DUBLIN, IRELAND, Jan 15, 2009 --CryptoLogic, a world leader in Internet casino and branded gaming software, today provided an update on its new growth strategy and restructuring program that positions the company for a return to profitability and cash generation in 2009, and further growth in the years to come.
Highlights
Restructuring program
Under the plan announced in October 2008, the company is on track to achieve:
- Reduced total operating costs of approximately $13 million on an annualized basis by the end of Q2 2009.
- Restructuring to result in $3.5 million cash costs and up to $20 million in further non-cash charges.
- Outsourcing of poker network through strategic partnership with GTECH Corporation to be completed by the end of Q1 2009. Partnership will improve poker-room liquidity for CryptoLogic customers, while eliminating the costs of operating a standalone network.
- Rationalization includes reconfiguration of network, a 75% reduction in servers and office rental costs.
New strategy for growth
- Growth to be driven by Internet casino business, and by development and licensing of branded online games to leading gaming and entertainment brands.
- Recently contracted customers including 888.com, PartyGaming and GigaMedia expected to generate new revenues of at least $8 million in 2009.
- Continued aggressive expansion of casino business through licensing contracts, with a robust new business pipeline for 2009.
- Yesterday signed a new licensing contract with Gaming Technology Solutions plc, whose customers include Unibet, bwin and many other top brands.
2009 outlook
Based on no significant further deterioration in economic conditions and stabilization of currency rates, the company expects:
- Return to profitability and cash generation from Q2 2009.
- Full year cash generation post restructuring of $11-$13 million.
- Net profits in the range of $9-$10 million.
- Diluted earnings per share of 65-71 cents.
"CryptoLogic has taken radical steps to focus on its core strengths as a developer of exciting online gaming content," said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic's President & CEO. "We are on track to return to profitability and generate cash from the second quarter of 2009."
"Our streamlined operations, lower operating costs and commitment to creating compelling customer experience, together with a highly profitable build-once-sell-often model, provides a solid springboard for long-term growth and shareholder value."
Overview
CryptoLogic is making significant progress in executing its new growth strategy and restructuring program, first outlined in October 2008. These plans were developed after a fundamental review of the business by the company's management under Brian Hadfield, following his appointment as President & CEO at the end of February 2008.
This new strategy is to achieve long-term growth, sustained profitability and strong cash generation by adopting a radically new business model that focuses on CryptoLogic's successful Internet casino business and the development and licensing of the company's highly acclaimed software.
Restructuring for profitability
As announced previously, the company is implementing a plan to reduce annual operating costs by $13 million through various initiatives. Approximately $8.5 million of the savings are attributable to a reduction in employee expenses; about $2.5 million are from infrastructure and facilities downsizing; and some $2.0 million in savings are expected from operational efficiencies across the business.
Poker partnership cuts costs, adds liquidity
In November 2008, the company announced the outsourcing of its hosted poker business by entering into a strategic partnership with GTECH Corporation's International Poker Network. The move gives CryptoLogic's poker licensees and players access to a larger network with a combined average of 15,000 active players.
The transfer of poker licensees and systems to the GTECH network is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter. The company will continue to provide a full-service offering for its licensees through the GTECH network and receive ongoing revenues from its transferred customers.
New customers to drive revenue growth
CryptoLogic significantly increased its customer acquisition activities in 2008, resulting in 10 new contracts for both hosted Internet casinos and the licensing of branded games. Yesterday the company further expanded its channel to market with a strategic partnership with Gaming Technology Solutions plc, a leading global supplier of platform solutions for online gaming operations. Under the agreement, CryptoLogic's top performing games will be made available to GTS customers, which include Unibet, bwin, Expekt and Betclick among many other top brands.
Going forward, the "build-once-license-often" model offers excellent revenue potential at low cost and will be the major driver of growth. The company's new customers include 888.com, PartyGaming, GigaMedia, SkyBet (part of BskyB Group), Orbis, The Poker Channel and Betjacks. These agreements offer significant revenue potential for 2009 and beyond.
Investing for future
In order to leverage its industry leadership in the development and deployment of casino games, the company is introducing the CryptoLogic Centre for Innovation where customers, partners, universities and others can participate in defining and guiding the future of e-gaming.
As part of the new strategy and image, the company will also unveil its new branding program and logo based around "extraordinary e-gaming innovation" with the production of the new annual report due in May.
Outlook
The company is in the process of finalizing its results for the fourth quarter and full year 2008. While trading levels were broadly in line with management expectations in the fourth quarter, revenues were affected by the continued strengthening of the US dollar, the company's reporting currency, against the Euro, Canadian dollar and the British pound. As a result, reported revenues are expected to be approximately 14% lower than the previous quarter. Against that, recurring operating expenses will also be lower due to currency fluctuations. Net cash at the year end was between $42-$43 million.
Given difficult global economic conditions, the company is taking a cautious view of top line growth in 2009. Nevertheless, CryptoLogic's actions to reduce operating costs and execute its new growth strategy will enable the company to return to profitability and cash generation from Q2 2009. In addition, the company expects full year cash generation post restructuring of $11-$13 million, net profits in the range of $9-$10 million, and diluted earnings per share of 65-71 cents. The above guidance assumes no significant further deterioration in economic conditions and stabilization of currency rates.
Investor/analyst conference call
CryptoLogic will hold a conference call today at 8:30 am Eastern time (1:30 p.m. GMT) to update investors on the progress of its plan to return to growth and profitability in 2009. The details of the call are as follows:
Toll Free North America:
1-877-677-0837 Toll Free UK: 00 800-6578-9898 Toll Free International (Country Code) 800-6578-9898 Toronto Dial-In Number:
416-695-6616
To participate, please call five to ten minutes prior to the start of the teleconference. This conference call will be recorded and available for replay approximately one hour after the completion of the call, up until midnight January 22, 2009. To listen to the replay, please dial 416-695-5800 or 1-800-408-3053, passcode 3277967#. A transcript of the call will also be made available on CryptoLogic's website at www.cryptologic.com under Investor Information.
About CryptoLogic(R: 32.92, -0.23, -0.69%) (www.cryptologic.com)
Focused on integrity and innovation, CryptoLogic Limited is a leading blue-chip public developer and supplier of Internet gaming software. Its leadership in regulatory compliance makes it one of the very few companies with gaming software that is certified to strict standards similar to land-based gaming. WagerLogic(R: 4.4, -0.01, -0.23%) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CryptoLogic, is responsible for the licensing of its gaming software and services to blue-chip customers that offer their games to non-U.S. based players around the world. For information on WagerLogic, please visit www.wagerlogic.com.
