Online
gaming companies in for huge 2011, by Greg Tingle
- 23rd November 2010
Could
online gaming firms be in the mix of the top stockmarket
investments to make in 2011?
The
listing of Betfair (BET) at the conclusion of October
on a fancy multiple and the $3.3 billion megamerger
between PartyGaming and Bwin (PRTY), due to complete
in the first quarter of 2011, appears to have added
spark to the industry of late.
Then
there is the prospect, albeit slight, of the liberalisation
of the US igaming market which has put the industry
firmly on investors' watch list, including ours, for
next year.
It
is understandable, as even a snapshot look at the
stockmarket gains of the world’s biggest online
gaming companies between circa 2004-2006 reveals just
how quickly fortunes were made and lost.
The
iGaming Global Top 30 Index, an index of the stockmarket
performance of the biggest 30 online gaming companies,
surged 40% between July 2004 and August 2005. This
was followed by 12 months of extreme volatility before
sinking thanks to a controversial piece of legislation
in the US.
Since
2006, online gaming’s real story has been dominated
by America’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement
Act (UIGEA).
The
multibillion-pound global industry virtually collapsed
in a heap after its biggest market - the US - was
closed down overnight when Congress introduced a surprise
clause to legislation in September 2006, in effect
making internet betting illegal. Not only was that
a blow for investors - it was a hugely expensive one.
British-based
companies were among the biggest casualties.
As
soon as the London Stock Exchange opened the following
Monday morning, shares in PartyGaming - then a FTSE
100 member - dived by 58%, while rivals 888 Holdings
(888) and Sportingbet saw their shares slide by 26%
and 64% respectively, wiping an estimated £4
billion off the sector's value.
The
companies were forced to focus on opportunities in
other parts of the world, but the businesses have
never fully recovered from the impact of losing their
most lucrative market. Last year, online gambling
was worth an estimated $5.4 billion (£3.5 billion)
overall, a figure that could rise to $12-$16 billion
if the market was opened up, analysts say.
Despite
the recent loss of a sympathetic Democrat majority
in Congress last month, there is renewed hope of floated
gambling companies being dealt a good hand on both
sides of the Pond.
The
new Republican chairman of the House financial services
committee is likely to be an old-style Alabaman named
Spencer Bachus.
Yet
he is likely to listen to the prospects of a reinvigorated
gambling sector for the ailing US economy. The Federal
government’s non-partisan accountants, the Joint
Committee on Taxation, have estimated online gambling
could generate between $10 billion and $42 billion
in new revenue by 2019, depending on the number of
states that opt into a federal regulatory programme.
Yet
he is likely to listen to the prospects of a reinvigorated
gambling sector for the ailing US economy.
The
Federal government’s non-partisan accountants,
the Joint Committee on Taxation, have estimated online
gambling could generate between $10 billion and $42
billion in new revenue by 2019, depending on the number
of states that opt into a Federal regulatory programme.
And
you can see why if you glance at the forecast numbers.
With
the US nationwide unemployment rate at 10%, 48 of
50 states facing budget shortfalls and a Federal deficit
approaching $1.3 trillion, the economic backdrop against
which to promote regulation and taxation of internet
gambling has arguably never been more favourable.
Yet
those companies poised to get a real boost should
America legalise online gambling, such as the impressive
PartyGaming/Bwin combine, are getting excited about
the future.
"We
are seeing things from a legislative perspective that
are quite exciting for us," says Jim Ryan, chief
executive of PartyGaming, whose comments undoubtedly
reflect the mood of a growing contingent of gambling
operators on both sides of the Atlantic.
There
has been speculation that PartyGaming and Bwin have
decided to merge at this time precisely because they
will be better placed than any other operator to seize
a huge market share should the US decide to legalise
online gambling. You only have to look at the market
share that Party was able to capture by becoming one
of the first operators into the online poker market
back in 2001.
Analysts
agree the enlarged company is in a strong position
to exploit the opening up of the US market.
In
a note to investors recently, the Morgan Stanley leisure
analyst Vaughan Lewis said: "The overall political
tide is moving firmly in favour of regulation, rather
than prohibition.
"With
its expertise... market-leading technology, strong
marketing capability and good brands, we think the
combined entity of PartyGaming and Bwin would be extremely
well positioned to benefit from any market opening
in the US. We include nothing in our forecasts for
the US, so any new market here is pure upside."
