MGM Mirage: CityCenter funding nearly complete - 6th August 2008
Shares in MGM Mirage surged Tuesday after the company said it secured commitments for $1.65 billion of the final $3 billion in financing for its next major casino project on the Las Vegas Strip.
The company said last week that a deal was delayed because of tight financial markets. Company officials had expected the deal to be in place in June or July, but on Tuesday said it would be done in the third quarter.
MGM Mirage shares leaped $4.85, or 15.7 percent, to close at $35.85 the same day the company reported a second-quarter profit fall of 68.6 percent. The stock has ranged from $21.65 to $100.50 over the past year.
Chief executive Terry Lanni told The Associated Press that MGM Mirage and partner Dubai World were able to hold out for better interest rates by paying for construction costs themselves – about $200 million per month since November, when Dubai World bought into the project.
"That’s an advantage that we had – we weren’t forced to accept terms that we just didn’t think were necessarily ones that were the most reasonable and advantageous," Lanni said. "And by taking more time, and seeing how the economy now – at least here in Las Vegas – has not fallen off the cliff as some people have suggested, we’ll be in far better position."
Dubai World, the investment arm of the Persian Gulf state of Dubai, spent almost $5 billion to buy half ownership in CityCenter and acquire 9.4 percent of MGM Mirage.
Lanni said CityCenter, which is scheduled to open in late 2009, would benefit from other projects being delayed or scrapped because it would let the complex open without anything on its heels.
Last week, Boyd Gaming said it would delay construction of its $4.8 billion Echelon project on the Las Vegas Strip until economic conditions improve. Before the delay, Boyd officials had planned to open the Echelon in the second half of 2010.
"I think this is better timing. I think there was too much coming down the pipeline at the same time," Lanni said. "I think it’s very advantageous for us that none of this is going to all occur at the same time."
CityCenter – which MGM Mirage officials have called the most expensive private commercial development in U.S. history – is expected to include six high-rise towers with a 4,000-room hotel-casino, condominiums, boutique hotels and a retail, dining and entertainment complex.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Casino News Media
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Despite bad news, firm's Kupper runneth over, by Matthew Stevens - The Australian - 8th August 2008
Not many get rewarded for delivering unexpected bad news in this dangerously flighty market, but Elmer Funke Kupper seems to be one exception that helps make the rule.
Yesterday's positive and chunky 6.6 per cent re-rating of Tabcorp in the face of a collection of comparatively vast and, in part, unexpected provisioning reflects well on operational and marketing strengths of its fledgling chief executive.
While the rest of the market struggled yesterday, Tabcorp was written up by 6 per cent after announcing a post-provisions loss of $164 million.
Tabcorp had efficiently flagged its generally steady annual result and that it would be blighted by non-cash provisioning in the wake of the Victorian Government's decision to change the structure of its gaming licensing from 2012.
So, the $487.7 million charge against the future loss of licences was no surprise. Neither was confirmation that a further $110 million or so of the licence valuation would be amortised over the next four years. The same cannot be said of the $194 million write-down of goodwill acquired in the highball, $2.25 billion acquisition of NSW totalisator, TAB Limited, back in 2004.
Funke Kupper yesterday all but admitted Tabcorp paid too much for TAB and that it did so on the back of overly aggressive financial modelling. The time had come, he said, to account for the continuing gap between expectation and reality.
That observation, to a degree, defines Funke Kupper's seriously rugged first 13 months at the helm of Australia's biggest gambling company.
Funke Kupper, you may recall, was called off Tabcorp's executive bench after its board turned on banker turned gambling man, Matthew Slatter, in April last year.
Slatter had been terminated by then chairman Michael Robinson after an unacceptable explosion in Tabcorp's costs of business and a failure to deliver on the promise of the high-ball but strategically necessary TAB acquisition.
The man with the coolest name in business was installed immediately as a caretaker CEO and formally confirmed in the job three months later.
Back then Funke Kupper said he wanted to rebuild Tabcorp's operational integrity while dealing with a daunting collection of legacy and structural issues.
The quality of the 2007-08 result suggests that, despite some serious setbacks -- the biggest being the Victorian licensing decision -- Funke Kupper is hitting enough of his core performance targets.
And the surprising dimension of the write-downs says the Tabcorp board is prepared to pay the price to deliver some clear financial air to the new bloke.
Mind you, there are some real and present operational challenges ahead for Tabcorp.
Its new-horizon business, casinos, has again underperformed, particularly in Queensland. Funke Kupper plans to spend $475 million on revitalising Sydney's Star Casino in a bet he can produce an equivalent step-change in earnings.
To help fund casino expansion, Funke Kupper has foreshadowed a change in Tabcorp's approach to dividend reinvestment.
Tabcorp will likely suspend any further share buybacks for maybe three years as it delivers the new Star. Given that about 20 per cent of the total dividend is usually paid through the DRP, that means Tabcorp's issued capital will expand until at least 2010.
But rest easy, Tabcorp shareholders: Funke Kupper has all but committed to maintaining his payout at circa 94c a share in 2009 and probably beyond.
In the end, about half of the funding for the casino rebuild will come from the DRP.
Over in the core wagering business, Tabcorp's growth has been constrained by a combination of issues past and future. While the company is working hard to rebuild its reputation with the racing clubs, it has also embraced the challenge of changing times, technologies and customer preference. And Tabcorp has to wait another 12 months before there is any certainty over the renewal of its exclusive tote licence in Victoria.
While wagering in Victoria delivers only 8.5 per cent of group EBIT, it is Tabcorp's heritage business and it needs to keep it that way.
Then there is the gaming business, which for Tabcorp has been turned on its head by Victoria's decision to move to a venue-based model for licensing after 2012.
The impact of Victoria's reform cannot be underestimated. The state's gaming sector generates 24.5 per cent of Tabcorp's EBIT and things are going to change big-time after 2012. Funke Kupper says there are three paths Tabcorp could follow to mitigate the damage, two operational and one legal.
The operational choices are to leverage the company's gaming expertise into a venue-based model or to generate income by providing backroom services directly to the venues. The current preference would seem to be the second path.
The legal path is more certain. Tabcorp will pursue the Victorian Government for compensation of at least $686.8 million for the loss of the licences.
The company maintains that the legislation that delivered the licences contained firm mechanics for compensation should government policy change. The Government says Tabcorp is wrong.
The obvious problem for Funke Kupper is that the people who will take his gaming business away are the same ones who will make the final decision on Victoria's wagering business. Clearly the expectation is that the legal dispute will not impact on government thinking. Tabcorp shareholders better hope he is right.
The race for the Victorian wagering licence is more layered than simply winning the bid-off against Tatts Group & Ors for the 12-15 year extension on offer.
As Funke Kupper made clear yesterday, he is not even sure yet that the Victorians will offer to maintain the exclusive licence that currently underpins Tabcorp's Victorian wagering business.
A loss of exclusivity would, obviously, fundamentally change the price anyone would want to pay for a licence.
At the same time, Tabcorp has other beefs with the regulatory environment in wagering.
Fukne Kupper has two main major issues with the way racing betting is moving.
First, he reckons that the ability of bookmakers to offer tote odds delivers them a free ride on his proprietary technology and is an infringement of the exclusivity of his licences.
And second, he believes that bookmakers and a suite of new internet players have been delivered race fields and yet do not make the same financial investment in the racing that is required of the licensed totes.
Tabcorp pays 1.5 per cent of wagering turnover back to the racing industry. Last year it contributed $300 million to Victorian Racing and $214 million to the equine influenza affected NSW industry.
It is frustration with this situation that has, in part, driven Tabcorp into the unregulated area that is the Northern Territory's less regulated bookmaking space.
Tabcorp reckons that overall wagering volumes in the NT will increase by nearly 70 per cent to $5 billion by the end of calendar 2008. Not only does Fukne Kupper want a slice of that action but he wants to "prove to the world that bookmakers should and can contribute to the racing industry based on turnover.
"Totes around the country contribute 90 per cent of all industry funding. They will be the source of funding into the future."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Gaming
Casino News Media
Not many get rewarded for delivering unexpected bad news in this dangerously flighty market, but Elmer Funke Kupper seems to be one exception that helps make the rule.
Yesterday's positive and chunky 6.6 per cent re-rating of Tabcorp in the face of a collection of comparatively vast and, in part, unexpected provisioning reflects well on operational and marketing strengths of its fledgling chief executive.
While the rest of the market struggled yesterday, Tabcorp was written up by 6 per cent after announcing a post-provisions loss of $164 million.
Tabcorp had efficiently flagged its generally steady annual result and that it would be blighted by non-cash provisioning in the wake of the Victorian Government's decision to change the structure of its gaming licensing from 2012.
