Australian internet gamers - gamblers, and was as many sectors of the media are going to welcome the news that greater consumer protection measures are coming up in the near future. More regulation may also be in order as a result of information Australian Daniel Tzvetkoff has been passing to the FBI and other authorities in relation to gaming and the financial services sector. Media Man and Gambling911 continues to deliver news you need to know...
Aussie Internet Gamblers To Get More Protection...
Australian gamblers who lose money, rather that make a quid, playing internet poker or online casino games like slots, would be able to void unsuccessful credit card wagers under legislation to be tabled in Parliament next month. It's part of the plan to crack down on illegal internet betting. Independent senator Nick Xenophon will also put forward proposals re advertising controls on companies with gaming products and their affiliated websites. It's understood laws prohibit gambling houses from allowing Aussies to play poker and casino games for money across the web, however no company has been prosecuted for breaching these regulations. Roughly $1 billion is bet by Aussies over these websites annually.
"With voided credit card bets, I have to say there's something appealing to me about online casinos losing their shirts rather than the punters," Xenophon said. "It would certainly make online casinos think twice about accepting Australian cards." The Australian government is in a wrestling match to introduce pokies reform under which the maximum individual bet would be reduced from $10 to $1. That change is part of a deal the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, struck with the independent MP Andrew Wilkie to help snatch his support after the election last year. Some dramas hit betting sites became worldwide news last weekend after America's Federal Bureau of Investigation laid charges against the major players in the global online poker industry - PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker - alleging bank fraud, money laundering and breaches of US gambling laws. It boosted the popularity of some gambling brands not in trouble such as bwin.party digital entertainment and PKR. The FBI also sought to recover more than $US3 billion ($2.8 billion) as the proceeds of crime. Although the "Big Three' being probed by the FBI cannot advertise in Australia, some use affiliated websites...like "play for fun" (not money)...sponsorship of sports teams also happen such as with NRL clubs Cronulla and the Sydney Roosters, and then already one brand has a stadium named after them. Brands offering prohibited poker and casino betting can also operate from within Australia. It's understand a company called GP Information Services, which has an office in 'Sin City' Sydney, is a subsidiary of PokerStars, running a 200-strong office in downtown Chatswood, just 15 minutes from the heart of Sydney's CBD. Firms that breach the law can be fined up to $1.1 million a day, but none has been prosecuted, but a spokesman for the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy advised "a number of instances … have been referred to the AFP".
Daniel Tzvetkoff Gets Witness Protection For Gaming Information...
Ex Australian internet whiz kid Daniel Tzvetkoff is likely to have entered the FBI's witness protection program and could be put up in a jail facility on the US east coast, a former FBI special agent believes. Tzvetkoff's last known location was a prison in New York where US government prosecutors fought at bail hearings to keep him but, on August 23 last year, he was moved under a veil of secrecy. It is believed the 28-year-old Gold Coast entrepreneur, once worth about $82 million, has become a star witness for the FBI and prosecutors. Last week, the FBI charged 11 people - including the founders of the giant PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker internet poker companies - with bank fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling offences. "He's in a lock-up somewhere," said James Wedick, a decorated former FBI special agent who worked with the crime-fighting agency for 34 years and specialised in handling confidential informants and co-operating witnesses. Tzvetkoff was arrested a year ago in Vegas and faces 75 years in US federal prison for allegedly creating a scheme to illegally process more than $US500 million in transactions between US gamblers and internet gaming websites. Wedick said if Tzvetkoff had agreed to become a government witness, it would not guarantee his release from custody.
"There's no way they'd let him walk out," he told the press after examining details of the cases. It was also unlikely Tzvetkoff would be held in a safe house. Jails had special wings or floors for prisoners in the witness protection program and these were separate from the general prison population, he said. "If he's gone into the witness protection program, he is merely in one of the protection wings of the prison," Wedick said. The FBI and prosecutors from the US Attorney's Southern District of New York office have declined to comment on Tzvetkoff's whereabouts.
Court proceedings in Tzvetkoff's case are held behind closed doors and filings sealed from the public. "You are going to have to call the US Attorney's office on this," said a FBI spokesman, declining to comment on the Tzvetkoff case. A call to the US Attorney's office came with the same info. "It's our policy to not comment on ongoing cases and investigations," the spokeswoman said. A couple of years back, Tzvetkoff was pushed as one of Australia's smartest and most successful young businessmen after creating Brisbane-based internet payment processing company Intabill. Tzvetkoff drove Lamborghinis, Ferraris, showed off his wealth, and now its come back to haunt him. Other companies with some links to the gaming industry are understood to be doing house keeping and getting more legal advise to make sure their business won't suffer a similar fate to Tzvetkoff's.
A Media Man spokesperson said "We will continue to cover the gaming sector, just as we cover a dozen industry vertical markets. Online property, celebrity and entertainment news, travel, politics and overall expansion of website portals remains a focus point for us. We're not a casino, but we will certainly continue to cover the casino, online casino and poker sector. We've been offering alternative news and online media for a decade, and we are not about to stop covering it just because some questionable gambling websites based in the US closed down. We will also continue to rank a online casino and online poker website of the month also. It's pretty much business as usual across our international network".
Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports via Gambling911 for more "can't miss" information on Australian pokies and gaming wars.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man News
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
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Global Gaming Directory
22 April 2011
Network Nine Snatches Kerry Packer Series From ABC, by Greg Tingle - 22nd April 2011
Famous Australians, the late Kerry Packer, and living media icon Ita Buttrose, will be portrayed in an new Aussie telemovie coming to the box later this month: 'Paper Giants - The Birth Of Cleo'. Cleo the magazine, not the slot folks. In the latest development, Network Nine powers that be, close to the Packers', have snatched the series away from the ABC. Media Man and Gambling911 cut to the chase on what may or may not have happened between the late gambling king KP and former magazine queen, Ita, plus offer a few candid comments with this special probing report...
Nine Snatches Kerry Packer - Ita Buttrose Sequel From ABC; Nine Plays On Packer History...
Packer and Ita fans - you'll love this...the sequel to Paper Giants is going back to Network Nine, after ABC got first pickings. The ABC's hit drama about the media and gambling king, Ita Buttrose and Cleo mag, will not be on the national broadcaster, but on Kerry Packer's former network, Nine. It wasn't long after the first episode of Paper Giants, a two-part mini-series, hit on Sunday night, the chief executive of Nine, David Gyngell, made a play to get the second part. The late Packer and Gyngell were mates and rather like family we understand. He remains good friends with Packer's son and Ten shareholder, James Packer. The sequel will cover Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket, which changed the game forever, including giving sweet paydays for players. Network Nine broadcast the competitions and owns the footage and associated programs and promotional material. It has a long association with some of the key players, including the present-day commentators Richie Benaud, Tony Greig and Ian Chappell. Securing the special comes at a most important time for Nine heads, which is in a ratings battle against Channel Seven and is also preparing to float on the sharemarket to return some of the $5 billion its private equity owners spent buying Nine and ACP Magazines. The ABC had first thought Paper Giants was the first stage in a three-part story of Packer's and Ita's life. It was interested in the entire collection, but would commit to only one stage at a time. The ABC director of television, Kim Dalton, expressed his disappointment at losing the series: "We were very enthusiastic about the opportunity, and it would've worked very well on ABC TV. But them's the breaks." The first instalment of Paper Giants on Sunday night captured 1.2 million viewers in the five main cities for the ABC. A further 150,000 tuned in for the second half on Monday night. The ABC called the production company behind the series, Southern Star, to confirm it wanted another lot, but Channel Nine also made contact. Gyngell was not available for comment, but Channel Nine secured the rights for roughly $2.5 million. The Southern Star chief executive, Rory Callaghan, said the ABC was given the chance to secure the rights in October. Asked if he was happy for the sequel to go to Nine, he said: "We're a production company, we're just trying to do our best."
Profiles
Kerry Packer
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/packer1.html
Ita Buttrose
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/buttrose.html
Jack Thompson
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/thompson.html
Cleo (the slot, not the mag)!
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/cleo.html
As always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun. Good luck.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Media Man News
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Nine Snatches Kerry Packer - Ita Buttrose Sequel From ABC; Nine Plays On Packer History...
Packer and Ita fans - you'll love this...the sequel to Paper Giants is going back to Network Nine, after ABC got first pickings. The ABC's hit drama about the media and gambling king, Ita Buttrose and Cleo mag, will not be on the national broadcaster, but on Kerry Packer's former network, Nine. It wasn't long after the first episode of Paper Giants, a two-part mini-series, hit on Sunday night, the chief executive of Nine, David Gyngell, made a play to get the second part. The late Packer and Gyngell were mates and rather like family we understand. He remains good friends with Packer's son and Ten shareholder, James Packer. The sequel will cover Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket, which changed the game forever, including giving sweet paydays for players. Network Nine broadcast the competitions and owns the footage and associated programs and promotional material. It has a long association with some of the key players, including the present-day commentators Richie Benaud, Tony Greig and Ian Chappell. Securing the special comes at a most important time for Nine heads, which is in a ratings battle against Channel Seven and is also preparing to float on the sharemarket to return some of the $5 billion its private equity owners spent buying Nine and ACP Magazines. The ABC had first thought Paper Giants was the first stage in a three-part story of Packer's and Ita's life. It was interested in the entire collection, but would commit to only one stage at a time. The ABC director of television, Kim Dalton, expressed his disappointment at losing the series: "We were very enthusiastic about the opportunity, and it would've worked very well on ABC TV. But them's the breaks." The first instalment of Paper Giants on Sunday night captured 1.2 million viewers in the five main cities for the ABC. A further 150,000 tuned in for the second half on Monday night. The ABC called the production company behind the series, Southern Star, to confirm it wanted another lot, but Channel Nine also made contact. Gyngell was not available for comment, but Channel Nine secured the rights for roughly $2.5 million. The Southern Star chief executive, Rory Callaghan, said the ABC was given the chance to secure the rights in October. Asked if he was happy for the sequel to go to Nine, he said: "We're a production company, we're just trying to do our best."
Profiles
Kerry Packer
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/packer1.html
Ita Buttrose
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/buttrose.html
Jack Thompson
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/thompson.html
Cleo (the slot, not the mag)!
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/cleo.html
As always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun. Good luck.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Media Man News
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
21 April 2011
Students lives and careers transformed by dance and music audition, by Eva Rinaldi - 21st April 2011
Today was yet another pivotal step in the continued life and career transformation of my special needs students.
For the uninitiated, I teach a group of students in Sydney who have had a number of life and career challenges, many of them effected by traumatic early childhood experiences.
Studies have proven that the formative years of ones life - 1-10 years of age have a significant impact on how an individual will view the world for the rest of their lives.
I'm pleased to report that over the past five weeks the vast majority of my students have made significant gains in confidence, self esteem, attitude, work ethic, communication as a whole, and most have even started to grasp some of the inner workings of the arts, entertainment and media world.
Last week we focused on achieving some practical solutions such as real and sustainable employment opportunities. As a team, we have already identified that most of the students were not ideally suited for "normal jobs" - nor am I for that matter, and neither are most successful people in arts, entertainment and media. It takes a certain breed of person - strong personalities, vast imaginations and being high on energy and a 'can do' attitude. All are pretty much prerequisites for success. Some of my students have these attributes in spades.
Today was a golden opportunity for two of my class to land a dancer role in a major advertising campaign coming up for one of the world's leading entertainment and media companies - and right here in Sydney. While it was not a multi million dollar contract opportunity, it was a genuine foot in the door opp, or launchpad if you will, that the right person could bounce off into a solid TV, film, dance or advertising industry role.
Here's the great news. At least one of my students, let's call her "Ella", has progressed to the next round of casting where she gets one step closer to being a key face for an entertainment industry product and solution that could well end up becoming a household name in Australia. I see a little bit of a Susan Boyle thing going on with this student, and its so exciting to see her grow as both an individual and as a member of the workforce - in the ultra competitive entertainment and media sector. Yes, this chic has the right stuff.
I know the story may sound a little far fetched for some, and lets face it - we sometimes hear of incredible stories in the press (or in movies), which sound too good to be true. So, today I took along a video camera and we shot footage which will be incorporated into the documentary showcasing the transformation of the lives of my ever faithful class.
Within a week I will have a much clearer picture of just how far "Ella" is taking her dream, but the class and I have a really good feeling about it.
What's next for my class of "comeback of the decade" folks? More red carpets, events, artistic creations and some worthwhile media opportunities.
We've already proved the knockers wrong, and we look forward to doing it again and again.
Why do we continue to show that the "impossible" can become possible? Because we can, and also because its often lots of fun, and we get to not only share dreams and aspirations as a team - we also get to achieve greatness together also.
Dream, believe, love and achieve - thank you for joining us on our journey again and we shall look forward to sharing more "impossible dreams" again with you next week.
Websites
Human Statue Bodyart
Eva Rinaldi Photography
Eva Rinaldi Flickr
Music News Australia
For the uninitiated, I teach a group of students in Sydney who have had a number of life and career challenges, many of them effected by traumatic early childhood experiences.
Studies have proven that the formative years of ones life - 1-10 years of age have a significant impact on how an individual will view the world for the rest of their lives.
I'm pleased to report that over the past five weeks the vast majority of my students have made significant gains in confidence, self esteem, attitude, work ethic, communication as a whole, and most have even started to grasp some of the inner workings of the arts, entertainment and media world.
Last week we focused on achieving some practical solutions such as real and sustainable employment opportunities. As a team, we have already identified that most of the students were not ideally suited for "normal jobs" - nor am I for that matter, and neither are most successful people in arts, entertainment and media. It takes a certain breed of person - strong personalities, vast imaginations and being high on energy and a 'can do' attitude. All are pretty much prerequisites for success. Some of my students have these attributes in spades.
Today was a golden opportunity for two of my class to land a dancer role in a major advertising campaign coming up for one of the world's leading entertainment and media companies - and right here in Sydney. While it was not a multi million dollar contract opportunity, it was a genuine foot in the door opp, or launchpad if you will, that the right person could bounce off into a solid TV, film, dance or advertising industry role.
Here's the great news. At least one of my students, let's call her "Ella", has progressed to the next round of casting where she gets one step closer to being a key face for an entertainment industry product and solution that could well end up becoming a household name in Australia. I see a little bit of a Susan Boyle thing going on with this student, and its so exciting to see her grow as both an individual and as a member of the workforce - in the ultra competitive entertainment and media sector. Yes, this chic has the right stuff.
I know the story may sound a little far fetched for some, and lets face it - we sometimes hear of incredible stories in the press (or in movies), which sound too good to be true. So, today I took along a video camera and we shot footage which will be incorporated into the documentary showcasing the transformation of the lives of my ever faithful class.
