G'day everyone. It's another huge week for gambling, gaming and sports betting news in Australia, with the usual strong dose of political fun and gaming. We're got the The Western Australia Opposition asking gambling and media billionaire James Packer to help pay for a Perth Sports Stadium if it is to be built close by to his Burswood Casino, pokie lovers vs haters, and even the Aristocrat (yep, gaming firm) awards. Media Man and Gambling911 with your Aussie round up you have grown to love. Grab a few beers and tell your mates...
James Packer Asked To Pay For Perth Sports Stadium...
Western Australia is poised to get a new sport stadium, and guess who has been asked to help finance it, James Packer. We guess the world got out that's his a billionaire, and now "only" Australia' 3rd richest person. A government-funded stadium taskforce determined that the least expensive option would be to develop at Kitchener Park, right next door to iconic Subiaco Oval. It found that building a sports stadium on state-owned land at Burswood would cost an additional $300 million. Ripper (not Rip Off)...just having fun readers, says the casino owner James Packer should be requested to assist in proving the funds needed. "I would be horrified if we spent a single dollar more than we need to spend on the stadium, I'd be particularly horrified if it was $300 million more of our dollars that was spent in a wasteful fashion," he said. Ripper reckons Packer would make a lot of money if the stadium was built next to the casino. "That would be a huge advantage to the casino, of course, because the 60,000 people attending a football match if it was a great football match would then flow on over to the casino. So, if the Government wants to build it there or if the casino wants it there, then the Government should be asking the casino to cough up that $300 million extra." An official survey is yet to be held on the mater, but punters, please throw us your 2 cents worth in the forum
Bushfires Hit Perth On Black Sunday; Spoil Fun For Gambling Grandmother...
Residents have been forced to flee with little more than just the clothes on their backs as a flaming "war zone" attacked on their homes in the south-eastern Perth suburb of Roleystone this past Sunday. In a smart move an evacuation centre has been constructed at the Armadale Arena, where about 1000 concerned residents gathered for a community get together at 10.30am to catch up with the latest news on the bushfire. As the stream of people started arriving at the centre, Department of Child Protection support worker Lauren Lawrence advised tension was starting to build. Some residents were treated for anxiety, stress and grief. During the meet up, residents were divided up into 3 groups and told which addresses in the 59 homes had been destroyed. Several broke down upon hearing the news. In a casino twist, a great-grandmother who was at Burswood Casino got a telephone call from one of her neighbours telling her to get home. It was time to stop the gaming and entertainment vibe at Packer's casino. She did her best to fight off the fire with a hose before police aka 'The Boys In Blue' arrived and told her to get out of town, well, get out of harms way, you know what we're saying. "The flames that were coming through, it was just like being in a sauna," an emotional Mrs Parker said. She said she thought she had lost everything except her 50-year-old pet galah, Charlie. Included among her loss were photos of her husband, who passed away last year. "I've got nothing... but at least I'm alive." We commend the brave men and women who have helped fight off the fire and those who are assisting in the cleanup. The tragic event follows a string of nature disasters and unusual weather conditions to to hit down under in recent months including floods in Queensland and Victoria, a Northern Queensland cyclone and 3 days of heatwave conditions in 'Sin City' Sydney averaging 40 degrees. The question begs, where will Mother Nature strike next in Australia. Mother Nature, not a bad name for a casino game we think, and would be right at home with former Media Man 'Online Slot Game Of The Month' Goanna Gold. Captain Cooks offers Aussie style 'Bush Telegraph', but officially its the South African nature and wildlife featured. Readers may like to also check out the Fire Hawk game, found at a few online casinos including those by PartyGaming. It remains to been seen if any Australian based gaming or casino companies will donate to the relief effort. Crown Limited has previously teamed up with well respected charity - The Salvation Army, to help ease the pain when Mother Nature got the better of Aussies. We wish our Western Australian friends well as they put their lives back together again. As we remind the readership from time to time, keep your head above water, and always bet with your head, not over it.
Aristocrat Entertainer of the Year Via Tamworth Country Music Festival Won By Melody Feder...
Talented singer-songwriter Melody Feder has beaten Australia’s top country music talent to win Aristocrat Entertainer of the Year at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Aristocrat, the gambling machine maker, has the major naming rights for the award as you can gather. Feder, 22, won the coveted title by beating 60 other emerging stars at last month’s festival. She impressing judges, including country music star Beccy Cole, with her impressive performance in the lead up, the Vista resident wowed the crowd in the grand final to take home the prize. Even Keith Urban has taken part in the competition in previous years. "It was amazing. I never really expected to win, so it was a huge shock, but it’s definitely the highlight of my career so far.". The win completed a hectic year for Feder, who made the second stage of the TV talent series The X-Factor before being eliminated. Feder grew up in Dernancourt and studied music while at Mary MacKillop College, Kensington. She entered her first country music talent quest aged 12. "Dad always liked to play country music around the house, so it was a given that I was going to be a country singer," she said. Feder’s career took off two years ago when she taught herself to play guitar by studying online YouTube videos. Last month, she released her debut six-track EP, Dirt Roads and Diamonds. Well done to the latest Aristocrat Entertainer of the Year - just another way the gaming - entertainment business gives back to the larger entertainment and arts industry as a whole.
Australian Clubs Tell Off 'Greedy Government'...
Governments are greedy. Yeah, so what - tell us something we don't know! It's a crying shame but community based organisations have only enjoyed 1 very small rise in pokies funding but the Government snatched a whopping 282% gain over 15 years. Community groups are up in arms and have demanded more of the purse taking go into the fund bucked to be indexed, telling all and sundry they down between $200 million and $300 million since they were introduced. Not happy John! The funds are paid a set amount from poker machine revenue and from the hotels and licensed clubs. The funds in question are the Sport and Recreation Fund, the Charitable and Social Welfare Fund, the Community Benefit Fund and the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund, which get $31.3 million a year. Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund is correct. We we're told a bad joke about "If its not broken, don't fix it", but we will digress. The total is set down in legislation but is not indexed and has not been amended since circa 1996, apart from a generous $1 million increase in the sport fund in 2002. What about the gamblers we ask? Community groups are furious that they are still scratching the tins for money while most of the big bucks from pokies goes into the Treasury coffers where the bean counters delight in the numbers with lots of 0's after them... millions upon millions. We also learnt that tax take from 'one armed bandits' has grown from $108 million in circa 1995-96 to an estimated $305 mil in the current fin year... an increase of 282%. No wonder the government is being tight. Under the legislation, the Sport and Recreation Fund is paid roughly $3.5 million a year, the Charitable and Social Welfare Fund $4 million, the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund $3.8 million and the Community Development Fund $20 million. The South Australia Council of Social Services raised the issue in its 2011-12 Budget submission saying without indexation, the real value of the contribution of the funds had declined by 22% over the past 5 years. "The lack of indexation has resulted in $20 million of gambling taxes not being paid into those funds," it says. SIDS and Kids SA state manager Colin Cameron said it was alarming the funds had not kept pace with gaming revenue increase. "While state revenue has almost tripled ... the increases to these funds for social benefit have not kept pace...increasing by only 30%" Cameron said. Greedy Government mmn? A Media Man street survey at Bondi Beach (sample 50 random people) concluded that 85% of the population believed that the Australian government was greedy, with 95% advising that Australia's state and federal government are "not to be trusted". Insiders, media and political analysts were not surprised in the results, but all were disappointed in the government not assisting community groups and charities as much as they could. Liberal is tipped to win the next Federal election and things are not looking much better for Labor on the state level either, with strong odd backing a Liberal win in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
Betfair Secure Naming Rights On Wentworth Park Gold Cup...
On the heels of the lucrative sponsorship agreement between leading Australian bookmaker Centrebet and the NSW GBOTA, the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association have today announced that betting exchange Betfair will receive prominent signage and sponsorship of the Group 2 Wentworth Park Gold Cup. Betfair and NSW GBOTA officials will mark the start of the partnership on Saturday night, with the unveiling of feature signage and presentation to the winner of the Betfair Stakes. Association Chairman, Geoff Rose said the announcement of the Betfair agreement marked an exciting week in the GBOTA’s year, following other sponsorship deals concluded earlier in the week. "Betfair are a progressive wagering entity and we have great delight in welcoming them on board as the Group 2 Gold Cup sponsor," Rose said. NSW GBOTA Executive Officer, Brenton Scott, stated that the agreement cemented Betfair’s position as Wentworth Park’s betting exchange partner. "We are confident that the relationship with Betfair will complement those in place with other wagering operators," said Scott. "The wagering market place now irreversibly includes traditional TABs, corporate bookmakers and betting exchanges.
Betfair’s Media and Communication Manager Hugh Taggart, believes the sponsorship agreement will only serve to increase the exposure of the outstanding greyhound product already on display in NSW. The deal follows the Centrebet - Penrith Panthers and Crown Casino deal and South Sydney Rabbitoh's - Star City front of jersey deal. Oh, some media commentators are questioning whether horse racing should even be called a sport, saying its little more than just another way for people to bet on the outcome of something. In the meantime TAB's 'Trackside' electronic horse racing games continues to enjoy good patronage, helping keep punters at a TAB branch, rather than at the racetrack.
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett Not Seeing Eye To Eye With Fed Government...
Barnett let it be known to the government on Thursday he's pissed off, stating the national reforms could lead the way for poker machines to enter WA via the "back door." WA, with support from both major parties, has long banned "one armed bandits" from pubs and clubs, and Burswood Casino has them exclusively (unless other places have them on an illegal basis, so draw your own conclusions). The WA Premier said by exercising its constitutional powers to enforce the uniform legislation, the federal government was opening the way for major hoteliers to legally challenge the state's ban on pokies. But federal Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin said Barnett was actually incorrect as state governments had the power to decide the number and location of pokies in their state and that would remain the case. "I have today written to Mr Barnett to explain that the Australian government's reforms are targeted at making poker machines safer for problem gamblers and will not impact on the number of poker machines in WA, or any other state or territory," Macklin said in a prepared statement. She said the premier would have known this if the WA government had participated in the Council of Australian Government (COAG) Select Council on gambling reform. "WA is the only state or territory that declined to participate in the COAG Select Council on Gambling Reform," Macklin said. "The invitation remains open and I strongly encourage Barnett and his government to attend the next meeting on February 25 to get the facts on the Australian government's gambling reforms." A Media Man insider whispered "Facts or truth"?, suggesting the Fed government is trying to back WA into a corner, as the cat and mouse game continues. Cat and mouse... should be the name of a slot game hey? Better than 'Perfect Mousetrap', once used to describe how shopping centres have been designed to trap the shoppers in there, so they spend as much money as possibly, with filling the centre with music to lure in shoppers. Some comparisons have been made between shopping centre "perfect mousetraps" to poker machine dens. Some pubs and hotels have also draw fire for having some kids "skill games" on site, as a way to lure in a younger audience and "groom" them to become gamblers, a 'Mr X' has publicly commented on in he past. Back to matters at hand the Federal Community Services Minister said the legal advice that stated the commonwealth had the constitutional powers to enforce national poker machine regulations through taxation and corporation law related only to certain areas. These included a pre-commitment system for gamblers and a $250 daily withdrawal limit for ATMs in all gambling venues except casinos. WA Labor senator Louise Pratt said Barnett was playing politics over the issue instead of helping problem gamblers. "The premier should be working with Canberra in a bipartisan way to help people affected and should stop playing politics on this issue. Had he been working with the commonwealth, he would have known that the reforms are focused on making poker machines safer for problem gamblers." The name calling and cat and mouse continues.
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have 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. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
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The Media Man Network refers to the operation that is the Media Man group of companies, both online and offline. Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Media Man was established in 2001 and covers a dozen different business verticals.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Malta as an i-Gaming hub is world class, by Greg Tingle - February 2011
Malta is one of the world's foremost international hubs that regulate remote gaming effectively and responsibly, perhaps only second to Gibraltar. The beautiful island has become a classic example of how i-Gaming should and can be regulated. Its professional approach to remote gaming regulation is well known, hence the country has become a jurisdiction of choice for the industry. The island is a microcosm of Europe and as such is place to test concepts and the like, before pushing them to the masses. This approach works well for the ICT sector.
Malta currently has in excess of 300 active licensees.
The i-Gaming industry is encouraged by government initiative and state-of-the-art telecoms infrastructure, which the island is maintains its status as one of the most progressive environments in the world for IT, remote gaming and e-Business activities. Investment in ICT is especially strong.
For a real word example of an ICT development working well look up SmartCity. Born from Dubai Internet City, Tecom Investments is investing US$300 million in an ICT hub. This reaffirms the island’s initiative to become the European outpost for global ICT or i-Gaming companies that want to establish a presence in Europe. This project compliments with Malta’s aspirations in the ITC sector given that Microsoft, Cisco and Oracle have all established a significant presence on the island.
They aim to soon establish research and development testing ground for ICT related companies. Another major advantage of choosing Malta is secure and reliable links to the Internet for passing huge packets of data and traffic. Vodafone Malta took a strategic decision in 2003 to have its own submarine data cable between Malta and Sicily. Commissioned in 2004, this doubled the number of international data links connecting Malta to the rest of the world. Data traffic at the start of i-Gaming community in 2001 was rather small - a few tens of megabits - but has surged since then. 3 operators are competing to provide quality and reliable bandwidth via a submarine cable to the Italian mainland. In terms of technology, the fibre-optic submarine data cable remains an important link between Malta and the rest of the world, an extremely sensitive link without which the i-gaming industry would not exist in Malta. But another important ingredient for the island’s success is regulation. The industry is strictly regulated by an efficient team at the Malta Lotteries and Gaming headed by Rueben Portanier, a veteran in the ICT and i-Gaming sector. The regulation is fair but strictly enforced to ensure total protection to players while offering a competitive gaming and corporate tax structure.