So, the $487.7 million charge against the future loss of licences was no surprise. Neither was confirmation that a further $110 million or so of the licence valuation would be amortised over the next four years. The same cannot be said of the $194 million write-down of goodwill acquired in the highball, $2.25 billion acquisition of NSW totalisator, TAB Limited, back in 2004.
Funke Kupper yesterday all but admitted Tabcorp paid too much for TAB and that it did so on the back of overly aggressive financial modelling. The time had come, he said, to account for the continuing gap between expectation and reality.
That observation, to a degree, defines Funke Kupper's seriously rugged first 13 months at the helm of Australia's biggest gambling company.
Funke Kupper, you may recall, was called off Tabcorp's executive bench after its board turned on banker turned gambling man, Matthew Slatter, in April last year.
Slatter had been terminated by then chairman Michael Robinson after an unacceptable explosion in Tabcorp's costs of business and a failure to deliver on the promise of the high-ball but strategically necessary TAB acquisition.
The man with the coolest name in business was installed immediately as a caretaker CEO and formally confirmed in the job three months later.
Back then Funke Kupper said he wanted to rebuild Tabcorp's operational integrity while dealing with a daunting collection of legacy and structural issues.
The quality of the 2007-08 result suggests that, despite some serious setbacks -- the biggest being the Victorian licensing decision -- Funke Kupper is hitting enough of his core performance targets.
And the surprising dimension of the write-downs says the Tabcorp board is prepared to pay the price to deliver some clear financial air to the new bloke.
Mind you, there are some real and present operational challenges ahead for Tabcorp.
Its new-horizon business, casinos, has again underperformed, particularly in Queensland. Funke Kupper plans to spend $475 million on revitalising Sydney's Star Casino in a bet he can produce an equivalent step-change in earnings.
To help fund casino expansion, Funke Kupper has foreshadowed a change in Tabcorp's approach to dividend reinvestment.
Tabcorp will likely suspend any further share buybacks for maybe three years as it delivers the new Star. Given that about 20 per cent of the total dividend is usually paid through the DRP, that means Tabcorp's issued capital will expand until at least 2010.
But rest easy, Tabcorp shareholders: Funke Kupper has all but committed to maintaining his payout at circa 94c a share in 2009 and probably beyond.
In the end, about half of the funding for the casino rebuild will come from the DRP.
Over in the core wagering business, Tabcorp's growth has been constrained by a combination of issues past and future. While the company is working hard to rebuild its reputation with the racing clubs, it has also embraced the challenge of changing times, technologies and customer preference. And Tabcorp has to wait another 12 months before there is any certainty over the renewal of its exclusive tote licence in Victoria.
While wagering in Victoria delivers only 8.5 per cent of group EBIT, it is Tabcorp's heritage business and it needs to keep it that way.
Then there is the gaming business, which for Tabcorp has been turned on its head by Victoria's decision to move to a venue-based model for licensing after 2012.
The impact of Victoria's reform cannot be underestimated. The state's gaming sector generates 24.5 per cent of Tabcorp's EBIT and things are going to change big-time after 2012. Funke Kupper says there are three paths Tabcorp could follow to mitigate the damage, two operational and one legal.
The operational choices are to leverage the company's gaming expertise into a venue-based model or to generate income by providing backroom services directly to the venues. The current preference would seem to be the second path.
The legal path is more certain. Tabcorp will pursue the Victorian Government for compensation of at least $686.8 million for the loss of the licences.
The company maintains that the legislation that delivered the licences contained firm mechanics for compensation should government policy change. The Government says Tabcorp is wrong.
The obvious problem for Funke Kupper is that the people who will take his gaming business away are the same ones who will make the final decision on Victoria's wagering business. Clearly the expectation is that the legal dispute will not impact on government thinking. Tabcorp shareholders better hope he is right.
The race for the Victorian wagering licence is more layered than simply winning the bid-off against Tatts Group & Ors for the 12-15 year extension on offer.
As Funke Kupper made clear yesterday, he is not even sure yet that the Victorians will offer to maintain the exclusive licence that currently underpins Tabcorp's Victorian wagering business.
A loss of exclusivity would, obviously, fundamentally change the price anyone would want to pay for a licence.
At the same time, Tabcorp has other beefs with the regulatory environment in wagering.
Fukne Kupper has two main major issues with the way racing betting is moving.
First, he reckons that the ability of bookmakers to offer tote odds delivers them a free ride on his proprietary technology and is an infringement of the exclusivity of his licences.
And second, he believes that bookmakers and a suite of new internet players have been delivered race fields and yet do not make the same financial investment in the racing that is required of the licensed totes.
Tabcorp pays 1.5 per cent of wagering turnover back to the racing industry. Last year it contributed $300 million to Victorian Racing and $214 million to the equine influenza affected NSW industry.
It is frustration with this situation that has, in part, driven Tabcorp into the unregulated area that is the Northern Territory's less regulated bookmaking space.
Tabcorp reckons that overall wagering volumes in the NT will increase by nearly 70 per cent to $5 billion by the end of calendar 2008. Not only does Fukne Kupper want a slice of that action but he wants to "prove to the world that bookmakers should and can contribute to the racing industry based on turnover.
"Totes around the country contribute 90 per cent of all industry funding. They will be the source of funding into the future."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Gaming
Casino News Media
Friday, August 08, 2008
Poker challenge attracts players - The Ridge News - 7th August 2008
The countdown has begun for hundreds of ordinary Australians trying to beat the cost of living doom and gloom.
Across the country, people from all walks of life are playing free poker to qualify for the last remaining seats available in the APL Tournament of Champions (TOC) - a three-day poker extravaganza set to take place in Sydney from August 8 to 10.
NSW man Rodney Davidson walked away with a $300,000 first prize last year, after qualifying at a free poker event in Bega.
Before the tournament Rodney had only $20 in the bank and had to borrow the money for his train fare to get to the event.
Hopefuls who have already qualified for this year’s APL TOC range in age from a 78-year-old grandmother to an 18-year-old student.
Some of the 1000 players participating also include company directors, pilots, handymen and single parents.
Lightning Ridge qualifier Brian Adams won his ticket at our regional finals which are held every three months.
You will find Brian playing at Walgett and Lightning Ridge each week. He has been playing poker with the APL during the past 12 months.
Whilst APL players create new and lasting friendships, there are big prizes to play for at the APL TOC, despite none of the entrants paying a cent to enter.
Players who are skillful enough to make it to the final table will battle it out for a share of $600,000.
While most eyes will be on the money up for grabs, APL together with Wild Turkey Bourbon will also be putting on a show for spectators during the four nights.
Visitors to the event at the all new “Cube” in Campbelltown, Sydney will experience a Shannon Noll concert, a celebrity poker tournament (featuring Jeff Fenech, JP from Australia’s next top model and Greg Bird), the Wild Turkey experience area with live bands each night, a learn to play poker area and sit and go tables.
The final evening will also feature an ethnic drum beats and fire show, Zoo girls, a free holiday to be given away and motorbike competition.
Anybody wanting to learn to play poker or test out their skills, can be part of the action with poker games happening at two local venues.
There is the Walgett Sports Club on Monday nights. Registration is 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start. Then there is the Lightning Ridge Bowling Club on Tuesday nights. Registration is 6pm for a 7pm start.
All our events are free and once a month there is a cash game.
For further information call Jane Smith on 0410 040 859.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
The countdown has begun for hundreds of ordinary Australians trying to beat the cost of living doom and gloom.
Across the country, people from all walks of life are playing free poker to qualify for the last remaining seats available in the APL Tournament of Champions (TOC) - a three-day poker extravaganza set to take place in Sydney from August 8 to 10.
NSW man Rodney Davidson walked away with a $300,000 first prize last year, after qualifying at a free poker event in Bega.
Before the tournament Rodney had only $20 in the bank and had to borrow the money for his train fare to get to the event.
Hopefuls who have already qualified for this year’s APL TOC range in age from a 78-year-old grandmother to an 18-year-old student.
Some of the 1000 players participating also include company directors, pilots, handymen and single parents.
Lightning Ridge qualifier Brian Adams won his ticket at our regional finals which are held every three months.
You will find Brian playing at Walgett and Lightning Ridge each week. He has been playing poker with the APL during the past 12 months.
Whilst APL players create new and lasting friendships, there are big prizes to play for at the APL TOC, despite none of the entrants paying a cent to enter.
Players who are skillful enough to make it to the final table will battle it out for a share of $600,000.
While most eyes will be on the money up for grabs, APL together with Wild Turkey Bourbon will also be putting on a show for spectators during the four nights.
Visitors to the event at the all new “Cube” in Campbelltown, Sydney will experience a Shannon Noll concert, a celebrity poker tournament (featuring Jeff Fenech, JP from Australia’s next top model and Greg Bird), the Wild Turkey experience area with live bands each night, a learn to play poker area and sit and go tables.
