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Friday, April 30, 2010

Media Man Canada: PartyCasino Wins Casino News Media Online Casino Of The Month Award - April 2010

PartyCasino.com has once again won the Casino News Media - Media Man - Online Casino Of The Month Award.

The award is based on a number of factors including game range, game play, ethics, affiliate offerings, customer service, innovation and public and player feedback.

PartyCasino.com fought off some tough competition this month, but there can only be one winner - that's PartyCasino.com

Congratulations to PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com

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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Media Man Canada: Australian Gambling Device No; It's Just Technology, by Greg Tingle - 30th April 2010

Following our report on the 25th of the month, there's been some very important developments on the legal situation re the internet kiosks located in Australian pubs and hotels that Australia's Tabcorp called a "gambling device". The courts do not agree! Victory for VenueNet and Australian internet lovers... Media Man and Gambling911 with the story...

Today a computer terminal with internet access that gaming authorities claim is an "unauthorised instrument of betting", will be reinstalled! A computer being plugged back in is not normally so newsworthy, but because of the gaming, legal and political connection, it is, so there you go! Back to the pub from where you were seized, you good computer. The (kangaroo not) court ordered it, so hop to it son.

The manufacture of the device er machine, VenueNet, has a business arrangement with Darwin-based bookmaker Sportsbet to offer customers access to their betting accounts through the computer kiosk. The full details of the agreement are commercially sensitive in nature, but its a win-win (unless your a punter loosing).

VenueNet is hopeful the court's ruling will facilitate a planned roll out by the truck full of some 200 devices er machines.. up and down the east coast of Australia.
states.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation confiscated the device er machine from the Rising Sun Hotel in South Melbourne last August, after receiving a complaint from Aussie gaming and racing giant Tabcorp, which currently holds Victoria's exclusive retail wagering licence. Tabcorp are also the current owners of Star City Casino in Sydney (which James Packer of Crown is rumored to have an interest in... a deal once stopped by his late farther Kerry, close to a decade ago).

The 'Kiosk Case' as its now known as in gaming circles is seen as being a test of Australian gambling and igaming laws that have failed miserably to keep pace with technology and has raised doubts about the value of the Victorian wagering licence, which is up for tender. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Senator Stephen Conroy take note "failed miserably"..."raised doubts"... its the Kiosk Case, not the Aussie internet filter case, with an exciting update on that in a day or two.

Media Man is pleased that at least the government hasn't given Aussies or the press the silent treatment on this one. Rebecca Harrison, spokeswoman for Gaming Minister Tony Robinson, goes on record "The government believes that our current laws are appropriate to protect the integrity of the wagering licence." Bec, what did the court just rule with?! Next the Australian government will tell us their laws (sometimes made up on the run to suit their agenda) overshadow human rights laws, or did they try that stunt already.

VenueNet chair Mr John Thompson advised his firm would wait until next week before turning the sorely missed machine on, when the company was confident no charges could be laid.

The government continues its own fun and games (costing Australian business lost productivity and stress)...the commission said that deadline was still two months away!

Food for thought as the battle between man, machine and government robots continue...

"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man" (Elbert Hubbard)... and another rip snorter from Elbert... "To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing"... on that point we overheard a Media Man insider whisper "Ten great years of bad spelling mistakes. Gambling911... I love it".

Punters, know the odds and have fun, as the battle between man, machine and government robots heats up. In keeping with the theme, gamers may like to check out The Terminator, a PartyGaming - PartyCasino number. Virgin Games also have 'Transformers', but Aussies and Americans can't currently access Virgin Casino. Available on all good Aussie, Canadian and South African internet kiosks, home computers and internet cafes! Time to leave you to your own devices.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company

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Monday, April 26, 2010

PokerStars: Canadian Australian Media Man Poker Connection, by Greg Tingle - 27th April 2010

PokerStars, the largest online poker site in the world, has announced four new players signed to their Team PokerStars Pro Canada Team.

Canada has proved to be very fertile ground for the professional and amateur poker (and online casino) scene, with PokerStars, PartyGaming's PartyPoker, PKR Poker, and Richard Branson's Virgin Games all enjoy strong business in the region. Media Man's also recently established a Canadian website portal. PartyGaming is rumoured to be eyeing off the Canadian Poker Tour, adding to its World Poker Tour (Mike Sector brand ambassador), PartyPoker and Noble Poker (Tony G star) brands. Canadian - Brit Kara Scott is making waves for PartyPoker both in the region and across the globe and is up for Media Man poker babe of the month award. So is Jenny Woo at Gambling911 ... don't ask, but the world knows she's quite a talent.

Need more examples of hot poker action is in Canada? The first Poker Pro Canada Classic poker tournament recently took place at the Four Aces Card Club in Montreal. The tourney went from the 15th - 18th April. 250 players competed for a prize pool of $369,000.

Media Man and Gambling911 probes some of the happenings in the red hot region.

PokerStars News

Joining Daniel Negreanu and Darus Suharto, are Canadians Greg DeBora, Patrick Pezzin, Marcello Del Grosso and Anh Van Nguyen.

The players are world calibre, as you might expect from PokerStars.

Recent Action...

All four competed at the PokerStars North American Poker Tour held at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, 6 – 13 April.

The Talent...

Greg DeBora is from Toronto and started playing poker at 19 in a "charity casino". Within a year he was making good money and decided to make a career out of it. He frequently plays mostly at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles and online. His winnings over 8 years exceed $350,000. Bests include the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in 2005 where he finished seventh. At WSOP 2008 main he finished 109th.

Patrick Pezzin is a from Toronto and started playing poker in 1994, turning pro the next year. Part of the Moneymaker internet phase, playing tournaments online to improve his game. $700,000 in live tourney cashes ain't too shabby.

Marcello Del Grosso was born in Woodbridge, Ontario. The 33 year-old turned professionally in 2006. Since then he has travelled the globe. Bests are the WSOP main event getting deep runs in 2005 and 2006. Tourney winnings are approx $400,000.

Anh Van Nguyen was born in Vietnam, however moved to Canada at 10 years of age. Residing in Mississauga, Ontario, Nguyen has been playing for 14 years and went pro in 2004. His record includes deep runs in the WSOP main and the Spring Championship of Online Poker main event last year. In the 2004 World Championship of Online Poker main event he finished sixth. He has also won a side event at the Five Diamond in Bellagio in 2007. Tourney winnings to date are $676,720.

Overview Facts

PokerStars is licensed in the Isle Of Man.

PokerStars is the largest online poker cardroom in the world.PokerStars' satellite tournaments produced the 2003 World Series of Poker champion, Chris Moneymaker, as well as the 2004 champion, Greg "Fossilman" Raymer. Those two now act as spokespeople for the cardroom, as does 2005 champion, Aussie Joe Hachem.

* Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

* Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Media Man covers a dozen industry sectors including gaming.

* Media Man was founded in Sydney, Australia in 2001, and enjoys a global audience and website network spanning the globe

* Media Man Poker http://www.mediamanpoker.com forms part of the Media Man network, including Media Man International, Media Man Casino and Media Man Canada

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Saturday, April 24, 2010

PartyCasino Jackpots: The Big One, Gold Mega Jackpot and Marvel Hero Jackpot - 25th April 2010

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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Google Government Requests Tool To Highlight Government Tools, by Greg Tingle - 21st April 2010

Internet, news media and data giant, Google Inc, has launched... get ready for it.... Google Government Requests Tool.

