SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 18
Wrestler Hulk Hogan is presented with a Roostermania Member banner by Braith Anasta of the Roosters during a media opportunity with Sydney Roosters players at Roosters Headquarters on November 18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Bookies and Racing NSW at loggerheads over federal wagering report, by Craig Young - The Sydney Morning Herald - 22nd October 2009
The wagering landscape in Australia is in for a big overhaul following yesterday's release of a Federal Government Productivity Commission report, which was savaged by Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys.
''It's obvious the Productivity Commissioners have listened to wagering operators at the expense of the people who put on the show,'' V'landys said in a statement yesterday. ''The Productivity Commission allowed presentations from a myriad of wagering operators but at no time sought to provide Racing NSW with the opportunity to make a presentation on behalf of its 50,000 participants.
''The two most ridiculous recommendations are that an independent organisation set the price of that racing product. Does that mean every commercial operation in Australia could have its price set by someone other than themselves - which could send them broke?''
Michael Sullivan, who heads Australia's biggest corporate bookmaking operation Sportingbet, called for the immediate implementation of the 46-page draft report, which was based on 264 submissions from all sections of the industry.
''The commission spoke about a lack of competition leading to a lack of innovation with products and competitiveness of price,'' Sullivan said. ''The underlying focus is on competition is good, and I've been saying that for 10 years. And don't forget, for once we've got something that focuses on the punter … ''
Betfair chief executive Andrew Twaits welcomed the report but was reserved in comment as the betting exchange is in court with Racing NSW over its controversial race-fields levy.
''The commission has endorsed the key arguments we have been making for several years,'' Twaits said yesterday.
Despite corporate bookmakers increasing turnover at an astonishing rate, the Productivity Commission said state and territory TABs ''still hold a significant degree of power''.
''This has resulted in poor outcomes for consumers, and is a constraint on the future growth of the wagering industry,'' the government report stated. ''Current funding arrangements do not efficiently allocate resources to the racing industry.''
The commission said the off-course monopoly enjoyed by the various TABs ''means that consumers have worse odds then those that a competitive market would deliver''.
A warning was issued in regard to TABs taking out 16 to 20 cents from each dollar wagered by the punter for it ''increased the incentive of punters to seek out better returns in other forms of gambling or switch to other type of entertainment''.
The report has called for a national approach to wagering revenue because the laws and regulations imposed by states and territories are not working.
''These arrangements have led to the inefficient allocation of resources for racing at a national, state and club level,'' it said.
In regard to a fee structure, the commission calls for a ''a single 'price' model''. The report also called for all wagering operators to pay the racing industry on gross profit not turnover tax.
Racing NSW collects fees from betting operators through race-fields legislation based on turnover tax.
A TAB spokesman yesterday said it would be making no comment about the report until after studying it in detail. (Credit: Fairfax)
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''It's obvious the Productivity Commissioners have listened to wagering operators at the expense of the people who put on the show,'' V'landys said in a statement yesterday. ''The Productivity Commission allowed presentations from a myriad of wagering operators but at no time sought to provide Racing NSW with the opportunity to make a presentation on behalf of its 50,000 participants.
''The two most ridiculous recommendations are that an independent organisation set the price of that racing product. Does that mean every commercial operation in Australia could have its price set by someone other than themselves - which could send them broke?''
Michael Sullivan, who heads Australia's biggest corporate bookmaking operation Sportingbet, called for the immediate implementation of the 46-page draft report, which was based on 264 submissions from all sections of the industry.
''The commission spoke about a lack of competition leading to a lack of innovation with products and competitiveness of price,'' Sullivan said. ''The underlying focus is on competition is good, and I've been saying that for 10 years. And don't forget, for once we've got something that focuses on the punter … ''
Betfair chief executive Andrew Twaits welcomed the report but was reserved in comment as the betting exchange is in court with Racing NSW over its controversial race-fields levy.
''The commission has endorsed the key arguments we have been making for several years,'' Twaits said yesterday.
Despite corporate bookmakers increasing turnover at an astonishing rate, the Productivity Commission said state and territory TABs ''still hold a significant degree of power''.
''This has resulted in poor outcomes for consumers, and is a constraint on the future growth of the wagering industry,'' the government report stated. ''Current funding arrangements do not efficiently allocate resources to the racing industry.''
The commission said the off-course monopoly enjoyed by the various TABs ''means that consumers have worse odds then those that a competitive market would deliver''.
A warning was issued in regard to TABs taking out 16 to 20 cents from each dollar wagered by the punter for it ''increased the incentive of punters to seek out better returns in other forms of gambling or switch to other type of entertainment''.
The report has called for a national approach to wagering revenue because the laws and regulations imposed by states and territories are not working.
''These arrangements have led to the inefficient allocation of resources for racing at a national, state and club level,'' it said.
In regard to a fee structure, the commission calls for a ''a single 'price' model''. The report also called for all wagering operators to pay the racing industry on gross profit not turnover tax.
Racing NSW collects fees from betting operators through race-fields legislation based on turnover tax.
A TAB spokesman yesterday said it would be making no comment about the report until after studying it in detail. (Credit: Fairfax)
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Saturday, October 24, 2009
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Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tax doubts hamper bidders for Tote Tasmania - 8th September 2009
Uncertainty regarding a tax exemption for Tote Tasmania on betting pool arrangements in mainland states has left bidders such as Tabcorp unable to value the company accurately. The Tasmanian government was hoping to have the sale finalised by early this month, but the process has hit a roadblock as betting pool tax exemptions remain unresolved. The Victorian government, led by Victorian Racing Minister Rob Hulls, has granted an extension until January 31 for the matter to be determined.
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Thursday, August 13, 2009
Qld clubs pour nearly $2b into economy: study - 13th August 2009
A new study into the value of the state's community clubs has found they provide nearly $2 billion worth of sporting and recreational facilities to Queenslanders.
The report examined the social and economic contribution of the organisations over a 10-year period.
The study found not-for-profit organisations provide people with almost $1.9 billion worth of sporting and recreational facilities.
Tourism and Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor says the State Government could not afford to replicate the services the clubs offer.
"There's 27,000 people that are employed by the clubs of Queensland," Mr Lawlor said.
"They contribute almost $700,000 a year to the community.
"The community assets, they're assets that no Government could provide."
Clubs Queensland (CQ) says the report into their activities demonstrates their value to the community.
CQ chief executive officer Doug Flockhart says he hopes the review will help to counter the criticism some venues attract over gambling and alcohol abuse.
"We have to walk that fine line between an issue on one side and a huge benefit on the other and I've got to say, that as president of Clubs Queensland," he said.
"I'm still extremely proud of the balance and the contribution Queensland clubs are able to make to Queensland communities."
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The report examined the social and economic contribution of the organisations over a 10-year period.
The study found not-for-profit organisations provide people with almost $1.9 billion worth of sporting and recreational facilities.
Tourism and Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor says the State Government could not afford to replicate the services the clubs offer.
"There's 27,000 people that are employed by the clubs of Queensland," Mr Lawlor said.
"They contribute almost $700,000 a year to the community.
"The community assets, they're assets that no Government could provide."
Clubs Queensland (CQ) says the report into their activities demonstrates their value to the community.
CQ chief executive officer Doug Flockhart says he hopes the review will help to counter the criticism some venues attract over gambling and alcohol abuse.
"We have to walk that fine line between an issue on one side and a huge benefit on the other and I've got to say, that as president of Clubs Queensland," he said.
"I'm still extremely proud of the balance and the contribution Queensland clubs are able to make to Queensland communities."
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Racing heavyweights ready for prize fight - 30th July 2009
A Federal Ministry of Racing may be the eventual outcome of tomorrow's crisis meeting in Randwick where powerful racing interests are expected to clash over how to alleviate deteriorating returns to trainers, owners and breeders.
The meeting, to be chaired by the broadcaster and owner Alan Jones, was already organised before last night's release of a report commissioned by the Australian Jockey Club and Sydney Turf Club arguing against a merger of the clubs.
The report by LEK Consulting identifies financial benefits of only $3.3 million from a merger, compared with an Ernst and Young report commissioned by the NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing, Kevin Greene, which found $21 million in savings.
Officials from the two clubs told Mr Greene yesterday that these savings were minor compared with the $100 million revenue gap LEK Consulting has found between the NSW and Victorian racing industries. The latter receives an extra $64 million in income from poker machines, together with a bigger share of Tabcorp wagering.
Corporate bookmakers, under pressure from owners and breeders to pay more for using race fields, are expected to crash the meeting at the William Inglis & Sons sales complex.
Breeders, including John Messara and Gerry Harvey, will attend the meeting. They will be joined by representatives from Victoria, concerned about punters switching to corporate bookmakers who contribute less to the industry than totalisator betting.
The Ernst and Young report noted the ratio of prize money to totalisator income has fallen from 94 per cent to 75 per cent over the past nine years.
"Only Commonwealth legislation can fix up the industry", said one of the owners, who is concerned at diminishing prize money.
Two court actions loom, both focused on NSW's decision to charge bookmakers a 1.5 per cent tax on turnover for the use of its race fields.
Betfair, half-owned by James Packer, is challenging the tax in a case set to be heard in November.
The Darwin-based Sportsbet, 51 per cent owned by the Irish group Paddy Power, is taking on the tax in another jurisdiction.
Queensland has joined NSW in choosing a turnover tax. Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania have opted for a charge on gross profits.
Because profit can be manipulated easily and sharing earnings effectively makes the corporate bookmakers partners in the race clubs, the AJC and STC argue Victoria has deserted them.
A federal model, where all wagering operators pay the same for their product, based on a percentage of turnover, is the only solution, according to some players, such as Tabcorp.
Federal interest in racing can be justified by its economic impact.
Owners claim it is the second biggest industry in Australia, after tourism, with the Ernst and Young report estimating it provides employment for 50,000 people in NSW alone, while generating $1.7 billion, with taxes of about $433 million.
A national fee on bookmakers gross profits, compared to a turnover tax model, could cost the industry $300 million a year, according to some estimates.
Reduced industry income leads to reduced prize money and inevitably results in less
reinvestment by breeders.
Of the 25,000 broodmares in Australia, only 1000 make money for their owners.
The Ernst and Young report notes: Owners, trainers and jockeys are being increasingly less remunerated, with the return to industry decreasing.
It is estimated that currently only about 50 per cent of an owner's operating costs is recovered through prize money.
The effect of corporate bookies and punters switch of sports are racing's biggest problems.
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The meeting, to be chaired by the broadcaster and owner Alan Jones, was already organised before last night's release of a report commissioned by the Australian Jockey Club and Sydney Turf Club arguing against a merger of the clubs.
The report by LEK Consulting identifies financial benefits of only $3.3 million from a merger, compared with an Ernst and Young report commissioned by the NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing, Kevin Greene, which found $21 million in savings.
Officials from the two clubs told Mr Greene yesterday that these savings were minor compared with the $100 million revenue gap LEK Consulting has found between the NSW and Victorian racing industries. The latter receives an extra $64 million in income from poker machines, together with a bigger share of Tabcorp wagering.
Corporate bookmakers, under pressure from owners and breeders to pay more for using race fields, are expected to crash the meeting at the William Inglis & Sons sales complex.
Breeders, including John Messara and Gerry Harvey, will attend the meeting. They will be joined by representatives from Victoria, concerned about punters switching to corporate bookmakers who contribute less to the industry than totalisator betting.
The Ernst and Young report noted the ratio of prize money to totalisator income has fallen from 94 per cent to 75 per cent over the past nine years.
"Only Commonwealth legislation can fix up the industry", said one of the owners, who is concerned at diminishing prize money.
Two court actions loom, both focused on NSW's decision to charge bookmakers a 1.5 per cent tax on turnover for the use of its race fields.
