Ah, the fun and games continue in the igaming, gaming and affiliate sector. Not the sort of news we like to report on, as we prefer positive news stories when possible, but of late some questionable operators in and around the igaming and affiliate sector are making it too easy for us hard nosed journalists and media analysts.
Media Man and Gambling911 report
So, you asked for it, and you shall receive...
GameAccount Global Limited, primarily a skill games operator, has had its operating licence suspended by the UK’s Gambling Commission watchdog under section 118 of the Gambling Act of 2005.
GameAccount is the firm behind the CasinoRip.com (known to some insiders as "Casino Rip Off") online blackjack website and the Gambling Commission tells us that it's suspended their licence while it conducts a review.
"The suspension is an interim measure, the need for which will be kept under consideration during the review," read a statement from the Gambling Commission.
"The Commission will make no further comment until the review is complete."
According to section 120 of the Gambling Act of 2005, the Gambling Commission may suspend or revoke an operator’s licence if 'a licensed activity is being or has been carried on in a manner that is inconsistent with the licensing objectives'. In addition, a licence may be delayed or withdrawn if 'a condition of the licence has been breached' or if the licensee has ‘failed to cooperate with a review under section 116' or is ‘unsuitable to carry on the licensed activities'.
Suspension may also be invoked if a 'licensee has failed to comply with a requirement of regulations under section 101' or 'has failed to submit the licence to the Commission for amendment in accordance with section 105'.
Section 120 of the Gambling Act contains a provision when considering a licensee’s suitability that gives the Gambling Commission regard to 'the integrity of the licensee or of any person who exercises a function in connection with or is interested in the licensed activities'. The body may also consider 'the competence of the licensee or of any person who exercises a function in connection with the licensed activities to carry on the licensed activities in a manner consistent with pursuit of the licensing objectives' along with the 'financial and other circumstances of the licensee or of any person who exercises a function in connection with or is interested in the licensed activities and, in particular, the resources available for the purpose of carrying on the licensed activities'.
Punters and insiders, did you make heads or tails of that? That's what we thought. Basically, it looks like GameAccount - CasinoRip, may have been bad boys, and suspended their licence has been suspended by the UK’s Gambling Commission.
GameAccount's TV adverts have also got them some unwanted attention.
The ads stated that "everyone loves to play blackjack. But if you play against the casino, it’s the casino that always wins. At CasinoRIP.com, you play blackjack against other players so a real person always wins, guaranteed!". Following a complaint, the ASA said that GameAccount had not shown that the house consistently won in most hands of casino blackjack and concluded that the ad misleadingly implied that the service offered greater rewards over traditional casinos than were actually available.
Media Man and Gambling911 can however report some more positives in the igaming sector, including in the affiliate sector, as hard as that may be to believe...
PartyGaming's PartyPartners, Virgin Games Affiliates, BetUS Partners, Rewards Affiliates (Captain Cooks Casino etc), PokerStars Partners and PKR Affiliates all continue to impress internet, gaming and publishing entrepreneurs, and Bodog looks to have made some recent improvements also. Mainstream agencies DGM (Betfair, Virgin Mobile etc) and LinkShare (SecondLife.com and Microsoft) continue to impress and pay well.
PartyPartners.com by PartyGaming is a real stand out. Recently they added the World Poker Tour brand to their affiliate offering via WPT Casino and WPT Poker, which is awesome news.
American operators and readers, please note that World Poker Tour also offer an online poker site (and affiliate program) for you. It's entitled ClubWPT. We've found that that commissions for affiliates are not quite as lucrative as they are for PartyPartners and AffClub, but at least because its the World Poker Tour brand, owned and operated by PartyGaming, you can trust them, plus they are seriously cashed up, listed on the London Stock Exchange, and opened for business in 1997, which is like a lifetime in this line of business.
Virgin Games affiliate program has impressed Media Man and co for a number of years however our experience has been that the month to month commissions can greatly fluctuate. We all know the power of the Virgin brand, however because Virgin does not accept players in many parts of the world this has no doubt effected the earnings capacity of many affiliates. Web publishers and gaming entrepreneurs around the global are hopeing the day will come where Virgin will accept American and Australian players, and perhaps their AWOMO (A World Of My Own) initiative will facilitate that, once Virgin get the right investors on board, and fine tune an affiliate program for their virtual worlds offering.
Canada has been looking like fertile territory for new media entrepreneurs, web publishers and the like of late. Canada is of course iGaming's King Of The World, Calvin Ayre original home, before jumping on a plane off to Antigua aka "Parts Unknown". Bodog's servers are understood to be hosted at Morris Mohawk, headquartered in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake in Quebec, Canada - part of the seven communities that make up the Mohawk Nation, but that's anther story. Anyway, Canada was looking so good to the Media Man and friends that they have now successfully infiltrated via way of http://www.mediamancanada.com , and make sure you check out the profiles of Canadian greats, Ayre, Bret "Hitman" Hart, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Trish Status. Yeah, we have a Bodog profile also, but we prefer PartyGaming and Virgin for the time being... sorry Calvin and Bodog Bekky, but nothing stays the same forever, so watch this space!
Webmasters, if your not already participating in Google advertising and affiliate programs, it may be time to take a closer look. Google are obviously one of the world's most stable technology firm. There's Google Affiliate Network, AdSence, YouTube options and more.
Some igaming and gaming entrepreneurs prefer to set up their own in house affiliate programs, but often they are more trouble that they are worth.
Gold stars to PartyGaming, Virgin Games, PKR, DGM and Rewards Affiliates.
Until next time, have fun playing "Spot The Rouge Online Casino" and we wish you well and huge success in all of your affiliate program endeavors (even if the odds are against it).
Quote Of The Day: "Internet is like electricity" (James Packer, Australian and Asia Pacific Casino Owner - Entrepreneur)
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry verticals, gaming and igaming included.
Website Network
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Casino
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casinos
Australian Casino News
01 April 2010
Frank Sinatra Land Based Casino To Close But Sinatra Slot Lives On At PartyGaming, by Greg Tingle - 1st April 2010
A Nevada casino once owned by legend Frank Sinatra and patronised by Hollywood stars and mobsters has closed due to plunging gambling rates and competition from the Vegas strip.
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate, as we mix it up with Hollywooders, journos, academics and mobsters...
Associations with the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior has not been enough to save the Cal Neva Lodge Casino from the distressed US land based casino industry.
The casino, situated on Lake Tahoe near the California border, last year saw its revenues fall to approximately 50% of what they enjoyed in 1992 allowing for inflation, tipped Mr William Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada.
Other local casinos continue to close or have downsized, unable to compete with Las Vegas, not in good shape itself – and the growing number of gambling resorts on Native American Indian reservations.
"The realities are when you have that kind of decline the weakest operators typically get pushed out," advised Mr Eadington. "The older, tired casinos and the Cal Neva is a great example, don't have much to offer for gaming."
Understood to be America's oldest licensed casino, the Cal Neva opened for business in 1926. The Cal Veva enjoyed its peak in the early 1960s when it was bought by Sinatra, reportedly in partnership with Sam Giancana, a Chicago mobster.
Adding a 35-seat celebrity showroom and rooftop helicopter pad, Samy and Frank ensured film stars, singers and Mafiosi enjoyed its blackjack games and roulette tables.
A network of underground tunnels, built to smuggle alcohol during Prohibition, allowed the VIP guests to move around the establishment without being seen by the general public.
Monroe actually spent the last weekend of her colourful life at The Cal in 1962 as a guest of the infamous 'Rat Pack' actor Peter Lawford and his wife.
Various stories circulate as to why the blond goddess was there. One story goes on to say she discussed making a film with Dean Martin and to patch things up with her second husband, baseball icon Joe DiMaggio, yet another Cal Neva regular. The other side of the story we learn is that a 1999 biography claimed Monroe was brought there to be threatened not to reveal her Mafia links, drugged in her cabin and photographed in compromising positions! Another Cal Neva rumour claims she used the resort for a tryst with John F Kennedy.
Staff concede the resort has traded off its colourful history but Guy Rocha, a former Nevada state archivist, said it would not register with younger gamblers. The hotel and restaurant remain open, but the tables, slots and other gambling activity are history.
"The Cal Neva doesn't capture people's imagination the way it once did," he said.
The Sinatra name is however alive and strong on the internet. Media Man has created an online tribute (with the help of Wikipedia) which is found here
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/sinatra.html and an authentic Sinatra online slot game, developed by 'The Games Studio' of PartyGaming fame is also showcased. Frank Sinatra Enterprises came to business terms with PartyGaming last year and the slot game has proven to be one of the most popular of all time, even competing with the legendary Cleopatra, developed by IGT (International Gaming Technology) and WagerWorks. Gangster and mob related games are some of the most popular found anywhere in the world. 'The Godfather' franchise also has an online slot game and rumours are circulating that Australia's late Kerry Packer (code named "The Goanna" in The Costigan Commission report) may also get the same treatment.
PartyGaming is also currently rumoured to be in discussions with the Canadian Poker Tour aka HeadsUp Entertainment, as well as enjoying M&A talk with Bwin and others. This past week PartyGaming inked a b2b multi year deal with Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU). Party will provide its poker product to its horse racing website. Party continues its global strategy with France, South America, India, the U.S and Australia in its sights.
Media Man remains optimistic about America's igaming industry growth, having created http://www.americangamingnews.com and http://www.hollywoodslotgames.com
A Media Man insider was overheard, "If only the U.S igaming market would open up sooner rather than later. We could kick some major goals under Gambling911 and the Sly Stallone - Arnie connection guidance. I guess we will have to stick mainly to poker and sports betting in the U.S sector for now, but when things change those Gambling911 guys, PartyGaming and the Media Man crew might just take over Vegas and Atlantic City... we could back door it in via Canada and North America with those Canadian Poker tournament guys. It will be just like the good old days, and you know history repeats my friend".
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The firm covers approximately a dozen business vertical markets including gaming and igaming
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man Canada
Media Man Australia
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Racing News Media
Poker News Media
American Casino News
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate, as we mix it up with Hollywooders, journos, academics and mobsters...
Associations with the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior has not been enough to save the Cal Neva Lodge Casino from the distressed US land based casino industry.
The casino, situated on Lake Tahoe near the California border, last year saw its revenues fall to approximately 50% of what they enjoyed in 1992 allowing for inflation, tipped Mr William Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada.
Other local casinos continue to close or have downsized, unable to compete with Las Vegas, not in good shape itself – and the growing number of gambling resorts on Native American Indian reservations.
"The realities are when you have that kind of decline the weakest operators typically get pushed out," advised Mr Eadington. "The older, tired casinos and the Cal Neva is a great example, don't have much to offer for gaming."
Understood to be America's oldest licensed casino, the Cal Neva opened for business in 1926. The Cal Veva enjoyed its peak in the early 1960s when it was bought by Sinatra, reportedly in partnership with Sam Giancana, a Chicago mobster.
Adding a 35-seat celebrity showroom and rooftop helicopter pad, Samy and Frank ensured film stars, singers and Mafiosi enjoyed its blackjack games and roulette tables.
A network of underground tunnels, built to smuggle alcohol during Prohibition, allowed the VIP guests to move around the establishment without being seen by the general public.
Monroe actually spent the last weekend of her colourful life at The Cal in 1962 as a guest of the infamous 'Rat Pack' actor Peter Lawford and his wife.
Various stories circulate as to why the blond goddess was there. One story goes on to say she discussed making a film with Dean Martin and to patch things up with her second husband, baseball icon Joe DiMaggio, yet another Cal Neva regular. The other side of the story we learn is that a 1999 biography claimed Monroe was brought there to be threatened not to reveal her Mafia links, drugged in her cabin and photographed in compromising positions! Another Cal Neva rumour claims she used the resort for a tryst with John F Kennedy.
Staff concede the resort has traded off its colourful history but Guy Rocha, a former Nevada state archivist, said it would not register with younger gamblers. The hotel and restaurant remain open, but the tables, slots and other gambling activity are history.
"The Cal Neva doesn't capture people's imagination the way it once did," he said.
