Secret lists of websites banned in two countries have been leaked online, as the Federal Government delays a live trial of its controversial internet filtering scheme.
A list of 3863 website addresses banned in Denmark was published yesterday by a whistleblower group and is believed to contain links to illegal material including child pornography.
The department of Broadband Minister Stephen Conroy has previously compared the Government's filtering plan to "successful" programs in countries including Denmark.
Earlier this week a list of 1203 websites banned in Thailand for political reasons was published by the same group.
It included hundreds of YouTube videos as well as blogs, cartoons and an article in the Economist magazine banned for reasons of "lese majeste", or criticising the King.
Jerry Hutchinson of anti-filtering group Digital Liberty Coalition said leaks were one of the risks associated with maintaining lists of prohibited content.
"Each blacklist is obviously rather sensitive as it gives any would-be web criminal a go-to list where they know they will be able to find illicit material," Mr Hutchinson said.
"It is always possible for any information to be leaked so the Australian blacklist is just as susceptible as that of any other nation."
Under the Government's proposed internet filtering scheme, a similar list of websites maintained by the media watchdog would be blocked by internet service providers.
A second tier of filtering would also remove "inappropriate" content. Customers would have the choice to opt-out of this filter.
Senator Conroy's office confirmed the blacklist of website addresses is confidential for reasons of public interest, but declined to comment specifically on the overseas leak.
Live pilot trial delayed
Senator Conroy last night pushed back a live trial of internet filtering technology that had been scheduled to begin today.
The announcement came as news surfaced of an Internet Industry Association report commissioned by the Howard government that found a web filter would be ineffective and easy to circumvent.
"The Government is aware of technical concerns raised in the report, and that is why we are conducting a pilot to put these claims to the test," said Senator Conroy.
"The pilot trial will not begin until mid-January and an announcement regarding participants will be made at that time."
The trial had been scheduled to begin today, but ISPs that had applied to take part including Optus and iiNet said they had not yet heard from the Government on the details of the tests.
On Monday Senator Conroy also revealed the tests could extend to filtering more online traffic than previously thought, including programs commonly used to share music and video files.
"Technology that filters peer-to-peer and BitTorrent traffic does exist and it is anticipated that the effectiveness of this will be tested in the live pilot trial," Senator Conroy said.
The Opposition today slammed the scheme as "almost technically impossible".
"Prior to the election, the now Government, in opposition, made these broad-sweeping promises... to eliminate child pornography from the internet with this filter system," communications spokesman Nick Minchin said on ABC radio.
"Now they've got to make good on their promise and they're finding it much more difficult in government of course than in opposition."
News.com.au has chosen not to publish details of the website blacklists, as they may contain offensive or illegal material.
Links
Digital Liberty Coalition – http://www.dlc.asn.au
Live pilot trial FAQ – http://www.dbcde.gov.au/communications_for_consume...
Fatal flaws in filtering plan, says report – http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/web/fatal-fl...
(Credit: News.com.au)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Fatal flaws in website censorship plan, says report, by Asher Moses - The Sydney Morning Herald - 23rd December 2008
Trials of mandatory internet censorship will begin within days despite a secret high-level report to the Rudd Government that found the technology simply does not work, will significantly slow internet speeds and will block access to legitimate websites.
The report, commissioned by the Howard government and prepared by the Internet Industry Association, concluded that schemes to block inappropriate content such as child pornography are fundamentally flawed.
If the trials are deemed a success, the Government has earmarked $44 million to impose a compulsory "clean feed" on all internet subscribers in Australia as soon as late next year.
But the report says the filters would slow the internet - as much as 87 per cent by some measures - be easily bypassed and would not come close to capturing all of the nasty content available online. They would also struggle to distinguish between wanted and unwanted content, leading to legitimate sites being blocked. Entire user-generated content sites, such as YouTube and Wikipedia, could be censored over a single suspect posting.
This raises serious freedom of speech questions, such as who will be held accountable for blocked sites and whether the Government will be pressured to expand the blacklist to cover lawful content including pornography, gambling sites and euthanasia material.
The report, based on comprehensive interviews with many parties with a stake in the internet, was written by several independent technical experts including a University of Sydney associate professor, Bjorn Landfeldt. It was handed to the Government in February but has been kept secret.
"I definitely think that what the Government is showing publicly �c is such a small part of what they need to do in order to get this right," Professor Landfeldt told the Herald.
He said he believed the Government had not released his report because its conclusions were too damaging.
"It's definitely not going to be workable to get a very significant reduction in access to this [unwanted] content that is available out there - it's fundamentally just not viable."
The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy - despite his promises before Labor was elected that people would be able to opt out of any internet filters - has said the first tier of the Government's censorship policy will be compulsory for all. This would block all "illegal" and "inappropriate" material, as determined in part by a secret blacklist administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
A second tier would filter out content deemed harmful for children, such as pornography, but this would be optional for internet users.
Senator Conroy refused to comment directly on why the report has not been released or why the trials are going ahead given its findings.
The proposed censorship is more restrictive than in any liberal democracy, the online users lobby group, Electronic Frontiers Australia, says. It says the changes would put Australia on a par with oppressive regimes such as Iran and China.
But Senator Conroy said: "The Government intends to take an evidence-based approach to implementing its cyber-safety policy and has invited industry to participate in that process.
"This live pilot trial will provide evidence on the real-world impacts of ISP [internet service provider] content filtering, including for providers and internet users. It will provide an invaluable opportunity for ISPs to inform the Government's approach."
Professor Landfeldt, one of Australia's leading telecommunications experts, says some of the fundamental flaws of the scheme raised in his report include:
� All filtering systems will be easily circumvented using readily available software.
� Censors maintaining the blacklist will never be able to keep up with the amount of new content published on the web every second.
� Filters using real-time analysis of sites to determine whether content is inappropriate are not effective, capture wanted content, are easy to bypass and slow network speeds exponentially as accuracy increases.
� Entire user-generated content sites such as YouTube and Wikipedia could be blocked over a single video or article.
� Filters would be costly and difficult to implement for ISPs and put many smaller ISPs out of business.
� While the communciations authority's blacklist would be withheld from internet users, all 700 ISPs would have access to it, so it could easily be leaked.
� The filters would not censor content on peer-to-peer file sharing networks such as LimeWire, chat rooms, email and instant messaging;
� ISPs and the Government could be legally liable for the scheme's failures, particularly as content providers have no right to appeal against being blocked unnecessarily.
The Government is refusing to reveal details about its trials, even the names of the ISPs which have volunteered to be involved. Some will begin their six-week trials this week. All the trials will be completed by the middle of next year.
Australia's largest ISP, Telstra, and Internode have said they will not take part in the trials. The second-largest ISP, Optus, will run a scaled-back trial of just the first tier, while iiNet, the third-biggest provider, has said it will participate simply to show the Government that its scheme will not work.
The policy has attracted opposition from online consumers, lobby groups, ISPs, network administrators, some children's welfare groups, the Opposition, the Greens, NSW Young Labor and even the conservative Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, who famously tried to censor the chef Gordon Ramsay's swearing on television.
Professor Landfeldt says the censorship plan assumes websites will remain static, but as soon as the filtering system is in place many porn and other "unwanted" sites will change their designs to get around the filters, just as spammers can bypass email filters.
He said the filtering plan was "completely politicised".
The Greens Senator Scott Ludlam urged the Government to drop its "completely unhinged" policy which was "a waste of taxpayers funds". The Liberal Party's communications spokesman, Nick Minchin, said the Opposition would try to obtain the report under freedom of information laws.
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
The report, commissioned by the Howard government and prepared by the Internet Industry Association, concluded that schemes to block inappropriate content such as child pornography are fundamentally flawed.
If the trials are deemed a success, the Government has earmarked $44 million to impose a compulsory "clean feed" on all internet subscribers in Australia as soon as late next year.
But the report says the filters would slow the internet - as much as 87 per cent by some measures - be easily bypassed and would not come close to capturing all of the nasty content available online. They would also struggle to distinguish between wanted and unwanted content, leading to legitimate sites being blocked. Entire user-generated content sites, such as YouTube and Wikipedia, could be censored over a single suspect posting.
This raises serious freedom of speech questions, such as who will be held accountable for blocked sites and whether the Government will be pressured to expand the blacklist to cover lawful content including pornography, gambling sites and euthanasia material.
The report, based on comprehensive interviews with many parties with a stake in the internet, was written by several independent technical experts including a University of Sydney associate professor, Bjorn Landfeldt. It was handed to the Government in February but has been kept secret.
"I definitely think that what the Government is showing publicly �c is such a small part of what they need to do in order to get this right," Professor Landfeldt told the Herald.
He said he believed the Government had not released his report because its conclusions were too damaging.
"It's definitely not going to be workable to get a very significant reduction in access to this [unwanted] content that is available out there - it's fundamentally just not viable."
The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy - despite his promises before Labor was elected that people would be able to opt out of any internet filters - has said the first tier of the Government's censorship policy will be compulsory for all. This would block all "illegal" and "inappropriate" material, as determined in part by a secret blacklist administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
A second tier would filter out content deemed harmful for children, such as pornography, but this would be optional for internet users.
Senator Conroy refused to comment directly on why the report has not been released or why the trials are going ahead given its findings.
The proposed censorship is more restrictive than in any liberal democracy, the online users lobby group, Electronic Frontiers Australia, says. It says the changes would put Australia on a par with oppressive regimes such as Iran and China.
But Senator Conroy said: "The Government intends to take an evidence-based approach to implementing its cyber-safety policy and has invited industry to participate in that process.
"This live pilot trial will provide evidence on the real-world impacts of ISP [internet service provider] content filtering, including for providers and internet users. It will provide an invaluable opportunity for ISPs to inform the Government's approach."
Professor Landfeldt, one of Australia's leading telecommunications experts, says some of the fundamental flaws of the scheme raised in his report include:
� All filtering systems will be easily circumvented using readily available software.
� Censors maintaining the blacklist will never be able to keep up with the amount of new content published on the web every second.
� Filters using real-time analysis of sites to determine whether content is inappropriate are not effective, capture wanted content, are easy to bypass and slow network speeds exponentially as accuracy increases.
� Entire user-generated content sites such as YouTube and Wikipedia could be blocked over a single video or article.
� Filters would be costly and difficult to implement for ISPs and put many smaller ISPs out of business.
� While the communciations authority's blacklist would be withheld from internet users, all 700 ISPs would have access to it, so it could easily be leaked.
� The filters would not censor content on peer-to-peer file sharing networks such as LimeWire, chat rooms, email and instant messaging;
� ISPs and the Government could be legally liable for the scheme's failures, particularly as content providers have no right to appeal against being blocked unnecessarily.
The Government is refusing to reveal details about its trials, even the names of the ISPs which have volunteered to be involved. Some will begin their six-week trials this week. All the trials will be completed by the middle of next year.
Australia's largest ISP, Telstra, and Internode have said they will not take part in the trials. The second-largest ISP, Optus, will run a scaled-back trial of just the first tier, while iiNet, the third-biggest provider, has said it will participate simply to show the Government that its scheme will not work.
The policy has attracted opposition from online consumers, lobby groups, ISPs, network administrators, some children's welfare groups, the Opposition, the Greens, NSW Young Labor and even the conservative Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, who famously tried to censor the chef Gordon Ramsay's swearing on television.
Professor Landfeldt says the censorship plan assumes websites will remain static, but as soon as the filtering system is in place many porn and other "unwanted" sites will change their designs to get around the filters, just as spammers can bypass email filters.
He said the filtering plan was "completely politicised".
The Greens Senator Scott Ludlam urged the Government to drop its "completely unhinged" policy which was "a waste of taxpayers funds". The Liberal Party's communications spokesman, Nick Minchin, said the Opposition would try to obtain the report under freedom of information laws.
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Dikshit Guilty of Internet Gambling, by David Kravets - Wired - 17th December 2008
The founder and software maker of the popular online gaming site, PartyGaming, has pleaded guilty to illegal internet gambling and will pay $300 million in fines.
Anurag Dikshit, the former director of Gibraltar-based PartyGaming, has agreed to cooperate with authorities probing the web-based gambling scene. It's illegal to allow those on American soil to access online wagering sites.
Under a deal with prosecutors, Dikshit faces a maximum two years behind bars under his Tuesday guilty plea to one count of violating the Wire Act.(.pdf)
Dikshit founded party gaming in 1997. In 2006, Forbes magazine declared him the world's 207th richest person.
The 37-year-old Dikshit is a resident of the United Kingdom and Gibraltar. He traveled to New York where he pleaded guilty Monday in federal court. He is one of several operators and marketers of internet gambling concerns facing federal prosecution.
Specifically, Dikshit pleaded guilty to one count of using the wires to transmit bets and wagering information in interstate commerce.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 also prohibits credit-card companies from collecting payments for bets. Under rules adopted last month by the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve, financial companies have until Dec. 1, 2009 to "establish and implement policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent payments to gambling businesses in connection with unlawful internet gambling."
PartyGaming has stopped taking wagers from its estimated 900,000 U.S. players of poker, blackjack, roulette and other games of chance. (Credit: Wired)
Media Man Australia Profiles
PartyGaming
PartyCasino.com
Casino News
Technology News
Anurag Dikshit, the former director of Gibraltar-based PartyGaming, has agreed to cooperate with authorities probing the web-based gambling scene. It's illegal to allow those on American soil to access online wagering sites.
Under a deal with prosecutors, Dikshit faces a maximum two years behind bars under his Tuesday guilty plea to one count of violating the Wire Act.(.pdf)
Dikshit founded party gaming in 1997. In 2006, Forbes magazine declared him the world's 207th richest person.
The 37-year-old Dikshit is a resident of the United Kingdom and Gibraltar. He traveled to New York where he pleaded guilty Monday in federal court. He is one of several operators and marketers of internet gambling concerns facing federal prosecution.
Specifically, Dikshit pleaded guilty to one count of using the wires to transmit bets and wagering information in interstate commerce.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 also prohibits credit-card companies from collecting payments for bets. Under rules adopted last month by the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve, financial companies have until Dec. 1, 2009 to "establish and implement policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent payments to gambling businesses in connection with unlawful internet gambling."
PartyGaming has stopped taking wagers from its estimated 900,000 U.S. players of poker, blackjack, roulette and other games of chance. (Credit: Wired)
Media Man Australia Profiles
PartyGaming
PartyCasino.com
Casino News
Technology News
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Australia Internet Bans Opposed (Update)
Battle for the freedom of the Internet continues Down Under
December 10, 2008 (InfoPowa News) -- The attempt by some Australian politicians to impose censorship on the Internet has run into more trouble, with growing opposition to the Rudd government's ill-starred two-tier filtering proposal and the proposal that Internet Service Providers help to trial the concept.
Live trials of the filters, intended to block "illegal" content for all Australian Internet users and "inappropriate" adult content on an opt-in basis, were slated to begin by Christmas, despite strong opposition from the Greens, the official Opposition, the Internet industry, consumers, and online rights groups. Recently, even child protection groups spoke out against the project, while activists report that thousands have signed peitions against the government moves.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that with global and local criticism rising against the Rudd governments' Internet censorship moves, the latest blow to the project is service providers refusing to participate in planned trials aimed at censoring material declared by government officials to be unsuitable.
The Herald article recaps that the ruling Labor Party in Australia has proposed installing a two-tiered Internet filtering system. One tier would be mandatory for the entire country, and block online gambling and other material declared to be unacceptable. The second level would be optional, for online customers wishing to block additional "unwanted material."
Laboratory test results released in June by the Australian Communications and Media Authority found available filters frequently let through content that should be blocked, incorrectly block harmless content, and slow network speeds by up to 87 percent.
Telstra, the country's largest Internet provider, and its competitor, Internode, have already said they would not participate in the trial of the system, while the response of smaller providers is luke warm and at best favors only a much-reduced trial. iiNet has said it would take part only to prove to the government that its plan would not work, while Optus will only test a heavily diluted filtering model.
