3D Movies And Slot Games Not Dead Yet, by Greg Tingle - 22nd January 2011

G'day Yankies, Aussies, punters, casino and gambling millionaires, billionaires, legal eagles, politicians, 3D lovers, entertainment news junkies - one and all. Avatar might have jump started 3D a few years ago, but there's a lot more to the 3D world than those friendly critters. Today we revisit the world of 3D movies and 3D slots, discovering what's hot, what's not and what's worth spinning to win. Media Man and Gambling911 throw on the dorky glasses with this special 3D report...

Not that long ago Hollywood was so in love by 3D that some directors worried there might be no future for movies in old-fashioned 2D. Now some box office figures are being leaked for 2010 - 2011, and they are a bit on the train wreck side of the tracks.

US cinema attendance for the past 2 years is down some 10%, and box office take in the 10 days to 26 December - a key holiday period - was down a massive 30%.

Box-office income for the year was down roughly 2.6%, however, that's due to higher ticket prices, particularly for 3D blockbusters.

What up then? The last few years of strongly promoted 3D films didn't sustain the positive buzz or experience created by "Avatar", nor its record box-office income. Now., 3D is looking like a quite the gimmick that doesn't really pull US nor Australian audiences back for more action.

Richard Greenfield, an analyst at BTIG Research may be corrected when he told the press post Avatar "While the horror and gross-out comedy genres may benefit from 3D (think "Saw 3D" or "Jackass 3D"), the vast majority of 3D movies this year have been disappointing at best."

The electronics industry is swimming in its own 3D bloodbath. Companies rushed 3DTVs to stores and not that many moved out the doors. "By anyone's account, 3DTV sales were a disappointment" advised Pete Putman of Insight Media.

US and Australian consumers greeted the new technology with a a luke warm response at best. Leichtman Research Group reports that 80% of American households they surveyed knew about 3DTV, but less than 1% own a 3D set and just 8% percent have any interest in buying one.

Analysts cite issues including big price tags, the need for expensive 3D shutter glasses, and the lack of 3D programming, but that's not all. The need for any kind of 3D glasses gets in the way of how viewers watch television. May TV buffs also do other things at the same time...multitasking, talking with each other, and walking in and out of the room. Plus, its no secret that watching intense 3D too long can make people sick in the guts, and some people even report sore eyes and a headache.

What does the future hold? Today's 3D TV technology is light years ahead of the technology used during the 3D boom of the 1950s. But it will have a difficult time living up to Hollywood's wildest expectations.

PartyGaming - Betsoft Gaming - 3D News; More 3D Slots On The Way in 2011...

Industry innovators Betsoft Gaming have announced that Partycasino.com, understood to be the world's largest online casino, is releasing a swag of 3D slot. Betsoft's Slots3 first blockbuster slot Heist in now in Party's casino as well as via their convenient download client. Yeah baby, and more Slots3 titles are soon to follow. Heist, a 5 reel, 30 payline cinematic 3D slots game, showcases the life of professional safecracker Neil Quailand as he evades his nemesis, Detective Al Kowalski. The game features scatter pays, wild reels, exciting safecracking bonus rounds and free spins, all presented in Betsoft's vividly rich Slots3 style. 'We are absolutely delighted to form this partnership with an industry leader like PartyCasino.com,' says Aliya Alpiyeva, Betsoft's Director of Marketing. 'Heist, the first Slots3 game to be delivered, is a proven classic, one that we feel will thrill PartyCasino.com's enormous and loyal player base. The cinematic realism of this true 3D game appeals to a wide range of players, drawing them into Quailand's quest for the perfect bank heist. With additional Slots3 games yet to come, we at Betsoft are looking forward to adding more games to PartyCasino.com A PartyCasino spokesman said: 'We are delighted to welcome Heist to our portfolio of games and look forward to adding more Betsoft games in the near future. Heist is just one of dozens and dozens games we will be adding to the world's largest online casino in the coming months.'

Bally Pro Series Cabinets Deliver HD Video, Custom Surround-Sound, 3D Animations...

Many of Bally’s games showcased in the Company’s ICE stand #3540 will be featured on the new ALPHA 2™ Pro Series cabinets. ALPHA 2 features an INTEL® Core™ 2 processor; four gigabytes of dual-channel memory; Realtek™ high-definition audio; and leading video technology. This powerful platform is optimized for dual screen, multi game; uses HD video technology for exciting 3D graphics, animations, and up to a four-monitor play experience; supports both existing and new game libraries; and is network and server-based ready. These sleek, streamlined cabinets are available in upright, slant, spinning-wheel, and configurations with digital, wheel, and hammerhead top displays. “Our game developers and hardware and software engineers have outdone themselves, and operator feedback has been truly outstanding,” said Gavin Isaacs, Bally Technologies’ Chief Operating Officer. Isaacs added that the Pro Series cabinets are download and configuration-ready, and the Company has a library of downloadable games.