The final evening will also feature an ethnic drum beats and fire show, Zoo girls, a free holiday to be given away and motorbike competition.
Anybody wanting to learn to play poker or test out their skills, can be part of the action with poker games happening at two local venues.
There is the Walgett Sports Club on Monday nights. Registration is 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start. Then there is the Lightning Ridge Bowling Club on Tuesday nights. Registration is 6pm for a 7pm start.
All our events are free and once a month there is a cash game.
For further information call Jane Smith on 0410 040 859.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
TMZ EXCLUSIVE: Joe: Casino Lures Whales With Booze and Sex! - 7th August 2008
"Girls Gone Wild" pimpresario Joe Francis has filed a doozy of a counterclaim to the Wynn's lawsuit alleging he owes $2 mil in gambling debts. He alleges, among other things, that as a practice the Wynn Hotel lures high rollers to gamble in the casino using "alcohol, prostitutes and illegal drugs." Isn't that what Vegas is all about ?!?
In his counterclaim, filed late yesterday in Clark County Superior Court, Francis says the Wynn casino and VIP host Larry Altschul made promises to Joe -- a high roller -- to "induce [him] to stay and gamble at the Wynn Casino." He claims that the Wynn used diversions and created phony markers to obtain money by "false pretenses." Francis also alleges the Wynn "intentionally miscalculates markers and forges the high rollers' signatures in order to change a high rollers' win to a loss."
Francis' powerhouse lawyer David Houston tells us this is only the beginning. He says they're going to seek out all of the Wynn's high rollers to see if they were treated as badly as he says Francis was.
Stay tuned ... (Credit: TMZ)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
"Girls Gone Wild" pimpresario Joe Francis has filed a doozy of a counterclaim to the Wynn's lawsuit alleging he owes $2 mil in gambling debts. He alleges, among other things, that as a practice the Wynn Hotel lures high rollers to gamble in the casino using "alcohol, prostitutes and illegal drugs." Isn't that what Vegas is all about ?!?
In his counterclaim, filed late yesterday in Clark County Superior Court, Francis says the Wynn casino and VIP host Larry Altschul made promises to Joe -- a high roller -- to "induce [him] to stay and gamble at the Wynn Casino." He claims that the Wynn used diversions and created phony markers to obtain money by "false pretenses." Francis also alleges the Wynn "intentionally miscalculates markers and forges the high rollers' signatures in order to change a high rollers' win to a loss."
Francis' powerhouse lawyer David Houston tells us this is only the beginning. He says they're going to seek out all of the Wynn's high rollers to see if they were treated as badly as he says Francis was.
Stay tuned ... (Credit: TMZ)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Cowboys All In For Charity Poker Tournament - 20th May 2008
Jupiters Townsville will proudly host the world's first Cowboys vs Cowboys clash this Thursday night, all in the name of charity.
Cowboys from the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) will be putting on their poker face when they compete against the National Rugby League (NRL) North Queensland Cowboys in the charity Texas Hold 'Em Poker tournament.
The unique, testosterone-fuelled charity poker event will kick off at 7:30pm in the Casino at JupitersTowns ville, following the official welcome ceremony for the PBR Troy Dunn International ahead of the Friday and Saturday's events at the Townsville Entertainment Centre.
Jupiters Townsville will donate $5,000 towards the event, where the poker table will compete for the prize pool, split $4,000 for the winners and $1,000 for second place. All prize money won at the event will benefit local charities nominated by both teams.
General Manager of Jupiters Townsville, Sean Knights, said that the event was a fantastic opportunity to welcome the Australian and international riders of the PBR to Townsville as they go head to head against the home favourites, the NQ Cowboys.
"As a major sponsor of both the NQ Cowboys and the PBR Troy Dunn International, it gives me great pleasure to be able to host the first Cowboys vs Cowboys Charity Poker Challenge. This charity match not only gives us the opportunity to support the high-end events that are being hosted in Townsville, such as the PBR, but also to provide much needed funds to support organisations in our local region," Mr Knights said.
Poker players for PBR Australia include legendary bull rider, and Australia's only World Champion and event patron, Troy Dunn, his protégé returning from the U.S. for the PBR Troy Dunn International, Brendon Clark, the world's number 11-ranker, Luke Snyder from the USA and his compatriot Pistol Robinson.
Trading their jerseys for Jacks and Aces, lining up for the NQ Cowboys are 5/8 and poker fan, Travis Burns, vice-captain Aaron Payne, David Faiumu and the big man on campus and a deft hand at the table, Ray Cashmere.
Securing the home side advantage, the NQ Toyota Cowboys will try and give the PBR cowboys the run- around by taking the 2008 charity poker premiership and donating their winnings to the Cowboys Community Fund, a project dedicated to providing support and financial assistance towards improving the quality of youthful lives in North Queensland.
North Queensland Cowboys Chief Executive Officer, Peter Parr, was excited about the charity event, saying, "The Cowboys have always taken great pride in our work with the community and various charities. This event is no different and we look forward to contributing to the charities involved."
Similar to rugby league, bull riding - described as the toughest sport on dirt - has a serious, high risk of injury and due to the regional nature of the sport riders rely on local medical support.
As a gesture of thanks, the PBR bull riders have nominated the Townsville Hospital Foundation to receive their poker charity donation.
Whether the take will be $4,000 or $1,000 the Townsville Hospital Foundation has nominated a Spot Vital Signs Monitor and Portable Stand to purchase with the winnings.
The Townsville Hospital Foundation has been supporting the Townsville Health District since 1989 by providing the best possible treatment, facilities and assistance to patients, medical staff, family members and visitors.
Calling all cowboys fans – whether bull riding or NRL - come early to make sure you don’t miss the inaugural clash of sport’s true hard men.
JUPITERS TOWNSVILLE PRESENTS:
COWBOYS VS. COWBOYS CHARITY POKER CHALLENGE
Jupiters Townsville
Thursday 22nd
May, 7:30pm
PBR TROY DUNN INTERNATIONAL
Townsville Entertainment Centre
Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th May
Tickets from Townsville Entertainment Centre Box Office
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Jupiters Townsville will proudly host the world's first Cowboys vs Cowboys clash this Thursday night, all in the name of charity.
Cowboys from the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) will be putting on their poker face when they compete against the National Rugby League (NRL) North Queensland Cowboys in the charity Texas Hold 'Em Poker tournament.
The unique, testosterone-fuelled charity poker event will kick off at 7:30pm in the Casino at JupitersTowns ville, following the official welcome ceremony for the PBR Troy Dunn International ahead of the Friday and Saturday's events at the Townsville Entertainment Centre.
Jupiters Townsville will donate $5,000 towards the event, where the poker table will compete for the prize pool, split $4,000 for the winners and $1,000 for second place. All prize money won at the event will benefit local charities nominated by both teams.
General Manager of Jupiters Townsville, Sean Knights, said that the event was a fantastic opportunity to welcome the Australian and international riders of the PBR to Townsville as they go head to head against the home favourites, the NQ Cowboys.
"As a major sponsor of both the NQ Cowboys and the PBR Troy Dunn International, it gives me great pleasure to be able to host the first Cowboys vs Cowboys Charity Poker Challenge. This charity match not only gives us the opportunity to support the high-end events that are being hosted in Townsville, such as the PBR, but also to provide much needed funds to support organisations in our local region," Mr Knights said.
Poker players for PBR Australia include legendary bull rider, and Australia's only World Champion and event patron, Troy Dunn, his protégé returning from the U.S. for the PBR Troy Dunn International, Brendon Clark, the world's number 11-ranker, Luke Snyder from the USA and his compatriot Pistol Robinson.
Trading their jerseys for Jacks and Aces, lining up for the NQ Cowboys are 5/8 and poker fan, Travis Burns, vice-captain Aaron Payne, David Faiumu and the big man on campus and a deft hand at the table, Ray Cashmere.
Securing the home side advantage, the NQ Toyota Cowboys will try and give the PBR cowboys the run- around by taking the 2008 charity poker premiership and donating their winnings to the Cowboys Community Fund, a project dedicated to providing support and financial assistance towards improving the quality of youthful lives in North Queensland.
North Queensland Cowboys Chief Executive Officer, Peter Parr, was excited about the charity event, saying, "The Cowboys have always taken great pride in our work with the community and various charities. This event is no different and we look forward to contributing to the charities involved."
Similar to rugby league, bull riding - described as the toughest sport on dirt - has a serious, high risk of injury and due to the regional nature of the sport riders rely on local medical support.
As a gesture of thanks, the PBR bull riders have nominated the Townsville Hospital Foundation to receive their poker charity donation.