Within a week I will have a much clearer picture of just how far "Ella" is taking her dream, but the class and I have a really good feeling about it.
What's next for my class of "comeback of the decade" folks? More red carpets, events, artistic creations and some worthwhile media opportunities.
We've already proved the knockers wrong, and we look forward to doing it again and again.
Why do we continue to show that the "impossible" can become possible? Because we can, and also because its often lots of fun, and we get to not only share dreams and aspirations as a team - we also get to achieve greatness together also.
Dream, believe, love and achieve - thank you for joining us on our journey again and we shall look forward to sharing more "impossible dreams" again with you next week.
Websites
Human Statue Bodyart
Eva Rinaldi Photography
Eva Rinaldi Flickr
Music News Australia
Network Nine Beats ABC To Paper Giants; Packer And Ita, by Greg Tingle - 21st April 2011
Famous Australians, the late Kerry Packer, and living media icon Ita Buttrose, will be portrayed in an new Aussie telemovie coming to the box later this month: 'Paper Giants - The Birth Of Cleo'. Cleo the magazine, not the slot folks. In the latest development, Network Nine powers that be, close to the Packers', have snatched the series away from the ABC. Media Man and Gambling911 cut to the chase on what may or may not have happened between the late gambling king KP and former magazine queen, Ita, plus offer a few candid comments with this special probing report...
Nine Snatches Kerry Packer - Ita Buttrose Sequel From ABC; Nine Plays On Packer History...
Packer and Ita fans - you'll love this...the sequel to Paper Giants is going back to Network Nine, after ABC got first pickings. The ABC's hit drama about the media and gambling king, Ita Buttrose and Cleo mag, will not be on the national broadcaster, but on Kerry Packer's former network, Nine. It wasn't long after the first episode of Paper Giants, a two-part mini-series, hit on Sunday night, the chief executive of Nine, David Gyngell, made a play to get the second part. The late Packer and Gyngell were mates and rather like family we understand. He remains good friends with Packer's son and Ten shareholder, James Packer. The sequel will cover Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket, which changed the game forever, including giving sweet paydays for players. Network Nine broadcast the competitions and owns the footage and associated programs and promotional material. It has a long association with some of the key players, including the present-day commentators Richie Benaud, Tony Greig and Ian Chappell. Securing the special comes at a most important time for Nine heads, which is in a ratings battle against Channel Seven and is also preparing to float on the sharemarket to return some of the $5 billion its private equity owners spent buying Nine and ACP Magazines. The ABC had first thought Paper Giants was the first stage in a three-part story of Packer's and Ita's life. It was interested in the entire collection, but would commit to only one stage at a time. The ABC director of television, Kim Dalton, expressed his disappointment at losing the series: "We were very enthusiastic about the opportunity, and it would've worked very well on ABC TV. But them's the breaks." The first instalment of Paper Giants on Sunday night captured 1.2 million viewers in the five main cities for the ABC. A further 150,000 tuned in for the second half on Monday night. The ABC called the production company behind the series, Southern Star, to confirm it wanted another lot, but Channel Nine also made contact. Gyngell was not available for comment, but Channel Nine secured the rights for roughly $2.5 million. The Southern Star chief executive, Rory Callaghan, said the ABC was given the chance to secure the rights in October. Asked if he was happy for the sequel to go to Nine, he said: "We're a production company, we're just trying to do our best."
Australian's Kerry Packer and Ita Buttrose In New Cleo TV Show...
Gambling and media fans. You won't have to wait much longer. The late Kerry Packer (played by actor Rob Carlton) will be returning to Australian TV screens (and internet). Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo, promises to be a quality production that will also show some of the more intimate details of the relationship between the late Packer and Ita, as well as show us a bit of our mate, Jack Thompson (in a Cleo spread no less). Jack is understood to be pleased with the choice of model just quietly. Yeah, we're going to get some nudity boys and girls. The telemovie stars Asher Keddie as Ita Buttrose and will tell the story of the magazines' rise in the Australian media circa 1970s. The viewer will also get some solid insight into the lives of Packer and Buttrose. What do our friends at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation have to say about it? "In early 1972, 30 year old journalist and editor, Ita Buttrose (Asher Keddie) and 35 year old Kerry Packer (Rob Carlton), heir to what was then Australia's most ruthlessly powerful and influential publishing family, got together to create a magazine that became one of the most dramatic sensations in Australian publishing history. CLEO went on to help define women, Australia and the relationship between the two." Buttrose, who first cemented her place as the magazine's editor, was a consultant on the production. "If there was a supposed affair it didn't happen in this timeframe. I have no idea if there was, we didn't raise it with her," said producer John Edwards. A 2007 feature article by The Sydney Morning Herald revealed on Packer - Buttrose: "He soon proposed marriage and, despite rumours to the contrary, she accepted him. But she was less committed to the idea of marriage than he was. She already had one failed marriage behind her," we were told. That marriage to Alasdair Macdonald produced Buttrose's two children, Ben and Kate. "After Ita accepted Kerry's proposal, Kerry told his wife Ros, who knew about the affair anyway. She threatened to take half his wealth and deny him custody of his children, Gretel and James. Kerry found himself weighing up the loss of half of his riches and the loss of his children and finally had a change of heart. He didn't want to lose either." Actor Carlton says he approached the role of Packer with "an equal dose of terror and exhilaration. Like most encounters with Kerry Packer, I'm told". The two-part telemovie will go to air at 8.30pm, Sunday 17 April (and) the same time on Monday, 18 April, on ABC1. News media is speculating is the son of the late KP, James Packer, may get any positive spin offs or PR's from the telemovie which is being touted to be the talk of 'Sin City' Sydney, and perhaps even across Australia, such is the interest in Packer and Buttrose. Buttrose is managed by the Harry M. Miller Group, and Packer is well... not easy to get in touch with, but the right approach to Crown Casino directly can sometimes work wonders. No, please don't ask us for more information on how to, and no, we don't manage them either, but offer online profiles on the two for folks who are interested. From the leaks we've got on Paper-Cuts so far; 4 out of 5 stars. "It's 1972. Skirts are up, pants are down". Spin to win with Cleo, the telemovie, not the slot!
Profiles
Kerry Packer
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/packer1.html
Ita Buttrose
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/buttrose.html
Jack Thompson
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/thompson.html
Cleo (the slot, not the mag)!
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/cleo.html
As always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun. Good luck.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Media Man News
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Nine Snatches Kerry Packer - Ita Buttrose Sequel From ABC; Nine Plays On Packer History...
Packer and Ita fans - you'll love this...the sequel to Paper Giants is going back to Network Nine, after ABC got first pickings. The ABC's hit drama about the media and gambling king, Ita Buttrose and Cleo mag, will not be on the national broadcaster, but on Kerry Packer's former network, Nine. It wasn't long after the first episode of Paper Giants, a two-part mini-series, hit on Sunday night, the chief executive of Nine, David Gyngell, made a play to get the second part. The late Packer and Gyngell were mates and rather like family we understand. He remains good friends with Packer's son and Ten shareholder, James Packer. The sequel will cover Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket, which changed the game forever, including giving sweet paydays for players. Network Nine broadcast the competitions and owns the footage and associated programs and promotional material. It has a long association with some of the key players, including the present-day commentators Richie Benaud, Tony Greig and Ian Chappell. Securing the special comes at a most important time for Nine heads, which is in a ratings battle against Channel Seven and is also preparing to float on the sharemarket to return some of the $5 billion its private equity owners spent buying Nine and ACP Magazines. The ABC had first thought Paper Giants was the first stage in a three-part story of Packer's and Ita's life. It was interested in the entire collection, but would commit to only one stage at a time. The ABC director of television, Kim Dalton, expressed his disappointment at losing the series: "We were very enthusiastic about the opportunity, and it would've worked very well on ABC TV. But them's the breaks." The first instalment of Paper Giants on Sunday night captured 1.2 million viewers in the five main cities for the ABC. A further 150,000 tuned in for the second half on Monday night. The ABC called the production company behind the series, Southern Star, to confirm it wanted another lot, but Channel Nine also made contact. Gyngell was not available for comment, but Channel Nine secured the rights for roughly $2.5 million. The Southern Star chief executive, Rory Callaghan, said the ABC was given the chance to secure the rights in October. Asked if he was happy for the sequel to go to Nine, he said: "We're a production company, we're just trying to do our best."
Australian's Kerry Packer and Ita Buttrose In New Cleo TV Show...
Gambling and media fans. You won't have to wait much longer. The late Kerry Packer (played by actor Rob Carlton) will be returning to Australian TV screens (and internet). Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo, promises to be a quality production that will also show some of the more intimate details of the relationship between the late Packer and Ita, as well as show us a bit of our mate, Jack Thompson (in a Cleo spread no less). Jack is understood to be pleased with the choice of model just quietly. Yeah, we're going to get some nudity boys and girls. The telemovie stars Asher Keddie as Ita Buttrose and will tell the story of the magazines' rise in the Australian media circa 1970s. The viewer will also get some solid insight into the lives of Packer and Buttrose. What do our friends at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation have to say about it? "In early 1972, 30 year old journalist and editor, Ita Buttrose (Asher Keddie) and 35 year old Kerry Packer (Rob Carlton), heir to what was then Australia's most ruthlessly powerful and influential publishing family, got together to create a magazine that became one of the most dramatic sensations in Australian publishing history. CLEO went on to help define women, Australia and the relationship between the two." Buttrose, who first cemented her place as the magazine's editor, was a consultant on the production. "If there was a supposed affair it didn't happen in this timeframe. I have no idea if there was, we didn't raise it with her," said producer John Edwards. A 2007 feature article by The Sydney Morning Herald revealed on Packer - Buttrose: "He soon proposed marriage and, despite rumours to the contrary, she accepted him. But she was less committed to the idea of marriage than he was. She already had one failed marriage behind her," we were told. That marriage to Alasdair Macdonald produced Buttrose's two children, Ben and Kate. "After Ita accepted Kerry's proposal, Kerry told his wife Ros, who knew about the affair anyway. She threatened to take half his wealth and deny him custody of his children, Gretel and James. Kerry found himself weighing up the loss of half of his riches and the loss of his children and finally had a change of heart. He didn't want to lose either." Actor Carlton says he approached the role of Packer with "an equal dose of terror and exhilaration. Like most encounters with Kerry Packer, I'm told". The two-part telemovie will go to air at 8.30pm, Sunday 17 April (and) the same time on Monday, 18 April, on ABC1. News media is speculating is the son of the late KP, James Packer, may get any positive spin offs or PR's from the telemovie which is being touted to be the talk of 'Sin City' Sydney, and perhaps even across Australia, such is the interest in Packer and Buttrose. Buttrose is managed by the Harry M. Miller Group, and Packer is well... not easy to get in touch with, but the right approach to Crown Casino directly can sometimes work wonders. No, please don't ask us for more information on how to, and no, we don't manage them either, but offer online profiles on the two for folks who are interested. From the leaks we've got on Paper-Cuts so far; 4 out of 5 stars. "It's 1972. Skirts are up, pants are down". Spin to win with Cleo, the telemovie, not the slot!
Profiles
Kerry Packer
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/packer1.html
Ita Buttrose
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/buttrose.html
Jack Thompson
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/thompson.html
Cleo (the slot, not the mag)!
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/cleo.html
As always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun. Good luck.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Media Man News
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
PartyCasino Gets New Games And Promos: The Sting
The Sting has arrived at PartyCasino
PartyCasino.com has recently introduced a new Gold Jackpot slot game ‘The Sting.’ This hexagon based game features buzzing busy bees and has a pleasant sting in its tail with an expanding honeystick wild and free spins! PartyCasino.com has the most frequent game launches in the industry and offers over 160 games, including over 100 slots. PartyCasino.com pays out easily over $10 million EVERY DAY to players.
Game objective:
Sting is a hexagons based game that consists of a draw area of fixed 24 hexagons which will rotate and then stop, producing a random symbol. This game has no pay lines. The player receives a payout for connecting and matching symbol groups anywhere on the hexagons draw area. The player gets wins when there are 4 or more matching connecting symbol groups (anywhere on the draw area) and the game pays up to 12 or more symbol combinations. This creates a large variety of wins (over 100,000 possible ways to win!). The game features an expanding Honey stick wild symbol. Wherever this symbol appears on the reel, it will turn all the symbols straight below it to wild. This game also features a Show Me The Honey feature which awards the users with free spins and multipliers. It is possible to win quarter of a Million in one spin on this game by playing the maximum stake and getting a group of 12 or more symbols of a few selected types.
Game Information:
The minimum bet amount is $1 USD and the maximum bet amount is $500USD.
Gold jackpot:
'Gold Jackpot' consists of four jackpots at different levels; the levels are - from the lowest to the highest - Gold Blitz Jackpot, Gold Quick Jackpot, Gold Super Jackpot and Gold Mega Jackpot. All four jackpots grow progressively as bets are made. For each spin, the house adds a small credit to the four running jackpots. All four levels in Gold Jackpot can be won irrespective of hitting any winning combination, while betting any amount. Each jackpot level is reset to its individual seed value after any player hits that particular jackpot. The seed value will be the value that is set by Party Gaming.
How to play:
The amount you are staking will be shown at the bottom of the screen between the "-" and "+" buttons.
Use these two buttons to choose a stake between MIN and MAX limits specified above.
Setting 'STAKE': When you enter the game, a default bet of $X USD is selected. The stake is displayed at the bottom of the screen below the reels. You can choose to increase or decrease the bet by using the "-" and "+" buttons available between MAX BET and AUTO SPIN. If your game balance drops below total bet placed, the system will automatically present the buy-in window
'PAYTABLE': Pay table can be viewed by clicking on the 'PAYTABLE'' button at middle left of the game screen. You can go back to the game by clicking on the 'GAME button available on 'PAYTABLE' screen. The second page of the pay table can be viewed by clicking on the 'NEXT' button available on the bottom center of the 'PAYTABLE' screen. To calculate the payout amount, multiply the respective prize with the stake placed. Clicking on the 'RULES' button in the pay table screen takes you to the Game Rules page.
'RULES': The Game Rules can be viewed by clicking on the 'RULES' button on the left hand side of the game screen. Player can go back to the game by clicking on the 'GAME' button available on 'RULES' screens. Clicking on the 'JACKPOT RULES' button in the RULES screen takes you to the JACKPOT RULES page.
The Jackpot Rules can be viewed by clicking on the 'JACKPOT RULES'' button at the top right of the game screen below the Jackpot meter.
PLAY: Press 'Spin' to start the game. The hexagons rotate and after they stop the rotation, winnings are paid; the winning combinations are obtained by having 4 or more of the matching connecting symbol groups anywhere on the hexagons draw area. Amount won will be paid according to the pay table. Symbols that form the winning combination will be highlighted and the win details shown at the bottom of the hexagons.