Green Hornet Movie in 3D...

GenreAction/Adventure
Comedy
Running time 119 min
Actors Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Chrtistoph Waltz
Director Michel Gondry
Screen writer Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Target Teenage
OFLC rating M
Year 2011
Language English

The Green Hornet movie for current era has been a long time coming, with or without 3D. Fortunately, you want to put on those glasses for this flick. Believe it or not, the iconic character began life as a radio series at a cash strapped and tight ass Detroit, USA radio station in 1936. The station's co-owner, George Trendle, did not want to pay the networks for serials so what do you do? You commission your own of course. The radio station WXYZ, created a big hit with The Lone Ranger and so then the boss decided it was time to create another hero in the same vien, but with more appeal.

Trendle and his team of writers invented Britt Reid, the bright and youth full publisher of newspaper, The Daily Sentinel. He becomes a crimefighter by night with the assist of Kato, a talented Oriental if there ever was. The radio deal went thru to the early 1950s and was brought back in the mid-1960s for TV. Future martial arts legend, Bruce Lee, played Kato.

This was pulp fiction at its best. Now we are getting to enjoy the classics all over again, some with 3D, some without.

The script for The Green Hornet was written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

Rogen is an up and coming star of American comedy. Never mind the face he's Canadian in real life. He plays Reid and the Taiwanese pop rock star Jay Chou is Kato. The director is Michel Gondry, one of the great visual entrepreneurs in today's cinema. He's done a great job with The Green Hornet in 3D.

You want to be checking out the comedy with Rogen and Chou burning up Los Angeles in face masks, blowing stuff up ala Mythbusters like, in a souped up 60s Chrysler Imperial now known to the masses as "The Black Beauty". No, we don't know the details of the product placement - the car, but its a good match for the movie, no question.

Reid inherits the newspaper biz after the death of his old man (Tom Wilkinson). He learns that his dad's mechanic is a technical whiz and a martial arts killing machine. Reid hires the journalism graduate Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), while he and Kato become crimefighters. He likes to piss off Los Angeles crime kingpin Benjamin Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz), a murderer, and doesn't mind bending and breaking rules to get his own style of justice.

This flick has money maker written all over it in our opinion.

Gondry turns The Green Hornet into a visual effects bonanza that will see it be referenced by the industry for years to come. It might even add some much needed spark to the 3D sector.


Marvel Entertainment's Thor And Captain America: The First Avenger In 3D!...

Marvel's Kevin Feige, Thor director Kenneth Branagh, and Captain America director Joe Johnston, all say that going 3D on these films was the way to go.

Branagh: "Is it led by story? Can this offer a different type of experience and exploit what we have in the story? It absolutely can... we travel very long distances in the movie and the opportunity to export and exploit the journey of the hero is really offered up as a great potential enhancement here."

Kevin Feige: "an unprecedented amount of time" will be devoted to the conversion process. The films will benefit from the fact that the 3D choice was made early on "with passion and planning" and not in post-production. "In being able to think in 3D from the start -- and having every bit of our special effects rendered in true 3D -- we have the opportunity to do it right. When you're working with a director like Ken Branagh or Joe Johnston, they're not going to settle for less than perfect image. They're not going to settle for something that isn't up to the artistry of everything else they've done on the film. They're not going to put on some overlay in the last 10/12 weeks of post-production for a fiscal reason."

Marvel Comics Films Expected To Raise Popularity Of Marvel Slots Again...

Thor and Captain America online slot patronage is expected to skyrocket with the Marvel films releases this year. PartyGaming is not making any secret of massive sign up bonuses for new players and new competitors like the Winner brand are also looking to plug into the excitement. We expect PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com to maintain domination, but give the others credit for hanging in there. Learn more about the history of Marvel, the comics, movies and games on the Media Man Int website portal, and don't forget to check out the news of Marvel Comics living legend Stan Lee. Excelsior!


IGT Little Shop of Horrors® 3D Video Reel; Online Casinos Screaming Out For Land Based Casino Game...

Hungry for more 3D? The cult-classic The Little Shop of Horrors chomps its way to casinos in a 3D video reel game. Feed the hungry plant to start Tumbling Reels® excitement. Win again and again as Audrey Junior crunches its way up the reels. When the plant hits the top, it's time to play the Pick a Bud bonus for credits, a win multiplier, or Free Games with more wilds! Packed with campy fun, zany characters, and spectacular 3D, The Little Shop of Horrors is unforgettable entertainment!

