PartyGaming Shares Up As 2Q Revenue Rises On Year
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Shares in PartyGaming PLC rose Tuesday after the U.K.-listed gambling group said it expects a 28% rise in second quarter revenue year on year, boosted by acquisitions and strong growth in its casino business.
The group said it is trading in line with its own expectations. "We are pleased with the relatively robust performance of our business compared to many other consumer facing businesses in what remains a challenging economic environment," Chief Executive Jim Ryan said in a statement.
The group said its board "remains committed to playing an active role in consolidation and is confident about future prospects", while retaining its previous guidance for a margin on earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of 28% for the full year.
It has previously declined to comment on speculation that the company is in consolidation talks with Vienna-listed online gaming group Bwin Interactive Entertainment AG, one of Europe's largest sports book operators.
Casino revenue is expected to grow 6% quarter-on-quarter, boosted by higher yields and favorable currency effects, but with daily average player numbers down 5% due to seasonal factors.
However, the company said that while revenue in the second quarter, now reported in euros, is expected to be up 28% year on year, it will be approximately 2% down from the previous quarter and that the soccer World Cup has had a worse than expected impact on poker.
Poker revenue is expected to fall between 11% and 13%, with the daily average number of players falling between 8% and 9%. Compared with the prior quarter, casino revenue rose and bingo and sports betting revenue was "steady," the company said.
The company also said it is "encouraged" by the performance to date of its recently-launched poker operations in France.
At 0715 GMT, PartyGaming shares were up 9 pence, or 4.2%, at 230 pence, valuing the company at GBP939 million. Numis Securities analyst Wyn Ellis, with a buy rating, said the trading update was better than expected and the company's commitment to sector consolidation will go down well with investors.
PartyGaming, which derives most of its revenue from online poker and casino games and has a smaller sports book and bingo business, didn't provide revenue figures in its trading statement Tuesday.
In May, PartyGaming posted a 27% rise in first-quarter revenue to $127.1 million from $100.1 million a year earlier, but lower casino revenue and adverse foreign currency movements meant yield per active player fell 8% to $15.1 compared with last year.
In July last year it announced the takeover of Cashcade, the owner of Foxy Bingo, for up to GBP96 million, and in November it acquired WPT Enterprises, owner of the World Poker Tour, for $15.3 million.
Shares in PartyGaming, the world's biggest listed online gaming group by market capitalization, closed at 221 pence Monday, valuing the company at GBP901 million.
PartyGaming's principle brands include PartyPoker.com, PartyCasino.com and World Poker Tour
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Thursday, July 08, 2010
Aussie No Bull, Internet, Casino And Politics Report, by Greg Tingle - 8th July 2010
Punters, insiders, outsiders, journos, casino entrepreneurs and whales, and everyone else, what an interesting eclectic mix. NRL, Spain Running Of The Bulls, Red Bull Mark Webber fun and games, Casino cruise ship lights out, web censorship and politics and more... Media Man and Gambling911 go swimming with the sharks, dolphins, tuna and the rest of god's creations, and catch a boat load feast for your culinary enjoyment...
Pamplona Bull Run In Spain - Bulls 2, Australian Bull Runner 0...
It's that time of the year. The annual running of the bulls in Spain. A Spaniard and an Australian were injured on 2nd day of the San Fermin Bull Festival in the Spanish city of Pamplona. The injured Aussie is aged 18 and comes from Melbourne and the 20-year-old Spaniard is from the northern city of Saragossa. Both were taken to hospital. Score: Bulls 2, runners 0. Odds for a kill? Don't know, but maybe the likes of Centrebet, Paddy Power and Gamebookers might like to have a stab at it. Odds on a kill anyone?
Caffeine, Coke, Cappuccino And Pills In Australian Football: No Bull...
Re AFL stories circulate that some players mixed the caffeine drink Red Bull with the insomnia drug Stilnox for recreational use.
Not to be outdone, allegations of a "prescription drug culture" at the Sydney Roosters coming from the charging of Roosters hooker friendly Jake "The Mate" Friend last month for having tablets in his possession without a prescription.
Mr Friend and teammate Todd Carney, who was with him in beachside suburb Coogee when he was arrested, have been totally cleared of any wrongdoing by the Roosters. Friend's matter has been adjourned for mention to 21st July at Waverley Local Court.
Punters and insiders. Should NRL, AFL and poker pros take caffeine pills (or other legal performance enhancing drugs)? Tell us in the forum.
NRL State Of Origin - QLD Beats NSW But NSW Gains Respect...
It's the greatest side in State of Origin history... QLD, has now enjoyed its clean sweep.
Last night, before 60,000 plus fans at Sydney's ANZ Stadium, Queensland capped of its 5-year dominance of Origin with a gripping victory and the first 3-0 win of the Mal Meninga era!
Final Score:
QLD 23 - NSW 18
Centrebet Odds For The Record
NSW $2.85 for the win
QLD $1.44 for the win
Betfair Odds
NSW $3.15
QLD $1.45
Casino Cruiser Liner Looses Power At Sea, Casino Neon Lights Fade...
