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Wynn Vs Okada: The Battle for Wynn Resorts

2012-02-05T15:55:00.001-08:00

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Steve Wynn asks judge to oppose top investor’s suit as legal battle heats up...

Steve Wynn’s Wynn Resorts recently urged a US court to reject legal claims made by its largest shareholder, adding fire to an escalating public discord that could impact the future control of the US$15-B casino giant.

In a 117-page filing with the Clark County District Court in Nevada, Mr. Wynn stated that Kazuo Okada, who holds a 20% stake in the firm, was “utilising innuendo, hyperbole, half-truths and sweeping generalisations” in his legal petition that was filed on 11 January.

Mr. Okada, Wynn’s longtime business partner, known for his close relationship with Mr. Wynn, sued the Company for denying him access to Key financial information and has objected to an “inappropriate” UDS$135-M company donation to the University of Macau.

The Japanese businessman owns more than twice the stake of Wynn Resorts stock than Mr. Wynn himself.

Mr. Okada filed his suit through Aruze USA Inc., a unit of his Universal Entertainment Corp, an arcade-game manufacturer and developer of a multi-billion-dollar casino in the Philippines.

Responding to last Monday’s filing in Nevada, Mr. Wynn stated that Nevada law did not give Mr. Okada the right to inspection of the company’s bookd, and his requests were “nothing more than stockholder inspection requests, on behalf of Aruze.”

“Nevada law does not afford Mr. Okada or any other individual director the right to do an end run around the express statutory limitations on stockholder inspection rights, or to play detective, while unnecessarily distracting and burdening Wynn’s management with the endless task of satisfying his unfounded and unarticulated ‘concerns’,” the filing said.

Wynn’s donation to the University of Macau in Y 2011 was approved by the boards of Wynn Resorts and Wynn Macau on 18 April last year, with Mr. Okada the only member of the 12-person board objecting to the payment, according to the filing court filings.

Aruze USA said that as a member of the board of Wynn Resorts, Mr. Okada had the right to inspect the corporate documents he deemed necessary to carry out his duties as a Director.

“The response of Wynn Resorts’ management, while full of colorful rhetoric, cannot explain this away. We look forward to presenting our position to the Court,” Aruze said.

Mr. Okada, a Hong Kong resident who made his fortune in Japanese pachinkos, has also proposed 4 potential candidates for election ahead of Wynn’s Y 2012 shareholder meeting.

If these are endorsed, the Japanese businessman would be pushing out high level executives including Wynn’s Chief Operating Officer Marc Schorr and Linda Chen, President of Wynn International Marketing, whose terms expire this year.

Steven Wynn, creator of the volcano-roaring Mirage and lavish Bellagio in Las Vegas, upset shareholders more than 12 yrs ago with overzealous spending on items including his US$200-M art collection, eating into profitability of Mirage Resorts at the time.

Mr. Wynn, like Las Vegas and Macau rival Sheldon Adelson of Las Vegas Sands, has expressed interest in cementing his presence in emerging Asian gaming markets such as Japan and South Korea should legalization allow in the future.

Mr. Okada, who has been investing in Wynn Resorts since Y 2000, is seen as Key to the Company’s potential casino development in Japan due to his vast business links and contacts.

Japan is a market that analysts say would be highly lucrative and could generate revenues of over US$40-B a yr.

It is thought that this negative relationship issue with Wynn Resorts will probably press Mr. Okada to develop a relationship with another US casino gaming company. Certainly Las Vegas Sands has been very aggressive in their desire to do something in Japan, and the expectation is that many large corporates will reach out to Mr. Okada’s organization.

Revenues from Wynn’s property in Macau, the World’s largest gambling destination, accounts for 70% of Wynn Resort’s total revenues, and the Company currently does not have a presence in the fast-growing Singapore market, where LVS has developed 1 of the World’s most profitable casinos. Stay tuned… (Credit: Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr - Live Trading News)

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PartyCasino News: PartyCasino 5 Star Vegas Dream Ticket

2012-01-22T05:09:00.001-08:00

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WWE Sin City SmackDown

2012-01-19T23:34:00.000-08:00

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2012-01-12T22:55:00.001-08:00

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Nevada approves online poker framework - 23rd December 2011

2011-12-27T18:41:00.001-08:00

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In the United States, the Nevada Gaming Commission unanimously approved a set of proposed regulations on Thursday that would permit companies to apply for licences in order to operate online poker for residents of the western state.

The proposals were widely supported by the industry and require applicants to prove their ability to maintain controls on registration, prevent underage play and establish the location of players before being licensed.

Regulation 5A was one of six draft proposals adopted or amended yesterday by the Nevada Gaming Commission and also addresses what information is to be presented on websites and establishes procedures for record keeping, dispute resolution, fees, taxation and problem gambling notifications.

The Nevada Gaming Commission is already considering applications from six companies in Cantor Gaming, Shuffle Master Incorporated, International Game Technology, Bally Technologies Incorporated, Caesars Entertainment Corporation and the South Point Hotel Casino and officials are optimistic that approving the regulations will lead to technology firms opening operations in Nevada and expanding current business.

The push to legalise online poker in Nevada goes back to mid-March when Las Vegas Assemblyman William Horne submitted his AB258 bill. This proposed legislation was approved by the Nevada Assembly in May before being passed by the Democrat-controlled Nevada Senate and signed into law by Republican governor Brian Sandoval less than a month later.

Yesterday’s public hearing to pass the framework required to implement Horne’s legislation saw no opposition or major amendments as it had already been revised eleven times and state officials now await the repeal of the federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) before being able to legally license operators.

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Web gambling gets boost from Obama administration - 26th December 2011

2011-12-26T22:07:00.001-08:00

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The Obama administration cleared the way for U.S. states to legalize Internet poker and certain other online betting in a switch that may help them reap billions in tax revenue and spur web-based gambling.

A Justice Department opinion dated September and made public on Friday reversed decades of previous policy that included civil and criminal charges against operators of some of the most popular online poker sites.

Until now, the department held that online gambling in all forms was illegal under the Wire Act of 1961, which bars wagers via telecommunications that cross state lines or international borders.

The new interpretation, by the department's Office of Legal Counsel, said the Wire Act applies only to bets on a "sporting event or contest," not to a state's use of the Internet to sell lottery tickets to adults within its borders or abroad.

"The United States Department of Justice has given the online gaming community a big, big present," said I. Nelson Rose, a gaming law expert at Whittier Law School who consults for governments and the industry.

The question at issue was whether proposals by Illinois and New York to use the Internet and out-of-state transaction processors to sell lottery tickets to in-state adults violated the Wire Act.

But the department's conclusion would eliminate "almost every federal anti-gambling law that could apply to gaming that is legal under state laws," Rose wrote on his blog at www.gamblingandthelaw.com

If a state legalized intra-state games such as poker, as Nevada and the District of Columbia have done, "there is simply no federal law that could apply" against their operators, he said.

The department's opinion, written by Assistant Attorney General Virginia Seitz, said the law's legislative history showed that Congress's overriding goal had been to halt wire communications for sports gambling, notably off-track betting on horse races.

Congress also had been concerned about rapid transmission of betting information on baseball, basketball, football and boxing among other sports-related events or contests, she summarized the legislative history as showing.

"The ordinary meaning of the phrase 'sporting event or contest' does not encompass lotteries," Seitz wrote. "Accordingly, we conclude that the proposed lotteries are not within the prohibitions of the Wire Act."

The department expressed no opinion about a provision in the law that lets prosecutors shut down phone lines where interstate or foreign gambling is taking place.

Many of the 50 U.S. states may be interested in creating online lotteries to boost tax revenues and help offset the ripple effect of a federal deficit-reduction push.

The global online gambling industry grew 12 percent last year to as much as $30 billion, according to a survey in March by Global Betting and Gaming Consultancy, based on the Isle of Man, where online gambling is legal.

Federal prosecutors in April charged three of the biggest Internet poker companies with fraud and money-laundering along with violations of another federal law, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006.

The government outlined an alleged scheme by owners of the three largest online poker companies - Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker and PokerStars - to funnel gambling profits to online shell companies that would appear legitimate to banks processing payments. (Credit: Google News, Reuters)

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Casino Stocks Report (MGM) (WYNN) (LVS) (CNTY) (MPEL) - 16th December 2011

2011-12-16T22:40:00.001-08:00

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MGM Resorts International (MGM) stock moved 0.43% higher to $9.33 per share in today's trading. Stock volume in MGM Resorts International was 5 million shares in the trading session.

Wynn Resorts advanced 1.87% in today's session to $106.54 per share. In the last 12 months, Wynn Resorts has seen a high of $172.58 and a low of $100.51 per share.

Las Vegas Sands Corp moved 1.91% higher to $41.57 per share in today's trading. Shares of Las Vegas Sands Corp have traded as high as $51.05 per share and as low as $36.05 in the last year.

Century Casinos advanced 0.87% in today's session to $2.32 per share. 6,800 shares were traded so far in today's session. On average, a total of 14,172 shares are exchanged in CNTY each day.

Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd (MPEL) stock moved 3.11% higher to $8.9909 per share in today's trading. In the last 12 months, Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd has seen a high of $16.15 and a low of $6.1 per share.

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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IGT Drives Cloud Computing Transformation in Gaming Industry

2011-12-13T04:18:00.001-08:00

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LAS VEGAS, Dec. 7, 2011 - Unveiling the next revolution in the gaming industry, International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) announced today the premiere of the IGT Cloud solution at the Company's Investor Conference in New York. The initiative marks IGT's move towards empowering operators to provide seamless gaming experiences across land-based, mobile and online devices.

'IGT is leading the cloud computing transformation in gaming by offering operators innovative solutions to optimize their operations and casino floors,' said Chris Satchell, IGT chief technology officer. 'Utilizing the IGT Cloud will let casino operators focus on what is important to them: players, games and performance.'

The IGT Cloud delivers efficiency and value to casino operators utilizing Software as a Service (SaaS). These initial private, secure IGT Cloud services will enable casinos to manage game content using IGT Floor Manager to access the largest game library in the industry. sbX(r) Analytics will empower casino operators to increase marketing productivity and maximize floor-wide performance with a variety of reporting tools.

The IGT Cloud solution is the result of a powerful collaboration between IGT and CA Technologies to continue innovating how casino games, systems and experiences are delivered.

'CA Technologies is excited to be IGT's technology partner as they debut the IGT Cloud to investors and casinos alike,' said Roger Pilc, general manager, Virtualization and Automation, CA Technologies. 'Our turnkey CA AppLogic(r) cloud platform will be instrumental in helping IGT to quickly move its advanced casino software to cloud-based delivery.'

'Cloud computing continues to revolutionize the global Software and IT industries, driving significant business value. Over time, the new IGT Cloud initiative will allow the gaming industry to realize similar benefits in operations, customer experience and innovation. This will deliver new opportunities for IGT and our customers,' said Satchell.

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Casino media campaign begins on local cable - 12th December 2011

2011-12-12T23:12:00.001-08:00

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Robert Kraft and Steve Wynn on Friday began to tap into the free media of cable access to sell Foxboro residents on their vision of a jobs-and revenue-producing Route 1 resort and convention with an "intimate" rather than a gaudy, Las Vegas-style casino.

Their approximately 10-minute tape appealing for local support for what Wynn called an "exemplary" and "fanciful" destination began to air last night on Foxboro Cable Access.

"I think this is a place I would make feel intimate," Wynn, who built casinos in Las Vegas and China, says of his concept of a Foxboo casino, to be located unseen in the back area of the hotel. The project would generate some 10,000 jobs, he says.

Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, says that any money he makes from the $1 billion development would go to charity and to "Uncle Sam," to improve the Kraft family legacy, but that if townspeople don't want the project, it won't be built.

"I'm worried about what's going to happen to our social fabric if we don't bring jobs back to America," Kraft says.

Their messages was scheduled to aired at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Comcast Channel 8 and Verizon Channel 39, FCA executive director Mike Webber said. The video can be seen anytime on FCA's website, fcatv.org

"The vision and promises about the benefits of the casino presented in the video appear to be contrary to the vision of those citizens who do not want a casino in Foxboro," Selectwoman Lorraine Brue said.

"The video suggests that the citizens decide if it is in their best interest to have this project move forward. To date, the majority of citizens I have spoken to are not in favor of having a casino in our town."

With Foxboro facing "one of the most important decisions in the history of our town," Brue said she expects a large turnout at Tuesday's selectmen's meeting and at a forum tentatively set for Dec. 17 at Foxboro High School, and hopes the Kraft and Wynn organizations will be there "to ensure they receive direct citizen input on their proposal."

"I believe the majority of the citizens will tell Mr. Kraft and Mr. Wynn, that with all due respect, their vision is not one that is compatible with life in Foxboro. Foxboro citizens and the surrounding communities do not want a casino and all of the negative social impacts they believe it will bring."

Selectmen Chairman Larry Harrington could not be reached for comment following Friday's airing of the tape.

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Casino Executive Based In Las Vegas Not A Fan Of Online Gambling; Competitor Is Pro Online Casino - Poker, by Greg Tingle - 8th December 2011

2011-12-07T19:22:00.001-08:00

World's Richest Casino Exec Not So Keen On Online Casinos, Poker...

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You may not of heard of this cashed up gambling and property tycoon, but he's happy to share his thoughts on online gambling, especially when it comes to his U.S turf. No, it's not Donald Trump, Steve Wynn or even Richard Branson. Meet Sheldon Adelson.

Adelson is by all accounts the world's wealthiest casino executive and top dog of the industry's largest publicly traded company, says he is against online gambling because he doesn't believe available technology is good enough at the moment to prevent young people from making wagers on the Internet, a spokesman said Wednesday.

Adelson's sharing his personal viewpoint is just that - personal - rather than a formal stance taken by his firm that owns and operates casino-resorts in Las Vegas, Macau, Singapore and Bethlehem, Pa., Las Vegas Sands spokesman Ron Reese said.

Reese advised Adelson hasn't spoken with the company's board about his position, nor has the board decided an online gambling plan.

"It's a personal observation of concerns about technology," Reese said.

The opposition comes at a time when numerous other operators, including Caesars Entertainment Corp and MGM Resorts International, have backed an industry push to legalize online poker and let established land based casinos offer the service in the U.S. MGM Resorts International even went as far as to ink a deal with world's leading igaming firm Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment.

Poker, which involves a combination of skill and luck (as ruled in legal cases), now huge on the internet (see World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker), has been illegal online for real money since a 2006 law was brought in and ruled against igaming operators from providing games by preventing financial institutions from processing funds for the majority of online gaming.

The land based casino sector has swayed over the years from anti online gambling to largely pro online gambling, of course, with them getting some of the financial rewards. The bricks and mortar casinos have seen some of their punters go online to bet, with the traditional casinos missing out of the action. It's unclear how much revenue traditional casinos are down, thanks to online casinos, but a Media Man spokesperson said "Online casinos have cost land based casinos in the U.S and elsewhere, many millions, if not billions of dollars. Vegas and Atlantic City land based casinos are down. People still like to bet and the internet serves them well, be it for poker, casino, sports betting or slots".

The American Gaming Association, the leading U.S gaming lobby group, has switched from a neutral stance to pro actively pursuing federal legislation that would allow for legalization and regulation of online poker. Online poker could be a lead in to online casino games.

Frank Fahrenkopf, CEO of the American Gaming Association, said he met with Adelson on Monday and Adelson advised him he'll oppose legislation to legalize online poker on U.S soil.

"Sheldon has long had concerns about this issue, and it is perfectly within his right to make this decision," Fahrenkopf said in a statement. "However, the AGA, at the direction of our board of directors, will continue to support federal legislation to allow states to license and regulate online poker."

The online gambling industry is not seeking to legalize other games like blackjack, craps and slots online. Those games are a different kind of animal because players wager against the house. In poker, players wager against each other and operators take a fee from each pot in exchange for hosting the game. Of course if online poker becomes totally legal in the U.S, this may lead to online casino games also becoming totally legal in the states.

The matter of online poker has heated up among players and casino executives in the past 12 months. U.S. Senate Majority Leader last year pitched a blueprint to legalize poker that fell short without legislation being introduced. Last April, three of the largest online gaming operators who offered online poker in defiance of the law had their websites seized and executives indicted by the U.S. Justice Department, accused of financial crimes including fraud and money laundering for disguising payments for gambling funds as transactions for things like flowers and golf balls. The day it all went down, including sites going down et al, is known in igaming circles as 'Black Friday'.

After the indictments, the estimated $6 billion U.S. online poker market dived overnight, leaving many players unable to access funds in online poker bankrolls.

Then, with the "big three" poker websites closed out of the U.S, the American Casino Association became more active in urging lawmakers to close loopholes and draw up better regulations.

One thing is for certain. Online poker and online casino players are not going to want to stop playing the games they love. Players are mainly sticking to brands they know and trust with some of the leading contenders being PartyPoker.com PartyCasino.com PKR.com World Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker.

Australian casino mogul James Packer's Crown Casino has the 'Aussie Millions Poker Championship' coming up in Melbourne this January and providers such as PartyPoker.com are even offering qualifying poker matches, where players get to 'Win a seat to Aussie Millions'. Bwin.Party's World Poker Tour is also broadcast of American and Australian pay television, which online helps fuel the popularity of online gambling.

Fahrenkopf advised his casino association wants federal legislation that allows U.S states to decide whether to offer poker to its residents, keeps youngsters from gambling online and lets law enforcement shut down illegal operators.

If you enjoy a punt, please bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.

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Donald Trump says US should legalize Internet betting...

Donald Trump has witnessed lots of money side slipping him, and he's hoping that situation changes soon.

The real estate, gaming and entertainment tsar, and founder of an Atlantic City casino company says the US should legalize internet gambling. The company that bears his name, Trump Entertainment Resorts, is moving forward with plans to establish an online betting venture... just as soon as it is legal to do so.

The company says it wants to get in on the ground floor of the internet gambling industry, and is close to selecting a joint venture partner to run an online gambling operation. The idea is to be well-placed and ready to go as soon as such activity is legalized in the United States.

"It should be approved here," Trump told news media. "An awful lot of money is leaving the U.S. that should and could stay in this country."

Trump Entertainment, which includes Donald Trump and daughter, Ivanka, and the Avenue Capital hedge fund, would own 10% of the new business venture.

Donald Trump advised the key to success in the online gambling market is having the best brand.

"We think we have the hottest brand there is, the Trump brand, my personal brand," he said. "We think it's going to do phenomenally well."

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Trump Entertainment said it has "determined that such a joint venture represents the most advantageous way for the company to participate in opportunities in online gaming at minimal cost to the company."

No cost estimates were given, and Robert Griffin, the company's CEO, declined to comment Thursday. But in March, after Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill passed by New Jersey lawmakers that would have allowed Internet betting solely within New Jersey's borders, Griffin said the money lost to offshore operators should benefit New Jersey.

The new law would seen New Jersey become the first state in the nation to allow Internet betting.

"Currently, millions of Americans engage in online gaming with illegal offshore operators, and do so with no oversight, no regulation or no consumer protections," Griffin said at the time. "It makes sense for the state of New Jersey to regulate this activity, enforce strict standards to ensure games are fair and safe, and in turn be able to collect tax revenue instead of having those dollars and the jobs they support leaving New Jersey and going illegally overseas."

Christie advised he vetoed the law fearing it was unconstitutional and could lead to an explosion of betting parlors throughout the state. By law, gambling in New Jersey is restricted to gaming hotspot Atlantic City.

But a New Jersey lawmaker is asserting that individual states in fact have the legal right to offer in-state Internet gambling within their own borders.

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, wrote in July to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asserting that New Jersey and all other states can legally offer online betting within their borders.

Lesniak said he will introduce legislation in November to address the prime concerns expressed by Christie.

The filing said the company, Donald and Ivanka Trump, and Avenue Capital have signed an agreement authorizing the joint venture once it becomes legal, and that prohibits any of them from seeking other online gambling ventures through May 2012.

Atlantic City is in the midst of a nearly 5-year revenue slump brought on by increasing competition from casinos in neighboring states, and worsened by the continuing unsteady economy. It's also speculated that many AC businesses have not adapted well to the internet medium.

Just a few online gaming companies that are understood to be interested in coming to business terms with Trump include Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, Richard Branson's Virgin Games and PKR. Most experts see Bwin.Party as the best bet, as they don't have any outstanding issues with the US Department of Justice, and have been playing by the rules (law) for many years, while other gambling companies continue to go after U.S players.

Internet gambling is legal in many countries, with the U.S being a glaring exception.

Media Man is following up.

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Frank Sinatra Film May Get Up With Martin Scorsese And Leonardo DiCaprio, by Greg Tingle - 27th November 2011

2011-11-27T03:36:00.001-08:00

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Industry talk is that the Frank Sinatra bio pic that Martin Scorsese pitched around town a few years ago is still very much on the cards to become a reality.

It was during the promoting period of his Hugo, genius director Scorsese slipped in that he was indeed going to get back to a new version of a Sinatra movie script he's had on the back-burner for a while.

DiCaprio was mentioned by name to play the lead. Rumours state Leo would not sing, as no one could ever do Frank better than Frank, so Leo would just lip sync the singing parts - not something Leo is all that much of a custom of doing, so hopefully the public (and investors) will buy into that.

Much like Sinatra, Leo likes to gamble at casinos a bit too, most recently spotted at The Star (formally Star City Casino) in Sydney, Australia, and last year Leo played some Hollywood poker for high stakes with friends including Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man), that made international headlines when the legalities of the games came into question.

It's understood that the Sinatra family have final script approval.

The first script presented too much of Sinatra's dark side to get to the next round, whereas this time around things appear to be sailing more smoothly.

The Sinatra Family have been interested in further developing their Frank Sinatra Enterprises, with games (via Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment) and memorabilia (Mattel etc) also part of a solid business model, and a movie deal would certainly get things to the next level.'

The Media Man agency, based out of Australia, will be following up the story in the coming weeks. As Sinatra said 'Hell hath no fury like a hustler with a literary agent.'

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Poker News Media: Qualify for the Aussie Millions at Crown Casino for free at PartyPoker

2011-11-24T21:40:00.001-08:00

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Room service for dogs anybody?

Gibraltar – 24 November 2011 – Qualifiers for the 2012 Aussie Millions are running at PartyPoker.com now. The online satellites to the southern hemisphere’s premier poker event are available until 8th January 2012. As ever, PartyPoker.com offers an industry leading variety of ways to secure a package, including freerolls.

In 2010 PartyPoker.com qualifiers Tyron Krost and Frederik Jensen finished first and second in the Main Event - Tyron went home with over AUD$2 million! Last year Team PartyPoker.com pro Tony G was accompanied in the high-rollers event by a dog and big mouth will again be there as the lead cheerleader for Party qualifiers.

Crown is famous for their fantastic hospitality and in the heart of summer and the Australian Open tennis Melbourne is a premier destination. Nobu room service for dogs is surely at step too far though?

The US$16,000 global prize package includes the $11,400 Aussie Millions Main Event buy-in, eight nights’ accommodation at the Crown Promenade hotel and $2,500 spending money. The US$14,000 Aussie Millions Australia satellites include the $11,400 Aussie Millions Main Event buy-in, eight nights’ accommodation at the Crown Promenade hotel and US$500 spending money. Click here for full information.

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“Aussie Millions” and “Crown Aussie Millions Poker Championship” are registered trade marks of Crown Melbourne Limited. We are not licensed, sponsored or affiliated with Crown Melborne Limited and no such relationship is claimed, or should be inferred.

