Friday, February 26, 2010

Virgin Casino News And Virgin Games News: Virgin Casino To Add 100 New Games In 2010, by Greg Tingle - 26th February 2010

Virgin Casino News And Virgin Games News; Virtual Worlds Coming Up

Media Man reports from the Battle zone

New Games: King Kong, Call of Duty 4, Play Your Cards Right, Monopoly Multiplier

New Brand: AWOMO (A World Of My Own)

Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company - Virgin Games, has announced that it has developed a road map to introduce all the latest casino games in the next twelve months, making it one of the most content rich gaming sites in the UK market.

To help enhance its already strong portfolio, Virgin Casino has taken on a new partner - Playtech company, Gaming Technology Solutions (GTS) - a leading global supplier of gaming solutions for online gaming operations. Playtech provides cutting-edge software to the top operators in the gaming industry, and through the GTS Enhanced Gaming Engine (EdGE) platform, will provide Virgin Casino with access to the best in casino games on the market. Amongst the many exciting games due to be launched this year are Call of Duty 4, Monopoly Multiplier and Play Your Cards Right.

Warren Eloff, Product Manager at Virgin Casino, commented:

"GTS EdGE platform allows us easy access to the best gaming suppliers in the business and partnering with them to help develop our product offering makes perfect sense. We plan to roll out over 100 games this year and among them will be some top brand names, providing our customers with sophisticated and exciting games that they have come to expect from us. With all these new games we will have one of the best casinos available online."

Founded in 2004, Virgin Casino has over 500,000 players and 50 casino games on its site. Via the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Casino seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. Virgin Casino offers games from a growing selection of games producers, including: WagerWorks, Cryptologic, FremantleMedia, Endemol, Dynamite Idea, VS Gaming and Ash Gaming.

To play at Virgin Casino visit www.virgingames.com


Virgin Games To Become Total Gaming Website Portal; A World Of My Own

Virgin Games is expanding into the non-gambling PC games market in a move to transform its brand as a "total gaming" website destination that will also facilitate the company to market the brand in jurisdictions where Virgin's online gambling product is not currently prohibited (eg: most of the Asia Pacific - Australia and the United States).

See World Casino Directory

A business agreement with tech company Game Domain International (GDI) will give Virgin Games access to 200 plus game titles from approx 70 developers available for easy download with names including Tomb Raider: Legend, Rome: Total War, Fifa Football Manager and Warhammer: Mark of Chaos. These will be offered in addition to Virgin Games' current portfolio of online games.

The new system entitled A World of My Own (AWOMO), aims to deliver online game content quicker than rival download services by allowing users to play the games before they are fully downloaded, in addition to offering pay-per-download or regular subscription payment options. It brings new life into the term, virtual worlds.

Virgin Games chief Simon Burridge has gone on record.

"This will open up a huge long tail of people who are gamers but are not prepared to invest heavily in gaming, and will open up PC games to a rental market that has never been done before. If this takes off it could do for the gaming industry what iTunes did for buying music: no-one buys music from shops anymore, they go online to iTunes."

"This will open up parts of the world where we have previously been excluded, including English-speaking markets such as South Africa or the United States where the Virgin brand is strong. That will also allow the brand greater strength in those markets should they regulate online gambling but that is a benefit rather than a main strategic goal".

AWOMO is currently in beta mode and the companies expect to launch the complete product in the third quarter of this year.

About Virgin Games:

Virgin Games launched in June 2004 and has established itself as one of the leading online gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:

- Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Cryptologic, FremantleMedia 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 jackpot value of over Pounds Sterling 1,500,000

- 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.

Virgin was founded by Sir Richard Branson in 1970 and has grown to become one of the world's most loved, respected and recognizable brands. Virgin has won too many awards and commendations to list, but its fair to say that most parts of the world have been touched by the Branson - Virgin magic, and Virgin Games plans on delivering the fun, quality and value for money that people have grown a custom to with Virgin.

Party hard and play harder at Virgin Games.

References: Virgin Enterprises, Virgin Games, Wikipedia, Poker News Daily, eGaming Review, Google News, Wires, AP, Earth Times, Media Man, Global Gaming Directory, Casino News Media.

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

PartyCasino VS Virgin Casino - online "war" between iGaming powerhouses, by Greg Tingle - 25th February 2010

PartyCasino VS Virgin Casino - iGaming and gaming sector heats up - United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Japan, Germany, South America, India, South Africa and beyond

PartyGaming - Asia Pacific - Australian focus, planning on return to United States; Hollywood themed games and tie ins with World Poker Tour owned brand, Asian Poker Tour collaboration, Maintains lead as world's leading online casino brand

Virgin Games - planning on expanding both Gambling and non gambling gaming products; Plans to add over 100 new games within 12 months

Hundreds of game titles are available to play now at both PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com and Richard Branson's VirginCasino.com

Punters take note...PartyCasino.com can be accessed in most of the Asia Pacific including Australia and New Zealand, and hotspot, Tasmania, while Virgin Casino can not currently be accessed in those regions. Both companies are looking to soon be able to offering paid games to the United States, in a race which numerous experts say PartyGaming is winning. PartyGaming also owns and operates the famous World Poker Tour (which is available to American punters).