Debate continues over how material is classified, and on the apparent dynamic of what is "inappropriate' and what is "unwanted". Critics fear that the sites found inappropriate by the government will become an ever-expanding list; already, the number of sites on Labor's list has grown from the 1,300 suggested by the ACMA to more than 10,000, and the issue could become a political football.
Critics point to the disastrous results in the United Kingdom when censorship of a Wikipedia page was attempted, and this has motivated increased opposition to the government's plan, with the Greens calling for the abandonment of the filtering plan, saying it was " ... hopelessly flawed and a certain failure."
Colin Jacobs, vice-chairman of Electronic Frontiers Australia, said that the unintended results would be the same as the failed UIGEA ban in the U.S. "Given that the traffickers of genuine abuse material will not let themselves be slowed down by a filter and are already covering their tracks, the net result that will be achieved here is exactly this: inconvenience, chaos, and expense with absolutely no dividend."
Australia's Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, has reportedly written to critics saying that the "live" [filtering] trials would be " ... a closed network test and will not involve actual customers". Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam responded to the report, saying this was a sign the government was slowly backing away from the heavily criticized policy.
Proposed Australian laws on Internet censorship are sometimes pejoratively referred to as the Great Australian Firewall, Firewall Australia, or Great Firewall Reef (a reference to Great Barrier Reef and the Great Firewall of China).
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
December 10, 2008 (InfoPowa News) -- The attempt by some Australian politicians to impose censorship on the Internet has run into more trouble, with growing opposition to the Rudd government's ill-starred two-tier filtering proposal and the proposal that Internet Service Providers help to trial the concept.
Live trials of the filters, intended to block "illegal" content for all Australian Internet users and "inappropriate" adult content on an opt-in basis, were slated to begin by Christmas, despite strong opposition from the Greens, the official Opposition, the Internet industry, consumers, and online rights groups. Recently, even child protection groups spoke out against the project, while activists report that thousands have signed peitions against the government moves.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that with global and local criticism rising against the Rudd governments' Internet censorship moves, the latest blow to the project is service providers refusing to participate in planned trials aimed at censoring material declared by government officials to be unsuitable.
The Herald article recaps that the ruling Labor Party in Australia has proposed installing a two-tiered Internet filtering system. One tier would be mandatory for the entire country, and block online gambling and other material declared to be unacceptable. The second level would be optional, for online customers wishing to block additional "unwanted material."
Laboratory test results released in June by the Australian Communications and Media Authority found available filters frequently let through content that should be blocked, incorrectly block harmless content, and slow network speeds by up to 87 percent.
Telstra, the country's largest Internet provider, and its competitor, Internode, have already said they would not participate in the trial of the system, while the response of smaller providers is luke warm and at best favors only a much-reduced trial. iiNet has said it would take part only to prove to the government that its plan would not work, while Optus will only test a heavily diluted filtering model.
Debate continues over how material is classified, and on the apparent dynamic of what is "inappropriate' and what is "unwanted". Critics fear that the sites found inappropriate by the government will become an ever-expanding list; already, the number of sites on Labor's list has grown from the 1,300 suggested by the ACMA to more than 10,000, and the issue could become a political football.
Critics point to the disastrous results in the United Kingdom when censorship of a Wikipedia page was attempted, and this has motivated increased opposition to the government's plan, with the Greens calling for the abandonment of the filtering plan, saying it was " ... hopelessly flawed and a certain failure."
Colin Jacobs, vice-chairman of Electronic Frontiers Australia, said that the unintended results would be the same as the failed UIGEA ban in the U.S. "Given that the traffickers of genuine abuse material will not let themselves be slowed down by a filter and are already covering their tracks, the net result that will be achieved here is exactly this: inconvenience, chaos, and expense with absolutely no dividend."
Australia's Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, has reportedly written to critics saying that the "live" [filtering] trials would be " ... a closed network test and will not involve actual customers". Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam responded to the report, saying this was a sign the government was slowly backing away from the heavily criticized policy.
Proposed Australian laws on Internet censorship are sometimes pejoratively referred to as the Great Australian Firewall, Firewall Australia, or Great Firewall Reef (a reference to Great Barrier Reef and the Great Firewall of China).
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
Wikipedia victory in censorship row, by Mike Harvey - The Australian - 10th December 2008
An anti-child abuse watchdog has reversed its decision to blacklist a Wikipedia page showing a controversial 1976 album cover after protests over censorship.
Most British internet service providers had blocked users from accessing the image of a prepubescent naked girl on the cover of the Virgin Killer album by the Scorpions, a German band, after the Internet Watch Foundation ruled it was a "potentially illegal indecent image".
But the picture was accessible on many other sites and some argued that, while provocative, it was an artistic historical artefact and should not be banned.
Last night the IWF accepted that its ban had been counter-productive after the controversy had prompted millions to view the image.
It said in a statement: "The IWF Board has considered these findings and the contextual issues involved in this specific case and, in light of the length of time the image has existed and its wide availability, the decision has been taken to remove this webpage from our list.
"IWF's overriding objective is to minimise the availability of indecent images of children on the internet, however, on this occasion our efforts have had the opposite effect. We regret the unintended consequences for Wikipedia and its users. Wikipedia have been informed of the outcome of this procedure and IWF Board's subsequent decision."
The IWF said that any further reported instances of the image which are hosted by ISPs outside Britain would not be blacklisted. But it reserved the right to reconsider other instances of the image hosted in Britain.
Wikipedia had sharply criticised the IWF decision which had the side-effect of leaving many British internet users unable to edit Wikipedia entries and affected the website's performance.
The IWF is funded by the European Union and the British online industry to gather reports of instances of child abuse pictures on the internet and issue 'take down alerts' to ISPs. Its blacklist is used on a voluntary basis by 95 per cent of British-based residential ISPs.
In its statement the IWF said that it still considered that the image was "potentially in breach of the Protection of Children Act 1978" in Britain. The image shows a naked girl, aged about 10, with a cracked glass effect covering her genitals.
The album cover, which was replaced in many countries after an outcry when it was released in 1976, has been under discussion on Wikipedia for many months and has been deleted and reinstated. The page was reported through the IWF's online reporting mechanism on 4 December and assessed to be potentially illegal and indecent.
The IWF said: "As such, in accordance with IWF procedures, the specific webpage was added to the IWF list. This list is provided to ISPs and other companies in the online sector to help protect their customers from inadvertent exposure to potentially illegal indecent images of children. Following representations from Wikipedia, IWF invoked its Appeals Procedure and has given careful consideration to the issues involved in this case. The procedure is now complete and has confirmed that the image in question is potentially in breach of the Protection of Children Act 1978."
The Wikimedia Foundation behind Wikipedia had protested that the IWF had gone too far. "The IWF didn't just block the image; it blocked access to the article itself, which discusses the image in a neutral, encyclopedic fashion," said Wikimedia Foundation head Sue Gardner from San Francisco.
"The IWF says its goal is to protect UK citizens, but I can't see how this action helps to achieve that - and meanwhile, it deprives UK internet users of the ability to access information which should be freely available to everyone. I urge the IWF to remove Wikipedia from its blacklist," she added.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
Most British internet service providers had blocked users from accessing the image of a prepubescent naked girl on the cover of the Virgin Killer album by the Scorpions, a German band, after the Internet Watch Foundation ruled it was a "potentially illegal indecent image".
But the picture was accessible on many other sites and some argued that, while provocative, it was an artistic historical artefact and should not be banned.
Last night the IWF accepted that its ban had been counter-productive after the controversy had prompted millions to view the image.
It said in a statement: "The IWF Board has considered these findings and the contextual issues involved in this specific case and, in light of the length of time the image has existed and its wide availability, the decision has been taken to remove this webpage from our list.
"IWF's overriding objective is to minimise the availability of indecent images of children on the internet, however, on this occasion our efforts have had the opposite effect. We regret the unintended consequences for Wikipedia and its users. Wikipedia have been informed of the outcome of this procedure and IWF Board's subsequent decision."
The IWF said that any further reported instances of the image which are hosted by ISPs outside Britain would not be blacklisted. But it reserved the right to reconsider other instances of the image hosted in Britain.
Wikipedia had sharply criticised the IWF decision which had the side-effect of leaving many British internet users unable to edit Wikipedia entries and affected the website's performance.
The IWF is funded by the European Union and the British online industry to gather reports of instances of child abuse pictures on the internet and issue 'take down alerts' to ISPs. Its blacklist is used on a voluntary basis by 95 per cent of British-based residential ISPs.
In its statement the IWF said that it still considered that the image was "potentially in breach of the Protection of Children Act 1978" in Britain. The image shows a naked girl, aged about 10, with a cracked glass effect covering her genitals.
The album cover, which was replaced in many countries after an outcry when it was released in 1976, has been under discussion on Wikipedia for many months and has been deleted and reinstated. The page was reported through the IWF's online reporting mechanism on 4 December and assessed to be potentially illegal and indecent.
The IWF said: "As such, in accordance with IWF procedures, the specific webpage was added to the IWF list. This list is provided to ISPs and other companies in the online sector to help protect their customers from inadvertent exposure to potentially illegal indecent images of children. Following representations from Wikipedia, IWF invoked its Appeals Procedure and has given careful consideration to the issues involved in this case. The procedure is now complete and has confirmed that the image in question is potentially in breach of the Protection of Children Act 1978."
The Wikimedia Foundation behind Wikipedia had protested that the IWF had gone too far. "The IWF didn't just block the image; it blocked access to the article itself, which discusses the image in a neutral, encyclopedic fashion," said Wikimedia Foundation head Sue Gardner from San Francisco.
"The IWF says its goal is to protect UK citizens, but I can't see how this action helps to achieve that - and meanwhile, it deprives UK internet users of the ability to access information which should be freely available to everyone. I urge the IWF to remove Wikipedia from its blacklist," she added.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Reactions to "60 Minutes" Poker Coverage (Update)
December 2, 2008 (InfoPowa News) - The Washington Post print stories and the "60 Minutes" television coverage of the UltimateBet and Absolute Poker cheating scandals published on Sunday continued to evoke wide comment and exchanges of opinion on industry message boards and in the media this week.
Among the widespread assessment of the material were official statements from the Poker Players Alliance, the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
The million-member PPA took the line that the publicity re-emphasized the need for regulation in the United States.
"The recent cheating scandals underscore the need for U.S. licensing and regulation of online poker to help protect consumers," the PPA statement asserted. "While even the most highly regulated industries are susceptible to fraud and abuse, regulation does provide assurances that when consumers are harmed they have recourse, and that the offenders will be sanctioned. The continued pursuit of poker prohibition, on the other hand, will only drive this industry underground. As the Washington Post pointed out, prohibition represents a widening disconnect between 21st-century technology and 20th-century laws.
"Regulation of Internet poker does not imply an expansion of gambling in this country. Like it or not, the phenomenon of Internet poker cannot be wished away. The American market has spoken. There is strong demand for Internet poker and no reasonable government can or should stand in the way of adults competing in games of skill on the Internet. To the contrary, the government should step up and exercise regulatory oversight on this multi-billion dollar interstate commerce, and collect the revenue — especially during this country's economic crisis.
"Federal government cannot continue to abdicate this basic responsibility to the millions of its citizens who choose to play poker on the Internet. The attempt to enforce an outright prohibition of online poker is deeply flawed and unworkable, and it invades upon the personal freedoms of law-abiding adults who wish to engage in a game of skill. And as '60 Minutes' and the Washington Post stories reported, it also exposes American consumers to the rare, unscrupulous bad apple operator who will take advantage of the lack of a U.S. regulated marketplace.
"Now more than ever the U.S. Congress needs to step up and enact real public policy as it relates to Internet gaming. We look forward to working with the new Administration and the new Congress to advance sensible regulatory solutions such as those introduced in the 110th Congress by Representatives Barney Frank (H.R. 2046) and Robert Wexler (H.R. 2610) and Senator Robert Menendez (S.3616)."
The submission from the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative followed a similar route, urging U.S. legislators to protect U.S. consumers by regulating rather than prohibiting the online gambling industry.
Under the headline "Current prohibition leaves Americans unprotected," spokesman Jeffrey Sandman said that the Washington Post and "60 Minutes" publicity highlighted the dangers Americans face when they gamble online.
"The '60 Minutes' and Washington Post stories demonstrate unambiguously that the existing government prohibition on Internet gambling is a failure and a mistake," says Sandman. "The millions of Americans who continue to gamble online are vulnerable to being defrauded by offshore operators who exploit U.S. prohibition policies, leaving U.S. consumers without legal protections when they make a bet or play poker online. It is clear that a different approach is necessary to protect consumers, as well as to recapture the billions of tax dollars currently lost to offshore gambling operators and out of the U.S. economy. Now more than ever, Congress should understand why it should step in and regulate the industry to protect the public. We are hopeful that increased attention in the media about the issue will lead to increased movement in Congress.
Sandman pointed out that the publicity had neglected to mention the specific benefits achieved through regulation, and used the opportunity to remind lawmakers of a bill proposed by the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Congressman Barney Frank.
"Legislation introduced last year by Rep. Barney Frank, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007, would establish an enforcement framework for licensed gambling operators to accept bets and wagers from individuals in the U.S," Sandman says. "It includes a number of built-in consumer protections, including safeguards against all of the types of improper activity identified in the recent news coverage.
"These safeguards include protections to combat compulsive and underage gambling, money laundering, fraud and identity theft. Moreover, as the coverage reveals, the structure of the Internet allows for greater protections since there is a complete audit trail of all Internet gambling activity and transactions. A companion piece of legislation would ensure the collection of taxes on regulated Internet gambling activities. Revenues from regulated Internet gambling are estimated to be between $8.7 billion and $42.8 billion over 10 years, according to a tax revenue analysis prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers.”
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission, regulator of the UltimateBet and Absolute Poker websites involved in the major cheating scandals covered by the Washington Post and "60 Minutes" publicity, was critical of some elements ommitted from the reports by the two news organizations, and issued the following 'clarification':
"The Kahnawáke Gaming Commission ("KGC") and its agents, having viewed the CBS News item entitled, "The Cheaters", extends the following clarification and information which, although provided to the show's producers, had been left out of the storyline.
"1. The Ultimate Bet ('UB') cheating was initiated while UB was owned and operated by Excapsa (a public company whose Board of Directors included several high-profile Canadians). Pursuant to a settlement agreement finalized in November, 2008, Excapsa agreed to pay Tokwiro ENRG US$15M.
"2. All players that were adversely affected by cheating (both AP and UB) were fully reimbursed. In the case of UB, these refunds amounted to over US$20M. The reimbursement of UB players was affected within days after the Excapsa settlement. The KGC played a key role in facilitating and monitoring reimbursements.
"3. The KGC and its agents have reviewed AP/UB operations and systems and have confirmed that all necessary steps have been implemented to prevent against cheating in [the] future. Migration to the CEREUS software platform was approved and closely monitored by KGC.
"4. Contrary to claims made in the '60 Minutes' story, in addition to significant penalties levied under its Regulations (eg. fines totaling US$2M), the KGC has initiated a criminal complaint against at least one cheater (Russ Hamilton) and is cooperating with law enforcement authorities. Other such complaints may follow."
Point 4 of the Kahawake clarification will be well received by the player community, which has expressed outrage at the apparent immunity from prosecution implied by Tokwiro group statements that it had not pursued the cheaters in return for cooperation in finding and plugging the software flaws and identifying prejudiced players.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker News
Online Casino News
Casino News
Among the widespread assessment of the material were official statements from the Poker Players Alliance, the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
The million-member PPA took the line that the publicity re-emphasized the need for regulation in the United States.
"The recent cheating scandals underscore the need for U.S. licensing and regulation of online poker to help protect consumers," the PPA statement asserted. "While even the most highly regulated industries are susceptible to fraud and abuse, regulation does provide assurances that when consumers are harmed they have recourse, and that the offenders will be sanctioned. The continued pursuit of poker prohibition, on the other hand, will only drive this industry underground. As the Washington Post pointed out, prohibition represents a widening disconnect between 21st-century technology and 20th-century laws.
"Regulation of Internet poker does not imply an expansion of gambling in this country. Like it or not, the phenomenon of Internet poker cannot be wished away. The American market has spoken. There is strong demand for Internet poker and no reasonable government can or should stand in the way of adults competing in games of skill on the Internet. To the contrary, the government should step up and exercise regulatory oversight on this multi-billion dollar interstate commerce, and collect the revenue — especially during this country's economic crisis.
"Federal government cannot continue to abdicate this basic responsibility to the millions of its citizens who choose to play poker on the Internet. The attempt to enforce an outright prohibition of online poker is deeply flawed and unworkable, and it invades upon the personal freedoms of law-abiding adults who wish to engage in a game of skill. And as '60 Minutes' and the Washington Post stories reported, it also exposes American consumers to the rare, unscrupulous bad apple operator who will take advantage of the lack of a U.S. regulated marketplace.
"Now more than ever the U.S. Congress needs to step up and enact real public policy as it relates to Internet gaming. We look forward to working with the new Administration and the new Congress to advance sensible regulatory solutions such as those introduced in the 110th Congress by Representatives Barney Frank (H.R. 2046) and Robert Wexler (H.R. 2610) and Senator Robert Menendez (S.3616)."
The submission from the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative followed a similar route, urging U.S. legislators to protect U.S. consumers by regulating rather than prohibiting the online gambling industry.
Under the headline "Current prohibition leaves Americans unprotected," spokesman Jeffrey Sandman said that the Washington Post and "60 Minutes" publicity highlighted the dangers Americans face when they gamble online.
"The '60 Minutes' and Washington Post stories demonstrate unambiguously that the existing government prohibition on Internet gambling is a failure and a mistake," says Sandman. "The millions of Americans who continue to gamble online are vulnerable to being defrauded by offshore operators who exploit U.S. prohibition policies, leaving U.S. consumers without legal protections when they make a bet or play poker online. It is clear that a different approach is necessary to protect consumers, as well as to recapture the billions of tax dollars currently lost to offshore gambling operators and out of the U.S. economy. Now more than ever, Congress should understand why it should step in and regulate the industry to protect the public. We are hopeful that increased attention in the media about the issue will lead to increased movement in Congress.
Sandman pointed out that the publicity had neglected to mention the specific benefits achieved through regulation, and used the opportunity to remind lawmakers of a bill proposed by the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Congressman Barney Frank.
"Legislation introduced last year by Rep. Barney Frank, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007, would establish an enforcement framework for licensed gambling operators to accept bets and wagers from individuals in the U.S," Sandman says. "It includes a number of built-in consumer protections, including safeguards against all of the types of improper activity identified in the recent news coverage.
"These safeguards include protections to combat compulsive and underage gambling, money laundering, fraud and identity theft. Moreover, as the coverage reveals, the structure of the Internet allows for greater protections since there is a complete audit trail of all Internet gambling activity and transactions. A companion piece of legislation would ensure the collection of taxes on regulated Internet gambling activities. Revenues from regulated Internet gambling are estimated to be between $8.7 billion and $42.8 billion over 10 years, according to a tax revenue analysis prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers.”
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission, regulator of the UltimateBet and Absolute Poker websites involved in the major cheating scandals covered by the Washington Post and "60 Minutes" publicity, was critical of some elements ommitted from the reports by the two news organizations, and issued the following 'clarification':
"The Kahnawáke Gaming Commission ("KGC") and its agents, having viewed the CBS News item entitled, "The Cheaters", extends the following clarification and information which, although provided to the show's producers, had been left out of the storyline.
"1. The Ultimate Bet ('UB') cheating was initiated while UB was owned and operated by Excapsa (a public company whose Board of Directors included several high-profile Canadians). Pursuant to a settlement agreement finalized in November, 2008, Excapsa agreed to pay Tokwiro ENRG US$15M.
"2. All players that were adversely affected by cheating (both AP and UB) were fully reimbursed. In the case of UB, these refunds amounted to over US$20M. The reimbursement of UB players was affected within days after the Excapsa settlement. The KGC played a key role in facilitating and monitoring reimbursements.
"3. The KGC and its agents have reviewed AP/UB operations and systems and have confirmed that all necessary steps have been implemented to prevent against cheating in [the] future. Migration to the CEREUS software platform was approved and closely monitored by KGC.
"4. Contrary to claims made in the '60 Minutes' story, in addition to significant penalties levied under its Regulations (eg. fines totaling US$2M), the KGC has initiated a criminal complaint against at least one cheater (Russ Hamilton) and is cooperating with law enforcement authorities. Other such complaints may follow."
Point 4 of the Kahawake clarification will be well received by the player community, which has expressed outrage at the apparent immunity from prosecution implied by Tokwiro group statements that it had not pursued the cheaters in return for cooperation in finding and plugging the software flaws and identifying prejudiced players.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker News
Online Casino News
Casino News
St Minver Integrates WagerWorks Games
3rd December 2008
London-based gaming software developer WagerWorks has announced a deal that will see it provide premium branded game content to St Minver, the operator of one of Europe’s largest poker networks.
Gibraltar-based St Minver also operates the world's most extensive bingo network and is a leading supplier of fully-managed ‘white label' gaming solutions to high-profile partners including Yahoo! Games, LastMinute.com, PokerHeaven.com, VirginGames.com and LittlewoodsGameOn.com. It has partnership agreements in place with major media groups in Spain, Scandinavia, Latin America, Russia and Eastern Europe and will now leverage top-performing game titles from WagerWorks on its casino and bingo sites in order to offer clients more premium branded titles.
'The provision of these premium branded titles to St Minver enables WagerWorks games to be enjoyed by even more online players,” said Oliver Lofthouse, Director and General Manager for IGT-UK Gaming and WagerWorks.
“Developing a business relationship with such a high-profile client reiterates the quality of WagerWorks branded games and their appeal to all levels of player.'
'This is an exciting opportunity for both our players and partners alike,” said Leigh Nissim, Commercial Director for St Minver.
“We have significantly enhanced our bingo and casino games over the last twelve months and expect the introduction of branded content to further improve player entertainment value while differentiating our gaming solutions for partners in the European market.'
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Games
Technology News
London-based gaming software developer WagerWorks has announced a deal that will see it provide premium branded game content to St Minver, the operator of one of Europe’s largest poker networks.
Gibraltar-based St Minver also operates the world's most extensive bingo network and is a leading supplier of fully-managed ‘white label' gaming solutions to high-profile partners including Yahoo! Games, LastMinute.com, PokerHeaven.com, VirginGames.com and LittlewoodsGameOn.com. It has partnership agreements in place with major media groups in Spain, Scandinavia, Latin America, Russia and Eastern Europe and will now leverage top-performing game titles from WagerWorks on its casino and bingo sites in order to offer clients more premium branded titles.
'The provision of these premium branded titles to St Minver enables WagerWorks games to be enjoyed by even more online players,” said Oliver Lofthouse, Director and General Manager for IGT-UK Gaming and WagerWorks.
“Developing a business relationship with such a high-profile client reiterates the quality of WagerWorks branded games and their appeal to all levels of player.'
'This is an exciting opportunity for both our players and partners alike,” said Leigh Nissim, Commercial Director for St Minver.
“We have significantly enhanced our bingo and casino games over the last twelve months and expect the introduction of branded content to further improve player entertainment value while differentiating our gaming solutions for partners in the European market.'
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Games
Technology News
Friday, November 21, 2008
Virgin games to open multimedia contact centre - Call Centre Helper - 19th November 2008
Virgin Games is to implement a multimedia contact centre solution, as part of its strategy to provide a streamlined customer experience.
The solution, which utilises the latest IP and contact centre technology from NEC Philips, will bring together the various customer touch points throughout Virgin Games to ensure all customer enquiries are handled efficiently and by the most appropriate person.
The company, which has been established for almost five years, competes in the increasingly popular and yet competitive online gaming market, offering customers the choice of three different gaming areas including poker, bingo and casino. The customer experience is critical in such online business models and relies on cohesive and intelligent customer management processes.
In the past, the company has utilised outsourced services to support its activities but has encountered difficulties in delivering a streamlined customer experience. This latest project will bring all the facilities relating to the customer touch points in-house, resulting in greater control, improved efficiency and enhanced customer communications.
The solution utilises the latest multimedia contact centre technology to blend voice, email and web-chat communications into a single environment. In addition, the solution is fully integrated with the customer CRM system, whereby agents are able to see and update the customer records, enabling them to provide a better and more informed service. The solution is underpinned by a centralised IP solution with built-in disaster recovery features to support the company’s 24/7 operations.
Initially the solution will be rolled out to 80 agents across the two Virgin Games sites (based in London and Guernsey) but Operations Manager, Christina Thakor-Rankin, is confident the software has the potential to expand with the company. As she explains, “We began our research at the end of 2007 and must have looked at the best part of a dozen systems before we came across the NEC Philips solution. NEC Philips not only understood our current needs but also what we would need in the future, such as the facility to enable home-working which is something we may need to consider in the future to support our 24/7 activities. The solution not only provides us with more control and management information today, but has huge potential for future developments. Indeed with all the potential the solution provides I can see it supporting our company for at least the next ten years.”
The solution underwent a rigorous assessment process to ensure it met the current and possible future business requirements. “As this is the first time Virgin Games has brought everything in-house, we did not want to be worrying about whether the software would work”, explains Thakor-Rankin, “but the team at NEC Philips have come up with a solution to all we have thrown at them. The whole system has been a worthwhile investment and we look forward to developing our relationship with them.”
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Games
The solution, which utilises the latest IP and contact centre technology from NEC Philips, will bring together the various customer touch points throughout Virgin Games to ensure all customer enquiries are handled efficiently and by the most appropriate person.
The company, which has been established for almost five years, competes in the increasingly popular and yet competitive online gaming market, offering customers the choice of three different gaming areas including poker, bingo and casino. The customer experience is critical in such online business models and relies on cohesive and intelligent customer management processes.
In the past, the company has utilised outsourced services to support its activities but has encountered difficulties in delivering a streamlined customer experience. This latest project will bring all the facilities relating to the customer touch points in-house, resulting in greater control, improved efficiency and enhanced customer communications.
The solution utilises the latest multimedia contact centre technology to blend voice, email and web-chat communications into a single environment. In addition, the solution is fully integrated with the customer CRM system, whereby agents are able to see and update the customer records, enabling them to provide a better and more informed service. The solution is underpinned by a centralised IP solution with built-in disaster recovery features to support the company’s 24/7 operations.
Initially the solution will be rolled out to 80 agents across the two Virgin Games sites (based in London and Guernsey) but Operations Manager, Christina Thakor-Rankin, is confident the software has the potential to expand with the company. As she explains, “We began our research at the end of 2007 and must have looked at the best part of a dozen systems before we came across the NEC Philips solution. NEC Philips not only understood our current needs but also what we would need in the future, such as the facility to enable home-working which is something we may need to consider in the future to support our 24/7 activities. The solution not only provides us with more control and management information today, but has huge potential for future developments. Indeed with all the potential the solution provides I can see it supporting our company for at least the next ten years.”
The solution underwent a rigorous assessment process to ensure it met the current and possible future business requirements. “As this is the first time Virgin Games has brought everything in-house, we did not want to be worrying about whether the software would work”, explains Thakor-Rankin, “but the team at NEC Philips have come up with a solution to all we have thrown at them. The whole system has been a worthwhile investment and we look forward to developing our relationship with them.”
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Games
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Deloitte rank NextGen in Australia's top 50 Fastest Growing Technology Companies
18th November 2008
NextGen has been recognised by Deloitte, one of the world's largest financial services companies, as being the 13th Fastest Growing Technology Company in Australia.
In the report released this month, Deloitte stated:
The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 is a celebration of companies and leaders who are an inspiration to the industry.
Now in its eighth year, this program recognises 50 companies who are some of the fastest growing in the Australian technology industry.
This group of companies and the people who develop and manage them, are an exclusive club where the qualities of inspiration, focus, attention to detail, big picture thinking, single-mindedness and idealised customer service are paramount.
"We are very proud of our achievements and it is always gratifying to be recognised by the industry," said Matt Davey, CEO of NextGen Gaming. "Our team of dedicated professionals combined with our strong Partnerships have enabled us to continue to grow our business even in these challenging times."
"Our continued focus and commitment to our Partners world-wide will ensure continued success through 2009."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Gaming
Technology News
NextGen has been recognised by Deloitte, one of the world's largest financial services companies, as being the 13th Fastest Growing Technology Company in Australia.
In the report released this month, Deloitte stated:
The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 is a celebration of companies and leaders who are an inspiration to the industry.
Now in its eighth year, this program recognises 50 companies who are some of the fastest growing in the Australian technology industry.
This group of companies and the people who develop and manage them, are an exclusive club where the qualities of inspiration, focus, attention to detail, big picture thinking, single-mindedness and idealised customer service are paramount.
"We are very proud of our achievements and it is always gratifying to be recognised by the industry," said Matt Davey, CEO of NextGen Gaming. "Our team of dedicated professionals combined with our strong Partnerships have enabled us to continue to grow our business even in these challenging times."
"Our continued focus and commitment to our Partners world-wide will ensure continued success through 2009."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Gaming
Technology News
Friday, November 14, 2008
Poker Hits MySpace Community Through Partnership with World Poker Tour®
21st October 2008
Dedicated WPT Channel Gives MySpace Users the First Fully-Integrated Destination for Poker Games and Content
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MySpace, the world’s premier social network, and World Poker Tour ® (WPT), the preeminent poker sports, entertainment and gaming league, have joined forces to create the first fully integrated poker destination with games and content for MySpace members.
The MySpace WPT community (www.myspace.com/ClubWPT) delivers a unique poker experience with must-see content for poker die-hards and casual fans alike, including expert tips and tricks, player profiles, video clips, tournament news, and behind-the-scenes videos from the World Poker Tour and new ClubWPT.com TV series. The community provides a place for poker fans to meet and interact with their favorite WPT superstars and discover new WPT content.
The MySpace WPT hub also offers a free multi-player poker game developed by Oberon, MySpace’s online game partner and a leading innovator in casual gaming. The free poker game allows MySpace members to compete against each other online in real time, putting their poker skills to the test in live or private tournaments. MySpace WPT community members can also experience channel sponsor, ClubWPT.com, which is WPT’s innovative online subscription and sweepstakes-based poker offering. For $19.95 per month, ClubWPT.com members receive VIP perks and the chance to play and win over $100,000 in cash and prizes each month, like seats into WPT main events and the ClubWPT.com TV series.
“MySpace is bringing a new dimension of entertainment to users with this integrated WPT poker hub and providing an easy and fun way for users to play poker with friends on MySpace,” said Angela Courtin, senior vice president of marketing, entertainment and content for MySpace. “MySpace has a balance of a social community base and a global portal platform that allows brands like WPT to create great online entertainment experiences for our users. As the Web becomes increasingly more social, MySpace is at the forefront of innovation and online engagement.”
“Poker and social networking have separately reached and engaged people around the world in ways like nothing we’ve seen before,” said Steve Lipscomb, WPT Founder, President and CEO. “As poker continues to see major growth across the globe, this partnership meets the demand for a poker experience that appeals to enthusiasts of all levels by connecting consumers in one unique, fully-integrated gaming and entertainment environment.”
Poker fans will also see the MySpace WPT community get in the action during WPT Season VII television broadcasts, featured on the final table ring where the remaining six players battle it out for millions of dollars and a WPT title. Premiering on Fox Sports Net later this year, the World Poker Tour follows the pros, newcomers, and all the poker action from Las Vegas to Barcelona, featuring all-new final tables where millions of dollars and a WPT title are at stake.
No purchase is necessary for the ClubWPT.com sweepstakes and the service is void in states where prohibited. To get details on how to join, for information on alternative means of entry or to get a two-week free trial, visit www.myspace.com/ClubWPT or www.ClubWPT.com.
About MySpace
MySpace, a unit of Fox Interactive Media Inc., is the premier lifestyle portal for connecting with friends, discovering popular culture, and making a positive impact on the world. MySpace has created a connected global community by integrating web profiles, blogs, instant messaging, e-mail, music streaming, music videos, photo galleries, classified listings, events, groups, college communities, and member forums. MySpace's international network includes more than 30 localized community sites in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, India, Japan, and New Zealand. Fox Interactive Media is a division of News Corp. (NYSE:NWS)(NYSE:NWS.A)(ASX:NWS)(ASX:NWSLV).
Among the top 2000 domains comScore Media Metrix, September 2008. For more information on comScore Networks, please go to www.comscore.com.
ABOUT WPTE
WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) is a company engaged in the creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. WPTE is the creator of the World Poker Tour®, a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that has been licensed for broadcast globally. WPT Season VI airs Monday nights at 9pm ET/PT on GSN in the United States, and WPT Season VII will air on FSN in 2009. WPTE also offers real-money online gaming on its website, www.worldpokertour.com, which prohibits wagers from players in the U.S. and certain other restricted territories. WPTE also has operations in mainland China, pursuant to an agreement with the China Leisure Sports Administrative Center where WPTE is developing and marketing the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour. In January 2008, the company launched ClubWPT.com, an innovative subscription-based online poker club targeted to the estimated 60 million poker players in the United States and is currently offered in 38 States. WPTE currently licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. The company is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. For show information, tools for improving poker play, and other WPT news, fans may log on to www.worldpokertour.com. WPTE is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: LACO).
WPTEG
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by WPT Enterprises, Inc.) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to the expansion of WPTE's brand licensing, the development of new television and film projects, the development of WPTE corporate sponsors and other business development activities, as well as statements regarding other capital spending, financing sources and the effects of competition. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of WPTE. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that WPTE may not obtain sufficient sponsorship revenues for Season VII programming of the WPT; difficulty of predicting the growth of our online gaming business, which is a relatively new industry with an increasing number of market entrants; reliance on the efforts of CryptoLogic to develop and maintain the online gaming website in compliance with WPTE’s business model and applicable gaming laws; the potential that our television programming will fail to maintain a sufficient audience; the risk that competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence might develop television programming that would directly compete with WPTE's television programming; the risk that WPTE may not be able to protect its entertainment concepts, current and future brands and other intellectual property rights; risks associated with future expansion into new or complementary businesses; the termination or impairment of WPTE's relationships with key licensing and strategic partners; and WPTE's dependence on its senior management team. For more information, review WPTE's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Media Man Australia Profiles
World Poker Tour
Poker
MySpace
Poker News
Casino News
Dedicated WPT Channel Gives MySpace Users the First Fully-Integrated Destination for Poker Games and Content
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MySpace, the world’s premier social network, and World Poker Tour ® (WPT), the preeminent poker sports, entertainment and gaming league, have joined forces to create the first fully integrated poker destination with games and content for MySpace members.
The MySpace WPT community (www.myspace.com/ClubWPT) delivers a unique poker experience with must-see content for poker die-hards and casual fans alike, including expert tips and tricks, player profiles, video clips, tournament news, and behind-the-scenes videos from the World Poker Tour and new ClubWPT.com TV series. The community provides a place for poker fans to meet and interact with their favorite WPT superstars and discover new WPT content.
The MySpace WPT hub also offers a free multi-player poker game developed by Oberon, MySpace’s online game partner and a leading innovator in casual gaming. The free poker game allows MySpace members to compete against each other online in real time, putting their poker skills to the test in live or private tournaments. MySpace WPT community members can also experience channel sponsor, ClubWPT.com, which is WPT’s innovative online subscription and sweepstakes-based poker offering. For $19.95 per month, ClubWPT.com members receive VIP perks and the chance to play and win over $100,000 in cash and prizes each month, like seats into WPT main events and the ClubWPT.com TV series.
“MySpace is bringing a new dimension of entertainment to users with this integrated WPT poker hub and providing an easy and fun way for users to play poker with friends on MySpace,” said Angela Courtin, senior vice president of marketing, entertainment and content for MySpace. “MySpace has a balance of a social community base and a global portal platform that allows brands like WPT to create great online entertainment experiences for our users. As the Web becomes increasingly more social, MySpace is at the forefront of innovation and online engagement.”
“Poker and social networking have separately reached and engaged people around the world in ways like nothing we’ve seen before,” said Steve Lipscomb, WPT Founder, President and CEO. “As poker continues to see major growth across the globe, this partnership meets the demand for a poker experience that appeals to enthusiasts of all levels by connecting consumers in one unique, fully-integrated gaming and entertainment environment.”
Poker fans will also see the MySpace WPT community get in the action during WPT Season VII television broadcasts, featured on the final table ring where the remaining six players battle it out for millions of dollars and a WPT title. Premiering on Fox Sports Net later this year, the World Poker Tour follows the pros, newcomers, and all the poker action from Las Vegas to Barcelona, featuring all-new final tables where millions of dollars and a WPT title are at stake.
No purchase is necessary for the ClubWPT.com sweepstakes and the service is void in states where prohibited. To get details on how to join, for information on alternative means of entry or to get a two-week free trial, visit www.myspace.com/ClubWPT or www.ClubWPT.com.
About MySpace
MySpace, a unit of Fox Interactive Media Inc., is the premier lifestyle portal for connecting with friends, discovering popular culture, and making a positive impact on the world. MySpace has created a connected global community by integrating web profiles, blogs, instant messaging, e-mail, music streaming, music videos, photo galleries, classified listings, events, groups, college communities, and member forums. MySpace's international network includes more than 30 localized community sites in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, India, Japan, and New Zealand. Fox Interactive Media is a division of News Corp. (NYSE:NWS)(NYSE:NWS.A)(ASX:NWS)(ASX:NWSLV).
Among the top 2000 domains comScore Media Metrix, September 2008. For more information on comScore Networks, please go to www.comscore.com.
ABOUT WPTE
WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) is a company engaged in the creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. WPTE is the creator of the World Poker Tour®, a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that has been licensed for broadcast globally. WPT Season VI airs Monday nights at 9pm ET/PT on GSN in the United States, and WPT Season VII will air on FSN in 2009. WPTE also offers real-money online gaming on its website, www.worldpokertour.com, which prohibits wagers from players in the U.S. and certain other restricted territories. WPTE also has operations in mainland China, pursuant to an agreement with the China Leisure Sports Administrative Center where WPTE is developing and marketing the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour. In January 2008, the company launched ClubWPT.com, an innovative subscription-based online poker club targeted to the estimated 60 million poker players in the United States and is currently offered in 38 States. WPTE currently licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. The company is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. For show information, tools for improving poker play, and other WPT news, fans may log on to www.worldpokertour.com. WPTE is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: LACO).
WPTEG
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by WPT Enterprises, Inc.) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to the expansion of WPTE's brand licensing, the development of new television and film projects, the development of WPTE corporate sponsors and other business development activities, as well as statements regarding other capital spending, financing sources and the effects of competition. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of WPTE. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that WPTE may not obtain sufficient sponsorship revenues for Season VII programming of the WPT; difficulty of predicting the growth of our online gaming business, which is a relatively new industry with an increasing number of market entrants; reliance on the efforts of CryptoLogic to develop and maintain the online gaming website in compliance with WPTE’s business model and applicable gaming laws; the potential that our television programming will fail to maintain a sufficient audience; the risk that competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence might develop television programming that would directly compete with WPTE's television programming; the risk that WPTE may not be able to protect its entertainment concepts, current and future brands and other intellectual property rights; risks associated with future expansion into new or complementary businesses; the termination or impairment of WPTE's relationships with key licensing and strategic partners; and WPTE's dependence on its senior management team. For more information, review WPTE's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Media Man Australia Profiles
World Poker Tour
Poker
MySpace
Poker News
Casino News
Virgin Games appoints Silverpop to develop email CRM, by Nikki Sandison, Brand Republic - 7th September 2007
LONDON - Virgin Games has appointed email marketing firm Silverpop to develop an email CRM programme for customers of its online gaming site, www.virgingames.com.
Silverpop will work with Virgin Games' CRM team to tailor email content to customer preferences gathered from profiles and activity on its poker, casino, bingo and bets games.
The programme will include time-triggered emails, along with updates on Virgin Games' loyalty points scheme - V Points - designed to build online relationships and increase customer retention.
Silverpop was appointed following a six-way pitch, adding to its recent account wins including Metro International, STA and UCAS.
Ross Sleight, strategy director at Virgin Games, said: "With cost per acquisition relatively high in the online gaming market, we need to make sure new visitors turn into long-term members.
"Silverpop's appointment will enable us to do this through sophisticated profile and activity- triggered interaction with customers via email."
Silverpop provides online relationship marketing support to companies including Fossil, Littlewoods, Shop Direct, British Sky Broadcasting and Weather.com.
Greg Tingle comment...
I deal with a number of companies in the online gaming, online casino and casino industry, and I can honestly state that if all the online casino type companies were are profession, organised, friendly and honest as the folks at Virgin Games, the industry would be a much better place. Virgin Games staff and management are accountable and transparent. I've also been impressed by PKR and JackPotCity. InterCasino and North Sydney's NextGen Gaming have also revamped and look to have their act together. I also hear a clean bill of health on Rewards Affiliates. Virgin Games is the pick of the bunch. I will be discussing these things at CAP Down Under.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Games
Virgin Casino
Games
Gaming
Silverpop will work with Virgin Games' CRM team to tailor email content to customer preferences gathered from profiles and activity on its poker, casino, bingo and bets games.
The programme will include time-triggered emails, along with updates on Virgin Games' loyalty points scheme - V Points - designed to build online relationships and increase customer retention.
Silverpop was appointed following a six-way pitch, adding to its recent account wins including Metro International, STA and UCAS.
Ross Sleight, strategy director at Virgin Games, said: "With cost per acquisition relatively high in the online gaming market, we need to make sure new visitors turn into long-term members.
"Silverpop's appointment will enable us to do this through sophisticated profile and activity- triggered interaction with customers via email."
Silverpop provides online relationship marketing support to companies including Fossil, Littlewoods, Shop Direct, British Sky Broadcasting and Weather.com.
Greg Tingle comment...
I deal with a number of companies in the online gaming, online casino and casino industry, and I can honestly state that if all the online casino type companies were are profession, organised, friendly and honest as the folks at Virgin Games, the industry would be a much better place. Virgin Games staff and management are accountable and transparent. I've also been impressed by PKR and JackPotCity. InterCasino and North Sydney's NextGen Gaming have also revamped and look to have their act together. I also hear a clean bill of health on Rewards Affiliates. Virgin Games is the pick of the bunch. I will be discussing these things at CAP Down Under.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Games
Virgin Casino
Games
Gaming
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
www.mediaman.com.au is a Hitwise Top 10 Award Winner!
5th November 2008
Hitwise Top 10 Awards Program
Dear Greg,
Congratulations! Hitwise is pleased to announce that www.mediaman.com.au is a Hitwise Top 10 Award winner for the quarter ending July - September 2008.
During this period, www.mediaman.com.au ranked No. 7 based on market share of visits among all Australian websites in the Hitwise Entertainment - Personalities industry.
The Hitwise Top 10 Award recognises websites from over 160 industries that are leaders in their industry and brings with it the benefit of using the Hitwise Top 10 Award shield (pictured right).
Again, congratulations. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Best regards,
Marketing - Asia Pacific
Hitwise Australia
Media Man Australia Profiles
Hitwise
Hitwise Top 10 Awards Program
Dear Greg,
Congratulations! Hitwise is pleased to announce that www.mediaman.com.au is a Hitwise Top 10 Award winner for the quarter ending July - September 2008.
During this period, www.mediaman.com.au ranked No. 7 based on market share of visits among all Australian websites in the Hitwise Entertainment - Personalities industry.
The Hitwise Top 10 Award recognises websites from over 160 industries that are leaders in their industry and brings with it the benefit of using the Hitwise Top 10 Award shield (pictured right).
Again, congratulations. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Best regards,
Marketing - Asia Pacific
Hitwise Australia
Media Man Australia Profiles
Hitwise
Saturday, November 01, 2008
CasinoAffiliatePrograms Announces Final Stage of Voting for CAP Awards 2009
Nominations closed as final voting stage begins, announces leading online casino website.
Irvine, CA October 28, 2008 -- CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com ("CAP"), a leading online marketing resource and community website for Internet casino affiliates, announced today the commencement of the final voting stage in its highly anticipated Second Annual CAP Awards.
"We'd like to announce that the nomination stage of the CAP Awards is now closed," stated Lou Fabiano, President and Founder of CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com. "And, in doing so, we want to invite all members of the online gaming community to cast their votes for 2008's best affiliate industry leaders!"
We'd like to announce that the nomination stage of the CAP Awards is now closed
And, in doing so, we want to invite all members of the online gaming community to cast their votes for 2008's best affiliate industry leaders!
"Those in the affiliate industry don't specifically have to be registered at CAP or PAP to vote, but we do encourage you to register with us if you're serious about your affiliate program," added Mr. Fabiano. "And, of course, everyone can vote only once."
Held during January's Gala Reception and Awards Ceremony as part of the annual CAP Euro London event, the CAP Awards is a yearly ceremony held by CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com in collaboration with its sister site, PokerAffiliatePrograms.com ("PAP"), to recognize and honor the most successful and innovative members of the worldwide Internet gaming community.
Representing the largest and longest-running community of its type, with the most popular and highly trafficked user forums in the industry, CAP and PAP are uniquely qualified to empower online gaming's affiliates and affiliate managers with the decision of naming who has made the year's greatest achievements among them -- and therefore who deserves to take home a coveted CAPPY award.
The CAP Awards nominations process is peer-led, allowing the gaming affiliate community to nominate and vote in each category. Overseeing the voting and awards process is an independent judiciary panel made up of ten respected operators, affiliates, and vendors. In addition to providing important industry insight and expertise, these individuals help ensure that the nominations are well-placed and the awards operate in a fair and non-biased manner. The democratic nature of the process is designed to ensure that the CAP Awards represent a consensus of the online gaming affiliate community as a whole, and are not just the decision of the CAP administrators.
The CAP Awards recognize superior achievement for Best Affiliate, Best Affiliate Program, and Best Affiliate Manager in the categories of Casino, Poker, Bingo, Sports Betting, Skill Gaming, and Lottery. There are also awards for Best iGaming Software in the categories of Casino, Poker, and Bingo. Rounding out the awards are Best Overall Affiliate, Best Overall Affiliate Manager, Best iGaming Affiliate Network, and Best Payment System.
CAP officials emphasized that all awards nominations are completely user-driven; employees and management of CAP or PAP had no involvement in the nominations.
Voters can visit http://capawards.com/nominations.php to cast their votes.
About CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com:
CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com (or CAP, as it's commonly known as) is the largest and longest-running online gaming affiliate resource, featuring an active community forum, chat rooms, affiliate marketing tools, industry news/articles, scam alerts, and a rigorous and distinguished certification process for online casino affiliate programs. The CAP Certification Process is held in the highest regard among industry experts, and is designed to protect the integrity of affiliates and the online gaming industry as a whole. For more information, please visit http://www.casinoaffiliateprograms.com.
About PokerAffiliatePrograms.com:
The world's largest poker affiliate community and resource website, PokerAffiliatePrograms.com (PAP) was established to provide webmasters interested in promoting online poker a place to research, discuss, and gain insight into the business. The company's mission is to provide the best community forum of its kind online, as well as a list of quality affiliate programs and a comprehensive collection of articles, resources, tips, and program alerts to help assist affiliate marketing webmasters. For more information, please visit http://www.pokeraffiliateprograms.com.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Casino News
Online Casino News
Irvine, CA October 28, 2008 -- CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com ("CAP"), a leading online marketing resource and community website for Internet casino affiliates, announced today the commencement of the final voting stage in its highly anticipated Second Annual CAP Awards.
"We'd like to announce that the nomination stage of the CAP Awards is now closed," stated Lou Fabiano, President and Founder of CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com. "And, in doing so, we want to invite all members of the online gaming community to cast their votes for 2008's best affiliate industry leaders!"
We'd like to announce that the nomination stage of the CAP Awards is now closed
And, in doing so, we want to invite all members of the online gaming community to cast their votes for 2008's best affiliate industry leaders!
"Those in the affiliate industry don't specifically have to be registered at CAP or PAP to vote, but we do encourage you to register with us if you're serious about your affiliate program," added Mr. Fabiano. "And, of course, everyone can vote only once."
Held during January's Gala Reception and Awards Ceremony as part of the annual CAP Euro London event, the CAP Awards is a yearly ceremony held by CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com in collaboration with its sister site, PokerAffiliatePrograms.com ("PAP"), to recognize and honor the most successful and innovative members of the worldwide Internet gaming community.
Representing the largest and longest-running community of its type, with the most popular and highly trafficked user forums in the industry, CAP and PAP are uniquely qualified to empower online gaming's affiliates and affiliate managers with the decision of naming who has made the year's greatest achievements among them -- and therefore who deserves to take home a coveted CAPPY award.
The CAP Awards nominations process is peer-led, allowing the gaming affiliate community to nominate and vote in each category. Overseeing the voting and awards process is an independent judiciary panel made up of ten respected operators, affiliates, and vendors. In addition to providing important industry insight and expertise, these individuals help ensure that the nominations are well-placed and the awards operate in a fair and non-biased manner. The democratic nature of the process is designed to ensure that the CAP Awards represent a consensus of the online gaming affiliate community as a whole, and are not just the decision of the CAP administrators.
The CAP Awards recognize superior achievement for Best Affiliate, Best Affiliate Program, and Best Affiliate Manager in the categories of Casino, Poker, Bingo, Sports Betting, Skill Gaming, and Lottery. There are also awards for Best iGaming Software in the categories of Casino, Poker, and Bingo. Rounding out the awards are Best Overall Affiliate, Best Overall Affiliate Manager, Best iGaming Affiliate Network, and Best Payment System.
CAP officials emphasized that all awards nominations are completely user-driven; employees and management of CAP or PAP had no involvement in the nominations.
Voters can visit http://capawards.com/nominations.php to cast their votes.
About CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com:
CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com (or CAP, as it's commonly known as) is the largest and longest-running online gaming affiliate resource, featuring an active community forum, chat rooms, affiliate marketing tools, industry news/articles, scam alerts, and a rigorous and distinguished certification process for online casino affiliate programs. The CAP Certification Process is held in the highest regard among industry experts, and is designed to protect the integrity of affiliates and the online gaming industry as a whole. For more information, please visit http://www.casinoaffiliateprograms.com.
About PokerAffiliatePrograms.com:
The world's largest poker affiliate community and resource website, PokerAffiliatePrograms.com (PAP) was established to provide webmasters interested in promoting online poker a place to research, discuss, and gain insight into the business. The company's mission is to provide the best community forum of its kind online, as well as a list of quality affiliate programs and a comprehensive collection of articles, resources, tips, and program alerts to help assist affiliate marketing webmasters. For more information, please visit http://www.pokeraffiliateprograms.com.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Casino News
Online Casino News
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Net filters may block porn and gambling sites, by Asher Moses - The Age - 27th October 2008
Family First Senator Steve Fielding wants hardcore pornography and fetish material blocked under the Government's plans to filter the internet, sparking renewed fears the censorship could be expanded well beyond "illegal material".
The Opposition said it would take "a lot of convincing" for it to support the controversial mandatory ISP filtering policy, so the Government would need the support of Senator Fielding as well as the Greens and Senator Nick Xenophon to pass the legislation.
Industry sources said Senator Fielding's sentiments validated ISPs' concerns that the categories of blocked content could be broadened significantly at the whim of the Government, which is under pressure to appease vocal minorities.
A spokesman for Senator Xenophon said, should the filtering plan go ahead, he would look to use it to block Australians from accessing overseas online casino sites, which are illegal to run in Australia.
In a Senate Estimates hearing last week, the Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, confirmed that his proposal would force ISPs to implement a two-tiered filtering system.
The proposed censorship is more advanced than that in any liberal democracy and would put Australia on a par with oppressive regimes such as Iran, the internet industry says.
Despite his earlier promises that Australians would be able to opt out of any internet filters, Senator Conroy said the first tier would be compulsory for all Australians and would block all "illegal material", as determined in part by a blacklist administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
The second tier, which is optional, would filter out content deemed inappropriate for children, such as pornography.
But asked to specify the categories of content that Senator Fielding would like blocked by the mandatory first tier, a Family First spokeswoman indicated the party would want X-rated and refused classification (RC) content banned for everyone, including adults.
"Family First would consider a mandatory ISP-based filtering system that protects children by blocking illegal content like child pornography, but allows adults to opt out of filtering to access material classified R18+ or less," Senator Fielding's spokeswoman said.
According to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, X18+ content includes hardcore pornography, while content that is refused classification includes that which depicts drug use or sexual fetishes. Both are a step above R18+ content, which typically includes adult themes.
The online users' lobby group Electronic Frontiers Australia expressed fears that the internet filters could be used as a bargaining chip every time the Government needed to pass a piece of important legislation.
"Any group with an axe to grind and political clout will be lobbying the Government to blacklist websites which they object to," EFA spokesman Dale Clapperton said.
"Having all Australians' internet access subject to a secret and unaccountable government blacklist is completely unacceptable in a liberal democracy such as Australia."
Clapperton said most adult pornography on the internet was already "prohibited content" under the Act, and pro-euthanasia, pro-anorexia and pro-piracy websites could easily be caught by the system.
Today, such prohibited content, if hosted overseas, is added to ACMA's blacklist but Australians are still able to access it if they wish. This would not be the case if mandatory ISP filtering was introduced.
"Senator Conroy talks about blocking access to 'illegal material', but the ACMA blacklist of 'prohibited content' is not limited to material which is illegal - it includes X-rated material, and R-rated material unless it is protected by a government-approved restricted access system," he said.
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam expressed similar concerns when grilling Senator Conroy in Senate Estimates last week.
He said all sorts of politically sensitive material could be added to the blacklist and otherwise legitimate sites - for example, YouTube - could be rendered inaccessible based on content published by users.
"The blacklist ... can become very grey depending on how expansive the list becomes - euthanasia material, politically related material, material about anorexia. There is a lot of distasteful stuff on the internet," Senator Ludlam said.
John Lindsay, carrier relations manager at Internode, said: "I don't see that what Fielding has just described to you is necessarily any different to what the public should expect from the Government's as yet unstated filtering regime, because we haven't got a clear explanation as to what the Government's actual mandatory blacklist looks like."
The Opposition's communication spokesman, Nick Minchin, said it would take "a lot of convincing" for the Coalition to support the Government's filtering plan.
"That's the problem with having this sort of highly centralised government-mandated nationwide filtering system," Senator Minchin said in a telephone interview.
"The argy-bargy that would result over what is in and what is out strikes me as being almost impossible to manage and it would be a cat chasing its tail."
The Government's own laboratory trials have found that presently available filters are not capable of distinguishing adequately between legal and illegal content and can degrade internet speeds by up to 86 per cent.
Despite this, and significant opposition from ISPs, the Government will soon seek expressions of interest from telcos seeking to be part of a live trial of the filters.
(Credit: The Age)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
Casino News
The Opposition said it would take "a lot of convincing" for it to support the controversial mandatory ISP filtering policy, so the Government would need the support of Senator Fielding as well as the Greens and Senator Nick Xenophon to pass the legislation.
Industry sources said Senator Fielding's sentiments validated ISPs' concerns that the categories of blocked content could be broadened significantly at the whim of the Government, which is under pressure to appease vocal minorities.
A spokesman for Senator Xenophon said, should the filtering plan go ahead, he would look to use it to block Australians from accessing overseas online casino sites, which are illegal to run in Australia.
In a Senate Estimates hearing last week, the Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, confirmed that his proposal would force ISPs to implement a two-tiered filtering system.
The proposed censorship is more advanced than that in any liberal democracy and would put Australia on a par with oppressive regimes such as Iran, the internet industry says.
Despite his earlier promises that Australians would be able to opt out of any internet filters, Senator Conroy said the first tier would be compulsory for all Australians and would block all "illegal material", as determined in part by a blacklist administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
The second tier, which is optional, would filter out content deemed inappropriate for children, such as pornography.
But asked to specify the categories of content that Senator Fielding would like blocked by the mandatory first tier, a Family First spokeswoman indicated the party would want X-rated and refused classification (RC) content banned for everyone, including adults.
"Family First would consider a mandatory ISP-based filtering system that protects children by blocking illegal content like child pornography, but allows adults to opt out of filtering to access material classified R18+ or less," Senator Fielding's spokeswoman said.
According to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, X18+ content includes hardcore pornography, while content that is refused classification includes that which depicts drug use or sexual fetishes. Both are a step above R18+ content, which typically includes adult themes.
The online users' lobby group Electronic Frontiers Australia expressed fears that the internet filters could be used as a bargaining chip every time the Government needed to pass a piece of important legislation.
"Any group with an axe to grind and political clout will be lobbying the Government to blacklist websites which they object to," EFA spokesman Dale Clapperton said.
"Having all Australians' internet access subject to a secret and unaccountable government blacklist is completely unacceptable in a liberal democracy such as Australia."
Clapperton said most adult pornography on the internet was already "prohibited content" under the Act, and pro-euthanasia, pro-anorexia and pro-piracy websites could easily be caught by the system.
Today, such prohibited content, if hosted overseas, is added to ACMA's blacklist but Australians are still able to access it if they wish. This would not be the case if mandatory ISP filtering was introduced.
"Senator Conroy talks about blocking access to 'illegal material', but the ACMA blacklist of 'prohibited content' is not limited to material which is illegal - it includes X-rated material, and R-rated material unless it is protected by a government-approved restricted access system," he said.
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam expressed similar concerns when grilling Senator Conroy in Senate Estimates last week.
He said all sorts of politically sensitive material could be added to the blacklist and otherwise legitimate sites - for example, YouTube - could be rendered inaccessible based on content published by users.
"The blacklist ... can become very grey depending on how expansive the list becomes - euthanasia material, politically related material, material about anorexia. There is a lot of distasteful stuff on the internet," Senator Ludlam said.
John Lindsay, carrier relations manager at Internode, said: "I don't see that what Fielding has just described to you is necessarily any different to what the public should expect from the Government's as yet unstated filtering regime, because we haven't got a clear explanation as to what the Government's actual mandatory blacklist looks like."
The Opposition's communication spokesman, Nick Minchin, said it would take "a lot of convincing" for the Coalition to support the Government's filtering plan.
"That's the problem with having this sort of highly centralised government-mandated nationwide filtering system," Senator Minchin said in a telephone interview.
"The argy-bargy that would result over what is in and what is out strikes me as being almost impossible to manage and it would be a cat chasing its tail."
The Government's own laboratory trials have found that presently available filters are not capable of distinguishing adequately between legal and illegal content and can degrade internet speeds by up to 86 per cent.
Despite this, and significant opposition from ISPs, the Government will soon seek expressions of interest from telcos seeking to be part of a live trial of the filters.
(Credit: The Age)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
Casino News
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Online ads souring more than saving, by Miriam Steffens - The Sydney Morning Herald - 25th October 2008
The growth in online advertising may not turn out to be the saviour newspaper publishers were hoping for as their print revenues decline.
Goldman Sachs JBWere analysts yesterday slashed growth forecasts for the online advertising sector, predicting growth of the $1.5 billion industry will slow from 27 per cent to just 10 per cent in the year to June, as companies rein in spending. ABN Amro has forecast growth will fall to 14 per cent.
The estimates come after US reports of online revenues at newspapers falling 2.4 per cent in the second quarter.
The publisher of The New York Times posted a quarterly loss from continuing operations this week and had its credit rating cut to junk as it couldn't slash costs fast enough to make up for falling revenues. Its online newspaper earnings rose just 2.5 per cent. Executives warned they expected internet display ads to weaken.
Concerns that Australian newspapers will follow have weighed on share prices. Fairfax Media's stock has fallen 58 per cent this year, closing yesterday at $1.97. APN News & Media is down 52 per cent and News Corp has lost 46 per cent since January.
News and Fairfax executives said Australian publishers hadn't yet seen a marked slowdown in ad dollars moving online.
"I was really surprised to see the Goldman Sachs number. There is no evidence in our business that our clients are looking to cut back," said Ed Smith, News Digital Media's chief commercial officer. He was "very comfortable with a 15 to 20 per cent growth forecast" because consumer goods makers and retailers had only just started using the internet for brand campaigns and online videos were growing.
Online classifieds, however, are a different story. Real estate and automotive ads are holding up but employment classifieds have been falling since April.
Fairfax Media's chief executive, David Kirk, confirmed last week that there was a trend in display online ads to performance-based advertising, rather than the more lucrative brand campaigns which make up the majority of newspaper ads online. "In tougher times people tend to do that because it's cheaper and it's more response-based," he said. But "we'll continue to see solid growth" online.
Jack Matthews, the head of Fairfax Digital, said Fairfax was holding market share, dismissing reports it slashed rates to fill inventory. "I don't think the Australian market is showing the same kinds of performance as the US market," he said.
Despite bearish forecasts, online remains the fastest-growing media sector. It is uncertain if that will make up for falling print revenues, with Goldman forecasting advertising sales at metropolitan newspapers to fall 7.9 per cent in the year to June.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Fairfax
Online Advertising
Advertising
Goldman Sachs JBWere analysts yesterday slashed growth forecasts for the online advertising sector, predicting growth of the $1.5 billion industry will slow from 27 per cent to just 10 per cent in the year to June, as companies rein in spending. ABN Amro has forecast growth will fall to 14 per cent.
The estimates come after US reports of online revenues at newspapers falling 2.4 per cent in the second quarter.
The publisher of The New York Times posted a quarterly loss from continuing operations this week and had its credit rating cut to junk as it couldn't slash costs fast enough to make up for falling revenues. Its online newspaper earnings rose just 2.5 per cent. Executives warned they expected internet display ads to weaken.
Concerns that Australian newspapers will follow have weighed on share prices. Fairfax Media's stock has fallen 58 per cent this year, closing yesterday at $1.97. APN News & Media is down 52 per cent and News Corp has lost 46 per cent since January.
News and Fairfax executives said Australian publishers hadn't yet seen a marked slowdown in ad dollars moving online.
"I was really surprised to see the Goldman Sachs number. There is no evidence in our business that our clients are looking to cut back," said Ed Smith, News Digital Media's chief commercial officer. He was "very comfortable with a 15 to 20 per cent growth forecast" because consumer goods makers and retailers had only just started using the internet for brand campaigns and online videos were growing.
Online classifieds, however, are a different story. Real estate and automotive ads are holding up but employment classifieds have been falling since April.
Fairfax Media's chief executive, David Kirk, confirmed last week that there was a trend in display online ads to performance-based advertising, rather than the more lucrative brand campaigns which make up the majority of newspaper ads online. "In tougher times people tend to do that because it's cheaper and it's more response-based," he said. But "we'll continue to see solid growth" online.
Jack Matthews, the head of Fairfax Digital, said Fairfax was holding market share, dismissing reports it slashed rates to fill inventory. "I don't think the Australian market is showing the same kinds of performance as the US market," he said.
Despite bearish forecasts, online remains the fastest-growing media sector. It is uncertain if that will make up for falling print revenues, with Goldman forecasting advertising sales at metropolitan newspapers to fall 7.9 per cent in the year to June.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Fairfax
Online Advertising
Advertising
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Online Casino's Feeling the Credit Crunch
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, Oct 22, 2008
Every business feels the current credit crunch. Even the online casino business. One of the many online casino sites out there, La Isla Casino http://www.laislacasino.com, have taken this into consideration and made some changes to their operation and casino bonus structure.
