problems that there already are with gambling but certainly Cairns would not want to have a bar of it." Tourism Tropical North Queensland chairman Bill Calderwood says the plan has no merit. "I don't think it's an idea that makes a lot of sense for this destination," he said. "We have many wonderful, natural attractions and wonder products and experiences that attract people here. "I doubt very much that we need the artificial injection of casinos to attract people up here.". Some struggling business owners beg to differ hesitant to provide their names in fear of repercussions. "My business is struggling. We need more cashed up tourists. The casino proposal would bring in additional attention, tourists and money to the area. They would spend some of that in the local township also. It's a no brainer mate".


Australia's Cairns In Northern Queensland To Become Aussie Las Vegas?...

Cairns would become Australia's equivalent to Las Vegas under a somewhat controversial scheme to transform it into the national centre for poker machines. Aussie Casino King, James Packer, his prize casino being in Melbourne, Australia, isn't speaking on the matter as yet. Packer also has his Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth, Western Australia, so don't expect Packer to support the proposal. It's not a Crown Limited venture either, but maybe we would buy them out one day. The current proposal is to be heard within 24 hours in Brisbane, north of Sydney, and south of Cairns, at one of the tourism industry's key annual conventions, Tourism Futures, to be attended by international tourism heavyweights and politicians, including Federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh. It is being championed - sphere headed by breakaway Liberal National Party MP Aidan McLindon, who has previously had campaigned against the spread of pokies. But Mr McLindon, who quit the party in May to form the Queensland Party, is now pushing for debate on a scheme that would create a Las Vegas style gambling strip in gorgeous Cairns by relocating poker machines from existing pubs and clubs across Queensland to a new "Aus Vegas" to be built in the region. Punters may recall Aus Vegas was an online casino name owned and operated by Lasseters, but they closed shop roughly 3 years ago, unable to compete with competitors which snatched online casino tuna, dolphins and whales. Aussie punters turned off Aus Vegas (online), finding the likes of PartyCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino and Virgin Casino.

The Beaudesert MP first tabled his vision for a Vegas-style pokies hub to reduce gambling in April last year in his virgin speech to State Parliament. It somewhat replicates the US model, where Nevada is the only state to have no significant restrictions against gaming machines. Under the "Aus Vegas" proposal, clubs would have to sell their poker machine licences back to the Government or relocate their pokies to Cairns and become "shareholders" in the new venture. The state's existing 4 major casinos would be exempt.

The plan would be supported by a shake-up of the current distribution of gambling funds collected by the State Government, with pokies revenue instead being poured into recreational sports through a scheme that would hand sports clubs a cash grant for each child they put on the sports field! (a suitable connection between pokies and kids). "The location is ideal given the Cairns region is suffering some of the highest unemployment levels and the tourism industry is plummeting," Mr McLindon said. "It already has the international airport there, which is under-utilised. Ideally, you want them (gaming machines) all in one place so people can go away, have a holiday, blow their money and come home." But welfare groups fear the plan could turn Cairns into another "Sin City", following Vegas, Sydney and Melbourne to a certain extent...making residents the sacrificial lambs of the nation's gambling problems.

Media Man Profiles

Northern Queensland
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/northern_queensland.html

Aus Vegas
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/ausvegas.html


Adelaide Casino In South Australia: Changes Afoot...

Seems not only is Star City and Crown Casino duking it out, along with the Cairns casino proposal, Adelaide in South Australia is throwing its hat in the ring as the Aussie casino wars approach boiling point. Down Torren Riverbank land way, west of the Morphett Street bridge is the proposed worksite for a brand new Adelaide Casino. Relocating to a new purpose-built casino complex overlooking the Torrens Lake is the subject of confidential post-election talks between the State Government and casino management - with both parties bent on progressing the much-talked about riverbank precinct into a "a major tourist and entertainment hub". A key feature of a new casino complex is likely to be underground parking for several thousand cars, which would potentially solve parking issues for a redeveloped Adelaide Oval. Treasurer Kevin Foley has now confirmed he has been in extra talks with the casino over a waterfront redevelopment, advising casino management has "exciting ideas". Water features and light shows are part of developing plans to turn the Torrens Lake area into an entertainment hub. We think he's been borrowing a few ideas from Packer, Ho and Co. re City Of Dreams, Macau, and a number of Las Vegas casinos having been "playing" with water and lights for decades. Chatshave included options for either a Las Vegas-style resort and a more discreet European-style gambling plaza but the consensus appears to be a more homely development incorporating plenty of alfresco style dining, walkways and you get the idea, to take make good use of the outdoor-friendly climate. West of the Morphett St Bridge overlooking the Torrens Lake is regarded as the superior site for a new casino-hotel-entertainment venue. Relocating the casino creates new opportunities for transforming the historic Adelaide Railway Station. Casino general manager David Christian this week said the casino wanted to be part of a new riverside entertainment precinct linked to the redeveloped Adelaide Oval and new Royal Adelaide Hospital in the western railyards. "Adelaide Casino is one of several major businesses that call the riverbank precinct home and fully supports the idea of turning the area into a major tourist and entertainment hub," Mr Christian said. "We believe that Adelaide deserves a bigger casino but there is due process to work through before we finalise any plans and present them to the State Government." Mr Foley revealed during a recent business lunch speech he had been in talks with casino management but declined to elaborate. He has made a series of positive based talks recently...speeches which have championed Melbourne's Southbank development, which has the Crown Casino as one of its key attractions. Last month, Mr Foley told an American Chamber of Commerce lunch the CBD was "underdone". "We need to be more pro-development," he said. At another function, he said "Do we really want to see Adelaide in 10 years' time with a River Torrens precinct that is like going for a stroll in an Outback town where no one has any money or interest in developing something?" In May 2009, News Corp's Sunday Mail reported two construction consortiums were working on plans to present to SkyCity for new casinos at two landmark sites: Either on the Torrens river bank or on the current RAH site. Casino operator SkyCity Adelaide previously has confirmed it wants to move from the heritage-listed Adelaide Railway Station site into bigger, purpose-built premises incorporating a hotel, with chief exec Nigel Morrison telling budding investors Adelaide deserved a bigger casino. In 2008, casino management stopped plans for a $30 million underground car park at its current railway station location, as it looked at "conceptual" plans to relocate. In 2001, Adelaide developers revealed detailed plans for a $200 million, 22-storey hotel with casino and 240 apartments on the railyards site, and revived them in 2006, but failed to win Government support. This time around there appears to be a lot more government support and many locals have employment opportunities on their mind, as well as business owners in the area hoping to gain some positive spin offs from the proposal.


