British Based Bookies Bustle for a Piece of the Tatts Group Pie

British bookmakers William Hill and Ladbrokes are believed to be circling the wagering arm of Tatts Group, according to sources, as the company remains at the centre of a USD $7.3 Billion power struggle between its Australian rival Tabcorp and a Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Macquarie-backed consortium, the Australian reported…

Bloody hell… Tatts not a bad buy for a bunch of broke lads!

Earlier this year, Tatts and Tabcorp agreed on a scrip deal for Tabcorb to buy the company for what is now valuing the company at $4.10 a share in an offer that is said to generate $130 million in synergies. At the time, the offer was worth $4.34 a share. The deal currently values Tatts at just over $6bn and values the wagering arm at 70c a share.

Learn more about the acquisition here

Last week, the Pacific Consortium offered to pay shareholders between $4.40 and $5 for Tatts. Shareholders would receive a $3.40 a share cash payment for the lotteries arm and would be paid in scrip for the wagering arm, which the consortium expects to equate to $1.60 a share. The Pacific Consortium says its offer is 18 times the company's earnings.

Sources close to Tatts say the two separate offers remained under consideration, but weakening the prospects for the Pacific Consortium was that the company had not yet guaranteed $1.60 a share in scrip for the Tatts wagering arm.

It was only when that occurred that the Tatts board would face a more real dilemma about what deal to back

Some are betting that the situation will play out where the Pacific Consortium does in fact guarantee $1.60 a share for wagering before Tabcorp increases its offer in what has been described as a do or die situation for Tabcorp.

The price of $1.60 a share for the Tatts wagering operations equates to a value of 11 times its earnings, and sceptics have questioned whether the division is really worth such a rich multiple.

A Young Offer That’s Already Over The Hill

William Hill generates £189.9m in annual profit and, in addition to its online sportsbook operations the company offers online gambling games.

London-based Online Sports Betting Site Ladbrokes boasts £5.1m of annual income, and there were unfounded rumours that it was eyeing Tatts Group in the weeks before the Pacific Consortium emerged.

Consolidation is unfolding among global betting companies amid a period in which they are facing disruption from the internet, and both parties are widely thought to be eager to expand their footprint in the Australian market.

The situation is interesting from the perspective of industry disruption

Ladbrokes and William Hill entered the Australian betting market in 2013 and have aggressively brokered a range of sponsorships with sporting clubs.

William Hill is licensed in the Northern Territory and Ladbrokes on Norfolk Island. The pair have been stealing market share from Tatts and Tabcorp while operating in territories that pay less tax than the latter parties based in Queensland and Victoria.

Should one of the British groups secure the wagering arm of Tatts, some question whether they will operate the business out of their current jurisdictions, although there are said to be plans afoot to change the rules for companies operating out of the Northern Territory.

Macquarie had tried to strike a deal to buy Tatts Group mid-year but its plans were thwarted when Brookfield pulled out of the consortium and was replaced only recently by KKR.

Tabcorp is advised by UBS, which recently raided the Tatts share register on its client's behalf, securing a 10 per cent blocking stake in the target, while Tatts is advised by Goldman Sachs.

What You’ve Missed….

It's definitely 'Game On' for Ladbrokes as they look to merge with and acquire TABCorp and the Tatts Group — It’s definitely ‘Game On’ for Ladbrokes as they look to merge with and acquire TABCorp and the Tatts Group

November 29th 2016

Ladbrokes Coral is reportedly weighing up a bid for Australia's largest bookie in a deal that would cost the betting giant more than USD 2.5B

The company, which completed its £2.4bn merger only a few weeks ago, has appointed advisers to assess a bid for Tabcorp, the Mail on Sunday reported.

Ladbrokes is not believed to be preparing a statement for the stock market opening on Monday morning, suggesting that any potential bid is in its early stages and not a certainty.

Tabcorp, which runs a network of high-street bookies, electronic games in pubs and clubs, and a handful of pay TV channels, is believed to have been in Ladbrokes' sites for some years, reportedly turning down a bid in 2013, while its chief executive David Attenborough cut his teeth in the industry at Ladbrokes.

Its hand may have been forced by Tabcorp's proposed A$6.4bn (£3.8bn) acquisition of fellow bookie Tatts.

Ladbrokes is reportedly interested only in Tabcorp, and may have to crash the deal in order to scupper it

The merger between the two Australian companies, meant to ward off growing UK competition in the market, is also expected to face scrutiny from competition regulators, which blocked such a deal 10 years ago.

Tabcorp has a market capitalisation of A$3.9bn (£2.3bn). An acquisition at that price would would create a company worth around £5bn, making it one of the world's biggest betting groups and catapulting it into the FTSE 100.

Gaming companies have been forced to consolidate in recent years as regulation and tax measures squeeze their margins

Ladbrokes and Gala Coral completed their merger at the start of this month, and Paddy Power and Betfair also merged at the start of this year.

