Google, perhaps the only company with the clout and users to take on the seemingly unassailable Facebook, is reportedly working on "Google Me", a product that would go head-to-head with the social networking giant.
The founder of popular link-sharing site Digg, Kevin Rose, kicked off a round of feverish speculation this week by tweeting that he had heard a "huge rumour" from a very credible source" that Google was going to launch a Facebook competitor "very soon". Rose has since removed the tweet, saying he was asked to do so...
Click here for the article
Media Man Profiles
Google
Facebook
YouTube.com
Twitter
Search Engines
Social Networking
Media Man
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Media Man Canada: FIFA World Cup: Aussie Casino Jack Lobby, by Greg Tingle - 30th June 2010
Sporting and political insiders, movers n shakers, have we got a story for you. Think Casino Jack or Casino Jacks (and the United States of Money and The Australians Of Money). Following the Aussie NRL and AFL scandals, FIFA Aussiegate gives them a run for their money. Media Man and Gambling911 follow the money trail, with some assistance from Google News, Fairfax Media and sniffer dogs Bluey and Timmy...
A dynamite due of European lobbyists engaged to assist bringing the World Cup to Australia are in line to receive up to $11.37 million in consultancy fees, bonuses and the like. The sum is roughly 25% of the taxpayer-funded bid, our friends at Fairfax Media have put in the public domain. They point to "secret Football Federation Australia files".
News Limited, publisher of the Daily Telegraph, is understood to be also digging for more information, just as Fairfax and News Limited battled it out on the NRL and AFL sports scandals.
The now (not so secret) files included a spreadsheet that hints the federal government was not advised specifics about how taxpayers' money was to be fed to the lobbyists and grants aka "hand outs" and "hand ups" to overseas football bodies headed by FIFA officials.
A probe into Australia's World Cup bid can also lift the lid on how the FFA:
Purchased Paspaley pearl necklaces for the wives of many of the 24 FIFA executive committee members who in December will decide which countries will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Pearl cufflinks were also given. Total value of the gifts $50,000 approx.
Offered an all-expenses paid junket to the South American FIFA executive committee member Rafael Salguero and his wife to Australia this year.
Paid for a Caribbean football team linked to the FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to journey to Cyprus last year.
A FFA document contains 2 budget balance sheets outlining how the $45.6 million World Cup bid government grant is to be used.
1 balance sheet is for the FFA only and is headed "Bid budget management reporting". The other is for the government and is less detailed and titled "Bid budget government reporting".
The spreadsheets from mid-2009 could possible suggest the FFA decided not to disclose to the government specific details of the payment structure, remuneration breakdown etc for its 2 consultants, Mr Peter Hargitay and Mr Fedor Radmann.
FFA advised its accounting practices were exemplary and independently audited.
"The FFA is completely transparent in its dealings with government and has provided all information regarding the bidding process requested by government," advised the FFA chief executive, Ben Buckley, who also declined invitation to reveal publicly what sirs Hargitay and Mr Radmann were being paid.
We have learned confidential documents show the sporting - political entrepreneurs of sorts, who have been engaged to direct Australia's lobbying of FIFA officialdom - are in line to make $11.37 million if Australia wins the right to host the 2022 World Cup! Not a bad earner. This may at least partly explain that Australia this month withdrew its bid for the 2018 cup.
Punters, you wonder why the government has little money for everyday folks, community projects and the like. "Their eyes may be off the community ball, and focused on another ball and field of green", a Media Man investigator was overheard whispering.
Mr Hargitay is being remunerated with $1.35 million by the FFA and has a "success fee" of $2.54 million. Mr Radmann's hard yakka for the Aussie bid, which the FFA has attempted to keep under wraps, will earn him up to $3.49 mil via a German based consulting firm. He is also entitled to a success fee of $3.99 million.
Forming part of a separate contract - agreement, the FFA is paying Mr Radmann's biz partner Andreas Abold an additional $3 mil for World Cup "bid book production and bid advice". It is unknown at this stage if Abold will also receive some of Mr Radmann's moolah fees.
Fairfax Media reports that the mid-2009 spreadsheet also suggests the government was not advised details about plans to give $6.5 million in taxpayer funds to football bodies in Africa, Asia and Oceania. The document states the FFA's bid strategy will give large grants to "international football development".
The government was advised by the FFA that $11.37 million was going to "consultants/agencies". But the FFA prepared a more detailed spreadsheet for its own executives, specifically outlining how this sum would be split up into fees and bonuses for Hargitay and Radmann's international "advocacy" campaign.
Buckley stated "Consistent with standard management practice, FFA maintains a more comprehensive breakdown of expenditure and forecasts for day-to-day internal management purposes and accountability."
The necklaces and cufflinks were gifted at a dinner get together in 2008 for FIFA officials at the beautiful home of the FFA chairman, Frank Lowy (after Australia had announced its World Cup intentions but before formal bidding had begun).
Buckley advised "It is a widely accepted, common practice, among governments, many business and sporting organisations to provide symbolic gifts, to visiting international delegations."
FIFA allows "occasional gifts" of "symbolic or incidental value". Media Man and the sniffer dogs are curious to learn on what the financial cap is on the "incidental value".
Network Nine's 60 Minutes has now learned more on the FIFA scandal, and is interested to run what would be a follow up story on FIFA, following their couple of previous more good news features on FIFA, the cup, including some players. Digital sports broadcaster OneHD also has interest, while Fox Sports - Premier Media Group, is understood to be not quite as keen. Follow the media relationships ala 'Casino Jack' and who knows who, and you smart ones will join the dots and figure it out... or at least enough to get the 'Casino Jack' references.
It is understood the FFA funded the Trinidad and Tobago under-20 team's travel to Cyprus at the request of Hargitay, who is linked to the Caribbean football chief and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.
In a number of FFA documents Hargitay refers to his strong ties to "Jack" (not 'Casino Jack'). Warner has been frequently been accused of using FIFA status to enrich himself and his family. After a probe in 2006 FIFA demanded sir lunchalot#2 to repay $US1 mil his family got via the improper sale of World Cup tickets.
Last Red October Warner returned a $435 luxury handbag. It was understood to be one of 24 given to the partners of FIFA executive committee members...from the English bid team, after news media reports in Britain.
FFA documents show it to be evident Radmann and Hargitay are managing the international "strategy" on behalf of the Australian "bid team". They enjoy ties to some of football's most powerful - influential men, including Warner, the former German player Franz Beckenbauer and the FIFA president, Sepp Blatter.
Radmann and Hargitay have interesting history to their names. Radmann, who has worked as an aide to Beckenbauer, has been implicated in:
A scheme circa 2000 to allegedly offer financial inducements to key FIFA executive committee officials to get them to back Germany's bid to host the 2006 World Cup.
Conflict of interest scandals in 2003 that forced him to stand down from Germany's cup organising committee.
It is understood Australian bid officials attempted to minimise any publicity about Radmann's involvement in the said bid.
Hargitay's past includes being acquitted twice for cocaine trafficking in the 90s and his alleged link to a securities fraud in Hungary, according to US court documents circa 97.
Hargitay also has spoken about daily meetings in South Africa with the Asian Football Confederation boss, Mohammad bin Hamman.
Documents detail out Hargitay's role arranging meetings between overseas football officials and Mr Lowy and Australian politicians. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd 007 er Kev 07 met Mr Warner in his Trinidad and Tobago home in November.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Ageing, the agency that provided the World Cup grant, said yesterday that the FFA briefed it regularly on its spending.
Quizzed about differing bid balance sheets, the spokeswoman advised "The detailed internal accounting systems of the FFA are a matter for them."
She said the department was aware of the backgrounds of Hargitay and Radmann. It also had no evidence of any breaches of the public service guidelines that cover the FFA's consultants.
All FFA bid team employees and lobbyists must comply with Australia's Public Service code of conduct and act in an honest and ethical manner. The spokeswoman advised "The FFA has assured the department taskforce that this provision is being adhered to. If evidence contrary to this was provided it would be thoroughly investigated as would any alleged breach of the funding agreement."
Wrap Up...
Readers, what next? What do you know that isn't revelled yet? Tell us in the world famous Gambling911 forums? Hello FIFA, you're welcome also. Media Man and Gambling911 is half expecting threats and hate mail...just another day at the office.
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
A dynamite due of European lobbyists engaged to assist bringing the World Cup to Australia are in line to receive up to $11.37 million in consultancy fees, bonuses and the like. The sum is roughly 25% of the taxpayer-funded bid, our friends at Fairfax Media have put in the public domain. They point to "secret Football Federation Australia files".
News Limited, publisher of the Daily Telegraph, is understood to be also digging for more information, just as Fairfax and News Limited battled it out on the NRL and AFL sports scandals.
The now (not so secret) files included a spreadsheet that hints the federal government was not advised specifics about how taxpayers' money was to be fed to the lobbyists and grants aka "hand outs" and "hand ups" to overseas football bodies headed by FIFA officials.
A probe into Australia's World Cup bid can also lift the lid on how the FFA:
Purchased Paspaley pearl necklaces for the wives of many of the 24 FIFA executive committee members who in December will decide which countries will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Pearl cufflinks were also given. Total value of the gifts $50,000 approx.