Whether the take will be $4,000 or $1,000 the Townsville Hospital Foundation has nominated a Spot Vital Signs Monitor and Portable Stand to purchase with the winnings.
The Townsville Hospital Foundation has been supporting the Townsville Health District since 1989 by providing the best possible treatment, facilities and assistance to patients, medical staff, family members and visitors.
Calling all cowboys fans – whether bull riding or NRL - come early to make sure you don’t miss the inaugural clash of sport’s true hard men.
JUPITERS TOWNSVILLE PRESENTS:
COWBOYS VS. COWBOYS CHARITY POKER CHALLENGE
Jupiters Townsville
Thursday 22nd
May, 7:30pm
PBR TROY DUNN INTERNATIONAL
Townsville Entertainment Centre
Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th May
Tickets from Townsville Entertainment Centre Box Office
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Thursday, August 07, 2008
WORLD POKER TOUR® JOINS FORCES WITH FSN ON ONLINE, TELEVISION DEAL, KICKING OFF SERIES OF STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
(LOS ANGELES) July 31, 2008 – WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) has aligned with Fox Sports Net (a division of News Corporation) in a deal involving WPT’s online assets. WPTE and FSN will kick off their collaboration in September with the creation of a television series based on WPTE’s subscription and sweepstakes game offering, CLUBWPT.com.
Each week, players will have multiple chances to win a seat in the TV series by playing in poker and blackjack tournaments on CLUBWPT.com. Weekly episodes telecast nationally on FSN will feature a new final table with CLUBWPT.com members battling it out on the felt for cash prizes.
Conducted under United States sweepstakes rules, CLUBWPT.com is a subscription-based online club offering daily poker and blackjack events targeting the estimated 60 million poker players in the United States. Players receive points to play in over 4000 live poker and blackjack tournaments, sit-n-go’s and ring games for a chance to win over $100,000 in cash and prizes each month, including $10,000 seats into World Poker Tour main events. For a $19.95 monthly subscription, CLUBWPT.com members receive additional benefits including magazine subscriptions, travel and entertainment discounts in Las Vegas and other VIP content. To get details on how to join CLUBWPT.com, for information on alternative means of entry or to get a two-week free trial, visit www.CLUBWPT.com.
“FSN takes pride in its progressive approach to programming and is pleased to be the new home for the World Poker Tour. The WPT is synonymous with big event poker and is a firmly established household brand,” said George Greenberg, FSN Executive Vice President of Programming and Production. “The marriage is perfect.”
“FSN is a reigning media giant whose unparalleled energy and resources will benefit CLUBWPT.com on a whole new level. We look forward to building our relationship with them and establishing additional deals to help reach the huge market potential that CLUBWPT.com holds,” said Steve Lipscomb, WPT Founder, President and CEO.
FSN’s 16 owned-and-operated regional networks and its affiliated networks reach more than 80 million homes across the U.S. In addition to the CLUBWPT.com television series, FSN will exclusively broadcast 26 all-new episodes from World Poker Tour Season VII.
No purchase is necessary for the Club sweepstakes and the service is void in states where prohibited. For full details go to www.CLUBWPT.com.
###
ABOUT WPTE
WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) is a company engaged in the creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. WPTE is the creator of the World Poker Tour®, a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that has been licensed for broadcast globally. WPT Season VI airs Monday nights at 9pm ET/PT on GSN in the United States, and WPT Season VII will air on FSN. WPTE also offers real-money online gaming on its website, www.worldpokertour.com, which prohibits wagers from players in the U.S. and certain other restricted territories. WPTE also has operations in mainland China, pursuant to an agreement with the China Leisure Sports Administrative Center where WPTE is developing and marketing the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour. In January 2008, the company launched CLUBWPT.com, an innovative subscription-based online poker club targeted to the estimated 60 million poker players in the United States and is currently offered in 38 States. WPTE currently licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. The company is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. For show information, tools for improving poker play, and other WPT news, fans may log on to www.worldpokertour.com. WPTE is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: LACO).
WPTEG
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by WPT Enterprises, Inc.) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to the expansion of WPTE's brand licensing, the development of new television and film projects, the development of WPTE corporate sponsors and other business development activities, as well as statements regarding other capital spending, financing sources and the effects of competition. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of WPTE. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that WPTE may not obtain sufficient sponsorship revenues for Season VII programming of the WPT; difficulty of predicting the growth of our online gaming business, which is a relatively new industry with an increasing number of market entrants; reliance on the efforts of CryptoLogic to develop and maintain the online gaming website in compliance with WPTE’s business model and applicable gaming laws; the potential that our television programming will fail to maintain a sufficient audience; the risk that competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence might develop television programming that would directly compete with WPTE's television programming; the risk that WPTE may not be able to protect its entertainment concepts, current and future brands and other intellectual property rights; risks associated with future expansion into new or complementary businesses; the termination or impairment of WPTE's relationships with key licensing and strategic partners; and WPTE's dependence on its senior management team. For more information, review WPTE's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
FSN is the nation’s leading provider of local sports. FSN’s 16 owned-and-operated regional networks and its affiliated networks reach more than 80 million homes across the U.S. FSN serves as the TV home to nearly two-thirds of all MLB, NHL and NBA teams based in the United States. FSN also produces close to 5,000 live local events each year, including more than 1,600 in high definition. In addition to its thousands of home team games and a wide variety of locally produced sports programs, FSN televises national sports events and programs, including Pac-10 and ACC basketball and Pac-10 and Big 12 football.
Contact:
Lyndsay LaGree
WPT Enterprises
323 599 9145
llagree@worldpokertour.com
Media Man Australia Profiles
World Poker Tour
News Corp
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
(LOS ANGELES) July 31, 2008 – WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) has aligned with Fox Sports Net (a division of News Corporation) in a deal involving WPT’s online assets. WPTE and FSN will kick off their collaboration in September with the creation of a television series based on WPTE’s subscription and sweepstakes game offering, CLUBWPT.com.
Each week, players will have multiple chances to win a seat in the TV series by playing in poker and blackjack tournaments on CLUBWPT.com. Weekly episodes telecast nationally on FSN will feature a new final table with CLUBWPT.com members battling it out on the felt for cash prizes.
Conducted under United States sweepstakes rules, CLUBWPT.com is a subscription-based online club offering daily poker and blackjack events targeting the estimated 60 million poker players in the United States. Players receive points to play in over 4000 live poker and blackjack tournaments, sit-n-go’s and ring games for a chance to win over $100,000 in cash and prizes each month, including $10,000 seats into World Poker Tour main events. For a $19.95 monthly subscription, CLUBWPT.com members receive additional benefits including magazine subscriptions, travel and entertainment discounts in Las Vegas and other VIP content. To get details on how to join CLUBWPT.com, for information on alternative means of entry or to get a two-week free trial, visit www.CLUBWPT.com.
“FSN takes pride in its progressive approach to programming and is pleased to be the new home for the World Poker Tour. The WPT is synonymous with big event poker and is a firmly established household brand,” said George Greenberg, FSN Executive Vice President of Programming and Production. “The marriage is perfect.”
“FSN is a reigning media giant whose unparalleled energy and resources will benefit CLUBWPT.com on a whole new level. We look forward to building our relationship with them and establishing additional deals to help reach the huge market potential that CLUBWPT.com holds,” said Steve Lipscomb, WPT Founder, President and CEO.
FSN’s 16 owned-and-operated regional networks and its affiliated networks reach more than 80 million homes across the U.S. In addition to the CLUBWPT.com television series, FSN will exclusively broadcast 26 all-new episodes from World Poker Tour Season VII.
No purchase is necessary for the Club sweepstakes and the service is void in states where prohibited. For full details go to www.CLUBWPT.com.
###
ABOUT WPTE
WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) is a company engaged in the creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. WPTE is the creator of the World Poker Tour®, a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that has been licensed for broadcast globally. WPT Season VI airs Monday nights at 9pm ET/PT on GSN in the United States, and WPT Season VII will air on FSN. WPTE also offers real-money online gaming on its website, www.worldpokertour.com, which prohibits wagers from players in the U.S. and certain other restricted territories. WPTE also has operations in mainland China, pursuant to an agreement with the China Leisure Sports Administrative Center where WPTE is developing and marketing the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour. In January 2008, the company launched CLUBWPT.com, an innovative subscription-based online poker club targeted to the estimated 60 million poker players in the United States and is currently offered in 38 States. WPTE currently licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. The company is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. For show information, tools for improving poker play, and other WPT news, fans may log on to www.worldpokertour.com. WPTE is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: LACO).
