Tuesday, June 29, 2010

PartyGaming News: French online poker and sports betting licences awarded

PartyGaming News: French online poker and sports betting licences awarded

Websites


28 June 2010

PartyGaming, the world’s leading listed online gaming company, announces that it has been awarded licences by ARJEL, the French Gaming regulator, to operate online poker and sports betting websites for residents in France. The Group can offer sports betting immediately and will offer poker on http://www.partypoker.fr when the market is opened, which is expected to be later this month.

As previously announced, the Group has signed three exclusive B2B deals this year to form a significant French poker network with PMU, the country’s largest pari-mutuel horse racing company, AB Groupe, a leading TV broadcaster, and Aviation Club de France, one of France’s most prestigious card rooms and private members clubs. This network will now benefit from pooled poker player liquidity that will be provided by PartyPoker.fr

About PartyGaming:

PartyGaming Plc is the world’s leading listed online gaming company. The Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 share index with its shares listed on The London Stock Exchange under the ticker: PRTY. In the year to 31 December 2009, PartyGaming’s Continuing operations generated revenue of $446.2m and Clean EBITDA of $135.0m. PartyGaming’s principal brands are
PartyPoker.com, one of the world’s largest online poker rooms, PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, PartyBingo.com, PartyGammon.com, PartyBets.com, InterTrader.com, FoxyBingo.com, GetMinted.com, GameBookers.com and WorldPokerTour.com. None of the Group’s sites accept real money customers located in the US. PartyGaming is regulated and licensed by the Government of Gibraltar and by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and it is also certified as a responsible gaming operator by GamCare, the leading UK authority on the provision of advice, practical help, support and counselling in addressing the social impact of gambling. PartyGaming’s shares are also a constituent member of the FTSE4Good Index Series, which enables investors to identify companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. For more information, please visit PartyGaming

Profiles







Website Network













Friday, June 25, 2010

Aussie Pokies Clubs Say Govt Recommendations Cost $4 Billion!, by Greg Tingle - 25th June 2010

Australian pokies clubs and hotels say that the new Australian Productivity Commission Reports recommendations would cost them $4 billion dollars to implement. Media Man and Gambling911 take the probe to the one armed bandits...with this free of charge report...

With new Australian Prime Minister Julie Gillard sworn into office yesterday, many campaigners, lobby groups and the like are attempting to strike while the iron is hot.

Media Man understands that new PM came into office on the same day that the Australian Productivity Report on gambling was released into the public domain. Coincidence or not? In the U.S its not that uncommon for various controversial and high stakes bills to be sworn in just before public holidays et al, and some folks call these happenings "Midnight Bills", a term coined to mate the cloak and dagger - art of war type practice.

The Aussie clubs lobby powers that be state upgrading pokies to meet Productivity Commission recommendations could cost up to $4 billion back! Yep, you read right. We reckon you could buy a few clubs, even casinos, for that sort of money.

The timing of last months pokies auction is curious also. The purchaser may have thought they got a bargain, but maybe not, if those pokies become useless or too expensive to bother upgrading.

Mr Jeremy Bath, Exec Director of Clubs Australia advised some smaller outlets with one armed bandits that could be say a decade old may not be able to afford to purchase new pokies that go for about $25,000 a pop.

"Manufacturers haven't been building them so they could be upgraded," he tells.

The Productivity Commission this past Wednesday made some 48 recommendations to tackle "problem gambling", including a $1 a bet limit on pokies, restricting to $20 the amount of cash a player could insert into a machine and a "pre-commitment" system allowing pokie lovers to set their own voluntary spending limits.

Ball advised technology that was very expensive to install and implement would not in fact end "problem gambling".

"The best strategy for problem gamblers will always be to ensure the counselling and education they need is readily available so they don't gamble at all," he said.

The GM of the Australian Hotels Association South Australian branch, Ian Horne, advised some of the commission's recommendations were "pretty confronting" and disputed by the industry because of the lack of evidence backing the claims.

"They basically say a lot of their recommendations are a leap of faith," he said.

"We don't want a leap of faith, we think we deserve something a bit more concrete."

The federal government has taken up just one of the commission's recommendations, which would allow gamblers to voluntarily set limits on the amount they intend to spend in a single gambling session.

Media Man believes that some of the report recommendations have merit, such as the setting limits point.

A Media Man spokesperson said "People enjoy playing the pokies and its no secret that a small percentage run into problems, just like some drivers have car accidents, some sports persons get injured, some people shoplift, some look for fights at clubs, and you get the idea. The problem remains, we are dealing with people here, not robots. Studies have shown that gambling addiction can be found in the genes - the human makeup - DNA. Machines are not the problem, just as guns are not the problem - people are... some people are just not suited to playing the pokies. If you make them illegal they will only go underground. Education and counselling are key parts of whats needed. For those people who think they may have a problem, stay away from pokies, or just don't even start. Of course, in the online environment some pokies can be played for free. In theory its simple, don't put in money if you have a problem, or think you might. Again, we're dealing with humans, not robots, so there's likely to always be some kind of problem behavior, as there is in just about every aspect of society".