Offered an all-expenses paid junket to the South American FIFA executive committee member Rafael Salguero and his wife to Australia this year.
Paid for a Caribbean football team linked to the FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to journey to Cyprus last year.
A FFA document contains 2 budget balance sheets outlining how the $45.6 million World Cup bid government grant is to be used.
1 balance sheet is for the FFA only and is headed "Bid budget management reporting". The other is for the government and is less detailed and titled "Bid budget government reporting".
The spreadsheets from mid-2009 could possible suggest the FFA decided not to disclose to the government specific details of the payment structure, remuneration breakdown etc for its 2 consultants, Mr Peter Hargitay and Mr Fedor Radmann.
FFA advised its accounting practices were exemplary and independently audited.
"The FFA is completely transparent in its dealings with government and has provided all information regarding the bidding process requested by government," advised the FFA chief executive, Ben Buckley, who also declined invitation to reveal publicly what sirs Hargitay and Mr Radmann were being paid.
We have learned confidential documents show the sporting - political entrepreneurs of sorts, who have been engaged to direct Australia's lobbying of FIFA officialdom - are in line to make $11.37 million if Australia wins the right to host the 2022 World Cup! Not a bad earner. This may at least partly explain that Australia this month withdrew its bid for the 2018 cup.
Punters, you wonder why the government has little money for everyday folks, community projects and the like. "Their eyes may be off the community ball, and focused on another ball and field of green", a Media Man investigator was overheard whispering.
Mr Hargitay is being remunerated with $1.35 million by the FFA and has a "success fee" of $2.54 million. Mr Radmann's hard yakka for the Aussie bid, which the FFA has attempted to keep under wraps, will earn him up to $3.49 mil via a German based consulting firm. He is also entitled to a success fee of $3.99 million.
Forming part of a separate contract - agreement, the FFA is paying Mr Radmann's biz partner Andreas Abold an additional $3 mil for World Cup "bid book production and bid advice". It is unknown at this stage if Abold will also receive some of Mr Radmann's moolah fees.
Fairfax Media reports that the mid-2009 spreadsheet also suggests the government was not advised details about plans to give $6.5 million in taxpayer funds to football bodies in Africa, Asia and Oceania. The document states the FFA's bid strategy will give large grants to "international football development".
The government was advised by the FFA that $11.37 million was going to "consultants/agencies". But the FFA prepared a more detailed spreadsheet for its own executives, specifically outlining how this sum would be split up into fees and bonuses for Hargitay and Radmann's international "advocacy" campaign.
Buckley stated "Consistent with standard management practice, FFA maintains a more comprehensive breakdown of expenditure and forecasts for day-to-day internal management purposes and accountability."
The necklaces and cufflinks were gifted at a dinner get together in 2008 for FIFA officials at the beautiful home of the FFA chairman, Frank Lowy (after Australia had announced its World Cup intentions but before formal bidding had begun).
Buckley advised "It is a widely accepted, common practice, among governments, many business and sporting organisations to provide symbolic gifts, to visiting international delegations."
FIFA allows "occasional gifts" of "symbolic or incidental value". Media Man and the sniffer dogs are curious to learn on what the financial cap is on the "incidental value".
Network Nine's 60 Minutes has now learned more on the FIFA scandal, and is interested to run what would be a follow up story on FIFA, following their couple of previous more good news features on FIFA, the cup, including some players. Digital sports broadcaster OneHD also has interest, while Fox Sports - Premier Media Group, is understood to be not quite as keen. Follow the media relationships ala 'Casino Jack' and who knows who, and you smart ones will join the dots and figure it out... or at least enough to get the 'Casino Jack' references.
It is understood the FFA funded the Trinidad and Tobago under-20 team's travel to Cyprus at the request of Hargitay, who is linked to the Caribbean football chief and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.
In a number of FFA documents Hargitay refers to his strong ties to "Jack" (not 'Casino Jack'). Warner has been frequently been accused of using FIFA status to enrich himself and his family. After a probe in 2006 FIFA demanded sir lunchalot#2 to repay $US1 mil his family got via the improper sale of World Cup tickets.
Last Red October Warner returned a $435 luxury handbag. It was understood to be one of 24 given to the partners of FIFA executive committee members...from the English bid team, after news media reports in Britain.
FFA documents show it to be evident Radmann and Hargitay are managing the international "strategy" on behalf of the Australian "bid team". They enjoy ties to some of football's most powerful - influential men, including Warner, the former German player Franz Beckenbauer and the FIFA president, Sepp Blatter.
Radmann and Hargitay have interesting history to their names. Radmann, who has worked as an aide to Beckenbauer, has been implicated in:
A scheme circa 2000 to allegedly offer financial inducements to key FIFA executive committee officials to get them to back Germany's bid to host the 2006 World Cup.
Conflict of interest scandals in 2003 that forced him to stand down from Germany's cup organising committee.
It is understood Australian bid officials attempted to minimise any publicity about Radmann's involvement in the said bid.
Hargitay's past includes being acquitted twice for cocaine trafficking in the 90s and his alleged link to a securities fraud in Hungary, according to US court documents circa 97.
Hargitay also has spoken about daily meetings in South Africa with the Asian Football Confederation boss, Mohammad bin Hamman.
Documents detail out Hargitay's role arranging meetings between overseas football officials and Mr Lowy and Australian politicians. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd 007 er Kev 07 met Mr Warner in his Trinidad and Tobago home in November.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Ageing, the agency that provided the World Cup grant, said yesterday that the FFA briefed it regularly on its spending.
Quizzed about differing bid balance sheets, the spokeswoman advised "The detailed internal accounting systems of the FFA are a matter for them."
She said the department was aware of the backgrounds of Hargitay and Radmann. It also had no evidence of any breaches of the public service guidelines that cover the FFA's consultants.
All FFA bid team employees and lobbyists must comply with Australia's Public Service code of conduct and act in an honest and ethical manner. The spokeswoman advised "The FFA has assured the department taskforce that this provision is being adhered to. If evidence contrary to this was provided it would be thoroughly investigated as would any alleged breach of the funding agreement."
Wrap Up...
Readers, what next? What do you know that isn't revelled yet? Tell us in the world famous Gambling911 forums? Hello FIFA, you're welcome also. Media Man and Gambling911 is half expecting threats and hate mail...just another day at the office.
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Monday, June 28, 2010
Hollywood Studios Attempt To Stop Movie Futures Market, by Greg Tingle - 29th June 2010
Entertainment insiders, movers n shakers, and star gazers, Hollywood has caught the gaming and gambling bug, while some factions are pro, some con. The old guard is generally looking to protect their turf. Legal eagles and Hollywood movie moguls have been hitting the phones and using their political clout in attempt see things go their way. Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment may have deals with the likes of PartyGaming, but that doesn't mean they are a lock for Hollywood movie exchanges. Media Man and Gambling911 embed themselves in the action...
Hollywood's old guard movie studios are on the brink of winning their battle against the movie futures markets, with United States legislators likely to outlaw such trades within days.
At last count 6 Hollywood studios are pushing to see movie betting banned and canned (in the bin, not in the can)... in movie speak.
Currently movie futures contracts allow and facilitate speculators to bet on the box office success or failure of a particular film. The first of these new era contracts, for the Matt Dillon and Chris Brown flick Takers, was approved by the United States Federal regulator over a fortnight ago and the new Sylvester Stallone film The Expendables was due to be approved by the regulator. Sly "Rambo" Stallone is quietly fired up say insiders, but the old guard is looking to put ice on his fire. Stallone and mate, Arnie, have had a taste of the Hollywood - gaming connection previously with both the Rambo and The Terminator Hollywood slot games that are offered via PartyGaming, in play for free or play for money options. StudioCanal greenlighted Sly's PartyGaming deal a few years ago. Orion Pictures Corporation was originally behind The Terminator deal. Orion still operates today, but it is now an in-name-only subsidiary of MGM. They acquired Filmways and The Samuel Goldwyn Company, but they do not own Samuel Goldwyn Films. In the past years other entertainment brands such as Marvel Entertainment followed suit into gaming and gambling, usually with good to great success, by CryptoLogic had mixed results, with PartyGaming blitzing them for service, gameplay, credibility, affiliate program offerings and overall stability. Marvel best adapted to the igaming world say analysts.
Movie Slot Games: Movie Betting Next? Legal Eagles Fly...
The powerful Motion Picture Association of America has been lobbying lawmakers to outlaw movie futures, arguing the market would be easily manipulated and skew the public's perception of movies before they open. The association firms believes rival studios could potentially sabotage films by betting against them.
Trading would be based on the amount of money a movie takes in during its opening weekend. The exchange would set the initial odds for contracts, but those odds would change based on the bidding of investors. An investor who buys a contract with longer odds takes on greater risk and the potential to earn more money.
Example?...an "investor" may think a movie will make at least $75 million in its first weekend. The exchange finds an investor who thinks the movie will fall short of that mark and the two investors enter the contract together. When the movie receipts come in the one who is correct gets a % on top of their investment based on the odds received. The other loses their investment! It's put your money where your mouth is maties.
At the weekend, it emerged that a ban on movie futures is in an amendment to President Obama's financial reform Bill, which is likely to be passed by Congress. Two box office futures markets, the well publicized (thanks to The Hollywood Reporter, Gambling911 and Media Man) Trend Exchange and Cantor Exchange, had intended to launch "soon".