Aussie Millions At Crown Casino, Melbourne, Australia

If there’s one thing the Australians love more than gambling it’s sport and for them poker is fair game. This means that once the cards hit the felt at the Aussie Millions you can expect a raucous atmosphere from the crowds inside the Crown Poker Room. Indeed, since its inception the Main Event has grown immensely from just 133 runners in 2004, to 681 runners in 2009 and 721 in 2011.

The Aussie Millions is considered to be one of the game’s crowning majors – on a par with the WSOP or the WPT World Championship – and for good reason too. The Melbourne-based tournament is situated in one of the most desirable locations in the southern hemisphere and will again be hosted at the world-class Crown Casino complex, where all manner of poker action will unfold from January 12–30.

As ever the 2012 Aussie Millions schedule will be highlighted by the AU$10,600 Main Event, a five-day behemoth that last year awarded a staggering AU$2 million to winner David Gorr, but that will be just one of the 26 events on offer this year. Perhaps one of the more eye-catching side events taking place will be the $100,000 Challenge – a two-day event that will pit a granite-hard field of the game’s elite against one another for a total prizepool that last year exceeded AU$3,800,000. But while that blue chip tournament may well be out of reach for all but a select few of poker’s established Illuminati, there will be plenty of mid-high-stakes action for the more budget-conscious traveller, as outlined on the schedule at www.aussiemillions.com

Aussie Millions highlights

So, what should you be playing to keep yourself busy in January? Here’s our pick of the action over the fortnight. (All entries are in Australian Dollars.)

January 12–15 - $1,000+100 - NLHE Freezeout

January 16–18 - $1,000+100 - PLO

January 17–19 - $1,100+100 - NLHE Shootout

January 21–22 - $1,500+150 - NLHE Bounty Event

January 22–28 - $10,000+600 - NLHE MAIN EVENT

January 22–23 - $100,000+500 - NLHE $100,000 CHALLENGE

January 23 - $4,750+250 - Chinese Poker

January 25–26 - $2,250+250 - H.O.R.S.E.

January 29–30 - $10,000+500 - 8-Game Mix

Online Promotion At Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment's PartyCasino

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PartyCasino.com is one of a number of Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment brands.

The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.

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Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Co CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.

PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino selection of promotions this month which are some of the best available in the industry today.

Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.

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Sin City writer Frank Miller calls Occupy protesters a pack of thieves, louts and rapists - 22nd November 2011

2011-11-22T23:37:00.001-08:00

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Sin City - (Frank Miller's Sin City) speaks out on the Occupy Wall Street protesters...

Miller who brought us flicks such as Sin City and The Dark Knight Returns believes the anti-capitalist movement is "a pack of louts, thieves and rapists".

An open letter on his blog accuses the protesters of harming America with their "political garbage" and tells them to wake up to the country's real enemy - al-Qaeda.

Miller, better known for his Sin City, 300 and Batman comic books scribed:
'Occupy' is nothing short of a clumsy, poorly-expressed attempt at anarchy, to the extent that the 'movement' – HAH! Some 'movement', except if the word 'bowel' is attached - is anything more than an ugly fashion statement by a bunch of iPhone, iPad wielding spoiled brats who should stop getting in the way of working people and find jobs for themselves.

Wake up, pond scum. America is at war against a ruthless enemy.

Maybe, between bouts of self-pity and all the other tasty tidbits of narcissism you’ve been served up in your sheltered, comfy little worlds, you’ve heard terms like al-Qaeda and Islamicism.

In the name of decency, go home to your parents, you losers. Go back to your mommas’ basements and play with your Lords Of Warcraft.

Or better yet, enlist for the real thing. Maybe our military could whip some of you into shape.

They might not let you babies keep your iPhones, though. Try to soldier on.

The post has ruffled feathers with some comic book fans and news media around the globe.

In this case Miller is clearly not going for the underdog. What would Mickey Rourke think!

Miller has pretty much forever been a champion of the right wingers. Just check out the sequel to The Dark Knight Returns, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, with Batman raising hell against the Government.

Check out the Persian army in 300 that takes it to the Spartans, and then there's an attack of sorts to Islam in Miller's Holy Terror book. That book has been banned in some parts.

Readers, what's your take on Frank Miller? Not sure? Pass a little time playing the Sin City or Batman games, and you'll be glad to hear that at least you have the option to play for free or play for money.

Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment Inks Deals With YouTube and EQAL - 22nd November 2011

The comic business genius moves into digital content with exclusive programming and a new official website and more...

Comics creator and living legend Stan Lee and his POW! Entertainment is moving into the digital content production world, inking deals with YouTube and media company EQAL.

POW! is creating a YouTube channel called Stan Lee’s World of Heroes, which will be a joint venture with Michael Eisner’s digital studio Vuguru. The company announced it will launch the channel with “exclusive programming next year based on the company’s stories around amazing characters and extraordinary individuals.”

With EQAL, POW! plans to launch TheRealStanLee.com, a site to act as “all things Stan Lee.” EQAL is known for “building influencer networks around celebrities and brands,” creating websites and social media accounts for celebs such as Bethenny Frankel, JWOWW and Randy Jackson to name but a few.

Lee sure fits the bill as a celeb, thanks to his great work with Marvel Comics, Marvel Entertainment - Marvel Studios, and all that. He's a heat seeker and truly 'The Man' of the comic industry. Lee, who co-created superheroes such as Spider-Man, X-Men and Iron Man, will receive the Producers Guild 2012 Vanguard Award and is also being honored with the Visual Effects Society's 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. Earlier this year, Lee received a star on the Walk of Fame.

Times are good for Lee and his army of brigadiers, and things look set to get even better. Excelsior!

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Super Heroes Slot Games Online At PartyCasino; Hollywood Movie Slots; Get Up To $3000 Sign Up Bonus

2011-11-20T18:39:00.001-08:00

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Super Heroes online slot games at PartyCasino.com

Play for free or play for money!

PartyCasino.com also offers other movie and entertainment industry branded slot games such as The Godfather, Sin City, Mission: Impossible, Rambo, The Terminator and Gone With The Wind.

PartyCasino.com is owned and operated by Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment - established for over 10 years and listed on the London Stock Exchange.

PartyCasino.com is a multi-time Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' and Casino News Media award winner.

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Casinos Of The World: Land Based And Online; Media Man And Casino News Media Awards, by Greg Tingle

2011-11-14T21:52:00.001-08:00

Sin City Cleopatra Rambo The Godfather Sinatra The Terminator Thor Saturday Night Fever Unicorn Legend Palladium Slot

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Punters, here's 10 of the world's top land based casinos for you to mark down in your travel plans.

Monte Carlo, Monaco: Perched above the Mediterranean and bounded by the French
and Italian coastlines on either side, Monaco provides a spectacular and luxurious setting for the wealthy and the wannabees. Home to the Monaco Grand Prix and the legendary Casino de Monte Carlo, this isn't the place for those on a tight budget. The magnificent Casino hosts the annual European Poker Tour and was also the scene of several James Bond Films, including the original "Casino Royale" and "Golden Eye".

Paradise Island, Bahamas: Located just off the shore of the city of Nassau, Paradise
Island is best known for its sprawling 'Vegas-by-the-sea' resort, Atlantis. The resort spans seven acres along a lagoon, where guests can soak up the Caribbean sun and choose from a variety of outdoor gaming areas. When in need of a break from the tables, guests can enjoy the private beach or one of the resorts 20 sunlit pools.

Melbourne, Australia: As Australia's sporting and entertainment capital, Melbourne
offers the perfect option for high rollers looking for a local break. Aussies need look no further than Crown Casino on the southern bank of the Yarra River, which is one of the largest casino complexes in the southern hemisphere. The main gambling floor stretches more than half a kilometre and the casino was the first to introduce the new game Rapid Roulette, which allows players to place bets on a personal electronic touch screen connected to a central roulette wheel.

Macau, China: Known as the 'Monte Carlo of the Orient,' and the gambling capital of Asia, Macau now rivals Monaco and Las Vegas as one of the premier gambling destinations in the world. With no less than 33 casinos, in addition to local horse and greyhound racing venues, Macau is perfect for the betting junkie. The Wynn Macau casino is a standout, highlighted by 24-carat gold 'Tree of Prosperity' at the entrance, extravagant water displays and Moon Jellyfish Aquarium at reception.

Baden-Baden, Germany: Situated on the western foothills of the Black Forest and on the banks of the Oos River, Baden-Baden is not your typical casino town. However, in addition to its hot springs and picturesque countryside, the town is also known for its 200-year-old 'Spielbank' casino - the oldest of its type in Germany. With French chateau-style salons rooms named after historical figures such as Madame Pompadour and Louis XV's mistress, the quirky casino provides visitors with a very unique gaming experience.

Las Vegas, United States: With over 1700 licensed casinos in operation, Las Vegas offers the ultimate package for travellers who fancy a flutter. A visit to the famous 'Strip' is a must for any player, whether they're looking for a spin on the roulette table or a game of blackjack - this city has it all. The iconic Caesar's Palace hotel and casino offers 129,000 square feet of casino space plus an endless smorgasbord of entertainment, shopping and fine dining options, including Cleopatra's barge, a floating lounge perfect for a relaxing drink after a jam-packed night on the casino floor.

Manila, The Philippines: With a favourable exchange rate, Manila provides great value for Aussies wanting to live the high-life overseas. The city offers a range of shopping and entertainment options, along with a world-class casino at the Hyatt Hotel. Spread across three levels, the sparkling casino offers the newest in gaming facilities for both hotel guests and visitors, and is just a short distance from Manila's tourist hub.

Sun City, South Africa: Known as 'Africa's Kingdom of Pleasure,' this luxury resort and casino complex, just two hours from Johannesburg, boasts two large casinos, two 18-hole golf courses and a wildlife reserve. At the extravagant yet picturesque Palace of the Lost City, guests are treated to stunning valley views from the guestrooms, along with exclusive access to the Grand Pool. The nearby Sun City Casino is the entertainment Mecca of the resort, featuring a myriad of gaming options as well as an indoor jungle of native foliage and water fountains.

Atlantic City, United States: Regarded as the US's 'Las Vegas of the East', Atlantic City in New Jersey is renowned for its gambling, shopping and fine dining. Towering above the banks of the Atlantic Ocean, the Trump Taj Mahal casino is an icon of the city, with an on-site shopping district and an abundance of restaurants and bars. The 157,000 square-foot casino is also hard to miss, with 3,500 slot machines and 200 table games. Unveiled in 1990 by a number of celebrities, including the late Michael Jackson, the casino is the second-largest in Atlantic City and well worth a visit.

Genting Highlands, Malaysia: Nestled on the Titiwangsa mountain range, just an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur and 6,000 feet above sea level, the Resorts World Genting offers 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. This spectacular resort has first-class accommodation, dining and entertainment, while avoiding the hustle and bustle of a capital city. The on-site casino, which covers 200,000 square feet, is Malaysia's sole gaming venue and is divided into separate themed areas, such as Hollywood and Monte Carlo, for the ultimate gambling experience.

Online Casinos:

PartyCasino.com : The world's leading online casino brand and part of Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment. Play for free or play for money at PartyCasino.com New players get up to $3000 sign up bonus via Media Man.

VirginCasino.com : Virgin Casino is part of Virgin Games. The parent company is Virgin Enterprises Limited, the creation of the world's most famous and celebrated entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson. Unfortunately the casino does not accept players from many countries due to what is known in legal circles as "grey areas". Most European players can play, but no Americans, Canadians, Australians or New Zealanders.

Captain Cooks Casino : Was once a very popular online casino with Australians and New Zealanders, however we understand these days they can only accept players from a few regions such as Europe, South Africa, Canada and South America.

PKR : Once only a 2D online poker room, they are now more 3D and offer online poker and a good range of online casino games, including classics, Marvel slots and table games.

Media Man's top online casino choice: PartyCasino.com PartyCasino is a multi-time Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' winner and have also won awards from EGR. Earlier this year PartyGaming merged with Bwin to create the worlds leading igaming company, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment.

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PartyCasino Gets New Games...

Aztec Gold, Atomic Fruit, Nag's To Riches and Fairies Forest. Check out the new games here.

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PKR to Sign New Poker Star

2011-11-13T00:06:00.001-08:00

Team PKR Pro Welcomes Latest Member on November 17

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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 11/11/11 - On 17 November, next-gen poker room PKR.com is set to unveil the latest addition to Team PKR Pro, the site's stable of sponsored professional poker players.

One of the year's most high profile signings, the new arrival is among the best poker players in the world, and will represent PKR in the biggest events across the globe.

Since Team PKR Pro was created in 2009, 13 players have flown the flag for the next-generation online poker site, each plucked from the wealth of homegrown talent which has emerged from PKR.com's tables. The current crop of six Team PKR pro stars includes EPT champion Vladimir 'Beyne' Geshkenbein and WSOP Europe bracelet holder Scott Shelley alongside rising stars Sofia 'welllbet' Lovgren, James 'james666' Sudworth, Sascha 'locodice' Walter and Marc 'Waswini' Bariller, a Frenchman who parlayed freeroll winnings into a successful online career. Former Team PKR Pros include GUKPT winner Andrew 'golfpro699' Teng and Adrien 'zlatan35' Allain who, after winning APT Macau as a $5 PKR qualifier, has recently gone on to claim a WPT Amneville title.

With current and former members drawn from the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Team PKR Pro has a long history of unearthing new talent from PKR's international player base, valuing not only poker ability but the community spirit with which PKR is so strongly associated. Aside from their participation in major live tournaments, Team PKR Pros create free-to-access poker strategy and lifestyle content for the PKR.com website, provide commentary on the Poker Channel's PKR TV show and contribute to the PKR Forums.

For more information on the Team PKR pro please visit PKR.com

About PKR

PKR.com is a revolutionary new concept in online poker that has changed the way the game is played. Featuring stunning real-time 3D graphics and a uniquely engaging and immersive gaming system, PKR.com brings an unparalleled and previously unseen level of realism to online poker. Developed by some of the brightest stars in the video games and poker industries, PKR.com continues to be the most innovative poker room in the world.

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2011-11-10T23:45:00.000-08:00

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MGM Resorts, Boyd Gaming, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment In Talks For US Online Poker; Casino, by Greg Tingle

2011-11-07T01:11:00.003-08:00

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Shares in Bwin.Party have jumped in recent days with news that the company has joined forces with leading casino brands MGM Resorts International and Boyd Gaming to offer online poker to US residents once legislation is passed in the States, a number of experts have advised not to get too excited, too soon.

Land based casino operators MGM Resorts International and Boyd Gaming this past week unveiled a plan to partner with online gambling company Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, subject to the legalization of Internet gambling in the United States.

Gibraltar-based Bwin.Party, the world's largest publicly traded online gaming company, was formed earlier this year through the merger of Austria's Bwin and PartyGaming.

Bwin.Party would own 65 percent of a start-up company that would offer online poker to U.S.-based players, while MGM would own 25 percent and Boyd would have a 10 percent stake.

U.S. prosecutors earlier this year accused the owners of three of the largest Internet poker companies of tricking regulators and banks into processing billions of dollars in illegal gambling proceeds.

That crackdown derailed a similar deal between online gambling operator PokerStars and Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts Ltd. Steve Wynn is understood to have gotten out of that deal in approximately one week.

MGM closed its original Internet gambling operations in mid-2003, citing regulatory uncertainties.

"There is now an overarching opinion in Washington that this needs to be addressed," MGM Chief Executive Officer Jim Murren told Reuters in a telephone interview. "U.S. citizens are putting their financial assets at risk on sites that the U.S. government has no comfort over how they are being operated."

Wynn, MGM and other land based casino operators have been lobbying hard in recent years for U.S. legalization of online poker...which they say is primarily a game of skill, rather than other forms of gambling where the customer is playing against the "house."

Their goal is legislation at the federal level, but legalization efforts are also underway in several states.

"Federal legislation is a vastly better solution ... to avoid any ambiguities in laws," Murren said.

Casino companies argue that millions of Americans are already playing online poker on websites operated from overseas and legalization would bring that revenue to the United States, where it could be taxed, jobs would be created and integrity could be assured.

Opponents, including groups like the Southern Baptist Convention, say online gambling is an irresponsible way to raise revenue.

Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts also said each has agreements to use Bwin.Party's technology under its own brands.

MGM owns 10 casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, ranging from Circus Circus to the Bellagio, as well as casino-resorts in Mississippi and Michigan and joint ventures in New Jersey and Macau, the only place in China where gambling is legal.

Macau is currently seen as a more go ahead region for the gambling business than Las Vegas.

Boyd Gaming, which runs Las Vegas properties that cater mainly to local residents rather than tourists, owns and operates 16 casino properties in six states.

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment is looking to expand in a number of countries. The United States is their key target, however they also have Australia and New Zealand squarely in their sights.

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment is known around the globe for brands such as PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com and World Poker Tour.

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IGT Goes 'All In' With Texas Hold'em Heads Up Poker(TM) at World Series of Poker

2011-11-04T21:20:00.001-07:00

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Poker Game's Mathematical Model Simulates the Operation of the Human Brain to Give Players Authentic Experience

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 3, 2011 - The over 150 million Texas Hold'em fans around the world will be hootin' and hollerin' at no longer having to wait in long lines to play the tables or lasso up a willing opponent with the debut of Texas Hold'em Heads Up Poker(TM) from International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT). Premiering at the 2011 World Series of Poker at the Rio in Las Vegas on Nov. 5-6, fans can now enjoy everything they love about Texas Hold'em - the strategy, bluffing and tells - in an interactive poker machine.

IGT's Texas Hold'em Heads Up Poker(TM) is the first poker game to use a neural net, a technology-developed mathematical model that simulates the operation of the human brain.
The advanced technology of Texas Hold'em Heads Up Poker(TM) recreates engaging behavioral nuances such as opponent "bluffing" and "thinking" in a scenario that's less intimidating than a live-table experience - making the slot machine inviting to all levels of Texas Hold'em players.

In addition to the innovative technology, a number of other features will have casino-goers strapping on their cowboy boots to test their skills against this highly individualized game:
Striking graphics and player-customizable options - including fun touchscreen good luck charms - will entertain and delight even the coolest poker players.

The Multi-Hit Stud Bonus game doubles the action and increases the player experience.
After the conclusion of a game, the "peek" feature gives the player the choice to see the opponent's cards - even if a showdown did not take place - giving the player insight as to how the opponent plays.

At this year's World Series of Poker, Texas Hold'em Heads Up Poker(TM)will be on display for players, operators and media to try on Nov. 5-6. IGT brand ambassadors will be handing out free play coupons from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, and from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6.

"Designed to bring all the thrills and high drama of live-action table Texas Hold'em to the slot machine format, players will want to put on their shades and pull down the brim of their hats to hide their tells when they saddle up to Texas Hold'em Heads Up Poker," said Eric Tom, IGT executive vice president, North America Sales and Global Operations. "This is a game that players of every level can test their craftiest bluffing strategies and Texas Hold'em skills against."

About IGT
International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of gaming machines and systems products, as well as online and mobile gaming solutions for regulated markets.

Press Release

AGA Statement on the Eve of the World Series of Poker Main Event Final Table

Statement by Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, on the Eve of the World Series of Poker Main Event Final Table

“The World Series of Poker Main Event final table kicks off in Las Vegas this weekend. As the popularity of one of America’s favorite pastimes continues to grow, it should come as no surprise that millions of Americans from all walks of life are expected to tune in to watch the action.

Unfortunately, when these same Americans – plus many more—log on to play poker online, they face a Wild West atmosphere with little or no regulation and where law enforcement has limited ability to protect them. Congress must act to approve legislation allowing states to license and regulate online poker so Americans who play online poker can do so safely with responsible, law-abiding operators.

Establishing federal guidelines to allow state-licensed and regulated online poker would also effectively keep minors from gambling online, prevent fraud and money laundering, address problem gambling and ensure players aren’t being cheated. American consumers deserve to be protected. Licensing and regulation of online poker in the U.S is the only way to do it.”

For more information about how to create a safe, responsible and regulated online poker environment in the U.S., visit the AGA’s Online Poker Headquarters at www.americangaming.org/onlinepokerHQ

The AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues. The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.

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Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment agrees American joint venture with MGM Resorts and Boyd Gaming - 2nd November 2011

2011-11-02T20:00:00.001-07:00

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Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Plc has announced details of a joint venture agreement with US bricks and mortar casino groups MGM Resorts International and Boyd Gaming Corp that will see them offer online poker in America should it become regulated and licensed.

The deal will see bwin.party, MGM and Boyd form a jointly-owned US-based company (‘Federal NewCo’) with bwin.party owning 65%, MGM owning 25% and Boyd owning 10%. Should federal legislation be enacted the joint venture would offer online poker to US players via the World Poker Tour and PartyPoker brands with bwin.party providing the software and support. Should US poker be legalised at the state rather than federal level a new stand-alone company would be created to develop opportunities on a state by state basis.

“Our strategy has been designed to address any and all legislative outcomes, whether federal or state-by-state.” said Jim Ryan and Norbert Teufelberger, the Co-CEOs of bwin.party. “We are particularly excited to be working with MGM and Boyd. Combining their significant assets and regulatory expertise with the strength of our PartyPoker and World Poker Tour brands, all supported by our in-house technology, makes us perfectly positioned for any future opening of the US online poker market.”

In addition to the customer facing deal, bwin.party, MGM and Boyd also revealed details of a two separate 15-year business to business agreements that would “enable them to offer real money online poker services under their own brands in the US using the bwin.party technology platform and associated services.”

Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, said 'MGM has long been supportive of federal legislation to strengthen UIGEA and provide the needed regulations and consumer protections for online poker. MGM is proud to have bwin.party as our partner as they have the assets and experience that, combined with our brands, can ensure a secure, fair and entertaining online poker experience.”

Keith Smith, President and CEO of Boyd Gaming, added “We believe the right approach to offering legal online poker in the United States is through a federal regulatory structure that ensures the games are conducted with the greatest possible integrity and security. Should Congress enact legislation to legalise Internet poker, this agreement will allow us to partner with the world’s most experienced and prestigious online operator to offer a secure, fair and entertaining experience for players in the United States.”

Bwin.Party also confirmed that it is set to enter a preliminary suitability review with the Nevada Gaming Control Board in order to secure an advanced finding of suitability in anticipation of future US-facing real money poker opportunities.

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Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Tipped To Do Online Poker Deal With MGM, Boyd - 1st November 2011

2011-10-31T15:38:00.001-07:00

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Casino operators MGM Resorts International and Boyd Gaming Corp. are teaming with a major European online poker operator to prepare to offer Internet gambling in the United States if it's ever explicitly legalized.

The casino companies and Gibraltar-based bwin.party digital entertainment plc advised Monday that if U.S. law changes...as many in the industry hope...each of the three companies would take a stake in a new entity that would run online gambling under PartyPoker and other brands.

Bwin.party's co-CEO, Jim Ryan, told the media that his company, which owns the World Poker Tour, has been hoping to return to the U.S. Bwin.party stopped offering online poker here after a 2006 law made it illegal to for banks to process funds for the activity.

"We have been putting in place the foundation, if you will, to re-enter the market," Ryan said.
The deal will help the companies build a large enough pool of players to make the business profitable, he said.

Bwin.party, formed earlier this year when online poker operator PartyGaming merged with online sports betting company bwin Interactive Entertainment. The combined company is the largest publicly traded online gambling company; together, their net revenue last year was 814 million euros. PartyGaming had half the U.S. market before it left in 2006.

Ryan said bwin has been preparing for scrutiny from gambling regulators.

Not all online gambling stopped in the U.S., and several poker websites powered along after the 2006 law passed. But the Justice Department has cracked down on several top sites, including PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker, accusing their executives of various activities such money laundering and fraud.

MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren said it will be important to have tough new online poker laws because companies that now offer poker online to Americans have hurt the entire gambling industry's reputation.