2009 Allocation of licensees...
But the industry is facing challenges in cross-border issues particularly as other EU countries wish to restrict the provision of gaming services to their citizens. Thus Malta welcomes any rationalization of the online gaming sector that is generating a generous contribution to its GDP. But as always, our continued success to be the leading hub in Europe is not guaranteed and we have seen many EU members gearing up to compete and of course enacting restrictions to protect their own gambling state monopolies. Typically, we note how various Members of Parliament stressed that online gambling operators must comply with the gambling legislation of the member state in which they provide their services and in which the consumer resides. In their opinion, most online gambling licence holders operate from favourable tax jurisdictions and respect ‘country of origin’ rules regarding the provision of services.
Under the thinly veiled guise of protecting consumers, we note that gambling activities have traditionally been strictly regulated at national level. Again, it is customary to cite the rationale of such restrictions as the duty of each state to protect consumers against addiction, fraud, money laundering and fixed games. Of course these barrages of restrictions go against the spirit and law of free movement of services in the unified market. This led to a number of European Court of Justice rulings on the issue and several Commission infringement procedures posted against member states to verify whether national measures limiting the cross-border supply of online gambling services are compatible with Article 49 of the EC Treaty, which guarantees the free movement of services.
The European Commission “does not exclude” alternative solutions to individual infringement procedures against member states on gambling, Last year, internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier, addressing a European Parliament plenary debate in Strasbourg, revealed his future approach to the topic during his term. Thus it seems that some clarification is very much overdue in this sensitive sector where member states naturally protect their interests by blocking players from gambling on foreign unlicensed websites. There are currently nine Commission infringement procedures targeting cross-border betting on sports events online with countries, including Germany, Hungary, France, Belgium, Sweden, Italy and The Netherlands. In this context, Barnier said, “I want to launch a constructive dialogue [on gambling] with the Parliament and member states and concerned stakeholders.” He launched a EU Green Paper that would act as a first step forward. The most interesting question in the Green Paper is whether online gaming market is more tightly regulated or liberalized in the different EU member states. The paper will cover recent cases in the European Court of Justice due to the fact that in the past a series of infringement procedures were opened against member states’ gaming legislation for not complying with the freedom to provide services of the EU Treaty.
The legal landscape for online gambling aka igaming is dynamic to say the least, and prospective changes are altering the shape of the pan-European market. Britain, for instance, could move from a highly liberalised and commercial licensing system to a more restrictive territory based system. According to a British government policy paper, which, if enacted, proposes that it would be a criminal offence to provide online gambling services to British residents and to advertise online gambling in the UK without a licence issued by the Gambling Commission. If the final version of the proposal is implemented and is tested to be compliant with EU law, then all operators licensed in EEA member states and Gibraltar, as well as licensees based in the white list territories, will have to apply for an additional operating licence in the UK. Likewise, Ireland’s Prime Minister Brian Cowen announced that the Irish government wants to introduce legislation that would require offshore gaming companies to obtain licences in order to operate in the Irish online market. In Belgium, one expects significant changes to existing regulation on betting and gaming which in some parts are considered incompatible with EU law as licences are only issued to existing operators. However, under the requirements it seems next to impossible, for a foreign EU operator to obtain an online licence in Belgium.
In The Netherlands online gambling is legal, but the government has not yet issued any licences for online poker, online bingo and online casinos. When that may change is anyone's guess, but governments around the world are keen to get their slice of revenue, as the secret is out that igaming is one of the world's most lucrative and profitable sectors.
Malta as an EU member has a number of key strengths that have enabled it to grow as a hub for the iGaming industry it is today. The future is looking fantastic, and its tipped to only get better, as the world watches Malta to see how it's done.
Profiles
Malta
iGaming
PartyGaming
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBingo.com
PartyGammon.com
PartyBets.com
GameBookers.com
FoxyBingo.com
Bwin
Cashcade
World Poker Tour
Politics
Britain
Gibraltar
News
News
Casino News
Poker News
Gambling News
Entertainment News
Property News
Technology News
Financial News
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
Malta currently has in excess of 300 active licensees.
The i-Gaming industry is encouraged by government initiative and state-of-the-art telecoms infrastructure, which the island is maintains its status as one of the most progressive environments in the world for IT, remote gaming and e-Business activities. Investment in ICT is especially strong.
For a real word example of an ICT development working well look up SmartCity. Born from Dubai Internet City, Tecom Investments is investing US$300 million in an ICT hub. This reaffirms the island’s initiative to become the European outpost for global ICT or i-Gaming companies that want to establish a presence in Europe. This project compliments with Malta’s aspirations in the ITC sector given that Microsoft, Cisco and Oracle have all established a significant presence on the island.
They aim to soon establish research and development testing ground for ICT related companies. Another major advantage of choosing Malta is secure and reliable links to the Internet for passing huge packets of data and traffic. Vodafone Malta took a strategic decision in 2003 to have its own submarine data cable between Malta and Sicily. Commissioned in 2004, this doubled the number of international data links connecting Malta to the rest of the world. Data traffic at the start of i-Gaming community in 2001 was rather small - a few tens of megabits - but has surged since then. 3 operators are competing to provide quality and reliable bandwidth via a submarine cable to the Italian mainland. In terms of technology, the fibre-optic submarine data cable remains an important link between Malta and the rest of the world, an extremely sensitive link without which the i-gaming industry would not exist in Malta. But another important ingredient for the island’s success is regulation. The industry is strictly regulated by an efficient team at the Malta Lotteries and Gaming headed by Rueben Portanier, a veteran in the ICT and i-Gaming sector. The regulation is fair but strictly enforced to ensure total protection to players while offering a competitive gaming and corporate tax structure.
2009 Allocation of licensees...
But the industry is facing challenges in cross-border issues particularly as other EU countries wish to restrict the provision of gaming services to their citizens. Thus Malta welcomes any rationalization of the online gaming sector that is generating a generous contribution to its GDP. But as always, our continued success to be the leading hub in Europe is not guaranteed and we have seen many EU members gearing up to compete and of course enacting restrictions to protect their own gambling state monopolies. Typically, we note how various Members of Parliament stressed that online gambling operators must comply with the gambling legislation of the member state in which they provide their services and in which the consumer resides. In their opinion, most online gambling licence holders operate from favourable tax jurisdictions and respect ‘country of origin’ rules regarding the provision of services.
Under the thinly veiled guise of protecting consumers, we note that gambling activities have traditionally been strictly regulated at national level. Again, it is customary to cite the rationale of such restrictions as the duty of each state to protect consumers against addiction, fraud, money laundering and fixed games. Of course these barrages of restrictions go against the spirit and law of free movement of services in the unified market. This led to a number of European Court of Justice rulings on the issue and several Commission infringement procedures posted against member states to verify whether national measures limiting the cross-border supply of online gambling services are compatible with Article 49 of the EC Treaty, which guarantees the free movement of services.
The European Commission “does not exclude” alternative solutions to individual infringement procedures against member states on gambling, Last year, internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier, addressing a European Parliament plenary debate in Strasbourg, revealed his future approach to the topic during his term. Thus it seems that some clarification is very much overdue in this sensitive sector where member states naturally protect their interests by blocking players from gambling on foreign unlicensed websites. There are currently nine Commission infringement procedures targeting cross-border betting on sports events online with countries, including Germany, Hungary, France, Belgium, Sweden, Italy and The Netherlands. In this context, Barnier said, “I want to launch a constructive dialogue [on gambling] with the Parliament and member states and concerned stakeholders.” He launched a EU Green Paper that would act as a first step forward. The most interesting question in the Green Paper is whether online gaming market is more tightly regulated or liberalized in the different EU member states. The paper will cover recent cases in the European Court of Justice due to the fact that in the past a series of infringement procedures were opened against member states’ gaming legislation for not complying with the freedom to provide services of the EU Treaty.
The legal landscape for online gambling aka igaming is dynamic to say the least, and prospective changes are altering the shape of the pan-European market. Britain, for instance, could move from a highly liberalised and commercial licensing system to a more restrictive territory based system. According to a British government policy paper, which, if enacted, proposes that it would be a criminal offence to provide online gambling services to British residents and to advertise online gambling in the UK without a licence issued by the Gambling Commission. If the final version of the proposal is implemented and is tested to be compliant with EU law, then all operators licensed in EEA member states and Gibraltar, as well as licensees based in the white list territories, will have to apply for an additional operating licence in the UK. Likewise, Ireland’s Prime Minister Brian Cowen announced that the Irish government wants to introduce legislation that would require offshore gaming companies to obtain licences in order to operate in the Irish online market. In Belgium, one expects significant changes to existing regulation on betting and gaming which in some parts are considered incompatible with EU law as licences are only issued to existing operators. However, under the requirements it seems next to impossible, for a foreign EU operator to obtain an online licence in Belgium.
In The Netherlands online gambling is legal, but the government has not yet issued any licences for online poker, online bingo and online casinos. When that may change is anyone's guess, but governments around the world are keen to get their slice of revenue, as the secret is out that igaming is one of the world's most lucrative and profitable sectors.
Malta as an EU member has a number of key strengths that have enabled it to grow as a hub for the iGaming industry it is today. The future is looking fantastic, and its tipped to only get better, as the world watches Malta to see how it's done.
Profiles
Malta
iGaming
PartyGaming
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBingo.com
PartyGammon.com
PartyBets.com
GameBookers.com
FoxyBingo.com
Bwin
Cashcade
World Poker Tour
Politics
Britain
Gibraltar
News
News
Casino News
Poker News
Gambling News
Entertainment News
Property News
Technology News
Financial News
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
Monday, February 7, 2011
Australian Gambling And Politics: Fun And Games, by Greg Tingle - 7th February 2011
G'day punters, journos, sports nuts, high rollers - casino whales, gambling millionaires and billionaires, media tycoons, politicians, insiders, outsiders, ... one and all. You know who you are. This is yet another instalment into the Australian gambling and political wars, with a dash of techno jargon... Media Man and Gambling911 probe the Australian political landscape and learn that the gambling involvement of Australian politics is astronomical, and is right up there will health care, military - defence and law enforcement...
Biometrics Via Pubs And Clubs Predicted To Have Have Failure Rate; Parliamentary Inquiry Dealing With Here Say, Facts, Lies, Guesses And Agendas...
At the Joint Select Committee on gambling reform chaired by Independent MP Andrew Wilkie last week, Ian Donald, technical director for smart card company Regis Controls said that the biometrics would be an economically unfeasible technology for clubs to implement in curbing problem gambling. He said that biometrics in passports have a 10 per cent failure rate and this would only be compounded in a pub, club or casino environment, where he predicted failure rates as high as 30 per cent. "About 12 per cent of the population do not have a fingerprint. They are too old or they have been engaged in manual work and it may have worn off. There is no wall on the end of their thumb. Biometrics are going to be a much more expensive solution," he told the committee. "This is mainly because, if you have to maintain 197,000 biometric readers ... it is going to be extraordinarily expensive. You are looking at something like five times the cost for biometrics." Donald said there would have to be many exceptions made to the system if biometrics were used. "What do you do if an 80-year-old pensioner wants to play her favourite Black Rhino machine and she has no fingerprint? Do you make an exception? How many exceptions do you make?" Donald said that biometrics would also be easily tampered with. Especially if a USB device is used, as has been floated as part of the review. "It is very easy to overcome biometrics if you are a problem gambler, particularly if it is a USB. All you need is a screwdriver or a penknife and you can destroy the biometric." Donald said USB thumb drives would be "overkill" to reduce problem gambling and advocated a smart card alternative. Donald said each smart card would cost $5 at most to produce and the system could be in place nationally by 2016, because roughly 50% of the industry already had approximately 50 % of poker machines with smart card systems attached. "I would do a pilot to see if this technology works in a club or pub. If you set a national standard by June next year for then I think by 2016, given the average life of a poker machine is about six years, you would find that 90 per cent were smart card enabled," he said. Donald was quick to point out that although Regis Controls was involved in smart card systems, the company would not be bidding for any tenders that eventuated from the review.
South Australian Indy Gambling Authority Not Completely Sold On Smartcard Tech; Shortcomings Obvious; No Magic Bullet; Problem Gamblers Need A Real Cure...