Last week, the mastermind or 'Evil Genius' if you will, behind Trend Exchange, Robert Swagger, vowed to launch to market even if the ban was passed and fight the Government in court on the grounds the regulator had already granted approval. But an MPAA spokesman said the ban makes it retrospective to June 1 - before the regulator issued the approval. Legal eagles best or worst nightmare... add it to the legal bill hey.
Academics, Professors And Smart Cookies Weight Into Debate...
Associate professor Barry Burgan, head of the business school at the Australia's University of Adelaide, advised a movie futures market would provide valuable information about which films were likely to succeed (or fail). "Only one out of a large number of films produce returns and if you can provide ways to predict that better you can improve the outcomes," he said. With his odds analysis, little wonder Hollywood old guard are not so keen.
Media Man is currently seeking comment from Marvel Entertainment and New York based media entrepreneur, Mort Zuckerman. Zuckeman has previously pointed to online gaming and gambling as a way for U.S newspapers and mainstream media companies to stop their bleeding, following the adaption to a business model adopting to gaming, be it slots, poker, bingo, sports betting or a combination, following the UK media experience. In the meantime Australian newspapers and media firms, Daily Telegraph, and Fairfax Media (Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times, WA Today etc) keep ramping up their gaming, igaming and sports betting involvement.
Aussie casino king James Packer remains keen on his Premier Media Group stock. Premier Media Group also enjoys ties to the sports betting world via Fox Sports, and Packer mate Tom Cruise just happens to sometimes stay at Crown Casino and is featured in the PartyGaming title Mission: Impossible. Coincidence Not! Comon' James and Cruise, shake them up in Hollywood... I'm an investor (in Crown) you know. Got to keep the investors happen. Just don't tell us its impossible, and if need be, speak to Richard Branson who just launched Virgin Gaming, following his success of Virgin Casino (not available to Aussies or Yanks yet). PartyGaming is keen to ramp up more Hollywood involved (and do deals with Crown Limited). Last year PartyPoker referred online poker players to the Aussie Millions Poker Championship in Melbourne, Australia, and the promo worked a charm. We all made money right? Yep. Thanks in advance.
Media Man Profiles
Movies
Hollywood
Blockbuster Slot Games
Wrap Up...
The argements for and against the betting on film releases are many. It's fair to say that the legal eagles on both sides of the equations will pulling out all the stops to see the ideal outcomes for their prospective clients. Hollywood betting... good, bad or neutral? Tell us in the forum, and Tony Clifton and Howard Stern (King Of All Media), we invite your contribution... and everyone else. Your feedback will be taken on board by the powers that be at Gambling911 and Media Man, at a time when The Expendables look to kick booty, and Max Mad 4 is looking to weigh into the Hollywood betting wars. Would you bet against Stallone or Max Max!
Media Man and Gambling911 are website portals covering entertainment, gambling, gaming, sports, politics and much more. Punters, as always, know the odds and have fun.
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Hollywood's old guard movie studios are on the brink of winning their battle against the movie futures markets, with United States legislators likely to outlaw such trades within days.
At last count 6 Hollywood studios are pushing to see movie betting banned and canned (in the bin, not in the can)... in movie speak.
Currently movie futures contracts allow and facilitate speculators to bet on the box office success or failure of a particular film. The first of these new era contracts, for the Matt Dillon and Chris Brown flick Takers, was approved by the United States Federal regulator over a fortnight ago and the new Sylvester Stallone film The Expendables was due to be approved by the regulator. Sly "Rambo" Stallone is quietly fired up say insiders, but the old guard is looking to put ice on his fire. Stallone and mate, Arnie, have had a taste of the Hollywood - gaming connection previously with both the Rambo and The Terminator Hollywood slot games that are offered via PartyGaming, in play for free or play for money options. StudioCanal greenlighted Sly's PartyGaming deal a few years ago. Orion Pictures Corporation was originally behind The Terminator deal. Orion still operates today, but it is now an in-name-only subsidiary of MGM. They acquired Filmways and The Samuel Goldwyn Company, but they do not own Samuel Goldwyn Films. In the past years other entertainment brands such as Marvel Entertainment followed suit into gaming and gambling, usually with good to great success, by CryptoLogic had mixed results, with PartyGaming blitzing them for service, gameplay, credibility, affiliate program offerings and overall stability. Marvel best adapted to the igaming world say analysts.
Movie Slot Games: Movie Betting Next? Legal Eagles Fly...
The powerful Motion Picture Association of America has been lobbying lawmakers to outlaw movie futures, arguing the market would be easily manipulated and skew the public's perception of movies before they open. The association firms believes rival studios could potentially sabotage films by betting against them.
Trading would be based on the amount of money a movie takes in during its opening weekend. The exchange would set the initial odds for contracts, but those odds would change based on the bidding of investors. An investor who buys a contract with longer odds takes on greater risk and the potential to earn more money.
Example?...an "investor" may think a movie will make at least $75 million in its first weekend. The exchange finds an investor who thinks the movie will fall short of that mark and the two investors enter the contract together. When the movie receipts come in the one who is correct gets a % on top of their investment based on the odds received. The other loses their investment! It's put your money where your mouth is maties.
At the weekend, it emerged that a ban on movie futures is in an amendment to President Obama's financial reform Bill, which is likely to be passed by Congress. Two box office futures markets, the well publicized (thanks to The Hollywood Reporter, Gambling911 and Media Man) Trend Exchange and Cantor Exchange, had intended to launch "soon".
Last week, the mastermind or 'Evil Genius' if you will, behind Trend Exchange, Robert Swagger, vowed to launch to market even if the ban was passed and fight the Government in court on the grounds the regulator had already granted approval. But an MPAA spokesman said the ban makes it retrospective to June 1 - before the regulator issued the approval. Legal eagles best or worst nightmare... add it to the legal bill hey.
Academics, Professors And Smart Cookies Weight Into Debate...
Associate professor Barry Burgan, head of the business school at the Australia's University of Adelaide, advised a movie futures market would provide valuable information about which films were likely to succeed (or fail). "Only one out of a large number of films produce returns and if you can provide ways to predict that better you can improve the outcomes," he said. With his odds analysis, little wonder Hollywood old guard are not so keen.
Media Man is currently seeking comment from Marvel Entertainment and New York based media entrepreneur, Mort Zuckerman. Zuckeman has previously pointed to online gaming and gambling as a way for U.S newspapers and mainstream media companies to stop their bleeding, following the adaption to a business model adopting to gaming, be it slots, poker, bingo, sports betting or a combination, following the UK media experience. In the meantime Australian newspapers and media firms, Daily Telegraph, and Fairfax Media (Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times, WA Today etc) keep ramping up their gaming, igaming and sports betting involvement.
Aussie casino king James Packer remains keen on his Premier Media Group stock. Premier Media Group also enjoys ties to the sports betting world via Fox Sports, and Packer mate Tom Cruise just happens to sometimes stay at Crown Casino and is featured in the PartyGaming title Mission: Impossible. Coincidence Not! Comon' James and Cruise, shake them up in Hollywood... I'm an investor (in Crown) you know. Got to keep the investors happen. Just don't tell us its impossible, and if need be, speak to Richard Branson who just launched Virgin Gaming, following his success of Virgin Casino (not available to Aussies or Yanks yet). PartyGaming is keen to ramp up more Hollywood involved (and do deals with Crown Limited). Last year PartyPoker referred online poker players to the Aussie Millions Poker Championship in Melbourne, Australia, and the promo worked a charm. We all made money right? Yep. Thanks in advance.
Media Man Profiles
Movies
Hollywood
Blockbuster Slot Games
Wrap Up...
The argements for and against the betting on film releases are many. It's fair to say that the legal eagles on both sides of the equations will pulling out all the stops to see the ideal outcomes for their prospective clients. Hollywood betting... good, bad or neutral? Tell us in the forum, and Tony Clifton and Howard Stern (King Of All Media), we invite your contribution... and everyone else. Your feedback will be taken on board by the powers that be at Gambling911 and Media Man, at a time when The Expendables look to kick booty, and Max Mad 4 is looking to weigh into the Hollywood betting wars. Would you bet against Stallone or Max Max!
Media Man and Gambling911 are website portals covering entertainment, gambling, gaming, sports, politics and much more. Punters, as always, know the odds and have fun.
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Virgin Games Partners With Microgaming
Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com), the leading online gaming company, today announced that it has partnered with Microgaming, the world's largest online gaming software provider. The partnership will allow Virgin Games to further enhance its offering by providing Microgaming's market leading flash casino games to its customers, through Microgaming's pioneering Quickfire software.
Virgin Games has established a direct integration with Microgaming, giving its customers access to a large variety of games that will be launched over the coming months. The first game to be launched is Thunderstruck, a five reel, nine payline video slot game, with a Wild and a Scatter symbol, a Free Spin Bonus Feature and a Gamble feature.
Microgaming is the world's largest gaming software provider and powers over 120 online Casinos, 40 Poker rooms and a number of market leading Bingo sites, worldwide. This integration, using Microgaming's Quickfire software, reinforces Virgin Games strategy to bring its customer a wider choice of game content and follows integrations with top tier content providers such as Wagerworks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.