CryptoLogic's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CRY, CXY), the NASDAQ Global Select Market (CRYP: 16.09, -0.06, -0.37%) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (CRP).
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and safe harbors, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of historical fact. When used in this document, the words "may," "would," "could," "should," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to CryptoLogic or our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding cost savings expected to materialize from our reduced operating costs and restructuring plan; revenues anticipated from licensing contracts; and future cash generating activities, net profits, and earnings per share. Forward-looking statements reflect CryptoLogic's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, risks associated with CryptoLogic's financial condition and prospects, legal risks associated with Internet gaming and related governmental legislation and regulation, risks associated with market acceptance and technological changes, risks associated with dependence on licensees and key licensees, risks relating to international operations, risks associated with competition and other risks detailed in CryptoLogic's filings with securities regulatory authorities. These and other factors could cause CryptoLogic's actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to vary from those made in this press release, or that are otherwise made by or on behalf of CryptoLogic. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. CryptoLogic does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.
Contacts: CryptoLogic Stephen Taylor Chief Financial Officer 353 (0) 1 234 0415 www.cryptologic.com
Argyle Communications Jason Graham (North American and gaming industry media) (416) 968-7311, ext 229 jgraham@argylecommunications.com
Argyle Communications Daniel Tisch (North American and gaming industry media) (416) 968-7311, ext 223 dtisch@argylecommunications.com
Corfin Communications Neil Thapar (UK media only) +44 207 977 0020 Corfin Communications Harry Chathli or Alexis Gore (UK media only) +44 207 977 0020
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Monday, January 26, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Kentucky Domain Seizures Struck Down by Appeals Court
PPA heralds ruling as "tremendous victory"
January 20, 2009 -- The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) website is reporting that the Kentucky Court of Appeals has ruled today that the state may not enforce its order attempting to seize 141 domain names, which was pending since last fall.
The PPA's Executive Director John Pappas has made this statement: "This is a tremendous victory for Internet freedom and the rights of Kentucky residents who enjoy playing online poker. We are pleased that the appeals court has forcefully reversed Judge Wingate's earlier ruling and confirmed many of the arguments that have been raised in opposition to the seizure effort. The Court of Appeals has agreed with the PPA's position that Judge Wingate did not have jurisdiction to issue the order that he entered against these domains and that Secretary Brown has no legitimate right to deprive the citizens of Kentucky of the legal right to play poker online."
"On behalf of the thousands of PPA members who live in Kentucky we hope that Governor Beshear and Secretary Brown will abandon this misguided effort and focus new energies into regulation and taxation of Internet poker," said Rich Muny, Kentucky State Director for the PPA, who resides in Union, KY. "This common-sense approach would benefit Kentucky's poker enthusiasts and the revenue will benefit the state as a whole. Rather than spending hard to find dollars on this case, the Governor could actually turn this into a much needed new revenue stream for the Commonwealth."
This quote comes courtesy of the Casino City Times website, which also stated that the ruling may be due to "powerful arguments from a strong coalition of independent voices who opposed the Franklin Circuit Court ruling. Groups like the PPA, the ACLU of Kentucky and the Electronic Frontier Foundation all successfully weighed in with the appellate court from a variety of legal perspectives."
This should be the end of this situation, although Kentucky Governor Beshear may continue to appeal or take other action if he is unwilling to accept this judgment. Still, an important victory has been won on behalf of the online gaming industry today.
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January 20, 2009 -- The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) website is reporting that the Kentucky Court of Appeals has ruled today that the state may not enforce its order attempting to seize 141 domain names, which was pending since last fall.
The PPA's Executive Director John Pappas has made this statement: "This is a tremendous victory for Internet freedom and the rights of Kentucky residents who enjoy playing online poker. We are pleased that the appeals court has forcefully reversed Judge Wingate's earlier ruling and confirmed many of the arguments that have been raised in opposition to the seizure effort. The Court of Appeals has agreed with the PPA's position that Judge Wingate did not have jurisdiction to issue the order that he entered against these domains and that Secretary Brown has no legitimate right to deprive the citizens of Kentucky of the legal right to play poker online."
"On behalf of the thousands of PPA members who live in Kentucky we hope that Governor Beshear and Secretary Brown will abandon this misguided effort and focus new energies into regulation and taxation of Internet poker," said Rich Muny, Kentucky State Director for the PPA, who resides in Union, KY. "This common-sense approach would benefit Kentucky's poker enthusiasts and the revenue will benefit the state as a whole. Rather than spending hard to find dollars on this case, the Governor could actually turn this into a much needed new revenue stream for the Commonwealth."
This quote comes courtesy of the Casino City Times website, which also stated that the ruling may be due to "powerful arguments from a strong coalition of independent voices who opposed the Franklin Circuit Court ruling. Groups like the PPA, the ACLU of Kentucky and the Electronic Frontier Foundation all successfully weighed in with the appellate court from a variety of legal perspectives."
This should be the end of this situation, although Kentucky Governor Beshear may continue to appeal or take other action if he is unwilling to accept this judgment. Still, an important victory has been won on behalf of the online gaming industry today.
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Monday, January 19, 2009
Cryptologic CEO plans to open innovation centre
15th January 2009
Press Release
LONDON — Software developer Cryptologic plans to open a centre to develop gaming technology beyond consoles and personal computers, the company told Reuters on Thursday.
“We have partners and clients interested and we're speaking to universities worldwide – it should throw up some interesting things,” Chief Executive Brian Hadfield said.
“It [will be] a place where customers, partners, universities and others can participate in defining and guiding the future of e-gaming,” he added.
Mr. Hadfield said he was keen to see what can be achieved by looking at the full extent of opportunities within mobile technology and social websites, as gaming evolves.
He was speaking after the company said its restructuring program, announced last October, is on track. Small cap Cryptologic's shares gained 19.5 per cent.
RESTRUCTURING
Cryptologic said it is on target to reduce total operating costs of approximately $13-million (U.S.) on an annualized basis by the end of second quarter 2009 The company also said the outsourcing of its poker network through strategic partnership with GTECH Corporation will be completed by the end of first quarter 2009.
“We looked at the business asked ourselves “what are we good at?” And we're good at casino games and branded games,” Mr. Hadfield said.
Its partnership with GTECH, allows its customers to gamble on Boss Media's International poker network with a wider customer base, a move which Cryptologic says reduced costs and turned its loss-making poker operation to profit.
Mr. Hadfield said he now sees a return to profitability and cash generation from the second quarter. He said organic growth will be difficult this year but the company's strategy of adding new licensee revenue will help.
In the past few months Cryptologic has added 10 new licencees including 888.com, Partygaming and most recently GTS.