Australian Politics - Kate Lundy VS Sen Stephen Conroy ("Censorship Minister")...

Julia Gillard's takeover of the Labor Party leadership has sparked calls for the communications portfolio to change hands also. Gillard became the country's first female Prime Minister after Kevin Rudd decided not to contest a leadership challenge. In her acceptance speech, Ms Gillard said she would make "consequential" changes to cabinet positions at "an appropriate time". However some bloggers and technology pundits have already decided on the two politicians they would like to see trade places. The minister they would like to see out is Stephen Conroy, currently in charge of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (BCDE), and the figurehead of the Government's controversial internet filtering policy. The favourite to replace him is Kate Lundy, a former shadow IT minister who has retained an interest in the area and the respect of industry figures. Technology wire service Delimiter speculated on whether Senator Lundy would replace Senator Conroy in a reshuffle, airing claims from critics of the current minister that Senator Lundy better understood the sector. Gizmodo Australia went one step further and launched a campaign titled "Kate Lundy For IT: The Change We Really Need" that was linked to by hundreds of users on Twitter. "If it's time for a change in Labor, there’s no better change than replacing Conroy with a forward thinking minister for BCDE like Senator Lundy," it said. Editor Nick Broughall said the campaign wasn't just a kneejerk reaction to the leadership change and had so far received encouraging support. "We're going to run with this until the new front bench has been named and we know whether or not the Government is going to change its approach to the BCDE portfolio, in particular its proposed internet filter," he told News Limited's news.com.au. Web filtering Much of the backlash against Senator Conroy is linked to the Government's controversial internet filtering plan. Under the scheme, internet providers like Telstra and Optus would be forced to block access to a secret list of banned webpages. One of the key differences between the two senators is the degree of their support for the plan. Senator Lundy has been one of the only Labor voices to publicly question the policy and earlier this month said she would propose an alternative to the Labor Caucus. "I am working to change the internet filtering policy to better achieve the policy goals of protecting children through empowering and educating parents," she wrote on her blog at the time. Senator Lundy's concerns lay with the mandatory nature of the filtering plan. She believes Australians should be given the option to choose whether their internet connections are censored. However Internet Industry Association chief executive Peter Coroneos said a change of minister wasn't necessary for the filtering plan to be dropped, if the Government chose to do so. "I wouldn't necessarily conclude from (Gillard's) comments that we're going to see a major rearrangement of the deckchairs," he told news.com.au. "To speculate on who will be the communications minister really is jumping ahead." Mr Coroneos said the association supported two of the Government's three main communications policies — the national broadband network (NBN) and its e-security agenda — but not its internet filtering plan. If the communications portfolio was up for grabs, Mr Coroneos said it would be a "difficult question to answer" which senator would suit it best. "Kate Lundy is someone we’ve worked with for a long time and we have a great deal of respect for both her commitment to our industry and also her understanding of the issues," he said. "But there's no doubting Stephen Conroy's commitment to the NBN either." Senator Lundy was one of the first Labor MPs to declare her support for Ms Gillard last night. Fittingly, she made the statement on Twitter. "I will be voting for Julia Gillard in the l'ship ballot. She will be an inspiring PM!," she wrote, from the @katelundy account. And speaking on ABC Radio this morning before the leadership decision was revealed, she seemed confident with what the outcome would be. When asked if Australia would have a new prime minister by lunch, Senator Lundy replied: "I believe so." She also took the opportunity to describe IT policy as one of "those areas I'm passionate about". Senator Lundy was Labor's shadow IT minister from 2001 until 2004 when the portfolio was handed to Senator Conroy under then opposition leader Mark Latham. Since that time Senator Lundy has maintained an active interest in communications and technology, speaking publicly about the NBN and initiatives such as Gov 2.0, and regularly updating her blog. Senator Conroy is also understood to have supported Ms Gillard, according to The Australian. His media advisor did not immediately return a request for comment about the reshuffle.