The Sinatra name is however alive and strong on the internet. Media Man has created an online tribute (with the help of Wikipedia) which is found here
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/sinatra.html and an authentic Sinatra online slot game, developed by 'The Games Studio' of PartyGaming fame is also showcased. Frank Sinatra Enterprises came to business terms with PartyGaming last year and the slot game has proven to be one of the most popular of all time, even competing with the legendary Cleopatra, developed by IGT (International Gaming Technology) and WagerWorks. Gangster and mob related games are some of the most popular found anywhere in the world. 'The Godfather' franchise also has an online slot game and rumours are circulating that Australia's late Kerry Packer (code named "The Goanna" in The Costigan Commission report) may also get the same treatment.
PartyGaming is also currently rumoured to be in discussions with the Canadian Poker Tour aka HeadsUp Entertainment, as well as enjoying M&A talk with Bwin and others. This past week PartyGaming inked a b2b multi year deal with Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU). Party will provide its poker product to its horse racing website. Party continues its global strategy with France, South America, India, the U.S and Australia in its sights.
Media Man remains optimistic about America's igaming industry growth, having created http://www.americangamingnews.com and http://www.hollywoodslotgames.com
A Media Man insider was overheard, "If only the U.S igaming market would open up sooner rather than later. We could kick some major goals under Gambling911 and the Sly Stallone - Arnie connection guidance. I guess we will have to stick mainly to poker and sports betting in the U.S sector for now, but when things change those Gambling911 guys, PartyGaming and the Media Man crew might just take over Vegas and Atlantic City... we could back door it in via Canada and North America with those Canadian Poker tournament guys. It will be just like the good old days, and you know history repeats my friend".
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The firm covers approximately a dozen business vertical markets including gaming and igaming
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man Canada
Media Man Australia
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Racing News Media
Poker News Media
American Casino News
PartyCasino News: Circus Slot New Game For PartyGaming
PartyCasino.com News: Circus Slot New Game For PartyGaming
You’ve never played anything like The Circus
Roll up, roll up! Welcome to the Circus, the spectacular slot game like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
Combining the best elements of slots and games, Circus is the world’s first role-playing slot title. Choose from four memorable characters with varying abilities and unique storylines to take you through your cash-grabbing circus adventure.
Every feature in Circus has been made bigger, better and more exciting than other slots, especially with the inclusion of 16 dazzling bonus games. Step into the shoes of the lion tamer, magician, acrobat and many other classic circus roles as you try to win all the big money up for grabs.
The more you play, the more you’ll unlock. Discover thrilling plot developments, enjoy more rewarding bonus games and increase your abilities to raise your win multiplier for huge cash prizes.
Circus saves your game progress as you go, meaning you can return any time and continue where you left off. You can even start a second, third or fourth adventure with a different character.
This revolutionary game takes slots to a whole new level. Make a deposit and play now for an experience you’ll keep coming back to again and again. Play it now by PartyCasino.com software, or play instantly in your browser
You’ll be amazed at the Circus. Try the greatest spectacular on earth today.
Game Objective:
Circus is a five-reel, twenty-payline slot game with 16 features. 3 or more scattered Big Top symbols anywhere in view trigger and award one of the sixteen features. At the start of the game (when opening the game), player needs to select one character from the 4 characters available in the character selection screen. Player can change the character from within the game. Each character is independent of others. Once a particular feature game is played for a particular character, it cannot be played again until all 16 features are played for the respective character.
Game Information:
The minimum bet amount is $0.01 USD and the maximum bet amount is $1000 USD.
Website
PartyCasino.com
Profiles
Circus
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoints
PartyGaming
Website Network
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Party Casino News
Casino News Media
Media Man
You’ve never played anything like The Circus
Roll up, roll up! Welcome to the Circus, the spectacular slot game like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
Combining the best elements of slots and games, Circus is the world’s first role-playing slot title. Choose from four memorable characters with varying abilities and unique storylines to take you through your cash-grabbing circus adventure.
Every feature in Circus has been made bigger, better and more exciting than other slots, especially with the inclusion of 16 dazzling bonus games. Step into the shoes of the lion tamer, magician, acrobat and many other classic circus roles as you try to win all the big money up for grabs.
The more you play, the more you’ll unlock. Discover thrilling plot developments, enjoy more rewarding bonus games and increase your abilities to raise your win multiplier for huge cash prizes.
Circus saves your game progress as you go, meaning you can return any time and continue where you left off. You can even start a second, third or fourth adventure with a different character.
This revolutionary game takes slots to a whole new level. Make a deposit and play now for an experience you’ll keep coming back to again and again. Play it now by PartyCasino.com software, or play instantly in your browser
You’ll be amazed at the Circus. Try the greatest spectacular on earth today.
Game Objective:
Circus is a five-reel, twenty-payline slot game with 16 features. 3 or more scattered Big Top symbols anywhere in view trigger and award one of the sixteen features. At the start of the game (when opening the game), player needs to select one character from the 4 characters available in the character selection screen. Player can change the character from within the game. Each character is independent of others. Once a particular feature game is played for a particular character, it cannot be played again until all 16 features are played for the respective character.
Game Information:
The minimum bet amount is $0.01 USD and the maximum bet amount is $1000 USD.
Website
PartyCasino.com
Profiles
Circus
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoints
PartyGaming
Website Network
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Party Casino News
Casino News Media
Media Man
31 March 2010
PartyCasino Wins Media Man Online Casino Award, by Greg Tingle - 31st March 2010
PartyCasino.com Wins Media Man Online Casino Award
PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".
PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.
The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com
The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".
The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.
PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Rambo, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.
PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Melon Madness, SlotBox, Rubik's Slot, Beat The Bank, Sands Of Fortune, Tarzan, High Noon and Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 3 months. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.
PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.
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
PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".
PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.
The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com
The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".
The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.
PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.
The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Rambo, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.
The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.
PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Melon Madness, SlotBox, Rubik's Slot, Beat The Bank, Sands Of Fortune, Tarzan, High Noon and Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 3 months. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.
PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.
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
30 March 2010
PartyCasino New Games: Rubiks Slot, Slotbox, Sands Of Fortune, Beat the Bank and more - March 2010
PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com Releases New Games
Rubiks Slot, Slotbox, Sands Of Fortune, Beat the Bank and more
Multi currency
Multi language
24/7/365 support
Multi-time award winning casino
Australian, European, South African, South African players welcome.
Up to $500 bonus for new players via PartyCasino.com
PartyGaming has also recently launched WPTCasino.com which also carries many new game titles and is currently offering up to $600 welcome bonus for new players.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
WPTCasino.com
WPT.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBets.com
PartyBingo.com
PartyGammon.com
Rubiks Slot, Slotbox, Sands Of Fortune, Beat the Bank and more
Multi currency
Multi language
24/7/365 support
Multi-time award winning casino
Australian, European, South African, South African players welcome.
Up to $500 bonus for new players via PartyCasino.com
PartyGaming has also recently launched WPTCasino.com which also carries many new game titles and is currently offering up to $600 welcome bonus for new players.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
WPTCasino.com
WPT.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBets.com
PartyBingo.com
PartyGammon.com
PartyPoker Introduces The Inaugural Online Cash Game Championships (OCGC); Action Starts 5th April 2010
PartyPoker.com Introduces The Inaugural Online Cash Game Championships (OCGC); Action Starts 5th April 2010
Gibraltar – 29th March 2010 – PartyPoker.com is delighted to give notice that in April they will be hosting the inaugural Online Cash Game Championships (OCGC). This will be the world’s first online cash game championships and shuffle up and deal is called on the 5th April.
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: "We are very excited about this online poker first! Anyone can claim the crown: you don’t have to be a regular at the high-stakes tables. It’s a long, hard road to victory with $250,000 waiting to be won, the tables are sure to be packed this April. But, when the dust has settled, only the most skillful cash players will take the plaudits."
The competition is divided into seven levels. At each level, players will need to play 400 hands in a day with the most profitable players advancing towards the final table which takes place on 7th May. As the participants progress through the levels, cash prizes will be added and both the stakes and the quality of the opposition will increase. The first stage of this epic challenge runs from 5th to 9th April on PartyPoker.com’s $0.50/$1 no-limit hold’em cash tables.
Please note that customers have to opt in to take part in the Online Cash Game Championships. Players have to opt in before the end of level one (5-9th April).
See: Partypoker.com for more information and schedules
Profiles
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour
PartyCasino.com
Poker
Casino
Online Casino
Online Poker
PartyGaming
Gibraltar – 29th March 2010 – PartyPoker.com is delighted to give notice that in April they will be hosting the inaugural Online Cash Game Championships (OCGC). This will be the world’s first online cash game championships and shuffle up and deal is called on the 5th April.
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: "We are very excited about this online poker first! Anyone can claim the crown: you don’t have to be a regular at the high-stakes tables. It’s a long, hard road to victory with $250,000 waiting to be won, the tables are sure to be packed this April. But, when the dust has settled, only the most skillful cash players will take the plaudits."
The competition is divided into seven levels. At each level, players will need to play 400 hands in a day with the most profitable players advancing towards the final table which takes place on 7th May. As the participants progress through the levels, cash prizes will be added and both the stakes and the quality of the opposition will increase. The first stage of this epic challenge runs from 5th to 9th April on PartyPoker.com’s $0.50/$1 no-limit hold’em cash tables.
Please note that customers have to opt in to take part in the Online Cash Game Championships. Players have to opt in before the end of level one (5-9th April).
See: Partypoker.com for more information and schedules
Profiles
PartyPoker.com
World Poker Tour
PartyCasino.com
Poker
Casino
Online Casino
Online Poker
PartyGaming
29 March 2010
Crown Casino Gets New Gulfstream Jet for VIPs
Think Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Macau get all the casino high rollers and VIP's? Think again, enter James Packer's Crown Casino, which is about to further live up to its 'World Of Entertainment' tag, thanks to a new Gulfstream jet and massive casino makeover, VIP style.
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate...
Crown Casino in the beautiful city of Melbourne, Australia, will soon purchase a $30 million new Gulfstream jet and greatly expand its VIP gambling areas in a move to counter competition from luxury casinos opening in the greater Asia Pacific region.
We reckon he's been speaking to aviation and lifestyle king of the world Richard Branson, who caught up with "Our James" last year at the Australian Grand Prix.
We understand Bodog's Calvin Ayre has been trying to give Packer and Branson a bit of a run for their money, but "C" seems too busy with online ventures, race tracks, coffee and babes, than to be a serious threat, and long time Packer family connection Damian Aspinall, has been very quite of late, no longer doing the social rounds with Australia's Elle "The Body" MacPherson.
Down to business...
The Crown $212 million upgrade will include the transformation of the 'presidential villa' on level 39 of Crown Towers into a VIP gambling area. Crown's Mahogany Room will also be expanded by 50 per cent, with 16 additional gaming tables. This is some of the action anti gambling campaigners were making all the fuss about last year including "sweetheart deal" allegations, and all sorts of innuendo.
The extra greens are legally permitted under an official deal the Victorian government inked with Crown last year, allowing Crown an extra 150 gambling tables in exchange for much needs extra tax revenue. The money's got to come from somewhere!
The CEO of Crown, David Courtney, advised press under the refurbishment there would be no increase in the smoking area at Crown, which just happens to have a lock on being the only licensed venue in Victoria where smoking indoors is permitted. We learned that no gambling facilities at Crown's new Metropol hotel, to be opened in April.
Mr Courtney said it was vital that Crown provide a premium attraction for its VIP gamblers, including free tickets to big events, high-quality food and accommodation. He said Crown's international business contributed $400 million, or 30 per cent of the casino's revenue. It's estimated that last years Tiger Woods visit alone brought in at least $10 million
"Over the past 18 months we have grown our international business by over 50 per cent. Competition for the high-end gaming customer is intense. To protect our existing business and to position us for growth, Crown will embark on a $212 million upgrade of its premium facilities" Mr Courtney emphasised.
"As part of this program, Crown will acquire a long range G5 Gulfstream jet. It is being custom-fitted out at the moment to the highest standards and will sleep nine people.
"That brings our total jets owned by Crown to three. (A jet) is now an expectation of the very top end customers, and so we do need to satisfy the demand of those customers.".
