The Melbourne winner of $40 million in yesterday's Powerball draw will continue to buy Tattslotto tickets just for fun.
The married man, aged in his 50s, was one of two winners in the $80 million first division prize, with the other winner coming from NSW.
Tattsall's Lotteries chief executive Bill Thornton said the man was lost for words when he took the call of a lifetime.
"We spoke to a very happy Victorian this morning," he said.
"He was completely shocked when we rang and the first thing he said was 'I better ring my wife and let her know.' "
The winner, who is a regular player online, will continue working.
"I think he is still in a state of shock having only heard the news this morning ... but there is no talk of retirement at this stage," Mr Thornton said.
"This particular player has said he will continue to buy tickets but just for fun."
The man, a professional from Melbourne's western suburbs, was too shocked to say how he would spend the windfall.
"It's something you think might happen but you never actually believe it will happen to you," he told Tattersalls.
"It still hasn't sunk in yet. We'll take our time to think about it and won't be rushing into anything.
"We'll help out the kids a bit."
Almost one third of Victorians had a ticket in Thursday's draw, while nationwide an estimated 5 million entries were sold, Mr Thornton said.
The winning numbers were 13, 17, 15, 21 and 45. The Powerball number was 37.
The total prize pool for the draw was more than $109 million.
Just weeks ago, an Adelaide man and a Queensland couple shared a $106 million prize from Oz Lotto.
The record for the biggest Australian lottery win by a single ticket is the $58.7 million Powerball prize won by a syndicate of four workmates from Melbourne's north in June last year.
There is $20 million up for grabs this Saturday.
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Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sacha Baron Cohen sued over Bruno stunt at bingo hall - News.com.au - 4th June 2009
Sacha Baron Cohen sued over Bruno stunt
Woman claims she was left a cripple
Just days after Sacha Baron Cohen stole the show at the MTV Movie Awards with his infamous bare-bottomed stunt, a woman is suing the comic claiming he left her a cripple after attacking her at a bingo hall.
Richelle Olson has sued Cohen, NBC Universal and others claiming they told her his character Bruno was a celebrity and would appear and call numbers at the charity bingo game she ran for the elderly in California in 2007.
Olson was appalled when she saw Bruno, whom she describes as an "extreme, outrageous, offensive caricature of a gay man dressed in sexually revealing clothing with an Austrian accent ..."
Olson alleges Bruno used "vulgar and offensive language" and when she tried taking the mic from him, a "physical struggle ensued" and Cohen "offensively touched, pushed and battered" her, causing her to fall to the ground, TMZ.com reports.
She claims three cameramen rushed the stage "where defendants attacked (her) for a period of one to five minutes to intentionally create a dramatic emotional response ... while (they) recorded her humiliation and embarrassment".
It is believed the stunt was filmed for a scene in Cohen's upcoming film Bruno.
The suit says Olson was rushed to the hospital with a "diagnosis of two brain bleeds" - and that she has been confined to a wheelchair and walker ever since.
Olson and her husband are suing for unspecified damages, including loss of marital relations. (Credit: News.com.au)
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Woman claims she was left a cripple
Just days after Sacha Baron Cohen stole the show at the MTV Movie Awards with his infamous bare-bottomed stunt, a woman is suing the comic claiming he left her a cripple after attacking her at a bingo hall.
Richelle Olson has sued Cohen, NBC Universal and others claiming they told her his character Bruno was a celebrity and would appear and call numbers at the charity bingo game she ran for the elderly in California in 2007.
Olson was appalled when she saw Bruno, whom she describes as an "extreme, outrageous, offensive caricature of a gay man dressed in sexually revealing clothing with an Austrian accent ..."
Olson alleges Bruno used "vulgar and offensive language" and when she tried taking the mic from him, a "physical struggle ensued" and Cohen "offensively touched, pushed and battered" her, causing her to fall to the ground, TMZ.com reports.
She claims three cameramen rushed the stage "where defendants attacked (her) for a period of one to five minutes to intentionally create a dramatic emotional response ... while (they) recorded her humiliation and embarrassment".
It is believed the stunt was filmed for a scene in Cohen's upcoming film Bruno.
The suit says Olson was rushed to the hospital with a "diagnosis of two brain bleeds" - and that she has been confined to a wheelchair and walker ever since.
Olson and her husband are suing for unspecified damages, including loss of marital relations. (Credit: News.com.au)
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Lotteries up when chips are down, by Clancy Yeates - Fairfax - 30th July 2009
Retired wharfies Robert May and Geoff Hurley buy the odd lottery ticket, but this week they’re shelling out more than usual.
With four friends, they often play the card game 500 at Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain, and the losers chip in about $5 each to buy a lottery ticket for the group.
Yesterday, however, Mr May and Mr Hurley spent $23.10 on a ‘‘megapick’’ ticket in the hope of striking it lucky in tonight’s $80 million Powerball draw.
‘‘We spent a little bit extra,’’ Mr May said outside a newsagency in Pyrmont. ‘‘We were only going to buy a $12 one, but instead we bought a $23 one.’’
Despite having a one in 55 million chance of winning with one game, a growing number of people appears to be doing the same thing as the economy slows. Casinos and pokie dens might be doing it tough, but the recession seems to be having the opposite effect on high-prizemoney, low-probability lotteries.
Australians are expected to spend $100 million on tickets for tonight’s draw, after last month’s OZ Lotto $106.5 million draw created the country’s two second-richest lottery winners.
Latest available figures from 2007-08 show OZ Lotto and Powerball are the only games in NSW to post a substantial rise in sales since 2000-01, with sales declining across instant scratchies and 6 from 38 Pools.
A clinical psychologist at Sydney University’s Gambling Research Unit, Alex Blaszczynski, said people shifted from other gambling into lotteries because it seemed to be good value in gloomy times. ‘‘When you’ve got a $1 outlay and a you’ve got a $80 million potential prize, [even during] financial crisis, you can sill afford to gamble rather than going down to the pub for the machines,’’ Professor Blaszczynski said. ‘‘It appears to be good value, even though the probabilities are bugger-all.’’
Latest figures show NSW residents spent $1.2 billion on lottery tickets in 2007-08, up more than 25 per cent from $939 million a decade earlier.
Jacqui Lindsay, a teller at the state’s biggest seller of lottery tickets since 2000-01, Eastgardens Newsagency, said she had thought lottery sales would fall with the recession. But they have been as steady as ever. ‘‘When the big jackpots are on it just goes berserk,’’ she said. (Credit: Fairfax)
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With four friends, they often play the card game 500 at Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain, and the losers chip in about $5 each to buy a lottery ticket for the group.
Yesterday, however, Mr May and Mr Hurley spent $23.10 on a ‘‘megapick’’ ticket in the hope of striking it lucky in tonight’s $80 million Powerball draw.
‘‘We spent a little bit extra,’’ Mr May said outside a newsagency in Pyrmont. ‘‘We were only going to buy a $12 one, but instead we bought a $23 one.’’
Despite having a one in 55 million chance of winning with one game, a growing number of people appears to be doing the same thing as the economy slows. Casinos and pokie dens might be doing it tough, but the recession seems to be having the opposite effect on high-prizemoney, low-probability lotteries.
Australians are expected to spend $100 million on tickets for tonight’s draw, after last month’s OZ Lotto $106.5 million draw created the country’s two second-richest lottery winners.