British groups are also looking down under for growth since the deregulation of gambling licences in 2012. Ladbrokes itself has already bought Australian bookmakers Betstar and Bookmaker.com.au, although a deal for Tabcorp would eclipse both.

The company, which offers sports betting as well as Keno, a lottery-style game and owns the Australian Sky Racing channels, had revenues of A$2.2bn last year and pre-tax profits of A$301m.

$3 Billion Southport Spit Casino Looks Set to Go Ahead

The Southport Spit Casino Interest has been reignited again after it was initially made public back in April of this year – with our Partners at Download Free Pokies sharing the latest from the Packer and Chinese owned consortium ASF

Artist Impression of the new $3 Billion Casino resort

Learn more about the initial plans here – or alternatively of course, keep reading to get more up to date information about the who what where why and when of this new multi billion dollar hotel & casino resort

Southport Spit Casino Gets Green Light

Chinese-owned consortium ASF and James Packer’s Crown Resorts plan to build three hotels, a casino, restaurants, retail shops and top end housing on crown land located in Southport Spit.

It is predicted the development would create 10,000 jobs and generate millions of dollars from tourism.

State Development Minister Anthony Lynham would oversee the work to protect and make-over the northern Spit.

Dr Lynham said in a statement beaches and green space along the Spit was a natural playground for families and visitors, but was “crying out for a make-over, fresh concepts and more public amenities”.

“In the new year, we will work-up a detailed plan for the approximately 140 hectares of coastal parkland – an area nearly eight times the size of Brisbane’s South Bank Parklands,” he said.

“I will consult with Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and seek his input on how we can best rejuvenate the Southport Spit and protect the popular landmark as public amenity space in perpetuity.”

The ASF Consortia has been in talks with James Packer’s Crown Resorts and that group is expected to operate the casino.

The Queensland government on Friday approved significant expansion to Mr Packer’s rival State Entertainment Group’s development at Broadbeach’s Jupiter’s Casino.

Then on Sunday, the ASF Consortia released their newest artist impressions.

The drawings show:

Three, five and six star hotels;
Restaurants, theatres, retail precincts;
A 1200-seat Broadwater amphitheatre;
Public access to the Broadwater pedestrian walkways, public boat moorings and beaches.

ASF director Louis Chien said the project would invest $3 billion into the Gold Coast, create an estimated 10,000 jobs and attract a projected 1.5 million additional tourists to the Gold Coast each year.

“This $3 billion project will deliver a world-class waterfront destination that provides an immediate and ongoing economic boost and significant jobs for the Gold Coast, with benefits flowing across Queensland,” Mr Chien said.

The bid is bound to again re-ignite community debate between conservationists and pro-development groups over future development on the state government-owned Southport Spit.

Southport Spit an EyeSore?

The ASF Consortia’s proposal to go ahead with their five-hectare site located immediately to the south of Sea World comes at the expense of the national park currently located on the crown owned land. However, this area is apparently “run down” and “dilapidated” and is in desperate need of a makeover and some money and time invested in it.

“North of the council car park, north of Sea World, this land will be protected in perpetuity,” Dr Lynham told reporters.

Dr Lynham had no further details to add, only saying that he hoped to speak to Gold Coast City Council this week to co-ordinate improvements to parkland and car parks, which he described as “rundown.”

The new casino proposal from ASF Consortia includes drawings of a new bridge to the Southport Spit, close to the existing Sunland Bridge as one proposal to improve traffic on the Spit.

To put it into perspective, this is how Southport Spit looks today:

And the artists impression using the same angle:

Council Approval on Cruise Control

Until last month it had not been discussed by the local council.

In completely separate proposals the council is investigating the viability and design of a nearby cruise ship terminal on the southern, coastal side of Southport Spit.

The council was keen to have a traffic circuit-breaker before approving that project.

Dr Lynham gave a general comment that existing privately owned companies could contribute to further development and conservation on the Spit.

“There are many opportunities for people who are on the Spit already – Versace, Sheraton Mirage, Sea World – who would like to contribute to seeing this place protected.”

Another proposal unrelated to this Southport Spit Casino is for a huge cruise ship complex that would rival some of the world’s best. Here is an artist’s impression of this huge cruise ship terminal, resort and hotel complex proposed for the Gold Coast

Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, Casino Evil

Hear No Evil & Speak No Evil – We All Know That.

But Did You Know: Casino Evil?

We’ve all heard about the three wise monkeys of ancient folklore, sometimes called the three mystic apes but just how much did you know about this trio of bipeds? Let’s Speak Hear and See if we can’t find out where it all came from and what if anything is the meaning behind it all…

The 3 Wise Monkey’s Don’t Gamble. #JustSaying

More About The 3 Wise Monkeys

The three wise monkeys (Japanese: ä¸‰çŒ¿ Hepburn: san’en or sanzaru?, alternatively ä¸‰åŒ¹ã®çŒ¿ sanbiki no saru, literally “three monkeys”), sometimes called the three mystic apes, are a pictorial maxim. Together they embody the proverbial principle “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”.