Simon Burridge, CEO of Virgin Games, commented:
"Our customers have told us that they want a wider range of games and specifically they would love to play Microgaming games as a part of the Virgin Games offering. Since the launch of our custom built platform back in 2008, we have been introducing a range of new gaming content to our sites and Virgin Games now has one of the widest ranges of casino and slot games available in the UK. The addition of Microgaming, the world leader in its field, is a big step forward for Virgin Games customers and we look forward to launching its games with a range of promotions over the coming months."
Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and more than 200 games on its site. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of games producers including WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle, Endemol, Ash Gaming and now Microgaming.
To visit Virgin Games go to: www.virgingames.com
Notes to editors
About Virgin Games:
Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com) launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:
• Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games, with a current jackpot value of over £2,500,000
• Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros – as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry
• Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.
About Microgaming:
Since the company developed the first true online Casino software over a decade ago, it has led the industry in providing innovative, reliable gaming solutions. Thanks to an unrivalled R&D programme, that averages 60 games per year and a unique 'partnership' approach to working with operators; Microgaming software powers over 160 market leading online gaming sites.
The company's front and back-end software supports multi-player, multi-language games - over 450 of them, all uniquely branded and provides platforms for land-based and wireless gaming. Microgaming powers the world's largest Progressive Jackpot Network and has paid out over €265million. In May 2009 it created the biggest ever online jackpot winner with a single payment win of €6.37m.
As a founding member of eCOGRA, Microgaming is at the forefront of an initiative focused on setting the highest standards in the gaming industry, and leads in the areas of fair gaming, responsible operator conduct and player protection. Microgaming has been awarded eCOGRA's Certified Software Seal following a rigorous onsite assessment to ensure that the development, implementation and maintenance of the software is representative of industry best practice standards Microgaming licensees are therefore eligible to apply for the eCOGRA Safe & Fair Seal
*Virgin Casino does not currently accept U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory.
Profiles
Thunderstruck
Microgaming
Virgin Games
Virgin Casino
Virgin New Games
Richard Branson
News
Virgin Casino News
Virgin Games News
Microgaming News
Casino News
Online Casino News
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Virgin Games has established a direct integration with Microgaming, giving its customers access to a large variety of games that will be launched over the coming months. The first game to be launched is Thunderstruck, a five reel, nine payline video slot game, with a Wild and a Scatter symbol, a Free Spin Bonus Feature and a Gamble feature.
Microgaming is the world's largest gaming software provider and powers over 120 online Casinos, 40 Poker rooms and a number of market leading Bingo sites, worldwide. This integration, using Microgaming's Quickfire software, reinforces Virgin Games strategy to bring its customer a wider choice of game content and follows integrations with top tier content providers such as Wagerworks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.
Simon Burridge, CEO of Virgin Games, commented:
"Our customers have told us that they want a wider range of games and specifically they would love to play Microgaming games as a part of the Virgin Games offering. Since the launch of our custom built platform back in 2008, we have been introducing a range of new gaming content to our sites and Virgin Games now has one of the widest ranges of casino and slot games available in the UK. The addition of Microgaming, the world leader in its field, is a big step forward for Virgin Games customers and we look forward to launching its games with a range of promotions over the coming months."
Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and more than 200 games on its site. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of games producers including WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle, Endemol, Ash Gaming and now Microgaming.
To visit Virgin Games go to: www.virgingames.com
Notes to editors
About Virgin Games:
Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com) launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:
• Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games, with a current jackpot value of over £2,500,000
• Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros – as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry
• Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.
About Microgaming:
Since the company developed the first true online Casino software over a decade ago, it has led the industry in providing innovative, reliable gaming solutions. Thanks to an unrivalled R&D programme, that averages 60 games per year and a unique 'partnership' approach to working with operators; Microgaming software powers over 160 market leading online gaming sites.
The company's front and back-end software supports multi-player, multi-language games - over 450 of them, all uniquely branded and provides platforms for land-based and wireless gaming. Microgaming powers the world's largest Progressive Jackpot Network and has paid out over €265million. In May 2009 it created the biggest ever online jackpot winner with a single payment win of €6.37m.
As a founding member of eCOGRA, Microgaming is at the forefront of an initiative focused on setting the highest standards in the gaming industry, and leads in the areas of fair gaming, responsible operator conduct and player protection. Microgaming has been awarded eCOGRA's Certified Software Seal following a rigorous onsite assessment to ensure that the development, implementation and maintenance of the software is representative of industry best practice standards Microgaming licensees are therefore eligible to apply for the eCOGRA Safe & Fair Seal
*Virgin Casino does not currently accept U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory.
Profiles
Thunderstruck
Microgaming
Virgin Games
Virgin Casino
Virgin New Games
Richard Branson
News
Virgin Casino News
Virgin Games News
Microgaming News
Casino News
Online Casino News
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Friday, June 25, 2010
Virgin Casino Launches White Orchid by WagerWorks
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 06/25/10 - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company - Virgin Games, has today launched White Orchid, adding a brand new slot game to the Casino's extensive product suit. Provided by the online casino games supplier, WagerWorks, White Orchid is a 5-reel, 40-payline slot that has a host of exciting features for Virgin Casino's customers to enjoy.
Players can use a multi-way option to bet on singular reels instead of betting on all paylines. So White Orchid gives the flexibility to wager on any combination of reels across the 5-reels, giving players 1,024 betting choices. White Orchid's MultiwayXtra increases players winning chances from 243 to 1,024.
With twenty independent reels, players can reap awe-inspiring pays for big clusters of matching symbols. Get two or more Bonus symbols and discover exotic wins in the White Falls Free Spins Bonus. Enjoy 10, 15, or 20 free spins on extra-rich bonus reels with the opportunity to retrigger the bonus multiple times.
Warren Eloff, Product Manager at Virgin Games, commented:
"WagerWorks games have always been very popular with our players and, with its unprecedented levels of slot action and superb graphics, we believe White Orchid will be no exception. The introduction of White Orchid is in line with our commitment to offer our customers more choice from quality game producers to make us one of the most content rich online casinos available."
Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and nearly 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of online casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle, Endemol and Ash Gaming.
Notes to editors:
About Virgin Games:
Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com) launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:
-- Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including
WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers
classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great
feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular
MegaJackpots progressive games, with a current jackpot value of over GBP
2,500,000
-- Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of
games and content for beginners through to experienced pros - as well as
the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry
-- Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes
worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin
prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.
*No U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory
Profiles
Virgin Games
Virgin Casino
Virgin Enterprises Limited
Richard Branson
WagerWorks
IGT
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Players can use a multi-way option to bet on singular reels instead of betting on all paylines. So White Orchid gives the flexibility to wager on any combination of reels across the 5-reels, giving players 1,024 betting choices. White Orchid's MultiwayXtra increases players winning chances from 243 to 1,024.
With twenty independent reels, players can reap awe-inspiring pays for big clusters of matching symbols. Get two or more Bonus symbols and discover exotic wins in the White Falls Free Spins Bonus. Enjoy 10, 15, or 20 free spins on extra-rich bonus reels with the opportunity to retrigger the bonus multiple times.
Warren Eloff, Product Manager at Virgin Games, commented:
"WagerWorks games have always been very popular with our players and, with its unprecedented levels of slot action and superb graphics, we believe White Orchid will be no exception. The introduction of White Orchid is in line with our commitment to offer our customers more choice from quality game producers to make us one of the most content rich online casinos available."
Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and nearly 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of online casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle, Endemol and Ash Gaming.
Notes to editors:
About Virgin Games:
Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com) launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:
-- Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including
WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers
classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great
feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular
MegaJackpots progressive games, with a current jackpot value of over GBP
2,500,000
-- Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of
games and content for beginners through to experienced pros - as well as
the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry
-- Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes
worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin
prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.
*No U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory
Profiles
Virgin Games
Virgin Casino
Virgin Enterprises Limited
Richard Branson
WagerWorks
IGT
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
PartyCasino News: No Vuvuzela Horns As Safari Soccer Comes To PartyCasino
PartyCasino News: No Vuvuzela Horns As Safari Soccer Comes To PartyCasino
Gibraltar – 17th June 2010 - With football fever sweeping the savannah, PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, has introduced a new game - Safari Soccer! Team up with Africa’s most iconic animals as they kick-off a wild and rewarding match where you can win up to $500,000 on a single line. To celebrate the new game, PartyCasino.com has also introduced two leaderboards where over $150,000 is up for grabs.
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: “Featuring raging rhinos, sleek springboks and ferocious lions across five-reels and 30-paylines, we’re sure you’ll find Safari Soccer a real winner. Over $150,000 is available through two leaderboards – one for regular players and one for Palladium Lounge VIP members. Fight for your lion’s share today!”
“We were going to introduce the sounds of the vuvuzela horn at a late stage but decided the sound would already be way too familiar to customers. You could call it a last minute technical change!”
Safari Soccer is a slot very much in the mold of the classic Melon Madness and features a free-spin bonus game triggered by the zebra referee symbol. A customer has to pick one of the referees in view to discover the number of free spins and a valuable multiplier.