And
in a recent Barclays Capital research note, the investment
bank said: "In the event of Federal regulation,
we believe PartyGaming would be the likely key beneficiary.
"Under
this hypothetical scenario, we estimate the potential
[underlying profits] uplift could be 94% for PartyGaming
and 58% for Bwin and 888. On a state-by-state hypothetical
scenario, we estimate the uplift for the group would
be considerably lower, but still meaningful."
Meanwhile,
at the end of October analysts at Numis published
a note saying there is 50% upside potential at Party
when the merger with Bwin completes in March 2011.
With the shares trading at around 230p at the beginning
of November Numis have put a price target of 400p
on the stock.
The
PartyGaming/Bwin merger has got the other big companies
in the sector scurrying around to do similar deals.
They don't want to be left behind in what will become
a gold rush should the US legalise online gaming.
888
and Sportingbet are also possible future takeover
targets as the industry consolidates, but only once
their legal liabilities in the US market are cleared.
Serious negotiations in the PartyGaming/Bwin merger
were only concluded once Party had secured a $105
million settlement with US authorities.
Analysts
say a resolution would clear the way for 888 and Sportingbet
to re-enter the lucrative US market should moves to
overturn the 2006 legislation succeed.
Sportingbet
has already acted telling shareholders at its latest
results meeting that it had made a £22.8 million
settlement with the US Department of Justice over
an investigation into illegal internet gambling. The
agreement means the firm will avoid being prosecuted
in the US for accepting online bets made by Americans
between 1998 and 2006.
Sportingbet
would hold the most appeal to potential bidders, analysts
reckon, pointing to its very strong market positioning
in Australia and commenting that Ladbrokes (LAD) and
William Hill (WMH) could be interested in a takeover.
Liberum
Capital analyst Richard Taylor recently highlighted
the strength of Sportingbet’s sports betting
business, which he said had one of the best gross
margins in the sector at around 10%. In addition,
he said Sportingbet’s management was open to
a bid, having previously stated up to 55% of their
cost base could be removed.
Another
former giant of the sector, now somewhat depleted
thanks to the UIGEA, is 888.
Analysts
say 888's attraction would be the potential for cost
savings in a tie-up with a rival online gaming operator,
and that Party/Bwin might be a possible buyer. What
would make it attractive is that both Party and Bwin
use 888 as a supplier.
However,
the Shaked family who founded the company, and who
control over 50% of the shares, would be looking for
a price significantly above the 40p at which the company
currently trades.
There
have been whispers among London traders in the last
few weeks that a £262 million, or 76p a share,
cash bid from a much bigger industry player, possibly
US entertainment giant Harrah's, which already has
close business links with 888 could be on the cards.
Certainly
888 chief executive Gigi Levy has said recently that
he looks at consolidation as one of the possible routes
to realising shareholder value.
Another
giant of the industry looking to become bigger still
is the mighty Betfair. Having listed on the LSE at
the end of October at 1,300p, the shares soon touched
1,600p-plus, as tracker funds piled in confident it
will canter into the FTSE 250 index at the December
review with a market value above £1.6 billion.
If
things are hotting up at the Federal level for the
online gaming industry there are also some exciting
developments at state level.
So
far in 2010, four states have considered whether or
not to legalise some combination of online poker,
casino gaming and sports betting: Iowa, Florida, California
and New Jersey.
The
state making most headway is New Jersey, where internet
gambling has been under consideration by lawmakers
since 2001. It is finally receiving serious consideration
in the state Senate where two bills, which would legalise
internet sports betting and casino gaming respectively,
have already passed the committee stage this year.
From
California to New Jersey to Florida, more state and
federal congressmen are taking the reality of a legal
online gambling regime a lot more seriously.
Whoever
wins the race, state or federal, one thing is clear:
more and more stakeholders in the US are finally coming
around to understand the risks and implication of
a ‘do nothing’ strategy. This is an opportunity
cost and gambling companies are getting their bets
on regardless.
But
ongoing political deadlock clearly poses a real threat
to regulatory efforts at all levels of American government.
But even as gambling industry stakeholders duke it
out in the halls of legislatures around the country,
as well as on Capitol Hill in Washington, the very
fact that the conflict between them is intensifying
signals that interest and investment in pushing for
online gaming regulation is rising.
With
billions of dollars out there to harvest and market
share to win, the entire online gaming sector looks
ripe for an upturn in coming months. Investing in
online gaming companies has always been a white knuckle
ride - and there looks to be every sign this particular
circus is once again rolling back into town.
