Season's Greetings punters, entertainment news junkies, one and all. Today we have a look at the latest from Aussiewood and Hollywood powerhouses James Bond, with a Bondi Beach twist, Marvel Entertainment (go Wolverine)..we love you Hugh, Spider-Man, Underbelly and more.. Media Man and Gambling911 with your celebrity and entertainment news fix, just in time for the New Year. Ho Ho Ho!...
MGM Emerging from Bankruptcy; Wants To Produce James Bond 23...
MGM Studios is emerging from bankruptcy with a $500 million line of credit, and its first Xmas wish is to produce James Bond #23, rumoured to be directed by Sam Mendes and starring Daniel Craig (again), despite many leaks saying that means it will be a gay Bond (for real), if you follow.
The James Bond franchise has long been a fav of casino and gambling lovers, with Casino Royale being the top pick for most punters.
MGM Studios has been going through the wars as of late, with the filing of bankruptcy hanging around their neck. Their massive financial troubles led to the delay of not only The Hobbit, directed by New Zealander Peter Jackson, but also James Bond 23 starring the Daniel Craig.
The studio just underwent a giant restructuring and was able to acquire $500 million worth of credit from financial powerhouse JP Morgan, a good lot of which will likely be spent on the sequel to Quantum of Solace. MGM is expected to partner with Sony for co-financing, as it has done a few times previously with Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.
Bond fans, did you know that 2012 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. No (1962), the very first James Bond movie ever, which makes it bloody good timing to release a new Bond movie. The studio will be attempting to secure and shore up its cast, director, and screenplay for the new movie in very short order.
The studio had previously announced that Peter Morgan, and frequent Bond collaborators Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, would be penning a draft of Bond 23. Purvis and Wade have worked on every James Bond flick since The World Is Not Enough, and that includes Die Another Day, Casino Royale, and Quantum of Solace - the last two of which were rewritten, to some extent, by Paul Haggis.
Rumors have been flying for months have indicated that Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road) is leading the pack to direct the new movie. Now, Mendes is not a filmmaker known for his action style skills. He did however direct Road to Perdition, co-starring none other than Daniel Craig.
As of press, James Bond will not be film in 3D. Oh, did we mention Media Man is the agent and manager for John Seru who played bad guy Gabor in Bond's 'The World Is Not Enough'. In Nine's 'Underbelly' Seru placed Kiwi Steve in the following episodes:
Alpha and Omega, The Good Lieutenant, Hurt on Duty (2010), Saving Face and Women in Uniform.
MGM is still technically under bankruptcy protection for a couple more months.
Marvel Entertainment's The Avengers: New Mexico Connection...
Marvel Entertainment's biggest film project of all time is is now New Mexico’s biggest film production ever as 'The Avengers' confirms its 2011 shooting locations.
Thor not only hits off the summer movie season of 2011, but it sets up events that will culminate in the Marvel superhero team-up epic, The Avengers, the following year. With story elements of Thor taking place in New Mexico, and the production shooting in Santa Fe and Galisteo, it’s of little surprise to see Marvel Studios returning once again for their biggest project ever.
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Marvel Studios officially announced the agreement making The Avengers the single largest film production in the state’s history. The current schedule has Joss Whedon’s The Avengers shooting in New Mexico between April and September of next year, using both Albuquerque Studios and of course, the beautiful and vast surrounding locations that so many other major Hollywood flicks have used.
The Avengers also is set to shoot action in Michigan and New York but production will primarily take place in New Mexico’s largest city Albuquerque.
Governor Richardson talks to local economic benefits to New Mexico: "In addition to being our biggest production to date, The Avengers will be the most technologically advanced and will provide cutting-edge training opportunities for our crew… I’m announcing this as a Christmas present of sorts to the people of New Mexico. This is a perfect example of the incredible job creation, economic impact and global visibility this industry has brought our state over the past eight years, and of the need to keep it moving forward."
So Marvel heroes fans, be looking out for Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Clark Gregg and Samuel L. Jackson.
Thor opens May 5, 2011; The First Avenger: Captain America hits July 22, 2011 and The Avengers is scheduled to debut May 4, 2012.
Spider-Man: Broadway No Match For Movie; Spidy Fans Disappointed; Would Rather Play Spider-Man Games And Play Dress Up...
The new and much talked about Spider-Man musical has another problem stuck in its web. Sick to death of waiting for the problemetic Broadway show to officially open, critics for two mainstream news companies released early and negative reviews of the $65 million musical, which won't officially open until February 7.
Writing for Bloomberg News, the influential financial news wire service, veteran critic John Simon slammed the show as "an unfocused hodge-podge of story-telling, myth-making and spectacle that comes up short in every department. A few good songs would help, in which department the show is sorely lacking," Simon wrote in the review late Sunday night. Like most rock stars, Bono and The Edge haven’t a clue about writing for the theatre."
The U2 legends wrote the score for the show, which was directed by Lion King helmer Julie Taymor.
Both Simon and Newsday's Linda Winer defended their premature reviews on the grounds that the show was charging full ticket prices in some cases more than $200 a seat for the performances, and that the opening date had been pushed back twice.
Winer called the show's infamous high-flying acrobatics "exciting and scary, in a circus way" but dismissed the second act as "weak."
Simon was also impressed with the flying scenes: "An hour of anticipation for about 90 seconds of exhilaration," he wrote.
Would you believe four actors have been injured during the show's rehearsals, including a horrible injury to lead aerialist Chris Tierney last week.
Critics almost never publish their reviews of productions before the official opening night. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark has pushed back its debut twice.
The New York Times said in a posting to its arts blog that it would not review the show until the official opening.
Media Man loves Marvel Entertainment, Spider-Man and U2, but this project does not sound good. Sorry guys.
Underbelly TV Movie Legal Problems...
Network Nine may be forced to shelve forever one of its Underbelly telemovies because of legal action in the state of New South Wales.
Tell Them Lucifer Was Here, the first of 3vtelemovies being made under the Underbelly Files title, tells the story of the 1998 murders of Victoria cops Rod Miller and Gary Silk.
After a probing investigation by the Lorimer Task Force, Bandali Debs and Jason Roberts were found guilty of the double murder in 2003. Debs was sentenced to life in prison, Roberts to 35 years.
The subject seemed relatively safe... for true crime. Reader may recall the first Underbelly could not be screened in Victoria.
However, anything that identifies "Debs" could be a bit no go zone in NSW.
On September 24, the Victorian Government Solicitor applied to the Melbourne Magistrates Court to have Debs transferred to a NSW prison for questioning over the death of a Sydney prostitute 15 years ago.
Debs's lawyer, Michael De Young, did not oppose the application, saying his client maintained his innocence and was confident of being acquitted and returned to Victoria.
New South Wales Police have been trying for 2 years to question Debs...also was convicted in 2007 of the 1997 murder of 18-year-old sex worker Kristy Harty...and reckon they have enough evidence to link him to the killing.
The transfer order was granted by the court, but Debs had 14 days to appeal the decision.
Channel Nine has 3 options: rush the Silk-Miller telemovie out before NSW police have laid any charges that might arise from the interview; release the telemovie in all states bar NSW if charges are laid; or hold off for a national release until any case has been heard.
Nine has has yet to comment on this matter.
Underbelly #4 To Hit Aussie TV...
A 4th Underbelly series to screen in 2011 promises to showcase the birth of organised crime in Australia.
Based in Sydney in the roaring 1920s, Underbelly Razor tells the story of the bloody battle between "vice queens" Tilly Devine and her rival Kate Leigh.
The Nine Network are calling it their most "ambitious and daring" Underbelly series yet.
It will be joined by 3 Underbelly telemovies - Tell Them Lucifer was Here, Infiltration and The Man Who Got Away...which were announced earlier in the year.
Aussie Poker Celeb King Shane Warnie Tag Team With Wolverine Hugh Jackman In Cricket Nets; Jackman Hit In Balls (Almost) In Lead Up To Boxing Day Ashes Test...
The tag team led the celebrity contingent to the Melbourne Cricket Group for the prestigious Boxing Day Test. 'Our Hugh' got hit in the balls by a Warnie spinner, so it seemed, but he had a cup on, perhaps taking safeguards, after getting hit in the eye with a foreign object at his Oprah Winfrey grand entrance via way of flying fox a couple of weeks ago. Wolverine Jackman joined other famous mugs in the crowd, including Opposition Leader Tony 'The Bruiser' Abbott and veteran English talk show king Sir Michael Parkinson aka 'Parkie'. Premier Ted Baillieu and wife Robyn also tagged along, as did Eddie "Everywhere" McGuire, Cathy Freeman and Molly Meldrum. In a smart and rather cunning move, just outside the MCG sports stars and entertainment biz celebs tag teamed a game of cricket which raised money for the McGrath Foundation. The foundation ambassador Lee Furlong joined ex-cricketers Justin Langer and Michael Slater, Glen Moriarty, Kris Smith and Guy Sebastian at the friendly game. Earlier, Shane Warne made one of his very first public appearances since the "Hurley-burley", acting as host for his fav Shane Warne Foundation's annual Boxing Day breakfast at Crown. Warne mate, James Packer, attended, along with wife Erica in a show of support. Singer Leo Sayer also entertained to an appreciative crowd that included Glenn Robbins, Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Aaron Hamill and Bill Brownless. A great day was had by all, as best we can tell.
Aussie Poker Celeb Shane Warne And UK Sort Liz Hurley: Come Down Under And Come In Spinner?...
Is Liz Hurley coming to Australia? Getting spotted at Heathrow Airport sent press into a frenzy and created munch speculation she will keep her date with Warnie. Friends of Hurley told the Pommie press she had dumped the cricket spin legend after learning he had sent more than 100 sexy text messages to another woman behind her back. Warnie is known for his ability to sent sexy texts that can get the right response. Now it appears Liz may have reconsidered after attempts to stop an imminent divorce and rekindle her relationship with husband Arun Nayar reportedly failed. During her public flirtation with the spinner on Twitter, Hurley wrote that she was keen to attend the January 3 "Pink Test," which supports the Jane McGrath Foundation. Talk about a play on words "Pink Test", got to love her form. Liz also told Warnie she would "definitely" make an appearance on his Channel Nine chat show if she made it to Sydney. Sources close to the Aussie spinner have said the cricketer was devastated after being apparently dropped by Hurley, having previously confided his desire to marry her. Both Hurley and Warne announced on Twitter that they had split from their respective partners shortly after spending 2 delightful, fun filled nights together at a luxury London hotel earlier this month and being papped kissing outside a restaurant. Warne was last week caught in the outfield sending erotic texts, including, "I want to see you riding me" to middle-aged Melbourne mum Adele Angeleri. In an apparent attempt to win Hurley back after the messages were published in the British tabloids he logged back on to Twitter to pen "No matter what anyone says if you know in your heart… who cares what people think / say !!!" Hurley was snatched in the airport mess at Heathrow, where snowy conditions caused widespread cancellations from Saturday, leaving over 100,000 punters stranded, having their patience tested. A fellow traveler said the swimwear model and well loved celeb babe "looked nervous" as she attempted to blend in with the crowd, wearing large sunglasses and dressing down. "She'd dressed down and it was clear she wanted to be left alone," the witness told The Sun. "She looked like a woman with a lot on her mind." Liz’s office refused to comment on her travel plans. Whatever the case, we wish Liz (and Warnie) well on any of their upcoming travel plans.
Betting For Aussies On TV And Film Success: Not Yet...
Many Australia's remain pissed that they are not able to bet on financial outcomes of upcoming TV shows and motion pictures. Passionate Aussies has been reading reports filed by Media Man and Gambling911 on Box Office betting exchanges, but none of the action has come to Australia, so us Aussies can't be on it. We're not sure any Yankees of Canooks got to bet on outcomes either. Sly, Arnie and Wall Street - when you read this, give us an update please. We want to bet on movie and TV outcomes. PartyGaming and Virgin were rumoured to have some interest in the concept, but nothing has eventuated from our probe as yet. Oh, if you want to see the way Hollywood used to work, do yourself a favor and rent or buy 'The Last Mogul', which told the career story of the late Lew Wasserman. Oh, we heard you want a review, so here it is mates...
The Last Mogul: The Life And Times Of Lew Wasserman...
For the second half of the 20th century, Lew Wasserman was without question the most powerful money man in show business, even if most people had no idea who he was. Born in Cleveland, OH, in 1913, Wasserman started out booking music gigs for mob-controlled clubs, and quickly became an agent for Music Corporation of America, which became the most lucrative music agency in America. Funny that. As Wasserman rose through the ranks at MCA, he established such innovative business practices as "packaging" talent i.e: booking hot acts and artists only in a package deal with other artists who were not as talented, to put it politely, and took the company into managing acting talent in Hollywood, where he re invented the film industry forever by negotiating a ground-breaking deal for James Stewart on the film Winchester '73, which reduced the actor's up-front salary in favor of a cut of the movie's profits, earning the actor a mint in the process. Under Wasserman's lead at MCA, the company took over Universal Pictures, established the studio's television branch and made it the most important production outlet in the business), created the hugely successful Universal City studio tours, and expanded MCA's recording branch into one of the biggest record companies in the world. Wasserman was also politically well connected. Ronald Reagan was one of his early clients when MCA want Hollywood), and was reputed to have some handy connections to organized crime. Wasserman was a secretive fellow who did not give interviews or commit anything to writing if it could be avoided, but he knew nearly everyone in show business. The Last Mogul: The Life and Times of Lew Wasserman is a documentary that through interviews with his friends and business associates beautifully showcases his remarkable career, from his childhood in Ohio to his death in 2002. Yep, there's mob ties and such, but hey, that's show business.
Awards...
Last month was a big month for casino awards also. Let's have a look...