Betfair, half-owned by James Packer, is challenging the tax in a case set to be heard in November.
The Darwin-based Sportsbet, 51 per cent owned by the Irish group Paddy Power, is taking on the tax in another jurisdiction.
Queensland has joined NSW in choosing a turnover tax. Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania have opted for a charge on gross profits.
Because profit can be manipulated easily and sharing earnings effectively makes the corporate bookmakers partners in the race clubs, the AJC and STC argue Victoria has deserted them.
A federal model, where all wagering operators pay the same for their product, based on a percentage of turnover, is the only solution, according to some players, such as Tabcorp.
Federal interest in racing can be justified by its economic impact.
Owners claim it is the second biggest industry in Australia, after tourism, with the Ernst and Young report estimating it provides employment for 50,000 people in NSW alone, while generating $1.7 billion, with taxes of about $433 million.
A national fee on bookmakers gross profits, compared to a turnover tax model, could cost the industry $300 million a year, according to some estimates.
Reduced industry income leads to reduced prize money and inevitably results in less
reinvestment by breeders.
Of the 25,000 broodmares in Australia, only 1000 make money for their owners.
The Ernst and Young report notes: Owners, trainers and jockeys are being increasingly less remunerated, with the return to industry decreasing.
It is estimated that currently only about 50 per cent of an owner's operating costs is recovered through prize money.
The effect of corporate bookies and punters switch of sports are racing's biggest problems.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Supercars set to cash in after taking punt with betting giant, by Daniel Lewis - Fairfax - 11th July 2009
The fact Australians would be able to bet on the number of runs scored in each over of the Ashes Tests was front-page news this week as concerns grew about the links between sport and gambling.
Now - in what is claimed to be a first for an entire sporting discipline in Australia - V8 Supercars has jumped into bed with the betting agency Sportingbet and set up a gaming website called V8bet.com.au.
The joint venture won't let punters bet on every lap of the V8 meeting in Townsville this weekend, but markets will usually be framed for the likes of outrights, pole position, first retirement and competitor match-ups. Before the first practice sessions began in Townsville yesterday morning, the market for claiming this year's title of Supercars champion had Jamie Whincup (Ford) as favourite at $1.25 followed by Will Davison (Holden) at $6.50 and Craig Lowndes (Ford) at $9.
For Townsville's first 200 kilometre race today, Whincup was favourite to win at $3.25. Backing him to have pole position was paying $3.50 while a podium finish was $1.55.
Backing a Ford to win the race was paying $1.62 while backing a Holden was $2.25.
Backing a team, the shortest odds ($2.05) were for the Vodafone team featuring Whincup and Lowndes.
V8 Supercars executive chairman Tony Cochrane said until now there had been little gambling on V8s, but the partnership with Sportingbet would help V8s grow, with the sport earning a percentage from the gaming venture.
Sportingbet CEO Michael Sullivan said: "This is the first time in Australia that a whole sport has signed with a betting organisation to provide a betting platform for their fans." (Credit: Fairfax)
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Now - in what is claimed to be a first for an entire sporting discipline in Australia - V8 Supercars has jumped into bed with the betting agency Sportingbet and set up a gaming website called V8bet.com.au.
The joint venture won't let punters bet on every lap of the V8 meeting in Townsville this weekend, but markets will usually be framed for the likes of outrights, pole position, first retirement and competitor match-ups. Before the first practice sessions began in Townsville yesterday morning, the market for claiming this year's title of Supercars champion had Jamie Whincup (Ford) as favourite at $1.25 followed by Will Davison (Holden) at $6.50 and Craig Lowndes (Ford) at $9.
For Townsville's first 200 kilometre race today, Whincup was favourite to win at $3.25. Backing him to have pole position was paying $3.50 while a podium finish was $1.55.
Backing a Ford to win the race was paying $1.62 while backing a Holden was $2.25.
Backing a team, the shortest odds ($2.05) were for the Vodafone team featuring Whincup and Lowndes.
V8 Supercars executive chairman Tony Cochrane said until now there had been little gambling on V8s, but the partnership with Sportingbet would help V8s grow, with the sport earning a percentage from the gaming venture.
Sportingbet CEO Michael Sullivan said: "This is the first time in Australia that a whole sport has signed with a betting organisation to provide a betting platform for their fans." (Credit: Fairfax)
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Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Shane Warne's poker ace, by David Hastie - Sunday Herald Sun - 5th July 2009
He conquered the world on the cricket pitch. He is rumoured to have reunited with his former wife. Now Shane Warne is taking the poker world by storm.
The spin king stormed into the next round of the World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas last night, finishing day one with more than $110,000 in chips.
Warne has been accompanied in Las Vegas by former wife Simone Callahan and their three children, fuelling speculation of a reunion.
And last night he was celebrating a windfall at the lucrative tournament, where he is set to go up against some big names, including actors Jason Alexander and Matt Damon. (Credit: Sunday Herald Sun)
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The spin king stormed into the next round of the World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas last night, finishing day one with more than $110,000 in chips.
Warne has been accompanied in Las Vegas by former wife Simone Callahan and their three children, fuelling speculation of a reunion.
And last night he was celebrating a windfall at the lucrative tournament, where he is set to go up against some big names, including actors Jason Alexander and Matt Damon. (Credit: Sunday Herald Sun)
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Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Poker push to be ranked with Melbourne Cup, GP, by Michael Warner - Herald Sun - 8th July 2009
Crown casino wants its annual Aussie Millions poker tournament given official status on the major events calendar.
Casino chiefs have confirmed they are planning a submission to the Victoria Major Events Company.
If successful, Crown could be eligible for funding under the State Government's $83 million major events cap like the Formula One Grand Prix, Australian Open tennis and Australian Masters golf.
But Crown CEO David Courtney says the casino does not want financial support -- just official recognition.
"Crown is not looking for funding or subsidy from the Government -- far from it. "But we believe the Aussie Millions meets the criteria for a major event in Victoria and we would like to see it given that status alongside the Spring Racing Carnival and the other major events here," Mr Courtney said.
The move will require final approval from a Cabinet sub-committee.
Industry sources say the casino will have little trouble demonstrating that the Aussie Millions delivers significant economic benefits to Victoria, as required under qualification criteria.
It attracts thousands of international and interstate participants and generates more than 8000 hotel room nights.
The Herald Sun revealed on Saturday that Crown has raised the first prize purse for next January's Aussie Millions to $2.5 million - making it the nation's second-biggest first prize event behind the Melbourne Cup.
Anti-gambling groups yesterday scoffed at suggestions a poker championship could offer either cultural or social benefits.
"Why don't we make Sexpo a major event as well?" the Rev Tim Costello said.
"There's a fundamental difference between a major sporting event that excites and transcends our human condition than a gambling tournament."
Australian world poker champion Joe Hachem told the Herald Sun from Las Vegas the Aussie Millions was worthy of major event status.
"It deserves the title as one of Australia's majors alongside the Australian Open, Spring Racing Carnival and F1 Grand Prix," Hachem said.
Hachem, spin king Shane Warne and a host of other Australians are in Las Vegas this week vying for the World Championship of Poker. (Credit: Herald Sun)
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Casino chiefs have confirmed they are planning a submission to the Victoria Major Events Company.
If successful, Crown could be eligible for funding under the State Government's $83 million major events cap like the Formula One Grand Prix, Australian Open tennis and Australian Masters golf.
But Crown CEO David Courtney says the casino does not want financial support -- just official recognition.
"Crown is not looking for funding or subsidy from the Government -- far from it. "But we believe the Aussie Millions meets the criteria for a major event in Victoria and we would like to see it given that status alongside the Spring Racing Carnival and the other major events here," Mr Courtney said.
The move will require final approval from a Cabinet sub-committee.
Industry sources say the casino will have little trouble demonstrating that the Aussie Millions delivers significant economic benefits to Victoria, as required under qualification criteria.
It attracts thousands of international and interstate participants and generates more than 8000 hotel room nights.
The Herald Sun revealed on Saturday that Crown has raised the first prize purse for next January's Aussie Millions to $2.5 million - making it the nation's second-biggest first prize event behind the Melbourne Cup.
Anti-gambling groups yesterday scoffed at suggestions a poker championship could offer either cultural or social benefits.
"Why don't we make Sexpo a major event as well?" the Rev Tim Costello said.
"There's a fundamental difference between a major sporting event that excites and transcends our human condition than a gambling tournament."
Australian world poker champion Joe Hachem told the Herald Sun from Las Vegas the Aussie Millions was worthy of major event status.
"It deserves the title as one of Australia's majors alongside the Australian Open, Spring Racing Carnival and F1 Grand Prix," Hachem said.
Hachem, spin king Shane Warne and a host of other Australians are in Las Vegas this week vying for the World Championship of Poker. (Credit: Herald Sun)
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Friday, July 03, 2009
Crown Casino wants to trump Australia's richest horse race, by Michael Warner - Herald Sun - 4th July 2009
A poker tournament is looking to trump the Melbourne Cup as Australia's biggest-paying major event.
Crown casino has raised the first-prize purse for its annual "Aussie Millions" poker championships to $2.5 million, putting its main event just $800,000 short of last year's Melbourne Cup winner's cheque of $3.3 million.
And the poker prize pool will soar again in 2010 on the back of a TV series tipped to reach more than 100 million lounge rooms across the globe.
The Australian Open, offering $2 million for both men's and women's championships, now sits in third place ahead of the AFL Grand Final ($1 million) and the Australian Masters Golf ($270,000).
Podium prizes for the Albert Park Formula One Grand Prix and the Phillip Island MotoGP are minimal.
"A first prize of $2.5 million gives the Aussie Millions a status it deserves on Melbourne's major events program," Crown CEO David Courtney said yesterday.
"Crown is now sharing the limelight with some of Victoria's other major events, including the Melbourne Cup, Australian Open, and the AFL Grand Final."
The Aussie Millions, running each January in conjunction with the Australian Open, is now the world's fifth largest poker tournament and the biggest outside the US.
"Huge growth in the number of overall participants reflects the increasing popularity of the game locally and internationally," Mr Courtney said.
He said the tournament generated more than 8000 hotel-room nights across Melbourne, rivalling all other Victorian major events.
This week, Melbourne poker champ Joe Hachem and cricket legend Shane Warne are heading a band of Aussie hopefuls in Las Vegas vying for the World Championship of poker and a bumper first prize of more than $9 million. (Credit: Herald Sun).
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Crown casino has raised the first-prize purse for its annual "Aussie Millions" poker championships to $2.5 million, putting its main event just $800,000 short of last year's Melbourne Cup winner's cheque of $3.3 million.
And the poker prize pool will soar again in 2010 on the back of a TV series tipped to reach more than 100 million lounge rooms across the globe.
The Australian Open, offering $2 million for both men's and women's championships, now sits in third place ahead of the AFL Grand Final ($1 million) and the Australian Masters Golf ($270,000).
Podium prizes for the Albert Park Formula One Grand Prix and the Phillip Island MotoGP are minimal.
"A first prize of $2.5 million gives the Aussie Millions a status it deserves on Melbourne's major events program," Crown CEO David Courtney said yesterday.
"Crown is now sharing the limelight with some of Victoria's other major events, including the Melbourne Cup, Australian Open, and the AFL Grand Final."
The Aussie Millions, running each January in conjunction with the Australian Open, is now the world's fifth largest poker tournament and the biggest outside the US.
"Huge growth in the number of overall participants reflects the increasing popularity of the game locally and internationally," Mr Courtney said.
He said the tournament generated more than 8000 hotel-room nights across Melbourne, rivalling all other Victorian major events.
This week, Melbourne poker champ Joe Hachem and cricket legend Shane Warne are heading a band of Aussie hopefuls in Las Vegas vying for the World Championship of poker and a bumper first prize of more than $9 million. (Credit: Herald Sun).
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Sunday, June 28, 2009
Gold Coast a 'haven' for betting scams - ABC News - 25th June 2009
A joint operation involving police, the Office of Fair Trading and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is cracking down on sport betting scams in Queensland.
Authorities say Australians have lost up to $20 million because of fraudulent or misleading sport betting companies over the past two years.
Peter Kell from the ACCC says people should beware of schemes that seem to be good to be true.
"The climate is unfortunately ripe for scams and consumer losses in this area we've seen more and more consumers engaging in online trading," he said.
"We've also seen obviously a loss of confidence in the mainstream investment markets."
Authorities say the Gold Coast is a haven for the scams.
Detective Superintendent Brian Hay says 39 Gold Coast companies were targeted last month, but most were no longer at their registered address.
"Unfortunately what we're seeing is hundreds of people being ensnared, some large sums of money are involved and unfortunately a lot of people's dreams are going to be shattered and their lives changed forever," he said.
Detective Superintendant Hay says some of the companies have failed to honour unrealistic odds, while others have simply disappeared with the money bet.
"You are not going to get a quick turnaround on an investment to the volume that they've been promoted by these professional products... they certainly look professional these glossy brochures these slick talking advertising marketing people that telephone you," he said.
"It's fraught with danger: don't get excited, get advice." (Credit: ABC)
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Authorities say Australians have lost up to $20 million because of fraudulent or misleading sport betting companies over the past two years.
Peter Kell from the ACCC says people should beware of schemes that seem to be good to be true.
"The climate is unfortunately ripe for scams and consumer losses in this area we've seen more and more consumers engaging in online trading," he said.
"We've also seen obviously a loss of confidence in the mainstream investment markets."
Authorities say the Gold Coast is a haven for the scams.
Detective Superintendent Brian Hay says 39 Gold Coast companies were targeted last month, but most were no longer at their registered address.
"Unfortunately what we're seeing is hundreds of people being ensnared, some large sums of money are involved and unfortunately a lot of people's dreams are going to be shattered and their lives changed forever," he said.
Detective Superintendant Hay says some of the companies have failed to honour unrealistic odds, while others have simply disappeared with the money bet.
"You are not going to get a quick turnaround on an investment to the volume that they've been promoted by these professional products... they certainly look professional these glossy brochures these slick talking advertising marketing people that telephone you," he said.
"It's fraught with danger: don't get excited, get advice." (Credit: ABC)
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Sunday, June 21, 2009
Long-range punter just one win from the champions league, by John Schell - The Sydney Morning Herald - 19th June 2009
Superstar status awaits a TAB Sportsbet customer who is one win away from becoming a genius after taking a long-range multi-bet. TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said the bet, placed back in March, involved Barcelona winning the Champions League, the Los Angeles Lakers taking out the NBA crown, Pittsburgh Penguins winning the NHL and the New York Yankees winning baseball's World Series. So far the first three legs have all saluted, and now the wait is on until October to see if the Yankees take the World Series. For just a $50 outlay the punter stands to collect $114,750.
Meanwhile, one of TAB Sportsbet larger customers has had a winning week by investing heavily on some short-priced favourites.
"They started with $250,000 at $1.06 on Pakistan in the Twenty20 Cricket against Ireland then followed up with $140,000 at $1.08 on Spain against Iraq in the soccer and landed a tidy profit of $26,200," Munsie said.
Bombers away
Alan Eskander's Betstar.com.au hopes Essendon fall victim to Melbourne tonight after a sustained plunge on the Bombers.
"The Bombers have been the biggest go of the split round," Eskander said. "We took a bet of $7500 giving 19½ start, $6000 at -20½ and another $3000 lobbed at -21½. They've been $1.36 in to $1.31 in head-to-head betting while the Dees are friendless, easing from $3.25 to $3.65."
Sydney host Collingwood tomorrow night, with Eskander saying the Swans have been easing favourites, out from $1.88 to $1.94 with the Pies rock solid at $1.90.
"It's no secret that the Pies have the wood on the Swans, and having won their past three matches leading into the split round, it's hard to see them slipping up here," Eskander said.
Support for Blues
Betting on the reduced round of the NRL might be quiet but Sportingbet Australia chief executive Michael Sullivan expects wagering on the second State of Origin next Wednesday night to be fast and furious. "The Blues may have been beaten last year but it was only by two points in Sydney," said Sullivan, who is tipping the support to come for NSW. "They grow an extra leg at home, and the $2.25 to win seems like pretty good odds for a side desperate to tie up the series."
Sullivan said there had been solid early money around for the Maroons at $1.67, including a bet of $10,000, but punters were holding off backing the Blues.
"Punters are still concerned about the Blues' injuries, with Jennings already out and doubts still over a couple of others," he said. "I would expect the money to arrive for the Blues if the others pass their fitness tests."
Australia firm
Australia have firmed in to $1.68 from an opening $1.80 to win the upcoming Ashes series with Centrebet. Spokesman Neil Evans said England, playing at home, had blown from an opening $2.85 out to $3.35. "The biggest bet is $35,000 on the Aussies at $1.80 but the money is still coming in from both here and the UK for them to win the series," Evans said. "But the same confidence isn't there yet for Australia to win the first Test in Cardiff. They are quoted at $2.15 with the Poms at $3.60 and the draw at $2.95."
Plunge for Nadal
Rafael Nadal may still be under an injury cloud for Wimbledon but that hasn't stopped a fan plunging on him to win the tournament. Munsie said the TAB Sportsbet punter had wagered $30,000 on the Spaniard at $6.50.
Meanwhile, Sullivan said Sportingbet Australia punters were keen on Roger Federer, while Australian Samantha Stosur has shortened in the women's market.
Tiger domination
Tiger Woods, at $3, dominates betting on the US Open and commands a remarkable 30 per cent of money invested with TAB Sportsbet in the winner market. Munsie said US Masters winner Angel Cabrera was well backed at big odds with bets of $1400 and $1000 at $51. (Credit: Fairfax)
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Meanwhile, one of TAB Sportsbet larger customers has had a winning week by investing heavily on some short-priced favourites.
"They started with $250,000 at $1.06 on Pakistan in the Twenty20 Cricket against Ireland then followed up with $140,000 at $1.08 on Spain against Iraq in the soccer and landed a tidy profit of $26,200," Munsie said.
Bombers away
Alan Eskander's Betstar.com.au hopes Essendon fall victim to Melbourne tonight after a sustained plunge on the Bombers.
"The Bombers have been the biggest go of the split round," Eskander said. "We took a bet of $7500 giving 19½ start, $6000 at -20½ and another $3000 lobbed at -21½. They've been $1.36 in to $1.31 in head-to-head betting while the Dees are friendless, easing from $3.25 to $3.65."
Sydney host Collingwood tomorrow night, with Eskander saying the Swans have been easing favourites, out from $1.88 to $1.94 with the Pies rock solid at $1.90.
"It's no secret that the Pies have the wood on the Swans, and having won their past three matches leading into the split round, it's hard to see them slipping up here," Eskander said.
Support for Blues
Betting on the reduced round of the NRL might be quiet but Sportingbet Australia chief executive Michael Sullivan expects wagering on the second State of Origin next Wednesday night to be fast and furious. "The Blues may have been beaten last year but it was only by two points in Sydney," said Sullivan, who is tipping the support to come for NSW. "They grow an extra leg at home, and the $2.25 to win seems like pretty good odds for a side desperate to tie up the series."
Sullivan said there had been solid early money around for the Maroons at $1.67, including a bet of $10,000, but punters were holding off backing the Blues.
"Punters are still concerned about the Blues' injuries, with Jennings already out and doubts still over a couple of others," he said. "I would expect the money to arrive for the Blues if the others pass their fitness tests."
Australia firm
Australia have firmed in to $1.68 from an opening $1.80 to win the upcoming Ashes series with Centrebet. Spokesman Neil Evans said England, playing at home, had blown from an opening $2.85 out to $3.35. "The biggest bet is $35,000 on the Aussies at $1.80 but the money is still coming in from both here and the UK for them to win the series," Evans said. "But the same confidence isn't there yet for Australia to win the first Test in Cardiff. They are quoted at $2.15 with the Poms at $3.60 and the draw at $2.95."
Plunge for Nadal
Rafael Nadal may still be under an injury cloud for Wimbledon but that hasn't stopped a fan plunging on him to win the tournament. Munsie said the TAB Sportsbet punter had wagered $30,000 on the Spaniard at $6.50.
Meanwhile, Sullivan said Sportingbet Australia punters were keen on Roger Federer, while Australian Samantha Stosur has shortened in the women's market.
Tiger domination
Tiger Woods, at $3, dominates betting on the US Open and commands a remarkable 30 per cent of money invested with TAB Sportsbet in the winner market. Munsie said US Masters winner Angel Cabrera was well backed at big odds with bets of $1400 and $1000 at $51. (Credit: Fairfax)
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Friday, March 27, 2009
International Internet Betting Laws
It may seem difficult but it is important that all citizens across the world stay updated with Internet Betting laws. Below you will find what we understand as the laws to online betting in certain areas of the world.
US Internet Betting Laws
The United States of America has the most ambiguous online casino laws in the world. They have passed laws to ban banks from allowing transactions that are deemed illegal, but no one has any idea what the United States considers legal or illegal. Currently, all US citizens are advised to check with local laws before gambling online. Even the online casinos aren't sure if you should be allowed to bet at their site. Some companies don't allow US players, others allow some US players, and some could care less where a player is from.
UK Internet Casino Laws
The UK is the first major country to completely legalize and regulate online gambling. The Gambling Act of 2005 was passed while Prime Minister Tony Blair was in office. Blair had a flair for expanding gambling, but when Gordon Brown took over as Prime Minister in the UK he provided a tax structure that was so high that most online casino companies were not urged to relocate to England. Today, all web branded casinos that are in a UK approved jurisdiction are legal for UK citizens to play at.
International Online Betting Laws
As the world gets deeper into the 21st century and the Internet becomes a more common cultural tool more and more countries are realizing the reality that is Internet gambling. Currently, Spain, Italy, Germany and other countries have moved to legalize and regulate the industry, while few still look to protect their homeland gaming monopolies. It is extremely important to check all local, state, and federal laws before participating in any online gambling activities.
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US Internet Betting Laws
The United States of America has the most ambiguous online casino laws in the world. They have passed laws to ban banks from allowing transactions that are deemed illegal, but no one has any idea what the United States considers legal or illegal. Currently, all US citizens are advised to check with local laws before gambling online. Even the online casinos aren't sure if you should be allowed to bet at their site. Some companies don't allow US players, others allow some US players, and some could care less where a player is from.
UK Internet Casino Laws
The UK is the first major country to completely legalize and regulate online gambling. The Gambling Act of 2005 was passed while Prime Minister Tony Blair was in office. Blair had a flair for expanding gambling, but when Gordon Brown took over as Prime Minister in the UK he provided a tax structure that was so high that most online casino companies were not urged to relocate to England. Today, all web branded casinos that are in a UK approved jurisdiction are legal for UK citizens to play at.
International Online Betting Laws
As the world gets deeper into the 21st century and the Internet becomes a more common cultural tool more and more countries are realizing the reality that is Internet gambling. Currently, Spain, Italy, Germany and other countries have moved to legalize and regulate the industry, while few still look to protect their homeland gaming monopolies. It is extremely important to check all local, state, and federal laws before participating in any online gambling activities.
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
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Sunday, February 01, 2009
Online betting agencies lure gamblers with free bets, by Melanie Christiansen - The Courier-Mail - 1st February 2009
Online betting agencies are giving away millions of dollars' worth of "free" bets to entice punters to open an account, increasing fears of gambling addiction.
