Global Gaming Directory: November 2010

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Casino Cheat Gang In Court: Australia, Italy, UK, USA..., by Greg Tingle - 28th November 2010

G'day punters, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, poker nuts, politicians, super whales, journalists, politicians... (and cheats!) one and all. Two of the world's most successful casino cheats have been stopped in their tracks, sort of, having had their day in court. They hit Australia, Britain, China, Italy and god knows where else, cheating casinos across the globe out of millions of dollars. Media Man and Gambling911 play Pink Panther, and Cluedo and Heist with this special report...

Two of the world's most successful international casino cheats have had their day in court.

The rumour mill says the duo, understood to be part of a larger casino crime group, enjoyed time down under in Australia, having a soft spot for both Crown Casino in Melbourne and Star City Casino in 'Sin City' Sydney.

Last Friday they faced court and admitted they possessed hell of a lot of fake IDs, which they used in land based casinos they were banned from across the world. It's understood they didn't target online casinos.

Using a clever global strategy, the pro active gang upper ranked Francesco Baioni, 64, and Frank Camilleri, 61, travelled the world cheating casinos out of a bucket load of money.

Police and other law enforcement had described them as "notorious" and "professional". The crooks have served time in America after cheating their way to "vast" amounts of cash.

Baioni, of Rackstraw House, Primrose Hill, was handed down a 12-month sentence suspended for 18 months. Camilleri, of Derrick Road, Beckenham, was sentenced to nine months suspended for the same duration.

Both were also issued with an 18-month curfew between 11pm and 6am and were barred from all premises regulated by the Gambling Commission for 18 months.

Police would not discuss the tactics that landed the Italian duo so much money over the years but did reveal they had operated in countries including China, Australia America and Britain.

Roulette is understood to be a favorite of the duo, and industry talk is one of them would distract the dealer, and the other would move chips on the table into winning positions.

Both were busted on CCTV cameras at various central London casinos conducting reconnaissance visits, testing the water, and attempting to sign up for membership, using false identities. In one case, Baioni was filmed being refused membership at a casino after the false identity he was attempting to use was flagged up on the operator's computer system as "barred".

The daring pair were caught following an intelligence-led operation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command. On August 9 search warrants were executed at their homes and Baioni was arrested.

Detectives discovered "a large quantity" of fake Italian identity papers containing pictures of Baioni and Camilleri. All had false names.

There were also tons of false identities awaiting pictures and individual passport photographs of both fellas prepared to be attached to the documentation. On August 23 Camilleri was arrested at Gatwick Airport when he flew back from Malta.

Casino crooks and shady figures in the gambling industry have often come unstuck at airports, and this helps explain why some casino tycoons in the likes of Malta, Cyprus and Antigua do not travel on commercial airliner. Sometimes their private aircraft have also been intercepted.

Both crooks were charged and just last month Baioni admitted 9 counts of possessing false documents with intent, possessing articles for use in fraud, and making articles for use in fraud. Camilleri admitted 8 counts of possessing false ID documents with intent.

Remember, crime doesn't pay, unless you're very good at it. You're throw of the dice.

Awards...

It's been a big month for casino awards. Ok, as you read earlier, Macau's Altira Macau was awarded the prestigious Forbes Five Star Ratings for the second year in a row, so Packer and the Ho family continue to work their magic.

PartyGaming's PartyCasino has also come back with seconds, picking up another Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month Award' for November, and also the parent company, PartyGaming, picked up the prestigious EGR Slots Operator Of The Year Award ...Some other top picks of ours who picked up awards at the EGR night of nights were:
Virgin Games (Affiliate Programme)
Betfair (Innovation, Mobile Operator and UK Sports Betting Operator)
Bwin (European Sports Betting Operator
PKR (Poker Operator)

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Wrap Up...

Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Did you enjoy learning all about the international casino fraudsters? Tell us in the forum.

If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Online gaming companies in for huge 2011, by Greg Tingle - 23rd November 2010

Online gaming companies in for huge 2011

Profiles

PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Bwin Betfair Centrebet SportingBet 888 World Poker Tour World Series of Poker

Harrah's Entertainment Virgin Games PKR Microgaming Playtech Media Man Casino News Media Global Gaming Directory

Could online gaming firms be in the mix of the top stockmarket investments to make in 2011?

The listing of Betfair (BET) at the conclusion of October on a fancy multiple and the $3.3 billion megamerger between PartyGaming and Bwin (PRTY), due to complete in the first quarter of 2011, appears to have added spark to the industry of late.

Then there is the prospect, albeit slight, of the liberalisation of the US igaming market which has put the industry firmly on investors' watch list, including ours, for next year.

It is understandable, as even a snapshot look at the stockmarket gains of the world’s biggest online gaming companies between circa 2004-2006 reveals just how quickly fortunes were made and lost.

The iGaming Global Top 30 Index, an index of the stockmarket performance of the biggest 30 online gaming companies, surged 40% between July 2004 and August 2005. This was followed by 12 months of extreme volatility before sinking thanks to a controversial piece of legislation in the US.

Since 2006, online gaming’s real story has been dominated by America’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

The multibillion-pound global industry virtually collapsed in a heap after its biggest market - the US - was closed down overnight when Congress introduced a surprise clause to legislation in September 2006, in effect making internet betting illegal. Not only was that a blow for investors - it was a hugely expensive one.

British-based companies were among the biggest casualties.

As soon as the London Stock Exchange opened the following Monday morning, shares in PartyGaming - then a FTSE 100 member - dived by 58%, while rivals 888 Holdings (888) and Sportingbet saw their shares slide by 26% and 64% respectively, wiping an estimated £4 billion off the sector's value.

The companies were forced to focus on opportunities in other parts of the world, but the businesses have never fully recovered from the impact of losing their most lucrative market. Last year, online gambling was worth an estimated $5.4 billion (£3.5 billion) overall, a figure that could rise to $12-$16 billion if the market was opened up, analysts say.

Despite the recent loss of a sympathetic Democrat majority in Congress last month, there is renewed hope of floated gambling companies being dealt a good hand on both sides of the Pond.

The new Republican chairman of the House financial services committee is likely to be an old-style Alabaman named Spencer Bachus.

Yet he is likely to listen to the prospects of a reinvigorated gambling sector for the ailing US economy. The Federal government’s non-partisan accountants, the Joint Committee on Taxation, have estimated online gambling could generate between $10 billion and $42 billion in new revenue by 2019, depending on the number of states that opt into a federal regulatory programme.

Yet he is likely to listen to the prospects of a reinvigorated gambling sector for the ailing US economy.

The Federal government’s non-partisan accountants, the Joint Committee on Taxation, have estimated online gambling could generate between $10 billion and $42 billion in new revenue by 2019, depending on the number of states that opt into a Federal regulatory programme.

And you can see why if you glance at the forecast numbers.

With the US nationwide unemployment rate at 10%, 48 of 50 states facing budget shortfalls and a Federal deficit approaching $1.3 trillion, the economic backdrop against which to promote regulation and taxation of internet gambling has arguably never been more favourable.