PartyGaming's PartyCasino has also come back with seconds, picking up another Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award' for November, and also the parent company, PartyGaming, picked up the prestigious EGR Slots Operator Of The Year Award ...Some other top picks of ours who picked up awards at the EGR night of nights were:
Virgin Games (Affiliate Programme)
Betfair (Innovation, Mobile Operator and UK Sports Betting Operator)
Bwin (European Sports Betting Operator
PKR (Poker Operator)
Oh, we almost forgot...Media Man and Casino News Media 'Casino Babe Of The Month': Jenny Woo, 'Poker Babe': Kara Scott, 'Gambling Babe Personality': Pamela Anderson.
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Wrap Up...
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? What films and celebs take your liking? As Shane Warne says, 'How goo was that?!". Have you been naughty or nice? Did Santa give you what you had hoped for? What have you got planned for New Year's Eve? 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. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.
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Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
PartyGaming and bwin to Retain Brands Following Merger
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In recent days, PartyGaming and bwin announced merger plans to form a giant gambling group that could become effective toward the end of the first quarter of 2011. The merger, which had long been rumored before the companies signed an implementation agreement in July, is expected to create the world’s largest listed online gambling business.
The new company will operate worldwide with its existing brands under the name of bwin.party Digital Entertainment plc in which current bwin shareholders will hold a 51.6% stake, while current PartyGaming shareholders will hold 48.4%. Both bwin and PartyGaming will retain most of the core of their brands, but will be operated under the new umbrella company, which will be based in Gibraltar and listed on the London Stock Exchange. PartyGaming will keep its main headquarters in Gibraltar, while bwin will continue to operate from Austria.
The companies issued a 478-page document to shareholders on Thursday giving a detailed outline of the planned merger. Shareholders will vote on the merger at a joint annual general meeting on January 28th. Should the general meetings of both bwin and PartyGaming approve the merger, all shareholders holding bwin stock when the merger is effective will receive 12.23 PartyGaming shares denominated in GBP for each bwin share.
“The online gaming industry is going through a phase of consolidation, making market players’ size and geographic diversification more crucial than ever,” said Norbert Teufelberger, Co-CEO of bwin. “Our products and target markets complement one another perfectly, and we can continue to expand our technology lead in all key product segments: sports betting, poker, casino, bingo, and games.”
According to the document, the merger would create a business with unaudited net revenues of €696.2 million, unaudited clean EBITDA of €193.7 million, unaudited profit after tax of €99.4 million, and unaudited net assets of €1.27 billion after consolidation adjustments for the year 2009.
Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Office of Party Gaming, will join Teufelberger to become Co-Chief Executives of the merged company. Current bwin Co-Chief Executive Manfred Bodner will become a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the enlarged group. Said Ryan, “This is a transformational opportunity for both our companies to create the world’s largest listed online gaming business. With market-leading positions in poker, sports betting, casino, and games, the enlarged group will have a winning formula to exploit the growing online gaming market, supported by a strong balance sheet, significant cash flow generation, and a highly experienced management team.”
The merged company will continue to focus on business-to-consumer products, an area in which it enjoys considerable strength. However, because of the financial gains added through the merger, the company will also encroach into business-to-business and business-to-government endeavors. Teufelberger explained, “Our many years of online know-how, healthy balance sheet, and one of the largest pools of poker liquidity in any regulated market will make us an attractive business partner.”
There will also be focus on regulated and newly opened markets, as the company intends to make plans to enter the U.S. market if and when the current situation changes for the better. In 2006, bwin stopped taking bets from U.S. residents due to the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). PartyGaming, which operates the popular online poker room PartyPoker, followed shortly thereafter. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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In recent days, PartyGaming and bwin announced merger plans to form a giant gambling group that could become effective toward the end of the first quarter of 2011. The merger, which had long been rumored before the companies signed an implementation agreement in July, is expected to create the world’s largest listed online gambling business.
The new company will operate worldwide with its existing brands under the name of bwin.party Digital Entertainment plc in which current bwin shareholders will hold a 51.6% stake, while current PartyGaming shareholders will hold 48.4%. Both bwin and PartyGaming will retain most of the core of their brands, but will be operated under the new umbrella company, which will be based in Gibraltar and listed on the London Stock Exchange. PartyGaming will keep its main headquarters in Gibraltar, while bwin will continue to operate from Austria.
The companies issued a 478-page document to shareholders on Thursday giving a detailed outline of the planned merger. Shareholders will vote on the merger at a joint annual general meeting on January 28th. Should the general meetings of both bwin and PartyGaming approve the merger, all shareholders holding bwin stock when the merger is effective will receive 12.23 PartyGaming shares denominated in GBP for each bwin share.
“The online gaming industry is going through a phase of consolidation, making market players’ size and geographic diversification more crucial than ever,” said Norbert Teufelberger, Co-CEO of bwin. “Our products and target markets complement one another perfectly, and we can continue to expand our technology lead in all key product segments: sports betting, poker, casino, bingo, and games.”
According to the document, the merger would create a business with unaudited net revenues of €696.2 million, unaudited clean EBITDA of €193.7 million, unaudited profit after tax of €99.4 million, and unaudited net assets of €1.27 billion after consolidation adjustments for the year 2009.
Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Office of Party Gaming, will join Teufelberger to become Co-Chief Executives of the merged company. Current bwin Co-Chief Executive Manfred Bodner will become a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the enlarged group. Said Ryan, “This is a transformational opportunity for both our companies to create the world’s largest listed online gaming business. With market-leading positions in poker, sports betting, casino, and games, the enlarged group will have a winning formula to exploit the growing online gaming market, supported by a strong balance sheet, significant cash flow generation, and a highly experienced management team.”
The merged company will continue to focus on business-to-consumer products, an area in which it enjoys considerable strength. However, because of the financial gains added through the merger, the company will also encroach into business-to-business and business-to-government endeavors. Teufelberger explained, “Our many years of online know-how, healthy balance sheet, and one of the largest pools of poker liquidity in any regulated market will make us an attractive business partner.”
There will also be focus on regulated and newly opened markets, as the company intends to make plans to enter the U.S. market if and when the current situation changes for the better. In 2006, bwin stopped taking bets from U.S. residents due to the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). PartyGaming, which operates the popular online poker room PartyPoker, followed shortly thereafter. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Sunday, December 26, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
PartyGaming's casino keeps year on track, by Greg Tingle - 17th December 2010
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PartyGaming PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com Bwin PartyBingo.com World Poker Tour
Websites
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PartyGaming, the internet gambling firm that's merging with rival bwin, has traded in line with expectations during the fourth quarter, with a stronger casino business offsetting weakness in poker and bingo.
The company said trading since the end of September has been "solid" overall, thanks mainly to casino’s double-digit growth in average daily gross revenue versus the third quarter.
There was also growth at the poker business quarter on quarter, but the usual seasonal pickup has been "less pronounced" due to the euro’s strength against the dollar. Both bingo and sports are down on Q3.
But clean earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margins for 2010 remain in-line with previous guidance of 27-28%.
And the company is excited about the possibility of online gaming being regulated in the US both at the Federal and State level. If it goes through, the group is "well advanced" in talks with licensed companies in the US that could create "substantial" value.
"The proposed merger with bwin remains on-track to complete at the end of the first quarter and should place the combined group in a strong position to take advantage of the changing regulatory landscape in Europe given its leadership positions across all key product verticals," boss Jim Ryan said.
Press Release
PartyGaming Plc ("PartyGaming" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") Pre-Close Trading Update
Revenue overall has been in-line with expectations with a strong performance in casino mitigated by a softer seasonal performance in poker and bingo
Clean EBITDA margins for 2010 expected to be in-line with previous guidance
Prospective regulation in new markets offers exciting medium to long-term revenue potential that may require additional investment
Merger with bwin remains on track
Trading since the end of September 2010 has been solid overall with a particularly strong performance in casino that has enjoyed double-digit growth in average daily gross revenue versus the third quarter, driven by growth in both turnover and hold. Poker has also seen growth in average daily gross revenue over the third quarter, although the usual seasonal pickup has been less pronounced than in previous years due to the strengthening of the euro against the US dollar. In bingo, average gross daily revenue has grown versus the current trading data reported at the time of our Q3 KPIs, but remains lower than the third quarter. This is due to the strengthening of the euro against sterling and seasonality, as UK-based bingo players typically reduce their spend in the run-up to Christmas. While sports betting has continued to deliver a solid performance in the period, the benefit of the World Cup during the third quarter as well as a favourable series of results for punters has meant that average daily gross revenue in sports is down versus the third quarter.
In respect of margins, we expect that full year Clean EBITDA margins for 2010 will remain in-line with our previous guidance of between 27% and 28%.
An increasing number of territories are now actively exploring the merits of a regulatory framework for online gaming. In Europe, the Group is continuing to monitor closely Germany, Greece, Holland, Denmark and Spain as well as other countries. Whilst the shape and scope of any such regulations is not yet known, should some of these markets move to regulate, additional gaming taxes and investment may be required to ensure that the Group’s long-term revenue potential is maximised.
There continues to be much movement in the US towards regulating online gaming both at the Federal and State level. Should the requisite legislation be enacted, the Group is well advanced in discussions with licensed companies in the US that could create substantial value for the Group’s shareholders.
Proposed Merger with bwin
It is expected that the shareholder documents associated with the proposed merger will be issued shortly with an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders expected to be convened for late January 2011. The proposed merger remains on course to complete during March 2011.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, said:
"Revenues in the fourth quarter have enjoyed their usual seasonal upturn. Casino has performed particularly strongly with double-digit revenue growth over the third quarter, although currency movements meant that the uplift in poker has been less pronounced than usual. Clean EBITDA margins are expected to be in line with our previous guidance for 2010.
"The proposed merger with bwin remains on-track to complete at the end of the first quarter and should place the combined group in a strong position to take advantage of the changing regulatory landscape in Europe given its leadership positions across all key product verticals."
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PartyGaming, the internet gambling firm that's merging with rival bwin, has traded in line with expectations during the fourth quarter, with a stronger casino business offsetting weakness in poker and bingo.
The company said trading since the end of September has been "solid" overall, thanks mainly to casino’s double-digit growth in average daily gross revenue versus the third quarter.
There was also growth at the poker business quarter on quarter, but the usual seasonal pickup has been "less pronounced" due to the euro’s strength against the dollar. Both bingo and sports are down on Q3.
But clean earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margins for 2010 remain in-line with previous guidance of 27-28%.
And the company is excited about the possibility of online gaming being regulated in the US both at the Federal and State level. If it goes through, the group is "well advanced" in talks with licensed companies in the US that could create "substantial" value.
"The proposed merger with bwin remains on-track to complete at the end of the first quarter and should place the combined group in a strong position to take advantage of the changing regulatory landscape in Europe given its leadership positions across all key product verticals," boss Jim Ryan said.
Press Release
PartyGaming Plc ("PartyGaming" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") Pre-Close Trading Update
Revenue overall has been in-line with expectations with a strong performance in casino mitigated by a softer seasonal performance in poker and bingo
Clean EBITDA margins for 2010 expected to be in-line with previous guidance
Prospective regulation in new markets offers exciting medium to long-term revenue potential that may require additional investment
Merger with bwin remains on track
Trading since the end of September 2010 has been solid overall with a particularly strong performance in casino that has enjoyed double-digit growth in average daily gross revenue versus the third quarter, driven by growth in both turnover and hold. Poker has also seen growth in average daily gross revenue over the third quarter, although the usual seasonal pickup has been less pronounced than in previous years due to the strengthening of the euro against the US dollar. In bingo, average gross daily revenue has grown versus the current trading data reported at the time of our Q3 KPIs, but remains lower than the third quarter. This is due to the strengthening of the euro against sterling and seasonality, as UK-based bingo players typically reduce their spend in the run-up to Christmas. While sports betting has continued to deliver a solid performance in the period, the benefit of the World Cup during the third quarter as well as a favourable series of results for punters has meant that average daily gross revenue in sports is down versus the third quarter.
In respect of margins, we expect that full year Clean EBITDA margins for 2010 will remain in-line with our previous guidance of between 27% and 28%.
An increasing number of territories are now actively exploring the merits of a regulatory framework for online gaming. In Europe, the Group is continuing to monitor closely Germany, Greece, Holland, Denmark and Spain as well as other countries. Whilst the shape and scope of any such regulations is not yet known, should some of these markets move to regulate, additional gaming taxes and investment may be required to ensure that the Group’s long-term revenue potential is maximised.
There continues to be much movement in the US towards regulating online gaming both at the Federal and State level. Should the requisite legislation be enacted, the Group is well advanced in discussions with licensed companies in the US that could create substantial value for the Group’s shareholders.
Proposed Merger with bwin
It is expected that the shareholder documents associated with the proposed merger will be issued shortly with an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders expected to be convened for late January 2011. The proposed merger remains on course to complete during March 2011.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, said:
"Revenues in the fourth quarter have enjoyed their usual seasonal upturn. Casino has performed particularly strongly with double-digit revenue growth over the third quarter, although currency movements meant that the uplift in poker has been less pronounced than usual. Clean EBITDA margins are expected to be in line with our previous guidance for 2010.
"The proposed merger with bwin remains on-track to complete at the end of the first quarter and should place the combined group in a strong position to take advantage of the changing regulatory landscape in Europe given its leadership positions across all key product verticals."
Profiles
PartyGaming
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBingo.com
PartyGammon.com
PartyBets.com
GameBookers.com
FoxyBingo.com
Bwin
Cashcade
World Poker Tour
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Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
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Media Man Brand
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Global Gaming Directory
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Good Karma profile
Good Karma hailing from Perth, Western Australia, offers a fresh approach to country music. If you're been searching for some quality Australian breed country music from an unsigned artist, you need to check these guys out.
Website
Good Karma MySpace.com
Website
Good Karma MySpace.com
Australian Gambling, Sports Betting Ads, Promos Cop Heat, by Greg Tingle - 18th December 2010
G'day casino and gambling millionaires, billionaires, media moguls, sports nuts, entertainment news junkies, insiders, outsiders, politicians, journalists and everyone else. Today we probe the proliferation of sports betting, casino and gambling mentions and themes in the Australian media, sports and entertainment business. Network Nine and the cricket were quick off the mark via television, followed by the likes of Fox Sports, Centrebet, and now OneHD and Network Ten, the 'Warnie' show and a bush tucker bag of website portals are picking up the ball and running with it, in a way we think WikiLeaks would be proud of. Even News Limited and Fairfax Media newspapers are running tons of ads, promos and news stories are a plenty. Media Man and Gambling911 play media monitor and trace route investigator, and hit 'em for six with this very special and rather clever report...