News
Australia
Day Special, by Greg Tingle - 26th January 2011
G'day
and Happy Australia Day everyone. Ok, we know some
of you punters, journos, high rollers - casino whales,
entertainment news junkies, politicians, insiders,
outsiders and legal eagles are from across the globe
are not Australia, nor have ever been down under,
but you get the idea. Did you know that some indigenous
Australia's call Australia Day 'Invasion Day'! That's
because most history books show that Captain James
Cook and his crew invaded Australia on this day in
1988. They are known by a new names including the
First Fleet, while some aborigines will always think
of them and murderous mongrels, who stole their land
and pride. It's easy for many of us to get the point
of the blackfellas (affectionate). Media
Man and Gambling911
with a bush tucker bag full of Australian gambling,
casino, poker, media and sports news. Fair winds...
Queensland
Banana Bender State: Pub Pokies And Online Pokies
Becoming More Popular?...
One
armed bandits are maintaining their popularity in
'The Sunshine State'. It's understand that punters
might have only a 1 in a million chance of winning
really big, lotto - millionaire style, but they just
keep coming back for more. Yep, throw another dime
in the pokie baby. Queenslanders "invested"
close to $2 billion last year as the punters passion
for the slots maintained its fever pace. The total
pokies expenditure of $1.81 billion was slightly down
on the previous year, it was the third year consecutively
the number exceeded $1.8 billion. We're also learned
that the 2008 figure of $1.83 billion was an all-time
record. Now, this is important - those numbers Do
Not take into account the rabid take up and roll our
of online poker or sports betting. You know, betting
over the global medium - the internet. Overall, Queenslanders
spent $7 million less on pokies than last year and
$28 million less than in 2008, but it still works
out at in excess of $150 million every month down
the slots August was the year's biggest month for
slot gamblers, who put close to $170 million in the
throats of the one armed bandits. August was also
the biggest month for gamblers in 2008, with more
than $173 million lost. Pokies remain by far the most
popular games for punters in Australia, bringing in
most of the estimated $17 billion spent on all forms
of gambling down under each year. Some insiders think
that the reduction in official spending was more a
sign of the increased popularity of internet and sports-based
gambling. Concentrating on pokie figures, it appears
Queenslanders gambled more at the height of the global
financial crisis two years ago than they did throughout
2010.
Tassie
'Devil' Gambling Tycoon Devilish Quotes...
David
Walsh from Tasmania was such a big hit with the readership
we thought we would dig up a few more of the red hot
'The Devil's' quotes, that are too good not to share.
First a refresher...Art and gambling do mix, at least
that's the experience of Brits Damian Aspinall, Phil
'Tuffers' Tufnell, Australian artist Gina Sinozich,
Media Man
(bodypaint and burlesque "fetish") and Tasmanian
gambling whale - tycoon, David 'Wicked' (satire) Walsh.
You will pick up on Dave's affectionate nickname by
us later. We like you David, ok mate. Tasmania's most
famous or infamous gambling figure, millionaire, David
Walsh yesterday gave us a peak into his art exhibit...the
biggest (and weirdest) private art gallery in Tasmania,
if not the Asia Pacific. The $110 million Museum of
Old and New Art is nestled on the banks of Hobart's
Derwent River.
Quotes
By The Tasmanian Devil!...
"FUCK
the art, let's rock'n'roll."
"I
think formal curation is a form of mental masturbation."
"I'm
not really that interested in a bunch of big names.
Most of the works are by people most people haven't
heard of and still won't have heard of because there's
no wall labels."
"I
don't want to lose control (or) something that ends
up looking like a pale version of the National Gallery
of Victoria".
"Subversive
adult Disneyland".
"Please
see reception if you are planning a pool party or
a ritualistic orgy."
"It's
the opportunity to mess with your head. I like the
idea of people having a couple of beers and looking
at the art, having a couple more and changing their
mind."
"Just
a privileged guy with a megaphone"
"It’s
like a rich man’s soap box. I’m standing
on my soapbox and I’m shouting my views like
they mean something."
"I’ll
take all the popular stuff out. And if you go to the
toilet two or three times we’ll recommend a good
urologist."
“My
brother once said about me that I’d rather be
outside a barrel pissing in than inside the barrel
pissing out. I’m anti this idea that we know
what we’re doing with certainty. I kinda think
that most things that are good happen to people largely
by accident, but then they start looking for explanations.