Personally, Media Man and Gambling911 reckon they might be sticking it to Governments of the world in a very public fashion.

The Google blurb accompanying the Google Tool (including map of the world) reads...

Like other technology and communications companies, we regularly receive requests from government agencies around the world to remove content from our services, or provide information about users of our services and products. The map shows the number of requests that we received between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009, with certain limitations.

We know these numbers are imperfect and may not provide a complete picture of these government requests. For example, a single request may ask for the removal of more than one URL or for the disclosure of information for multiple users. See the FAQ for more information.

We’re new at this, and we’re still learning the best way to collect and present this information. We’ll continue to improve this tool and fine-tune the types of data we display.

The tool is located at http://www.google.com/governmentrequests (not the other tools located in the tool shed at Australian Parliament House)

We remind our readers of some wise words from folks in the know when it comes to government spooks and the like...

"The Internet is getting super powerful now, and that is what the government has to control next" (Jesse Ventura)

"Infobombs, because there is a war on for your mind!" (Alex Jones)

"The More You Watch the Less You Know" (Danny Schechter)

Folks, enjoy your poker and online casino while you still can. Media Man and Gambling911 are advising folks to sign up for a few casino, poker and sports betting accounts as back up. In addition we will soon be releasing some specifics about ways to beat Internet censorship including special devices to plug into, proxy features and benefits, and more.

The Epic Battle Of The Tools Heats Up... my money's on the Google Tools. No one owns the internet, Google and the Australian Government included! The internet was designed to withstand a nuclear war, something that may not totally surprise Australian Prime Minster Kevin Rudd or Communications Minister aka "Minister Of Censorship" Stephen Conroy at this point in time.

Reporters Without Boarders, an organisation which concerns itself with matter such as freedom of the press, remains highly critical of governments who attempt to censors its citizens, journalists et al.

Media Man has recently been in liaison with The Elders, Virgin Unite and United Nations, regarding concerns of Australian freedom of the press, online and offline censorship and human rights concerns of Australia under a system which certainly has some similarities of a dictatorship. Media Man has been thanked in writing from a number of organisations for bringing their concerns to attention. Folks, get ready for World War 4! ... and don't forget to check out the political and superhero profiles at the official Media Man website http://www.mediamanint.com We know you want to. As Marvel icon, real life superhero Stan Lee would say, Excelsior!, and Google, "Don't Be Evil"!

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company

*The writer is a pro active member of Virgin Unite and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance

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Movie Box Office Futures Betting Market Proposal Moving Forward, by Greg Tingle - 21st April 2010

Gambling and Hollywood do apparently mix, based on the proliferation of branded slot games found in online casinos and the Hollywood movie betting proposals currently being shuffled around the desks of Hollywood money men, legal eagles and bean counters.

Much of the Hollywood - gambling action started with the adaption of Hollywood titles from the likes of Paramount Pictures, StudioCanal, Warner Bros and Marvel Entertainment, later to find them in the likes of PartyGaming's PartyCasino and Virgin's Virgin Casino, it would certainly appear so, however that's not the end of the story.

Media Man and Gambling911 do a follow up probe of Hollywood, AussieWood and Bollywood, learning that proposals are moving forward. Hollywood must need the money!

Despite numerous attempts to stop the proposals, a second exchange proposing box office-based commodity trading has won preliminary go ahead by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The CFTC on Tuesday advised the proposed Cantor Exchange has green lighted in a review of its online technology and innovation et al.

The commission has previously approved similar technical underpinnings of the proposed Trend Exchange, which many budding gambling and internet entrepreneurs are grinning about.

The CFTC also must rule on product details of the exchanges, which the major film studios are opposing.

To get readers up to speed you you get a handle on it, the first two decisions have gone against Hollywooders, the MPAA and other industry groups continue to battle against the proposals.

Cantor Exchange and Trend Exchange had planned to begin trading as soon as this this week! The dates have been delayed pending final regulatory review procedure.

Cantor proposes to allow direct access to its online exchange, where users would purchase contracts selling box office projections, be it long or short, from six months prior to films' wide releases through the first four weeks movies screen in theaters. Trend Exchange would utilize brokered trades and halt trading once flix hit theaters.

In addition to lobbying the CFTC, Hollywood has recently opened a second front in its fight against the proposed exchanges in Congress.

A Hollywood-backed amendment was also added to the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act...a financial-reform Senate bill...to prohibit boxoffice commodity exchanges! The amendment is set for discussion this Wednesday by the Senate Agriculture Committee. There is a clear sense or urgency on this matters, and everyone is looking to make an extra dollar our of show business, but gambling entrepreneurs and Hollywood whales and wheeler dealers have different views as to how to go about it.

This Thursday, a House subcommittee that oversees the CFTC also will review the two exchange proposals.

We reckon Lew Wasserman from 'The Last Mogul' fame would love this stuff, however these happenings are leaving a significant paper trail, where as Wasserman basically left none!

Media Man birdies tell us that the likes of Google (Ventures and Enterprise), PartyGaming - InterTrader, Virgin Enterprises Limited inc Virgin Games and James Packer, Australian casino king - 50% owned Betfair, are watching this space very closely, as are Australian iconic actors and film entrepreneurs, Paul "Hoges" Hogan (Crocodile Dundee) Shane Jacobson (Kenny) and Mel Gibson (Mad Max). Australian talent agents and professional business spruikers, Harry M. Miller and Max Markson are also understood to have recently become aware of these happenings via Media Man and Gambling911 reports, and are finding the developments "interesting". Media Man plans to incorporate b2b elements of this specific sector into its business model.

Cantor Exchange and Trend Exchange, putting extra Business in Show Business. Without the Business, there is no show. If anyone gets a cut, including yours truly at Gambling911 and Media Man, we reckon its "deal on" for Deal Or No Deal, and just a case of Show Me The Money!

*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and intenet portal development company. Gaming is just one over a dozen industry verticals they cover

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited, Virgin, and has conducted b2b with Crown, Virgin, PartyGaming, Betfair and others.

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Media Man Casino - Virgin Casino And Virgin Games Profile And Review

Virgin Games - Virgin Casino is one of the greatest online casinos on the planet. The only real drawback is at present they don't accept Australian or U.S players, and those from a number of other countries. Richard Branson and his team got this right, and they are currently looking at further international expansion with initiatives such as AWOMO (A World Of My Own), their virtual worlds project in association with GDI (Game Domain International). Cleopatra, Marvel Slots, King Kong, Elvis, Wheel Of Fortune, Monopoly, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and over 100 different games available, most of which can be played for free or played for money. Virgin also offer exclusive V*Points, which can be exchanged for a wide variety of goods and services. Because its Virgin you know it value for money and fun. Virgin Games are a Media Man Online Casino Of The Month finalist. Media Man rates Virgin Games 4.5 stars. Media Man has done b2b with a number of arms of Virgin Enterprises Limited, including Virgin Games, as they have with dozens of companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment business sector.

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Saturday, April 17, 2010

Underbelly Hype Says Australia's Ibrahim Family, by Greg Tingle - 18th April 2010

Underbelly: The Golden Mile - explosive TV featuring mobsters (Aussie style), drugs, guns, gambling, hookers, crooked coppers, rock n roll, good times and some very bad times - how much is or was real, and how much is hype?