How's the cricket been treating you recently? The Ashes has sure been good to media companies and punters who like to... well, get on the punt. Australia's fantastic sports coverage is helping get the word out on sports betting and gambling.
A number of special interests groups, campaigners, bible bashers and even a couple of medical types are jumping on the anti gambling bandwagon, and the strong gambling coverage tied in with cricket and other sports well positioned in the Australian media seems to be adding fuel to the fire, as we head towards a perfect storm.
One group, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, advised it has been "alarmed" at the rise in gambling ads, promos, as well as frequent references to sports betting odds, in televised sport and particularly the cricket that us Aussies love so much. The cricket is something both Nine boss David Gyngell and Ten and Crown Limited bigwig James Packer, are both fighting over, and we think the sports betting aspect is something that keeps the cricket so appealing to media tycoons - and its not just the modest TV ratings that go with the game if you follow our lead.
It's been debated that any cases of sports betting odds come with a warning to emphasise and make the potential punters aware of the dangers of excessive gambling as well as a helpline for existing addicts to call.
RANZCP president Dr Maria Tomasic was prepared to go on record with "Problem gambling is a real concern in our community. (Yet) there has been little public debate about the introduction of gambling advertising on sports programs, particularly during the day when children may be watching. Frequent exposure to gambling promotion, gambling's association with sport, and the use of commentators and sporting role models to promote gambling and discuss betting odds, can normalise gambling and influence vulnerable people and children."
This particular college has advised sports betting problems were on the rise and reform was needed to promote more "responsible levels of gambling activity" to help minimise its harmful impact on the community. Their list includes: Showing helpline phone numbers whenever gambling odds are broadcast during live sporting events, providing clear warnings at all gambling venues which explain the possible harms that flow from excessive gambling, advice containing details on where to seek help, while more counselling services and other forms of help and the mathematical odds of winning in luck-of-the-draw style gambling should also be on clear display at gambling venues
A Media Man spokesperson said "We think some of the groups proposals do have some merit, but at the same time we need to help ensure proposals and guidelines don't contain overkill. All gambling and sports betting services have some sort of warning about the dangers of gambling. Do we really need the fun police everywhere. People know sports betting and gambling is just that, and not what you would call a business model for one's life financial planning or regular income. Granted, some people are very successful at making sports betting and gambling their main income, but that is the rare exception to the rule. It's hard to protect people from themselves. People need to just enjoy the experience and keep it fun, and not bet over their head".
Dr Clive Allcock, Member of RANZCP's Section of Addiction Psychiatry said "Problem gambling can result in divorce, suicidal thoughts and acts, illegal acts and bankruptcy. Those with gambling problems often also have other concerns, such as depression, hazardous alcohol use and smoking, and personality disorders."
The good doctor also said more research was also needed to develop evidence-based treatments for gambling addiction, as there was currently "not one treatment which is considered to be the best for problem gambling".
Gambing industry bigwigs like Aristocrat's Len Ainsworth said in regarding to problem gambling "A problem gambler is like a problem drinker or a serial killer; you've got to get to the cause".
Ainsworth's comments do have merit, but as is often the case with bright ideas, easier said than done. How do you get inside someone's head, how do you force them to change their ways. Oh, that's right. Let's see what Australia's 'Big Brother' Gillard Labor government can do. Perhaps that's why they are looking closely at biometrics. But, are such solutions the tip of the iceberg for something a whole lot more similar with previous Australian government proposals containing the likes of the 'Australia Card'.
Some of the most popular sports betting and gambling brands for Australia include:
Betfair, Centrebet, Gamebookers and BetUS (sports betting brands)
PartyGaming, PartyCasino, PartyPoker, Captain Cooks Casino, 888, PKR and World Poker Tour (gambling and poker brands)
Some sports that are currently seeing an increase in betting interest include motorsport (F1 and V8 SuperCars), professional surfing, boxing, wrestling and UFC. The AFL, NRL, tennis and soccer continue to maintain their incredible popularity.
Australian media and gambling tycoon, James Packer, appears to be best positioned to lead Australia into the future of sports betting and gambling, with his 50% ownership in Betfair, ruling Crown Limited - Crown Casino (home to the Aussie Millions) and stake in OneHD...an offshoot of Ten Network Holdings, commonly known to punters are Channel Ten. PartyGaming, listed on the London Stock Exchange, have also enjoyed strong success in Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region, teaming up with mainstream media and entertainment industry brands such as Marvel Entertainment, Sony, Fremantle Media and Paramount Pictures. News Corp's 20th Century Fox is also understood to be wanting to become heavily involved in the Australian gambling landscape, as they are in the United Kingdom. Media and entertainment portals such as Google, Media Man and Yahoo! all appear to be continuing to ramping up their coverage of gambling and sports betting, catering to an international audience via the internet...ideally suited to covering the dynamic nature of the gambling sector.
Whatever the final outcome aka Australian government 'The Final Solution' is, don't get too used to the current Australian gambling and sports betting landscape, and significant changes are just around the corner.
If you enjoy a bet, please do so in a responsible matter, and if you think your gambling may be getting out of hand, please seek professional assistance.
Awards...
Last month was a big month for casino awards. Let's have a look...
PartyGaming's PartyCasino has also come back with seconds, picking up another Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award' for November, and also the parent company, PartyGaming, picked up the prestigious EGR Slots Operator Of The Year Award ...Some other top picks of ours who picked up awards at the EGR night of nights were:
Virgin Games (Affiliate Programme)
Betfair (Innovation, Mobile Operator and UK Sports Betting Operator)
Bwin (European Sports Betting Operator
PKR (Poker Operator)
Oh, we almost forgot...Media Man and Casino News Media 'Casino Babe Of The Month': Jenny Woo, 'Poker Babe': Kara Scott, 'Gambling Babe Personality': Pamela Anderson.
Media Man Profiles
Australia
Australia Casinos
Cricket
Movies
Crown Casino
Jupiters Hotel and Casino
Tabcorp Holdings
Politics
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Television
Media Companies
Australian Sports
News
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Entertainment News
Media News
Technology News
Sports News
News
Wrap Up...
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report on gambling in the Australian media? 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. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis. They also publish Australian Sports Entertainment http://www.australiansportsentertainment.com
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited, Ten Network Holdings and Virgin
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Global Gaming Directory
How's the cricket been treating you recently? The Ashes has sure been good to media companies and punters who like to... well, get on the punt. Australia's fantastic sports coverage is helping get the word out on sports betting and gambling.
A number of special interests groups, campaigners, bible bashers and even a couple of medical types are jumping on the anti gambling bandwagon, and the strong gambling coverage tied in with cricket and other sports well positioned in the Australian media seems to be adding fuel to the fire, as we head towards a perfect storm.
One group, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, advised it has been "alarmed" at the rise in gambling ads, promos, as well as frequent references to sports betting odds, in televised sport and particularly the cricket that us Aussies love so much. The cricket is something both Nine boss David Gyngell and Ten and Crown Limited bigwig James Packer, are both fighting over, and we think the sports betting aspect is something that keeps the cricket so appealing to media tycoons - and its not just the modest TV ratings that go with the game if you follow our lead.
It's been debated that any cases of sports betting odds come with a warning to emphasise and make the potential punters aware of the dangers of excessive gambling as well as a helpline for existing addicts to call.
RANZCP president Dr Maria Tomasic was prepared to go on record with "Problem gambling is a real concern in our community. (Yet) there has been little public debate about the introduction of gambling advertising on sports programs, particularly during the day when children may be watching. Frequent exposure to gambling promotion, gambling's association with sport, and the use of commentators and sporting role models to promote gambling and discuss betting odds, can normalise gambling and influence vulnerable people and children."
This particular college has advised sports betting problems were on the rise and reform was needed to promote more "responsible levels of gambling activity" to help minimise its harmful impact on the community. Their list includes: Showing helpline phone numbers whenever gambling odds are broadcast during live sporting events, providing clear warnings at all gambling venues which explain the possible harms that flow from excessive gambling, advice containing details on where to seek help, while more counselling services and other forms of help and the mathematical odds of winning in luck-of-the-draw style gambling should also be on clear display at gambling venues
A Media Man spokesperson said "We think some of the groups proposals do have some merit, but at the same time we need to help ensure proposals and guidelines don't contain overkill. All gambling and sports betting services have some sort of warning about the dangers of gambling. Do we really need the fun police everywhere. People know sports betting and gambling is just that, and not what you would call a business model for one's life financial planning or regular income. Granted, some people are very successful at making sports betting and gambling their main income, but that is the rare exception to the rule. It's hard to protect people from themselves. People need to just enjoy the experience and keep it fun, and not bet over their head".
Dr Clive Allcock, Member of RANZCP's Section of Addiction Psychiatry said "Problem gambling can result in divorce, suicidal thoughts and acts, illegal acts and bankruptcy. Those with gambling problems often also have other concerns, such as depression, hazardous alcohol use and smoking, and personality disorders."
The good doctor also said more research was also needed to develop evidence-based treatments for gambling addiction, as there was currently "not one treatment which is considered to be the best for problem gambling".
Gambing industry bigwigs like Aristocrat's Len Ainsworth said in regarding to problem gambling "A problem gambler is like a problem drinker or a serial killer; you've got to get to the cause".
Ainsworth's comments do have merit, but as is often the case with bright ideas, easier said than done. How do you get inside someone's head, how do you force them to change their ways. Oh, that's right. Let's see what Australia's 'Big Brother' Gillard Labor government can do. Perhaps that's why they are looking closely at biometrics. But, are such solutions the tip of the iceberg for something a whole lot more similar with previous Australian government proposals containing the likes of the 'Australia Card'.
Some of the most popular sports betting and gambling brands for Australia include:
Betfair, Centrebet, Gamebookers and BetUS (sports betting brands)
PartyGaming, PartyCasino, PartyPoker, Captain Cooks Casino, 888, PKR and World Poker Tour (gambling and poker brands)
Some sports that are currently seeing an increase in betting interest include motorsport (F1 and V8 SuperCars), professional surfing, boxing, wrestling and UFC. The AFL, NRL, tennis and soccer continue to maintain their incredible popularity.
Australian media and gambling tycoon, James Packer, appears to be best positioned to lead Australia into the future of sports betting and gambling, with his 50% ownership in Betfair, ruling Crown Limited - Crown Casino (home to the Aussie Millions) and stake in OneHD...an offshoot of Ten Network Holdings, commonly known to punters are Channel Ten. PartyGaming, listed on the London Stock Exchange, have also enjoyed strong success in Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region, teaming up with mainstream media and entertainment industry brands such as Marvel Entertainment, Sony, Fremantle Media and Paramount Pictures. News Corp's 20th Century Fox is also understood to be wanting to become heavily involved in the Australian gambling landscape, as they are in the United Kingdom. Media and entertainment portals such as Google, Media Man and Yahoo! all appear to be continuing to ramping up their coverage of gambling and sports betting, catering to an international audience via the internet...ideally suited to covering the dynamic nature of the gambling sector.
Whatever the final outcome aka Australian government 'The Final Solution' is, don't get too used to the current Australian gambling and sports betting landscape, and significant changes are just around the corner.
If you enjoy a bet, please do so in a responsible matter, and if you think your gambling may be getting out of hand, please seek professional assistance.
Awards...
Last month was a big month for casino awards. Let's have a look...
PartyGaming's PartyCasino has also come back with seconds, picking up another Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award' for November, and also the parent company, PartyGaming, picked up the prestigious EGR Slots Operator Of The Year Award ...Some other top picks of ours who picked up awards at the EGR night of nights were:
Virgin Games (Affiliate Programme)
Betfair (Innovation, Mobile Operator and UK Sports Betting Operator)
Bwin (European Sports Betting Operator
PKR (Poker Operator)
Oh, we almost forgot...Media Man and Casino News Media 'Casino Babe Of The Month': Jenny Woo, 'Poker Babe': Kara Scott, 'Gambling Babe Personality': Pamela Anderson.
Media Man Profiles
Australia
Australia Casinos
Cricket
Movies
Crown Casino
Jupiters Hotel and Casino
Tabcorp Holdings
Politics
Broadcasting
Television
Media Companies
Australian Sports
News
Casino News
Entertainment News
Media News
Technology News
Sports News
News
Wrap Up...
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report on gambling in the Australian media? 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. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis. They also publish Australian Sports Entertainment http://www.australiansportsentertainment.com
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited, Ten Network Holdings and Virgin
Website Network
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Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Poker News Media - PartyPoker News: Qualify For The Aussie Millions Main Event For Free!
Poker News Media - PartyPoker News: Qualify For The Aussie Millions Main Event For Free!
The latest episodes of The Poker Show with Jesse May feature Joe Sebok and Matt Savage. See: PartyPoker.com
Kara Scott and Tony G have been reflecting on a busy week in poker. See: PartyPoker.com
Qualify For The Aussie Millions Main Event For Free! Emulate Tyron Krost Or Join Tony G's Team Zasko
Gibraltar – 13th December 2010 – Qualifiers for the 2011 Aussie Millions continue at PartyPoker.com and get more popular by the week. The online satellites to the southern hemisphere’s premier poker event run until 9th January. As ever, PartyPoker.com offers an industry leading variety of ways to secure a package including daily freerolls.
Last year, PartyPoker.com qualifiers Tyron Krost and Frederik Jensen finished first and second in the Main Event. Tyron went home with over AUD$2,000,000! Tyron, alongside Tony G will be leading PartyPoker.com’s charge for the title in 2011.