The three monkeys are:

Mizaru, covering his eyes, who sees no evil
Kikazaru, covering his ears, who hears no evil, and
Iwazaru, covering his mouth, who speaks no evil.

There are various meanings ascribed to the monkeys and the proverb including associations with being of good mind, speech and action. In the Western world the phrase is often used to refer to those who deal with impropriety by turning a blind eye.

Outside Japan the monkeys’ names are sometimes given as Mizaru, Mikazaru, and Mazaru, as the last two names were corrupted from the Japanese originals. The monkeys are Japanese macaques, a common species in Japan.

modern version of see, speak and hear no evil

The True Origins of the Expression

Despite Wiki and other sources citing the origins as being Japanese, I have it on good authority that this is far from the case, and the truth it seems is far more strange than anything anyone could make up.

Sometimes there is a fourth monkey depicted, Shizaru, who symbolizes the principle of “do no evil”. He may be shown crossing his arms or covering his genitals. In another variation, a fourth monkey is depicted with a sulking posture and the caption “have no fun”.[citation needed]

According to Osho Rajneesh, the monkey symbolism originated in ancient Hindu tradition and Buddhist monks spread this symbolism across Asia. The original Hindu and Buddhist version contains 4 monkeys and the fourth monkey covers his genitals.The Buddhist version means this as “Don’t do anything evil”.

Modern take on this 4th monkey is less about the doing and more about the giving – specifically looking at the number of fucks being allocated.

The example shown clearly displays the number of fucks given as 0

The 4th Wise Monkey Actually Has Some Profoundly Helpful Advice

In Hindu original version the meaning of the fourth monkey is totally different from the popular Buddhist version. It means, “Hide your pleasures. Hide your enjoyment, don’t show it to anybody.”

Basically what they are saying is that if you win a jackpot at the casino then don’t tell anyone or show them because they will want some of it and then the taxman will claim some and then the government and some kid you didn’t even know you had will show up demanding a cut and before you know it you are worse off than when you started?!?! Hide your winnings is what they were trying to tell us.

Hide your wheelbarrow too. Looks suss unless you have a couple of hoes in the back or something.

The following images better portray the true origins and hint at the meaning behind the ancient Japanese proverb.

Casino Evil indeed.

CASINO EVIL with Mogul’s with James Packer and Sheldon Adelson

But Be Sure to ALWAYS Laugh with Evil. Dr Evil that is

Check out our online casino reviews and recommendations for a list of the best non-evil casinos for Australian punters to enjoy

Is This Queensland’s Luckiest Pub?

If you understand how pokies work then you know that they are designed to pay out at a certain (predetermined) rate – usually around 90c to the dollar. What this means is that pokies will, over time, average their wins and losses so that for every say $1000,000 put into the machine, $900,000 has been paid out and the machine has made a $100k profit for the pub/club owners. Over time the payout rates of individual pokies will rise and fall – averaging out at the 90% Return rate after many many years. This of course means that during that time the machine could go through periods where it consistently paid out higher than average returns (as it attempts to bring the average back to 90% after consistently not paying out for example)

Well the owners of a pub in Queensland claim to have just such a machine – in fact they reckon it’s the luckiest pokie machine ever!

Luckiest Pokie Machine or Another Tall Aussie Tale?

Tall tales like those of the Bunyip — True story or just another ‘Bunyip’ sighting?

Beachmere Hotel have hailed it the luckiest pub in Queensland as the owners claim a string of wins ‘unprecedented of late’ surely puts their humble pub on top of the list

But is it the luckiest in the state?

Beachmere Hotel Keno & Pokie Wins

Beachmere Hotel director Robert Comiskey said it had earned the title of the luckiest pub in Queensland after a $2.09 million Keno jackpot win on November 18 €” the second worth more than $2 million in four years.

On the same day a different patron won almost $11,000 on poker machines, making it the eighth time someone had won more than $10,000 in the last two years.

There have also been a number of significant Keno jackpots over the past 12 months including a $155,616 nine-number jackpot.

According to the Queensland Government website there is up to a one in seven million chance of winning the top prize on a poker machine and one in 8,911,711 chance of getting the 10 number jackpot on Keno.

We are big advocates of gambling responsibly but with odds like this, if you were feeling lucky it would make a lot of sense to try out your luck, Mr Comiskey said.

Amazingly though, all these wins are not enough to secure the Moreton North region the title of luckiest region in Queensland when it comes to playing and winning on the pokies

And The Winner Is…

According to the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, that honour goes to the Logan-Beaudesert region.

While Gold Coast topped the volume of money returned in metered wins in October this year with $28,816,132.34, it did so with 5991 machines operating. That places the Glitter Strip at fourth on the wins per pokie machine by region with $4809.90.

Logan Beaudesert topped the best returns by machine list with $6036.58, followed by Brisbane South with $5707.15.

And Where did Moreton North End up?

A tidy third with $4972.36 wins per machine (which would be even better at the Beachmere drinking hole).