The New South Wales Minister for Gaming and Racing, Kevin Greene, said he looked forward to working with the new COAG council, but appeared to signal problems.

"NSW will continue to play a leadership role in national discussions but we will not agree to any approach that diminishes the strict responsible gambling initiatives already in place in our state," Mr Greene said.

The clubs industry, which derives about 60% of its revenue from gambling, and poker machine manufacturers welcomed the government's response to the report.

While responsibility for gambling regulation lies with the states, the commission said that the federal government could use its corporations powers to regulate gambling machines if necessary.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, who ran for Parliament on a no pokies platform, was far from impressed with the Government's response.

"The Federal Government's response on this report is nothing short of a disgrace," he said.

"We don't need more talk, we don't need more reports and reviews, we actually need action on this and the fact is the Productivity Commission - by recommending $1 bets - is a way forward to actually deal with this issue."

Some of Australia's most popular pokies include Cleopatra, Queen Of The Nile, Black Rhino, 50 Lions, Where's The Gold, Penguin Pays and Show Me The Money. Online pokies that enjoy strong popularity, many by PartyGaming in third party agreements with outfits like IGT - WagerWorks, Hasbro and Marvel, include Cleopatra, Sinatra, Monopoly, Thor, Rambo, The Incredible Hulk, Tomb Raider, Hitman and Mission: Impossible. That reminds us, Tomb Raider movie goddess, Angelina Jolie, is also strongly rumoured to be considering the lead in a Hollywood remake of Cleopatra. Her Brad Pitt has also been talked about for Mark Anthony. The movie remake would also be a platform to relaunch the famous 'Cleo' game titles. Richard Branson's Virgin Games and new Virgin Gaming is also understood to be getting Tomb Raider before year end. Only in Hollywood... and the igaming sector. Know the odds, and keep it 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












Thursday, June 24, 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

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Aussie Pokie Pub Palace Kings Cash In Tax Cuts, by Greg Tingle - 10th June 2010

Down under in Australia the Aussie pubs have more to say cheers to and celebrate, as the gaming industry remains under the spotlight. Media Man and Gambling911 probe the pokie bean counter inc...

Aussie hotels and pubs aka "pokie palaces" owned by some of Sydney's must cashed up pub tycoons won't have to pay tax or have their tax bill cut on poker machine profits following an overhaul of sorts to gambling taxes in the state budget, which the industry has celebrated as "a result of historic proportions."

The government is calling the changes as a "rescue package" for small country pubs, but Fairfax Media is stating that the upmarket Beresford Hotel in Sydney's Surry Hills, bought by the multimillionaire Justin Hemmes just two months ago for $14.6 million, is among 485 pubs that will no longer have to pay tax on gambling profits. Jackpot Bingo!

A tax-free threshold of $200,000 will apply to pokies profits for five years from July 1, mixed in with a new taxation scale. The changes mean 1100 NSW pubs - or 65% will either end up paying no tax or significantly less.

The Beresford's pokies profits are only about $50 grand... so its annual gambling tax bill will be trimmed to Nil... bonus. American and European clubs and casinos are following the Aussie gambling tax cuts with keen interest.

A spokesman for the Hemmes family company, Merivale Group, said "Merivale controls or owns eight venues with poker machines, one of which is the Beresford Hotel. The Beresford is the only venue of the eight not required to pay tax, leaving seven of the eight paying tax. As a group, Merivale is paying more tax as a result of the changes.".

Calculations passed to Fairfax Media, that Media Man got across demonstrate pubs with gambling profits of up to $700,000 will have annual savings of between $2473 and $27,543.

The Captain Cook Hotel located on Sydney's Flinders Street and owned by the developer Matthew Lepouris, has a pokies profit of about $400,000. The hotel's tax bill will be cut by about $11,000.

The Royal Hotel at Paddo, owned by the Kelly family, and the Bristol Arms on Sussex St, owned by New South Wales largest hotel owner, National Leisure and Gaming, will pay less tax.

The NSW president of the Australian Hotels Association, Scott Leach, celebrated the move in an email to members earlier this week.

"The AHA NSW has successfully lobbied the NSW government to guarantee future gaming tax rates and deliver an immediate tax cut to 65 per cent of NSW hotels," he wrote. "This is a result of historic proportions for the industry following speculation last year the government was seriously considering increasing hotel tax rates."

Insiders say the "deal" was brokered by John Whelan, a former chief-of-staff to the former minister for gaming and racing, Grant McBride, who these days works for the AHA. Ah, relationships, history and networking matters.

Whelan declined to discuss his role in securing the tax changes. The AHA did not return calls.

Media Man and Gambling911 think the situation shows that lobbying can still work with government, when done in a (Legal) "Casino Jack" fashion. Gambling911 and MM pass on our congrats to the pub barons and the NSW government on coming to business terms that suit both parties.

Punters, as always, know the odds, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

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

Website Network