Tony G said: "The online qualifiers for Aussie Millions at PartyPoker.com have already been incredibly popular. Most people think that this is because of the inspirational story of how Tyron converted hundreds of dollars into millions of dollars. That definitely is a factor but I think there are some people who want to come to see me bring my German Shepherd Zasko into the poker room. Team Zasko has got bite and is the way forward!"
The US$16,000 global prize package includes the $10,600 Aussie Millions Main Event buy-in, ten nights’ accommodation at the Crown Promenade hotel and $2,500 spending money. The US$14,000 Aussie Millions Australia satellites include the $10,600 Aussie Millions Main Event buy-in, ten nights’ accommodation at the Crown Promenade hotel and US$500 spending money.
For full information see PartyPoker.com
PartyGaming was established in 1997 and are listed on the London Stock Exchange. They have won numerous awards and commendations over the years including EGR 'Socially Responsible Operator Of The Year', 'Slots Operator Of The Year' and Media Man and Casino News Media 'Online Casino Of The Month'.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyPoker.com
PartyCasino.com
Palladium Lounge
PartyPoints
PartyCasino Promotions
Crown Casino
Aussie Millions
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour
PartyGaming
The latest episodes of The Poker Show with Jesse May feature Joe Sebok and Matt Savage. See: PartyPoker.com
Kara Scott and Tony G have been reflecting on a busy week in poker. See: PartyPoker.com
Qualify For The Aussie Millions Main Event For Free! Emulate Tyron Krost Or Join Tony G's Team Zasko
Gibraltar – 13th December 2010 – Qualifiers for the 2011 Aussie Millions continue at PartyPoker.com and get more popular by the week. The online satellites to the southern hemisphere’s premier poker event run until 9th January. As ever, PartyPoker.com offers an industry leading variety of ways to secure a package including daily freerolls.
Last year, PartyPoker.com qualifiers Tyron Krost and Frederik Jensen finished first and second in the Main Event. Tyron went home with over AUD$2,000,000! Tyron, alongside Tony G will be leading PartyPoker.com’s charge for the title in 2011.
Tony G said: "The online qualifiers for Aussie Millions at PartyPoker.com have already been incredibly popular. Most people think that this is because of the inspirational story of how Tyron converted hundreds of dollars into millions of dollars. That definitely is a factor but I think there are some people who want to come to see me bring my German Shepherd Zasko into the poker room. Team Zasko has got bite and is the way forward!"
The US$16,000 global prize package includes the $10,600 Aussie Millions Main Event buy-in, ten nights’ accommodation at the Crown Promenade hotel and $2,500 spending money. The US$14,000 Aussie Millions Australia satellites include the $10,600 Aussie Millions Main Event buy-in, ten nights’ accommodation at the Crown Promenade hotel and US$500 spending money.
For full information see PartyPoker.com
PartyGaming was established in 1997 and are listed on the London Stock Exchange. They have won numerous awards and commendations over the years including EGR 'Socially Responsible Operator Of The Year', 'Slots Operator Of The Year' and Media Man and Casino News Media 'Online Casino Of The Month'.
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyPoker.com
PartyCasino.com
Palladium Lounge
PartyPoints
PartyCasino Promotions
Crown Casino
Aussie Millions
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour
PartyGaming
Monday, December 13, 2010
James Packer Crown Casino; Set For a Ten In 2011, by Greg Tingle - 13th December 2010
G'day punters, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, super whales, journalists, ... one and all. Today we have the run down on James Packer's stellar performance in 2010, with both his Crown Limited and Ten Holdings, and how 2011 looks like it will be a banner year for the Aussie casino king from the 'World Of Entertainment', as the tag line goes. Media Man and Gambling911 with this special report...
2010 was the year that 'Our James' decided he wanted to be known as a 'media king' of sorts again, after apparently being happy to fly the almost exclusive 'casino king' flag for a number of years, with a number of analysts stating he wouldn't be back to the mainstream media business - they were wrong.
Packer also got his sweet revenge against a number of "attack journalism" types, and then of course there was that book, an unofficial biography, that suggested more than once JP was finished...and could loose his shirt. Jesus, was that off the mark.
Many leading media and gambling analysts think Packer made about 5 key smart moves in 2010. Getting rid of the casino deal in Las Vegas, shaking up his board of directors, green lighting massive casino revamps to Crown Casino and Burswood, playing his politics right (both Melbourne and with the Australian Communications and Media Authority), and buying into Network Ten. Oh, the PR with mate Shane "Warnie" Warne hasn't hurt either, with news media been generally being much more fair and balanced to 'Our James' these days.
Packer looks in a fantastic position to increase his key gambling - and media - new media investments in 2011. He sure laid the groundwork this year and has enjoyed a sterling run, hitting a 6 with his buy into Ten last month, a move duplicated by Australia's riches woman, 'Our Gina', only in the last fortnight.
The multi billionaire's private investment company, Consolidated Press Holdings, posting yet another solid year of dividend and profit growth.
According to numbers circulated in the media, ConsPress's portfolio of gaming, media, retail and financial services investments generated a 9% jump in net profit for 2009-10 to $167.5 million, and overall revenue was up 7% to $432.3m.
Not on paper a super spectacular result, but when you consider that so many gambling and media companies went out of business this year, and the year before, it is a testament to the smarts of the man, and his world class team. You just have to give the devil his due.
One may argue that the best sign of JP's financial health are the dividends he receives from ConsPress, which leaped 33% to $74.4m thanks mainly to strong performances from the company's 2 main listed investments: a 43% stake holding in casino group Crown Limited and 50% of pay-television company Consolidated Media Holdings. Packer is likely think his Ten tele buy in will net him solid results next year also. We're banking on it, with our modest purchase of shares last last week.
Insiders will know that Packer does not get a salary from his positions as executive chairman of Crown and deputy chairman of Consolidated Media, dividends from the family investment vehicle...which he inherited the old fashioned way from his legendary father Kerry...represent a major source of remuneration.
Packer has been sharing the ConsPress chief executive role with long-term investment adviser Ashok Jacob. A bit of an insider joke is that Ashok hasn't given any nasty "a shocks" to the system. Jacob is one smart cookie, and perhaps in the top ten of the world's best at what he does. What does he do? Well, he helps make a lot of money for one.
ConsPress's main investments decisions last financial year involved outlaying $204.8m listing its Crown stake and $54.4m increasing its ConsMedia shareholding. Packer's brilliant $150m-plus raid on Ten Network Holdings took place after the accounts were signed off for the year. Divestments included the sale of $9.1m worth of Challenger Financial Services Group stock, which insiders say his was pretty luke warm on for a few years and is pleased to turn them into money.
Not many insiders, nor punters, know that ConsPress is actually owned by Bahamas-based entities and files unconsolidated accounts with the corporate regulator. It does not provide a complete picture of Packer's investment empire. Ok, you want an example? We understand that roughly 40% of the dividend income earned from the Crown and ConsMedia stakes are represented in the ConsPress results. Are you still with us. It gets easier to follow.
Packer has taken a higher public - media profile since buying into Ten in late October and the ConsPress numbers confirm he has come out of the global financial crisis in a more than solid financial position. In recent months, he addressed a tribute dinner for legendary broadcaster Alan Jones and made an in person appearance at the final shareholder meeting for Harold Mitchell's Mitchell Communication Group For those who don't know, Mitchell is every bit the media and advertising industry legend in Australia that John "Singo" Singleton is. Packer knows he can't stop media coverage about him, internet, TV, print... you name it, so he was now rather embraced it, and is telling his side of the story to media, and the news is usually great! Way to go Packer. Sock it too em, and good on him for letter match Warne interview him on the hit tele show 'Warne', broadcast on Network Nine no less. That a sport mate.
ConsMedia bean counter director Michael Johnston advised the strong result was largely a reflection of the solid performance of Crown and ConsMedia. But he also was quick to point out that privately held businesses, like as hedge fund group Ellerston Capital, Pretty Girl Fashion (owner of Rockmans and Table Eight), Skifields (NSW and Victoria) and the Jurlique cosmetics business had done well. Oh, Media Man women have enjoyed Jurlique gifts over the years. The Bondi Beach outlet, below a certain legends beach pad, is our favorite, and media and celebs will be spending a few dollars there this Christmas we understand.
Ok, back to business and less colour, but you have to think of the ladies too, don't you Gina.
"Each of our trading businesses continued to perform pretty well Ellerston, as you would expect for a fund manager, took a dip during the GFC, but it was the only operating business that really suffered. Certainly, all of them have performed since" Johnston shared.
He went on with "debt reduction has been a focus". He advised ConsPress had been able to purchase more equity in Crown and ConsMedia without affecting debt levels. That's impressive.
"We sold Challenger and that freed up capital through the year, so we didn't have to borrow money to put further equity into the investments we were focusing on. I think that we do like to be relatively conservative. We like to maintain what we consider is a very manageable level of debt. You've only got to live through one or two sharemarket corrections to realise you don't want to be overgeared."
Media Man Media Move Of The Year 2010...
Packer made an exciting and well timed return to free-to-air tele by snatching an 18% stake in Ten in a shock sharemarket raid. Packer, who concluded his family's half-century association with Channel Nine in 2008, decided that maybe tel wasn't such a bad investment idea after all. It lifted his profile, did wonders for PR, and spread his risk, with gambling being a bit of a whipping boy for two of so agenda driven MP's in the Aussie government. Smart readers know who they are, so we don't drag down this article by repeating their names here. The Ten investment triggered a series of corporate moves at the TV company including the resignation of long-term executive chairman Nick Falloon, feeling a bit pushed out, and the emergence of mining magnate Gina Rinehart, now a Media Man fav, as a 10% shareholder. On, last week Gina went on to buy about 2% in our friends at Fairfax Media. JP proceeded on to sell half his stake to mate and associate Lachlan Murdoch, while WIN TV top dog Bruce Gordon raised his holding to 14%.
Packer wins Media Man 'Australian Casino Operator Of The Year' and 'Australian Media Tycoon Of The Year' award. His mate, David Gyngell is runner up for the media tycoon award, and Tabcorp wins the Australian casino 'most improved' and 'encouragement' award. Oh, PartyGaming wins Media Man 'Online Casino Operator Of The Year' award, with b2b's with Packer's Crown Casino playing a role, and Packer's mate, Richard Branson, wins 'Media Man Gambling and Media Tycoon' of the year on a global scale. Nine Entertainment Co wins 'Australian Media Company Most Likely To Make An Impact In 2011' award, but rounding off, Packer also wins Media Man 'Best And Fairest 2010'. What a year it was. Congrats to all that played hard, and an even bigger congrats to those who placed and won. Just to be in business these days is a sign of a winner, so hats off and cheers to all of you maties.
Crown Limited shares finished off at $8.120
Ted Holdings shares finished off at $1.475
Awards...
Last month was also a big month for casino awards.
PartyGaming's PartyCasino has also come back with seconds, picking up another Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award' for November, and also the parent company, PartyGaming, picked up the prestigious EGR Slots Operator Of The Year Award ...Some other top picks of ours who picked up awards at the EGR night of nights were:
Virgin Games (Affiliate Programme)
Betfair (Innovation, Mobile Operator and UK Sports Betting Operator)
Bwin (European Sports Betting Operator
PKR (Poker Operator)
Australian Land Based Casino Of The Month: Crown Casino, Runner Up: Star City
Oh, we almost forgot...Media Man and Casino News Media 'Casino Babe Of The Month': Jenny Woo, 'Poker Babe': Kara Scott, 'Gambling Babe Personality': Pamela Anderson.
Media Man Profiles
Australia
Australia Casinos
Cricket
Movies
Crown Casino
Politics
Broadcasting
Television
Media Companies
Australian Sports
News
Casino News
Entertainment News
Media News
Technology News
Sports News
News
Wrap Up...
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. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited, Ten Network Holdings and Virgin
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2010 was the year that 'Our James' decided he wanted to be known as a 'media king' of sorts again, after apparently being happy to fly the almost exclusive 'casino king' flag for a number of years, with a number of analysts stating he wouldn't be back to the mainstream media business - they were wrong.
Packer also got his sweet revenge against a number of "attack journalism" types, and then of course there was that book, an unofficial biography, that suggested more than once JP was finished...and could loose his shirt. Jesus, was that off the mark.
Many leading media and gambling analysts think Packer made about 5 key smart moves in 2010. Getting rid of the casino deal in Las Vegas, shaking up his board of directors, green lighting massive casino revamps to Crown Casino and Burswood, playing his politics right (both Melbourne and with the Australian Communications and Media Authority), and buying into Network Ten. Oh, the PR with mate Shane "Warnie" Warne hasn't hurt either, with news media been generally being much more fair and balanced to 'Our James' these days.
Packer looks in a fantastic position to increase his key gambling - and media - new media investments in 2011. He sure laid the groundwork this year and has enjoyed a sterling run, hitting a 6 with his buy into Ten last month, a move duplicated by Australia's riches woman, 'Our Gina', only in the last fortnight.
The multi billionaire's private investment company, Consolidated Press Holdings, posting yet another solid year of dividend and profit growth.
According to numbers circulated in the media, ConsPress's portfolio of gaming, media, retail and financial services investments generated a 9% jump in net profit for 2009-10 to $167.5 million, and overall revenue was up 7% to $432.3m.
Not on paper a super spectacular result, but when you consider that so many gambling and media companies went out of business this year, and the year before, it is a testament to the smarts of the man, and his world class team. You just have to give the devil his due.
One may argue that the best sign of JP's financial health are the dividends he receives from ConsPress, which leaped 33% to $74.4m thanks mainly to strong performances from the company's 2 main listed investments: a 43% stake holding in casino group Crown Limited and 50% of pay-television company Consolidated Media Holdings. Packer is likely think his Ten tele buy in will net him solid results next year also. We're banking on it, with our modest purchase of shares last last week.
Insiders will know that Packer does not get a salary from his positions as executive chairman of Crown and deputy chairman of Consolidated Media, dividends from the family investment vehicle...which he inherited the old fashioned way from his legendary father Kerry...represent a major source of remuneration.