Background

PartyCasino.com VS VirginGames.com

Background to the war...

The "war" between igaming rivals PartyCasino.com and Virgin Games heats up further with the news hot off the press that Richard Branson's Virgin Games will be getting more smash hit games including the King Kong slot.

In addition Richard Branson's Virgin Games is planning a non gambling service: A World Of My Own (AWOMO), which will be able to provide gamers with a cutting edgy technology service in basically all parts of the world, including in regions where traditional online gambling is not permitted. The strength of the Virgin brand, combined with Virgin's track record of success in new ventures and technology stack the odds in favour of the launch being a huge success. Virgin and competitor, PartyGaming, also have very strong news media, igaming, political and business connections.

Virgin's AWOMO is currently in beta testing, and is expected to launch the complete product in the third quarter of this year.

PartyGaming is pushing the interactive elements of its gaming with "Live Dealer", "Casino Calendar" and "Avatar" type technologies just around the corner.

The Casinos

Both online casinos are world class. PartyCasino.com has won the Casino News Media Online Casino of the Month title a number of times and Virgin has made the shortlist for the past 3 months. PartyGaming has won a number of eGaming Review awards and commendations over the years including Socially Responsible Operator Of The Year and Operator Of The Year. PartyCasino.com offers rewards program PartyPoints, while Virgin offers V*Points.

The main point of difference for many potential players is that PartyCasino.com accepts Australian players while Virgin currently does not. PartyCasino also offers a wider variety of multi language and multi currency options. Both casinos offer play for free or play for money options.

Jackpots

Party offers Gold Mega Jackpot, The Big One, Marvel Hero Jackpot and Super Hero Jackpot

Virgin offers MegaJackpots, Marvel Hero Jackpot and Super Hero Jackpot

Virgin Enterprises Limited is one of the world's most successful companies as is PartyGaming. PartyGaming is listed on the London Stock Exchange and was established in 1997. Virgin Games was established in 2005 and Virgin Enterprises was founded by Richard Branson in 1970.

If your ready for action, excitement and fun, check out Party and Virgin without delay.

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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Betfair Announces 10-year commitment to Tasmania - 22nd February 2010

Another milestone in the Betfair Australia story was reached today as the company announced an in-principle agreement with the Tasmanian Government to keep its operations there for a further 10 years.

“Today's announcement is an important step towards providing long-term certainty for Betfair in Australia and its Tasmanian workforce,” said Betfair Australia's CEO, Andrew Twaits.

“We were under a lot of pressure to prove ourselves as a company here in Australia, and we've well and truly done that. In the last four years, we've helped to reshape the wagering landscape in areas of integrity, harm minimisation and industry funding for racing and sports. Importantly, we've also encouraged a better deal for punters.

“This agreement is a big step forward for the future of racing, not only in Tasmania, but right across Australia. Our contribution to both racing and sports has been significant and we look forward to continuing our commitment right across the country.”

The new agreement is subject to various conditions including approval by the Tasmanian Gaming Commission and legislation being passed by the new parliament to reduce the tax on betting exchanges to 5% of gross revenue.

Betfair Australia commenced operations at its Hobart headquarters in February 2006 after it became the first betting exchange to be licensed in Australia. Today the business employs 135 staff, matches more than 1 million bets a day and has 135,000 Australian and New Zealand customers.

The company has also contributed more than $5m in product fees directly to racing and sports as well as nearly $8m in sponsorships. In Tasmania Betfair has contributed in excess of $20m to the local economy.

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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Betfair tax breaks - 22nd February 2010

The Tasmanian Government has offered tax breaks to keep the gambling agency Betfair in the state.

Labor has revealed that before it went into caretaker mode, it made an agreement with the company half-owned by James Packer.

The deal would see Betfair keep its call centre and 130 jobs in Hobart for the next 10 years.

The Premier, David Bartlett says the agreement will cost taxpayers about $2 million over the next two years, but he says the deal will save jobs, and quickly pay for itself.

"In the short-term, yes there will be a revenue decrease," he says.

"But that revenue decrease will be more than offset by 130 jobs on site, and increased transaction rates, over the life of the next five to 10 years."

The agreement will not be formally approved until parliament returns after the March 20 state election.

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Sunday, February 21, 2010

Aussie casino king James Packer to help ease plight of jobless, by Greg Tingle - 21st February 2010

Australian casino king and major media player, James Packer, has vowed to help ease plight of Australia's jobless.