Media Man and Gambling911 embed themselves in Sydney's underworld to bring you news from the mean streets down under.

From the get go, let's just say that over the years crooks, gangsters, mobsters or whatever you care to call them, have usually enjoyed quite the love - hate relationship with the public and the media, and in some cases, even the police.

Aussie's love a good yard (story - true or false), as does much of the world, and crime based TV (and movies) has proven to be some of the most popular ever... from The Godfather, The Sopranos, Goodfellas, The Untouchables, Casino, Growing Up Gotti, CSI, Gangs Of Oz, to everyones (almost) Underbelly.

Criminals by nature are a colourful lot, with some very bright in the mix, and some not so smart ones to boot.

Our old mate and sometimes associate, Tim "Earthquake" Bristow was always good for a story and mixed in interesting company. Big Tim called himself "retired gangster and Godfather of Sydney" where yours truely quizzed him about his role only weeks before his (natural) death.

Some very smart operators were in and around the clan, and a few knuckleheads for good measure. Bristow has a ton of connections, man power, power, money, influence and information at his disposal. He talked it up, but his contacts and inner circle was the whose whose, and it included judges, police detectives, politicians, news media, celebrities and you get the idea.

We're not exactly certain of the connection and / or relationship our friend Bristow had with the late George Freeman, as witnessed on Network Nine's Underbelly, but its fair to say that they co-existed... neither fell prey to the other, and there was plenty of good times and money to go around for all.

Let's probe Sin City Sydney, Australia...

Fadi Ibrahim is now hitting back (no, not that type of hit) at police and news media attention on his family, claiming the focus on his family's life was "just hype" and would end after Underbelly stops screening.

The only main problem with Ibrahim Jr's argument is that Network Nine are going to keep pumping out 'Underbelly's', albeit it with more of the action taking place in the Gold Coast - Surfers Paradise region, near the NSW - QLD boarder, for our out of town readership.

The brother of Kings Cross well known identity John Ibrahim was shot five times in his Lamborghini last last year and is currently on strict conditional bail after being charged with conspiracy to murder.

But he claims the focus on his family's life was "just hype".

"I think it's all hype and it will calm down when Underbelly is finished," Mr Ibrahim told Rupert Murdoch's The Sunday Telegraph. Media Man can back up many of the media reports as numerous first hand and some second hand reports are regularly being e-mailed into the office.

'The Cross' has been in face targeted by police in recent weeks with uniformed, plainclothed and riot-squad officers patrolling the streets. While news media may have added some hype and color to the situation, it doesn't change the facts.

Numerous police sources advise there was continuing intelligence the Bandidos and Comanchero bikie gangs may confront rival gang Notorious, which is associated with the family of nightclub owner, John Ibrahim aka "King Of The Cross".

He remains the focus of the current Underbelly television series and it is feared Ibrahim's enemies and dark forces may plan to take advantage of his leaving the country for Dubai last week, while the series is being screened.

Operation Eaglehawk continues to gain intel in the meantime which has been targeting licensed venues in and around 'The Cross' and Sydney for over a month.

Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli said Operation Eaglehawk was not a one-off operation and police would continue targeting anti-social behaviour and violence, regardless of the publicity generated by Underbelly.

"We have police on the streets 24 hours a day, 365 days a year targeting criminal, anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related crime," Mr Mennilli said.

"Police constantly run these operations in Kings Cross, as well as in Oxford St, the CBD, The Rocks and other areas where there is a high density of people and alcohol.

"The public can rest assured police have been targeting Kings Cross for years and will continue to do so, regardless of some passing publicity generated by a TV drama."

Last week, coppers from Operation Eaglehawk made 11 arrests, conducted 46 person searches, inspected 56 businesses and issued 72 traffic infringement notices, reports News Limited.

Some more impressive (real life) numbers ... Operation Eaglehawk has investigated 294 businesses, conducted 286 person searches, issued 117 traffic infringement notices and made 73 arrests.

Fadi Ibrahim, his bodyguard Neil Cummings, and his fiancee Shayda Bastani said Underbelly was not an entirely accurate account of events, but they had watched the first episode and enjoyed it.

Mr Ibrahim said actor Firass Dirani was doing a great job playing his brother. "He's like a Lebanese John Travolta. He's doing a top job."

David Freeman, who joined Mr Ibrahim at Randwick Racecourse yesterday for the Doncaster, did not comment on the portrayal of his father George in Underbelly's first episode. Some say the races in Australia is a "sunny place for shady persons", but no one is currently commenting on that well known expression.

Fadi was bailed out after he and his younger brother Michael were charged with conspiracy to murder. Police allege it was in retaliation for the attempt on Fadi's life.

Aussie readers, its you're lucky day (technically night). Underbelly is on Channel Nine tonight - that's right, its Sunday... you wouldn't want to miss it for quids. Starts at 8.30pm, and it might warm you up to a bit of Kings Cross gambling action later in the week. Betfair Pink Pigeon birdies tell us if you have a want, need or desire, 'The Cross' is still the place to go. If you're out of luck and can't find it, you can always hope a cab and swing on over to Sydney's Star City Casino, and high rollers, if that still doesn't do it for you, Mr James Packer and co at Billionaire Inc - Crown Casino Casino in Melbourne, have those Gulfsteam jets ready and engines fired up for those who are financially qualified. Of course, you can stay at home and even play the pokes. PartyGaming even offers 'The Godfather' and Captain Cooks 'Hitman'. We know you're keen for an Underbelly and UFC slot game and the powers that be have been tipped off. Just be grateful that Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy and their bible bashing conspirators were not successful in their miserable attempts to ban your beloved Underbelly.

Enjoy the show, some of which is available for preview on the NineMSN website portal, and some of which may be getting leaked to YouTube and elsewhere.

In this world we live, information can be key, be it gambling, TV, legal, internet or whatever, and Gambling911 and Media Man are delighted to continue to bring you the news and info you won't find anywhere else. Underbelly - the verdict: Fact is stranger than fiction, but also keep in mind it's also produced to entertain the audience and bring in big numbers to advertisers and sponsors...something it is doing a smashing job of. Over 2 million Australia's are expected to tune into again tonight.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company, gaming being just one of over a dozen industries covered

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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Thursday, April 15, 2010

PartyCasino delivers world's best in online casino entertainment; Cleopatra, Rambo, Sinatra, Circus, Call Of Duty 4, Classic Slots, Marvel and more

PartyCasino.com continues to deliver the best that the online gaming world has to offer.

The company is maintaining its top position in Asia Pacific and Europe and has released more world class slot games and "Avatar" type technology is on the way. Just last week Party released Circus Slot, the world's first online igaming role playing slot game.

PartyGaming and in particular, its PartyCasino.com are on a roll.

Under the leadership of CEO Jim Ryan, PartyGaming is maintaining its darling status in the news media and gaming world. Quite an accomplishment since the days when they pulled out of the U.S market.

PartyGaming's leading brands, PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com and World Poker Tour continue to release new features that satisfy their existing clients, in addition to seeing new clients and partners come on board.

They have also built upon the world famous World Poker Tour brand with WPTCasino.com and WPTPoker.com, offering up to $600 bonus for new players.