The leaderboard races are underway and run until 23.59ET on the 27th June. Palladium Lounge VIPs compete for more than $95,000. First prize is $15,000 and pays 150 places. The regular race features a top prize of $5,000 and pays 500 places. To encourage top-class performances PartyCasino.com will be rewarding double points to customers who play Safari Soccer. Please note that the extra points awarded will not count towards the Safari Soccer Cup leaderboards.
For more information see: PartyCasino.com
Profiles
Safari Soccer
Palladium Lounge
PartyCasino.com
PartyGaming
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Party Casino News
Party Gaming Media
Australian Casino News
Gibraltar – 17th June 2010 - With football fever sweeping the savannah, PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, has introduced a new game - Safari Soccer! Team up with Africa’s most iconic animals as they kick-off a wild and rewarding match where you can win up to $500,000 on a single line. To celebrate the new game, PartyCasino.com has also introduced two leaderboards where over $150,000 is up for grabs.
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: “Featuring raging rhinos, sleek springboks and ferocious lions across five-reels and 30-paylines, we’re sure you’ll find Safari Soccer a real winner. Over $150,000 is available through two leaderboards – one for regular players and one for Palladium Lounge VIP members. Fight for your lion’s share today!”
“We were going to introduce the sounds of the vuvuzela horn at a late stage but decided the sound would already be way too familiar to customers. You could call it a last minute technical change!”
Safari Soccer is a slot very much in the mold of the classic Melon Madness and features a free-spin bonus game triggered by the zebra referee symbol. A customer has to pick one of the referees in view to discover the number of free spins and a valuable multiplier.
The leaderboard races are underway and run until 23.59ET on the 27th June. Palladium Lounge VIPs compete for more than $95,000. First prize is $15,000 and pays 150 places. The regular race features a top prize of $5,000 and pays 500 places. To encourage top-class performances PartyCasino.com will be rewarding double points to customers who play Safari Soccer. Please note that the extra points awarded will not count towards the Safari Soccer Cup leaderboards.
For more information see: PartyCasino.com
Profiles
Safari Soccer
Palladium Lounge
PartyCasino.com
PartyGaming
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Party Casino News
Party Gaming Media
Australian Casino News
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Australian Political Challenge: PM Kevin Rudd VS Julia Gillard, by Greg Tingle - 24th June 2010
Politics, media, new media website portals and gambling do mix.
Media Man and Gambling911 cross live...
Today Australian political history is set to be made, and the smart money is on Julia Gillard to become Australia's first female Prime Minster today, after Rudd's continued downward spiral over the past months.
Whilst both are Labor, word on the street and in political rounds is that "Rudd is on the nose and doesn't listen".
Voting occurs later this morning.
Rudd's about to declare the leadership vacant and a secret ballot outcome will be known in approximately one hour when it comes from caucus.
Some of the key issues that has hurt Rudd include but are not limited to:
poor communication to others in Parliament, being called a phony by a number of high profile Australian business tycoons, internet censorship, gambling reform, environment policy (emission trading scheme, whaling and solar power back flips)
education reforms and Australia's public hospital crisis. Rudd's 'Big Brother' like policy when it comes to internet censorship and freedom of the press are also being pointed to by numerous political and media commentators.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett, who had backed Mr Rudd's leadership yesterday, has now pledged allegiance to Ms Gillard.
Speaking to ABC TV in Morocco, where he is representing Australia at a meeting of the International Whaling Commission, Mr Garrett said Ms Gillard would be an "outstanding prime minister''.
"The government's record is a solid one," he said.
"But in these instances ... if someones going to contest the leadership of a calibre of Julia Gillard then she would have had my support."
Ms Gillard has also received vocal support this morning from Sports Minister Kate Ellis, senator Kate Lundy, backbencher Kelvin Thomson and WA MP Gary Gray.
Rudd Last Night...
"I was elected by the people of Australia as Prime Minister of Australia. I was elected to do a job. I intend to continue doing that job".
Julie Gillard Last Night...
"I will be a candidate in tomorrow's ballot"
Ms Gillard, the Deputy Prime Minister, had 76 of the 112 caucus votes with 30 minutes to go before the ballot.
Betting Odds
Ms Gillard is now $1.10 to be in charge when voters next go to the polls
Rudd’s odds have blown out from $2.70 to $4!
It's probably to late to place a bet at Betfair or Centrebet now, but punters, you can always bet on the outcome of the Labour VS Liberal election... likely to be Gillard VS Tony Abbott, which is looking on the cards as we go to press. More to come in the forum.
Bet with your head, not over it (as some say both Rudd and Gillard have done)!
Liberal leader Tony Abbott is understood to be enjoying the bloodbath.
The Late News... rumours circulating Rudd has stood down (rather than go to voting, such was the unpopularity of Rudd. Thanks Senator Conroy (Minister Of Censorship) for doing your little bit in seeing the downfall of Rudd. Cheers.
*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 and Gambling911 cross live...
Today Australian political history is set to be made, and the smart money is on Julia Gillard to become Australia's first female Prime Minster today, after Rudd's continued downward spiral over the past months.
Whilst both are Labor, word on the street and in political rounds is that "Rudd is on the nose and doesn't listen".
Voting occurs later this morning.
Rudd's about to declare the leadership vacant and a secret ballot outcome will be known in approximately one hour when it comes from caucus.
Some of the key issues that has hurt Rudd include but are not limited to:
poor communication to others in Parliament, being called a phony by a number of high profile Australian business tycoons, internet censorship, gambling reform, environment policy (emission trading scheme, whaling and solar power back flips)
education reforms and Australia's public hospital crisis. Rudd's 'Big Brother' like policy when it comes to internet censorship and freedom of the press are also being pointed to by numerous political and media commentators.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett, who had backed Mr Rudd's leadership yesterday, has now pledged allegiance to Ms Gillard.
Speaking to ABC TV in Morocco, where he is representing Australia at a meeting of the International Whaling Commission, Mr Garrett said Ms Gillard would be an "outstanding prime minister''.
"The government's record is a solid one," he said.
"But in these instances ... if someones going to contest the leadership of a calibre of Julia Gillard then she would have had my support."
Ms Gillard has also received vocal support this morning from Sports Minister Kate Ellis, senator Kate Lundy, backbencher Kelvin Thomson and WA MP Gary Gray.
Rudd Last Night...
"I was elected by the people of Australia as Prime Minister of Australia. I was elected to do a job. I intend to continue doing that job".
Julie Gillard Last Night...
"I will be a candidate in tomorrow's ballot"
Ms Gillard, the Deputy Prime Minister, had 76 of the 112 caucus votes with 30 minutes to go before the ballot.
Betting Odds
Ms Gillard is now $1.10 to be in charge when voters next go to the polls
Rudd’s odds have blown out from $2.70 to $4!
It's probably to late to place a bet at Betfair or Centrebet now, but punters, you can always bet on the outcome of the Labour VS Liberal election... likely to be Gillard VS Tony Abbott, which is looking on the cards as we go to press. More to come in the forum.
Bet with your head, not over it (as some say both Rudd and Gillard have done)!
Liberal leader Tony Abbott is understood to be enjoying the bloodbath.
The Late News... rumours circulating Rudd has stood down (rather than go to voting, such was the unpopularity of Rudd. Thanks Senator Conroy (Minister Of Censorship) for doing your little bit in seeing the downfall of Rudd. Cheers.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company
Saturday, June 19, 2010
PartyGaming News: PartyGaming’s Corporate Responsibility Credentials Receive Four Endorsements
PartyGaming News
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyGaming, the world’s leading listed online gaming company, is proud to announce that its corporate and social responsibility (CSR) credentials have been endorsed by four leading corporate, charitable and gaming industry bodies.
FTSE4Good Index:
PartyGaming has retained its membership of the FTSE4Good Index series which measures the performance of companies against globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. Membership is based on transparent criteria including environmental sustainability, upholding and supporting universal human rights, ensuring good supply chain labour standards and countering bribery. All of these criteria are independently assessed by the Experts in Responsible Investment Solutions.
GREaT Foundation:
PartyGaming has won a ‘Gold Award’ from the Gambling Research, Education and Treatment Foundation in recognition of its financial and professional contributions towards tackling problem gambling. Formerly known as the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, the GREaT Foundation was established as a charity in 2002 and is Britain’s largest funding body responsible for tackling problem gambling through financing research, education and treatment from voluntary donations.
Geoffrey Godbold, Director of GREaT, said:
“We are extremely grateful to PartyGaming as one of the industry’s leading companies that has made an extra effort in supporting our fundraising campaign.”
eCOGRA:
PartyPartners, which is PartyGaming’s affiliate marketing programme, has been awarded the eCOGRA Affiliate Trust Seal. The award certifies that PartyPartners observes best practice for fairness and efficiency in dealing with affiliate marketers. eGOGRA is the independent standards authority for the online gaming industry, overseeing fair gaming, player protection and responsible operator conduct.
Commenting on the award, eCOGRA chief executive Andrew Beveridge said:
“We were impressed by the competency of both PartyPartners’ staff and their systems, which we thoroughly tested at full capacity to determine efficiency and consistency levels. In our opinion it is among the most professionally managed businesses we have encountered in hundreds of eCOGRA reviews and audits at major Internet companies.”