Cryptologic predicts full-year cash generation post restructuring of $11-million to $13 million and net profit in the range of $9-million to $10-million.
Mr. Hadfield said he prefers to be prudent and keeps expectations realistic, given the sharp downturn in the economy in the last quarter of 2008.
“In the current climate cash is king,” he said. Cryptologic has cash of between $42-million and $43-million, but Mr. Hadfield added if there is an acquisition that “adds-value and strengthens operations” then he would look at it.
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Press Release
LONDON — Software developer Cryptologic plans to open a centre to develop gaming technology beyond consoles and personal computers, the company told Reuters on Thursday.
“We have partners and clients interested and we're speaking to universities worldwide – it should throw up some interesting things,” Chief Executive Brian Hadfield said.
“It [will be] a place where customers, partners, universities and others can participate in defining and guiding the future of e-gaming,” he added.
Mr. Hadfield said he was keen to see what can be achieved by looking at the full extent of opportunities within mobile technology and social websites, as gaming evolves.
He was speaking after the company said its restructuring program, announced last October, is on track. Small cap Cryptologic's shares gained 19.5 per cent.
RESTRUCTURING
Cryptologic said it is on target to reduce total operating costs of approximately $13-million (U.S.) on an annualized basis by the end of second quarter 2009 The company also said the outsourcing of its poker network through strategic partnership with GTECH Corporation will be completed by the end of first quarter 2009.
“We looked at the business asked ourselves “what are we good at?” And we're good at casino games and branded games,” Mr. Hadfield said.
Its partnership with GTECH, allows its customers to gamble on Boss Media's International poker network with a wider customer base, a move which Cryptologic says reduced costs and turned its loss-making poker operation to profit.
Mr. Hadfield said he now sees a return to profitability and cash generation from the second quarter. He said organic growth will be difficult this year but the company's strategy of adding new licensee revenue will help.
In the past few months Cryptologic has added 10 new licencees including 888.com, Partygaming and most recently GTS.
Cryptologic predicts full-year cash generation post restructuring of $11-million to $13 million and net profit in the range of $9-million to $10-million.
Mr. Hadfield said he prefers to be prudent and keeps expectations realistic, given the sharp downturn in the economy in the last quarter of 2008.
“In the current climate cash is king,” he said. Cryptologic has cash of between $42-million and $43-million, but Mr. Hadfield added if there is an acquisition that “adds-value and strengthens operations” then he would look at it.
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Saturday, January 17, 2009
iMEGA Legal Challenge May Resume in April, by Dan Cypra - Poker News Daily - 15th January 2009
In November, the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA) filed its response brief in a legal challenge to declare the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) unconstitutional. On Thursday, the organization announced that it had been contacted by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals about its availability in April.
The case stems from the 2006 passage of the UIGEA, which was ushered through Congress by former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN). Attached to the SAFE Port Act, an unrelated port security measure, the UIGEA cleared the Senate by unanimous consent and was signed into law by outgoing U.S. President George W. Bush in October of that year. The law did not prescribe what was “unlawful.” Instead, it deferred to existing state and federal laws, claiming that the transfer of money to any “unlawful” enterprise was illegal.
Its vagueness turned the industry upside down, as the largest online poker room at the time, PartyPoker, vacated the U.S. market. Following the Party Gaming owned room were others, including Paradise Poker and Pacific Poker. Payment processors including NETELLER and Citadel Commerce also departed the United States. iMEGA has since been granted standing to sue to declare the UIGEA unconstitutional. Its “void for vagueness” argument may now head to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals as soon as April. The Court contacted both iMEGA and the Federal Government seeking the parties’ availability during the month.
The case, which is appeal number 08-1981, lists former U.S. Attorney General Peter Keisler, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Reserve as its defendants. On its main argument, iMEGA claims in its response brief, “The void for vagueness doctrine requires that a policy or statute defines an offense with sufficient definitiveness so that ordinary people can understand what conduct is prohibited.” According to Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, the legality of online wagering on horse racing, for example, “depended on which department you asked,” according to a statement made in 2008.
iMEGA Chairman Joe Brennan commented in a press release distributed on Thursday, “We’re very happy the Court is moving forward to schedule oral arguments. We’re confident we have a strong suit and it will be difficult for the Department of Justice to defend UIGEA because it is so fatally flawed.” The UIGEA charges the financial services industry with determining what is and is not permissible. According to iMEGA, this is grounds for the law being unconstitutional. The press release read, “Congress cannot delegate that necessary determination as to what is ‘lawful’ or ‘unlawful’ to U.S. banks and credit card companies.”
In March, Judge Mary L. Cooper of the New Jersey U.S. District Court granted the organization standing to sue. However, in her judgment, she also disagreed with many of its main arguments. Consequently, iMEGA appealed, but ultimately had standing. In September, it officially filed its brief with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. In its legal case, iMEGA noted that officials from the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve testified before Congress that they would not be able to enforce the UIGEA, as a strict definition of what is legal and illegal was never given. Nevertheless, the regulations of the law were passed by the Bush Administration as part of its “midnight rulemaking” and will be enacted on January 19th (next Monday), one day before President-elect Barack Obama is sworn in. Compliance by the financial services industry is required by December 1st.
iMEGA’s legal team is also one of the main parties involved in the ongoing legal battle in Kentucky involving the seizure and potential forfeiture of 141 internet gambling domain names, including those belonging to some of the world’s largest online poker sites. The state’s Court of Appeals heard arguments during a one hour session in December and the industry now awaits the ruling of the three judge panel, which is expected by the end of the month (although no official timeline has been given). The Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) as well as an attorney who represents several of the sites in jeopardy have both flanked iMEGA in the Bluegrass State battle.
iMEGA was founded in 2007 and almost immediately found itself immersed in the internet gambling industry. Brennan is a former online marketing and strategic analyst whose past clients include Sirius Satellite Radio, CNN, People Magazine, CBS News, and the National Football League. The organization is based in Washington, D.C. and its main counsel in the UIGEA challenge is Eric Bernstein. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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The case stems from the 2006 passage of the UIGEA, which was ushered through Congress by former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN). Attached to the SAFE Port Act, an unrelated port security measure, the UIGEA cleared the Senate by unanimous consent and was signed into law by outgoing U.S. President George W. Bush in October of that year. The law did not prescribe what was “unlawful.” Instead, it deferred to existing state and federal laws, claiming that the transfer of money to any “unlawful” enterprise was illegal.