OK, Just Don’t End Up Here:

And as for the regions to avoid, it is best to not try your luck in the Darling Downs-Maranoa area. The 1347 poker machines there sit bottom on total money returned ($3,263,773.34) and returns per machine ($2422.99)

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5 Epic Fails from the Online Betting World

Everyone loves a well deserved win from time to time but even more enjoyable is seeing some of the magnificent stuff ups and epic fails from the world of gambling, sports betting and online bookmakers. And it’s not like these betting oversights are a rare occurrence as stories of profoundly moronic decisions/wagers and sports bets are as common as the hangover these afore mentioned idiots will inevitably be nursing come morning.

Unlucky Gambles and Outright Stupid Punts

keep your eye on the ball or risk a bad bet online

Our friends over at Australian Online Betting have already shared some hilarious stories of stupid punts and idiotic bets (Check them out here) but today we thought we’d continue were they left off and share another 5 gambles that are so idiotic as to leave you shaking your head and thinking “Dumb Punt”

We’ve Found 5 More Bad Bets…

High Steaks Poker

Howard Lederer is a well known face in the professional poker circuit, but not everybody may know about his eating habits. The somewhat heavy-set American looks like the type to love a good old greasy burger, but due to health concerns Lederer actually follows a vegan diet eating no meat whatsoever. Or so gambler David Grey thought.

Testing the limits of Lederer's willpower, Grey wagered a hefty $10,000 that Lederer would not eat a juicy cheeseburger. Lederer threw his veganism aside like a worthless bottom pair and launched into the burger, demolishing the beefy concoction and picking up a sweet $10k for his efforts. Never bet against a man and his food.

I Bet You Can’t…Bet That is

Imagine somebody telling you to simply go about your daily business for six week and in exchange you'll receive $100,000. Incredibly, this proved too much for John Hennigan, who simply couldn't resist the temptation of not gambling for any more than two days.

The high-roller is well known for his love of the Vegas strip and all it encompasses, but his friends took it to the next level when they put their money where their mouths are by offering Hennigan a whopping $100k so stop gambling for just six week. Hennigan accepted (obviously) but rather than at least get close to the 6-figure sum he succumb after just two short days, speeding away from the remote area of Des Moines, Iowa and heading straight for the heart of Vegas. Now here is a man with what could possibly be the worst gambling problem combined with the weakest will in history!

A Mammorable Wager and a Right Tit!

Brian Zembic was known as a man that would take on any bet for the right money. Some of his previous winning wagers included living in a bathroom for a month for $15,000, living in a box for a week for $20,000 and sleeping in Central Park for 1 night with $20,000 on his person. What limits could he be pushed to though?

During a game of high stakes backgammon, Zembic's friend offered him $100,000 if he would get breast implants and keep them in for a year. In 1996, Zembic found a cosmetic surgeon who agreed to perform the operation, and at a cost of $4,500 he got the implants done. As part of the wager, Jobo' who placed the bet with Zembic, agreed to pay him $10,000 for every year he kept the implants in. At the end of this year, Zembic's breasts will have earned him a whopping $280,000 which makes it one of the breast wagers between friends ever recorded. It’s also almost guaranteeing that Zembic’s friend will be left feeling like a right tit.

A Real Greek Tragedy

If you had come from a humble background and turned a meagre $50 into a $40 million fortune in just two years, what would you do with the money? For Archie Karas, the unfortunate answer was to simply hand it all back to the casino.

The fearless Greek escalated from gambling on marbles to cards and a fierce infatuation with dice. His unrelenting determination to win paid off, with his gung-ho style reaping dividends to the tune of $40 million. Sadly he didn't know when to count his blessings, playing ultra-high stakes and blowing over $30 million in no time at all. With what little remained he took to the baccarat table betting $300,000 a time to little success.

If onyl he had taken the time to learn where to find the best betting sites this might not have been so tragic

Yellow Card, Red Card, House?!

Manchester United and Arsenal have enjoyed an intriguing rivalry ever since the Premier League era began. From Pizzagate to United putting a halt to Arsenal's 49-game unbeaten streak, the encounters between the Reds and the Gunners is never short of a bit of drama. Apparently, that wasn't enough for a couple of fans, who decided to up the stakes – with one betting his own WIFE on the outcome of the match.

The Ugandan fanatics were exchanging boasts about their respective teams and the situation escalated to the unprecedented wager. Henry Dhabasani placed his wife and Toyota car against one of the Arsenal fan Rashid Yiga's three properties. Despite United's stuttering form, they managed to beat the Arsenal 1-0 leaving Dhabasani's wife with a new home rather than a new husband. An important story to recall next time your significant other bemoans any gambling losses.

The Cup Runneth Over…Waaay Over

Looking for more side splitting ….sporting information? Check out the funniest moments from this year’s Emiratz Melbourne Cup and get some insight into why Australia has a reputation for drinking excessively, throwing money on horses and generally acting like a peanut.

