Friday, May 14, 2010

Crown Casino Client Ferrari Stolen With Virgin Valet, by Greg Tingle - 14th May 2010

Down under in Melbourne, Australia, one casino punter was feeling extremely lucky, pouncing on an opportunity to steal (not win) a Ferrari F430, when a casino valet handed him the keys. Media Man and Gambling911 follow the story in high speed pursuit...

Melbourne Police have now arrested the formally lucky punter after a Crown Casino valet mistakenly handed over the keys to a Ferrari F430 Spider and he took off for a joyride lasting half a day to Coolaroo of all places.

The 32-year cheeky fella was reportedly wearing a tracksuit when a casino valet gave him the keys to the bright red, V8 supercar about 12.30am today.

Police advise the punter drove north up the Tullamarine Freeway but was pinched by police about 6.30am as he fuelled up at a servo in Coolaroo, on Melbourne's outer northern region.

"He is currently assisting police with their inquiries," she said.

Forensic police will today examine the car, which has been towed to a holding yard in Campbellfield.

The attendant at the servo advised the man filled the beast up with petrol before police nabbed the bandit.

"He just filled up with petrol, came in here, paid for it and the cops were outside and just got him," he said.

"The cops I think were already after him."

The happening starting to generate a serious of state, national and international news stories, with Melbourne 3AW radio enjoying banter with a witness "Mark".

"Someone walked out of the casino past me and the security guard, got in and drove off,". The security guard said to me - because he only had an old tracksuit on - and he said 'you can't pick 'em can you'."

Crown Casino spokesman, top brass, Gary O’Neill said the incident was a first for the casino. He explained customers using valet parking were provided with a ticket to be returned to the casino parking attendant when time to collect your car.

"It has happened in the past from time to time that people lose their tickets, and in these circumstances we ask for proof of identification and a valid driver’s licence. Those procedures were followed on this occasion," he said.

"The procedures that we have followed in the past have not resulted in this particular incident, but that’s not to say our system is perfect," he said.

"We’re cooperating fully with the police investigation."

Mr O’Neill said the incident had been caught on film by their CCTV cameras and the footage would be handed over to police. Crown Casino is known for its world class security, as is it's Sydney competitor Star City. The Australian land casino industry was forced to upgrade security in recent years following a succession of undesirable incidents. Industry insiders sometimes joke about the plastic handcuffs initiative and footy and cricket stars getting pissed at casino events but this matter was very serious in nature. The casino wants its VIPs, high-rollers, whales and the like to know that their transport is in safe hands at Crown Casino.

Melbourne's Police 'Highway Patrol' is known to be world class and its understood that at least 99% of police corruption as featured on Network Nine 'Underbelly' has been cleaned up.

Crown tag lines include 'World Of Entertainment' and 'Wear The Crown'.

Mr James Packer, Australian and Asia Pacific casino and gaming king, remains the owner of Crown Limited. He also owns Burswood Casino aka Burswood Entertainment Complex in Western Australia, and has a number of interests in Macau and Britain, as well as new media - internet entities. Packer remains passionate for sport, meeting Virgin king Richard Branson last year at the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix and enjoys polo, as did his late father Kerry Packer.

Ok you want more on the sports car...we hear you...

The F430 went on sale in 2005 with the Spider convertible going for a cool $444,000 AUD, plus options and on-road costs.

F430 production was ceased earlier this year and will be replaced by the flashy458 Italia, which we understand has a two-year waiting list.

Casinos have long been associated with fast cars (and fast, sexy women). In recent years the online casino and online poker sector has plugged into the demo, with PartyGaming and PKR offering sports car as high level prizes.

A few months ago PartyGaming and PKR Poker had a Porsche up for grabs, but no one qualified to win. Not to be disheartened, Party's casino and poker brands are once again offering dream machine grand prizes...

Last week Richard Branson's Virgin Racing came to sponsorship terms with online poker powerhouse Full Tilt Poker. The massive exposure of Virgin's F1 involvement on a international scale was a key reason the deal went ahead.

A number of weeks before the public Virgin - Full Tilt Poker deal, PartyGaming's PartyPoker signed up F1 superstars Jaime Alguersuari and Giancarlo Fisichella as brand ambassadors. Poker legend and World Poker Tour mainstay Mike Sexton remains the global PartyPoker ambassador. Last month following the sporting theme, PartyPoker also signed up Italian football legend Francesco Totti. The financial terms of the poker sponsorship deals are not currently known, as all parties appear to want to keep the details under wraps. Speaking of big names, rumours are circulating that PartyGaming may be in the midst of doing another deal and announcement with movie legend of Rambo and Rocky fame, Sylvester Stallone. Sly is featured in the Rambo online slot game, exclusive to PartyGaming.