Aussie Casino Shares... (generally on the upswing in past 24 hours)

Crown $7.790

Tabcorp $6.45

Centrebet $1.130

Tatts $2.240

Reef Casino Trust $1.900

Aristocrat Leisure Limited $3.610

Lasseters Corporation $0.010

SkyCity $2.93

References: Casino corporate websites and ASX Website
http://www.asx.com.au


Punters, as always, bet with your head, not over it, know the odds and have fun.

*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Asia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Casino

Media Man Poker

Casino News Media

Casino Travel Media

Global Gaming Directory

Australian Sports Entertainment

Australian Casinos

Australian Casino News

Australia's Cairns In Northern Queensland To Become Aussie Las Vegas?, by Greg Tingle - 5th July 2010

Australia's Cairns In Northern Queensland To Become Aussie Las Vegas?

Cairns would become Australia's equivalent to Las Vegas under a somewhat controversial scheme to transform it into the national centre for poker machines. Aussie Casino King, James Packer, his prize casino being in Melbourne, Australia, isn't speaking on the matter as yet. Packer also has his Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth, Western Australia, so don't expect Packer to support the proposal. It's not a Crown Limited venture either, but maybe they would buy them out one day. The current proposal is to be heard within 24 hours in Brisbane, north of Sydney, and south of Cairns, at one of the tourism industry's key annual conventions, Tourism Futures, to be attended by international tourism heavyweights and politicians, including Federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh. It is being championed - sphere headed by breakaway Liberal National Party MP Aidan McLindon, who has previously had campaigned against the spread of pokies. But Mr McLindon, who quit the party in May to form the Queensland Party, is now pushing for debate on a scheme that would create a Las Vegas style gambling strip in gorgeous Cairns by relocating poker machines from existing pubs and clubs across Queensland to a new "Aus Vegas" to be built in the region. Punters may recall Aus Vegas was an online casino name owned and operated by Lasseters, but they closed shop roughly 3 years ago, unable to compete with competitors which snatched online casino tuna, dolphins and whales. Aussie punters turned off Aus Vegas (online), finding the likes of PartyCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino and Virgin Casino.

The Beaudesert MP first tabled his vision for a Vegas-style pokies hub to reduce gambling in April last year in his virgin speech to State Parliament. It somewhat replicates the US model, where Nevada is the only state to have no significant restrictions against gaming machines. Under the "Aus Vegas" proposal, clubs would have to sell their poker machine licences back to the Government or relocate their pokies to Cairns and become "shareholders" in the new venture. The state's existing 4 major casinos would be exempt.

The plan would be supported by a shake-up of the current distribution of gambling funds collected by the State Government, with pokies revenue instead being poured into recreational sports through a scheme that would hand sports clubs a cash grant for each child they put on the sports field! (a suitable connection between pokies and kids). "The location is ideal given the Cairns region is suffering some of the highest unemployment levels and the tourism industry is plummeting," Mr McLindon said. "It already has the international airport there, which is under-utilised. Ideally, you want them (gaming machines) all in one place so people can go away, have a holiday, blow their money and come home." But welfare groups fear the plan could turn Cairns into another "Sin City", following Vegas, Sydney and Melbourne to a certain extent...making residents the sacrificial lambs of the nation's gambling problems.

Media Man Profiles

Northern Queensland
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/northern_queensland.html

Aus Vegas
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/ausvegas.html

Aussie Casino Shares...

Crown $7.730

Tabcorp $6.38

Centrbet $1.130

Tatts $2.230

Reef Casino Trust $1.900

Aristocrat Leisure Limited $3.610

Lasseters Corporation $0.010

SkyCity $2.88

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Asia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Casino

Media Man Poker

Casino News Media

Casino Travel Media

Global Gaming Directory

Australian Sports Entertainment

Global Gaming Directory.net

Casino News Media.net

Australian Casinos

Australian Casino News

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Virgin Casino Wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' Award; Breaks PartyCasino Hold

Virgin Casino Wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' Award (Finally), Breaks Party Hold...

The PartyCasino VS Virgin Casino online casino wars have been going on for a few years now, much of that time PartyCasino having a lock on the coverted Media Man award. In a shocker, Richard Branson's Virgin Casino toppled Party for June. The new games, excellent affiliate offerings, gameplay, global expansion, addition of the Virgin Gaming arm and outstanding customer experiences were key reasons for the win. PartyGaming's casino got 2nd place, and Captain Cooks Casino in 3rd (comon' Aussie's)! Virgin doesn't accept Aussie or American players, but is big in Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa and much of Europe. PartyGaming remains ultra popular in Australia and New Zealand. Read about the PartyCasino VS Virgin Casino war here...

http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/partycasino_vs.html

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Asia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Casino

Media Man Poker

Casino News Media

Casino Travel Media

Global Gaming Directory

Australian Sports Entertainment