Result: All winning symbols will be highlighted and animated. The total win amount is shown in the Ticker messages displayed at the bottom centre the reels. The symbols participating in a winning combination will be highlighted and animated.
Repeat Bet/Change Bet: If you have already bet, the settings selected will be automatically carried over to the subsequent spin if there is sufficient amount. The default stake is $25 which is fixed for all 24 hexagons and a player can choose to increase or decrease the bet per line by using the "-" and "+" buttons between MAX BET and AUTO SPIN buttons.
Balance: Your remaining game balance, after you have placed the desired bet, is shown in 'CREDITS' meter.
BET: The amount that is going to be bet in a particular game is shown in the 'TOTAL BET' field.
Your current game balance is the sum of the amounts displayed in the 'CREDITS' and 'TOTAL BET' fields.
'AUTOPLAY': You can make use of this feature to choose the available number of spins options for 'hands free' game play. Options available under this feature are:
Number of spins: The game will automatically spin for the number of spins selected from the drop-down menu.
Spin till win is equal to or exceeds: The game will automatically spin until the win amount is equal to or exceeds the amount selected from the drop down menu.
Spin till any win: The game will automatically spin until the next win.
Spin till feature trigger: The game will automatically spin until the next feature is triggered.
Spin till my balance exceeds or equals to: The game will automatically spin until the game balance is greater than or equal to the amount entered. Note that 'game balance' implies the sum of the amounts given under 'CREDITS' meter and 'TOTAL BET' meter.
Spin till my balance falls below or equals to: The game will automatically spin until the game balance is less than or equal to the amount entered. Note that 'game balance' implies the sum of amounts given under 'CREDITS' meter and 'TOTAL BET' meter.
Play faster: This option lets you play faster than usual by reducing the break time. You must choose at least one of the other available Auto spin options to play with this option.
To make use of the auto spin feature, click on the 'AUTO SPIN' button at the bottom of the game screen. When the auto spin window opens, check the boxes next to the option(s) you'd like to play with. Select from the drop-down menu where applicable. Click on 'START' to activate the selected options and start the spins. Click on 'CANCEL' to return to the game screen.
Click on 'STOPSPIN' button to deactivate AUTOSPIN. While if spin is in progress, AUTOSPIN will be stopped after completing the current spin, otherwise AUTOSPIN is stopped immediately and normal game is restored.
When playing with multiple 'AUTO SPIN' options, the condition that is satisfied first will take precedence over the others, and the remaining selected conditions will be ignored. You can then choose to either select the same set of options again, or choose new option(s), and proceed with the 'AUTO SPIN'.
Please note: The 'AUTOSPIN' option is not available in play money mode.
Click on 'GAME LOGS' to view the logs of the games you've played.
Click on 'GAME RULES' to view the detailed rules of the game as web page.
Click on 'REBUY' to buy more credits into the game from your Account.
Click on 'EXIT GAME' to leave the game and return to the Lobby.
Click on 'QUICK DEPOSIT' button to deposit money into your Account.
The game rules are identical in both real money and play money modes.
Malfunctions Voids all Pays and Plays.
Expanding Wild
Honey Stick symbol is the wild symbol. It will let honey drip downwards, turning all symbols straight below the Wild into wilds.
Wild symbols may substitute only one matching connecting symbol group to form a winning combination. Any 4 or more connecting matching symbols including substituting Wild symbol may pay as per the pay table.
Honey stick symbol can substitute for any symbol except the Sting logo.
Honey stick can only substitute for one type of symbol and can be used for only one matching symbol groups' win.
When there is more than one type of symbol that the wild could substitute to make matching symbol group wins, then it will be used only for the win that makes the highest payout. If different symbol groups can make the same payout, then it will be used for the symbol that is higher up in the pay table.
Show Me The Honey Feature
Show Me the Honey feature is triggered when 3 The Sting Logo symbols appear anywhere on reels 2, 4, and 6.
Click on any one of 3 flowers, which awards free spins and a multiplier. The maximum number of free spins that can get awarded is 40 and the maximum multiplier is 8
You will be awarded with a random number of free spins & multipliers on selecting a flower. All free spins are played with the same stake as the triggering spin.
Wild feature can be triggered during free spins as well.
It is not possible to trigger free spins within free spins.
At the end of the free spins you are shown a summary of your total winnings in free spins in the ticker area and the amount gets added up to your total credits.
Jackpot Feature Game
The jackpot feature game is triggered every time you hit a jackpot.
Play the jackpot feature to find out which level of jackpot you have won.
Any bet is eligible for the jackpot. The larger your wager is on each game, the more chances you have of winning the jackpot.
Bonus feature game and free spin feature cannot trigger jackpot feature game.
Choose six out of the nine available options to reveal the '$' signs.
Only real money bets contribute to the Jackpot
Each '$' sign awards one level of the Gold Jackpot.
One '$' sign awards Gold Blitz Jackpot.
Two '$' signs award Gold Quick Jackpot.
Three '$' signs award Gold Super Jackpot.
Four '$' signs award Gold Mega Jackpot.
Click on the 'COMPLETE' button to restore the main game screen.
If you win multiple jackpots, the jackpot feature for the next jackpot will begin after you click the 'COMPLETE' button.
Pay Table
Click on PAYTABLE button in the main game screen, game will navigate to Payable screen. The NEXT button on the pay table window takes you to the second page of the pay table. (Please refer Fig 1 & 2 shown below)
Game Rules
Click on RULES button in the main game screen, game will navigate to Game Rules screen.
(Please refer Fig 3 shown below)
Jackpot Rules
The Jackpot Rules can be viewed by clicking on the 'JACKPOT RULES' button at the top right of the game screen below the Jackpot meter. Clicking on the 'JACKPOT RULES' button in the RULES screen also takes you to the JACKPOT RULES page.
The theoretical return to player of this game is 96.69%.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBets.com
PartyGammon.com
PartyBingo.com
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
bwin.party digital entertainment
World Poker Tour
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Australian Casino News
Casino News Australia
Global Gaming Directory
PartyCasino.com has recently introduced a new Gold Jackpot slot game ‘The Sting.’ This hexagon based game features buzzing busy bees and has a pleasant sting in its tail with an expanding honeystick wild and free spins! PartyCasino.com has the most frequent game launches in the industry and offers over 160 games, including over 100 slots. PartyCasino.com pays out easily over $10 million EVERY DAY to players.
Game objective:
Sting is a hexagons based game that consists of a draw area of fixed 24 hexagons which will rotate and then stop, producing a random symbol. This game has no pay lines. The player receives a payout for connecting and matching symbol groups anywhere on the hexagons draw area. The player gets wins when there are 4 or more matching connecting symbol groups (anywhere on the draw area) and the game pays up to 12 or more symbol combinations. This creates a large variety of wins (over 100,000 possible ways to win!). The game features an expanding Honey stick wild symbol. Wherever this symbol appears on the reel, it will turn all the symbols straight below it to wild. This game also features a Show Me The Honey feature which awards the users with free spins and multipliers. It is possible to win quarter of a Million in one spin on this game by playing the maximum stake and getting a group of 12 or more symbols of a few selected types.
Game Information:
The minimum bet amount is $1 USD and the maximum bet amount is $500USD.
Gold jackpot:
'Gold Jackpot' consists of four jackpots at different levels; the levels are - from the lowest to the highest - Gold Blitz Jackpot, Gold Quick Jackpot, Gold Super Jackpot and Gold Mega Jackpot. All four jackpots grow progressively as bets are made. For each spin, the house adds a small credit to the four running jackpots. All four levels in Gold Jackpot can be won irrespective of hitting any winning combination, while betting any amount. Each jackpot level is reset to its individual seed value after any player hits that particular jackpot. The seed value will be the value that is set by Party Gaming.
How to play:
The amount you are staking will be shown at the bottom of the screen between the "-" and "+" buttons.
Use these two buttons to choose a stake between MIN and MAX limits specified above.
Setting 'STAKE': When you enter the game, a default bet of $X USD is selected. The stake is displayed at the bottom of the screen below the reels. You can choose to increase or decrease the bet by using the "-" and "+" buttons available between MAX BET and AUTO SPIN. If your game balance drops below total bet placed, the system will automatically present the buy-in window
'PAYTABLE': Pay table can be viewed by clicking on the 'PAYTABLE'' button at middle left of the game screen. You can go back to the game by clicking on the 'GAME button available on 'PAYTABLE' screen. The second page of the pay table can be viewed by clicking on the 'NEXT' button available on the bottom center of the 'PAYTABLE' screen. To calculate the payout amount, multiply the respective prize with the stake placed. Clicking on the 'RULES' button in the pay table screen takes you to the Game Rules page.
'RULES': The Game Rules can be viewed by clicking on the 'RULES' button on the left hand side of the game screen. Player can go back to the game by clicking on the 'GAME' button available on 'RULES' screens. Clicking on the 'JACKPOT RULES' button in the RULES screen takes you to the JACKPOT RULES page.
The Jackpot Rules can be viewed by clicking on the 'JACKPOT RULES'' button at the top right of the game screen below the Jackpot meter.
PLAY: Press 'Spin' to start the game. The hexagons rotate and after they stop the rotation, winnings are paid; the winning combinations are obtained by having 4 or more of the matching connecting symbol groups anywhere on the hexagons draw area. Amount won will be paid according to the pay table. Symbols that form the winning combination will be highlighted and the win details shown at the bottom of the hexagons.
Result: All winning symbols will be highlighted and animated. The total win amount is shown in the Ticker messages displayed at the bottom centre the reels. The symbols participating in a winning combination will be highlighted and animated.
Repeat Bet/Change Bet: If you have already bet, the settings selected will be automatically carried over to the subsequent spin if there is sufficient amount. The default stake is $25 which is fixed for all 24 hexagons and a player can choose to increase or decrease the bet per line by using the "-" and "+" buttons between MAX BET and AUTO SPIN buttons.
Balance: Your remaining game balance, after you have placed the desired bet, is shown in 'CREDITS' meter.
BET: The amount that is going to be bet in a particular game is shown in the 'TOTAL BET' field.
Your current game balance is the sum of the amounts displayed in the 'CREDITS' and 'TOTAL BET' fields.
'AUTOPLAY': You can make use of this feature to choose the available number of spins options for 'hands free' game play. Options available under this feature are:
Number of spins: The game will automatically spin for the number of spins selected from the drop-down menu.
Spin till win is equal to or exceeds: The game will automatically spin until the win amount is equal to or exceeds the amount selected from the drop down menu.
Spin till any win: The game will automatically spin until the next win.
Spin till feature trigger: The game will automatically spin until the next feature is triggered.
Spin till my balance exceeds or equals to: The game will automatically spin until the game balance is greater than or equal to the amount entered. Note that 'game balance' implies the sum of the amounts given under 'CREDITS' meter and 'TOTAL BET' meter.
Spin till my balance falls below or equals to: The game will automatically spin until the game balance is less than or equal to the amount entered. Note that 'game balance' implies the sum of amounts given under 'CREDITS' meter and 'TOTAL BET' meter.
Play faster: This option lets you play faster than usual by reducing the break time. You must choose at least one of the other available Auto spin options to play with this option.
To make use of the auto spin feature, click on the 'AUTO SPIN' button at the bottom of the game screen. When the auto spin window opens, check the boxes next to the option(s) you'd like to play with. Select from the drop-down menu where applicable. Click on 'START' to activate the selected options and start the spins. Click on 'CANCEL' to return to the game screen.
Click on 'STOPSPIN' button to deactivate AUTOSPIN. While if spin is in progress, AUTOSPIN will be stopped after completing the current spin, otherwise AUTOSPIN is stopped immediately and normal game is restored.
When playing with multiple 'AUTO SPIN' options, the condition that is satisfied first will take precedence over the others, and the remaining selected conditions will be ignored. You can then choose to either select the same set of options again, or choose new option(s), and proceed with the 'AUTO SPIN'.
Please note: The 'AUTOSPIN' option is not available in play money mode.
Click on 'GAME LOGS' to view the logs of the games you've played.
Click on 'GAME RULES' to view the detailed rules of the game as web page.
Click on 'REBUY' to buy more credits into the game from your Account.
Click on 'EXIT GAME' to leave the game and return to the Lobby.
Click on 'QUICK DEPOSIT' button to deposit money into your Account.
The game rules are identical in both real money and play money modes.
Malfunctions Voids all Pays and Plays.
Expanding Wild
Honey Stick symbol is the wild symbol. It will let honey drip downwards, turning all symbols straight below the Wild into wilds.
Wild symbols may substitute only one matching connecting symbol group to form a winning combination. Any 4 or more connecting matching symbols including substituting Wild symbol may pay as per the pay table.
Honey stick symbol can substitute for any symbol except the Sting logo.
Honey stick can only substitute for one type of symbol and can be used for only one matching symbol groups' win.
When there is more than one type of symbol that the wild could substitute to make matching symbol group wins, then it will be used only for the win that makes the highest payout. If different symbol groups can make the same payout, then it will be used for the symbol that is higher up in the pay table.
Show Me The Honey Feature
Show Me the Honey feature is triggered when 3 The Sting Logo symbols appear anywhere on reels 2, 4, and 6.
Click on any one of 3 flowers, which awards free spins and a multiplier. The maximum number of free spins that can get awarded is 40 and the maximum multiplier is 8
You will be awarded with a random number of free spins & multipliers on selecting a flower. All free spins are played with the same stake as the triggering spin.
Wild feature can be triggered during free spins as well.
It is not possible to trigger free spins within free spins.
At the end of the free spins you are shown a summary of your total winnings in free spins in the ticker area and the amount gets added up to your total credits.
Jackpot Feature Game
The jackpot feature game is triggered every time you hit a jackpot.
Play the jackpot feature to find out which level of jackpot you have won.
Any bet is eligible for the jackpot. The larger your wager is on each game, the more chances you have of winning the jackpot.
Bonus feature game and free spin feature cannot trigger jackpot feature game.
Choose six out of the nine available options to reveal the '$' signs.
Only real money bets contribute to the Jackpot
Each '$' sign awards one level of the Gold Jackpot.
One '$' sign awards Gold Blitz Jackpot.
Two '$' signs award Gold Quick Jackpot.
Three '$' signs award Gold Super Jackpot.
Four '$' signs award Gold Mega Jackpot.
Click on the 'COMPLETE' button to restore the main game screen.
If you win multiple jackpots, the jackpot feature for the next jackpot will begin after you click the 'COMPLETE' button.
Pay Table
Click on PAYTABLE button in the main game screen, game will navigate to Payable screen. The NEXT button on the pay table window takes you to the second page of the pay table. (Please refer Fig 1 & 2 shown below)
Game Rules
Click on RULES button in the main game screen, game will navigate to Game Rules screen.