Some of the key strengths of PartyGaming and its brands include:

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Branded slot games that can be played for free or played for money. Rambo by StudioCanal, Sinatra by Frank Sinatra Enterprises, Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Cleopatra by IGT, Monopoly and Cluedo by Hasbro, Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, The Naked Gun, Saturday Night Fever and High Noon by Paramount Pictures, Resident Evil by Capcom and Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four by Marvel Entertainment, Call Of Duty 4 by Activision, King Kong by Universal Studios, The Terminator and Gone With The Wind by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and so the list goes on. As Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee says, "Excelsior!".

PartyGaming also have their own in house game development team entitled 'The Games Studio', that works in collaboration with their business partners. Circus is the teams most recent release and its been called a world beater.

New technologies have enabled PartyCasino.com to offer "Live Dealer", in collaboration with EvolutionGaming and "Single Wallet" sees players only having to have one account with PartyGaming even if they choose to play a number of games in the portfolio, from slots, to poker, backgammon, sports betting, bingo et al.

The company has ramped up activities and campaigns across the global from Channel Five in Europe, to business deals with Dutch lottery operators and London Capital Group, PMU in France, all the way down to Australia where world class poker player, Stewart Scott is the regions brand ambassador for PartyPoker.com

Government b2b dealings - PartyGaming announced an exclusive, five-year agreement to provide an online gaming platform for poker and casino games in Denmark for Danske Spil A/S (‘Danske Spil’). Danske Spil is controlled by the Danish Government. PartyGaming also recently announced a multi year deal with France gaming and racing operator Pari-Mutuel Urbain.

Industry Awards and Commendations: PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com are multi-time award winners of the Media Man - Casino News Media - Global Gaming Directory "Online Casino of the Month" and all entities have also won a range of annual awards handed out by the well respected eGaming Review.

Exclusives - branded slots, Live Dealer, PartyPoints, Palladium Lounge, Single Wallet and more.

For these reasons and more, if you like games, be it playing for free and fun or playing for money, PartyGaming more than likely has a game for you. Numerous multi language and multi currency options are also available, and the customer service is second to none. Don't just play the game, be the game and feel it at PartyCasino.com

PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index with its shares listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY.

*The writer has a b2b relationship with PartyGaming and a number of its brands, as they do with dozens of companies in the gaming and igaming world

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Australia Likely To Get Online Gambling Legalisation Soon, by Greg Tingle - 16th April 2010

Australia is heading towards getting new laws, legislation... the works, to cover the online gaming - gambling sector, following the global trend.

Media Man and Gambling911 continue to probe, as the global war for online gambling domination heats up.

It appears that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for most, certainly in the Asia Pacific - Australian sector at this stage, is the general feeling from the vast majority of people we speak to. Legal eagles, company CEOs, webmasters, media entrepreneurs, financial analysts, even most politicians, say that legalisation is the the way forward.

As Media Man and Gambling911 have previously covered, when things become illegal or go into "grey area", they go often go "underground". Often the industry will thrive, but will be at least somewhat hidden by public view. When this happens some consumer protection can be lost. Gambling and other "vices" still exist, and word is that Sydney's Kings Cross could be on the verge of become a bit of a gambling mecca, albeit attracting a somewhat different patronage to those who frequent our friends at Star City Casino and Crown Casino in Melbourne. Network Nine's TV smash hit show 'Underbelly' has of course brought some underground industries back into the public spotlight, but that's another story.

New laws to officially permit gaming companies to offer online gambling products and services in Australia are "inevitable," as the federal government stands to benefit from the tax brought into government coffers, corporate bean counting outfit KPMG says.

The firm has released a report into the global growth of online gaming suggesting the global market will grow by approximately 42% to $32 billion by 2012 from 2008 levels.

The Australian Productivity Commission states Aussies spent $790 million on online gambling through overseas websites in 2008! Media Man recalls that 2008 was a big growth year for business, building up the website portfolio into double digits to keep up with consumer and b2b demand.

"While illegal and invisible in official records, online gaming appears to have grown very rapidly, and could amount to 4 per cent of gambling expenditure," the commission writes in its recent draft report on Australian gambling.

The commission recommended the Aussie government liberalise online gambling by allowing Aussie companies to provide internet poker and casino games to local customers. Online wagering as well as sports betting is already permitted by law.

Of course, all of the current excitement about Australia's online gaming and gambling industry has attracted the ire of bible bashers and anti gaming campaigners.

Senator Nick Xenophon says the Australian government should resist the lure of extra tax revenue.

"If you open the floodgates to online gambling you will see a new tidal wave of problem gamblers, particularly younger people. Governments shouldn't cave into the temptation of regulating this on the basis that they can get taxes".

Both Australian and (quality) global gaming giants are also expected to benefit, through greater consolidation of the industry. Gibraltar based PartyGaming, the world's leading gaming and igaming company looks to be in a strong position, just coming of a deal with France based PMU, and Richard Branson's Virgin Games also has an outstanding record of ethics, customer service, b2b and giving back to society. At present Branson's Virgin Games does not accept Australian players, while PartyGaming casino, poker, betting, bingo and sports brands can. Playtech, Sega, William Hill and others are expected to make a play, but Media Man's top international picks are Virgin and PartyGaming. Betfair is also poised to soon add casino and poker to their impressive sports betting portfolio. Betfair is half owned by Australia's casino king, James Packer, which won't go astray. Packer also enjoys a long time relationship with many Hollywood A-listers and money men, with Tom Cruise being featured in PartyGaming's Top Gun and Mission: Impossible online games, Stallone in 'Rambo', Travolta in 'Saturday Night Fever' and Arnie in 'The Terminator'. Marvel Entertainment has also strategically embedded themselves in the online gambling sector. Marvel's 'Thor', 'Captain America' and 'Wolverine' - 'X-Men' are rumored for game remakes, and PartyGaming and Playtech have "branded" slot games at high priority. Australia's Hugh Jackman, featuring in a couple of Marvel slot games, has not spoken on the igaming - online gambling industry to date. Jackman also enjoys a friendship with News Corp king of the world, Rupert Murdoch. PKR enjoy a b2b relationship with Nuts and FHM, however it is unclear if Nuts and FHM magazines containing PKR Poker advertising have appeared in Australian news agencies.

Australians currently rate in the world's top ten Forbes, Hitwise and Google lists for online gambling, offline gambling, movie attendance and comic books.

Some inside the Australian gambling industry believe it is unlikely the government will move to liberalise online gambling during an election year, as the government has so many fires to attend to in the meantime like health reform, illegal boat people, not to mention the so called "blacklist" and proposed Australian internet filter, all said to quite likely increase the odds of the Australian Government loosing the next election. One punter bet $10,000 that Labor will loose.

Some Australian anti-gambling entities advise that regulation of the igaming sector could have some benefits. Legalising the service would enable authorities to better control it and protect "problem gamblers", who are already gambling online via offshore websites.

Senator Xenophon interestingly opposes the Australian internet filter, but states policing offshore gaming websites is possible with "political will".

Readers... gamblers, entrepreneurs and media owners... what do you think? Are you with the "coalition of the willing" to use George Bush's expression, or are you for outlaws? Tell us what you think in the forum.

*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 being just one of over a dozen sectors they cover.