The Independent Gambling Authority (IGA) of South Australia has embraced smartcards to limit problem gambling, in a luke warm fashion, warning politicians last week the technology could have adverse effects on the industry, as well as not be a complete solution or "magic bullet". IGA presiding member, Alan Moss told a recent joint select committee on gambling reform - chaired by crossbench MP Andrew Wilkie that while the organisation’s support for the introduction of smartcard technology had not waned, there was concern around the technology being introduced too rapidly. "Our concern is not that there are problems in regulation per se, our concerns arise more from unintended consequences to the industry if the implementation of this type of smartcard technology is too rapid," Moss said. "We think that it is possible that, if the implementation is too rapid and it is too onerous to get the card, there will be a significant percentage of people who simply stop playing because it is too difficult." According to Moss, the implementation of the smartcard technologies should follow in the footsteps of the anti-smoking legislation which was introduced over a five-year period. "Although there was initially a significant drop in net gaming revenue from poker machines when that legislation was first introduced, over time the hotels have pretty much returned to pre-smoking legislation revenue in relation to their gaming venues." In September last year, the Prime Minister Julia Gillard made a commitment to the overhaul of poker machines with "pre-commitment technology" being applied to the gambling devices by 2014. The technology would require gamblers to log into poker machines via smartcards that will identify them to a network which systematically tracks their play over time. Players would be able to set limits on their play, and exclude themselves from playing at any time. At the time, Wilkie said the login technology would ensure individual settings for the whole system could be easily changed to suit each gambler and drive an overall improvement in their lives. Currently, Moss says South Australia has 900 people actively participating in the barring scheme where people can go to the authority and request to be barred from certain venues, however he notes, this figure is just "the tip of the iceberg". Despite this, Moss maintained the concept of introducing a "maximum bet limit" or "dollar bet limit" would not be beneficial to the industry. Contemplation of other identified technologies, such as biometrics, were also raised at hearings held across the country last week. In a Victorian hearing, Regis Controls technical director, Ian Donald, warned biometrics would be a poor solution, as failure rates could be as high as 20 to 30 per cent. "On one in four occasions that a player wants to log on to a machine, they cannot using a biometric," Donald said. "What happens in that situation?" According to Donald, these failures occur for a number of reasons, including the notion that approximately 12 per cent of the population do not have an identifiable fingerprint, due to old age or manual work. Biometrics would minimise but fail to eliminate card sharing, as some could still use another player's thumbprint. Donald also pointed to the expense involved in implementing and maintaining up to 197,000 biometric readers at poker machines across Australia. "It is totally uneconomic and clubs would close in that situation." The committee is yet to release a final report on its findings. Insiders tip more a new media and pr war on the horizon, as the battle for minds, dollars and votes continue.
Aristocrat Needs Additional Time; Not Playing Games?...
Australia's largest manufacturer of poker machines, Aristocrat Leisure, told a parliamentary inquiry yesterday that the best solution for its attempts to curb problem gambling would involve replacing the 200,000 or so machines installed nationwide. The government has proposed a mandatory pre-commitment agreement, under which punters will have to nominate - before they are allowed to gamble - how much they are prepared to lose.
Aristocrat, the name behind 60 per cent of the poker machines installed throughout Australia, said a ''machine-based'' solution, with restrictions encoded in each poker machine, would minimise infrastructure costs, particularly for smaller venues. In a submission to the inquiry, Aristocrat said that given the complexity and number of monitoring systems for poker machines in Australia, it does not believe a solution based on centralised monitoring across a network is ''achievable by 2014, much less the 2012 deadline contemplated in the Gillard-Wilkie agreement''. Trevor Croker, the head of Aristocrat's Australasian operations, told the inquiry yesterday the company's solution could be rolled out as part of a ''normal machine replacement cycle'' with a completion date of 2016. The committee's chairman, the independent MP Andrew Wilkie, said he could not help but feel there was an element of ''self-interest'' in Aristocrat's proposal ''that will be more costly and take longer to roll out''. He cited a Merrill Lynch report that said a machine-based solution would be in Aristocrat's commercial interests. Replying to the committee's questions, Aristocrat said that its machines had an average retail price of $25,000 but, in some cases, implementing the commitment scheme would only involve a software upgrade costing about $3000. Aristocrat did not offer an estimate of how much its proposal would cost. The company said it sells between 6000 and 7000 poker machines in Australia a year. Clubs Australia also appeared before the committee yesterday but with a far more combative approach towards the government's proposals. It said existing harm-minimisation plans are effective, and offered support only for a voluntary pre-commitment scheme. It also challenged estimates that mandatory pre-commitment could cost as little as $1.50 a day, compared with daily revenues each poker machine of up to $800. "The actual average daily revenue per machine in clubs in NSW is $130, before tax and other expenses," Clubs Australia said in its submission. It said that 250 smaller clubs record daily revenues of only $25 a machine, while the top 25 clubs in the state report daily average revenues of $250. Clubs Australia said the $1.50 a day figure quoted by committee member senator Nick Xenophon was based on a voluntary model in Queensland, not the mandatory, nationally networked version being pursued by the government. "Clubs Australia believes the Australian government has severely underestimated the size and cost of the technical undertaking required to link electronically 197,000 machines, in 5700 venues, with different manufacturers and models, currently operating on different state operating platforms and protocols, by 2014."
Aussie Aristocrat Battles To Stay Positive; Pushes Innovation Despite Troubled Industry...
Gambling juggernaut, Aristocrat, has shown of its latest tech, the Viridian Widescreen cabinet down under in Australia and to land of sheep, New Zealand. The new widescreen cabinet and new games portfolio will be on display at this year’s Club Manager’s Association (CMA) tradeshow (February 28th - March 2nd) and at the Hospitality and Gaming Australasia expo (Mar 16-17). Powered by the Gen7 platform, the Viridian WS provides players with 24% more graphics area, high resolution graphics and enhanced stereo sound. Yeah, hear better how much your winning or loosing! The cabinet will provide a flexible foundation for innovative new game concepts. Aristocrat managing director – Australia and New Zealand, Trevor Croker, said that the 2011 product portfolio is one of the best Aristocrat has put out to date. "Our experienced game designers and product managers have confirmed that this is undeniably the most exciting line-up Aristocrat has had in 10 years. Customers and operators will evidently see that this is a year for genuine forward thinking that delivers real results," Croker said. Along with the Viridian Widescreen cabinet, comes a game portfolio that includes the latest licenced product the Phantom and also Jackpot Catcher, modelled on one of Aristocrat’s most recognisable games... the legendary Indian Dreaming. In addition to these, Aristocrat has a number of exciting new games including Emperor Penguin, Chariot Champion, Don Quixote and Dragon Emperor. "We are excited about the gaming experience that this product portfolio will bring to gaming floors. Our Viridian WS cabinet, new product categories, a solid games library, and innovative product packages, will deliver the performance and diversity customers and operators have been looking for from Aristocrat," Croker said.
One Media Man Int Asia Pacific based media and gambling commentator was overheard to say "Aristocrat are doing some great stuff despite some legal and economic wows. With the game developments, great, but what about the likes of games featuring Ric Flair, Frank Sinatra, John Rambo, Kerry Packer and Underbelly. Punters are crying of for these. We suspect their may be legal complications, but where there is a will, their is a way... unless the likes of IGT and / or WMS have given the Aristocrat paperwork on what they can and can't do, which could be likely given the landscape of the gaming sector at the moment. Kudos to Aristocrat for not giving up, and maintaining the Aussie digger spirit."
PM Gillard To Meet States Over Gambling; May Try To Force Hand; States Bluff Or Hold Ace Or Joker?
Gillard will meet state and territory leaders on Valentines Day, but insiders say their will be no or little love shown. The MP joked heart-shaped bicies will be served and is optimistic "the spirit of Valentine's Day breaks out" This will be Gillard's first Council of Australian Governments summit since snatching the highest office in the land 8 months back. It's also the virginal meet for for Victoria's Ted Baillieu and Tasmania's Lara Giddings. NSW head Kristina Keneally, has the odds staked against her. Will problem gamblers get much of a look in? Some mention almost certainly. The Fed want, and possibly, need, the gambling dollars, as they look to wrestle it away from the states. Gillard made that well documented deal with Tasmanian "independent" (known to be bias when we quizzed punters at the track and local gaming venues) MP Andrew Wilkie. His vote was a key factor in Gillard's victory at the last election. Every pokie will be fitted with new "pre-commitment" technology to limit the amount people can lose, if you believe the spin. Gillard oked to have laws green lighted by May next year, so things would be up and running by 2014. That's the wish anyway. They also aim to enforce a $250 daily withdrawal limit on ATMs at pokie palaces and require warnings to be displayed on screens. On 23rd June 23 2010, the day before Gillard replaced Rudd as Prime Minister, a Productivity Commission report found that 600,000 Australians played the "one armed bandits" at least once a week. Casual gamblers make small bets but "high intensity" players can easily lose $1500 or more in one hour, so the story goes, but may question the figures. $20 billion was gambled away by Aussies between 2008 and 2009, with $12 billion spent feeding the slots. States get $4 billion a year in taxes they net in from gambling. 'Mr X' perhaps trying to get less haters went on record with "I'm not trying to stop gambling. I'm not trying to get rid of pokies". He admits he is trying to reduce harm by the bandits. Wilkie says he has "a genuinely open mind" on pokies. He went on record with "Some can afford to lose $1000 a day while some others can't afford to lose $10". The relevant Aussie minister Jenny Macklin, stated gambling is "a celebrated part of Australian culture" and 145,000 jobs in the hospitality and tourism industries depend on people who like a bet. Who is bluffing, who is a joker, and who holds the cards? Will will find out soon enough.
NRL Match Fixing Scandal: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - North Queensland Cowboys; More Investigations And Revelations On The Way...
As you might expect, the arrest of Ryan Tandy for his involvement in the fix is just scratching the surface of things. The club was briefed before Tandy was arrested and charged last week with giving false information to the NSW Crime Commission in its investigation over suspicious betting activity arising from a North Queensland Cowboys-Bulldogs match in Townsville on August 21. "This is not the end of what they're doing," a source said. "This is their way maybe to get closer to it and there's some bigger fish to fry." Tandy is at the centre of the investigation after a plunge was made on a Cowboys penalty goal being the first scoring play. The Canterbury prop gave away a cheap penalty in the opening minutes of the match right in front of his posts. Tandy's home was raided last week and his mobile phone was confiscated by Strike Force Suburb of the Casino and Racing Investigation Unit. The homes of Tandy's manager, Sam Ayoub, and the mother of league identity John Elias have also been raided. Tandy is facing up to five years in jail and has been stood down by the club from all activities pending his appearance at the Downing Centre court on March 3. "The investigations are ongoing and detectives are urging anyone who has been involved with, or who has information about, criminal activity regarding the betting allegations, to come forward and speak to police while they still have the opportunity," a police spokesman said. The Bulldogs refused to speculate on their talks with police after opening up training for the first time since Tandy was arrested, but were happy to present a united front over the decision to stand him down. Chief executive Todd Greenberg, coach Kevin Moore and captain Andrew Ryan all faced the media pack to justify the move, although they admitted to not speaking to Tandy since he was banished last week. "They're not pleasant decisions to make but we thought the decision we made was in the best interests of the club," Greenberg said. "The other players have been very supportive of the decision and they're confident they can start preparing for the 2011 season right now." The NRL also refused to comment on its discussions with police but chief executive David Gallop said the incident could prompt changes, including creating a post to police the area. The league is one of several sports working with former Australian Cricket and ICC chief Malcolm Speed on ways to combat illegal gambling. "We don't have a full-time employee dedicated to that but we've obviously been fortunate to pull in (NSW racing steward) Ray Murrihy, an absolute expert in the field," Gallop said. "We'll be reviewing our resources and, as I say, working with the other sports and the government to see what we need to do to make sure there's no suggestion of corruption around rugby league. "An in-house resource may well not have the expertise Ray Murrihy has, so there are different arguments around the issue but certainly where we need dedicated resources we won't hesitate putting them in place." The Bulldogs had a disappointing season last year but have recruited strongly. Trent Hodkinson, Kris Keating, Frank Pritchard and Aiden Tolman have joined for 2011. The club will play its first trial match of the season against Sydney Roosters at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night and there will be plenty of interest in the squad that Moore names on Tuesday. "It was a tough one (to stand Tandy down) but we've got a competition to focus on and our preparations right through the off-season have been on the trial matches starting this weekend," Moore said. "It's a decision based on the best interests of everyone." Ryan admitted he felt sorry for his former teammate but the club had made the right decision and the players needed to move on. "Obviously it's disappointing but we've got games to play this coming Saturday. Our focus is to play footy this weekend and hopefully get the best 17 out on the field for game one," Ryan said. Gambling911 and Media Man are hopeful that the NRL once and all can eliminated any more match fixing scandals.
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
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Biometrics Via Pubs And Clubs Predicted To Have Have Failure Rate; Parliamentary Inquiry Dealing With Here Say, Facts, Lies, Guesses And Agendas...
At the Joint Select Committee on gambling reform chaired by Independent MP Andrew Wilkie last week, Ian Donald, technical director for smart card company Regis Controls said that the biometrics would be an economically unfeasible technology for clubs to implement in curbing problem gambling. He said that biometrics in passports have a 10 per cent failure rate and this would only be compounded in a pub, club or casino environment, where he predicted failure rates as high as 30 per cent. "About 12 per cent of the population do not have a fingerprint. They are too old or they have been engaged in manual work and it may have worn off. There is no wall on the end of their thumb. Biometrics are going to be a much more expensive solution," he told the committee. "This is mainly because, if you have to maintain 197,000 biometric readers ... it is going to be extraordinarily expensive. You are looking at something like five times the cost for biometrics." Donald said there would have to be many exceptions made to the system if biometrics were used. "What do you do if an 80-year-old pensioner wants to play her favourite Black Rhino machine and she has no fingerprint? Do you make an exception? How many exceptions do you make?" Donald said that biometrics would also be easily tampered with. Especially if a USB device is used, as has been floated as part of the review. "It is very easy to overcome biometrics if you are a problem gambler, particularly if it is a USB. All you need is a screwdriver or a penknife and you can destroy the biometric." Donald said USB thumb drives would be "overkill" to reduce problem gambling and advocated a smart card alternative. Donald said each smart card would cost $5 at most to produce and the system could be in place nationally by 2016, because roughly 50% of the industry already had approximately 50 % of poker machines with smart card systems attached. "I would do a pilot to see if this technology works in a club or pub. If you set a national standard by June next year for then I think by 2016, given the average life of a poker machine is about six years, you would find that 90 per cent were smart card enabled," he said. Donald was quick to point out that although Regis Controls was involved in smart card systems, the company would not be bidding for any tenders that eventuated from the review.