"Whenever there's a problem anywhere, it reflects poorly on the gaming industry, of which we are a major player," Murren said. "The federal government needs to address this. It cannot wish it away."

Ryan said he thought his company did the right thing in leaving the US, even as the other operators appeared to flourish.

"Did we sit back and watch in envy and knowing full well that we (had) had 50 percent of the market at that point? Perhaps, but we never questioned our decision," he said.

The companies are pushing for legalization at the federal level. They still would pursue online poker if only states legalize it, but it's not clear whether state-by-state legislation would comply with federal laws.

In addition to setting up the new entity, MGM Resorts and Boyd plan to use bwin.party software to run online poker sites under their own brands, which insiders say is a very smart move.

Boyd CEO Keith Smith told the press he thinks it's important for the companies to be able to move quickly if the law changes, to be first to jump on a U.S. online market that once generated as much as $6 billion yearly in revenue.

"We want our investors to know we've been aggressive in positioning the company," Smith said.
MGM Resorts owns part or all of 18 casinos in Nevada, Mississippi, Michigan and Illinois.

Boyd owns 17 casinos in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, and Louisiana.

Bwin.party is licensed in France and Italy and is pursuing online gambling licenses in Spain and Denmark, Ryan said. The company also has Australia, New Zealand and Canada well in its sights.

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment offers online casino games, poker games, live dealer, sports betting, bingo and a range other casino games.

Some of their most popular Hollywood and movie themed games include Sinatra, Rambo, The Terminator, Saturday Night Fever, Gone With The Wind, High Noon, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man.

Read more about Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment here.

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Donald Trump says US should legalize Internet betting - 21st October 2011

2011-10-20T20:50:00.001-07:00

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Donald Trump has witnessed lots of money side slipping him, and he's hoping that situation changes soon.

The real estate, gaming and entertainment tsar, and founder of an Atlantic City casino company says the US should legalize internet gambling. The company that bears his name, Trump Entertainment Resorts, is moving forward with plans to establish an online betting venture... just as soon as it is legal to do so.

The company says it wants to get in on the ground floor of the internet gambling industry, and is close to selecting a joint venture partner to run an online gambling operation. The idea is to be well-placed and ready to go as soon as such activity is legalized in the United States.

"It should be approved here," Trump told news media. "An awful lot of money is leaving the U.S. that should and could stay in this country."

Trump Entertainment, which includes Donald Trump and daughter, Ivanka, and the Avenue Capital hedge fund, would own 10% of the new business venture.

Donald Trump advised the key to success in the online gambling market is having the best brand.

"We think we have the hottest brand there is, the Trump brand, my personal brand," he said. "We think it's going to do phenomenally well."

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Trump Entertainment said it has "determined that such a joint venture represents the most advantageous way for the company to participate in opportunities in online gaming at minimal cost to the company."

No cost estimates were given, and Robert Griffin, the company's CEO, declined to comment Thursday. But in March, after Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill passed by New Jersey lawmakers that would have allowed Internet betting solely within New Jersey's borders, Griffin said the money lost to offshore operators should benefit New Jersey.

The new law would seen New Jersey become the first state in the nation to allow Internet betting.

"Currently, millions of Americans engage in online gaming with illegal offshore operators, and do so with no oversight, no regulation or no consumer protections," Griffin said at the time. "It makes sense for the state of New Jersey to regulate this activity, enforce strict standards to ensure games are fair and safe, and in turn be able to collect tax revenue instead of having those dollars and the jobs they support leaving New Jersey and going illegally overseas."

Christie advised he vetoed the law fearing it was unconstitutional and could lead to an explosion of betting parlors throughout the state. By law, gambling in New Jersey is restricted to gaming hotspot Atlantic City.

But a New Jersey lawmaker is asserting that individual states in fact have the legal right to offer in-state Internet gambling within their own borders.

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, wrote in July to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asserting that New Jersey and all other states can legally offer online betting within their borders.

Lesniak said he will introduce legislation in November to address the prime concerns expressed by Christie.

The filing said the company, Donald and Ivanka Trump, and Avenue Capital have signed an agreement authorizing the joint venture once it becomes legal, and that prohibits any of them from seeking other online gambling ventures through May 2012.

Atlantic City is in the midst of a nearly 5-year revenue slump brought on by increasing competition from casinos in neighboring states, and worsened by the continuing unsteady economy. It's also speculated that many AC businesses have not adapted well to the internet medium.

Just a few online gaming companies that are understood to be interested in coming to business terms with Trump include Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, Richard Branson's Virgin Games and PKR. Most experts see Bwin.Party as the best bet, as they don't have any outstanding issues with the US Department of Justice, and have been playing by the rules (law) for many years, while other gambling companies continue to go after U.S players.

Internet gambling is legal in many countries, with the U.S being a glaring exception.

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Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Betting On United States, by Greg Tingle - 20th October 2011

2011-10-20T02:31:00.001-07:00

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Jim Ryan, the co-chief executive of Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment is a very busy man.

In fact, he's invested three of the past five weeks in the United States pushing a presentation that advertised to investors the strengths of the world’s largest publicly-traded online gambling - gaming firm. Ryan’s presentation included a one-page chart that listed the top online poker brands in the U.S. market. The names of once fierce competitors PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, were crossed out in red. Is Party the only real game left in town? Time will tell.

“Where you see the red lines, those organizations have been indicted, so although one can’t predict the future, it’s unlikely you will see those brands back in the U.S.,” Ryan said during an interview. “The brand that has the most consumer awareness is in fact the PartyPoker brand.”

Ryan’s company happens to own both PartyPoker and the World Poker Tour, two of the top online poker brands that did not have their U.S. operations shut down by the U.S. Justice Department in April because they were not facilitating for-money online poker play in America—in the case of PartyPoker since 2006. They also own PartyCasino, a top online casino destination website. The fact that Ryan, who is based in Gibraltar, has recently been spending so much time in the U.S. demonstrates he is optimistic and hopeful for a U.S. comeback. “My focus is on the U.S.,” says Ryan, who is in the final stages of negotiating partnerships with two U.S. companies. “Even though there is no guarantee that online gaming will ever regulate in the U.S.”

For years Ryan and his staff at PartyGaming, which merged with Bwin earlier this year, had to sit on the sidelines, watching how much money PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker were snatching. It was a difficult thing to watch for the top brass and workers at PartyGaming, which was the biggest online gambling company in the world thanks to its domination of the U.S. online poker market until Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006. PartyGaming exited the U.S. market and saw its stock price take a massive hit, while PokerStars and Full Tilt kept their U.S. facing .com websites on air. Party competitors enjoyed somewhat of an unfair advantage, with the rouges using the U.S. market to expand globally at PartyGaming’s expense. “We were beyond the point of frustration,” says Ryan.

Next PartyGaming struck a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, paying $105 million and admitting its U.S. operations had for years violated U.S. law. Meanwhile, PokerStars and Full Tilt continued to operate in the U.S. and claimed that their U.S. operations did not violate U.S. law, pointing to legal opinions the companies had received from top American legal eagles. To many, it appeared like PartyGaming had given a lucrative business away. Even at the company’s headquarters there were doubts until April 2011, when federal prosecutors in Manhattan closed down the U.S. operations of PokerStars and Full Tilt, naming them illegal gambling businesses, and indicted some of their key execs. "I think Party has been vindicated now in getting out when they did and in dealing with the Department of Justice," says Behnam Dayanim, a partner at Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider, who negotiated PartyGaming’s agreement with federal prosecutors in downtown Manhattan.

With all that said, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment is not exactly holding a management party quite yet. It's so close, yet so far, from reclaiming online poker’s crown. Operating in highly-regulated and taxed European markets while competing against well-run companies like PokerStars is not for the faint-hearted. Bwin.Party’s stock, which trades on the prestigious London Stock Exchange, has dipped by 50% in 2011. Big corporate mergers can be problematic, but the outfit has also suffered a setback in Germany, where the nation’s top civil court recently decided to uphold an online gambling ban, and been dissed by higher gaming duties across Europe. When the company attempted to take advantage of the April U.S. shutdown of PokerStars and Full Tilt, Bwin.Party found that while some new European players were attracted to its poker brands, revenues remained flat-ish. It wasn’t until Full Tilt’s European regulator suspended Full Tilt’s license in late June that Bwin.Party’s increased advertising and promotional expenditures started to pay dividends. PartyPoker is now the second-biggest online poker room in the world, according to PokerScout, averaging 4,150 cash players during any given time. PokerStars has 22,800.

Ryan, who joined PartyGaming as CEO in 2008, has been waiting for this moment for what seems like forever. He long ago took Bwin’s Norbert Teufelberger to a McDonald’s in La Linea, Spain, and chatted to him at length about the pros of combining Bwin’s strong online sportsbook business with PartyGaming’s poker brands, resulting in the merger that was first announced in 2010. Ryan also fine-tuned his company’s business-to-business capabilities over the last few years with an eye toward finding a U.S. partner with whom he can re-conquer America. "We had to be realistic about where we sat in the food chain," says Ryan. "We figured if the U.S. regulated it would be unlikely that we would secure a license directly, that the laws of the land would be written to allow existing land operators and equipment manufacturers in the U.S. to secure the licenses." Ryan is optimistic about current efforts in Washington, driven by the American Gaming Association and powerful casino companies like Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts, to potentially get some sort of online gambling legislation through a divided Congress. Ryan notes he is also preparing for the possibility that online poker gets regulated first on a state-by-state basis.

"We have to be ready for both federal or state," he says. "It feels good to have American taxpaying companies finally driving this.".

If an offshore operator is to succeed in American, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment looks like the firm to place bets with.

Bwin.Party has identified Australia and New Zealand as places to further expand their business, even sponsoring high profile poker players such as Tony G and Stewart Scott (a former Crown Casino 'Aussie Millions' champion.) PartyPoker is one of a number of rumoured brands set to take over the sponsorship spot at James Packer's Crown Casino that FTP once enjoyed. Party look to have as much chance as anyone, probably more so.

In the meantime, poker and casino game players in regions such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, South America, South Africa and beyond can continue to enjoy their gaming.

Poker playing celebs such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Tobey McGuire are understood to be open to sponsorship approaches from Bwin.Party.

Governments of the world - you're throw of the dice.

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2011-10-16T20:12:00.001-07:00

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MGM Resorts Online Game to Attract New Customers - 5th October 2011

2011-10-09T06:17:00.001-07:00

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MGM Resorts International is moving into social gaming in an effort to attract more gamblers to its casinos, said MGM Chief Executive Jim Murren at casino industry conference last Wednesday.

The firm fully expects to soon announce a new social media game, he said, that would be along the lines of Zynga Inc.'s popular online game FarmVille. It would allow players to pretend to be casino moguls, he said.

The game-playing industry and gambling industries, he said, "are on a collision course."

Murren was speaking at the keynote address Wednesday at a conference entitled the Global Gaming Expo.

Murren didn't provide more details about the plans. Among hospitality companies, Marriott International Inc. has created an online game that allows players to manage a virtual hotel restaurant. Marriott's game is designed to be an employee recruiting tool rather than for acquiring customers.

Murren indicated MGM's game would be for trying to grab new customers.

"The demographics of (online) gamers are really right in the strike zone of the gaming industry," Murren said, pointing to the connection between non-gambling gamers and gamblers.

MGM is also among several large casino companies pushing hard for Internet gambling to become legal in the U.S.

MGM generates most of its revenue from casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and also owns around half of a casino in the robust gambling enclave of Macau. The company's stock price has lost nearly half its value since July on concerns of the U.S. economy and, more recently, concerns about a slowdown in growth in China. The company is still carrying a massive amount of debt.

Murren has consistently been among the most upbeat among gambling operators regarding the future of Las Vegas, even in depths of the recession of a couple years ago. He said he sees a wide gulf between what he thinks the company's stock price is and actual financial results and outlook.

"I turned my Bloomberg off about three weeks ago," Murren quipped.

After a deep downturn, both MGM and Las Vegas as a whole have shown signs of sustained but slow improvement in gambling revenue this year. Still, some observers are concerned by continued bad economic signs.

"We have exceeded our forecast and that of the street the last two quarters and had a nice third quarter as well," he said. "The market is valuing us about where we were three years ago in the teeth of recession and it just doesn't connect with me because we don't see anything inside our business that would suggest that that is accurate."

The company is optimistic about growth in Macau, he said, and has developed designs and plans for a new casino there. MGM and other casinos are awaiting government approval for their new projects.

His comments about Macau echoed those of Michael Leven, president of competitor Las Vegas Sands, who on Saturday said at a conference in Las Vegas that the company doesn't see negative signals there despite investor concerns.

MGM is also working on developing around 20 non-casino projects throughout China, Murren said.

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Exciting News for Online Poker Site, PKR as USA Legalisation of Gambling Sites Edges Closer - 6th October 2011

2011-10-09T04:13:00.001-07:00

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The popular UK 3D poker site, PKR could soon go transatlantic and launch in the US after the American Gaming Association's (AGA) contributed to the push for online poker regulation in the country.

Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., president and CEO of the AGA, commented: 'There are no longer any good reasons to put USA citizens at risk by continuing to outlaw online poker in the U.S.' The statement comes after the USA Justice Department tried to shut down illegal gambling sites but the number of Americans playing online poker unprotected continues to grow.

PKR has established itself as one of the most playable and secure online poker websites in the UK over the last five years. The campaign in the US for lawful online poker now has the backing of certain state reps from Massachusetts and the prospect of legalisation could open the gates for PKR to expand into a massive market.

The AGA had once condemned online gambling altogether and only changed their opinion due to reports of a threat of unregulated sites currently endangering American players. The prospect of US legalisation of online poker could be potentially huge for PKR as their fully regulated and licensed site already has the foundations to become a massive hit among gamers in the States.

Massachusetts state rep, Dan Winslow also added to the argument for legalisation by arguing the flailing US economy could benefit from the introduction of online poker because of the jobs it will create in game design and regulatory software upkeep - a notion America's 14 million unemployed will welcome.

Back in the UK, it's business as usual for PKR for the meantime but they are very excited by the suggestion of expanding their business across the pond. A spokesperson for the poker games site commented:

'It is still early days yet but it would be a massively exciting prospect to take PKR to the States. The whole regulation of online poker sites debate is unlikely to be resolved overnight however, but at PKR we will be watching closely as we are always keen to develop playing opportunities to improve the gaming experience for everyone'.

It is rumoured the AGA campaign may prompt online poker legislation on a state level first before the whole nation accepts it. However, the campaign certainly looks to have some weight behind it and as far as PKR is concerned, it is a matter of watch this space.

To find out more about PKR or to join in the fun, sign up today www.pkr.com

About PKR

PKR is a revolutionary new concept in online poker that has changed the way the game is played.

Featuring stunning real-time 3D graphics and a uniquely engaging and immersive gaming system, PKR brings an unparalleled and previously unseen level of realism to online poker.

Developed by some of the brightest stars in the video games and poker industries, PKR continues to be the most innovative poker room in the world.

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2011-09-27T03:33:00.000-07:00

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Who You Gonna Call For IGT's Ghostbusters(TM) Slots? MGM Resorts International(TM) Properties

2011-09-27T03:31:00.001-07:00

Partnership Gives MGM Resorts a 30-Day First-to-Market Exclusive

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX

Ghost-tracking Psycho Kinetic Energy meters will be going crazy at MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) properties when the frighteningly fun Ghostbusters(TM) Slots come to The Strip as part of a 30-day, exclusive first-to-market partnership with International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT). The Ghostbusters(TM) Slots featuring Slimer, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and the hilarious Ghostbusters team was launched throughout the MGM Resorts' Las Vegas properties Monday, Sept. 19.

Debuting on IGT's new Center Stage Duo(TM) model, the game features the mischievous and lovable character Slimer teasing, mocking and awarding players with antics, multipliers and credits as he leads them through the game. A vivid 55-inch overhead LCD screen and chest-pumping MEGAfx Surround Chairs will send players' adrenaline racing during spectacular bonus rounds including:

Ballroom Busters Pick Bonus: Holdin! Smokin! Ready! Players are awarded five proton shots to blow up the ballroom to find ghosts.

Stay Puft Free Games Feature: Marshmallows fall from the sky, stick to symbols and turn them wild during this sweet feature.

Are You Psychic? Bonus: Guess the correct card to win credits and advance to the next round!
Paranormal Pick Bonus: Five levels of Paranormal Pick Bonuses allow players to select from phantasm clouds for a chance to win the progressive jackpot.

"Based on the blockbuster film franchise from Sony Pictures, the memorable characters, a catchy song and many unforgettable scenes have made Ghostbusters a pop culture mainstay, and I think we've captured the fun of the brand in the Ghostbusters Slots," said Eric Tom, executive vice president, North America Sales and Global Operations. "Players will be thrilled by the constant action and our graphic and sound technology will make for a ghoulishly good time."

Sherri Gilligan, senior vice president of marketing for MGM Resorts International, said, "Our guests deserve to have an amazing experience each time they arrive at one of our properties and the Ghostbusters Slots will add to that overall experience. The partnership with IGT allows us to create new opportunities for our guests and this is another example of an exclusive game we will feature on the casino floors throughout our company during the festive Halloween season."

To help kick off the Ghostbusters(TM) Slots fun, MGM Resorts and IGT will launch a sweepstakes featuring a grand prize VIP trip to Las Vegas.

About MGM Resorts International

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a peerless portfolio of destination resort brands, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. In addition to its 51% interest in MGM China Holdings and the MGM Macau, the Company has significant holdings in gaming, hospitality and entertainment, owns and operates 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has 50% investments in three other properties in Nevada and Illinois. One of those investments is CityCenter, an unprecedented urban resort destination on the Las Vegas Strip featuring its centerpiece ARIA Resort & Casino. Leveraging MGM Resorts' unmatched amenities, the M life loyalty program delivers one-of-a-kind experiences, insider privileges and personalized rewards for guests at the Company's renowned properties nationwide. Through its hospitality management subsidiary, the Company holds a growing number of development and management agreements for casino and non-casino resort projects around the world. MGM Resorts International supports responsible gaming and has implemented the American Gaming Association's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its gaming properties. The Company has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative, its community philanthropy programs and the Company's commitment to sustainable development and operations. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's Web site at www.mgmresorts.com.

About IGT

International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of gaming machines and systems products, as well as online and mobile gaming solutions for regulated markets. More information about IGT is available at www.IGT.com or follow IGT on Twitter at @IGTNews or Facebook at www.facebook.com/IGT.

Ghostbusters: TM & ©2011 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE IGT; MGM Resorts International

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2011-09-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

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Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Nears Finalizing US Deals, by Greg Tingle

2011-09-04T23:54:00.000-07:00

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The Co-Chief Executive of Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, Jim Ryan confirmed this past week that the group is close to finalizing a number of deals with US based gambling companies, in a bid to enter the US market when legislation passes in this sector on a federal level.

Ryan said that the recently merged Bwin and PartyGaming were negotiating with companies who reached across the country, and particularly those in states where the likelihood of online gambling reaching them in the near future was higher than other states.

Ryan said that Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment was "in contract negotiations with a partner from New Jersey." In addition, the group was lining up partners in California and Florida.

These states had the greatest potential to see online gambling legislation passed, he said.

Ryan stressed that the current negotiations were not for acquisitions, but for partnerships only.

Above Consensus Market Expectations...

The announcement by Ryan was made as Bwin.Party released its first half earnings, showing that they had fallen by more than a fifth. This was put down in part to increases in gaming taxes across Europe.

The group said, however, that its numbers were still above consensus market expectations, which boosted its share prices somewhat.

While European gambling regulation continued to be encouraging, there was still uncertainty coming from the German market, which makes up for 22% of Bwin.Party's revenues.

Analysts believe that it may be two to three years before Germany's stand on regulation becomes clear.

An analyst with Peel Hunt, Nick Batram said: "While the current trading may reflect a worst case German scenario, it is frustrating that the company does not quantify the potential impact from an effective shutout and what plan B might be."

Troubles facing Full Tilt Poker also worked to Bwin.Party's advantage as players sought new poker sites and migrated to its brands.

First half earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization fell 21% to €81.8 million.

Ryan said that the group's strategy was "to be a pan-European operator and it looks like we are the only organization that has the strategy and capability to do that."

REG - bwin.party digital - Dividend Declaration...

RNS Number : 2933N
bwin.party digital entertainment
31 August 2011

bwin.party digital entertainment plc

('bwin.party' or the 'Company')

Interim Dividend

The Board of bwin.party has today declared an interim dividend of 1.56 pence per ordinary share in respect of the six month period ended 30 June 2011. This dividend will be paid by the Company in accordance with the timetable set out below.

Shareholders and depositary interest holders may elect to receive the dividend payment in Euros by submitting currency elections to the Company's registrar (Capita Registrars) no later than 23 September 2011. Currency election forms are in the process of being dispatched to registered shareholders and the form will be available on the Company's website, www.bwin.party.com. Depositary interest holders wishing to receive the dividend in Euros may submit a currency election via CREST. The foreign exchange rate used for converting the pounds sterling dividend payment into Euros will be the rate quoted by the Company at or about 11.00 a.m. (BST) on 26 September 2011.

31 August 2011 Interim dividend declared

7 September 2011 Ex-dividend date

9 September 2011 Record date

23 September 2011 Deadline for receipt of currency elections

26 September 2011 Pounds sterling/Euros foreign exchange rate struck for Euro dividend currency elections

7 October 2011 Interim dividend paid

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Financial Heads Up...

Wednesday could be one for the gamblers with online gaming operators Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment and 888 Holdings both reporting.

888 has already revealed its revenue figure for the first half – it made $153.m, an improvement of 18.1% on a year earlier. Panmure Gordon thinks earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) will be up 52% from last year at $19.1m, giving earnings per share of 4.5 cents.

“With the strong start to Q3 and, despite the planned increased investment, we believe the risk to our forecasts is on the upside,” the broker added.

As for Bwin.Party, UBS thinks the company will report a drab set of figures, with first half revenues of €425m. Even that is better than Panmure Gordon is expecting; the latter is predicting revenue of €410m.

Bwin.Party And 888 Update - 31st August 2011...

888’s rival bwin.party digital saw its shares rally 15.3p to 125.3p, as investors warmed to its first set of results since it was created by the merger of PartyGaming and Austria’s bwin earlier this year.

The numbers revealed cost savings from the deal would be £8.9m more than expected and recent trading had been strong.

But it plunged to a half-year loss of £27m from profits of £53m after a £54.4m accounting charge.

The half-year dividend is 1.56p. Bwin.party said it was benefiting from the suspension of rival Full Tilt Poker’s license.

It hopes the US may one day reopen its doors. In the meantime, it is grappling with increased regulation in some European markets and the higher taxes this brings.

Bwin blames poker for drop in profits...

Online gaming firm Bwin.party revealed a drop in profits after it was dealt a blow from greater competition in poker markets.

The owner of PartyCasino, Foxy Bingo and PartyPoker said like-for-like revenues dropped three per cent to 398 million euros (£352.2 million) in the six months to June 30.

In its first set of results since the merger of Bwin and PartyGaming in March, the group said it came up against stronger comparatives with the previous year, which was boosted by the World Cup.

Revenues at its poker business declined 10 per cent to 104.9 million euros (£92.8 million) amid greater competition, including a campaign from rival 888 fronted by former Australian cricketer Shane Warne.

Underlying profits fell 21 per cent to 72.4 million euros (£64.1 million) after the group, which generates a quarter of its income in Germany, was hit by increased gaming duties as it launched in newly regulated markets.

Bwin said the number of new poker players signing up to its brands increased six per cent to 373,700 in the period, but active player days were down 11 per cent.