The offers range from $10 to $1000 credited directly into their accounts - in a move condemned by critics as "unethical" and an attempt to "suck in" problem gamblers.
"It's like saying to an alcoholic, here's a free drink," said social justice campaigner the Rev Tim Costello. "There is no question it is dangerous. I think it's wrong."
While most states ban poker machine venues from offering financial inducements to lure players, online betting companies yesterday confirmed offers of free bets were a widespread industry practice.
In a recent mail-out to about 13,000 long-standing clients, Centrebet offered a $10 "free bet" with the re-issue of membership cards. "Log in now and you'll find a $10 free bet token in your account," the letter to one Queensland customer said.
Sportingbet Australia said it also offered free bets up to the value of $200 - depending on the amount a customer deposited in their betting account - while Betfair caused an outcry at the Australian Open last week by offering free $50 bets to tennis fans willing to sign up for an account.
Sports bookmaker Gerard Daffy - with the ACT-based online betting company Sports Acumen - said his agency offered $50 in bets to existing customers who referred a friend.
But he said some industry players now offered as much as $1000 in free bets to new account holders, while "selected" well-established clients had long been allowed to bet on credit.
"Free bets are all relative to an opening deposit," he said. "It could be like 25 per cent of your opening deposit. It's sort of like a semi rewards system."
Along with Centrebet and Sportingbet, Mr Daffy dismissed suggestions the free bet offers would fuel problem gambling, describing them as no different to the incentives offered by other businesses.
"Everywhere you go there are bonuses on offer," he said.
"The petrol station will give you 5c off if you spend $10."
But anti-gambling Senator Nick Xenophon blasted the practice, saying online betting agencies would not be giving away millions of dollars in so-called "free" bets without the promise of a much bigger return.
"I would call them parasites, because what they are doing is they are playing on people's vulnerabilities," he said.
"There's no such thing as a free bet. They know people will get sucked in and hooked and they'll make back their money many times."
Senator Xenophon and Mr Costello both want the Federal Government to ban online offers of free bets.
Senator Xenophon said he would introduce a private members bill in the next few months to stop the practice, with the aim of triggering a wider inquiry into online gambling. He said online gambling would produce Australia's "next wave" of problem gamblers.
Mr Costello also called for new research into the extent of online punting, warning it could be even more significant than gambling on the pokies, which saw Queenslanders lose $1.83 billion last year - or more than $5 million a day.
"Online betting is potentially much worse, because you can lose your house without leaving it," Mr Costello said.
Online betting agencies have been allowed to advertise their free-bet offers in Victoria and NSW since those states dropped a long-standing ban on such ads. But Australia's racing ministers have since agreed to develop a national standard for bookmaker advertising. (Credit: The Courier-Mail)
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The offers range from $10 to $1000 credited directly into their accounts - in a move condemned by critics as "unethical" and an attempt to "suck in" problem gamblers.
"It's like saying to an alcoholic, here's a free drink," said social justice campaigner the Rev Tim Costello. "There is no question it is dangerous. I think it's wrong."
While most states ban poker machine venues from offering financial inducements to lure players, online betting companies yesterday confirmed offers of free bets were a widespread industry practice.
In a recent mail-out to about 13,000 long-standing clients, Centrebet offered a $10 "free bet" with the re-issue of membership cards. "Log in now and you'll find a $10 free bet token in your account," the letter to one Queensland customer said.
Sportingbet Australia said it also offered free bets up to the value of $200 - depending on the amount a customer deposited in their betting account - while Betfair caused an outcry at the Australian Open last week by offering free $50 bets to tennis fans willing to sign up for an account.
Sports bookmaker Gerard Daffy - with the ACT-based online betting company Sports Acumen - said his agency offered $50 in bets to existing customers who referred a friend.
But he said some industry players now offered as much as $1000 in free bets to new account holders, while "selected" well-established clients had long been allowed to bet on credit.
"Free bets are all relative to an opening deposit," he said. "It could be like 25 per cent of your opening deposit. It's sort of like a semi rewards system."
Along with Centrebet and Sportingbet, Mr Daffy dismissed suggestions the free bet offers would fuel problem gambling, describing them as no different to the incentives offered by other businesses.
"Everywhere you go there are bonuses on offer," he said.
"The petrol station will give you 5c off if you spend $10."
But anti-gambling Senator Nick Xenophon blasted the practice, saying online betting agencies would not be giving away millions of dollars in so-called "free" bets without the promise of a much bigger return.
"I would call them parasites, because what they are doing is they are playing on people's vulnerabilities," he said.
"There's no such thing as a free bet. They know people will get sucked in and hooked and they'll make back their money many times."
Senator Xenophon and Mr Costello both want the Federal Government to ban online offers of free bets.
Senator Xenophon said he would introduce a private members bill in the next few months to stop the practice, with the aim of triggering a wider inquiry into online gambling. He said online gambling would produce Australia's "next wave" of problem gamblers.
Mr Costello also called for new research into the extent of online punting, warning it could be even more significant than gambling on the pokies, which saw Queenslanders lose $1.83 billion last year - or more than $5 million a day.
"Online betting is potentially much worse, because you can lose your house without leaving it," Mr Costello said.
Online betting agencies have been allowed to advertise their free-bet offers in Victoria and NSW since those states dropped a long-standing ban on such ads. But Australia's racing ministers have since agreed to develop a national standard for bookmaker advertising. (Credit: The Courier-Mail)
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
Bookie seeks venture with Knights, Sharks, by John Schell - The Sydney Morning Herald - 30th January 2009
A Northern Territory-based bookmaker is close to formalising a deal with NRL clubs Newcastle and Cronulla to set up team-specific websites aimed at encouraging fans to open online betting accounts to gamble on league and other sports.
The two clubs have approached the NRL to approve contractual terms with Betezy.com.au, which has already concluded a deal with the Gold Coast Titans.
Betezy.com.au general manager Ryan Kay said the NRL clubs involved would receive advertising-based commissions based on turnover "which will generate substantial payments for the clubs over the next few years".
NRL director of media and communications John Brady yesterday confirmed the NRL was "looking at the proposals, as we are with a number of other clubs".
"Since the advertising laws involving interstate betting operators were changed last year there has been an influx of interest in betting companies aligning themselves with NRL clubs," Brady said. "The Titans have an arrangement with Betezy already and these new deals are very similar to them, pretty much the same I expect.
"But we have made it very clear that there are stipulations that would have to be in any contract to ensure there was a recognition of the integrity process that is needed not only for the entitlement of the game to get a return from the betting but also for transparency.
"There is a recognition with the betting operators that 'you're making money out of us so give something back'. That would be the same case with anyone else who was making money out of the game.
"As for integrity, that is a central issue of our game whether there is betting involved or not. Right from the under sixes to first grade, integrity is paramount."
Titans chief executive Michael Searle welcomed news that other NRL clubs were set to join forces with Betezy.com.au and other operators.
"The important thing is that this is new revenue to the game that clubs previously didn't have access to," he said. "Anything that derives new revenue for the club and the game can only be a good thing. We've been associated with Betezy since last year and we are more than happy with the relationship. There hasn't been a drama and it has generated income for us."
Searle said there were no concerns that other clubs becoming involved would drain the Titans' ability to make a profit from their deal.
"The thing with the Betezy model is it is more or less a fan-based relationship, so we are targeting Gold Coast Titans supporters," he said.
"I would think it would be the same with the other clubs."
Kay confirmed that the proposals with the Knights and Sharks were the same as that in place with the Titans.
"Like the Titansbet venture, the new ventures have agreed to ensure a high percentage of profits is contributed to the respective club's charities and community projects," Kay said.
He also stressed that the integrity of the NRL was the major priority for all clubs concerned as well as Betezy.com.au, with the NRL having the ability to "veto" any bet types it deems not in the best interests of the game, including betting on penalty counts.
"We will be continually looking at integrity issues. We will be working with the NRL and other sporting bodies to make certain there is always integrity," Kay said. "One thing we are very resolute about is making sure there are never any illegal gambling activities in the sport and we will work with everyone involved to ensure this is achieved." (Credit: Fairfax)
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The two clubs have approached the NRL to approve contractual terms with Betezy.com.au, which has already concluded a deal with the Gold Coast Titans.
Betezy.com.au general manager Ryan Kay said the NRL clubs involved would receive advertising-based commissions based on turnover "which will generate substantial payments for the clubs over the next few years".
NRL director of media and communications John Brady yesterday confirmed the NRL was "looking at the proposals, as we are with a number of other clubs".
"Since the advertising laws involving interstate betting operators were changed last year there has been an influx of interest in betting companies aligning themselves with NRL clubs," Brady said. "The Titans have an arrangement with Betezy already and these new deals are very similar to them, pretty much the same I expect.
"But we have made it very clear that there are stipulations that would have to be in any contract to ensure there was a recognition of the integrity process that is needed not only for the entitlement of the game to get a return from the betting but also for transparency.
"There is a recognition with the betting operators that 'you're making money out of us so give something back'. That would be the same case with anyone else who was making money out of the game.
"As for integrity, that is a central issue of our game whether there is betting involved or not. Right from the under sixes to first grade, integrity is paramount."
Titans chief executive Michael Searle welcomed news that other NRL clubs were set to join forces with Betezy.com.au and other operators.
"The important thing is that this is new revenue to the game that clubs previously didn't have access to," he said. "Anything that derives new revenue for the club and the game can only be a good thing. We've been associated with Betezy since last year and we are more than happy with the relationship. There hasn't been a drama and it has generated income for us."
Searle said there were no concerns that other clubs becoming involved would drain the Titans' ability to make a profit from their deal.
"The thing with the Betezy model is it is more or less a fan-based relationship, so we are targeting Gold Coast Titans supporters," he said.
"I would think it would be the same with the other clubs."
Kay confirmed that the proposals with the Knights and Sharks were the same as that in place with the Titans.
"Like the Titansbet venture, the new ventures have agreed to ensure a high percentage of profits is contributed to the respective club's charities and community projects," Kay said.
He also stressed that the integrity of the NRL was the major priority for all clubs concerned as well as Betezy.com.au, with the NRL having the ability to "veto" any bet types it deems not in the best interests of the game, including betting on penalty counts.
"We will be continually looking at integrity issues. We will be working with the NRL and other sporting bodies to make certain there is always integrity," Kay said. "One thing we are very resolute about is making sure there are never any illegal gambling activities in the sport and we will work with everyone involved to ensure this is achieved." (Credit: Fairfax)
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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
NRL Australia Clubs Find Savior in Ryan Kay - Gambling911 - 28th January 2009
Breaking NRL Australian sports betting story coming through to Gambling911.com with full details likely Friday.
Ryan Kay, a major force in the Australian sports betting world, and his elite team look to have come up with a sustainable solution to ensure the livelihood's of the NRL clubs, while ensuring that players, clubs, fans and Government coffers all win.
The trail blazing Gold Coast Titans have revolutionised the way clubs raise revenue and ignited a widespread integrity debate after the shock launch of their own online sports betting agency last October.
The cutting-edge innovation floored many NRL heavyweights and the nation's biggest corporate bookmakers in a venture that will see revenue, normally gained from poker machines in leagues clubs, pocketed via a computer screen.
The launch of Titansbet.com.au makes the Titans the first ever professional sporting organisation in Australia and the only club in the NRL to have entered into the Northern Territory's growing corporate bookmaking market, which is expected to turnover more than $4 billion this financial year.
Titansbet.com.au is operating as a joint venture company with one of Australia's largest bookmakers, Betezy.