Packer has been sharing the ConsPress chief executive role with long-term investment adviser Ashok Jacob. A bit of an insider joke is that Ashok hasn't given any nasty "a shocks" to the system. Jacob is one smart cookie, and perhaps in the top ten of the world's best at what he does. What does he do? Well, he helps make a lot of money for one.
ConsPress's main investments decisions last financial year involved outlaying $204.8m listing its Crown stake and $54.4m increasing its ConsMedia shareholding. Packer's brilliant $150m-plus raid on Ten Network Holdings took place after the accounts were signed off for the year. Divestments included the sale of $9.1m worth of Challenger Financial Services Group stock, which insiders say his was pretty luke warm on for a few years and is pleased to turn them into money.
Not many insiders, nor punters, know that ConsPress is actually owned by Bahamas-based entities and files unconsolidated accounts with the corporate regulator. It does not provide a complete picture of Packer's investment empire. Ok, you want an example? We understand that roughly 40% of the dividend income earned from the Crown and ConsMedia stakes are represented in the ConsPress results. Are you still with us. It gets easier to follow.
Packer has taken a higher public - media profile since buying into Ten in late October and the ConsPress numbers confirm he has come out of the global financial crisis in a more than solid financial position. In recent months, he addressed a tribute dinner for legendary broadcaster Alan Jones and made an in person appearance at the final shareholder meeting for Harold Mitchell's Mitchell Communication Group For those who don't know, Mitchell is every bit the media and advertising industry legend in Australia that John "Singo" Singleton is. Packer knows he can't stop media coverage about him, internet, TV, print... you name it, so he was now rather embraced it, and is telling his side of the story to media, and the news is usually great! Way to go Packer. Sock it too em, and good on him for letter match Warne interview him on the hit tele show 'Warne', broadcast on Network Nine no less. That a sport mate.
ConsMedia bean counter director Michael Johnston advised the strong result was largely a reflection of the solid performance of Crown and ConsMedia. But he also was quick to point out that privately held businesses, like as hedge fund group Ellerston Capital, Pretty Girl Fashion (owner of Rockmans and Table Eight), Skifields (NSW and Victoria) and the Jurlique cosmetics business had done well. Oh, Media Man women have enjoyed Jurlique gifts over the years. The Bondi Beach outlet, below a certain legends beach pad, is our favorite, and media and celebs will be spending a few dollars there this Christmas we understand.
Ok, back to business and less colour, but you have to think of the ladies too, don't you Gina.
"Each of our trading businesses continued to perform pretty well Ellerston, as you would expect for a fund manager, took a dip during the GFC, but it was the only operating business that really suffered. Certainly, all of them have performed since" Johnston shared.
He went on with "debt reduction has been a focus". He advised ConsPress had been able to purchase more equity in Crown and ConsMedia without affecting debt levels. That's impressive.
"We sold Challenger and that freed up capital through the year, so we didn't have to borrow money to put further equity into the investments we were focusing on. I think that we do like to be relatively conservative. We like to maintain what we consider is a very manageable level of debt. You've only got to live through one or two sharemarket corrections to realise you don't want to be overgeared."
Media Man Media Move Of The Year 2010...
Packer made an exciting and well timed return to free-to-air tele by snatching an 18% stake in Ten in a shock sharemarket raid. Packer, who concluded his family's half-century association with Channel Nine in 2008, decided that maybe tel wasn't such a bad investment idea after all. It lifted his profile, did wonders for PR, and spread his risk, with gambling being a bit of a whipping boy for two of so agenda driven MP's in the Aussie government. Smart readers know who they are, so we don't drag down this article by repeating their names here. The Ten investment triggered a series of corporate moves at the TV company including the resignation of long-term executive chairman Nick Falloon, feeling a bit pushed out, and the emergence of mining magnate Gina Rinehart, now a Media Man fav, as a 10% shareholder. On, last week Gina went on to buy about 2% in our friends at Fairfax Media. JP proceeded on to sell half his stake to mate and associate Lachlan Murdoch, while WIN TV top dog Bruce Gordon raised his holding to 14%.
Packer wins Media Man 'Australian Casino Operator Of The Year' and 'Australian Media Tycoon Of The Year' award. His mate, David Gyngell is runner up for the media tycoon award, and Tabcorp wins the Australian casino 'most improved' and 'encouragement' award. Oh, PartyGaming wins Media Man 'Online Casino Operator Of The Year' award, with b2b's with Packer's Crown Casino playing a role, and Packer's mate, Richard Branson, wins 'Media Man Gambling and Media Tycoon' of the year on a global scale. Nine Entertainment Co wins 'Australian Media Company Most Likely To Make An Impact In 2011' award, but rounding off, Packer also wins Media Man 'Best And Fairest 2010'. What a year it was. Congrats to all that played hard, and an even bigger congrats to those who placed and won. Just to be in business these days is a sign of a winner, so hats off and cheers to all of you maties.
Crown Limited shares finished off at $8.120
Ted Holdings shares finished off at $1.475
Awards...
Last month was also a big month for casino awards.
PartyGaming's PartyCasino has also come back with seconds, picking up another Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award' for November, and also the parent company, PartyGaming, picked up the prestigious EGR Slots Operator Of The Year Award ...Some other top picks of ours who picked up awards at the EGR night of nights were:
Virgin Games (Affiliate Programme)
Betfair (Innovation, Mobile Operator and UK Sports Betting Operator)
Bwin (European Sports Betting Operator
PKR (Poker Operator)
Australian Land Based Casino Of The Month: Crown Casino, Runner Up: Star City
Oh, we almost forgot...Media Man and Casino News Media 'Casino Babe Of The Month': Jenny Woo, 'Poker Babe': Kara Scott, 'Gambling Babe Personality': Pamela Anderson.
Media Man Profiles
Australia
Australia Casinos
Cricket
Movies
Crown Casino
Politics
Broadcasting
Television
Media Companies
Australian Sports
News
Casino News
Entertainment News
Media News
Technology News
Sports News
News
Wrap Up...
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. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited, Ten Network Holdings and Virgin
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
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Saturday, December 11, 2010
Australian Media, New Media And Casino Wars, by Greg Tingle - 10th December 2010
G'day punters, media, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, warmongers, politicians, super whales, media entrepreneurs, journalists, politicians... one and all. Today we revisit the Australian media, new media and casino wars, and as you will learn, there's some action pretty close to home. Media Man and Gambling911 take bets, so to speak, on who will win the Aussie casino and media wars, as major Aussie players continue to jockey for position...
Ok readers, you've very familiar with Crown Casino (Crown Limited) VS Star City (Tabcorp Holdings), but let's get you further up to speed with Ten Network Holdings VS Network Nine...soon to be more well known in business circles at Nine Entertainment Co, as they get ready to hit the exciting Australia Securities Exchange (ASX).
Our friends at Ten Network Holdings are a tad busy talking down concerns of potential conflicts of interest arising among its expanded board, advising in no uncertain concerns that "appropriate protocols" had been put in place. A bit of an inside joke is if James Packer friend Sen. Stephen Conroy might be part of those "appropriate protocols". No, we're suggesting anything untoward, just saying.
Australia's best known Billionaires buddies Lachlan Murdoch, James Packer along with Gina Rinehart and Paul Mallam (WIN TV man) have joined the board of directors on TEN.
They make up a solid 42% Ten's share registry. In another scoop of sorts, xx Ernst & Young world chairman Brian "How" Long, who had no public board experience prior to his appointment to Ten last July, is to be chairman. Money and clout do count for something, but you likely knew that already. 'Our Gina' knows it too, but more on her later.
Outgoing exec chairman Nick Falloon advised the meeting protocols had been put in place to deal with potential conflicts of interest among the impressive 11-member board.
Some concerns have been raised over Ten's continued independence, given Murdoch's interest in News Corporation and Packer's Consolidated Media Holdings, which each owning a sweet 25% of Foxtel and 50% of Fox Sports, a competitor of Ten's free-to-air OneHD.
"We have the appropriate board protocols in place and we will continue to provide a balanced and hopefully very successful news service into the future" Falloon said.
Fallon dismissed questions about the influence of the board.
"This company has a great record on editorial independence and I expect it to continue. Having had some experience working for billionaires over my lifetime their main interest is making money and I'm sure that is the same interest of all shareholders," Falloon said.
The group revenue increased by a modest 10% to $991.5 million with EBITDA increasing 38 per cent to $208.1 million.
The shares paid 11c in unfranked dividends in November and closed down .34 per cent at $1.485
Spreading Risk...
Sharing risk over a number of entities, and just having a "few irons in the fire", as the Aussie lingo goes, appears to be part of the overall strategy of Packer and Murdoch, and 'Our Gina', mining baron, not content with just having a media stake in Ten has now acquired approx a 10% stake in Fairfax Media.
In the spirit of fair play, we wish all Australian media networks and casinos well, but not too much good luck. It's all good fodder for the ongoing soap opera that is the Aussie media and casino wars".
Media Man Buys Shares In Ten...
Media Man director and founder, Greg Tingle, has today purchased a modest amount of Network Ten Holdings (TEN) shares.
Media Man director, Greg Tingle commented "We are very excited at our investment into Ten today. The company show tremendous leadership from the top down, and we have enjoyed positive dealings with them over the years. We think they represent some of Australia's, even the world's, best in the entertainment, sports and lifestyle programing, and our share purchase today is a real and tangible show of our support and confidence in the company. They are competing better than most in the Australian media landscape, especially in television and advertising, and have substantial assets and risk management across a number of verticals. We are very impressed and take a keen interest in both its television programing with hits such as Bondi Rescue, Bondi Vet, Oprah, MasterChef, News at Five, The Simpsons, Glee, NCIS, as well as their advertising arm EYE. Digital station OneHD has performed well, with it now being recognised as Australia's number one sports channel. Advertising arm EYE is also on the upswing. The addition of James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch to the board was a key catalyst for our purchase of shares, but its a decision based upon track record, compelling and quality television and value for money. We strongly believe that Ten will continue to be at the forefront of the Australia media and new media landscape, and will be driving forward areas such as gaming, lifestyle and digital convergence. The board's lines of communication with key private and government media identifies such as Senator Stephen Conroy also set Ten up for strong ongoing success. Media Man is keen to build upon our existing history with the Ten family".
Media Man business brands include Media Man International, Media Man Brand, Media Man Network, Media Man Canada, Casino News Media, Global Gaming Directory, Australian Casino News and Property News Media. Media Man covers over a dozen different business sectors and is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The founder, Greg Tingle, enjoys a background in sales and marketing of Pay TV, journalism, and has been a leading media agent and commentator since 2001. Media Man has enjoyed some b2b dealings with Ten over the years, the details of which are commercially sensitive in nature.
Gina Rinehart Delighted To Become Major Ten Network Shareholder...
Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, has followed the lead of fellow billionaire James Packer, and snatched up Ten Network shares.
The daughter of ex mining king Lang Hancock became one of the network’s major delighted shareholders last week when she bought around $165 million worth of Ten shares in the 12 days from November 10.
Ms Rinehart's $165 million buy-up gives her a very modest 10.01% stake in the company.
She purchased the lot of shares via her company Hancock Prospecting, of which she is chairman.
A Ten spokesman said the network was not aware Ms Rinehart intended to become a major shareholder and was only found out she had bought the shares when a major shareholder statement was lodged to the Australian Stock Exchange.
Ms Rinehart is the chairman of Hancock Prospecting and bought the 104,000 shares through her mining company.
Her major stakeholder notice came a month after Packer swooped line a Bondi Beach seagull on the stock in a whopping $180 million share raid to become Ten's largest shareholder, with an 18% stake in the company.
Packer is selling half of his Ten stock to mate Lachlan Murdoch, and whispers say the deal may have just happened, or is just a whisker away from going through.
Packer and Murdoch were promptly offered board positions after a blowtorch of media speculation was thrown on Packer’s share jackpot.
Ten's chairman Nick Falloon agreed to resign from the Ten board about a fortnight ago to pave the way for Packer and Murdoch to become directors.
The BRW (Business Review Weekly) Rich List 2010 estimated Ms Rhinehart's financial wealth at $4.75 billion earlier this year. Oh, we thought we would just mention that she's rich in having enjoyed a big life also, one which is about to get much bigger, via media and political clout down under.
Network Nine's Gyngell Scraps PBL Media Brand Ahead Of Potential Float...
Fellow Bondi Beach resident, David Gyngell, has scrapped the iconic PBL Media brand and replaced it with Nine Entertainment Co ahead of its potential float. The Nine top dog announced the new name at the channel's 2011 program launch in Sydney last week.
The new brand is expected to resonate better with across the board - public, advertisers and potential retail investors ahead of the expected $5 billion-plus initial public offering of the television, magazine and digital group in 2011. The Publishing & Broadcasting Limited name is synonymous with the Packer family after the company was formed in 1994 through the merger of (the late) Kerry Packer’s Nine and ACP Magazines businesses.
"From today Nine Entertainment Co is our group's new title, new brand and new future. It will embrace Nine Television, Nine Magazines (through ACP), Nine Digital (through ninemsn, Carsales, Cudo and Sky News), and Nine Events (through Ticketek and Acer Arena) and thus draw together under one new banner all the outstanding people and vast assets of this great company."
So, its a war of sorts between Ten and Nine, but Packer and Gyngell remain adamant they are still close mates, and we think that's pretty cool, and could also be a good indicator that both gents have the work - life balance in check, as well as having the priorities right, war or not.
Oh, one last thing... Media Man purchased a modest amount of shares in Ten Network Holdings today, as a sign of support and respect to both gents and their respective companies. MM also look forward to becoming a happy shareholder in Nine Entertainment Co, should they float (on the stockmarket... not off Bondi Beach)!.
Awards...
Last month was a very big month for casino awards.