Revenues at its bingo arm were down eight per cent to 33 million euros (£29.2 million) amid intense competition in the UK, while sports betting revenues were down two per cent. But its casino and poker division saw revenues increase two per cent to 124.3 million euros.

*The writer has conducted b2 with Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment

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THQ Announces Release of Casino Chaos

2011-09-02T02:09:00.000-07:00

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One of the world’s leading developers of interactive entertainment software, THQ Inc., confirmed the release of Casino Chaos this week.

This time management game is set to give players a taste of what it is like to manage the floor of a Las Vegas casino. The player will take on the challenging job of turning around the fortunes of casinos and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. The overall objective of the game is to earn the casinos more money and you can do that by getting the guests to gamble more and spend more.

Casino Chaos will include some fantastic features such as:

- 10 different types of customers to interact with.
- 10 levels of difficulty.
- 5 hotel themes to choose from including Caribbean, Egyptian, Medieval, Rock n Roll and Roman.
- Bonus Games such as Blackjack at the end of every level.
- 5 Mini-Games including Roulette, Slots and Craps.

THQ Inc. are the developers responsible for such classic console smash hits as Red Faction, Company of Heroes and the long-running successful World Wrestling Entertainment franchise.

This latest release is set to give players the chance to take a hands-on role in the day-to-day running of a Las Vegas casino floor. It will give players the opportunity to understand how the casinos work and will also offer players an insight into what makes a casino tick.

Casino Chaos is available to purchase from retails outlets now.

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Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Making Friends In United States: California, New Jersey, Florida, by Greg Tingle - 1st September 2011

2011-09-01T03:49:00.001-07:00

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Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award'...

PartyCasino.com has once again won the Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' Award. Richard Branson's VirginCasino.com picked up 2nd place, while new entrant into the Asia Pacific Region, Grand Reef Online Casino picks up 3rd. Well done to all brands.

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Continues To Make Friends In U.S Market; Talks Well Developed...

In a recent interview with eGaming Review, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Co-CEO, Jim Ryan, advised re his firm's goal to enter the lucrative US market: “We have made the decision to target strategic partners. At federal level, we are finalising agreements with a couple of parties positioned nicely to operate in that market. In California, we are well advanced with a particular party. The same in New Jersey, consistent with where we are at a federal level.”

California’s legislator announced it will not be pursuing the issue until the start of next year, quite possibly after federal legislation is enacted.

New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak introduced new draft legislation earlier month. His previous proposal made it all the way to Governor Chris Christie’s desk before Christie announced he would not be signing off in the final minutes of a deadline. The Governor cited specifics in the bill that Lesniak believes the latest incarnation addresses.

Media Man is following up the situation.

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Talk Of The Town...

Earlier this year, PartyGaming and bwin merged to create Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, which is traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol BPTY. In an news article that appeared in The Independent last Tuesday, it was noted that since the two online gaming giants merged, the combined company’s share price has dipped by nearly half. While part of the drop might be due to a slowing economic environment worldwide and so no action might be needed, other entities felt that an infusion could be in the offing. The news outlet cautioned, however, that investors might wait for the gaming environment in the United States to be sorted out first: "Not everyone agreed with the chatter, however, with one trader saying acquisitions in the sector were unlikely until there was further clarification over the potential regulation of online gambling in the U.S."

Despite the merger, PartyPoker.com remains the flagship site of its own network, while bwin makes its home on the Ongame Network alongside rooms such as Betfair.

Caesars Entertainment, one of the principal competitors of Wynn Resorts, has partnered with 888, also a publicly traded company in London. Prior to Black Friday, Full Tilt Poker teamed up with Fertitta Interactive, whose ownership group has strong ties to Station Casinos. Along with the PokerStars - Wynn deal, the latter fell by the wayside once the U.S. Department of Justice took action in April. Other members of TwoPlusTwo continued to cast doubt on the validity of The Independent’s report. One player wrote, "Party has never had any interest in selling. This feels like an absolute recycle of the previous such rumor that they were going to be bought out by Harrah’s. Unsurprisingly, it turns out there was never such a thing on the table and the only connection was former Party CEO Mitch Garber moving to Caesars Interactive." Rumors have also persisted that the Ongame Network could be sold outright. To that end, Sharecast.com noted in a recent article, "Bwin.Party, the world's largest online gaming group, already has its poker network, Ongame, on the auction block. The sale is expected to generate between 20M and 30M Euros ($28.5m to $42.7m), a modest figure reflecting the loss of players the network will incur through the sale." But could a deal between Wynn and Bwin.Party be finalized before online poker is legalized in the United States? And will it matter? This week, the New York Post published an article stating that online poker legislation could be coming sooner rather than later. One source told the Post, "I think there is becoming a feeling in Congress that this is something that needs to be regulated and be done. I believe there is a possibility a bill will pass towards the end of the year." Media Man will be following the story with weekly reports.

FTSE 250 Movers: Bwin.party bid may be on the cards...

Bwin.party Digital Entertainment saw its share price head north as rumours persist that a US company has it in its sights.

Casinos operator Wynn Resorts is one name in the frame, with a take-out price of 170p per share being talked about.

Bwin.party, the world's largest online gaming group, already has its US poker network, OnGame, on the auction block.

The sale is expected to generate between 20m and 30m euros ($28.5m to $42.7m), a modest figure reflecting the loss of players the network will encur through the sale.

Irish mining company Kenmare Resources was rapidly heading back down following a rally of 7.5% on Monday on the back of a tip in the Daily Telegraph which declared Kenmare a "bargain share".

FTSE 250 - Risers
Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 112.50p +6.43%

Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award'...

PartyCasino.com has once again won the Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' Award. Richard Branson's VirginCasino.com picked up 2nd place, while new entrant into the Asia Pacific Region, Grand Reef Online Casino picks up 3rd. Well done to all brands.

Betfair Poaches Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Executive...

A talent war of sorts has broken out between Bwin.Party and Betfair, with Betfair scoring the most recent strike.

Betfair has by all accounts poached bwin.party’s central marketing director Matt Robinson to become the firm's emerging markets director, a new role created for the top notch gaming executive.

Robinson, who has been at PartyGaming, today known as bwin.party, for two years and was previously at 888 for six years launching the brand in the UK, will join the betting exchange in September reporting to chief commercial officer Niall Wass.

Media Man wishes him well, and holds both Bwin.Party and Betfair in high regard.

*The writer has conducted b2 with Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment and Betfair.

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Marvel Entertainment: Don't just read the comics and watch the movies; Play the games!

2011-08-30T01:00:00.001-07:00

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PartyCasino.com - Accepts Canadian, Australian and New Zealand players. PartyCasino new players get up to $3000 sign up bonus. Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment is the world's largest and most succesful igaming company.

VirginCasino.com - No US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand players. £100 sign up bonus. Virgin Games is part of Richard Branson's Virgin Enterprises Limited.

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Leonardo DiCaprio to Star in The Gambler Remake, by Greg Tingle - 28th August 2011

2011-08-29T01:03:00.001-07:00

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Paramount Pictures are revisiting the 1974 movie with Martin Scorsese in the director's chair and recently landed Leonardo DiCaprio in the leading role. The script about a literature professor with a gambling addiction is being written by William Monahan, who also wrote The Departed, another Scorsese-DiCaprio film. It wouldn't even be the first remake DiCaprio will have worked on this year — he recently finished work on Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. Nor would it be the first or even second time he'll have worked with Scorsese. In fact, this would be the fifth time, with their joint titles including last year's Shutter Island and the Howard Hughes biopic The Aviator, for which DiCaprio won a Golden Globe in 2004.

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Wynn Resorts May Purchase Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, by Greg Tingle - 20th August 2011

2011-08-25T17:22:00.001-07:00

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Earlier this year, PartyGaming and bwin merged to create Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, which is traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol BPTY. In an news article that appeared in The Independent last Tuesday, it was noted that since the two online gaming giants merged, the combined company’s share price has dipped by nearly half. While part of the drop might be due to a slowing economic environment worldwide and so no action might be needed, other entities felt that an infusion could be in the offing.

The Independent added that Wynn Resorts, headed up by Steve Wynn, has emerged as a possible investor in the newly formed gaming giant, which is focused on the European market and continues to feature two separate online poker rooms. Readers will recall just before Black Friday in the United States, PokerStars and Wynn Resorts announced that, once a gaming license was secured in the United States, the two companies would team up to launch Poker Stars Wynn.

Following Black Friday, in which the founders of PokerStars were indicted on charges that included money laundering and bank fraud, the deal with Wynn was called off as you would expect.

The news outlet cautioned, however, that investors might wait for the gaming environment in the United States to be sorted out first: "Not everyone agreed with the chatter, however, with one trader saying acquisitions in the sector were unlikely until there was further clarification over the potential regulation of online gambling in the U.S."

On Thursday, shares of Bwin.Party closed at 106.50 in London. Other rumored "aggressors," as the Independent calls prospective investors, include William Hill, which is also publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. Shares of BPTY stood above 160 pence in April, but have since dipped.

One poster on the TwoPlusTwo forum, questioned whether the rumors of a Wynn takeover were plausible: "So the newly merged Bwin.Party will sell to Wynn before even taking advantage of all the millions of Euros they will make in the first two years by virtue of the their merger synergies?"

Despite the merger, PartyPoker.com remains the flagship site of its own network, while bwin makes its home on the Ongame Network alongside rooms such as Betfair.

Caesars Entertainment, one of the principal competitors of Wynn Resorts, has partnered with 888, also a publicly traded company in London. Prior to Black Friday, Full Tilt Poker teamed up with Fertitta Interactive, whose ownership group has strong ties to Station Casinos. Along with the PokerStars - Wynn deal, the latter fell by the wayside once the U.S. Department of Justice took action in April.

Other members of TwoPlusTwo continued to cast doubt on the validity of The Independent’s report. One player wrote, "Party has never had any interest in selling. This feels like an absolute recycle of the previous such rumor that they were going to be bought out by Harrah’s. Unsurprisingly, it turns out there was never such a thing on the table and the only connection was former Party CEO Mitch Garber moving to Caesars Interactive."

Rumors have also persisted that the Ongame Network could be sold outright. To that end, Sharecast.com noted in a recent article, "Bwin.Party, the world's largest online gaming group, already has its poker network, Ongame, on the auction block. The sale is expected to generate between 20M and 30M Euros ($28.5m to $42.7m), a modest figure reflecting the loss of players the network will incur through the sale."

But could a deal between Wynn and Bwin.Party be finalized before online poker is legalized in the United States? And will it matter? This week, the New York Post published an article stating that online poker legislation could be coming sooner rather than later. One source told the Post, "I think there is becoming a feeling in Congress that this is something that needs to be regulated and be done. I believe there is a possibility a bill will pass towards the end of the year."

Media Man will be following the story with weekly reports.

*The writer has conducted b2 with Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment and Betfair.

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Casino News Media: Online Gaming Promotions

2011-08-18T03:26:00.001-07:00

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Grand Reef Online Casino website - new players get up to $750 sign up bonus. Australian and New Zealand players welcome. Powered by Playtech. Grand Reef Online Casino profile

PartyCasino.com website - world class promotions and over 300 games. Players from most parts of the world accepted including Australia. Sorry, no U.S players. PartyCasino.com profile

Virgin Casino website - world class promotions and over 300 games. Virgin Casino profile.

Paddy Power casino website - world class promotions. Hundreds of games. Paddy Power profile.

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Grand Reef Online Casino gets new games

PartyCasino VS Virgin Casino war continues

Microgaming powered online casinos at war. Captain Cooks VS Roxy Palace.

Paddy Power online casino gets new games.

Australian government looking into affiliate program deals

Steve Wynn of Wynn Resorts rumoured to be interested in purchasing Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment.

Donald Trump continues to lobby for full legalisation of iGaming sector in the U.S

Media Man website network attracting over 6 million hits per month

Casino News Media website attracting over 1 million hits per month

*Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory has conducted business with all of the above entities, as they have with dozens of other companies in the gaming, technology, media and entertainment sector

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Caesars Entertainment wins approval for $500m Vegas project - 9th August 2011

2011-08-08T20:43:00.001-07:00

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Caesars Entertainment has won approval for a major new entertainment, retail and dining development – codenamed Project Ling – in Las Vegas.

Clark County commissioners offered its approval to the project – situated between the Imperial Palace and the Flamingo casinos – earlier, with Caesars now hoping to break ground later this month.

When completed – in 2013 - the $500 million complex will include the biggest Ferris wheel in the world.

At 550-foot, the wheel will be larger than the Singapore Flyer and the London Eye.

“This is more of an entertainment experience,” explained Caesars spokesman Gary Thompson, noting Project Ling will offer no central gaming area.

It is hoped the project will create 3,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs.

Caesars Palace Las Vegas Gets World Class Entertainment...

Celine Dion
Celine has always been a pioneer when it comes to creating groundbreaking concert performances and this next adventure promises to be the best ever! Featuring 31 musicians, consisting of orchestra and band, Celine’s new show will include her biggest hits performed with a stunning visual presentation.

Jerry Seinfeld
Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner and entertainment icon Jerry Seinfeld is still a front-runner in the ratings. As a testament to its success in the television landscape, TV Guide's poll of the "Greatest Shows of All Time" listed "Seinfeld" as #1.

Rod Stewart
Legendary rock icon Rod Stewart returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for the first 18 concerts of his two-year Las Vegas residency, kicking off on August 24, 2011. Rod Stewart: The Hits. will be a concert celebration featuring a set list of the rock and R&B favorites which have defined Stewart’s unparalleled five-decade-long career.

Luis Miguel
Latin music superstar Luis Miguel will return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in celebration of the 2011 Mexican Independence Day weekend September 15-18 at 9 p.m. The four night engagement is presented jointly by AEG Live and Caesars Palace.

Elton John's Million Dollar Piano
World-renowned singer, songwriter and performer, Elton John will return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with an all new show, “The Million Dollar Piano,” beginning September 28 for sixteen shows. Elton’s September return will mark the beginning of a three-year residency at The Colosseum and his second as a Caesars Palace headliner.

Shania Twain
Shania Twain, international superstar and the world’s best-selling female country artist of all time returns to the stage and vocal spotlight with a two-year residency at The Colosseum.

Matt Goss
Produced by Robin Antin, creator of The Pussycat Dolls, Goss' show will offer a dynamic blend of musical talent.

Spiegeltent At Caesars Palace

Absinthe
Absinthe is taking Las Vegas by storm, stripside at Caesars Palace. Described by The New York Times as “Cirque channeled through The Rocky Horror Show”, Absinthe is an intoxicating collision of circus, burlesque and vaudeville featuring curious creatures, heavenly bodies and outrageous comedy.

*Media Man public thank you to Caesars Palace management and media unit.

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2011-08-02T15:59:00.001-07:00

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PartyCasino New Players Get Up To $3000 Sign Up Bonus; Media Man Promotion

2011-08-01T00:09:00.001-07:00

World leading online casino, PartyCasino.com continues to offer what may be the world's most attractive sign up bonus for new online casino players.

The world famous casino owned by Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment is continuing to offer up to $3000 for new online casino players.

The casino has a number of awards and commendations to its name and accepts players from most parts of the world. American players will have to wait to play the games for money, buy they do accept Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders.

Media Man and Bwin.Party encourage gamblers to bet responsibly and to of course have fun. Many players open accounts and play for free, before deciding if they will progress to paid gaming.

The casino accepts most currencies and payment types and is open for business 24 / 7 / 365.

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2011 WSOP November Nine is Set

2011-07-25T19:53:00.001-07:00

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2011 WSOP November Nine is Set...

Everyone knew where this road was headed, we just didn’t know who would get there. Just 22 players entered play at the 2011 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event on Tuesday with a chance to make the final table and come hell or high water, the field was going to be narrowed to nine before the tournament was adjourned until the fall. No more playing for a set number of levels. We were going to get rid of 13 players if it took all night. Fortunately, it didn’t take all night (so long as you were following the action in Las Vegas) and we now know the identities of this year’s November Nine.

Considering the increases in payouts at this stage of the game and the importance of advancing from Tuesday to November, one would have expected play to slow to a crawl as players became very careful not to bust out. Not so yesterday. Even with a the usual breaks, a two hour dinner break, and an extra one hour break, the field was whittled to the final ten before 10:00pm Pacific time thanks to lots of three-betting, four-betting, and risky all-ins (Konstantinos Mamaliadis moved all-in with 8-2. Granted, he was short, but still. Yes, he lost that hand).

The ESPN announcing team of Lon McEachern, Antonio Esfandiari, and Norman Chad predicted that eliminating that last player to determine the November Nine would take a long time, and it did. With the media attention, sponsorship deals, and a more than $200,000 prize jump waiting for them between now and November, nobody wanted to be the final table bubble boy. In some ways, even though he was to win $607,882, it is worse to be the November Nine bubble boy than the standard “in the money” bubble boy. And while play did slow down significantly as most hands didn’t get past the pre-flop stage, it still went about two hours faster than last year’s six hour marathon.

In the end, it was John Hewitt of Costa Rica who made the other nine players very, very happy. Ireland’s Eoghan O’Dea (son of Donnacha O’Dea, who has made two Main Event final tables) opened the pre-flop betting to 1.1 million chips, with blinds at 250,000/500,000 and a 50,000 chip ante. Hewitt, who had been riding high for much of the day before taking a bad beat when his A-K lost to Pius Heinz’s K-J, pushed for his last 3.875 million. It was a race: Hewitt’s 3-3 versus O’Dea’s K-J. Despite not hitting one of his cards, it was a good flop for O’Dea, as the Q-T-7 gave him an open-ended straight draw. The Ace on the turn clinched the hand for the Irishman, sending the poker room into a frenzy. Hewitt was gracious in defeat and his fellow tablemates were simultaneously congratulatory and empathetic to him. While the remaining players were no doubt thrilled they had made the November Nine, they knew what a disappointment it was for the likable Hewitt to fall short.

While everyone moving on to November has done a fantastic job, perhaps the most impressive player of the day was Matt Giannetti. He was one of the bigger stacks during the early part of Day 8 before running into a painful hand against Ben Lamb. With blinds at 150,000/300,000/40,000, Lamb raised pre-flop to 675,000 and Giannetti called. After the flop of Ah-9h-2d, Giannetti check-called a 700,000 chip bet. Both players checked the 7d on the turn and Giannetti once again checked the 2h on the river, a card which introduced the possibility of a flush. With the pot at just over 3 million chips, Lamb made a huge bet of 4 million. Obviously holding a good hand, but unsure of just how good it was compared to Lamb’s, Giannetti went into the deepest of tanks. One minute went by, then two. Then three. Esfandiari kept viewers interested by analyzing what he thought each player had. Five minutes. Eight. After ten minutes, Giannetti finally made the call with A-9, giving him top two pair. To his dismay, though, Lamb flipped over 2-3 for three-of-a-kind, giving him the large pot and sending Giannetti’s stack down to under 10 million.

Giannetti was noticeably shaken after that and even stepped away from the table a short time later to collect himself. Struggling to stay alive as he made it to the final ten, he held firm and didn’t make any rash moves. He was able to raise a couple times pre-flop without moving all-in to collect the blinds and antes, which at that point meant he was increasing his stack by around 10 percent. He finally decided to put all of chips at risk, twice doing it with pocket Jacks, and both times doubling-up. Matt Giannetti had emerged from the emotionally draining hand earlier in the evening and had climbed back from the November Nine bubble to make it to the final table with the third largest chip stack.

Here is how the chip counts stack up (pun intended):

1. Martin Staszko – 40,175,000
2. Eoghan O’Dea – 33,925,000
3. Matt Giannetti – 24,750,000
4. Phil Collins – 23,875,000
5. Ben Lamb – 20,875,000
6. Badih Bounahra – 19,700,000
7. Pius Heinz – 16,425,000
8. Anton Makievskyi – 13,825,000
9. Samuel Holden – 12,375,000

It is a final table with a very international flavor: just three Americans and one player each from the Czech Republic, Ireland, Belize, Germany, Ukraine, and England. At this point, everyone is guaranteed at least $782,115 with the winner taking home $8,711,956.

The players are now on a three and a half month break as they prepare for the rest of their Main Event journey. Play will resume on November 5th, will pause when there are just two players left, and will pick up again on November 7th to determine the next No-Limit Hold’em World Champion.

WSOP Day 6: 57 Players Remain, Ryan Lenaghan in Control...

We’re at the point in the 2011 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event where everyone left in the field can smell the finish line. The coveted championship bracelet is now a realistic possibility, even for those at the bottom of the leader board. With just 57 of the original 6,865 players still holding on to chips, the tension will be ratcheted up a notch as Day 7 begins on Monday.

Leading the way is professional poker player Ryan Lenaghan, with a stack of 12,865,000 chips, almost 3,000,000 more than his nearest competitor. The Mobile, Alabama native now living in New Orleans made his biggest move late in the day. He opened the betting pre-flop with a raise to 110,000 and was then re-raised to 355,000 by Bryan Follain. Undeterred, Lenaghan took it up to 865,000 only to see Follain five-bet all the way up to 1,200,000. Lenaghan quickly moved all-in, covering his opponent, who, after some thought decided to put all his chips at risk. Interestingly, the hands weren’t all that strong considering the action: Lenaghan had J-J, while Follain held A-Q. None of the five community cards helped Follain and with the 4,200,000 chip pot, Lenaghan soared into the lead.

Despite his chip advantage, Lenaghan will start at a tough table today. Joining him is John Esposito, who has now cashed in seven Main Events, David Bach, who was the chip leader going into Day 6, top online (and now live) poker pro David “Doc” Sands, and one of the other top stacks, Hilton Laborda, who has 7,160,000 chips.

Currently sitting in second place is this summer’s star, Ben Lamb, who has been at or near the top of the field for most of the Main Event. With his deep run in this tournament, Lamb will take over the lead in the 2011 WSOP Player of the Year (POY) standings from Phil Hellmuth. Not counting the Main Event, he has four cashes at this year’s WSOP, including a bracelet, a runner-up finish and a third final table. His worst finish of the four cashes is 12th. Hellmuth will still have a chance to re-take the lead at the WSOP Europe later this year.

Other notables remaining the in the competition include Bryan Devonshire (10th), J.P. Kelly (21st), Lars Bonding (26th), Sam Barnhart (27th), Tony Hachem (36th), Erick Lindgren (38th), Steve Brecher (45th), and Sebastian Ruthenberg (57th).

Everyone remaining is guaranteed at least $130,997. Here is what the remaining payout structure looks like:

1. $8,711,956
2. $5,430,928
3. $4,019,635
4. $3,011,665
5. $2,268,909
6. $1,720,396
7. $1,313,851
8. $1,009,910
9. $782,115
10 – 12. $607,882
13 – 15. $478,174
16 – 18. $378,796
19 – 27. $302,005
28 – 36. $242,636
37 – 45. $196,174
46 – 54. $160,036
55 – 63. $130,997

And the current top ten chip counts:

1. Ryan Lenaghan – 12,865,000
2. Ben Lamb – 9,980,000
3. Matt Giannetti – 7,940,000
4. Andrey Pateychuk – 7,255,000
5. Phil Collins – 7,240,000
6. Hilton Laborda – 7,160,000
7. Nelson Robinson – 6,420,000
8. Tri Huynh – 6,295,000
9. Aleksandr Mozhnyakov – 6,070,000
10. Bryan Devonshire – 5,970,000

Play will resume at noon Pacific time on Monday. The original schedule indicated that Day 7 would end when just 27 players are remaining, but a tournament update released by WSOP officials has stated that, like in previous days, there will be four blind levels played, at which point the tournament will be paused until Tuesday. (Credit: Poker News Daily)

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Monopoly gaming news; New Monopoly online game coming soon

2011-07-24T18:57:00.001-07:00

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Monopoly is one of the world's most popular board games, casino games and online casino games.