Packer's national competition on the Gold Coast, Conrad Jupiters, has recently upgraded their poker room in somewhat of a counter strategy in a 'art of war' type maneuver, but we reckon nothing beats the strategic alliances and friendships that the Packer empire has built over the years. From Macau to the land down under, James Packer's Billionaire Inc has all the action covered.
We wish management and punters good luck at the casino, and above all else, keep it fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, covering over a dozen industry sectors, gaming included
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate...
Crown Casino in the beautiful city of Melbourne, Australia, will soon purchase a $30 million new Gulfstream jet and greatly expand its VIP gambling areas in a move to counter competition from luxury casinos opening in the greater Asia Pacific region.
We reckon he's been speaking to aviation and lifestyle king of the world Richard Branson, who caught up with "Our James" last year at the Australian Grand Prix.
We understand Bodog's Calvin Ayre has been trying to give Packer and Branson a bit of a run for their money, but "C" seems too busy with online ventures, race tracks, coffee and babes, than to be a serious threat, and long time Packer family connection Damian Aspinall, has been very quite of late, no longer doing the social rounds with Australia's Elle "The Body" MacPherson.
Down to business...
The Crown $212 million upgrade will include the transformation of the 'presidential villa' on level 39 of Crown Towers into a VIP gambling area. Crown's Mahogany Room will also be expanded by 50 per cent, with 16 additional gaming tables. This is some of the action anti gambling campaigners were making all the fuss about last year including "sweetheart deal" allegations, and all sorts of innuendo.
The extra greens are legally permitted under an official deal the Victorian government inked with Crown last year, allowing Crown an extra 150 gambling tables in exchange for much needs extra tax revenue. The money's got to come from somewhere!
The CEO of Crown, David Courtney, advised press under the refurbishment there would be no increase in the smoking area at Crown, which just happens to have a lock on being the only licensed venue in Victoria where smoking indoors is permitted. We learned that no gambling facilities at Crown's new Metropol hotel, to be opened in April.
Mr Courtney said it was vital that Crown provide a premium attraction for its VIP gamblers, including free tickets to big events, high-quality food and accommodation. He said Crown's international business contributed $400 million, or 30 per cent of the casino's revenue. It's estimated that last years Tiger Woods visit alone brought in at least $10 million
"Over the past 18 months we have grown our international business by over 50 per cent. Competition for the high-end gaming customer is intense. To protect our existing business and to position us for growth, Crown will embark on a $212 million upgrade of its premium facilities" Mr Courtney emphasised.
"As part of this program, Crown will acquire a long range G5 Gulfstream jet. It is being custom-fitted out at the moment to the highest standards and will sleep nine people.
"That brings our total jets owned by Crown to three. (A jet) is now an expectation of the very top end customers, and so we do need to satisfy the demand of those customers.".
Packer's national competition on the Gold Coast, Conrad Jupiters, has recently upgraded their poker room in somewhat of a counter strategy in a 'art of war' type maneuver, but we reckon nothing beats the strategic alliances and friendships that the Packer empire has built over the years. From Macau to the land down under, James Packer's Billionaire Inc has all the action covered.
We wish management and punters good luck at the casino, and above all else, keep it fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, covering over a dozen industry sectors, gaming included
Obama Administration Against Australia Internet Filter
In a story widely covered by Gambling911.com and special correspondent Greg Tingle of Media Man Int., Senator Stephen Conroy, who is Australia's acting Communications Minister, is looking to move forward with attempts at censoring thousands of Internet websites including those related to online gambling.
"The Rudd Government's controversial internet filter legislation, with add on ‘blacklist' on the side, is still being drafted and is unlikely to be debated in parliament until at the middle of June and might be pushed back even further," Tingle says. "Internet lovers, gamers, media - journalists, entrepreneurs and lovers or freedom of expression have been rejoicing and see the latest development as a victory of sorts in the internet control ‘war'."
And now it appears, US President Barack Obama has entered the fray, expressing discontent over Conroy's filtering frenzy.
David Olsen of Dynamic Business Worldwide:
"Coming off the back of Google's announcement they are no longer censoring their Chinese search engine, officials from Obama's State Department are mounting a diplomatic assault on internet censorship worldwide."
US State Department spokesman Noel Clay raised concerns about the proposed Internet filter.
"The US and Australia are close partners on issues related to cyber matters generally, including national security and economic issues," Mr Clay said.
"We do not discuss the details of specific diplomatic exchanges, but can say that in the context of that ongoing relationship, we have raised our concerns on this matter with Australian officials."
Conroy's ‘black list' had been leaked last year and included everything from a dentist's website to the online betting exchange Betfair, which operates legally in Australia.
Just last week, Google announced it will no longer be censoring its Chinese website. Google has been highly critical of the Australian Internet filtering proposal.
"Our primary concern is that the scope of content to be filtered is too wide," Google wrote in its submission, also suggesting the filter would slow browsing speeds.
"Some limits, like child pornography, are obvious. No Australian wants that to be available-and we agree," the Google submission said. "But moving to a mandatory ISP level filtering regime with a scope that goes well beyond such material is heavy-handed and can raise genuine questions about restrictions on access to information."
"The Rudd Government's controversial internet filter legislation, with add on ‘blacklist' on the side, is still being drafted and is unlikely to be debated in parliament until at the middle of June and might be pushed back even further," Tingle says. "Internet lovers, gamers, media - journalists, entrepreneurs and lovers or freedom of expression have been rejoicing and see the latest development as a victory of sorts in the internet control ‘war'."
And now it appears, US President Barack Obama has entered the fray, expressing discontent over Conroy's filtering frenzy.
David Olsen of Dynamic Business Worldwide:
"Coming off the back of Google's announcement they are no longer censoring their Chinese search engine, officials from Obama's State Department are mounting a diplomatic assault on internet censorship worldwide."
US State Department spokesman Noel Clay raised concerns about the proposed Internet filter.
"The US and Australia are close partners on issues related to cyber matters generally, including national security and economic issues," Mr Clay said.
"We do not discuss the details of specific diplomatic exchanges, but can say that in the context of that ongoing relationship, we have raised our concerns on this matter with Australian officials."
Conroy's ‘black list' had been leaked last year and included everything from a dentist's website to the online betting exchange Betfair, which operates legally in Australia.
Just last week, Google announced it will no longer be censoring its Chinese website. Google has been highly critical of the Australian Internet filtering proposal.
"Our primary concern is that the scope of content to be filtered is too wide," Google wrote in its submission, also suggesting the filter would slow browsing speeds.
"Some limits, like child pornography, are obvious. No Australian wants that to be available-and we agree," the Google submission said. "But moving to a mandatory ISP level filtering regime with a scope that goes well beyond such material is heavy-handed and can raise genuine questions about restrictions on access to information."
Packer's Aussie Crown Gets Gulfstream Jet For VIPs, by Greg Tingle - 29th March 2010
Think Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Macau get all the casino high rollers and VIP's? Think again, enter James Packer's Crown Casino, which is about to further live up to its 'World Of Entertainment' tag, thanks to a new Gulfstream jet and massive casino makeover, VIP style.
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate...
Crown Casino in the beautiful city of Melbourne, Australia, will soon purchase a $30 million new Gulfstream jet and greatly expand its VIP gambling areas in a move to counter competition from luxury casinos opening in the greater Asia Pacific region.
We reckon he's been speaking to aviation and lifestyle king of the world Richard Branson, who caught up with "Our James" last year at the Australian Grand Prix.
We understand Bodog's Calvin Ayre has been trying to give Packer and Branson a bit of a run for their money, but "C" seems too busy with online ventures, race tracks, coffee and babes, than to be a serious threat, and long time Packer family connection Damian Aspinall, has been very quite of late, no longer doing the social rounds with Australia's Elle "The Body" MacPherson.
Down to business...
The Crown $212 million upgrade will include the transformation of the 'presidential villa' on level 39 of Crown Towers into a VIP gambling area. Crown's Mahogany Room will also be expanded by 50 per cent, with 16 additional gaming tables. This is some of the action anti gambling campaigners were making all the fuss about last year including "sweetheart deal" allegations, and all sorts of innuendo.
The extra greens are legally permitted under an official deal the Victorian government inked with Crown last year, allowing Crown an extra 150 gambling tables in exchange for much needs extra tax revenue. The money's got to come from somewhere!
The CEO of Crown, David Courtney, advised press under the refurbishment there would be no increase in the smoking area at Crown, which just happens to have a lock on being the only licensed venue in Victoria where smoking indoors is permitted. We learned that no gambling facilities at Crown's new Metropol hotel, to be opened in April.
Mr Courtney said it was vital that Crown provide a premium attraction for its VIP gamblers, including free tickets to big events, high-quality food and accommodation. He said Crown's international business contributed $400 million, or 30 per cent of the casino's revenue. It's estimated that last years Tiger Woods visit alone brought in at least $10 million
"Over the past 18 months we have grown our international business by over 50 per cent. Competition for the high-end gaming customer is intense. To protect our existing business and to position us for growth, Crown will embark on a $212 million upgrade of its premium facilities" Mr Courtney emphasised.
"As part of this program, Crown will acquire a long range G5 Gulfstream jet. It is being custom-fitted out at the moment to the highest standards and will sleep nine people.
"That brings our total jets owned by Crown to three. (A jet) is now an expectation of the very top end customers, and so we do need to satisfy the demand of those customers.".
Packer's national competition on the Gold Coast, Conrad Jupiters, has recently upgraded their poker room in somewhat of a counter strategy in a "art of war' type maneuver, but we reckon nothing beats the strategic alliances and friendships that the Packer empire has built over the years. From Macau to the land down under, James Packer's Billionaire Inc has all the action covered.
We wish management and punters good luck at the casino, and above all else, keep it fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, covering over a dozen industry sectors, gaming included
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casino News
Australian Casinos
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Media Man and Gambling911 investigate...
Crown Casino in the beautiful city of Melbourne, Australia, will soon purchase a $30 million new Gulfstream jet and greatly expand its VIP gambling areas in a move to counter competition from luxury casinos opening in the greater Asia Pacific region.
We reckon he's been speaking to aviation and lifestyle king of the world Richard Branson, who caught up with "Our James" last year at the Australian Grand Prix.
We understand Bodog's Calvin Ayre has been trying to give Packer and Branson a bit of a run for their money, but "C" seems too busy with online ventures, race tracks, coffee and babes, than to be a serious threat, and long time Packer family connection Damian Aspinall, has been very quite of late, no longer doing the social rounds with Australia's Elle "The Body" MacPherson.
Down to business...
The Crown $212 million upgrade will include the transformation of the 'presidential villa' on level 39 of Crown Towers into a VIP gambling area. Crown's Mahogany Room will also be expanded by 50 per cent, with 16 additional gaming tables. This is some of the action anti gambling campaigners were making all the fuss about last year including "sweetheart deal" allegations, and all sorts of innuendo.
The extra greens are legally permitted under an official deal the Victorian government inked with Crown last year, allowing Crown an extra 150 gambling tables in exchange for much needs extra tax revenue. The money's got to come from somewhere!
The CEO of Crown, David Courtney, advised press under the refurbishment there would be no increase in the smoking area at Crown, which just happens to have a lock on being the only licensed venue in Victoria where smoking indoors is permitted. We learned that no gambling facilities at Crown's new Metropol hotel, to be opened in April.
Mr Courtney said it was vital that Crown provide a premium attraction for its VIP gamblers, including free tickets to big events, high-quality food and accommodation. He said Crown's international business contributed $400 million, or 30 per cent of the casino's revenue. It's estimated that last years Tiger Woods visit alone brought in at least $10 million
"Over the past 18 months we have grown our international business by over 50 per cent. Competition for the high-end gaming customer is intense. To protect our existing business and to position us for growth, Crown will embark on a $212 million upgrade of its premium facilities" Mr Courtney emphasised.
"As part of this program, Crown will acquire a long range G5 Gulfstream jet. It is being custom-fitted out at the moment to the highest standards and will sleep nine people.