Some poor betting decisions can really hurt

Faith in Humanity Restored – The Best of 2016

Negative Nancy Need Not Apply

The world is so full of negativity – and social media only serves to exacerbate this fact. Let’s remind ourselves what a wonderful world we live in and restore our faith in humanity with this compilation of inspiring photos, heartfelt stories and moments captured in photo that encapsulate the human spirit

Restore Your Faith in Humanity With These 60+ Heart Warming moments captured on camera.

People Before Pokies

While we here at Online Pokies Australia actively promote the playing of online pokies and other gambling related casino games we still believe in humanity above and beyond anything else. So strong is our passion for people over pokies that we decided to put this compilation of wonderful moments together because if anyone is going to accept responsiblity for spreading positive juju its a bunch of Aussie punters who are promoting something that we all know ain’t exactly “charitable”

Enjoy this easing of our conscience compilation of wonderful moments and inspirational people reminding us that you don’t need extreme sports to see that people are awesome

When The Cup Runneth Over. Waaaaay Over.

Welcome to the most official ‘unofficial Melbourne Cup update’. Join us as we take a look at the best and worst moments from the 2016 Emiratz Melbourne Cup and discover how truly feral and bogan-esque we Aussies really are.

But before we dive head first into the cesspit that is the Melbourne Cup aftermath let’s take a look at the other fun side of the Cup – the biggest winners and luckiest gamblers who enjoyed the biggest financial rewards on that first Tuesday in November. Lucky Punts!

2016 Melbourne Cup – The Biggest Losers and Luckiest Punts

And Now Without Further Ado – let us all enjoy the awkward moments and ridiculous antics of punters enjoying the festivities of the 2016 Emiratz Melbourne Cup – a day where Aussies acting like a bunch of retarded pelicans is about the only sure bet.

When The Cup Runneth Over….

Funny, Awkward & Embarrassing Moments Caught on Camera

No matter how hard I tried, no words can add anything to any of these images – and I would go so far as to say that any and all words used would only serve to detract from the absurdity of it all

The Girl in The Blue Dress

She has a name but luckily for her no one in the media has managed to find out what it is. Forever known as the Blue Dress Girl who enjoyed the 2016 Melbourne Cup more than anyone else, I can only hope her parents live under a rock or something. I would also like to take this moment to point out that from an Australian’s perspective – That was as funny as it was terrible (Muriel) – Love your work Sheila!

The Problem is That Once You Pop…

Something tells me the pringles had nothing to do with her inability to stop

Who Want’s To Be a Millionaire?

While many of us dream of picking the first 4 or scoring a $5000 winning Trifecta bet resulting in instant millions, some punters are more than happy to just phone a friend…

Other friends apparently dream of being Jockeys. Either that or….. yeah let’s just stick to the jockey part 😉

We would like to extend a huge thanks for the Photos and the laughter provided originally by Deadspin.com – follow link below to see original source images

http://deadspin.com/the-melbourne-cup-is-decadent-and-depraved-1788450407

Creepy Old Men & The Melbourne Cup

Like Halloween is the one day a year when it’s socially acceptable to give lollies to kids, the Melbourne Cup is that one day of the year when all those loony old people who hang around in shopping malls, bus stops and the Coffee line at Macdonalds can come out into the open wearing their wackiest attire – and everyone loves them for it!

Here’s a couple of nutters now:

Aussies Top World Gambling Stats… Again

Whether you call them fruit machines, slot machines, slots, pokies, or ‘stupid bastard mother #&$*@!!’ they are all the same thing. How countries react to these insidious machines however is so varied and different it makes you wonder who is right and more importantly, why Australia is so bloody messed up?!

It is a fact that countries around the world have different approaches to regulating electronic gambling machines. They are the subject of fierce political and social debate in Australia – namely because they generate so much revenue for the government. The legal side of ‘regulating play’ however shows a huge disparity between nations and offers some insight into why we’re so bloody bad down under?!

As the chart from 2014 shows, these stats are nothing new. Sad but hey, at least w’ere consistent!….groan

Let’s examine the gambling laws and regulations put in place for each nation and see whether this does in fact reveal a trend and perhaps maybe even a fix? (What, a man can dream can he not?)

AUSTRALIA

In Australia, laws regulating the use of gaming machines differ in each state, but it is the only nation to have a universally-agreed definition of ‘problem gambling’ based on research and not psychological diagnostics.

Pokies garner by far the highest revenue of all betting activities (horse and dog racing, table games and others), according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ figures.

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie offered his support for the Labor government in return for a federal law that would cap the amount gamblers can spend using mandatory commitment technology. However, the government backed out of its promise to honour Wilkie’s demands.

There is at least one casino in each major city. In 1956, New South Wales was first to legalise gaming machines for all registered clubs and pubs.

There are nearly 200,000 machines in Australia, and 100,308 of these are in NSW. The national figure is five times that of the US and represents around 20 per cent of all gaming machines in the world.