"We see that the number of sign ups and deposits are more or less the same but the average deposit amount has dropped by 30%" says casino manager Afshin Ertanin. "As a result of that we have to cater to a market based on smaller deposits."
"We are now offering our clients an opportunity to get a bonus on every deposit they make, starting from as low as 21 pounds. Our welcome bonus will give players 100% matching bonus on their first deposit and 150% matching bonus on their second deposit, when depositing as little as 20 pounds. We feel that too many casinos' today spend a lot of energy towards the high roller. The average player who likes to make a wager now and then seems to be forgotten.
With the fully automated bonus structure La Isla Casino allows the players the full freedom to choose if they want a bonus on every deposit or not. And since it is fully automated bonuses are in their accounts the second they make a deposit.
"The online casino industry will have to rethink their strategies in the coming years as more and more people are losing their credit cards. Plus the fact that many banks have blocked their customers from making deposits with their credit cards to a licensed casino we are focusing on alternative and safe ways of depositing and making withdrawals".
Offering special bonuses when players use payment methods such as U-Kash, ClickandBuy and Click2Pay does make it easier for the player and the casino, and is something that we are utilising to full effect.
"The fully automated casino bonus is very simple, we have set up specific amounts for the player to deposit that will automatically trigger a bonus. Every time a player makes deposits of sums such as 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 and so on they will automatically get a bonus. To see the full list, go to http://www.laislacasino.com/casino-promotions.php.
"Yes, we are mainly an online slots casino and our automatic bonuses are for online slots games. But we do offer a special table games bonus for Black Jack, Poker, Roulette and Video Pokers to regular players. And the weekly free bonus we issue every Wednesday to our regular players can be used on any game - except progressive games.
"Of course the credit crunch will affect us as well as the other brands out there, but I think we are well prepared for it and are not that worried. We started changing our marketing strategy in early 2008 preparing for this so I am confident that la Isla Casino can ride through the coming months or years of market downturn."
La Isla Casino is a licensed online casino owned and operated by Hailwood Gaming Ltd who also owns and operate MegaKings.Com, both online casino runs on Playtech software and offer casino, Bingo and online Poker.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Casino News
Poker News
Technology News
Every business feels the current credit crunch. Even the online casino business. One of the many online casino sites out there, La Isla Casino http://www.laislacasino.com, have taken this into consideration and made some changes to their operation and casino bonus structure.
"We see that the number of sign ups and deposits are more or less the same but the average deposit amount has dropped by 30%" says casino manager Afshin Ertanin. "As a result of that we have to cater to a market based on smaller deposits."
"We are now offering our clients an opportunity to get a bonus on every deposit they make, starting from as low as 21 pounds. Our welcome bonus will give players 100% matching bonus on their first deposit and 150% matching bonus on their second deposit, when depositing as little as 20 pounds. We feel that too many casinos' today spend a lot of energy towards the high roller. The average player who likes to make a wager now and then seems to be forgotten.
With the fully automated bonus structure La Isla Casino allows the players the full freedom to choose if they want a bonus on every deposit or not. And since it is fully automated bonuses are in their accounts the second they make a deposit.
"The online casino industry will have to rethink their strategies in the coming years as more and more people are losing their credit cards. Plus the fact that many banks have blocked their customers from making deposits with their credit cards to a licensed casino we are focusing on alternative and safe ways of depositing and making withdrawals".
Offering special bonuses when players use payment methods such as U-Kash, ClickandBuy and Click2Pay does make it easier for the player and the casino, and is something that we are utilising to full effect.
"The fully automated casino bonus is very simple, we have set up specific amounts for the player to deposit that will automatically trigger a bonus. Every time a player makes deposits of sums such as 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 and so on they will automatically get a bonus. To see the full list, go to http://www.laislacasino.com/casino-promotions.php.
"Yes, we are mainly an online slots casino and our automatic bonuses are for online slots games. But we do offer a special table games bonus for Black Jack, Poker, Roulette and Video Pokers to regular players. And the weekly free bonus we issue every Wednesday to our regular players can be used on any game - except progressive games.
"Of course the credit crunch will affect us as well as the other brands out there, but I think we are well prepared for it and are not that worried. We started changing our marketing strategy in early 2008 preparing for this so I am confident that la Isla Casino can ride through the coming months or years of market downturn."
La Isla Casino is a licensed online casino owned and operated by Hailwood Gaming Ltd who also owns and operate MegaKings.Com, both online casino runs on Playtech software and offer casino, Bingo and online Poker.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Casino News
Poker News
Technology News
Monday, October 20, 2008
Spreading the net far and wide, by Maria Dowdall Stapleton - Gulf News - 19th October 2008
Here's some good news for video game addicts.
According to research from IBIS World — a leader in the field of market research — the value of the video games industry will soar from $38.9 billion (Dh142.88 billion) to an estimated $63 billion (Dh231.4 billion) in the next five years.
To fuel this growth, the gaming sector is capitalising on novel merchandising opportunities and advances in gaming technology to expand its target audience and business acumen simultaneously. One marketing ploy that gaming companies are exploiting is the crossover into movie territory.
"There have been several instances of compelling video game characters or stories that have been turned into films," says Elie El Massih, Marketing Manager of Virgin Megastores, Middle East. "As long as there is a commercially viable story to be told, characters and stories from video games will make it into other forms of conventional entertainment, including movies."
Take the following example. A respected archaeologist, this adventurer travels the world fearlessly and thrives in dangerous situations — all in the pursuit of priceless artefacts.
Although the description bears a striking resemblance to the iconic action hero Indiana Jones, it actually describes the cult gaming persona Lara Croft. Such was Croft's following that Angelina Jolie allegedly begged film directors to cast her in the title role for the debut Tomb Raider film in 2001, which grossed more than $274 million (Dh1,006.43 million) worldwide.
The success of this film ensured the hefty influence of the gaming sector in modern culture could no longer be ignored and that this crossover trend would continue.
"Many games are now based on films and currently the most successful games have been developed from successful films," says Ryad Santouh, Deputy General Manager, Al Hussani Computers.
For example, an upcoming video game based on the two latest Bond films is scheduled for release to coincide with the screening of the latest Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. "This extension of one franchise into another medium helps create awareness of the franchise and ultimately fuels sales," says El Massih.
The appearance of the first Lara Croft game in 1996 marked the emergence of a new cohort of gaming technology that included realistic 3-D graphics and high-tech voiceovers into the mainstream market. However, Santouh believes these advances in video games were only possible due to the development of superior consoles, such as the Sony Playstation series.
"As more consoles become technically advanced, there is the opportunity to develop new games," he says. The latest offspring of this recent console technology is the popular Nintendo Wii, which is not solely limited to gaming but has introduced the idea of using cyber technology to get fit. Not only does an on-screen instructor ensure the user performs every exercise correctly, but it is possible to monitor progress as the Wii Fit data is stored and presented graphically.
The convenience of the Wii Fit programme is certainly an attractive option for those with hectic schedules and Santouh believes other manufacturers will follow Nintendo's lead. "With the popularity of the Nintendo Wii, I am sure that other manufacturers will produce more advanced programmes," he says.
Following the appearance of the Nintendo Wii was the development of a new breed of video games that have paved the way for a new niche market within the gaming world — social gamers.
"Technologies such as Blu-ray and motion sensing controllers have brought the video game console into the living room to be enjoyed by families and groups of friends," says El Massih. "Social gaming has really taken off over the past few years, especially with the launch of games such as Guitar Hero, which allow people of all ages to participate in a social activity.
This trend of social gaming will continue as long as there is sufficient content to fuel the fun." In addition to social gaming, the Wii and its female-oriented programmes signalled the acknowledgement of women as a potential target audience for computer games' manufacturers.
In fact, the IBIS World study found that women represented one of the primary driving forces behind the growth of the video game industry, having risen from 33 per cent to 38 per cent in just five years. "As manufacturers started to focus on women in the production of new gaming software, they were very successful," says Santouh.
"Wii Fit was the biggest success from Nintendo as [it allowed] women to practise different activities including yoga in the comfort of their own home. I think one future trend that we will see is [the production of] more games in the future to target women in various daily activities."
"Contrary to popular stereotypical opinion, women have been attracted to video games for a lot longer than the recent introduction," says El Massih.
"The launch of The Sims back in 2000 brought this to light and there have been women competing professionally in video game tournaments across the globe in as unlikely categories as shooting and strategy games."
Perhaps Lara Croft, the epitome of heroism for so many female gamers, is more than just a fictitious character. Maybe in the female gaming community, her spirit is very much alive and kicking.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Video Games
Games
Lara Croft Tomb Raider
James Bond
According to research from IBIS World — a leader in the field of market research — the value of the video games industry will soar from $38.9 billion (Dh142.88 billion) to an estimated $63 billion (Dh231.4 billion) in the next five years.
To fuel this growth, the gaming sector is capitalising on novel merchandising opportunities and advances in gaming technology to expand its target audience and business acumen simultaneously. One marketing ploy that gaming companies are exploiting is the crossover into movie territory.
"There have been several instances of compelling video game characters or stories that have been turned into films," says Elie El Massih, Marketing Manager of Virgin Megastores, Middle East. "As long as there is a commercially viable story to be told, characters and stories from video games will make it into other forms of conventional entertainment, including movies."
Take the following example. A respected archaeologist, this adventurer travels the world fearlessly and thrives in dangerous situations — all in the pursuit of priceless artefacts.
Although the description bears a striking resemblance to the iconic action hero Indiana Jones, it actually describes the cult gaming persona Lara Croft. Such was Croft's following that Angelina Jolie allegedly begged film directors to cast her in the title role for the debut Tomb Raider film in 2001, which grossed more than $274 million (Dh1,006.43 million) worldwide.
The success of this film ensured the hefty influence of the gaming sector in modern culture could no longer be ignored and that this crossover trend would continue.
"Many games are now based on films and currently the most successful games have been developed from successful films," says Ryad Santouh, Deputy General Manager, Al Hussani Computers.
For example, an upcoming video game based on the two latest Bond films is scheduled for release to coincide with the screening of the latest Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. "This extension of one franchise into another medium helps create awareness of the franchise and ultimately fuels sales," says El Massih.
The appearance of the first Lara Croft game in 1996 marked the emergence of a new cohort of gaming technology that included realistic 3-D graphics and high-tech voiceovers into the mainstream market. However, Santouh believes these advances in video games were only possible due to the development of superior consoles, such as the Sony Playstation series.
"As more consoles become technically advanced, there is the opportunity to develop new games," he says. The latest offspring of this recent console technology is the popular Nintendo Wii, which is not solely limited to gaming but has introduced the idea of using cyber technology to get fit. Not only does an on-screen instructor ensure the user performs every exercise correctly, but it is possible to monitor progress as the Wii Fit data is stored and presented graphically.
The convenience of the Wii Fit programme is certainly an attractive option for those with hectic schedules and Santouh believes other manufacturers will follow Nintendo's lead. "With the popularity of the Nintendo Wii, I am sure that other manufacturers will produce more advanced programmes," he says.
Following the appearance of the Nintendo Wii was the development of a new breed of video games that have paved the way for a new niche market within the gaming world — social gamers.
"Technologies such as Blu-ray and motion sensing controllers have brought the video game console into the living room to be enjoyed by families and groups of friends," says El Massih. "Social gaming has really taken off over the past few years, especially with the launch of games such as Guitar Hero, which allow people of all ages to participate in a social activity.
This trend of social gaming will continue as long as there is sufficient content to fuel the fun." In addition to social gaming, the Wii and its female-oriented programmes signalled the acknowledgement of women as a potential target audience for computer games' manufacturers.
In fact, the IBIS World study found that women represented one of the primary driving forces behind the growth of the video game industry, having risen from 33 per cent to 38 per cent in just five years. "As manufacturers started to focus on women in the production of new gaming software, they were very successful," says Santouh.
"Wii Fit was the biggest success from Nintendo as [it allowed] women to practise different activities including yoga in the comfort of their own home. I think one future trend that we will see is [the production of] more games in the future to target women in various daily activities."
"Contrary to popular stereotypical opinion, women have been attracted to video games for a lot longer than the recent introduction," says El Massih.
"The launch of The Sims back in 2000 brought this to light and there have been women competing professionally in video game tournaments across the globe in as unlikely categories as shooting and strategy games."
Perhaps Lara Croft, the epitome of heroism for so many female gamers, is more than just a fictitious character. Maybe in the female gaming community, her spirit is very much alive and kicking.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Video Games
Games
Lara Croft Tomb Raider
James Bond
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
St Minver selects Citadel for its Instant Internet Banking
BURNABY, BC, Oct. 16 /CNW/ - ESI Entertainment Systems Inc. ("ESI")
(TSX:ESY) a leading provider of secure payment processing services to
international e-commerce industries, today announced that its wholly owned
subsidiary, Citadel Commerce Corp., has contracted with St Minver Limited to
provide Instant Internet Banking.
Instant Internet Banking is a revolutionary, low cost payment solution
that provides the capability for international consumers to instantly and
securely pay for purchased items using their internet bank account. The
service encompasses a white labeled payment interface that can be easily and
rapidly integrated directly into merchant sites, along with a sophisticated
fully automated backend that supports and reconciles a large network of
international bank accounts, handles foreign currencies, and supports
international treasury management functions.
With Instant Internet Banking the consumer downloads Citadel's
proprietary Payment Assistant and it is subsequently used to securely and
automatically complete the required data fields and to ensure the payment is
immediately credited.
"Our diversity of international clients means that we have to provide
cutting edge payment solutions to allow their consumers in many countries to
be able to make immediate payments," stated Sean Randall, Operations Director
for St Minver. "Citadel's approach with this unique solution has meant that we
can rollout out this service quickly and easily for our clients and ultimately
assist in improving the player's experience".
"We are very pleased to have formed a strategic relationship with St
Minver who have established themselves as the largest operator of European
gaming networks", said Michael Meeks, President, Citadel Commerce. "We feel
Instant Internet Banking provides an immediate and cost effective
international payment solution which no other payment processor or bank can
offer. We have been able to create a world class solution, and look forward to
working with St Minver to evolve the product to suit their growing business."
About St Minver Limited
St Minver is the operator of one of Europe's largest poker networks and
the world's biggest bingo network and is the leading supplier of fully-managed
'white label' gaming solutions to high profile partners, including Yahoo!
Games, lastminute.com, Virgin Games and Littlewoods. St Minver also partners
with major media groups in Spain, Scandinavia, Latin America, Russia and
Eastern Europe. Operating under a Gibraltar gaming license, St Minver manages
player liquidity, tournaments, customer service and promotions across a
European network of 96 poker, bingo and casino sites. St Minver is owned by
GTECH, a leading gaming technology and services company, providing innovative
technology, creative content, and superior service delivery.
About ESI Entertainment Systems Inc.
ESI Entertainment Systems Inc. (TSX: ESY) is a payment technology and
service provider to online and offline companies requiring localized low cost
bill collection and payment services.
For further information: ESI Entertainment Systems Inc., Tony Greening,
Chief Executive Officer, Telephone: (604) 299-6922, email: tgreening@esi.ca,
Web: www.esi.ca
Media Man Australia Profiles
Financial News
Poker and Casino News
(TSX:ESY) a leading provider of secure payment processing services to
international e-commerce industries, today announced that its wholly owned
subsidiary, Citadel Commerce Corp., has contracted with St Minver Limited to
provide Instant Internet Banking.
Instant Internet Banking is a revolutionary, low cost payment solution
that provides the capability for international consumers to instantly and
securely pay for purchased items using their internet bank account. The
service encompasses a white labeled payment interface that can be easily and
rapidly integrated directly into merchant sites, along with a sophisticated
fully automated backend that supports and reconciles a large network of
international bank accounts, handles foreign currencies, and supports
international treasury management functions.
With Instant Internet Banking the consumer downloads Citadel's
proprietary Payment Assistant and it is subsequently used to securely and
automatically complete the required data fields and to ensure the payment is
immediately credited.