Media Man has heard that a number of online casinos may be soon be getting a new Monopoly game.

Keep checking PartyCasino Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Virgin Games and IGT for details.

The following was leaked to Media Man overnight...

The Monopoly games we offer on Virgin Games are some of the best performing games we have for acquisition. So you can imagine that the launch of the new IGT slot game next week Monopoly - You're In The Money is getting us so excited it feels like we've won second prize in a beauty contest!!

Monopoly - You're In The Money is brand new to the market and is scheduled to go live on Virgin Casino and Virgin Bingo on Thursday 28th July. This should give you plenty of time to prepare for what we expect to be a bit of a whopper!

The game itself it particularly appealing to players because it has a very high bonus hit frequency and you can win up to 12000x your triggering line bet in the Board Bonus all in a slot game with a brand as powerful as Monopoly!

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Spider-Man Tobey Maguire Star Caught In Web Of Gambling Ring; Leonardo DiCaprio Rounders Up, by Greg Tingle - 23rd June 2011

2011-06-22T19:30:00.001-07:00

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Spider-Man star... Mr Spider-Man himself, Tobey Maguire, is one of a dozen or Hollywood stars being sued in connection with an illegal gambling ring that allegedly ran multi-million dollar underground poker games.

And you wonder why Hollywood so embraced the popular poker themed game 'Rounders'.

According to the suit, Maguire took more than $US300,000 worth of illegal funds embezzled from hedge fund investor Bradley Ruderman, who is currently in jail for a ponzi scheme.

The underground games, allegedly led by Ruderman, CEO of Ruderman Capital Partners, were unlicenced and thus illegal under California law.

According to the investigation, Ruderman lost $US25 million of investor money in the games, which were held bi-weekly in luxurious suites at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Viper Room and Four Seasons Hotel.

With Ruderman's company now in bankruptcy, trustees are attempting to seize some of Maguire's winnings to pay off creditors.

Nick Cassavetes, who directed The Notebook, and Welcome Back, Kotter star Gabe Kaplan are among the names facing hefty lawsuits for their participation in the high stakes Texas Hold'em games, according to leaks and a range of online and traditional media outlets.

Other stars who allegedly took part in the gatherings, which had a buy-in of $US100,000, included 'Catch Me If You Can' megastar Leonardo DiCaprio, Good Will Hunting actor Ben Affleck and Bourne star Matt Damon. Damon was also in the poker themed movie 'Rounders'.

Tens of millions of dollars is understood to have changed hands in the illegal games.

Marvel Entertainment does not offer marvel themed poker games but does offer Marvel Entertainment themed online slot games, available in website portals such as Media Man Int and via online gaming brands such as Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment and Richard Branson's Virgin Casino. PartyCasino.com, the online casino leading brand by Bwin.Party is understood to be in negotiation with both the United States, Canadian and Australian governments regarding b2 gaming. Party came to a settlement with the United States Department Of Justice two years ago to the tune of approximately $100 million, and are looking to expand gaming in the U.S beyond their World Poker Tour brand.

Who are you betting on? Spider-Man or the 'Catch Me If You Can' man? Maybe you would prefer not to say and just place a silent bet!

Tobey Maguire sued over illegal poker winnings...

Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire and other celebrities have been caught in a web of lawsuits seeking to reclaim more than $US4 million ($3.8 million) won during unlicensed poker matches at upscale Beverly Hills hotels, court records show.

The lawsuits were filed by a bankruptcy trustee attempting to recoup money for investors who were duped in a Ponzi scheme.

The legal actions claim the clandestine Texas Hold 'em matches were played between 2006 and 2009, with some of the money taken in the Ponzi scheme used to pay off debts incurred by its architect, Bradley Ruderman.

Maguire is being sued for $US311,000 plus interest that the lawsuit says was won from Ruderman. In all, 22 people have been individually sued to try to recoup money.

Among them was Nick Cassavettes, director of The Notebook. The trustee is attempting to recover nearly $US73,000 plus interest from the actor-director.

Maguire's attorney, Robert Barta, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment but was expected to file a response to the suit later this week.

Cassavettes's agent Jeff Berg also did not immediately respond to a phone message.
Also being sued is billionaire businessman Alec Gores, who along with his brother attempted to buy Miramax Films last year.

Gores is being sued for $US445,500. Phone message left for Frank Stefanik, a spokesman at The Gores Group, and his attorney, Patricia Glaser, were not immediately returned.

Ruderman was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison earlier this year after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud, two counts of investment adviser fraud and willful failure to file taxes.

Bankruptcy trustee Howard Ehrenberg filed the lawsuits in late March, attempting to recoup money on behalf of people who invested in what the legal action called a Ponzi scheme organised by Ruderman.

The suits contend the defendants have no right to keep money won from Ruderman, since the games did not have the appropriate government licenses.

Tournaments were held in luxury hotels in Beverly Hills and organised by a woman identified as Molly Bloom, who is being sued for nearly $US475,000 paid to her by Ruderman, the lawsuits said.

The claims were first reported Wednesday by RadarOnline and Star Magazine. (Credit: AP)

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Playtech making its return to US gambling - 21st June 2011

2011-06-21T14:24:00.001-07:00

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Playtech earlier today became the virgin British firm in the online gambling - gaming sector to return to the United States, five years after President George Bush outlawed the industry.

The strategic move also comes weeks after "Black Friday" when the federal authorities indicted three of the world's largest online poker sites, PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker, on charges of money laundering, bank fraud and violating anti-gambling statutes. Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, the world's leading igaming firm, is not facing the same dramas, having come to terms with the United States Department Of Justice a few years ago to the tune of over a $100 million.

Playtech and its joint-venture partner Scientific Games have signed an agreement with the California Online Poker Association. Copa represents 31 card clubs and 29 native tribal governments who own rights to gambling proceeds in the state. Playtech will supply COPA with the technology to launch "free-to-play" online poker sites ahead of widely expected legislation allowing state-by-state online gambling.

With two bills before the Senate, Playtech said the timing of when it would go live depended on the change in regulation but could become a "very substantial revenue source". It's estimated that two million Californians gamble illegally on offshore online poker websites.

Insiders noted that competitor online UK gambling company Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment - formally PartyGaming, paid $105 million (£65 million) to settle with the US authorities. Playtech was never targeted by the US authorities.

Playtech is also understood to be eyeing off a number of other countries including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

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Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment News: PartyPoker 'The Big Draw'; PartyCasino 'Sin City' Classic Game

2011-06-21T03:37:00.001-07:00

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The Big Draw: Win a Porsche 911 Carrera!!

You have to be in it to win it and ‘The Big Draw’ is no exception. Every day in June we'll hold a prize draw where you can win heaps of prizes such as a Porsche, luxury holidays to Las Vegas and the Caribbean plus hundreds of gadgets such as iPads and TVs.

Earning tickets couldn’t be easier – simply play one raked hand to earn your first ticket! After that, you’ll then get another ticket for every point you earn playing on our tables in June.

All your tickets are re-usable, giving you the chance to win day after day. Every day you earn at least one ticket you'll be in that day’s draw and all the tickets you accumulated in previous draws will be included giving you even more chances to win.

There are over $500,000 worth of prizes up for grabs including:

60x Apple iPhone 4 16GB
60x Sony Bravia 46” Widescreen TV
150x Apple iPad 2 16GB
150x iPod Touch 64GB
210x LG 22” LCD monitor
Thousands of items of Branded merchandise including hoodies, shirts and caps
Cash prizes, free points to use in our loyalty store and free Big Draw tickets
Don't miss the Weekly Mega Draw:

Every Sunday we will boost the prizepool by adding some seriously big prizes.
5th June - VIP Vegas trip for two
12th June - Caribbean Cruise for two
19th June - Harley Davidson Fatboy Motorcycle
26th June - Porsche 911 Carrera

Taking part is exactly the same as the daily draws so make sure you earn at least one ticket on Sundays for all your previous tickets to come into play and the chance to win big.

Frank Miller's Sin City Comes To The World's Largest Online Casino; Cult Classic Comic Turned Into Slot Game...

Gibraltar - 17th June 2011 - Following up on last week’s release of Frank Miller’s Sin City: The Hard Goodbye at Digital DarkHorse comes more exciting news around this legendary title. Sin City has now entered the online gaming world, with a new game at PartyCasino.com This new five-reel, fifty-line slot features art and story from the widely acclaimed series by comics legend Frank Miller. When Sin City originally appeared in Dark Horse Presents: Fifth Anniversary Special in April 1991, it was clear that the face of the comics medium had changed forever. Since that time, Miller’s groundbreaking comics noir has found its way into the public consciousness with toys, games, and even a feature-length motion picture. Frank Miller’s Sin City remains one of the most stylized works in the history of the medium, drawing heavily from film noir, including its use of shadow and stark backgrounds. The black-and-white comic was perfectly suited to the original format of Dark Horse’s flagship anthology, with occasional spot usage of primary colors added to later volumes and editions. "Frank Miller’s Sin City is a very different slot to any other we have launched in recent times. The striking artwork and mature content mean this isn’t a game for the faint hearted," said a spokesman for PartyCasino.com There are five featured games, which win the player free spins and multipliers: “Straight to Hell,” “The Hard Goodbye,” “He Never Screams,” “Deadly Little Miho,” and “Just Get Warmed Up.” The games feature the series’ main characters: Hartigan, Nancy, Miho, Marv, Kevin, the Yellow B*stard, and Dwight. The game includes mature content and scenes of violence, nudity, and deprivation.

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WSOP Monday: Bracelets Aplenty - 6th June 2011

2011-06-07T18:21:00.001-07:00

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There was no shortage of action at the 2011 World Series of Poker (WSOP) on Monday, as three bracelets were clinched in three entirely different events. To be fair, the final days of two of the tournaments were actually started on Sunday, but the bracelets were won after the clock struck midnight, so we’re going to put them in the books for Monday.

Monday was but a half hour old when the day’s first bracelet was claimed by 29-year old professional poker player Harrison Wilder, formerly of Beaverton, Oregon, now living in Las Vegas. Harrison took down Event #6, the $1,500 Limit Hold’em event, winning $205,065 in the process.

He was in a dominating position entering heads-up play against Thomas Jamieson, holding more than a 2-to-1 chip advantage. On the final hand, Jamieson was almost down to the felt before the cards were even dealt, so he ended up all-in pre-flop. His K-T had a decent chance against Wilder’s A-2, especially once the flop came down J-Q-3, giving Jamieson an open-ended straight draw in addition to his two live cards, but he couldn’t hit any of the multitude of outs on the turn or river.

Wilder’s story is an interesting one. Parents are not generally thrilled when their offspring declare that they are going to take a shot at being a professional poker player, but this wasn’t the case for Wilder. He was struggling at the University of Oregon, but had taken up an interest in poker, so his parents, of all people, told him he should drop out of school and take up poker full time. He did just that, eventually becoming good enough to support himself by playing online. Since Black Friday, he has moved from Oregon to Las Vegas and, get this, his parents went with him.

This was Harrison Wilder’s first ever WSOP bracelet.

Less than an hour after Wilder won Event #6, Amir Lehavot won Event #7, the $10,000 Pot-Limit Hold’em Championship. This was also the first WSOP victory for the native Israeli now living in Florida.

Lehavot was third in chips entering the final table, but by the time he was heads-up with Jarred Solomon, who started the final table as the chip leader, he had a huge lead, 5.415 million to 2.160 million. Solomon barely got any closer and eventually found himself needing to just find a hand with which to run. He made his move with A-J, but unfortunately was looked up by Lehavot with A-Q. The flop of Q-Q-T looked really bad for Solomon, but it actually gave him four outs to the straight instead of the three Jacks that he had to start the hand, so it wasn’t all bad. Another Ten on the turn gave Lehavot a full house, though, and the tournament was over.

For the win, Lehavot took home $573,456. He is a former software developer who is now a semi-professional poker player. Lehavot founded the poker training site PokerWit.com.

The final bracelet of the day went to Matt Perrins, who won Event #9, $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball. The young Brit had never played the game before the tournament started. In fact, his only exposure to it came in the form of about 30-minutes worth of YouTube videos that he watched to learn the basics. Knowing his competition obviously had more experience, he used aggression try to even the playing field. Apparently, it worked, as Perrins is now $102,105 richer and can celebrate with his best friend, Jake Cody, who won the $25,000 Heads-Up Championship.

On the final hand, Chris Bjorin called Perrins’ all-in and both players elected to draw one card. Before the draw, Perrins showed 8-6-5-3, leading Bjorin’s T-7-6-3. Bjorin requested that Perrins draw first so he knew what he had to beat, but as it turned out, it wouldn’t matter, as Perrins drew a 2, giving him an unbeatable hand.

On Tuesday, Event #8, one of the popular $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em events, will be in its fourth day (technically Day 3, as the first day was split into two flights), as the original field of 4,178 continues to narrow. The final table is scheduled for Wednesday. Event #10, $1,500 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em, will be in its second day, also with the final table scheduled for Wednesday. The same can be said for Event #11, the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split-8 or Better Championship. (Credit: Poker News Daily)

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Virgin Casino Gets Hot Ink Online Slot Game

2011-06-03T03:24:00.001-07:00

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*sorry, no U.S, Canadian, Italian, Australian or New Zealand players. See World Casino Directory

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American Wiseguys; Australian Wiseguys Uprising?, by Greg Tingle

2011-06-01T02:45:00.001-07:00

Wiseguy hey? What is a wiseguy? The United States has them... heard of 'The Mob'? So does Italy. The casino and larger gambling industry is understood to be home to a few "wiseguys", some recently busted lurking in the entertainment - ticketing sector, and now speculation rises as to who may be a wiseguy down under in Australia. Media Man loads up the Cadillac, shovels, knock squad and navigates the odd horses' head with this special 'Wiseguys" report...

American Wiseguys online ticketing scheme...

Legal eagles for a foursome of Americans accused of illegally purchasing more than 1 million concert tickets online, then going on to sell them for a massive $30 million profit, are seeking to have the case thrown out of court.

The four Californian natives are charged with the serious offences of conspiracy and fraud.

They are accused of bypassing safeguards meant to restrict the number of tickets each customer can buy.

The US government alleges their company... wait for it...Wiseguy Tickets, resold the tickets for $30 million in estimated profit.

According to a 43-count indictment unsealed in March of this year, the foursome used a nationwide network of computers to flood websites such as Ticketmaster and Major League Baseball and even developed a computer program that could automatically get past web pages that require purchasers to manually type in sample words before they can proceed. Cleaver cookies hey.

The quad squad focused on highly coveted premium tickets to high-profile events such as concerts by Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews and Hannah Montana and sporting events such as the baseball playoffs, the 2009 Sugar Bowl and the 2007 BCS college football championship game, federal authorities have gone on record with.

The case is being prosecuted in New Jersey as many of the live events were held at Giants Stadium, Izod Centre and Prudential Centre; others were spread across the United States at venues in New York City, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Tampa, Florida, according to the indictment.

Kenneth Lowson, Kristofer Kirsch and Faisal Nahdi, all of LA, and Joel Stevenson, of Alameda, California, face charges that include conspiracy, wire fraud and unauthorised computer access.

The wire fraud counts are the most serious and carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years per count upon conviction.

Lowson, Kirsch and Stevenson have been freed on bail since their arrests, while Nahdi is a fugitive and is believed to be abroad... on the run, as they say.

Mark Rush, a lawyer for Lowson, argued in federal court on Monday that the foursome might have violated websites' terms of service - use, but are not liable under existing federal law.

Federal prosecutors sought to play down the unusual nature of the men's alleged crimes.

"We see cases like this in federal court all the time," Assistant US Attorney Erez Lieberman said during a motion hearing before US District Judge Katherine Hayden.

Lieberman said the defendants "lied, lied and lied some more" when they purchased tickets using hundreds of fake internet domain names and created a method of bypassing safeguards meant to limit the number of tickets available to individual buyers.

"Each and every step of the way it was a traditional fraud," Lieberman said.

The judge heard arguments on the defence's motion to dismiss the indictment on the grounds that federal law does not cover what Rush said were merely violations of the terms of use on internet sites including Ticketmaster.

Rush argued that while the defendants' actions might be deemed unsavoury to say the least, they did not rise to the level of criminal activity but should more appropriately be taken up as a civil matter.

"This isn't Ticketmaster versus Wiseguy, but perhaps it should be. But it shouldn't be the United States of America versus Wiseguy. Congress has not criminalised ticket brokers or ticket scalpers. What if they hired 100,000 people to all get on the site at the same time? Would we be here?" Rush asked.

"Or was it because it was a computer? If we are struggling to figure out if this is a violation of federal criminal law, then the indictment should be dismissed."

Australian Wiseguys Background And Uprising?...

Australian history books show a bit of ticketing "funny business" going back to Harry M. Miller circa 1982, with Computicket but that's ancient history now. If you want to find out more about Harry and Computerticket, you can buy his book 'Confessions of a Not-So-Secret-Agent'.

Speculation is rife about who is, or will be, the new breed of Australian born and breed "Wiseguys".

Casino, gambling and sports betting types have likely heard of the "Australian Gumleaf Mafia", but are they also the "Aussie Wiseguys"?

It's often been joked that "The Mafia" runs American media, Hollywood and Australia's entertainment, gambling, but how much is talked up and what's fact or fiction can be very difficult to ascertain.

Talk around 'Sin City' Sydney of late speculates that Kings Cross nightclub owner - operator John Ibrahim may be described as a "wiseguy". What is interesting is that in July 2009, Ibrahim's bodyguard, Semi "Tongan Sam" Ngata, was arrested following a raid on his home by a special gang violence taskforce that netted bulk quantities of a methamphetamine precursor. Ibrahim is portrayed by Firass Dirani in the 2010 television miniseries Underbelly: The Golden Mile. Media Man talent, part time bodyguard, and new 'Aussie Gumleaf Mafia' recruit, John 'Vulcan' Seru, also featured with Dirani on a number of 'Underbelly' episodes last season. A few months back Durani scored a role opposite Robert Di Niro in 'The Killer Elite'. Readers will recall that it was De Niro who played Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Frank 'Lefty' Rosenthal) in the Martin Scorsese film 'Casino'. Ah, small world isn't it.

So, who are Australia's real life 'Wiseguys'? Are they more likely to be Harry M. Miller types? 'Gumleaf Media' types, sports betting fixes seen around the Australian - Indian - Pakistan cricket matches, or more of the types that are invisible to all but those in the underworld? We would suggest the later wiseguys!

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2011-05-27T19:50:00.001-07:00

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Marvel Entertainment To Get More Games Via Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment

2011-05-27T19:49:00.001-07:00

Marvel Hero Jackpot Marvel Entertainment bwin.party digital entertainment

PartyCasino.com already offers Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four and hundreds more games, and in the near future PartyCasino.com is tipped to get even more Marvel comics themed slot games. Go for the Marvel Hero Jackpot, Super Hero Jackpot and more. New players get up to $3000 sign up bonus. As Marvel Entertainment legend Stan Lee says, Excelsior!

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Australian Gambling News, by Greg Tingle - 14th May 2011

2011-05-13T22:11:00.000-07:00

It's been a big week for Australian gambling news, both down under in Australia, as well as Aussie gambling entities making waves overseas. Plus we're got the IGT VS Aristocrat legal update, Australian gambling and media stock price updates and loads more.

Media Man, Casino News Media, Media Man News, Property News Media and Global Gaming Directory team up to deliver this jam packed news update, with some help from friends at Fairfax Media, Google News and wires.

Credit To Gambling Companies And Players Where Credit Is Due...

Congrats to Crown's James Packer for his ongoing development of Crown Limited, creating employment opportunities for thousands of Australians, in addition to continuing to assist GenerationOne, focused on sustainable solutions for Aboriginal Australians, which employment and welling being key aspects. Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment's PartyCasino.com has snatched another Media Man 'Online Casino of The Month' award too, and Vegas gambling tycoon Steve Wynn has gotten himself married, and invited some of Australia's most notable citizens, including you guessed it - The Packers. We also thank Fairfax Media, The Daily Telegraph and The New York Times for their responsible reporting on the gaming and gambling industry, and also well done to Gambling911 and Poker News Daily for their daily colourful stories covering the sector. Life would be more dull around gambling if it wasn't for Chris, Jenny and the team and Gambling911. Media Man of course remains independent, certainly for new media and gaming coverage standards, but once in a while do an official campaign for quality brands and individuals.

Packer Family And Other Aussie Billionaires Attend Wynn Wedding In Las Vegas...

Gambling tycoon James Packer and wife, Erica, Wolverine Hugh Jackman and his wife, Deborra-lee Furness, billionaire truck driver - transport entrepreneur Lindsay Fox and his wife, Paula, retail big wig Solomon Lew and wife, Rosie, were the Australian guests at casino king of the kids Steve Wynn's extravagant wedding. The Aussies enjoyed themselves big time at the ball that went for 3 days, which featured a swag of entertainment including Lionel Richie and Garth Brooks. Clint Eastwood was best man. Wynn married his Pommie sweetheart, divorcee Andrea Hissom, and the lovely couple have been named by the press "duke and duchess of Vegas". Wynn first met Hissom during a trip to the French Riviera circa 2008. Wynn aged 69, and Hissom, understood to be in her 40s, got married at the cost of $US5 million ($4.7 million), with 500 guests from around the globe. Other guests included Donald Trump, Sylvester Stallone and Celine Dion. The super A-list guests were flown in for a poolside "white" party on the day prior to the elaborate wedding. A "Grand Celebration" was housed in Wynn's Encore Ballroom...was put together by Michael Jackson's ex musical - events et al genius Kenny Ortega. Brunch was held on the Sunday morning. Wynn's ex wife, Elaine, was not on the list. She's mum to Steve's two kids. Last year the ex was awarded one of the largest divorce settlements in US history - $US741 million in stock in Wynn Resorts. It's understood the Packers enjoyed napoleon of tuna with caviar and roasted turbot with red wine sauce and cauliflower puree. The Wynn's are understood to be delighted at the way everything went down, and the Australia's were equally delighted we understand.

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment's PartyCasino Wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month'

PartyCasino has once again won the Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award'. The well known and respected online casino brand has won the Media Man awards over a dozen times in the past three years. The award is given out based on a number of factors including gameplay, portfolio of games, customer services, affiliate partners offerings, value for money, innovation and overall customer service. Richard Branson's Virgin Casino has also won the award, but Branson's brand doesn't accept Australians which has held back the firm in recent years. PKR Casino and Captain Cooks Casino have been Media Man semi finalists over the years, but PartyCasino looks like a safe bet to maintain it's stranglehold on the title for now. Well done Party.

Las Vegas Live at Burswood Theatre...

When: Friday 20 May...Take a trip to Las Vegas without the airfare or expenses. Viva Las Vegas has all the razzle dazzle and glitz of the entertainment capital of the world, and is coming to Burswood for one night only! The show combines sensational song and dance numbers with exciting specialty acts. Viva Las Vegas will take viewers on a spellbinding journey to Las Vegas, without leaving their seat. Show-goers will witness the gorgeous Vegas Showgirls in spectacular costumes and dazzling choreography, plus the remarkable illusions of Magic2. Audiences will also experience the best celebrity impersonators, Tom Jones tribute artist and world class Elvis impersonator Rick Charles performing together with a live band. This is 90 minutes of spectacular Las Vegas entertainment, a fabulous night to be remembered forever.

UK Gaming Giant Keen On Centrebet...