(Please refer Fig 3 shown below)
Jackpot Rules
The Jackpot Rules can be viewed by clicking on the 'JACKPOT RULES' button at the top right of the game screen below the Jackpot meter. Clicking on the 'JACKPOT RULES' button in the RULES screen also takes you to the JACKPOT RULES page.
The theoretical return to player of this game is 96.69%.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBets.com
PartyGammon.com
PartyBingo.com
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
bwin.party digital entertainment
World Poker Tour
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Australian Casino News
Casino News Australia
Global Gaming Directory
PartyCasino News: Record Jackpots At PartyCasino - Biggest Ever!; The Big One Over $4 Million And Total Jackpots Over $6 Million
Record Jackpots At PartyCasino - Biggest Ever!; The Big One Over $4 Million And Total Jackpots Over $6 Million
Gibraltar – 7th April 2011 – Records are tumbling at PartyCasino.com the world’s largest online casino, with ‘The Big One’ crossing $4 million for the first time and total jackpots amazingly over $6 million, the highest they have ever been!
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "To say that people feel a jackpot coming on is an understatement – the total of the jackpots on the site have reached a record high and they can be hit by just wagering one cent! The Big One has never been so big! The Big One is structured as a five tiered pool. The highest tier - Colossal Cash - seeds at $1.5 million, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry and, staggeringly, currently stands at over $4 million. Games where ‘The Big One’ can be hit include the classic 'Melon Madness’ and firm favourite ‘Snowbusiness.’"
In addition, the billionth dollar has been wagered on an online slot machine for the first time! The slot in question was the famous Firedrake, an online casino classic. The lucky player to hit the milestone is Koka11, who not only takes the prestigious honour but is handsomely rewarded with a dream VIP trip to Las Vegas along with $2,500 cash. 665 players also won thanks to Koka11! For more information see: PartyCasino.com
PartyCasino.com has recently introduced a new Gold Jackpot slot game ‘The Sting.’ This hexagon based game features buzzing busy bees and has a pleasant sting in its tail with an expanding honeystick wild and free spins! PartyCasino.com has the most frequent game launches in the industry and offers over 160 games, including over 100 slots. PartyCasino.com pays out easily over $10 million EVERY DAY to players.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBets.com
PartyGammon.com
PartyBingo.com
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
bwin.party digital entertainment
World Poker Tour
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Australian Casino News
Casino News Australia
Global Gaming Directory
Gibraltar – 7th April 2011 – Records are tumbling at PartyCasino.com the world’s largest online casino, with ‘The Big One’ crossing $4 million for the first time and total jackpots amazingly over $6 million, the highest they have ever been!
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "To say that people feel a jackpot coming on is an understatement – the total of the jackpots on the site have reached a record high and they can be hit by just wagering one cent! The Big One has never been so big! The Big One is structured as a five tiered pool. The highest tier - Colossal Cash - seeds at $1.5 million, the biggest online jackpot seed in the industry and, staggeringly, currently stands at over $4 million. Games where ‘The Big One’ can be hit include the classic 'Melon Madness’ and firm favourite ‘Snowbusiness.’"
In addition, the billionth dollar has been wagered on an online slot machine for the first time! The slot in question was the famous Firedrake, an online casino classic. The lucky player to hit the milestone is Koka11, who not only takes the prestigious honour but is handsomely rewarded with a dream VIP trip to Las Vegas along with $2,500 cash. 665 players also won thanks to Koka11! For more information see: PartyCasino.com
PartyCasino.com has recently introduced a new Gold Jackpot slot game ‘The Sting.’ This hexagon based game features buzzing busy bees and has a pleasant sting in its tail with an expanding honeystick wild and free spins! PartyCasino.com has the most frequent game launches in the industry and offers over 160 games, including over 100 slots. PartyCasino.com pays out easily over $10 million EVERY DAY to players.
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBets.com
PartyGammon.com
PartyBingo.com
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
bwin.party digital entertainment
World Poker Tour
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Australian Casino News
Casino News Australia
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Underbelly: Razor: Nine Gambles Again, by Greg Tingle - 21st April 2011
Australian audiences are in for another treat. Underbelly 4 is coming up, and there's gambling themes to boot, plus plenty of vice. Media Man and Gambling911 deliver your daily dose of vice Aussie style...
It's down under in Sin City Sydney circa 1920’s and vice queens, Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh are running a muck. Drugs, gambling, extortion and prostitution - it's all here folks. Line up, line up, the greatest show on earth.
Hey mate, have some sly grog and a couple of sheilas for the night... she will be right mate, and slip us an extra few quid for good luck. Ah, those were the days. Actually, I'm not old enough to give a first hand account, but you can just imagine. My old and late mate, Big Tim Earthquake Bristow gave us a few pointers on what was going down in those days.
Based on the best-selling book Razor by Larry Writer, this red hot drama will be the fourth installment of the series that has hit the Australian TV box and will showcase Australia’s two vice queens along with infamous gangsters Norman Bruhn, Guido Calletti, Big Jim Devine, Squizzy Taylor, Phil "the Jew" Jeffs, John "Snowy" Cutmore and Frank "the Little Gunman" Green.
Danielle Cormack stars as Kate Leigh and Chelsie Preston Crayford as Tilly Devine alongside an awesome cast that includes Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Jack Campbell, Steve Le Marquand, John Batchelor, Felix Williamson, Khan Chittenden and Anna McGahan as hooker, Nellie Cameron,
Underbelly Razor commenced filming on 4th April and will shoot on location in 'Sin City' Sydney until August 2011.
The show’s 13 episodes will be directed by Tony Tilse, Cherie Nowlan, Shawn Seet and David Caesar and produced by Elisa Argenzio and Peter Gawler with Des Monaghan, Greg Haddrick and Jo Horsburgh as Executive Producers.
Network Nine’s Head of Drama, Jo Horsburgh said, "Underbelly: Razor is an ambitious and welcomed instalment for Nine, with Screentime, of the Underbelly franchise. It is a fascinating glimpse into back alleys, bedrooms and grog shops, where the good, the bad, and downright naughty, battle it out for supremacy in a post World War 1 Australia. It's sophisticated and raunchy. Fantastic scripts delivering all that the audience have come to expect from Underbelly, great characters, great stories and great entertainment."
"Underbelly: Razor marks an exciting new development in the Underbelly franchise," said Des Monaghan, Executive Director of Screentime. "The women who battle for control of the underworld are truly incredible characters whose stories are as fresh today as when they occurred. And despite legendary criminal figures, Squizzy Taylor and Norman Bruhn, our story is dominated by extraordinary women such as Kate Leigh, Tilly Devine, Nellie Cameron and arguably Australia’s first policewoman, Lillian Armfield. A truly rich tale with larger than life characters."
"Gamblers, gambling experts, historians and all round fans of high quality Australian television drama will lick it up", said a Media Man spokesperson.
Website: Underbelly
http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/underbelly
Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports via Gambling911 for more "can't miss" information on Australian pokies and gaming wars.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
Website Network
Media Man International
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It's down under in Sin City Sydney circa 1920’s and vice queens, Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh are running a muck. Drugs, gambling, extortion and prostitution - it's all here folks. Line up, line up, the greatest show on earth.
Hey mate, have some sly grog and a couple of sheilas for the night... she will be right mate, and slip us an extra few quid for good luck. Ah, those were the days. Actually, I'm not old enough to give a first hand account, but you can just imagine. My old and late mate, Big Tim Earthquake Bristow gave us a few pointers on what was going down in those days.
Based on the best-selling book Razor by Larry Writer, this red hot drama will be the fourth installment of the series that has hit the Australian TV box and will showcase Australia’s two vice queens along with infamous gangsters Norman Bruhn, Guido Calletti, Big Jim Devine, Squizzy Taylor, Phil "the Jew" Jeffs, John "Snowy" Cutmore and Frank "the Little Gunman" Green.
Danielle Cormack stars as Kate Leigh and Chelsie Preston Crayford as Tilly Devine alongside an awesome cast that includes Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Jack Campbell, Steve Le Marquand, John Batchelor, Felix Williamson, Khan Chittenden and Anna McGahan as hooker, Nellie Cameron,
Underbelly Razor commenced filming on 4th April and will shoot on location in 'Sin City' Sydney until August 2011.
The show’s 13 episodes will be directed by Tony Tilse, Cherie Nowlan, Shawn Seet and David Caesar and produced by Elisa Argenzio and Peter Gawler with Des Monaghan, Greg Haddrick and Jo Horsburgh as Executive Producers.
Network Nine’s Head of Drama, Jo Horsburgh said, "Underbelly: Razor is an ambitious and welcomed instalment for Nine, with Screentime, of the Underbelly franchise. It is a fascinating glimpse into back alleys, bedrooms and grog shops, where the good, the bad, and downright naughty, battle it out for supremacy in a post World War 1 Australia. It's sophisticated and raunchy. Fantastic scripts delivering all that the audience have come to expect from Underbelly, great characters, great stories and great entertainment."
"Underbelly: Razor marks an exciting new development in the Underbelly franchise," said Des Monaghan, Executive Director of Screentime. "The women who battle for control of the underworld are truly incredible characters whose stories are as fresh today as when they occurred. And despite legendary criminal figures, Squizzy Taylor and Norman Bruhn, our story is dominated by extraordinary women such as Kate Leigh, Tilly Devine, Nellie Cameron and arguably Australia’s first policewoman, Lillian Armfield. A truly rich tale with larger than life characters."
"Gamblers, gambling experts, historians and all round fans of high quality Australian television drama will lick it up", said a Media Man spokesperson.
Website: Underbelly
http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/underbelly
Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports via Gambling911 for more "can't miss" information on Australian pokies and gaming wars.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
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Marvel Already Planning Thor And Captain America Sequels, by Greg Tingle - 21st April 2011
Marvel entertainment and co powers that be are already planning sequels to both Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger.
Marvel Studios' president Kevin Feige stated in a recent interview that the studio is in the process of developing a sequel for each, with the writers working on Captain America 2, with Thor 2 not following too far behind.
Remember when studios waited to see the box office results to start putting money into a sequel, but with these two highly anticipated movies, which are a must for the planned Avengers flick, we're behind Marvel all the way on this.
Marvel Entertainment living legend Stan Lee is understand to be 100% behind the move. Excelsior!
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Marvel Studios' president Kevin Feige stated in a recent interview that the studio is in the process of developing a sequel for each, with the writers working on Captain America 2, with Thor 2 not following too far behind.
Remember when studios waited to see the box office results to start putting money into a sequel, but with these two highly anticipated movies, which are a must for the planned Avengers flick, we're behind Marvel all the way on this.
Marvel Entertainment living legend Stan Lee is understand to be 100% behind the move. Excelsior!
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Thor Movie News Media
News
'Thor' movie set for 6th May 2011; Likely to take place of Spider-Man IV, - 7th January 2010
Marvel Entertainment acquisition by Disney approved - 5th January 2010
Thor goes into battle for the NT (ABC News) - 21st April 2011
Party boy Chris Hemsworth puts the hammer down - Herald Sun - 19th April 2011
'Thor': The Early Reviews Are In! - MTV News - 18th April 2011
You Thor, me Jane - Today Online - 21st April 2011
Thor: God of Thunder - Going Green - Marvel.com - 20th April 2011
Big Time Buzz: Thor - Marvel.com - 19th April 2011
Thor mania smashes into Sydney premier - Street Corner - 17th April 2011
Multimedia
Hemsworth beefs up for 'Thor' (The Sydney Morning Herald - Multimedia)
From the Territory to Asgard - ABC Radio 105.7
Thor movie trailer - Marvel official YouTube
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'Thor' movie set for 6th May 2011; Likely to take place of Spider-Man IV, - 7th January 2010
Marvel Entertainment acquisition by Disney approved - 5th January 2010
Thor goes into battle for the NT (ABC News) - 21st April 2011
Party boy Chris Hemsworth puts the hammer down - Herald Sun - 19th April 2011
'Thor': The Early Reviews Are In! - MTV News - 18th April 2011
You Thor, me Jane - Today Online - 21st April 2011
Thor: God of Thunder - Going Green - Marvel.com - 20th April 2011
Big Time Buzz: Thor - Marvel.com - 19th April 2011
Thor mania smashes into Sydney premier - Street Corner - 17th April 2011
Multimedia
Hemsworth beefs up for 'Thor' (The Sydney Morning Herald - Multimedia)
From the Territory to Asgard - ABC Radio 105.7
Thor movie trailer - Marvel official YouTube
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Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment, LLC to Release "Thor" in IMAX(R) 3D
LOS ANGELES, April 20, 2011 -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX) (TSX:IMX), Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment, LLC formally announced today that they have finalized an agreement to release the epic superhero adventure Thor in digital IMAX® theatres worldwide day-and-date on May 6, 2011. The release marks the continuation of the partnership between IMAX, Paramount and Marvel. The film, based on the well-known Marvel comic book, is directed by Kenneth Branagh, produced by Kevin Feige, and stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins. The screenplay is by Ashley Edward Miller & Zack Stentz and Don Payne from a story by J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich.
Tim Connors, Chief Operating Officer, Marvel Studios, stated, "We're excited to continue our relationship with IMAX following the success we shared on Iron Man 2, and we look forward to fans experiencing the thrill of Thor in the immersive IMAX® 3D format."
"Bringing iconic characters to life is something that Marvel Entertainment and Paramount do very well, and we're confident that Thor will also come to life on the IMAX screen," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "This highly-anticipated summer title is tailor-made for the IMAX audience."
"We're pleased to expand our relationship with Marvel and Paramount with Thor, which is a great addition to our summer tentpole slate," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "We believe Thor will resonate with the IMAX audience by transporting them directly into the 3D world that Kenneth Branagh and the Marvel team have created for this epic film."
About Thor
Marvel Studios expands its film universe with a new type of superhero: Thor. This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth. Kenneth Branagh directs this fantasy epic which stars Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as the god of thunder, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, a young woman who befriends Thor on Earth, Tom Hiddleston as Thor's evil brother Loki, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Thor's father and king of Asgard. Expect to see agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., previously seen in Iron Man to make an appearance, further foreshadowing the coming of Marvel Studios' The Avengers! Thor's screenplay is by Ashley Edward Miller & Zack Stentz and Don Payne from a story by J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA-B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group and Paramount Television & Digital Distribution.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment and technology companies, specializing in the creation and delivery of premium, awe-inspiring entertainment experiences. With a growing suite of cutting-edge motion picture and sound technologies, and a globally recognized entertainment brand, IMAX is singularly situated at the convergence of the entertainment industry, innovation and the digital media world. The industry's top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and as such, the IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. The Company's new digital projection and sound systems - combined with a growing blockbuster film slate - are fueling the rapid expansion of the IMAX network in established markets such as North America, Western Europe, and Japan, as well as emerging markets such as China and Russia. IMAX theaters deliver the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-Mastering) technologies. IMAX DMR enables virtually any motion picture to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo and Shanghai. As of December 31, 2010, there were 518 IMAX theatres (396 commercial, 122 institutional) operating in 46 countries.
IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience® and The IMAX Experience® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).
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Tim Connors, Chief Operating Officer, Marvel Studios, stated, "We're excited to continue our relationship with IMAX following the success we shared on Iron Man 2, and we look forward to fans experiencing the thrill of Thor in the immersive IMAX® 3D format."
"Bringing iconic characters to life is something that Marvel Entertainment and Paramount do very well, and we're confident that Thor will also come to life on the IMAX screen," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "This highly-anticipated summer title is tailor-made for the IMAX audience."
"We're pleased to expand our relationship with Marvel and Paramount with Thor, which is a great addition to our summer tentpole slate," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "We believe Thor will resonate with the IMAX audience by transporting them directly into the 3D world that Kenneth Branagh and the Marvel team have created for this epic film."
About Thor
Marvel Studios expands its film universe with a new type of superhero: Thor. This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth. Kenneth Branagh directs this fantasy epic which stars Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as the god of thunder, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, a young woman who befriends Thor on Earth, Tom Hiddleston as Thor's evil brother Loki, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Thor's father and king of Asgard. Expect to see agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., previously seen in Iron Man to make an appearance, further foreshadowing the coming of Marvel Studios' The Avengers! Thor's screenplay is by Ashley Edward Miller & Zack Stentz and Don Payne from a story by J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA-B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group and Paramount Television & Digital Distribution.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment and technology companies, specializing in the creation and delivery of premium, awe-inspiring entertainment experiences. With a growing suite of cutting-edge motion picture and sound technologies, and a globally recognized entertainment brand, IMAX is singularly situated at the convergence of the entertainment industry, innovation and the digital media world. The industry's top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and as such, the IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. The Company's new digital projection and sound systems - combined with a growing blockbuster film slate - are fueling the rapid expansion of the IMAX network in established markets such as North America, Western Europe, and Japan, as well as emerging markets such as China and Russia. IMAX theaters deliver the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-Mastering) technologies. IMAX DMR enables virtually any motion picture to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo and Shanghai. As of December 31, 2010, there were 518 IMAX theatres (396 commercial, 122 institutional) operating in 46 countries.
IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience® and The IMAX Experience® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).
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20 April 2011
Cleo Bachelor of the Year: And the winner is Eamon Sullivan, by Eva Rinaldi - 20th April 2011
The wait is over for the highly anticipated Cleo Bachelor Of The Year. The man of the hour, who is too sweet to be sour is 25 year old Aussie Olympic swimmer Eamon Sullivan.
One gets the feeling 'Our Eamon' is going to be working hard, and playing much harder, such is the pace for Australia's most eligible bachelor.
A Cleo insider said "Eamon's mobile and email went crazy soon after the announcement. He's got hot dates for months in advance, if he wants them".
The black-tie dinner was held at Justin Hemmes' The Ivy in 'Sin City' Sydney. The ballroom had never looked or smelt better.
The delightful Cleo editor Gemma Crisp advised picking the winner a hard decision, but Eamon was a deserving winner.
"Eamon is the perfect Cleo Bachelor – he’s charismatic, he’s ambitious, he’s intelligent, he’s amazing in the kitchen, and he’s also the proud dad of his adorable French bulldog, Baxter. What girl doesn’t melt at the sight of a hot guy with a cute dog?
"The fact that he’s ripped and has a couple of Olympic medals lying around at home doesn’t hurt either!" said the queen on the ultra popular magazine.
Eamon was a massive online hit with the voting public, even besting other favs such as Anthony “Harries” Carroll from Bondi Rescue fame and talented Neighbours actor Scott McGregor.
Sullivan is tipped for a start and top performance in the 2012 London Olympics. He snatched the top prize - a groovy custom painted Nissan Micra worth a cool $15,990.
Home And Away actor Dan Ewing grabbed runner-up, and it seems the 300 plus crowd poped more for Ewing more than for Sullivan. The hunk-o-man also walked away with a holiday for two at The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa in Fiji, including return airfares. The prize is valued at $5,600, and we hear lot of ladies have already let 'Our Dan' know they love Fiji (and him).
Popular Triple J radio announcer Paul Verhoeven came third, scooping a $1,000 wardrobe thanks to Lee. Paul has a great sense of humour, and to die for looks.
The Cleo music video promos were great, as was the feed and drinks, and a big thank you to Jackie from catering and Roxy and all the great girls at Sweaty Betty PR.
Cleo, Ivy and everyone involved in organising tonight did a top job.
Cleo magazine sales are expected to skyrocked in May, and the mobile phones of all the bachelors are predicted to be ringing off the hook for many months before the heat dies down.
Be sure to check out our great photos and video footage of the evening. If you didn't make it, fear not, there's plenty of eye candy for sexy boys and girls right here, with host Sophie Monk doing a fine job on the mic, leaping out of her regular comfort zone.
See you back there again guys (and girls)...all 50 of you - do your best to make the most of your Cleo bragging rights, you earned it.
Websites
Cleo Magazine
Merivale
Eva Rinaldi Photography
Eva Rinandi Photography Flickr
One gets the feeling 'Our Eamon' is going to be working hard, and playing much harder, such is the pace for Australia's most eligible bachelor.
A Cleo insider said "Eamon's mobile and email went crazy soon after the announcement. He's got hot dates for months in advance, if he wants them".
The black-tie dinner was held at Justin Hemmes' The Ivy in 'Sin City' Sydney. The ballroom had never looked or smelt better.
The delightful Cleo editor Gemma Crisp advised picking the winner a hard decision, but Eamon was a deserving winner.
"Eamon is the perfect Cleo Bachelor – he’s charismatic, he’s ambitious, he’s intelligent, he’s amazing in the kitchen, and he’s also the proud dad of his adorable French bulldog, Baxter. What girl doesn’t melt at the sight of a hot guy with a cute dog?
"The fact that he’s ripped and has a couple of Olympic medals lying around at home doesn’t hurt either!" said the queen on the ultra popular magazine.
Eamon was a massive online hit with the voting public, even besting other favs such as Anthony “Harries” Carroll from Bondi Rescue fame and talented Neighbours actor Scott McGregor.
Sullivan is tipped for a start and top performance in the 2012 London Olympics. He snatched the top prize - a groovy custom painted Nissan Micra worth a cool $15,990.
Home And Away actor Dan Ewing grabbed runner-up, and it seems the 300 plus crowd poped more for Ewing more than for Sullivan. The hunk-o-man also walked away with a holiday for two at The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa in Fiji, including return airfares. The prize is valued at $5,600, and we hear lot of ladies have already let 'Our Dan' know they love Fiji (and him).
Popular Triple J radio announcer Paul Verhoeven came third, scooping a $1,000 wardrobe thanks to Lee. Paul has a great sense of humour, and to die for looks.
The Cleo music video promos were great, as was the feed and drinks, and a big thank you to Jackie from catering and Roxy and all the great girls at Sweaty Betty PR.
Cleo, Ivy and everyone involved in organising tonight did a top job.
Cleo magazine sales are expected to skyrocked in May, and the mobile phones of all the bachelors are predicted to be ringing off the hook for many months before the heat dies down.
Be sure to check out our great photos and video footage of the evening. If you didn't make it, fear not, there's plenty of eye candy for sexy boys and girls right here, with host Sophie Monk doing a fine job on the mic, leaping out of her regular comfort zone.
See you back there again guys (and girls)...all 50 of you - do your best to make the most of your Cleo bragging rights, you earned it.
Websites
Cleo Magazine
Merivale
Eva Rinaldi Photography
Eva Rinandi Photography Flickr
WWE Gambles On Cigy Angle; WWE Lights Up Debate With Tobacco In Media, by Greg Tingle - 20th April 2011
WWE Lights Up Debate With Tobacco In Media...
Regular readers will know all too well that Media Man and and Gambling911 cover all matter of vice in their news reports. Usually its gambling or casino news, but we also cover crime, technology, odds on events and from time to time, cigarettes.
Cigarettes - tobacco or ciggies if you prefer, are back in the news, especially when it comes to the United States and Australia.
Down under the debate is on the way as to if plain packaging should be used at the point of sale (which may help them loose their appeal)... then again, it may work out the opposite also, as when products and services become more controversial, they also often become more popular!
Now leading American owned and operated media company, WWE (formally World Wrestling Federation - before they decided they we not so much wrestling, but sports entertainment), has been dragged into the tobacco in news media debate with one of their stars lighting up a cigarette as part of a story line.
The WWE superstar - the curiously named R-Truth (Ron Killings)... not Cig Killings, lit her up and has raised the ire of anti tobacco advocates across the global including Patrick Reynolds from Tobacco Free.org, who is calling for an apology on the stunt.
TMZ broke the story earlier today, but news media wires across the globe and running with it hard, including heated debate at Wrestling Observer Newsletter and the Pro Wrestling Torch.
Reynolds said on the wrestling superstar, "If he wants help in quitting, I'll be happy to be his personal coach."
The WWE issued a statement to TMZ defending the cigarette incident -- saying, "The negative effect smoking has on one’s health and physical performance was a part of a storyline on last night’s Monday Night Raw. Negative depictions of tobacco use on television are not unusual and can be seen on other TV-PG shows."
A Media Man spokesperson said "We're going to back up the WWE and Killings all the way on this one. It's a storyline, not unlike the sort of thing you would see on other American sitcoms, TV series and the like. The WWE audience is not stupid and audiences realise it's showbiz. Most of the programming is clearing PG-13, but somethings things get blurred. It's no secret that smoking is not good for you, and that the way WWE and Killings presented it. Last Monday Night may have been more Raw that usual, but we believe that they did not cross the line. It was interesting and entertaining television in our estimation. As is often the case, it was a small but vocal number of people who complained. For the record, none of our staff smoke either, but most enjoy WWE programming.
A few months ago the WWE also attracted mixed press coverage when it was discovered they offered WWE Poker on their website.
Punters may also be interested to know that a decade ago the then World Wrestling Federation, formally also known as Titan Sports and World Wide Wrestling Federation purchase a land based casino in Las Vegas, however they never developed the sites and chose to sell it for a profit. Returned WWE superstar Kevin "Diesel" Nash also once played a smooth talking Vegas character 'Vinnie Vegas' in World Championship Wrestling.
WWE superstars gamble with their life and risk their neck and back every time they step into the squared circle wrestling ring.
We like one of the WWE slogans 'Don't try this at home', but when it comes to gambling as a whole its hard to beat 'Bet with your head, not over it, and have fun'.
WWE will be touring Australia from July 1st.
Australian Government To Try Boring Cig Packaging In Attempt To Reduce Consumption...
Down under in Australia the government in all their wisdom is pushing hard for a new tool in goal to cut smoking rates: extremely boring cigarette packages!
The government has announced legislation that would ban logos, colors, brand imagery, and promotional text, while mandating that all packages be olive green-determined in studies to be the least appealing color. The move would "take away the tobacco industry’s final capacity to promote its product," says a professor of public health.
Australia has long been a leader in war on tobacco, the Christian Science Monitor reports, but this time Aussie land will face a hell of a fight fight from the tobacco industry. A legal challenge has been threatened, alleging that the proposed legislation infringes on international trademark laws.
Should the government's plan comes to pass, brand names will appear on each cigarette package in a standard font, and the rest of the box will be covered in health warnings.
Summary: boring packages, but will that really stop folks from lighting up, or even trying a cigy for the first time. We're not sold, how about you?
Cigy moving for readers interested: 'Coffee and Cigarettes'
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379217
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_and_Cigarettes
WWE profile
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/wwe.html
Sin City profile
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/sin_city.html
*The writer is a regular contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They also publish Wrestling News Media http://www.wrestlingnewsmedia.com
Regular readers will know all too well that Media Man and and Gambling911 cover all matter of vice in their news reports. Usually its gambling or casino news, but we also cover crime, technology, odds on events and from time to time, cigarettes.
Cigarettes - tobacco or ciggies if you prefer, are back in the news, especially when it comes to the United States and Australia.
Down under the debate is on the way as to if plain packaging should be used at the point of sale (which may help them loose their appeal)... then again, it may work out the opposite also, as when products and services become more controversial, they also often become more popular!
Now leading American owned and operated media company, WWE (formally World Wrestling Federation - before they decided they we not so much wrestling, but sports entertainment), has been dragged into the tobacco in news media debate with one of their stars lighting up a cigarette as part of a story line.
The WWE superstar - the curiously named R-Truth (Ron Killings)... not Cig Killings, lit her up and has raised the ire of anti tobacco advocates across the global including Patrick Reynolds from Tobacco Free.org, who is calling for an apology on the stunt.
TMZ broke the story earlier today, but news media wires across the globe and running with it hard, including heated debate at Wrestling Observer Newsletter and the Pro Wrestling Torch.
Reynolds said on the wrestling superstar, "If he wants help in quitting, I'll be happy to be his personal coach."
The WWE issued a statement to TMZ defending the cigarette incident -- saying, "The negative effect smoking has on one’s health and physical performance was a part of a storyline on last night’s Monday Night Raw. Negative depictions of tobacco use on television are not unusual and can be seen on other TV-PG shows."
A Media Man spokesperson said "We're going to back up the WWE and Killings all the way on this one. It's a storyline, not unlike the sort of thing you would see on other American sitcoms, TV series and the like. The WWE audience is not stupid and audiences realise it's showbiz. Most of the programming is clearing PG-13, but somethings things get blurred. It's no secret that smoking is not good for you, and that the way WWE and Killings presented it. Last Monday Night may have been more Raw that usual, but we believe that they did not cross the line. It was interesting and entertaining television in our estimation. As is often the case, it was a small but vocal number of people who complained. For the record, none of our staff smoke either, but most enjoy WWE programming.
A few months ago the WWE also attracted mixed press coverage when it was discovered they offered WWE Poker on their website.
Punters may also be interested to know that a decade ago the then World Wrestling Federation, formally also known as Titan Sports and World Wide Wrestling Federation purchase a land based casino in Las Vegas, however they never developed the sites and chose to sell it for a profit. Returned WWE superstar Kevin "Diesel" Nash also once played a smooth talking Vegas character 'Vinnie Vegas' in World Championship Wrestling.
WWE superstars gamble with their life and risk their neck and back every time they step into the squared circle wrestling ring.
We like one of the WWE slogans 'Don't try this at home', but when it comes to gambling as a whole its hard to beat 'Bet with your head, not over it, and have fun'.
WWE will be touring Australia from July 1st.
Australian Government To Try Boring Cig Packaging In Attempt To Reduce Consumption...