Yet those companies poised to get a real boost should America legalise online gambling, such as the impressive PartyGaming/Bwin combine, are getting excited about the future.

"We are seeing things from a legislative perspective that are quite exciting for us," says Jim Ryan, chief executive of PartyGaming, whose comments undoubtedly reflect the mood of a growing contingent of gambling operators on both sides of the Atlantic.

There has been speculation that PartyGaming and Bwin have decided to merge at this time precisely because they will be better placed than any other operator to seize a huge market share should the US decide to legalise online gambling. You only have to look at the market share that Party was able to capture by becoming one of the first operators into the online poker market back in 2001.

Analysts agree the enlarged company is in a strong position to exploit the opening up of the US market.

In a note to investors recently, the Morgan Stanley leisure analyst Vaughan Lewis said: "The overall political tide is moving firmly in favour of regulation, rather than prohibition.

"With its expertise... market-leading technology, strong marketing capability and good brands, we think the combined entity of PartyGaming and Bwin would be extremely well positioned to benefit from any market opening in the US. We include nothing in our forecasts for the US, so any new market here is pure upside."

And in a recent Barclays Capital research note, the investment bank said: "In the event of Federal regulation, we believe PartyGaming would be the likely key beneficiary.

"Under this hypothetical scenario, we estimate the potential [underlying profits] uplift could be 94% for PartyGaming and 58% for Bwin and 888. On a state-by-state hypothetical scenario, we estimate the uplift for the group would be considerably lower, but still meaningful."

Meanwhile, at the end of October analysts at Numis published a note saying there is 50% upside potential at Party when the merger with Bwin completes in March 2011. With the shares trading at around 230p at the beginning of November Numis have put a price target of 400p on the stock.

The PartyGaming/Bwin merger has got the other big companies in the sector scurrying around to do similar deals. They don't want to be left behind in what will become a gold rush should the US legalise online gaming.

888 and Sportingbet are also possible future takeover targets as the industry consolidates, but only once their legal liabilities in the US market are cleared. Serious negotiations in the PartyGaming/Bwin merger were only concluded once Party had secured a $105 million settlement with US authorities.

Analysts say a resolution would clear the way for 888 and Sportingbet to re-enter the lucrative US market should moves to overturn the 2006 legislation succeed.

Sportingbet has already acted telling shareholders at its latest results meeting that it had made a £22.8 million settlement with the US Department of Justice over an investigation into illegal internet gambling. The agreement means the firm will avoid being prosecuted in the US for accepting online bets made by Americans between 1998 and 2006.

Sportingbet would hold the most appeal to potential bidders, analysts reckon, pointing to its very strong market positioning in Australia and commenting that Ladbrokes (LAD) and William Hill (WMH) could be interested in a takeover.

Liberum Capital analyst Richard Taylor recently highlighted the strength of Sportingbet’s sports betting business, which he said had one of the best gross margins in the sector at around 10%. In addition, he said Sportingbet’s management was open to a bid, having previously stated up to 55% of their cost base could be removed.

Another former giant of the sector, now somewhat depleted thanks to the UIGEA, is 888.

Analysts say 888's attraction would be the potential for cost savings in a tie-up with a rival online gaming operator, and that Party/Bwin might be a possible buyer. What would make it attractive is that both Party and Bwin use 888 as a supplier.

However, the Shaked family who founded the company, and who control over 50% of the shares, would be looking for a price significantly above the 40p at which the company currently trades.

There have been whispers among London traders in the last few weeks that a £262 million, or 76p a share, cash bid from a much bigger industry player, possibly US entertainment giant Harrah's, which already has close business links with 888 could be on the cards.

Certainly 888 chief executive Gigi Levy has said recently that he looks at consolidation as one of the possible routes to realising shareholder value.

Another giant of the industry looking to become bigger still is the mighty Betfair. Having listed on the LSE at the end of October at 1,300p, the shares soon touched 1,600p-plus, as tracker funds piled in confident it will canter into the FTSE 250 index at the December review with a market value above £1.6 billion.

If things are hotting up at the Federal level for the online gaming industry there are also some exciting developments at state level.

So far in 2010, four states have considered whether or not to legalise some combination of online poker, casino gaming and sports betting: Iowa, Florida, California and New Jersey.

The state making most headway is New Jersey, where internet gambling has been under consideration by lawmakers since 2001. It is finally receiving serious consideration in the state Senate where two bills, which would legalise internet sports betting and casino gaming respectively, have already passed the committee stage this year.

From California to New Jersey to Florida, more state and federal congressmen are taking the reality of a legal online gambling regime a lot more seriously.

Whoever wins the race, state or federal, one thing is clear: more and more stakeholders in the US are finally coming around to understand the risks and implication of a ‘do nothing’ strategy. This is an opportunity cost and gambling companies are getting their bets on regardless.

But ongoing political deadlock clearly poses a real threat to regulatory efforts at all levels of American government. But even as gambling industry stakeholders duke it out in the halls of legislatures around the country, as well as on Capitol Hill in Washington, the very fact that the conflict between them is intensifying signals that interest and investment in pushing for online gaming regulation is rising.

With billions of dollars out there to harvest and market share to win, the entire online gaming sector looks ripe for an upturn in coming months. Investing in online gaming companies has always been a white knuckle ride - and there looks to be every sign this particular circus is once again rolling back into town.

Profiles

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Saturday, November 20, 2010

Sea Shepherd returns to Bondi Beach; King Neptune comes to life, by Greg Tingle - 20th November 2010

Last night the famed environmental group Sea Shepherd returned to eco aware hotspot Bondi Beach, under the fearless leadership of Captain Paul Watson.

Bondi Pavilion's High Tide Room was the venue for the long awaited return of 'The Shepherd', for it had been about 3 years since the group had held a big gig at Sydney's most famous beach.

No Compromise! was a wonderful collaboration between Sea Shepherd and an army of supporters.

It was a sold out affair that saw a crowd of 300 plus in attendance lap up a great night of entertainment, education, presentations, arts, memorabilia exhibits and collaboration between like minded souls.

Nights like this one serve a few purposes for Sea Shepherd. Watson and his spokesperson was quick to point out the importance of awareness, education and fundraising, via news media, the internet and events.

Watson, not only a world class environmentalist, but also a seasoned media campaigner, has generated headlines around the world with his "direct action" tactics in response to the attack on whales and other creatures of the worlds oceans.

One of the most unusual elements incorporated into the evenings offerings was the brainchild of Human Statue Bodyart director, Eva Rinaldi. Ms Rinaldi made quite an appearance at the happening with her 'King Neptune' (Martin Vadam) and 'Son Of Neptune' (Lui Cantali) human statues, flanked by her favorite photographers Peter Carrette and Marek Jezierski, both themselves passionate environmentalists.

Perhaps the biggest media scoop, or at least one of the most colourful on the night was the revelation that the Sea Shepherd's most recent support vessel, the Ocean Adventurer, may very well be renamed 'Godzilla', which of course ties in beautiful with the Shepherd's vigilant opposing of the ongoing Japanese whaling massacre.

