European based iGaming software provider CTXM and poker service Cake Network continue to expand their partnership, with CTXM’s online casino software suite and Cake’s poker network now launched on ComeOn.com.

Ralph Murphy, ComeOn.com Country Director UK noted: “Entering a relatively mature market, we have worked hard to produce a cutting edge gaming experience for our players. We are confident that our uniquely positioned brand, “Come On”, will appeal to players and that our domain name is indicative of the “Come On” moments that stimulate people to play Casino, Poker and Sports games in the first place.”

CTXM’s online casino suite will provide a range of casino games including table games, card games, video slots, video poker, soft games and mini-games to players of ComeOn.com. “We have looked hard at the industry standards and built a flexible platform at ComeOn to provide players with what they want. We offer players the ability to play up to 5 casino games simultaneously in different windows, much admired by video slot players. We have also created a central balance that is updated in real time as players place bets, with their bonus allocations being updated in real time accordingly. This gives the player an unprecedented gaming experience and total transparency of their bankrolls, which we believe is of paramount importance,” says Ralph Murphy. “Convenience and ability to increase player retention is CTXM’s priority when facing applications development,”adds Udy Yosha, CEO of CTXM.

ComeOn.com is connected to the Cake poker network, presently the fastest growing poker network online. “ComeOn chose this poker network to give our players the opportunity to play against a worldwide player base, from the security of ComeOn, which operates under strict European standards,” adds Mr. Murphy. “This gives ComeOn’s players the best of both worlds, with the added security of having locally based support and local payment methods.”

“The Cake Network is excited to welcome ComeOn.com and its players to the network.  The ComeOn.com brand is well positioned to grow based on the strength and experience of the management team behind the opperation” said Andrew Turner of the Cake Network. Additionally, all games are seamlessly integrated, meaning that a player does not need to make separate transfers from a central balance to the casino or poker sections of the site. “We recognized that separate transfers are frequently seen as an inconvenience by players on other gaming sites and we believe we are amongst the first to offer this,” Mr. Murphy comments.

“We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Cake Network, through the integration of the poker application to ComeOn.com,” summarizes Udy Yosha. “We believe our partnership with ComeOn.com to be very promising – though ComeOn.com is new to the market, it includes a team of first rate professionals with many years of experience in iGaming.”

About ComeOn.com

ComeOn.com is the brand created by Come On Europe Ltd, located in Malta. Come On Europe Ltd is a new e-gaming company, involving 17 experienced people from various countries and divisions of the gaming industry. ComeOn.com currently provides casino and poker based products to its players and plans to add a sports section with live betting by the end of 2010. ComeOn is licensed in both Malta and Curacao.

About Cake Network:

Cake Network caters to a select group of partners; ones that uphold its company values and require a more tailored service rather than a standard “off the shelf” solution. Whether partners are looking to add poker to an existing site or upgrade their current poker offering, the Cake Network positions them to succeed by providing a wide range of customizable services and solutions. Partner success is ensured by the Cake Network’s flexibility, liquidity and integrity. Cake’s philosophy towards partnership is simple: offer world class solutions to world class partners.

About CTXM:

CTXM is the leading developer of innovative and efficient turnkey solutions, including gaming foundation platforms, casino and fixed-odds games, turnkey gaming and payments solutions. CTXM carries out projects for the leading operators in the iGaming and e-Gambling industries and partners with successful game publishers and IP owners. Since 2004, CTXM has developed over 100 gaming applications, 20 titles for PC, XBOX Live and iPhone and has co-published over 100 casual game titles in Central and Eastern Europe. More information: www.ctxm.com

The biggest World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event cash winner ever, Jamie Gold, is already out of this year’s WSOP.  It only took a matter of hours.

In 2006, Gold won a whopping $12 million and some change.

Gold’s win did not come without controversy.  In fact, it took some time to receive his funds.

From Wikipedia:

Just prior to the 2006 WSOP, Bodog.com Entertainment and Gold entered into a business relationship when Gold agreed to find celebrities willing to play in the main event under the Bodog banner in exchange for a paid entry into the main event. Gold partnered with Crispin Leyser to help with this task in exchange for half of Gold’s winnings, according to Leyser. After Gold won, Leyser says that Gold reneged on the deal and had decided to keep the entire $12 million prize. Leyser sued Gold on August 22, 2006 which resulted in Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kathy Hardcastle issuing a restraining order which prevented Gold from collecting $6 million of his winnings from Rio Hotel and Casino before the first hearing of the lawsuit on December 1, 2006. At the December court hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Roger L. Hunt rejected a motion by Gold’s lawyers to lift the restraining order on the $6 million and ordered the frozen funds be moved into an interest-bearing account, saying that the “likelihood to prevail” lay with Leyser. Gold did a radio interview on Rounders the Poker Show following his Main Event win where he mentioned his deal with Leyser. It was later entered into evidence for the lawsuit. On February 6, 2007, Leyser and Gold released a joint statement stating they had settled the matter outside of court.  The amount of the settlement was not disclosed.