Alice Springs-based online gaming - gambling giant Centrebet International has confirmed a London-listed company is proposing a takeover bid. A spokesman for Centrebet says discussions are being held with Sportingbet. The UK gaming company is proposing to acquire shares and performance rights for starters. The spokesman says no agreement has been reached as yet. He says the Centrebet licence would most likely remain in Alice Springs if a takeover bid is successful.

MP Wilkie Keen To Discuss Poker Machines With Victoria...

Federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie says he is happy to talk to Victoria about its concerns regarding his planned poker machine changes. Wilkie is insisting on a compulsory scheme where pokie players will have to pre-set how much they are willing to lose or play on machines, which will only accept $1 bets. Victoria opposes a mandatory scheme and says Mr Wilkie should see the voluntary scheme it is putting in place. Mr Wilkie, who is threatening to bring down the Federal Government if he does not get his way, says he is happy to speak with the Victorian Government. "But I want to make one thing perfectly clear: it is not an option for Victoria to be exempted from these national reforms. It is as simple as that," he said. "There will be mandatory pre-comittment on these high-intensity poker machines, full stop."

Aussie Lottery Winners Unlucky With Love Life...

They used to be a couple whose relationship would not endure for love or money - not even $3 million bucks. They split up a year after the woman bought a winning lottery ticket, and the Federal Magistrates Court had to decide how to divide the fortune. Known by the pseudonyms Ms Kneen and Mr Crockford, the pair - aged in their 20s - had lived together on and off for a while. In September 2008, after spending much of the year in women's shelters, Ms Kneen moved back in with Mr Crockford. A month later she bought a Powerball ticket at a Canberra newsagency and was stunned when she learnt she had won $3 million. Establishing the facts was not easy; the federal magistrate who determined the property settlement, Stuart Lindsay, said both parties were "very poor witnesses" who lied to help their own case. Kneen claimed she was the only one who bought lottery tickets and that Mr Crockford was "dismissive of her buying tickets and encouraged her not to". ''She said that she always referred to the tickets as her tickets,'' Mr Lindsay said. ''She said that she had only ever won small amounts … and that she always kept those winnings for herself.'' But Mr Crockford said they both played Powerball or Lotto every week and each contributed to the tickets, on the understanding that "whoever bought it, it was a joint ticket and that they would share the winnings," Mr Lindsay said. After the $3 million windfall, they bought three properties. The pair flew to Melbourne together to claim the winnings and Ms Kneen was with Mr Crockford when the cheque was made payable to his account, Mr Lindsay said, suggesting a relationship where the money would likely "be regarded by them both as having been jointly won". Mr Lindsay allocated $100,000 to Ms Kneen because she earned less than her former partner, but split the rest equally. (Credit: www.smh.com.au)

One.Tel Legal Case Against James Packer And Lachlan Murdoch Dismissed...

The New South Wales court has dismissed a civil case against James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch in relation to the collapse of phone company, One.Tel. Some of One Tel's creditors appointed a special purpose liquidator, Paul Weston, to investigate why the board withdrew financial support for the company and put it into voluntary administration in 2001. Mr Murdoch and Mr Packer were directors of the board and companies linked to them were investors. But Justice Julie Ward said the case was stale and the proceedings should be dismissed. Mr Weston has been ordered to pay the costs of the case. The High Court has agreed to hear an appeal by ASIC against the dismissal of civil penalties against former James Hardie directors. In 2009, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission won a landmark court case against the company's former executives and directors for misleading the market about asbestos compensation. James Hardie was fined, and the former executives and directors were fined and disqualified. The case was partially overturned on appeal and the former directors had their penalties quashed. The local share market ended higher after a volatile day. The All Ordinaries Index rose 11 points, or nearly 0.25 of a per cent to 4,787. Spot gold is higher at just over US$1,510 an ounce. West Texas Crude oil is at US$98.97 a barrel. The Australian dollar is nearly $US1.07. Congrats to 'Our James' and 'Our Lachlan'.

Aristocrat Names Gaming Visionary Rich Schneider Chief Product Officer‎...

Aristocrat Technologies has named legendary gaming visionary Rich Schneider as its new Chief Product Officer. As CPO, Schneider will lead all aspects of product design, portfolio management and global marketing activities, and he will direct the overall leadership of Aristocrat's vibrant creative studios. Schneider will be based in the company's Las Vegas office and will report directly to CEO and Managing Director Jamie Odell. "The appointment of our CPO is significant, and we are fortunate to have attracted someone of Rich's calibre, and he will play a critical leadership role in the next stage of our turnaround story," Odell said. "His skill set, knowledge of the industry and years of experience will be tremendous assets to Aristocrat's Executive Leadership Team and to our business." "I could not be more delighted about joining Jamie and the entire Aristocrat team. Aristocrat's breadth of product, coupled with a great game library, and a strong tradition of delivering games that players just love to play are all great building blocks for a successful future," said Schneider. Schneider is widely regarded as an important force in the gaming industry and has played significant roles in shaping its future. Most notably, Schneider was Executive Vice President of Product Strategy at IGT. He has also served as IGT's Senior Vice President of Server Based Gaming and President of IGT Systems. Prior to IGT, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Acres Gaming. He has also been V.P. of Game Development for CDS and Director of Engineering for United Coin Machine. Schneider's vision has helped lead to the creation and proving the value of system bonusing products that have become the industry standard for building patron loyalty and driving casino revenues. He also played a vital role in conceiving what is now known as the Gaming Standards Association and has been a tireless advocate for open standards. Schneider has held several important positions in GSA, including Board Member and Vice Chairman of the Board. Schneider holds a BS in Engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He will begin his tenure at Aristocrat on July 28. Aristocrat Technologies Inc. is a subsidiary of Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL), a leading global provider of gaming solutions. The Company is licensed by more than 200 regulators and its products and services are available in more than 90 countries around the world. Aristocrat offers a diverse range of products and services including electronic gaming machines and casino management systems.

Aristocrat v. IGT: Attorney Negligence, Revival, and Inequitable Conduct...(Credit: www.patentlyo.com)

Aristocrat Techs. v. Int'l. Game Tech. & IGT (N.D. Cal. 2011)

Patent attorneys regularly have hundreds of patent applications pending, each with their own due dates – far too many for anyone remember on their own. We keep track through docketing systems, paralegals, and attorney cross-checks. We are often overwhelmed – especially when firms change and staff leaves (as happened in this case). One of the comments to this post astutely introduced the old adage: "there but for the grace of God go I."

The Aussie slot-machine manufacturer Aristocrat missed its US national stage patent filing deadline by one day. The patent was saved when the USPTO granted Aristocrat's US attorney's petition to revive the abandoned application based on the claim that the "entire delay" in filing the appropriate papers was "unintentional." During infringement litigation against market leader IGT, the district court first held the patent invalid based on a defense of improper revival. In particular, the district court held that the USPTO lacked authority to revive national stage applications unless the abandonment met the much higher standard of being unavoidable. On appeal, the Federal Circuit reversed — holding that improper revival did not constitute a cognizable defense to allegations of infringement under 35 U.S.C. 282.

On remand, IGT shifted its focus to unenforceability — alleging that Aristocrat committed inequitable conduct in the revival of its abandoned application.

Late Filing and Hiding Abandonment from Client: The district court used one-hundred-twelve paragraphs to described the facts relating to the abandonment and revival. Here are a few key facts:

January 10, 2000: On the day of the 30–month deadline, Aristocrat's US patent counsel (Shahan Islam) used US Express mail to file the necessary documents to enter US national stage examination. The USPTO received the documents the next day (January 11, 2000). However, according to the USPTO, Islam did not include sufficient evidence to prove the January 10, 2000 mailing date. And, Mr. Islam's firm did not retain the filing evidence in a locally held file.

June 2001: The USPTO dismissed Islam's petition to correct the filing date and indicated that the application remained abandoned. Mr. Islam later testified that he did not remember receiving the June 2001 decision. The court found that Mr. Islam likely saw the decision shortly after it was mailed.

November 2001: Aristocrat requested a status update on the application from Mr. Islam. (Up to that time, Aristocrat had been told nothing of the abandonment issues). In December 2001, Mr. Islam responded in an e-mail that "we have learned that the application won't be examined for at least another nine months(!) [or] so in view of the backlog." The e-mail did not indicate anything about the abandonment. Mr. Islam also forwarded his response to another attorney at his law firm saying "lets discuss."

During this same time period, eight other Aristocrat applications being prosecuted by Mr. Islam also went abandoned based on failure to respond to PTO notices mailed in 2001.

July 18, 2002: Mr. Islam (at this point with the KMZ firm) filed a petition for revival for unintentional abandonment — included a statement that "the entire delay in filing the required reply from the due date for the reply until the filing of a grantable petition under 37 CFR 1.137(b) was unintentional." In addition, Mr. Islam filed a preliminary amendment and petition for accelerated examination. In a letter to Aristocrat, Mr. Islam incorrectly (and apparently intentionally) stated that the amendment & petition to accelerate had been filed in January 2002. The letter did not mention the petition for revival.

September 3, 2002: USPTO granted the petition to revive.

2003: KMZ attorneys informed Aristocrat of the abandonments & revivals.
Revival: The USPTO typically does not require documentation to revive under the unintentional delay standard. Rather, the office relies on the applicant's statements that the entire delay in filing a response was unintentional. Here, the USPTO did not require specific documentation.

Unintentional versus Not Intentional: In its analysis, the district court held that the facts did not provide clear and convincing evidence that Mr. Islam had intentionally delayed the petition filing. In particular, the court could find no motive for the delay. Instead, the delay appeared to be the result of Mr. Islam's ongoing negligence rather than intentional misbehavior. Negligence is the foundational non-intentional tort and therefore a finding of negligence does not suggest that the delay was intentional. In an odd logical analysis, Judge Whyte concluded that Islam's failure to notify Aristocrat of the abandonment "actually suggests that the delay was unintentional."

Mr. Islam did not want to disclose his errors [to Aristocrat] because he was likely embarrassed by his failure to act in accordance with his client's instruction. Had it been granted, Mr. Islam's Petition to Correct would have avoided abandonment altogether. Mr. Islam's deflections in December 2001 show that he was fully aware that Aristocrat wished to proceed with the '717 application. Mr. Islam's comments to Mr. Owen's regarding the PTO backlog at the time further avoided acknowledging any personal responsibility for delay but it may have been correct, especially considering that the '717 application remained in an abandoned state even after the PTO had officially revived it. Still further, Mr. Islam's incorrectly dated Second Preliminary Amendment is further evidence that Mr. Islam's chief motive was to hide his failures from Aristocrat. Once the June 2001 Decision was sent, a decision to deliberately delay reviving the '717 application would not have helped to hide his errors from Aristocrat.

Although Judge Whyte found "Mr. Islam's testimony was disturbingly vague and his lack of memory difficult to believe," the Judge agreed with the notion the delay was entirely explained by Mr. Islam's disorganization and the "out of control" state of his practice at the time. "Even if Mr. Islam failed to properly prosecute the '717 application, 'unintentional' delay does not require that the delay have occurred despite the exercise of due care and diligence (as does 'unavoidable' delay)."

After holding that the delay was not intentional, the court concluded that the statement regarding unintentional delay could not be a material misrepresentation and therefore that the defense of inequitable conduct could not stand.

Expert Opinion: Two leading patent law experts testified at the inequitable conduct hearing: Charles Van Horn for Aristocrat and Paul Gardner for IGT. While the court found the testimony helpful for explaining the prosecution of PCT applications, it found the experts' extensive legal conclusions filled with "blatant advocacy" to be "not helpful." Judge Whyte has been known to speak critically against expert testimony in patent cases. (Credit: www.patentlyo.com)

Ex IGT Exec joins Aristocrat...

Former International Game Technology executive Rich Schneider will join Aristocrat Technologies in July as its chief product officer. Working out of the company American headquarters in Las Vegas, Schneider will oversee slot machine development for Australian-based Aristocrat. Schneider will report directly to Aristocrat CEO Jamie Odell. Schneider served in various executive capacities with IGT, overseeing game design, gaming systems and developing server-based gaming products. Odell said Schneider’s “knowledge of the industry and years of experience will be tremendous assets to our business.” Prior to joining IGT, Schneider held executive positions at Acres Gaming and United Coin Machine.

S&P Revises SKYCITY Outlook To Stable; Rating Affirmed...

May 13, 2011--Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today said that it had revised its outlook on New Zealand-based gaming company SKYCITY Entertainment Group Ltd. (SKYCITY) to stable, from positive, and affirmed its 'BBB-' long-term corporate credit rating on the company. The rating affirmation and stable outlook reflects our view that SKYCITY's financial profile and credit measures--while incorporating some leeway to allow management the flexibility to pursue growth and shareholder-return objectives--will remain commensurate with the 'BBB-' rating over the medium term.

"We believe SKYCITY's strengthened balance sheet and debt-maturity profile, combined with our expectation of relatively stable property-level EBITDA and cash flow generation, will enable the company to undertake debt-funded growth opportunities in a manner that preserves credit quality at the 'BBB-' long-term rating," Standard & Poor's credit analyst Jennifer Wee said.

The rating and outlook incorporates our expectation that SKYCITY will maintain the competitive positioning of its New Zealand and Australian casino assets, underpinned by a supportive licensing environment and measured capital investment. Furthermore, we expect the company to continue its relatively stable cash flow performance and disciplined financial policy, balancing future potential capital projects and dividends with the maintenance of rating-commensurate credit measures over the medium term.

Packer To Spend $281m For Extra Aussie Casino Development....

Packer's Crown Casino is raising its bet on the business, announcing it would spend an extra $281 million upgrading its Australian casinos. It is also making acquisitions that include consolidating its ownership of the Aspinall's Club in London. The new money s on top of $139 million previously earmarked for upgrades of the Crown Casino in Melbourne and Burswood Casino in Perth, signalling the company's confidence in the market and its ability to attract high-rollers to the casinos' VIP gambling service. Crown's buys include the Holiday Inn hotel building and associated assets at Burswood Casino for $79 million. "Burswood will be entitled to a greater share of hotel profits,'' the company said. A further $81 million will be spent upgrading Burswood's gambling floor, catering, convention centre and VIP accommodation services. Crown Casino in Melbourne will enjoy $132 million in upgrades, with a more extensive investment in the gambling floor and catering as well as a new bar and lounge that will feature Shane Warne and the poker champion Joe Hachem as ambassadors. Further upgrades to its VIP facilities were also announced, including refurbishing the casino's jet. Crown and Tabcorp's Star City had announced upgrades to the VIP gambling businesses to meet growing competition from new casinos in Singapore and Macau. In December Mr Packer, Crown's chairman, said Australia would need to work harder to compete with new Asian developments and called on other companies to take up some of the slack. ''Australian investment in large-scale tourism attractions has been relatively modest in recent years. In contrast, Crown has been and continues to be a significant investor in Australian tourism infrastructure." Crown will acquire a 100% interest in Aspinall's Club. The casino was owned by the Aspinall's Group, Crown's joint venture with the Packer family friend Damian Aspinall. The venture will use the $55 million in proceeds to pay debt.

James Packer Says Kangaroos And Clichés Stifling Australian Tourism...

Australian tourism is letting itself down by sticking to outdated clichés, according to one of the country’s richest men. Marketing campaigns promising to “throw a shrimp on the barbie” and asking “where the bloody hell are you?” have been a waste of $500 million of taxpayers' money, says James Packer, son of the late media tycoon Kerry Packer. Tourism’s contribution to the national economy has plummeted from 3.4 percent to 2.6 percent over the last decade. Its world ranking in tourism competitiveness has dived from fourth in 2008 to 13th, according to a World Economic Forum Report. Casino mogul Packer says the latest campaign –- featuring Americans navigating a four-wheel drive through the outback looking for kangaroos –- is geared towards backpackers on “$50 a day," and would do little to change fortunes. In a rare interview with The Saturday Age, a frustrated Packer said tourism was a "lost opportunity." He said a "tired and aging … Sydney has fallen behind not only other Australian cities like Melbourne, but also our regional competitors. And it is a regional market -- we're competing with Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur." James Packer, who has an estimated net worth of $3 billion, believes marketing should target the affluent, middle-class Asian market to arrest stagnation in the sector. This comes as the Chinese have emerged as the primary force in Australia's tourism sector. Packer believes Australia needs to market the cities –- and imitate Singapore's and Macau's initiatives -- rather than selling the Great Barrier Reef and the desert. “The majority of tourists want to go to man-made attractions, not the outback," he said.
And Packer, who owns Melbourne’s Crown Casino and another in Macau, believes this is what Asian tourists are after, putting him at odds with a Federal campaign to limit gambling. He believes tourism is being held back by five factors: a strong Australian dollar, antiquated visa applications for Asian visitors, run-down tourist facilities, key inbound tourist markets suffering natural disasters, and fierce competition from our Asian neighbors. Australia’s selling itself short, according to Packer. Hotel owners and tour operators desperate for business agree. Even the chairman of Tourism Australia, Geoff Dixon, believes a lack of investment in tourism infrastructure and protectionist visa regulations are holding Australia back. The premier, Barry O’Farrell, agreed that tourism needs to sell a modern Sydney, rather than outdated clichés, reports Smh.com.au. He said the multicultural hub of Cabramatta was an “extraordinary place to visit on a weekend." "And there are many other places like that across this city," O’Farrell said. "So I think we are dealing with a far more sophisticated tourism trade than simply sausages on barbies and looking for kangaroos."

Australian Shares: Media And Gaming - 13th May 2011

CWN - CROWN LTD - up one cent at $8.51

Casino operator Crown will spend an extra $281 million to buy new properties and further upgrade its flagship casinos in Melbourne and Perth.

FXJ - FAIRFAX MEDIA LTD - down 3.5 cents at $1.09

Fairfax Media has confirmed it will outsource all sub-editing work from its flagship Sydney and Melbourne newspapers, the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance says.

TEN - TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS LTD - up 1.5 cents at $1.275

SVW - SEVEN GROUP HOLDINGS LTD - down 64 cents at $8.96

*Television executive James Warburton will have to wait until January 1, 2012, to start as the boss of Ten Network Holdings, a court has ruled.

Media Man Firm May Sell Some Website Portals...

As Media Man continues to develop and desersify they are apparently looking to sell a few of their website portals. A well placed leak said "Media Man is looking to raise some fast cash to fuel other non gaming ventures. They found that gaming related ventures are down from last years numbers and have decided to get into more online - non gambling related services, following the Packer strategy. It's also rumoured Media Man sold some of their shares in Crown Limited, Ten Holdings and Virgin Blue to also raise extra cash, after apparently over spending as they over invested back in their business". Don't be mistaken however, Media Man still own approximately 30 website portals and remain a well known and established media, publicity brand and internet brand, and are understood to be getting further investor ready.

*Media Man has an online news syndication arrangement with Fairfax Media and The New York Times

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas Kick Off New Alliance With IHG

2011-05-04T23:23:00.001-07:00

The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas Kick Off New Alliance With IHG in Unexpected and Extraordinary Ways and Welcomes "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to Celebrate

Ellen DeGeneres Welcomes Guests and Serves as "Celebrity Concierge" For The Day

ATLANTA, May 4, 2011 - The Ellen DeGeneres Show today helps IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) celebrate the launch of The Venetian and The Palazzo as the first-ever InterContinental Alliance Resorts. To commemorate this fitting partnership and encourage consumers to start taking advantage of the extraordinary benefits of the alliance, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres welcomed the 'first' InterContinental Alliance Resort guests by serving as celebrity concierge for the day.

The humorous segment airs on The "Ellen DeGeneres Show" Wednesday, May 4th, and will show viewers just how easy it is to start earning and burning IHG's Priority Club points at The Venetian and The Palazzo and global hotel destinations beyond the Las Vegas Strip. As "Celebrity Concierge," DeGeneres welcomed four lucky bachelorettes to check into the newly formed InterContinental Alliance Resorts, and showed them the access and benefits they receive at The Venetian and The Palazzo just by simply being a member of Priority Club Rewards, IHG's guest loyalty program. Ellen gives the bachelorettes the VIP treatment with drinks and dancing by the pool, a relaxing gondola ride and even hit the slot machines. Guests in Vegas were not the only ones to be part of the action; Ellen also surprised the entire studio audience of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" with a complimentary two-night stay at either The Venetian or The Palazzo.

As InterContinental Alliance Resorts, The Venetian and The Palazzo are now affiliated with the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts global portfolio. They will maintain their brand identity, yet are established as InterContinental Alliance Resorts on property and via various marketing channels, including www.intercontinental.com, where guests can book a suite at The Venetian or The Palazzo, just like they would any other InterContinental Hotel or Resort. The resorts, both of which have earned the AAA Five Diamond rating and a four-star rating from Forbes, are the perfect fit for the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand and provide the "in the know" experience that InterContinental guests have come to expect.

"Our guests earn a significant amount of Priority Club points when they're staying at our hotels for business travel," said Eric Pearson, chief marketing officer, the Americas, IHG. Overwhelmingly, they want to redeem those points for a fun and relaxing vacation, and now with InterContinental Alliance Resorts we can offer two-award winning flagship resorts in one of the world's most dynamic destinations."

This new alliance brings together two world-class leaders in the global hospitality industry. It also offers extraordinary benefits to both guests at The Venetian and The Palazzo and to members of IHG's Priority Club Rewards program, the world's largest hotel loyalty program with 56 million members.

"Our guests will now be able to earn points and redeem them for stays at any of IHG's various hotels worldwide, just as Priority Club Rewards and Ambassador Members will be able to use their own points for stays at both of our world-class resort properties. In addition, Venetian and Palazzo guests can also earn Priority Club points on top of our Grazie loyalty program points," said Rom Hendler, chief marketing officer, Las Vegas Sands Corp. "IHG customers will be able to experience the same Five Diamond Award winning service that Venetian and Palazzo visitors have always received. This is an exciting opportunity for all!"

To celebrate this new alliance, from now through the end of the year, consumers also have the opportunity to win an unexpected and extraordinary experience through a unique sweepstakes called "Unexpected. Extraordinary. Yours for the taking!" Each consumer who enters the online sweepstakes at www.ihg.com/lasvegas will be entered into a drawing for their chance to win an extraordinary giveaway each month.

Each monthly prize will include a two-night getaway in the Penthouse Suite at either The Venetian or The Palazzo, airfare to Las Vegas and VIP treatment, plus another extraordinary prize valued between $5,000 and $10,000 to experience in Las Vegas. The prizes will vary each month and include, but are not limited to, the chance to party like a celebrity at Tao and Lavo; private luxury box for four at Lagasse's Stadium(SM) during baseball's Fall Classic; and a culinary experience, featuring some of the award-winning restaurants on-site, including Postrio, CUT, Morels, Pinot Brasserie and Valentino. A full list of prizes can be found at www.ihg.com/lasvegas along with the rules for the sweepstakes which is being carried out by IHG.

About IHG:

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns, through various subsidiaries, over 4,400 hotels and more than 640,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with 56 million members worldwide.

IHG has almost 1,300 hotels in its development pipeline, which is expected to create 160,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards program at www.priorityclub.com. For our latest news visit www.ihg.com/media, Twitter www.twitter.com/ihgplc or YouTube www.youtube.com/ihgplc.

About Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) is the leading global developer of destination properties (integrated resorts) that feature premium accommodations, world-class gaming and entertainment, convention and exhibition facilities, celebrity chef restaurants, and many other amenities.

The Venetian and The Palazzo, Five-Diamond luxury resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, are among the company's properties in the United States. In Singapore, the iconic Marina Say Sands is the most recent addition to the company's portfolio.

Through its majority-owned subsidiary Sands China Ltd, the company also owns a collection of properties in Macau, including The Venetian Macao, Four Seasons Hotel Macao and the Four Seasons-branded serviced-apartments at its Cotai Strip development, as well as the Sands Macao on the Macau peninsula.