Entitled the Australian Employment Covenant, the Rudd government-backed initiative aims to find 50,000 jobs for indigenous Australians. As the project rolls out Australia will get to know it as Generation One.

In an extremely rare interview, Linda Silmalis of News Limited's The Sunday Telegraph was able to secure a telephone interview with Mr Packer.

The casino comeback king wouldn't be pushed on politics (recently enjoying a spot of golf with Sen. Stephen Conroy might do that to a man), but he opened right up when it came to social and community matters, with a focus on getting Indigenous Australians sustainable employment.

The Packer empire includes Australia's Crown Casino, Burswood Entertainment Centre, City Of Dreams, Macau and Altira Macau. Mr Packer also has a share in pay TV operator, Foxtel.

Crown Casino is strongly indicating it will employ a significant number of indigenous Australians and Team Packer is also communicating with corporate Australia on how they can be part of this historic project.

Packer is collaborating with Aussie mining king Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest. A bush tucker bag of other great Aussie's are also assisting including but not limited to News Limited chairman Rupert Murdoch, Seven Network boss Kerry Stokes, and of course wife, Erica Baxter. Murdoch did some historic campaigning for Indigenous Australia whilst editor of Adelaide's The News circa 1959, later being showcased in modern classic, 'Black and White'.

There's considerable resources at hand, and by Packer speak, this is a hand up, not a hand out. However, to kick-start things Kerry Stokes and Packer are both putting in $2 million for a start.

In the telephone interview with Linda Silmalis of The Sunday Telegraph, "Kerry and I are each putting in $2 million to the project and we're doing it because we believe in Andrew's vision,.

"It is not another welfare program. Both the Covenant and Generation One are about getting actual outcomes. We have actually got some bona fides in this area - Crown is already up to 75 jobs. We want to get it up into the hundreds.

"The goal is to work with people in businesses to try to get training and job placements.

"When someone gets training within a specific business, it makes it far more likely they will get a home in that business."

"I think with anyone, when they have a child, it opens up a new dimension to your life".

"I got to spend a year in the Northern Territory as a jackeroo and that gave me exposure to the way some Aboriginal communities are that others never get.

"I got to see good things and some not so good things. I always had a desire to do something, but I needed the right opportunity, and Andrew's vision and infectious enthusiasm made it easy for me to become involved.

"Andrew and I went to see Kerry Stokes, and we said, 'We'd love you to do this with us', and he agreed.

"At the casino, we are training people in hospitality, in security, areas where it will lead to jobs. I think corporate Australia wants to do more and it will become easier as more people become involved.

"It is a good concept and I think it will become easier as time goes on."

Media Man applauds the Packer - Forrest and friends collaboration that clearly demonstrates a far reaching way of demonstrating one's real wealth. We are also hopeful that both the Labor and Liberal party pick up on some of Mr Packer's wisdom when it comes to matters such as the internet and censorship. Mr Packer famously said "Internet is like electricity", something Media Man and Gambling911 management and readers are well aware of, as is Senator Conroy. As of this writing Sen Conroy has remained silent on mentions of himself in comparisons with award winning documentary, 'Casino Jack and the United States of Money'.

On a lighter note Sen. Conroy has turned out to be quite the sportsman, not only a keen golfer, but a passionate snowboarder, even getting a trip away to enjoy the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Let's just hope that Conroy's recent collaborations with Team Packer and friends help produce some gold for many parties, starting with both indigenous Australia and internet gaming fans and entrepreneurs. Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company.

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Illegal poker websites could bring an end to online ban, by Michael Bachael - The Sydney Morning Herald - 21st February 2010

An illegal online gambling company is setting up office in Australia and advertising for staff even though the business is prohibited, not taxed and subject to fines of up to $1.1 million a day.

But the federal government has made no moves to enforce its own internet gambling law, allowing offshore companies to flout it.

Party Poker, registered in Gibraltar, is advertising for a head of marketing in Australia, based in Sydney, to "leverage the brand at the forefront of the poker market in Australia and New Zealand".

But the Interactive Gaming Act 2001 makes it an offence for a company in Australia or overseas to provide online casino games to any person who is "physically present in Australia". Fines for a breach are up to $220,000 a day for individuals, and $1.1 million a day for companies.