You see the views of rich, successful people on television,
and they tell you why they got rich and successful;
they don’t interview all the people who went
through the same process and didn’t. I think
most things are complete crap. I want to show that
you can be fortunate without believing that your fortune
was anything other than fortune."
"There
are so many things we do that we hide from. We hack
open cows and eat their guts but we compartmentalise
that away from our lives so we can pretend it’s
not happening. And on a larger, more important scale,
if each of us acted individually to say ‘OK,
we f…ed up the atmosphere, it is our personal
responsibility’, humanity would behave in a very
different way."
"One
of the things about having money is that … I
feel a bit of guilt and a level of privilege, and
it seems to be an obligation to do something, and
since art is what I’ve been doing....but it wasn’t
really like that. It was: I bought this small gallery,
bought a bigger one, and gradually it became something
of this scale. It’s become a lot more serious
endeavour than I intended it to be. There’s a
bit of thumbing my nose at the establishment and trying
to bypass academia, but mainly I just wanted it to
be a bit of fun. And it is. And it will be."
"The
gambling is all a computer thing that is going on
right now".
Queensland:
Cairns Reef Hotel Casino Poised To Raise Big Bucks
For Flood Relief On Australia Day...
Punters,
let's all spare a thought for those who have been
attacked by the floods on Australia Day. Numerous
events are being planed around Australia, from 'Sound
Relief' to and initiative from the Cairns Reef Hotel
Casino 'Bring on the Sun' It will be one of the biggest
events on the Australia Day calendar for the city
and all funds raised will go to the Premier’s
Flood Relief Appeal. There's a good old fashioned
sausage sizzle, competitions and female performers
including the Marlins’ cheer squad. "The
whole idea is slanted towards the female performer,"
entertainment manager Bruce Stewart said. "We’ve
got an eclectic blend of female artists coming to
perform as well." Cazalys, El Mundo Tapas Bar
and the Marlin Coast Bowls Club will also host events
to raise money for flood victims. Cairns Regional
Council will hold events across the region, including
the ever-popular celebrations on the Esplanade. Mayor
Val Schier said the council was expecting a good attendance
as usual with residents keen to get outside and celebrate
our sunburnt country in the green and gold. "Even
last year when it poured, a huge number of people
came to the Aussie breakfast; we expect the same will
happen this year, rain, hail or shine. It is one of
those days where people can come together as a community
and help celebrate why it is great to be an Australian.
We live in a fantastic country and it is good for
people to get out and enjoy it." Pubs and clubs
will also get into the Aussie spirit with a number
of activities on offer. Paradise Palms Resort and
Country Club has a patriotic, fun-filled day planned
with activities that pay homage to Australia’s
heritage such as the much-anticipated pie-eating competition.
"Everybody is welcome to come along and have
some fun while tucking into our Aussie selection of
meat pies, icy beers, lamingtons and classic Australian
music by DJ Danny from Millennium Sounds," director
of sales and marketing Darlene Holdsworth said.
Events
Join
the celebrations
Paradise
Palms Resort and Country Club Australia Day celebrations
What’s on: Australian menu served from noon in
Restaurant 59, pie-eating and thong-throwing competitions
start at 1.30pm. Pies, icy beers, lamingtons and classic
Australian music on offer at the resort.
Time: 12pm. Entry free.
Bring on the Sun at Cairns Reef Hotel Casino
What’s on: Entertainment, sausage sizzle, raffles,
jumping castle and more with all proceeds going to
the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal.
Time: 2pm. Entry free.
Shane Warne And Poker Mates Get VIP Star Treatment
At Australian Open Tennis Sunday Night...
The
spinner got there at 8pm hoping to get star VIP treatment
for 14 of his closest mates. In the mix was was Joe
Hachem, who he had earlier caught up with at the launch
of the Aussie Millions Poker Tournament at Crown Casino.
Warne requested an escort (no, not that type silly)
when he arrived and posed mostly for photographs with
his sunglasses on. He also spent time in Andy Roddick's
player's box during his loss to Swissman Stanislas
Wawrinka. It been a big couple of days for "poker
her" for the legend, playing rendezvous with
Liz Hurley in LA. He is expected to play in the second
round of the poker tournament and could face off against
Gary Ablett Jr and Jeff Fenech tomorrow. Blett made
it through to the second round.
Australian Financial Review Goes Gaga For Lady Gaga;
Gets Facts Wrong (We Think)...