Claim your huge 110 percent cash bonus at Cake Poker here today.

–

Ace King, Gambling911.com

3,128 players registered for the event, but that had been reduced to 35 survivors by the start of Day 3 play Tuesday afternoon with Manuel Davidian leading on 889,000, chased by Adam White,

After less than five levels, Davidian was eliminated in 10th spot to form the final table of nine by the close of play Tuesday night. Here are the finalists who will go into a fourth day:

Adam White 1,685,000
Allan Baekke 1,633,000
Shawn Busse 1,203,000
Owen Crowe 1,192,000
Ilya Andreev 985,000
Chuan Shi 894,000
Jason Mann 893,000
Pekka Ikonen 626,000
Wenlong Jin 292,000

Mihai Manole on 950,000 was leading the field in event 49 – the $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em competition late Tuesday night as Day 2 neared completion.

Tuesday’s action started with only 290 players left from the first day’s 2,543 starters – a remarkable attrition rate of around four eliminations every minute. With the money bubble only twenty eliminations away, the competition was enhanced as players struggled to stay in the field.

Giuseppe Zarbo was leading the charge in pursuit of the main prize of $609,493 as Day 1 ended.

By late night Tuesday Day 2 contestants were still battling away, with the field down to 33 survivors by level 20, and average chip stacks around 346,772.

Event 50, the $5,000 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha competition was still very lively Tuesday night as Robert Mizrachi on 435,000 fought to retain the chip lead over the 47 players left in the running.

Earlier in the day, 172 survivors from an original field of 460 had gathered at the start of Day 2 action, with Kevin Schaffel in the lead, having eliminated Scotty Nguyen.

Ryan D’Angelo is Mizrachi’s nearest rival on 380,000 at level 17 in the event.

This year’s entry field for event 51, the $3,000 buy-in Triple Chance No-Limit Hold’em contest saw an increase of 111 over last year’s equivalent as 965 players took their seats Tuesday afternoon.

With only six more events left in this year’s 41st World Series of Poker, the chances of players like Tom Dwan winning a bracelet and some big money in side bets are diminishing, as are those for players like Phil Hellmuth and Phil Ivey who would like to increase their WSOP jewellery collections.

The format for the event involves each player starting with a stack of 3,000 chips and two “rebuy lammers”. The rebuy lammers are each worth an additional 3,000 chips and can be taken before the start of any hand at any point through the first four levels. At the end of Level 4, all unredeemed rebuy lammers are automatically swapped for tournament chips.

Seen among the Day 1 entrants were Jeff Shulman, Hevad Khan, Allen Kessler, Theo Tran, Gavin Griffin, Dutch Boyd, Sorel Mizzi, Phil Ivey and James Dempsey.

By the completion of Day 1 play at level 10 Tuesday night only 189 survivors bagged their chips, with the biggest bag held by Tommy Vedes on 237,000 with David Singer in hot pursuit on 204,100.

First day casualties included double-bracelet winner Frank Kassela, David Williams, Gavin Smith, Vanesssa Rousso, David Steicke and Chino Rheem.

Gambling911.com special contributor Greg Tingle looks at the toll on Aussie pokies clubs should the government have its way with recent gambling-related recommendations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Manufacturers haven’t been building them so they could be upgraded,” he tells.

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

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

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

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

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

“We don’t want a leap of faith, we think we deserve something a bit more concrete.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The Federal Government’s response on this report is nothing short of a disgrace,” he said.

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

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

*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911

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

One of poker’s biggest superstars continues to make headway, winning his eighth career World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet.  Ivey accomplished this feat in the $3,000 HORSE event, beating out Bill Chen.

From Cake Poker:  “With this win, Phil Ivey’s eight career WSOP bracelets ties him with Erik Seidel for fifth all-time. The $329,840 first prize won’t mean a lot, since it almost surely pales in comparison to the money he’s won in prop bets from Tom Dwan and other poker pros. Chen, meanwhile, settles for second place and $203,802.”

It is that other “Phil” that has more WSOP bracelets than any other poker player, Phil Hellmuth.  He has a record 11 World Series of Poker bracelets.

Ace King, Gambling911.com

In America, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) political advocacy group has launched a new iPhone application that supporters can use to ask their Federal representatives to support the game of poker.

The new application offers users a feature that allows them to call Congress with only one click of a button. Those who take advantage are automatically connected via telephone to their Member Of Congress’ office in Washington, DC.