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin, and has conducted b2b with PartyGaming, Virgin and Betfair.

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Australian And American Newspaper And Magazines Get Gambling Deals, by Greg Tingle - 15th April 2010

Mainstream newspapers in Australia and the United States are starting to plug into the streets paved with gold - online gambling, following the lead from our United Kingdom based media mates.

Media Man and Gambling911 probe the situation in an Aussie - Yankee double investigation, with earlier indicators showing that newspapers are seeing the "green", following the money trail to gambling, be it in AUD, USD, GBP or monetary other denominations.

New York based media baron Mort Zuckerman, top brass at The New York Daily News, US News and World Report, last year publicly advised that online b2b and advertising deals in the gambling - gaming sector could be a way for mainstream newspapers to loose their sinking feeling - diminished revues, and in extreme cases, some newspapers going out of business, unable to compete with their online counterparts. Zuckerman was largely referring to sports betting (which can also include a sub group in what's commonly known as "Fantasy Betting").

Let's face it, Media Man and Gambling911 don't have the overheads of The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media), The Daily Telegraph (News Limited), The Sun or The New York Times for that matter.

Let's take a look at the landscape of the land...

Google - a few years ago headlines like "Google follows the money trail to gambling' were the order of the day, however the business model is getting more complex, as Google deals with both technical and legal considerations.

Though Google CEO Eric Schmidt and seemingly everyone else is telling publishers they should place some bets on potential new business models, The Philadelphia Inquirer venture may not be exactly what they had in mind. Google is also working on some gaming and igaming models for its YouTube platform and top ten website, so maybe Google is working a deal with The Philly behind the scenes. Stranger things have happened.

Philly.com, the online arm of the Inquirer and "sister" newspaper the Philadelphia Daily News, has recently launched an apparently legal online betting service called Instant Fantasy Games. The firm advised last week that they are the first in their industry to make a foray into online betting, according to a report in Editor & Publisher, a newspaper trade journal. Gambling911 and Media Man think this may be correct for the U.S sector, but certainly not taking into account the U.K newspaper industry, who appear to be light years ahead, with bingo, poker, sports, fantasy and more.

"We're trying to serve two goals," said Yoni Greenbaum, VP of Product Development at Philly.com. "Those are content differentiation and revenue. If you're looking at the sports sites out there, a lot of them have the same stuff...The challenge that this creates is we need to offer more. In this day and age, sports fans have insatiable appetites."

FanDuel, a British wagering company helped Philly.com launch Instant Fantasy. Part fantasy league and part sports book, the service enables bettors to pick groups of players from professional baseball, hockey, or basketball leagues. It operates much like the fantasy leagues from Yahoo.com, CBSSports.com (parent company of CNET), and ESPN--except those games are just for fun.

With Instant Fantasy, players pay $5 to $50 a game with the chance to win as much as $90, Greenbaum said. It's one-on-one, and players can compete with a friend or family member. If they don't have anyone they want to play against, the game's system will match them up with someone five minutes before competition begins. Games are held daily.

Internet gambling is current illegal in the United States (depending who you want to believe as opinions vary, even from legal eagles) but in 2006, the government made some exceptions involving fantasy sports leagues, Editor & Publisher reported.

Last Sunday evening, Google's Schmidt addressed a group of newspaper execs in Washington D.C. at the American Society of News Editors. "We have a business model problem," Schmidt told the crowd. "We don't have a news problem."

Schmidt said newspapers are "fundamental" to democracy and predicted they would find a new business model based on advertising and subscription revenue. Maybe he should have included creating a sports book.

Our friend Mort seems to share a few similar thoughts on the newspaper - gambling model as Schmidt.

Zuckerman goes on record with "There is something that can be done, and the federal government ought to do it: allow sports betting on newspaper Websites. That would save every newspaper in America. The New York Times.com could do it. Plenty of British papers do this; for them it's a crucial part of their net revenue stream. I know a major newspaper in London that makes $15 million a year from sports betting alone".

Australia Update

New Limited newspapers (hard copy and online) continue to ramp up with both advertising a range of sports betting brands, in the past 2 months pushing their own in-house brands which look to be white label and things are strongly featured next to online sports news and on the world famous Fox Sports (Australian version) website. 'Fantasy NRL' looks to be their prime white label brand and they are also accepting a number of online sports betting adds, with Packer 50% share Betfair featuring prominently. Packer is also a huge fan of Premier Media Group, which has also has an investment in as we understand.

Fairfax Media (inc The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age) newspapers websites, along with their online only sites including Brisbane Times and WA Today. 'Pro Tipping' by all accounts is the Fairfax Media white label sports betting branding.

Media Man remains independent, despite having grown to over 20 website portals. The group has previously declined offers to by all or part of the company, still riding a wave of growth. The company is considering "white label" deals, but has enjoyed excellent results "teaming up" with a handful of the world's leading igaming brands, mixed in with some traditional and new media publicity campaigns, so has stuck to the a global based business model that is working well on a marketing, branding, legal, financial and overall basis. Media Man sees Google, PartyGaming, Betfair, Crown Limited, Virgin (and maybe Tabcorp and NextGen Gaming) being a big part of its further development in the gaming and igaming sector, with Crown and Tabcorp moving forward casino travel and tourism ventures. Media Man remains in close liaison with GenerationOne, the Indigenous Australian employment initiative championed by Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest and James Packer, as to how to best collaborate, grow the business, and employ a few more hard working Australians in the progress.

Summary

The business model of newspapers (and other media companies) has changed... it had to, just to see its survival, with owners and editors even advising their journalists that they are to adapt their style for the internet, and some who failed to change have indeed lost their jobs. Some high up in the Murdoch and Fairfax Media empires even refer to their journalists and "content writers" or "content producers"... so much for the good old days when Clark Kent "Superman" types paved the pavements in search of a good story!

The bottom line is what counts to owners, bean counters and investors, and while media purists have a case to be "Not Happy Jan", it is part of the evolution of media, for better of worse.

One of the main dangers to the credibility of print newspapers is when too much focus is given to the bottom line and advertisers, and not enough on hard nosed journalism.

For these reasons and more Gambling911 readers can be assured that more hard nosed articles are on the way, sourced from the worldwide "freelance" contacts and relationships formed over many years. Freelance and independent generally means less PR spin jobs (as often found in some mainstream press) and a more gutsy, in your face style... the sort of stuff that sometimes sees legal eagles writing in trying to save face for their clients! (when the truth gets out). Media Man recently dealt with a couple of these sorts of scenarios, hard news being the catalyst, so we knew were were doing a great job.

We foresee a continuation of mainstream media companies plugging into the gaming and igaming sector, just at PartyGaming top brass Jim Ryan has rightly predicted would happen almost 2 years ago... that's why Ryan takes home (and secures for Party) the big bucks... the man is a visionary. Ryan has also smartly got in place a number of strategic alliances and purchased solid businesses such as the World Poker Tour. The combination of these things has made PartyGaming very appealing to Government departments, be it in France (hello our friends at PMU), Canada (poker tour on the radar) and Australia. The Party deals with Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures also continue to serve the company, partners and affiliates well. Strong branding and even stronger financials, see PartyGaming stand head and shoulders about the rest in the igaming sector on a global scale. Virgin (Games) has the potential to be a real challenge to PartyGaming, in our opinion, as Richard Branson and his group have developed such a strong a loyal Virgin following over the years. When Virgin expand into new markets they automatically pick up new customers who were waiting for them. Virgin thinks this may be the case with their AWOMO (A World Of My Own) platform, a deal they have with Game Domain International, however Virgin is seeking more investors before taking the project ballistic and entering new markets. Rupert Murdoch's Sky (Vegas and family) is strong in the UK but is hardly on the radar in Australia (or anywhere else) from what we can make out. Sega and Sony have the potential to be major top ten players in the igaming space, but as of this writing, PartyGaming is our top pick, on a global scale, with Betfair sitting pretty for strong growth down under in Australia.