Down under in Australia the government in all their wisdom is pushing hard for a new tool in goal to cut smoking rates: extremely boring cigarette packages!
The government has announced legislation that would ban logos, colors, brand imagery, and promotional text, while mandating that all packages be olive green-determined in studies to be the least appealing color. The move would "take away the tobacco industry’s final capacity to promote its product," says a professor of public health.
Australia has long been a leader in war on tobacco, the Christian Science Monitor reports, but this time Aussie land will face a hell of a fight fight from the tobacco industry. A legal challenge has been threatened, alleging that the proposed legislation infringes on international trademark laws.
Should the government's plan comes to pass, brand names will appear on each cigarette package in a standard font, and the rest of the box will be covered in health warnings.
Summary: boring packages, but will that really stop folks from lighting up, or even trying a cigy for the first time. We're not sold, how about you?
Cigy moving for readers interested: 'Coffee and Cigarettes'
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379217
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_and_Cigarettes
WWE profile
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/wwe.html
Sin City profile
http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/sin_city.html
*The writer is a regular contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They also publish Wrestling News Media http://www.wrestlingnewsmedia.com
Media Man Blacktown Comment
Hi Reid
Thanks for your enquiry. Judging by existing news media reports Deborah isn't commenting further. I think she is managed by the Harry M. Miller group.
If this may interest you, I think many areas of Sydney have good and bad patches. When I lived at Maroubra Beach it was that way. If you live in a beach side suburb such as a Bondi Beach, Bronte or a Maroubra Beach for example, I think some others parts of Sydney are going to look pretty second best. As far as Bankstown, I think parts of the area are "terrible" (if I compare it to Bondi for example). I wouldn't say the whole area is terrible, but I used to get out there a bit as my late father drove trucks, and I much preferred Newport Beach and Kurrajong.
Looks like some sort of "my suburb is better than yours" sort of war is being played out in the Sydney press. I guess they have to write about something hey. We should all be grateful we are in Sydney. Better than a Iran or Iraq for example, where you might look up in the sky to see where the bombs are dropping. At least in Sydney most folks can get a feed and of course there are government support services in Sydney, Australia also.
If you care to use any of my thoughts / quotes, no problem. Good luck on the hunt.
Best Regards
Greg (currently on location at Abbotsford.... another suburb I like)...
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man
e: greg@mediaman.com.au
w: www.mediamanint.com
w: www.gregtingle.com (in development)
li: http://au.linkedin.com/in/gregtingle
Thanks for your enquiry. Judging by existing news media reports Deborah isn't commenting further. I think she is managed by the Harry M. Miller group.
If this may interest you, I think many areas of Sydney have good and bad patches. When I lived at Maroubra Beach it was that way. If you live in a beach side suburb such as a Bondi Beach, Bronte or a Maroubra Beach for example, I think some others parts of Sydney are going to look pretty second best. As far as Bankstown, I think parts of the area are "terrible" (if I compare it to Bondi for example). I wouldn't say the whole area is terrible, but I used to get out there a bit as my late father drove trucks, and I much preferred Newport Beach and Kurrajong.
Looks like some sort of "my suburb is better than yours" sort of war is being played out in the Sydney press. I guess they have to write about something hey. We should all be grateful we are in Sydney. Better than a Iran or Iraq for example, where you might look up in the sky to see where the bombs are dropping. At least in Sydney most folks can get a feed and of course there are government support services in Sydney, Australia also.
If you care to use any of my thoughts / quotes, no problem. Good luck on the hunt.
Best Regards
Greg (currently on location at Abbotsford.... another suburb I like)...
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man
e: greg@mediaman.com.au
w: www.mediamanint.com
w: www.gregtingle.com (in development)
li: http://au.linkedin.com/in/gregtingle
19 April 2011
Katy Perry To Open Crown Casino TV Logies, by Greg Tingle - 19th April 2011
Australian casino, gambling and entertainment news continues at a fever pace. Just when you thought things couldn't get crazier in Australia, we learn that Kate Perry is going to add Fireworks to James Packer's Crown Casino come TV Week Logies night. That and much more in another cracker edition of down under Aussie style news from Media Man and Gambling911...
Kate Perry Firework To Open Packer's Crown Casino TV Logies...
The TV Week Logies wants to make a bang, and not just because of the Twitter ban. They have signed up the ultra talented and super sexy Katy Perry. Yep, its all going to happen on 1st May. The California Dreams tour babe can't wait to open things with Firework, and this is tipped to get people up and dancing before the formalities get on the way. Hubby Russell Brand is not tipped be there on the big night, but he is down under in Oz promoting the comedy flick remake, Arthur, where he plays a lovable and hopeless billionaire.
Crown Casino Gets More Celebs For TV Week Logies; Katy Perry Plus...
Crown Casino powers that be and much of the Aussie news media is fired up for the TV Week Logies, but Russell Brand seems not quite a wild as usual, and won't be attending. Brand appears on 92.9FM's Kyle and Jackie O show earlier in the week and was pretty low key. Presenters for Australian TV’s night of nights have also been revealed, with a broad and strong range of personalities taking the stage including radio favourites Hamish and Andy and Roy and HG, reality TV host Sarah Murdoch and comedian Chris Lilley. Organisers have banned social networking from inside the auditorium asking guests to leave their mobile phones at home following last year’s Twitter-Gate controversy, where one Aussie writer / comedian lost her job.
Tasmania: Campaign To Reduce Problem Gambling; Know Your Odds...
The State Government has launched a $412, 000 community education campaign to help Tasmanians avoid gambling addiction and big losses on poker machines. The Minister for Human Services, Cassy O’Connor, launched the new problem gambling prevention campaign today, aimed at revealing the pitfalls of on-line gambling and poker machines. “The prevention campaign aims to stop gambling problems from developing in the first place,” Ms O’Connor said. “Poker machines alone took more than $215 million in losses out of the pockets of Tasmanians last year, and research shows that many of these people come from areas of socio-economic disadvantage. “The bottom line with problem gambling is that it is often those who can least afford to pay, who pay the most. “This education campaign debunks some of the myths about on-line gaming and poker machines and hopefully will save many gamblers from becoming addicted." Ms O’Connor said two television commercials lead the campaign, covering how to avoid trouble with poker machines and online gambling, in particular offshore casino and poker websites. “This campaign is based on recommendations from the Productivity Commission that the States look at improving consumer understanding of the risks. "It is alarming that many people believe poker machines are eventually due to make a big payout – in fact, there’s always a 10 per cent house edge working against the punter. “That’s 10 percent of every bet that gets kept by the machine. So the more you play, the more you lose.” The Productivity Commission also recommended that advice to players and community education campaigns should concentrate on the cost of play and the amount being lost. The advertisements will commence on Tasmanian television today. The campaign also has press, radio, cinema, posters and brochures.
The Know Your Odds campaign also features a blog where people can interact with Jack, the character from the campaign and find out more about how gambling works. Visit www.knowyourodds.net.au to see the blog and view the commercials.
Yass Soldier Club In Southern NSW Tablelands To Suffer From Pre-Commitment Pokies Laws...
The Yass Soldiers Club is preparing itself for a million dollar, should pre-commitment poker machine laws get implemented. The rather cunning scheme initiated by federal independent MPs aims to decrease gambling by 40% and Soldiers Club general manager John Weir was very much anti the move. “That will cost this business close to $1million annually. It will cost in excess of $300,000 just to implement the scheme," Weir said. With such big losses predicted Weir said the club wouldn’t be able to function as they are now.
"We won’t be able to pay out the $600,000 in wages every year… there’ll be no more Yass Soldiers Club as it stands." Other local businesses that have slots will also be affected and manager of the Bowling Club, Helen MacArthur, said it will have an effect on the wider community too. "It will affect larger clubs that rely on their poker machines... it will affect the community, clubs won’t be able to sponsor sporting teams as often," MacArthur said. The clubs are in support of the push by the Clubs Association to stop the laws taking place. The Clubs Association has released a major advertising campaign against the new scheme. The ad labels the need to have a "licence" to punt as un-Australian. Weir agrees and said gambling addiction is a "human problem that needs a human solution". The club’s manager said there was no evidence to support the idea that mandatory pre-commitment cards will put a stop to problem gambling. However, independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie disagrees. "Research shows that a mandatory pre-commitment system, for example smart cards, is an effective way to reduce problem gambling on poker machines," Wilkie said. "The Commonwealth Productivity Commission found problem gamblers commonly experience a lack of control, impulsiveness and periodic regret. Mandatory pre-commitment systems allow players to decide how much money they want to spend before they start playing and those feelings take over." Many European based pre commitment tests showed that the schemes does not work, and only drivers punters underground and leads them to getting a fix somewhere else. The MP said the commission recommended recreational gamblers could opt out of having their details recorded and could buy low-value cards or play low intensity machines. St Clement’s Church minister, Reverend Genieve Blackwell, said she understood the motivation behind the initiative. "It’s important that there is consideration given to help prevent gambling addiction," Rev Blackwell said. "However, there are issues that need to be worked through… it’s apparent that places like Yass Soldiers Club do take their responsibilities very seriously." Weir said the club is in contact with charity groups in Yass regarding the concerns about problem gambling and that they are taking precautions to stop the societal issue from occurring in the community. Ben Donoghue, the licensee at the Australian Hotel, said that it wouldn’t hit his business as hard as others but even so it wouldn’t curb gambling addiction. "I don’t think it’s going to stop gambling... with today’s technology people have access to gambling whether at home or if they come to the pub," Donoghue said. Wilkie said that the states and territories have until May this year to sign up for the reform and if they don’t, Prime Minister Julia Gillard will force the change. "We’re still working out the best pre-commitment technology to use, but the one thing that is not up for negotiation is your right to privacy," the Tasmanian MP said. "The only difference is problem gamblers will have a choice about how much money they want to lose on the machines.". Detractors say its just another form of Big Brother and Thought Police at work, and they scheme won't work. An informant said "Punters will gamble in back alleys, at a mates, on the internet...you name it. They might not play at the pub any more, or appear to play less, but they will still play, it just won't be as obvious. The Labor government would likely try to take credit, but the issue will still remain. Human problems needs human solutions". Stay tuned for more of Man VS Machine, with the lovers and haters.
Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports via Gambling911 for more "can't miss" information on Australian pokies and gaming wars.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
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Kate Perry Firework To Open Packer's Crown Casino TV Logies...
The TV Week Logies wants to make a bang, and not just because of the Twitter ban. They have signed up the ultra talented and super sexy Katy Perry. Yep, its all going to happen on 1st May. The California Dreams tour babe can't wait to open things with Firework, and this is tipped to get people up and dancing before the formalities get on the way. Hubby Russell Brand is not tipped be there on the big night, but he is down under in Oz promoting the comedy flick remake, Arthur, where he plays a lovable and hopeless billionaire.
Crown Casino Gets More Celebs For TV Week Logies; Katy Perry Plus...
Crown Casino powers that be and much of the Aussie news media is fired up for the TV Week Logies, but Russell Brand seems not quite a wild as usual, and won't be attending. Brand appears on 92.9FM's Kyle and Jackie O show earlier in the week and was pretty low key. Presenters for Australian TV’s night of nights have also been revealed, with a broad and strong range of personalities taking the stage including radio favourites Hamish and Andy and Roy and HG, reality TV host Sarah Murdoch and comedian Chris Lilley. Organisers have banned social networking from inside the auditorium asking guests to leave their mobile phones at home following last year’s Twitter-Gate controversy, where one Aussie writer / comedian lost her job.
Tasmania: Campaign To Reduce Problem Gambling; Know Your Odds...
The State Government has launched a $412, 000 community education campaign to help Tasmanians avoid gambling addiction and big losses on poker machines. The Minister for Human Services, Cassy O’Connor, launched the new problem gambling prevention campaign today, aimed at revealing the pitfalls of on-line gambling and poker machines. “The prevention campaign aims to stop gambling problems from developing in the first place,” Ms O’Connor said. “Poker machines alone took more than $215 million in losses out of the pockets of Tasmanians last year, and research shows that many of these people come from areas of socio-economic disadvantage. “The bottom line with problem gambling is that it is often those who can least afford to pay, who pay the most. “This education campaign debunks some of the myths about on-line gaming and poker machines and hopefully will save many gamblers from becoming addicted." Ms O’Connor said two television commercials lead the campaign, covering how to avoid trouble with poker machines and online gambling, in particular offshore casino and poker websites. “This campaign is based on recommendations from the Productivity Commission that the States look at improving consumer understanding of the risks. "It is alarming that many people believe poker machines are eventually due to make a big payout – in fact, there’s always a 10 per cent house edge working against the punter. “That’s 10 percent of every bet that gets kept by the machine. So the more you play, the more you lose.” The Productivity Commission also recommended that advice to players and community education campaigns should concentrate on the cost of play and the amount being lost. The advertisements will commence on Tasmanian television today. The campaign also has press, radio, cinema, posters and brochures.
The Know Your Odds campaign also features a blog where people can interact with Jack, the character from the campaign and find out more about how gambling works. Visit www.knowyourodds.net.au to see the blog and view the commercials.
Yass Soldier Club In Southern NSW Tablelands To Suffer From Pre-Commitment Pokies Laws...
The Yass Soldiers Club is preparing itself for a million dollar, should pre-commitment poker machine laws get implemented. The rather cunning scheme initiated by federal independent MPs aims to decrease gambling by 40% and Soldiers Club general manager John Weir was very much anti the move. “That will cost this business close to $1million annually. It will cost in excess of $300,000 just to implement the scheme," Weir said. With such big losses predicted Weir said the club wouldn’t be able to function as they are now.