It
took us a few months of going through newspapers but
we finally found the AFR to make a slip up, and its
a doozy....An article reads "the complex will
have a few upmarket bars, including one on the roof,
and an events theatre to house live acts – think
Lady Gaga – as well as awards nights." With
Gaga's level of popularity she would require a much
larger venue than Star City. Earlier this year, she
- they played two concerts at the Sydney Entertainment
Centre, capacity 12,000 or thereabouts. Do the math.
Australia's
Kylie Minogue To Do The Colosseum At Caesars Palace
Las Vegas: Aphrodite Live...
Mark
is down Kylie fans the word over. She's doing Ceasers
Sunday May 22, 2011 8pm
Melbourne: Aussie Joker Comedian Performs At Packer's
Crown; Raises Cash For Flood Relief...
Melbourne
folks at Crown Casino recently enjoyed 'The Jokers
Comedy That Rocks' at Crown Casino. James Packer's
casino donated all proceeds from last Friday night’s
show to Queensland flood victims. Organiser William
Leitch has happy with the way things went and showcased
an evening with some of the city’s top stand-up
artists, including Brad Oakes, Christine Basil and
Greg Fleet. It's understood he got close to 150 people
to come along, and he may be invited back on upcoming
Friday nights.
Top 100 ASX Listed Companies Respond To Flood Cry
For Help; Gambling And Gaming Industry Steps Up; Mining
Firms and Banking Bastards Lead Charge...
1.
BHP Billiton: $1.3 million (in addition, matching
employee donations)
2.
CBA: $1.35 million
3.
Westpac: $1 million
4.
ANZ: $1 million
5.
NAB: $1 million
6.
News Corp: $500,000 and Blue Ribbon campaign
7.
Rio Tinto: $1 million ($700,000 to Premier Relief,
$300,000 to Emerald community)
8.
Wesfarmers: $7.5 million (plus $3.5 million from Coles
customers)
9.
Telstra Corp: up to $1 million by matching staff contributions
(so far $338,000; is also supplying phones and free
calls to people affected)
11.
Woolworths: $6.9 million (matching customer donations
in Woolies, Big W, Dick Smith dollar for dollar)
14.
Fortescue Metals: Matching staff donations dollar
for dollar
15.
CSL: $250,000
16.
QBE Insurance: not releasing a statement
17.
Origin energy: $1 million
18.
Macquarie Group: $200,000 (combined staff and company
effort with fundraising activities continuing both
here and overseas)
19.
AXA Asia Pacific: No response
20.
Santos: $500,000 plus use of helicopters and vehicles
for clean up. Also $50,000 for flooding in WA
21.
Coal and Allied Industries: (see Rio Tinto)
22.
AMP: $250,000 + matching employee contributions to
WA flood appeal up to $250,000
23.
Suncorp Group: $100,000 (staff and customers have
donated $1.5million)
24.
Foster's Group: $500,000
25.
Brambles: No response
26.
Leighton Holdings: No response
27.
Orica: No response
28.
Oil Search: No response
29.
Stockland: Donated $250,000 to the Premier's flood
relief appeal, another $30,000 to the Mayoress Rockhampton
regional flood appeal and are matching employee donations
dollar for dollar
30.
Coca. Cola Amatil: No response
31.
Amcor: No response
32.
Westfield Retail Trust: No response
33.
IAG: No response
39.
Crown: Donation tins in Crown complexes and have committed
to matching all donations as well as staff contributions
52.
Tabcorp Holdings: $1 million
78.
Tatts Group: Going to run a dedicated lottery for
the Queensland flood appeal where all profits will
go to the Premier's Flood Appeal. They ran the same
thing in Victoria after the Black Saturday bushfires.
It will run on Wednesday 2 Feb in Queensland and is
expected to raise $200,000. In addition, another donation
will be made from the unclaimed prizes fund of an
as. yet undecided amount
79.
Fairfax Media: Matching staff donations
100.
Seek: Reported it had made a donation to the Premier's
Flood Appeal but chose not to disclose how much
Brisbane:
Flood Relief Money Gets Spend On Pokies, Vice - Piss
Up At Pubs...
It's
been reported in a number of Queensland newspapers
that the $1000 flood relief grants that went to many
good folks in Granville are being used to feed slots
and buy piss (beer) rather than food and necessities.
Two Maryborough publicans say that in some instances
the answer to that is yes, and they are disgusted.