Readers may recall that earlier in the week that Australia media entrepreneur and and racing horse owner, Alan Jones, spoke at the Asian Racing Conference in Sydney. Jones called for united, as his certainly smart enough to see the potential threat from overseas based companies "invading" Australia, and doing it better. Australia's TAB isn't exactly known for having world class efficiencies, however they had previously enjoyed an almost monopoly and stranglehold in the Australian sector, however its no longer the case. TAB legal eagles are going to remain busy in the months ahead and Betfair is well prepared for a lengthy and expensive war, Betfair pink pigeon birdies have told us.

For dynamic media - new media enterprises such as Gambling911 and Media Man, the future continues to look bright. Low staff overheads, quick turnaround on articles, and business relationships in place with some of the world's top gaming, igaming, poker and sports betting brands. Just as important, the websites are Google and Google News friendly, and they don't discriminate against Yahoo! or Bing either, as well as being referenced in "bible" and top ten sites like Wikipedia. Social media brands such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter continue to be a benefit to the agile business models, and mobile / WAP looks to be a logic area to develop in the months ahead... can't wait for that Google mobile phone, that looks likely to take a huge bite out of Apple. Google is clearly the internet giant in the prime position to best capitalise on the growth of the gaming and gambling sector, at least by Media Man estimations (sorry Richard Branson, Yahoo and Wikipedia).

If good business is about adapting to the times and spreading risk, we think a number of American newspapers like The Philly and Aussie titles such as The Tele and The Herald, are doing a mighty fine job... we're pretty happy with our own efforts also.

Wild cards that may potentially develop a significant gaming business down under include Network Nine Australia (perhaps with a Hey Hey It's Saturday 'Pluka Duck' tie in along with the possibility of a rumored 'Underbelly' online and offline slot machine offering which punters are crying out for). The late Big Tim Bristow and George Freeman would have loved to see what's come of the igaming and gambling business now, we're certain.

Loyal readers, until next time, keep it legal, stay safe, bet with your head, not over it, know the odds, and above all, 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

* The writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin

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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Underbelly Disgraceful Sex, Drugs And Rock N Roll, by Greg Tingle - 15th April 2010

The Australian television smash hit, featuring gambling, hookers, drugs, guns, crooked cops and all round mayhem on the mean streets of Sydney's Kings Cross, is dividing Australian society.

Media Man and Gambling911 recently discovered that the Australian Prime Minster and Communications Minister failed in their attempts to ban the show (its a show, not a doco), and now public figures including a former judge and numerous police officers are speaking out.

Television shows featuring crime like ratings winner Underbelly are disgraceful glamorisations of criminals, evil acts et al and there's nothing admirable about events depicted in them, says ex Supreme Court Judge James Wood. Wood has every right to feel that way, being the man who led a royal commission on New South Wales police corruption.

Wood said the Network Nine hit and the ilk of were at least partly responsible in make guns and violence acceptable and glamorised characters based on people who were nothing but "hoodlums and thugs".

We point out to Wood and his friends that the legal profession has had more than its fair share of bad apples over the years, as had the church, education system, political arena, and so the list goes on. At least crims are usually straight up about it.

Underbelly: The Golden Mile went to air this this past Monday and attracted a massive 2,237,000 viewers down under. The show promotes Kings Cross as the place "bent cops, straight cops, cool criminals and colourful characters all converged to make their mark" until the royal commission threatened the "black empire" with collapse.

The royal commission named 284 police officers, (unlucky) seven of whom were locked up in the slammer, including one of the central Underbelly characters, the former chief of detectives Graham "Chook" Fowler.

Wood, these days holding the positions as chairman of the New South Wales Law Reform Commission, advised he had not seen the first episode of this series but was familiar with its content.

He is hopeful that a doco the Australian Broadcasting Corporation will screen in May would deliver balance, as Underbelly and crime-show genre created the "wrong impression" about the behavior exhibited.

"There's nothing honourable or admirable in relation to the people who are depicted in these programs," he said. "For the impressionable kids out there watching these programs, they think it's a lot of fun. It's bloody well not a lot of fun. It's harming a lot of people and carries huge risks. You've got a high chance of ending up in a prison for 20 or 30 years. These shows don't show that."

Network Nine censor, Richard Lyle, said the majority of those depicted would not come out of the Underbelly story well, with the exception of a few clean police and Mr Wood!

Mr Lyle said the series was a very responsible tale which started off with a bang because it was necessary to set the scene and explain what lured people to the criminal underworld. Why do people become gangsters? Because they get a lot of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. But if you wind up dead or in jail, this is a cautionary tale."

Loyal readers, sound a bit like the gambling industry? That's what we thought. Gambling scenes are featured in 'The Golden Mile' and in a non coincidence, gambling is starting to make a comeback on the mean streets and back alley's of 'The Cross' as this report goes to press. A birdie tells us its more than just a bit of 2UP between mates, but its not exactly the VIP high rollers room at Star City or Crown Casino either. The stakes are super high however, and if things go belly up, one can pay the ultimate price. Not to further glamorise the seriousness of things, but picture Johnny Cash and the classic 'The Man Comes Around' and 'Folsom Prison Blues', and your getting the right idea. Punters and crims be warned, there's no gambling (officially) in most prisons around the globe, and that includes online slots and online poker. The only betting in the big house might be about who's going to "cop it" next, be it in the shower or gym.

On a most serious note, please bet responsibly and adhere to laws and regulations applicable to your circumstances. Good punting.

References: Network Nine, NSW Police, Fairfax Media, News Limited, Casino News Media, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, National Library Of Australia (and unidentified persons familiar with the mean streets of Kings Cross).

* 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 over a bakers dozen of industries covered.

* No informants were paid in the compiling of this report

* The writer is a member of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance

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Asian Racing Conference Down Under: Alan Jones Speaks Out, by Greg Tingle - 14th April 2010

Australian media king, broadcaster, community entrepreneur and racehorse owner-breeder, Alan Jones AO addressed the 33rd Asian Racing Conference in down under in Sydney, Australia, this past Monday on Racing's Destiny; The Path to Success.

Media Man and Gambling911 saddle up and snap the whip with this galloping report...

Mr Jones emphasised the need for industry unity to meet the challenge of change. He stressed to the conference, booked up with 550 delegates from 36 countries, that the challenges facing Australia, and its individual states, were not particular to Australia.

"Many of these challenges face the industry worldwide," said Jones, a former Australian Rugby Union coach and former Deputy Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission. Readers will recall the Gambling911 and New York Times coverage of the likes of the Aqueduct Racecourse and the slots and development situation.