Punters have long enjoyed going on cruises. In fact some are known as "floating casinos", and various ports of the world have acted as havens of sorts for operators, with Bermuda coming to mind. All is fun and games until the neon lights go out, as they recently did, with punters being forced to the sun decks away from Vegas on the water. Passengers aboard the Carnival Cruise Ship "Fascination" said the ship lost power and drifted at sea for about five hours last Wednesday. The Jacksonville Coast Guard confirmed that the ship had lost power, but could not say for how long. The Coast Guard said marine inspectors boarded the ship off the coast of Jacksonville Thursday morning and investigated the cause of the electrical fault before clearing it to sail into the port of Jacksonville. The ship, returning from a five-day cruise, arrived about three hours late Thursday morning. Port officials alerted passengers on the next "All of the sudden, all the lights and the power went out. The air conditioning went out. The motor went off," passenger cruise lover Rita McGartland said. "We were floating." We were actually underneath the radar, and when it stopped, I kind of wondered about that," passenger James Smith said. Carnival issued a statement saying the power loss was due to a technical malfunction. "Carnival sincerely apologizes to our guests for this disruption to their vacation plans," the company said. "Carnival offered passengers a 20% discount on any future two- to five-day Carnival cruise." The ship has about 1,000 staterooms and 10 decks. The ship, which is 855 feet long, can hold around 2,000 passengers. It also has a casino, art gallery, spa, teen club, tween club, kids' camp, nightclub for adults, mini golf, waterslides and pools.
Carnival likes to call the ship a floating resort and punters call it a "floating casino".
Australian PM Julie Gillard Defends Internet Filter; Joins Media Man Twitter...
Julia, when you read this, thank you for joining our Twitter yesterday, and we trust you had a giggle at our proposed Gillard VS Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott wrestling championship 3 way dance, with a bit of a 3 Way Dance angle thanks to Malcolm "No Bull" Turnbull. How about yesterday's media tweek which is understood to have caught the eye of 'Jules':
"PM Julia Gillard's belief - non belief system is the fasting growing "religion" - belief system the world; Australia respects Gillard's out". Not quite as infamous as the tweek from "That Comedian" earlier this year at Crown Casino on the Logies night re Bindi Irwin: "I do so hope Bindi Irwin gets laid" or "Rove and Tasma look so cute ... hope she doesn't die, too". We expect Vegas comedian Tony Clifton or maybe his dead mate, Andy Kaufman, to buy into the 2nd round of TwitterGate.
Twitter Hot List
http://twitter.com/mediamanpolitic
http://twitter.com/mediamanint
http://twitter.com/JuliaGillard
http://twitter.com/TonyAbbottMHR
http://twitter.com/gambling911
Julia Gillard says she is aware of public concerns over the mandatory internet filter interfering with "legitimate use" however has vowed to push ahead with the controversial proposal. In her first comments on the filter since scoring the Labor leadership, Ms Gillard told ABC radio in Darwin that the proposal was in fact an effort to control the "dark side" of communications technology. "Images of child abuse, child pornography - they are not legal in our cinemas. Why should you be able to see them on the internet? I think that's the kind of moral, ethical question at the heart of this. I understand that there's a set of … technical concerns about internet speed, and also concerns that somehow this accidentally doesn't move into taking away legitimate use of the internet.
Senator Stephen Conroy with an interesting quote: "We are prepared to spend as much time as necessary to make sure we get it right. Sooner rather than later… does this mean December? No, I wouldn’t think it would be. But there could be intervening events I can’t be in control of".
So, the federal government hopes to introduce legislation to enable its controversial internet filter by the end of the year. Communications Minister Stephen Conroy keeps saying the legislation would be this year "sooner rather than later". Timing for the web filter legislation, which has earned the ire of ISPs and internet freedom advocates, depends on the date for the looming federal election and if Labor wins office. Most political commentators have predicted August to October as possible election dates. The polls are likely to occur before the Victorian election in late November. Centrebet money says Jillard will get in, while most current Fairfax Media web polls show an Abbott (Liberal) victory. Since the plan was put forward in the public domain circa 2007, Senator Conroy has apparently changed his mind several times on how the filtering scheme would eventually work. The latest measure or pitch if you will, is to create a list of web pages comprising refused classification-rated content and force internet service providers to automatically block them. Legislation will be introduced to require all ISPs to filter the RC content list. New Prime Minister Julia Gillard solidly backs the filtering plan. She's made her support known with... understood public concerns over the scheme but that Senator Conroy was working to find a resolution that would be in the "right shape". When Sen Conroy was quizzed if Ms Gillard had set a deadline for the filtering legislation to be introduced, Senator Conroy said: "We are prepared to spend as much time as necessary to make sure we get it right. The discussions we're having behind the scenes with various players are more interested in getting the implementation and the actual policy right rather than saying it's got to be done by some artificial deadline." Those talks include consultation with ISPs on how to increase accountability and transparency for RC material. "I expect it (the legislation) to be this year. I expect that we will table the legislation this year sooner rather than later. "If you're thinking 'does that mean December?' - no, I wouldn't think it would be December, but there could be intervening events that I am not in control of," Senator Conroy told the press. The policy would be implemented 12 months from the passage of legislation. RC broadly consists of illegal content but Google and a boat load of internet and censorship experts believe the list could potentially contain legitimate material. Labor Senator Kate Lundy's suggestion for an opt-in approach has been rejected.
US Ambassador to Australia Jeff Bleich has urged the government to ditch the plan, saying child pornographers can be captured and prosecuted without using mandatory internet filters. The government has said it will introduce legislation to establish the filter after consultations are complete, but it is most unlikely to bring it before Parliament ahead of the next election. The federal opposition is yet to formalise its position on the mandatory filter. Aussie punters and internet fans, enjoy your interent filter free viewing while you can. Your days may be numbered.
A Media Man spokesperson said "In regards to the Australian proposed internet filter...This could be a vote winner or election looser, all depending upon the way the government handles it. Gillard is a friendly face and appears to have the ear of Australians much better than Conroy... who tends to raise the ire and piss off the internet community. Australian residents, business people and web publishers and portals developers need a lot more detailed information as to make an informed decision. If your a web publisher or portal developer, like Media Man or a NineMSN for example, who do you draw the lines on media vs PR campaigns, affiliate programs VS advertising, links in and web links out and so on. This is complex and if your running a network of websites across a dozen different industry sectors, 10'000's of pages of content, dozens of campaigns and the like, well you can just imagine. We consult with legal and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, but the bottom line is that we need to see what is proposed by the Australian government. For the record we are a media, publicity and internet portal development company, and we cover a dozen different sectors, gaming, politics, media and technology included. We don't want to have to contact United Nations, Virgin Unite, The Elders and Reporters Without Boarders again, but if we have to, we will. Let's get the proposal right. Catch the crims and let media companies, web publishers and the community at large use the internet in peace. The real crims are not going to be found anyway, but if the government thinks they can get them on the web, let them try, but good luck".