PartyGaming's PartyCasino

and

PartyPoker.com

PartyCasino - Grand Win Auto - Win A Maserati GranTurismo

PartyPoker - Drive The Dream - Win a Aston Martin DB9 Coupe

Crown Casino Share Price - CWN: 8.290

*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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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Poker News: WSOP® For Life - Your seat at the WSOP® for 2010 and beyond - PartyPoker News

Gibraltar – 11th May 2010 - PartyPoker.com is delighted to introduce its fabulous and unique new promotion, WSOP® for Life! This unbelievable package is every poker player’s dream prize as they don’t have to worry about qualifying for the Main Event anymore - they receive a Main Event package for life!* As an extra bonus for 2010, PartyPoker.com even pays the travel, accommodation and spending money for this year’s Las Vegas extravaganza! **

A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “We’ve got two WSOP® For Life packages to give away and we’re making them available to all players via a leader board challenge and a tournament. Normally, the chance to take part in the WSOP Main Event is a once in lifetime opportunity but with this you have a Main Event package guaranteed for life.”

PartyPoker.com ambassador Mike Sexton said: “I think WSOP® For Life is a really great idea – I have been playing the Main Event for most of my life! I just wish I had the opportunity to qualify for this but, unfortunately, I am exempt!”

One WSOP® for Life package will be available through the exciting leader board challenge, open exclusively to Bronze, Silver and Gold level players. The aim for a customer is to boost their position by earning points through regular poker play from 24th May to 20th June. The more points a player earns, the higher they will climb. The player that ranks first when the challenge finishes will be given a WSOP® for Life package. There are also three WSOP® 2010 packages on offer as well as $50,000 in cash prizes:

There is also a WSOP® for Life prize tournament on 20th June. First place is a WSOP® for Life package but there are also three WSOP® 2010 packages and $50,000 in prizes to be won. Entry can be gained by freeroll, direct buy-in and through STT Jackpot. Full information on all routes and terms and conditions can be found at: PartyPoker.com

* For the purposes of this WSOP® for Life promotion, the term ‘Life’ shall mean up to 20 years.
** From 2011 onwards we will fund the Winner’s buy-in to the WSOP® Main Event (or a portion of the Winner’s buy-in to the WSOP® main event) up to a maximum sum of $10,000 per annum. In the event the buy-in increases, then the winner shall be responsible for any extra costs.

“World Series of Poker”® and “WSOP”® are registered trade marks of Harrah’s License Company LLC. No license, affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement is claimed, or should be inferred from the use of these trademarks here. PartyGaming is not licensed by or otherwise affiliated with Harrah’s License Company LLC or the World Series of Poker®, in any way.

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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

PartyGaming eyes return to US as Q1 revenue jumps, by Greg Tingle - 10th May 2010

PartyGaming in talks with U.S. operators over partnership deals

Q1 revenue up 27 pct to $127.1 million; Poker hit by competition from U.S.; Shares down 1.6 percent

Online gambling powerhouse PartyGaming advised it was preparing for a possible return to the United States if legislation banning the industry is overturned, after reporting an impressive 27% rise in first quarter revenue.

PartyGaming, which operates PartyPoker, PartyCasino, and World Poker Tour websites, said it was encouraged by congressmen Barney Frank and Jim McDermott's moves to push through a new bill to regulate online gambling which was made illegal in the United States in 2006.

Chief Executive Jim Ryan told press the most likely initial move by U.S. authorities would be to legalise online poker, seen as a game of skill, which could in time lead to other forms of online gambling being allowed. "We are seeing increased momentum towards regulating online poker. It's possible that it could happen this year and we're prepared if it does," Ryan said on a conference call.

Ryan said PartyGaming had set up an operation in Los Angeles with 38 staff and was in talks over possible business-to-business deals with U.S. operators.

"We've got any number of U.S. operators who we're talking to right now about providing them with online gaming services and software. That gives us good reason to think that regulation isn't that far way," he said.

Rival 888's Chief Executive Gigi Levy said last month he expected changes to online gaming laws in the U.S. to be implemented in the coming months.

Analysts say the online gaming industry is ready for consolidation and PartyGaming is reported to have held talks with Austria's bwin over a potential combination - collaboration.

"We are actively working on various opportunities. Discussions are at a preliminary stage with those that we are talking to," said Ryan, who declined to confirm whether the company was in talks with bwin.

PartyGaming reported first-quarter gross revenue of $127.1 million, benefiting from growth in its casino, bingo and sports betting divisions. However, revenue from the firms poker offering declined because of competition from websites continuing to take bets from U.S.-based gamblers, some press and insider say... illegally.

Laws governing gaming, igaming, online gambling and the like have caused great confusion in the U.S in recent years. PartyGaming is one of many gaming companies seeking clarity.

Numbers

PartyGaming said its average daily revenue had slowed in the second quarter which is traditionally a quieter period for the industry and were down between 6 and 7 percent on the average for the previous quarter.