"That brings our total jets owned by Crown to three. (A jet) is now an expectation of the very top end customers, and so we do need to satisfy the demand of those customers.".
Packer's national competition on the Gold Coast, Conrad Jupiters, has recently upgraded their poker room in somewhat of a counter strategy in a "art of war' type maneuver, but we reckon nothing beats the strategic alliances and friendships that the Packer empire has built over the years. From Macau to the land down under, James Packer's Billionaire Inc has all the action covered.
We wish management and punters good luck at the casino, and above all else, keep it fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, covering over a dozen industry sectors, gaming included
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casino News
Australian Casinos
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
28 March 2010
PartyCasino delivers the best in online casino entertainment; Cleopatra, Rambo, Sinatra, Call Of Duty 4, Classic Slots, Marvel, Table Games and more
PartyCasino.com continues to deliver the best that the online gaming world has to offer.
The company is maintaining its top position in Asia Pacific and Europe and has released more world class slot games and "Avatar" type technology is on the way.
PartyGaming and in particular, its PartyCasino.com are on a roll.
Under the leadership of CEO Jim Ryan, PartyGaming is maintaining its darling status in the news media and gaming world. Quite an accomplishment since the days when they pulled out of the U.S market.
PartyGaming's leading brands, PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com continue to release new features that satisfy their existing clients, in addition to seeing new clients and partners come on board.
They have also built upon the world famous World Poker Tour brand with WPTCasino.com and WPTPoker.com, offering up to $600 bonus for new players.
Some of the key strengths of PartyGaming and its brands include:
Listed on the London Stock Exchange
Branded slot games that can be played for free or played for money. Rambo by StudioCanal, Sinatra by Frank Sinatra Enterprises, Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Cleopatra by IGT, Monopoly and Cluedo by Hasbro, Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, The Naked Gun, Saturday Night Fever and High Noon by Paramount Pictures, Resident Evil by Capcom and Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four by Marvel Entertainment, Call Of Duty 4 by Activision, King Kong by Universal Studios, The Terminator and Gone With The Wind by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and so the list goes on. As Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee says, "Excelsior!".
PartyGaming also have their own in house game development team entitled 'The Games Studio', that works in collaboration with their business partners.
New technologies have enabled PartyCasino.com to offer "Live Dealer", in collaboration with EvolutionGaming and "Single Wallet" sees players only having to have one account with PartyGaming even if they choose to play a number of games in the portfolio, from slots, to poker, backgammon, sports betting, bingo et al.
The company has ramped up activities and campaigns across the global from Channel Five in Europe, to business deals with Dutch lottery operators and London Capital Group, PMU in France, all the way down to Australia where world class poker player, Stewart Scott is the regions brand ambassador for PartyPoker.com
Government b2b dealings - PartyGaming announced an exclusive, five-year agreement to provide an online gaming platform for poker and casino games in Denmark for Danske Spil A/S (‘Danske Spil’). Danske Spil is controlled by the Danish Government. PartyGaming earlier this week announced a multi year deal with France gaming and racing operator Pari-Mutuel Urbain.
Industry Awards and Commendations: PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com are multi-time award winners of the Media Man - Casino News Media - Global Gaming Directory "Online Casino of the Month" and all entities have also won a range of annual awards handed out by the well respected eGaming Review.
Exclusives - branded slots, Live Dealer, PartyPoints, Palladium Lounge, Single Wallet and more.
For these reasons and more, if you like games, be it playing for free and fun or playing for money, PartyGaming more than likely has a game for you. Numerous multi language and multi currency options are also available, and the customer service is second to none. Don't just play the game, be the game and feel it at PartyCasino.com
PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index with its shares listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY.
*The writer has a b2b relationship with PartyGaming and a number of its brands, as they do with dozens of companies in the gaming and igaming world.
The company is maintaining its top position in Asia Pacific and Europe and has released more world class slot games and "Avatar" type technology is on the way.
PartyGaming and in particular, its PartyCasino.com are on a roll.
Under the leadership of CEO Jim Ryan, PartyGaming is maintaining its darling status in the news media and gaming world. Quite an accomplishment since the days when they pulled out of the U.S market.
PartyGaming's leading brands, PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com continue to release new features that satisfy their existing clients, in addition to seeing new clients and partners come on board.
They have also built upon the world famous World Poker Tour brand with WPTCasino.com and WPTPoker.com, offering up to $600 bonus for new players.
Some of the key strengths of PartyGaming and its brands include:
Listed on the London Stock Exchange
Branded slot games that can be played for free or played for money. Rambo by StudioCanal, Sinatra by Frank Sinatra Enterprises, Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Cleopatra by IGT, Monopoly and Cluedo by Hasbro, Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, The Naked Gun, Saturday Night Fever and High Noon by Paramount Pictures, Resident Evil by Capcom and Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four by Marvel Entertainment, Call Of Duty 4 by Activision, King Kong by Universal Studios, The Terminator and Gone With The Wind by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and so the list goes on. As Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee says, "Excelsior!".
PartyGaming also have their own in house game development team entitled 'The Games Studio', that works in collaboration with their business partners.
New technologies have enabled PartyCasino.com to offer "Live Dealer", in collaboration with EvolutionGaming and "Single Wallet" sees players only having to have one account with PartyGaming even if they choose to play a number of games in the portfolio, from slots, to poker, backgammon, sports betting, bingo et al.
The company has ramped up activities and campaigns across the global from Channel Five in Europe, to business deals with Dutch lottery operators and London Capital Group, PMU in France, all the way down to Australia where world class poker player, Stewart Scott is the regions brand ambassador for PartyPoker.com
Government b2b dealings - PartyGaming announced an exclusive, five-year agreement to provide an online gaming platform for poker and casino games in Denmark for Danske Spil A/S (‘Danske Spil’). Danske Spil is controlled by the Danish Government. PartyGaming earlier this week announced a multi year deal with France gaming and racing operator Pari-Mutuel Urbain.
Industry Awards and Commendations: PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com are multi-time award winners of the Media Man - Casino News Media - Global Gaming Directory "Online Casino of the Month" and all entities have also won a range of annual awards handed out by the well respected eGaming Review.
Exclusives - branded slots, Live Dealer, PartyPoints, Palladium Lounge, Single Wallet and more.
For these reasons and more, if you like games, be it playing for free and fun or playing for money, PartyGaming more than likely has a game for you. Numerous multi language and multi currency options are also available, and the customer service is second to none. Don't just play the game, be the game and feel it at PartyCasino.com
PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index with its shares listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY.
*The writer has a b2b relationship with PartyGaming and a number of its brands, as they do with dozens of companies in the gaming and igaming world.
PartyGaming Eyes French With PMU Deal; Global Strategy Sees Punters And Government's Win, by Greg Tingle - 27th March 2010
Websites
PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com WPTCasino.com WPTPoker.com PartyBingo.com PartyGammon.com PartyBets.com
PartyGaming is aiming to take advantage of the newly regulated online gambling market opening up in France by inking a deal with Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) to provide an online poker offering to the French horse racing betting group.
The deal which is understood to be similar to b2b agreements PartyGaming has signed in Italy and Denmark, enables the company to operate its world famous PartyPoker website – provided it wins a licence in the regulated market – as well as power PMU’s poker offering.
Players on both sites will be brought into one poker liquidity pool.
Jim Ryan, PartyGaming’s chief executive, said the company intended to strike other B2B poker deals in France. "The objective is to have the largest poker liquidity pool in France," he said.
PartyGaming declined to disclose terms of the deal. PMU, which has signed up Paddy Power as its partner in sports betting, last year made turnover of €9.3bn and has 6.5m customers.
Wyn Ellis, analyst with Numis, advised the deal could add £5m to 2011 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. "Party has a scale that has allowed it put people and resources into multiple markets to allow it to exploit the changing regulatory environment," Mr Ellis said.
Burt Paul Leyland of Collins Stewart said while the deal would give Party a leading place in the French market, it would not obviously drive revenue.
PartyGaming would have to absorb the loss of revenues coming out of France in the unregulated market, he said, adding that, given the proposed tax rates in the new regime, "Party could easily still be a net loser".
Ryan remains upbeat and positive, emphasising revenues coming out of France were small and that the opportunity for PartyGaming to advertise in France was crucial. "I don’t share the view that we can expect ebit margins to shrink," he said.
France plans to open the new market in time for the start of the World Cup in June. Under the new regime, the PMU is protected by regulations that require bets on horse racing to be pari-mutuel, but fixed-odds betting is allowed on sports.
PartyGaming's global strategy continues to take shape. A return to the United States this year, or next, would likely be the firms jackpot, however they continue to make progress in many regions. Other countries that Party are keen to expand into include Australia, India and South America.
The company's amicable settlement with the U.S Government last year, exceeding $100m, is tangible proof of financial stability and willingness to go the extra mile as to adapt to the market, while satisfying crucial legal requirements. Party's financial strength and positive result for the United States coffers has not gone unnoticed by Government bean counters across the globe. Clearly Party have far greater resources and experience than most of their would be competitors. Mainstream brands Virgin (Games) and Sega are also looking to expand internationally, but in the case of Virgin its more of a non gambling product push. In the eyes of most media and gaming analysts, PartyGaming is way ahead of the pack, with only Harrah's Entertainment giving them a real run for their money in the U.S.
Ryan sees a number of mergers and acquisitions on the cards. Industry buzz of late is that Party may be about to secure a deal with a major Canadian based poker tour brand, and such a deal would add to Party's poker tour portfolio headed up by the World Poker Tour.
"With some acquisitions and major B2B deals already under our belt, we plan to do more in 2010 and I believe we are on course to meet our objective of becoming the world's most valuable online gaming company."
PartyCasino.com remains a big hit for Party and its customers, with Hollywood branded games such as the Sinatra slot, Rambo, The Terminator, Mission: Impossible and Saturday Night Fever enjoying record popularity. The deal with Marvel Entertainment also continues to serve Party, its partners and customers well, and let us not forget upcoming Marvel films, Thor and Spider-Man, that will further propel the Hollywood themed games.
Party is also utilizing the strength of other world class non gaming brands to stand out from the pack. This month PartyCasino players have a chance to win a Porsche playing slot games, a promotion most other competitors would die for.
Australians can currently play virtually all PartyGaming brands including PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com, WPTCasino.com, WPTPoker.com, PartyBingo.com, PartyGammon.com and PartyBets.com
Shares in PartyGaming rose ½p to finish at 329.3p on Friday.
*The writer has a b2b agreement with a number of PartyGaming brands, as they do with dozens of companies in the gaming, media and entertainment sector.
Website Network
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Poker News Media
Racing News Media
Media Man
PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com WPTCasino.com WPTPoker.com PartyBingo.com PartyGammon.com PartyBets.com
PartyGaming is aiming to take advantage of the newly regulated online gambling market opening up in France by inking a deal with Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) to provide an online poker offering to the French horse racing betting group.
The deal which is understood to be similar to b2b agreements PartyGaming has signed in Italy and Denmark, enables the company to operate its world famous PartyPoker website – provided it wins a licence in the regulated market – as well as power PMU’s poker offering.
Players on both sites will be brought into one poker liquidity pool.
Jim Ryan, PartyGaming’s chief executive, said the company intended to strike other B2B poker deals in France. "The objective is to have the largest poker liquidity pool in France," he said.
PartyGaming declined to disclose terms of the deal. PMU, which has signed up Paddy Power as its partner in sports betting, last year made turnover of €9.3bn and has 6.5m customers.
Wyn Ellis, analyst with Numis, advised the deal could add £5m to 2011 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. "Party has a scale that has allowed it put people and resources into multiple markets to allow it to exploit the changing regulatory environment," Mr Ellis said.
Burt Paul Leyland of Collins Stewart said while the deal would give Party a leading place in the French market, it would not obviously drive revenue.
PartyGaming would have to absorb the loss of revenues coming out of France in the unregulated market, he said, adding that, given the proposed tax rates in the new regime, "Party could easily still be a net loser".
Ryan remains upbeat and positive, emphasising revenues coming out of France were small and that the opportunity for PartyGaming to advertise in France was crucial. "I don’t share the view that we can expect ebit margins to shrink," he said.