One of the publicans was so incensed by the misuse
of flood relief money she telephoned Fairfax Media
to complain. "A man came in bragging about how
he’d got the $1000 payout because he told Centrelink
he was stuck in Granville – but he was here the
whole time. It makes me sick that people are openly
admitting they’ve got the money for nothing,
while there are people who’ve died or lost everything."
She said Centrelink should have screened the applications
more carefully to make sure only people who were genuinely
in need received the cash. Another pub owner said
his one armed bandits had not stopped buzzing since
the grants became available. "We were quiet during
the actual floods but this week’s been totally
different. The pokies and the bottle shop have been
going non-stop." Yeah, Aussie continue to love
a punt, rain, hail, shine or flood!
Aussie
Millions Game 8 Results...
The
London based chap took down the $1,100 8 game mixed
event title at Crown Casino in Melbourne adding AUD$23,800
to his almost $1.2 million in career tournament earnings.
He entered the final table as the short stack, but
managed to grind his way to victory and nudge away
Australia's Bruno Portaro for the victory. The event
marked Ashby's 8th final table appearance at the Aussie
Millions that includes a side-event win back in 2005
and a seventh-place finish in the main event in 2009.
Ashby also won his first WSOP bracelet this summer
in the $1,500 7 Card Stud event and went well in the
$10k H.O.R.S.E. for his biggest career score of $378,027.
The 2011 Aussie Millions $1,100 8-Game Mixed event
drew 68-players and paid the final 7.
Here
are the results:
1 Richard Ashby AUD$23,800
2 Bruno Portaro AUD$16,320
3 Casey Kastle AUD$10,880
4 Daniel Ospina AUD$6,800
5 Oliver Gill AUD$4,760
6 Dane Coltman AUD$3,400
7 Paul Ravesi AUD$2,040
Aussie
Main Event Day 1b: PartyPoker And Full Tilt Poker
Players Feel The Pain...
PartyGaming'sPartyPoker
and Full Tilt Poker's powers that be likely won't
be celebrating. Ok, they got news coverage and exposure,
but its because their players are out. Yep, history
maties. Full Tilt went well on Day 1a but Day 1b was
rooted. Many of the big name pros went down for the
count as locals stepped up. 209 players entered the
Crown Poker room but after 7 levels of play, 80 remained.
David Oppenheim, Annette Obrestad, Carlos Mortensen,
David Benyamine, Andrew Feldman, Steve Yea, Andy Bloch
and Gus Hansen were some of the Full Tilt players
who died. Other casualties included Luke Santo, Raj
Ramakrishnan, George Moussa, Michael Pedley, Graeme
Putt, Martin Comer, Dennis Huntly, Jamie Pickering,
Bruno Portaro, Casey Kastle, Ben Savage and Tim Marsters.
2005 World Champion Joe Hachem (tweeting he struggled
with jetlag following a recent trip to the PokerStars
Caribbean Adventure.) Defending champ, 2010 Aussie
Millions Main Event winner Tyron Krost (PartyGaming's
PartyPoker
pro went down too). A new champ will be crowned in
2011 with plenty of Aussies still in contention. The
field kicked off with Jeff Rossier in the lead with
154,900, closely followed by Michael Ottobra (143,400)
and Martin Drewe, After winning the Opening Event
last week and going deep in another event, Drewe is
now set in the chip leaders in the Main Event after
getting to 136,100. Jay “SEABEAST” Kinkade
did nicely with 128,700, Haibo Chu (113,900), Manny
Stavropoulos (85,600), Sorel Mizzi (74,400), Michael
Egan (61,100), Kent Hunter (56,400), Jeff Lisandro
(55,000), Eric Assadourian (50,300), Scott Montgomery
(49,200), Chris Ferguson (45,400), Lee Nelson (30,200),
Neil Channing (28,800), Roland de Wolfe (26,100),
Aleks Brkovic (24,600), Jackie Glazier (21,900), Grant
Levy (18,300), Gary Benson (10,500) and Mel Judah
(7,200) amongst those who will return on Day 2. The
3rd and final flight of the 2011 Aussie Millions Main
will commence Tuesday with another strong field and
a few big names expected. Even Van Marcus will front
up. Van, is your Red Ferrari safe this time mate?
We're looking for more good fodder to write about.
How about do a publicity stunt and make world wide
headlines ago. Maybe someone at Crown Casino - Crown
Limited might be open to it. Stanger things have happened...
like Ferrari's getting stolen on site, casino fights
and a man getting stuck in the Crown Casino kitchen
grease vacuum.