The company also said it had signed a business-to-business deal with Aviation Club de France which will join its French poker network. France made certain kinds of online gambling legal in April.

Shares in PartyGaming were down 1.6 percent to 280.4 pence at 1023 GMT. The shares have lost 15 percent of their value over the last month reflecting disappointment over the lack of developments on the M&A front and the read-across from a weak trading statement from rival 888.

"None of these factors detract from the long-term attractions of PartyGaming as a leading player in a global growth market. Therefore, we view the recent share price weakness as a buying opportunity," said KBC Peel Hunt analyst Nick Batram.

PartyGaming claims to be the world's leading igaming company... a claim few will argue with. The firm was established in 1997 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

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Monday, May 10, 2010

PartyGaming Inks Deal With Aviation Club de France, by Greg Tingle

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PartyGaming has inked its B2B deal in France is applying for a French gaming licence.

This deal sees Aviation Club de France, a land-based gambling venue off the Champs Elysees in Paris and France's leading card room, maintain its world class status. The club is understood to sport in excess of 100,000 members. Aviation Club will join PartyGaming's French poker network when laws permits it to go ahead.

Aviation Club de France will join other gaming operators on the network including PartyGaming's own France-facing site, PartyGaming.fr, current French racing powerhouse Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU), and television broadcaster AB Groupe, following an agreement inked last month.

PartyGaming is keen to see the French gaming licence granted and don't foresee delays.

The licence system, which was approved by the French parliament last month, means that PartyGaming will switch off domestic casino and bingo when licensing is approved, resulting in the removal of annualised revenues of approximately $12m.

Media Man and its Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory arms are very excited as to what this means to the continued global strategy and growth.

The gaming and news media world is following the progress of the PartyGaming deals in France to help evaluate their own strategy regarding gaming, government and land based projects.

Major U.S, Canadian and Australian based casinos and clubs are taking a very close look at this deal and how it pans out, advised a Media Man media and gaming spokesperson.


6th May 2010

Press Release

Aviation Club de France to join PartyGaming’s French Poker Network

PartyGaming, the world’s leading listed online gaming company, today announces its third B2B deal in France with an exclusive multi-year agreement to provide a white label online poker service for Aviation Club de France (“ACF”), one of the country’s most prestigious card rooms and private members clubs.

The new service, branded ‘ACFPoker’, will join PartyGaming’s expanding French poker network which will also include www.partypoker.fr. Once PartyGaming obtains the required licence and is operational, players on the network will benefit from a shared pool of player liquidity and operate on a single platform.

Founded in 1907 by four pioneering French aviators, today ACF has 100,000 members and is the leading card room in France. The club is a regular host of World Poker Tour’s events including the forthcoming Grand Prix de Paris to be held on 8-16 May 2010. The new online poker service will be promoted through a variety of channels to ACF’s extensive customer base.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of PartyGaming, said:

“ACF is a great addition to our French poker network and allows us to directly connect with France’s offline poker players. This deal is a great strategic fit and together with our other B2B alliances in France, we are determined to establish a strong position in what we believe will become one of Europe’s largest poker markets.”

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New Partnership with Full Tilt Poker.Net™ for the start of F1’s European Season

Full Tilt Poker (U.S, Australian, Canadian, South American players welcome)

As Virgin Racing prepares for the start of Formula 1’s European season in Spain this weekend, the team is pleased to announce a new partnership with Full Tilt Poker.Net™.

Full Tilt Poker.Net™ is now a major partner of the team with significant branding on the team’s VR-01 race cars, drivers and team apparel and other elements of the team’s on-track and off-track environment.

The partnership concludes discussions between the two parties dating back to the team’s inception last year.

Full Tilt Poker.Net™ is one of the world’s leading online poker schools. With innovative graphics, superior customer service and a safe, secure interface, the software is geared to enhance and personalise the educational and entertaining aspects of the online poker experience. Users of all skill levels can download the free software at www.fulltiltpoker.net and can play for fun and sharpen their poker playing skills for free.

Graeme Lowdon, Virgin Racing’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Full Tilt Poker.Net™ to Virgin Racing. We are proud to add an industry-leading brand to our healthy partnership portfolio and I am particularly pleased that we have worked hard together with a partner who has seen the team develop from its birth through to our first competitive steps. We look forward to going racing together with effect from this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, where Full Tilt Poker.Net™ will have a significant presence, and to helping the brand to achieve its marketing and business objectives in the longer term."

"Full Tilt Poker.Net™ partnering with Virgin Racing is a brilliant culmination of a great deal of thought and effort on behalf of both brands. With two leaders in their respective fields coming together, this is sure to be a groundbreaking partnership on the global canvas, providing yet another level of excitement for all fans, " said Team Full Tilt member, Chris Ferguson. “We are very excited to be associated with such a stellar brand as Virgin Racing and we look forward to launching this partnership in Spain.”.

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