Its vagueness turned the industry upside down, as the largest online poker room at the time, PartyPoker, vacated the U.S. market. Following the Party Gaming owned room were others, including Paradise Poker and Pacific Poker. Payment processors including NETELLER and Citadel Commerce also departed the United States. iMEGA has since been granted standing to sue to declare the UIGEA unconstitutional. Its “void for vagueness” argument may now head to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals as soon as April. The Court contacted both iMEGA and the Federal Government seeking the parties’ availability during the month.
The case, which is appeal number 08-1981, lists former U.S. Attorney General Peter Keisler, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Reserve as its defendants. On its main argument, iMEGA claims in its response brief, “The void for vagueness doctrine requires that a policy or statute defines an offense with sufficient definitiveness so that ordinary people can understand what conduct is prohibited.” According to Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, the legality of online wagering on horse racing, for example, “depended on which department you asked,” according to a statement made in 2008.
iMEGA Chairman Joe Brennan commented in a press release distributed on Thursday, “We’re very happy the Court is moving forward to schedule oral arguments. We’re confident we have a strong suit and it will be difficult for the Department of Justice to defend UIGEA because it is so fatally flawed.” The UIGEA charges the financial services industry with determining what is and is not permissible. According to iMEGA, this is grounds for the law being unconstitutional. The press release read, “Congress cannot delegate that necessary determination as to what is ‘lawful’ or ‘unlawful’ to U.S. banks and credit card companies.”
In March, Judge Mary L. Cooper of the New Jersey U.S. District Court granted the organization standing to sue. However, in her judgment, she also disagreed with many of its main arguments. Consequently, iMEGA appealed, but ultimately had standing. In September, it officially filed its brief with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. In its legal case, iMEGA noted that officials from the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve testified before Congress that they would not be able to enforce the UIGEA, as a strict definition of what is legal and illegal was never given. Nevertheless, the regulations of the law were passed by the Bush Administration as part of its “midnight rulemaking” and will be enacted on January 19th (next Monday), one day before President-elect Barack Obama is sworn in. Compliance by the financial services industry is required by December 1st.
iMEGA’s legal team is also one of the main parties involved in the ongoing legal battle in Kentucky involving the seizure and potential forfeiture of 141 internet gambling domain names, including those belonging to some of the world’s largest online poker sites. The state’s Court of Appeals heard arguments during a one hour session in December and the industry now awaits the ruling of the three judge panel, which is expected by the end of the month (although no official timeline has been given). The Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) as well as an attorney who represents several of the sites in jeopardy have both flanked iMEGA in the Bluegrass State battle.
iMEGA was founded in 2007 and almost immediately found itself immersed in the internet gambling industry. Brennan is a former online marketing and strategic analyst whose past clients include Sirius Satellite Radio, CNN, People Magazine, CBS News, and the National Football League. The organization is based in Washington, D.C. and its main counsel in the UIGEA challenge is Eric Bernstein. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
NextGen Gaming Profile
NextGen Gaming is the world’s leading independent supplier of innovative games to the gambling industry. NextGen has delivered hundreds of games to our international partners and gained a reputation for delivering the best player experience. We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver exceptional game performance and game longevity that translates into profit for our partners and a great experience for their players.
We partner with On-Line, Land Based Operators and Software providers and our success has been built on the exceptional performance of the games we have delivered to our partners.
Founded in 1999, NextGen pioneered platform-independent content delivery. Our vision was a new model of engagement focused on the games and from the very beginning we have built our reputation as an innovator. We push the envelope of innovation to enhance the player experience. In this emerging era of digital gaming our strong culture of innovation and responsiveness is embedded within our proven management and development processes. This maturity and longevity of business has enabled us to engage in long-term strategic projects with our partners and deliver sustainable value to their businesses.
NextGen is unique in its ability to offer our partners and clients an end-to-end gaming development service. Our Partner Management team ensures that we communicate effectively with our Partners. Our Product Management team uses our extensive player knowledge database to target games. Our Game Innovation Team is responsible for developing ideas and concepts that expand the boundaries of current gaming products. Our Project Management and Product Development teams ensure that we deliver to quality and timeline expectations. Our Software Integration team helps our partners to integrate new and exciting features. Combined, our management and development teams offer an unmatched service to the industry.
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NextGen Gaming
We partner with On-Line, Land Based Operators and Software providers and our success has been built on the exceptional performance of the games we have delivered to our partners.
Founded in 1999, NextGen pioneered platform-independent content delivery. Our vision was a new model of engagement focused on the games and from the very beginning we have built our reputation as an innovator. We push the envelope of innovation to enhance the player experience. In this emerging era of digital gaming our strong culture of innovation and responsiveness is embedded within our proven management and development processes. This maturity and longevity of business has enabled us to engage in long-term strategic projects with our partners and deliver sustainable value to their businesses.
NextGen is unique in its ability to offer our partners and clients an end-to-end gaming development service. Our Partner Management team ensures that we communicate effectively with our Partners. Our Product Management team uses our extensive player knowledge database to target games. Our Game Innovation Team is responsible for developing ideas and concepts that expand the boundaries of current gaming products. Our Project Management and Product Development teams ensure that we deliver to quality and timeline expectations. Our Software Integration team helps our partners to integrate new and exciting features. Combined, our management and development teams offer an unmatched service to the industry.
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CryptoLogic Expects to Deliver Net Income of $9-$10 Million in 2009
Branded e-gaming software pioneer on track with new growth strategy to generate cash, reduce costs and deliver profits from expanding its casino business
DUBLIN, IRELAND, Jan 15, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- CryptoLogic, a world leader in Internet casino and branded gaming software, today provided an update on its new growth strategy and restructuring program that positions the company for a return to profitability and cash generation in 2009, and further growth in the years to come.
Highlights
Restructuring program
Under the plan announced in October 2008, the company is on track to achieve:
- Reduced total operating costs of approximately $13 million on an annualized basis by the end of Q2 2009.
- Restructuring to result in $3.5 million cash costs and up to $20 million in further non-cash charges.
- Outsourcing of poker network through strategic partnership with GTECH Corporation to be completed by the end of Q1 2009. Partnership will improve poker-room liquidity for CryptoLogic customers, while eliminating the costs of operating a standalone network.
- Rationalization includes reconfiguration of network, a 75% reduction in servers and office rental costs.
New strategy for growth
- Growth to be driven by Internet casino business, and by development and licensing of branded online games to leading gaming and entertainment brands.
- Recently contracted customers including 888.com, PartyGaming and GigaMedia expected to generate new revenues of at least $8 million in 2009.
- Continued aggressive expansion of casino business through licensing contracts, with a robust new business pipeline for 2009.
- Yesterday signed a new licensing contract with Gaming Technology Solutions plc, whose customers include Unibet, bwin and many other top brands.