Latest available figures from 2007-08 show OZ Lotto and Powerball are the only games in NSW to post a substantial rise in sales since 2000-01, with sales declining across instant scratchies and 6 from 38 Pools.
A clinical psychologist at Sydney University’s Gambling Research Unit, Alex Blaszczynski, said people shifted from other gambling into lotteries because it seemed to be good value in gloomy times. ‘‘When you’ve got a $1 outlay and a you’ve got a $80 million potential prize, [even during] financial crisis, you can sill afford to gamble rather than going down to the pub for the machines,’’ Professor Blaszczynski said. ‘‘It appears to be good value, even though the probabilities are bugger-all.’’
Latest figures show NSW residents spent $1.2 billion on lottery tickets in 2007-08, up more than 25 per cent from $939 million a decade earlier.
Jacqui Lindsay, a teller at the state’s biggest seller of lottery tickets since 2000-01, Eastgardens Newsagency, said she had thought lottery sales would fall with the recession. But they have been as steady as ever. ‘‘When the big jackpots are on it just goes berserk,’’ she said. (Credit: Fairfax)
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Monday, July 27, 2009
Powerball jackpot hits $80 million - 23rd July 2009
Powerball will jackpot to at least $80 million next week after no winners claimed the $50 million first prize in the draw tonight.
The multi-billion dollar jackpot, the second highest in Australian history, will come just weeks after an Adelaide man and a Queensland couple shared a record $106 million prize from Oz Lotto.
That draw captured headlines as millions of Australians scrambled for tickets.
Tattersalls spokeswoman Karen Anning hinted the final Powerball jackpot figure may rise, as the Oz Lotto draw did a few weeks ago, when it rose from the anticipated $90 million.
"It all depends on player participation but it could go beyond $80 million," she said.
"The more entries we have, the larger the prize pool. And we have one of our busiest weeks ahead. It will be a huge week in lotto shops around the country."
The previous Powerball jackpot record, $58.7 million, was shared by four workmates from Melbourne's north last year.
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The multi-billion dollar jackpot, the second highest in Australian history, will come just weeks after an Adelaide man and a Queensland couple shared a record $106 million prize from Oz Lotto.
That draw captured headlines as millions of Australians scrambled for tickets.
Tattersalls spokeswoman Karen Anning hinted the final Powerball jackpot figure may rise, as the Oz Lotto draw did a few weeks ago, when it rose from the anticipated $90 million.
"It all depends on player participation but it could go beyond $80 million," she said.
"The more entries we have, the larger the prize pool. And we have one of our busiest weeks ahead. It will be a huge week in lotto shops around the country."
The previous Powerball jackpot record, $58.7 million, was shared by four workmates from Melbourne's north last year.
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Saturday, July 25, 2009
PartyGaming to focus on mainland Europe - 23rd July 2009
PartyGaming aims to focus on continental European as it rolls out Cashcade and Party bingo brands alongside more white-label deals, the company has advised.
PartyGaming has acquired Cashcade for £71.9m, with an additional payment of up to £24m dependent on performance.
To grow its share in rapidly rising global online bingo market, PartyGaming will look to B2B deals such as those recently inked with Italian land-based lottery services provider Intralot and Cirsa, which just happen to be the largest land-based bingo operator in Spain.
A PartyGaming spokesperson said "expect us to do more B2B deals" to take a slice of the global online bingo market, which is set to grow from US$1.5bn to US$2.8bn by the end of 2012, according to industry data business H2 Gambling Capital.
"Europe is the exciting area for us. Cashcade will be helping us build the PartyGaming platform while continuing to building their own brand, but we will also be looking to build market share through more B2B deals following those with Intralot, Cirsa, DM and Channel 5".
"Cashcade has recently grown its share of the UK market to 23%, so they’re really at the top of their game in terms of taking share from other competitors".
PartyGaming advises it has the necessary access to the cash and debt markets required to play a role in the unfolding consolidation play, following its recent settlement with the US DOJ. Party had £193.1m cash on the balance sheet at of 31 December 2008. The £95.9m total consideration for Cashcade and the settlement of £72m to the US DOJ will however be met from this.
PartyGaming finance director Martin Weigold advised in a conference call to journalists that the company had already been engaged in "extensive discussions" with banks in relation to raising funds for further M&A activity.
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PartyGaming has acquired Cashcade for £71.9m, with an additional payment of up to £24m dependent on performance.
To grow its share in rapidly rising global online bingo market, PartyGaming will look to B2B deals such as those recently inked with Italian land-based lottery services provider Intralot and Cirsa, which just happen to be the largest land-based bingo operator in Spain.
A PartyGaming spokesperson said "expect us to do more B2B deals" to take a slice of the global online bingo market, which is set to grow from US$1.5bn to US$2.8bn by the end of 2012, according to industry data business H2 Gambling Capital.
"Europe is the exciting area for us. Cashcade will be helping us build the PartyGaming platform while continuing to building their own brand, but we will also be looking to build market share through more B2B deals following those with Intralot, Cirsa, DM and Channel 5".
"Cashcade has recently grown its share of the UK market to 23%, so they’re really at the top of their game in terms of taking share from other competitors".
PartyGaming advises it has the necessary access to the cash and debt markets required to play a role in the unfolding consolidation play, following its recent settlement with the US DOJ. Party had £193.1m cash on the balance sheet at of 31 December 2008. The £95.9m total consideration for Cashcade and the settlement of £72m to the US DOJ will however be met from this.
PartyGaming finance director Martin Weigold advised in a conference call to journalists that the company had already been engaged in "extensive discussions" with banks in relation to raising funds for further M&A activity.
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Friday, July 24, 2009
PartyGaming Likely to Buy Cashcade
July 20, 2009 (CAP Newswire) -- News sources across the media spectrum have been speculating for weeks about the likely purchase of U.K.-based online gaming marketing firm Cashcade by a larger online gambling company. The two most likely contenders to purchase the site have been rivals PartyGaming and 888.
Now, it looks as though PartyGaming has outbid 888 and is close to sealing the deal. 888 is reportedly dismissing the development as of little importance, although it is more closely allied with Cashcade. (888 currently provides the software for Foxy Bingo, the parent company of Cashcade.)
Both companies’ stock prices rose today on the news, with 888’s jumping even more than PartyGaming, despite the fact that it will likely lose out on the bidding war. Click here to read more at Forbes.com. (Credit: CAP Newswire)
Greg Tingle comment...