PartyGaming's PartyCasino has also come back with seconds, picking up another Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award' for November, and also the parent company, PartyGaming, picked up the prestigious EGR Slots Operator Of The Year Award ...Some other top picks of ours who picked up awards at the EGR night of nights were:
Virgin Games (Affiliate Programme)
Betfair (Innovation, Mobile Operator and UK Sports Betting Operator)
Bwin (European Sports Betting Operator
PKR (Poker Operator)
Oh, we almost forgot...Media Man and Casino News Media 'Casino Babe Of The Month': Jenny Woo, 'Poker Babe': Kara Scott, 'Gambling Babe Personality': Pamela Anderson.
Media Man Profiles
Australia
Australia Casinos
Cricket
Star City
Crown Casino
Politics
Property
Broadcasting
Television
Media Companies
Network Ten
Channel Nine
Nine Entertainment Co
Australian Sports
News
Casino News
Entertainment News
Media News
Technology News
Sports News
News
Wrap Up...
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Who will eventually win the Australian media, entertainment and casino wars? When will a true victor emerge, or will they continue to coexist? 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. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.
*The writer owns shares in Ten Network Holdings, Crown Limited and Virgin.
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
Ok readers, you've very familiar with Crown Casino (Crown Limited) VS Star City (Tabcorp Holdings), but let's get you further up to speed with Ten Network Holdings VS Network Nine...soon to be more well known in business circles at Nine Entertainment Co, as they get ready to hit the exciting Australia Securities Exchange (ASX).
Our friends at Ten Network Holdings are a tad busy talking down concerns of potential conflicts of interest arising among its expanded board, advising in no uncertain concerns that "appropriate protocols" had been put in place. A bit of an inside joke is if James Packer friend Sen. Stephen Conroy might be part of those "appropriate protocols". No, we're suggesting anything untoward, just saying.
Australia's best known Billionaires buddies Lachlan Murdoch, James Packer along with Gina Rinehart and Paul Mallam (WIN TV man) have joined the board of directors on TEN.
They make up a solid 42% Ten's share registry. In another scoop of sorts, xx Ernst & Young world chairman Brian "How" Long, who had no public board experience prior to his appointment to Ten last July, is to be chairman. Money and clout do count for something, but you likely knew that already. 'Our Gina' knows it too, but more on her later.
Outgoing exec chairman Nick Falloon advised the meeting protocols had been put in place to deal with potential conflicts of interest among the impressive 11-member board.
Some concerns have been raised over Ten's continued independence, given Murdoch's interest in News Corporation and Packer's Consolidated Media Holdings, which each owning a sweet 25% of Foxtel and 50% of Fox Sports, a competitor of Ten's free-to-air OneHD.
"We have the appropriate board protocols in place and we will continue to provide a balanced and hopefully very successful news service into the future" Falloon said.
Fallon dismissed questions about the influence of the board.
"This company has a great record on editorial independence and I expect it to continue. Having had some experience working for billionaires over my lifetime their main interest is making money and I'm sure that is the same interest of all shareholders," Falloon said.
The group revenue increased by a modest 10% to $991.5 million with EBITDA increasing 38 per cent to $208.1 million.
The shares paid 11c in unfranked dividends in November and closed down .34 per cent at $1.485
Spreading Risk...
Sharing risk over a number of entities, and just having a "few irons in the fire", as the Aussie lingo goes, appears to be part of the overall strategy of Packer and Murdoch, and 'Our Gina', mining baron, not content with just having a media stake in Ten has now acquired approx a 10% stake in Fairfax Media.
In the spirit of fair play, we wish all Australian media networks and casinos well, but not too much good luck. It's all good fodder for the ongoing soap opera that is the Aussie media and casino wars".
Media Man Buys Shares In Ten...
Media Man director and founder, Greg Tingle, has today purchased a modest amount of Network Ten Holdings (TEN) shares.
Media Man director, Greg Tingle commented "We are very excited at our investment into Ten today. The company show tremendous leadership from the top down, and we have enjoyed positive dealings with them over the years. We think they represent some of Australia's, even the world's, best in the entertainment, sports and lifestyle programing, and our share purchase today is a real and tangible show of our support and confidence in the company. They are competing better than most in the Australian media landscape, especially in television and advertising, and have substantial assets and risk management across a number of verticals. We are very impressed and take a keen interest in both its television programing with hits such as Bondi Rescue, Bondi Vet, Oprah, MasterChef, News at Five, The Simpsons, Glee, NCIS, as well as their advertising arm EYE. Digital station OneHD has performed well, with it now being recognised as Australia's number one sports channel. Advertising arm EYE is also on the upswing. The addition of James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch to the board was a key catalyst for our purchase of shares, but its a decision based upon track record, compelling and quality television and value for money. We strongly believe that Ten will continue to be at the forefront of the Australia media and new media landscape, and will be driving forward areas such as gaming, lifestyle and digital convergence. The board's lines of communication with key private and government media identifies such as Senator Stephen Conroy also set Ten up for strong ongoing success. Media Man is keen to build upon our existing history with the Ten family".
Media Man business brands include Media Man International, Media Man Brand, Media Man Network, Media Man Canada, Casino News Media, Global Gaming Directory, Australian Casino News and Property News Media. Media Man covers over a dozen different business sectors and is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The founder, Greg Tingle, enjoys a background in sales and marketing of Pay TV, journalism, and has been a leading media agent and commentator since 2001. Media Man has enjoyed some b2b dealings with Ten over the years, the details of which are commercially sensitive in nature.
Gina Rinehart Delighted To Become Major Ten Network Shareholder...
Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, has followed the lead of fellow billionaire James Packer, and snatched up Ten Network shares.
The daughter of ex mining king Lang Hancock became one of the network’s major delighted shareholders last week when she bought around $165 million worth of Ten shares in the 12 days from November 10.
Ms Rinehart's $165 million buy-up gives her a very modest 10.01% stake in the company.
She purchased the lot of shares via her company Hancock Prospecting, of which she is chairman.
A Ten spokesman said the network was not aware Ms Rinehart intended to become a major shareholder and was only found out she had bought the shares when a major shareholder statement was lodged to the Australian Stock Exchange.
Ms Rinehart is the chairman of Hancock Prospecting and bought the 104,000 shares through her mining company.
Her major stakeholder notice came a month after Packer swooped line a Bondi Beach seagull on the stock in a whopping $180 million share raid to become Ten's largest shareholder, with an 18% stake in the company.
Packer is selling half of his Ten stock to mate Lachlan Murdoch, and whispers say the deal may have just happened, or is just a whisker away from going through.
Packer and Murdoch were promptly offered board positions after a blowtorch of media speculation was thrown on Packer’s share jackpot.
Ten's chairman Nick Falloon agreed to resign from the Ten board about a fortnight ago to pave the way for Packer and Murdoch to become directors.
The BRW (Business Review Weekly) Rich List 2010 estimated Ms Rhinehart's financial wealth at $4.75 billion earlier this year. Oh, we thought we would just mention that she's rich in having enjoyed a big life also, one which is about to get much bigger, via media and political clout down under.
Network Nine's Gyngell Scraps PBL Media Brand Ahead Of Potential Float...
Fellow Bondi Beach resident, David Gyngell, has scrapped the iconic PBL Media brand and replaced it with Nine Entertainment Co ahead of its potential float. The Nine top dog announced the new name at the channel's 2011 program launch in Sydney last week.
The new brand is expected to resonate better with across the board - public, advertisers and potential retail investors ahead of the expected $5 billion-plus initial public offering of the television, magazine and digital group in 2011. The Publishing & Broadcasting Limited name is synonymous with the Packer family after the company was formed in 1994 through the merger of (the late) Kerry Packer’s Nine and ACP Magazines businesses.
"From today Nine Entertainment Co is our group's new title, new brand and new future. It will embrace Nine Television, Nine Magazines (through ACP), Nine Digital (through ninemsn, Carsales, Cudo and Sky News), and Nine Events (through Ticketek and Acer Arena) and thus draw together under one new banner all the outstanding people and vast assets of this great company."
So, its a war of sorts between Ten and Nine, but Packer and Gyngell remain adamant they are still close mates, and we think that's pretty cool, and could also be a good indicator that both gents have the work - life balance in check, as well as having the priorities right, war or not.
Oh, one last thing... Media Man purchased a modest amount of shares in Ten Network Holdings today, as a sign of support and respect to both gents and their respective companies. MM also look forward to becoming a happy shareholder in Nine Entertainment Co, should they float (on the stockmarket... not off Bondi Beach)!.
Awards...
Last month was a very big month for casino awards.
PartyGaming's PartyCasino has also come back with seconds, picking up another Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award' for November, and also the parent company, PartyGaming, picked up the prestigious EGR Slots Operator Of The Year Award ...Some other top picks of ours who picked up awards at the EGR night of nights were:
Virgin Games (Affiliate Programme)
Betfair (Innovation, Mobile Operator and UK Sports Betting Operator)
Bwin (European Sports Betting Operator
PKR (Poker Operator)
Oh, we almost forgot...Media Man and Casino News Media 'Casino Babe Of The Month': Jenny Woo, 'Poker Babe': Kara Scott, 'Gambling Babe Personality': Pamela Anderson.
Media Man Profiles
Australia
Australia Casinos
Cricket
Star City
Crown Casino
Politics
Property
Broadcasting
Television
Media Companies
Network Ten
Channel Nine
Nine Entertainment Co
Australian Sports
News
Casino News
Entertainment News
Media News
Technology News
Sports News
News
Wrap Up...
Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Who will eventually win the Australian media, entertainment and casino wars? When will a true victor emerge, or will they continue to coexist? 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. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.
*The writer owns shares in Ten Network Holdings, Crown Limited and Virgin.
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, December 10, 2010
Palladium VIP's - Spoil Yourself With As Many Presents As You Want From PartyPoker - Santa's Party Pack Open To All On PartyCasino!
Palladium VIP's - Spoil Yourself With As Many Presents As You Want From PartyPoker - Santa's Party Pack Open To All On PartyCasino.com !
** Win your share of $5,000 every day in December. See: PartyPoker.com **
** The first episode of PartyPoker.com World Open VI is now online.
Many of the players involved will remember the jaw dropping quads over quads – Andrew Robl, Toby Lewis, Mike Sexton and Jesse May talk about this in a special post here: PartyPoker.com
** Aussie Millions qualifiers are up and running. Team Party pro Tyron Krost won the event last year and gives his own guide to satellites. PartyPoker.com **
Palladium VIP's - Spoil Yourself With As Many Presents As You Want From PartyPoker - Santa's Party Pack Open To All On PartyCasino!
Gibraltar – 30th November 2010 -- The festive season is drawing closer and PartyPoker.com is making sure they treat their most-valued players to a whole stack of presents. Palladium VIPs have the opportunity to pick up six presents and fill their very own Santa sack by just earning points by playing at PartyPoker.com’s online tables from the 1st to 14th December 2010.
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: "The premise is very simple – Palladium VIPs earn points that make prizes. At the bottom end there is a $50 cash bonus, while 30,000 points delivers a $5,000 WPT entry. Players are entitled to keep all of the prizes they can win - so with six prize levels there’s six fantastic presents to keep!"
Here’s what’s on offer in the VIP Gift Accumulator:
Prize level Points required Prize Prize Draw tickets
1 1,500 $50 cash bonus 1
2 3,000 $100 cash 2
3 6,000 iPod Touch 4
4 12,000 $700 cash 8
5 20,000 16GB iPad 14
6 30,000 WPT entry 20
The feast of presents doesn’t just end here though. Every time a player hits a prize level PartyPoker.com award tickets for the VIP Gift Accumulator prize draw which offers the chance to win a share of $10,000. The more prizes a Palladium VIP earn the more entries they’ll get into the draw, giving more frequent players a better chance of winning the $5,000 first prize, the $3,000 second prize or the $2,000 third prize. Winners will be announced on the 17th December.
Please note that this is an OPT-IN promotion. For more information see: PartyPoker.com
Santa is also coming to PartyCasino.com. Unlike the poker promotion this is open to non VIPs too and runs from the 1st – 14th December, whether you have been bad or good. Points mean prizes including a luxury Caribbean holiday!
See: PartyCasino.com for more information.
Santa’s Party Pack
Prizes whether you’ve been good or bad!
Starts: 00:00 ET, 1st December
Ends: 23:59 ET, 14th December
Santa is making an early appearance. He’s spreading Christmas cheer, handing out killer Christmas presents to non-VIP and Palladium VIP players.
From 1st to 14th December, you can celebrate Christmas in style with a double whammy of festive winning opportunities. There’s a prize giveaway where you can scoop up to 6 prizes, and a massive cash prize draw!
Winning a share of Santa’s Party Pack is simple, and you don’t even have to sit on Santa’s knee! Simply opt-in between the 1st-14th December and collect points by playing your favourite slots and jackpot slots. The more you play, the more prizes you’ll unwrap.
Prize Giveaway
If you’re not a VIP yet, check out the Christmas List below, Santa could bring you up to 5 fantastic prizes worth $1,000:
Points Cumulative prizes
20 $5 cash bonus
100 300 points
500 $50 cash bonus
1,000 $100 free cash
5,000 iPad 32GB WiFi*
*The iPad 32GB WiFi has a cash alternative of $600, this will automatically be credited to your account. Please see T&C’s for details of how to receive the non monetary alternative.
If you’re a Palladium VIP player, check out the Christmas list below. Santa could bring you up to 6 prizes worth $10,000:
Points Cumulative prizes
2,000 $75 cash bonus
3,000 1500 points
5,000 $150 cash bonus
7,500 $250 free cash
15,000 iPad 64GB WiFi**
50,000 Luxury Caribbean Holiday**
(worth $8,500)
**The iPad 64GB WiFi has a cash alternative of $1,000, **The Luxury Caribbean Holiday has a cash alternative of $5,000 these will automatically be credited to your account. Please see T&C’s for details of how to receive the non monetary alternative.
Santa’s Big Prize Draw
What a cracker! But wait…there’s an extra present under the tree – Santa’s Big Prize Draw. By taking part in Santa’s Party Pack, you will be eligible for the draw. The more points you earn the more entries you will receive. Check below to see how much cash you can win:
Non-VIP Big Prize Draw
Every time you earn 20 points during the promotion, you’ll get one entry to the Big Prize Draw. $10,000 will be shared equally between 10 lucky players.