The law has never been enforced, with the government making no attempt to restrict the activities of online poker games or online casinos. The Productivity Commission's recent draft report into gambling estimated that $790 million flowed offshore to illegal online sites in 2008, without any of it recouped in tax. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)

*Read the full article

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Saturday, February 20, 2010

Australian Gambling, Betting, Sports and Political News; Massive News Week Down Under, by Greg Tingle - 19th February 2010

It's been a massive week for the gambling, igaming, sports betting and political news world.

iGaming powerhouses PartyGaming and Virgin Games at "war"

PartyGaming's PartyCasino continues its mega popularity in the Asia Pacific - Australian region. Richard Branson's Virgin Casino has just released Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (which Party already has). Virgin also advises Thor will be released this. With Party and Virgin offering Call of Action, Thor and soon, King Kong, this is likely to further damage InterCasino which had the games over a year ago however failed to make the most of the lucrative and exciting Asia Pacific region. Aussie punters take note... PartyGaming's brands are available for play in Australia and other Asia Pacific regions, while Virgin Games products are not... Sir Richard Branson, can you fix that up? PartyGaming stays #1 in the Australian iGaming - online casino sector for the time being.


Politics

A massive week in Australian politics... Australian casino king James Packer spotted playing golf with Sen Stephen Conroy two Sundays ago. Their spot of golf at Lord Williams private golf club coincidentally (or not) came on the same day that the government announced a $250 million licence fee reduction for free-to-air television stations. Insiders including those at The Sydney Morning Herald reckon that Mr Packer has been twisting Conroy's arm about a fairer deal for Foxtel. Mr Packer owns a 25% interest in pay television station Foxtel.

Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, has labelled the 250 million as an attempt by the government to bribe the networks in return for favourable coverage in an election year.

Mr Abbott backed off only a little yesterday after the networks expressed their displeasure. "The last thing I would ever do is accuse professional journalists of being bribable but certainly this is a government which is always looking for favours."

Mr Packer's casino business in Australia and Macau continue to power along, however Crown Melco has ceased plans to buy into a third casino in downtown Macau. Aussie insiders reckon Sen Conroy doesn't mind being mentioned in the same vein at "Casino Jack and the United States of Money".

Gamers and igamers are a dangerous lot says Australian police and politicians. South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson this week caused a furore by claiming his family was more at risk from gamers than motorcycle gangs!

Australian bookies and Joe Public on the street reckon that there's at least a reasonable chance that the Labor Party will be thrown out of office at the next election. Prime Minster Rudd has even publicly and privately advised that there's a chance they will loose the election. Media Man says never underestimate the power and repercussions of jackass policy (Australian internet censorship filter). Australian are well known for the passion of gambling and porn, both of which can be addictions of sorts, so if you attack that too much, you might kiss the election goodbye nurse.

Tony "The Bruiser" Abbot VS Kevin "Bloody" Rudd

The election polls suggest a comeback and now the punters are starting to see value in the straight-talking Tony Abbott. Bookies say the 2010 federal election is now shaping up as a contest, with 80 per cent of recent bets backing the new Liberal Leader against Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Mr Rudd is still odds-on favourite, returning just $1.20 from Centrebet if he stays in The Lodge. But the Coalition under Mr Abbot has tightened to $3.85 - the first time it has been under $4 in more than a year. The betting market rally follows several polls suggesting a modest turnaround in political fortunes. Centrebet's Neil Evans said the agency had been forced to reassess its prices after several big bets in recent days. One punter wagered $10,000 on Mr Abbott at $4.25, and another invested $5000 at $4. "Of the last 50 bets of any amount that have been laid, nearly 80 per cent is for the Coalition," Mr Evans said. "It's the first crucial sign the Coalition is getting right back into the battle after the Labor government had dominated with punters for two years." He said Centrebet was holding about $160,000 on the election contest, with about 75 per cent on Labor to win. August 28 is firming at the most likely election date, according to Centrebet punters.


Sports and Olympic Fever

Between the Vancouver Games, UFC 110 in Sydney and bits and bobs there's serious betting occurring this week.

Australia's Torah Bright snowboarding champion babe wins Gold!

UFC 110 in Sydney, Australia this Sunday 21st - betting by punters has been hot and heavy with PartyBets, Gamebookers, BetUS.com and others all taking considerable bets, which is not surprising considering UFC's Dana White advised the Sydney live event sold out in less that a day and that Australia is one of the strongest markets for DVD sales.

Real heat exists between Noguiera and Velasquez and things got testy at yesterdays press conference.

George Sotiropoulos is the leading Australian contender at present, a lightweight who is unbeaten in the UFC and facing Joe Stevenson on the UFC 110 main card. Like Sinosic and Haseman before him, he can be this generation’s trailblazer for MMA in Australia. But fight fans won’t soon forget the first two.

“Both of us put in the hard yards,” said Sinosic. “When we started, it wasn’t mixed martial arts, it was no holds barred, and we were really discovering what it was all about. It’s great to get the recognition ourselves, but more importantly to see the sport get the recognition and respect it deserves. To see the mainstream press here treating us like athletes and not like barroom brawlers, I’m just glad to be a part of it all.”

ONE will broadcast the event live in Australia this Sunday.