According to a number of international news articles and leaks, only will 'Godzilla' become the 1 million dollar vessel's official name if a new major sponsor comes on board. For the uninitiated 'Godzilla' is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games, novels, comic books, television series, and an American remake. Some movies portray Godzilla in the role of a hero, while later movies returned to depicting the character as a destructive monster. It's safe to say that Watson's Godzilla is a hero to Sea Shepherd's environmental army and supporters, and poses some sort of threat to the Japanese whale killers, and the news media from Japan who play the Government "stay on message" whale research tactics. Don't the the Gozilla themes fool you that this is just fun and games, mixed in with Hollywood themes. It's well reported that over the years that aggressive Sea Shepherd campaigns against Japanese whaling have been the trigger point for a number of death threats, but neither side is currently prepared to go on record with this, despite it being quite the open secret. The enduring and often drawn out and expensive legal battles with Sea Shepherd are also no laughing matter.

In an interesting twist, it is currently understood that a Guinness World Record was broken on the night. What for you ask. How about most expensive beer, with one lucky punter purchasing some Antarctic Nail Ale for an astonishing $1850. Insiders tipped us off that there were some seriously cashed up folks attending the gig, so it appears some of them were very generous of spirit, making a real difference to the 'The Shepherd's' bottom line.

A number of guests were overheard to say that the 'King Neptune' statue was the most eye catching exhibits on the night, and a rumour circulated that a young Miss was interested to make an offer to date and take home 'The King', perhaps inspired from other exhibits that were up for live auction later in the evening. Whatever the case, a warm vibe rippled throughout the room, and you could feel the genuine warmth and love, both for mankind and the oceans creatures.

The night also featured a good spread of food, drinks, and eco aware musical performances, including by those by Bondi Beach band, Mojanda, one of Sydney's hottest and most exciting rock groups.

Whether you were a passionate environmentalist, surfer, art lover, socialite, or just curious, the night offered something for everyone.

Operation No Compromise is the Sea Shepherd's 7th Antarctic based campaign and the focus is protecting the whales in the Southern Ocean.

*The writer is a resident of Bondi Beach and a long time supporter of Sea Shepherd

Websites Of Reference:

Sea Shepherd

Sea Shepherd: Bondi Beach

Human Statue Bodyart

Ecorazzi.com

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Human Statue Bodyart

Sea Shepherd

Captain Paul Watson

Eva Rinaldi

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Bondi Beach

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Global Gaming Blog: Flashback Gaming News: International and Australian: Europe, United States and more - 20th January 2013...

Global Gaming Blog

Flashback

Gaming News: International and Australian: Europe, United States and more - 20th January 2013...

yet another hot news updated on the igaming and gaming world... Gamesys Group Acquires V Business and Forms Long Term Partnership for Global Online Gaming Gamesys Group and Virgin Group announce that they have signed an agreement that will see the Gamesys Group acquire the assets of Virgin Games and form a long term partnership to develop real money and social gambling propositions globally under the Virgin brand. Gamesys Group CEO, Noel Hayden, commented;

“We have been long term admirers of the Virgin brand and all it stands for. We are delighted to have the opportunity to leverage our unique platform, games and services to power Virgin gaming propositions around the world.” Gamesys Group is a UK success story. Built on true entrepreneurship, the Group was founded back in 2001 by Noel Hayden, Robin Tombs and Andy Dixon and now employs more than 700 people.

Virgin Games, which was founded in 2004, has grown consistently since launch and regularly won awards for its customer service and advertising. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group said; 'We are delighted the Gamesys Group has acquired Virgin Games and formed a partnership to build a global games business. Simon Burridge and his team built a strong platform and now with the help of the Gamesys Group we can expand further internationally. We believe the Gamesys Group shares our vision and will be great partners in the sector.' Simon Burridge, CEO of Virgin Games said:

'With many new opportunities opening up across the world, it was important to attract a new partner to capitalise the power of the Virgin brand. We are delighted Virgin Games is being acquired by the Gamesys Group, whose track record of growth and innovation speaks for itself.' Gamesys Group will relaunch the existing Virgin Games UK site in the first quarter of 2013. Virgin was advised by Oakvale Capital. ABOUT GAMESYS The Gamesys Group was founded by Noel Hayden, Robin Tombs and Andy Dixon in April 2001 with a small team of developers. The aim was to build a profitable online entertainment business providing Instant Win, Bingo and Casino games to a worldwide audience using proprietary gaming software. After eight years, the Group's leading brand Jackpotjoy.com has built a considerable UK and pays out in excess of GBP250 million in winnings every month. The success of Jackpotjoy.com has established the Gamesys Group as one of the UK's leading online gaming businesses.

In 2006 they were named No. 1 in the Microsoft/Sunday Times Tech Track 100 League Table, and they're now one of only four companies to have appeared on the list four years in a row. This feat reflects both the company's capacity for sustained growth and its remarkable resilience during periods of financial instability. In 2008 Gamesys Group entered into an agreement with News International to build and operate Sun Bingo and have since launched Fabulous Bingo with the same Partner.

ABOUT VIRGIN Virgin is a leading international investment group and one of the world's most recognised and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow successful businesses in sectors ranging from mobile telephony, travel, financial services, leisure, music and holidays to health & wellness. Virgin has created more than 400 branded companies worldwide and employs approximately 50,000 people, in 34 countries. In 2012 global branded revenues were £13bn ($21bn).

News Media Man inks b2 deal with Red Returns: Red Flush Casino

Casino La Vida and more International internet publishing, advertising, management and publicity company, Media Man, has come to business terms with leading igaming firm, Red Returns. Red Returns is best known for their excellent online casino brands, Red Flush Casino and Casino La Vida. Red Flush was awarded the “Best New Casino for 2008” award from CasinoMeister, and it is no surprise as to why. In only a few months they had staked their claim in the online casino arena as a no nonsense, no frills attached online casino that pride themselves on excellent service and superior gaming pleasure above all else. There is no doubt that Red Flush will continue to strive for stellar performance ratings and superior online casino quality. Red Flush online casino has over 450 excellent games in their repertoire. They make use of the pioneering casino software from Microgaming that has seen some of the best casinos enter onto the internet. Every month, four new exceptional game releases are added to the online casino to ensure that the freshness and diversity of Red Flush always remains intact. A comprehensive range of slots, table games, video poker and progressive jackpots all merge together to form a competitive package of brilliant entertainment for any and all casino enthusiasts. The b2b deal is initially for 3 months duration, which both parties agree is a very good period of time to gauge the initial success of the campaign. It's understood dozens of European based igaming firms are watching on with great interest.

News Media Man inks deal with Bingo Australia aka The Bingo Affiliates

The agency has inked yet another deal with one of the world's leading igaming promoters, Bingo Australia aka The Bingo Affiliates. In an age where the igaming space is somewhat saturated, including in the online bingo sector, Bingo Australia - The Bingo Affiliates continue to be in the global igaming front runners. Industry insiders expect Bingo Australia to give competitors such as X a run for their money.

