Virgin Casino and PKR Casino Head To Head, and other shake ups down under in Australia

Online casinos continue to be all the rage down under in Australia.

Virgin Casino has made significant progress infiltrating Australia, one the all but exclusive gaming and betting domain of the TAB / Tabcorp, Centrebet, Sporting Bet, and a sprinkle of others.

The internet changed everything of course and now everyone from Branson's Virgin (Casino), to Calvin Ayre's Bodog, the WSOP, World Poker Tour, 888.com. GoldenPalace, RedKings, they're all just a few mousepad clicks away.

In recent months many gaming and media analysts feel that Virgin Casino and PKR have made the biggest splash. This can be attributed to both Virgin's strong brand and excellent gameplay, and PKR's amazing graphics. Both outfits also have extremely strong financial backing, and positive media buzz.

Perhaps following Richard Branson's lead, a number of online casino and poker rooms are now whispering about philanthropic charity initiatives.

To James Packer's (Crown Casino) and Twiggy's credit, they have teamed up with the Australian government in assisting with an initiative to help get Australia's indigenous community back to work. It's great to see some of Packer's money go into something that makes a difference in people's lives, and could be perceived as damage control by Packer, after recently loosing millions in failed bricks and mortar casino initiatives in the Philippines and Las Vegas.

Back to Sydney, Australia, pokies will be finding themselves a secure home at South Sydney Rabbitohs, despite the Crowe and Holmes a Court previous plans.

The Australasian Gaming Expo hits Darling Harbour on the 24th August and it wouldn't be surprising to all any number of online casino tycoons wonder through, knowing that the internet is the current and future of the business. Clubs and pubs who fail to adept will end up being ancient history, and a number of insiders are saying that venues with no or little internet gaming strategy in place need their heads read, and shouldn't even be in business. Lasseters have wisely invested in physical casinos and internet, so the smart money says that they will ride out the storm. You can bet some Rabbitohs bigwigs will be watching Lasseters, and if they weren't before, they are now! Any internet skeptics need to have more of a read up on firms like Facebook, MySpace, Google, Craig's List, the do some research on the decline of newspaper sales (to the web), and if still not convinced, check out a few clubs and casinos where there's considerable difference in the ratio of patrons to pokies (aka one armed bandits).

Star City Casino, if your reading this, many are waiting patiently for you to do something really exciting with top notch gaming and entertainment. We know a few reporters waiting on something big to report on. Time might be nearing to headhunt some talent from Crown.

Branson's ramping up Virgin Hotels and Virgin Active, both whispered to find a niche in the Australian market, starting on the east coast, and Donald Trump is due to hit Australia's public speaking circuit, after recently unloading some unprofitable casino interests in the U.S. Nothing like an Aussie makeover hey Don. Rock stars used to do it, and why shouldn't celebrated businessmen.

Websites to watch: www.mediaman.com.au www.casinonewsmedia.com www.austgamingexpo.com

See you on the 24th, if not online sooner.

Media Man Australia Profiles

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