South Australian Indy Gambling Authority Not Completely Sold On Smartcard Tech; Shortcomings Obvious; No Magic Bullet; Problem Gamblers Need A Real Cure...
The Independent Gambling Authority (IGA) of South Australia has embraced smartcards to limit problem gambling, in a luke warm fashion, warning politicians last week the technology could have adverse effects on the industry, as well as not be a complete solution or "magic bullet". IGA presiding member, Alan Moss told a recent joint select committee on gambling reform - chaired by crossbench MP Andrew Wilkie that while the organisation’s support for the introduction of smartcard technology had not waned, there was concern around the technology being introduced too rapidly. "Our concern is not that there are problems in regulation per se, our concerns arise more from unintended consequences to the industry if the implementation of this type of smartcard technology is too rapid," Moss said. "We think that it is possible that, if the implementation is too rapid and it is too onerous to get the card, there will be a significant percentage of people who simply stop playing because it is too difficult." According to Moss, the implementation of the smartcard technologies should follow in the footsteps of the anti-smoking legislation which was introduced over a five-year period. "Although there was initially a significant drop in net gaming revenue from poker machines when that legislation was first introduced, over time the hotels have pretty much returned to pre-smoking legislation revenue in relation to their gaming venues." In September last year, the Prime Minister Julia Gillard made a commitment to the overhaul of poker machines with "pre-commitment technology" being applied to the gambling devices by 2014. The technology would require gamblers to log into poker machines via smartcards that will identify them to a network which systematically tracks their play over time. Players would be able to set limits on their play, and exclude themselves from playing at any time. At the time, Wilkie said the login technology would ensure individual settings for the whole system could be easily changed to suit each gambler and drive an overall improvement in their lives. Currently, Moss says South Australia has 900 people actively participating in the barring scheme where people can go to the authority and request to be barred from certain venues, however he notes, this figure is just "the tip of the iceberg". Despite this, Moss maintained the concept of introducing a "maximum bet limit" or "dollar bet limit" would not be beneficial to the industry. Contemplation of other identified technologies, such as biometrics, were also raised at hearings held across the country last week. In a Victorian hearing, Regis Controls technical director, Ian Donald, warned biometrics would be a poor solution, as failure rates could be as high as 20 to 30 per cent. "On one in four occasions that a player wants to log on to a machine, they cannot using a biometric," Donald said. "What happens in that situation?" According to Donald, these failures occur for a number of reasons, including the notion that approximately 12 per cent of the population do not have an identifiable fingerprint, due to old age or manual work. Biometrics would minimise but fail to eliminate card sharing, as some could still use another player's thumbprint. Donald also pointed to the expense involved in implementing and maintaining up to 197,000 biometric readers at poker machines across Australia. "It is totally uneconomic and clubs would close in that situation." The committee is yet to release a final report on its findings. Insiders tip more a new media and pr war on the horizon, as the battle for minds, dollars and votes continue.
Aristocrat Needs Additional Time; Not Playing Games?...
Australia's largest manufacturer of poker machines, Aristocrat Leisure, told a parliamentary inquiry yesterday that the best solution for its attempts to curb problem gambling would involve replacing the 200,000 or so machines installed nationwide. The government has proposed a mandatory pre-commitment agreement, under which punters will have to nominate - before they are allowed to gamble - how much they are prepared to lose.
Aristocrat, the name behind 60 per cent of the poker machines installed throughout Australia, said a ''machine-based'' solution, with restrictions encoded in each poker machine, would minimise infrastructure costs, particularly for smaller venues. In a submission to the inquiry, Aristocrat said that given the complexity and number of monitoring systems for poker machines in Australia, it does not believe a solution based on centralised monitoring across a network is ''achievable by 2014, much less the 2012 deadline contemplated in the Gillard-Wilkie agreement''. Trevor Croker, the head of Aristocrat's Australasian operations, told the inquiry yesterday the company's solution could be rolled out as part of a ''normal machine replacement cycle'' with a completion date of 2016. The committee's chairman, the independent MP Andrew Wilkie, said he could not help but feel there was an element of ''self-interest'' in Aristocrat's proposal ''that will be more costly and take longer to roll out''. He cited a Merrill Lynch report that said a machine-based solution would be in Aristocrat's commercial interests. Replying to the committee's questions, Aristocrat said that its machines had an average retail price of $25,000 but, in some cases, implementing the commitment scheme would only involve a software upgrade costing about $3000. Aristocrat did not offer an estimate of how much its proposal would cost. The company said it sells between 6000 and 7000 poker machines in Australia a year. Clubs Australia also appeared before the committee yesterday but with a far more combative approach towards the government's proposals. It said existing harm-minimisation plans are effective, and offered support only for a voluntary pre-commitment scheme. It also challenged estimates that mandatory pre-commitment could cost as little as $1.50 a day, compared with daily revenues each poker machine of up to $800. "The actual average daily revenue per machine in clubs in NSW is $130, before tax and other expenses," Clubs Australia said in its submission. It said that 250 smaller clubs record daily revenues of only $25 a machine, while the top 25 clubs in the state report daily average revenues of $250. Clubs Australia said the $1.50 a day figure quoted by committee member senator Nick Xenophon was based on a voluntary model in Queensland, not the mandatory, nationally networked version being pursued by the government. "Clubs Australia believes the Australian government has severely underestimated the size and cost of the technical undertaking required to link electronically 197,000 machines, in 5700 venues, with different manufacturers and models, currently operating on different state operating platforms and protocols, by 2014."
Aussie Aristocrat Battles To Stay Positive; Pushes Innovation Despite Troubled Industry...
Gambling juggernaut, Aristocrat, has shown of its latest tech, the Viridian Widescreen cabinet down under in Australia and to land of sheep, New Zealand. The new widescreen cabinet and new games portfolio will be on display at this year’s Club Manager’s Association (CMA) tradeshow (February 28th - March 2nd) and at the Hospitality and Gaming Australasia expo (Mar 16-17). Powered by the Gen7 platform, the Viridian WS provides players with 24% more graphics area, high resolution graphics and enhanced stereo sound. Yeah, hear better how much your winning or loosing! The cabinet will provide a flexible foundation for innovative new game concepts. Aristocrat managing director – Australia and New Zealand, Trevor Croker, said that the 2011 product portfolio is one of the best Aristocrat has put out to date. "Our experienced game designers and product managers have confirmed that this is undeniably the most exciting line-up Aristocrat has had in 10 years. Customers and operators will evidently see that this is a year for genuine forward thinking that delivers real results," Croker said. Along with the Viridian Widescreen cabinet, comes a game portfolio that includes the latest licenced product the Phantom and also Jackpot Catcher, modelled on one of Aristocrat’s most recognisable games... the legendary Indian Dreaming. In addition to these, Aristocrat has a number of exciting new games including Emperor Penguin, Chariot Champion, Don Quixote and Dragon Emperor. "We are excited about the gaming experience that this product portfolio will bring to gaming floors. Our Viridian WS cabinet, new product categories, a solid games library, and innovative product packages, will deliver the performance and diversity customers and operators have been looking for from Aristocrat," Croker said.
One Media Man Int Asia Pacific based media and gambling commentator was overheard to say "Aristocrat are doing some great stuff despite some legal and economic wows. With the game developments, great, but what about the likes of games featuring Ric Flair, Frank Sinatra, John Rambo, Kerry Packer and Underbelly. Punters are crying of for these. We suspect their may be legal complications, but where there is a will, their is a way... unless the likes of IGT and / or WMS have given the Aristocrat paperwork on what they can and can't do, which could be likely given the landscape of the gaming sector at the moment. Kudos to Aristocrat for not giving up, and maintaining the Aussie digger spirit."
PM Gillard To Meet States Over Gambling; May Try To Force Hand; States Bluff Or Hold Ace Or Joker?
Gillard will meet state and territory leaders on Valentines Day, but insiders say their will be no or little love shown. The MP joked heart-shaped bicies will be served and is optimistic "the spirit of Valentine's Day breaks out" This will be Gillard's first Council of Australian Governments summit since snatching the highest office in the land 8 months back. It's also the virginal meet for for Victoria's Ted Baillieu and Tasmania's Lara Giddings. NSW head Kristina Keneally, has the odds staked against her. Will problem gamblers get much of a look in? Some mention almost certainly. The Fed want, and possibly, need, the gambling dollars, as they look to wrestle it away from the states. Gillard made that well documented deal with Tasmanian "independent" (known to be bias when we quizzed punters at the track and local gaming venues) MP Andrew Wilkie. His vote was a key factor in Gillard's victory at the last election. Every pokie will be fitted with new "pre-commitment" technology to limit the amount people can lose, if you believe the spin. Gillard oked to have laws green lighted by May next year, so things would be up and running by 2014. That's the wish anyway. They also aim to enforce a $250 daily withdrawal limit on ATMs at pokie palaces and require warnings to be displayed on screens. On 23rd June 23 2010, the day before Gillard replaced Rudd as Prime Minister, a Productivity Commission report found that 600,000 Australians played the "one armed bandits" at least once a week. Casual gamblers make small bets but "high intensity" players can easily lose $1500 or more in one hour, so the story goes, but may question the figures. $20 billion was gambled away by Aussies between 2008 and 2009, with $12 billion spent feeding the slots. States get $4 billion a year in taxes they net in from gambling. 'Mr X' perhaps trying to get less haters went on record with "I'm not trying to stop gambling. I'm not trying to get rid of pokies". He admits he is trying to reduce harm by the bandits. Wilkie says he has "a genuinely open mind" on pokies. He went on record with "Some can afford to lose $1000 a day while some others can't afford to lose $10". The relevant Aussie minister Jenny Macklin, stated gambling is "a celebrated part of Australian culture" and 145,000 jobs in the hospitality and tourism industries depend on people who like a bet. Who is bluffing, who is a joker, and who holds the cards? Will will find out soon enough.
NRL Match Fixing Scandal: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - North Queensland Cowboys; More Investigations And Revelations On The Way...
As you might expect, the arrest of Ryan Tandy for his involvement in the fix is just scratching the surface of things. The club was briefed before Tandy was arrested and charged last week with giving false information to the NSW Crime Commission in its investigation over suspicious betting activity arising from a North Queensland Cowboys-Bulldogs match in Townsville on August 21. "This is not the end of what they're doing," a source said. "This is their way maybe to get closer to it and there's some bigger fish to fry." Tandy is at the centre of the investigation after a plunge was made on a Cowboys penalty goal being the first scoring play. The Canterbury prop gave away a cheap penalty in the opening minutes of the match right in front of his posts. Tandy's home was raided last week and his mobile phone was confiscated by Strike Force Suburb of the Casino and Racing Investigation Unit. The homes of Tandy's manager, Sam Ayoub, and the mother of league identity John Elias have also been raided. Tandy is facing up to five years in jail and has been stood down by the club from all activities pending his appearance at the Downing Centre court on March 3. "The investigations are ongoing and detectives are urging anyone who has been involved with, or who has information about, criminal activity regarding the betting allegations, to come forward and speak to police while they still have the opportunity," a police spokesman said. The Bulldogs refused to speculate on their talks with police after opening up training for the first time since Tandy was arrested, but were happy to present a united front over the decision to stand him down. Chief executive Todd Greenberg, coach Kevin Moore and captain Andrew Ryan all faced the media pack to justify the move, although they admitted to not speaking to Tandy since he was banished last week. "They're not pleasant decisions to make but we thought the decision we made was in the best interests of the club," Greenberg said. "The other players have been very supportive of the decision and they're confident they can start preparing for the 2011 season right now." The NRL also refused to comment on its discussions with police but chief executive David Gallop said the incident could prompt changes, including creating a post to police the area. The league is one of several sports working with former Australian Cricket and ICC chief Malcolm Speed on ways to combat illegal gambling. "We don't have a full-time employee dedicated to that but we've obviously been fortunate to pull in (NSW racing steward) Ray Murrihy, an absolute expert in the field," Gallop said. "We'll be reviewing our resources and, as I say, working with the other sports and the government to see what we need to do to make sure there's no suggestion of corruption around rugby league. "An in-house resource may well not have the expertise Ray Murrihy has, so there are different arguments around the issue but certainly where we need dedicated resources we won't hesitate putting them in place." The Bulldogs had a disappointing season last year but have recruited strongly. Trent Hodkinson, Kris Keating, Frank Pritchard and Aiden Tolman have joined for 2011. The club will play its first trial match of the season against Sydney Roosters at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night and there will be plenty of interest in the squad that Moore names on Tuesday. "It was a tough one (to stand Tandy down) but we've got a competition to focus on and our preparations right through the off-season have been on the trial matches starting this weekend," Moore said. "It's a decision based on the best interests of everyone." Ryan admitted he felt sorry for his former teammate but the club had made the right decision and the players needed to move on. "Obviously it's disappointing but we've got games to play this coming Saturday. Our focus is to play footy this weekend and hopefully get the best 17 out on the field for game one," Ryan said. Gambling911 and Media Man are hopeful that the NRL once and all can eliminated any more match fixing scandals.