Revenue from gaming machines in pubs and clubs accounted for more than half of the gambling revenue collected by state governments in 2002-3.

In NSW and Victoria the mandatory return rate for machines in pubs and clubs in 87 per cent, and that applies to those in Melbourne’s Crown Casino too.
In Queensland, the return rate is 85 per cent in pubs and clubs, while casino machines must have a rate of 90 per cent.
Machines that accept $100 notes were banned in December 2007, except for in Crown Casino, where VIP members may still use them.
Machines with an automatic play button (that continued betting without any action from the gambler) were also banned.
All gaming machines in Victoria have an information screen showing return to player percentage and the odds of winning.
Machines in pubs are limited to paying out a maximum of $10,000 for a win.
In Western Australia, gaming machines are banned everywhere except in Burswood casino.

NEW ZEALAND

Since 1991, pokies operated by charitable foundations have been placed in hotels and bars. Maximum jackpots are regulated, with turnover decreasing by 9 per cent between 2004-8 and a further 5 per cent by 2009.

Pokies still accounted for 46.1per cent of gambling losses in 2008. The number of pokies in NZ is decreasing.

All machines must have Player Information Displays telling the gambler how long they have been playing, how much they have lost, and encouraging them to take breaks.

A 2010 study linked the prevalence of slot machines with high crime levels

UNITED KINGDOM

The UK divides slot machines – known colloquially as ‘fruit machines’ – into eight categories with differing limits on the amount of money that can be gambled and the amount the machine can pay out.

Category A machines – which have no limit on either spending or payout – are currently illegal.
Category B machines are divided into five sub-categories.
For B1, the maximum bet is £2 and the maximum prize £4,000, while category B2 machines allow a £100 stake (in multiples of £10) but will only pay out £500.
Category B3 allows only a £1 bet for a £500 payout, while B4 has the same spend limit and half of the payout (£250).
Category C is limited also to a £1 stake for a possible win of just £70.
Category D allows bets of 10 pence to £1 and will only pay out £8 cash or £50 non-cash.

UNITED STATES

Slot machines are highly regulated by state governments in the US, with the exception of Nevada, which is a hub for gamblers visiting Las Vegas.

In New Jersey, gaming machines are only allowed in hotel casinos in Atlantic City.

In Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana and Missouri the machines are allowed only on licensed riverboats or permanently-anchored barges.

Mississippi removed a requirement that casinos operate only on barges after Hurricane Katrina, in order to recuperate its massive losses by stimulating tourism.

Delaware allows slot machines at horse tracks regulated by the state lottery commission.

Wisconsin bars and taverns are allowed to have up to five machines, and players can choose between taking a payout, or gambling it on a double-or-nothing “side game”.

Slot machines are banned on Native American reservations unless the tribe first reaches a pact with the state entitling the state to receive a fraction of the gross revenue from the machines.

RUSSIA

A rapid increase in gaming machines caused severe social problems in Russia in the first decade of the 21st century, with psychiatric reports estimating that 1.5 million people in Moscow gambled regularly.

The state was not collecting taxes from gambling activity, creating economic pressure as well.

In 2007, gambling of any kind was banned in all but four regions of Russia from 2007, with an amnesty period for existing establishments ending in 2009.

In the four regions – Altay, Kaliningrad, Rostov and Primorie slot machines are tightly controlled.

Owners of gambling premises with slot machines are obliged to secure the safety of gamblers and the machines must pay out not less than 90 per cent of all takings.

There are restrictions on the net assets gambling operators may own.

JAPAN

Gambling is a criminal offence in Japan, but a game called ‘pachinko’ – like a form of pinball – provides a loophole and works the same way as poker machines.

Gamblers put money into the pinball machines, and if the player’s ball falls into a certain hole the slot machine is activated and a jackpot may be made.

Since gambling is illegal, there can be no payout in the pachinko parlour, but players are rewarded with balls that can be converted into prizes of at a booth in the parlour.

The most popular prizes are slits of gold encased in plastic, which can be ‘sold’ at a neighbouring shop – usually also owned by the parlour – for cash.

MACAU

Gambling tourism makes up about 50 per cent of the economy, with visitors mainly Chinese nationals from the mainland and Hong Kong.

All kinds of gambling are legal in Macau’s 33 casinos, including slot machines.

They operate under a common set of rule relating to tax and criminal law, but there is no set minimum percentage of return, no licensing system for vendors, no fines for breaching gaming laws and no legal framework to address problem gambling. However, vendors are charged a tax premium for slot machines in their establishments.

Legislation to be enacted in March 2012 plans to remove slot machine parlours from residential areas.

Macau overtook the Las Vegas Strip in gaming revenues in 2007 after gambling licenses were opened up to foreign operators – notably from Las Vegas and Australia.

FRANCE

Slot machines were banned in France until 1988, but are now legal. A state-owned body called FranÃ§aise des Jeux is responsible for regulating betting games and lotteries. France has 160 licensed casinos.

NORWAY

Norway banned all slot machines in 2007 and had them removed immediately from gaming premises.