Macau Gaming Operators Will Struggle With Overcapacity Says Expert...
If the market environment were different from what it is today, gaming operators would be struggling. That would happen because "player’s knowledge is lacking, and at the same time loyalty programmes and market segmentation is missing," notes Sudhir H. Kalé, professor of Marketing at Bond University’s School of Business in Australia and a visiting professor at the University of Macau. As the author of dozens of published articles on the marketing and management aspects of gaming, Kalé says he is "not impressed" with the market strategy of local properties. He also says that currently, gaming operators in Macau "don’t have knowledge about their players and there is no market segmentation". That, he stresses, "has been the weakest link in every property". City Of Dreams and Asia Pacific casino and lifestyle king, James Packer may like to argue his point... "Because the market is high and everyone is benefiting, they seem not to worry, but things can change in the near future," the expert warns. Kalé recalls being asked a few years ago "who is the Wynn customer?" – an enquiry that got no answer at the time and one that remains unanswered, he says, even after all these years. "No property knows who their customers are, be it Wynn, Crown or Grand Lisboa," he says. Hence, everybody is going for the same group of patrons. "That makes it very difficult to differentiate yourself from your competitors. I think every property should decide who their customer is and then organise activities and plan a strategy based on trying to provide an incomparable experience to that customer, and not to others," the professor states. If a company chooses another road it will end up either offering the same package as their competitors or offering a special package to all customers. "At the end, it will not have any competitive advantage," Kalé says. For the record, Media Man and Gambling911 have a pretty good idea of who its readers and patrons are. G'day RB, Steve, Calvin, Mort, Rupert, Bruiser, Jules, Ryan, JP, "Mr Watchdog", Mr Wolverine, Mr Spider-Man, Mr Excelsior, Mr Underbelly, Ms Lash, Ms Universe, Ms Crocodile Wildlife Warrior, Sly, Mr Terminator, Mr Cruiser, Mr Hulkamania, Nature Boy, Mr Webby, Mr Bull, John Smith, The Don, and everyone else. Sorry, changed the names to protect the innocent and to have a bit of fun.
Jenson Button And Lewis Hamilton Clash Soon Says Red Bull Mark Webber; No Bull?...
The so-called special relationship between British F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button was dismissed as nothing more than "smoke and mirrors" by their Red Bull rival Mark Webber. Webber's relationship with his team-mate Sebastian Vettel came under intense scrutiny after they crashed when running 1 and 2 in Istanbul ( Istan Bul for this No Bull Edition) at the end of May, while the mood between the Ferrari pair of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa has frequently sounded less than harmonious. But the Aussie said it was no different at the Woking-based camp and the relationship would be tested during the season. "They've been working very hard with smoke and mirrors at McLaren," he said. "Lewis and Jenson are always racing at the front and it's inevitable that it's gonna happen, because of what's at stake and both are hungry drivers." Speaking about his relationship with Vettel, Webber added: "We're pretty good. If Seb was drowning in the ocean I'd go in and save him. But it's totally natural that there will be rivalry. If you are like Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen (at Lotus) there isn't so much at stake right now. But look at Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell. They were both at the front and were both trying to win, and there was healthy rivalry. It's not possible in that situation to have a beautiful, fuzzy relationship because the other guy is a competitor. Here, the whole team learned from the incident in Turkey. It was a new experience for us. But 80% of the grid would give their right arm to be in a similar position, with two guys fighting at the front. As far as we are concerned, it's unlikely to happen again. The good thing is that I can stay at home, and I know all the back routes in from my cycling. I can feed the dogs and go in for the race. There are clear positives; we all know how much we like staying in hotels. I know the home crowd will be rooting for Lewis and Jenson, but I've always got on pretty well with the British fans. I've always lived in the UK." Vettel and Webber made it a Red Bull one-two at Silverstone last year and they need something similar this time on the new circuit if they are to reassert their position in this highly competitive season. It was a wonder Webber could speak, let alone look forward to Sunday's race, following his spectacular 200mph crash in Valencia 10 days ago. After his car smashed against Kovalainen's Lotus it soared in the air, hung there momentarily like a performing dolphin, and then crashed down, turning over before hitting a tyre barrier. The chassis is being rebuilt but Webber's leading mechanic, Mark "Crunch" Lenton thought it would not be used again and left an RIP note in it "You gave me the best day of my life, and also saved my mate." Webber said: "I don't get attached to my cars, but clearly my old one was unique. And it's mine. The team gave it to me after Monaco. It did a great job for me, there and in Valencia." There were a number of other fantastic crashes at the Red Bull factory yesterday (but fortunately they were on the simulator), built in-house at vast expense and introduced in March last year. "With new corners it's important to get a feel for them," said Webber. "Simulators are not the real thing but it's good to get a feel. I didn't realise, for example, just how tight the second left-hander is at the Arrowhead. The rest was as you'd expect. We'll be able to drive Korea before we ever get there ..."
Wrap up...
Did you enjoy your No Bull report? Are you drinking Red Bull? Tell us in the forum. Aussie F1 Mark Webber, keep powering in your Red Bull. Richard Branson, add more juice to your Virgin Racing. We don't want it heading south like the classic Virgin Cola from years back.