"We won’t be able to pay out the $600,000 in wages every year… there’ll be no more Yass Soldiers Club as it stands." Other local businesses that have slots will also be affected and manager of the Bowling Club, Helen MacArthur, said it will have an effect on the wider community too. "It will affect larger clubs that rely on their poker machines... it will affect the community, clubs won’t be able to sponsor sporting teams as often," MacArthur said. The clubs are in support of the push by the Clubs Association to stop the laws taking place. The Clubs Association has released a major advertising campaign against the new scheme. The ad labels the need to have a "licence" to punt as un-Australian. Weir agrees and said gambling addiction is a "human problem that needs a human solution". The club’s manager said there was no evidence to support the idea that mandatory pre-commitment cards will put a stop to problem gambling. However, independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie disagrees. "Research shows that a mandatory pre-commitment system, for example smart cards, is an effective way to reduce problem gambling on poker machines," Wilkie said. "The Commonwealth Productivity Commission found problem gamblers commonly experience a lack of control, impulsiveness and periodic regret. Mandatory pre-commitment systems allow players to decide how much money they want to spend before they start playing and those feelings take over." Many European based pre commitment tests showed that the schemes does not work, and only drivers punters underground and leads them to getting a fix somewhere else. The MP said the commission recommended recreational gamblers could opt out of having their details recorded and could buy low-value cards or play low intensity machines. St Clement’s Church minister, Reverend Genieve Blackwell, said she understood the motivation behind the initiative. "It’s important that there is consideration given to help prevent gambling addiction," Rev Blackwell said. "However, there are issues that need to be worked through… it’s apparent that places like Yass Soldiers Club do take their responsibilities very seriously." Weir said the club is in contact with charity groups in Yass regarding the concerns about problem gambling and that they are taking precautions to stop the societal issue from occurring in the community. Ben Donoghue, the licensee at the Australian Hotel, said that it wouldn’t hit his business as hard as others but even so it wouldn’t curb gambling addiction. "I don’t think it’s going to stop gambling... with today’s technology people have access to gambling whether at home or if they come to the pub," Donoghue said. Wilkie said that the states and territories have until May this year to sign up for the reform and if they don’t, Prime Minister Julia Gillard will force the change. "We’re still working out the best pre-commitment technology to use, but the one thing that is not up for negotiation is your right to privacy," the Tasmanian MP said. "The only difference is problem gamblers will have a choice about how much money they want to lose on the machines.". Detractors say its just another form of Big Brother and Thought Police at work, and they scheme won't work. An informant said "Punters will gamble in back alleys, at a mates, on the internet...you name it. They might not play at the pub any more, or appear to play less, but they will still play, it just won't be as obvious. The Labor government would likely try to take credit, but the issue will still remain. Human problems needs human solutions". Stay tuned for more of Man VS Machine, with the lovers and haters.
Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports via Gambling911 for more "can't miss" information on Australian pokies and gaming wars.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
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Banks to guide 'Governator' - 18th April 2011
'SpongeBob' scribe drafted for Schwarzenegger-Lee toon
Former "SpongeBob Squarepants" head writer Steven Banks has been drafted for the Arnold Schwarzenegger-Stan Lee toon series "The Governator."
Banks will serve as a head writer for the A Squared Entertainment series that follows an animated Schwarzenegger who, after leaving office in California, takes on a secret identity as a crime-fighting superhero, with the help of an elite squad of teenagers.
The series was announced with much fanfare earlier this month at the Mip TV confab in Cannes. There's no word yet on a domestic outlet for "Governator."
In addition to his six-year run on "SpongeBob," Banks' toon credits include Nickelodeon's "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius."
"Throughout my career, whether it has been in body building, movies or politics, my philosophy has always been to bring together the best specialized talent to create projects that people will love," Schwarzenegger said. "Having Steven on board to head up the writing for 'The Governator' series is a fantastic next step."
Andy and Amy Heyward's A Squared banner is producing "Governator," which will have a comicbook offshoot published by Archie Comics under the newly created Stan Lee Comics label. Lee and his Pow Entertainment partner, Gill Champion, will oversee all creative development. (Credit: Variety, Wires)
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Former "SpongeBob Squarepants" head writer Steven Banks has been drafted for the Arnold Schwarzenegger-Stan Lee toon series "The Governator."
Banks will serve as a head writer for the A Squared Entertainment series that follows an animated Schwarzenegger who, after leaving office in California, takes on a secret identity as a crime-fighting superhero, with the help of an elite squad of teenagers.
The series was announced with much fanfare earlier this month at the Mip TV confab in Cannes. There's no word yet on a domestic outlet for "Governator."
In addition to his six-year run on "SpongeBob," Banks' toon credits include Nickelodeon's "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius."
"Throughout my career, whether it has been in body building, movies or politics, my philosophy has always been to bring together the best specialized talent to create projects that people will love," Schwarzenegger said. "Having Steven on board to head up the writing for 'The Governator' series is a fantastic next step."
Andy and Amy Heyward's A Squared banner is producing "Governator," which will have a comicbook offshoot published by Archie Comics under the newly created Stan Lee Comics label. Lee and his Pow Entertainment partner, Gill Champion, will oversee all creative development. (Credit: Variety, Wires)
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18 April 2011
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard Doesn't Like Pokies; FBI Poker Aussie Connection, by Greg Tingle - 18th April 2011
Australian gambling and casino news keeps coming thick and fast. We've got the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard weighing into the pokies debate, pokie lovers vs haters, Burswood Casino attacks, James Packer's boat for sale, and much more. Media Man and Gambling911 with your regular Aussie gambling fix...
Aussie PM Julia Gillard Not A Big Fan Of Pokies, Slots, Gambling Industry...
PM Gillard advised that her choice to attack the poker machines has been further inspired from cases of gambling addiction in her own backyard, so to speak. The PM said her Werribee office had seen a young mum with no financials feed her newborn baby, a family living in a car, a man who lost his entire worker's compensation payout and a family forced to move to the country. "It is just reinforcing in me that there's a considerable problem out there, of people who just can't control their addiction and end up in really miserable circumstances," Gillard told the press. She said her will to take action was not forced upon her by independent MP Andrew Wilkie. That statement is contradictory to previous press reports, stating the anti gambling MP's forces the hand of Labor. There are 1020 poker machines in the PM's electrol seat of Lalor and it is home to the Werribee Plaza Tavern, which is ironically the state's top venue for player losses. The Productivity Commission found 40% of the money lost on pokies came from problem gamblers. Clubs Australia are not convinced of that number and have called on proof. Clubs Australia has have also launched a $20 million campaign against the crackdown, calling PM Gillard "un-Australian". PM Gillard said she did not want to hurt casual players who had "a bit of good fun and no problem at all", but too many could not control their habit. PM Gillard said a pre-commitment scheme would help problem gamblers. "It's about making you think, 'How much can I afford to lose before this stops being a night out and a bit of fun and turns into something more serious'. I'm really aware there is the other side of the coin, too, which is plenty of people who once a fortnight, or once a month or whatever, would go to one of the local clubs in Werribee and have a drink, have a meal, have a spin of the pokies and go home ... no problem at all."
Woolworths Looking For More Pokies Action...
Woolies could tighten its stranglehold on the pokies industry if it moves forward with discussions to get into bed with notable New South Wales gambling king Arthur Laundy. If it proceeds with a JV with Laundy the firm will increase its poker machines from just over 12,100 to 13,300 and it will increase its hotels from 286 nationwide to 326. This would see it further cement its place as Australia's biggest poker machine company and the biggest hotel owner. Believe it or not but Woolworths would then surpass Las Vegas's top 5 casinos in terms of total pokies (slots in US speak) ownership. The top five casinos in central Las Vegas - The Venetian, Wynn Las Vegas, MGM Grand, The Bellagio and The Mirage - together have 12,610 "slot machines". The proposed joining between Woolworths and Laundy's hotels comes at a curious time You can't have missed the $20 million national campaign by clubs and pubs to block mandatory pre-commitment systems. Under the plan, Woolworths would purchase from Laundy the leasehold of 40 gambling-focused hotels in NSW and Queensland. But first Laundy would be expected to buy the freehold of 20 of the hotels from the average performing hotel companies NLG and Redcape for about $365 million. He would effectively become Woolworths' landlord if you follow us. Any deal between Woolworths and Laundy would have to be approved by competition authorities because the deal could further compound Woolworths' dominance in the poker machine market. Laundy is believed to have approached Woolworths subsidiary ALH Group, regarded as the only player with the financial means to make such a big hotel acquisition in the depressed market. Woolies used its right not to comment, although ALH corporate relations boss David Curry said the company would "continue to look at good hotels in good locations". Should the deal goes ahead, Woolworths would become tenant of the 25th highest-grossing pokie pub in NSW, the Belfield Hotel at Belfield. Laundy and ALH Group chief executive Ross Blair-Holt would not comment.
A Media Man staffer joked "Looks like Woolworths are about ready to cement their place further as the company with the slogan - The Fast Cash People".
Aussie Gambling Industry Continues War With Government...
The Australian government is at war with the gambling industry. Australia has more sots per head than any other country in the world. And state governments are heavily dependent on 'pokie' taxes. A report commissioned by the federal government found the risks of problem gambling are much higher with poker machines, with a total social cost of $A4.7 billion per year. The Gillard government holds power partly because of a Green MP whose support depends on Labor passing legislation requiring people to pre-commit to their 'pokie' losses. This has triggered a $A20 million campaign by the industry calling the reform 'unAustralian' and amounting to 'a licence to punt'. It's also put into question revenue forecasts for listed gaming groups like Tabcorp and Crown.
Aussie Gaming And Tech Wunderkind Helps FBI Probe Big 3 U.S Online Poker Firms...
Australian online poker players are panicking to get their money out of some of the world's biggest online poker websites after the "Black Friday" FBI sting that was triggered by Aussie adult and gambling wunderkind an Australian tech tycoon Daniel Tzvetkoff. Front and centre PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker. They are now trying to stop people loosing confidence in them, as players take out their money and close their accounts. Their .com have been siezed by the FBI and their founders charged over serious money-laundering allegations. Many American serious poker players reckon online poker in the US is coming to an end. Online gambling has largely been illegal in the US since 2006. Insiders reckon the trigger point and deep throat which saw the house of cards come down was Aussie Mr Big of online transactions for gambling, Mr Tzvetkoff. The online poker companies tipped off the FBI last year. Tzvetkoff, 28, who IN his hey day circa 2008 was estimated to be worth about $80 mil, was arrested in April last year while attending an internet billing gig in Las Vegas, charged with being the mastermind of a $US540 million money-laundering racket.
The legal powers that be were reportedly tipped off by the online poker firms, who had been working with Tzvetkoff but began to unsettle things after he allegedly stole tens of millions of dollars from them. Tzvetkoff, who by then had filed for bankruptcy but was understood by authorities to have a secret stash of $US100 million, was looking at up to 75 years in jail. Come June Tzvetkoff was released from the clink without a bail hearing. A Vegas judge to granted him bail. Then Mr T got sweet revenge and rated on the guys to initially got him arrested. On Friday, now known in the online poker community as "black Friday", the FBI arrested the top execs of the three biggest online poker websites in the world, PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker. In total 11 people have been charged with bank fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling offences; they are looking at up to 30 years in jail and the US websites have all been shut down. The arrests come from the fact that online gambling in the United State is illegal. Tzvetkoff was accused of creating an illegal and complex system that allowed the overseas-based poker sites to accept billions from US gamblers while hiding the fact that it was gambling-related income from US banks using phony shell companies and offshore accounts. "These defendants concocted an elaborate criminal fraud scheme, alternately tricking some US banks and effectively bribing others to assure the continued flow of billions in illegal gambling profits," US Attorney Preet Bharara said. "Foreign firms that choose to operate in the United States are not free to flout the laws they don't like simply because they can't bear to be parted from their profits." Tzvetkoff, whose present whereabouts are unknown, was not named in the 52-page US indictment against the poker 3. He is understood to be held in a safe house with fiancee Nicole Crisp. Tzvetkoff was the mastermind behind online payment company Intabill, which hit the world stage in 2007. He bought a $27 million Gold Coast mansion, a Lamborghini, a super-yacht, a Queensland nightclub, a V8 supercar team and god knows what else. 2009 was when things started going bad. Intabill's parent company, BT Projects, closed with debts of $80 million. Bankruptcy followed. Tzvetkoff continued to plus away overseas until his arrest in Vegas. Tzvetkoff was also facing a $100 million lawsuit by a former business partner, lawyer Sam Sciacca, who claimed Tzvetkoff "diverted funds payable to the company to cover personal expenses". But that action was stayed when the internet whiz filed for bankruptcy. Australian poker players are rushing to close their accounts with the big 3. Aussies are still able to play on the big 3 websites but many pros are taking their funds out pronto like. US authorities are looking to get $US3 billion in civil money-laundering penalties from the poker websites and have issued restraining orders for 76 bank accounts in 14 countries. Some insiders think it might be easier to win a game of online poker on those big 3 websites now. Aussie Joe Hachem, sponsored by PokerStars, is quite on what's gone down with the FBI probe. Full Tilt Poker said in a statement that it believed online poker, "a game of skill", was legal in the US, however, it had suspended "real money" play in the United States until the case was resolved. It said it would continue to provide poker services outside the US. PokerStars had similar comments and, in a notice, assured players that their balances were safe. It had moved to a new domain, pokerstars.eu, after pokerstars.com was seized by the FBI. John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, said in a statement on YouTube that he believed the FBI action was "a declaration of war against poker and the people who play it". Firms such as PartyGaming, which currently do not accept players in the U.S, other that via their subscriber based World Poker Tour, are watching the space with great interest. PartyPoker and PartyCasino, other brands by PartyGaming, are seeking to return to the U.S, their biggest market since they opened for business in 1987. Recently Party merged with European powerhouse bwin to become bwin.party digital entertainment. For the most party, Party's legal issues are history, after coming to terms with the U.S Department of Justice a few years ago. No such luck for the big 3.
Burswood Casino Attacks Commence; Mainly Young Punks...
Burswood entertainment complex sees more crime and its almost doubled in 5 years and police state that gangs of teenagers are "hunting in packs" to rob patrons near the venue. Western Australia Police numbers show the number of reported offences at the casino and its surrounds jumped from 351 incidents in 2005 to 643 last year. That's about 2 attacks or incidents per day. It has triggered coppers to ramp up special operations to cut crime in the precinct, with officers focusing on offenders on trains and those who loiter around Burswood and in nearby car parks. Drug offences, property damage and threatening behaviour have also risen since 2000, but car thefts and graffiti offences have dropped. Kensington Detective Senior Sergent Chris Adams said gangs of juveniles, some as young as 12, were targetting patrons around Burswood, including at the nearby train station and car parks.
"They ride the trains and get off at Burswood because it is great pickings out there," he said. "You have got the car park, you have got the Dome and the casino to potentially target those who are vulnerable and susceptible. They hunt in packs because it yields them a great result, for example a wallet with good money, potentially." Burswood spokeswoman Denise Cheir said the complex had 24-hour security and management was working with police to cut crime. "Burswood has a zero-tolerance policy to anti-social behaviour and, in conjunction with police, we have introduced numerous measures supporting our strong stance," Ms Cheir said. Racing and Gaming Minister Terry Waldron said the rise in crime was in line with increased patronage, with the venue now attracting about 20,000 visitors a day. "However, any increase in crime is of concern to me and I'd expect that Burswood management is giving this issue strong consideration," he said. Police transport division Inspector Jo McCabe said an ongoing police sting codenamed Operation Beverstone had been successful in reducing crime over recent weeks. The Public Transport Authority was also planting guards at Burswood train station from 4pm and throughout the night to try to stop criminal activity around the railway and troublemakers from flowing into the casino complex, she said.
Sin City Casino Gunman Who Shot Casino Model Heard Aliens!...