Ryan Kay is General Manager for Betezy and said this past fall, the launch of Titansbet.com.au was an innovative concept for both parties.
"This is the first white label service of its type in Australian sport and it's a very exciting new venture,'' said Kay.
"The whole website and white label is licensed by Betezy, which is a licensed bookmaker in the Northern Territory.
"Clients will be able to bet with Titansbet.com.au 24 hours, 7 days a week online and on the telephone and it'll be just like their own personal account with one of Australia's leading operators.
"We see it being a major contributor of revenue for the Titans. It means that clients and loyal fans can basically bet with the Titans and the money goes back to the club and to the community.
"We see it as a win-win for everyone.''
Betting on the National Rugby League is an Australian pastime.
Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com
*pitched and tipped off by Greg Tingle - Media Man Australia, Casino News Media and Australian Sports Entertainment
Ryan Kay, a major force in the Australian sports betting world, and his elite team look to have come up with a sustainable solution to ensure the livelihood's of the NRL clubs, while ensuring that players, clubs, fans and Government coffers all win.
The trail blazing Gold Coast Titans have revolutionised the way clubs raise revenue and ignited a widespread integrity debate after the shock launch of their own online sports betting agency last October.
The cutting-edge innovation floored many NRL heavyweights and the nation's biggest corporate bookmakers in a venture that will see revenue, normally gained from poker machines in leagues clubs, pocketed via a computer screen.
The launch of Titansbet.com.au makes the Titans the first ever professional sporting organisation in Australia and the only club in the NRL to have entered into the Northern Territory's growing corporate bookmaking market, which is expected to turnover more than $4 billion this financial year.
Titansbet.com.au is operating as a joint venture company with one of Australia's largest bookmakers, Betezy.
Ryan Kay is General Manager for Betezy and said this past fall, the launch of Titansbet.com.au was an innovative concept for both parties.
"This is the first white label service of its type in Australian sport and it's a very exciting new venture,'' said Kay.
"The whole website and white label is licensed by Betezy, which is a licensed bookmaker in the Northern Territory.
"Clients will be able to bet with Titansbet.com.au 24 hours, 7 days a week online and on the telephone and it'll be just like their own personal account with one of Australia's leading operators.
"We see it being a major contributor of revenue for the Titans. It means that clients and loyal fans can basically bet with the Titans and the money goes back to the club and to the community.
"We see it as a win-win for everyone.''
Betting on the National Rugby League is an Australian pastime.
Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com
*pitched and tipped off by Greg Tingle - Media Man Australia, Casino News Media and Australian Sports Entertainment
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Titans punt on grand final with online gambling move, by Brad Walter - Fairfax - 1st October 2008
A controversial new betting agency launched by Gold Coast Titans will not be allowed to offer odds on judiciary hearings such as last week's Cam Smith case.
The Titans, who anticipate an annual $3 million boost from the online gambling operation, stunned rival clubs when they announced a joint venture with Betezy.
Punters can bet with Titanbet on the grand final. Manly and Melbourne, the combatants in Sunday's premiership decider, said last night they were likely to follow suit. But the NRL said strict conditions would be placed on any arrangement entered into by clubs, including the right to prevent certain types of bets, such as the one that infuriated Storm officials last week when Sportingbet offered odds on whether or not Smith would be suspended at the judiciary.
"While we accept that sports betting is a reality and that clubs are looking to build revenue streams, we will retain the right to examine each proposal on a case-by-case basis," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.
The move by the Titans comes just weeks after the NRL prevented the Sea Eagles entering into a $2m major sponsorship deal with Betchoice. Officially, the deal was not allowed because
it conflicted with the NRL's arrangement with TAB Sportsbet but it is understood the league does not want clubs wearing the name of betting agencies on their jerseys for moral reasons.
Titans CEO Michael Searle anticipated criticism of the club's move into gambling but argued that bookmaking organisations were making money from betting on sport, including the NRL, so they might as well profit.
"There's no point being half pregnant so we've decided to take it to the next level by entering into a joint venture with a bookmaking agency," Searle said.
"Unlike other clubs, we don't rely on money from poker machines and I believe this is an opportunity to get a foothold into the growing gambling market within Australia for the benefit of rugby league."
Searle said the revenue stream created from the joint venture would fund both the football club and its charity arm, the Gold Coast Titans Community Foundation. He said Titansbet.com.au had agreed to implement certain safeguards to guarantee the integrity of the game and the players, while the club would sign a betting integrity and product fee agreement similar to those between the NRL and both Tabcorp and Betfair.
The NRL has insisted the Titans have no exposure to profit or loss from betting on a single match.
With betting in the Northern Territory expected to turn over more than $4 billion this financial year, other clubs have been approached about entering into similar partnerships. It is understood some clubs have been told they could earn $4.5 million per year from such a deal.
"It's something we've already looked at and we will consider more closely after the grand final," Manly CEO Grant Mayer said.
Melbourne Storm CEO Brian Waldron said: "It's something I envisage we will get involved with too at some stage." (Credit: Fairfax)
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The Titans, who anticipate an annual $3 million boost from the online gambling operation, stunned rival clubs when they announced a joint venture with Betezy.
Punters can bet with Titanbet on the grand final. Manly and Melbourne, the combatants in Sunday's premiership decider, said last night they were likely to follow suit. But the NRL said strict conditions would be placed on any arrangement entered into by clubs, including the right to prevent certain types of bets, such as the one that infuriated Storm officials last week when Sportingbet offered odds on whether or not Smith would be suspended at the judiciary.
"While we accept that sports betting is a reality and that clubs are looking to build revenue streams, we will retain the right to examine each proposal on a case-by-case basis," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.
The move by the Titans comes just weeks after the NRL prevented the Sea Eagles entering into a $2m major sponsorship deal with Betchoice. Officially, the deal was not allowed because
it conflicted with the NRL's arrangement with TAB Sportsbet but it is understood the league does not want clubs wearing the name of betting agencies on their jerseys for moral reasons.
Titans CEO Michael Searle anticipated criticism of the club's move into gambling but argued that bookmaking organisations were making money from betting on sport, including the NRL, so they might as well profit.
"There's no point being half pregnant so we've decided to take it to the next level by entering into a joint venture with a bookmaking agency," Searle said.
"Unlike other clubs, we don't rely on money from poker machines and I believe this is an opportunity to get a foothold into the growing gambling market within Australia for the benefit of rugby league."
Searle said the revenue stream created from the joint venture would fund both the football club and its charity arm, the Gold Coast Titans Community Foundation. He said Titansbet.com.au had agreed to implement certain safeguards to guarantee the integrity of the game and the players, while the club would sign a betting integrity and product fee agreement similar to those between the NRL and both Tabcorp and Betfair.
The NRL has insisted the Titans have no exposure to profit or loss from betting on a single match.
With betting in the Northern Territory expected to turn over more than $4 billion this financial year, other clubs have been approached about entering into similar partnerships. It is understood some clubs have been told they could earn $4.5 million per year from such a deal.
"It's something we've already looked at and we will consider more closely after the grand final," Manly CEO Grant Mayer said.
Melbourne Storm CEO Brian Waldron said: "It's something I envisage we will get involved with too at some stage." (Credit: Fairfax)
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Ezybet - NRL sport betting breaking news
Ezybet - NRL sport betting breaking news
More details on the Ezybet - NRL clubs sports betting breaking news story as it comes to hand.
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More details on the Ezybet - NRL clubs sports betting breaking news story as it comes to hand.
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Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 09, 2009
Bet firms win free rein to rival TAB - Gold Coast Bulletin - 7th January 2009
Embattled Queensland racing and sporting events have been thrown a lifeline and the TAB monopoly is about to end with the State Government lifting a ban on interstate online betting agencies, allowing them to advertise in Queensland.
Corporate bookmaker giants such as Sportingbet have effectively been locked out of Queensland by the ban because of a government deal to protect the TAB until 2012.
But a recent High Court decision ruled a similar ban in Western Australia was unconstitutional as it was a restraint on the trade in gambling between the states.
The NSW and Victoria governments in October announced they would lift the ban and Queensland Treasurer and Racing Minister Andrew Fraser yesterday indicated that he would follow suit.
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Mr Fraser said the constitutionality of the provision in the Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act that allowed only authorised persons to advertise was now in question because of the High Court decision.
''The Government will, in coming months, be considering legislative changes including repeal -- required because of the decision," he said.
"In the meantime, the Government will not be pursuing prosecutions under this provision until the matter is resolved."
The Government began preparing for the change late last year, introducing 'race fields' legislation into State Parliament which will enable them to collect a fee from wagering operators betting on Queensland gallops, harness and greyhound races.
The money would be ploughed back into the three codes.
Opposition racing spokesman Mike Horan said it was recently estimated charging the betting agencies a fee instead of excluding them would pour another $17 million into the troubled racing industry.
"Racing needs this extra money," he said.
"I think that the reality of life has set in.
"All states are now working towards charging this fee for the race fields so some income comes back to the code for the product that is provided and advertising is more or less a natural progression."
He said the sponsorship and advertising from the online agencies would benefit Queensland racing, particularly country races which have been under threat.
Sportingbet finance director and legal counsel Anthony Waller welcomed the Queensland decision and promised to put money back into the industry.
"Sportingbet looks forward to being able to sponsor and participate in Queensland racing and sport," he said.
Sportingbet is Australia's biggest bookmaker with a turnover of $1.2 billion. (Credit: Gold Coast Bulletin)
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Corporate bookmaker giants such as Sportingbet have effectively been locked out of Queensland by the ban because of a government deal to protect the TAB until 2012.
But a recent High Court decision ruled a similar ban in Western Australia was unconstitutional as it was a restraint on the trade in gambling between the states.
The NSW and Victoria governments in October announced they would lift the ban and Queensland Treasurer and Racing Minister Andrew Fraser yesterday indicated that he would follow suit.
Have your say on the feedback form below
Mr Fraser said the constitutionality of the provision in the Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act that allowed only authorised persons to advertise was now in question because of the High Court decision.
''The Government will, in coming months, be considering legislative changes including repeal -- required because of the decision," he said.
"In the meantime, the Government will not be pursuing prosecutions under this provision until the matter is resolved."
The Government began preparing for the change late last year, introducing 'race fields' legislation into State Parliament which will enable them to collect a fee from wagering operators betting on Queensland gallops, harness and greyhound races.
The money would be ploughed back into the three codes.
Opposition racing spokesman Mike Horan said it was recently estimated charging the betting agencies a fee instead of excluding them would pour another $17 million into the troubled racing industry.
"Racing needs this extra money," he said.
"I think that the reality of life has set in.
"All states are now working towards charging this fee for the race fields so some income comes back to the code for the product that is provided and advertising is more or less a natural progression."
He said the sponsorship and advertising from the online agencies would benefit Queensland racing, particularly country races which have been under threat.
Sportingbet finance director and legal counsel Anthony Waller welcomed the Queensland decision and promised to put money back into the industry.
"Sportingbet looks forward to being able to sponsor and participate in Queensland racing and sport," he said.
Sportingbet is Australia's biggest bookmaker with a turnover of $1.2 billion. (Credit: Gold Coast Bulletin)
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Saturday, January 03, 2009
Third Test a lottery after second match's frenetic fluctuations, by John Schell - The Sydney Morning Herald - 2nd January 2009
Bizarre betting movements on the series-clinching Melbourne Test win by South Africa against Australia have carried over to the third Test, which begins at the SCG tomorrow.
Despite the Proteas crushing Australia in Perth and then in Melbourne to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead, they are $3.10 outsiders with TAB Sportsbet to complete the sweep. The draw was posted favourite at $2.50 with an Australian victory at $2.75.