2009 outlook
Based on no significant further deterioration in economic conditions and stabilization of currency rates, the company expects:
- Return to profitability and cash generation from Q2 2009.
- Full year cash generation post restructuring of $11-$13 million.
- Net profits in the range of $9-$10 million.
- Diluted earnings per share of 65-71 cents.
"CryptoLogic has taken radical steps to focus on its core strengths as a developer of exciting online gaming content," said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic's President & CEO. "We are on track to return to profitability and generate cash from the second quarter of 2009."
"Our streamlined operations, lower operating costs and commitment to creating compelling customer experience, together with a highly profitable build-once-sell-often model, provides a solid springboard for long-term growth and shareholder value."
Overview
CryptoLogic is making significant progress in executing its new growth strategy and restructuring program, first outlined in October 2008. These plans were developed after a fundamental review of the business by the company's management under Brian Hadfield, following his appointment as President & CEO at the end of February 2008.
This new strategy is to achieve long-term growth, sustained profitability and strong cash generation by adopting a radically new business model that focuses on CryptoLogic's successful Internet casino business and the development and licensing of the company's highly acclaimed software.
Restructuring for profitability
As announced previously, the company is implementing a plan to reduce annual operating costs by $13 million through various initiatives. Approximately $8.5 million of the savings are attributable to a reduction in employee expenses; about $2.5 million are from infrastructure and facilities downsizing; and some $2.0 million in savings are expected from operational efficiencies across the business.
Poker partnership cuts costs, adds liquidity
In November 2008, the company announced the outsourcing of its hosted poker business by entering into a strategic partnership with GTECH Corporation's International Poker Network. The move gives CryptoLogic's poker licensees and players access to a larger network with a combined average of 15,000 active players.
The transfer of poker licensees and systems to the GTECH network is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter. The company will continue to provide a full-service offering for its licensees through the GTECH network and receive ongoing revenues from its transferred customers.
New customers to drive revenue growth
CryptoLogic significantly increased its customer acquisition activities in 2008, resulting in 10 new contracts for both hosted Internet casinos and the licensing of branded games. Yesterday the company further expanded its channel to market with a strategic partnership with Gaming Technology Solutions plc, a leading global supplier of platform solutions for online gaming operations. Under the agreement, CryptoLogic's top performing games will be made available to GTS customers, which include Unibet, bwin, Expekt and Betclick among many other top brands.
Going forward, the "build-once-license-often" model offers excellent revenue potential at low cost and will be the major driver of growth. The company's new customers include 888.com, PartyGaming, GigaMedia, SkyBet (part of BskyB Group), Orbis, The Poker Channel and Betjacks. These agreements offer significant revenue potential for 2009 and beyond.
Investing for future
In order to leverage its industry leadership in the development and deployment of casino games, the company is introducing the CryptoLogic Centre for Innovation where customers, partners, universities and others can participate in defining and guiding the future of e-gaming.
As part of the new strategy and image, the company will also unveil its new branding program and logo based around "extraordinary e-gaming innovation" with the production of the new annual report due in May.
Outlook
The company is in the process of finalizing its results for the fourth quarter and full year 2008. While trading levels were broadly in line with management expectations in the fourth quarter, revenues were affected by the continued strengthening of the US dollar, the company's reporting currency, against the Euro, Canadian dollar and the British pound. As a result, reported revenues are expected to be approximately 14% lower than the previous quarter. Against that, recurring operating expenses will also be lower due to currency fluctuations. Net cash at the year end was between $42-$43 million.
Given difficult global economic conditions, the company is taking a cautious view of top line growth in 2009. Nevertheless, CryptoLogic's actions to reduce operating costs and execute its new growth strategy will enable the company to return to profitability and cash generation from Q2 2009. In addition, the company expects full year cash generation post restructuring of $11-$13 million, net profits in the range of $9-$10 million, and diluted earnings per share of 65-71 cents. The above guidance assumes no significant further deterioration in economic conditions and stabilization of currency rates.
Investor/analyst conference call
CryptoLogic will hold a conference call today at 8:30 am Eastern time (1:30 p.m. GMT) to update investors on the progress of its plan to return to growth and profitability in 2009. The details of the call are as follows:
Toll Free North America: 1-877-677-0837
Toll Free UK: 00 800-6578-9898
Toll Free International (Country Code) 800-6578-9898
Toronto Dial-In Number: 416-695-6616
To participate, please call five to ten minutes prior to the start of the teleconference. This conference call will be recorded and available for replay approximately one hour after the completion of the call, up until midnight January 22, 2009. To listen to the replay, please dial 416-695-5800 or 1-800-408-3053, passcode 3277967#. A transcript of the call will also be made available on CryptoLogic's website at www.cryptologic.com under Investor Information.
About CryptoLogic(R) (www.cryptologic.com)
Focused on integrity and innovation, CryptoLogic Limited is a leading blue-chip public developer and supplier of Internet gaming software. Its leadership in regulatory compliance makes it one of the very few companies with gaming software that is certified to strict standards similar to land-based gaming. WagerLogic(R) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CryptoLogic, is responsible for the licensing of its gaming software and services to blue-chip customers that offer their games to non-U.S. based players around the world. For information on WagerLogic, please visit www.wagerlogic.com.
CryptoLogic's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CRY, CXY), the NASDAQ Global Select Market (CRYP) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (CRP).
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and safe harbors, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of historical fact. When used in this document, the words "may," "would," "could," "should," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to CryptoLogic or our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding cost savings expected to materialize from our reduced operating costs and restructuring plan; revenues anticipated from licensing contracts; and future cash generating activities, net profits, and earnings per share. Forward-looking statements reflect CryptoLogic's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, risks associated with CryptoLogic's financial condition and prospects, legal risks associated with Internet gaming and related governmental legislation and regulation, risks associated with market acceptance and technological changes, risks associated with dependence on licensees and key licensees, risks relating to international operations, risks associated with competition and other risks detailed in CryptoLogic's filings with securities regulatory authorities. These and other factors could cause CryptoLogic's actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to vary from those made in this press release, or that are otherwise made by or on behalf of CryptoLogic. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. CryptoLogic does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.
Media Man Australia Profiles
CryptoLogic
DUBLIN, IRELAND, Jan 15, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- CryptoLogic, a world leader in Internet casino and branded gaming software, today provided an update on its new growth strategy and restructuring program that positions the company for a return to profitability and cash generation in 2009, and further growth in the years to come.
Highlights
Restructuring program
Under the plan announced in October 2008, the company is on track to achieve:
- Reduced total operating costs of approximately $13 million on an annualized basis by the end of Q2 2009.