Expect to see some highly competitive online bingo promotions on the Media Man network, as The Bingo Affiliates pull out all the stops as they aim towards being a world's top 3 igaming operator

News

b rebalances board of directors - 16th January 2013

In the wake of last month’s news that Jim Ryan had decided to step down as its Co-Chief Executive Officer, online gambling operator bwin.party digital entertainment has announced that Joachim Baca has resigned as its Chief Operating Officer.

Gibraltar-based b revealed that Baca has stood down so that the composition of its board of directors remains compliant with a UK corporate governance code recommendation regarding the balance of independent and non-independent members. Baca joined b as Chief Operating Officer in 2006 before that firm’s subsequent 2011 merger with PartyGaming where Ryan had been Chief Operating Officer since 2008. “Mr Baca remains a core member of the group’s senior management team and continues to report directly to Norbert Teufelberger, Chief Executive Officer for bwin.party,” read a statement from bwin.party. bwin.party digital entertainment is best known for its popular XX online gaming brands. News Foxy Bingo become Super League official Bingo partner Super League has announced that Foxy Bingo, the UK's top online bingo site, will become the competition's official bingo partner in 2013.

XX, a subsidiary of bwin party digital entertainment plc, who count Real Madrid and Manchester United in their sponsorship portfolio, have signed up as Super League's bingo partner in a multi-year deal. In addition to more traditional sponsorship rights - including in-stadia perimeter and programme advertising, a television broadcast presence and a high profile on the Super League website - XX will use the new partnership to bring its unique brand of fun directly to Rugby League fans, who share a love of thrilling entertainment. An extensive programme of community -based activity, involving the much-loved Foxy himself, has been planned to support the partnership and will be rolled-out throughout the season.

Welcoming XX to the competition's growing stable of partners, Super League Commercial Director James Mercer said: "It gives me great pleasure to welcome F on board as an official partner of Super League for the next three years.

"We look forward to working closely with F and to developing a partnership which will enhance our successful brands. "Super League's popularity continues to grow and with XXX on board I am sure we will build on our achievements of 2012, when attendances reached an all-time high and more TV viewers than ever before tuned in to see the extraordinary action." Golan Shaked, Group Director of Bingo at bwin.party said: "We are really excited about our new partnership with Super League. Foxy Bingo is the top UK bingo site spreading the fun and thrill of winning across the nation. These attributes fit perfectly with Rugby League. "The partnership will be a cornerstone of our campaign to directly engage the Foxy brand with the players who make it such a thriving online bingo community. Eyes down for a thrilling Super League in 2013!" The partnership with Foxy Bingo is the latest development of a strategy that will see an increasing number of official partners aligned to the Super League competition throughout 2013.

News Euro Partners Stirs Up Fun Competition Among Affiliates 31 October 2012 LONDON --

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Last month’s Barcelona Affiliate Conference was the launching site for ‘My Thai’ - a fun new promotional campaign from the e-gaming affiliate program, Euro Partners. The promotion, which targets both new and existing Euro Partners members, challenges affiliates to compete for the largest percentage of increased traffic over a two-month period across the program’s three verticals - casino, poker and sports-betting. As the title suggests, the first place winner will receive an all-expense paid, seven-day trip for two to a luxurious holiday resort in Thailand. ‘E-gaming affiliates are very much characterized by their ‘work hard - play hard’ mentality’, says Davin Jacobson, Euro Partners Head of Affiliation. ‘We wanted to create a promotion that would appeal to that unique sensibility and pleasantly remind our affiliates why they chose to get into this industry in the first place.’ Affiliates of all levels stand a fair chance of winning, as the competition measures improvement by relative percentage as opposed to total increased conversion. Participants can check their status on the My Thai leaderboard, which will be updated bi-weekly until the promotion ends on December 17th.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Bingo News Media - Casino News Media: EGR Awards 2010 Shortlist, by Greg Tingle

Websites: PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com WPT Casino WPT Poker PartyBingo.com

Profiles

PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker World Poker Tour Noble Casino PartyBingo PartyBets Gamebookers Live Dealer PartyCasino Marvel Slots
Centrebet
Betfair
PKR
Virgin Games

It's that time of the year again.

PartyGaming, Betfair, 888 Holdings and William Hill Online have received the most amount of nominations in the sixth annual eGaming Review operator awards set to take place at London’s HAC on 24th November.

888 and WHO are leading the pack at the moment with 11 nominations, PartyGaming 9, while Betfair received 7 green lights from a panel of independent judges including John O'Malia, chairman of the judges and consultant and board director at Mangas Gaming, John O’Reilly, former head of remote betting and gaming at Ladbrokes and Hilary Stewart-Jones, partner at betting and gaming at Berwin Leighton Paisner.

The blue ribbon operator of the year award will this year be battled between PartyGaming, Betfair, Bet365, WHO, 888, Unibet, Gamesys and Betsson. Bwin (set to merge with PartyGaming in 2011, won the award in 2009.

The award for the most socially responsible operator of the year 2010 will be between Betsson, PartyGaming, Virgin Games, Ladbrokes, Betfair, 888, Paf, WHO and Gamesys, while the one-to-watch award will be won from Metro (Megaming), Mandalay Gaming Group, BetPack, Jackpot Games, FriendBet, Genesys Gaming, Betboo and Vision Media Services.

Tickets for the awards which will take place at The Artillery Garden at The HAC on Wednesday 24th November 2010. Tickets prices for 2010 include all drinks, a three course dinner and surprise entertainment happening at the after party.

What do winners say of the event?

The EGR Awards evening is a must attend event for the online gaming industry. Behind the EGR Awards is a long list comprising of winners, the finalists, first stage entries and many others in the industry - collectively a testament to the industry’s electrifying pace of development. The EGR Awards are more than about celebrating the achievements of the finalists and the winners: they are a great endorsement for the achievements of the online gaming industry." John Shepherd, Director of Corporate Communications, PartyGaming Winner of Poker Operator of the Year 2009

“The most glamorous and entertaining industry event: the Oscars without teary speeches or inflated egos. Our EGR Award sparkles that little bit brighter than any other…” Pierrick Leveque, Head of Acquisition, Virgin Games Winner of Affiliate Programme of the Year 2009

*Media Man conducts some b2b activities with PartyGaming, Virgin Games, Betfair, Centrebet, PKR and dozens of other companies in the entertainment, news and gaming sector.

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Sunday, November 14, 2010

Bingo News Media: PartyCasino Wins Media Man Online Casino Of The Month Award

PartyCasino.com Wins Media Man Online Casino Award

PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".

PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.

The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com

The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".

The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.

PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.

The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.

The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.

PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.

PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.

PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.

Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.

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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Australian Casino News: Burswood Casino Patrons Targets For Crime, by Greg Tingle - 12th November 2010

Australia, namely Perth, and its Burswood Casino aka Burswood Entertainment Complex is the subject of today's extremely disturbing news report. The Western Australian Police Force, the casino and patrons are looking for solutions on how to stop an apparent crime wave that is seeing criminals target Burswood patrons. Media Man and Gambling911 with not what you want to hear, but what you need to know...

Police in Perth, West Australia are confident that criminals appear to be targeting people as they leave the James Packer - Crown Limited owned Burswood Casino.

