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Card Player Media Announces its Summer Poker Coverage

January 31, 2014

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) June 1, 2007

Starting June 1, 2007, Card Player Media will begin its innovative online and print coverage of the 2007 World Series of Poker and the 2007 Bellagio Cup III. Consecutive coverage from all 55 events at the World Series of Poker and 28 events from the Bellagio Cup III will include reports and analysis, chip counts, streaming video, interviews, results and more.

In addition, Card Player Media is launching two new online reporting features, ProBlogs and the Hand Replayer. ProBlogs are regular daily updates from the largest poker tournaments, written by poker’s most popular players, and will give viewers insight into the minds of poker professionals. The Card Player Hand Replayer is a web-based application that animates details of poker hands and provides professional analysis. Users will also be able to input their own hands and share results with friends.

"This summer is going to be fantastic for poker tournaments in Vegas," stated Barry Shulman, Card Player Media CEO. "Card Player reporters will be out in full force to ensure that our readers get complete coverage."

Event-by-event coverage of the World Series of Poker and the Bellagio Cup III will be available beginning June 1 on CardPlayer.com.

About Card Player Media

Card Player Media is a leading media resource for poker enthusiasts at every level of interest and ability. With more than 19 years of service to the poker industry, Card Player Media is the publisher of Card Player and Card Player Europe.

Card Player Media also owns and operates a leading poker information portal on the Internet, CardPlayer.com.

For media inquiries, contact lara.miller @ cardplayer.com.

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Online Casinos News · Filed Under Poker News 

Craig McDaniel, President of Sweepstakes Today, Wins Poker Trophy and Cash at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa Oklahoma

January 31, 2014

(PRWEB) November 10, 2011

Craig McDaniel, founder and president of Sweepstakes Today LLC, (sweepstakestoday) won the Oklahoma State Fall Limited Omaha Poker Tournament after more than eight hours of play on Halloween night, it was announced today. The tournament was held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa. (hardrockcasinotulsa) This is McDaniel’s first state poker championship.

“Wow, what a great feeling” McDaniel in an interview following the event. “Nearly a year ago to the day I won a big weekly tournament at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas but this was a bigger win for me in several ways. Omaha is a variation of Texas No-Limit Poker but the player gets four cards dealt instead of two. This makes the game more complicated and only the best players will enter,” he explained. “The tournament also had ‘rebuys’ meaning that a player could buy additional chips making the tournament that much tougher to win.”

“I went to the final table with a near the chip lead. In the first couple of hands later, another player went all-in and I called his bet and won,” the Oklahoma resident continued. “From there, I stayed hot and won the whole thing.”

Besides the trophy, McDaniel, also known as Mr. Sweepy to members of SweepstakesToday.com, won an undisclosed cash prize.

Asked which is more valuable, the trophy or the cash, McDaniel responded, “No question, the trophy. I play for the win first and the cash comes second.” When asked if he considers himself professional poker player, he answered, “No, I enjoy being the President of Sweepstakestoday.com – the best job in America. Poker is just recreational hobby to me. I do, however, plan on defending my title next year.”

The veteran poker player said of the venue, “The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino here in Tulsa is a very nice place to play poker and they are always professional in the way they treat their guests.”

Sweepstakes Today LLC went live online in March of 2004. The leading popular online sweepstakes (Online Sweepstakes Link) site is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the custom Microsoft ASP/ASPX programming development is done in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Online Casinos News · Filed Under Poker News 

JackpotCity.com Online Casino Launches a New Look

January 31, 2014

Gibraltar (PRWEB) April 2, 2009

JackpotCity.com Online Casino has launched a new look on its website and in the freely provided casino software from software giant Microgaming. The new look casino still offers the same great quality of games (over 400 and counting) and one of the safest most secure online environments available.