The PartyGaming purchase deal of Cashcade happened and is history now. PartyGaming paid GBP71.9 million for the London-based bingo and casino operator Cashcade, and will pay up to a further GBP24 million subject to Cashcade's future profit performance, according to number news media reports. I believe that PartyGaming has now firmly cemented itself as the market leader. Out of Europe Euro Partners (Casino Tropez, Europa Casino etc) isn't staying still, with a push into the Asia Pacific region via the web, and Belle Rock Entertainment (JackpotCity, Lucky Nugget and more) are pushing ahead via the web and talk of Belle Rock to make a traditional media push. Aspinalls Online Casino and Aspinalls Online Poker are ramping up online, with their Vegas Partners Lounge connection. In Australia PokerStars still have strong footing and branding, as does 888's Pacific Poker. It will be interesting to see what's next for PartyGaming's traditional bingo brand, PartyBingo, given the latest bingo acquisitions. In Australia the PartyGaming deal with Cryptologic re Marvel themed slot games has proved a big winner, at least from our data here at Media Man Australia, and the Party connection and deal with Paramount Pictures for a number of Hollywood themed slot games is working a treat. Mission: Impossible and Top Gun's Tom Cruise has recently been in Australia, and he has history with Australia's James Packer (Crown Casino and City Of Dreams), so you can just imagine the increased interest in PartyCasino themed slot games. Mr Packer and his family also have some positive history and dealings with Aspers Damain Aspinall, and his father, the late great, John Aspinall. That connection could prove to be an ace up the sleeve for Aspinalls, as part of the PartyCasino - Paramount Pictures blockbuster slots - Cruise - Packer tie ins, with Media Man in the thick of the action. Oh, not to be left out Virgin Entertainment Limited's Sir Richard Branson has done public meeting with Packer in Australia a few months ago, and Virgin Games are rumoured to be soon releasing another slot game or two, quite likely a Hollywood themed slot, following the PartyCasino slot strategy and Transformers path. Marvel have started production on a Thor movie and the Iron Man II (movie) is on the way. If you were to bet CrytoLogic, NextGen Gaming and PartyGaming will have something to do with their igaming adaptions and promotion. A high level person at PartyGaming / PartyPoker is rumoured to be assisting the Asian Poker Tour, which isn't that far north of Australia, with both regions being part of the Asia Pacific (just ask Australian prime minster, Kevin Rudd), who is very proficient at speaking in a number of Oriental languages. Mr Rudd is not such a big fan of igaming however. PartyGaming of course have things sorted with the US DOJ, so that can only serve Party well with their ramping up in the Asia Pacific region. I wouldn't be surprised to even see their brand pop up in the upcoming poker themed movie out of Asia, Poker King. So, overall, PartyGaming is looking in a very strong position. The have parted with some cash and and further cemented their leading market position, and other igaming and gaming operators are doing their utmost to stay in the race with new campaigns, new games and the like. Whatever side of the industry your in its hard to argue that its not exciting times in the gaming industry, as the business does its best to be a good corporate citizen and to do the right thing by regulators and players. PartyGaming certainly looks to be playing their cards right.
Greg Tingle
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Now, it looks as though PartyGaming has outbid 888 and is close to sealing the deal. 888 is reportedly dismissing the development as of little importance, although it is more closely allied with Cashcade. (888 currently provides the software for Foxy Bingo, the parent company of Cashcade.)
Both companies’ stock prices rose today on the news, with 888’s jumping even more than PartyGaming, despite the fact that it will likely lose out on the bidding war. Click here to read more at Forbes.com. (Credit: CAP Newswire)
Greg Tingle comment...
The PartyGaming purchase deal of Cashcade happened and is history now. PartyGaming paid GBP71.9 million for the London-based bingo and casino operator Cashcade, and will pay up to a further GBP24 million subject to Cashcade's future profit performance, according to number news media reports. I believe that PartyGaming has now firmly cemented itself as the market leader. Out of Europe Euro Partners (Casino Tropez, Europa Casino etc) isn't staying still, with a push into the Asia Pacific region via the web, and Belle Rock Entertainment (JackpotCity, Lucky Nugget and more) are pushing ahead via the web and talk of Belle Rock to make a traditional media push. Aspinalls Online Casino and Aspinalls Online Poker are ramping up online, with their Vegas Partners Lounge connection. In Australia PokerStars still have strong footing and branding, as does 888's Pacific Poker. It will be interesting to see what's next for PartyGaming's traditional bingo brand, PartyBingo, given the latest bingo acquisitions. In Australia the PartyGaming deal with Cryptologic re Marvel themed slot games has proved a big winner, at least from our data here at Media Man Australia, and the Party connection and deal with Paramount Pictures for a number of Hollywood themed slot games is working a treat. Mission: Impossible and Top Gun's Tom Cruise has recently been in Australia, and he has history with Australia's James Packer (Crown Casino and City Of Dreams), so you can just imagine the increased interest in PartyCasino themed slot games. Mr Packer and his family also have some positive history and dealings with Aspers Damain Aspinall, and his father, the late great, John Aspinall. That connection could prove to be an ace up the sleeve for Aspinalls, as part of the PartyCasino - Paramount Pictures blockbuster slots - Cruise - Packer tie ins, with Media Man in the thick of the action. Oh, not to be left out Virgin Entertainment Limited's Sir Richard Branson has done public meeting with Packer in Australia a few months ago, and Virgin Games are rumoured to be soon releasing another slot game or two, quite likely a Hollywood themed slot, following the PartyCasino slot strategy and Transformers path. Marvel have started production on a Thor movie and the Iron Man II (movie) is on the way. If you were to bet CrytoLogic, NextGen Gaming and PartyGaming will have something to do with their igaming adaptions and promotion. A high level person at PartyGaming / PartyPoker is rumoured to be assisting the Asian Poker Tour, which isn't that far north of Australia, with both regions being part of the Asia Pacific (just ask Australian prime minster, Kevin Rudd), who is very proficient at speaking in a number of Oriental languages. Mr Rudd is not such a big fan of igaming however. PartyGaming of course have things sorted with the US DOJ, so that can only serve Party well with their ramping up in the Asia Pacific region. I wouldn't be surprised to even see their brand pop up in the upcoming poker themed movie out of Asia, Poker King. So, overall, PartyGaming is looking in a very strong position. The have parted with some cash and and further cemented their leading market position, and other igaming and gaming operators are doing their utmost to stay in the race with new campaigns, new games and the like. Whatever side of the industry your in its hard to argue that its not exciting times in the gaming industry, as the business does its best to be a good corporate citizen and to do the right thing by regulators and players. PartyGaming certainly looks to be playing their cards right.
Greg Tingle
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
PartyGaming Buys Cashcade To Grow Online Bingo Mkt Shr
LONDON - PartyGaming PLC (PRTY.LN) Thursday acquired Cashcade Ltd. for GBP95.9 million, a move aimed at significantly increasing its share of the $1.5 billion global online bingo market.
It's the online gambling company's first deal since its settlement with authorities in the U.S. over its defunct operations there.
PartyGaming will initially pay GBP71.9 million for bingo and casino operator Cashcade, and up to a further GBP24 million subject to Cashcade's future profit performance.
The deal, which is being financed by existing cash, was well received by investors and boosted PartyGaming shares by 5.5% as of 0954 GMT in a lower London market. The stock has risen 27% since January, and 17% over the past 12 months.
Cashcade is partially owned by debt-laden newspaper publisher Independent News & Media PLC (IPD.DB), which holds an 18% stake, and private individuals.
Cashcade's online bingo websites include Foxy Bingo, Think Bingo, Bingo Scotland as well as casino sites such as Getminted.com and Foxy Flutter.
PartyGaming expects the deal to be earnings enhancing before amortization of intangibles in 2009.
Cashcade's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation more than doubled to GBP12.2 million in 2008 from GBP4.9 million a year earlier. It booked net revenue of GBP44.9 million in 2008, up from GBP28.5 million.
PartyGaming Chief Executive Jim Ryan said the Cashcade acquisition provides the group with "an excellent platform to build a meaningful share of the $1.5 billion global online bingo market."
"Our longer-term strategic objective is to become the market-leader in online poker, casino, sports and bingo," Ryan said in a statement.