WPTEG
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by WPT Enterprises, Inc.) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to the expansion of WPTE's brand licensing, the development of new television and film projects, the development of WPTE corporate sponsors and other business development activities, as well as statements regarding other capital spending, financing sources and the effects of competition. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of WPTE. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that WPTE may not obtain sufficient sponsorship revenues for Season VII programming of the WPT; difficulty of predicting the growth of our online gaming business, which is a relatively new industry with an increasing number of market entrants; reliance on the efforts of CryptoLogic to develop and maintain the online gaming website in compliance with WPTE’s business model and applicable gaming laws; the potential that our television programming will fail to maintain a sufficient audience; the risk that competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence might develop television programming that would directly compete with WPTE's television programming; the risk that WPTE may not be able to protect its entertainment concepts, current and future brands and other intellectual property rights; risks associated with future expansion into new or complementary businesses; the termination or impairment of WPTE's relationships with key licensing and strategic partners; and WPTE's dependence on its senior management team. For more information, review WPTE's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
FSN is the nation’s leading provider of local sports. FSN’s 16 owned-and-operated regional networks and its affiliated networks reach more than 80 million homes across the U.S. FSN serves as the TV home to nearly two-thirds of all MLB, NHL and NBA teams based in the United States. FSN also produces close to 5,000 live local events each year, including more than 1,600 in high definition. In addition to its thousands of home team games and a wide variety of locally produced sports programs, FSN televises national sports events and programs, including Pac-10 and ACC basketball and Pac-10 and Big 12 football.
Contact:
Lyndsay LaGree
WPT Enterprises
323 599 9145
llagree@worldpokertour.com
Media Man Australia Profiles
World Poker Tour
News Corp
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Fox TV Deal for Club WPT - 6th August 2008
ClubWPT, the ingenious UIGEA workaround for America's estimated 60 million poker fans, is to be featured in a Fox Sports Net television series following an agreement with World Poker Tour Enterprises.
ClubWPT was launched at the beginning of 2008 as a membership-by-subscription organisation operating under US sweepstakes rules, and offers daily poker and blackjack events. In return for a monthly subscription of $19.95, players receive points to play in over 4,000 live tournaments, sit-n-go's and ring games carrying opportunities to win north of $100,000 in cash and prizes each month.
The Club also sponsors WPT tournament packages for successful players, and provides players with magazine subscriptions and travel and entertainment discounts redeemable in Las Vegas.
The new deal follows an agreement between Fox and WPT for the former to broadcast Season VII of the World Poker Tour.
"Fox Sports Network takes pride in its progressive approach to programming and is pleased to be the new home for the World Poker Tour," said George Greenberg, Executive Vice-President of Programming and Production for Fox Sports Net. "The WPT is synonymous with big event poker and is a firmly established household brand. The marriage is perfect."
Media Man Australia Profiles
World Poker Tour
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
ClubWPT, the ingenious UIGEA workaround for America's estimated 60 million poker fans, is to be featured in a Fox Sports Net television series following an agreement with World Poker Tour Enterprises.
ClubWPT was launched at the beginning of 2008 as a membership-by-subscription organisation operating under US sweepstakes rules, and offers daily poker and blackjack events. In return for a monthly subscription of $19.95, players receive points to play in over 4,000 live tournaments, sit-n-go's and ring games carrying opportunities to win north of $100,000 in cash and prizes each month.
The Club also sponsors WPT tournament packages for successful players, and provides players with magazine subscriptions and travel and entertainment discounts redeemable in Las Vegas.
The new deal follows an agreement between Fox and WPT for the former to broadcast Season VII of the World Poker Tour.
"Fox Sports Network takes pride in its progressive approach to programming and is pleased to be the new home for the World Poker Tour," said George Greenberg, Executive Vice-President of Programming and Production for Fox Sports Net. "The WPT is synonymous with big event poker and is a firmly established household brand. The marriage is perfect."
Media Man Australia Profiles
World Poker Tour
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Poker Legend Doyle Brunson To Attend APT Macau - 6th August 2008
(MACAU, CHINA) – The Asian Poker Tour (APT) is proud to announce that the Godfather of Poker, Doyle Brunson, will be attending the APT’s Macau tournament.
Brunson, the biggest name in the history of poker, has confirmed he will be playing at the APT Macau Main Event at the Galaxy StarWorld Hotel and Casino starting on the 27th of August. He will be joined by his son, Todd Brunson, who is also a big-name player in the poker world.
The participation of the Brunsons further raises the standing of the Asian Poker Tour which also features other top professionals such as J.C. Tran, Nam Le, Quinn Do, APT Philippines champion David Saab and hundreds of other poker players from around the world.
Aside from playing in the main event at APT Macau, Doyle will also be on hand for a special event of his own – a book signing which is anticipated to attract huge interest. His books, especially Super System and Super System II, are considered the most authoritative sources on playing and winning at poker. Fans and players will be able to meet him and get their copies personally signed at APT Macau.
Doyle Brunson is a legendary American poker player who has played professionally for over fifty years. Nicknamed “Texas Dolly”, he has seen it all – from the early beginnings of poker in the United States to the sudden surge of the game’s popularity during the last decade. He is currently in a tie for second place on the all-time winners list with ten World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets – just one behind first-placer Phil Hellmuth. His live tournament winnings at present exceed USD $5,300,000.
Like Doyle, his son Todd is also a professional poker player. Todd, who did not learn the game until he was in law school, has been playing in both cash games and tournaments for the last two decades. Nicknamed “Darkhorse”, he also has a WSOP bracelet of his own, making the Brunsons the only father-son combination in history to have won WSOP bracelets. His live tournament winnings presently exceed USD $3,200,000.
APT Macau, the second leg of the 2008 Asian Poker Tour, will be held at the Galaxy StarWorld Hotel and Casino in Asia’s gambling mecca from August 27 to 31, 2008. The APT is home to Asia’s largest guaranteed prize pool with USD $1,500,000 in cash. The winner of APT Macau is guaranteed at least USD $500,000, which is sure to attract the top poker players from all over the world.
The buy-in for the Macau leg of this year’s APT is set at USD $5300 ($5000+$300). Players can also win seats to the event by qualifying through various online satellites being held all over the world on top poker rooms such as DafaPoker, Titan Poker, PartyPoker, and PKR.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Ross
Lyceum Media
+44 (0) 207 953 4026
Melissa@lyceummedia.com
ABOUT ASIAN POKER TOUR (APT)
The Asian Poker Tour (APT) is Asia’s biggest and original poker tour. The Tour was recently acquired by AsianLogic (AIM:ALOG). As part of the new organisation of the APT, four events will be held across Asia in 2008. Next year, the Tour plans to increase this to a total of six events. Each tournament is set to attract live players as well as internet players who will qualify via online satellites. Each main event will offer a minimum guaranteed USD $1 million prize pool. The official web site of the APT is www.asianpt.com.
ABOUT ASIANLOGIC (ALL)
AsianLogic is a leading online and land-based gaming company focusing on the Asia-Pacific markets. The Company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: ALOG). AsianLogic owns and operates eight online casino brands and two online poker rooms as well as land-based sportsbook operations through its MegaSportsWorld brand. It is a specialist in Asia-specific games such as Mahjong, Cho-Da-Di, Do-Di-Zhu and 13 Card Poker. The Company owns and operates the Asian Poker Tour.
The Company also maintains a corporate advisory team specialising in the gaming sector which is an active investor in gaming-related businesses as well as providing consultancy and analytical services. AsianLogic enjoys strong commercial relationships with leading gaming providers including Playtech, ID Games and LVS. Founded as ESL in 2002, AsianLogic employs over 300 employees, the majority of whom are based in the Philippines.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Doyle Brunson
Doyle's Room
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
(MACAU, CHINA) – The Asian Poker Tour (APT) is proud to announce that the Godfather of Poker, Doyle Brunson, will be attending the APT’s Macau tournament.
Brunson, the biggest name in the history of poker, has confirmed he will be playing at the APT Macau Main Event at the Galaxy StarWorld Hotel and Casino starting on the 27th of August. He will be joined by his son, Todd Brunson, who is also a big-name player in the poker world.
The participation of the Brunsons further raises the standing of the Asian Poker Tour which also features other top professionals such as J.C. Tran, Nam Le, Quinn Do, APT Philippines champion David Saab and hundreds of other poker players from around the world.
Aside from playing in the main event at APT Macau, Doyle will also be on hand for a special event of his own – a book signing which is anticipated to attract huge interest. His books, especially Super System and Super System II, are considered the most authoritative sources on playing and winning at poker. Fans and players will be able to meet him and get their copies personally signed at APT Macau.
Doyle Brunson is a legendary American poker player who has played professionally for over fifty years. Nicknamed “Texas Dolly”, he has seen it all – from the early beginnings of poker in the United States to the sudden surge of the game’s popularity during the last decade. He is currently in a tie for second place on the all-time winners list with ten World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets – just one behind first-placer Phil Hellmuth. His live tournament winnings at present exceed USD $5,300,000.