West Australian Police are investigating a number of attacks on women who were apparently followed home from the casino in the wee hours of yesterday morning and had their handbags and contents stolen.

Sergeant Graham Clifford advised that in both cases the women were about to open the front door at their homes in Fremantle and Cannington when they had their handbags nabbed from their person.

"We don't believe the two incidents are connected with the victims but by the same token it would appear that some of the criminals out there are taking advantage of people when they leave the casino and attacking them when they are by themselves just about to enter their home," he said.

Police are now also investigating a third incident where a woman was targeted by the thieves.

The woman has contacted WA police saying she was attacked just outside her home in Warnbro this morning after returning from the casino.

It is understood she had several thousand dollars in her bag.

Gaming industry insiders strongly believe that the latest string on attacks in Perth will see more people stay at home and play slots, poker and other games online, such is the current perceived risk of a visit to Burswood. Media Man and Gambling911 both feature and review some online casinos available for Australians.

Police say further information about the thieves will be released soon.

WA Police, Media Man and Gambling911 encourage Burswood Casino patrons to please take precautions at the casino and on your journey back home.

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Readers, what would you do with the situation at Burswood Casino? Will this news see you more likely to play casino games on the internet? Tell us in the forum.

If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Australian Lottery, Gaming And Tote News, by Greg Tingle - 10th November 2010

G'day punters, gamers, journalists, politicians...one and all. Let's swing into it hey. Aussie lottery, gaming and tote news to help keep you at the top of your game. Media Man and Gambling911 with the latest and the greatest...

World Lottery Association Convention News...

Over 800 participants showed up, mostly involved in the lottery business around the world.

It also coincided with the Australia's famous Melbourne Cup.

In 2010, the global gaming market attracted revenues of between US$350bil and US$400bil, with casinos, lotteries and gaming machines accounting for close to 85%. The online component is beginning to edge up to 10%. Here, the big push is led by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) group, representing three-quarters of this business. The world-wide lottery business is worth about US$200bil-US$240bil, growing at below 5% a year lately. Growth is, however, uneven... 20% in Latin America & Africa; 10% in Asia (23% in China, where revenues in the first eight months of 2010 amounted to US$16bil); flat in Europe and the United States.

And, global casino and other regulated gaming had revenues in the region of US$150bil in 2010, with 45% in the United States, 30% in Asia-Pacific and 20% in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). But growth is fastest in Asia-Pacific, up about 20% per year in 2008-2012; while US growth is expected at 4% and EMEA, 5%. Casino gaming accounted for 90%. In Asia-Pacific, business in China (Macau) is growing the fastest, rising by 59% in the first 10 months of 2010 from a year earlier, with revenues passing US$21bil for the entire year, while Asean-5 expanded just as fast with revenues of US$7bil. Australia and South Korea have revenues of US$2bil-US$3bil each – growing much slower annually.

Gaming being recession proof is a myth. Recession resistant...Yes. During the recent great recession, the Bank of America Merrill Lynch HY Gaming Index declined 56% from early 2008 to its trough in March 2009. However, since then the index has risen 136%.

Despite growing risks, Asia will lead economic growth this year and the next. The World Bank has upgraded China’s 2010 GDP growth to 10%. Meanwhile, the OECD cut growth estimates for its 33 members to 2-2½% in 2011, downgrading the United States to 1.75-2.25%.

Growth in Asian disposable income will continue to expand; so will growth in Asian household consumption of goods and services. Since the beginning of this decade, Asia’s gaming revenues have been the fastest growing...especially in Macau and Singapore.

Circa 2007, most analysts figured the Macau market to be worth US$13bil in 2010. Today, based on recent results, it’s worth US$21bil. I am told that in the United States, every available table and slot machine serves 250 people. In South-East Asia and India, the number is as many as 45,000-50,000. So, Asian gamers are underserved.

It is estimated that Asians spend almost twice as much on gaming as Americans do. Singapore has gone from zero to near US$5b just this year alone. By 2012, Morgan Stanley estimates that Singapore could generate revenues of US$7-US$10bil. Macau took about the same time to hit US$6bil.

Undoubtedly, Asia provides the best prospects in gaming and betting. It will utilise advances in technology to enhance its innovative and creative potential to lead in contemporary interactive gaming entertainment, in a socially responsible way. For this vibrant, exciting and colourful industry, a bright future lies ahead.

Having said that, virtually no industry is an up and down roller coaster ride as much as gaming and gambling, so strap in tight. The wild journey continues.

Tasmanian Gambles On Asian Markets...

Tote Tasmania is building relationships in Asian markets to strengthen its position in the world betting market. The state betting company's annual report reveals a before tax profit of almost $10 million for the past financial year, with dividends of more than $6 million paid to the Government. Tote Tasmania's chief executive officer Craig Coleman says Asian markets represent more than 40% of the world's online gambling business. Coleman says TOTE is already building contacts to develop tailored betting products. "The chairman Michael Kent was one of three international individuals invited to join the Centre for Chinese Lottery Studies, which is the principal advisory board to the Chinese Government on the future of gambling in that country," he said.

Australian Tote History...

Most punters take the Tote for granted and will not know that this machine was invented in Australia. Matthew Connell is the Curator of Computing and Mathematics at the Powerhouse Museum and shows us where the Tote began. The Powerhouse has a concept model at their Discovery Centre at Castle Hill that was created in the early 1900s by a famous Australian engineer called George Julius. The totalisator successfully demonstrated how gambling statistics could be collated. He also shows us one of the last, and much larger, mechanical Tote machines designed in 1948. Matthew explains that it was really the first multi-user, real time computing systems in the world. Punters could bet simultaneously on the same horse from various parts of the race track and this machine never lost a bet. It has a special place in the heart of this curator not only because it is a beautiful piece of engineering, but also because it tells the story of an industry in Australia that has become a national pastime. By 1940 the Tote was perfect. It was a marvel of engineering and dominated the sport for 67 years before the advent of computers. Special thanks and full credit to ABC 'The Collectors'.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/segments/s3051822.htm

Centrebet Expansion Gamble...

Online gaming firm Centrebet International says it expects to suffer a halving in net profit in 2010-11 as it moves to implement a new strategic plan.

But the plan would see the wagering company achieve a 20% market share of Australian corporate bookmaking by 2014-15, Centrebet said.

The five-year strategic plan, released to the market on Tuesday and called "Project Rocket", hopes to double Centrebet's market share from the current 10 per cent.

"The strategic plan is designed to take advantage of the market share momentum that Centrebet and other top tier corporate bookmakers have achieved over recent years,'' Centrebet said in a statement.

"The strategic plan is predicated on significantly increased brand marketing investment, a change in advertising spend and mix, and a step up in new product development in Australia."

Centrebet said there would be a focus on new racing products, some of which were already in development.

But Centrebet expected to suffer reduced profitability in 2010-11 as a result of the implementation of the strategic plan, the company said.

Full year net profit (NPAT) was expected to be about $8 million in 2010-11, Centrebet said, compared with $16 million under a business-as-usual scenario.