A bloke who shot his ex-girlfriend inside Sin Sydney's Star City casino believed aliens told him to use a lower calibre bullet, his psychiatrist has told a court. Todd William Devaney has pleaded guilty to shooting fitness instructor and "casino babe", 'Happy' Holly Graham while she taught yoga at the gambling complex's gym in May 2008. She suffered serious wounds but survived. Giving evidence at a sentencing hearing in Sydney today, psychiatrist Dr Rosalie Wilcox said Devaney was suffering from untreated paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the incident. It manifested itself partly by Devaney hearing voices and taps on the wall that he interpreted as coming from aliens, Dr Wilcox told Downing Centre Local Court on today. "He's talked about that before... he's talked about aliens," she said. "It's certainly something he talks about when he's unwell." Quized about the build-up to the shooting, Dr Wilcox continued "He was getting these messages, these taps." Dr Wilcox agreed that Devaney had interpreted the messages as having come from aliens and decided to use a lower calibre bullet as a result. She said Devaney's illness was now being treated and his prospects of rehabilitation had improved. The former kickboxing champion had showed genuine remorse for what he'd done, she added. "I don't believe Ms Graham is still at risk from Mr Devaney," Dr Wilcox said. In a victim impact statement read to the court by her father John, Ms Graham said she still lived in fear of Devaney. Devaney had pleaded guilty in July 2010 to intending to murder the fitness instructor, as well as three firearms offences. Devaney sat impassively in the dock as the statement was read out. Previous court hearings were told that Devaney burst into Star City and shot Ms Graham twice below the hip and ribs. He fled the scene but was arrested a short time later wearing a fake moustache and beard, a latex mask, carrying three pistols, a folding knife and two apples. Sentencing submissions are continuing.
A Media Man spokesperson said "The Sin City Sydney Star City casino babe story with happy Holly is likely Sydney's most famous casino crime of the current era. Star City has since beefed up security and spent about $900,000 on the casino revamp. The image has improved, but the spirit of 'Happy' Holly Graham also lives on".
The Aussies continue to love to try their luck. Sure, spin to win, but know the odds, and have fun.
Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports via Gambling911 for more "can't miss" information on Australian pokies and gaming wars.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
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Aussie PM Julia Gillard Not A Big Fan Of Pokies, Slots, Gambling Industry...
PM Gillard advised that her choice to attack the poker machines has been further inspired from cases of gambling addiction in her own backyard, so to speak. The PM said her Werribee office had seen a young mum with no financials feed her newborn baby, a family living in a car, a man who lost his entire worker's compensation payout and a family forced to move to the country. "It is just reinforcing in me that there's a considerable problem out there, of people who just can't control their addiction and end up in really miserable circumstances," Gillard told the press. She said her will to take action was not forced upon her by independent MP Andrew Wilkie. That statement is contradictory to previous press reports, stating the anti gambling MP's forces the hand of Labor. There are 1020 poker machines in the PM's electrol seat of Lalor and it is home to the Werribee Plaza Tavern, which is ironically the state's top venue for player losses. The Productivity Commission found 40% of the money lost on pokies came from problem gamblers. Clubs Australia are not convinced of that number and have called on proof. Clubs Australia has have also launched a $20 million campaign against the crackdown, calling PM Gillard "un-Australian". PM Gillard said she did not want to hurt casual players who had "a bit of good fun and no problem at all", but too many could not control their habit. PM Gillard said a pre-commitment scheme would help problem gamblers. "It's about making you think, 'How much can I afford to lose before this stops being a night out and a bit of fun and turns into something more serious'. I'm really aware there is the other side of the coin, too, which is plenty of people who once a fortnight, or once a month or whatever, would go to one of the local clubs in Werribee and have a drink, have a meal, have a spin of the pokies and go home ... no problem at all."
Woolworths Looking For More Pokies Action...
Woolies could tighten its stranglehold on the pokies industry if it moves forward with discussions to get into bed with notable New South Wales gambling king Arthur Laundy. If it proceeds with a JV with Laundy the firm will increase its poker machines from just over 12,100 to 13,300 and it will increase its hotels from 286 nationwide to 326. This would see it further cement its place as Australia's biggest poker machine company and the biggest hotel owner. Believe it or not but Woolworths would then surpass Las Vegas's top 5 casinos in terms of total pokies (slots in US speak) ownership. The top five casinos in central Las Vegas - The Venetian, Wynn Las Vegas, MGM Grand, The Bellagio and The Mirage - together have 12,610 "slot machines". The proposed joining between Woolworths and Laundy's hotels comes at a curious time You can't have missed the $20 million national campaign by clubs and pubs to block mandatory pre-commitment systems. Under the plan, Woolworths would purchase from Laundy the leasehold of 40 gambling-focused hotels in NSW and Queensland. But first Laundy would be expected to buy the freehold of 20 of the hotels from the average performing hotel companies NLG and Redcape for about $365 million. He would effectively become Woolworths' landlord if you follow us. Any deal between Woolworths and Laundy would have to be approved by competition authorities because the deal could further compound Woolworths' dominance in the poker machine market. Laundy is believed to have approached Woolworths subsidiary ALH Group, regarded as the only player with the financial means to make such a big hotel acquisition in the depressed market. Woolies used its right not to comment, although ALH corporate relations boss David Curry said the company would "continue to look at good hotels in good locations". Should the deal goes ahead, Woolworths would become tenant of the 25th highest-grossing pokie pub in NSW, the Belfield Hotel at Belfield. Laundy and ALH Group chief executive Ross Blair-Holt would not comment.
A Media Man staffer joked "Looks like Woolworths are about ready to cement their place further as the company with the slogan - The Fast Cash People".
Aussie Gambling Industry Continues War With Government...
The Australian government is at war with the gambling industry. Australia has more sots per head than any other country in the world. And state governments are heavily dependent on 'pokie' taxes. A report commissioned by the federal government found the risks of problem gambling are much higher with poker machines, with a total social cost of $A4.7 billion per year. The Gillard government holds power partly because of a Green MP whose support depends on Labor passing legislation requiring people to pre-commit to their 'pokie' losses. This has triggered a $A20 million campaign by the industry calling the reform 'unAustralian' and amounting to 'a licence to punt'. It's also put into question revenue forecasts for listed gaming groups like Tabcorp and Crown.
Aussie Gaming And Tech Wunderkind Helps FBI Probe Big 3 U.S Online Poker Firms...
Australian online poker players are panicking to get their money out of some of the world's biggest online poker websites after the "Black Friday" FBI sting that was triggered by Aussie adult and gambling wunderkind an Australian tech tycoon Daniel Tzvetkoff. Front and centre PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker. They are now trying to stop people loosing confidence in them, as players take out their money and close their accounts. Their .com have been siezed by the FBI and their founders charged over serious money-laundering allegations. Many American serious poker players reckon online poker in the US is coming to an end. Online gambling has largely been illegal in the US since 2006. Insiders reckon the trigger point and deep throat which saw the house of cards come down was Aussie Mr Big of online transactions for gambling, Mr Tzvetkoff. The online poker companies tipped off the FBI last year. Tzvetkoff, 28, who IN his hey day circa 2008 was estimated to be worth about $80 mil, was arrested in April last year while attending an internet billing gig in Las Vegas, charged with being the mastermind of a $US540 million money-laundering racket.
The legal powers that be were reportedly tipped off by the online poker firms, who had been working with Tzvetkoff but began to unsettle things after he allegedly stole tens of millions of dollars from them. Tzvetkoff, who by then had filed for bankruptcy but was understood by authorities to have a secret stash of $US100 million, was looking at up to 75 years in jail. Come June Tzvetkoff was released from the clink without a bail hearing. A Vegas judge to granted him bail. Then Mr T got sweet revenge and rated on the guys to initially got him arrested. On Friday, now known in the online poker community as "black Friday", the FBI arrested the top execs of the three biggest online poker websites in the world, PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker. In total 11 people have been charged with bank fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling offences; they are looking at up to 30 years in jail and the US websites have all been shut down. The arrests come from the fact that online gambling in the United State is illegal. Tzvetkoff was accused of creating an illegal and complex system that allowed the overseas-based poker sites to accept billions from US gamblers while hiding the fact that it was gambling-related income from US banks using phony shell companies and offshore accounts. "These defendants concocted an elaborate criminal fraud scheme, alternately tricking some US banks and effectively bribing others to assure the continued flow of billions in illegal gambling profits," US Attorney Preet Bharara said. "Foreign firms that choose to operate in the United States are not free to flout the laws they don't like simply because they can't bear to be parted from their profits." Tzvetkoff, whose present whereabouts are unknown, was not named in the 52-page US indictment against the poker 3. He is understood to be held in a safe house with fiancee Nicole Crisp. Tzvetkoff was the mastermind behind online payment company Intabill, which hit the world stage in 2007. He bought a $27 million Gold Coast mansion, a Lamborghini, a super-yacht, a Queensland nightclub, a V8 supercar team and god knows what else. 2009 was when things started going bad. Intabill's parent company, BT Projects, closed with debts of $80 million. Bankruptcy followed. Tzvetkoff continued to plus away overseas until his arrest in Vegas. Tzvetkoff was also facing a $100 million lawsuit by a former business partner, lawyer Sam Sciacca, who claimed Tzvetkoff "diverted funds payable to the company to cover personal expenses". But that action was stayed when the internet whiz filed for bankruptcy. Australian poker players are rushing to close their accounts with the big 3. Aussies are still able to play on the big 3 websites but many pros are taking their funds out pronto like. US authorities are looking to get $US3 billion in civil money-laundering penalties from the poker websites and have issued restraining orders for 76 bank accounts in 14 countries. Some insiders think it might be easier to win a game of online poker on those big 3 websites now. Aussie Joe Hachem, sponsored by PokerStars, is quite on what's gone down with the FBI probe. Full Tilt Poker said in a statement that it believed online poker, "a game of skill", was legal in the US, however, it had suspended "real money" play in the United States until the case was resolved. It said it would continue to provide poker services outside the US. PokerStars had similar comments and, in a notice, assured players that their balances were safe. It had moved to a new domain, pokerstars.eu, after pokerstars.com was seized by the FBI. John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, said in a statement on YouTube that he believed the FBI action was "a declaration of war against poker and the people who play it". Firms such as PartyGaming, which currently do not accept players in the U.S, other that via their subscriber based World Poker Tour, are watching the space with great interest. PartyPoker and PartyCasino, other brands by PartyGaming, are seeking to return to the U.S, their biggest market since they opened for business in 1987. Recently Party merged with European powerhouse bwin to become bwin.party digital entertainment. For the most party, Party's legal issues are history, after coming to terms with the U.S Department of Justice a few years ago. No such luck for the big 3.
Burswood Casino Attacks Commence; Mainly Young Punks...
Burswood entertainment complex sees more crime and its almost doubled in 5 years and police state that gangs of teenagers are "hunting in packs" to rob patrons near the venue. Western Australia Police numbers show the number of reported offences at the casino and its surrounds jumped from 351 incidents in 2005 to 643 last year. That's about 2 attacks or incidents per day. It has triggered coppers to ramp up special operations to cut crime in the precinct, with officers focusing on offenders on trains and those who loiter around Burswood and in nearby car parks. Drug offences, property damage and threatening behaviour have also risen since 2000, but car thefts and graffiti offences have dropped. Kensington Detective Senior Sergent Chris Adams said gangs of juveniles, some as young as 12, were targetting patrons around Burswood, including at the nearby train station and car parks.
"They ride the trains and get off at Burswood because it is great pickings out there," he said. "You have got the car park, you have got the Dome and the casino to potentially target those who are vulnerable and susceptible. They hunt in packs because it yields them a great result, for example a wallet with good money, potentially." Burswood spokeswoman Denise Cheir said the complex had 24-hour security and management was working with police to cut crime. "Burswood has a zero-tolerance policy to anti-social behaviour and, in conjunction with police, we have introduced numerous measures supporting our strong stance," Ms Cheir said. Racing and Gaming Minister Terry Waldron said the rise in crime was in line with increased patronage, with the venue now attracting about 20,000 visitors a day. "However, any increase in crime is of concern to me and I'd expect that Burswood management is giving this issue strong consideration," he said. Police transport division Inspector Jo McCabe said an ongoing police sting codenamed Operation Beverstone had been successful in reducing crime over recent weeks. The Public Transport Authority was also planting guards at Burswood train station from 4pm and throughout the night to try to stop criminal activity around the railway and troublemakers from flowing into the casino complex, she said.
Sin City Casino Gunman Who Shot Casino Model Heard Aliens!...
A bloke who shot his ex-girlfriend inside Sin Sydney's Star City casino believed aliens told him to use a lower calibre bullet, his psychiatrist has told a court. Todd William Devaney has pleaded guilty to shooting fitness instructor and "casino babe", 'Happy' Holly Graham while she taught yoga at the gambling complex's gym in May 2008. She suffered serious wounds but survived. Giving evidence at a sentencing hearing in Sydney today, psychiatrist Dr Rosalie Wilcox said Devaney was suffering from untreated paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the incident. It manifested itself partly by Devaney hearing voices and taps on the wall that he interpreted as coming from aliens, Dr Wilcox told Downing Centre Local Court on today. "He's talked about that before... he's talked about aliens," she said. "It's certainly something he talks about when he's unwell." Quized about the build-up to the shooting, Dr Wilcox continued "He was getting these messages, these taps." Dr Wilcox agreed that Devaney had interpreted the messages as having come from aliens and decided to use a lower calibre bullet as a result. She said Devaney's illness was now being treated and his prospects of rehabilitation had improved. The former kickboxing champion had showed genuine remorse for what he'd done, she added. "I don't believe Ms Graham is still at risk from Mr Devaney," Dr Wilcox said. In a victim impact statement read to the court by her father John, Ms Graham said she still lived in fear of Devaney. Devaney had pleaded guilty in July 2010 to intending to murder the fitness instructor, as well as three firearms offences. Devaney sat impassively in the dock as the statement was read out. Previous court hearings were told that Devaney burst into Star City and shot Ms Graham twice below the hip and ribs. He fled the scene but was arrested a short time later wearing a fake moustache and beard, a latex mask, carrying three pistols, a folding knife and two apples. Sentencing submissions are continuing.
A Media Man spokesperson said "The Sin City Sydney Star City casino babe story with happy Holly is likely Sydney's most famous casino crime of the current era. Star City has since beefed up security and spent about $900,000 on the casino revamp. The image has improved, but the spirit of 'Happy' Holly Graham also lives on".
The Aussies continue to love to try their luck. Sure, spin to win, but know the odds, and have fun.
Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports via Gambling911 for more "can't miss" information on Australian pokies and gaming wars.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming.
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Casino News Media
Poker News Media
Global Gaming Directory
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