"Our diversity of international clients means that we have to provide
cutting edge payment solutions to allow their consumers in many countries to
be able to make immediate payments," stated Sean Randall, Operations Director
for St Minver. "Citadel's approach with this unique solution has meant that we
can rollout out this service quickly and easily for our clients and ultimately
assist in improving the player's experience".
"We are very pleased to have formed a strategic relationship with St
Minver who have established themselves as the largest operator of European
gaming networks", said Michael Meeks, President, Citadel Commerce. "We feel
Instant Internet Banking provides an immediate and cost effective
international payment solution which no other payment processor or bank can
offer. We have been able to create a world class solution, and look forward to
working with St Minver to evolve the product to suit their growing business."
About St Minver Limited
St Minver is the operator of one of Europe's largest poker networks and
the world's biggest bingo network and is the leading supplier of fully-managed
'white label' gaming solutions to high profile partners, including Yahoo!
Games, lastminute.com, Virgin Games and Littlewoods. St Minver also partners
with major media groups in Spain, Scandinavia, Latin America, Russia and
Eastern Europe. Operating under a Gibraltar gaming license, St Minver manages
player liquidity, tournaments, customer service and promotions across a
European network of 96 poker, bingo and casino sites. St Minver is owned by
GTECH, a leading gaming technology and services company, providing innovative
technology, creative content, and superior service delivery.
About ESI Entertainment Systems Inc.
ESI Entertainment Systems Inc. (TSX: ESY) is a payment technology and
service provider to online and offline companies requiring localized low cost
bill collection and payment services.
For further information: ESI Entertainment Systems Inc., Tony Greening,
Chief Executive Officer, Telephone: (604) 299-6922, email: tgreening@esi.ca,
Web: www.esi.ca
Media Man Australia Profiles
Financial News
Poker and Casino News
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
WagerWorks - GTS - 888.com Games Deal
Bigger choice of games for online gamblers
14th October 2008
Three Internet gambling companies have combined to expand the range of games on offer to players. Online gambling software provider WagerWorks announced the agreement with the Internet gambling group 888.com, which will see the provision of a range of games suitable for use on the GTS software platform.
The deal will enable 888.com to further pursue a cross-platform strategy, adding some of WagerWorks' most successful and popular brands to its game portfolio. The initial four games that have been selected by 888 include Cleopatra, Monopoly with Pass "Go" Bonus, Cluedo, and Wheel of Fortune Hollywood Edition. The games will be available across all 888 verticals -- casino, bingo, games, and on the instant flash casino.
Paul Mathews, President of WagerWorks, commented: "We pride ourselves on the quality of our games. We are delighted that 888 has shown their confidence in WagerWorks' ability to deliver titles that will allow them to stay at the forefront of player attraction and loyalty."
Senior VP and Managing Director for 888 Gabi Campos said: "888 is continually looking to improve the customer experience, and the addition of WagerWorks' world class games will make an important contribution to that. The agreement with WagerWorks helps us to strengthen our brand content offering with world-renowned brands.
"These will prove especially attractive to our new bingo customers and customers of our land-based casinos B2B partners, many of whom will be familiar with the games from playing them offline. It is an important step in helping us to further facilitate the movement from offline to online gaming, as 888 becomes a premium provider of bespoke technology, marketing and analysis to land-based casinos."
Media Man Australia Profiles
888.com
Casino News Media
14th October 2008
Three Internet gambling companies have combined to expand the range of games on offer to players. Online gambling software provider WagerWorks announced the agreement with the Internet gambling group 888.com, which will see the provision of a range of games suitable for use on the GTS software platform.
The deal will enable 888.com to further pursue a cross-platform strategy, adding some of WagerWorks' most successful and popular brands to its game portfolio. The initial four games that have been selected by 888 include Cleopatra, Monopoly with Pass "Go" Bonus, Cluedo, and Wheel of Fortune Hollywood Edition. The games will be available across all 888 verticals -- casino, bingo, games, and on the instant flash casino.
Paul Mathews, President of WagerWorks, commented: "We pride ourselves on the quality of our games. We are delighted that 888 has shown their confidence in WagerWorks' ability to deliver titles that will allow them to stay at the forefront of player attraction and loyalty."
Senior VP and Managing Director for 888 Gabi Campos said: "888 is continually looking to improve the customer experience, and the addition of WagerWorks' world class games will make an important contribution to that. The agreement with WagerWorks helps us to strengthen our brand content offering with world-renowned brands.
"These will prove especially attractive to our new bingo customers and customers of our land-based casinos B2B partners, many of whom will be familiar with the games from playing them offline. It is an important step in helping us to further facilitate the movement from offline to online gaming, as 888 becomes a premium provider of bespoke technology, marketing and analysis to land-based casinos."
Media Man Australia Profiles
888.com
Casino News Media
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Press Release: Virgin Games moves affiliate business into dgm
Virgin Games moves affiliate business into dgm
Release Date: 10 October 2008
Virgin Games, the leading on-line games portal has exclusively appointed dgmAffiliates to its consolidated affiliate marketing business after a 4 way pitch process.
Virgin Games, winner of the 2008 A4U Award for the Best Casino and Gaming Affiliate Program, has consolidated its three gaming brands, Virgin Casino, Virgin Poker, and Virgin Bingo into dgmAffiliates. dgm secured the Virgin Games business after being selected as the most complimentary affiliate network to work alongside Virgin Games own in house network.
The win came about after a competitive pitch process, with the UK largest affiliate networks being invited to pitch. It was dgm’s consultative approach and the designation of dedicated account team to coordinate activity across the three Virgin brands that secured the win.
Pierrick Leveque, Head of Affiliates at Virgin Games, said “We are looking forward to a rewarding 3-ways partnership between Virgin Games, the dgm affiliate network and their publishers. Virgin Games’ CPA offer on dgm will be the ideal network complement to our award winning in-house revenue-share affiliate programme. Affiliates have been instrumental to our growth in the past year, and we strongly believe that our partnership with dgm will help maintain this momentum in the coming years.”
Carl Davis, dgm’s Chief Executive Officer commented, “dgm have worked hard to develop our consultative approach and keep our customers needs at the forefront of our development. The Virgin Games win is testament to how far we have come this year. We are thrilled that Virgin Games recognised this and have given dgm the opportunity to work with them.”
The programs for all three brands were launched on Monday 29th September.
For further information please visit our website (http://www.dgm-uk.com/index.php/home/about-dgm) or contact Chris Russell-Smith, Marketing Director, on chris.russell-smith@dgm-uk.com or call 02079434266.
About dealgroupmedia UK Ltd
Dealgroupmedia UK Ltd (Dgm) is a private limited company. The company was originally founded in 1999 as dealgroupmedia, the UK’s first affiliate network provider. In 2003 the company extended its portfolio of performance-based marketing products, launching its online advertising network and acquiring leading Search Engine Marketing specialist IBNet plc. This formed Deal Group Media Plc.
In December 2007 dgm UK was the subject of a successful management buyout from Deal Group Media Plc. The mbo was lead by the then Chief Technical Officer, Carl Davis and former Group Chairman, John Porter. In Jan 2008 dealgroupmedia announced a number of senior appointments as part of a company wide restructure of it's operational units. The restructure put our customers at the core of the business and focusing efforts on providing customer service excellence.
dgm operates across the spectrum of vertical sectors and counts some of the biggest and most respected brands as clients including: Avis, Sainsbury’s Bank, Orange, Pipex, T-Mobile, Virgin Media and Vodafone.
dgm work with the UK’s leading media agencies including Diffiniti/Carat, i-Level, Manning Gottlieb/OMD, Mediacom, Universal McCann and Zenith Optimedia. dgm has established long-term relationships with the world’s leading providers of search including AOL, Google, Lycos, MSN and Yahoo! Search Marketing.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Games
Virgin Casino
Virgin Poker
Virgin Bingo
Casino News Media
Release Date: 10 October 2008
Virgin Games, the leading on-line games portal has exclusively appointed dgmAffiliates to its consolidated affiliate marketing business after a 4 way pitch process.
Virgin Games, winner of the 2008 A4U Award for the Best Casino and Gaming Affiliate Program, has consolidated its three gaming brands, Virgin Casino, Virgin Poker, and Virgin Bingo into dgmAffiliates. dgm secured the Virgin Games business after being selected as the most complimentary affiliate network to work alongside Virgin Games own in house network.
The win came about after a competitive pitch process, with the UK largest affiliate networks being invited to pitch. It was dgm’s consultative approach and the designation of dedicated account team to coordinate activity across the three Virgin brands that secured the win.
Pierrick Leveque, Head of Affiliates at Virgin Games, said “We are looking forward to a rewarding 3-ways partnership between Virgin Games, the dgm affiliate network and their publishers. Virgin Games’ CPA offer on dgm will be the ideal network complement to our award winning in-house revenue-share affiliate programme. Affiliates have been instrumental to our growth in the past year, and we strongly believe that our partnership with dgm will help maintain this momentum in the coming years.”
Carl Davis, dgm’s Chief Executive Officer commented, “dgm have worked hard to develop our consultative approach and keep our customers needs at the forefront of our development. The Virgin Games win is testament to how far we have come this year. We are thrilled that Virgin Games recognised this and have given dgm the opportunity to work with them.”
The programs for all three brands were launched on Monday 29th September.
For further information please visit our website (http://www.dgm-uk.com/index.php/home/about-dgm) or contact Chris Russell-Smith, Marketing Director, on chris.russell-smith@dgm-uk.com or call 02079434266.
About dealgroupmedia UK Ltd
Dealgroupmedia UK Ltd (Dgm) is a private limited company. The company was originally founded in 1999 as dealgroupmedia, the UK’s first affiliate network provider. In 2003 the company extended its portfolio of performance-based marketing products, launching its online advertising network and acquiring leading Search Engine Marketing specialist IBNet plc. This formed Deal Group Media Plc.
In December 2007 dgm UK was the subject of a successful management buyout from Deal Group Media Plc. The mbo was lead by the then Chief Technical Officer, Carl Davis and former Group Chairman, John Porter. In Jan 2008 dealgroupmedia announced a number of senior appointments as part of a company wide restructure of it's operational units. The restructure put our customers at the core of the business and focusing efforts on providing customer service excellence.
dgm operates across the spectrum of vertical sectors and counts some of the biggest and most respected brands as clients including: Avis, Sainsbury’s Bank, Orange, Pipex, T-Mobile, Virgin Media and Vodafone.
dgm work with the UK’s leading media agencies including Diffiniti/Carat, i-Level, Manning Gottlieb/OMD, Mediacom, Universal McCann and Zenith Optimedia. dgm has established long-term relationships with the world’s leading providers of search including AOL, Google, Lycos, MSN and Yahoo! Search Marketing.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Games
Virgin Casino
Virgin Poker
Virgin Bingo
Casino News Media
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Google Gets Game, by Mary Jane Irwin - Forbes
Burlingame, Calif.
More than a year in the works, Google finally launched its in-game advertising platform Wednesday. Called AdSense for Games, the platform will offer advertisers access to millions of Web-based Flash games.
The in-game advertising market is small, scoring only $1 billion from advertising and subscriptions in 2007, according to research firm Parks Associates, but the entry of Google is expected to make it explode.
"Google is helping to validate the space," says Jameson Hsu, chief executive of in-game ad network Mochi Media. "They're going out and evangelizing and building developer relationships."
Mochi Media, which serves in-game ads to 60 million people, is granting Google access to its inventory across 5,000 games as part of the Internet giant's European launch of AdSense for Games.
Google's new ad platform, which grew out of its 2007 acquisition of Adscape Media, has operated in beta since early 2008. Game developers like Konami, Playfish and Zynga participated in the beta, but now other developers and publishers will also be able to apply to the program. The most prevalent ads throughout the company's beta test were short video spots from Esurance, but the network will also provide contextual and text ads.
With AdSense for Games, advertisers can target campaigns based on keywords, genres or even specific games. Revenue, based on cost-per-impression or cost-per-click metrics, is split between Google and developers. Inventory is filled via auctions where advertisers bid on placement.
AdSense for Games is "an extension of the Google content network that allows advertisers to very easily gain access to in-game inventory," says Sebastien de Halleux, chief operating officer at social games developer Playfish. "In the past that's been very difficult to do and the inventory has been relatively restrictive."
De Halleux, whose company has been involved with AdSense for Games since its early stages, says Google's platform appealed to Playfish because social games scale quickly and Google has a large ad sales team.
He is also expecting a boom in in-game ad buying thanks to Google. Advertisers will now be drawn to the social games space as a way to explore in-game advertising. More savvy media buyers will simply integrate games into their online video buys, de Halleux says.
The Flash game development community should get a boost from Adsense for Games, but a few developers have already started making money. "One kid bought a car," says Hsu, referring to a developer who supports himself on in-game ad revenues. Adds Hsu: "Hopefully, someone will now buy a home one day."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Google
Gaming
Advertising
Online Advertising
More than a year in the works, Google finally launched its in-game advertising platform Wednesday. Called AdSense for Games, the platform will offer advertisers access to millions of Web-based Flash games.
The in-game advertising market is small, scoring only $1 billion from advertising and subscriptions in 2007, according to research firm Parks Associates, but the entry of Google is expected to make it explode.
"Google is helping to validate the space," says Jameson Hsu, chief executive of in-game ad network Mochi Media. "They're going out and evangelizing and building developer relationships."
Mochi Media, which serves in-game ads to 60 million people, is granting Google access to its inventory across 5,000 games as part of the Internet giant's European launch of AdSense for Games.
Google's new ad platform, which grew out of its 2007 acquisition of Adscape Media, has operated in beta since early 2008. Game developers like Konami, Playfish and Zynga participated in the beta, but now other developers and publishers will also be able to apply to the program. The most prevalent ads throughout the company's beta test were short video spots from Esurance, but the network will also provide contextual and text ads.
With AdSense for Games, advertisers can target campaigns based on keywords, genres or even specific games. Revenue, based on cost-per-impression or cost-per-click metrics, is split between Google and developers. Inventory is filled via auctions where advertisers bid on placement.
AdSense for Games is "an extension of the Google content network that allows advertisers to very easily gain access to in-game inventory," says Sebastien de Halleux, chief operating officer at social games developer Playfish. "In the past that's been very difficult to do and the inventory has been relatively restrictive."
De Halleux, whose company has been involved with AdSense for Games since its early stages, says Google's platform appealed to Playfish because social games scale quickly and Google has a large ad sales team.
He is also expecting a boom in in-game ad buying thanks to Google. Advertisers will now be drawn to the social games space as a way to explore in-game advertising. More savvy media buyers will simply integrate games into their online video buys, de Halleux says.
The Flash game development community should get a boost from Adsense for Games, but a few developers have already started making money. "One kid bought a car," says Hsu, referring to a developer who supports himself on in-game ad revenues. Adds Hsu: "Hopefully, someone will now buy a home one day."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Gaming
Advertising
Online Advertising
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Penetration Affects the Online Casino Industry
Last week’s e-gaming conference brought executives and analysts from all over the world to Barcelona to meet for the annual EiG Conference and Expo. The annual event is a staple in the industry and allows online casinos to showcase new products as well as providing provocative discussion topics for all of the Conference delegates. One of the top concerns for the internet gambling industry at this past conference was the global economy and the widespread affects that a slowing economy would have on the online casinos. Tihana Jurican though made a key point at the event – the increased penetration of broadband internet access in Eastern Europe will allow the online gambling industry to continue expanding in the coming months and years despite a looming economic recession.
According to discussion held throughout the multi-day conference, Eastern Europe is anticipated to have higher levels of broadband internet penetration than some Western European counties. Broadband internet access is one of the tenants of continued membership in the European Union and the online casino gambling industry has been patiently watching as countries such as Croatia, Poland, Czech Republic, and others really begin to expand the access to high-speed internet for their residents.