France plans to open the new market in time for the start of the World Cup in June. Under the new regime, the PMU is protected by regulations that require bets on horse racing to be pari-mutuel, but fixed-odds betting is allowed on sports.
PartyGaming's global strategy continues to take shape. A return to the United States this year, or next, would likely be the firms jackpot, however they continue to make progress in many regions. Other countries that Party are keen to expand into include Australia, India and South America.
The company's amicable settlement with the U.S Government last year, exceeding $100m, is tangible proof of financial stability and willingness to go the extra mile as to adapt to the market, while satisfying crucial legal requirements. Party's financial strength and positive result for the United States coffers has not gone unnoticed by Government bean counters across the globe. Clearly Party have far greater resources and experience than most of their would be competitors. Mainstream brands Virgin (Games) and Sega are also looking to expand internationally, but in the case of Virgin its more of a non gambling product push. In the eyes of most media and gaming analysts, PartyGaming is way ahead of the pack, with only Harrah's Entertainment giving them a real run for their money in the U.S.
Ryan sees a number of mergers and acquisitions on the cards. Industry buzz of late is that Party may be about to secure a deal with a major Canadian based poker tour brand, and such a deal would add to Party's poker tour portfolio headed up by the World Poker Tour.
"With some acquisitions and major B2B deals already under our belt, we plan to do more in 2010 and I believe we are on course to meet our objective of becoming the world's most valuable online gaming company."
PartyCasino.com remains a big hit for Party and its customers, with Hollywood branded games such as the Sinatra slot, Rambo, The Terminator, Mission: Impossible and Saturday Night Fever enjoying record popularity. The deal with Marvel Entertainment also continues to serve Party, its partners and customers well, and let us not forget upcoming Marvel films, Thor and Spider-Man, that will further propel the Hollywood themed games.
Party is also utilizing the strength of other world class non gaming brands to stand out from the pack. This month PartyCasino players have a chance to win a Porsche playing slot games, a promotion most other competitors would die for.
Australians can currently play virtually all PartyGaming brands including PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com, WPTCasino.com, WPTPoker.com, PartyBingo.com, PartyGammon.com and PartyBets.com
Shares in PartyGaming rose ½p to finish at 329.3p on Friday.
*The writer has a b2b agreement with a number of PartyGaming brands, as they do with dozens of companies in the gaming, media and entertainment sector.
Website Network
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Poker News Media
Racing News Media
Media Man
27 March 2010
Australia's Mildura Likely To Get Casino; Jobs And Tourism Boost, by Greg Tingle - 27th March 2010
Australia's Mildura is likely to get a new land based casino, with jobs and a tourism boost as part of the deal.
Victorian Premier John Brumby has described plans for a casino in Mildura as a "high-quality proposal".
Media Man and Gambling911 have noted that Australian casino and resort developers are more positive and optimistic than most on a global scale, with parts of the Las Vegas Strip, Atlantic City and Dubai looking like "train wrecks" with casino developers going bust or projects going "on hold" for numerous years.
The developer has been consulting with Mildura residents and business folks outlining the benefits that would come with his project.
Casino developer John Haddad has released design plans to mixed responses.
The name proposed for the casino is the 'Mildura Jewel'.
The $400 million hotel and casino development to be situated next to the Murray River was likely to include "a couple of hundred poker machines and 40 to 50 tables".
Mr Haddad, who has developed five other casinos, said the project would be a tourist drawcard.
"It's good, good, good. It's employment and it generates tourism and it does all the things that Mildura has been trying to do," he advised.
Mr Brumby said yesterday there was nothing to stop a second casino opening in Mildura.
He said the government would consider a second casino only "if there was clear community support and if there was clear bipartisan support". He added: "I have always said personally that I think it is the sort of thing that would attract jobs and investment to the area. So I think it will be good to have the community debate. We will see how people think about this issue in Mildura."
Ross Douglass, of the community group Sunraysia Against Casinos, said many people were opposed to a casino for a range of reasons, including the "collateral damage" it would do to other businesses in the area.
"Some have had bad-luck stories with gambling. If not, they know other people who have," he said.
"I am against it because I believe it is going to bring a lot of [social] damage."
The group has invited Senator Nick Xenophon, Tim Costello and anti-pokies campaigner Paul Bendat to a meeting in Mildura next month.
At this stage James Packer's Crown Limited is not expected to get involved or plans to build their own casino in the region, despite rumors of the country.
Australians remain on the top ten list of land based and online casino players and Victorian are the most passionate and highest spending of all of the Aussie states.
* Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
* Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
Website Network
Media Man International
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casinos
Australian Casino News
Property News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Victorian Premier John Brumby has described plans for a casino in Mildura as a "high-quality proposal".
Media Man and Gambling911 have noted that Australian casino and resort developers are more positive and optimistic than most on a global scale, with parts of the Las Vegas Strip, Atlantic City and Dubai looking like "train wrecks" with casino developers going bust or projects going "on hold" for numerous years.
The developer has been consulting with Mildura residents and business folks outlining the benefits that would come with his project.
Casino developer John Haddad has released design plans to mixed responses.
The name proposed for the casino is the 'Mildura Jewel'.
The $400 million hotel and casino development to be situated next to the Murray River was likely to include "a couple of hundred poker machines and 40 to 50 tables".
Mr Haddad, who has developed five other casinos, said the project would be a tourist drawcard.
"It's good, good, good. It's employment and it generates tourism and it does all the things that Mildura has been trying to do," he advised.
Mr Brumby said yesterday there was nothing to stop a second casino opening in Mildura.
He said the government would consider a second casino only "if there was clear community support and if there was clear bipartisan support". He added: "I have always said personally that I think it is the sort of thing that would attract jobs and investment to the area. So I think it will be good to have the community debate. We will see how people think about this issue in Mildura."
Ross Douglass, of the community group Sunraysia Against Casinos, said many people were opposed to a casino for a range of reasons, including the "collateral damage" it would do to other businesses in the area.
"Some have had bad-luck stories with gambling. If not, they know other people who have," he said.
"I am against it because I believe it is going to bring a lot of [social] damage."
The group has invited Senator Nick Xenophon, Tim Costello and anti-pokies campaigner Paul Bendat to a meeting in Mildura next month.
At this stage James Packer's Crown Limited is not expected to get involved or plans to build their own casino in the region, despite rumors of the country.
Australians remain on the top ten list of land based and online casino players and Victorian are the most passionate and highest spending of all of the Aussie states.
* Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
* Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
Website Network
Media Man International
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casinos
Australian Casino News
Property News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
UFC 111: Brock Lesnar talks and fight card - 27th March 2010
As Frank Mir and Shane Carwin prepare to do battle for the interim heavyweight championship at UFC 111 on Saturday, the man who currently holds the title decided to provide his thoughts on the highly-anticipated matchup.
"I'm excited for Saturday night to see these two big heavyweights battle it out for the interim championship, and the winner of those two guys, I'm looking forward to be fighting in mid-summer," UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar told ESPN on Friday.
Lesnar knows both fighters very well. He was training to fight Carwin for the heavyweight belt at UFC 106 this past November, but was forced to postpone the bout due to the illness.
As for Mir, he is still the only person who has defeated Lesnar during his brief but eventful MMA career. Lesnar went on to capture the title and then avenged his loss with a dominant second-round technical knock out over Mir at UFC 100.
Leading up to UFC 111, Mir has stated that Carwin is a better version of Lesnar, something the champion was quick to comment on.
"If Shane Carwin is a better version of Brock Lesnar, then the fights over within the first 30 seconds," remarked Lesnar.
"Frank has a history of putting his foot in his mouth. Let's just see what happens Saturday night. I'm anxious to fight either one of those opponents."
Lesnar who has been sidelined since last July due to a digestive disease, will step back into the octagon on July 3 in Las Vegas at the yet-to-be-announced UFC 116.
It was during his absence, when a timetable for his return was unknown, that the UFC scheduled the interim title bout between Mir and Carwin.
"That was a business decision that the UFC had to make," admitted Lesnar. "Really that belt is a make-believe belt. It was to satisfy the company and to satisfy the people in the heavyweight division. I'm still the heavyweight champion.
"I'm looking for a heavyweight showdown Saturday night and the best thing about it is I can sit back and watch and let these guys fight over who wants to come after Brock Lesnar, the UFC heavyweight champion."
Fight Card
Georges St. Pierre (Cdn) vs. Dan Hardy
Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin
Jon Fitch vs. Ben Saunders
Jim Miller vs. Mark Bocek (Cdn)
Kurt Pellegrino vs. Fabricio Camoes
Nate Diaz vs. Rory Markham
Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Brown
Rodney Wallace vs. Jared Hamman
Rousimar Palhares vs. Tomasz Drwal
Matthew Riddle vs. Greg Soto
Media Man Profiles
UFC
MMA
Sports Betting
Sports Betting Websites
PartyBets.com
Gamebookers.com
BetUS.com
News
Sports News
Entertainment News
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Australian Sports Entertainment
Sports Entertainment News
"I'm excited for Saturday night to see these two big heavyweights battle it out for the interim championship, and the winner of those two guys, I'm looking forward to be fighting in mid-summer," UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar told ESPN on Friday.
Lesnar knows both fighters very well. He was training to fight Carwin for the heavyweight belt at UFC 106 this past November, but was forced to postpone the bout due to the illness.
As for Mir, he is still the only person who has defeated Lesnar during his brief but eventful MMA career. Lesnar went on to capture the title and then avenged his loss with a dominant second-round technical knock out over Mir at UFC 100.
Leading up to UFC 111, Mir has stated that Carwin is a better version of Lesnar, something the champion was quick to comment on.
"If Shane Carwin is a better version of Brock Lesnar, then the fights over within the first 30 seconds," remarked Lesnar.
"Frank has a history of putting his foot in his mouth. Let's just see what happens Saturday night. I'm anxious to fight either one of those opponents."
Lesnar who has been sidelined since last July due to a digestive disease, will step back into the octagon on July 3 in Las Vegas at the yet-to-be-announced UFC 116.
It was during his absence, when a timetable for his return was unknown, that the UFC scheduled the interim title bout between Mir and Carwin.
"That was a business decision that the UFC had to make," admitted Lesnar. "Really that belt is a make-believe belt. It was to satisfy the company and to satisfy the people in the heavyweight division. I'm still the heavyweight champion.
"I'm looking for a heavyweight showdown Saturday night and the best thing about it is I can sit back and watch and let these guys fight over who wants to come after Brock Lesnar, the UFC heavyweight champion."
Fight Card
Georges St. Pierre (Cdn) vs. Dan Hardy
Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin
Jon Fitch vs. Ben Saunders
Jim Miller vs. Mark Bocek (Cdn)
Kurt Pellegrino vs. Fabricio Camoes
Nate Diaz vs. Rory Markham
Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Brown
Rodney Wallace vs. Jared Hamman
Rousimar Palhares vs. Tomasz Drwal
Matthew Riddle vs. Greg Soto
Media Man Profiles
UFC
MMA
Sports Betting
Sports Betting Websites
PartyBets.com
Gamebookers.com
BetUS.com
News
Sports News
Entertainment News
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Australian Sports Entertainment
Sports Entertainment News
Australia's Underbelly 4 To Bring Back Gambling And Brothel Themes, by Greg Tingle - 27th March 2010
Australia's Network Nine announced on-air dates yesterday for its "big three" television programs for after Easter.
A little birdy told Media Man and Gambling911 that gambling and prostitution themes were popular with the audience and the sort of content that keeps punters... er viewers, coming back for more.
The much-anticipated third instalment in the Underbelly series – The Golden Mile – will premiere as a two-hour telemovie on Sunday, April 11, from 8.30pm.
Nine was the first of the three commercial networks to reveal its post-Easter schedule, usually a closely guarded secret by programmers.
Underbelly: The Golden Mile starring Emma Booth, Sigrid Thornton, Wil Traval and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, is set in Kings Cross in the late 1980s.
"We're all fascinated as to why people break the rules," executive producer Des Monaghan said.
"Underbelly differs greatly to the normal staple of television drama, because we are dealing with real life and real people, with all the chaos and unpredictability this entails.