Aussie
Millions Event #9 Day 1b: Rossiter In Front...
It
was down to business with players investing AUD$10,600
to buy in all with the goal of becoming the 2011 Aussie
Millions Champion. 7 seven levels of play, and the
209-player field went to 80. Jeff Rossiter is in front
with 154,900. Martin Drewe, 2011 Aussie Millions Event
#1 winner with 136,100 - now 3rd on the leaderboard.
Australian Jay Kinkade is on 128,700, and European
Poker Tour mainstay Jeff Sarwer sits 5th with 120,500.
Randy "nanonoko" Lew has 110,000 and Gavin
Griffin 101,700 in 9th ninth and 10th place. Sorel
Mizzi, Jeffrey Lisandro, Eric Assadourian, Team Full
Tilt's Chris Ferguson, Full Tilt Poker Red Pros Scott
Montgomery and Roland de Wolfe, Neil Channing, and
Lee Nelson have also all made it to Wednesday's Day
2, but it was touch and go for some of them, testing
the skill VS luck debate. Full Tilt Poker $25,000
Shootout Invitational winner David Oppenheim, Annette
Obrestad, Carlos Mortensen, Andy Bloch, David Benyamine,
Andrew Feldman, Gus Hansen, Joe Hachem, and David
Steicke all had to say goodnight nurse. PartyGaming's
- PartyPoker
Tyron Krost was eliminated in a hand VS Gavin Griffin
where his Ace-Queen couldn't best Griffin's Aces.
The 3rd and final Day 1 flight commences Tuesday in
Melbourne, Australia at 12:30 p.m. local time.
Getting
board of poker yet? If so, try your luck er skill
at Baccarat or Craps. If your more into luck, check
out the slots like Cleopatra, Sinatra, Rambo, Goanna
Gold and The Terminator. Rumour goes PartyGaming
also have, or will soon get, a World
Poker Tour themed online slot game. We recommend
punters open an account with PartyCasino,PartyGaming
and World
Poker Tour, just to have all based covered. Party
appears to still be the most popular online casino
brand in Australia despite big efforts by the likes
of 888. Marvel
slot games are forecast to be some of the most
popular of this year with Captain
America and Thor
tipped to hit Australia cinema's this year, with Spider-Man
also getting a remake. Whatever your casino game of
choice, good luck, and let us know how you go guys
and girls. Spin to win.
Take
the time to research and learn games before placing
down money
Media
Man,Casino
News Media and Gambling911
are website portals. Not casinos as such, however
are recognised as world leading websites that cover
the sector and act as central points to games, news,
reviews and more.
Readers...
er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us
in the forum.
If
you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over
it, and for God's sake, have fun.
*Greg
Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media
Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet
portal development company. Gaming is just one of
a dozen sectors covered
Promotions
Palladium
VIP's - Spoil Yourself With As Many Presents As You
Want From PartyPoker
- Santa's Party Pack Open To All On PartyCasino
!
Win your share of $5,000 every day in December. See:
PartyPoker.com
The first episode of PartyPoker.com
World Open VI is now online.
Many
of the players involved will remember the jaw dropping
quads over quads – Andrew Robl, Toby Lewis, Mike
Sexton and Jesse May talk about this in a special
post here: PartyPoker.com
Aussie Millions qualifiers are up and running. Team
Party pro Tyron Krost won the event last year and
gives his own guide to satellites. PartyPoker.com
Palladium
VIP's - Spoil Yourself With As Many Presents As You
Want From PartyPoker
- Santa's Party Pack Open To All On PartyCasino
!
Gibraltar
– 30th November 2010 -- The festive season is
drawing closer and PartyPoker.com
is making sure they treat their most-valued players
to a whole stack of presents. Palladium VIPs have
the opportunity to pick up six presents and fill their
very own Santa sack by just earning points by playing
at PartyPoker.com’s
online tables from the 1st to 14th December 2010.
A PartyPoker.com
spokesman said: "The premise is very simple –
Palladium VIPs earn points that make prizes. At the
bottom end there is a $50 cash bonus, while 30,000
points delivers a $5,000 WPT entry. Players are entitled
to keep all of the prizes they can win - so with six
prize levels there’s six fantastic presents to
keep!"
Here’s what’s on offer in the VIP Gift Accumulator:
The
feast of presents doesn’t just end here though.