VIP Big Prize Draw
Every time you earn 500 points during the promotion, you’ll get one entry to the Big Prize Draw. $20,000 will be shared between 3 lucky players in the following amounts: 1st - $10,000, 2nd - $6,000 and 3rd - $4,000.
You can collect points on any of our slots and jackpot slots. To join the festivities you need to Opt-In from the 1st-14th December. Win some exceptional presents this Christmas with Santa’s Party Pack.
Good luck and Merry Christmas!
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour
PartyGaming
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** Win your share of $5,000 every day in December. See: PartyPoker.com **
** The first episode of PartyPoker.com World Open VI is now online.
Many of the players involved will remember the jaw dropping quads over quads – Andrew Robl, Toby Lewis, Mike Sexton and Jesse May talk about this in a special post here: PartyPoker.com
** Aussie Millions qualifiers are up and running. Team Party pro Tyron Krost won the event last year and gives his own guide to satellites. PartyPoker.com **
Palladium VIP's - Spoil Yourself With As Many Presents As You Want From PartyPoker - Santa's Party Pack Open To All On PartyCasino!
Gibraltar – 30th November 2010 -- The festive season is drawing closer and PartyPoker.com is making sure they treat their most-valued players to a whole stack of presents. Palladium VIPs have the opportunity to pick up six presents and fill their very own Santa sack by just earning points by playing at PartyPoker.com’s online tables from the 1st to 14th December 2010.
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: "The premise is very simple – Palladium VIPs earn points that make prizes. At the bottom end there is a $50 cash bonus, while 30,000 points delivers a $5,000 WPT entry. Players are entitled to keep all of the prizes they can win - so with six prize levels there’s six fantastic presents to keep!"
Here’s what’s on offer in the VIP Gift Accumulator:
Prize level Points required Prize Prize Draw tickets
1 1,500 $50 cash bonus 1
2 3,000 $100 cash 2
3 6,000 iPod Touch 4
4 12,000 $700 cash 8
5 20,000 16GB iPad 14
6 30,000 WPT entry 20
The feast of presents doesn’t just end here though. Every time a player hits a prize level PartyPoker.com award tickets for the VIP Gift Accumulator prize draw which offers the chance to win a share of $10,000. The more prizes a Palladium VIP earn the more entries they’ll get into the draw, giving more frequent players a better chance of winning the $5,000 first prize, the $3,000 second prize or the $2,000 third prize. Winners will be announced on the 17th December.
Please note that this is an OPT-IN promotion. For more information see: PartyPoker.com
Santa is also coming to PartyCasino.com. Unlike the poker promotion this is open to non VIPs too and runs from the 1st – 14th December, whether you have been bad or good. Points mean prizes including a luxury Caribbean holiday!
See: PartyCasino.com for more information.
Santa’s Party Pack
Prizes whether you’ve been good or bad!
Starts: 00:00 ET, 1st December
Ends: 23:59 ET, 14th December
Santa is making an early appearance. He’s spreading Christmas cheer, handing out killer Christmas presents to non-VIP and Palladium VIP players.
From 1st to 14th December, you can celebrate Christmas in style with a double whammy of festive winning opportunities. There’s a prize giveaway where you can scoop up to 6 prizes, and a massive cash prize draw!
Winning a share of Santa’s Party Pack is simple, and you don’t even have to sit on Santa’s knee! Simply opt-in between the 1st-14th December and collect points by playing your favourite slots and jackpot slots. The more you play, the more prizes you’ll unwrap.
Prize Giveaway
If you’re not a VIP yet, check out the Christmas List below, Santa could bring you up to 5 fantastic prizes worth $1,000:
Points Cumulative prizes
20 $5 cash bonus
100 300 points
500 $50 cash bonus
1,000 $100 free cash
5,000 iPad 32GB WiFi*
*The iPad 32GB WiFi has a cash alternative of $600, this will automatically be credited to your account. Please see T&C’s for details of how to receive the non monetary alternative.
If you’re a Palladium VIP player, check out the Christmas list below. Santa could bring you up to 6 prizes worth $10,000:
Points Cumulative prizes
2,000 $75 cash bonus
3,000 1500 points
5,000 $150 cash bonus
7,500 $250 free cash
15,000 iPad 64GB WiFi**
50,000 Luxury Caribbean Holiday**
(worth $8,500)
**The iPad 64GB WiFi has a cash alternative of $1,000, **The Luxury Caribbean Holiday has a cash alternative of $5,000 these will automatically be credited to your account. Please see T&C’s for details of how to receive the non monetary alternative.
Santa’s Big Prize Draw
What a cracker! But wait…there’s an extra present under the tree – Santa’s Big Prize Draw. By taking part in Santa’s Party Pack, you will be eligible for the draw. The more points you earn the more entries you will receive. Check below to see how much cash you can win:
Non-VIP Big Prize Draw
Every time you earn 20 points during the promotion, you’ll get one entry to the Big Prize Draw. $10,000 will be shared equally between 10 lucky players.
VIP Big Prize Draw
Every time you earn 500 points during the promotion, you’ll get one entry to the Big Prize Draw. $20,000 will be shared between 3 lucky players in the following amounts: 1st - $10,000, 2nd - $6,000 and 3rd - $4,000.
You can collect points on any of our slots and jackpot slots. To join the festivities you need to Opt-In from the 1st-14th December. Win some exceptional presents this Christmas with Santa’s Party Pack.
Good luck and Merry Christmas!
Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour Casino
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour
PartyGaming
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Wrestling News Media: 15 All Time Legends
Media Man Profiles
Hulk Hogan
Ric Flair
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper
Vince McMahon
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
Don Muraco
Paul "Mr Wonderful" Orndorff
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
John Cena
Chris Jericho
The Rock
Mick Foley
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
Mario Milano
Hulk Hogan
Ric Flair
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper
Vince McMahon
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
Don Muraco
Paul "Mr Wonderful" Orndorff
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
John Cena
Chris Jericho
The Rock
Mick Foley
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
Mario Milano
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Australian Casino And Gambling News, by Greg Tingle - 7th December 2010
Sports Entertainment News
G'day maties. It's another jam packed report focusing on “down under” Australia. We've got more on the the Aussie pubs, clubs and gaming industry at war with the government, fanatical MP's out of touch with society, another casino attack, Aristocrat shares taking a massive dive and much more. Media Man and Gambling911 with the latest, greatest and hardest hitting from Aussie land...
Country Clubs Name MPs Andrew Wilkie and Nick Xenophon Fanatical; Out Of Touch With Society, Pen Pushers With Own Agendas...
Independent MPs Andrew Wilkie and Nick 'Mr X' Xenophon have been named "narrow-minded" and "fanatics" at their virgin meeting with Country Club members over planned gambling - gaming reforms. The meet at Narrabri in north-central New South Wales was the begging of a national consultation process over Wilkie's deal with the Federal Government to introduce mandatory pre-commitment technology for "one armed bandits" by 2014. The shake up would mean every poker player down under would be allowed to gamble only up to their "pre-stated limits". Clubs NSW says ATMs in clubs and pubs will also be modified so the maximum withdrawal for an individual is $250 per day. Sounds a bit like madness already. Club officials think the reforms will damage clubs and the sporting and charitable organisations they support. Narrabri RSL club president Barry Stanford says he reckons country clubs should be exempt from the changes, as their circumstances are different from big city clubs. "These guys (the independent MPs) have set an agenda they don't know anything about," Stanford said. "They don't know anything about our town or towns that we belong to." Senator Xenophon said he wanted a "robust discussion" and he got one. Narrabri RSL chief executive and Clubs NSW representative Paul Gordon advised the independents have been unprepared to negotiate on the pre-commitment plans. "I am left astounded that you both, as elected representatives of the people, can be so narrow-minded, stubborn and fanatical and indifferent towards the majority of Australians," Gordon said. He says the proposed changes to ATM withdrawal limits will severely disadvantage the elderly and retirees, who like to withdraw money in a safe environment. Wilkie then appealed to the crowd to help find a solution to the scourge of problem gambling. "The decision has been made... I now come to you and ask you to work with me, Nick and the Federal Government to work out a system that diminishes problem gambling but does not harm the clubs. I hope you will agree we have a moral obligation to help problem gamblers." A lot of the alarm is the 'Big Brother' mandatory pre-commitment...a system whereby every pokie player will have to register using a card or some other tech and have their play tracked. Every player will need to set a pre-determined limit on how much money they can gamble; once they lose that amount they cannot put any more money through the poker machines. The player will not be able to go to another club or venue because every poker machine across the country will be connected. Gordon says there are better ways to deal with the minority of problem gamblers in country towns, accusing the independents of "bringing a gun to a schoolyard scuffle". Armidale City Bowling Club chief executive Phil Wheaton says his club actively supports 81 community and sporting organisations. "You have got to be joking; you are going to take 40# of our revenue... friggin' hell, I have got a vote," he said. The Narrabri Golf Club, which is already under financial strain, says if the reforms go ahead it will not survive. But Wilkie says the clubs are "peddling misinformation" as they ramp up a campaign against the gambling reforms. "The amount of good clubs do is often grossly exaggerated by the industry. There is not nearly as much going back into the community as some of these clubs would have you believe. But the fact is they do do good and I don't want to diminish that good." Senator Xenophon says small clubs with around 10 poker machines can apply for special consideration when the reforms are implemented, and that includes any club in financial peril. An insider said "It's the government's Big Brother tactics, and pokie hating MP's that have really got people offside. It's also got an Australia Card' type approach to it. Us true blue Aussie's don't like to be told what to do, what to think... what to spend our time or money on. That government just won't last and now has a massive fight on its hands".
Wilkie Means Business On Hard Line Approach...
Wilkie says he is "remarkably unworried about the pressure the industry is bringing to bear. "What the industry needs to understand is that they are lobbying the MPs as though we are having a discussion of whether there will be or won't there be poker machine reform. The decision has been made. There will be unprecedented reform on poker machines and problem gambling in Australia. They can lobby all the politicians until the cows come home but it won't mean anything because the decision has been made." Footy clubs, RSL clubs are not going to take it lying down. Chris Hart, a supervisor at the Steelers Club in Wollongong, says he is wearing a badge opposing the changes because he believes they could cost him his job and pay packet. "I am wearing this badge because it is part of a campaign against the mandatory pre-commitment changes and it involves a customer having to scan their thumb on a machine so they commit an amount of money and once they reach that limit they can't do it anywhere else in Australia," Hart said. "I really think it will have a devastating effect on clubs like this." Emma Sumner also works at the Steelers footy club. She says mandatory pre-commitment won't work and the club could close down if it is forced to implement the new technology. "It isn't a good idea because we will lose about 40% of our revenue and it means we can't support out local team, the Illawarra Dragons," she said. Sumner reckons that she sees problem gamblers in the club but does not believe anyone can intervene. "When you work in this industry you do see people and you think how much money have they put in today, but then again it is really none of our business ... it is their sort of business." Clubs say they are happy to support pre-commitment reforms (as long as they are voluntary) and they are calling on PM Gillard to meet them to discuss the issue. Readers, if you have a put, know your limits, and stick to them.
Tabcorp Casino Chips Seized In Drug Investigation...
Countfeit casino chips are still extremely popular with crims down under, and northern Australia cities appear to have developed networks thick into the action. Roughly 60 thousand dollars worth of cash and casino chips have been seized by law enforcement in a large Sunshine Coast drug trafficking investigation. Coppers have arrested at least 10 people on as many as 30 charges in the joint Criminal Investigation Branch and Tactical Crime Squad operation. There has been $26,000 in cash and $36,000 in casino chips seized from a Warana premises. The casino chips range in value from $100 to $1000 and belong to Tabcorp's Conrad Jupiters and Star City casinos. Yesterday police and the "dog squad" raided a Kunda Park wheel and tyre business this morning over allegations of drug trafficking. A man in his 30s was assisting police with their search at the business. Detectives and the dog squad were at the scene which is the centre of a lengthy drug trafficking and supply investigation. A residence in Buderim was also searched. Neighbouring businesses shared differing opinions about the Kunda Park raid, but all described the man at the centre of the raid as a "very likable person."
How Smart Are Aussie Gambling Smartcards?...
So called "problem gamblers" will not be forced to set limits on how much they plunge on the pokies despite the Federal Government vowing to mandate smartcards designed to cut players' losses. Queensland gamblers have started voluntarily using special swipe cards to limit their poker machine losses four years ahead of the Government making the so-called "pre-commitment" technology compulsory, or at least that's the spin been dished out by Australian government departments. More than 1000 of the state's pokies players are using new technology in-built into poker machine swipe cards to set daily limits on how much they gamble, a problem gambling conference on the Gold Coast has been told. Queensland was one of the first states to introduce the cards ahead of the Gillard Government's plan to make compulsory their use in all Australian gaming venues, except land based casinos, by 2014. The cards were put forward by the Australian Productivity Commission in a report earlier this year, which found Australians gambled $19 billion in 2008-2009 – $12 billion of it on pokies. Despite talking tough on the loss-limiting technology, warning the Commonwealth will override the states if they fail to back its introduction, federal Families Minister Jenny Macklin says pokies players will not be forced to set a limit on how much they spend.
Instead, they could "choose to set no limit at all", Macklin told the National Association of Gambling Studies conference at Jupiters Casino. She said this would give Australia's 10,000s of thousands of problem gamblers "greater control" while allowing others to continue to enjoy playing the machines. Ms Macklin said pre-commitment technology was "a tool" which would allow problem gamblers to "set a limit and help them stick to it". "It's certainly not about the Government controlling people's money. "It's not about taking away people's individual responsibility for their own behaviour." Declan Martschinke, from Max Gaming – which makes the pre-commitment poker machine cards already being used in Queensland venues...said the gambling industry did not favour punters being forced to set spending limits. He said having mandatory pre-commitment cards would make people think about how much they were gambling. "It's a good tool for harm minimisation." he said, adding the cards stopped people from gambling any more once they reached their daily limit – which could be as high as $10,000. The cards could also be used to obtain spending statements. He said 35,000 cashless gaming cards had been issued to pokies players in clubs and pubs, but only about 1000 cardholders had taken up the option to set spending limits. Industry insiders say the government is all spin on this matter, and have a set agenda. Clubs Australia and the clubs, pubs and hotel industry is just now starting to fight back, and is generating strong support with communities and of course, patrons.