SOURCE InterContinental Hotels Group

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Virgin Casino Celebrate Release of Unicorn Legend Slot with Some Huge Prizes; Virgin Bingo Release CryptoLogic’s Batman Slot

2011-04-28T18:08:00.001-07:00

Virgin Casino Celebrate Release of Unicorn Legend Slot with Some Huge Prizes

This week sees the debut release of the brand new slot Unicorn Legend at Virgin Casino. To celebrate Virgin Casino are giving you a chance to be a legend, with a chance to earn some huge cash prizes.

How to Take Part

Virgin Casino is giving players the chance to win big money every day with the Unicorn Legend weekly promotion. By playing any of the top slots at Virgin Casino between Monday 18th April and Sunday 24th you could be one of the top 40 wagerers that receives a cash prize.

Twenty five slot games are eligible for the promotion including Clover Rollover, Da Vinci Diamonds, Leprechaun’s Luck and 100,000 Pyramid™ plus many more. Visit Virgin Casino for the full list of games involved, plus the terms and conditions associated with this promotion.

Prize Pool
1st: £250
2nd: £100
3rd – 5th: £50
Top 10: £25
Top 25: £10
Top 40: £5

The official release of Unicorn Legend will be announced soon at Virgin Casino, you can register now to be one of the first to play this exciting new slot game.

Visit Virgin Casino at: www.virgincasino.com

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

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Virgin Bingo Release CryptoLogic’s Batman Slot

Virgin Bingo are stepping up the pace building up the number of quality games in their lobby with yet another new release this week. CryptoLogic’s Batman Slot Machine game is the latest new game to appear at Virgin Bingo today.

The Batman Slot is one of the new breed of online slots using high end technology with bonus rounds more like an actual arcade game than a traditional slot machine game. The new slot even features a bonus bet which gives the player a chance to scoop a larger jackpot.

As with most new online slots released at Virgin Bingo and indeed Virgin Casino there is also a matching new promotion. Starting today and running until 23:59 Monday 2nd May players can earn additional cash back just by playing a range of slots which of course includes the new Batman slots. The amount of cash back you receive depends on the amount you actually wager but amazingly you can earn up to £500. Virgin Games have stated that all bonuses for the promotion will be paid into players accounts on Tuesday 3rd.

Visit Virgin Casino at: www.virgincasino.com

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

You can only earn the bonus on the Virgin Games slots specified below:

Batman
Leprechaun’s Luck
Bejeweled 2 Slots
Alice’s Wonderland
Star Trek
Vinyl Countdown
Chuzzle Slots
Cops ‘n’ Robbers
Snakes & Ladders
Da Vinci Diamonds
Cleopatra
Cleopatra II
50,000 Pyramid
100,000 Pyramid™
Wolf Run
Double Diamond
Cats™
Wipeout
Treasures of Troy
Thunderstruck II
Alice’s Wonderland
Clover Rollover
Irish Eyes
Monopoly with Pass GO Bonus
Dynamite Digger
Bouncy Balls
The bonus amount you can earn depends on the amount you wager. The wagering requirements are as below:

Wager £2,000 get £50
Wager £4,000 get £100
Wager £6,000 get £150
Wager £8,000 get £200
Wager £10,000 get £250
Wager £12,000 get £300
Wager £14,000 get £350
Wager £16,000 get £400
Wager £18,000 get £450
Wager £20,000 get £500
Virgin Games New Bonus Codes

Virgin Games have increased their deposit bonus and have issued new multiple bonus codes which now offer new players up to £1200 free. For full details visit our Virgin Bingo Review page.

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Star Trek Slot Game Set To Launch By Virgin Casino Games

Virgin Casino has today announced that it is launching a number of exciting new games in March, including the highly anticipated Star Trek slot game by IGT and Who Wants to be a Millionaire by Electracade.

Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: “We’re committed to launching at least one new game every week to give our customers the best online gaming experience available. Having introduced over 100 new games in 2010, we now have one of the best online casinos in the industry - offering our players choice, excellent rewards through our unbeatable V*Points loyalty scheme and a fantastic customer community.

These latest additions from leading online game developers demonstrate yet another enhancement of both choice and player experience for Virgin Casino customers, and help cement our position as the home of online slots.”

Players can beam themselves up to Virgin Casino to play IGT’s Star Trek™. The game has 30 paylines of thrilling action and four futuristic Free Spins bonuses, each based on a Star Trek™ officer. Not only are there a huge number of bonus opportunities to explore, but every bonus can be retriggered multiple times. The Star Trek™ game is scheduled to be released on 22nd March 2011.

Based on one of the most successful TV quiz shows of all time, Electracade brings Virgin Casino customers the opportunity to win the big time by playing the exciting and tension building game, Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Players can win up to 15,000 times their total stake on this 5-reel, 20-payline slot that features scatter and line.

Visit Virgin Casino at: www.virgincasino.com

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

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Virgin Casino Introduces Exciting New Games in March

LONDON, March 3, 2011 - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company - Virgin Games, has today announced that it is launching a number of exciting new games in March, including the highly anticipated Star Trek by IGT and Who Wants to be a Millionaire by Electracade.

Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "We're committed to launching at least one new game every week to give our customers the best online gaming experience available. Having introduced over 100 new games in 2010, we now have one of the best online casinos in the industry - offering our players choice, excellent rewards through our unbeatable V*Points loyalty scheme and a fantastic customer community. These latest additions from leading online game developers demonstrate yet another enhancement of both choice and player experience for Virgin Casino customers, and help cement our position as the home of online slots."

Players can beam themselves up to Virgin Casino to play IGT's Star Trek(TM). The game has 30 paylines of thrilling action and four futuristic Free Spins bonuses, each based on a Star Trek(TM) officer. Not only are there a huge number of bonus opportunities to explore, but every bonus can be retriggered multiple times.

Based on one of the most successful TV quiz shows of all time, Electracade brings Virgin Casino customers the opportunity to win the big time by playing the exciting and tension building game, Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Players can win up to 15,000 times their total stake on this 5-reel, 20-payline slot that features scatter and line based rewards, as well as multiple bonus games.

Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 250 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, IGT, Cryptologic, Freemantle, Ash Gaming and Mazooma Interactive Games

Visit Virgin Casino at: www.virgincasino.com

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

Virgin Casino Launches Exhilarating New Slots in March

With its 30 paylines, Star Trek slots goes boldly where no slot has gone before, and boasts plenty of thrilling sci-fi action and four futuristic Free Spins bonuses, each based on a different Star Trek officer. There are also a vast number of bonus opportunities up-for-grabs where every bonus can be retriggered multiple times.

Based on one the popular TV quiz show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire slots is a 5-reel, 20-payline smorgasbord of excitement and lucrative features, where players can win up to 15,000 times their total bet, as well as trigger multiple bonus games.

'These latest additions from leading online game developers demonstrate yet another enhancement of both choice and player experience for Virgin Casino customers, and help cement our position as the home of online slots,' said Eloff.

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Virgin Casino Customer Scoops Progressive Jackpot with £1 Bet

Monday 7th February, 2011: Virgin Casino is delighted to announce that one of its customers became significantly richer by scooping a progressive win when playing the online slot, Mega Moolah. Mr. W, a customer of Virgin Games for a mere six days, won £37,672.62 off a £1 bet on Microgaming’s popular progressive jackpot slot.

Virgin Casino caught up with the lucky winner, who said he was "shocked and over the moon" when the win was confirmed. When asked what his plans were for the big cash win, Mr. W commented: "I'm going to use the money to finish off my house. It’s a restoration project I've been busy with for some time."

Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "Virgin Casino appears to be the home of winners at the moment. We’ve seen a number of our players scoop big prizes, many of which have been from very small stakes. We are delighted for Mr. W and send him a huge congratulations and hopes he enjoys spending his riches!"

Visit Virgin Casino at: www.virgincasino.com

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

About Virgin Games:

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

Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Microgaming, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik’s, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games.

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

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

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PartyCasino Gets New Games And Promos: The Sting

2011-04-21T02:55:00.001-07:00

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%.

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2011-04-04T00:01:00.001-07:00

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Nevada regulators OK Caesars tie to online casino - 24th March 2011

2011-03-24T21:34:00.001-07:00

Nevada gambling regulators on Thursday voted to allow the world's largest casino company to do business with a Gibraltar company that offers online wagering, marking the first time state officials have blessed a tie to Internet gambling despite the industry's murky legal status.

The Nevada Gaming Commission approved the relationship between Caesars Entertainment Corp. and 888 Holdings PLC, which runs online casinos in the United Kingdom and is publicly traded on the London stock exchange.

The approval came the same day as Nevada lawmakers in Carson City held an initial hearing on a bill that would legalize Internet poker statewide — a bill pushed by a top poker website and opposed by top gambling companies including Caesars, which wants federal legislation instead.

"Whether this bill passes or not, there's going to be pressure on this board and this commission to authorize Internet gaming," Commissioner Randolph Townsend told a Caesars executive just before joining others in unanimous approval of the business tie.

"This is the first of perhaps many relationships that will be developed over time," Townsend said near the end of the two-hour hearing.

The tie allows Caesars, which owns more than 50 casinos in several countries including Caesars Palace and the annual World Series of Poker, to work with 888 to run online gambling sites in the United Kingdom, and free-money sites in other jurisdictions using Caesars brands.

Caesars has been considering online gambling for years, and is positioning itself to be ready in case lawmakers eventually make online gambling legal in the United States.

"The UK is not the end of our plan or our vision," said Mitch Garber, chief executive of Caesars subsidiary Caesars Interactive Entertainment.

Caesars and 888 executives and lawyers told the commission they have been careful in assessing their relationship and the legalities of Internet gambling. 888 stopped offering online wagers in the United States after a federal law in 2006 made it illegal.

Gigi Levy, chief executive of 888, said worldwide online gambling revenue is expected to be $24.2 billion in 2011, and reach $26.1 billion in 2012. He said sports wagering accounts for 41 percent of that, while casino games make up 23 percent and poker 19 percent.

The $4.6 billion online poker industry is 60 percent controlled by the top two operators, Levy said.

Those operators, PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, have been helping push the Nevada legislation after a last-minute federal effort by U.S. Sen. Harry Reid fell short in December.

Reid's legislation was different from the bill proposed in Nevada in that it would have punished sites that offered gambling to Americans after 2006 by making it tougher for them to get a license under new regulations.

Garber declined to comment on the specifics of the Nevada bill, but said hearings in New Jersey, California and Nevada, as well on the federal level, show the movement is picking up momentum.

"As a company, you clearly know that we have been lobbying and are in favor of legalized and taxable online gaming," Garber said. "We see this all as a very positive development for online gaming and we intend to be at the forefront of all these developments."

The privately held Caesars lost $196.7 million during the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, on revenue of $2.12 billion.

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Aussie James Packer Gun Shy On Vegas, U.S Casinos, by Greg Tingle - 22nd March 2011

2011-03-22T06:19:00.003-07:00

G'day punters, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, legal eagles, officials...one and all. All that glitters is not gold - that's the mindset of Australian gambling and media tycoon James Packer, when it comes to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and other gambling hubs in the U.S. Yep, its once bitten, twice shy for 'Our James' when it comes to U.S gambling investments. Media Man and Gambling911 probe the situation regarding in Mr Packer's coldness on American gaming and gambling investments...

The sharp as a sharks tooth James Packer has dismissed a return to the the embattled and politically red hot American gaming market. At least, for the near future, but never say never.

The likable executive chairman of Crown Limited issued the statement in the hard to forget aftermath of the firms horrendous AU$3 billion (US$2.99 billion) expansion into the United States before the global financial crisis. You know, the one that George W's leadership saw in, and the same one that Barack Omama inherited.

Crown still holds a modest a 24.5% stake in the Cannery casino group, which operates three pretty decent casinos in Las Vegas and the Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Pennsylvania.

Punters should note that it's strongly written down the investment after getting loose from a full $US1.75 billion Cannery buyout in March 2009, by cleverly reworking the terms of the deal with the group's private equity owners.

"I have had a bad experience in the US, so I am not rushing to go back," Packer said.
"Crown is not a company looking to issue fresh equity and we are already spending more than our profits on our capital expenditure program. That means there is a limit to what you can do."

Cannery wasn't the only not so good experience JP had in Yankee land Crown took stakes in US casino giants Harrah's Entertainment and Stations Casino Group, which it was subsequently forced to write down.

It also has a ridiculously low 1% stake in Canuck (Canadian) group Gateway Casinos & Entertainment, which was also written down.

In 2009 it closed its Vegas corporate offices after tossing aside its once bold plans to build a Crown Las Vegas casino and hotel complex with private equity partner York Capital Management and Chris Milam, a Texan property developer. Insiders reckon you have to watch them Texans, no offence Chris.

Packer High On Macau Quality, Down On U.S Economy...

Despite continued competition on the Cotai Strip, co-chairman of Melco Crown Entertainment, James Packer is very confident in his City of Dreams property and believes that quality is the thing that will endure in the grand scheme of things.

Packer believes different from analysts who claimed that City of Dreams, which is developed by a joint venture between Packer and Lawrence Ho Yau Lung, has not differentiated itself well enough from its rivals such as media darling, The Venetian Resort Hotel.

While Sands China’s "parcels 5 and 6" consisting of three renowned hotels are being built next door to City of Dreams and Galaxy Entertainment is also due to open its flagship property on the Cotai Strip on May 15, JP seemed not to be too concerned.

"I disagree with the Macquarie analyst. Steve Wynn, whom I know a little bit and respect enormously, gave me a piece of advice once. It was: "Just build things as good as you can and quality will beat out gimmicks over time’," Packer said.

"And that is not to say that The Venetian is not high quality or a gimmick-based hotel, but I am very proud of what we have got up there. Time will be its friend," he added.

'The House of Dancing Water' show that was launched in September last year is another factor that boosts Packer’s confidence in City of Dreams.

He advised the show had lifted December quarter turnover and was drawing a "new breed of clientèle" to the premises.

COD posted a pretty average performance in 2009, but revenues have been improving regardless of its focus on the mass market.

"I think that one of the things that people underestimate is how hard it is to be the sixth player in a market. We started three years after the first five".

Packer also said that he is certain that Macau is the right place for Melco Crown.

"Macau is beginning to work out really well for us. Macau stands on its own two feet on a stand-alone basis, but it also helps us develop new contacts in the region, meet new people, meet new players," he said.

"And it is a great dissemination of our brand. What we are trying to do against some of the biggest and most successful companies in the world is produce a product that is world class," he added.

Packer also stressed out that Macau is "one of the most competitive markets in the world, with a standard of product that is ‑ if not the world’s best already - on the way to being the world’s best".

"What has happened in Macau over the past 10 years has been incredible. It is now an incredibly diverse locale, with some of the most amazing facilities in the world," he said.

Global Perspective...

Australia is the 6th biggest gambling nation on Earth, and a number of experts think we may reach the top 3 within the next few years. The U.S is #1, and James Packer and Co and doing their best to see Macau nudge closer to #2. It's times like these that Team Packer is glad they have a global strategy, but clearly the U.S will have to improve somewhat before the likable Aussie buys in to Yankee land again in a financial way. Yanks, don't worry. Us Aussies still love you, but we just don't love your economic situation right at the moment, but with more positive momentum for gambling regulation in the U.S, pushed along by Crown Limited "partners in crime" (friends), PartyGaming, who do a bit of b2b dealing with Packer's Crown when 'Aussie Millions' time comes upon us. Stay tuned, and don't blink for a second.

Macau...

Casino gambling leaped in Macau soared in 2010 to reach a record high, according to official figures. Revenue totalled $23.5bn (£15.2bn), up 57% on the previous year, reinforcing the territory's position as the world's most lucrative gambling market. Earnings have been driven by an influx of gamblers from mainland China. Macau - a former Portuguese colony returned to China in 1999 - is the only Chinese city where gambling is legal. It opened up its gambling industry to foreign competition in 2002, triggering a building boom. In 2007 gambling revenue there overtook that of the Las Vegas Strip in the US. The figures for 2010 were released by Macau's Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. As well as an annual record, gambling revenue also set a monthly record in December 2010 of $2.36bn - up 66% year on the year.

United States Snapshot...

In much of the Unites States casinos are forbidden or tightly regulated. A few places allow casinos, and they have become well-known as centers of legal gambling. Relatively small places such as Las Vegas are best-known for gambling; larger cities such as Chicago are not defined by their casinos in spite of the large turnover.
Las Vegas has the largest concentration of casinos in the United States. Based on revenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey ranks second, and the Chicago region third.
Top American Casino Markets by Revenue (2009 Annual Revenues):

1. Las Vegas Strip $5.550 billion
2. Atlantic City $3.943 billion
3. Chicago region $2.092 billion
4. Connecticut $1.448 billion
5. Detroit $1.36 billion
6. St. Louis $1.050 billion
7. Tunica Resorts, Mississippi $997.02 million
8. Biloxi, Miss. $833.50 million
9. Shreveport, La. $779.65 million
10. Boulder Strip (Las Vegas) $774.33 million
12. Reno, Nevada $715.23 million
15. New Orleans, La. $653.05 million
18. Downtown Las Vegas $523.82 million
19. Laughlin, Nevada $492.51 million

The Nevada Gaming Control Board divides Clark County, which is coextensive with the Las Vegas metropolitan area, into seven regions for reporting purposes. Indian gaming has been responsible for a rise in the number of casinos outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.

If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered

Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...

Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...

PartyCasino.com (Many of the world's best slot games. Aussies and Kiwi's welcome).

Captain Cooks Casino

Betfair (sports betting only)

PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)

PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)

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Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:

Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money

Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.

If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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Casino News Media: Merger Between bwin and PartyGaming Planned to Complete on 31 March 2011

2011-03-15T03:10:00.001-07:00

March 15, 2011 - Merger Plan Requirements Now Met in Austria

Following the almost unanimous approval of the merger at the extraordinary general meetings of both bwin Interactive Entertainment AG (bwin) and PartyGaming Plc.

(PartyGaming) on 28 January 2011, the proposed merger was formally entered into the companies' register by the Vienna Commercial Court on 15 March 2011. Subject to the formal approval from the supreme court in Gibraltar, the merger is expected to complete on 31 March 2011.

Share trading on the stock exchange

bwin shares (ISIN AT0000767553) will cease trading on the Vienna Stock Exchange at close of business on 25 March 2011. For administrative reasons, trading in bwin shares on the Vienna Stock Exchange must be suspended for three days prior to completion and also on the day of completion itself (31 March 2011). On 1 April 2011, existing bwin shareholders will receive 12.23 bwin.party depositary interests (ISIN GI000A0MV757) for each bwin share free of charge. These depository interests can then be traded on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BPTY.L.

The exchange ratio of 12.23 bwin.party depositary interests for each bwin share will result in so-called 'fractional entitlements', rights to fractions of bwin.party depositary interests that cannot be traded on the London Stock Exchange. In accordance with the terms of the merger, these entitlements will be disposed of, and the proceeds of sale credited to the original beneficiaries (former bwin shareholders) in a process that may take up to two weeks. The disposal of fractional entitlements is also without cost to bwin shareholders.

Anti-trust approvals received

Following the approval of the merger in Germany by the Federal Cartel Office and in Austria by the Federal Competition Authority, bwin has now also received anti-trust approval from the relevant authorities in Romania.

Dividend

The new bwin.party depositary interests will carry a dividend entitlement with effect from 1 January 2010. The company's dividend policy will be determined by the new board of bwin.party digital entertainment plc over the next few months.

Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.

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2011-03-01T04:29:00.001-08:00

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PartyGaming, PartyCasino, Bwin Do Deal With Las Vegas Land Based Casinos, by Greg Tingle - 15th February 2011

2011-02-15T17:50:00.001-08:00

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PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com PartyBingo.com PartyGammon.com World Poker Tour

PartyGaming, the Gibraltar based iGaming powerhouse, is understood to have signed at least two major agreements to supply a gaming platform for online poker (and perhaps casino) to whale size Las Vegas land based casinos.

The Vegas casinos that Media Man and Gambling911 insiders hint are in the mix include MGM, Las Vegas Sands, Boyd Gaming and Caesars (former Harrahs Entertainment). It's unlikely a Donald Trump casino is in, as he's just sold at least one of his establishments. Trump is a fan of online casinos, but leaks say he is frustrated by what appears to be slow progress of igaming into mainstream America.

PartyGaming left the US after the UIGEA bill became law and a settlement towards $300 million was made with the DOJ (Department Of Justice).

The firm smartly snatched the opportunity to re-enter the US market if online gambling was ever legalized.

PartyGaming, which has now merged with Bwin, an Austrian based outfit is now ideally positioned to become a major force in the US, having also conducted b2b with other nations government departments, and has many a U.S senator and lawmaker on side, not to mention poker and casino associations and players.

Legalized online gambling in the US is tipped to be just around the corner, as legislators will provide a bill to congress for a vote.

Pro gambling groups and switched on politicians who can see the financial benefits are pushing hard for PartyGaming and a number other iGaming brands to go above board in the United States.

Party enjoys strong presence in the U.S (and Canada and Australia), with its Hollywood titles including Marvel Entertainment tie ins, plus the World Poker Tour brand which it owns and operates, and frequently gets airtime on television broadcasts in much of the western world. It's now or never for PartyGaming, and our leaks tell us its now, no bluff!

Readers, as always, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.

*Media Man conducts some b2b with PartyGaming brands, as they do with dozens of other media, entertainment and gaming companies. Media Man is not a gaming company, but covers the sector, as they do over a dozen other industry verticals.

*The writer is a regular contributor for Gambling911.

*The writer's favorite slot games are Sinatra Slot and Thor!

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Casino News Media: Nevada Gambling Revenue Rises, Atlantic City Falls

2011-02-11T04:49:00.000-08:00

It may not be leading economic indicator, but Nevada gambling revenues rose slightly in 2010 after a two-year decline attributed in part to the recession, the state gaming commission reported on Thursday.

The total "gaming win," $10.4 billion, represents a slight 0.1 percent increase compared to 2009, which saw a 10.4 percent decrease from the year before, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The figures are rare good news for Nevada, which was particularly hard hit by the recession and continues to have the nation's highest unemployment and foreclosure rates.

But the rise only brings revenues back to about 2004 levels, according to Michael Lawton, financial analyst for the commission.

A closer look also reveals that the only area seeing an uptick in 2010 was the Las Vegas Strip, which increased by 4.1 percent, accounting for $5.8 billion of the state's total gaming revenue.

Downtown Las Vegas, Reno and other areas all saw decreases in gaming revenues last year.

The Las Vegas Strip's take mostly came from table games such as poker, craps and baccarat, a "high-roller" game played by international visitors and not the mass market, Lawton said.

Baccarat's take was $1.1 billion, most of it on the Strip, in 2010. Baccarat surpassed 21 as the dominant table game, Lawton said.

Revenue from slot machines was down everywhere, including the Strip, dropping 2.7 percent statewide last year and reaching the lowest total since 1997.

Lawton said this is probably due to "the everyday Joe, who's still coming, but not spending as much." (Credit: Reuters)

Atlantic City’s casino gambling revenue fell 13 percent in January, extending four years of decline at the New Jersey seaside resort beset by competition from nearby states.

Betting proceeds shrank to $255.4 million, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission said today on its website. Slot machine revenue at the 11 casinos slid 16 percent from a year earlier to $164.9 million, and table game winnings were down 8.3 percent to $90.5 million.

Gambling in the second-biggest U.S. casino market after Las Vegas has tumbled to $3.57 billion in 2010 from a peak of $5.2 billion in 2006 -- before Pennsylvania and Yonkers, New York, allowed slot machines. Competition also has come online in Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia.