We know PartyGaming is going to give a run for your money, and now that the FIFA World Cup is taking a break, land based casinos and internet casinos will be returning to full speed, so watch out baby. Punters, as always, having fun, know the odds, keep it legal, and don't drink to much caffeine or Red Bull. Good punting and have fun. Punters, as always, having fun, know the odds, keep it legal, and don't drink to much caffeine or Red Bull. Good punting and have fun.
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*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
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Punters, insiders, outsiders, journos, casino entrepreneurs and whales, and everyone else, what an interesting eclectic mix. NRL, Spain Running Of The Bulls, Red Bull Mark Webber fun and games, Casino cruise ship lights out, web censorship and politics and more... Media Man and Gambling911 go swimming with the sharks, dolphins, tuna and the rest of god's creations, and catch a boat load feast for your culinary enjoyment...
Pamplona Bull Run In Spain - Bulls 2, Australian Bull Runner 0...
It's that time of the year. The annual running of the bulls in Spain. A Spaniard and an Australian were injured on 2nd day of the San Fermin Bull Festival in the Spanish city of Pamplona. The injured Aussie is aged 18 and comes from Melbourne and the 20-year-old Spaniard is from the northern city of Saragossa. Both were taken to hospital. Score: Bulls 2, runners 0. Odds for a kill? Don't know, but maybe the likes of Centrebet, Paddy Power and Gamebookers might like to have a stab at it. Odds on a kill anyone?
Caffeine, Coke, Cappuccino And Pills In Australian Football: No Bull...
Re AFL stories circulate that some players mixed the caffeine drink Red Bull with the insomnia drug Stilnox for recreational use.
Not to be outdone, allegations of a "prescription drug culture" at the Sydney Roosters coming from the charging of Roosters hooker friendly Jake "The Mate" Friend last month for having tablets in his possession without a prescription.
Mr Friend and teammate Todd Carney, who was with him in beachside suburb Coogee when he was arrested, have been totally cleared of any wrongdoing by the Roosters. Friend's matter has been adjourned for mention to 21st July at Waverley Local Court.
Punters and insiders. Should NRL, AFL and poker pros take caffeine pills (or other legal performance enhancing drugs)? Tell us in the forum.
NRL State Of Origin - QLD Beats NSW But NSW Gains Respect...
It's the greatest side in State of Origin history... QLD, has now enjoyed its clean sweep.
Last night, before 60,000 plus fans at Sydney's ANZ Stadium, Queensland capped of its 5-year dominance of Origin with a gripping victory and the first 3-0 win of the Mal Meninga era!
Final Score:
QLD 23 - NSW 18
Centrebet Odds For The Record
NSW $2.85 for the win
QLD $1.44 for the win
Betfair Odds
NSW $3.15
QLD $1.45
Casino Cruiser Liner Looses Power At Sea, Casino Neon Lights Fade...
Punters have long enjoyed going on cruises. In fact some are known as "floating casinos", and various ports of the world have acted as havens of sorts for operators, with Bermuda coming to mind. All is fun and games until the neon lights go out, as they recently did, with punters being forced to the sun decks away from Vegas on the water. Passengers aboard the Carnival Cruise Ship "Fascination" said the ship lost power and drifted at sea for about five hours last Wednesday. The Jacksonville Coast Guard confirmed that the ship had lost power, but could not say for how long. The Coast Guard said marine inspectors boarded the ship off the coast of Jacksonville Thursday morning and investigated the cause of the electrical fault before clearing it to sail into the port of Jacksonville. The ship, returning from a five-day cruise, arrived about three hours late Thursday morning. Port officials alerted passengers on the next "All of the sudden, all the lights and the power went out. The air conditioning went out. The motor went off," passenger cruise lover Rita McGartland said. "We were floating." We were actually underneath the radar, and when it stopped, I kind of wondered about that," passenger James Smith said. Carnival issued a statement saying the power loss was due to a technical malfunction. "Carnival sincerely apologizes to our guests for this disruption to their vacation plans," the company said. "Carnival offered passengers a 20% discount on any future two- to five-day Carnival cruise." The ship has about 1,000 staterooms and 10 decks. The ship, which is 855 feet long, can hold around 2,000 passengers. It also has a casino, art gallery, spa, teen club, tween club, kids' camp, nightclub for adults, mini golf, waterslides and pools.
Carnival likes to call the ship a floating resort and punters call it a "floating casino".
Australian PM Julie Gillard Defends Internet Filter; Joins Media Man Twitter...
Julia, when you read this, thank you for joining our Twitter yesterday, and we trust you had a giggle at our proposed Gillard VS Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott wrestling championship 3 way dance, with a bit of a 3 Way Dance angle thanks to Malcolm "No Bull" Turnbull. How about yesterday's media tweek which is understood to have caught the eye of 'Jules':
"PM Julia Gillard's belief - non belief system is the fasting growing "religion" - belief system the world; Australia respects Gillard's out". Not quite as infamous as the tweek from "That Comedian" earlier this year at Crown Casino on the Logies night re Bindi Irwin: "I do so hope Bindi Irwin gets laid" or "Rove and Tasma look so cute ... hope she doesn't die, too". We expect Vegas comedian Tony Clifton or maybe his dead mate, Andy Kaufman, to buy into the 2nd round of TwitterGate.
Twitter Hot List
http://twitter.com/mediamanpolitic
http://twitter.com/mediamanint
http://twitter.com/JuliaGillard
http://twitter.com/TonyAbbottMHR
http://twitter.com/gambling911
Julia Gillard says she is aware of public concerns over the mandatory internet filter interfering with "legitimate use" however has vowed to push ahead with the controversial proposal. In her first comments on the filter since scoring the Labor leadership, Ms Gillard told ABC radio in Darwin that the proposal was in fact an effort to control the "dark side" of communications technology. "Images of child abuse, child pornography - they are not legal in our cinemas. Why should you be able to see them on the internet? I think that's the kind of moral, ethical question at the heart of this. I understand that there's a set of … technical concerns about internet speed, and also concerns that somehow this accidentally doesn't move into taking away legitimate use of the internet.