"The second Test was huge in betting interest," TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said. "All three options were a short-priced favourite at some stage during the match. Australia touched $1.20 at their lowest price, the draw as short as $1.28 and one of the last bets taken on South Africa was $5000 at $1.12 before the book was closed mid-morning on day five."
There was a punter who had $500 on the South Africans at $9 to win while the biggest bet on them to win was $50,000 at $1.60.
Sportingbet Australia's Michael Sullivan said weight of money had resulted in his market turning around.
"After solid backing, South Africa are in to $2.80, after opening at $3.10, with the Aussies out to $3.15. It looks a much more realistic market, especially with the Australians struggling to take 20 wickets in a match." (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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Despite the Proteas crushing Australia in Perth and then in Melbourne to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead, they are $3.10 outsiders with TAB Sportsbet to complete the sweep. The draw was posted favourite at $2.50 with an Australian victory at $2.75.
"The second Test was huge in betting interest," TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said. "All three options were a short-priced favourite at some stage during the match. Australia touched $1.20 at their lowest price, the draw as short as $1.28 and one of the last bets taken on South Africa was $5000 at $1.12 before the book was closed mid-morning on day five."
There was a punter who had $500 on the South Africans at $9 to win while the biggest bet on them to win was $50,000 at $1.60.
Sportingbet Australia's Michael Sullivan said weight of money had resulted in his market turning around.
"After solid backing, South Africa are in to $2.80, after opening at $3.10, with the Aussies out to $3.15. It looks a much more realistic market, especially with the Australians struggling to take 20 wickets in a match." (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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Monday, December 29, 2008
Sydney to Hobart yacht race
The Sydney to Hobart yacht race, Australia's top yachting event, will this year see 101 boats competing, up from 82 last year. Sponsorships for most of the entries were sealed months ago despite the financial crisis, although some billionaire-owned yachts will compete without any sponsorship. Among the more prominent entries are Wot Now and Wot Yot, two boats owned by Graeme Wood, the founder of online travel service Wotif.com, and billionaire Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI.
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Friday, December 26, 2008
Outcry over Betfair cricket ads, by Natasha Robinson - The Australian - 27th December 2008
The Nine Network has caused a furore for allowing online betting agency Betfair to advertise during the Boxing Day Test, with campaigners furious that the plugs -- including one by cricket legend Ritchie Benaud -- expose children and teenagers to gambling.
World Vision head Tim Costello and South Australian senator Nick Xenophon said yesterday they were shocked to see Betfair's strong presence on advertising billboards at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Mr Costello, who was at the MCG yesterday, said he was "very worried" about the potential for children who viewed the Betfair advertising to go home and gamble online without their parents' knowledge.
"You've got families and kids here," Mr Costello said. "Of course gambling is part of life, but I think when it's a family cultural event like the Boxing Day Test, the advertising is inappropriate."
He said he was particularly concerned at the way Benaud had quoted Betfair's odds during his commentary, broadcast live around the nation on the Nine Network yesterday morning.
"The truth is we know that gambling addiction breaks up families, causes crime and comes at a huge social cost," Mr Costello said. "When it's a family event like the cricket, when it's being broadcast live and kids are listening to it, it is overstepping the mark. It's inappropriate certainly for kids at a family event."
Senator Xenophon, who was elected as a South Australian senator at the last federal poll largely on an anti-gambling platform, described the online gambling world as the "wild west" and called on the Rudd Government to impose regulations on the broadcasters.
"Online gambling such as Betfair has the potential to deliver the next wave of problem gamblers," he said.
"There's very little regulation in relation to advertising. Gambling advertising ought to carry with it warnings, and we ought to be looking at restrictions similar to those that apply to cigarettes and alcohol."
Senator Xenophon agreed with Mr Costello that the ability for online betting agencies to advertise at the cricket threatened the Boxing Day match's family-friendly status. "It's a shame for the great game of cricket that it's been reduced to just another event to have a punt on," Senator Xenophon said. "It diminishes the great game of cricket."
Nine's publicity officer did not return calls yesterday.
Senator Xenophon said he had concerns that online betting on sporting matches could expose sports to corruption and match-fixing. A spokesman for Betfair last night declined to respond to the criticisms made by Mr Costello and Senator Xenophon, but the agency has strongly argued in the past that it has safeguards in place to guard against corruption, the risk of which is increased because punters have the chance to bet on a team's loss as well as a win.
Betfair tipped off the Australian Football Federation last week that Socceroos Kevin Muscat and Craig Moore, as well as Melbourne Victory midfielder Grant Brebner, had bet on soccer matches, in breach of regulations.
In 2000, South African captain Hansie Cronje was banned from cricket for life after admitting he took bribes from bookmakers to fix games.
And Shane Warne and Mark Waugh were fined by the Australian Cricket Board after being offered inducements to give pitch and weather reports on Australia's tour of Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1994.
(Credit: The Australian)
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World Vision head Tim Costello and South Australian senator Nick Xenophon said yesterday they were shocked to see Betfair's strong presence on advertising billboards at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Mr Costello, who was at the MCG yesterday, said he was "very worried" about the potential for children who viewed the Betfair advertising to go home and gamble online without their parents' knowledge.
"You've got families and kids here," Mr Costello said. "Of course gambling is part of life, but I think when it's a family cultural event like the Boxing Day Test, the advertising is inappropriate."
He said he was particularly concerned at the way Benaud had quoted Betfair's odds during his commentary, broadcast live around the nation on the Nine Network yesterday morning.
"The truth is we know that gambling addiction breaks up families, causes crime and comes at a huge social cost," Mr Costello said. "When it's a family event like the cricket, when it's being broadcast live and kids are listening to it, it is overstepping the mark. It's inappropriate certainly for kids at a family event."
Senator Xenophon, who was elected as a South Australian senator at the last federal poll largely on an anti-gambling platform, described the online gambling world as the "wild west" and called on the Rudd Government to impose regulations on the broadcasters.
"Online gambling such as Betfair has the potential to deliver the next wave of problem gamblers," he said.
"There's very little regulation in relation to advertising. Gambling advertising ought to carry with it warnings, and we ought to be looking at restrictions similar to those that apply to cigarettes and alcohol."
Senator Xenophon agreed with Mr Costello that the ability for online betting agencies to advertise at the cricket threatened the Boxing Day match's family-friendly status. "It's a shame for the great game of cricket that it's been reduced to just another event to have a punt on," Senator Xenophon said. "It diminishes the great game of cricket."
Nine's publicity officer did not return calls yesterday.
Senator Xenophon said he had concerns that online betting on sporting matches could expose sports to corruption and match-fixing. A spokesman for Betfair last night declined to respond to the criticisms made by Mr Costello and Senator Xenophon, but the agency has strongly argued in the past that it has safeguards in place to guard against corruption, the risk of which is increased because punters have the chance to bet on a team's loss as well as a win.
Betfair tipped off the Australian Football Federation last week that Socceroos Kevin Muscat and Craig Moore, as well as Melbourne Victory midfielder Grant Brebner, had bet on soccer matches, in breach of regulations.
In 2000, South African captain Hansie Cronje was banned from cricket for life after admitting he took bribes from bookmakers to fix games.
And Shane Warne and Mark Waugh were fined by the Australian Cricket Board after being offered inducements to give pitch and weather reports on Australia's tour of Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1994.
(Credit: The Australian)
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Sunday, November 16, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Betting's new dawn, by Dan Silkstone - The Age - 31st October 2008
The race to lure punters has been thrown wide open by new betting regulations and, as Dan Silkstone reports, debate rages about who will be the winners and the losers.
It is the race that stops a nation, reaches into its back pocket and removes $50. On Tuesday, Australia will go gambling crazy — the Melbourne Cup is the biggest punting day of the year by some considerable margin. And as the big race begins, they will jostle for position, fighting hard for a victory that will bring one of the richest purses in sport. Not the horses, that is. The bookies.
Victorian racing is in the grip of a gambling revolution as recent law changes have opened up a fl ood of new competition. The battle to sign up punters is getting bloody.
Since 2006, interstate and internet-based corporate bookmakers have been offering "tote odds" in Victoria — duplicating the prices of the monopoly tote operated by Tabcorp but offering a 5% bonus.
The corporates can do so because they pay far less back into racing than Tabcorp — less than 1% of turnover compared with the tote’s return of six cents in the dollar.
Racing authorities have warned that as the tote loses market share, a crisis looms for future race funding. The corporates say they are happy to contribute, as long as the price is fair.
But everything changed again only three weeks ago when the Victorian and NSW Governments suddenly lifted restrictions prohibiting corporate bookmakers from advertising in mainstream media and sponsoring races and events.
The result is a flood of money rushing into advertising as at least 10 companies fight for brand recognition, punters’ patronage and market share.
"Everyone right now is getting pretty ruthless competing for advertising space and exposure," says Centrebet’s Neil Evans.
"There’s a massive land grab on at the moment," agrees Andrew Twaits, chief executive of rival operator Betfair. There is big money at stake. Last year — a bad one for punting because of equine influenza — the Victorian and NSW TABs took $1.36 billion during Victoria’s spring racing carnival, more than $150 million of it on Cup Day alone.
The overall amount punted this year should be considerably higher, but most in the industry believe that a growing share will go to the interstate internetbased corporates.
Despite tough times, everyone expects a lucrative week.
"Betting is recession-proof — it’s often said, but I think it’s true," Evans says.
"In difficult times, people drink more and they bet more," Sportsbet’s Matt Tripp agrees.
"They seem to turn to the punt if the pressure is on."
All of the big corporate bookmakers have invested heavily in billboards, newspaper and other media advertisements, trying to convince punters used to betting at a pub or TAB to try the online experience.
"Competition is now furious, and where you have competition, you have got big money," Evans says.
"The gambling world has finally woken up."
"The corporates are thriving in the new environment but the TAB is struggling," says Tripp.
"They simply haven’t got the product that the corporates can offer and, with the advertising now, punters are being made aware of that."
Sportsbet alone turned over about $1 billion last year. This year, it is aiming for $1.5 billion.
Amid it all, racing authorities warn of calamity as the corporates strip revenue away from the tote — the source of more than 90% of racing’s funding.
Tabcorp’s Rob Nason says the tote’s market share has fallen from 95% in Victoria to about 72% in five years. The current advertising blitz is expected to worsen that situation.
Racing Victoria Ltd and the Victoria Racing Club have joined Tabcorp in calling on the State Government to enforce Victorian laws preventing interstate operators offering tote odds.
If, as seems likely, the state cannot do so, they want Racing Minister Rob Hulls to pressure the Federal Government to intervene.
"If the State Government doesn’t believe it has the capacity to regulate that, then we are suggesting the Federal Government get involved," Nason says.
Hulls said yesterday he was powerless to prevent tote odds being offered from interstate, but he would take the matter up with fellow racing minsters when they meet in Melbourne in December and would push for the matter to be referred to the Federal Government.
VRC chief Dale Monteith also wants the State Government to investigate the promotions being offered by some operators during the current orgy of advertising, saying that offers of up to $1000 in free bets in exchange for signing up were a nightmare for efforts aimed at curbing problem gambling.
"Some of those ads, the State Government needs to consider what is responsible gambling when people are offering free bets of up to $1000 for signing up an account," he said.
"They (interstate bookmakers) have got no knowledge of what responsible gambling is, and you only have to look at their ads to see that."
Hulls said he had asked his department to keep an eye on the advertising free-for-all as the Government prepared new guidelines to be implemented next year.
"I want to send a very clear message to bookmakers who want to advertise that it won’t be open slather. It will only be allowed if it is responsible," he said.
Tripp said a race for market share had started.
"It might come down to who has the deepest pockets," he said. "Since the gloves came off, we have spent $3 million and will probably spend $3 million more before the year is out."
The change is already happening. On Cox Plate day, Centrebet’s turnover was up by almost 20% on last year. For Tabcorp and its tote, the take was substantially down.
Centrebet alone expects to take about $2 million on the Melbourne Cup and $5 million for the day. The number of punters using this one site will be measured in the tens of thousands.
Betfair has less than 1% of the market, but expects, with the relaxing of advertising rules, to grab a 5% share in coming years. It is hoping for a turnover increase of about 30% this year.
"This (the advertising change) will help generate a lot of interest in the carnival, more than in previous years," Twaits says.
RVL chief Rob Hines says it is inevitable that the pressure on the tote will worsen. Monteith said the tote odds offered by the interstaters were obscene.
"We cannot survive off the back of fixed-odds betting . . . They are offering us about 0.66% of turnover whereas we are getting about 4.4% out of the tote," he said.
"If there is more inaction, we are going to see money siphoned out of the racing industry. It is happening now and the figures are not insignificant."
Hines says one solution is for the sport to make more money from television and other media rights, creating new products and selling them better.
"The AFL do a terrific job of bringing all the games into one package of media, which they then sell on," he said.
Tabcorp has responded within the past month by setting up its own Darwin-based offshoot, Luxbet, to replicate the interstate competitors’ model. Already, it has 7000 customers.
"Something like 95% of racing’s funding comes from the tote," Nason says.
"Unquestionably, we are expecting to have a significant loss of market share because we just cannot compete on price with someone who does not make the same contribution to the racing industry."
ALL BETS ARE ON
THE KEY PLAYERS
CENTREBET
BIG Darwin operator that offers odds on everything from elections to Olympics. The first agency to offer online betting in Australia (in 1996). Keen to sponsor sporting teams and race meetings to gain exposure.
TABCORP
GAMBLING giant privatised in 1994 and charged a licence fee for monopoly to run Victoria’s tote. Now competing with a range of interstate online operators who pay lower fees back to the industry. Contributes $300 million a year to racing industry.
SPORTSBET
DARWIN-BASED company run by bookmaker Matt Tripp that claims to be the biggest of the corporates with turnover of $1 billion last year.
BETFAIR
A DIFFERENT model, based in Tasmania, that allows punters to lay odds with each other, similar to a stock exchange. Also pioneering in-race betting.
LUXBET
NEW Darwin-based enterprise started by Tabcorp to compete with the interstate corporates. One month old and already has 7000 customers.
BETSTAR
NORTHERN Territory-based corporate owned by former Melbourne bookmakers Alan and Michael Eskander.
BETEZY
SMALLER, Darwin-based company offering betting on racing and other sports.
SPORTINGBET AUSTRALIA
DARWIN-BASED corporate online and phone bookmaker, an offshoot of the Britishbased company Sportingbet. Is regarded as one of the bigger operators, betting on racing, sports and politics.
(Credit: The Age)
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It is the race that stops a nation, reaches into its back pocket and removes $50. On Tuesday, Australia will go gambling crazy — the Melbourne Cup is the biggest punting day of the year by some considerable margin. And as the big race begins, they will jostle for position, fighting hard for a victory that will bring one of the richest purses in sport. Not the horses, that is. The bookies.
Victorian racing is in the grip of a gambling revolution as recent law changes have opened up a fl ood of new competition. The battle to sign up punters is getting bloody.
Since 2006, interstate and internet-based corporate bookmakers have been offering "tote odds" in Victoria — duplicating the prices of the monopoly tote operated by Tabcorp but offering a 5% bonus.
The corporates can do so because they pay far less back into racing than Tabcorp — less than 1% of turnover compared with the tote’s return of six cents in the dollar.
Racing authorities have warned that as the tote loses market share, a crisis looms for future race funding. The corporates say they are happy to contribute, as long as the price is fair.
But everything changed again only three weeks ago when the Victorian and NSW Governments suddenly lifted restrictions prohibiting corporate bookmakers from advertising in mainstream media and sponsoring races and events.
The result is a flood of money rushing into advertising as at least 10 companies fight for brand recognition, punters’ patronage and market share.
"Everyone right now is getting pretty ruthless competing for advertising space and exposure," says Centrebet’s Neil Evans.
"There’s a massive land grab on at the moment," agrees Andrew Twaits, chief executive of rival operator Betfair. There is big money at stake. Last year — a bad one for punting because of equine influenza — the Victorian and NSW TABs took $1.36 billion during Victoria’s spring racing carnival, more than $150 million of it on Cup Day alone.
The overall amount punted this year should be considerably higher, but most in the industry believe that a growing share will go to the interstate internetbased corporates.
Despite tough times, everyone expects a lucrative week.
"Betting is recession-proof — it’s often said, but I think it’s true," Evans says.
"In difficult times, people drink more and they bet more," Sportsbet’s Matt Tripp agrees.
"They seem to turn to the punt if the pressure is on."
All of the big corporate bookmakers have invested heavily in billboards, newspaper and other media advertisements, trying to convince punters used to betting at a pub or TAB to try the online experience.
"Competition is now furious, and where you have competition, you have got big money," Evans says.
"The gambling world has finally woken up."
"The corporates are thriving in the new environment but the TAB is struggling," says Tripp.
"They simply haven’t got the product that the corporates can offer and, with the advertising now, punters are being made aware of that."
Sportsbet alone turned over about $1 billion last year. This year, it is aiming for $1.5 billion.
Amid it all, racing authorities warn of calamity as the corporates strip revenue away from the tote — the source of more than 90% of racing’s funding.
Tabcorp’s Rob Nason says the tote’s market share has fallen from 95% in Victoria to about 72% in five years. The current advertising blitz is expected to worsen that situation.
Racing Victoria Ltd and the Victoria Racing Club have joined Tabcorp in calling on the State Government to enforce Victorian laws preventing interstate operators offering tote odds.
If, as seems likely, the state cannot do so, they want Racing Minister Rob Hulls to pressure the Federal Government to intervene.
"If the State Government doesn’t believe it has the capacity to regulate that, then we are suggesting the Federal Government get involved," Nason says.
Hulls said yesterday he was powerless to prevent tote odds being offered from interstate, but he would take the matter up with fellow racing minsters when they meet in Melbourne in December and would push for the matter to be referred to the Federal Government.
VRC chief Dale Monteith also wants the State Government to investigate the promotions being offered by some operators during the current orgy of advertising, saying that offers of up to $1000 in free bets in exchange for signing up were a nightmare for efforts aimed at curbing problem gambling.
"Some of those ads, the State Government needs to consider what is responsible gambling when people are offering free bets of up to $1000 for signing up an account," he said.
"They (interstate bookmakers) have got no knowledge of what responsible gambling is, and you only have to look at their ads to see that."
Hulls said he had asked his department to keep an eye on the advertising free-for-all as the Government prepared new guidelines to be implemented next year.
"I want to send a very clear message to bookmakers who want to advertise that it won’t be open slather. It will only be allowed if it is responsible," he said.
Tripp said a race for market share had started.
"It might come down to who has the deepest pockets," he said. "Since the gloves came off, we have spent $3 million and will probably spend $3 million more before the year is out."
The change is already happening. On Cox Plate day, Centrebet’s turnover was up by almost 20% on last year. For Tabcorp and its tote, the take was substantially down.
Centrebet alone expects to take about $2 million on the Melbourne Cup and $5 million for the day. The number of punters using this one site will be measured in the tens of thousands.
Betfair has less than 1% of the market, but expects, with the relaxing of advertising rules, to grab a 5% share in coming years. It is hoping for a turnover increase of about 30% this year.
"This (the advertising change) will help generate a lot of interest in the carnival, more than in previous years," Twaits says.
RVL chief Rob Hines says it is inevitable that the pressure on the tote will worsen. Monteith said the tote odds offered by the interstaters were obscene.
"We cannot survive off the back of fixed-odds betting . . . They are offering us about 0.66% of turnover whereas we are getting about 4.4% out of the tote," he said.
"If there is more inaction, we are going to see money siphoned out of the racing industry. It is happening now and the figures are not insignificant."
Hines says one solution is for the sport to make more money from television and other media rights, creating new products and selling them better.
"The AFL do a terrific job of bringing all the games into one package of media, which they then sell on," he said.
Tabcorp has responded within the past month by setting up its own Darwin-based offshoot, Luxbet, to replicate the interstate competitors’ model. Already, it has 7000 customers.
"Something like 95% of racing’s funding comes from the tote," Nason says.
"Unquestionably, we are expecting to have a significant loss of market share because we just cannot compete on price with someone who does not make the same contribution to the racing industry."
ALL BETS ARE ON
THE KEY PLAYERS
CENTREBET
BIG Darwin operator that offers odds on everything from elections to Olympics. The first agency to offer online betting in Australia (in 1996). Keen to sponsor sporting teams and race meetings to gain exposure.
TABCORP
GAMBLING giant privatised in 1994 and charged a licence fee for monopoly to run Victoria’s tote. Now competing with a range of interstate online operators who pay lower fees back to the industry. Contributes $300 million a year to racing industry.
SPORTSBET
DARWIN-BASED company run by bookmaker Matt Tripp that claims to be the biggest of the corporates with turnover of $1 billion last year.
BETFAIR
A DIFFERENT model, based in Tasmania, that allows punters to lay odds with each other, similar to a stock exchange. Also pioneering in-race betting.
LUXBET
NEW Darwin-based enterprise started by Tabcorp to compete with the interstate corporates. One month old and already has 7000 customers.
BETSTAR
NORTHERN Territory-based corporate owned by former Melbourne bookmakers Alan and Michael Eskander.
BETEZY
SMALLER, Darwin-based company offering betting on racing and other sports.
SPORTINGBET AUSTRALIA
DARWIN-BASED corporate online and phone bookmaker, an offshoot of the Britishbased company Sportingbet. Is regarded as one of the bigger operators, betting on racing, sports and politics.
(Credit: The Age)
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Thursday, October 30, 2008
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Sports Betting Major Announcement Coming Soon
A major sports betting announcement will be coming soon from Media Man Australia and Australian Sports Entertainment
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Monday, October 20, 2008
Teams will survive the global financial crisis - just bet on it, by Roy Masters - The Sydney Morning Herald - 20th October 2008
The global brands in sport, such as Manchester United, are, like everyone else, feeling the affects of the world financial crisis. Recently the number of selective sponsorships with Australian sporting bodies has surged, and gambling turnover has risen.
The brewer CUB is poised to announce its continuing relationship with Cricket Australia, and corporate bookmakers are scrambling to sponsor race meetings and football clubs. Cricket's one-day interstate competition, the Ford Ranger Cup, and the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield have begun, and the VB test team is touring India.
Somewhere in that frothy mix of an ever-expanding cricket calendar and splash of logos, including the coming 3 Mobile test series in Australia, is a further opportunity for CUB.
A Cricket Australia spokesman said: "We have had a long and successful relationship with CUB, since 1996, and look forward to it continuing." Translation: We'll make the announcement at a strategic time.
The effect of the world's financial crisis on sport has been blurred in Australia by the coincidence of the start of the Spring Racing Carnival and the relaxation of inter-state advertising bans on Darwin-based corporate bookmakers, revealed in the Herald last month.
"It's party time," says Gerard Daffy of Lasseters Sports.
"There are more than 40 online bookmakers, and since the relaxation on advertising restrictions there have been phone calls between them and almost every football club in Australia.
"The sports have exhausted the traditional avenues of sponsorship, and now the door is open for fresh money to pour in."
Daffy reports a 5 to 10 per cent increase in turnover since the worldwide stockmarket plunge, saying: "We are very small but there is no evidence of [an imminent] fall in turnover.
"The Aussie mentality has always been that when it gets tough, the best opportunity is to back a winner."