Additionally, the PPA application aggregates the latest tweets from the political advocacy group alongside tournament feeds from Bluff magazine and the most recent news and updates. Users can also locate other PPA members in their area and enter contests and promotions with a new ‘scan barcode’ function.

“Our members are extremely tech savvy and always looking for more ways to show their support for protecting their right to play poker,” said John Pappas, Executive Director for the PPA.

“The PPA iPhone application, like our Tweet For Poker website, provides a cutting-edge tool for our members to quickly and easily show their support for online poker.”

The PPA has more than one million members across the United States and interested members can download its new application at ThePPA.org/iPhone.  

The intense global interest in watching World Cup matches beamed from South Africa is likely to keep punters away from online casino, bingo and poker gaming and glued to television screens, whilst there had been an 18% decline in the daily average numbers of poker players using the group’s sites between January and May 2010, 888 reported.

The decline in poker has been reported by other online poker companies that have eschewed US business, leaving the field clear for major operators like Poker Stars and Full Tilt Poker, which continue to accept US action.

888 also revealed that the weakness of the Euro and Pound Sterling against the US Dollar has exacerbated its difficulties. For example, May revenues would have been $1.9 million higher had exchange rates remained at the level seen in January. For the year to date, currency movements have adversely impacted total revenue by about $5 million.

John Pappas, Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group, with more than one million members nationwide, today released the following statement on the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on HR 4976, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2010.

“Today’s hearing underscores the increasing Congressional interest in a licensed and regulated online gaming environment. While the robust consumer protections provided by regulation are the biggest selling point, in the current economic environment, additional tax revenue derived from a licensed industry is certainly appealing as well.

“It is important to note that this bill would not levy a new tax on poker players. Rather, it requires each licensed Internet gambling operator to pay a licensing fee – nothing would be deducted from a player’s deposit. Individuals would be required to pay annual income taxes on their net winnings, just like players who collect winnings in land-based casinos do today.

“The PPA is working to remove language from the bill that would fine players who play on unlicensed sites as we firmly believe the unlicensed sites should bear the full consequences of not obtaining a license in the U.S.

“We thank the Committee for holding this important hearing today. We look forward to a successful mark up of legislation to license and regulate online gaming in July in the House Financial Services Committee.”

Online gaming and wagering outfit Centrebet (International Ltd) says it is still in talks with a number of parties over consolidation opportunities.

Media Man down under and Gambling911 continue to delivery hard hitting, informative and entertaining news to the world. We learn the current Centrebet talks are likely to have a major impact on the online and offline gambling, betting, poker et al sector in Australia and the entire Asia Pacific…

The parties are understood to be overseas concerns, all or most of which out of Europe.

“Whilst parties have expressed interest in exploring a variety of transaction structures, no terms, including as to price, have been agreed,” Centrebet said.

“Centrebet anticipates that these discussions may continue for some time.”

Centrebet advised the talks may not result in any formal proposal being made to Centrebet shareholders.

Centrebet had said back in March that it became aware of potential takeover proposals in February and that the proposals were confidential, indicative and non-binding.

In March there was speculation that Ladbrokes, William Hill and Sportingbet were in late stages of talks with Centrebet.

Australian Gaming Shares

Centrebet $1.595

Crown Limited $8.060

Tabcorp sitting $6.43

Ainsworth Game Technology $0.14

Aristocrat Leisure Limited $4.18

Tatts Group $2.39

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company

*The writer has conducted online b2b with Centrebet

Australia is home to some of the world’s great casinos, hotels and resorts.

While the land down under has over a dozen land based casinos, there’s only three that both rate highly and grab the majority of headlines on a global stage. Enter James Packer’s Crown Casino in Melbourne, Tabcorp’s Star City in Sydney, and Jupiters Hotel & Casino on the Gold Coast.

Media Man and Gambling911 take our eye in the sky look at the landscape of the Aussie land based casino sector and bring you up to speed with what’s news down under…

Readers will be aware that there’s a “casino war” in the land of kangaroos, koalas and goannas at the moment. You would have to be Blind Fredy not to know about the ultra competitive showdown (and hunt for whales and dolphins) between Packer’s Crown Casino down south and Tabcorp’s Star City in ‘Sin City’ Sydney.

Crown Casino and Star City are following the global trend, largely driven forward from Las Vegas and Macau, of offering a total entertainment experience… not just gambling… you know, slots, poker, table games and the like. Whales aka high-rollers, have also demanded the changing face of the sector. Don’t get us wrong, the gambling aspect remains vital to the business model and to the punters, but for a variety of reasons Australian casino kings have employed a more holistic models. The reasons include being more government friendly, legal eagle elements and complimenting the larger casino, entertainment and lifestyle.