"A significant proportion of FY11 NPAT is estimated to be generated in (H211) given the timing of expenditure and customer acquisition,'' Centrebet said.

Net profit was expected to exceed "status quo'' by 2012-13, Centrebet said, and be about 50 per cent higher than by 2014-15, "generating NPAT in excess of $32 million.

Company chairman Graham Kelly said the Australian wagering market was very favourable for corporate bookmakers, "particularly top tier companies like Centrebet''.

"While we will continue to explore appropriate value adding consolidation opportunities, the strategy announced today lays out our plan to realise Centrebet's substantial opportunity shareholder value through organic growth," Mr Kelly said in the statement.

Mr Kelly said Centrebet intended to pay dividends as the strategic plan was implemented, but "given the short-term impact on NPAT as we invest for higher growth, the payout ratio will be increased compared to prior periods''.

Centrebet managing director Con Kafataris said the plan aimed to provide a "step change in growth and a significant and sustainable increase in earnings''.

"Achievement of our objectives will create a business which has a much stronger market position, higher level of earnings and a growth profile even higher than it has today,'' Mr Kafataris said.

Centrebet said the plan will be mostly funded from surplus cash and operational cash flow, with the balance from debt if required.

The company said current trading remained strong.

Centrebet said it was continuing to consider consolidation opportunities.

"In particular, Centrebet has agreed to facilitate discussions with prospective parties to determine whether a proposal could be developed that is in the best interests of Centrebet shareholders and capable of being put to Centrebet shareholders,'' the company said.

"Discussions are ongoing."

Sunshine Coast QLD Gambling Mum Jailed For $60,000 Theft...

A mum of four was jailed this week for stealing nearly $60,000 from her Yandina employer to feed a gambling addiction.

Angela Kylie Warner, 35, made 68 fraudulent transactions between September 13, 2007, and February 17 last year while at Valdora Earthmoving.

Her duties included paying staff wages, including her own, taking care of company accounts and general bookkeeping.

Warner’s stealing came to light when the Australian Tax Office contacted the owner about late tax returns in March last year.

The owner reviewed the business accounts, noted discrepancies and called police.

Crown prosecutor Donna Semmens said Warner was transferring money from company accounts directly into her own account.

Ms Semmens said Warner tried to cover her actions by not lodging tax returns.

“Her method was unsophisticated and doomed to fail,” Ms Semmens said.

“Her dishonesty was persistent and prolonged.”

Barrister Phillip Rennick said his client was using the money for other expenses, too.

Mr Rennick said Warner thought she was just borrowing money but soon realised she could not repay it.

Judge Keith Dodds sentenced Warner to three years in jail with parole in November next year.

Warner must repay the $57,292 grand.

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Readers... er, punters, how did you like the news round up? What else would you like to see? Tell us in the forum. If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.

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Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Global Gaming has teamed up with the Media Man firm in order to attempt to unlock secrets of the internet in pop culture, entertainment, business and more

Global Gaming has teamed up with the Media Man firm in order to attempt to unlock secrets of the internet in pop culture, entertainment, business and more

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

PartyCasino Wins Media Man Online Casino Of The Month Award

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Australian Pensioners Tell Govt Big Brother Stay Away From Pokie Winnings, by Greg Tingle - 3rd November 2010

Australian punters, young and old, are telling the Australian Labor government to but out of their business be it gambling, sex or otherwise. In the latest chapter of People Power VS Big Brother, Australian golden oldies have told the government to mind their own business when it comes to their gambling habit - be it wins or losses. Media Man and Gambling911 with this special People Power report...

'Big Brother' Australian government cunning plans to track pokies - one armed bandit winnings received a crappy reception up the NSW coast at Port Macquarie yesterday, where oldie punters raised serious concerns about the impact on their pensions.

As Australia stopped to gamble millions of dollars on a single horserace, The Melbourne Cup, the country’s poker machine players were under attack by the federal government! How dare they.

A so called "agreement" between independent MP Andrew Wilkie and the Julie "Jungle Girl" (MM satire) Gillard government could see the introduction of a smartcard (to act as a spying device) to track people’s gambling habits.

And wait for it, any wins could be deemed as "income" for Centrelink’s payment assessment.

Port Macquarie Panthers club general manager Russell Cooper said Wilkie had demanded that “every single person who wanted access to a gaming machine would be issued with a smartcard or a fingerprint encoded USB stick”.

Critics to the smart technology say it reminds them of movies and themes of New World Order, Clockwork Orange and 1984, with some even remembering Gambling911's 'Conroy Youth Reminiscent Of Hitler Youth'!

The new tracking devices would be required for the gaming machine to actually work.

Casual gambling June Crook, a 74-year-old pensioner from Port Macquarie said yesterday the government should “butt out”.

“What we do with our money is up to us. The government should stay well away,” Crook said.

“If I have a win on the pokies it shouldn’t affect my pension.”

The sci-fi like devices identifying each user on a national poker machine network are set to be introduced from 2012 under the agreement.

Cooper said there was no proof the measure would reduce problem gambling. He would rather see a voluntary scheme introduced where people can set their own limits. It was hinted it would see more and more Australian become less trusting of the Australian government, which is already reeling from a number of high profile scandals.

Crook said people will find other forms of gambling if the government reduces Centrelink payments because of a win on the pokies.

“They will just bet on the Keno, or even the football,” she said.

Experts also say more illegal gambling dens would be set up an also even more Aussie punters will turn to the internet and website portals like Gambling911, Media Man, Casino News Media, Marvel Entertainment, Google Games and the like.

Cooper said he didn’t think it was necessary to make the measures compulsory for anyone wanting to "throw a quick tenner in the poker machines with their mates. It will take the fun out of it for the 99.6% of people who are not problem gamblers."

The Australian government is also called the "Fun Police" as well as being known widely as "Big Brother".

A Media Man spokesperson said "All power to Australia's purple haired brigade. Australians young and old and so sick and tied of the Australian government's big brother policy. Yesterday Port Macquarie punters sure told them where to go. Great to see people power in full flight and wonderful to see folks stand up for their human rights and freedom to choose".

Don't know about you but I think we're with the "Golden Oldies" and clubs on this one folks. We will be following up on this human rights related news story as a matter of priority, so don't change your dial or website. Media Man and Gambling911 have you covered. Remember, spin to win, and tell your local MP what's important to you, and keep up the good fight.

Double Dose Exposure Of Australian Government Thought Police...

Big Brother To Spy On Aussie Pensioners Pokie Wins And Losses...