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have 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. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
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Sunday, February 6, 2011
Media Man - Casino News Media - Global Gaming Directory - News Update
PartyCasino Wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' Award
Online gaming companies in for huge 2011
Online Gaming Heating Up in Australia
Real Life Underbelly NRL Style
Queensland Floods Cost Tabcorp Millions In Lost Revenue And More…
Joe Francis - Indicted Over Alleged $2M Gambling Debt
Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine; Punters With Problems Targeted By Crime Lords
Australia Zoo Viva Crocodile Las Vegas Back On
Crown Casino Demands Aussie Govt Lift Game For Asian High Rollers
Crown Aussie Million's Poker $250,000 - Greg Tingle Australia Report
NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs: Star City Casino Partnership!
The Shane Warne Show At Aussie Millions 2011
Australia Day 2011 Gambling Special
Crown Aussie Millions; James Packer Special
Running out of Internet Addresses: We Were Right
Tingle: 3D Movies And Slot Games Not Dead Yet
Tingle: Australian Underbelly History and the Anti Pokie Song
Aussie Celeb News; James Bond Casino Icon Connection
Real Life Underbelly in Sin City Sydney
Australian Gambling: Deals, Art, Politics And Vice
Australian Gambling On Pre-Commitment Pokies: Lovers vs. Haters
International Gaming Technology vs. Aristocrat Leisure Legal Battle Ensues
Australian Casino Tourism Smoking Hot Report
Gambling On Australia's Anti-Money Laundering Counter Terrorism Hit List
Tingle: Australian Gambling Regulation Won't Wipe Out Problem Gambling
Australia To Get Sports Stadiums Branded By Gambling and Gaming Companies
Australia Pokie and News Media Wars for January 14, 2011
Australia Remains In Top 10 For Gambling
Australian Pokies Saviour Or Villain; Lovers VS Haters
Crown Casino Refuse Jackpot Payment; ClubsNSW VS PokieAct
Lasseter’s Hotel Casino Getting Tough On Violent Drunks
Australian Kids Copy Parents Gambling Habits
Aussie Media Man Talks Domain Names: Gambling.com, Poker.com.au
Australian Casino, Sporting And Gambling Round Up – January 8
Brendan Fevola Released From Jail: Adelaide Clubs Get Tough On Gambling
Costigan Commission Going After Kerry Packer
Australian Land Based Casinos Rank Among The Best In The World?
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Global Gaming Directory
Online gaming companies in for huge 2011
Online Gaming Heating Up in Australia
Real Life Underbelly NRL Style
Queensland Floods Cost Tabcorp Millions In Lost Revenue And More…
Joe Francis - Indicted Over Alleged $2M Gambling Debt
Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine; Punters With Problems Targeted By Crime Lords
Australia Zoo Viva Crocodile Las Vegas Back On
Crown Casino Demands Aussie Govt Lift Game For Asian High Rollers
Crown Aussie Million's Poker $250,000 - Greg Tingle Australia Report
NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs: Star City Casino Partnership!
The Shane Warne Show At Aussie Millions 2011
Australia Day 2011 Gambling Special
Crown Aussie Millions; James Packer Special
Running out of Internet Addresses: We Were Right
Tingle: 3D Movies And Slot Games Not Dead Yet
Tingle: Australian Underbelly History and the Anti Pokie Song
Aussie Celeb News; James Bond Casino Icon Connection
Real Life Underbelly in Sin City Sydney
Australian Gambling: Deals, Art, Politics And Vice
Australian Gambling On Pre-Commitment Pokies: Lovers vs. Haters
International Gaming Technology vs. Aristocrat Leisure Legal Battle Ensues
Australian Casino Tourism Smoking Hot Report
Gambling On Australia's Anti-Money Laundering Counter Terrorism Hit List
Tingle: Australian Gambling Regulation Won't Wipe Out Problem Gambling
Australia To Get Sports Stadiums Branded By Gambling and Gaming Companies
Australia Pokie and News Media Wars for January 14, 2011
Australia Remains In Top 10 For Gambling
Australian Pokies Saviour Or Villain; Lovers VS Haters
Crown Casino Refuse Jackpot Payment; ClubsNSW VS PokieAct
Lasseter’s Hotel Casino Getting Tough On Violent Drunks
Australian Kids Copy Parents Gambling Habits
Aussie Media Man Talks Domain Names: Gambling.com, Poker.com.au
Australian Casino, Sporting And Gambling Round Up – January 8
Brendan Fevola Released From Jail: Adelaide Clubs Get Tough On Gambling
Costigan Commission Going After Kerry Packer
Australian Land Based Casinos Rank Among The Best In The World?
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Saturday, February 5, 2011
Australian Media And Gambling Wars; Aussie Rich List, by Greg Tingle - 6th February 2011
G'day punters, journos, sports nuts, high rollers - casino whales, gambling millionaires and billionaires, media tycoons, politicians, insiders, outsiders, ... one and all. You know who you are. This is yet another instalment into the Australian media wars, with a dash of the Aussie rich list (a few gaming gambling types there) for good measure... Media Man and Gambling911 prob the Australian media business, and do the math on whose loaded up to the hilt down under...
James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch Rumoured To Be Worried With Network Ten News Progress...
After only two weeks on air, the Ten Network’s news evolution has reportedly come under scrutiny from new stakeholders James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch, thanks to a poor ratings performance. On Thursday night 6pm with George Negus attracted its lowest audience to date with only 398,000 viewers. The state based Ten Evening News at 6:30pm performed even worse, attracting only 362,000 viewers. The direction and performance of the George Negus fronted news vehicle is said to be of particular concern to new stakeholders Packer and Murdoch, the press reports. The pair reportedly told Ten Network executives they're worried that the international content of the bulletin is a turn-off for viewers. "Basically (an) email sent to Ten bosses said the predominance of overseas stories was unwise and indulgent and not calculated to build ratings," a well-placed source told Confidential. However, another Ten executive dismissed the report as "utter bollocks", going on to reaffirm the network’s long term commitment to the two-and-a-half hour news and current affairs block. "This is not a two-week plan or three-month one - you can't do what we've done and expect instant results - this is a long haul," a spokeswoman said. Rivals from other network’s have also expressed their thoughts on the $20 million a year investment in news, with one source pointing towards the timeslot winning lead-in 6pm with George Negus receives. "Aren't they conveniently overlooking the substantial lead-in it's provided every night by Ten's 5:00pm news which has always rated respectably for yonks?", said the source. On Thursday, David Gyngell, chief executive of the Nine Entertainment Company, described the performance as worse than he had expected.
Nine Network Presents Weekend 5pm New Slot...
The Nine Network will launched a new national 5:00pm weekend news bulletin Saturday, taking advantage of the Ten Network's recent departure from the timeslot. Nine's director of news and current affairs, Mark Calvert, told The Spy Report that the bulletin will be a permanent addition to the network's Saturday and Sunday schedule once the cricket season concludes tomorrow. Calvert unexpectedly announced the move via his Twitter account. "Missing having news at 5:00pm? Feeling abandoned by Channel Ten News at weekends? See Nine News first at five with Wendy Kingston," he posted. "Incredible flood rescue pix Nine News at 5:00pm. Yep, 5:00pm. You know...when Channel Ten News used to be on at weekends. Nine News at 5:00pm and 6:00pm. "Working harder than ever - Peter Stefanovic, Tracy Vo, Lizzie Pearl to get ready for Nine News first at 5:00pm then more at 6:00pm." Ten abandoned its national 5:00pm bulletin on weekends as part of its $20 million early evening revamp it unveiled two weeks ago. Since then, it has instead opted for a 6:00pm state-based service rivalling those on Nine and Seven. At this stage, it's unknown whether the half-hour bulletin will broadcast into Sydney and Brisbane when Nine's Sunday Afternoon Football returns on March 13. Nine's Afternoon News Hour will also continue to air weekdays from 4:30pm.
Australia's Richest Person Gina Rinehart Adds Value To Channel Ten Sports...
'Our Gina' loves sport, at least as far as it being a strong part of the line up on Network Nine. Fellow shareholders James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch also like sport, especially the cricket (sports betting connection), but Rinehart is more of an all rounder when it comes to the sports media side of the business. Our friends and Fairfax Media have secured a strong leak aka deep throat delivering the following: "She's tough, opinionated, sometimes difficult but never frightened". Rinehart is understood to be very happy with her 10% per cent stake in the network, and intends on getting her money's worth (and continuing to exercise her clout). Packer and Murdoch recently told Ten executives that while they like sport, they believe the network more than they should be, particularly for AFL broadcasting rights. The late great media and gambling tycoon, Kerry Packer, put aside an AFL $780 million deal over five years, not long before his passing away, but Packer Jr may want to talk it about a bit more. The AFL is set to receive the $1 billion at its next contract commencing at 2012. Ten wants to renegotiate its deal with Channel Seven over AFL coverage. David White, the sports director of Ten, has advised analysts that returns from AFL over the past season were not good. It is anticipated Ten will go after an improved ratio with Seven of their share of future fees, or demand an allocation of higher-rating match ups. Under the existing 7 - 10 agreement both networks must bid together, however if Ten is unable to improve its payment or game quality ratios, the deal might collapse. "Ten now has two directors (Packer and Murdoch) who would support the move to walk," a leak said. Rinehart may lobby to retain the agreement in support of Kerry Stokes, the owner of Seven. The word is her main reason for investing a dab of her $4.75 billion wealth for 10% of Ten is political influence. He took note of the success of the advertising campaign against the mining tax and sees the powerful control of the media on the political landscape, and those who work in it. Packer snatched his 17.9% take in Ten ($128 million) to boost his political clout, and then went on to selling half to Murdoch. JP likes the gambling and sport connection, as do many NRL and AFL clubs ala Rabbitohs - Star City and his own Crown Casino - Melbourne Storm baby. Packer gets on well at this stage of the game with Australian Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, and they are understood to enjoy a spot of golf from time to time. Packer and Murdoch famously had a bite with him at Crown Casino months ago. This past Thursday Conroy announced amendments to sport's anti-siphoning list, allowing free-to-air networks to show live sport on their digital channels! This falls into line with the ministers strategy to move Australia quickly away from analog TV. Ten has the only sports-dedicated digital channel (One) at this time. Should Packer and Murdoch be successful in convincing the Network Ten board that One is too costly and must be closed up, or switch programming, it would automatically undermine Conroy's plan to use sport to boost along the uptake of digital TV. It would also quite possibly piss off the big wigs at the NRL and AFL. AFL games shown live on a free-to-air network's principal channel in Melbourne could be shown live on its digital channel in New South Wales and Queensland, rather than suffer piss weak ratings, as Ten suffered in Sydney and Brisbane, especially on Saturday evenings. At the moment Queensland AFL fans who want Seven's coverage of Friday nights must subscribe to pay TV operator Foxtel, part-owned by companies associated with Packer and Murdoch. Shutting up shot on One would be a strategic step with a major goal being to protect this money machine, but a leaker revealed Packer would be hesitant to make too much noise or agro that might stir up regulators, with Crown Limited going so well. Best not have the government tests applied to the ownership of a casino licence if you follow. Packer is also keen to ramp up online gambling, expanding on his 50% owned Betfair. He's also aware of overseas gaming giants like PartyGaming eyeing off the Asia Pacific region, and its well known PartyGaming have the smarts to ink big government deals, as well as land based casino and b2b deals. Party also have the Hollywood branded deals performing well, so Party could be an opportunity or a threat to Packer, depending upon which way the wind is blowing, and what Australian politicians decide will be law in the online space, with the Liberal Party calling for full regulation, something PartyGaming, Media Man and we understand, Betfair, are all keen to see happen. In will also get rid of any bad eggs in the iGaming space down under. Back to the traditional news media, if Ten walks from its AFL deal with Channel Seven, it would therefore leave a 7 - Foxtel consortium as the only bidder worth their salt. Sen. Conroy "decoupled" the existing anti-siphoning arrangement where free-to-air on-sold the bottom 4 games a week to pay TV, permitting Foxtel to bid directly. Gyngell's Network Nine reserving its art of war strategy for NRL rights which expire in 2012, it is unlikely the Australian Football League will be able to hold a auction for the rights. So, no challenger to Seven for the top 4 games and Nil to Foxtel for the other 4, the AFL may not get their $1 billion bucks with JP and Murdoch Jr paying less for rights, helping make sure of continuing solid profit margins in Foxtel and Fox Sports. 'Our Gina' out in the Wild Wild West - West Australia, looks to be a key player in all of this, and not just because she's loaded and is now down under's richest woman. Yep, politics, power and money all take a seat in the box beside professional sports being broadcast on Australian TV. Don't even start us on Aussie TV being broadcast on the internet. That's all sports, but stay turned in the coming days and weeks for more on the art of war that is Australian news media.
Australian Rich List
1 Georgina Rinehart, 56, $9b (mining)
2 Andrew Forrest, 49, $6.9b (mining)
3 James Packer, 43, $4.4b (gambling, media and new media)
4 Frank Lowy, 80, $4.3b (property)
5 Harry Triguboff, 77, $3.4b (property)
6 John Gandel, 76, $3.3b
7 Anthony Pratt, 50, $2.7b
8 Kerr Neilson, 61, $2.4b
9 David Hains, 80, $2b
10 Kerry Stokes, 70, $1.9b
11 Lindsay Fox, 73, $US1.7b
12 Angela Bennett & Michael Wright, 66, $1.55b
13 Leslie Alan Wilson, 69, $1.5b
14 Paul Ramsay, 75, $1.45b
15 Michael Hintze, 57, $1.4b
16 Chris Wallin, 58, $1.3b
17 Gerald Harvey, 71, $1.2b
18 Solomon Lew, 65, $1.15b
19 Leonard Buckeridge, 75, $1.1b
20 Stanley Perron, 88, $1.05b
Source: Forbes
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have 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. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
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Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch Rumoured To Be Worried With Network Ten News Progress...