Aussie Jones says "In politics they say that disunity is death. So it is too in families and so it is in the family of racing. Our real competitors are external ones, other forms of sport and leisure and other gambling activities. In those circumstances, to prevail, unity is important if we are to offer the best programmes, the best racing experience and a consistency in the quality of the product throughout the whole of Australia,".

We think Jones is well aware of the James Packer - Betfair's of the world, and Betfair has made it no secret of their desire to soon offer Australia's a more complete service including online poker and online casino games. Gibraltar based gaming giant PartyGaming of course recently inked a deal with the PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain) in France, and racing bodies and media bodies around the global have rightly taken note.

Jones commented to the conference on the expense of running racing's administration in NSW, in addition to the race field's legislation.

"We also have to be unapologetic in insisting that we get paid for the product that others are using for their financial benefit," he said.

"And I am referring to corporate bookmakers and betting exchanges. "We welcome these mediums which offer punters a broader variety of opportunities for betting, but we are entitled to insist, as and industry, that we get paid," he stressed.

Jones compared the international transfer price for horse racing that is shown in Australia of 3% to the New South Wales "race fee" of 1 ½% with the challenge by corporate bookmakers to that figure and legislation. He commented on gross profit as a method of charging.

"People can run their business badly and not make a profit. In other words they can use our product for no benefit to us. It is ludicrous to link the use of our race fields with the profitability of the user. Surely as with any other product, you pay your fee for using it and you do your best with it, according to your model".

In the coming weeks the Media Man - Gambling911 connection is aiming to speak with Jones and the "stick and pick" club, including John and Jack Singleton and Gerry Harvey. The Singleton's and Radio 2GB have been very supportive to date, even helping Media Man through a rough patch about 5 years ago, and we anticipate a positive reception to our probe on Australian racing as the industry looks to return to top form, despite healthy competition from Betfair and other internet betting entities.

Giddy up punters, another race is about to start. No longer is geographic region such a restrictive element, but we understand the the state and federal government are looking for a fair shake, for its the Australian way, so here's to a Win-Win-Win. We'll keep you posted. Bet with your head, not over it, and keep it fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming being just one of a dozen industry verticals covered

*The writer both owns shares in Crown Limited and participates in the Betfair b2b affiliate program.

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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Underbelly Triggers TV And Internet Ratings Shootout, by Greg Tingle - 14th April 2010

Underbelly 'The Golden Mile', set down under in Kings Cross, Sydney, lured in an audience of over two million Australians.

Media Man and Gambling911 have embedded themselves in the action, and report from the battlefield

Underbelly has triggered Australia's 2010's official TV ratings war, and sent websites and ratings "off the chart".

So intense is the heat, Kings Cross king of the jungle, John Ibrahin (played by Firass Dirani) elected to skip for Dubai in the 24 hour period before the show aired, as NSW police braced for action of another kind (real action in the mean streets).

With a slow start to the year as a result of Channel 9's coverage of the Winter Olympics throwing regular programming into chaos, Australian television viewers are only now being delivered some headline quality programs including Underbelly: The Golden Mile, MasterChef, and a revamped Hey Hey It's Saturday (on tonight - 'Big Wednesday').

Headlining actors Emma Booth, Dieter Brummer and new kid on the block, Firass Dirani, Sunday night's first episode of Underbelly: The Golden Mile was viewed by an average of 2.24 million Aussies and in South Australia - Adelaide (Australia's murder capital by reputation) attracted an audience of 201,478. The second episode which immediately followed averaged 2.07 million viewers nationally and in Adelaide was watched by 195,200 people.

The TV ratings result makes the season 3 debut 2010's highest-rating TV event at time of publication, but the first two episodes of Underbelly: The Golden Mile failed to attract the franchise's biggest audiences with last year's season two debut Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities attracting more than 2.5 million viewers.

Nine Network chief executive David Gyngell yesterday said he was pleased with the audience numbers.

"It was a great result for Underbelly, we are very happy and appreciative of everyone who was involved in this series," Mr Gyngell said.

The Ganglands mini TV series, is set in 'The Cross, faces some tough customer competition...

Network 10 is set to debut season two of ratings MasterChef next week, and tonight Channel 7's Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks-directed war series 'The Pacific' will go up against the second of half of Nine's 'Hey Hey'.

Readers, keep dodging bullets as the TV, Internet and Star City Casino - Crown Casino 'wars' continue at Atomic Bomb levels. As Roddy Piper from 'The Live' fame says, "You don't throw stones at a man holding a machine gun", something both casino entrepreneurs, Underbelly casting and talent, and media and political commentators are well aware of.

Australian Prime Minster Kevin Rudd and Senator Stephen Conroy (Communications Minster aka 'Minister Of Silly Lists') are understood have to attempted to ban Underbelly 3, but needless to say, they failed miserably in their efforts. Opposition leader, Tony "The Bruiser" Abbott is said to be a casual fan of the show (but not a fan of real life violence, despite being a former boxing champion). We might catch a ride up to 'The Cross' tonight in search of an illegal gambling den party, one a of a number said to be springing up, as censorship and bible bashers ramp up their goodie two shoe efforts, things going underground as a result! Cheers from a peaceful Bondi Beach, Australia's second 'Golden Mile' (for smart operators). Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi, Aussie Oi, Aussie Oi, Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi.

*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 and igaming is just one of a bakers dozen of industry verticals covered

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Star City Casino Security And Surveillance Blitz As War With Crown Casino Heats Up, by Greg Tingle - 14th April 2010

Sydney's Star City Casino has launched a security and surveillance blitz to crack down on violence, stealing, cheats, mugs and all round undesirables not wanted at the casino, as they prepare for relaunch in the coming year.

Media Man and Gambling911 investigate, as Star City goes to war on the ugly side of the casino business, while competing for VIP high rollers with Crown Casino in Melbourne.

We can state that without a shadow of a doubt, security has been beefed up at Star City. This was noticeable upon our attendance to the iGaming Business Down Under event last month. More than just the normal eyes in the sky, there were musclemen in security uniforms a plenty and one got the feeling their were a few undercover officers also lurking. Maybe our film crew helped bring them out of the woodwork.

Star City and Crown Casino for that matter, are well award of the 'Underbelly' X factor, having been frequented by bikies previously, with the odd police chase ending up in the car park, in addition to the well documented reports from Gambling911 and the like on the increase of casino and poker tournament heists across the global.

With Australia's known as being home to some of the world's most passionate gamblers, both traditionally and online, casino security has good reason to be cautious.

Star City will increase security camera numbers by at least 50% by the conclusion of 2011, mainly targeting cheating and fraud on table games like blackjack. Australian readers, you've been warned! You might want to leave your mobile phone card counting devices at home, and guns, knives and other weapons are not welcome on site either.

We've learned Star City approximately 1200 video cameras covering the main gaming floor, high rollers room, other public areas and the building's perimeter. This is up 20% on camera numbers a decade ago. The last two years saw most of the increase occur.

Star City aims to expand its video camera numbers to 1800 after a ground breaking $640 million overhaul next year as it valiant attempts to revamp its image as a "glorified RSL club" aka "Pyrmont Workers Club".

Figures obtained by Gambling911 and Media Man show the rate of gaming-related theft, involving chips or slot credits, and cheating detected by the casino, has doubled since last year, basically in line with the collapse of the world's financial markets we note.