New James Bond: 3D Confirmed!...

The new James Bond film will be in 3D. The British spy movie franchise which stars Daniel Craig as 007 has been delayed again because the bosses reportedly now want the movie to utilise new three-dimensional technology. An insider said: "The 23rd Bond movie has been put back a few months and that has given them the time to prepare to film it in 3-D. Everyone involved in the project is really excited because it will take the franchise in a new direction." The as yet untitled project had already been delayed due to issues (financial and legal etc) surrounding the impending sale of MGM Studios. Producer Michael G. Wilson previously said: "Our timeline's a little up in the air, so we have to be flexible. We just don't know enough about the situation to comment, but we know it's uncertain." Sam Mendes - who won an Oscar for his debut feature 'American Beauty' - is also reportedly set to direct the film. Sara Keene, Sam's publicist, confirmed he had met representatives of the Bond franchise to discuss the possibility of him helming the movie but is adamant nothing has been finalised. She said: "I can confirm that he has had a meeting, but Sam always has lots of projects on the table that he might direct next. Sam's method is to have a number of projects as possible next films and at some point confirm which film he's going to do." Some media and gaming commentators are already telling Bond's people (Sony etc) to seriously look at doing a Bond 3D online slot game, as well as putting out a new slot for land based casinos. They might as well cash in, and what better way right.

Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting...

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

PartyCasino.com

Captain Cooks Casino

Betfair (sports betting only)

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

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

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

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

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

Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Is 3D your thing? Tell us in the forum.

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

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

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

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PartyGaming News: PartyCasino Wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' Award

PartyCasino.com Wins Media Man Online Casino Award

PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".

PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.

The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com

The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".

The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.

PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.

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

The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.

PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.

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

PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.

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

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Poker News Media: PartyPoker Launches Double Hold’em

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The game went live almost a month ago, but PartyPoker just made it official with a press release this week: Double Hold’em has landed. The new poker variety is available at both real and play money tables and should prove to be a fun change of pace for even the most devoted Texas Hold’em players.

In Double Hold’em, players are dealt three hole cards rather than the traditional two. After the flop, one of the three cards must be selected as the “point” card (unless the player opts to fold, of course). This point card is then physically moved in between the other two cards and pushed up slightly, creating a triangle of sorts with the three hole cards. The point card is now used to create dual two-card starting hands, one with each of the other hole cards. The two non-point cards do not play together. At showdown, just like in regular Hold’em, the player with the best five-card hand wins and either pair of hole cards can be used to make the best hand. The betting rounds play the same as Hold’em: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river.

Let’s go through an example. Say you are dealt 6h-Ac-5c. You decide to play this hand, so you call pre-flop and see a flop of 3s-4h-Kc. At this point, PartyPoker will give you a few seconds to set your point card. In this case, it looks like you’ll want to at least put the 5 and 6 together so that you have an open-ended straight draw, so the logical option is to make the 5c the point card. With your rearranged hole cards reading 6h-5c-Ac, you now have two sets of cards to run with: 6-5 off suit, which gives you the aforementioned open-ended straight draw, and Ac-5c, which gives you a backdoor flush draw. The 6h and Ac have nothing to do with each other from here on out.

After a round of betting, the Qc falls on the turn, giving you a club flush draw (Ac-5c) to go along with your open-ended straight draw (5c-6h). Another betting round ensues and then the river is dealt: 2d. Using the 5c-6h, you hit your straight. Your busted flush draw doesn’t matter. One more betting round and the cards are flipped over, just like in standard Hold’em.

Double Hold’em was created by E. Mark Gross and Zvi Lando, CEO and CFO, respectively, of TableBrain. In an exclusive blog post at PartyPoker.com, Gross billed Double Hold’em as giving players “more playable hands, more action, and bigger pots! It’s a poker game built by poker fans for poker fans.”

Gross wrote that he and Lando created the game back in 2006, but it took a long time to refine the concept and get it just right in order to achieve their goal of creating “fun, intelligent games that allow players to have more continuous action and decisions at the table.”

TableBrain has also developed a video poker version of the game, which it calls EZ Double Hold’em. There are two variations of this. One is the standard video poker-style game in which a player places a bet before the cards are dealt with no further betting; the other is similar to the live game, with betting rounds at the start, prior to setting the point, after the flop, and after the turn. EZ Double Hold’em can be played for free on TableBrain’s website.