- Restructuring to result in $3.5 million cash costs and up to $20 million in further non-cash charges.
- Outsourcing of poker network through strategic partnership with GTECH Corporation to be completed by the end of Q1 2009. Partnership will improve poker-room liquidity for CryptoLogic customers, while eliminating the costs of operating a standalone network.
- Rationalization includes reconfiguration of network, a 75% reduction in servers and office rental costs.
New strategy for growth
- Growth to be driven by Internet casino business, and by development and licensing of branded online games to leading gaming and entertainment brands.
- Recently contracted customers including 888.com, PartyGaming and GigaMedia expected to generate new revenues of at least $8 million in 2009.
- Continued aggressive expansion of casino business through licensing contracts, with a robust new business pipeline for 2009.
- Yesterday signed a new licensing contract with Gaming Technology Solutions plc, whose customers include Unibet, bwin and many other top brands.
2009 outlook
Based on no significant further deterioration in economic conditions and stabilization of currency rates, the company expects:
- Return to profitability and cash generation from Q2 2009.
- Full year cash generation post restructuring of $11-$13 million.
- Net profits in the range of $9-$10 million.
- Diluted earnings per share of 65-71 cents.
"CryptoLogic has taken radical steps to focus on its core strengths as a developer of exciting online gaming content," said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic's President & CEO. "We are on track to return to profitability and generate cash from the second quarter of 2009."
"Our streamlined operations, lower operating costs and commitment to creating compelling customer experience, together with a highly profitable build-once-sell-often model, provides a solid springboard for long-term growth and shareholder value."
Overview
CryptoLogic is making significant progress in executing its new growth strategy and restructuring program, first outlined in October 2008. These plans were developed after a fundamental review of the business by the company's management under Brian Hadfield, following his appointment as President & CEO at the end of February 2008.
This new strategy is to achieve long-term growth, sustained profitability and strong cash generation by adopting a radically new business model that focuses on CryptoLogic's successful Internet casino business and the development and licensing of the company's highly acclaimed software.
Restructuring for profitability
As announced previously, the company is implementing a plan to reduce annual operating costs by $13 million through various initiatives. Approximately $8.5 million of the savings are attributable to a reduction in employee expenses; about $2.5 million are from infrastructure and facilities downsizing; and some $2.0 million in savings are expected from operational efficiencies across the business.
Poker partnership cuts costs, adds liquidity
In November 2008, the company announced the outsourcing of its hosted poker business by entering into a strategic partnership with GTECH Corporation's International Poker Network. The move gives CryptoLogic's poker licensees and players access to a larger network with a combined average of 15,000 active players.
The transfer of poker licensees and systems to the GTECH network is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter. The company will continue to provide a full-service offering for its licensees through the GTECH network and receive ongoing revenues from its transferred customers.
New customers to drive revenue growth
CryptoLogic significantly increased its customer acquisition activities in 2008, resulting in 10 new contracts for both hosted Internet casinos and the licensing of branded games. Yesterday the company further expanded its channel to market with a strategic partnership with Gaming Technology Solutions plc, a leading global supplier of platform solutions for online gaming operations. Under the agreement, CryptoLogic's top performing games will be made available to GTS customers, which include Unibet, bwin, Expekt and Betclick among many other top brands.
Going forward, the "build-once-license-often" model offers excellent revenue potential at low cost and will be the major driver of growth. The company's new customers include 888.com, PartyGaming, GigaMedia, SkyBet (part of BskyB Group), Orbis, The Poker Channel and Betjacks. These agreements offer significant revenue potential for 2009 and beyond.
Investing for future
In order to leverage its industry leadership in the development and deployment of casino games, the company is introducing the CryptoLogic Centre for Innovation where customers, partners, universities and others can participate in defining and guiding the future of e-gaming.
As part of the new strategy and image, the company will also unveil its new branding program and logo based around "extraordinary e-gaming innovation" with the production of the new annual report due in May.
Outlook
The company is in the process of finalizing its results for the fourth quarter and full year 2008. While trading levels were broadly in line with management expectations in the fourth quarter, revenues were affected by the continued strengthening of the US dollar, the company's reporting currency, against the Euro, Canadian dollar and the British pound. As a result, reported revenues are expected to be approximately 14% lower than the previous quarter. Against that, recurring operating expenses will also be lower due to currency fluctuations. Net cash at the year end was between $42-$43 million.
Given difficult global economic conditions, the company is taking a cautious view of top line growth in 2009. Nevertheless, CryptoLogic's actions to reduce operating costs and execute its new growth strategy will enable the company to return to profitability and cash generation from Q2 2009. In addition, the company expects full year cash generation post restructuring of $11-$13 million, net profits in the range of $9-$10 million, and diluted earnings per share of 65-71 cents. The above guidance assumes no significant further deterioration in economic conditions and stabilization of currency rates.
Investor/analyst conference call
CryptoLogic will hold a conference call today at 8:30 am Eastern time (1:30 p.m. GMT) to update investors on the progress of its plan to return to growth and profitability in 2009. The details of the call are as follows:
Toll Free North America: 1-877-677-0837
Toll Free UK: 00 800-6578-9898
Toll Free International (Country Code) 800-6578-9898
Toronto Dial-In Number: 416-695-6616
To participate, please call five to ten minutes prior to the start of the teleconference. This conference call will be recorded and available for replay approximately one hour after the completion of the call, up until midnight January 22, 2009. To listen to the replay, please dial 416-695-5800 or 1-800-408-3053, passcode 3277967#. A transcript of the call will also be made available on CryptoLogic's website at www.cryptologic.com under Investor Information.
About CryptoLogic(R) (www.cryptologic.com)
Focused on integrity and innovation, CryptoLogic Limited is a leading blue-chip public developer and supplier of Internet gaming software. Its leadership in regulatory compliance makes it one of the very few companies with gaming software that is certified to strict standards similar to land-based gaming. WagerLogic(R) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CryptoLogic, is responsible for the licensing of its gaming software and services to blue-chip customers that offer their games to non-U.S. based players around the world. For information on WagerLogic, please visit www.wagerlogic.com.
CryptoLogic's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CRY, CXY), the NASDAQ Global Select Market (CRYP) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (CRP).
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and safe harbors, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of historical fact. When used in this document, the words "may," "would," "could," "should," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to CryptoLogic or our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding cost savings expected to materialize from our reduced operating costs and restructuring plan; revenues anticipated from licensing contracts; and future cash generating activities, net profits, and earnings per share. Forward-looking statements reflect CryptoLogic's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, risks associated with CryptoLogic's financial condition and prospects, legal risks associated with Internet gaming and related governmental legislation and regulation, risks associated with market acceptance and technological changes, risks associated with dependence on licensees and key licensees, risks relating to international operations, risks associated with competition and other risks detailed in CryptoLogic's filings with securities regulatory authorities. These and other factors could cause CryptoLogic's actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to vary from those made in this press release, or that are otherwise made by or on behalf of CryptoLogic. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. CryptoLogic does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.