A study conducted on their effect showed that 80 per cent of users were problem gamblers, and there was a considerable over-representation of men among them. The study also found that slot machines were the predominant type of gambling in the year prior to the ban.

IRELAND

Slot machines have been banned in many local authority areas including Dublin City, which outlawed them in 1987.

However, dozens of private members’ clubs offering similar games operate around the country.

In 2011, the Minister for Justice was considering a proposal to legalise more gambling activities in order to stimulate the country’s faltering economy.

Simple Casino Cheats and Gambling Scams That Work!

Simple Gambling Scams & Casino Cheats Still the most popular and costly for Casino operators. What used to take an Ocean now takes a drop(kick) or two. Seems the Strip is still awash with scammers and cheats. Water we gonna do about this torrent of dishonesty? (insert more puns – I’m gonna H2gO now)

What Used to Take An Ocean Now Takes a Few Drop(kick)s

Casino’s Would Rather a Visit from Daniel Ocean & Co.

Inside jobs, chip-grabs, counterfeit cash and cheats at table games like craps are the largest ongoing headaches for casinos and casino regulators.

So while Daniel Ocean and his crew are pulling off the most audacious of heists, it's the most basic scams that can be hardest to catch and are the biggest problems for Casino operators across Nevada and the rest of the world.

The Official Word on Casino Cheats

The Nevada Gaming Control Board had 574 arbitration cases in 2015, disputing $51.8 million and made 602 criminal arrests.

Click image link to see original article from Las Vegas Review Journal

James Taylor, deputy chief of the Gaming Control Board enforcement division, told a crowd of about 200 casino operators on Monday during the first day of Global Gaming Expo, that theft occurs at nearly every level of casino operations.

James Taylor, Deputy Cheif of special investigations for the Nevada State Gaming Control Board presenting ongoing fraud schemes and current trens on Monday night

No matter what their titles are, everybody needs to be watched, he said. The sad part is that even management is a large part of our arrests every year.

Between 250 to 500 casino employees are arrested by the GCB each year, he said, making up about 25 percent of all GCB arrests annually. Of that 25 percent, 27 percent are table game operators, 18 percent work in the cage, 3 percent are security personnel, and 23 percent are in management.

Those looking to scam casinos from the outside have come up with elaborate schemes, including using an ink-type substance to mark playing cards. The ink looks invisible to the naked eye, but cheaters use special glasses with red filter film or special contact lenses to see their marks.

Though, of course, it takes time and effort to catch such scams, it's the basic stuff that is the hardest to catch, Taylor said, like the grab-and-run chip theft.

Tasia Musa, whose name was added last year to the Black Book, the list of people barred from entering any of Nevada's casino, has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars worth in chips. A GCB agent counted $220,000 as of 2013. Surveillance video from different casinos shows him slyly approaching table games and stealing chips from players and dealers and then quickly exiting the casino.

It's easy to see but they're (immediately) out the door. So, then we're backing up the video, getting their pictures, then we have to catch them when they do it again, and there are so many opportunities for them on the Strip, Taylor said. The hardest thing is to watch them get arrested with all these counts and then the next day they're back out.

The Black Book isn't a deterrent, but it helps the GCB to spread the word about who to look out for.

This guy is a thief but he's doing more damage to our reputation than any of these other guys, he said.

Cheaters who aren't so nimble with blatantly stealing chips will look to the craps table to pull of their casino cheats and scams – see why and how to cheat at Craps (or at least how to play it and not be shit at…. craps?!) and you’ll see why it’s such a popular method of scamming or at least attempting to scam the casinos.

Common Scams and Easy Casino Cheats

The following scams and cheats are still some of the most common and certainly the most costly for casino operators across the country. These scams and cheats are less scam and more ‘blatant theft; but regardless are still the biggest headache for gaming authorities.

Note that although these scams are the more common ones, they are certainly not limited to what is listed below, with thieves and dishonest people trying just about anything to pull a fast one and reward themselves financially without necessarily following the rules.

Craps is a very difficult game to police, Taylor said. Money is going all over the place and if you don't have a good boxman or supervisor, people can get away with this stuff (cheating).

Sal Piacente, president of UniverSal Game Protection Development, described to a crowd of about 150 at G2E the ways that players and table operators cheat at craps.

Click our craps cheat sheet to learn more about the game and how to increase your odds – legitimately we mean

“Because in craps you call your bet to the dealer, and because there are hardly any more boxmen on the games, that's why it's very easy to pull certain scams off, he said.

For example, dice-switching is still commonly used and still difficult to catch. A cheater will switch the dice being played on the table with dice that don't have any losing numbers, but they're typically only used for two rolls during a game.

Table operators, like the stickman, for example can use subtly slip chips into their vests, ties and other accessories on their uniforms. The first tip-off there, Sal said, is if you see a table operator keeping an eye out for a supervisor.

Why does a dealer look at a supervisor? To see if they're looking at them, Piacente said.