With the launch of the all new casino look, JackpotCity.com Online Casino is offering all prospective players the chance to play in the casino with €500 Free. This equates to 30 minutes of freeplay within the casino software. All winnings from this 30 minute freeplay can be kept by the player providing the terms and conditions of the promotion are met. For more on the terms and conditions of this €500 Free promotion please go to the casino promotions pages at: jackpotcity

JackpotCity.com Online Casino still offers players the chance to enjoy over 400 of the world’s top rated online casino games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and slots, to name but a few, in one of the safest online casino environments. JackpotCity.com Online Casino is an eCOGRA certified casino and is licensed by the Government of Gibraltar.

Please note: JackpotCity.com Online Casino unfortunately cannot accept US based players.

About Carmen Media:

The Carmen Media Group is a global gaming and entertainment group which was incorporated in Gibraltar and formed in 2002 out of the Demmy Group of companies. Its wholly owned subsidiary Tower Rock Ltd is licensed from Gibraltar to operate casinos and multiplayer poker in the online domain.

Carmen Media owns many of the world’s oldest and most respected online gaming sites including The Gaming Club Online Casino (founded 1995), Jackpot City Online Casino, River Belle Online Casino (founded 1997) and Lucky Nugget Online Casino, as well as Cool Hand Poker.

Carmen Media products and online gaming brands are promoted through the industry leading gaming affiliate program ReferBack, thereby affording its partners opportunities to market English, French, Italian, German and Spanish products.

The Carmen Media Group is incorporated and based in Gibraltar. Its products are operated by its wholly owned subsidiary Tower Rock Ltd under a license issued by the Government of Gibraltar, and all of its flagship casino brands have been awarded the eCOGRA seal of approval.

For more information on Carmen Media, please visit carmenmedia

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Online Casinos News · Filed Under Craps News 

#Highlight* Genting seeks approval for slot-machine-only Miami casino

January 31, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: Genting Malaysia Bhd is seeking regulatory approval to open a 2,000-slot-machine-only casino at the property housing Resorts World Miami, by riding on a permit held by Gulfstream racetrack.

If the four-way partnership is approved by the state gambling regulators, Resorts World Miami will offer 2,000 slot machines and off-track betting. Part of the proceeds will go to “a non-profit company to benefit the other partners: Florida horse breeders, owners and trainers”, according to a report by The Miami Herald dated Jan 7. Genting and Gulfstream would keep some of the revenue as administrative fees.

The proposed plan, announced on Monday, is similar to the arrangement for Resorts World New York City, which also offers slot machines, but not the more lucrative live table games, by riding on the permit held by Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens.

In the case of Miami, there is still a roadblock for Genting, which reportedly needs to get legislators to clarify the law on Gulfstream’s permit, get pari-mutuel regulators to change the ruling or take the matter to court.

While Gulfstream argued that a permit it obtained last year for a non-profit subsidiary allows it to operate in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties because it straddles the county line, state regulators have rejected that interpretation.

Genting’s latest Miami proposal, which is less lucrative than the proposed US$3.1 billion (RM10.1 billion) glitzy resort casino spanning 13.9 acres that includes the US$236 million Biscayne Bay-fronting building, which used to house the Miami Herald headquarters it bought in 2011, also came ahead of a review of Florida state’s gambling laws in the upcoming legislative session this year.

Legislators have twice rejected the so-called “destination resorts” proposal that would allow the creation of at least two sizeable casino resorts, putting pressure on pro-gaming lobbyists to push their case through this year, observers have said.

In the meantime, Genting is serving the Miami market with Resorts World Bimini Bahamas, which is reportedly about 50 miles off the South Florida coast or about 2½ hours away by the Bimini Superfast ferry launched in July 2013.

But even that venture is facing rough waters. According to Nassau-based newspaper The Tribune, Genting is expected to lose US$11 million on its Bimini SuperFast venture in 2014 over a dispute where environmentalists have taken the company to court to block a proposed pier project in Bimini.

In the US, Genting is also in court to defend its ability to hire foreign workers for its Bimini venture. Genting was forced to scale back its sailing schedule from Nov 28 last year due to a ban on its overnight gambling cruises over visa issues, according to reports in the Miami Herald. Genting is asking the courts to overturn the Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ruling to allow it to continue hiring foreign workers and offer the Bimini SuperFast overnight cruises.

While Genting is still lobbying for Florida to allow full-scale resort casinos, company officials have said it will continue to build a resort with entertainment, convention and shopping facilities as well as residential suites even without a casino licence.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on January 09, 2014.

Online Casinos News · Filed Under Slot Machine News 

RP Funding Named Gold Sponsor for Special Olympics’ Island Hop

January 31, 2014

Orlando, Fla. (PRWEB) October 19, 2011

RP Funding, Orlando’s “No Fee” Direct Mortgage Lender, has been named Gold Sponsor for Island Hop, an event benefiting Special Olympics Florida.

The Island Hop is an island getaway right here at home. The evening features delicious regional cuisine, cocktails, live entertainment, casino gaming and island attire. The main attraction is the chance to get unbelievable deals on amazing vacation packages to destinations around the globe, all while helping a great cause.

As a Gold Sponsor, there will be an RP Funding-themed raffle called “Cut of the Deck.” Attendants will be able to purchase a playing card for $50. At the end of the evening, Special Olympics will cut the deck and whoever has the picked card will win a trip to Las Vegas with accommodations to the MGM Grand.

The Island Hop will be held on Saturday, October 22 from 6 -10 p.m. at the Gaylord Palms Orlando. Tickets are $75 per person and all proceeds benefits the athletes of Special Olympics Florida.

"We are proud to support the efforts of Special Olympics and we hope many people will come out to the event this weekend or join in the fun online for a wonderful getaway,” said RP Funding President, Robert Palmer. “We will soon have exciting news about our growing relationship with this great organization that helps so many families in Central Florida and across the state.”

To place a bid, preview the vacation packages, or for more information, visit theislandhop

About RP Funding: RP Funding is a licensed Florida Mortgage Lender with offices in Maitland, Florida. As a direct lender, RP Funding underwrites, closes and funds its own loans in order to offer customers the best rates and highest level of service. Unlike banks and mortgage brokers, RP Funding offers “wholesale” mortgage rates directly to consumers to save them money. The only fee that RP Funding customers pay is when they choose to buy down to a lower interest rate through a rate discount cost. For more information, please visit rpfunding

About Special Olympics: Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athlete or their caregiver, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be a productive, respected and contributing members of their communities.

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Online Casinos News · Filed Under Roulette News 

Xtreme Cars and Stars Casino Hotel Resort, Showcase Monterey, CA July 21, 22, 23, 2006, MotorCycling Concours Delegance, Robb Report Collection

January 31, 2014

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) August 2, 2006

Xtreme Cars & Stars Casino Hotel Resort

"Get Xtreme" "Drive Xtreme" "Live Xtreme"

Feature Showcase with the Robb Report MotorCycling

Concours Delegance Monterey, CA. July 21,22,23,2006

MotoGP Races.

Fall in love with your passion and drive to the Xtreme; at the all new car-themed Xtreme Cars and Stars Destination Resort. Share your thrilling car experiences with your friends, family, others worldwide at the world’s first Xtreme Cars and Stars "Unique Car Themed" Casino Hotel Destination Resort.

Developer, Founder Mark Fleming recently unveiled development buildout plans for a new $1 billion race car-themed hotel-casino-resort lifestyle brand for the Las Vegas, Neveda marketing area. The "Unique Car Themed" Xtreme Cars and Stars Hotel Casino Resort features: (4) four 27-story luxury towers containing a total of 2,592 available units for sale which inlcude: Xtreme Car Condos, Xtreme TimeShares, Xtreme Exotic Car Storage, Xtreme RaceCar Storage, Xtreme RaceTrack Units, and Xtreme Cars and Stars Retail Store Franchises.

The energy green smart connect building plans features: 75,000 square feet of retail shops, a 480,700-square-foot hotel, and a 120,000-square-foot casino with a race/sports book, hot rod bar, juice bar, and automotive-themed restaurants. The gambling area is 43,300 square feet with an exhibition area for cars, along with a high-tech convention center.