"We operate outside the square, so our audience never knows what's going to happen from one week to the next."
The fourth Underbelly is expected to feature the Fitzgerald inquiry era of Brisbane's illegal gambling and brothel industry. Fortitude Valley aka "The Valley" is expected to be a one key location featured.
An industry source said it was still "in the research stage".
Media Man's been telling Melbourne's Crown Casino that they would do well to get an 'Underbelly' themed slot machine or two on the premises, and an online version of the game for their website, ditto for Sydney's Star City Casino, and Brisbane and the Gold Coast's Conrad Jupiters may as well take the same free advice.
A Media Man insider was overheard, "Mate, The Godfather, Sinatra and Dean Martin have nothing on our Underbelly. Us Aussies, we know how to party... Underbelly rules ok".
Viva Bris Vegas Baby, and as they say on Nine's Footy Show, Bring Back The Biff! Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi Aussie Oi Aussie Oi Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi.
* The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
* Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casinos
Australian Casino News
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
A little birdy told Media Man and Gambling911 that gambling and prostitution themes were popular with the audience and the sort of content that keeps punters... er viewers, coming back for more.
The much-anticipated third instalment in the Underbelly series – The Golden Mile – will premiere as a two-hour telemovie on Sunday, April 11, from 8.30pm.
Nine was the first of the three commercial networks to reveal its post-Easter schedule, usually a closely guarded secret by programmers.
Underbelly: The Golden Mile starring Emma Booth, Sigrid Thornton, Wil Traval and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, is set in Kings Cross in the late 1980s.
"We're all fascinated as to why people break the rules," executive producer Des Monaghan said.
"Underbelly differs greatly to the normal staple of television drama, because we are dealing with real life and real people, with all the chaos and unpredictability this entails.
"We operate outside the square, so our audience never knows what's going to happen from one week to the next."
The fourth Underbelly is expected to feature the Fitzgerald inquiry era of Brisbane's illegal gambling and brothel industry. Fortitude Valley aka "The Valley" is expected to be a one key location featured.
An industry source said it was still "in the research stage".
Media Man's been telling Melbourne's Crown Casino that they would do well to get an 'Underbelly' themed slot machine or two on the premises, and an online version of the game for their website, ditto for Sydney's Star City Casino, and Brisbane and the Gold Coast's Conrad Jupiters may as well take the same free advice.
A Media Man insider was overheard, "Mate, The Godfather, Sinatra and Dean Martin have nothing on our Underbelly. Us Aussies, we know how to party... Underbelly rules ok".
Viva Bris Vegas Baby, and as they say on Nine's Footy Show, Bring Back The Biff! Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi Aussie Oi Aussie Oi Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi.
* The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
* Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Australian Casinos
Australian Casino News
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
26 March 2010
Poker Playing Students Suspended From School Down Under, by Greg Tingle - 26th March 2010
An Aussie clan of school students has been suspended for "gambling" during class hours in a development that many parents, students and members of the press have labelled a massive over-reaction for playing cards, on school grounds no less.
Seven (unlucky) students, from Western Cape College’s Aurukun campus, were nabbed while betting cash on the card game and were punished on Wednesday. It is not known who won the game or who was leading at the time of the bust, nor the pot at stake.
Education leaders have been especially critical of the sanction, saying such a punishment should only be used out for bullying and violent offences.
Media Man thinks it may be a different case if the students had wagged school, hit the "local" (pub - hotel) and were playing the pokies! Let us not forget that playing cards also requires skill and usage of the brain.
The move could have far reaching consequences for the parents who receive welfare payments under the Cape York Welfare Reform program.
Under the CYWR program, if a student is absent from school three times in a term without a reasonable excuse payments can be docked.
It is unknown how long the students will be banned from school.
Opposition education spokesman Bruce Flegg said the punishment didn’t fit the crime and believed the focus should have been on "rehabilitating" the card loving students.
"I would prefer to see such a punishment used for bullying and violence," he said.
"I wonder how letting kids miss out on school is a good thing. It’s a victimless crime, I would’ve thought some sort of guidance would’ve be an appropriate thing."
Child psychologist Frances Quirk said while the school needed to prove "gambling" was not acceptable, she questioned the merit in suspending them.
"Schools handing out suspensions on its own is not likely to be a deterrent," she said.
"I’d prefer to see intervention and discussion with the children, asking them if they know gambling is risky and if they’re doing other risky things. There’s better outcomes for children if you sit them down and look at how you can change the activities they’re engaging in."
An Education Queensland spokesman confirmed the students had been suspended.
"Seven students have been suspended from the Western Cape College’s Aurukun campus," he said.
Media Man says the harsh punishment has resulted in this matter becoming a local, national and now, international news story.
Readers minds might flick back to Betfair babe, Annette Obrestad, who goes under the nickname, "Annette_15". Betfair was warned by the UK advertising authority (Advertising Standards Authority) that such campaigns, tags and tactics et al going in the public domain may potentially encourage underage gambling, poker engagement and the like.
Poker is almost universally recognised as primarily a game of skill, as ruled in court rooms around the world. In fact recently as reported in Gambling911, Lithuania ruled that poker is in fact a sport.
Media Man is currently investigating if TNA pro wrestler Kevin "Big Sexy" Nash, formally known as "Vinnie Vegas", is or was a formidable poker player. Many celebrities present themselves as very poker and casino savvy, but few actually are.
Poker and gambling news remains red hot in the Asia Pacific - Australian region, as two days ago revelations surfaced in The Australian newspaper that cricket great Shane Warne is fronting an "illegal" (in Australia) poker brand (888) and that an Australian government "probe" was on the way. Some legal aspects of poker, gaming and igaming were also covered this past Wednesday at iGaming Business Down Under conducted at Sydney's Star City Casino. Media Man filmed some of the event and had more than one legal eagle in attendance.
Casino News Media and Media Man Online Poker Room of the Month: PartyPoker, WPTPoker and PokerStars (a 3 way tie!) PKR Poker, the 3D poker room was runner up.
Readers, ladies and gentlemen, young (not too young) and old, thank you for your loyalty and patronage. We, Media Man (and Google News) appreciate it, and that's no bluff. Keep it legal, and keep it fun. As rock icon Alice Cooper screams, Schools Out!
*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 also run a poker news website portal Poker News Media.
Website Network
Media Man International
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Seven (unlucky) students, from Western Cape College’s Aurukun campus, were nabbed while betting cash on the card game and were punished on Wednesday. It is not known who won the game or who was leading at the time of the bust, nor the pot at stake.
Education leaders have been especially critical of the sanction, saying such a punishment should only be used out for bullying and violent offences.
Media Man thinks it may be a different case if the students had wagged school, hit the "local" (pub - hotel) and were playing the pokies! Let us not forget that playing cards also requires skill and usage of the brain.
The move could have far reaching consequences for the parents who receive welfare payments under the Cape York Welfare Reform program.
Under the CYWR program, if a student is absent from school three times in a term without a reasonable excuse payments can be docked.
It is unknown how long the students will be banned from school.
Opposition education spokesman Bruce Flegg said the punishment didn’t fit the crime and believed the focus should have been on "rehabilitating" the card loving students.
"I would prefer to see such a punishment used for bullying and violence," he said.
"I wonder how letting kids miss out on school is a good thing. It’s a victimless crime, I would’ve thought some sort of guidance would’ve be an appropriate thing."
Child psychologist Frances Quirk said while the school needed to prove "gambling" was not acceptable, she questioned the merit in suspending them.
"Schools handing out suspensions on its own is not likely to be a deterrent," she said.
"I’d prefer to see intervention and discussion with the children, asking them if they know gambling is risky and if they’re doing other risky things. There’s better outcomes for children if you sit them down and look at how you can change the activities they’re engaging in."
An Education Queensland spokesman confirmed the students had been suspended.
"Seven students have been suspended from the Western Cape College’s Aurukun campus," he said.
Media Man says the harsh punishment has resulted in this matter becoming a local, national and now, international news story.
Readers minds might flick back to Betfair babe, Annette Obrestad, who goes under the nickname, "Annette_15". Betfair was warned by the UK advertising authority (Advertising Standards Authority) that such campaigns, tags and tactics et al going in the public domain may potentially encourage underage gambling, poker engagement and the like.
Poker is almost universally recognised as primarily a game of skill, as ruled in court rooms around the world. In fact recently as reported in Gambling911, Lithuania ruled that poker is in fact a sport.
Media Man is currently investigating if TNA pro wrestler Kevin "Big Sexy" Nash, formally known as "Vinnie Vegas", is or was a formidable poker player. Many celebrities present themselves as very poker and casino savvy, but few actually are.
Poker and gambling news remains red hot in the Asia Pacific - Australian region, as two days ago revelations surfaced in The Australian newspaper that cricket great Shane Warne is fronting an "illegal" (in Australia) poker brand (888) and that an Australian government "probe" was on the way. Some legal aspects of poker, gaming and igaming were also covered this past Wednesday at iGaming Business Down Under conducted at Sydney's Star City Casino. Media Man filmed some of the event and had more than one legal eagle in attendance.
Casino News Media and Media Man Online Poker Room of the Month: PartyPoker, WPTPoker and PokerStars (a 3 way tie!) PKR Poker, the 3D poker room was runner up.
Readers, ladies and gentlemen, young (not too young) and old, thank you for your loyalty and patronage. We, Media Man (and Google News) appreciate it, and that's no bluff. Keep it legal, and keep it fun. As rock icon Alice Cooper screams, Schools Out!
*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 also run a poker news website portal Poker News Media.
Website Network
Media Man International
Poker News Media
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Australia's Crown Casino To Get $212 Million Revamp Creating Jobs, by Greg Tingle - 26th March 2010
Crown Casino, iconic Australian tourism icon, is to receive a revamp that will keep the demanding high rollers happy, and at the same time create hundreds more jobs.
Crown's most upmarket (and most expensive) area is to get a $212 million facelift to satisfy up whales, dolphins and the high roller type client who often prefer more luxurious casinos overseas. Good thing Mr James Packer also has the City Of Dreams in Macau, which is also on a roll at the moment.
The Mahogany Room upgrade will include 11 new private gaming salons installed and the Crown villas will also be refurbished to match standards found anywhere in the world.
A G5 Gulfstream jet, customized for casino high rollers, will be added to the casino's two existing jets at the cost of a cool $30 million.
Crown CEO David Courtney told the press that the casino planned to introduce an extra 26 tables in the new gaming club and expand the world famous Mahogany Room by 50 per cent.
Thirty-five new tables have already been introduced on the ground level game floor as part of the 150 extra tables granted by the Victorian Government in its agreement with Crown's king of the castle, James Packer.
Four new private gaming suites will allow individual high rollers to gamble by themselves, have their own massage and dining rooms and be waited on by butlers. It's all very much like the James Bond type of thing, but for real, for the elite who can afford such luxury.
Mr Courtney said the upgrade was necessary to help attract international gamblers from other, more modern and luxurious casinos in Asia.
"The competition for high-end gaming customers is intense. We need to make these investments. This is a continuation of our three or four-year program to upgrade. The timing is important to upgrade our rooms and facilities."
The upgrade follows amendments to the Crown licence, negotiated with the Government and ratified by Parliament last year. The business deal allows more gaming tables and a higher tax on gaming machines.
Anti-gambling activist Tim Costello attacked the project with remarks such as "Crown gets whatever it wants. It has extraordinary power."
The presidential suite on level 39, which has housed high-profile figures such as former U.S president Bill Clinton, Pavarotti, Barbra Streisand Katie Holmes, and Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible, Top Gun) will move to level 38 and take up the entire floor.
At the same time Crown is looking into who to best adapt to the online gaming world. The company enjoyed some success last year with referrals from online poker brand, PartyPoker, a PartyGaming offering, for their Aussie Millions Poker Championship.
Media Man has suggested the addition of a Kerry Packer, Ned Kelly and Underbelly themed games to be incorporated into Crown's overall online-offline strategy, citing that punters want to see more slots than existing Cleopatra, Black Rhino, Big Red, Wheel Of Fortune and the like.