Media Man Australia Profiles
CryptoLogic
CryptoLogic Gains New Channel to Market With Gaming Technology Solutions PLC
Top CryptoLogic games to be offered in multiple languages and currencies through leading global supplier of gaming platform solutions
DUBLIN, IRELAND, Jan 14, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- CryptoLogic Limited), a world leader in Internet casino and branded gaming software, today announced a strategic partnership with Gaming Technology Solutions PLC (GTS), a leading global supplier of platform solutions for online gaming operations.
The partnership is consistent with CryptoLogic's strategy to expand the number of market leading casino sites that offer the company's games. GTS's impressive list of tier one customers includes Unibet, bwin, 888, Expekt, and Betclick, as well as many other top brands.
Under the agreement, CryptoLogic's top-performing games will be made available to GTS customers through its Enhanced Gaming Engine (EdGE), a proprietary games platform. A range of 10 CryptoLogic games will be live on the platform for GTS customers by the end of the first quarter of 2009.
"Today, we connect CryptoLogic's leadership in gaming innovation with GTS' ability to serve top-tier gaming operators around the world," said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic's President and CEO. "This partnership is yet another example of how CryptoLogic is opening up powerful new distribution channels to get our market-leading games into the hands of more customers - and more players."
EdGE is an industry-leading, cross-channel content delivery platform that offers access to premier games created by world class developers like CryptoLogic. EdGE facilitates quick delivery of new content across multiple languages, including all European and most Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese and Korean), currencies and domains. Sports, casino, bingo, puzzle and soft games can all be delivered as browser-based or downloadable client products.
"Our operators demand and deserve market leading casino products - and CryptoLogic offers some of the world's most recognized brands and games," said Steven Matsell, GTS' Business Development Director. "To us, this partnership makes perfect sense."
In recent months, CryptoLogic has signed deals with 888.com, PartyGaming and Orbis, some of the biggest names in gaming.
With more than 200 games, CryptoLogic has one of the most comprehensive casino suites on the Internet today. CryptoLogic has earned rave reviews from industry peers and players alike, and in 2008 earned Gambling Online Magazine's Top Casino Software award for the third consecutive year. Based on the votes of players around the world, it is widely considered the industry's top honour.
About CryptoLogic(R) (www.cryptologic.com)
Focused on integrity and innovation, CryptoLogic Limited is a world-leading, blue-chip public developer and supplier of Internet gaming software. Its leadership in regulatory compliance makes it one of the very few companies with gaming software that is certified to strict standards similar to land-based gaming. WagerLogic(R) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CryptoLogic, is responsible for the licensing of its gaming software and services to blue-chip customers who offer their games around the world to non-U.S. based players. For information on WagerLogic, visit www.wagerlogic.com.
CryptoLogic's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Select Market (CRYP) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (CRP).
About Gaming Technology Solutions (www.gtsplc.com)
Formed in 2005, Gaming Technology Solutions (GTS plc) is a leading provider of cross channel gaming solutions for online gaming operations. As a truly "Open" platform and integration partner to operators GTS offer an impressive catalogue of successful game titles from all delivered on the world class EdGE platform.
CRYPTOLOGIC FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER:
Statements in this news release which are not historical are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks associated with the company's financial condition and prospects, legal risks associated with Internet gaming and risks of governmental legislation and regulation, risks associated with market acceptance and technological changes, risks associated with dependence on licensees and key licensees, risks relating to international operations, risks associated with competition and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with securities regulatory authorities. These risks may cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
Media Man Australia Profiles
CryptoLogic
DUBLIN, IRELAND, Jan 14, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- CryptoLogic Limited), a world leader in Internet casino and branded gaming software, today announced a strategic partnership with Gaming Technology Solutions PLC (GTS), a leading global supplier of platform solutions for online gaming operations.
The partnership is consistent with CryptoLogic's strategy to expand the number of market leading casino sites that offer the company's games. GTS's impressive list of tier one customers includes Unibet, bwin, 888, Expekt, and Betclick, as well as many other top brands.
Under the agreement, CryptoLogic's top-performing games will be made available to GTS customers through its Enhanced Gaming Engine (EdGE), a proprietary games platform. A range of 10 CryptoLogic games will be live on the platform for GTS customers by the end of the first quarter of 2009.
"Today, we connect CryptoLogic's leadership in gaming innovation with GTS' ability to serve top-tier gaming operators around the world," said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic's President and CEO. "This partnership is yet another example of how CryptoLogic is opening up powerful new distribution channels to get our market-leading games into the hands of more customers - and more players."
EdGE is an industry-leading, cross-channel content delivery platform that offers access to premier games created by world class developers like CryptoLogic. EdGE facilitates quick delivery of new content across multiple languages, including all European and most Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese and Korean), currencies and domains. Sports, casino, bingo, puzzle and soft games can all be delivered as browser-based or downloadable client products.
"Our operators demand and deserve market leading casino products - and CryptoLogic offers some of the world's most recognized brands and games," said Steven Matsell, GTS' Business Development Director. "To us, this partnership makes perfect sense."
In recent months, CryptoLogic has signed deals with 888.com, PartyGaming and Orbis, some of the biggest names in gaming.
With more than 200 games, CryptoLogic has one of the most comprehensive casino suites on the Internet today. CryptoLogic has earned rave reviews from industry peers and players alike, and in 2008 earned Gambling Online Magazine's Top Casino Software award for the third consecutive year. Based on the votes of players around the world, it is widely considered the industry's top honour.
About CryptoLogic(R) (www.cryptologic.com)
Focused on integrity and innovation, CryptoLogic Limited is a world-leading, blue-chip public developer and supplier of Internet gaming software. Its leadership in regulatory compliance makes it one of the very few companies with gaming software that is certified to strict standards similar to land-based gaming. WagerLogic(R) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CryptoLogic, is responsible for the licensing of its gaming software and services to blue-chip customers who offer their games around the world to non-U.S. based players. For information on WagerLogic, visit www.wagerlogic.com.
CryptoLogic's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Select Market (CRYP) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (CRP).
About Gaming Technology Solutions (www.gtsplc.com)
Formed in 2005, Gaming Technology Solutions (GTS plc) is a leading provider of cross channel gaming solutions for online gaming operations. As a truly "Open" platform and integration partner to operators GTS offer an impressive catalogue of successful game titles from all delivered on the world class EdGE platform.