Senator Stephen Conroy with an interesting quote: "We are prepared to spend as much time as necessary to make sure we get it right. Sooner rather than later… does this mean December? No, I wouldn’t think it would be. But there could be intervening events I can’t be in control of".
So, the federal government hopes to introduce legislation to enable its controversial internet filter by the end of the year. Communications Minister Stephen Conroy keeps saying the legislation would be this year "sooner rather than later". Timing for the web filter legislation, which has earned the ire of ISPs and internet freedom advocates, depends on the date for the looming federal election and if Labor wins office. Most political commentators have predicted August to October as possible election dates. The polls are likely to occur before the Victorian election in late November. Centrebet money says Jillard will get in, while most current Fairfax Media web polls show an Abbott (Liberal) victory. Since the plan was put forward in the public domain circa 2007, Senator Conroy has apparently changed his mind several times on how the filtering scheme would eventually work. The latest measure or pitch if you will, is to create a list of web pages comprising refused classification-rated content and force internet service providers to automatically block them. Legislation will be introduced to require all ISPs to filter the RC content list. New Prime Minister Julia Gillard solidly backs the filtering plan. She's made her support known with... understood public concerns over the scheme but that Senator Conroy was working to find a resolution that would be in the "right shape". When Sen Conroy was quizzed if Ms Gillard had set a deadline for the filtering legislation to be introduced, Senator Conroy said: "We are prepared to spend as much time as necessary to make sure we get it right. The discussions we're having behind the scenes with various players are more interested in getting the implementation and the actual policy right rather than saying it's got to be done by some artificial deadline." Those talks include consultation with ISPs on how to increase accountability and transparency for RC material. "I expect it (the legislation) to be this year. I expect that we will table the legislation this year sooner rather than later. "If you're thinking 'does that mean December?' - no, I wouldn't think it would be December, but there could be intervening events that I am not in control of," Senator Conroy told the press. The policy would be implemented 12 months from the passage of legislation. RC broadly consists of illegal content but Google and a boat load of internet and censorship experts believe the list could potentially contain legitimate material. Labor Senator Kate Lundy's suggestion for an opt-in approach has been rejected.
US Ambassador to Australia Jeff Bleich has urged the government to ditch the plan, saying child pornographers can be captured and prosecuted without using mandatory internet filters. The government has said it will introduce legislation to establish the filter after consultations are complete, but it is most unlikely to bring it before Parliament ahead of the next election. The federal opposition is yet to formalise its position on the mandatory filter. Aussie punters and internet fans, enjoy your interent filter free viewing while you can. Your days may be numbered.
A Media Man spokesperson said "In regards to the Australian proposed internet filter...This could be a vote winner or election looser, all depending upon the way the government handles it. Gillard is a friendly face and appears to have the ear of Australians much better than Conroy... who tends to raise the ire and piss off the internet community. Australian residents, business people and web publishers and portals developers need a lot more detailed information as to make an informed decision. If your a web publisher or portal developer, like Media Man or a NineMSN for example, who do you draw the lines on media vs PR campaigns, affiliate programs VS advertising, links in and web links out and so on. This is complex and if your running a network of websites across a dozen different industry sectors, 10'000's of pages of content, dozens of campaigns and the like, well you can just imagine. We consult with legal and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, but the bottom line is that we need to see what is proposed by the Australian government. For the record we are a media, publicity and internet portal development company, and we cover a dozen different sectors, gaming, politics, media and technology included. We don't want to have to contact United Nations, Virgin Unite, The Elders and Reporters Without Boarders again, but if we have to, we will. Let's get the proposal right. Catch the crims and let media companies, web publishers and the community at large use the internet in peace. The real crims are not going to be found anyway, but if the government thinks they can get them on the web, let them try, but good luck".
Macau Gaming Operators Will Struggle With Overcapacity Says Expert...
If the market environment were different from what it is today, gaming operators would be struggling. That would happen because "player’s knowledge is lacking, and at the same time loyalty programmes and market segmentation is missing," notes Sudhir H. Kalé, professor of Marketing at Bond University’s School of Business in Australia and a visiting professor at the University of Macau. As the author of dozens of published articles on the marketing and management aspects of gaming, Kalé says he is "not impressed" with the market strategy of local properties. He also says that currently, gaming operators in Macau "don’t have knowledge about their players and there is no market segmentation". That, he stresses, "has been the weakest link in every property". City Of Dreams and Asia Pacific casino and lifestyle king, James Packer may like to argue his point... "Because the market is high and everyone is benefiting, they seem not to worry, but things can change in the near future," the expert warns. Kalé recalls being asked a few years ago "who is the Wynn customer?" – an enquiry that got no answer at the time and one that remains unanswered, he says, even after all these years. "No property knows who their customers are, be it Wynn, Crown or Grand Lisboa," he says. Hence, everybody is going for the same group of patrons. "That makes it very difficult to differentiate yourself from your competitors. I think every property should decide who their customer is and then organise activities and plan a strategy based on trying to provide an incomparable experience to that customer, and not to others," the professor states. If a company chooses another road it will end up either offering the same package as their competitors or offering a special package to all customers. "At the end, it will not have any competitive advantage," Kalé says. For the record, Media Man and Gambling911 have a pretty good idea of who its readers and patrons are. G'day RB, Steve, Calvin, Mort, Rupert, Bruiser, Jules, Ryan, JP, "Mr Watchdog", Mr Wolverine, Mr Spider-Man, Mr Excelsior, Mr Underbelly, Ms Lash, Ms Universe, Ms Crocodile Wildlife Warrior, Sly, Mr Terminator, Mr Cruiser, Mr Hulkamania, Nature Boy, Mr Webby, Mr Bull, John Smith, The Don, and everyone else. Sorry, changed the names to protect the innocent and to have a bit of fun.