Daniel Stewart analyst James Hollins said the deal is "extremely attractive, providing an immediate boost to earnings and a market-leading position in online bingo." Hollins has consequently raised his target price to 366 pence from 339 pence, and with 56% upside to Hollin's target, he retained his buy rating.
Other parties who were reportedly interested in Cashcade included 888 Holdings PLC (888.LN) and Paddy Power PLC (PLS.DEB).
Independent News & Media, which is haggling with its bond holders over EUR200 million of overdue debt, will receive EUR15.3 million for its Cashcade stake after costs. It may also receive incremental proceeds in 2010 and 2011, subject to certain earnings targets being met.
In April, PartyGaming agreed to pay $105 million to U.S. authorities, and in turn the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York agreed not to prosecute the Gibraltar-based company or its subsidiaries for providing Internet gambling to customers in the U.S. before the federal government's ban of the industry in October 2006.
At the time, Ryan said: "We are now well-placed to seize organic as well as strategic opportunities that previously were beyond our reach."
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It's the online gambling company's first deal since its settlement with authorities in the U.S. over its defunct operations there.
PartyGaming will initially pay GBP71.9 million for bingo and casino operator Cashcade, and up to a further GBP24 million subject to Cashcade's future profit performance.
The deal, which is being financed by existing cash, was well received by investors and boosted PartyGaming shares by 5.5% as of 0954 GMT in a lower London market. The stock has risen 27% since January, and 17% over the past 12 months.
Cashcade is partially owned by debt-laden newspaper publisher Independent News & Media PLC (IPD.DB), which holds an 18% stake, and private individuals.
Cashcade's online bingo websites include Foxy Bingo, Think Bingo, Bingo Scotland as well as casino sites such as Getminted.com and Foxy Flutter.
PartyGaming expects the deal to be earnings enhancing before amortization of intangibles in 2009.
Cashcade's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation more than doubled to GBP12.2 million in 2008 from GBP4.9 million a year earlier. It booked net revenue of GBP44.9 million in 2008, up from GBP28.5 million.
PartyGaming Chief Executive Jim Ryan said the Cashcade acquisition provides the group with "an excellent platform to build a meaningful share of the $1.5 billion global online bingo market."
"Our longer-term strategic objective is to become the market-leader in online poker, casino, sports and bingo," Ryan said in a statement.
Daniel Stewart analyst James Hollins said the deal is "extremely attractive, providing an immediate boost to earnings and a market-leading position in online bingo." Hollins has consequently raised his target price to 366 pence from 339 pence, and with 56% upside to Hollin's target, he retained his buy rating.
Other parties who were reportedly interested in Cashcade included 888 Holdings PLC (888.LN) and Paddy Power PLC (PLS.DEB).
Independent News & Media, which is haggling with its bond holders over EUR200 million of overdue debt, will receive EUR15.3 million for its Cashcade stake after costs. It may also receive incremental proceeds in 2010 and 2011, subject to certain earnings targets being met.
In April, PartyGaming agreed to pay $105 million to U.S. authorities, and in turn the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York agreed not to prosecute the Gibraltar-based company or its subsidiaries for providing Internet gambling to customers in the U.S. before the federal government's ban of the industry in October 2006.
At the time, Ryan said: "We are now well-placed to seize organic as well as strategic opportunities that previously were beyond our reach."
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Independent News & Media sells Cashcade stake to PartyGaming, by Mark Sweney - The Guardian - 23rd July 2009
Owner of the Independent secures €15.3m from digital gambling group as it attempts to restructure its debts
Independent News & Media has sold its 18% stake in Cashcade, the owner of gaming brands including Foxy Bingo, for €15.3m (£13.2m) to digital gambling group PartyGaming.
INM, which earlier this month sold down its stake in Indian newspaper publisher Jagran Prakashan to pay off debts, said that it will receive "incremental proceeds" over the next two years as long as earnings targets are met.
INM, the owner of the Independent and Independent on Sunday, said that the sale of its Cashcade stake was part of its "de-leveraging" strategy as it attempts to negotiate a debt restructuring with investors during a financial "standstill" period.
The sale of the stake is part of a buyout of the entire Cashcade operation by PartyGaming in a deal worth £95.9m. The deal is comprised of £71.9m in cash and a further £24m depending on future profit performance.
Cashcade, which owns brands including Foxy Bingo, Think Bingo, GetMinted, Foxy Flutter and free-to-play website Cheeky Bingo, reported profits of £7.5m in 2008.
"Cashcade provides us with an excellent platform to build a meaningful share of the $1.5bn global online bingo market," said the PartyGaming chief executive, Jim Ryan. "Our longer-term strategic objective is to become the market leader in online poker, casino, sports and bingo."
Last month Channel Five struck an exclusive deal with PartyGaming to launch an online bingo and casino service. (Credit: The Guardian)
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Independent News & Media has sold its 18% stake in Cashcade, the owner of gaming brands including Foxy Bingo, for €15.3m (£13.2m) to digital gambling group PartyGaming.
INM, which earlier this month sold down its stake in Indian newspaper publisher Jagran Prakashan to pay off debts, said that it will receive "incremental proceeds" over the next two years as long as earnings targets are met.
INM, the owner of the Independent and Independent on Sunday, said that the sale of its Cashcade stake was part of its "de-leveraging" strategy as it attempts to negotiate a debt restructuring with investors during a financial "standstill" period.
The sale of the stake is part of a buyout of the entire Cashcade operation by PartyGaming in a deal worth £95.9m. The deal is comprised of £71.9m in cash and a further £24m depending on future profit performance.
Cashcade, which owns brands including Foxy Bingo, Think Bingo, GetMinted, Foxy Flutter and free-to-play website Cheeky Bingo, reported profits of £7.5m in 2008.
"Cashcade provides us with an excellent platform to build a meaningful share of the $1.5bn global online bingo market," said the PartyGaming chief executive, Jim Ryan. "Our longer-term strategic objective is to become the market leader in online poker, casino, sports and bingo."
Last month Channel Five struck an exclusive deal with PartyGaming to launch an online bingo and casino service. (Credit: The Guardian)
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Monday, July 20, 2009
Independent News & Media set for £20m cash boost - 20th July 2009
LONDON - Indebted newspaper group Independent News & Media is in line for a £20m cash injection after a deal was struck for its minority-owned Cashcade online gaming business to be sold to PartyGaming.
The group behind The Independent and The Independent on Sunday is in need of the money to help refinance a €200m (£172m) bond which was originally due to be repaid in May.
It is also attempting to sell its price comparison business Verivox.
IN&M owns 20% of Cashcade, which PartyGaming is buying for £100m.
PartyGaming is understood to be paying £75m of this upfront and the remaining £25m at a later date depending on the business's performance this year and in 2010.
Details of the sum IN&M is due to receive were unavailable but if proportionate it is likely to receive £15m now and £5m at the later date.
IN&M's current "standstill" agreement with the holders of the €200m bond is in place until July 24.
The Sunday Times has reported that the agreement is expected to be renewed until late August or early September.
The acquisition of Cashcade, which owns well-advertised bingo website Foxybingo.com, is likely to be the first of many in the sector for PartyGaming.
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The group behind The Independent and The Independent on Sunday is in need of the money to help refinance a €200m (£172m) bond which was originally due to be repaid in May.