Crown Casino is also pro actively involved with movement, GenerationOne, an initiative to help created upwards of 50,000 jobs for Indigenous Australia. Thus far Packer's created 200, mining magnate mate, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest with 2000, NSW government committing over 2000, and Media Man earmarking 2 part time positions. Speaking at the iGaming Business conference at Sydney's Star City, Media Man advised that employment for people has to come from somewhere, and that casinos and the gaming industry do enjoy significant resources, some of which go a long way to providing sustainable employment, tied in with the travel and tourism sector.
The casino rooms revamp project is on track to be completed in the first half of 2012.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Casino Travel Media
Poker News Media
Australian Casinos
Australian Casino News
Property News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Crown's most upmarket (and most expensive) area is to get a $212 million facelift to satisfy up whales, dolphins and the high roller type client who often prefer more luxurious casinos overseas. Good thing Mr James Packer also has the City Of Dreams in Macau, which is also on a roll at the moment.
The Mahogany Room upgrade will include 11 new private gaming salons installed and the Crown villas will also be refurbished to match standards found anywhere in the world.
A G5 Gulfstream jet, customized for casino high rollers, will be added to the casino's two existing jets at the cost of a cool $30 million.
Crown CEO David Courtney told the press that the casino planned to introduce an extra 26 tables in the new gaming club and expand the world famous Mahogany Room by 50 per cent.
Thirty-five new tables have already been introduced on the ground level game floor as part of the 150 extra tables granted by the Victorian Government in its agreement with Crown's king of the castle, James Packer.
Four new private gaming suites will allow individual high rollers to gamble by themselves, have their own massage and dining rooms and be waited on by butlers. It's all very much like the James Bond type of thing, but for real, for the elite who can afford such luxury.
Mr Courtney said the upgrade was necessary to help attract international gamblers from other, more modern and luxurious casinos in Asia.
"The competition for high-end gaming customers is intense. We need to make these investments. This is a continuation of our three or four-year program to upgrade. The timing is important to upgrade our rooms and facilities."
The upgrade follows amendments to the Crown licence, negotiated with the Government and ratified by Parliament last year. The business deal allows more gaming tables and a higher tax on gaming machines.
Anti-gambling activist Tim Costello attacked the project with remarks such as "Crown gets whatever it wants. It has extraordinary power."
The presidential suite on level 39, which has housed high-profile figures such as former U.S president Bill Clinton, Pavarotti, Barbra Streisand Katie Holmes, and Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible, Top Gun) will move to level 38 and take up the entire floor.
At the same time Crown is looking into who to best adapt to the online gaming world. The company enjoyed some success last year with referrals from online poker brand, PartyPoker, a PartyGaming offering, for their Aussie Millions Poker Championship.
Media Man has suggested the addition of a Kerry Packer, Ned Kelly and Underbelly themed games to be incorporated into Crown's overall online-offline strategy, citing that punters want to see more slots than existing Cleopatra, Black Rhino, Big Red, Wheel Of Fortune and the like.
Crown Casino is also pro actively involved with movement, GenerationOne, an initiative to help created upwards of 50,000 jobs for Indigenous Australia. Thus far Packer's created 200, mining magnate mate, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest with 2000, NSW government committing over 2000, and Media Man earmarking 2 part time positions. Speaking at the iGaming Business conference at Sydney's Star City, Media Man advised that employment for people has to come from somewhere, and that casinos and the gaming industry do enjoy significant resources, some of which go a long way to providing sustainable employment, tied in with the travel and tourism sector.
The casino rooms revamp project is on track to be completed in the first half of 2012.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Casino Travel Media
Poker News Media
Australian Casinos
Australian Casino News
Property News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
25 March 2010
PartyCasino News: PartyCasino and WPT Casino Get New Online Slot Games: Rubiks Slot, Slotbox, Sands Of Fortune, Beat the Bank and more - March 2010
PartyCasino.com and WPTCasino.com, both owned and operated by PartyGaming, have just released some great new online slot games.
New players can get up to $500 bonus.
Play for free or play for money. Multi language and multi currency. The casinos offer the exclusive PartyGaming PartyPoints rewards system providing players with world class rewards and bonuses.
Rubiks Slot
Rubiks game is a fixed odds game based on the popular Rubik’s Cube® Puzzle. The player selects the stake and then presses the Play button and gets wins based on how many lines and/or sides get completed on the 3 visible sides after the cube is automatically rotated several times. All wins are paid as per the paytable. Rubik's game also introduces Free Plays. Free Plays is triggered when all six letters in the Rubik's logo are highlighted, in which the player is awarded free plays and extra cubes.
Slotbox
Line up a fortune in Slotblox. Take a classic, line-building puzzle game, remove the stress and add plenty of chances to win lots of cash. That’s Slotblox.
Slotblox couldn’t be simpler. When you start playing different shaped blocks fall down the screen into your game grid. Don’t worry about controlling the blocks, the game does that for you.
You can build your way to big money when these blocks create cash-winning lines. Winning lines then disappear, creating more space in the grid and giving your further chances to win.
Get a winning line with the special ‘magic’ blocks and you’ll trigger the free plays feature where’s there’s double money to be won.
See if a fortune’s about to fall your way.
Sands Of Fortune
Sands of Fortune is a five-reel, nine-paylines slot game with a bonus feature game that gives you the chance to win extra prizes. Random number of picks of up to 5 is awarded. You get to select any 1 door in each pick to reveal a prize. 3 or more BONUS symbols appear anywhere in view triggers the bonus feature.
Beat the Bank
Beat the bank is a five-reel, twenty-paylines slot game with a 'free game' and a ‘Beat The Bank’ feature. The Free Games Feature is triggered when Thief appears any where on reels 2, 3 and 4 at the same time. 15 free games are awarded, during which all prizes are tripled, except for Beat The Bank feature win, even though it is triggered during Free Spins. The feature can be retriggered when Thief appears any where on reels 2, 3 and 4 at the same time. The Beat The Bank Feature is awarded when 3 or more Scattered Safe occur anywhere.
Thief appears on Reels 2, 3 and 4 only and substitutes for all other symbols except Scattered Safe.
PartyCasino.com is a multi time Casino News Media - Media Man - Global Gaming Directory Online Casino Of The Month winner and WPTCasino.com is a Casino News Media - Media Man - Global Gaming Directory Online Casino finalist.
PartyGaming is widely regarded as the world's leading igaming company. They are listed on the London Stock Exchange and were established in 1997.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
WPTCasino.com
New players can get up to $500 bonus.
Play for free or play for money. Multi language and multi currency. The casinos offer the exclusive PartyGaming PartyPoints rewards system providing players with world class rewards and bonuses.
Rubiks Slot
Rubiks game is a fixed odds game based on the popular Rubik’s Cube® Puzzle. The player selects the stake and then presses the Play button and gets wins based on how many lines and/or sides get completed on the 3 visible sides after the cube is automatically rotated several times. All wins are paid as per the paytable. Rubik's game also introduces Free Plays. Free Plays is triggered when all six letters in the Rubik's logo are highlighted, in which the player is awarded free plays and extra cubes.
Slotbox
Line up a fortune in Slotblox. Take a classic, line-building puzzle game, remove the stress and add plenty of chances to win lots of cash. That’s Slotblox.
Slotblox couldn’t be simpler. When you start playing different shaped blocks fall down the screen into your game grid. Don’t worry about controlling the blocks, the game does that for you.
You can build your way to big money when these blocks create cash-winning lines. Winning lines then disappear, creating more space in the grid and giving your further chances to win.
Get a winning line with the special ‘magic’ blocks and you’ll trigger the free plays feature where’s there’s double money to be won.
See if a fortune’s about to fall your way.
Sands Of Fortune
Sands of Fortune is a five-reel, nine-paylines slot game with a bonus feature game that gives you the chance to win extra prizes. Random number of picks of up to 5 is awarded. You get to select any 1 door in each pick to reveal a prize. 3 or more BONUS symbols appear anywhere in view triggers the bonus feature.
Beat the Bank
Beat the bank is a five-reel, twenty-paylines slot game with a 'free game' and a ‘Beat The Bank’ feature. The Free Games Feature is triggered when Thief appears any where on reels 2, 3 and 4 at the same time. 15 free games are awarded, during which all prizes are tripled, except for Beat The Bank feature win, even though it is triggered during Free Spins. The feature can be retriggered when Thief appears any where on reels 2, 3 and 4 at the same time. The Beat The Bank Feature is awarded when 3 or more Scattered Safe occur anywhere.
Thief appears on Reels 2, 3 and 4 only and substitutes for all other symbols except Scattered Safe.
PartyCasino.com is a multi time Casino News Media - Media Man - Global Gaming Directory Online Casino Of The Month winner and WPTCasino.com is a Casino News Media - Media Man - Global Gaming Directory Online Casino finalist.
PartyGaming is widely regarded as the world's leading igaming company. They are listed on the London Stock Exchange and were established in 1997.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
WPTCasino.com
24 March 2010
Media, Gaming And Corporate Giants Speak Out Against Aussie Internet Filter, by Greg Tingle - 24th March 2010
Not to anyone's real surprise, many tech giants and major Australian and global brands are starting to speak out loudly against the Australia's government's proposed internet filter, censorship, and blacklist on the side.
It's apparent that this Labor government initiative is already costing Australia further international damage and even embarrassment.
It needs to be noted that many of the world's leading entertainment and technology brands are moving into gaming and igaming, both with games of skill and games of chance. These brands that are pro active in the igaming space include but are not limited to Google, Yahoo, Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, Sony Pictures, FremantleMedia, Sega, Infinity Ward, Paramount Pictures, and you get the idea.
Hollywood and Aussiewood is promoting entertainment themed games whist at the same time the Labor government is bringing in an internet filter.
Many journalists and analysts are asking some tough questions of the government, many of which are yet to be answered.
Media Man wants to know what does policy being at "arms length" from the government really mean, and how do Australians know it won't be open to corruption?
The Rudd government has gone on public record that they don't like pokies, gambling or porn, so how does a punter know that a government appointed rep won't let their personal beliefs sway their decision on whether a gaming or igaming company gets a red or green light?
The internet affiliate industry is keenly watching the situation as many media companies like Media Man participate in dozens of affiliate programs, some of which cover gaming - gambling - igaming, some don't. Virgin Games has gone on record with the term "grey area", and who decides what is "grey"? Probably lawyers who will get to make up policy and law as they go along. The poor judges and juries who are going to likely get dragged into the legal complications.
We foresee company and website owners shopping around for web hosts who will provide ISP services to those who don't want to be dictated to by the Australian government, following in the footsteps of China, Iran and Iraq. This could provide and excellent opportunity for internet giant, Google, to provide web hosting services for gaming and adult entertainment, even political commentary websites! This will help fill the void for Google, as they are pulling out of China as this news goes to press.
Media Man is advising punters (and adult entertainment connoisseurs) to enjoy their "vice" while they can. Play for free or play for money, as in the future they may not be able to play at all! For the record we're totally against kiddy porn, bestiality and pro racist websites. We are pro gaming and igaming (with suitable consumer protection). We're also pro media freedom of the press.
igaming legal and censorship discussion dominated much of the iGaming Business Down Under conference held at Sydney's Star City Casino earlier today. A number of legal eagles were in attendance, including a couple of official legal advisers to us.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, igaming being just one of dozens of industry verticals covered.
An excellent article by Fairfax Media's Asher Moses below, who has been covering the internet filter and blacklist story for close to 2 years.
Conroy's internet censorship agenda slammed by tech giants, by Asher Moses - 23rd March 2010
Australia's biggest technology companies, communications academics and many lobby groups have delivered a withering critique of the government's plans to censor the internet.
The government today published most of the 174 submissions it received relating to improving the transparency and accountability measures of its internet filtering policy.
Legislation to force ISPs to implement the policy is expected to be introduced within weeks. The filters will block a blacklist of "refused classification" websites for all Australians on a mandatory basis.
Most of the submissions called for full transparency surrounding the operation of the list and for all sites placed on the list by bureaucrats at the Australian Communications and Media Authority first to be examined by the Classification Board.
They supported a regular review of the list by an independent expert and the ability for blacklisted sites to appeal.