High-speed internet is one of the major determining factors of access to the online casino gambling industry. Nations with little to no high-speed internet access and with little penetration into the households in the country are essential “dead zones” for the internet gambling industry. Recent research indicates that an economic recession will not hit Eastern Europe as hard as some other countries and throughout the recession Eastern European countries will continue to widen access to broadband internet.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Online Casino News
Casino News Media
According to discussion held throughout the multi-day conference, Eastern Europe is anticipated to have higher levels of broadband internet penetration than some Western European counties. Broadband internet access is one of the tenants of continued membership in the European Union and the online casino gambling industry has been patiently watching as countries such as Croatia, Poland, Czech Republic, and others really begin to expand the access to high-speed internet for their residents.
High-speed internet is one of the major determining factors of access to the online casino gambling industry. Nations with little to no high-speed internet access and with little penetration into the households in the country are essential “dead zones” for the internet gambling industry. Recent research indicates that an economic recession will not hit Eastern Europe as hard as some other countries and throughout the recession Eastern European countries will continue to widen access to broadband internet.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Online Casino News
Casino News Media
Technology Media Profiles Updated
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Casino
Virgin Games
Virgin Broadband
Virgin Media
Virgin Enterprises Limited
Virgin Casino
Virgin Games
Virgin Broadband
Virgin Media
Virgin Enterprises Limited
Former Australian pop star solves the billion dollar music downloading crisis with a revolutionary website
Another Aussie does wonders in the US, securing the deal of a lifetime.
The introduction of a revolutionary website called isBIZZ.com, which is currently online but officially launches in early 2009, will mark the beginning of a long awaited revolution for millions of recording artists all over the globe when it comes to having their music downloaded.
As from early 2009, artists will be able to register for free, to directly be paid monthly royalty income for visits to their profile pages. Musicians, artists, social members as well as a variety of many other user categories have the opportunity to directly be rewarded for their content posted in the networks “blog” pages. isBIZZ.com uses a unique royalty method that sees content rewarded once again, with the networks revenue going straight back to artists/members.
The website is the creation of ex Aussie pop-star and writer of the Vanessa Amorosi hit single “perfect”, David “Franj” Frangiosa.
isBIZZ has been in development for the last 4 years and received some media attention during its early stages of development, when it caught the eye of a US venture firm who offered David 9 million dollars (US) to sell his idea on the spot. David refused the offer and continued to independently develop the site, making some very powerful allies and supporters along the way. isBIZZ.com has grabbed the attention of the world’s biggest advertisers and software companies looking to secure a piece of the network in 2009. The entire site was built for just $11,355 (AUS) with a friend in a garage in Melbourne, Australia.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
The introduction of a revolutionary website called isBIZZ.com, which is currently online but officially launches in early 2009, will mark the beginning of a long awaited revolution for millions of recording artists all over the globe when it comes to having their music downloaded.
As from early 2009, artists will be able to register for free, to directly be paid monthly royalty income for visits to their profile pages. Musicians, artists, social members as well as a variety of many other user categories have the opportunity to directly be rewarded for their content posted in the networks “blog” pages. isBIZZ.com uses a unique royalty method that sees content rewarded once again, with the networks revenue going straight back to artists/members.
The website is the creation of ex Aussie pop-star and writer of the Vanessa Amorosi hit single “perfect”, David “Franj” Frangiosa.
isBIZZ has been in development for the last 4 years and received some media attention during its early stages of development, when it caught the eye of a US venture firm who offered David 9 million dollars (US) to sell his idea on the spot. David refused the offer and continued to independently develop the site, making some very powerful allies and supporters along the way. isBIZZ.com has grabbed the attention of the world’s biggest advertisers and software companies looking to secure a piece of the network in 2009. The entire site was built for just $11,355 (AUS) with a friend in a garage in Melbourne, Australia.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
Monday, September 29, 2008
Gaming websites take gamble on kids, by Justin Vallejo - The Daily Telegraph - 29th September 2008
Kindergarten children are being targeted by internet gambling websites exploiting a legal loophole that could turn every street corner, convenience store or library with a computer in NSW into a de facto bookie.
Tech-savvy kids as young as five are in the cross-hares of on-line gambling companies that say it is only a matter of time before they grow up and become a major revenue stream.
The Northern Territory based Centrebet and Betezy have approached ClubsNSW to fund and install PC gambling terminals across the state's 1400 clubs - providing Clubs millions dollars worth of commissions in return.
"As the younger generation is IT minded with even kindergarten children being taught keyboard skills, it really not a matter of if you go down this path to generate revenue from your members but when," Betezy managing director Vince McDonald said in an email to Clubs NSW.
It would bypass over 200 laws introduced to restrict gambling in NSW and anti-gambling groups fear could open the flood gates for at any public place with a PC and internet connection to be used as a new age TAB.
"We wouldn't allow drugs and alcohol in a local library or on every street corner but this is what could happen with this internet gambling proposal," Gambling Impact Society chair Kate Roberts said.
Under the plan, Centrebet and Betezy would provide the computers and internet access to the club free of charge and in return the homepage would be set to their websites.
There could also be associated promotions, with Centerbet offering clubs members $100 worth of free bets if they signed up to a new account with a credit card.
The commissions would be based on the amount gambled through the terminals, with Betezy offering clubs a staggering 50 per cent of profits while none of the losses - raising endless rivers of revenue for the cash-strapped clubs.
Because the websites are based in the Northern Territory, NSWs responsible gambling laws would not apply and it would also circumvent exclusivity licences the TAB has to be the sole provider of gambling outlets in the states clubs.
In an emails obtained by The Daily Telegraph, Betezys managing director Vince McDonald said they would provide $3 million worth of software to establish Clubbet.com
"What I am offering is an opportunity to greatly boost your clubs profits at no expense,"Mr McDonald said.
"To maximise an early return for you it would be in both our interests to get this on air quickly. We need only two weeks once a decision is made."
In a separate email, Centrebet's business development manager Peter Staunton told Clubs NSW they could provide commissions far greater than the TAB with the new model.
While the AHA denies they have been approached with the offer it is understood the internet gambling companies also want to expand to pubs and hotels, with Betezy already operating a Tezax Hold em poker website for poker groups who play in hotels.
"We have put together a proposal based on Clubs NSW and its member Clubs receiving both sign up and on-going commissions for sports bets placed by Club members via the internet or by using our new mobile phone betting application," Mr Staunton said in the email.
Clubs NSW chief David Costello rejected both Centrebet and Betezys proposals despite the financial lifeline it offered to struggling clubs.
"Every computer and mobile phone in Australia is today a target for internet gambling operations," Mr Costello said.
"Despite the financial incentive it offered, we felt that someone needed to take a stand against these cyber casinos.
"If politicians like Senators Fielding and Xenophon are genuine in wanting to further reduce problem gambling, then they should be joining forces with clubs in calling for a complete overhaul of the laws governing internet gambling."
Centrebet marketing Manager Mick Robbins said the recent Betfair High Court case challenged restrictions on them advertising and promoting in NSW.
"We're taking a good hard look at the whole sports and racing betting category and looking at the best opportunities now that it looks like the industry is being transformed," he said.
"Pubs and clubs and those sorts of places we would look at."
NSW Gaming Minister Kevin Greene is awaiting the results of a Federal Court case and a review into internet wagering being conducted by Alan Cameron.
"I'm not convinced our communities want or need more or different means to place a bet," Mr Greene said.
Greg Tingle comment
The internet gaming sites need to be closely monitored by both the Australian state and federal government in a collaborative approach. Many business sectors have the lucrative youth market well in mind, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that the gaming and online casino sector is also looking to cater to their needs also. Many online gaming and casino websites already have a free and a play for money option, so it looks like the campaigning is already well on the way.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
Tech-savvy kids as young as five are in the cross-hares of on-line gambling companies that say it is only a matter of time before they grow up and become a major revenue stream.
The Northern Territory based Centrebet and Betezy have approached ClubsNSW to fund and install PC gambling terminals across the state's 1400 clubs - providing Clubs millions dollars worth of commissions in return.
"As the younger generation is IT minded with even kindergarten children being taught keyboard skills, it really not a matter of if you go down this path to generate revenue from your members but when," Betezy managing director Vince McDonald said in an email to Clubs NSW.
It would bypass over 200 laws introduced to restrict gambling in NSW and anti-gambling groups fear could open the flood gates for at any public place with a PC and internet connection to be used as a new age TAB.
"We wouldn't allow drugs and alcohol in a local library or on every street corner but this is what could happen with this internet gambling proposal," Gambling Impact Society chair Kate Roberts said.
Under the plan, Centrebet and Betezy would provide the computers and internet access to the club free of charge and in return the homepage would be set to their websites.
There could also be associated promotions, with Centerbet offering clubs members $100 worth of free bets if they signed up to a new account with a credit card.
The commissions would be based on the amount gambled through the terminals, with Betezy offering clubs a staggering 50 per cent of profits while none of the losses - raising endless rivers of revenue for the cash-strapped clubs.
Because the websites are based in the Northern Territory, NSWs responsible gambling laws would not apply and it would also circumvent exclusivity licences the TAB has to be the sole provider of gambling outlets in the states clubs.
In an emails obtained by The Daily Telegraph, Betezys managing director Vince McDonald said they would provide $3 million worth of software to establish Clubbet.com
"What I am offering is an opportunity to greatly boost your clubs profits at no expense,"Mr McDonald said.
"To maximise an early return for you it would be in both our interests to get this on air quickly. We need only two weeks once a decision is made."
In a separate email, Centrebet's business development manager Peter Staunton told Clubs NSW they could provide commissions far greater than the TAB with the new model.
While the AHA denies they have been approached with the offer it is understood the internet gambling companies also want to expand to pubs and hotels, with Betezy already operating a Tezax Hold em poker website for poker groups who play in hotels.
"We have put together a proposal based on Clubs NSW and its member Clubs receiving both sign up and on-going commissions for sports bets placed by Club members via the internet or by using our new mobile phone betting application," Mr Staunton said in the email.
Clubs NSW chief David Costello rejected both Centrebet and Betezys proposals despite the financial lifeline it offered to struggling clubs.
"Every computer and mobile phone in Australia is today a target for internet gambling operations," Mr Costello said.
"Despite the financial incentive it offered, we felt that someone needed to take a stand against these cyber casinos.
"If politicians like Senators Fielding and Xenophon are genuine in wanting to further reduce problem gambling, then they should be joining forces with clubs in calling for a complete overhaul of the laws governing internet gambling."
Centrebet marketing Manager Mick Robbins said the recent Betfair High Court case challenged restrictions on them advertising and promoting in NSW.
"We're taking a good hard look at the whole sports and racing betting category and looking at the best opportunities now that it looks like the industry is being transformed," he said.
"Pubs and clubs and those sorts of places we would look at."
NSW Gaming Minister Kevin Greene is awaiting the results of a Federal Court case and a review into internet wagering being conducted by Alan Cameron.
"I'm not convinced our communities want or need more or different means to place a bet," Mr Greene said.
Greg Tingle comment
The internet gaming sites need to be closely monitored by both the Australian state and federal government in a collaborative approach. Many business sectors have the lucrative youth market well in mind, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that the gaming and online casino sector is also looking to cater to their needs also. Many online gaming and casino websites already have a free and a play for money option, so it looks like the campaigning is already well on the way.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Technology News
Digital lessons from a Google exec, a casino mogul, Darwin and a tortoise - The Australian - 24th September 2008
Wires and Lights in a Box
Vickey Williams - Strange things happen in Vegas every day so it wasn’t weird at all to hear a casino mogul and a Google executive advise newspaper editors on the evolution of their industry.
...
Richard Gingras, a senior adviser at Google who has spent the last year studying the online giant’s relationship with and impact on the news industry, won over what could have been a prickly crowd by stating the obvious. “Google will impact the evolution of news whether it does anything or not,” he said. “Better to impact it in a positive way.”
...
“Lots of times the question is: What’s the standard for our website? Is it ‘Just put it online and it doesn’t matter’? Or is the expectation of the online delivery of our paper the same as print,” that is, providing a robust, quality experience for the consumer?
Will Sullivan, interactive director of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, said the speed of the transition to a day where online staff are looked at as holding the keys to a newspaper’s future may have left other things unsaid. “At the start, they were made to feel like a production department. So change the expectations.”
Read ‘Digital lessons from a Google exec, a casino mogul, Darwin and a tortoise’ at Readership Institute.
Greg Tingle comment
We are all in the communications, people and advertising business, whether it’s officially Google, a casino, or another type of business. It was News Corp’s own Rupert Murdoch who went on record with, “Big will not beat slow anymore, it will be the fast beating the slow”. Google used to be a very small operation run by a couple of guys out of a garage. Via evolution, being quick to capitalize, positive word of mouth, online buzz and a solid advertising based business model, they became huge. Now they even have Google News, and they move at the speed of news most of the time. Switched on casinos are also moving into the online casino world and also providing online casino news media updates. It’s about content, relevance and engaging with the audience, online or not.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Casino News Media
Vickey Williams - Strange things happen in Vegas every day so it wasn’t weird at all to hear a casino mogul and a Google executive advise newspaper editors on the evolution of their industry.
...
Richard Gingras, a senior adviser at Google who has spent the last year studying the online giant’s relationship with and impact on the news industry, won over what could have been a prickly crowd by stating the obvious. “Google will impact the evolution of news whether it does anything or not,” he said. “Better to impact it in a positive way.”
...
“Lots of times the question is: What’s the standard for our website? Is it ‘Just put it online and it doesn’t matter’? Or is the expectation of the online delivery of our paper the same as print,” that is, providing a robust, quality experience for the consumer?
Will Sullivan, interactive director of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, said the speed of the transition to a day where online staff are looked at as holding the keys to a newspaper’s future may have left other things unsaid. “At the start, they were made to feel like a production department. So change the expectations.”
Read ‘Digital lessons from a Google exec, a casino mogul, Darwin and a tortoise’ at Readership Institute.
Greg Tingle comment
We are all in the communications, people and advertising business, whether it’s officially Google, a casino, or another type of business. It was News Corp’s own Rupert Murdoch who went on record with, “Big will not beat slow anymore, it will be the fast beating the slow”. Google used to be a very small operation run by a couple of guys out of a garage. Via evolution, being quick to capitalize, positive word of mouth, online buzz and a solid advertising based business model, they became huge. Now they even have Google News, and they move at the speed of news most of the time. Switched on casinos are also moving into the online casino world and also providing online casino news media updates. It’s about content, relevance and engaging with the audience, online or not.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Casino News Media
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Zavvi claims game sales will overtake DVDs within the year, apparently, by Adam Hartley - Tech Radar - 19th September 2008
High street entertainment specialist Zavvi (formerly Virgin Megastores) has claimed that the revenue it makes from video games could well overtake that made by DVD sales within the year.
CEO Simon Douglas also bullishly claimed that Zavvi's game offering rivals the range available at GAME.
"DVD still leads the way but games are catching up quickly," Douglas told MCV.
Games to eclipse DVDs
"It is possible that games will eclipse DVD in a year, although if Blu-ray progresses as the industry expects, then it's maybe difficult for games to catch DVD in total. But it's a nice battle to have to worry about."
Zavvi is looking to increase its gaming space, following "growth has been nothing short of phenomenal," according to the CEO, who added that they were a "little bit stunned by our performance."
TechRadar reported earlier this week that UK retailers are confident that there should be no Nintendo Wii shortages this coming Christmas.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Games
Gaming
CEO Simon Douglas also bullishly claimed that Zavvi's game offering rivals the range available at GAME.
"DVD still leads the way but games are catching up quickly," Douglas told MCV.
Games to eclipse DVDs
"It is possible that games will eclipse DVD in a year, although if Blu-ray progresses as the industry expects, then it's maybe difficult for games to catch DVD in total. But it's a nice battle to have to worry about."
Zavvi is looking to increase its gaming space, following "growth has been nothing short of phenomenal," according to the CEO, who added that they were a "little bit stunned by our performance."
TechRadar reported earlier this week that UK retailers are confident that there should be no Nintendo Wii shortages this coming Christmas.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Games
Gaming
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