It is also attempting to sell its price comparison business Verivox.
IN&M owns 20% of Cashcade, which PartyGaming is buying for £100m.
PartyGaming is understood to be paying £75m of this upfront and the remaining £25m at a later date depending on the business's performance this year and in 2010.
Details of the sum IN&M is due to receive were unavailable but if proportionate it is likely to receive £15m now and £5m at the later date.
IN&M's current "standstill" agreement with the holders of the €200m bond is in place until July 24.
The Sunday Times has reported that the agreement is expected to be renewed until late August or early September.
The acquisition of Cashcade, which owns well-advertised bingo website Foxybingo.com, is likely to be the first of many in the sector for PartyGaming.
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Sunday, July 19, 2009
PartyGaming close to 100 mln stg bingo buy-source
LONDON, July 19 - Online gaming group PartyGaming is close to announcing a 100 million-pound ($163.1 million) deal to buy Cashcade, owner of the foxybingo.com Web site, a source familiar with the matter said on Sunday.
The source, confirming a story in the Sunday Times newspaper, said PartyGaming was likely to pay an initial sum of around 75 million pounds followed by a further 25 million depending on the performance of Cashcade in 2009 and 2010.
PartyGaming declined to comment.
The deal would be a boost for indebted newspaper publisher Independent News & Media), which owns a near-20 percent stake in Cashcade and is looking to sell assets to raise money.
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The source, confirming a story in the Sunday Times newspaper, said PartyGaming was likely to pay an initial sum of around 75 million pounds followed by a further 25 million depending on the performance of Cashcade in 2009 and 2010.
PartyGaming declined to comment.
The deal would be a boost for indebted newspaper publisher Independent News & Media), which owns a near-20 percent stake in Cashcade and is looking to sell assets to raise money.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Global Gaming Blog: News
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Murdoch’s betting play is about to fall apart - July 2023
As Lachlan Murdoch would know, his family’s fondness for gambling is popularly attributed to his great-grandfather Rupert Greene, who was so unsuccessful at it that his friends secured him a job as race starter at Flemington racecourse for 31 years, a job which barred him from betting on horses.
Lachlan’s own form as a punter is still undetermined.
Next month he and his father Rupert face a make-or-break decision on Fox Bet, Lachlan’s attempt to break into the lucrative online betting industry.
A year ago, News Corp was pouring money into Betr, its joint start-up with gaming entrepreneur Matthew Tripp. The key to this transaction was the plan heavily pushed by Lachlan to merge News Corp and Fox Corp, with Betr becoming the Australian version of Fox Bet. Betr would be the first example of Fox/News synergy.
Nationwide News began with a modest $2.9 million outlay, but a flurry of capital raisings up to late December pushed its total investment to $65 million.
In January, however, Lachlan had to throw in the towel on the Fox-News merger idea, which meant the whole international Fox Bet plan was toast, and overnight News Corp’s risk appetite for Betr disappeared.
As this paper reported in February, News reported a $US33 million equity loss from affiliates in the December half year, most of it from the investment in Betr. That $US33 million figure is after tax, of course. That makes the pre-tax loss in Aussie dollars around $70 million, with a further $US10 million loss from equity affiliates in the March quarter. News Corp has well and truly lost its shirt on the gee-gees.
Of course losing money doesn’t mean that betting platforms aren’t worth anything. Fox emerged from last November’s mediation tussle with UK giant Flutter Entertainment with confirmation that it has a valid 10-year option to buy 18.6 per cent of Flutter’s FanDuel, which claims to have half the US online betting market. FanDuel is yet to break even, but the sliding option deal currently values it at $US22 billion.
But it was Fox Bet that was to be Lachlan’s big play. While he was keen to use Fox Sports coverage as a springboard to build a sports betting platform, he didn’t want Fox to run it. Instead, in 2018 he did a deal with The Stars Group (TSG) to run Fox Bet as a joint venture.
Months later Flutter bought TSG and inherited control of Fox Bet. Fox claims Flutter starved Fox Bet of funds, favouring FanDuel instead – a claim which the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services decision in November rejected.
Critics say Fox Bet’s technology is clunky. It is rolled out in just four states and has less than 1 per cent of the US market.
So, it’s decision time. In August, Flutter can walk away from the Fox Bet joint venture, which means either Fox steps up with its own funding and organisation to run it, or Fox Bet gets canned.
It’s a tough decision, given all the personal capital the Murdoch scion has invested in the idea of building a betting empire. That’s all about to fall apart, unless he doubles down. Suppose he has to ask himself: Do I feel lucky?
(AFR)
Sportsbet splashed more than $64m on gambling ads in 18 months - July 2023
Sportsbet, the country’s largest online bookmaker, has spent $64 million on television ads during live sport and racing events in the past 18 months, more than triple the amount spent by rivals Tabcorp and Ladbrokes.
Confidential spending data, compiled by researchers at Nielsen and obtained by The Australian Financial Review, shows the extent of spending by bookmakers at a time when the federal government is considering whether to place a ban on gambling advertising on television
The proposal from a parliamentary inquiry has worried the major broadcasters, with bookmakers already scaling back their spending. There are fears a complete ban will choke off tens of millions of dollars that flow into the coffers of broadcasters and sporting organisations.
The data shows Tabcorp has spent only $5 million since the government’s online gambling inquiry commenced in mid-October. Other major competitors also reduced the amount they spent on the Nine Network, Seven Network and Network Ten as the inquiry dragged into the new year.
The inquiry, chaired by Labor MP Peta Murphy, recommended two weeks ago that the government completely ban gambling advertising on television, radio and social media platforms.
Wagering companies that would be worrying about the impact of that change are Sportsbet, which has spent $64.4 million, and the Entain-owned Ladbrokes and Neds brands, which spent a combined $37.6 million on advertising on television networks between January last year and May.
Outside of social media platforms, television is the most commonly used platform to advertise or promote a brand. The impact of the ban would not only affect the market share of the biggest spenders, but the amount of advertising revenue television networks receive.
Gambling ads are typically used by a wagering company for two reasons: to raise brand awareness or to promote inducements around a particular sporting event or racing carnival.
Up in lights
Nielsen’s data does not account for in-house stadium advertisements or sponsorship on jerseys, which would also be banned under a government recommendation. It also does not count advertising on subscription television provider Foxtel and its streaming service Kayo Sports.
But it paints a picture for just how intertwined sports betting and key racing and sports events are. Most of Sportsbet’s ads run in the AFL and NRL seasons as the wagering company is the official partner for both codes. Data from March to September – when both competitions run – show more than $32 million was spent in that six-month period alone.
Ladbrokes, which has spent $20.2 million in 17 months, skews its spend to the AFL and NRL finals. From September to November 2022, during the spring racing carnival, Sportsbet spent $16.8 million – more than the total amount spent by Tabcorp over an 18-month period.
That is largely due to Tabcorp dramatically scaling back the amount it spends with broadcasters. Tabcorp has spent just $5.5 million on television advertising since October, despite the Melbourne Cup Carnival running in November. That means it spent $10.8 million from January to September.
It was not the only one to reduce spend in that time – all other wagering companies spent millions less during the inquiry period than in the months before.
Tabcorp’s dramatic drop in spend coincides with comments made by the company’s chief executive, Adam Rytenskild, at the inquiry. At the time, Mr Rytenskild said the company would voluntarily stop all advertising on free-to-air television during the day by 2024.