Casino Legal

The Australian Productivity Commission will finally release the Gambling Report this week, insiders say within days.


PartyGaming delighted with progress in Asia Pacific

PartyGaming CEO and management is very happy with the outfits continued infiltration of Australia and the Asia Pacific region in general. Ryan has given clearance to keep signing up celebs for their poker and casino brands, following up on Aussie Tony G and Pommie Phil "Tuffers" Tufnell.


Party PR man, Warren Lush, expects to be heading back to the Asian Poker Tour in August. The event is likely to be held again in gaming hotspot Macau.

The group finance director Martin Weigold told media on a conference call following the quarter results that casino revenue was boosted by a customer who won $5 million in one of the group's large jackpots and recycled $2 million of that win back into PartyGaming's casino website

Party also announced the appointment of Per Widerstrom, previously CEO of Mangas Gaming, to the newly created role of COO, effectively freeing up CEO Jim Ryan to focus on M&A and new business opportunities.


Poker

Rennie Carnevale won the Adelaide heat of the Australia New Zealand Poker Tournament held this past weekend. The 21 year old picked up a cool $165,900. PokerStars remains the poker brand behind the well established and respected poker event.


Horse Racing

Veteran bookmaker Con Kafataris will hang up his satchel after 34 years on Sydney racetracks to concentrate on his online betting agency, Centrebet. The managing director of Centrebet said he would close CK Racing, the on-track bookmaking operation, after the Easter racing carnival because of regulatory reforms around corporate rivals and the changing composition of traditional punters. The announcement came as Centrebet recorded a first-half net profit of $6.3 million, up 19 per cent on the same time last year, and declared a 5.5c unfranked dividend which represented a 77 per cent payout ratio. "It's a combination of factors; the global financial crisis which started a year ago has impacted the high-end recreational punter that would come to the track," Mr Kafataris said. "They stopped coming to the track or they reduced their activity". Just maybe Con or his spies noticed that Media Man just joined dozens of others who are in the online racing and betting sector with the launch of http://www.racingnewsmedia.com The worst kept secret in Australian racing is that betting giant Betfair has significantly hurt the bottom line of the traditional TAB and bookie on track takings.


Aussie Female Gamblers - University Of Queensland Report

Typical Australian gamblers are no longer just men playing poker, with more women becoming addicted, isolated and even suicidal, a researcher from The University of Queensland has warned. UQ School of Tourism researcher and hospitality management lecturer, Dr Timothy Lee, says gambling in Australia is becoming more and more ``feminised''. Dr Lee says a third of problem gamblers are women at a time when Australia leads the world in the number of poker machines and $6 million a day is pushed through their slots!


Court orders gambler to pay up US$1m

An Australian gambler who lost more than US$1 million at a Bahamas casino while on his honeymoon in 2006 has been ordered to pay up by a Melbourne court. Former high-flying property developer Harry Kakavas had argued unsuccessfully that Paradise Island Casino in Nassau had taken advantage of his addiction to gambling. It was a second legal setback for Kakavas, who in December last year was ordered to pay Melbourne's Crown Casino the AU$1 million he owed.


Meet Australia's biggest punter

Meet Australia's most mysterious gambling figure: Zeljko Ranogajec, the man acknowledged by sources close to the TAB to be, by some margin, its most prolific gambler.

The size of Mr Ranogajec's betting is extraordinary. It is believed he accounts for 6-8 per cent of Tabcorp's $10 billion Australian betting turnover – or $600-800 million – and bets tens of millions more with local bookmakers.

Once the overseas betting turnover of his 24-hour, seven-day operation is taken into account, his total annual betting spend globally is believed to be well over $1 billion.


Crown Casino Gets Tough On Trouble Makers: Security Beefed Up

Crown casino staff are being trained to use plastic handcuffs under a new push to control violent patrons. The move - which has angered civil libertarians - is aimed at allowing staff to more safely eject patrons who are a threat to themselves, staff and others. The lightweight cuffs would also allow chosen security officers to more easily hold troublemakers while they wait for police to arrive with their force-issued handcuffs. Senior managers have been instructed by former Victoria Police officers working in private industry in how to use the handcuffs. Crown spokesman Gary O'Neill said any move to introduce the handcuffs was at a preliminary stage and, if adopted, would only be used by the senior security staff and managers in "exceptional circumstances". He said such patrons were a risk to many in a busy environment like Crown. "That is a very dangerous situation," he said. "The thought behind it is to provide a safer regime both for our staff who are engaged in these removals, Crown customers and the people involved themselves." Mr O'Neill said Crown management would work with Victoria Police on how best to develop procedures and policies for use of the handcuffs. He said he expected they would be used rarely, if adopted, and the number of "assisted removals" was declining. Mr O'Neill said they would be in use by the end of the year, if approved. "It's at a very, very preliminary stage at the moment. It's not something we're committed to," he said. "We are very conscious that we need to develop a regime that has the approval of Victoria Police." Handcuffs are used at the Burswood Casino in Perth. Australian Council of Civil Liberties president Terry O'Gorman said such a move would be unacceptable. "The only people using handcuffs should be trained police. You invite misuse. Crown can expect a flood of civil lawsuits," Mr O'Gorman said. "Next, they'll want capsicum spray or Tasers." Victoria Police said it was "not in a position to provide comment on whether the carriage or use of equipment by security staff is appropriate without further information".