Some of the ramped up services and offerings as part of the industry development include but are not limited to:

Entertainment complex upgrades (including securing more world class acts, more often, to attract the crowds and keep all clients and business partners happy)

Hotel suite refurbishments

Private gambling room upgrades for high rolling VIP’s

Sports bar upgrades

Enhanced security – technology and more staff

Gulf Stream Jets aka Lear Jets for international high rollers in a hurry and who demand and casino afford the best

Aussie Casino News Bytes

Crown Casino: Hosted the Logies last week with 1000 guests in attendance. Broadcast on Network Nine Australia. Bert Newton did a fine job as host. One journalist / columnist was fired for what many saw as inappropriate Twitter – ing, including the editor of The Age newspaper. Upgraded website. Management in regular contact with sister casinos, City of Dreams Macau and Altira Macau. 100s more staff to be employed, some of which under the GenerationOne employment initiative, dedicated to helping get Indigenous Australians back into the workforce

Star City: Has expanded their budget by another $100,000 or so. Is ordering 1 or 2 Lear Jets to help better compete with Crown Casino. Upgraded website.

Jupiters Gold Coast: Upgraded their poker room to the tune of a few hundred thousand dollars, Mother Africa Circus of the Senses is showing at Jupiters Theater. Last week a casino courtesy bus was allegedly nabbed by a disgruntle contractor owned money. The case is currently in the courts. Jupiters is nearby to the beaches where major surfing competitions take place annually. Dreamworld (Hollywood On The Gold Coast) is only a short drive away from the casino. Upgraded website.

Burswood Entertainment Complex: Upgraded security, shows include Nitro Circus Live, Cats, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson Tribute Show and Mammi Mia! Burswood is known to put on fantastic community fundraisers. American pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan drew a massive crowd at Burswood late last year for his charity work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Virgin’s Richard Branson also did some impressive fundraising on site last month, with folks the world over keen to meet and speak to the entrepreneur. Branson’s Virgin Games remains keen to expand the gaming globally, including the AWOMO (A World Of My Own), and perhaps the face to face meetings with the media and political savvy Aussie Casino king, James Packer, won’t go astray.

Casino Canberra: Blast From The Past: Are you a baby boomer? Then don’t dare miss Baby Boomers Blast from the Past, the ultimate live entertainment experience. Laugh, dance, party Friday 14 May at Casino Canberra. Watch comic impersonator Chris De Havilland bring to life the likes of Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Elvis Presley, Joe Cocker, Neil Diamond, and many more baby boomer entertainers. On the 3rd of June – Aussie comedian legends…Austen Tayshus and Elliot Goblet!  Austen Tayshus is described as a drunken yobbo’s worst nightmare, someone who can out gross you, out yell you and out last you. Austen Tayshus walks a skillful line between the truly offensive and the truly funny. And Elliot Goblet, the master of oodles of clever but unrelated one liners and the odd two liner as well. Both comedians are on one night of classic Aussie humour. Meet the Canberra Raiders NRL Raiderettes! Before Raiders games you have the opportunity to meet some of the Raiderettes and take advantage of the beer and snack footy pack. Galaxy Nightclub – Canberra’s hottest nightclub opens from 9pm every Saturday with the beats of the 70′s and the best of the 80′s. Come and hear the soundtrack of our lives. Galaxy has a NO GLASS policy!

The Reef Hotel Casino: 13th, 14th and 15th May – Lisa Hunt Returns. Soul, Disco & Motown. The way it should sound!

Lasseters Hotel Casino: Dead Centre Show N Shine – Today! – 8th May. Outlaw Drags Spectacular – 9th May

Australian Casino Directory List

New South Wales

Star City Casino (Sydney)

Victoria

Crown Casino (Melbourne)

Queensland

Conrad Treasury Casino (Brisbane)

Jupiters Hotel & Casino (Gold Coast)

Jupiters Townsville Casino (Townsville)

The Reef Hotel Casino (Cairns)

South Australia

Skycity Adelaide (Adelaide)

Western Australia

Burswood Entertainment Complex aka Burswood Casino (Perth)

Tasmania

Wrest Point Hotel Casino (Hobart)

Country Club Casino (Launceston)

Australian Capital Territory

Casino Canberra (Canberra)

Northern Territory

Lasseters Hotel Casino (Alice Springs)

Skycity Darwin (formerly MGM Grand Casino) (Darwin)

Media Man International Profile On Australia

http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/australia.html

Online Casinos, Online Poker and Sports Betting

Ok readers, we hear you… you also want to know some of the best places to play online (that accept Aussies) if your in or around the Asia Pacific – Australia (including Tassie) and New Zealand, so here it is…

Media Man and Gambling 911 remind our readers to keep the following in mind:

Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money

Media Man and Gambling911 are website portals. Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world leading websites that cover the sector and act as central points to games, news, reviews and more

Know the odds, set limits and have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

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

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited