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"Temperature Gauge" is a brand new tool that is likely to play an increasing influence on punters' games choices. It's Heating Up This innovative feature will help punters to identify the hottest slots games around. Most bettors chase the jackpots by attempting to time their play around a likely jackpot hit. With slots, machines make regular payouts after building up their prize money. "Temperature Gauge" helps punters by providing a list of slots, alongside their standing jackpot and a temperature reading which increases the more likely the game is to pay out. This is calculated by the time period since the last hit - the longer the period since the last jackpot, the 'hotter' the slots game is deemed to be. Punters can therefore identify all the slots machines that are 'due' a win and can plan their play accordingly. Check it Out! This innovative tool from All Jackpots Casino will surely be an enticement to many punters, who will spy the hottest games around and want a whiff of the prize money. Check out Temperature Gauge at your peril - the temptation to play just got better!
The WA government has just passed a new law to help the WA racing industry recover lost revenue. The WA TAB currently pays fees, totalling $18 million a year, to other State racing industries when betting on their racing products. This new legislations now allows the WA racing industry to charge its own fees to interstate and international operators when they wager on WA races. The levy will be based either on 1.5% of the turnover or 20% of gross revenue, whichever is greater, or alternatively, 0.2% of turnover. This detail is yet to be worked out. As a result, WA will be able to recover $15 million of lost revenue. The levy will be applied retrospectively from 1 September 2008 meaning that all operators must pay the levy dating back more than 12 months ago. Regulations to establish the process are still currently being drafted, however, it is expected that the industry will start to benefit from the new fees early next year. Meanwhile, Betfair and Sportsbet continue their legal battles against the NSW government. The companies are alleging that the race fields levy in NSW (which collects 1.5% of any wager) only benefits the TABs operated by Tabcorp and Tatts Group.
Australian news publishing giant News Ltd is expected to announce a new strategy this week in which it will launch pay-to-play trivia games on one of its websites to generate more income. Users will be charged around A$1.50 to play the flash games, which will be featured on the website of the company's Sydney newspaper, the Daily Telegraph. English company Amuso is providing News Ltd with the platform, which will allow users to play games for free or to pay to participate in games against other users for prize money. Participants will be able to communicate with each other through chat facilities. Topics for the games are expected to include general knowledge, celebrities and entertainment. The move comes as major news companies find it increasingly difficult to continue offering customers free access to their websites. News Ltd chief Rupert Murdoch has played a prominent role in the debate over how to solve the ongoing problems - he recently announced that another member of the News Corp stable - Britain's Times Online - is planning to charge users for 24 hour access news content. The latest announcement about online gaming will come as welcome news for those readers of the Daily Telegraph who will be hoping the news site finds other ways of generating income and refrains from charging its customers for using the site.
December has been a big month at Jackpot City online casino, with the launch of three brand new Microgaming slots - Scrooge, Buffet Bonanza and Tribal Treasure. The month was already going strong for Jackpot City - home to more than 400 games in all categories - after it began a promotion in which it is giving customers $25 into their gaming accounts, deposit free. The three new games simply add to the wide variety of slots already available on Jackpot City. Scrooge is based on Charles Dickens' classic story, A Christmas Carol, also recently adapted into a film starring Jim Carrey. The slot features images from the story, including main character Ebenezer Scrooge, as well as Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. It also includes free spin feature with the chance to claim up to 120,000 coins. Another feature is the Xmas Dinner Bonus, which gives players the chance to win up to 10,000 coins by choosing a meal for each of the aforementioned characters. The bonus is activated when three or more brass Scrooge door knockers pop up on the screen. Buffet Bonanza is a slot machine with a food theme, while Tribal Treasure is based on a jungle theme.
Harry Kakavas has gambled $1.5 billion over 14 months at Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia in 2005-2006. Playing baccarat, Kakavas would bet up to $300,000 a hand. Suing the casino for losses and damages for the sum of $35 million "only", the court has freed the casino of duty to the high roller. Instead he owes the casino $1 million, and probably court expenses too. Justice David Harper ruled that while the gambler could have used Crown Casino's self-exclusion program, he had continuously bargained for better deals, which he got in the form of private jets to fly in to Melbourne and other high-roller benefits. The justice said: "I am satisfied that, had Mr Kakavas wished to escape the enticements of the casino, he could have done so with ease. He could have arranged for self-exclusion." Free Choice or Politics In this case, the court has ruled to protect a person's free choice. In this context, a casino has no general duty to protect gamblers from themselves. Leader of Family First, Australian Senator Steve Fielding, has called following the ruling for the Prime minister to step in and get involved. The Federal Government, Fielding said, should "step in and change the laws regarding gambling inducements." Seemingly at odds with the free choice principle that the court has stated, Senator Fielding added that the Federal Government needs to protect the states as well. "The states are never going to do anything in this area because they are addicted to the revenue they make from gambling," said Fielding.
It's been an exciting year for Australian gamblers, with more casinos reaching out to local punters, a celebrity proving his poker credentials and even whispers of regulation in the offing. Tax Free Tasmania: Tasmania dramatically announced that it will have zero tax for bookmaking operations, instead opting for a single, low cost license fee, making it a prime base for casinos. Big Ozzie Winners: Stewart Scott from Queensland made the headlines in October by winning $2 million AUD at the Aussie Millions Main Event. He also became PartyPoker's new ambassador. Another popular victor this year was Amanda De Cesare, whose life seemed to be turning into a fairy tale in November and December. Not only did she triumph at the first series of The Poker Star, scooping a whopping $100,000 prize but just days later the talented TV poker star walked off with the Joe Hachem Deep Stack Series 3 Main Event prize of $77,500, making her Australia's hottest poker property. The 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Tournament of Champions also ended with an Aussie triumph, as Van Marcus earned $10,000 for his chosen charity, the Child Fund. Proving Australian prowess around the poker table, another country-mate, Aaron Benton, reigned supreme as the Sydney APPT Grand Final champion. The former Big Brother contestant ensured that the APPT Grand Final trophy will stay on home soil, after remaining here for the past two years, following the victories of Grant Levy (2007) and Martin Rowe (2008). Casinos: More and more online casinos are reaching out to Aussie punters by offering payment options in Australian Dollars. Those welcoming Australian gamblers with open arms include JackpotCity Casino and Gaming Club Casino. If Bingo's your game, sites such as BingoAustralia offer Australian Dollar payments. Other Ozzie favorites such as Party Bingo and William Hill Bingo use a vast variety of international payment options which can't fail to meet your needs. In addition to own currency options, the new POLi system is another easy way for Ozzies to fund their flutters. The Melbourne-developed product facilitates swift, safe payments from online accounts. The payment software is available at Euro Grand Casino and many others. One to look out for - JackpotCity Casino are due to launch Microgaming's exciting new video slots in January. The 5 reel, 20 payline thriller is called 'Hellboy' and based around the Dark Horse Comics classic. It features much-loved characters such as Prof. Trevor Bruttenholm, Johann Krause, Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman and others. The red demon's game includes some great surprises, such as the randomly triggered Supermode feature with Held Wilds, as well as a 2x and 4x Gamble Feature. Finally, check out Casino King's new iPhone and android casinos, only just launched. Big Money Competitions: October saw the commencement of the first ever poker TV series, "Australian Poker Hero". The series sees poker players and celebrity guests competing against each other for a $15,000 package to the 2010 Aussie Millions, as well as a great cash prize. Celebrity: He may be better known for his exploits on the cricket field, but Shane Warne is starting to make a name for himself around the poker table too. This year saw Warne taking part in the World Series of Poker, where he raised a few eyebrows with his skillful play. Those who like to keep up with the celebrity and gambling gossip might like to try out Australia's new poker magazine. PokerNews Australia was launched in April and focuses on the local market. The first edition of the bi-monthly magazine featured, who else, but Shane Warne on the cover. Looking Ahead to 2010: Research undertaken this year indicated that Aussies are getting their fair share of online gambling action, despite its illegality. A Government funded Productivity Commission Report has given initial feedback that it may be time for regulation to commence. The report, due to complete in February 2010, is expected to influence the government's future stance on online gambling. Could legalization be on the cards? The Australian gambling scene continues to be vibrant, with poker still proving to be a national favorite. All the signs are that 2010 will continue the momentum and may even be a landmark year for the industry.