Amenities include tennis and recreation facilities, with championship tennis courts, poolrooms, a fitness area and a jogging track encircling a small man made lake. There are also plans for a $2.7 million, 2.1-mile NASCAR racetrack encircling the property, as well as a go-cart course placing visitors in the middle of the action.Other features include a retro drive-in theater and an 18-hole celebrity championship golf course, a 50,000-square-foot pool area and an RV park with full hook up facilities. There will also be a floating restaurant suspended at the top of the casino hotel tower offering a total scenic view of all the action.

The circular-glass tower design incorporates the racetrack feel with NASCAR trimmings and Indianapolis 500 lines. The resort even offers car storage and work areas with rates running around $100 per week. The development will offer 108 car condos units with full garages areas and overhead loft space for sale, priced from $250,000 to $1 million.Hotel rooms will each have a specific car theme integrated into its settings. The typical suite and penthouse floors encompass 24,700 square feet. Condo units run from 405 square feet to 1,278 square feet in size, priced from $450,000 to $950,000.

"There are no car-themed hotel-casinos anywhere in the world," Fleming said. "This is a totally unique facility that is expected to attract millions of visitors and car enthusiasts worldwide." Mr. Fleming is President / CEO of Xtreme Cars and Stars, a commercial art media company which has deep automotive roots. Some of the Xtreme Cars and Stars product brands feature: high-end apparel, rare art, and the Xtreme Cars and Stars "Xtreme Car Condos" and franchise retail stores. Click XtremeCarsandStars

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Online Casinos News · Filed Under Casino News 

We Are All Gamblers

January 31, 2014

Two tables away, Mr Chaddha is nursing a glass of Black Label, along with grievances that carry a stronger aftertaste. His friend, Mr Bhatia, told him three months ago that he had inside information about a company whose stock was sure to take off, that it was the right time to buy. Mr Chaddha parked 16 lakh rupees in that stock. That investment is now worth 3 lakhs. Mr Bhatia also lost money, and was last seen muttering about ‘black swan events’ and suchlike. Mr Chaddha wishes he had invested in a mutual fund instead. Little does he know that he will do so and, a year later, regret it as bitterly. The scotch will continue to flow, as inevitable in Mr Chaddha’s life as shehnai at an Indian wedding.

As Atish walks towards the salad bar and Mr Chaddha looks into his glass of whisky, Meena walks past outside. Meena is 21, dusky, tall for a girl, graceful, a little introverted, a journalist. She has always liked to write, and her first poem as a child was: My mommy, she has lovely hair/ My daddy is a grizzly bear/ My sister’s skin, I love to touch/ I love them very, very much. She was seven then, and 14 years later, she decided that she did not want to get married so young, that she did not need to walk around a fire seven times to have sex with young men, and that she wanted to be a journalist in Mumbai. So she fought with the grizzly bear and made her mother with lovely hair cry, and landed up in Mumbai, where she got a job in a women’s magazine. As she walks past, she is thinking of how much she hates her boss, her job, the lecherous peon in office named Mishra, and these new shoes of hers that are biting her feet as if in mockery. But it could be worse. She could be trapped in a bad marriage like her friend Geeta, whose husband beat her up last Thursday and, when Meena reacted in horror on the phone, said, Maybe it’s my fault, maybe I did something wrong. Who wants to live like that?

Decisions, decisions, choices, choices. Every day in a hundred different ways, we gamble with our lives. We weigh up the odds, calculate pros and cons, and choose which way to act.

Atish’s decision to go and talk with that pretty girl is, to my mind, not very different from a poker player’s decision to bet half the pot when he sees he has middle pair on the flop. Mr Chadda’s investment decisions occupy the same moral and mathematical space as a punter who lays a bet on all odd numbers between 13 and 24 on the roulette wheel. Meena is thinking about giving in to her parents by moving back home to Chennai, but continuing to be a journalist there, which on a Blackjack table could be considered ‘surrender’. In the casino of life, they are all gamblers — and so are we.