According to industry monitor PokerScout.com, PartyPoker ranks third in terms of cash game traffic behind PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker. PartyPoker had been in a tight battle with the iPoker Network, but has recently gained some separation. It owns a seven-day average of 4,250 cash game players versus iPoker’s 3,650. They are both comfortably ahead of the Ongame Network, but light years behind Full Tilt, so it appears that the two will be jockeying for the third spot for quite some time to come. (Credit: Poker News Daily)

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Poker News Media: Win a poker trip to the Philippines with PKR - 7th January 2011

PKR.com the world's most popular 2D and 3D online poker room has done it again.

It's back and it's better than ever!

Book your seat at the APT Philippines 2011 with PKR.com and you could be soaking up the sun and winning huge cash prizes.

Qualifiers are rolling right now from just $2.08 that lead to weekly final satellites where one in every 25 entrants will win $5,000 packages to this amazing event.

PKR.com also offer a host of other world class online poker promotions and now also a wide variety of online slot games and sports betting facilities.

PKR.com have a number of awards and commendations to their name including EGR Poker Operator of the Year Award 2010 and Media Man and Casino News Media 'Online Poker Room Of The Month' - December 2010.

Press Release

PKR.com Wins EGR Poker Operator of the Year Award

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - Dec 8 2010 - Next-generation poker room PKR.com celebrates another big win after picking up the highly sought after Poker Operator of the Year at the 2010 E-Gaming Review Awards ceremony that took place in London recently.

Fighting off a strong field which included household names such as PartyGaming, 888 and William Hill Online, judges praised PKR for demonstrating how originality and constant innovation could build a successful business in the face of liquidity challenges. The award also means that PKR is the holder of both major industry Poker Operator of the Year awards, having won the IGA version in January this year.

Malcolm Graham, CEO of PKR said; "The EGR Awards are very important for the online gaming industry and it is a fantastic achievement for PKR to have won this prestigious award. 2010 has been an astounding year for us and we look forward to adding this title to this year's portfolio, which also includes the top spot in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100."

The E-Gaming Review Awards ceremony took place at the Honorable Artillery Company in the heart of London on 24th November 2010. The event was hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, and was attended by over 800 people from the gaming industry.

Founded in 2004 by serial entrepreneur Jez San, PKR is headquartered in Camden, London and now employs over 100 staff. It has over 4 million registered users and has won numerous awards including 'Hotshot Operator of the Year' at the 2008 E-Gaming Review Awards, 'Poker Operator of the Year' at the 2010 International Gaming Award and the UK's fastest growing technology company in the 2010 Sunday Times Tech Track 100.

About PKR (www.pkr.com)

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

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

Developed by some of the brightest stars in the video games and poker industries, PKR continues to be the most innovative poker room in the world.
For more information on PKR, please visit www.pkr.com

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Casino News Media: PartyCasino New Players Get Up To $3000 Sign Up Bonus Via Media Man Network

Experience the world's biggest and best online casino, PartyCasino.com, and if you're a new player get up to $3000 sign up bonus.

Slot game classics like Cleopatra, Rambo, The Terminator, Top Gun, Monopoly, Wheel Of Fortune, Call of Duty, Mission: Impossible, Marvel Slot Games like Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, and a full suite of traditional casino games like Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, and a host of 'Live Dealer' options.

Check out great PartyCasino promotions like Full Moon Mayhem, Cash Back Carnival, Festive Fortunes and Fruit Medley, and don't forget about the industries biggest jackpots via The Big One, Gold Mega Jackpot and Marvel Hero Jackpot.

Poker fans can player poker at PartyCasino's sister website, PartyPoker.com and players can compete for a chance to participate in major poker tournaments such as Crown Casino's 'Aussie Millions' Poker Championship which will be held in Melbourne later this January.

Players can also accumulate PartyPoints, the industries most competitive rewards programme.

PartyGaming's VIP players can also enjoy exclusive rewards in the Palladium Club, and all players can play the exclusive Palladium Slot for free or for money.

PartyCasino was established in 1997 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com has won numerous awards and commendations including both EGR 'Slots Operator Of The Year' and Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory 'Online Casino Of The Month' award.

Players from most parts of the world can access PartyGaming's casino including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South America, France, Germany, Britain and Italy and a range of multi language and multi currency options are available, backed up by 24/7/365 support.

The Media Man network has conducted b2b with PartyGaming brands, as they have with dozens of other brands and entities in the global media, gaming and entertainment sector.

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PartyGaming and bwin to Retain Brands Following Merger

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In recent days, PartyGaming and bwin announced merger plans to form a giant gambling group that could become effective toward the end of the first quarter of 2011. The merger, which had long been rumored before the companies signed an implementation agreement in July, is expected to create the world’s largest listed online gambling business.