With 2010 only just dawning, you'd have thought that sports events over the next month or two would be capturing the imagination of many. However, on both sides of the globe it appears that the November 2010 Ashes are already taking up column space - but why? Revenge is Due! In Australia, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd mentioned the Ashes in his New Year's Eve message to the nation. Whilst focusing on the major political issues of the day, such as climate change and the economy, he couldn't resist a mention of the Ashes. Following Australia's 2009 loss of the Ashes to the English team, Rudd stated that, "our opportunity for revenge against the old enemy starts at the end of next year, and with a vengeance." Ozzies Take Stock Mr Rudd is not alone in his musings, Ozzie sports pundits are also contemplating this year's Ashes, which are taking place on Australian soil this year. Local concerns include the loss of big players such as Warne, McGrath, Gayden and Langer although confidence still rides high. Ozzie captain, Ricky Ponting, is quoted as saying that every training and playing session this year is being carried out with the underlying aim of winning back the Ashes. UK Pride and Aspiration On the other side of the globe, the UK press is looking forward to England arriving at the 2010 tournament as holders. There is an air of confidence in the press, especially as the English Team has just scored a victory at the Second Test in South Africa. Seeing as it is the start of a new decade, sporting pundits have looked back on the noughties and highlighted England's 2005 Ashes win one of the pinnacle moments of English sporting achievement over the past decade. The 2005 Ashes are remembered for their thrill-a-minute, hard fought nature and because they represented not just the gaining of the Ashes but the closure of a losing cycle and the resurgence of hope. So here we are at the start of 2010. A new decade. New teams. An old battle. But the Ashes continues to hold unrivalled importance to players, punters and fans alike. Roll on 25 November!
Aussies love a quick-pick at the Lotto. And the old mantra certainly holds true: the only way to improve your chances of winning is by buying more tickets. Buy by suburb and improve your chances Recently released data suggests that the luckiest Lotto suburbs include Sydney's west side. The 2009 breakdown was as follows: Greystanes is considered 'Lotto Lucky' and heads the list with almost $10 million won by players who purchased tickets there in 2009. The Greystanes agency recently sold a winning 1st division ticket which realized a return of $8.5 million. Campbelltown paid out over $5 million in winnings in 2009, qualifying it as the 3rd luckiest suburb in NSW, but it really sold the highest number of 1st division tickets. Castle Hill, Fairfield, Northbridge, Sydney City and Birron are other notable lucky suburbs that have received tremendous public support. The stats don't lie Liverpool with postcode 2170 has been the luckiest suburb in NSW with over 18 Lotto millionaires being crowned since 1985. Areas such as Randwick, Wentworthville and Blacktown weighed in with 9 millionaires while Cabramatta celebrated its $23.99 million Lotto mega-winner in 2008. Ironically, the fact that so much publicity was created around the Lotto hype meant that more people were buying tickets in these listed suburbs - and others - causing a far denser concentration of potential Lotto winners. Do what feels right During 2009, a record was set for Australian Lotto when a South Australian and a Queenslander both shared a $106.5 million payout. It makes precious little difference to the rules of chance where a ticket was purchased; all that can be predicted is that more winners will emerge from areas selling more tickets. And then again there is that irrefutable fact: you simply can't win if you don't have a ticket!
The Aussie Millions is just one day away, and this year's poker tournament is shaping up to be the biggest ever. Being held as usual at Melbourne's Crown Casino, there will be over 20 official events at this year's tournament, culminating in the A$10,500 no limit hold'em Main Event. Organizers expect that over 800 individuals will participate in the Main Event. In addition, there are expected to be a total of more than 2,000 individual participants in all the events, including at least 400 foreign players. The sixth-largest poker tournament in the world, the Aussie Millions was first held in 1998 with 133 entrants and a $1.33 million prize pool, but has grown ever since. Last year it hosted 681 entrants and a massive A$6.81 million prize pool. This year's event begins on Thursday and ends on Sunday January 31. Seats are still available.
It's official - Australia is one of the world's 10 biggest nations for gambling, with one poker machine for every 110 people living in the country, according to a report in The Age newspaper. The figures, produced by makers of gaming machines, also show that Australia has the ninth-highest number of gaming machines overall - 186,344 - a figure smaller than that in Britain but far higher if measured on a per capita basis. The tiny European principality of Monaco topped the list, with one poker machine for every 16 people, while Japan and the Netherlands also featured on the list. Britain and New Zealand were found to have one machine for approximately every 300 people. The report comes at a time when the very future of poker machines is under intense scrutiny. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made clear his opposition to pokies, but the states and territories will not give in easily on any bid to reduce their numbers. A final report on the state of gambling in Australia is set to be handed to the federal government in February by the Productivity Commission, with federal and state ministers due to meet two months later to discuss the matter.
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