This is why I am outraged that ‘gambling’ is banned in India. Firstly, such a ban is morally wrong. If an adult makes a decision about a particular course of action, or two consenting adults enter into an arrangement about anything at all without infringing the rights of anyone else, it should be nobody’s business but theirs. The government is violating their rights by getting in the way.

Secondly, such a ban is hypocritical. We already allow most forms of gambling, so to ban just a few makes no sense. Investing in stocks, for example, is as risky for the average investor as most things you could do in a casino. All the governments that have refused to legalize gambling have themselves gambled consistently: consider the Emergency, the politicisation of the Mandal Commission Report, the BJP’s decision to stick with Narendra Modi after Gujarat, and the decision of the UPA to push away the Left Front so that the nuclear deal could proceed. Some of these backfired, some did not, and some are still open to interpretation. But these were all gambles by governments that don’t allow gambling.

What sense does that make?

In these modern times, government should exist to serve us, not rule us. Yet, our government routinely behaves as if we are mere subjects. It patronisingly tells us that we are not mature enough to decide many things for ourselves, and furthermore, should not have the right to do so. It censors the films we watch, even the adult ones. It limits our freedom of speech so that we don’t offend anyone, as if we are children in a playground. Besides taxing us prohibitively, it does not allow us to decide what to do with our money. What business is it of any government if I wish to bet on the outcome of a cricket match or at a Blackjack table?

Besides the moral argument, there is also a practical case for legalizing gambling. When you outlaw what is essentially a victimless crime, such as gambling, you don’t finish it off, you merely drive it underground. Gambling thrives in every city and town of India, but is run furtively from shady rooms by unaccountable operators. Often, it runs on trust, and no one gets ripped off. But where it gets most lucrative, the underworld is involved, and things get dicey. If gambling was legal, and the entities that ran it were as respectable as HSBC or Kotak Mahindra, I doubt there would be matchfixing scandals. There would be transparency, accountability, and though my libertarian friends will hate me for saying this, I would not object to regulatory oversight by the government. The incentives of the operators would then change, as would those of punters, who would no longer need to be underground with the underworld.

The other practical reason for legalizing gambling is the revenues this would bring the government. Ten years ago, it was estimated that "during an India-Pakistan match over Rs 10,000 crore is reportedly generated in the country." A tax of 5% of that comes to Rs 500 crore for just one day. I have heard estimates of the amount of betting during the IPL that dwarf this. And these figures are just for cricket. I’m willing to wager, if I am allowed to, that if the government legalized all forms of gambling, and taxed them conservatively, it would make enough money from it to cover the expenses of the NREGA. And much more.

To summarize, gambling should be legalized on a matter of principle, because what consenting adults do with their own money should be nobody else’s business. It should be legalized because if it is not, it remains a victimless crime, a category that makes no sense. It should be legalized because doing so reduces the scope of the underworld to exist. And finally, it should be legalized because the revenues that would then go to the government instead of the black economy could fund many of its pet projects. Legalizing gambling is a no-brainer, and I am sure that if the government weighs up the odds, it will see more pros than cons. Will it fight inertia and make this play? I hope it does.

For more on victimless crimes, read: Laws Against Victimless Crimes Should be Scrapped.

Amit Varma, the winner of the 2007 Bastiat Prize for Journalism, is the author of the bestselling novel My Friend Sancho. He writes the popular blog, India Uncut. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Online Casinos News · Filed Under Blackjack News 

Make Time for MANSION’s $100K A Day Promotion – New Time of 20:00GMT – More than $2,000,000 in Overlays Given Away to Date

January 30, 2014

Gibraltar (PRWEB) February 20, 2007

Mansion.Com has now given away in excess of $2 Million in tournament overlays since the launch this year of its daily $100K A Day Poker promotion on January 3rd.

During the first 44 days of Mansion’s $100,000 Guaranteed Poker Tournaments, a substantial $2,209,870 in overlays has been shared by MANSION players, and the ‘Madness’ is set to continue.

MANSION leads the way in the European online poker landscape, offering exceptional player value with its "$100K A Day" promotion running everyday at the new EU-friendly hour of 20:00GMT (21:00CET)* from Friday February 16th.