Jenson Button And Lewis Hamilton Clash Soon Says Red Bull Mark Webber; No Bull?...
The so-called special relationship between British F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button was dismissed as nothing more than "smoke and mirrors" by their Red Bull rival Mark Webber. Webber's relationship with his team-mate Sebastian Vettel came under intense scrutiny after they crashed when running 1 and 2 in Istanbul ( Istan Bul for this No Bull Edition) at the end of May, while the mood between the Ferrari pair of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa has frequently sounded less than harmonious. But the Aussie said it was no different at the Woking-based camp and the relationship would be tested during the season. "They've been working very hard with smoke and mirrors at McLaren," he said. "Lewis and Jenson are always racing at the front and it's inevitable that it's gonna happen, because of what's at stake and both are hungry drivers." Speaking about his relationship with Vettel, Webber added: "We're pretty good. If Seb was drowning in the ocean I'd go in and save him. But it's totally natural that there will be rivalry. If you are like Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen (at Lotus) there isn't so much at stake right now. But look at Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell. They were both at the front and were both trying to win, and there was healthy rivalry. It's not possible in that situation to have a beautiful, fuzzy relationship because the other guy is a competitor. Here, the whole team learned from the incident in Turkey. It was a new experience for us. But 80% of the grid would give their right arm to be in a similar position, with two guys fighting at the front. As far as we are concerned, it's unlikely to happen again. The good thing is that I can stay at home, and I know all the back routes in from my cycling. I can feed the dogs and go in for the race. There are clear positives; we all know how much we like staying in hotels. I know the home crowd will be rooting for Lewis and Jenson, but I've always got on pretty well with the British fans. I've always lived in the UK." Vettel and Webber made it a Red Bull one-two at Silverstone last year and they need something similar this time on the new circuit if they are to reassert their position in this highly competitive season. It was a wonder Webber could speak, let alone look forward to Sunday's race, following his spectacular 200mph crash in Valencia 10 days ago. After his car smashed against Kovalainen's Lotus it soared in the air, hung there momentarily like a performing dolphin, and then crashed down, turning over before hitting a tyre barrier. The chassis is being rebuilt but Webber's leading mechanic, Mark "Crunch" Lenton thought it would not be used again and left an RIP note in it "You gave me the best day of my life, and also saved my mate." Webber said: "I don't get attached to my cars, but clearly my old one was unique. And it's mine. The team gave it to me after Monaco. It did a great job for me, there and in Valencia." There were a number of other fantastic crashes at the Red Bull factory yesterday (but fortunately they were on the simulator), built in-house at vast expense and introduced in March last year. "With new corners it's important to get a feel for them," said Webber. "Simulators are not the real thing but it's good to get a feel. I didn't realise, for example, just how tight the second left-hander is at the Arrowhead. The rest was as you'd expect. We'll be able to drive Korea before we ever get there ..."
Wrap up...
Did you enjoy your No Bull report? Are you drinking Red Bull? Tell us in the forum. Aussie F1 Mark Webber, keep powering in your Red Bull. Richard Branson, add more juice to your Virgin Racing. We don't want it heading south like the classic Virgin Cola from years back.
We know PartyGaming is going to give a run for your money, and now that the FIFA World Cup is taking a break, land based casinos and internet casinos will be returning to full speed, so watch out baby. Punters, as always, having fun, know the odds, keep it legal, and don't drink to much caffeine or Red Bull. Good punting and have fun. Punters, as always, having fun, know the odds, keep it legal, and don't drink to much caffeine or Red Bull. Good punting and have fun.
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*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
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Monday, July 05, 2010
Australia To Get More Casinos And Regulation, by Greg Tingle - 5th June 2010
Australia is likely to get more land based casinos and extra regulation, if the recent turn of events is anything to judge by... Media Man and Gambling911 along with sniffer dogs, Bluey and Timmy, board the Aussie Regional Express and come up with a bush tucker bag of Aussie casino and gaming news as the global hunt continues... Kangaroos get hopping to it...
Australia is likely to get more land based casinos and extra regulation, if the recent turn of events is anything to judge by... Media Man and Gambling911 along with sniffer dogs, Bluey and Timmy, board the Aussie Regional Express and come up with a bush tucker bag of Aussie casino and gaming news as the global hunt continues... Kangaroos get hopping to it...
Outlaw Ban On Aussie And International Crooks From Casinos Down Under...
Australia with its grand plan to build more casinos and increase regulation, is looking to tighten up laws to ban criminals, both Aussies and tourists. The wide believe in the industry, society and police is that more needs to be done, Media Man having researched this and assisted some authorities for the past number of years.
As we go to print (technically Web) plans are being drawn up to stop criminals laundering money through casinos and gambling venues nationally.
Gambling exclusion orders are already imposed, but only at state and territory levels, and there's room for improvement.
Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor advised crims who have been subject to one state exclusion order have moved to other jurisdictions where venues are unaware of the order!
Our learned friend said the federal plan will see each state and territory pass and execute legislation to enable gambling exclusion orders that are issued in other jurisdictions to be recognised within their borders.
Cairns Casino Mecca Proposal Political Casino War...