Like Doyle, his son Todd is also a professional poker player. Todd, who did not learn the game until he was in law school, has been playing in both cash games and tournaments for the last two decades. Nicknamed “Darkhorse”, he also has a WSOP bracelet of his own, making the Brunsons the only father-son combination in history to have won WSOP bracelets. His live tournament winnings presently exceed USD $3,200,000.
APT Macau, the second leg of the 2008 Asian Poker Tour, will be held at the Galaxy StarWorld Hotel and Casino in Asia’s gambling mecca from August 27 to 31, 2008. The APT is home to Asia’s largest guaranteed prize pool with USD $1,500,000 in cash. The winner of APT Macau is guaranteed at least USD $500,000, which is sure to attract the top poker players from all over the world.
The buy-in for the Macau leg of this year’s APT is set at USD $5300 ($5000+$300). Players can also win seats to the event by qualifying through various online satellites being held all over the world on top poker rooms such as DafaPoker, Titan Poker, PartyPoker, and PKR.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Ross
Lyceum Media
+44 (0) 207 953 4026
Melissa@lyceummedia.com
ABOUT ASIAN POKER TOUR (APT)
The Asian Poker Tour (APT) is Asia’s biggest and original poker tour. The Tour was recently acquired by AsianLogic (AIM:ALOG). As part of the new organisation of the APT, four events will be held across Asia in 2008. Next year, the Tour plans to increase this to a total of six events. Each tournament is set to attract live players as well as internet players who will qualify via online satellites. Each main event will offer a minimum guaranteed USD $1 million prize pool. The official web site of the APT is www.asianpt.com.
ABOUT ASIANLOGIC (ALL)
AsianLogic is a leading online and land-based gaming company focusing on the Asia-Pacific markets. The Company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: ALOG). AsianLogic owns and operates eight online casino brands and two online poker rooms as well as land-based sportsbook operations through its MegaSportsWorld brand. It is a specialist in Asia-specific games such as Mahjong, Cho-Da-Di, Do-Di-Zhu and 13 Card Poker. The Company owns and operates the Asian Poker Tour.
The Company also maintains a corporate advisory team specialising in the gaming sector which is an active investor in gaming-related businesses as well as providing consultancy and analytical services. AsianLogic enjoys strong commercial relationships with leading gaming providers including Playtech, ID Games and LVS. Founded as ESL in 2002, AsianLogic employs over 300 employees, the majority of whom are based in the Philippines.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Doyle Brunson
Doyle's Room
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Wizard of Odds at Oz Gaming Expo - Media Release - 28th July 2008
World gaming guru and ‘Wizard of Odds’ Michael Shackleford, will address the Gaming Conference at the Australasian Gaming Expo on 24-26 August 2008, according to organisers of the event, the Australasian Gaming Machine Manufacturers Association (“AGMMA”).
Mr Shackleford will deliver a keynote presentation to the Gaming Conference on Sunday 24 August and will also speak on Tuesday 26 August.
“Michael Shackleford brings an international flavour to the Gaming Expo, and we are delighted that he is attending our event and will address our conference,” said AGMMA’s Chief Executive Officer, Ross Ferrar.
“It will be fascinating to hear what he has to say about gaming machine and table gaming odds, mathematically correct strategies, his perspective on our gaming industry here in Australia, as well as the overall global market.”
Based in Las Vegas, Mr. Shackleford is a professional actuary who has made a career of analysing casino games. He sometimes teaches the course in Casino Math at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Mr. Shackleford’s landmark research into the actual returns of slot machines on the Las Vegas strip garnered international attention in 2002, and he has appeared numerous times on US national television as a recognised expert on gambling strategy. His expertise also extends to inventing and marketing new casino games.
“I am looking forward to speaking at the AGE in August – the premier gaming event in Australia and one of the most popular in the region,” said Michael Shackleford, otherwise known as “The Wizard of Odds”.
“My gambling advice is a combination of themes that are true to all games, and advice specific to each game. I think of every game as a math problem, in most cases using computers to crunch the numbers together.”
“My presentations at the AGE will focus on both electronic and table games. Attention will be paid to the mathematical design of both single-line and multi-line slots. Many myths will be debunked in both games. The odds of live table games, such as Baccarat, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Let it Ride, Pai Gow, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, and Sic Bo will also be covered.
The Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE), now in its 19th year, is renowned as the region’s premier annual gaming occasion for the Hospitality Industry. Comprising a trade exhibition and the Gaming Conference, the event is held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. Entry to both the trade exhibition and the Gaming Conference is complimentary for representatives of Gaming Industry Organisations.
Further information about Mike Shackleford is available at www.wizardofodds.com
Further information about the Australasian Gaming Expo is available at www.austgamingexpo.com
Media Man Australia Profiles
Gaming
Casinos
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
World gaming guru and ‘Wizard of Odds’ Michael Shackleford, will address the Gaming Conference at the Australasian Gaming Expo on 24-26 August 2008, according to organisers of the event, the Australasian Gaming Machine Manufacturers Association (“AGMMA”).
Mr Shackleford will deliver a keynote presentation to the Gaming Conference on Sunday 24 August and will also speak on Tuesday 26 August.
“Michael Shackleford brings an international flavour to the Gaming Expo, and we are delighted that he is attending our event and will address our conference,” said AGMMA’s Chief Executive Officer, Ross Ferrar.
“It will be fascinating to hear what he has to say about gaming machine and table gaming odds, mathematically correct strategies, his perspective on our gaming industry here in Australia, as well as the overall global market.”
Based in Las Vegas, Mr. Shackleford is a professional actuary who has made a career of analysing casino games. He sometimes teaches the course in Casino Math at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Mr. Shackleford’s landmark research into the actual returns of slot machines on the Las Vegas strip garnered international attention in 2002, and he has appeared numerous times on US national television as a recognised expert on gambling strategy. His expertise also extends to inventing and marketing new casino games.
“I am looking forward to speaking at the AGE in August – the premier gaming event in Australia and one of the most popular in the region,” said Michael Shackleford, otherwise known as “The Wizard of Odds”.
“My gambling advice is a combination of themes that are true to all games, and advice specific to each game. I think of every game as a math problem, in most cases using computers to crunch the numbers together.”
“My presentations at the AGE will focus on both electronic and table games. Attention will be paid to the mathematical design of both single-line and multi-line slots. Many myths will be debunked in both games. The odds of live table games, such as Baccarat, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Let it Ride, Pai Gow, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, and Sic Bo will also be covered.
The Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE), now in its 19th year, is renowned as the region’s premier annual gaming occasion for the Hospitality Industry. Comprising a trade exhibition and the Gaming Conference, the event is held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. Entry to both the trade exhibition and the Gaming Conference is complimentary for representatives of Gaming Industry Organisations.
Further information about Mike Shackleford is available at www.wizardofodds.com
Further information about the Australasian Gaming Expo is available at www.austgamingexpo.com
Media Man Australia Profiles
Gaming
Casinos
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Tabcorp books a loss - The Sydney Morning Herald - 7th August 2008
Tabcorp Holdings, Australia's top gaming group, reported a net loss after tax of $164.6 million after taking a charge on Victorian gaming licences, the company said in a statement.
Tabcorp, which owns Sydney's Star City casino, TAB wagering and Keno games, took a $487.7 million charge reflecting the Victoria state government's view that Tabcorp was not entitled to a licence fee refund.
The company reported a normalised net profit after tax before items of $516.9 million for fiscal year ended June 30.
Tabcorp shares are down about 42% in 2008, nearly double the drop in the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Tabcorp Holdings, Australia's top gaming group, reported a net loss after tax of $164.6 million after taking a charge on Victorian gaming licences, the company said in a statement.
Tabcorp, which owns Sydney's Star City casino, TAB wagering and Keno games, took a $487.7 million charge reflecting the Victoria state government's view that Tabcorp was not entitled to a licence fee refund.
The company reported a normalised net profit after tax before items of $516.9 million for fiscal year ended June 30.
Tabcorp shares are down about 42% in 2008, nearly double the drop in the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
CasinoAffiliatePrograms Kicks Off Voting for 2nd Annual CAP Awards - 5th August 2008
IRVINE, CA – August 5, 2008 – CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com (http://www.casinoaffiliateprograms.com, commonly referred to as “CAP”), a leading online marketing resource and community website for Internet casino affiliates, announced today the kickoff of the voting stage in its highly anticipated Second Annual CAP Awards.
Scheduled to take place in January 2009 during CAP Euro: London, the CAP Awards is a yearly event held by CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com in collaboration with its sister site, PokerAffiliatePrograms.com (http://www.pokeraffiliateprograms.com, “PAP”), to recognize and honor the most successful and innovative members of the worldwide Internet gaming affiliate marketing community.