Six of Atlantic City’s casinos went through bankruptcy or restructured debt during the financial crisis, and development has stalled. New York City is adding its first slots at a racetrack in Queens this year, intensifying competition in the region.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is overhauling regulators and creating a tourism district around the casinos to help halt the marketwide decline, which is hurting tax revenue.(Credit: Bloomberg)

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Joe Francis - Indicted Over Alleged $2M Gambling Debt, by Greg Tingle - 3rd February 2011

2011-02-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

American (and now also Asia Pacific) gambling and real estate mogul, Steve Wynn, looks to now have soft porn king Joe Francis (Girls Gone Wild) by the balls. Media Man an affiliate of Girls Gone Wild, goes in hard and deep!

Francis has had big professional and personal issues with Wynn since his loss at the casino back in 2009.

Since the very public bitchfight Wynn had made numerous outlandish claims against Wynn including that Wynn has contracted Las Vegas Nevada bad guys to make him disappear - a contract on his life.

As Gambling911 (forum) readers would have noticed, numerous times over the past 6 months references were made to the spot apparently awaiting Francis's body in the Nevada Desert. Folks were frequently quizzing the progress on the hole earmarked for Francis circa March 2010 - October 2010. Do the readers know something we don't know?!

The Media Man Int team, also getting pissed with Francis' Girls Gone Wild affiliate program not paying up, modified their Media Man profile page "so it still works for us" a Media Man rep disclosed. That page in question can be found @ http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/girls_gone.html The Media Man also built a Steve Wynn "tribute", with disclaimers, but added a new twist to the promos and you can see to believe it at http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/wynn.html No, no horns of the devil on anyone - not yet anyway (but who knows what the future may hold)!

Back to business, Francis allegedly owes Wynn $2 million bucks, and made one payment of $500,000 towards the debt. If Francis is convicted he could face up to 4 years jail! Our friends over at entertainment and celeb website TMZ have a history of the Wynn - Francis sage in their archives, as does Gambling911 of course.

As we say at Media Man, crime does not pay. And, know the odds, plus Bet With Your Head, Not Over It, and that's speaking to you Francis.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered

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Virgin Casino Gets New Slot Games

2011-01-27T23:41:00.000-08:00

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Virgin Casino Introduces Crocodopolis and The 100,000 Pyramid

Virgin Casino and Virgin Bingo, part of the leading online gaming company - Virgin Games - have launched two new games this week, Crocodopolis by NextGen and The 100,000 Pyramid by Wagerworks.

Featuring on Virgin Casino and Virgin Bingo is Crocodopolis, a 5-reel, 25-payline slot. The Ancient Egypt themed game features the Croc pharaoh, whose realm is Crocodopolis. Crocodopolis brings a new concept to slots with its unique Slide a Wild feature. Slide a Wild allows the player to choose how volatile the game is, as they position and determine in which reels they want the wild symbols to appear. The more a player moves the slider away from reel one, the more powerful the wild symbols become and the bigger the wins.

The 100,000 Pyramid features on Virgin Casino. This new game, based on the hit TV game show in the US, follows on from its successful predecessor, The 50,000 Pyramid. The game features 15-paylines of fantastic game show fun where players can win up to 100,000x their bet. Score three or more Winner's Circle symbols to climb the Pyramid, earning free spins or multipliers with every pick.

Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "It's great to be introducing these new titles this week. The 50,000 Pyramid has been a huge hit with our players so we have high hopes for its successor. The variety we provide our customers is a key priority of Virgin Games, and adding these new games enhances the great choice we offer, making ours one of the most exciting online casinos around."

Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 250 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.

*Sorry, no U.S, Australian or Canadian players. Please see World Casino Directory

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

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

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

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

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com conducts b2b with Virgin Games, as they do with dozen of companies in the entertainment, gaming and media sector.

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3D Movies And Slot Games Not Dead Yet, by Greg Tingle - 22nd January 2011

2011-01-21T18:49:00.000-08:00

G'day Yankies, Aussies, punters, casino and gambling millionaires, billionaires, legal eagles, politicians, 3D lovers, entertainment news junkies - one and all. Avatar might have jump started 3D a few years ago, but there's a lot more to the 3D world than those friendly critters. Today we revisit the world of 3D movies and 3D slots, discovering what's hot, what's not and what's worth spinning to win. Media Man and Gambling911 throw on the dorky glasses with this special 3D report...

Not that long ago Hollywood was so in love by 3D that some directors worried there might be no future for movies in old-fashioned 2D. Now some box office figures are being leaked for 2010 - 2011, and they are a bit on the train wreck side of the tracks.

US cinema attendance for the past 2 years is down some 10%, and box office take in the 10 days to 26 December - a key holiday period - was down a massive 30%.

Box-office income for the year was down roughly 2.6%, however, that's due to higher ticket prices, particularly for 3D blockbusters.

What up then? The last few years of strongly promoted 3D films didn't sustain the positive buzz or experience created by "Avatar", nor its record box-office income. Now., 3D is looking like a quite the gimmick that doesn't really pull US nor Australian audiences back for more action.

Richard Greenfield, an analyst at BTIG Research may be corrected when he told the press post Avatar "While the horror and gross-out comedy genres may benefit from 3D (think "Saw 3D" or "Jackass 3D"), the vast majority of 3D movies this year have been disappointing at best."

The electronics industry is swimming in its own 3D bloodbath. Companies rushed 3DTVs to stores and not that many moved out the doors. "By anyone's account, 3DTV sales were a disappointment" advised Pete Putman of Insight Media.

US and Australian consumers greeted the new technology with a a luke warm response at best. Leichtman Research Group reports that 80% of American households they surveyed knew about 3DTV, but less than 1% own a 3D set and just 8% percent have any interest in buying one.

Analysts cite issues including big price tags, the need for expensive 3D shutter glasses, and the lack of 3D programming, but that's not all. The need for any kind of 3D glasses gets in the way of how viewers watch television. May TV buffs also do other things at the same time...multitasking, talking with each other, and walking in and out of the room. Plus, its no secret that watching intense 3D too long can make people sick in the guts, and some people even report sore eyes and a headache.

What does the future hold? Today's 3D TV technology is light years ahead of the technology used during the 3D boom of the 1950s. But it will have a difficult time living up to Hollywood's wildest expectations.

PartyGaming - Betsoft Gaming - 3D News; More 3D Slots On The Way in 2011...

Industry innovators Betsoft Gaming have announced that Partycasino.com, understood to be the world's largest online casino, is releasing a swag of 3D slot. Betsoft's Slots3 first blockbuster slot Heist in now in Party's casino as well as via their convenient download client. Yeah baby, and more Slots3 titles are soon to follow. Heist, a 5 reel, 30 payline cinematic 3D slots game, showcases the life of professional safecracker Neil Quailand as he evades his nemesis, Detective Al Kowalski. The game features scatter pays, wild reels, exciting safecracking bonus rounds and free spins, all presented in Betsoft's vividly rich Slots3 style. 'We are absolutely delighted to form this partnership with an industry leader like PartyCasino.com,' says Aliya Alpiyeva, Betsoft's Director of Marketing. 'Heist, the first Slots3 game to be delivered, is a proven classic, one that we feel will thrill PartyCasino.com's enormous and loyal player base. The cinematic realism of this true 3D game appeals to a wide range of players, drawing them into Quailand's quest for the perfect bank heist. With additional Slots3 games yet to come, we at Betsoft are looking forward to adding more games to PartyCasino.com A PartyCasino spokesman said: 'We are delighted to welcome Heist to our portfolio of games and look forward to adding more Betsoft games in the near future. Heist is just one of dozens and dozens games we will be adding to the world's largest online casino in the coming months.'

Bally Pro Series Cabinets Deliver HD Video, Custom Surround-Sound, 3D Animations...

Many of Bally’s games showcased in the Company’s ICE stand #3540 will be featured on the new ALPHA 2™ Pro Series cabinets. ALPHA 2 features an INTEL® Core™ 2 processor; four gigabytes of dual-channel memory; Realtek™ high-definition audio; and leading video technology. This powerful platform is optimized for dual screen, multi game; uses HD video technology for exciting 3D graphics, animations, and up to a four-monitor play experience; supports both existing and new game libraries; and is network and server-based ready. These sleek, streamlined cabinets are available in upright, slant, spinning-wheel, and configurations with digital, wheel, and hammerhead top displays. “Our game developers and hardware and software engineers have outdone themselves, and operator feedback has been truly outstanding,” said Gavin Isaacs, Bally Technologies’ Chief Operating Officer. Isaacs added that the Pro Series cabinets are download and configuration-ready, and the Company has a library of downloadable games.

Green Hornet Movie in 3D...

GenreAction/Adventure
Comedy
Running time 119 min
Actors Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Chrtistoph Waltz
Director Michel Gondry
Screen writer Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Target Teenage
OFLC rating M
Year 2011
Language English

The Green Hornet movie for current era has been a long time coming, with or without 3D. Fortunately, you want to put on those glasses for this flick. Believe it or not, the iconic character began life as a radio series at a cash strapped and tight ass Detroit, USA radio station in 1936. The station's co-owner, George Trendle, did not want to pay the networks for serials so what do you do? You commission your own of course. The radio station WXYZ, created a big hit with The Lone Ranger and so then the boss decided it was time to create another hero in the same vien, but with more appeal.

Trendle and his team of writers invented Britt Reid, the bright and youth full publisher of newspaper, The Daily Sentinel. He becomes a crimefighter by night with the assist of Kato, a talented Oriental if there ever was. The radio deal went thru to the early 1950s and was brought back in the mid-1960s for TV. Future martial arts legend, Bruce Lee, played Kato.

This was pulp fiction at its best. Now we are getting to enjoy the classics all over again, some with 3D, some without.

The script for The Green Hornet was written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

Rogen is an up and coming star of American comedy. Never mind the face he's Canadian in real life. He plays Reid and the Taiwanese pop rock star Jay Chou is Kato. The director is Michel Gondry, one of the great visual entrepreneurs in today's cinema. He's done a great job with The Green Hornet in 3D.

You want to be checking out the comedy with Rogen and Chou burning up Los Angeles in face masks, blowing stuff up ala Mythbusters like, in a souped up 60s Chrysler Imperial now known to the masses as "The Black Beauty". No, we don't know the details of the product placement - the car, but its a good match for the movie, no question.

Reid inherits the newspaper biz after the death of his old man (Tom Wilkinson). He learns that his dad's mechanic is a technical whiz and a martial arts killing machine. Reid hires the journalism graduate Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), while he and Kato become crimefighters. He likes to piss off Los Angeles crime kingpin Benjamin Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz), a murderer, and doesn't mind bending and breaking rules to get his own style of justice.

This flick has money maker written all over it in our opinion.

Gondry turns The Green Hornet into a visual effects bonanza that will see it be referenced by the industry for years to come. It might even add some much needed spark to the 3D sector.

Marvel Entertainment's Thor And Captain America: The First Avenger In 3D!...

Marvel's Kevin Feige, Thor director Kenneth Branagh, and Captain America director Joe Johnston, all say that going 3D on these films was the way to go.

Branagh: "Is it led by story? Can this offer a different type of experience and exploit what we have in the story? It absolutely can... we travel very long distances in the movie and the opportunity to export and exploit the journey of the hero is really offered up as a great potential enhancement here."

Kevin Feige: "an unprecedented amount of time" will be devoted to the conversion process. The films will benefit from the fact that the 3D choice was made early on "with passion and planning" and not in post-production. "In being able to think in 3D from the start -- and having every bit of our special effects rendered in true 3D -- we have the opportunity to do it right. When you're working with a director like Ken Branagh or Joe Johnston, they're not going to settle for less than perfect image. They're not going to settle for something that isn't up to the artistry of everything else they've done on the film. They're not going to put on some overlay in the last 10/12 weeks of post-production for a fiscal reason."

Marvel Comics Films Expected To Raise Popularity Of Marvel Slots Again...

Thor and Captain America online slot patronage is expected to skyrocket with the Marvel films releases this year. PartyGaming is not making any secret of massive sign up bonuses for new players and new competitors like the Winner brand are also looking to plug into the excitement. We expect PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com to maintain domination, but give the others credit for hanging in there. Learn more about the history of Marvel, the comics, movies and games on the Media Man Int website portal, and don't forget to check out the news of Marvel Comics living legend Stan Lee. Excelsior!

IGT Little Shop of Horrors® 3D Video Reel; Online Casinos Screaming Out For Land Based Casino Game...

Hungry for more 3D? The cult-classic The Little Shop of Horrors chomps its way to casinos in a 3D video reel game. Feed the hungry plant to start Tumbling Reels® excitement. Win again and again as Audrey Junior crunches its way up the reels. When the plant hits the top, it's time to play the Pick a Bud bonus for credits, a win multiplier, or Free Games with more wilds! Packed with campy fun, zany characters, and spectacular 3D, The Little Shop of Horrors is unforgettable entertainment!

New James Bond: 3D Confirmed!...

The new James Bond film will be in 3D. The British spy movie franchise which stars Daniel Craig as 007 has been delayed again because the bosses reportedly now want the movie to utilise new three-dimensional technology. An insider said: "The 23rd Bond movie has been put back a few months and that has given them the time to prepare to film it in 3-D. Everyone involved in the project is really excited because it will take the franchise in a new direction." The as yet untitled project had already been delayed due to issues (financial and legal etc) surrounding the impending sale of MGM Studios. Producer Michael G. Wilson previously said: "Our timeline's a little up in the air, so we have to be flexible. We just don't know enough about the situation to comment, but we know it's uncertain." Sam Mendes - who won an Oscar for his debut feature 'American Beauty' - is also reportedly set to direct the film. Sara Keene, Sam's publicist, confirmed he had met representatives of the Bond franchise to discuss the possibility of him helming the movie but is adamant nothing has been finalised. She said: "I can confirm that he has had a meeting, but Sam always has lots of projects on the table that he might direct next. Sam's method is to have a number of projects as possible next films and at some point confirm which film he's going to do." Some media and gaming commentators are already telling Bond's people (Sony etc) to seriously look at doing a Bond 3D online slot game, as well as putting out a new slot for land based casinos. They might as well cash in, and what better way right.

Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...

Ok readers, we hear you... you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific - Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is...

PartyCasino.com

Captain Cooks Casino

Betfair (sports betting only)

PKR.com (poker, slots including Marvel slot games and sports betting)

PartyPoker.com (online poker at one of the world's most respected poker rooms and gaming brands)

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Media Man and Gambling911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:

Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money

Media Man, Casino News Media and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more.

Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Is 3D your thing? Tell us in the forum.

If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a dozen sectors covered

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2011-01-19T14:53:00.001-08:00

Casino News Media: Virgin Casino Offers High Rollers an Industry Leading Sign-Up Bonus

2011-01-15T22:51:00.000-08:00

LONDON, January 14, 2011 - Virgin Casino part of the online gaming company - Virgin Games is now offering fantastic new sign-up offers designed uniquely for High Rollers as well as bonus offers for regular players.

Virgin Casino is offering High Rollers one of the best sign-up bonuses in the industry. There are three offers available: GBP350 for a GBP500 deposit, GBP600 for a GBP1,000 deposit, and GBP1,200 for a GBP3,000 deposit. Details of the High Roll sign-up bonuses can be found at VirginCasino.com

For regular players Virgin Casino is offering a 100% sign-up bonus up to GBP100. For details of the promotional offer go to VirginCasino.com

Oliver Wilson, Casino Acquisition Manager at Virgin Games, commented: "For bigger players looking for a better deal than the standard GBP100 sign-up bonus, our High Roller offer is seriously generous and one of the best deals to be had in the industry. We're offering up to GBP1,200 - a great gift for the New Year!"

Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 250 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.

Notes to editors:

About Virgin Games:

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

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

- Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros - as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry - Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.

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Hulk Hogan Hulkamania Casino Slot Via Endemol Games UK, by Greg Tingle

2011-01-05T04:01:00.000-08:00

G'day punters, gaming entrepreneurs, casino billionaires, journalists, gamers, wrestling fans and Hulk-A-Maniacs!... one and all. The Hulk Hogan Hulkamania slot game will soon be coming to an online casino near you!. Media Man and Gambling911 catch Hulkamania as the red and yellow runs wild...

There's been talk of a Hulk Hogan themed online slot game for years, and it was only last year when Hogan's 'The Hulkamania Experience' slot hit a couple of American land based casinos, thanks to an Eric Bischoff deal inked with Rainmaker Technology, ID Interactive and the Dreamseekers Foundation. In the process some substantial funds were raised to help out Native American Indians with the support of the National Indian Gaming Association.

Hogan's latest gaming effort may be more commercial in nature, but we think just as newsworthy, and you can bet long time rival, Ric Flair aka 'The Nature Boy' is closely watching the situation, Flair with his own themed Carolina Lottery deals in place, with his trademark Woooooo! It's most interesting timing with WWE, Hogan's former home turf promotion where he largely built his fame, launching WWE Poker just last August to mixed, mainly positive response.

To say this is a major coup for Endemol Games UK is an understatement, and numerous media and gaming commentators predict more pro wrestling themed games to follow, with the names of Ric Flair, Andre The Giant, Jimmy Snuka, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Kevin "Big Sexy" Nash being thrown around. Nash, earlier in his career being known as Vinnie Vegas, has featured some online casino games on his website for a few years, so an official slot game for the NWO mainstay would not be a surprise.

A little known fact is that over a decade ago the then World Wrestling Federation purchased a land based casino in Las Vegas, but never got far with the project, actually selling it for a 2 million dollar profit (something unheard of these days).

Online casinos on the surface appear just as good a fit with pro wrestling aka sports entertainment, as action figures and wrestling video games. One may expect for security checks and age verification checks to be ramped up at online casinos as the trend towards pro wrestling slots continues.

A Media Man spokesperson said "This is one of the biggest online casino news stories in years. Hulk Hogan is of course one of the most recognizable people on the planet and a genuine living legend. Having met the man, we can say he's one hell of a great guy, generous of heart and spirit, and an innovator. He was one of the original pro wrestling entrepreneurs, having gained great experience working with the likes of WWE's Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff and Jimmy Hart over the years. Hogan can create buzz and set trends like few other entertainment stars, and we predicate mega success for Hogan and his team on his latest venture. We're hopeful that the likes of PartyGaming and Virgin Games get his world class online slot machine, as we are keen to show it off to our loyal and vast readership. What's ya going to do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?"

For the record, here's the press release...

ENDEMOL AND HULK HOGAN TEAM UP FOR ONLINE GAMING DEAL

Los Angeles / London: 15th October 2010

Hulk Hogan is taking to the ring again, this time online. The world-famous wrestling champion, actor, TV host, entrepreneur and reality-show star has formed a new tag-team with global production company Endemol, and the licensing division of Bischoff Hervey Entertainment, in order to take on the online gaming industry.

Seen weekly in over 120 countries as the star of TNA Wrestling, Hogan has now partnered with Endemol, one of the world’s largest producers of TV, film and digital content. The result is Hulk Hogan’s Hulkamania, an online slot created by Endemol Games UK. The game is slated for worldwide release early next year and will be distributed internationally by Endemol Worldwide Brands, a global division dedicated to brand partnerships and digital media. Hulkamania will be one of the first games of its type to integrate original video content of its star, who appears personally throughout in order to inspire players and personalize the gameplay experience.
Endemol Games UK is the recently launched division specializing in online gaming and headed up by Managing Director, Jurian van der Meer. Van der Meer comments; “Endemol Games UK is expanding into new areas and this deal marks one of our first third party licensing partnerships. Hulk Hogan is an icon with massive global appeal and we aim to attract his fans with creative online slot games. This is a great addition to our portfolio.”

The deal was spearheaded by producers and longtime Hogan partners, Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey, for the licensing division of Los Angeles-based Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment. “Endemol is a major player in international media. Titles like ‘Deal or No Deal’ and ‘Big Brother’ are still setting the standard for media properties across the world. We’re proud to be partners”, said Bischoff.

MX Gaming, a relative newcomer in the online world, is co-producing Hulkamania with Endemol and Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment, and was instrumental in the genesis of the deal. “We’ve worked closely with Bischoff and Hogan on prior projects, and when examining our options for online, Endemol was clearly the perfect fit. They know television, and they know gaming, and that’s precisely what we wanted”, said Ike Mcfadden of MX Gaming. “With a 25-year career and millions of fans, a game based on the exploits of Hulk Hogan is probably as close to a safe bet as exists in the highly competitive online gaming industry.”

For more information:
Eliot Nesmith
Memetix Public Relations
tel: + 1. 561.715.5907
eliot@memetixgroup.com

For more information about Endemol contact:
Rae Langford
Tel: +44 (0) 208 222 4176
Rae.langford@endemoluk.com

About HULK HOGAN
Known most recently as the star of TNA Nonstop Wrestling on SpikeTV, host of NBC’s top-rated “American Gladiator”, host and Executive Producer of CMT’s series, “Celebrity Wrestling”, and star of MTV’s “Hogan Knows Best”, Hulk Hogan is one of the best-recognized celebrities in the world. A twelve- time world wrestling champion, including six WCW World Heavyweight belts, six WWE Championships, and a World Tag Team championship belt, Hulk Hogan is arguably the greatest wrestler in sports entertainment history. Rarely has an athlete held so many professional titles to his name in such a vast career. Hulk Hogan is also well known among young fans for his four “demandments”: which include training, saying prayers, eating vitamins, and believing in one self. As a result, he is one of the most-requested celebrities for the Make-a-Wish Foundation children’s charity.

About BISCHOFF-HERVERY ENTERTAINMENT
Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment specializes in the creation and production of television content, as well as licensing opportunities for established entertainment properties. BHE has created, developed, and produced both television pilots and series for NBC, VH-1, CMT, A&E, E!, and SPIKE TV, including two seasons of the hit series “Scott Baio is 45…and Single” and “Scott Baio is 46…and Pregnant” on VH-1, and “Home Again” with Billy Ray Cyrus on CMT. In 2008 BHE produced “Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling” for CMT and is currently in production for an upcoming series on TruTV. BHE licensing has developed brand strategies, licensing opportunities, and retail distribution for entertainment brands including WWE, Playboy, Socko Energy, Hulk Hogan, LG, and WalMart.

About ENDEMOL
Endemol is a global leader in entertainment programming and the largest independent television and digital production company in the world. Endemol comprises a global network of more than 80 companies in 26 countries. Each year the company produces content and partners with more than 400 broadcasters and cross media platforms worldwide. Endemol is also one of the largest independent distributors of formats and finished programming in the world. The company has a growing library of over 2,000 formats and more than 22,000 hours of content across genres including entertainment, reality TV, game shows, animation, comedy, drama, docu-dramas, features and feature films. Endemol’s credits include international blockbusters formats such as Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, 1 vs. 100, Star Academy and Wipeout. Its growing drama portfolio includes worldwide hits such as Home and Away, Rush, McLeod’s Daughters; Wire in the Blood, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Robin Hood and Nini. Endemol is also behind a wide range of multi-media sports content including football, cricket, rugby and motor racing. Endemol is owned by Goldman Sachs, Mediacinco and Cyrte, which acquired the company in May 2007

About MX GAMING
MX Gaming is an independent game developer with offices in Palm Beach and Buenos Aires, distributing games in the US, Western and Eastern Europe, Mexico, Central and South America. MX Gaming Partner Ike Mcfadden placed third in the 2004 Iditarod with a run time of 13 days, 15 hours.

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Wrap Up...

Readers... er, punters, are you looking forward to running wild with Hulkamania? Any other pro wrestling themes you would like to see? Keep checking daily for updates. If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

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2011-01-03T15:20:00.001-08:00