Events

Gaming, Racing & Wagering Australia - 22nd - 23rd March, Star City Casino

iGB Down Under in Sydney, Australia - 23rd to 25th March, Star City Casino

Do politics, sports and gambling mix? You be the judge! As per usual, punters, bet with your head, not over it, and for Christ's sake, keep it fun. If it stops being fun its likely time to top. Good punting till next time.

*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911.com

*The writer owns shares in Crown Holdings

*The writer is the director and founder of Media Man, primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company http://www.mediamanint.com

Friday, February 19, 2010

PartyGaming rise, broker ups to "buy" - 18th February 2010

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Shares in online gambling group PartyGaming add 2.1 percent after Oriel Securities raises its recommendation on the firm to "buy" from "hold", saying it looks undervalued, citing its growth potential.

The broker says based on its forecasts of $158 million of EBITDA in 2010, the shares are trading on an adjusted price earnings ratio of 13.2 times and 8.7 times EBITDA.

"This is an undemanding rating for a growth stock which is active in entering new regions," it says.

"The group is also well positioned to participate in the consolidation of the online gaming sector with clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice and around $120 million of cash resources to pursue M&A opportunities."

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Virgin Casino Introduces Major New Games for February

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 18th February 2010 - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company - Virgin Games, has today announced that it is launching six new games in February from three leading games producers - Cryptologic, Dynamite Idea and VS Gaming. Amongst the new games are three major titles - King Kong, Call of Duty and Thor - all developed by Cryptologic.

Warren Eloff, Product Manager at Virgin Casino, commented:

"We're really thrilled to be offering such great titles from these leading online game developers as we believe they will greatly enhance both choice and player experience for Virgin Casino customers, making it one of the most exciting online casinos around. Call of Duty 4 is one of the most popular video games ever created and I've no doubt it will be a big hit with our players, as will the other new games."

Virgin Games will be launching new games throughout February with Cryptologic's Call of Duty launching on the 17th and Thor following soon.

Both King Kong and Call of Duty 4 are 25 payline slots where players can unlock multiple bonus rounds and win both free spins and mystery cash prizes. Call of Duty 4 has a particularly exciting bonus round which transports players to treacherous hotspots around the globe to take on a rogue enemy group threatening world peace. Players must shoot down as many soldiers as possible to win free games and cash prizes and get the chance to win up to 5,000 times their bet.

Also to be launched in February are Aces High and SpinWin, both by Dynamite Idea and Sportswheel by VS Gaming.

Founded in 2004, Virgin Casino has over 100,000,000 players and 103 casino games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Casino seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. These new games add to a growing selection that can be found at Virgin Casino from games producers including WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Fremantle, Endemol, Dynamite Idea, VS Gaming and Ash Gaming.

To play these exciting new games visit VirginGames.com

About Virgin Games:

Virgin Games 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 jackpot value of over GBP 1,500,000

- Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of poker 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.

Sorry, no U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory

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Thursday, February 18, 2010

World Poker Tour® Returns to France for the WPT Grand Prix de Paris

Aviation Club de France Will Host Annual Televised and Non-Televised WPT Events, Kicking off May 8 – 13, 2010

LOS ANGELES - World Poker Tour® (WPT) is returning to France for one of its premier annual European tour stops, WPT Grand Prix de Paris at Aviation Club de France. Scheduled for May 8 – 13, 2010*, the €10,000 main event will be filmed for worldwide television broadcast.

"The Aviation Club de France is delighted to welcome back a WPT event in Paris,” said Bruno Fitoussi, poker consultant for Aviation Club de France. “The WPT Grand Prix de Paris is guaranteed to be a high-class tournament in the highlights of the international poker scene and will, for sure, attract players from all around the world."

Home of the best cash games in Europe, Aviation Club de France is located in the heart of Paris on the Champs-Elysées, known as “the Most Beautiful Avenue in the World.” The Aviation Club de France was created in 1907 by a group of aviators whose achievements conjure the most remarkable moments in aviation history. In addition to elegance and sophistication, the Club offers a variety of table games including Baccarta, poker Black Jack (Parisian Style), Punto Banco, Caribean Stud Poker and more.