GamCare:
For the sixth year in succession, PartyGaming has been certificated as a responsible operator by GamCare, a registered charity which is a leading authority on the provision of counselling, advice and practical help in addressing the social impact of gambling in the UK.
Andy McLellan, Chief Executive of GamCare, said:
“I am delighted to be able to renew PartyGaming’s GamCare Certification in public recognition of their longstanding commitment to player protection. Players who choose PartyGaming have the assurance from GamCare Certification that there are appropriate measures in place to help them gamble responsibly and that the right advice is there for anyone who wants to know more about staying in control.”
Martin Weigold, Group Finance Director who has executive responsibility for PartyGaming’s CSR matters, said:
“These corporate responsibility endorsements are welcome recognition of our commitment to act responsibly, which remains one of the four pillars of our business strategy. Being recognised in this way is a source of genuine pride for all of PartyGaming’s 1,300 employees whose commitment to undertaking pro bono community projects in 2009 was also recognised as ‘placing the Company well ahead of its peers’ by the GoodCorporation that undertakes CSR reviews for a number of public companies around the world.”
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBets.com
News
PartyCasino.com News
PartyPoker.com News
PartyGaming News
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Party Casino News
Party Gaming Media
Websites
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyGaming, the world’s leading listed online gaming company, is proud to announce that its corporate and social responsibility (CSR) credentials have been endorsed by four leading corporate, charitable and gaming industry bodies.
FTSE4Good Index:
PartyGaming has retained its membership of the FTSE4Good Index series which measures the performance of companies against globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. Membership is based on transparent criteria including environmental sustainability, upholding and supporting universal human rights, ensuring good supply chain labour standards and countering bribery. All of these criteria are independently assessed by the Experts in Responsible Investment Solutions.
GREaT Foundation:
PartyGaming has won a ‘Gold Award’ from the Gambling Research, Education and Treatment Foundation in recognition of its financial and professional contributions towards tackling problem gambling. Formerly known as the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, the GREaT Foundation was established as a charity in 2002 and is Britain’s largest funding body responsible for tackling problem gambling through financing research, education and treatment from voluntary donations.
Geoffrey Godbold, Director of GREaT, said:
“We are extremely grateful to PartyGaming as one of the industry’s leading companies that has made an extra effort in supporting our fundraising campaign.”
eCOGRA:
PartyPartners, which is PartyGaming’s affiliate marketing programme, has been awarded the eCOGRA Affiliate Trust Seal. The award certifies that PartyPartners observes best practice for fairness and efficiency in dealing with affiliate marketers. eGOGRA is the independent standards authority for the online gaming industry, overseeing fair gaming, player protection and responsible operator conduct.
Commenting on the award, eCOGRA chief executive Andrew Beveridge said:
“We were impressed by the competency of both PartyPartners’ staff and their systems, which we thoroughly tested at full capacity to determine efficiency and consistency levels. In our opinion it is among the most professionally managed businesses we have encountered in hundreds of eCOGRA reviews and audits at major Internet companies.”
GamCare:
For the sixth year in succession, PartyGaming has been certificated as a responsible operator by GamCare, a registered charity which is a leading authority on the provision of counselling, advice and practical help in addressing the social impact of gambling in the UK.
Andy McLellan, Chief Executive of GamCare, said:
“I am delighted to be able to renew PartyGaming’s GamCare Certification in public recognition of their longstanding commitment to player protection. Players who choose PartyGaming have the assurance from GamCare Certification that there are appropriate measures in place to help them gamble responsibly and that the right advice is there for anyone who wants to know more about staying in control.”
Martin Weigold, Group Finance Director who has executive responsibility for PartyGaming’s CSR matters, said:
“These corporate responsibility endorsements are welcome recognition of our commitment to act responsibly, which remains one of the four pillars of our business strategy. Being recognised in this way is a source of genuine pride for all of PartyGaming’s 1,300 employees whose commitment to undertaking pro bono community projects in 2009 was also recognised as ‘placing the Company well ahead of its peers’ by the GoodCorporation that undertakes CSR reviews for a number of public companies around the world.”
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyPoker.com
PartyBets.com
News
PartyCasino.com News
PartyPoker.com News
PartyGaming News
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Party Casino News
Party Gaming Media
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Virgin gets around town - 12th June 2010
Founder leads fast-paced life. Promotes race team, unveils new phone
Websites
VirginGames.com VirginCasino.com
Sir Richard Branson wouldn't let a little jet lag keep him from staying on message.
The founder and chairman of Virgin Group was in town to promote his racing team, which will take part in this weekend's Grand Prix, and a new mobile phone being offered through Virgin Mobile.
However, Branson, who arrived in town yesterday afternoon and was escorted immediately to a media event, refused to say much about a rumoured return to video games for the company. He'll be making an announcement at the E3 video game conference on Tuesday.
"All I can say is that many years ago, we had a really good games company," Branson said during a sit-down interview at the Primadonna Restaurant on St. Laurent Blvd., at the corner of Sherbrooke St. "We actually sold it and we no longer have a games company, and we'll have to watch this space."
Virgin Games and later Virgin Interactive, founded in 1981, was a highly successful venture. It produced games such as Westwood's Dune II and Command & Conquer, Revolution's Broken Sword and its sequel, Trilobyte's The 7th Guest.
Branson confirmed there would be some announcement about video games, and while many have speculated he would start a gaming company, he said "it's not necessarily what you are thinking."
The British trade magazine MCV reported last month Virgin would get back into gaming, offering an online-only distribution service for video game publishers.
Branson, who downed two coffees in the 18-minute span of the interview, said he travelled to Montreal to see the Virgin-sponsored team race, and to unveil Virgin's new phone -the HTC Legend, Virgin Canada's first foray into smartphones. The Virgin Mobile Canada brand is owned entirely by Bell Canada Enterprises.
Branson lamented about the state of the music business. He said the industry has changed a lot since he started the Virgin group in 1970 as a mail-order record retailer, but this might be its most challenging time.
As a result, he said, Virgin is getting away from distribution and is closing shops that are struggling.
"The music industry is pretty much f---ked at the moment," he said. "We are going much more toward live music, putting on free live concerts all over the world. Live is where it's at. You can make some money selling music, but it's more and more difficult."
He added book publishing will be in the same boat in about 10 years time as the iPad, Kindle and other electronic readers will bring about the death of bookstores.
"The writing is on the wall," Branson said, ignoring an obvious pun.
Branson, who is known for his publicity stunts, raced in go-karts against Indycar racer Alex Tagliani on the block between Sherbrooke St. and Prince Arthur Ave. He came in last, just behind Tagliani, but joked he would have performed better if he hadn't just got off the plane.
As for his plans in Montreal, Branson was scheduled to see the Cirque du Soleil show last night, which he called "Montreal's most famous brand" and then take in the races this weekend before heading to Los Angeles.
(Credit: The Gazette)
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Websites
VirginGames.com VirginCasino.com
Sir Richard Branson wouldn't let a little jet lag keep him from staying on message.
The founder and chairman of Virgin Group was in town to promote his racing team, which will take part in this weekend's Grand Prix, and a new mobile phone being offered through Virgin Mobile.
However, Branson, who arrived in town yesterday afternoon and was escorted immediately to a media event, refused to say much about a rumoured return to video games for the company. He'll be making an announcement at the E3 video game conference on Tuesday.
"All I can say is that many years ago, we had a really good games company," Branson said during a sit-down interview at the Primadonna Restaurant on St. Laurent Blvd., at the corner of Sherbrooke St. "We actually sold it and we no longer have a games company, and we'll have to watch this space."
Virgin Games and later Virgin Interactive, founded in 1981, was a highly successful venture. It produced games such as Westwood's Dune II and Command & Conquer, Revolution's Broken Sword and its sequel, Trilobyte's The 7th Guest.
Branson confirmed there would be some announcement about video games, and while many have speculated he would start a gaming company, he said "it's not necessarily what you are thinking."
The British trade magazine MCV reported last month Virgin would get back into gaming, offering an online-only distribution service for video game publishers.
Branson, who downed two coffees in the 18-minute span of the interview, said he travelled to Montreal to see the Virgin-sponsored team race, and to unveil Virgin's new phone -the HTC Legend, Virgin Canada's first foray into smartphones. The Virgin Mobile Canada brand is owned entirely by Bell Canada Enterprises.
Branson lamented about the state of the music business. He said the industry has changed a lot since he started the Virgin group in 1970 as a mail-order record retailer, but this might be its most challenging time.
As a result, he said, Virgin is getting away from distribution and is closing shops that are struggling.
"The music industry is pretty much f---ked at the moment," he said. "We are going much more toward live music, putting on free live concerts all over the world. Live is where it's at. You can make some money selling music, but it's more and more difficult."
He added book publishing will be in the same boat in about 10 years time as the iPad, Kindle and other electronic readers will bring about the death of bookstores.
"The writing is on the wall," Branson said, ignoring an obvious pun.
Branson, who is known for his publicity stunts, raced in go-karts against Indycar racer Alex Tagliani on the block between Sherbrooke St. and Prince Arthur Ave. He came in last, just behind Tagliani, but joked he would have performed better if he hadn't just got off the plane.
As for his plans in Montreal, Branson was scheduled to see the Cirque du Soleil show last night, which he called "Montreal's most famous brand" and then take in the races this weekend before heading to Los Angeles.