The new company will operate worldwide with its existing brands under the name of bwin.party Digital Entertainment plc in which current bwin shareholders will hold a 51.6% stake, while current PartyGaming shareholders will hold 48.4%. Both bwin and PartyGaming will retain most of the core of their brands, but will be operated under the new umbrella company, which will be based in Gibraltar and listed on the London Stock Exchange. PartyGaming will keep its main headquarters in Gibraltar, while bwin will continue to operate from Austria.

The companies issued a 478-page document to shareholders on Thursday giving a detailed outline of the planned merger. Shareholders will vote on the merger at a joint annual general meeting on January 28th. Should the general meetings of both bwin and PartyGaming approve the merger, all shareholders holding bwin stock when the merger is effective will receive 12.23 PartyGaming shares denominated in GBP for each bwin share.

“The online gaming industry is going through a phase of consolidation, making market players’ size and geographic diversification more crucial than ever,” said Norbert Teufelberger, Co-CEO of bwin. “Our products and target markets complement one another perfectly, and we can continue to expand our technology lead in all key product segments: sports betting, poker, casino, bingo, and games.”

According to the document, the merger would create a business with unaudited net revenues of €696.2 million, unaudited clean EBITDA of €193.7 million, unaudited profit after tax of €99.4 million, and unaudited net assets of €1.27 billion after consolidation adjustments for the year 2009.

Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Office of Party Gaming, will join Teufelberger to become Co-Chief Executives of the merged company. Current bwin Co-Chief Executive Manfred Bodner will become a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the enlarged group. Said Ryan, “This is a transformational opportunity for both our companies to create the world’s largest listed online gaming business. With market-leading positions in poker, sports betting, casino, and games, the enlarged group will have a winning formula to exploit the growing online gaming market, supported by a strong balance sheet, significant cash flow generation, and a highly experienced management team.”

The merged company will continue to focus on business-to-consumer products, an area in which it enjoys considerable strength. However, because of the financial gains added through the merger, the company will also encroach into business-to-business and business-to-government endeavors. Teufelberger explained, “Our many years of online know-how, healthy balance sheet, and one of the largest pools of poker liquidity in any regulated market will make us an attractive business partner.”

There will also be focus on regulated and newly opened markets, as the company intends to make plans to enter the U.S. market if and when the current situation changes for the better. In 2006, bwin stopped taking bets from U.S. residents due to the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). PartyGaming, which operates the popular online poker room PartyPoker, followed shortly thereafter. (Credit: Poker News Daily)

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PartyPoker Reviving Million Dollar Hand in January - 22nd December 2010

In January, PartyPoker will be bringing back one of its most popular promotions ever, the Million Dollar Hand. All you have to do is make a pair in a five-card poker hand to be awarded a prize, and a $1 million jackpot is on the line.

Accumulating cards is quite simple. You’ll get one for every 15 PartyPoints you rack up between January 5th and January 30th. When you’ve amassed five cards, you’ll have a hand. If it contains a pair, then $3 will be coming your way. If it contains two pair, then your prize will be upped to $10. If you manage to score three of a kind, then you’ll get a $20 cash prize. That’s pretty simple, right?

Players who land a straight in the Million Dollar Hand will take home $50, while those who pick up a flush will see $100 come their way. Players who make a boat will get $150, while anyone who hits quads will receive a $1,000 cash prize. Now, we’re into the big money, as straight flushes are worth $10,000. Finally, anyone who manages to score a Royal Flush will divide a $1 million prize pool, which means if two players hit it, each person will actually take home $500,000. If only one person makes a Royal Flush, they’ll take home the seven-figure jackpot.

The best part about the Million Dollar Hand is that PartyPoker is awarding every player his or her first card for free. No play is required! Just log into your PartyPoker account to see what your first card is.

Now, let’s review some of the terms and conditions of the PartyPoker Million Dollar Hand. First, you’ll only be able to acquire 10 cards per day for a total of two five-card poker hands. Second, if you fall short of 15 points, PartyPoker will carry them over to the next day. Third, you have to reveal your cards manually. In order to do so, log into your PartyPoker account and see what you’ve amassed. If you don’t reveal your cards, they won’t count.

PartyPoker players will have until the end of the day Eastern Time on January 31st to reveal any cards they’ve received and only points accumulated at cash game tables will count. Finally, as text found on PartyPoker’s website notes, "Cash prizes will be paid to players within an hour of them revealing their hand apart from Royal Flush winners, who will be paid on February 1st."