Aristocrat Leisure Ltd Shares Suffer 7 Year Low...
Shares in Aristocrat Leisure Ltd slumped to a near seven-year low after the gaming machine maker flagged a fall in full year operating profit as it struggles in North America and Japan.
Ex AFL Coach Convicted Of Fraud, Repaid Gambling Loans Led To Jail...
Former Brisbane Lions' assistant coach Daryn Cresswell, 39, has been jailed for fraud offences. He pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud in the Maroochydore District Court today. He was sentenced to 3 years in jail suspended after 10 months. Cresswell used false documents and a fake name to borrow hundreds of thousands of dollars in Queensland in 2005 and 2006 to repay gambling debts. The National Australia Bank (NAB) made an application for bankruptcy against Cresswell in June 2008. He was declared bankrupt in April last year. Court documents showed he owed the bank more than $500,000. Cresswell played 244 games for the Sydney Swans before retiring to take up coaching positions with the Brisbane Lions, the Geelong Cats, the Tasmanian Devils and the New South Wales AFL club, Manly-Warringah. He was also coach of Tasmania's former VFL side.
Northern Queensland Pokie Bandit Fights By Police Dog, Dog - 1; Bandit - Nil...
An alleged bandit was tasered and two others fled from police after they were caught trying to crack open poker machines at a tavern in Queensland's southeast. The three men, armed with heavy tools, broke into the Highfields Tavern, in Toowoomba's north, just after midnight on Monday, police said. They gained entry to the tavern's gaming room and began to hack into poker machines, Sergeant Jamie Deacon told the press. "They damaged six poker machines with a sledge hammer and/or crowbar," he said. "They removed cash boxes from each machine." The gang set off the alarm during the raid and police, including the dog squad, arrived a short time later. Two of the men fled. The third, armed with a screwdriver, approached a police dog and his handler in a threatening manner. When the man failed to follow police instructions the dog was released, police said in a statement. The man suffered minor injuries to his right thigh. Police will allege the man continued to struggle with the dog and in fear of the dog's safety his handler fired a taser at the man. The man dropped the weapon and grabbed at the snout of the dog before being taken into custody. The 33-year-old, from the nearby town of Drayton, was arrested and charged with possession of implements, assaulting police, and break-and-enter. He is due to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrate's Court on Monday. Police investigations are continuing and officers are examining possible links to other offences in the area. "He's a well-known Toowoomba person," Sgt Deacon said. The other two men remain on the run. Crime does not pay.
How did you find the report today? Offer your opinion in the Gambling911 forum.
If you have a bet, bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a Special Contributor to the Gambling911.com website and proprietor of Media Man International
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They also offer political analysis.
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G'day maties. It's another jam packed report focusing on “down under” Australia. We've got more on the the Aussie pubs, clubs and gaming industry at war with the government, fanatical MP's out of touch with society, another casino attack, Aristocrat shares taking a massive dive and much more. Media Man and Gambling911 with the latest, greatest and hardest hitting from Aussie land...
Country Clubs Name MPs Andrew Wilkie and Nick Xenophon Fanatical; Out Of Touch With Society, Pen Pushers With Own Agendas...
Independent MPs Andrew Wilkie and Nick 'Mr X' Xenophon have been named "narrow-minded" and "fanatics" at their virgin meeting with Country Club members over planned gambling - gaming reforms. The meet at Narrabri in north-central New South Wales was the begging of a national consultation process over Wilkie's deal with the Federal Government to introduce mandatory pre-commitment technology for "one armed bandits" by 2014. The shake up would mean every poker player down under would be allowed to gamble only up to their "pre-stated limits". Clubs NSW says ATMs in clubs and pubs will also be modified so the maximum withdrawal for an individual is $250 per day. Sounds a bit like madness already. Club officials think the reforms will damage clubs and the sporting and charitable organisations they support. Narrabri RSL club president Barry Stanford says he reckons country clubs should be exempt from the changes, as their circumstances are different from big city clubs. "These guys (the independent MPs) have set an agenda they don't know anything about," Stanford said. "They don't know anything about our town or towns that we belong to." Senator Xenophon said he wanted a "robust discussion" and he got one. Narrabri RSL chief executive and Clubs NSW representative Paul Gordon advised the independents have been unprepared to negotiate on the pre-commitment plans. "I am left astounded that you both, as elected representatives of the people, can be so narrow-minded, stubborn and fanatical and indifferent towards the majority of Australians," Gordon said. He says the proposed changes to ATM withdrawal limits will severely disadvantage the elderly and retirees, who like to withdraw money in a safe environment. Wilkie then appealed to the crowd to help find a solution to the scourge of problem gambling. "The decision has been made... I now come to you and ask you to work with me, Nick and the Federal Government to work out a system that diminishes problem gambling but does not harm the clubs. I hope you will agree we have a moral obligation to help problem gamblers." A lot of the alarm is the 'Big Brother' mandatory pre-commitment...a system whereby every pokie player will have to register using a card or some other tech and have their play tracked. Every player will need to set a pre-determined limit on how much money they can gamble; once they lose that amount they cannot put any more money through the poker machines. The player will not be able to go to another club or venue because every poker machine across the country will be connected. Gordon says there are better ways to deal with the minority of problem gamblers in country towns, accusing the independents of "bringing a gun to a schoolyard scuffle". Armidale City Bowling Club chief executive Phil Wheaton says his club actively supports 81 community and sporting organisations. "You have got to be joking; you are going to take 40# of our revenue... friggin' hell, I have got a vote," he said. The Narrabri Golf Club, which is already under financial strain, says if the reforms go ahead it will not survive. But Wilkie says the clubs are "peddling misinformation" as they ramp up a campaign against the gambling reforms. "The amount of good clubs do is often grossly exaggerated by the industry. There is not nearly as much going back into the community as some of these clubs would have you believe. But the fact is they do do good and I don't want to diminish that good." Senator Xenophon says small clubs with around 10 poker machines can apply for special consideration when the reforms are implemented, and that includes any club in financial peril. An insider said "It's the government's Big Brother tactics, and pokie hating MP's that have really got people offside. It's also got an Australia Card' type approach to it. Us true blue Aussie's don't like to be told what to do, what to think... what to spend our time or money on. That government just won't last and now has a massive fight on its hands".
Wilkie Means Business On Hard Line Approach...
Wilkie says he is "remarkably unworried about the pressure the industry is bringing to bear. "What the industry needs to understand is that they are lobbying the MPs as though we are having a discussion of whether there will be or won't there be poker machine reform. The decision has been made. There will be unprecedented reform on poker machines and problem gambling in Australia. They can lobby all the politicians until the cows come home but it won't mean anything because the decision has been made." Footy clubs, RSL clubs are not going to take it lying down. Chris Hart, a supervisor at the Steelers Club in Wollongong, says he is wearing a badge opposing the changes because he believes they could cost him his job and pay packet. "I am wearing this badge because it is part of a campaign against the mandatory pre-commitment changes and it involves a customer having to scan their thumb on a machine so they commit an amount of money and once they reach that limit they can't do it anywhere else in Australia," Hart said. "I really think it will have a devastating effect on clubs like this." Emma Sumner also works at the Steelers footy club. She says mandatory pre-commitment won't work and the club could close down if it is forced to implement the new technology. "It isn't a good idea because we will lose about 40% of our revenue and it means we can't support out local team, the Illawarra Dragons," she said. Sumner reckons that she sees problem gamblers in the club but does not believe anyone can intervene. "When you work in this industry you do see people and you think how much money have they put in today, but then again it is really none of our business ... it is their sort of business." Clubs say they are happy to support pre-commitment reforms (as long as they are voluntary) and they are calling on PM Gillard to meet them to discuss the issue. Readers, if you have a put, know your limits, and stick to them.
Tabcorp Casino Chips Seized In Drug Investigation...
Countfeit casino chips are still extremely popular with crims down under, and northern Australia cities appear to have developed networks thick into the action. Roughly 60 thousand dollars worth of cash and casino chips have been seized by law enforcement in a large Sunshine Coast drug trafficking investigation. Coppers have arrested at least 10 people on as many as 30 charges in the joint Criminal Investigation Branch and Tactical Crime Squad operation. There has been $26,000 in cash and $36,000 in casino chips seized from a Warana premises. The casino chips range in value from $100 to $1000 and belong to Tabcorp's Conrad Jupiters and Star City casinos. Yesterday police and the "dog squad" raided a Kunda Park wheel and tyre business this morning over allegations of drug trafficking. A man in his 30s was assisting police with their search at the business. Detectives and the dog squad were at the scene which is the centre of a lengthy drug trafficking and supply investigation. A residence in Buderim was also searched. Neighbouring businesses shared differing opinions about the Kunda Park raid, but all described the man at the centre of the raid as a "very likable person."
How Smart Are Aussie Gambling Smartcards?...
So called "problem gamblers" will not be forced to set limits on how much they plunge on the pokies despite the Federal Government vowing to mandate smartcards designed to cut players' losses. Queensland gamblers have started voluntarily using special swipe cards to limit their poker machine losses four years ahead of the Government making the so-called "pre-commitment" technology compulsory, or at least that's the spin been dished out by Australian government departments. More than 1000 of the state's pokies players are using new technology in-built into poker machine swipe cards to set daily limits on how much they gamble, a problem gambling conference on the Gold Coast has been told. Queensland was one of the first states to introduce the cards ahead of the Gillard Government's plan to make compulsory their use in all Australian gaming venues, except land based casinos, by 2014. The cards were put forward by the Australian Productivity Commission in a report earlier this year, which found Australians gambled $19 billion in 2008-2009 – $12 billion of it on pokies. Despite talking tough on the loss-limiting technology, warning the Commonwealth will override the states if they fail to back its introduction, federal Families Minister Jenny Macklin says pokies players will not be forced to set a limit on how much they spend.
Instead, they could "choose to set no limit at all", Macklin told the National Association of Gambling Studies conference at Jupiters Casino. She said this would give Australia's 10,000s of thousands of problem gamblers "greater control" while allowing others to continue to enjoy playing the machines. Ms Macklin said pre-commitment technology was "a tool" which would allow problem gamblers to "set a limit and help them stick to it". "It's certainly not about the Government controlling people's money. "It's not about taking away people's individual responsibility for their own behaviour." Declan Martschinke, from Max Gaming – which makes the pre-commitment poker machine cards already being used in Queensland venues...said the gambling industry did not favour punters being forced to set spending limits. He said having mandatory pre-commitment cards would make people think about how much they were gambling. "It's a good tool for harm minimisation." he said, adding the cards stopped people from gambling any more once they reached their daily limit – which could be as high as $10,000. The cards could also be used to obtain spending statements. He said 35,000 cashless gaming cards had been issued to pokies players in clubs and pubs, but only about 1000 cardholders had taken up the option to set spending limits. Industry insiders say the government is all spin on this matter, and have a set agenda. Clubs Australia and the clubs, pubs and hotel industry is just now starting to fight back, and is generating strong support with communities and of course, patrons.
Aristocrat Leisure Ltd Shares Suffer 7 Year Low...
Shares in Aristocrat Leisure Ltd slumped to a near seven-year low after the gaming machine maker flagged a fall in full year operating profit as it struggles in North America and Japan.
Ex AFL Coach Convicted Of Fraud, Repaid Gambling Loans Led To Jail...
Former Brisbane Lions' assistant coach Daryn Cresswell, 39, has been jailed for fraud offences. He pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud in the Maroochydore District Court today. He was sentenced to 3 years in jail suspended after 10 months. Cresswell used false documents and a fake name to borrow hundreds of thousands of dollars in Queensland in 2005 and 2006 to repay gambling debts. The National Australia Bank (NAB) made an application for bankruptcy against Cresswell in June 2008. He was declared bankrupt in April last year. Court documents showed he owed the bank more than $500,000. Cresswell played 244 games for the Sydney Swans before retiring to take up coaching positions with the Brisbane Lions, the Geelong Cats, the Tasmanian Devils and the New South Wales AFL club, Manly-Warringah. He was also coach of Tasmania's former VFL side.
Northern Queensland Pokie Bandit Fights By Police Dog, Dog - 1; Bandit - Nil...
An alleged bandit was tasered and two others fled from police after they were caught trying to crack open poker machines at a tavern in Queensland's southeast. The three men, armed with heavy tools, broke into the Highfields Tavern, in Toowoomba's north, just after midnight on Monday, police said. They gained entry to the tavern's gaming room and began to hack into poker machines, Sergeant Jamie Deacon told the press. "They damaged six poker machines with a sledge hammer and/or crowbar," he said. "They removed cash boxes from each machine." The gang set off the alarm during the raid and police, including the dog squad, arrived a short time later. Two of the men fled. The third, armed with a screwdriver, approached a police dog and his handler in a threatening manner. When the man failed to follow police instructions the dog was released, police said in a statement. The man suffered minor injuries to his right thigh. Police will allege the man continued to struggle with the dog and in fear of the dog's safety his handler fired a taser at the man. The man dropped the weapon and grabbed at the snout of the dog before being taken into custody. The 33-year-old, from the nearby town of Drayton, was arrested and charged with possession of implements, assaulting police, and break-and-enter. He is due to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrate's Court on Monday. Police investigations are continuing and officers are examining possible links to other offences in the area. "He's a well-known Toowoomba person," Sgt Deacon said. The other two men remain on the run. Crime does not pay.
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*Greg Tingle is a Special Contributor to the Gambling911.com website and proprietor of Media Man International
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They also offer political analysis.
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