Land-based satellites for the WPT Grand Prix de Paris main event will begin at Aviation Club de France on May 1. Schedules and additional details will be available soon at www.aviationclubdefrance.com.

Aviation Club de France will also host a non-televised WPT event in early 2011. For more information and the complete WPT tour schedule, visit World Poker Tour.

*Dates are subject to change.

ABOUT WORLD POKER TOUR

World Poker Tour (WPT) is one of the most recognized names in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high stakes poker tournaments. WPT is now broadcast globally in 150 countries and is currently filming its all-new eighth season for broadcast on Fox Sports Net’s national sports network in the United States. WPT also offers a unique online subscription and sweepstakes-based poker club, ClubWPT.com, which operates in 38 states across the U.S. WPT also participates in strategic brand license, partnership and sponsorship opportunities. WPT is a subsidiary of PartyGaming Plc. For more information, see World Poker Tour.

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Virgin Casino News: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Comes To Virgin Casino, by Greg Tingle - 18th February 2010

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is available to play now at Virgin Casino.

The multi award winning Call Of Duty 4 videogame is one of the most popular game titles of all time and is right up there with classics like Cleopatra, Space Invaders, Monopoly, Wheel Of Fortune and Tomb Raider.

The Call Of Duty 4 slot features five reels and 25 paylines to give you the chance to win a staggering 400,000 in your account currency.

You’ll visit treacherous war zones around the globe in Call of Duty 4’s incredible bonus round, where you can win free games and cash prizes by shooting down your enemies.

Game Objective:

Call of Duty 4 is a five-reel, twenty five-paylines Non Jackpot slot game with two bonus features. The first feature is a random exploding symbol which will create other wild SOLDIER symbols on the reels. This is random and you'll either see a grenade being thrown onto the screen exploding some symbols, or you'll see a soldier run up and plant explosives on the reels.

The other bonus feature is triggered when you hit 3 or more scattered LOGO symbols anywhere on the reels. Here you must shoot down the enemies as they appear on the screen, much like in the computer game. You'll win up to 4 free games for each soldier killed and you'll even get a bonus for head shots. There are bonus prizes for destroying cars and barrels. If you manage to kill 5 soldiers in a row as a streak, you'll be awarded with an airstrike which will award 3, 4 or 5 as a multiplier for the free games. If there are no airstrikes you play the free games at 2x multiplier.

Game Information:

The minimum bet amount is $0.01 USD and the maximum bet amount is $2000 USD.
You can bet on up to twenty five lines

The "war" between Virgin Casino and other igaming rivals has just reached an extreme level now that Richard Branson and his army have green lighted and released the Call of Duty 4 slot.

Virgin Casino has been shortlisted for the Casino News Media Online Casino of the Month title a number of times and Virgin is in the running for top honours this month with new titles Call of Duty 4, Beat The Bank, Monty's Millions, Slot Blox, and the announcement that they will release up to 100 new games at their online casino over the next 12 months.

Virgin Games has won a number of igaming awards and commendations over the year and because its Virgin you know your in safe hands.

Virgin Games offers a highly attractive player rewards system, V*Points, where players can win cash and prizes, and points can be used on a wide variety of Virgin products and services. V*Points player rewards is known to be easy to understand so players can focus on winning and having fun.

Virgin offers a wide variety of multi language and multi currency options. In addition play for free or play for money options.

Virgin Enterprises Limited is one of the world's most successful companies. Virgin Games was established in 2005 and Virgin Enterprises was founded by Richard Branson in 1970.

If your ready for action and ready for a war of world class levels, check out Call Of Action today.

*Sorry, no U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory

*The writer has a b2b relationship with Virgin Enterprises and Virgin Games, as they do with dozens of companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Virgin Casino to Significantly Expand Games Portfolio in 2010

Virgin Casino to Significantly Expand Games Portfolio in 2010

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company - Virgin Games, has today announced that it has developed a road map to introduce all the latest casino games in the next twelve months, making it one of the most content rich gaming sites in the UK market.

To help enhance its already strong portfolio, Virgin Casino has taken on a new partner - Playtech company, Gaming Technology Solutions (GTS) - a leading global supplier of gaming solutions for online gaming operations. Playtech provides cutting-edge software to the top operators in the gaming industry, and through the GTS Enhanced Gaming Engine (EdGE) platform, will provide Virgin Casino with access to the best in breed casino games on the market. Amongst the many exciting games due to be launched this year are Call of Duty 4, Monopoly Multiplier and Play Your Cards Right.

Warren Eloff, Product Manager at Virgin Casino, commented "GTS EdGE platform allows us easy access to the best gaming suppliers in the business and partnering with them to help develop our product offering makes perfect sense. We plan to roll out over 100 games this year and among them will be some top brand names, providing our customers with sophisticated and exciting games that they have come to expect from us. With all these new games we will have one of the best casinos available online."