That’s right. Mansion delivers daily player value to the online poker room at an even more convenient time to maximise the direct and exclusive benefit of Mansion Members. With an average of 524 runners ponying up the $100 buy-in everyday and a minimum of $100,000 up for grabs, the time is right to participate in this Guaranteed Tournament series.

To play in these daily events at Mansion, you can buy-in directly for US$100, or alternatively you can enter our US$10 Re-buy or US$20 Freeze-out satellites.

For a share of the value, visit Mansion.Com for full details of the daily $100,000 Guaranteed Tournaments and other online poker events and promotions.

Mansion’s $100K A DAY Guaranteed Tournament – Recent Results

The $100K A Day Tournament on Thursday February 15th saw 526 players participate for a share of the $100,000 prize pool, with Grazza emerging in top spot and $24,000 richer after five hours and 48 minutes of Poker play.

There were 23 hands of heads up play, with chip leader Grazza on 965,576 chips compared to Oraora’s 349,424.

Until the final hand, both players proceeded with caution, with the previous 13 hands either being folded pre flop, or the small blind calling and the big blind checking with no further money in the pot.

Grazza entered the final hand with a handy lead of 1,224,952 compared to 90,048. The blinds were 16,000/32,000 with a 1,600 ante.

Grazza raised to 100,000 with Jd Th. ‘Oraora’, on the big blind, called ALL IN with 5d 3h.

The flop came 6c Qc 9h, the turn was Tc and the river 7h, giving ‘Grazza’ a pair of 10′s and 1st place.

"I was elated. It was a fantastic moment to finally clinch victory having fought through a field of 500-plus. In the past few days I have been coming close with a couple of top 20 finishes and a few more finishes in the money," said Grazza.

"My wife and I have been planning a holiday recently and the win is going to help make it a dream trip," added Grazza.

*Terms and conditions apply, and are subject to change. See website for current terms and conditions.

For additional media information, please contact:

Kathryn Farrell Communications Manager

Tel: + #

Mob: + #

ABOUT Mansion.Com

Mansion.Com is headquartered in Gibraltar and is focused on establishing itself as a leading brand in online Poker, Casino and Sports Exchange. The company is funded by private equity investors who share a passion for the thrill of games of skill and a vision to become the world’s leading multi-platform betting product, providing customers worldwide with premium gaming entertainment.

Through the Mansion Poker portal, Members can participate in frequent guaranteed tournaments with some of the most exceptional player value to be found online, plus take advantage of one of the best Deposit Bonuses in the industry for both Poker and Casino – 100% up to US$1000.

Mansion Casino offers over 70 unique Instant Play games, including a selection of action-packed favourites and the most exciting slots around, all with superb graphics and true-to-life sound effects and "No Download" required.

Mansion Buyers bet for free on the Mansion Player to Player Exchange, while Mansion Sellers pay only 1% of the gross win amount per bet.

Substantial brand awareness has been generated through a key partnership with the English Premier League’s Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, via the innovative Las Vegas based televised tournament series, the MansionPoker.Net Poker Dome Challenge, and sponsorship of UK poker professional Marc Goodwin.

Further details about Mansion are available at Mansion.Com

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Online Casinos News · Filed Under Slot Machine News 

Nadal wins Prague charity poker event

January 30, 2014

Rafael Nadal showed he was not tired of dethroning world number one players when he saw off Daniel Negreanu to win a charity poker tournament in Prague on Thursday.

The 100,000-euro ($137,000) tournament was the first-ever live poker event for the 27-year-old Spaniard, who had stripped Serbia’s Novak Djokovic of the world’s top spot in tennis this year.

Nadal has been a fervent poker player since a knee injury sidelined him from his day job last year, but had so far only played in online poker tournaments.

"I had fun. I had a great experience here playing with friends, playing for a good cause, for charity," Nadal said after the game.

"The next thing I know is that tomorrow morning I will be on court at 9am practicing tennis."