PartyPoker is one of the industry leaders when it comes to unique promotions like the Million Dollar Hand. In fact, the site is concurrently running a Million Dollar Hand VIP Points Race for Palladium Lounge members. Players will earn the same cash prizes as in the Million Dollar Hand and also rack up points based on their hand’s value. The top two spots on the leaderboard pay out a World Poker Tour (WPT) L.A. Poker Classic prize package worth $14,000.

The top 200 spots in the Million Dollar Hand VIP Points Race pay out, with a minimum prize of $100 up for grabs. The top 30 spots award four-figures and everyone who reaches the top 500 scores a seat into the Million Dollar Hand VIP Freeroll, which doles out a WPT prize package to its winner. Palladium Lounge members will receive extra race points for accumulating over 300 PartyPoints in a single day.

According to the traffic ranking site PokerScout.com, PartyPoker is the third largest site worldwide in terms of real money ring game volume with a seven-day running average of 3,600 players. It just edges out the iPoker Network, but is well behind PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, which rank first and second worldwide, respectively. PartyPoker’s team of sponsored pros includes Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Mike Sexton, poker bad boy Tony G, and "High Stakes Poker" hostess Kara Scott. (Credit: Poker News Daily)

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Press Release: Proposed Merger with bwin; Change of name to bwin.party digital entertainment plc; Publication of Shareholder Documents

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On 29 July 2010, PartyGaming Plc and bwin Interactive Entertainment AG (‘bwin’) announced they had agreed the basis of a Proposed Merger of both companies. The Proposed Merger will create the world’s largest listed online gaming business, with pro forma unaudited net revenues in 2009 from continuing operations, of €696.2 million, pro forma unaudited Clean EBITDA from continuing operations of €193.7 million, and pro forma unaudited profit after tax from continuing operations of €99.4 million (excluding transaction costs) for the year ended 31 December 2009 and pro forma unaudited net assets as at 31 December 2009 of €1,276.7 million (after consolidation adjustments).

PartyGaming is pleased to announce that a key milestone in the process has been reached with the publication today of the Prospectus (the ‘Prospectus’) and a circular to its shareholders (the ‘Circular’) containing further details of the Proposed Merger and also a series of proposed resolutions (the ‘Resolutions’) to be considered at an extraordinary general meeting of all shareholders to be held on 28 January 2011 (the ‘EGM’). One of the proposals to be considered is to change the Company’s name on completion of the Merger to bwin.party digital entertainment plc (‘bwin.party’).

Copies of the Prospectus and the Circular will today be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at www.Hemscott.com/nsm.do.

The Circular will be posted to PartyGaming’s shareholders tomorrow and copies of the Prospectus and Circular will be available to download from the Group's website tomorrow.

Completion of the Merger is conditional upon, amongst other things, approval of the Resolutions by PartyGaming’s shareholders at the EGM. At the end of the Circular, PartyGaming’s shareholders will find a notice convening the EGM to be held on 28 January 2011 at 2.00 p.m. (CET) at The Eliott Hotel, 2 Governor’s Parade, Gibraltar.

A summary of the expected timetable to Completion is set out below:

bwin EGM
10.00 a.m. (CET) on 28 January 2011
PartyGaming EGM
2.00 p.m. (CET) on 28 January 2011
The following dates are indicative only and subject to change. Please see note (1) below.
PartyGaming Court Hearing to sanction the Merger
15 March 2011
Last day of dealings in Existing bwin Shares
25 March 2011
Last day of dealings in Existing PartyGaming Shares and Effective Date
31 March 2011
De‑listing of Existing bwin Shares from the Vienna Stock Exchange
close of trading on 31 March 2011
De‑listing of Existing PartyGaming Shares from the London Stock Exchange
8.00 a.m. (London time) on 1 April 2011
Expected Admission and commencement of dealings in bwin.party Shares, Completion
8.00 a.m. (London time) on 1 April 2011
CREST accounts expected to be credited with Depositary Interests in respect of the bwin.party Shares
on or around 1 April 2011

Notes:
(1) These dates are indicative and assume that the requisite regulatory clearances have been obtained and other conditions to Completion fulfilled before the date estimated for Completion. The expected dates following the PartyGaming Court Hearing will depend, among other things, on the date upon which the Court sanctions the Merger and the timing of the satisfaction of all the conditions to Completion. If any of the above times and/or dates change, the revised times and/or dates will be notified by announcement through a Regulatory Information Service.