Up to a million of elderly Australians playing poker machines might see their pensions cut after wins as smartcards are introduced to track oldies gambling habits. Yes, they are tracking humans, not rats. Centrelink has previously used data tracked from pensioners using swipe cards at major casinos to count wins and losses as earnings, and demanded repayment, but that's only the tip of the iceberg as to what will come experts say. Thus far Centrelink has refused to tell welfare legal services whether or not other regular gambling wins need to be declared as income, despite the Tax Office not deeming them to be. Until now, it was impossible to track one armed bandit wins. Smartcards that identify each user on a national poker machine network will be introduced from 2012, recording how much has been won and lost, under a deal struck by the federal government with the independent MP Andrew Wilkie. National Welfare Rights Network director Maree O'Halloran said: "We are very concerned that a major problem for pensioners that arose at casinos, where their gambling losses were treated by Centrelink as evidence of earnings, may start to arise in a whole lot of communities now where people gamble on poker machines and they have the new card.'' More than a dozen cases of pensioners whose gambling habit was tracked through swipe cards at casinos and were assessed to owe Centrelink money are awaiting a ruling in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. The Welfare Rights Network has now contacted South Australian senator Nick Xenophon and Mr Wilkie, saying a "biometric card" to limit gambling losses could reduce high levels of problem gambling, but also had the potential for large numbers of pensioners to be caught by unclear rules on the reporting of income, partly because pensions are means-tested. ''The Welfare Rights Centre supports methods to stop excessive gambling and we know gambling can destroy lives,'' said Ms O'Halloran. ''We are alerting the government to this issue so they can protect, and Centrelink can tell people clearly what income do they have to declare if they gamble.'' Austrac provides data gathered from banks and casinos to Centrelink. Gambling services must monitor and record customer identities and transactions, including the reporting of big payouts to Austrac, under anti-money laundering laws. An Austrac spokeswoman said pubs and clubs with poker machines were not complying with these rules, and it was already in discussions with the sector on how to improve "intelligence gathering". Ms O'Halloran said the use of the swipe card data on gambling as evidence of pensioner income was misleading. ''People sometimes win $100, and lose $400. They can do that within one day … Centrelink would see that as you had $500 worth of income,'' she said. Centrelink has told the centre it assessed gambling wins depending on each customer's individual circumstances.

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Readers... er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us in the forum.

If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis.

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Virgin Games Launches TV Advertising Campaign

Virgin Games Launches TV Advertising Campaign

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 1st November 2010 - Virgin Games, the leading online gaming company, has launched its first ever television advertising campaign for its casino site, Virgin Casino. The advert aims to cement Virgin Casino's position as the home of online slots by promoting the wide range of games that the Company now offers, and the fact that it launches at least one new game every week.

The 20 second advert, which is part of a £500,000 campaign, uses a space theme to introduce viewers to the world of Virgin Casino and features well know online game titles such as Cleopatra, Da Vinci Diamonds and Monopoly Multiplier. It was produced by ABF Pictures with MGOMD acting as media planners and buyers.

Oliver Wilson, Casino Acquisition Manager, commented: "We had such a fantastic response from our first Virgin Bingo ad launched last year that we decided that this was the right way to go for Virgin Casino. Bingo received a 100 per cent increase in player registrations on the back of the first adverts aired late last year and this evidence suggests it makes absolute sense for TV to play a significant part in the marketing mix for the casino product.

"TV advertising is a new strategy for Virgin Casino and we believe a natural fit. Consumers like the familiarity and security of knowing they are playing with a trusted and reputable company. Being part of the Virgin brand helps this, while TV raises awareness of the casino product and the range of slot games we offer."
The advert premieres on 1st November and will run for two weeks. It is a test campaign covering two UK regions that will test Direct Response TV prior to a national heavyweight rollout in the future. The two week campaign will run mainly on ITV and Channel 4.

The TV advertising will be supported by a range of direct response activity including PPC and Display Media. Affiliate marketing will also play a significant role in the campaign and will run through Virgin Games' in-house affiliate system.

Launched in 2004, Virgin Games is one of the UK's leading online gaming sites. To visit Virgin Games go to www.virgingames.com

Notes to editors:

About Virgin Games:

Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com) launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:

• Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Microgaming, 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.

• 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

Press Release

The Purr-fect Game Arrives at Virgin Casino

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 27th October 2010 - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company – Virgin Games, has today announced the launch of Cats™, a new slot from online game developer, WagerWorks. Cats™ is a content rich slot filled with wild cats that can double the users playing experience and winnings.

Cats™ has a Split Symbols feature that counts for two symbols, and a winning payline will have between three and 10 matching symbols. The game features a fantastic twist, with every wild symbol counting as a split symbol to maximise a player's win. The Free Spins Bonus is triggered when a player gets five or six paw prints on reels two, three or four.

Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "Cats™ has proven to be a massive hit in land based casinos and we expect its success to be replicated online. With the great Split Symbols feature players have the potential to not only have lots of wins, but to win big too."

Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.

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Win Mega Moolah at Virgin Casino

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 28th October 2010 - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company – Virgin Games, is pleased to announce the launch of Mega Moolah, a wild African themed slot by game developer, Microgaming.

Mega Moolah offers multiple opportunities for rewards in an innovative and unique combination of 5 reels and 25 pay-lines plus a Wheel of Fortune style four-tiered progressive jackpot. There are wild African animals, safari and jungle, that are all cleverly combined with the action from Free Spins, Scatter and Wild rewards.

The most exciting feature of Mega Moolah is the spinning of the Jackpot Wheel, with a top prize of at least 1 million ($/£/€) in the Mega level, and there is no limit to how high the jackpot can go - it will keep on going up until someone wins. In 2008, Finnish casino player, Klaus, became an overnight millionaire when he won the Mega Moolah jackpot of $5.5 million from a 0.50c deposit! The current jackpot stands at over £2.1 million.

Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "Mega Moolah is a fantastic safari themed game, but the real draw of it is the four tier progressive jackpot, which basically means that there are four progressive jackpots to be one. The biggest of these is the Mega Progressive which has such a high minimum level that it guarantees the winner will become a millionaire!"

Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, CryptoLogic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.

Press Release

Hang Out With the Osbournes at Virgin Casino

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 14th Oct 2010 - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company – Virgin Games, is pleased to announce the launch of a new slot, The Osbournes, by Microgaming. The branded slot game is based on the TV series and features all the members of the unconventional family of aging rocker, Ozzy Osbourne, and offers additional opportunities to win with an innovative on-screen trail feature that unfolds above the reels.

The Osbournes is a 5 reel 20 pay-line slot with great graphics that captures the outrageous spirit and humour of the famously dysfunctional family and creates an engrossing new slot that is jam-packed with great opportunities to score free spins, multiplier boosts and solid cash prizes.

Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "Just as the TV show of this dysfunctional family provides hours of entertainment, The Osbournes slot does not fail to deliver in the entertainment stakes whilst also providing fantastic rewards. With free spins, multiplier boosts and great cash prizes, players don't have to be a fan of the show to enjoy playing this great new game".

Players can choose their currency - GBP, $, € - and win up to 75,000.00 in the base game and 150,000.00 in Free Spins. Whilst in the new Door Knocker bonus a further 50,000.00 is available and additional bonuses can bring in another 3,000.00. The betting range is anything from 0.01 to 0.50 and up to ten coins a line, making a maximum bet of 100.00 possible.

Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.
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, Microgaming, 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.

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

Press Release

Thunderstruck II Arrives at Virgin Casino

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -8th Oct 2010 - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company – Virgin Games, is pleased to announce the launch of Thunderstruck II by top game developer, Microgaming. The game's predecessor, Thunderstruck, which launched in 2003, is one of the most successful and entertaining video slots in online gaming; a feature-rich game which has achieved iconic stature over the years with a wide player demographic.