Founded in 2004, Virgin Casino has over 500,000 players and 50 casino games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Casino seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. Virgin Casino offers games from a growing selection of games producers, including: WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle, Endemol, Dynamite Idea, VS Gaming and Ash Gaming.

To play at Virgin Casino visit VirginGames.com

About Virgin Games

Virgin Games launched in June 2004 and has established itself as one of the leading online 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 jackpot value of over Pounds Sterling 1,500,000

- 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.

*Sorry, no U.S or Australian players. See World Casino Directory.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Online Slot Hits PartyCasino and Coming Soon To Virgin Casino and Virgin Bingo, by Greg Tingle

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is available to play now at PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com

The multi award winning Call Of Duty 4 videogame is one of the most popular game titles of all time and is right up there with Cleopatra, Space Invaders and Tomb Raider.

Action fans can also check out the likes of Rambo, The Terminator and Mission: Impossible at PartyCasino.com If you like Rambo, you'll likely love Call Of Action.

The Call Of Duty 4 slot features five reels and 25 paylines to give you the chance to win a staggering 400,000 in your account currency.

You’ll visit treacherous war zones around the globe in Call of Duty 4’s incredible bonus round, where you can win free games and cash prizes by shooting down your enemies.

Game Objective:

Call of Duty 4 is a five-reel, twenty five-paylines Non Jackpot slot game with two bonus features. The first feature is a random exploding symbol which will create other wild SOLDIER symbols on the reels. This is random and you'll either see a grenade being thrown onto the screen exploding some symbols, or you'll see a soldier run up and plant explosives on the reels.

The other bonus feature is triggered when you hit 3 or more scattered LOGO symbols anywhere on the reels. Here you must shoot down the enemies as they appear on the screen, much like in the computer game. You'll win up to 4 free games for each soldier killed and you'll even get a bonus for head shots. There are bonus prizes for destroying cars and barrels. If you manage to kill 5 soldiers in a row as a streak, you'll be awarded with an airstrike which will award 3, 4 or 5 as a multiplier for the free games. If there are no airstrikes you play the free games at 2x multiplier.

Game Information:

The minimum bet amount is $0.01 USD and the maximum bet amount is $2000 USD.
You can bet on up to twenty five lines

PartyCasino.com VS VirginGames.com

The "war" between igaming rivals PartyCasino.com and Virgin Games heats up further with the news hot off the press that Richard Branson's Virgin Games will be getting the smash hit game on Wednesday 18th February 2010.

Both online casinos are world class. PartyCasino.com has won the Casino News Media Online Casino of the Month title a number of times and Virgin has made the shortlist for the past 3 months. PartyGaming has won a number of eGaming Review awards and commendations over the years including Socially Responsible Operator Of The Year an Operator Of The Year. PartyCasino.com offers rewards program PartyPoints, while Virgin offers V*Points.

The main point of difference for many potential players is that PartyCasino.com accepts Australian players while Virgin currently does not. PartyCasino also offers a wider variety of multi language and multi currency options. Both casinos offer play for free or play for money options.

Virgin Enterprises Limited is one of the world's most successful companies as is PartyGaming. PartyGaming is listed on the London Stock Exchange and was established in 1997. Virgin Games was established in 2005 and Virgin Enterprises was founded by Richard Branson in 1970.

If your ready for action and ready for a war of world class levels, check out Call Of Action today.

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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Avatar type technology and innovation at PartyGaming's PartyCasino, by Greg Tingle - 10th February 2010

Avatar type technology and innovation at PartyGaming's PartyCasino; More out of this world game experiences at PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com

PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com, established since 1997, is widely acknowledged as the world's biggest and best online casino... a big claim, we know.

Evidence... hundreds of games... slots, table games, skill games, poker and more.

Exclusive Hollywood blockbusters... Rambo, Saturday Night Fever, Sinatra, Tarzan, High Noon, Top Gun, Resident Evil, The Naked Gun, Mission: Impossible.

Classic slots like Cleopatra, Monopoly, Cluedo, Wheel Of Fortune...

Marvel super hero fans? Don't just watch the movies, play the games! The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four. Excelsior!

Rewards... PartyGaming's PartyPoints and Palladium Lounge

Trust and credibility... listed on the London Stock Exchange and winner of numerous igaming and business awards and commendations including eGaming Review "Operator Of The Year" and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month"

Easy for players... multi currency and multi language, and PartyCasino is available for most European, Canadian, South African, South American and Australian customers. Go Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!

PartyGaming also own and operate the world famous World Poker Tour, a claim only one igaming operator can make... that's PartyGaming.

Play for free or play for money. Feel the excitement at PartyCasino.com

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