The CAP Awards recognize superior achievement for Best Affiliate, Best Affiliate Program, and Best Affiliate Manager in the categories of Casino, Poker, Bingo, Sports Betting, Skill Gaming, and Lottery. There are also awards for Best iGaming Software in the categories of Casino, Poker, and Bingo. Rounding out the awards are Best Overall Affiliate, Best Overall Affiliate Manager, Best iGaming Affiliate Network, and Best Payment System.
Now entering its second year, the CAP Awards are already an important annual tradition for this industry. CAP has made it clear that this year’s ceremony will top last year’s, an extravagant black tie gala event that drew more than 500 guests from all corners of the gaming industry during CAP’s 2008 London conference.
“We were overwhelmed with positive responses to last year’s CAP Awards, which was our first ever,” commented Lou Fabiano, founder and president of CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com (CAP). “And this year, the ceremony will be even bigger and better. We want to encourage everybody in the CAP and PAP communities to visit www.capawards.com and start voting today.”
Representing the largest and longest-running community of its type, with the most popular and highly trafficked user forums in the industry, CAP and PAP are uniquely qualified to empower online gaming’s affiliates and affiliate managers with the decision of naming who has made the year’s greatest achievements among them — and therefore who deserves to take home a coveted CAPPY award.
“This ceremony is unique in that the nominations process is peer-led,” states the official CAP Awards website (http://www.capawards.com), which allows CAP and PAP members to nominate and vote in each category. Nominations submitted from members of the CAP and PAP communities via the site account for about 75 percent of the final result. Overseeing the process is an independent judiciary panel made up of ten respected operators, affiliates, and vendors. In addition to providing important industry insight and expertise, these individuals help ensure that the nominations are well-placed and the awards operate in a fair and non-biased manner.
The democratic nature of the process is designed to ensure that the awards represent a consensus of the online gaming affiliate community as a whole, and are not just the decision of the CAP administrators.
“We are delighted to win this award, especially since we know that this has come directly from the whole affiliate community at large,” stated Roger Raatgever, CEO for Microgaming, 2008’s winner for Best iGaming Software for Affiliates. “As one of the founders of this industry, we feel we have a responsibility to drive it forward, both in terms of games and technology development. To receive recognition for our work from the people that draw the players to the sites in the first place is personally very rewarding and we would like to thank all those that voted for us.”
“This award is a great achievement for us AND our affiliates as they were the people who saw the potential in our product and were instrumental in building us up to the company we are today,” added 2008’s winner for Best Poker Affiliate Program, Margaret Burke, Affiliate Manager for PKR.
“I am truly honored for this distinction ‘Best Casino Affiliate’,” commented Bryan Bailey, Owner and Founder of Casinomeister, 2008’s Best Casino Affiliate. “In the past, I have received awards from players, magazine editors, and industry folk, but to be awarded by my peers is a significant event for me. I am very appreciative for this.”
The voting stage runs through December, leading up to January’s CAP Awards ceremony. For more information please visit www.capawards.com or email news@casinoaffiliateprograms.com.
About The CAP Awards
The Cap Awards are brought to you by iGaming Business and CAP who also organize the leading iGaming affiliate event CAP Euro. The awards are voted for by affiliates and operators throughout the industry over a 6 month period and truly reflect the opinion of our industry which is exactly why they are so important.
About iGaming Business
iGaming Business is the number one trade publication for the online gambling industry. Its comprehensive editorial covers existing and emergent technologies, events and progressions in the iGaming industry. Read by more than 7,000 iGaming professionals, iGaming Business is the most widely read publication in the sector.
About CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com
CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com is the largest and longest-running online gaming affiliate resource, featuring an active community forum, chat rooms, affiliate marketing tools, industry news/articles, scam alerts and a rigorous and distinguished certification process for casino affiliate programs. CAP Certified Partners are held in the highest regard and expected to protect the integrity of their affiliates and the industry as a whole.
About PokerAffiliatePrograms.com
The world's largest poker affiliate community and resource website, PokerAffiliatePrograms.com was established to provide webmasters interested in promoting online poker a place to research, discuss, and gain insight into the business. The company's mission is to provide the best community forum of its kind online, as well as a list of quality affiliate programs and a comprehensive collection of articles, resources, tips, and program alerts to help assist affiliate marketing webmasters.
Media Man Australia Profiles
PKR
PKR Casino
PKR Poker
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
IRVINE, CA – August 5, 2008 – CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com (http://www.casinoaffiliateprograms.com, commonly referred to as “CAP”), a leading online marketing resource and community website for Internet casino affiliates, announced today the kickoff of the voting stage in its highly anticipated Second Annual CAP Awards.
Scheduled to take place in January 2009 during CAP Euro: London, the CAP Awards is a yearly event held by CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com in collaboration with its sister site, PokerAffiliatePrograms.com (http://www.pokeraffiliateprograms.com, “PAP”), to recognize and honor the most successful and innovative members of the worldwide Internet gaming affiliate marketing community.
The CAP Awards recognize superior achievement for Best Affiliate, Best Affiliate Program, and Best Affiliate Manager in the categories of Casino, Poker, Bingo, Sports Betting, Skill Gaming, and Lottery. There are also awards for Best iGaming Software in the categories of Casino, Poker, and Bingo. Rounding out the awards are Best Overall Affiliate, Best Overall Affiliate Manager, Best iGaming Affiliate Network, and Best Payment System.
Now entering its second year, the CAP Awards are already an important annual tradition for this industry. CAP has made it clear that this year’s ceremony will top last year’s, an extravagant black tie gala event that drew more than 500 guests from all corners of the gaming industry during CAP’s 2008 London conference.
“We were overwhelmed with positive responses to last year’s CAP Awards, which was our first ever,” commented Lou Fabiano, founder and president of CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com (CAP). “And this year, the ceremony will be even bigger and better. We want to encourage everybody in the CAP and PAP communities to visit www.capawards.com and start voting today.”
Representing the largest and longest-running community of its type, with the most popular and highly trafficked user forums in the industry, CAP and PAP are uniquely qualified to empower online gaming’s affiliates and affiliate managers with the decision of naming who has made the year’s greatest achievements among them — and therefore who deserves to take home a coveted CAPPY award.
“This ceremony is unique in that the nominations process is peer-led,” states the official CAP Awards website (http://www.capawards.com), which allows CAP and PAP members to nominate and vote in each category. Nominations submitted from members of the CAP and PAP communities via the site account for about 75 percent of the final result. Overseeing the process is an independent judiciary panel made up of ten respected operators, affiliates, and vendors. In addition to providing important industry insight and expertise, these individuals help ensure that the nominations are well-placed and the awards operate in a fair and non-biased manner.
The democratic nature of the process is designed to ensure that the awards represent a consensus of the online gaming affiliate community as a whole, and are not just the decision of the CAP administrators.
“We are delighted to win this award, especially since we know that this has come directly from the whole affiliate community at large,” stated Roger Raatgever, CEO for Microgaming, 2008’s winner for Best iGaming Software for Affiliates. “As one of the founders of this industry, we feel we have a responsibility to drive it forward, both in terms of games and technology development. To receive recognition for our work from the people that draw the players to the sites in the first place is personally very rewarding and we would like to thank all those that voted for us.”
“This award is a great achievement for us AND our affiliates as they were the people who saw the potential in our product and were instrumental in building us up to the company we are today,” added 2008’s winner for Best Poker Affiliate Program, Margaret Burke, Affiliate Manager for PKR.
“I am truly honored for this distinction ‘Best Casino Affiliate’,” commented Bryan Bailey, Owner and Founder of Casinomeister, 2008’s Best Casino Affiliate. “In the past, I have received awards from players, magazine editors, and industry folk, but to be awarded by my peers is a significant event for me. I am very appreciative for this.”
The voting stage runs through December, leading up to January’s CAP Awards ceremony. For more information please visit www.capawards.com or email news@casinoaffiliateprograms.com.
About The CAP Awards
The Cap Awards are brought to you by iGaming Business and CAP who also organize the leading iGaming affiliate event CAP Euro. The awards are voted for by affiliates and operators throughout the industry over a 6 month period and truly reflect the opinion of our industry which is exactly why they are so important.
About iGaming Business
iGaming Business is the number one trade publication for the online gambling industry. Its comprehensive editorial covers existing and emergent technologies, events and progressions in the iGaming industry. Read by more than 7,000 iGaming professionals, iGaming Business is the most widely read publication in the sector.
About CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com
CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com is the largest and longest-running online gaming affiliate resource, featuring an active community forum, chat rooms, affiliate marketing tools, industry news/articles, scam alerts and a rigorous and distinguished certification process for casino affiliate programs. CAP Certified Partners are held in the highest regard and expected to protect the integrity of their affiliates and the industry as a whole.
About PokerAffiliatePrograms.com
The world's largest poker affiliate community and resource website, PokerAffiliatePrograms.com was established to provide webmasters interested in promoting online poker a place to research, discuss, and gain insight into the business. The company's mission is to provide the best community forum of its kind online, as well as a list of quality affiliate programs and a comprehensive collection of articles, resources, tips, and program alerts to help assist affiliate marketing webmasters.
Media Man Australia Profiles
PKR
PKR Casino
PKR Poker
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Media Man Australia - Virgin Games - Going Places
Virgin Games will be exhibiting at CAP Euro Barcelona and the A4U Expo London, and roaming the alleys of EIG Barcelona again this year.
CAP Euro Barcelona 08 is an exciting, interactive four day event taking place on September 25th – 28th and is free of charge for all affiliates. Set in Europe's most cosmopolitan city, our Catalan host guarantees all the sun, sangria, and cultured refinery you could wish for. More details...
EIG Barcelona 08 will take place between the 23rd and 25th September (just before CAP Euro Barcelona), and is adding this year an Affiliate Zone to its world-renowned conference and exhibition experience.
Now established as the premier global i-gaming networking and learning experience, EIG already draws in over 1300 senior-level gambling executives from around the world. More details...
The A4U Expo London 2008 will take place on the 14th and 15th of October at the London Excel conference center, and will feature speakers from across the globe, over 1000 international delegates, and interactive Q&A sessions and panels. More details...
Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to set up a meeting at one of these events. Alternatively, you can walk up to our stand once there; we'll welcome you with a smile and a freebie! (Credit: Virgin Games)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Casino
Virgin Games
Events
Europe
Richard Branson
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Virgin Games will be exhibiting at CAP Euro Barcelona and the A4U Expo London, and roaming the alleys of EIG Barcelona again this year.
CAP Euro Barcelona 08 is an exciting, interactive four day event taking place on September 25th – 28th and is free of charge for all affiliates. Set in Europe's most cosmopolitan city, our Catalan host guarantees all the sun, sangria, and cultured refinery you could wish for. More details...
EIG Barcelona 08 will take place between the 23rd and 25th September (just before CAP Euro Barcelona), and is adding this year an Affiliate Zone to its world-renowned conference and exhibition experience.
Now established as the premier global i-gaming networking and learning experience, EIG already draws in over 1300 senior-level gambling executives from around the world. More details...
The A4U Expo London 2008 will take place on the 14th and 15th of October at the London Excel conference center, and will feature speakers from across the globe, over 1000 international delegates, and interactive Q&A sessions and panels. More details...
Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to set up a meeting at one of these events. Alternatively, you can walk up to our stand once there; we'll welcome you with a smile and a freebie! (Credit: Virgin Games)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Casino
Virgin Games
Events
Europe
Richard Branson
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Club PKR Members To Cash In Every Month - 4th August 2008
Coming hot on the heels of the launch of its ground-breaking loyalty programme and customer magazine, there's more good news for PKR players as the next-gen poker room announced the start of monthly reload bonuses.
Available to all Club PKR members, the reload bonuses will be available at the start of each month to help set players up for the coming month's poker.
Each Club PKR level will have its own monthly offer, and players will notified directly by email.
The move represents just the latest in a long line of benefits offered to players as part of the Club PKR loyalty programme that include regular freerolls, money added tournaments, prize draws and more. Full information is available at www.pkr.com/club-pkr.
Player feedback to the launch of Club PKR has been overwhelmingly positive, with members expressing delight at the large range of benefits on offer - even to those who have only reached the bottom rung of the loyalty ladder.
The 'Always Up, Never Down' feature has drawn widespread praise.
Card Room Manager Neil Wright said, 'Our community is a very important part of the overall PKR experience. We are always looking for ways to repay our players' loyalty and this bonus ensures that all player benefits at PKR are unrivalled elsewhere.'
Media Man Australia Profiles
PKR
PKR Casino
PKR Poker
Gaming
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Coming hot on the heels of the launch of its ground-breaking loyalty programme and customer magazine, there's more good news for PKR players as the next-gen poker room announced the start of monthly reload bonuses.
Available to all Club PKR members, the reload bonuses will be available at the start of each month to help set players up for the coming month's poker.
Each Club PKR level will have its own monthly offer, and players will notified directly by email.
The move represents just the latest in a long line of benefits offered to players as part of the Club PKR loyalty programme that include regular freerolls, money added tournaments, prize draws and more. Full information is available at www.pkr.com/club-pkr.
Player feedback to the launch of Club PKR has been overwhelmingly positive, with members expressing delight at the large range of benefits on offer - even to those who have only reached the bottom rung of the loyalty ladder.
The 'Always Up, Never Down' feature has drawn widespread praise.
Card Room Manager Neil Wright said, 'Our community is a very important part of the overall PKR experience. We are always looking for ways to repay our players' loyalty and this bonus ensures that all player benefits at PKR are unrivalled elsewhere.'
Media Man Australia Profiles
PKR
PKR Casino
PKR Poker
Gaming
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
Casino News Media Updated
Websites
CasinoNewsMedia.com
Media Man Australia
Profiles
Casino News Media
Poker and Casino News
Casinos Of The Month: Virgin Casino and PKR Casino
Websites
CasinoNewsMedia.com
Media Man Australia
Profiles
Casino News Media
Poker and Casino News
Casinos Of The Month: Virgin Casino and PKR Casino
APT Confirm Macau For Next Leg
The Asian Poker Tour have announced that the next leg of the tour will be held in Macau between 26th August to 31st August.
The CEO of Asian Logic Mr Chris Parker confirmed the Macau dates and also announced that the guaranteed prizepool will be a fantastic $1.5 million US. In addition the winner is guaranteed $500k for what promises to be a sensational next leg of the tour.
Macau is a former Portuguese colony which has flourished since becoming a gambling haven. It has followed the Las Vegas blueprint for success and now features many of the top Vegas Hotel Brands such as Venetian and Wynn.
There are dedicated poker rooms at some of the hotels and the gaming explosion within this gambling mecca has seen turnover and revenue surge past even that of Las Vegas.
The Asian Poker Tour have announced that the next leg of the tour will be held in Macau between 26th August to 31st August.
The CEO of Asian Logic Mr Chris Parker confirmed the Macau dates and also announced that the guaranteed prizepool will be a fantastic $1.5 million US. In addition the winner is guaranteed $500k for what promises to be a sensational next leg of the tour.
Macau is a former Portuguese colony which has flourished since becoming a gambling haven. It has followed the Las Vegas blueprint for success and now features many of the top Vegas Hotel Brands such as Venetian and Wynn.
There are dedicated poker rooms at some of the hotels and the gaming explosion within this gambling mecca has seen turnover and revenue surge past even that of Las Vegas.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Stars Turn Out For One To one PKR Charity Tournament - 14th July 2008
Poker-playing celebrities such as Jamie Oliver, Dexter Fletcher and Teddy Sheringham joined forces with some of the UK’s top poker pros, including WSOPE runner-up John Tabatabai, to raise over £200,000 for the One to One Children’s Fund, which helps children in the UK, Middle East, Africa, Kosovo, India and Indonesia.
Returning once again to London’s glamorous Sketch restaurant for a night of poker and backgammon, the annual event raised over £200,000 for children in need. The £365 entry fee (which represents the cost of sponsoring one child for a year at £1 per day) included a champagne reception plus the buy-in to either the PKR.com-sponsored poker tournament or the Omar Sharif Backgammon Tournament. After hours of solid play, the tournament was won by Leticia White, daughter of another famous chef - Marco Pierre White.
Media Man Australia Profiles
PKR
PKR Poker
PKR Casino
Casino News Media
Poker-playing celebrities such as Jamie Oliver, Dexter Fletcher and Teddy Sheringham joined forces with some of the UK’s top poker pros, including WSOPE runner-up John Tabatabai, to raise over £200,000 for the One to One Children’s Fund, which helps children in the UK, Middle East, Africa, Kosovo, India and Indonesia.
Returning once again to London’s glamorous Sketch restaurant for a night of poker and backgammon, the annual event raised over £200,000 for children in need. The £365 entry fee (which represents the cost of sponsoring one child for a year at £1 per day) included a champagne reception plus the buy-in to either the PKR.com-sponsored poker tournament or the Omar Sharif Backgammon Tournament. After hours of solid play, the tournament was won by Leticia White, daughter of another famous chef - Marco Pierre White.
Media Man Australia Profiles
PKR
PKR Poker
PKR Casino
Casino News Media
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)