Every time a player hits a prize level PartyPoker.com
award tickets for the VIP Gift Accumulator prize draw
which offers the chance to win a share of $10,000.
The more prizes a Palladium VIP earn the more entries
they’ll get into the draw, giving more frequent
players a better chance of winning the $5,000 first
prize, the $3,000 second prize or the $2,000 third
prize. Winners will be announced on the 17th December.
Please note that this is an OPT-IN promotion. For
more information see: PartyPoker.com
Santa is also coming to PartyCasino.com.
Unlike the poker promotion this is open to non VIPs
too and runs from the 1st – 14th December, whether
you have been bad or good. Points mean prizes including
a luxury Caribbean holiday!
Starts:
00:00 ET, 1st December
Ends: 23:59 ET, 14th December
Santa
is making an early appearance. He’s spreading
Christmas cheer, handing out killer Christmas presents
to non-VIP and Palladium VIP players.
From
1st to 14th December, you can celebrate Christmas
in style with a double whammy of festive winning opportunities.
There’s a prize giveaway where you can scoop
up to 6 prizes, and a massive cash prize draw!
Winning
a share of Santa’s Party Pack is simple, and
you don’t even have to sit on Santa’s knee!
Simply opt-in between the 1st-14th December and collect
points by playing your favourite slots and jackpot
slots. The more you play, the more prizes you’ll
unwrap.
Prize
Giveaway
If
you’re not a VIP yet, check out the Christmas
List below, Santa could bring you up to 5 fantastic
prizes worth $1,000:
*The
iPad 32GB WiFi has a cash alternative of $600, this
will automatically be credited to your account. Please
see T&C’s for details of how to receive the
non monetary alternative.
If
you’re a Palladium VIP player, check out the
Christmas list below. Santa could bring you up to
6 prizes worth $10,000:
**The
iPad 64GB WiFi has a cash alternative of $1,000, **The
Luxury Caribbean Holiday has a cash alternative of
$5,000 these will automatically be credited to your
account. Please see T&C’s for details of
how to receive the non monetary alternative.
Santa’s
Big Prize Draw
What
a cracker! But wait…there’s an extra present
under the tree – Santa’s Big Prize Draw.
By taking part in Santa’s Party Pack, you will
be eligible for the draw. The more points you earn
the more entries you will receive. Check below to
see how much cash you can win:
Non-VIP
Big Prize Draw
Every
time you earn 20 points during the promotion, you’ll
get one entry to the Big Prize Draw. $10,000 will
be shared equally between 10 lucky players.
VIP
Big Prize Draw
Every
time you earn 500 points during the promotion, you’ll
get one entry to the Big Prize Draw. $20,000 will
be shared between 3 lucky players in the following
amounts: 1st - $10,000, 2nd - $6,000 and 3rd - $4,000.
You
can collect points on any of our slots and jackpot
slots. To join the festivities you need to Opt-In
from the 1st-14th December. Win some exceptional presents
this Christmas with Santa’s Party Pack.
Online
betting firm bwin announces merger with PartyGaming
- 30th July 2010
Austrian
online betting company bwin announced Thursday it
had signed a merger agreement with British rival PartyGaming.
The
move, giving bwin a 51.6-percent stake in the new
group compared to 48.4 percent for PartyGaming, will
become effective in the first quarter of 2011, the
Austria Press Agency reported.
"This
business combination makes great strategic, operational
and financial sense," bwin chief executive Norbert
Teufelberger said in a statement.
"We
will be in pole position to capitalise on the wealth
of opportunities that will flow from the continued
evolution and expansion of the global online gaming
industry," he added.
PartyGaming
chief executive Jim Ryan echoed that sentiment, saying:
"The enlarged group will have a winning formula
to exploit the growing online gaming market, supported
by a strong balance sheet, significant cashflow generation
and a highly experienced management team."
The
two men will become co-chief executives of the new
company, which will have its seat in Gibraltar and
be listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Meanwhile,
bwin will be delisted from the Vienna Stock Exchange.
The
new group will be the largest listed online gaming
company.
In
late trade Thursday, bwin shares were up 20.35 percent
to 42.88 euros in Vienna and PartyGaming gained 19.49
percent to 307.1 pounds in London. (Credit:
Fairfax Media)
Virgin
Games Partners With Microgaming - 21st June 2010
LONDON,
UNITED KINGDOM- Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com),
the leading online gaming company, has 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.