You've heard of the Aussie Casino Wars, namely Sydney's Star City VS Melbourne's Crown Casino... well, the wars are expanding north to regional Cairns and taking on an ultra political spin. A far Northern Queensland mayor says a plan to turn the city of Cairns into a Las Vegas-style gambling destination is "bizarre and unwelcome". Liberal National Party defector and now independent MP Aidan McLindon wants all of Queensland's pokies, except those in casinos, moved to Cairns and a gambling strip like Vegas established. Cairns Mayor Val Schier says she is opposed to the idea. "I think the suggestion is absolutely bizarre and I'm not quite sure what his motivation is in making it," she said. "Perhaps he is just seeking attention." Cr Schier says the gambling destination will not get public support. "The plan would never get any wings at all," she said. "There would be no support for it at all - the last thing we want is more poker machines concentrated in one area. We know the problems that there already are with gambling but certainly Cairns would not want to have a bar of it." Tourism Tropical North Queensland chairman Bill Calderwood says the plan has no merit. "I don't think it's an idea that makes a lot of sense for this destination," he said. "We have many wonderful, natural attractions and wonder products and experiences that attract people here. "I doubt very much that we need the artificial injection of casinos to attract people up here.". Some struggling business owners beg to differ hesitant to provide their names in fear of repercussions. "My business is struggling. We need more cashed up tourists. The casino proposal would bring in additional attention, tourists and money to the area. They would spend some of that in the local township also. It's a no brainer mate".
Australia's Cairns In Northern Queensland To Become Aussie Las Vegas?...
Cairns would become Australia's equivalent to Las Vegas under a somewhat controversial scheme to transform it into the national centre for poker machines. Aussie Casino King, James Packer, his prize casino being in Melbourne, Australia, isn't speaking on the matter as yet. Packer also has his Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth, Western Australia, so don't expect Packer to support the proposal. It's not a Crown Limited venture either, but maybe we would buy them out one day. The current proposal is to be heard within 24 hours in Brisbane, north of Sydney, and south of Cairns, at one of the tourism industry's key annual conventions, Tourism Futures, to be attended by international tourism heavyweights and politicians, including Federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh. It is being championed - sphere headed by breakaway Liberal National Party MP Aidan McLindon, who has previously had campaigned against the spread of pokies. But Mr McLindon, who quit the party in May to form the Queensland Party, is now pushing for debate on a scheme that would create a Las Vegas style gambling strip in gorgeous Cairns by relocating poker machines from existing pubs and clubs across Queensland to a new "Aus Vegas" to be built in the region. Punters may recall Aus Vegas was an online casino name owned and operated by Lasseters, but they closed shop roughly 3 years ago, unable to compete with competitors which snatched online casino tuna, dolphins and whales. Aussie punters turned off Aus Vegas (online), finding the likes of PartyCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino and Virgin Casino.
The Beaudesert MP first tabled his vision for a Vegas-style pokies hub to reduce gambling in April last year in his virgin speech to State Parliament. It somewhat replicates the US model, where Nevada is the only state to have no significant restrictions against gaming machines. Under the "Aus Vegas" proposal, clubs would have to sell their poker machine licences back to the Government or relocate their pokies to Cairns and become "shareholders" in the new venture. The state's existing 4 major casinos would be exempt.
The plan would be supported by a shake-up of the current distribution of gambling funds collected by the State Government, with pokies revenue instead being poured into recreational sports through a scheme that would hand sports clubs a cash grant for each child they put on the sports field! (a suitable connection between pokies and kids). "The location is ideal given the Cairns region is suffering some of the highest unemployment levels and the tourism industry is plummeting," Mr McLindon said. "It already has the international airport there, which is under-utilised. Ideally, you want them (gaming machines) all in one place so people can go away, have a holiday, blow their money and come home." But welfare groups fear the plan could turn Cairns into another "Sin City", following Vegas, Sydney and Melbourne to a certain extent...making residents the sacrificial lambs of the nation's gambling problems.
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Adelaide Casino In South Australia: Changes Afoot...
Seems not only is Star City and Crown Casino duking it out, along with the Cairns casino proposal, Adelaide in South Australia is throwing its hat in the ring as the Aussie casino wars approach boiling point. Down Torren Riverbank land way, west of the Morphett Street bridge is the proposed worksite for a brand new Adelaide Casino. Relocating to a new purpose-built casino complex overlooking the Torrens Lake is the subject of confidential post-election talks between the State Government and casino management - with both parties bent on progressing the much-talked about riverbank precinct into a "a major tourist and entertainment hub". A key feature of a new casino complex is likely to be underground parking for several thousand cars, which would potentially solve parking issues for a redeveloped Adelaide Oval. Treasurer Kevin Foley has now confirmed he has been in extra talks with the casino over a waterfront redevelopment, advising casino management has "exciting ideas". Water features and light shows are part of developing plans to turn the Torrens Lake area into an entertainment hub. We think he's been borrowing a few ideas from Packer, Ho and Co. re City Of Dreams, Macau, and a number of Las Vegas casinos having been "playing" with water and lights for decades. Chatshave included options for either a Las Vegas-style resort and a more discreet European-style gambling plaza but the consensus appears to be a more homely development incorporating plenty of alfresco style dining, walkways and you get the idea, to take make good use of the outdoor-friendly climate. West of the Morphett St Bridge overlooking the Torrens Lake is regarded as the superior site for a new casino-hotel-entertainment venue. Relocating the casino creates new opportunities for transforming the historic Adelaide Railway Station. Casino general manager David Christian this week said the casino wanted to be part of a new riverside entertainment precinct linked to the redeveloped Adelaide Oval and new Royal Adelaide Hospital in the western railyards. "Adelaide Casino is one of several major businesses that call the riverbank precinct home and fully supports the idea of turning the area into a major tourist and entertainment hub," Mr Christian said. "We believe that Adelaide deserves a bigger casino but there is due process to work through before we finalise any plans and present them to the State Government." Mr Foley revealed during a recent business lunch speech he had been in talks with casino management but declined to elaborate. He has made a series of positive based talks recently...speeches which have championed Melbourne's Southbank development, which has the Crown Casino as one of its key attractions. Last month, Mr Foley told an American Chamber of Commerce lunch the CBD was "underdone". "We need to be more pro-development," he said. At another function, he said "Do we really want to see Adelaide in 10 years' time with a River Torrens precinct that is like going for a stroll in an Outback town where no one has any money or interest in developing something?" In May 2009, News Corp's Sunday Mail reported two construction consortiums were working on plans to present to SkyCity for new casinos at two landmark sites: Either on the Torrens river bank or on the current RAH site. Casino operator SkyCity Adelaide previously has confirmed it wants to move from the heritage-listed Adelaide Railway Station site into bigger, purpose-built premises incorporating a hotel, with chief exec Nigel Morrison telling budding investors Adelaide deserved a bigger casino. In 2008, casino management stopped plans for a $30 million underground car park at its current railway station location, as it looked at "conceptual" plans to relocate. In 2001, Adelaide developers revealed detailed plans for a $200 million, 22-storey hotel with casino and 240 apartments on the railyards site, and revived them in 2006, but failed to win Government support. This time around there appears to be a lot more government support and many locals have employment opportunities on their mind, as well as business owners in the area hoping to gain some positive spin offs from the proposal.