Copies of the Prospectus, the Circular and other documents noted in the Prospectus and Circular as being available for inspection may be inspected during normal business hours on each Business Day from today up to and including the Expected Admission and commencement of dealings in bwin.party Shares at the registered office of the Company, being 711, Europort, Gibraltar, at the offices of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, 65 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1HS, United Kingdom, and will also be available for inspection at the Extraordinary General Meeting for at least 15 minutes prior to and during the meeting.

Capitalised terms used but not defined in this announcement have the same meanings as set out in the announcement released by the Company at 11.03 a.m. BST on 29 July 2010.

Press Release

bwin and PartyGaming present details on the merger

Announcement by bwin Interactive Entertainment AG (“bwin”)

Below is the text of an announcement issued today by bwin.

bwin and PartyGaming present details on the merger

bwin.party digital entertainment will be the world’s largest publicly listed online gaming provider.

Vienna, 23 December 2010 - The merger plan presented by bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming Plc will create the world's largest publicly listed online gaming group – a group that will be ideally positioned to take advantage of the rapid consolidation of the online gaming industry and to open up new markets around the world. The annual synergies resulting from this merger are expected to total approximately 55 million Euros: it is anticipated that about three quarters of this amount will be achieved in the financial year 2012, with full synergies from 2013.

Brands to be retained
“The online gaming industry is going through a phase of consolidation, making market players’ size and geographic diversification more crucial than ever,” explains Norbert Teufelberger, Co-CEO of bwin. The new company will operate worldwide with its existing brands under the name of bwin.party digital entertainment plc, in which current bwin shareholders are expected to hold 51.7 per cent of the shares and current PartyGaming shareholders 48.3 per cent. “Our products and target markets complement one another perfectly, and we can continue to expand our technology lead in all key product segments: sports betting, poker, casino, bingo and games,” according to Teufelberger.

Strong capital structure and customer liquidity
Like PartyGaming in the past, bwin.party will have its headquarters in Gibraltar and be listed on the London Stock Exchange. Besides a clear focus on B2C products, the company will also steadily expand its B2B and B2G business. “Our many years of online know-how, healthy balance sheet, and one of the largest pools of poker liquidity in any regulated market will make us an attractive business partner,” clarifies Teufelberger, who will head up the company as Co-CEO together with Jim Ryan, PartyGaming’s current CEO. The business operations of bwin in Austria will be retained, where a newly founded subsidiary, bwin Services AG will support selected areas of the group in Vienna.

From merger plan to completion
The merger plan published today contains full details of the planned merger, and can be downloaded together with other documents from bwin’s corporate website at www.bwin.org. The Executive Board of bwin will be convening an Extraordinary General Meeting on 28 January 2011 at which it will recommend shareholders to vote for the merger. Provided the general meetings of both bwin and PartyGaming approve this merger, all shareholders holding bwin shares when the merger becomes legally effective – expected to be towards the end of the first quarter of 2011 – will receive 12.23 PartyGaming shares denominated in GBP for each bwin share. This share swap will be carried out automatically and free of charge.

Any shareholders not wishing to become shareholders in bwin.party can sell their shares beforehand on the Vienna Stock Exchange or exercise their entitlement to a cash settlement. The amount of the cash settlement has been set at 23.52 Euros. The exchange ratio and the cash compensation amount have been confirmed as adequate by independent experts.

About bwin
The bwin Group has over 20 million registered customers in more than 25 core markets. On a number of different platforms, the Group offers sports betting, poker, casino games, soft and skill games, as well as audio and video streams of top sporting events such as the German Soccer League. The holding company bwin Interactive Entertainment AG is listed in the ATX on the Vienna Stock Exchange (ID code BWIN, Reuters ID code BWIN.VI), and as the parent company provides various services such as software development, marketing, communications, human resources and finance for its subsidiaries and associated companies. The operational business of the bwin Group is carried out by subsidiaries and associated companies on the basis of licences (e.g. Germany, Italy and Gibraltar). Full details about the Company can be found on its investor relations website.

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Poker News Media: PKR Xmas Cracker Series

Play 11 great PKR.com tournaments this Xmas...

$258,000 in expected prizepools and tons of great prizes!

Don’t spend your holidays bored at home twiddling your thumbs ... instead take a shot at big prizepools and great prizes in the exciting Xmas Cracker Series! Starting from Thursday, 23 December we are rolling out a fun new tournament every day with a total of $258,000 in expected prizepools up for grabs.

With events including hold ‘em (four, six and 10 handed), Deep Stacks, Terminators and more, we’ve got your game and with buy-ins starting at just $5 there is sure to be something to suit every bankroll.