(Credit: The Gazette)
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Brand
Media Man Network
Friday, June 11, 2010
PartyCasino News: Magic May Was Record Jackpot Month On PartyCasino - Biggest Payout Month In History Of World's Largest Online Casino
PartyCasino.com News: Magic May Was Record Jackpot Month On PartyCasino - Biggest Payout Month In History Of World's Largest Online Casino
Gibraltar – 9th June 2010 - PartyCasino.com the world’s largest online casino, can confirm that May was a record jackpot month. During May, PartyCasino.com has paid out more money in jackpots than any other month in its history! The payout bonanza for May up until the end of the 1st June saw a total of $6,429,000 in jackpots over $10k paid out! Not included in these jackpot figures was the fact that the player at the top of the Grand Win Auto leaderboard became entitled to pick up a brand new Maserati Grand Turismo when ‘Arkry222’ scooped the $1.88 million Gold Mega Jackpot on the 7th May – making it an even bigger month for monster payouts!
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "We have never seen a month like it! May was the biggest jackpot winning month in our history – highlights include two massive wins in 24 hours for two players from Belgium. The fateful day was Saturday 29th May when a Palladium Lounge VIP took down The Big One for US$3,057,043, while his fellow countryman ‘Silverdxp’ took out over $123,000 in jackpots. To add to this, ‘Arkry222’ scooped US$1.88million jackpot on the Gold Mega Jackpot on the 7th May, sparking the Maserati Gran Turismo payout. If that wasn’t enough, another casino player weighed in and won over $685,000 on June 1st!"
"The amount paid out in jackpots in May smashed the previous record set in December 2009. There’s a lot more to come though as already the total jackpot amount on the site exceeds $2,300,000, including ‘The Big One,’ the largest progressive seeded jackpot in the online gaming industry."
One player who was super happy with taking a piece of this record month of jackpots was ‘Silverdxp’ who took out over $123,000 in jackpots on the same day his fellow Belgian won over $3,000,000. "The win is a life changer for me, I am very much an occasional player,” he said. "The world economic crisis has hit my own business hard and this money is going to be vital in helping it continue to operate. It is hard to believe that on the same day a fellow Belgian won over $3,000,000 as well. I suppose I should have played much more that day and that huge jackpot would have been mine!"
For the latest jackpots see PartyCasino.com
PartyCasino.com speculates on what $6,429,000 might get you?
Just under 5% of the total value of the insurance of Portuguese World Cup star Cristiano Ronaldo legs!
8 meetings with Prince Andrew (according to Sarah Ferguson)
WSOP For Life - Main Event buy-in for 642 years
A unique and rare 5.16-carat blue diamond sold at auction in Hong Kong in April 2010
The rise in the salary cap for National Hockey League teams in 2008
The total prizepool of the Women’s Football World Cup in 2007
The April 2010 paycheck of global singing sensation Susan Boyle
The basic salary of David Beckham at Real Madrid in 2005
For the latest news and promotions including an introductory 100% bonus on you’re your first four deposits up to $500 see: www.PartyCasino.com
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyGaming
News
PartyCasino.com News
PartyGaming News
Website Network
Party Casino News
Party Gaming Media
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Gibraltar – 9th June 2010 - PartyCasino.com the world’s largest online casino, can confirm that May was a record jackpot month. During May, PartyCasino.com has paid out more money in jackpots than any other month in its history! The payout bonanza for May up until the end of the 1st June saw a total of $6,429,000 in jackpots over $10k paid out! Not included in these jackpot figures was the fact that the player at the top of the Grand Win Auto leaderboard became entitled to pick up a brand new Maserati Grand Turismo when ‘Arkry222’ scooped the $1.88 million Gold Mega Jackpot on the 7th May – making it an even bigger month for monster payouts!
A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "We have never seen a month like it! May was the biggest jackpot winning month in our history – highlights include two massive wins in 24 hours for two players from Belgium. The fateful day was Saturday 29th May when a Palladium Lounge VIP took down The Big One for US$3,057,043, while his fellow countryman ‘Silverdxp’ took out over $123,000 in jackpots. To add to this, ‘Arkry222’ scooped US$1.88million jackpot on the Gold Mega Jackpot on the 7th May, sparking the Maserati Gran Turismo payout. If that wasn’t enough, another casino player weighed in and won over $685,000 on June 1st!"
"The amount paid out in jackpots in May smashed the previous record set in December 2009. There’s a lot more to come though as already the total jackpot amount on the site exceeds $2,300,000, including ‘The Big One,’ the largest progressive seeded jackpot in the online gaming industry."
One player who was super happy with taking a piece of this record month of jackpots was ‘Silverdxp’ who took out over $123,000 in jackpots on the same day his fellow Belgian won over $3,000,000. "The win is a life changer for me, I am very much an occasional player,” he said. "The world economic crisis has hit my own business hard and this money is going to be vital in helping it continue to operate. It is hard to believe that on the same day a fellow Belgian won over $3,000,000 as well. I suppose I should have played much more that day and that huge jackpot would have been mine!"
For the latest jackpots see PartyCasino.com
PartyCasino.com speculates on what $6,429,000 might get you?
Just under 5% of the total value of the insurance of Portuguese World Cup star Cristiano Ronaldo legs!
8 meetings with Prince Andrew (according to Sarah Ferguson)
WSOP For Life - Main Event buy-in for 642 years
A unique and rare 5.16-carat blue diamond sold at auction in Hong Kong in April 2010
The rise in the salary cap for National Hockey League teams in 2008
The total prizepool of the Women’s Football World Cup in 2007
The April 2010 paycheck of global singing sensation Susan Boyle
The basic salary of David Beckham at Real Madrid in 2005
For the latest news and promotions including an introductory 100% bonus on you’re your first four deposits up to $500 see: www.PartyCasino.com
Profiles
PartyCasino.com
PartyGaming
News
PartyCasino.com News
PartyGaming News
Website Network
Party Casino News
Party Gaming Media
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Asia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Media Man Casino
Media Man Poker
Casino News Media
Casino Travel Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Friday, June 4, 2010
Virgin Gambling On Gaming With Sony And AWOMO, by Greg Tingle - 4th June 2010
Gamers, gamblers, punters... Virgin or not...the world at large... the cat's out of the bag. Sir Richard Branson, communications, media and aviation "king of the kids", will be personally launching the global hard launch of his highly anticipated Virgin Gaming at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles cum 15th June. At least its 99% on the cards, unless there's last minute changes, but in the world of Branson's Virgin anything is possible. Media Man and Gambling911 toggle the gaming consul with this special report...
Those switched on folks at Virgin, Virgin Gaming to be precise, having been teasing us for months, every week releasing a new clue or two to the highly anticipated release of Virgin Gaming. The Media Man machine has been adding to the clues with inside tips offs on Twitter and its own Media Man website.
A Bit Of History Re Virgin in gaming
Circa 1981 Virgin Interactive launched
In May 2002, the Spanish arm of Virgin Interactive, known as Virgin Interactive España, was purchased. The offspring was then separated from the main Virgin Interactive company, already part of Titus Software, and retained its own identity as a Virgin brand. Renamed Virgin Play in October 2002, this Spanish publisher has remained as the sole representation of the Virgin Group in the video game industry, until now!
Circa 2004 Virgin Games in born, hatching Virgin Casino, Virgin Poker and Virgin Bingo. Virgin also launch an impressive affiliate program.
This week
The VirginGaming.com domain name and website go live, albeit in a partial, soft fashion. Check out www.VirginGaming.com/modnation Virgin staffers, management and / or those with too much time on their hands may like to attempt to qualify for ModNation Racers. The website also sports logos from the likes of PS3, Playstation, EB Games and Game Stop. The site graphics also display a Sony branded gaming controller.
World has leaked to us that the developments also include tie ins to AWOMO (A World Of My Own), which sports games such as Warhammer: Mark Of Chaos, Tomb Raider and and Rome, and wait for it.... an acquisition of WorldGaming aka www.WorldGaming.com , which looks to be a good match for Virgin Gaming.
The WorldGaming.com website blurb includes the following:
WorldGaming.com is a safe, secure global platform that gives console gamers the chance to win real money playing video games. Combining a passion for technology with an obsession with fairness, WorldGaming.com is built on a promise to give users the best possible gaming experience on the web.
The WorldGaming.com platform combines a number of unique tools that automatically verify results, ensure secure payouts, and accurately reflect the skill levels of potential opponents. Registered members also gain access to a number of rich community features including member pages, clan support, stats tracking, an invitations to some of the biggest gaming tournaments in the world. For every gaming that has dreamed of holding a controllers high about their head and proclaiming they are the greatest freaking player alive, WorldGaming.com is the ultimate destination to play for real money against gamers from all across the globe.
*Gambling911 readers, please note that a Virgin Gaming - WorldGaming deal is not 100% for certain, however various leaks have tipped us to think its quite likely.
Media Man Inside Tips Of Potential Games (you won't read anywhere else)
James Bond 007 (Sony Pictures connection)
Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future (Virgin Comics and Virgin Play connection)
Marvel VS Capcom (don't ask, Excelsior!)