After only two weeks on air, the Ten Network’s news evolution has reportedly come under scrutiny from new stakeholders James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch, thanks to a poor ratings performance. On Thursday night 6pm with George Negus attracted its lowest audience to date with only 398,000 viewers. The state based Ten Evening News at 6:30pm performed even worse, attracting only 362,000 viewers. The direction and performance of the George Negus fronted news vehicle is said to be of particular concern to new stakeholders Packer and Murdoch, the press reports. The pair reportedly told Ten Network executives they're worried that the international content of the bulletin is a turn-off for viewers. "Basically (an) email sent to Ten bosses said the predominance of overseas stories was unwise and indulgent and not calculated to build ratings," a well-placed source told Confidential. However, another Ten executive dismissed the report as "utter bollocks", going on to reaffirm the network’s long term commitment to the two-and-a-half hour news and current affairs block. "This is not a two-week plan or three-month one - you can't do what we've done and expect instant results - this is a long haul," a spokeswoman said. Rivals from other network’s have also expressed their thoughts on the $20 million a year investment in news, with one source pointing towards the timeslot winning lead-in 6pm with George Negus receives. "Aren't they conveniently overlooking the substantial lead-in it's provided every night by Ten's 5:00pm news which has always rated respectably for yonks?", said the source. On Thursday, David Gyngell, chief executive of the Nine Entertainment Company, described the performance as worse than he had expected.
Nine Network Presents Weekend 5pm New Slot...
The Nine Network will launched a new national 5:00pm weekend news bulletin Saturday, taking advantage of the Ten Network's recent departure from the timeslot. Nine's director of news and current affairs, Mark Calvert, told The Spy Report that the bulletin will be a permanent addition to the network's Saturday and Sunday schedule once the cricket season concludes tomorrow. Calvert unexpectedly announced the move via his Twitter account. "Missing having news at 5:00pm? Feeling abandoned by Channel Ten News at weekends? See Nine News first at five with Wendy Kingston," he posted. "Incredible flood rescue pix Nine News at 5:00pm. Yep, 5:00pm. You know...when Channel Ten News used to be on at weekends. Nine News at 5:00pm and 6:00pm. "Working harder than ever - Peter Stefanovic, Tracy Vo, Lizzie Pearl to get ready for Nine News first at 5:00pm then more at 6:00pm." Ten abandoned its national 5:00pm bulletin on weekends as part of its $20 million early evening revamp it unveiled two weeks ago. Since then, it has instead opted for a 6:00pm state-based service rivalling those on Nine and Seven. At this stage, it's unknown whether the half-hour bulletin will broadcast into Sydney and Brisbane when Nine's Sunday Afternoon Football returns on March 13. Nine's Afternoon News Hour will also continue to air weekdays from 4:30pm.
Australia's Richest Person Gina Rinehart Adds Value To Channel Ten Sports...
'Our Gina' loves sport, at least as far as it being a strong part of the line up on Network Nine. Fellow shareholders James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch also like sport, especially the cricket (sports betting connection), but Rinehart is more of an all rounder when it comes to the sports media side of the business. Our friends and Fairfax Media have secured a strong leak aka deep throat delivering the following: "She's tough, opinionated, sometimes difficult but never frightened". Rinehart is understood to be very happy with her 10% per cent stake in the network, and intends on getting her money's worth (and continuing to exercise her clout). Packer and Murdoch recently told Ten executives that while they like sport, they believe the network more than they should be, particularly for AFL broadcasting rights. The late great media and gambling tycoon, Kerry Packer, put aside an AFL $780 million deal over five years, not long before his passing away, but Packer Jr may want to talk it about a bit more. The AFL is set to receive the $1 billion at its next contract commencing at 2012. Ten wants to renegotiate its deal with Channel Seven over AFL coverage. David White, the sports director of Ten, has advised analysts that returns from AFL over the past season were not good. It is anticipated Ten will go after an improved ratio with Seven of their share of future fees, or demand an allocation of higher-rating match ups. Under the existing 7 - 10 agreement both networks must bid together, however if Ten is unable to improve its payment or game quality ratios, the deal might collapse. "Ten now has two directors (Packer and Murdoch) who would support the move to walk," a leak said. Rinehart may lobby to retain the agreement in support of Kerry Stokes, the owner of Seven. The word is her main reason for investing a dab of her $4.75 billion wealth for 10% of Ten is political influence. He took note of the success of the advertising campaign against the mining tax and sees the powerful control of the media on the political landscape, and those who work in it. Packer snatched his 17.9% take in Ten ($128 million) to boost his political clout, and then went on to selling half to Murdoch. JP likes the gambling and sport connection, as do many NRL and AFL clubs ala Rabbitohs - Star City and his own Crown Casino - Melbourne Storm baby. Packer gets on well at this stage of the game with Australian Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, and they are understood to enjoy a spot of golf from time to time. Packer and Murdoch famously had a bite with him at Crown Casino months ago. This past Thursday Conroy announced amendments to sport's anti-siphoning list, allowing free-to-air networks to show live sport on their digital channels! This falls into line with the ministers strategy to move Australia quickly away from analog TV. Ten has the only sports-dedicated digital channel (One) at this time. Should Packer and Murdoch be successful in convincing the Network Ten board that One is too costly and must be closed up, or switch programming, it would automatically undermine Conroy's plan to use sport to boost along the uptake of digital TV. It would also quite possibly piss off the big wigs at the NRL and AFL. AFL games shown live on a free-to-air network's principal channel in Melbourne could be shown live on its digital channel in New South Wales and Queensland, rather than suffer piss weak ratings, as Ten suffered in Sydney and Brisbane, especially on Saturday evenings. At the moment Queensland AFL fans who want Seven's coverage of Friday nights must subscribe to pay TV operator Foxtel, part-owned by companies associated with Packer and Murdoch. Shutting up shot on One would be a strategic step with a major goal being to protect this money machine, but a leaker revealed Packer would be hesitant to make too much noise or agro that might stir up regulators, with Crown Limited going so well. Best not have the government tests applied to the ownership of a casino licence if you follow. Packer is also keen to ramp up online gambling, expanding on his 50% owned Betfair. He's also aware of overseas gaming giants like PartyGaming eyeing off the Asia Pacific region, and its well known PartyGaming have the smarts to ink big government deals, as well as land based casino and b2b deals. Party also have the Hollywood branded deals performing well, so Party could be an opportunity or a threat to Packer, depending upon which way the wind is blowing, and what Australian politicians decide will be law in the online space, with the Liberal Party calling for full regulation, something PartyGaming, Media Man and we understand, Betfair, are all keen to see happen. In will also get rid of any bad eggs in the iGaming space down under. Back to the traditional news media, if Ten walks from its AFL deal with Channel Seven, it would therefore leave a 7 - Foxtel consortium as the only bidder worth their salt. Sen. Conroy "decoupled" the existing anti-siphoning arrangement where free-to-air on-sold the bottom 4 games a week to pay TV, permitting Foxtel to bid directly. Gyngell's Network Nine reserving its art of war strategy for NRL rights which expire in 2012, it is unlikely the Australian Football League will be able to hold a auction for the rights. So, no challenger to Seven for the top 4 games and Nil to Foxtel for the other 4, the AFL may not get their $1 billion bucks with JP and Murdoch Jr paying less for rights, helping make sure of continuing solid profit margins in Foxtel and Fox Sports. 'Our Gina' out in the Wild Wild West - West Australia, looks to be a key player in all of this, and not just because she's loaded and is now down under's richest woman. Yep, politics, power and money all take a seat in the box beside professional sports being broadcast on Australian TV. Don't even start us on Aussie TV being broadcast on the internet. That's all sports, but stay turned in the coming days and weeks for more on the art of war that is Australian news media.
Australian Rich List
1 Georgina Rinehart, 56, $9b (mining)
2 Andrew Forrest, 49, $6.9b (mining)
3 James Packer, 43, $4.4b (gambling, media and new media)
4 Frank Lowy, 80, $4.3b (property)
5 Harry Triguboff, 77, $3.4b (property)
6 John Gandel, 76, $3.3b
7 Anthony Pratt, 50, $2.7b
8 Kerr Neilson, 61, $2.4b
9 David Hains, 80, $2b
10 Kerry Stokes, 70, $1.9b
11 Lindsay Fox, 73, $US1.7b
12 Angela Bennett & Michael Wright, 66, $1.55b
13 Leslie Alan Wilson, 69, $1.5b
14 Paul Ramsay, 75, $1.45b
15 Michael Hintze, 57, $1.4b
16 Chris Wallin, 58, $1.3b
17 Gerald Harvey, 71, $1.2b
18 Solomon Lew, 65, $1.15b
19 Leonard Buckeridge, 75, $1.1b
20 Stanley Perron, 88, $1.05b
Source: Forbes
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have 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. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
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Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Virgin Hotels 'at least two years away' - 1st February 2011
Sir Richard Branson has said that his much-anticipated new hotel brand Virgin Hotels is still two years away from launching.
According to reports in US media, he told the American Lodging and Investment Summit that finding sites for the new hotel chain wasn't proving easy, although he did confirm a few places where travelers will be able to enjoy Virgin's almost-legendary hospitality.
San Diego and Washington DC are likely candidates, and Branson also announced that one of the the first sites will be in New Mexico, overlooking the spaceport which will send his Virgin Galactic tourist flights into space.
He also told conference attendees that each hotel will be different, saying that putting a Virgin stamp on the hotels wasn't enough and that the goal was to be the "funnest" hotel for guests to go to.
Fans of the outlandish British billionaire who are disappointed by the wait can take solace in exciting new hotels from America's favorite businessman Donald Trump, scheduled for the not-too-distant future.
The luxury hotel brand is set to open its first properties outside of the US in the coming months - the Trump Ocean Club Panama and the Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto are both expected in the spring.
The hotels, which will be added to the five-star portfolio of properties in New York, Las Vegas and Chicago, are built to the exacting standards of Donald and his daughter Ivanka and are both record breakers - the Panama property is the tallest and largest building in Latin America and the Toronto hotel the tallest residential building in Canada.
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According to reports in US media, he told the American Lodging and Investment Summit that finding sites for the new hotel chain wasn't proving easy, although he did confirm a few places where travelers will be able to enjoy Virgin's almost-legendary hospitality.
San Diego and Washington DC are likely candidates, and Branson also announced that one of the the first sites will be in New Mexico, overlooking the spaceport which will send his Virgin Galactic tourist flights into space.
He also told conference attendees that each hotel will be different, saying that putting a Virgin stamp on the hotels wasn't enough and that the goal was to be the "funnest" hotel for guests to go to.
Fans of the outlandish British billionaire who are disappointed by the wait can take solace in exciting new hotels from America's favorite businessman Donald Trump, scheduled for the not-too-distant future.
The luxury hotel brand is set to open its first properties outside of the US in the coming months - the Trump Ocean Club Panama and the Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto are both expected in the spring.
The hotels, which will be added to the five-star portfolio of properties in New York, Las Vegas and Chicago, are built to the exacting standards of Donald and his daughter Ivanka and are both record breakers - the Panama property is the tallest and largest building in Latin America and the Toronto hotel the tallest residential building in Canada.
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
Friday, February 4, 2011
Real Life Underbelly NRL Style, by Greg Tingle - 5th February 2011
G'day punters, journos, sports nuts, high rollers - casino whales, gambling millionaires and billionaires, media tycoons, politicians, insiders, outsiders, law enforcement agencies, legal eagles ... one and all. You know who you are. This is Real Life Underbelly - NRL style!... Media Man and Gambling911 go beneath the underbelly of Australia's National Rugby League, where the real news is...
Australian Police Swoop On NRL Bet Scandal; Blow By Blow Account...
It's goes like this...early Tuesday, coppers with search warrants, hone in simultaneously on the shacks of Doggies star play Ryan Tandy, player agent big wig Sam Ayoub and former NRL great John Elias. Tandy is in bed at eastern suburbs Bronte. Ayoub is getting ready to go to work in the Strathfield home he shares with former Roosters and now Parramatta Eels player Brad Murray. Elias, who recently penned a tale about his involvement in various crimes and time in the clink, lives with mum at Punchbowl in Sydney's south west. Police search for any breakthrough evidence in the NRL betting scandal from the highly suspicious Cowboys-Bulldogs game late last season. Officers raid the homes, confiscate mobile phones, search cars, seize computers... you get the idea.. Ayoub quizzed by the press over the past few days refuses comment, having denied any illegal activity. Yep, he's a cleanskin. "I don't know who is telling you things," Ayoub said. "I'm with people...I've got to go," he added, before hanging up. Ayoub is Tandy's manager, the player who gave away the controversial penalty which sparked the Racing NSW stewards inquiry that was later passed over to police. Ayoub, who shares a house with Murray, was captured on CCTV footage placing substantial wagers on the option of Cowboys scoring first points from a penalty goal. Ayoub has confirmed he placed a bet on a Cowboys penalty goal as the first score but says it's an option he often takes when gambling on NRL games. Elias said he was shocked when police knocked on his door, although he was aware of the rumours that he bet heavily on the game in question and the penalty goal option under investigation. "Is there now a law against having a bet?" Elias said. "I have done absolutely nothing wrong. People know I like to have a bet on the footy, but so do a lot of other fans." News Limited understands police showed Elias photos of a punter placing bets at the Rozelle and Haberfield TAB outlets and asked if it was him. He confirmed it in fact was. The raids follow over 4 months of investigations by coppers, involving interviews with dozens of NRL players, officials and managers. A massive amount of resources are being throw at the case. It's a secret what cops found in the search. The dees confirmed they seized relevant documentation and mobile phones, while one leak be prepared for more to come out at the Crime Commission this week." Ayoub, Murray and Tandy all appeared before the NSW Crime Commission within the last week before dees raided their homes. No findings of wrongdoing were made against them. Tandy was recalled and later charged for allegedly providing false evidence to a law enforcement agency during an investigation. At a presser later, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis claimed the information Tandy provided to police was far more serious than "a white lie". "This is the type of lie that carries very serious ramifications," he alleged. He refused to comment on how many other players would be charged in relation to the investigation. "It's not a game - this is real life, and police will continue with their investigations in an endeavour to uncover the truth and ensure justice is done," Katsogiannis said. "Detectives will continue to use every available resource to uncover the truth and complete their investigation. "If anyone has been involved with, or has information about criminal activity regarding betting allegations, we urge them to come forward and assist police while they have the opportunity."