But many reiterated their concerns that the policy is fundamentally unsound and would do little to make the internet a safer place for children. Many said the scope of blocked content was too broad and would render legitimate sites inaccessible, while the process of adding sites to the blacklist could be subject to abuse by bureaucrats and politicians.
Google, which today officially stopped censoring search results in China, said it had held discussions with users and parents around Australia and "the strong view from parents was that the government's proposal goes too far and would take away their freedom of choice around what information they and their children can access".
Google also said implementing mandatory filtering across Australia's millions of internet users could "negatively impact user access speeds", while filtering material from high-volume sites such as Wikipedia, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter "appears not to be technologically possible as it would have such a serious impact on internet access".
"We have a number of other concerns, including that filtering may give a false sense of security to parents, it could damage Australia's international reputation and it can be easily circumvented," Google wrote.
The search giant said it was preferable instead to focus on improving education around cyber safety and providing tools that people could install on their home computers to block unwanted content.
Many of Google's concerns are mirrored by many of the other submissions by academics, technology companies, industry groups, lobby groups and ISPs.
Microsoft demanded protection against "arbitrary executive decision making" surrounding content added to the list and noted the potential for banned material to be loaded on to a site without the sanction of the owner of that site.
Yahoo and Google's submissions, along with many others, expressed concerns that the scope of content to be filtered was too broad.
"Yahoo are entirely supportive of any effort to make the internet a safer place for children, however mandatory filtering of all RC material could block content with a strong social, political and/or educational value," Yahoo's submission read.
It listed some examples of innocuous sites that could be blocked including:
- Safe injecting and other harm minimisation websites.
- Euthanasia discussion forums.
- A video on creating graffiti art.
- Anti-abortion websites.
- Gay and lesbian forums that discuss sexual experiences.
- Explorations of the geo-political causes of terrorism where specific terrorist organisations and propaganda are cited as reference material.
Yahoo also pointed to a recent paper that provided "several examples where knee jerk regulatory reactions to 'controversial' content have been entirely out of step with broader public opinion".
The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations fears sites that are valuable to sexual health promotion might be placed on the blacklist.
"Social research has shown that information, 'chat' and even pornographic sites play an important role in providing information about sexuality and sexual health, particularly for men who have sex with men and same-sex attracted young people," it wrote.
Mark McLelland, an associate professor in the sociology program at the University of Wollongong, said the filters could block access to an entire genre of niche but popular Japanese animated fiction.
Even the Australian Christian Lobby, one of the biggest supporters of the internet filtering plan, said inadvertently adding innocuous content to the blacklist would "undermine the entire policy".
Telstra fears the blacklist of banned sites could be leaked - as has already occurred last year - and "could be used as a directory of harmful content, which would therefore become more easily available to users that are able to circumvent the ISP filter or who are located overseas".
Colin Jacobs, spokesman for online users' lobby group Electronic Frontiers Australia, said it was clear from the submissions that the vast majority have a difficult time stomaching the filter at all.
"Many of the submissions stated flat out that the filter was not needed," he said.
"Most of the rest held their noses and tried to come up with a way this inherently secret process could be made more transparent." (Credit: Fairfax Media)
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
It's apparent that this Labor government initiative is already costing Australia further international damage and even embarrassment.
It needs to be noted that many of the world's leading entertainment and technology brands are moving into gaming and igaming, both with games of skill and games of chance. These brands that are pro active in the igaming space include but are not limited to Google, Yahoo, Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, Sony Pictures, FremantleMedia, Sega, Infinity Ward, Paramount Pictures, and you get the idea.
Hollywood and Aussiewood is promoting entertainment themed games whist at the same time the Labor government is bringing in an internet filter.
Many journalists and analysts are asking some tough questions of the government, many of which are yet to be answered.
Media Man wants to know what does policy being at "arms length" from the government really mean, and how do Australians know it won't be open to corruption?
The Rudd government has gone on public record that they don't like pokies, gambling or porn, so how does a punter know that a government appointed rep won't let their personal beliefs sway their decision on whether a gaming or igaming company gets a red or green light?
The internet affiliate industry is keenly watching the situation as many media companies like Media Man participate in dozens of affiliate programs, some of which cover gaming - gambling - igaming, some don't. Virgin Games has gone on record with the term "grey area", and who decides what is "grey"? Probably lawyers who will get to make up policy and law as they go along. The poor judges and juries who are going to likely get dragged into the legal complications.
We foresee company and website owners shopping around for web hosts who will provide ISP services to those who don't want to be dictated to by the Australian government, following in the footsteps of China, Iran and Iraq. This could provide and excellent opportunity for internet giant, Google, to provide web hosting services for gaming and adult entertainment, even political commentary websites! This will help fill the void for Google, as they are pulling out of China as this news goes to press.
Media Man is advising punters (and adult entertainment connoisseurs) to enjoy their "vice" while they can. Play for free or play for money, as in the future they may not be able to play at all! For the record we're totally against kiddy porn, bestiality and pro racist websites. We are pro gaming and igaming (with suitable consumer protection). We're also pro media freedom of the press.
igaming legal and censorship discussion dominated much of the iGaming Business Down Under conference held at Sydney's Star City Casino earlier today. A number of legal eagles were in attendance, including a couple of official legal advisers to us.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, igaming being just one of dozens of industry verticals covered.
An excellent article by Fairfax Media's Asher Moses below, who has been covering the internet filter and blacklist story for close to 2 years.
Conroy's internet censorship agenda slammed by tech giants, by Asher Moses - 23rd March 2010
Australia's biggest technology companies, communications academics and many lobby groups have delivered a withering critique of the government's plans to censor the internet.
The government today published most of the 174 submissions it received relating to improving the transparency and accountability measures of its internet filtering policy.
Legislation to force ISPs to implement the policy is expected to be introduced within weeks. The filters will block a blacklist of "refused classification" websites for all Australians on a mandatory basis.
Most of the submissions called for full transparency surrounding the operation of the list and for all sites placed on the list by bureaucrats at the Australian Communications and Media Authority first to be examined by the Classification Board.
They supported a regular review of the list by an independent expert and the ability for blacklisted sites to appeal.
But many reiterated their concerns that the policy is fundamentally unsound and would do little to make the internet a safer place for children. Many said the scope of blocked content was too broad and would render legitimate sites inaccessible, while the process of adding sites to the blacklist could be subject to abuse by bureaucrats and politicians.
Google, which today officially stopped censoring search results in China, said it had held discussions with users and parents around Australia and "the strong view from parents was that the government's proposal goes too far and would take away their freedom of choice around what information they and their children can access".
Google also said implementing mandatory filtering across Australia's millions of internet users could "negatively impact user access speeds", while filtering material from high-volume sites such as Wikipedia, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter "appears not to be technologically possible as it would have such a serious impact on internet access".
"We have a number of other concerns, including that filtering may give a false sense of security to parents, it could damage Australia's international reputation and it can be easily circumvented," Google wrote.
The search giant said it was preferable instead to focus on improving education around cyber safety and providing tools that people could install on their home computers to block unwanted content.
Many of Google's concerns are mirrored by many of the other submissions by academics, technology companies, industry groups, lobby groups and ISPs.
Microsoft demanded protection against "arbitrary executive decision making" surrounding content added to the list and noted the potential for banned material to be loaded on to a site without the sanction of the owner of that site.
Yahoo and Google's submissions, along with many others, expressed concerns that the scope of content to be filtered was too broad.
"Yahoo are entirely supportive of any effort to make the internet a safer place for children, however mandatory filtering of all RC material could block content with a strong social, political and/or educational value," Yahoo's submission read.
It listed some examples of innocuous sites that could be blocked including:
- Safe injecting and other harm minimisation websites.
- Euthanasia discussion forums.
- A video on creating graffiti art.
- Anti-abortion websites.
- Gay and lesbian forums that discuss sexual experiences.
- Explorations of the geo-political causes of terrorism where specific terrorist organisations and propaganda are cited as reference material.
Yahoo also pointed to a recent paper that provided "several examples where knee jerk regulatory reactions to 'controversial' content have been entirely out of step with broader public opinion".
The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations fears sites that are valuable to sexual health promotion might be placed on the blacklist.
"Social research has shown that information, 'chat' and even pornographic sites play an important role in providing information about sexuality and sexual health, particularly for men who have sex with men and same-sex attracted young people," it wrote.
Mark McLelland, an associate professor in the sociology program at the University of Wollongong, said the filters could block access to an entire genre of niche but popular Japanese animated fiction.
Even the Australian Christian Lobby, one of the biggest supporters of the internet filtering plan, said inadvertently adding innocuous content to the blacklist would "undermine the entire policy".
Telstra fears the blacklist of banned sites could be leaked - as has already occurred last year - and "could be used as a directory of harmful content, which would therefore become more easily available to users that are able to circumvent the ISP filter or who are located overseas".
Colin Jacobs, spokesman for online users' lobby group Electronic Frontiers Australia, said it was clear from the submissions that the vast majority have a difficult time stomaching the filter at all.
"Many of the submissions stated flat out that the filter was not needed," he said.
"Most of the rest held their noses and tried to come up with a way this inherently secret process could be made more transparent." (Credit: Fairfax Media)
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
23 March 2010
PartyCasino News: Avatar type technology and innovation at PartyGaming's PartyCasino, by Greg Tingle - March 2010
Avatar type technology and innovation at PartyGaming's PartyCasino; More out of this world game experiences at PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com
PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com, established since 1997, is widely acknowledged as the world's biggest and best online casino... a big claim, we know.
Evidence... hundreds of games... slots, table games, skill games, poker and more.
Exclusive Hollywood blockbusters... Rambo, Saturday Night Fever, Sinatra, Tarzan, High Noon, Top Gun, Resident Evil, The Naked Gun, Mission: Impossible.
Classic slots like Cleopatra, Monopoly, Cluedo, Wheel Of Fortune...
Marvel super hero fans? Don't just watch the movies, play the games! The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four. Excelsior!
Rewards... PartyGaming's PartyPoints and Palladium Lounge
Trust and credibility... listed on the London Stock Exchange and winner of numerous igaming and business awards and commendations including eGaming Review "Operator Of The Year" and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month"
Easy for players... multi currency and multi language, and PartyCasino is available for most European, Canadian, South African, South American and Australian customers. Go Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!
PartyGaming also own and operate the world famous World Poker Tour, a claim only one igaming operator can make... that's PartyGaming. Check out WPTCasino.com and WPTPoker.com
Play for free or play for money. Feel the excitement at PartyCasino.com
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBingo.com
PartyBets.com
PartyGaming
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyCasino.com Marvel Slots
Website Network
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Party Casino News
Marvel Slots Online
Virtual Worlds Media
Casino News Media
Media Man
Australian Casinos
Media Man Casino
PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com, established since 1997, is widely acknowledged as the world's biggest and best online casino... a big claim, we know.
Evidence... hundreds of games... slots, table games, skill games, poker and more.
Exclusive Hollywood blockbusters... Rambo, Saturday Night Fever, Sinatra, Tarzan, High Noon, Top Gun, Resident Evil, The Naked Gun, Mission: Impossible.
Classic slots like Cleopatra, Monopoly, Cluedo, Wheel Of Fortune...
Marvel super hero fans? Don't just watch the movies, play the games! The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four. Excelsior!
Rewards... PartyGaming's PartyPoints and Palladium Lounge
Trust and credibility... listed on the London Stock Exchange and winner of numerous igaming and business awards and commendations including eGaming Review "Operator Of The Year" and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month"
Easy for players... multi currency and multi language, and PartyCasino is available for most European, Canadian, South African, South American and Australian customers. Go Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!
PartyGaming also own and operate the world famous World Poker Tour, a claim only one igaming operator can make... that's PartyGaming. Check out WPTCasino.com and WPTPoker.com
Play for free or play for money. Feel the excitement at PartyCasino.com
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBingo.com
PartyBets.com
PartyGaming
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyCasino.com Marvel Slots
Website Network
Global Gaming Directory
Global Gaming Directory.net
Party Casino News
Marvel Slots Online
Virtual Worlds Media
Casino News Media
Media Man
Australian Casinos
Media Man Casino
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)