BetR, the News Corp-backed wagering group that began advertising when it launched in October, has so far spent almost $15 million.
The smallest spender is BlueBet, which contributed just $3.3 million to the $155.4 million spent in the period. PointsBet, which recently sold its operations in the United States to Jay Z-backed Fanatics, spent $12.6 million in the same period.
The government is meeting with broadcaster and wagering companies to expedite a process that will crack down on issues associated with the wagering sector.
The sweeping gambling ad ban – worth more than $300 million last year – was one of 31 recommendations made by Ms Murphy’s parliamentary inquiry. Other recommendations include the appointment of a minister dedicated to reducing online gambling harm, the creation of a national regulator and changes to behavioural algorithms in gambling apps.
For their part, television executives and most wagering companies are opposed to a blanket ban, though some concede a reduction is feasible. Tabcorp is unconcerned, but the ban would not include ads for physical shop premises or ads that appear during horse or greyhound racing (Tabcorp currently holds exclusive wagering licences in NSW and Victoria).
Sportsbet chief executive Barni Evans said last month that while his company supported several recommendations made by the inquiry, prohibition on advertising was a step too far.
“We believe an approach that significantly reduces the number of ads rather than complete bans would respond to community concerns, while still supporting sport and media,” Mr Evans said.
(AFR)
Gambling ad ban would hurt footy and media: Sportsbet - May 2023
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s budget reply assault on gambling advertising during sports broadcasts has sparked anger among TV executives, who say they could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
Mr Dutton has proposed banning gambling advertising for an hour before and after sporting matches because “footy time is family time”.
“The bombardment of betting ads takes the joy out of televised sports,” he said. “Worse, they are changing the culture of our country in a bad way and normalising gambling at a young age.”
The proposal would potentially have the most severe repercussions for the broadcasters of the AFL and NRL, including Seven Network, Nine Entertainment and pay-TV operator Foxtel. The media companies declined to comment publicly. Nine is the publisher of this masthead.
London-listed Sportsbet, part of London-listed Flutter Entertainment, has about half of Australia’s online bookmaker market and its advertising is omnipresent during sports broadcasts.
A Sportsbet spokesman supported “balanced” reform, warning against moves that would restrict the amount of money going into media companies and sporting bodies.
“Thursday’s announcement, which focuses solely on sport broadcasts, risks leading to significant impacts on sport and media funding,” the spokesman said.
“We encourage all political parties to work constructively in consultation with affected sectors on proportionate solutions that achieve this balance while reducing harm.”
Little warning
The surprise announcement comes at a tricky time for the online gambling industry, sports bodies and big media organisations. There has been growing support among MPs and voters for a crackdown on online bookmakers, particularly curbing the sheer volume of advertising that is plastered across TV, radio and social media.
Some executives at the companies were given a heads-up by the Coalition’s communications spokesman, David Coleman, before the announcement, according to a person familiar with the matter. “There was no notice, just a heads-up,” the source said.
Privately, TV executives say changes would put at risk up to $200 million of revenue from the gambling companies. Figures from Standard Media Index, which measures advertising agency spend, show TV networks made $180 million from the $300 million spent on gambling ads last year.
The figures are material for companies such as Seven, Nine and Foxtel, which have signed long-term broadcast contracts with the AFL and NRL worth billions. Those companies sign annual packages with the likes of Sportsbet, Ladbrokes and ASX-listed Tabcorp to place marketing around the games.
Under existing laws, gambling ads are banned from five minutes before a live sport starts until 8.30pm. After 8.30pm, the ads can also appear during breaks.
One gambling industry veteran said the amount of money flowing into media and the football codes would be “substantially less” if Mr Dutton’s idea were to become reality.
Other executives were more sanguine about the announcement, describing Mr Dutton’s speech as headline-grabbing rather than a serious policy proposal, coming weeks before the government’s inquiry into online gambling is due to report.
“It’s a simple way to get ahead of Labor on the topic,” one TV executive said, adding that blocking TV ads would shift promotion onto YouTube and social media apps.
The federal government’s parliamentary inquiry into online gambling has become the main venue for the likes of Sportsbet, media and sporting bodies to be consulted on the coming crackdown.
Last month, AFL chief executive Gil McLachlan appeared at the inquiry along with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo. They suggested the inquiry should look at banning so-called inducement ads, such as cash-back and free-cash offers, particularly on social media.
The inquiry has already led to the government committing to new laws that will ban people from using credit cards through online bookmakers.
(AFR)
Wallabies turn in shocker to open Eddie Jones era - 9th July 2023
The Wallabies have turned in a horror first Test under coach Eddie Jones, falling 43-12 to South Africa to continue their 60-year drought in Pretoria.
The Australians arrived at Loftus Versfeld, where they have never tasted victory, looking to usher in a winning era under Jones in his second stint as Wallabies coach.
But their plans of opening the Rugby Championship with a victory on Saturday were left in tatters with few Wallabies boosting their World Cup stocks.
“We were outplayed everywhere, beaten in every department,” Jones conceded.
“Really disappointing but no excuses. We got a realistic appraisal of where we are as a team.”
Co-captain James Slipper described it as a “tough start”, the veteran prop lamenting his team’s discipline, incurring 11 penalties and two penalty tries, which resulted in hooker Dave Porecki and winger Suliasi Vunivalu being handed yellow cards.
“Discipline, playing at the right end of the field ... it’s a tough start, but we’ve got a long year ahead of us so we’ll keep working hard,” Slipper said.
They started with a bang, as star winger Marika Koroibete barrelled across the line in the seventh minute before the home side piled on 41 unanswered points.
Debutant five-eighth Carter Gordon scored in the final minute, putting his hand up to replace Quade Cooper in the No.10 jersey next week against Argentina.
But the Australians’ defence was in disarray throughout, making more than double the number of tackles compared to the Boks, who won the collisions to control possession and territory.
The Wallabies also looked clueless in attack, with Cooper failing to put his stamp on the game and their opponents under any pressure.
They repeatedly played into South Africa’s hands by kicking away possession while handling errors cruelled many an attacking raid.
They only managed to spend 0.47 seconds in the opposition 22 in three visits compared to the home side’s 15.
Lightning winger Kurt-Lee Arendse bagged a hat-trick for South Africa, exposing Vunivalu who had a shocker in his first Test start.
Arendse scored twice in the opening 40 minutes as his team surged to a 17-5 halftime lead and added a third in the 50th minute.
Reece Hodge’s radar was off target, with the inside centre missing all three first-half attempts including a late 66m effort which fell short and he was replaced by Samu Kerevi early in the second stanza.
A number of Springboks stars missed the match to head to New Zealand to prepare for the All Blacks, but they showed their depth across the park.
Jones rang the changes but his replacements were unable to make an impact on the world champions, who were cheered on by more than 50,000 in the stands.
“There is a game next week (against Argentina in Sydney) and we will be better. It is a bad day at the office and we have to front up and play better than that,” said Jones.
(AAP)
Volkanovski trumps Rodriguez to retain UFC featherweight crown - 9th July 2023
Las Vegas: Alexander Volkanovski reasserted himself as the featherweight champion with a technical knockout over Yair Rodriguez four minutes into the third round at UFC 290.