Besides Negreanu, the world number one poker player, Nadal beat Italian downhill star Alberto Tomba, past football legends Ronaldo and Andriy Shevchenko, and finally Dutch field hockey champion Fatima Moreira de Melo in the heads-up.

"My life is still tennis, playing poker I have fun. I am learning, but at the same time I try to … be competitive," Nadal told reporters before the tournament.

Like tennis, poker is "a competition, you need to control your emotions, you need to be focused all the time."

"You need to have self-control, you have to wait for your moment," he said.

Nadal made a blistering return to tennis since his career-threatening knee injury, winning 10 titles — including the French and US Opens — and closing out the 2013 season at the top spot of ATP rankings.

Online Casinos News · Filed Under Poker News 

Clubs in Australia Industry Market Research Report Now Updated by IBISWorld

January 30, 2014

Melbourne, Australia (PRWEB) February 18, 2013

The Clubs industry in Australia has survived some turbulent times. Before 2006, a steady increase in gaming machine numbers, along with lax smoking laws, brought prosperity to the industry. However, many state governments have since introduced caps on the total number of gaming machines allowed in each club, in addition to other operational restrictions. According to IBISWorld Industry analyst Andy Brennan, ‘for an industry that now derives the majority of its revenue from gambling, these have been unwelcome developments’. Furthermore, strict smoking bans that came into force in most states and territories since 2006 have forced operators in the industry to adjust their facilities to comply. In addition to regulatory threats, the industry faces intense competition from other licensed venues, particularly hotels, pubs and casinos, which also offer gaming facilities. Competition from pubs and casinos with gaming machines has increased significantly over the past five years and this is expected to continue. As a result of these factors, industry revenue is estimated increase at an annualised rate of just 1.3% over the five years through 2012-13, despite growth of 5.9% in # Robust growth in 2012-13, expected to take the industry’s annual revenue to $10.8 billion, is largely attributable to the robust economy and the shift of gaming machine revenue in Victoria from Tatts Group and Tabcorp to the venues themselves.

Over the five years through 2017-18, the industry is expected to continue to be affected by tightening restrictions and regulations. At the national level, new legislation, which places voluntary pre-commitment technology on poker machines and limits ATM withdrawals in clubs will not be enforced until at least 2018. ‘Although mandatory pre-commitment technology will be tested in the ACT in 2013 it may not gain the political capital to be implemented nationally’, says Brennan. However, states and territories continue to closely monitor the affect poker machines have on communities. Club operators will watch any adverse developments nervously. Increasing competition, uncertain economic conditions and other factors are also expected to take their toll on industry growth over the five-year period. Revenue for the Clubs industry is expected to increase over the next five years.

Overall, the Clubs industry in Australia has a low level of market share concentration with ownership being in the hands of club members. Some clubs, however, operate over multiple sites. While there has been some consolidation activity among the top operators recently, the majority of clubs are still expected to be small, and owned and managed by members. No companies in the industry have a significant market share; however, the largest operators are Penrith Rugby League Club and Melbourne Cricket Club.

For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Clubs report in Australia industry page.

Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: twitter>

IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

This report relates to clubs or associations in the gambling, sporting, social (such as RSL clubs) or recreational areas that generate income predominantly from the provision of hospitality services. Clubs whose main activity is the provision of sporting services, including racing clubs, are not included within the scope of this industry. The industry covers both licensed and unlicensed clubs and clubs that have gambling licences.

Industry Performance

Executive Summary

Key External Drivers

Current Performance

Industry Outlook

Industry Life Cycle

Products & Markets

Supply Chain

Products & Services

Major Markets

International Trade

Business Locations

Competitive Landscape

Market Share Concentration

Key Success Factors

Cost Structure Benchmarks

Basis of Competition

Barriers to Entry

Industry Globalisation

Major Companies

Operating Conditions

Capital Intensity

Technology & Systems

Revenue Volatility

Regulation & Policy

Industry Assistance

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Annual Change

Key Ratios

About IBISWorld Inc.

Recognised as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every Australian industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Melbourne, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organisations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit ibisworld.com or call #

Online Casinos News · Filed Under Casino News 

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