Freeroll for cool prizes
Win 40” LCD TV’s, iPads and Nintendo Wiis in the Santa’s Grotto freeroll on Sunday, 9 January. To take your seat simply play in any Xmas Cracker event. For every one you play we will add 500 more chips to your Santa’s Grotto starting stack.

Xmas Cracker Freeroll Prizes

Position Prize
1st Sony 40" LCD TV + BDP-S470 Blu Ray Player
2nd Apple iPad 16Gb (Wi-Fi)
3rd Wii Console with Games & Accessories
4th iPod Classic 160gb
5th Sony Portable DVD Player Pink
6th Champagne Dom Perignon Vintage 2000
7th Kodak M530 Carbon Digital Camera
8th 48" Round Poker Table
9th Sony 2.1 PC Speakers
10th Radio Controlled BB Firing Tank
11th-20th PKR travel chipset

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Poker News Media: PartyGaming's casino keeps year on track, by Greg Tingle

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PartyGaming, the internet gambling firm that's merging with rival bwin, has traded in line with expectations during the fourth quarter, with a stronger casino business offsetting weakness in poker and bingo.

The company said trading since the end of September has been "solid" overall, thanks mainly to casino’s double-digit growth in average daily gross revenue versus the third quarter.

There was also growth at the poker business quarter on quarter, but the usual seasonal pickup has been "less pronounced" due to the euro’s strength against the dollar. Both bingo and sports are down on Q3.

But clean earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margins for 2010 remain in-line with previous guidance of 27-28%.

And the company is excited about the possibility of online gaming being regulated in the US both at the Federal and State level. If it goes through, the group is "well advanced" in talks with licensed companies in the US that could create "substantial" value.

"The proposed merger with bwin remains on-track to complete at the end of the first quarter and should place the combined group in a strong position to take advantage of the changing regulatory landscape in Europe given its leadership positions across all key product verticals," boss Jim Ryan said.

Press Release

PartyGaming Plc ("PartyGaming" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") Pre-Close Trading Update

Revenue overall has been in-line with expectations with a strong performance in casino mitigated by a softer seasonal performance in poker and bingo
Clean EBITDA margins for 2010 expected to be in-line with previous guidance
Prospective regulation in new markets offers exciting medium to long-term revenue potential that may require additional investment
Merger with bwin remains on track

Trading since the end of September 2010 has been solid overall with a particularly strong performance in casino that has enjoyed double-digit growth in average daily gross revenue versus the third quarter, driven by growth in both turnover and hold. Poker has also seen growth in average daily gross revenue over the third quarter, although the usual seasonal pickup has been less pronounced than in previous years due to the strengthening of the euro against the US dollar. In bingo, average gross daily revenue has grown versus the current trading data reported at the time of our Q3 KPIs, but remains lower than the third quarter. This is due to the strengthening of the euro against sterling and seasonality, as UK-based bingo players typically reduce their spend in the run-up to Christmas. While sports betting has continued to deliver a solid performance in the period, the benefit of the World Cup during the third quarter as well as a favourable series of results for punters has meant that average daily gross revenue in sports is down versus the third quarter.

In respect of margins, we expect that full year Clean EBITDA margins for 2010 will remain in-line with our previous guidance of between 27% and 28%.

An increasing number of territories are now actively exploring the merits of a regulatory framework for online gaming. In Europe, the Group is continuing to monitor closely Germany, Greece, Holland, Denmark and Spain as well as other countries. Whilst the shape and scope of any such regulations is not yet known, should some of these markets move to regulate, additional gaming taxes and investment may be required to ensure that the Group’s long-term revenue potential is maximised.

There continues to be much movement in the US towards regulating online gaming both at the Federal and State level. Should the requisite legislation be enacted, the Group is well advanced in discussions with licensed companies in the US that could create substantial value for the Group’s shareholders.

Proposed Merger with bwin

It is expected that the shareholder documents associated with the proposed merger will be issued shortly with an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders expected to be convened for late January 2011. The proposed merger remains on course to complete during March 2011.

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

"Revenues in the fourth quarter have enjoyed their usual seasonal upturn. Casino has performed particularly strongly with double-digit revenue growth over the third quarter, although currency movements meant that the uplift in poker has been less pronounced than usual. Clean EBITDA margins are expected to be in line with our previous guidance for 2010.

"The proposed merger with bwin remains on-track to complete at the end of the first quarter and should place the combined group in a strong position to take advantage of the changing regulatory landscape in Europe given its leadership positions across all key product verticals."

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PartyCasino Wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award

PartyCasino.com Wins Media Man Online Casino Award

PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".

PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.

The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com

The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".

The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.

PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.

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

The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.

PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.

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

PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.

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

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