Rodriguez was the interim champion after Volkanovski temporarily moved up to lightweight, but the Australian left little doubt who the better fighter in running his record to 26-2 in what was scheduled as a five-round bout.
Former US President Donald Trump, who is running for the Republican nomination in 2024, was among those in attendance. He entered the venue shortly before the main card began, walking next to UFC president Dana White and drawing roars from the T-Mobile Arena crowd. Trump shook hands with Las Vegas Raiders NFL star Maxx Crosby, a major UFC fan who sat behind him. Jamal Murray of the NBA champion Denver Nuggets also had a floor seat.
Volkanovski, a heavy favourite, took Rodriguez (16-4) to the mat near the two-minute mark of the first round and kept him there to dictate the pace. That became a theme as the second round played out much the same way, with Volkanovski, 34, also delivering several shots to Rodriguez’s face.
Rodriguez, who is from Mexico, then took the fight to Volkanovski in the third round, preventing the ground and pound with a series of kicks to put him on the defensive. But with a minute left, Volkanovski slammed Rodriguez, 30, to the mat and pounded him with rights and lefts before referee Herb Dean stepped in.
This was Volkanovski’s first fight since a loss by unanimous decision to lightweight champion lightweight Islam Makhachev on February 11.
That ended Volkanovski’s 22-fight winning streak, and after the brief elevation to lightweight, he dropped back down to featherweight for this fight.
Before moving up, Volkanovski had won five titles fights to make a strong argument as the best featherweight of all time. He also has been in the conversation for top current pound-for-pound fighter, and Volkanovski is second in the UFC’s official rankings to Jon Jones.
The Volkanovski-Rodriguez match highlighted the International Fight Week card that included a second championship bout.
Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja captured the flyweight belt by beating champion Brandon Moreno of Mexico, winning by split decision.
Judges Derek Cleary and Junichiro Kamijo gave the Pantoja the victory at 48-47 in the five-round fight, but Ben Cartlidge saw the bout quite differently with a 49-46 score in favour of Moreno.
Pantoja (26-5) collapsed to the mat after the decision was announced. He has beaten Moreno (21-7-2) in all three meetings.
“I worked so hard,” Pantoja said. “I left everything I had.”
(AP)
‘Green light’: UFC boss grants Aussie ‘freak’ special privilege - 10th July 2023
Alexander Volkanovski has been given a rare “green light” by UFC boss Dana White in a gesture that befits his greatness.
LAS VEGAS — UFC president Dana White says Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski will be given a ‘green light’ to pick whichever fight he wants after beating Yair Rodriguez with an elbow injury so bad it requires immediate surgery.
If defeating one of the UFC’s most dangerous strikers within three rounds at UFC 290 wasn’t impressive enough – or dumping and finishing him on the ground — Volkanovski revealed afterwards it had all been done with a serious arm injury that had seen him “struggle” throughout camp.
His team revealed to Fox Sports Australia that the fighter has a chipped bone in his left elbow so bad he cannot fully straighten the arm.
It also caused nerve complications during the build up.
Yet while the UFC featherweight champ will now undergo surgery, he suggested he would not rule out still chasing that hyped rematch against lightweight king Islam Makhachev in October.
So dominant was Volkanovski in his fifth UFC featherweight title defence, White indicated afterwards ‘The Great’ could now decide himself what comes next.
“Volk looked incredible,” the UFC boss said. “He’s an absolute freak.
“He’s at one of those places in his career now where whatever he wants to do, what are we gunna say?
“He’s proven himself a million times. So whatever he wants to do we go with it, yeah.”
Asked about how quickly he would recover from the injury, the Aussie reminded that he broke his hand when beating Max Holloway on the same International Fight Week show a year ago.
Despite the setback, Volkanovski was still back and ready to go on standby for the annual Abu Dhabi card that October.
“I didn’t mean to scare everyone,” the champ grinned when asked about his surgery revelation.
“It’s not a big deal.
“I’ll be back ASAP.
“It will be a quick and I’ll be back training.
“I broke my hand at International Fight Week last year and you saw me in Abu Dhabi ready to fight (on standby) Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira.
“That was a broken bone.
“So I’ll be right.
“You don’t need to stress about that. I’ll be active again, don’t worry about. I have a couple of little things to fix up then I will be kicking ass again.”
Asked later in his press conference again about October Volk said “I’m not ruling it out”.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia in fight week, Volk suggested a win over Rodriguez would see him chase a rematch with Makhachev.
If that wasn’t possible, he then wanted to challenge for the ‘BMF’ title – which is set to be contested by lightweight stars Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje at UFC 291.
But now that White says he can pick?
“We all know I want that lightweight belt,” he said. “I want that Islam fight, want that rematch.
“Not only for me to get that belt, get that win back, but it’s a massive fight for the UFC as well.
“It’s a fight everyone wants to see. It was a close fight, a cracking fight. We showed out. He lived up to the hype, I lived up to the hype and the fight lived up to the hype.”
White agreed, praising not only Volkanovski but an entire team that includes UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya and fellow Kiwi Dan Hooker, who upset Jalin Turner this same night with broken wrist.
“Look at Israel Adesanya, he’s ready to fight anybody, anywhere, anytime,” White said.
“Volkanovski is willing to fight anybody, too.
“When you look at Volk, the size, the reach, he doesn’t care. He gets in there and handles his business.
“Hooker also breaks his wrist in the second round (tonight). I didn’t even know. That whole team is bad ass.”
(FOX Sports)
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Online lotto ticket seller's windfall, by Gemma Jones - The Daily Telegraph - 6th July 2009
Australia's only online lottery ticket seller is raking in an extra 14 per cent on ticket sales from customers trying to strike it rich.
Punters who entered last week's $106 million Lotto draw online via Oz Lotteries' website paid a premium above what newsagents charge for a ticket.
A ticket which costs $126 in a NSW newsagency costs $18 more online.
Customers who bought online buy the tickets on credit, which newsagencies do not allow.
But some buyers claimed they were unaware of the additional charges when they bought online.
One customer told The Daily Telegraph he purchased a systems 10 in the record draw and was charged $144 while a friend bought the same ticket for $126 at a newsagent.
When he discovered that his friend paid less for an identical entry, he complained to Oz Lotteries.
Oz Lotteries replied that it charged a premium for its service, which it said was "superior" to newsagencies - and the price structure was published on its site.
"We clearly state prices throughout our site and do not make any claims about them being same/less than elsewhere," the company said in an email to the man.
"As with many other retail markets, our prices differ from other vendors and customers have freedom of choice to buy from whoever they wish," it added.
Oz Lotteries claimed in the email it needed to charge more to cover development, web servers, banking fees and marketing.
A NSW Lotteries spokeswoman said it posted a large price warning on its internet page before customers were directed to the Oz Lotteries site.
"(Oz Lotteries) is authorised to retail NSW Lotteries products with a higher fee structure than that of a traditional NSW Lotteries agency, to cover their operating costs in offering the unique services to customers," she said.
"These services include; maintaining records of orders received, operating accounts on behalf of players and providing a secure internet based selling system that safeguards players personal and financial information, are just a few examples of the additional services."
She said customers were able to cancel transactions at any time.
Information about the price structure was also printed on the Oz Lotteries website.
Oz Lotteries also offers its customers a facility to open gambling accounts with credit cards, compared with newsagencies which only sell lotto tickets to customers who pay cash or use a debit account.