Players And Agents Part Of Real Life Underbelly?...
An underworld type has been seriously implicated in the NRL's latest scandal. Police investigating match-fixing claims executed search warrants at a Punchbowl home early on Tuesday morning. In the home lives mum Susan, John Elias, 3 times a jailbird and a self-confessed match fixer, race rigger and stand-over man, whose knows the who is who of the underworld. In the 80s and 90's Elias was a huge star. When not playing footy he would sometimes engage in robberies and other criminal behavior. He had very close ties to crime figure Danny Karam. Karam was murdered by gunshot in 1998 by his partner Michael "Doc" Kanaan. Elias's "Kings Cross family" is understood to be headed by friend John Ibrahim. "'John is now arguably the most influential man of his kind in Sydney, a Lebanese immigrant like myself but with infinitely more connections" wrote Elias in his autobiography Sin Bin, which hit the shelves in 2010. When in jail he got to build more connections with crims, as you would expect, even with murderer and drug trafficker Neddy Smith. Smith, was a key part of the puzzle that saw Elias put $1 million with illegal bookies on the infamous game between Wests and Elias's then-team Souths circa 1994. Smith gave Elias money to pay 4 Souths players $25,000 each to play poorly, while 4 Wests players were bucks to play their guts out! That was that the the games' outcome almost a lock. Elias placed $1 million with illegal bookies on Wests to win. The fix had some similarities to the alleged Cowboys-Bulldogs case of last year, where there was a plunge for the Cowboys to score first by way of a penalty goal. In both cases, it was the pre-game betting that set of the warning a fix might be up. Due to the 1994 plunge, the media speculated a fix was on.
The fix was called off at the last moment the story goes, but not all are totally convinced. "While there's no such thing as a certainty in gambling, there were ways to stack the odds in your favour," writes Elias in his book. While betting scams were one thing, his also loved putting the fix on the trots. "So where do I go from here?" pens Elias in his book. "Now that you know my life's story, I'm hoping you can be the judge.". The tainted anti hero is expect to get strong book sales and numerous media opportunities, but not all will be positive, however some will be balanced. He will be back in the news.
NRL In Bed With Gambling; A Safe Bet Or Not?...
Ryan Tandy's recent arrest is the closest anyone, player, agent or other, has come to being charged following an investigation into betting on the NRL. Despite criticism of the growing ties with the NRL and its clubs have with bookies via betting and sponsorship, it is those lines of communication that helped NSW chief racing steward Ray Murrihy decide that the matter should be handed over to the coppers, our friend - the Boys In Blue. The NRL insists that betting agencies associated with the game sign agreements that insist on co-operation. It was those integrity agreements that Murrihy, who was called in by the NRL as a consultant, was able to work out the level of betting activity on the first scoring option in last August's Cowboys-Bulldogs match at Dairy Farmers Stadium, and where the wagers were placed. He then decided there was enough solid evidence to warrant the involvement of the NSW Police Casino and Racing Unit, which then organised hearings before the New South Wales Crime Commission. Recent developments such as Penrith renaming their home ground to CentreBet Stadium, Manly entering a sponsorship agreement with CentreBet, and South Sydney wearing the Star City casino logo on the front of their jersey have lifted concerns about the growing involvement of gambling firms in the footy. Crown Casino is now confirmed as the Melbourne Storm's new major sponsor. Gambling on sport is big business, in Australia and around the globe, and punters will bet money on matches regardless of whether the NRL and clubs are officially involved or not. The game wants to profit, which is fair enough, as betting on sport, events and such is hear to stay, well entrenched in Australian culture. Let it be known to all...the police charges against the Doggies front-rower for giving false evidence. They are not directly related to the betting on the game as such, but often where there is smoke, there is fire. The probe has also revealed that Parramatta halfback Brad Murray placed a bet on the Cowboys-Bulldogs game, which is contrary to NRL rules and likely to lead to sanctions against Murray...although there is no suggestion he did anything illegal. Back in 1994, the game was subjected to similar rumours and allegations, involving players from the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Magpies that were never conclusively probed. Tainted ex footy NRL legend ... the anti hero - Elias surged up the best-sellers with his book in which goes on to tell how he had tried to fix a match, the last of the season. Elias, who was playing for The Bunnies at the time, claimed to have been offered $50,000 for himself and another $100,000 to buy off teammates to ensure Wests won. He explained in detail how he organised the sting, and then called it the evening before the game. Four Souths players including Sinclair, who passed away last year sued for defamation. There have been rumours and allegations of other betting rorts in between but no wrongdoing has ever been proved. Betting and the NRL is a curious mix, but is it a case of better the devil you know, than the one you don't? If the NRL teams do deals with the gaming and betting sector, one would think they can better keep a finger on the pulse of the situation, but would they be fooling themselves? Time will tell... maybe!
Don't change your dial punters. We will be back soon with more of the saga that is Real Life Underbelly NRL style.
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have 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. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
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
Australian Police Swoop On NRL Bet Scandal; Blow By Blow Account...
It's goes like this...early Tuesday, coppers with search warrants, hone in simultaneously on the shacks of Doggies star play Ryan Tandy, player agent big wig Sam Ayoub and former NRL great John Elias. Tandy is in bed at eastern suburbs Bronte. Ayoub is getting ready to go to work in the Strathfield home he shares with former Roosters and now Parramatta Eels player Brad Murray. Elias, who recently penned a tale about his involvement in various crimes and time in the clink, lives with mum at Punchbowl in Sydney's south west. Police search for any breakthrough evidence in the NRL betting scandal from the highly suspicious Cowboys-Bulldogs game late last season. Officers raid the homes, confiscate mobile phones, search cars, seize computers... you get the idea.. Ayoub quizzed by the press over the past few days refuses comment, having denied any illegal activity. Yep, he's a cleanskin. "I don't know who is telling you things," Ayoub said. "I'm with people...I've got to go," he added, before hanging up. Ayoub is Tandy's manager, the player who gave away the controversial penalty which sparked the Racing NSW stewards inquiry that was later passed over to police. Ayoub, who shares a house with Murray, was captured on CCTV footage placing substantial wagers on the option of Cowboys scoring first points from a penalty goal. Ayoub has confirmed he placed a bet on a Cowboys penalty goal as the first score but says it's an option he often takes when gambling on NRL games. Elias said he was shocked when police knocked on his door, although he was aware of the rumours that he bet heavily on the game in question and the penalty goal option under investigation. "Is there now a law against having a bet?" Elias said. "I have done absolutely nothing wrong. People know I like to have a bet on the footy, but so do a lot of other fans." News Limited understands police showed Elias photos of a punter placing bets at the Rozelle and Haberfield TAB outlets and asked if it was him. He confirmed it in fact was. The raids follow over 4 months of investigations by coppers, involving interviews with dozens of NRL players, officials and managers. A massive amount of resources are being throw at the case. It's a secret what cops found in the search. The dees confirmed they seized relevant documentation and mobile phones, while one leak be prepared for more to come out at the Crime Commission this week." Ayoub, Murray and Tandy all appeared before the NSW Crime Commission within the last week before dees raided their homes. No findings of wrongdoing were made against them. Tandy was recalled and later charged for allegedly providing false evidence to a law enforcement agency during an investigation. At a presser later, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis claimed the information Tandy provided to police was far more serious than "a white lie". "This is the type of lie that carries very serious ramifications," he alleged. He refused to comment on how many other players would be charged in relation to the investigation. "It's not a game - this is real life, and police will continue with their investigations in an endeavour to uncover the truth and ensure justice is done," Katsogiannis said. "Detectives will continue to use every available resource to uncover the truth and complete their investigation. "If anyone has been involved with, or has information about criminal activity regarding betting allegations, we urge them to come forward and assist police while they have the opportunity."
Players And Agents Part Of Real Life Underbelly?...
An underworld type has been seriously implicated in the NRL's latest scandal. Police investigating match-fixing claims executed search warrants at a Punchbowl home early on Tuesday morning. In the home lives mum Susan, John Elias, 3 times a jailbird and a self-confessed match fixer, race rigger and stand-over man, whose knows the who is who of the underworld. In the 80s and 90's Elias was a huge star. When not playing footy he would sometimes engage in robberies and other criminal behavior. He had very close ties to crime figure Danny Karam. Karam was murdered by gunshot in 1998 by his partner Michael "Doc" Kanaan. Elias's "Kings Cross family" is understood to be headed by friend John Ibrahim. "'John is now arguably the most influential man of his kind in Sydney, a Lebanese immigrant like myself but with infinitely more connections" wrote Elias in his autobiography Sin Bin, which hit the shelves in 2010. When in jail he got to build more connections with crims, as you would expect, even with murderer and drug trafficker Neddy Smith. Smith, was a key part of the puzzle that saw Elias put $1 million with illegal bookies on the infamous game between Wests and Elias's then-team Souths circa 1994. Smith gave Elias money to pay 4 Souths players $25,000 each to play poorly, while 4 Wests players were bucks to play their guts out! That was that the the games' outcome almost a lock. Elias placed $1 million with illegal bookies on Wests to win. The fix had some similarities to the alleged Cowboys-Bulldogs case of last year, where there was a plunge for the Cowboys to score first by way of a penalty goal. In both cases, it was the pre-game betting that set of the warning a fix might be up. Due to the 1994 plunge, the media speculated a fix was on.
The fix was called off at the last moment the story goes, but not all are totally convinced. "While there's no such thing as a certainty in gambling, there were ways to stack the odds in your favour," writes Elias in his book. While betting scams were one thing, his also loved putting the fix on the trots. "So where do I go from here?" pens Elias in his book. "Now that you know my life's story, I'm hoping you can be the judge.". The tainted anti hero is expect to get strong book sales and numerous media opportunities, but not all will be positive, however some will be balanced. He will be back in the news.
NRL In Bed With Gambling; A Safe Bet Or Not?...
Ryan Tandy's recent arrest is the closest anyone, player, agent or other, has come to being charged following an investigation into betting on the NRL. Despite criticism of the growing ties with the NRL and its clubs have with bookies via betting and sponsorship, it is those lines of communication that helped NSW chief racing steward Ray Murrihy decide that the matter should be handed over to the coppers, our friend - the Boys In Blue. The NRL insists that betting agencies associated with the game sign agreements that insist on co-operation. It was those integrity agreements that Murrihy, who was called in by the NRL as a consultant, was able to work out the level of betting activity on the first scoring option in last August's Cowboys-Bulldogs match at Dairy Farmers Stadium, and where the wagers were placed. He then decided there was enough solid evidence to warrant the involvement of the NSW Police Casino and Racing Unit, which then organised hearings before the New South Wales Crime Commission. Recent developments such as Penrith renaming their home ground to CentreBet Stadium, Manly entering a sponsorship agreement with CentreBet, and South Sydney wearing the Star City casino logo on the front of their jersey have lifted concerns about the growing involvement of gambling firms in the footy. Crown Casino is now confirmed as the Melbourne Storm's new major sponsor. Gambling on sport is big business, in Australia and around the globe, and punters will bet money on matches regardless of whether the NRL and clubs are officially involved or not. The game wants to profit, which is fair enough, as betting on sport, events and such is hear to stay, well entrenched in Australian culture. Let it be known to all...the police charges against the Doggies front-rower for giving false evidence. They are not directly related to the betting on the game as such, but often where there is smoke, there is fire. The probe has also revealed that Parramatta halfback Brad Murray placed a bet on the Cowboys-Bulldogs game, which is contrary to NRL rules and likely to lead to sanctions against Murray...although there is no suggestion he did anything illegal. Back in 1994, the game was subjected to similar rumours and allegations, involving players from the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Magpies that were never conclusively probed. Tainted ex footy NRL legend ... the anti hero - Elias surged up the best-sellers with his book in which goes on to tell how he had tried to fix a match, the last of the season. Elias, who was playing for The Bunnies at the time, claimed to have been offered $50,000 for himself and another $100,000 to buy off teammates to ensure Wests won. He explained in detail how he organised the sting, and then called it the evening before the game. Four Souths players including Sinclair, who passed away last year sued for defamation. There have been rumours and allegations of other betting rorts in between but no wrongdoing has ever been proved. Betting and the NRL is a curious mix, but is it a case of better the devil you know, than the one you don't? If the NRL teams do deals with the gaming and betting sector, one would think they can better keep a finger on the pulse of the situation, but would they be fooling themselves? Time will tell... maybe!
Don't change your dial punters. We will be back soon with more of the saga that is Real Life Underbelly NRL style.