Australian Politics - Kate Lundy VS Sen Stephen Conroy ("Censorship Minister")...
Julia Gillard's takeover of the Labor Party leadership has sparked calls for the communications portfolio to change hands also. Gillard became the country's first female Prime Minister after Kevin Rudd decided not to contest a leadership challenge. In her acceptance speech, Ms Gillard said she would make "consequential" changes to cabinet positions at "an appropriate time". However some bloggers and technology pundits have already decided on the two politicians they would like to see trade places. The minister they would like to see out is Stephen Conroy, currently in charge of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (BCDE), and the figurehead of the Government's controversial internet filtering policy. The favourite to replace him is Kate Lundy, a former shadow IT minister who has retained an interest in the area and the respect of industry figures. Technology wire service Delimiter speculated on whether Senator Lundy would replace Senator Conroy in a reshuffle, airing claims from critics of the current minister that Senator Lundy better understood the sector. Gizmodo Australia went one step further and launched a campaign titled "Kate Lundy For IT: The Change We Really Need" that was linked to by hundreds of users on Twitter. "If it's time for a change in Labor, there’s no better change than replacing Conroy with a forward thinking minister for BCDE like Senator Lundy," it said. Editor Nick Broughall said the campaign wasn't just a kneejerk reaction to the leadership change and had so far received encouraging support. "We're going to run with this until the new front bench has been named and we know whether or not the Government is going to change its approach to the BCDE portfolio, in particular its proposed internet filter," he told News Limited's news.com.au. Web filtering Much of the backlash against Senator Conroy is linked to the Government's controversial internet filtering plan. Under the scheme, internet providers like Telstra and Optus would be forced to block access to a secret list of banned webpages. One of the key differences between the two senators is the degree of their support for the plan. Senator Lundy has been one of the only Labor voices to publicly question the policy and earlier this month said she would propose an alternative to the Labor Caucus. "I am working to change the internet filtering policy to better achieve the policy goals of protecting children through empowering and educating parents," she wrote on her blog at the time. Senator Lundy's concerns lay with the mandatory nature of the filtering plan. She believes Australians should be given the option to choose whether their internet connections are censored. However Internet Industry Association chief executive Peter Coroneos said a change of minister wasn't necessary for the filtering plan to be dropped, if the Government chose to do so. "I wouldn't necessarily conclude from (Gillard's) comments that we're going to see a major rearrangement of the deckchairs," he told news.com.au. "To speculate on who will be the communications minister really is jumping ahead." Mr Coroneos said the association supported two of the Government's three main communications policies — the national broadband network (NBN) and its e-security agenda — but not its internet filtering plan. If the communications portfolio was up for grabs, Mr Coroneos said it would be a "difficult question to answer" which senator would suit it best. "Kate Lundy is someone we’ve worked with for a long time and we have a great deal of respect for both her commitment to our industry and also her understanding of the issues," he said. "But there's no doubting Stephen Conroy's commitment to the NBN either." Senator Lundy was one of the first Labor MPs to declare her support for Ms Gillard last night. Fittingly, she made the statement on Twitter. "I will be voting for Julia Gillard in the l'ship ballot. She will be an inspiring PM!," she wrote, from the @katelundy account. And speaking on ABC Radio this morning before the leadership decision was revealed, she seemed confident with what the outcome would be. When asked if Australia would have a new prime minister by lunch, Senator Lundy replied: "I believe so." She also took the opportunity to describe IT policy as one of "those areas I'm passionate about". Senator Lundy was Labor's shadow IT minister from 2001 until 2004 when the portfolio was handed to Senator Conroy under then opposition leader Mark Latham. Since that time Senator Lundy has maintained an active interest in communications and technology, speaking publicly about the NBN and initiatives such as Gov 2.0, and regularly updating her blog. Senator Conroy is also understood to have supported Ms Gillard, according to The Australian. His media advisor did not immediately return a request for comment about the reshuffle.
Aussie Casino Shares... (generally on the upswing in past 24 hours)
Crown $7.790
Tabcorp $6.45
Centrebet $1.130
Tatts $2.240
Reef Casino Trust $1.900
Aristocrat Leisure Limited $3.610
Lasseters Corporation $0.010
SkyCity $2.93
References: Casino corporate websites and ASX Website
Punters, as always, bet with your head, not over it, know the odds and have fun.
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover
*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited
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