Doom II
Resident Evil: Gaiden
Inside The Playboy Mansion (no comment, tipster remaining anonymous)
Kids of all ages... "Gamers More Dangerous Than Bikies" as a former South Australian Attorney General said. You be the judge, and keep an eye on the potential censorship complexities re Virgin Gaming and a number of other online gaming sites. Some 'Thought Police' have even suggested a few hours of gaming is more addictive than cocaine, and gives a similar "buzz" and rush of excitement. Read up the UK rags for more on that.
Please enjoy your gaming and gambling, but don't forget to look after your general wellbeing. Tactics such as skipping meals and sleep to enhance gaming time is not recommended.
Virgin Games - Virgin Casino is not currently available for American or Australian players (which is part of the reason for the upcoming global launch of Virgin Gaming).
The late news...
Virgin Casino has just released the City Of Gold online slot game. Playing at Virgin Casino sees the player being able to accumulate exclusive V*Points which are able to be exchanged for a wide variety of Virgin goods and services.
Virgin Casino and Virgin Gaming competitors such as PartyGaming and its PartyCasino, as well as Playtech and Sega, have yet to publicly comment on the pending launch of Virgin Gaming.
Insiders remain divided as to whether Google and its Google Pac-Man will be a potential partner, competitor, or remain in the "grey area". Interestingly Google's Pac-Man had an "insert coin" animated slot, which may be a sign of things to come.
Sony will be heavily involved with Virgin Games, which is extremely exciting given the Sony also have Sony Pictures in their portfolio, and gamers (and gamblers) are known to be passionate about branded games, be it Marvel Superheroes, the DC Comics universe, Avatar, Tomb Raider, Cleopatra, James Bond 007 or other.
Do keep checking the official websites of Gambling911, Media Man and Virgin Gaming for more on the exciting developments at Virgin and Virgin Gaming.
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The gaming sector is just one of a bakers of dozen of industries they cover.
*Media Man has conducted b2b with a number of business arms of Virgin Enterprises Limited, including Virgin Games.
Website Network
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Media Man International
Media Man Games
Global Gaming Directory
Those switched on folks at Virgin, Virgin Gaming to be precise, having been teasing us for months, every week releasing a new clue or two to the highly anticipated release of Virgin Gaming. The Media Man machine has been adding to the clues with inside tips offs on Twitter and its own Media Man website.
A Bit Of History Re Virgin in gaming
Circa 1981 Virgin Interactive launched
In May 2002, the Spanish arm of Virgin Interactive, known as Virgin Interactive España, was purchased. The offspring was then separated from the main Virgin Interactive company, already part of Titus Software, and retained its own identity as a Virgin brand. Renamed Virgin Play in October 2002, this Spanish publisher has remained as the sole representation of the Virgin Group in the video game industry, until now!
Circa 2004 Virgin Games in born, hatching Virgin Casino, Virgin Poker and Virgin Bingo. Virgin also launch an impressive affiliate program.
This week
The VirginGaming.com domain name and website go live, albeit in a partial, soft fashion. Check out www.VirginGaming.com/modnation Virgin staffers, management and / or those with too much time on their hands may like to attempt to qualify for ModNation Racers. The website also sports logos from the likes of PS3, Playstation, EB Games and Game Stop. The site graphics also display a Sony branded gaming controller.
World has leaked to us that the developments also include tie ins to AWOMO (A World Of My Own), which sports games such as Warhammer: Mark Of Chaos, Tomb Raider and and Rome, and wait for it.... an acquisition of WorldGaming aka www.WorldGaming.com , which looks to be a good match for Virgin Gaming.
The WorldGaming.com website blurb includes the following:
WorldGaming.com is a safe, secure global platform that gives console gamers the chance to win real money playing video games. Combining a passion for technology with an obsession with fairness, WorldGaming.com is built on a promise to give users the best possible gaming experience on the web.
The WorldGaming.com platform combines a number of unique tools that automatically verify results, ensure secure payouts, and accurately reflect the skill levels of potential opponents. Registered members also gain access to a number of rich community features including member pages, clan support, stats tracking, an invitations to some of the biggest gaming tournaments in the world. For every gaming that has dreamed of holding a controllers high about their head and proclaiming they are the greatest freaking player alive, WorldGaming.com is the ultimate destination to play for real money against gamers from all across the globe.
*Gambling911 readers, please note that a Virgin Gaming - WorldGaming deal is not 100% for certain, however various leaks have tipped us to think its quite likely.
Media Man Inside Tips Of Potential Games (you won't read anywhere else)
James Bond 007 (Sony Pictures connection)
Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future (Virgin Comics and Virgin Play connection)
Marvel VS Capcom (don't ask, Excelsior!)
Doom II
Resident Evil: Gaiden
Inside The Playboy Mansion (no comment, tipster remaining anonymous)
Kids of all ages... "Gamers More Dangerous Than Bikies" as a former South Australian Attorney General said. You be the judge, and keep an eye on the potential censorship complexities re Virgin Gaming and a number of other online gaming sites. Some 'Thought Police' have even suggested a few hours of gaming is more addictive than cocaine, and gives a similar "buzz" and rush of excitement. Read up the UK rags for more on that.
Please enjoy your gaming and gambling, but don't forget to look after your general wellbeing. Tactics such as skipping meals and sleep to enhance gaming time is not recommended.
Virgin Games - Virgin Casino is not currently available for American or Australian players (which is part of the reason for the upcoming global launch of Virgin Gaming).
The late news...
Virgin Casino has just released the City Of Gold online slot game. Playing at Virgin Casino sees the player being able to accumulate exclusive V*Points which are able to be exchanged for a wide variety of Virgin goods and services.
Virgin Casino and Virgin Gaming competitors such as PartyGaming and its PartyCasino, as well as Playtech and Sega, have yet to publicly comment on the pending launch of Virgin Gaming.
Insiders remain divided as to whether Google and its Google Pac-Man will be a potential partner, competitor, or remain in the "grey area". Interestingly Google's Pac-Man had an "insert coin" animated slot, which may be a sign of things to come.
Sony will be heavily involved with Virgin Games, which is extremely exciting given the Sony also have Sony Pictures in their portfolio, and gamers (and gamblers) are known to be passionate about branded games, be it Marvel Superheroes, the DC Comics universe, Avatar, Tomb Raider, Cleopatra, James Bond 007 or other.
Do keep checking the official websites of Gambling911, Media Man and Virgin Gaming for more on the exciting developments at Virgin and Virgin Gaming.
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. The gaming sector is just one of a bakers of dozen of industries they cover.
*Media Man has conducted b2b with a number of business arms of Virgin Enterprises Limited, including Virgin Games.
Website Network
Casino News Media
Casino News Media.net
Media Man International
Media Man Games
Global Gaming Directory
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Media Man Awards - May 2010
The Salvation Army Wins Media Man Charity Of The Month Award - May 2010; Please give generously when they knock
Social and Community Entrepreneur: Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, James Packer runner up
Corporate Responsibility: Virgin Enterprises Limited (including Virgin Unite)
Cafe Of The Month: Sparrow Cafe, Bondi Beach
Burlesque Promoter: Jac Bowie Promotions
Positive Attitude: Max Markson, director, Markson Sparks!
Affiliate Program: PartyPartners
Online Casino: PartyCasino.com
Casino: Crown Casino, Melbourne Australia; Runner up: Star City
Online Poker Room: PartyPoker.com, 2nd World Poker Tour, 3rd PKR Poker
Sports Betting Website: Betfair; Runner Up: Centrebet
Entertainment Website: TMZ
Campaigner: Poker Players Alliance
Promoter: Eric Bischoff
Innovator: Ric Drasin
Game: Sinatra Slot, Runner Up; Monopoly Multiplier, 3rd Cleopatra
Sports Programme (Australia): State Of Origin (Network Nine Australia)
Athlete: Brock Lesnar
Pro Wrestler MVP: Chris Jerico, 2nd Hulk Hogan, 3rd Ric Flair
Actor (Australian): Firass Dirani
Movie: Iron-Man 2
News Website: Google News
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Social and Community Entrepreneur: Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, James Packer runner up
Corporate Responsibility: Virgin Enterprises Limited (including Virgin Unite)
Cafe Of The Month: Sparrow Cafe, Bondi Beach
Burlesque Promoter: Jac Bowie Promotions
Positive Attitude: Max Markson, director, Markson Sparks!
Affiliate Program: PartyPartners
Online Casino: PartyCasino.com
Casino: Crown Casino, Melbourne Australia; Runner up: Star City
Online Poker Room: PartyPoker.com, 2nd World Poker Tour, 3rd PKR Poker
Sports Betting Website: Betfair; Runner Up: Centrebet
Entertainment Website: TMZ
Campaigner: Poker Players Alliance
Promoter: Eric Bischoff
Innovator: Ric Drasin
Game: Sinatra Slot, Runner Up; Monopoly Multiplier, 3rd Cleopatra
Sports Programme (Australia): State Of Origin (Network Nine Australia)
Athlete: Brock Lesnar
Pro Wrestler MVP: Chris Jerico, 2nd Hulk Hogan, 3rd Ric Flair
Actor (Australian): Firass Dirani
Movie: Iron-Man 2
News Website: Google News
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man Australia
Media Man Canada
Media Man Games
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)