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have 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. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
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
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Aussie Gambling News: Australia's Tabcorp Revenue Leaks From Flood, by Greg Tingle - 4th February 2011
G'day punters, journos, high rollers - casino whales, gambling millionaires and billionaires, entertainment news junkies, media tycoons, politicians, insiders, outsiders, ... one and all. You know who you are. Today we take a close look at how the Queensland floods put a hole in Tabcorp's revenue, Aussie sports betting reform, Packer's boat floating off Manly getting some heat and lots more. Media Man and Gambling911 play Water World with this wet wet wet news report...
Queensland Floods Cost Tabcorp Millions In Lost Revenue...
Gaming, betting and gabling firm Tabcorp Holdings Ltd advised the recent floods on the east coast of Australia in January have wiped $10 million from revenue. Tabcorp is still expecting to see revenue and earnings growth in the second half of 2010-11. Tabcorp posted a 2.9% lift in first half profit to $265.5 million, up from $257.9 million in the prior corresponding window. Tabcorp said its normalised net profit for the half year was $272 million, up 3% on the prior corresponding half. Normalised net profit takes into account variations in the "theoretical win rate" against high-rolling punters. It excludes costs associated with Tabcorp's plans to demerge its casinos division from its other operations to form 2 listed companies. Shares in Tabcorp were 22 cents higher, by 3.19%, at $7.12 (10.24am on Thursday). Tabcorp chief executive Elmer Funke Kupper advised that each of the company's 3 operating divisions was forecasting an lift in revenue and earnings performance in the second half of the financial year. "The recent floods put some uncertainty in the immediate outlook for consumer spending in Queensland. Nevertheless, we are expecting to see positive underlying growth in the second half of the year. This gives us confidence that we are on the right path with our investment programs", Funke Kupper went on record with. Tabcorp noted the recent Queensland floods had affected trading at its Treasury casino and hotel in Brisbane, with a large dive in visitors during the floods and immediately afterwards. Tabcorp's other casinos experienced a small impact and operated normally, with Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast and Star City in 'Sin City' Sydney continuing on with the momentum. Wet weather in Queensland, NSW and Victoria also affected Tabcorp's wagering business as the number of abandoned horse and dog races rose. Tabcorp estimated that the immediate revenue impact of the January floods and wet weather was about $10 million. Despite the floods, normalised group revenues grew 2.5% in January 2011, which Tabcorp said indicated good underlying growth. Tabcorp said that in the first half, all 3 business divisions achieved positive revenue and earnings growth, with the strongest growth recorded in casinos. Group expenses rose 4.6%, driven by costs associated with Tabcorp's massive upgrade and expansion of its casinos. The $960 million redevelopment of Star City in Sydney was said to be progressing to plan. In the first half, Tabcorp announced that it intended to invest $625 million in upgrading its Queensland casinos. Tabcorp said plans to separate its casinos business from its wagering, gaming and keno businesses into separate, listed companies were on track. The target date for the proposed demerger remained June 30, 2011. Tabcorp plans to have a "scheme booklet" available during April 2011, and to hold an extraordinary general meeting in the late part of May or early June to allow shareholders to vote on the demerger proposal. Tabcorp's revenue for the 6 months to December 31, 2010 was $2.26 billion, up 3.5% from $2.18 billion. Tabcorp declared an interim dividend of 24 cents per share, fully franked. Tabcorp looks poised for a solid to good 12 months. James Packer's Crown Limited has recently downplayed talk of a potential buy out of Tabcorp, but didn't completely rule it out either.
James Packer's Z Sydney Whale Size Yacht Gets's Shelly Beach Locals Talking...
Asia Pacific gambling and media tycoon James Packer had folks talking this week with his monster yacht, Z Sydney, anchored off Shelly Beach. While Packer’s luxury boat might seem large for Cabbage Tree Bay, it’s just one of many similar boats that have been seen on Pittwater, behind Sydney's Northern Beaches over summer. Broken Bay water police commander senior sergeant Chris Morgan said the larger boats were self-contained and rarely caused any problems. "Packer’s boat is big but there are plenty of other big ones," he said. Palm Beach water taxi driver Brad Fogarty said there were "plenty of big boats" between Christmas and New Year. "I think Ilonka was the biggest, but so was Northern Star, which had a chopper on the back and five or six tenders," he said. What a life a big time gambling and media business can bring hey.
Australia Just Weeks Away From Combating Illegal Sports Betting Corruption?...
The top brass of the down unders lucky 7 major sports could be only weeks away from approving a raft of measures designed to combat the stench of illegal gambling. Former Australian cricket chief Malcolm Speed is in the final stages of compiling a report into how the Coalition of Major Professional Participation Sports (COMPPS)...which represents rugby league, rugby union, AFL, netball, tennis, football and cricket...can combat corruption. We understand the codes have scrapped plans to form an integrity commission but are focused on convincing the federal government to bring in laws to cater specifically for illegal gambling on sport. The latest developments come as the NRL endures yet more negative headlines relating to suspicious betting activity on last year's round 24 game between the Bulldogs and North Queensland. Bulldogs forward Ryan Tandy was arrested and charged 2 days ago after allegedly providing false evidence to a law enforcement agency in relation to the matter. Tandy, at the centre of police probes into the game, has denied any wrongdoing. Police declined to comment on the prospect of further arrests in coming days, although they did confirm their investigation into the suspect game could be completed by the end of this month. Speed provided a draft document to a working group of the 7 major sports which was discussed at length via meetings over the past 2 days. He took note of their feedback and fully expects to finalise his recommendations within 2 weeks. "We have now reached a stage where a number of changes have been suggested," Speed said. "Most of the issues are resolved but there are a couple that have not quite been resolved. It will now go from that working party to the seven chief executives of the sports. There are some recommendations on some action the sports should take to make sure so far as possible they have covered all of the options in relation to gambling and corruption." While there were suggestions the sports would join forces to form an integrity commission designed to track and watch out for suspicious gambling activity, it is understood that concept has gone by the wayside. However, the sports are in agreement over the need for sports-specific legislation which would allow governments to take action against anyone involved in illegal activity. "It's important that each sport has its own processes to deal with anti-corruption," Speed said. "What's become apparent is there are some things we can do together that are cost-effective and more effective by doing them together. They're the sort of things we'll be recommending to the chief executives." The sports have already held talks with federal Sports Minister Mark Arbib to discuss the subject of jail sentences for athletes in relation to match fixing. The concept has already been adopted in Britain where athletes face jail sentences for corruption. We tip that some current and former players and players agents will do jail time, by the time the proposals become law.
A Media Man spokesperson said "On the surface the new proposal containing ways to combat corruption looks impress. Something needed to be done, and this looks to be it. Some laws will be more general, while some are sport specific. That approach will help catch out the bad apples. Many of our friends and associates are excited and positive about the forecast changes. Everyone should win... except for the bad guys who have been engaged in corruption. Here's to a much cleaner Australian sporting landscape in 2011".
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games and sports before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
Keep your head above water!
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have 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. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
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
Queensland Floods Cost Tabcorp Millions In Lost Revenue...
Gaming, betting and gabling firm Tabcorp Holdings Ltd advised the recent floods on the east coast of Australia in January have wiped $10 million from revenue. Tabcorp is still expecting to see revenue and earnings growth in the second half of 2010-11. Tabcorp posted a 2.9% lift in first half profit to $265.5 million, up from $257.9 million in the prior corresponding window. Tabcorp said its normalised net profit for the half year was $272 million, up 3% on the prior corresponding half. Normalised net profit takes into account variations in the "theoretical win rate" against high-rolling punters. It excludes costs associated with Tabcorp's plans to demerge its casinos division from its other operations to form 2 listed companies. Shares in Tabcorp were 22 cents higher, by 3.19%, at $7.12 (10.24am on Thursday). Tabcorp chief executive Elmer Funke Kupper advised that each of the company's 3 operating divisions was forecasting an lift in revenue and earnings performance in the second half of the financial year. "The recent floods put some uncertainty in the immediate outlook for consumer spending in Queensland. Nevertheless, we are expecting to see positive underlying growth in the second half of the year. This gives us confidence that we are on the right path with our investment programs", Funke Kupper went on record with. Tabcorp noted the recent Queensland floods had affected trading at its Treasury casino and hotel in Brisbane, with a large dive in visitors during the floods and immediately afterwards. Tabcorp's other casinos experienced a small impact and operated normally, with Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast and Star City in 'Sin City' Sydney continuing on with the momentum. Wet weather in Queensland, NSW and Victoria also affected Tabcorp's wagering business as the number of abandoned horse and dog races rose. Tabcorp estimated that the immediate revenue impact of the January floods and wet weather was about $10 million. Despite the floods, normalised group revenues grew 2.5% in January 2011, which Tabcorp said indicated good underlying growth. Tabcorp said that in the first half, all 3 business divisions achieved positive revenue and earnings growth, with the strongest growth recorded in casinos. Group expenses rose 4.6%, driven by costs associated with Tabcorp's massive upgrade and expansion of its casinos. The $960 million redevelopment of Star City in Sydney was said to be progressing to plan. In the first half, Tabcorp announced that it intended to invest $625 million in upgrading its Queensland casinos. Tabcorp said plans to separate its casinos business from its wagering, gaming and keno businesses into separate, listed companies were on track. The target date for the proposed demerger remained June 30, 2011. Tabcorp plans to have a "scheme booklet" available during April 2011, and to hold an extraordinary general meeting in the late part of May or early June to allow shareholders to vote on the demerger proposal. Tabcorp's revenue for the 6 months to December 31, 2010 was $2.26 billion, up 3.5% from $2.18 billion. Tabcorp declared an interim dividend of 24 cents per share, fully franked. Tabcorp looks poised for a solid to good 12 months. James Packer's Crown Limited has recently downplayed talk of a potential buy out of Tabcorp, but didn't completely rule it out either.
James Packer's Z Sydney Whale Size Yacht Gets's Shelly Beach Locals Talking...
Asia Pacific gambling and media tycoon James Packer had folks talking this week with his monster yacht, Z Sydney, anchored off Shelly Beach. While Packer’s luxury boat might seem large for Cabbage Tree Bay, it’s just one of many similar boats that have been seen on Pittwater, behind Sydney's Northern Beaches over summer. Broken Bay water police commander senior sergeant Chris Morgan said the larger boats were self-contained and rarely caused any problems. "Packer’s boat is big but there are plenty of other big ones," he said. Palm Beach water taxi driver Brad Fogarty said there were "plenty of big boats" between Christmas and New Year. "I think Ilonka was the biggest, but so was Northern Star, which had a chopper on the back and five or six tenders," he said. What a life a big time gambling and media business can bring hey.
Australia Just Weeks Away From Combating Illegal Sports Betting Corruption?...
The top brass of the down unders lucky 7 major sports could be only weeks away from approving a raft of measures designed to combat the stench of illegal gambling. Former Australian cricket chief Malcolm Speed is in the final stages of compiling a report into how the Coalition of Major Professional Participation Sports (COMPPS)...which represents rugby league, rugby union, AFL, netball, tennis, football and cricket...can combat corruption. We understand the codes have scrapped plans to form an integrity commission but are focused on convincing the federal government to bring in laws to cater specifically for illegal gambling on sport. The latest developments come as the NRL endures yet more negative headlines relating to suspicious betting activity on last year's round 24 game between the Bulldogs and North Queensland. Bulldogs forward Ryan Tandy was arrested and charged 2 days ago after allegedly providing false evidence to a law enforcement agency in relation to the matter. Tandy, at the centre of police probes into the game, has denied any wrongdoing. Police declined to comment on the prospect of further arrests in coming days, although they did confirm their investigation into the suspect game could be completed by the end of this month. Speed provided a draft document to a working group of the 7 major sports which was discussed at length via meetings over the past 2 days. He took note of their feedback and fully expects to finalise his recommendations within 2 weeks. "We have now reached a stage where a number of changes have been suggested," Speed said. "Most of the issues are resolved but there are a couple that have not quite been resolved. It will now go from that working party to the seven chief executives of the sports. There are some recommendations on some action the sports should take to make sure so far as possible they have covered all of the options in relation to gambling and corruption." While there were suggestions the sports would join forces to form an integrity commission designed to track and watch out for suspicious gambling activity, it is understood that concept has gone by the wayside. However, the sports are in agreement over the need for sports-specific legislation which would allow governments to take action against anyone involved in illegal activity. "It's important that each sport has its own processes to deal with anti-corruption," Speed said. "What's become apparent is there are some things we can do together that are cost-effective and more effective by doing them together. They're the sort of things we'll be recommending to the chief executives." The sports have already held talks with federal Sports Minister Mark Arbib to discuss the subject of jail sentences for athletes in relation to match fixing. The concept has already been adopted in Britain where athletes face jail sentences for corruption. We tip that some current and former players and players agents will do jail time, by the time the proposals become law.
A Media Man spokesperson said "On the surface the new proposal containing ways to combat corruption looks impress. Something needed to be done, and this looks to be it. Some laws will be more general, while some are sport specific. That approach will help catch out the bad apples. Many of our friends and associates are excited and positive about the forecast changes. Everyone should win... except for the bad guys who have been engaged in corruption. Here's to a much cleaner Australian sporting landscape in 2011".
Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...
Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...
PartyCasino.com
Captain Cooks Casino
Betfair (sports betting only)
PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)
PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)
Profiles
Australian Casinos
World Casino Directory
Global Gaming Directory
Casino Travel
Casinos
Australia
Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:
Take the time to research and learn games and sports before placing down money
Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.
Keep your head above water!
If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have 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. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered
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
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