There have been 446 reported incidents of thefts and cheating since the start of 2009, or about 30 a month! That's one per day folks, good or bad odds, depending upon how you look at it, but it means that if you were a regular at the casino its likely something would happen to you, someone you know, or you would been nearby to an incident sooner or later.

Two years ago in the month of May one of the models on the books of our friends at AutoBabes was shot by her ex boyfriend on Star City Casino premises. The Daily Telegraph headline screamed 'First Pictures Of Shot Casino Model' (Holly Graham).

Previous crime figures released by the NSW Casino Control Authority showed 177 incidents of theft, fraud and cheating during the year to June last year, or about 15 a month.

"We don't believe there's been a rise in crime. There has been an increase in the number of criminals apprehended," a spokesman said.

Impressively, all of the incidents of gaming-related theft and cheating since January last year had been identified by closed circuit cameras in the casino.

Offences included attempted use of stolen or fake casino chips, or marked cards. The number of patrons (mugs) banned for "disorderly conduct" almost doubled to 151 in the 2008-09 year.

In one wild battle royal like brawl last year involving a bikie group, chairs were smashed and glasses hurled before it spread outside onto the street and surrounds. We don't believe they were (officially) auditioning for 'Underbelly' but Network Nine got wind, and bikies continue to play an important role in storylines, both in Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast based episodes.

No 2010 figures for this year at time of publication, but the spokesman advise the casino aims to massively overhaul its reputation for late-night incidents, pointing out it made good business sense. It stands to reason if a patron saw or heard about too many incidents, they would stay away.

"If people feel safe, they're more likely to come to Star City," he said.

Star City Casino chiefs believe a stigma has developed about going to the casino.

Media Man and Gambling911 believe that James Packer's Crown Casino in Melbourne has a more elite, somewhat less violent patronage, however they have not exactly remained incident free over the years either. Earlier this year Crown gave the word that they will be implementing plastic handcuffs, and a number of high profile football players have been ejected from the casino in the past few months. We're looking forward to the Logies, Australia's entertainment "night of nights", broadcast from Crown in just a few short weeks. Rumors that Kym Illman's 'Money Girl' Jac Bowie's burlesque troupe and Grant Galea, Dean Martin tribute artist, may show. Bert Newton, iconic Australian TV presenter and comedian, will host The Logies.

Not to be left off the hook, Packer's Burswood Entertainment Complex (read Casino), in Western Australia, has earned itself quite a rowdy reputation over the past number of years, however most assuredly security was beefed up, and crime on premises is down.

Crown's Billionaire Inc, management and staff suggested a massive crackdown on crims and other undesirables, and earlier this year the famed 'plastic handcuff' policy was unleashed, to mixed public and media commentary.

It's understood that the Packer casino security beef up and premises revamps, are providing thousands of jobs, some of which are been keenly taken up by suitable qualified and trained up Indigenous Australians, as part of the the well received GenerationOne campaign and initiative.

We think that there's no doubt Australian land based casinos are newsworthy, and we see a welcome trend of late in news reports where the positives are outdrawing the negatives when it comes to Aussie casino headlines. Yep, more Hugh Jackman, Tom Cruise, Logies, Bert Newton's, Dita Von Teese, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sly Stallone, Barrack Obama, Pam Anderson, Paris Hilton, Carmen Electra, KISS, Chicago, AC/DC, Elton John, UFC, WWE and the like, and less of mugs, knives, shootouts and handcuffs.

Readers, if its all too much for you, you can just stay at home or hit the internet cafe and enjoy 100s of games from our friends at PartyGaming, Virgin, Captain Cooks Casino, PKR and the like. Crown Casino and Star City continue to revamp their websites, (but you won't find online Cleopatra, Hitman, Underbelly, Tomb Raider or Sinatra there), not yet anyway, but a birdie tells us Party and NextGen Gaming have some interest to produce a Kerry Packer, Ned Kelly and Underbelly slot game, but that's a wait and see situation. Betfair, half owned by Packer, is also keen to soon provide online poker and online casino offerings to Aussies, adding to their sports betting portfolio.

Punters, good betting, and promise to behave yourself if you decide to brave a visit to Star City, Crown Casino or Burswood. "Big Brother" is watching!

* Greg Tingle 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 industry verticals covered. Their gaming and casino news arm is Casino News Media

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Asian Racing Conference In Sydney - The Great Debate, by Greg Tingle - 13th April 2010

The Australian - Asia Pacific gaming and racing industry developments maintain fever pitch.

Media Man and Gambling911 probe the situation down under...

The Australian horse racing industry is traditionally the bread and butter of Aussie betting, going back to the good old days when both illegal bookies like Eric Frazer Tingle (relation) and wheeler dealers like the late George Freeman (Underbelly fame) shared in a slice of the action with the once otherwise monopoly known as the TAB (Totalisator Agency Board). Our old mate "Big" Tim Bristow, who we understand gets referred to in books such as 'Not For Publication' and 'The Gambling Man' also played a role, which could be described as "unofficial" or as an "enforcer". In the old days folks often paid to avoid "bad luck" and of course "insurance" against risk.

Things have progressed since the 1950-80 golden like era, however politics, legals, big bucks and an 'Underbelly' still remain, albeit in different shades.

Today saw the 33rd Asian Racing Conference being held in Sydney.

The stellar event played host to a rivalry far more fierce than that between racing king Bart Cummings and queen Gai Waterhouse.

"The Great Debate", sees Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys go tooth and nail with Betfair co-founder Edward Wray, reports Fairfax Media.

Betfair, an internet-based betting exchange, half-owned by casino king James Packer (like half of Australia it seems at times), has launched a legal challenge against the racing authority's decision to charge it fees based on turnover rather than profit.

The arguments are complex, but there's millions, if not billions at stake.

Racing NSW has put $60 million bucks aside to return to corporate bookies should they lose, with the verdict due later this month.

Betfair is hoping Federal Court judge Nye Perram is more impartial than the gent in charge of today's debate, Australian Racing Board chief executive Andrew Harding, advise Fairfax Media. A bit of history... at a similar racing conference in 2004, Harding gave an impassioned presentation billed "Australia Against Betfair."

Punters, times are a changing, as Tycoon's such as James Packer are almost unstoppable at the moment, and Aussie's are open to betting alternatives.

Something tells us that both state and federal governments are going to be key factors, as will "legal eagles", and not to any surprise, Betfair can and do engage the best that money can buy.

The late news... Betfair is also aiming to provide an online poker and online casino service to Australians. Rivals such as PartyGaming and Centrebet continue to demonstrate that they enjoy a punt online, not just restricted to the four legged variety... the horses and the doggies, oh, or the occasional Pink Pigeon birdies (yet another Aussie fair dinkum betting event that our birdie friend tells us Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Senator Stephen Conroy wouldn't mind seeing censored, or shutdown completely).

Rumor of the week... Illegal Australian gambling dens and betting rings to make a comeback "down under", as censorship threatens (and pisses off) punters. All good fodder for 'Underbelly' 5 and 6. Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi, Aussie Oi Aussie Oi Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They own and operate over 20 website portals including Racing News Media http://www.racingnewsmedia.com

*The writer participates in the Betfair affiliate program via agency DGM and is a shareholder in Crown Casino

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