CRYPTOLOGIC FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER:
Statements in this news release which are not historical are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks associated with the company's financial condition and prospects, legal risks associated with Internet gaming and risks of governmental legislation and regulation, risks associated with market acceptance and technological changes, risks associated with dependence on licensees and key licensees, risks relating to international operations, risks associated with competition and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with securities regulatory authorities. These risks may cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
Media Man Australia Profiles
CryptoLogic
Party Gaming Boss Predicts Industry Consolidation - 9th January 2009
Hard times will see only five major online poker sites on the Net, says Ryan
Party Gaming CEO Jim Ryan opines that in three year's time there will be only five major online poker sites of any consequence due to industry consolidation....and he intends to ensure that Party Poker is one of them.
Speaking to the UK newspaper The Financial Times, Ryan said: “We need to retake the hill and position ourselves to be that leader again.
“Our job, frankly speaking, is to take share back.”
But, he admitted, the increased competition in Europe may make it more expensive for his group to achieve its aims as current industry high-rollers like Poker Stars and Full Tilt up the ante when it comes to media buys and teaming up with marketing affiliates.
The FT reported that Ryan is finding it frustrating that Poker Stars and Full Tilt continue to take the risk of operating in the United States market, something Party Gaming ceased to do following the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006. This created a significant competitive disadvantage for Party Poker, but he was nevertheless preparing the online poker site for the day when it might be able to legally re-enter the US market in the event of a change in the legislative landscape and a successful "clean slate" deal with the US Department of Justice.
Online Casino News Courtesy of Infopowa.
Media Man Australia Profiles
PartyGaming
PartyPoker.com
PartyCasino.com
Poker News
Online Casino News
Casino News
Party Gaming CEO Jim Ryan opines that in three year's time there will be only five major online poker sites of any consequence due to industry consolidation....and he intends to ensure that Party Poker is one of them.
Speaking to the UK newspaper The Financial Times, Ryan said: “We need to retake the hill and position ourselves to be that leader again.
“Our job, frankly speaking, is to take share back.”
But, he admitted, the increased competition in Europe may make it more expensive for his group to achieve its aims as current industry high-rollers like Poker Stars and Full Tilt up the ante when it comes to media buys and teaming up with marketing affiliates.
The FT reported that Ryan is finding it frustrating that Poker Stars and Full Tilt continue to take the risk of operating in the United States market, something Party Gaming ceased to do following the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006. This created a significant competitive disadvantage for Party Poker, but he was nevertheless preparing the online poker site for the day when it might be able to legally re-enter the US market in the event of a change in the legislative landscape and a successful "clean slate" deal with the US Department of Justice.
Online Casino News Courtesy of Infopowa.
Media Man Australia Profiles
PartyGaming
PartyPoker.com
PartyCasino.com
Poker News
Online Casino News
Casino News
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Buoyant Playtech amasses $300m war chest, by Pan Kwan Yuk - Financial Times - 3rd September 2008
Playtech, the gambling software developer, said it had built up a war chest of more than $300m (£168m) to spend on acquisitions as it announced a 45 per cent rise in half-year pre-tax profit.
The company, whose clients include PartyGaming and Paddy Power, said it expected new markets to open up in Europe as gambling regulations eased. It was lining up acquisitions that would allow the company to take advantage of those opportunities.
Playtech is in the process of completing due diligence on a potential acquisition of an online marketing company – a deal that Mor Weizer, chief executive, said would significantly enhance the company’s profitability.
Mr Weizer said this was not the only acquisition target on the company’s radar and that it was looking for groups with new games that it could move to its own platforms.
For the six months to the end of June, revenue rose more than 85 per cent to $81m, after it sold more online games and won new licensing agreements.
Playtech sells a number of different gaming software products, including online casino, poker and bingo, to companies such as Party Gaming, and takes a typical cut on every transaction of 15 to 20 per cent from operators.
Income from casino rose 78 per cent to $58m and poker revenue more than doubled to $22m. Pre-tax profit increased from $26m to $38m.
Last month, the company announced a licensee deal with Italy’s Snai, one of the largest land-based betting outfits in the country. Mr Weizer said he expected more deals to come as countries such as Spain, France and Poland moved towards online gaming regulations.
The dividend increases from 6.1 cents to 12 cents. Shares in Playtech rose 6½p to 541½p, giving a market capitalisation of £1.29bn.
● FT Comment
Playtech has delivered another period of good growth and Wednesday’s outlook statement appears upbeat with the company saying it has a strong pipeline of potential licensees scheduled for the second half. The additional licensees, combined with the contribution from new product launches, continue to drive growth. But with the shares trading at 19 times 2008 earnings, a premium to the wider online gaming sector, the stock looks fully priced. (Credit: Financial Times)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Financial News
Technology News
The company, whose clients include PartyGaming and Paddy Power, said it expected new markets to open up in Europe as gambling regulations eased. It was lining up acquisitions that would allow the company to take advantage of those opportunities.
Playtech is in the process of completing due diligence on a potential acquisition of an online marketing company – a deal that Mor Weizer, chief executive, said would significantly enhance the company’s profitability.
Mr Weizer said this was not the only acquisition target on the company’s radar and that it was looking for groups with new games that it could move to its own platforms.
For the six months to the end of June, revenue rose more than 85 per cent to $81m, after it sold more online games and won new licensing agreements.
Playtech sells a number of different gaming software products, including online casino, poker and bingo, to companies such as Party Gaming, and takes a typical cut on every transaction of 15 to 20 per cent from operators.
Income from casino rose 78 per cent to $58m and poker revenue more than doubled to $22m. Pre-tax profit increased from $26m to $38m.
Last month, the company announced a licensee deal with Italy’s Snai, one of the largest land-based betting outfits in the country. Mr Weizer said he expected more deals to come as countries such as Spain, France and Poland moved towards online gaming regulations.
The dividend increases from 6.1 cents to 12 cents. Shares in Playtech rose 6½p to 541½p, giving a market capitalisation of £1.29bn.
● FT Comment
Playtech has delivered another period of good growth and Wednesday’s outlook statement appears upbeat with the company saying it has a strong pipeline of potential licensees scheduled for the second half. The additional licensees, combined with the contribution from new product launches, continue to drive growth. But with the shares trading at 19 times 2008 earnings, a premium to the wider online gaming sector, the stock looks fully priced. (Credit: Financial Times)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Financial News
Technology News
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
List of banned websites in Thailand and Denmark leaked online, by Andrew Ramadge - News.com.au - 24th December 2008
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
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
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
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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.
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