NSW Lotteries, which approved the online seller, declined to say how many of the 10 million tickets sold in the record draw last week were through the website.
Players in Queensland and South Australia took out the $106 million jackpot with NSW lotto players sharing $720,000 in prize money. (Credit: The Daily Telegraph)
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Punters who entered last week's $106 million Lotto draw online via Oz Lotteries' website paid a premium above what newsagents charge for a ticket.
A ticket which costs $126 in a NSW newsagency costs $18 more online.
Customers who bought online buy the tickets on credit, which newsagencies do not allow.
But some buyers claimed they were unaware of the additional charges when they bought online.
One customer told The Daily Telegraph he purchased a systems 10 in the record draw and was charged $144 while a friend bought the same ticket for $126 at a newsagent.
When he discovered that his friend paid less for an identical entry, he complained to Oz Lotteries.
Oz Lotteries replied that it charged a premium for its service, which it said was "superior" to newsagencies - and the price structure was published on its site.
"We clearly state prices throughout our site and do not make any claims about them being same/less than elsewhere," the company said in an email to the man.
"As with many other retail markets, our prices differ from other vendors and customers have freedom of choice to buy from whoever they wish," it added.
Oz Lotteries claimed in the email it needed to charge more to cover development, web servers, banking fees and marketing.
A NSW Lotteries spokeswoman said it posted a large price warning on its internet page before customers were directed to the Oz Lotteries site.
"(Oz Lotteries) is authorised to retail NSW Lotteries products with a higher fee structure than that of a traditional NSW Lotteries agency, to cover their operating costs in offering the unique services to customers," she said.
"These services include; maintaining records of orders received, operating accounts on behalf of players and providing a secure internet based selling system that safeguards players personal and financial information, are just a few examples of the additional services."
She said customers were able to cancel transactions at any time.
Information about the price structure was also printed on the Oz Lotteries website.
Oz Lotteries also offers its customers a facility to open gambling accounts with credit cards, compared with newsagencies which only sell lotto tickets to customers who pay cash or use a debit account.
NSW Lotteries, which approved the online seller, declined to say how many of the 10 million tickets sold in the record draw last week were through the website.
Players in Queensland and South Australia took out the $106 million jackpot with NSW lotto players sharing $720,000 in prize money. (Credit: The Daily Telegraph)
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Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Qld, SA winners celebrate lotto luck, by Larine Statham - Fairfax - 1st July 2009
Two households on opposite sides of the country will begin the new financial year $53 million richer after winning Australia's biggest division one Oz Lotto prize.
A middle-aged Gold Coast couple, who won with their first Oz Lotto foray, and a South Australian man who is a long-time lottery ticket buyer, will share the $106,548,562.15 jackpot drawn on Tuesday night.
The man, aged in his 40s, said he felt numb as he watched his numbers drop on the televised lotto draw.
"I couldn't move, I couldn't react, I couldn't do anything but sit there and stare at my ticket," the man from Adelaide's blue collar western suburbs told SA Lotteries.
"Quite frankly I have no idea how I'm ever going to sleep again.
"I never expected to win and certainly never expected to win more than $50 million."
He said he would share his prize with family members and charities.
Staff at the cafe where the man purchased the winning ticket were overwhelmed as media and customers on Wednesday swarmed on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital eatery.
Lizzy's Cafe manager Louis Sitarenos said he was exhausted from all the attention but was pleased to have finally sold a division one winning ticket.
"We have had wins here before but nothing of this magnitude," he told AAP.
"To think so many tickets were sold at so many agencies and the winning ticket was bought here.
"It's great for the western suburbs, great for South Australia ... a win like this makes everyone excited, it's good for the morale."
The identity of the South Australian man has not been revealed.
"We had quite a few people buying tickets yesterday, so we're not aware what time or when it was bought or which of us sold it," Mr Sitarenos said.
"The only information we have is that it was an easy pick - $15, so it's not a bad return on the investment, is it?"
Nigel Bean, professor of applied mathematics at the University of Adelaide, said that with 45 million possible combinations, the chance of picking the winning numbers was similar to picking a particular playing card from decks stacked 16 kilometres high.
He said the more entries, the bigger the likelihood of there being multiple winners.
The Tuesday night jackpot draw originally set for $90 million was pushed up by a surge of late entries, taking the first division prize to just over $106.5 million and the total prize pool to $177.4 million.
Lucky Mermaid News on the Gold Coast also celebrated the jackpot on Wednesday after selling its first division one winning ticket.
The couple who bought the ticket, who want to remain anonymous, went to work on Wednesday despite their new found wealth.
Golden Casket Lottery spokeswoman Karen Anning said it was business as usual for the couple, as they decided how to spend their winnings.
"They want to help out family and donate money to some charities," Ms Anning said.
Another 60 people will each get more than $33,000 from the second division pool.
The division one payouts mark the second highest win ever from an Australian lotto jackpot. (Credit: Fairfax)
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A middle-aged Gold Coast couple, who won with their first Oz Lotto foray, and a South Australian man who is a long-time lottery ticket buyer, will share the $106,548,562.15 jackpot drawn on Tuesday night.
The man, aged in his 40s, said he felt numb as he watched his numbers drop on the televised lotto draw.
"I couldn't move, I couldn't react, I couldn't do anything but sit there and stare at my ticket," the man from Adelaide's blue collar western suburbs told SA Lotteries.
"Quite frankly I have no idea how I'm ever going to sleep again.
"I never expected to win and certainly never expected to win more than $50 million."
He said he would share his prize with family members and charities.
Staff at the cafe where the man purchased the winning ticket were overwhelmed as media and customers on Wednesday swarmed on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital eatery.
Lizzy's Cafe manager Louis Sitarenos said he was exhausted from all the attention but was pleased to have finally sold a division one winning ticket.
"We have had wins here before but nothing of this magnitude," he told AAP.
"To think so many tickets were sold at so many agencies and the winning ticket was bought here.
"It's great for the western suburbs, great for South Australia ... a win like this makes everyone excited, it's good for the morale."
The identity of the South Australian man has not been revealed.
"We had quite a few people buying tickets yesterday, so we're not aware what time or when it was bought or which of us sold it," Mr Sitarenos said.
"The only information we have is that it was an easy pick - $15, so it's not a bad return on the investment, is it?"
Nigel Bean, professor of applied mathematics at the University of Adelaide, said that with 45 million possible combinations, the chance of picking the winning numbers was similar to picking a particular playing card from decks stacked 16 kilometres high.
He said the more entries, the bigger the likelihood of there being multiple winners.
The Tuesday night jackpot draw originally set for $90 million was pushed up by a surge of late entries, taking the first division prize to just over $106.5 million and the total prize pool to $177.4 million.
Lucky Mermaid News on the Gold Coast also celebrated the jackpot on Wednesday after selling its first division one winning ticket.
The couple who bought the ticket, who want to remain anonymous, went to work on Wednesday despite their new found wealth.
Golden Casket Lottery spokeswoman Karen Anning said it was business as usual for the couple, as they decided how to spend their winnings.
"They want to help out family and donate money to some charities," Ms Anning said.
Another 60 people will each get more than $33,000 from the second division pool.
The division one payouts mark the second highest win ever from an Australian lotto jackpot. (Credit: Fairfax)
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