This latest game promises to be a big hit with fans of Thunderstruck and offers even more features and opportunities to win big rewards. Based on the innovative 5 reel, 243 ways to win concept, this slot offers the player a range of benefits that includes Wilds and Expanding Wilds, four different Bonuses, Scatter action, four different Free Spins rewards, Multipliers ranging from 2x to 6x and absorbing free games.

Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "Given the success of its predecessor, Thunderstruck II is set to become a firm favourite with our customers. It offers players hours of entertaining gaming with the real possibility of great rewards. Thunderstruck II truly enhances our games portfolio and helps deliver on our promise to provide the best online casino experience available."

All the mystical Nordic gods are present in Thunderstruck II, depicted in high quality graphics along with theme-setting symbols like long ships, kings and Asgard, a rainbow city from the great Nordic sagas.

The gods of Thunderstruck II offers players new features, such as the randomly triggered WildStorm award with its held Wild reels, and the introduction of a Player Achievements structure. The achievements concept is a new feature for online slots, empowering players to achieve gold status by winning the range of payouts of each symbol.

Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.

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

Press Release

Virgin Casino Premieres Brand New Online Slot Game - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring(TM) Win a Luxury 10-Night Break to New Zealand With Virgin Casino

Virgin Casino Premieres Brand New Online Slot Game - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring(TM) Win a Luxury 10-Night Break to New Zealand With Virgin Casino

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 09/03/10 - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company - Virgin Games, is proud to announce that it is one of the first online casinos to introduce Microgaming's eagerly awaited five reel cinematic online slot game, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The game, which promises to be one of the biggest launched this year, offers players a massive 243 ways to win and will be one of the most graphically rich, innovative and exciting online slot games to date.

To celebrate the launch of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Virgin Casino is offering a fantastic prize for one very lucky customer and a partner of their choice - a luxury 10 night break to New Zealand. The winner will be flown to New Zealand where they will stay in the 5(i) Rees Hotel which has amazing views of both Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkable Mountains. This picturesque setting is the perfect place to relax before the exciting Lord of the Rings mini tours begin. For every GBP 50 wagered customers will receive a ticket for the prize draw.

In the online slot game, players follow the Hobbit "Frodo Baggins" as he sets out to ensure the destruction of the Dark Lord Sauron. The five reel online slot will have unrivalled game graphics and include beloved characters from the film, such as Frodo, Aragorn, Saruman and the deadly Black Riders; along with some of the film's iconic footage, featuring Ringwraiths during the attack at Weathertop, Balrog in the Mines of Moria, and Uruk-hai in the woods of Middle-earth.

Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "This is truly a fantastic game and we are incredibly proud to be one of the first casinos to launch what is sure to become one of the biggest online gaming hits of the year. At the beginning of the year we stated our vision for Virgin Casino was to offer more choice to our customers and expand on the titles we offered. We are now doing this in spades."

Founded in 2004, Virgin Games has over 1,000,000 players and over 200 games on its site. Through the introduction of a custom built Virgin Games platform in 2008, Virgin Games seeks to provide its players with the widest possible choice of casino games. A growing selection of games can be found at Virgin Games from a number of producers including Microgaming, WagerWorks, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming.

© 2010 New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc.

Notes to editors:

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, Microgaming, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games, with a current jackpot value of over GBP 2,500,000

- Virgin Poker: part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros - as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry

- Virgin Bingo: part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.

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

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -(Sept. 2, 2010) - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company – Virgin Games, has today announced that it is launching nine new games in September from four leading games producers – Microgaming, WagerWorks, Virtue Fusion and Ash Gaming. Amongst the new games are some big titles, including, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring™ and Tomb Raider - The Secret of the Sword.

Virgin Casino now has over 130 slot games from 11 games producers on its site. The wide range of leading gaming operators with which Virgin Casino has partnered allows the Company to select the best games available on the market, and as such it has become the natural home for players that want instant play (non download) online slot games.

Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "We're really thrilled to be offering such great titles from these leading online game developers as they greatly enhance both choice and player experience for Virgin Casino customers, making it one of the most exciting online casinos around.
"We launch at least one new game a week, and with our multiple partnerships allowing us to cherry pick the best of breed games we now offer unrivalled entertainment for players wanting instant play."

Tomb Raider - The Secret of the Sword is the first game to be launched in September. Presented in a glossy 5 reel 30 pay-line multi-faceted package, this game offers hours of interactive entertainment and the chance to hit major rewards through a variety of free spins, bonuses, wild and scatter awards and free games.

Also to be launched in September are The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Loaded and Tally Ho, all by Microgaming, Bitten by WagerWorks, Challenge Roulette, Fruity Burst, Sacred 7's all by Virtue Fusion, and Alice's Wonderland by Ash Gaming.

Notes to editors:

About Virgin Games:
Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com) launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:

• Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Microgaming, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games, with a current jackpot value of over £2,500,000
• Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros – as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry
• Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.

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

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Virgin Casino Introduces Major New Games in September

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -(Sept. 2, 2010) - Virgin Casino, part of the leading online gaming company – Virgin Games, has today announced that it is launching nine new games in September from four leading games producers – Microgaming, WagerWorks, Virtue Fusion and Ash Gaming. Amongst the new games are some big titles, including, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring™ and Tomb Raider - The Secret of the Sword.

Virgin Casino now has over 130 slot games from 11 games producers on its site. The wide range of leading gaming operators with which Virgin Casino has partnered allows the Company to select the best games available on the market, and as such it has become the natural home for players that want instant play (non download) online slot games.

Warren Eloff, Head of Products at Virgin Games, commented: "We're really thrilled to be offering such great titles from these leading online game developers as they greatly enhance both choice and player experience for Virgin Casino customers, making it one of the most exciting online casinos around.
"We launch at least one new game a week, and with our multiple partnerships allowing us to cherry pick the best of breed games we now offer unrivalled entertainment for players wanting instant play."

Tomb Raider - The Secret of the Sword is the first game to be launched in September. Presented in a glossy 5 reel 30 pay-line multi-faceted package, this game offers hours of interactive entertainment and the chance to hit major rewards through a variety of free spins, bonuses, wild and scatter awards and free games.

Also to be launched in September are The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Loaded and Tally Ho, all by Microgaming, Bitten by WagerWorks, Challenge Roulette, Fruity Burst, Sacred 7's all by Virtue Fusion, and Alice's Wonderland by Ash Gaming.

Notes to editors:

About Virgin Games:
Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com) launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:

• Virgin Casino, offers content from a range of games suppliers including WagerWorks, Microgaming, Cryptologic, Freemantle and Ash Gaming, bringing consumers classic casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Rubik's, X-Factor and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games, with a current jackpot value of over £2,500,000
• Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros – as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry
• Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.

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

Profiles

Virgin Casino

Virgin Games

Virgin

Virgin New Games

Richard Branson

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Asia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Casino News Media

Poker News Media

Global Gaming Directory

Website

Virgin Casino

Global Gaming Directory