Crazy Casino Scams and Less Common Cheats

Check out the following articles for some of the craziest casino scams and biggest casino heists in history! – There’s some downright mental stuff here – people are nuts anyway and this list just proves money only makes us worse

Or Learn How to Increase your Odds and How to Win at Pokies – well increase your chances at least

Australia's Growing Gambling Crisis – It's the Crown or the Country

It seems that although the fight against problem gambling has a lot of support – the opponents we face have more experience and worst of all, they really know how to Packer punch.

Will saying no to the Crown reduce problem gambling in Australia?
Is it time to become a gambling republic once and for all?

It’s certainly got me stumped. Royally in fact.

The following press release was distributed to the top News agencies in Australia earlier today and we felt it necessary to share this with our readers as well – look out for this story in your local paper tomorrow!

Australia's Growing Gambling Crisis – It's the Crown or the Country

Will a Gambling Republic Reduce Harm and Minimise Pokie Addiction?

_______________________________

JAMES PACKER’S GROWING CASINO PORTFOLIO IS IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH AUSTRALIA’S EFFORTS TO COMBAT PROBLEM GAMBLING AND MINIMISE THE IMPACT THIS IS HAVING ON SOCIETY AS A WHOLE. PACKER’S CASINO RESORT GROUP UNDERMINES OUR BEST EFFORTS TO FIGHT THIS PROBLEM AND LEAVES US ASKING THE QUESTION – WOULD AUSTRALIA BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT THE CROWN?

___________________________

Australia, (September 27, 2016) – A $3 BILLION casino plan for the Southport Spit is expected to go before State Cabinet within weeks as a new poll reveals widespread support for the proposal.

This seems to be in direct conflict with an ever-growing crisis of gambling addiction and excessive pokie spend that targets the most disadvantaged suburbs and bears a social cost of over $4 billion a year. (Learn more here)

OnlinePokies.com.au last week exclusively revealed plans by Chinese-owned ASF for a casino, operated by James Packer's Crown group, between Sea World and Palazzo Versace. As well as an up-market casino targeting Asian high-rollers, the game-changing project would boast three towers, seven high-end restaurants and a Florida Keys-style bridge linking The Spit to Southport to ease traffic congestion. Sea World would also double in size, add a water park and become the biggest theme park in the country. Work could start as early as next year.

(See this article HERE where we cover the plans for this new casino in more detail)

Packer Lacks Local Support – Not That He Gives a Toss

Wait!? Did they think I might actually care? DYING!

While a poll apparently compiled for The Sunday Mail has shown strong backing for the plan from Gold Coasters the ReachTEL poll of over 1000 coast residents reveals that less than half supported the casino development with over 37% strongly against the idea*

*The ReachTEL poll of 1098 Coast residents on Thursday night found 45.3 per cent supported the development, with 37.8 per cent opposed and 16.9 per cent undecided. – This doesn’t even take into account the environmental impact – of which assessments need to be completed.

Residents like Luke Sorenson and son Kyle are against the proposal and are well aware of the negative impact it will have on both the environment and the community

OnlinePokies.com.au have spoken exclusively to The State Government and local members who are progressing the proposal and informed us it will be considered by Cabinet soon.

While we cannot confirm or deny how Mr Packer feels about the lack of local support it would be fair to assume that he couldn’t give two shits and is busy filing his care factor towards the whole thing somewhere between ‘None’ and ‘Buckleys’*

*This is based on past experiences and the fact James Packer has more political influence and overall power than most. Oh and there’s the golden rule.

THE GOLDEN RULE – He who has the GOLD makes the RULES

The Southport Spit Casino Proposal Looks …Unsightly

The Ever Growing Crown of Thorns

A Press Release from a few months back highlights the concern we have towards Packer’s growing portfolio – because it seems that the moment one Casino gets the green light he goes and starts proposing more!?!

Australia, (August 31, 2016) – James packer is all set to start his new construction project, a spectacular Crown Casino Resort that will take $2 billion to develop. This new project which will alter the Sydney skyline greatly has just got final go-ahead from NSW Planning Commission. The new James Packer owned casino is part of the growing Crown group (which will soon expand its portfolio with a proposed $3 Billion Casino at Southport Spit) and when completed, Barangaroo Crown Casino will become the most luxurious casino and resort in the Southern Hemisphere.

If packer truly gets to achieve what he plans to do with this new casino, Barangaroo Crown Casino is going to be a one of a kind landmark in the area. The hotel is supposed to be a 6 star hotel according to James Packer. However, the international rating system and the formal accommodation rating system in Australia or the Triple A system can only go up to 5 stars. However there are lots of new exciting features that this hotel can boast of that may make it a tad more than just a 5 star hotel. For starters, it is going to have a facade that will look like three petals twisted and winded together which will be veiled by using white glass. It is also going to become the tallest building in Sydney with a height of 270 meters or more. The project is going to be designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects that has previously worked on notable landmarks like London 2012 Basketball Arena and Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.