Centrebet, the big Darwin operator that first tested the cross-border restrictions which were in effect removed 10 days ago with a joint announcement by the NSW and Victorian Governments, reports a surge in betting as a result of their sponsorships, particularly with the A-League team the Newcastle Jets.
Centrebet's head of marketing, Luke Brill, says: "We printed a flyer offering 100 free tickets to see the Jets play, with entry into the stadium [through] a Centrebet plastic card committing them to a $5 bet. We've seen a massive [rise] in subscriptions and punting in the Newcastle area.
"We're in talks with all the racetracks, particularly with Flemington, Moonee Valley and Caufield, regarding significant sponsorships. We're also looking at another A-League team, Melbourne Victory and AFL clubs."
Centrebet's hopes of executing a three-year naming rights sponsorship with the Western Bulldogs have been blocked by the AFL's deals with Betfair and Tabcorp, in the same way the NRL barred the premiers the Sea Eagles from a $1 million big sponsorship with another online agency.
"Since we've advertised, user numbers have increased. We've actually recruited more customers during the global meltdown," Brill says.
Sport is not the only beneficiary of the removal of bans on cross-border promotions and the public's willingness to gamble in recessionary times. Media advertising is expected to soar.
"Of the 40 online bookmakers, 15 to 20 want deals immediately, while the other half are waiting for the footy season," Daffy says, predicting the Herald will be a beneficiary.
"When the league season starts you will have to double the number of pages you give to the NRL, because every page will have a bookie's ad on it."
Brill agrees, saying: "Since the Victorian Government's announcement, we are looking to get Centrebet in The Age as well."
The chief executive of Tasmania's Betfair, Andrew Thwaites, says: "Now that governments have lifted advertising restrictions, we'll be looking to expand our sponsorships."
Betfair, whose challenge in the High Court brought down the advertising barriers, has sponsorships with the AFL, the premiers Hawthorn and the three racing codes in Tasmania, and a product fee licensing relationship with the NRL.
"The global meltdown has so far had no impact," Thwaites said.
"Our business is growing in line with our projections, and we are coming into a strong time in Melbourne with the Spring Racing Carnival."
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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The brewer CUB is poised to announce its continuing relationship with Cricket Australia, and corporate bookmakers are scrambling to sponsor race meetings and football clubs. Cricket's one-day interstate competition, the Ford Ranger Cup, and the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield have begun, and the VB test team is touring India.
Somewhere in that frothy mix of an ever-expanding cricket calendar and splash of logos, including the coming 3 Mobile test series in Australia, is a further opportunity for CUB.
A Cricket Australia spokesman said: "We have had a long and successful relationship with CUB, since 1996, and look forward to it continuing." Translation: We'll make the announcement at a strategic time.
The effect of the world's financial crisis on sport has been blurred in Australia by the coincidence of the start of the Spring Racing Carnival and the relaxation of inter-state advertising bans on Darwin-based corporate bookmakers, revealed in the Herald last month.
"It's party time," says Gerard Daffy of Lasseters Sports.
"There are more than 40 online bookmakers, and since the relaxation on advertising restrictions there have been phone calls between them and almost every football club in Australia.
"The sports have exhausted the traditional avenues of sponsorship, and now the door is open for fresh money to pour in."
Daffy reports a 5 to 10 per cent increase in turnover since the worldwide stockmarket plunge, saying: "We are very small but there is no evidence of [an imminent] fall in turnover.
"The Aussie mentality has always been that when it gets tough, the best opportunity is to back a winner."
Centrebet, the big Darwin operator that first tested the cross-border restrictions which were in effect removed 10 days ago with a joint announcement by the NSW and Victorian Governments, reports a surge in betting as a result of their sponsorships, particularly with the A-League team the Newcastle Jets.
Centrebet's head of marketing, Luke Brill, says: "We printed a flyer offering 100 free tickets to see the Jets play, with entry into the stadium [through] a Centrebet plastic card committing them to a $5 bet. We've seen a massive [rise] in subscriptions and punting in the Newcastle area.
"We're in talks with all the racetracks, particularly with Flemington, Moonee Valley and Caufield, regarding significant sponsorships. We're also looking at another A-League team, Melbourne Victory and AFL clubs."
Centrebet's hopes of executing a three-year naming rights sponsorship with the Western Bulldogs have been blocked by the AFL's deals with Betfair and Tabcorp, in the same way the NRL barred the premiers the Sea Eagles from a $1 million big sponsorship with another online agency.
"Since we've advertised, user numbers have increased. We've actually recruited more customers during the global meltdown," Brill says.
Sport is not the only beneficiary of the removal of bans on cross-border promotions and the public's willingness to gamble in recessionary times. Media advertising is expected to soar.
"Of the 40 online bookmakers, 15 to 20 want deals immediately, while the other half are waiting for the footy season," Daffy says, predicting the Herald will be a beneficiary.
"When the league season starts you will have to double the number of pages you give to the NRL, because every page will have a bookie's ad on it."
Brill agrees, saying: "Since the Victorian Government's announcement, we are looking to get Centrebet in The Age as well."
The chief executive of Tasmania's Betfair, Andrew Thwaites, says: "Now that governments have lifted advertising restrictions, we'll be looking to expand our sponsorships."
Betfair, whose challenge in the High Court brought down the advertising barriers, has sponsorships with the AFL, the premiers Hawthorn and the three racing codes in Tasmania, and a product fee licensing relationship with the NRL.
"The global meltdown has so far had no impact," Thwaites said.
"Our business is growing in line with our projections, and we are coming into a strong time in Melbourne with the Spring Racing Carnival."
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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Sunday, October 19, 2008
Broncos firm big-time in betting - Live News - 12th September 2008
Brisbane has firmed dramatically in premiership betting following their impressive 24-16 win over the Roosters tonight at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The Broncos were listed on the 3rd line of betting at $6.50 but now find themselves at $4.50.
The Broncos survived a first-half onslaught from a fired up Roosters outfit and overturned an eight-point halftime deficit to seal the win.
The Sydney Roosters have drifted in betting, out from $15 to $21 following the loss.
Melbourne hold top spot in betting but have drifted marginally from $1.75 to $1.85
NRL 2008 Premiership market (TAB Sportsbet)
Melbourne $1.85
Brisbane $4.50
Manly $5.00
Cronulla $11.00
Sydney Roosters $21.00
St George Illawarra $21.00
Canberra $51.00
Warriors $67.00
Greg Tingle comment
I hear that the Broncos are also in talks with EzyBet, the firm behind the Gold Coast Titan's recent off field jackpot, TitansBet. As News Corp boss Murdoch says, 'Big will not beat small anymore, it will be the fast beating the slow'. The NRL clubs have cottoned on, and it's also starting to make for a WWE - WCW circa 02 scenario where some healthy competition saw some win win outcomes. Just imagine the strategy going on in NRL and AFL boardrooms at the moment. Bet on it. Nine and Fox want in.
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The Broncos were listed on the 3rd line of betting at $6.50 but now find themselves at $4.50.
The Broncos survived a first-half onslaught from a fired up Roosters outfit and overturned an eight-point halftime deficit to seal the win.
The Sydney Roosters have drifted in betting, out from $15 to $21 following the loss.
Melbourne hold top spot in betting but have drifted marginally from $1.75 to $1.85
NRL 2008 Premiership market (TAB Sportsbet)
Melbourne $1.85
Brisbane $4.50
Manly $5.00
Cronulla $11.00
Sydney Roosters $21.00
St George Illawarra $21.00
Canberra $51.00
Warriors $67.00
Greg Tingle comment
I hear that the Broncos are also in talks with EzyBet, the firm behind the Gold Coast Titan's recent off field jackpot, TitansBet. As News Corp boss Murdoch says, 'Big will not beat small anymore, it will be the fast beating the slow'. The NRL clubs have cottoned on, and it's also starting to make for a WWE - WCW circa 02 scenario where some healthy competition saw some win win outcomes. Just imagine the strategy going on in NRL and AFL boardrooms at the moment. Bet on it. Nine and Fox want in.
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Push to teach students the odds of pokies, horse racing, by Melanie Christiansen - The Courier-Mail - 20th October 2008
Push to teach students the odds of pokies, horse racing, by Melanie Christiansen - The Courier-Mail - 20th October 2008
Students would be taught the odds of gambling on the pokies or the horses in the school curriculum, under a proposal from the hotel industry.
The industry wants gambling education added to the national school curriculum.
Responding to concerns about problem gamblers, the Australian Hotels Association has written to a Senate committee suggesting there is a "genuine need" to teach factual information on all forms of gambling in classrooms.
"It is an unfortunate reality that many young people do not understand the odds when gambling, and overestimate their chance of success," the AHA submission said.
"At present, schools throughout Australia teach students about safe sex, the dangers of smoking and drugs and the responsible consumption of alcohol.
"To adequately prepare students for life after school, gambling education needs to be included in the national school curriculum."
The proposal follows a furore two months ago, when a Brisbane school teacher was accused of leading his students astray after taking them to a racecourse to help improve their maths skills.
While teenagers from Mt St Michael's College in Ashgrove spent an afternoon studying form guides, their teacher, Jim Dooley, placed some bets.
Queensland Teachers' Union president Steve Ryan said although most schools did not go to the extent of taking students to races, their maths courses already covered the concepts of probability and chance in data.
He said there was no need to add extra lessons on gambling into an already busy school program.
"Every time there is an issue in our society, it should not be expected that schools can solve it by including it in their curriculum," he said.
(Credit: The Courier-Mail)
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Students would be taught the odds of gambling on the pokies or the horses in the school curriculum, under a proposal from the hotel industry.
The industry wants gambling education added to the national school curriculum.
Responding to concerns about problem gamblers, the Australian Hotels Association has written to a Senate committee suggesting there is a "genuine need" to teach factual information on all forms of gambling in classrooms.
"It is an unfortunate reality that many young people do not understand the odds when gambling, and overestimate their chance of success," the AHA submission said.
"At present, schools throughout Australia teach students about safe sex, the dangers of smoking and drugs and the responsible consumption of alcohol.
"To adequately prepare students for life after school, gambling education needs to be included in the national school curriculum."
The proposal follows a furore two months ago, when a Brisbane school teacher was accused of leading his students astray after taking them to a racecourse to help improve their maths skills.
While teenagers from Mt St Michael's College in Ashgrove spent an afternoon studying form guides, their teacher, Jim Dooley, placed some bets.
Queensland Teachers' Union president Steve Ryan said although most schools did not go to the extent of taking students to races, their maths courses already covered the concepts of probability and chance in data.
He said there was no need to add extra lessons on gambling into an already busy school program.
"Every time there is an issue in our society, it should not be expected that schools can solve it by including it in their curriculum," he said.
(Credit: The Courier-Mail)
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Sunday, October 12, 2008
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Titans punt on grand final with online gambling move, by Brad Walter - The Sydney Morning Herald - 1st October 2008
A controversial new betting agency launched by Gold Coast Titans will not be allowed to offer odds on judiciary hearings such as last week's Cam Smith case.
The Titans, who anticipate an annual $3 million boost from the online gambling operation, stunned rival clubs when they announced a joint venture with Betezy.
Punters can bet with Titanbet on the grand final. Manly and Melbourne, the combatants in Sunday's premiership decider, said last night they were likely to follow suit. But the NRL said strict conditions would be placed on any arrangement entered into by clubs, including the right to prevent certain types of bets, such as the one that infuriated Storm officials last week when Sportingbet offered odds on whether or not Smith would be suspended at the judiciary.
"While we accept that sports betting is a reality and that clubs are looking to build revenue streams, we will retain the right to examine each proposal on a case-by-case basis," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.
The move by the Titans comes just weeks after the NRL prevented the Sea Eagles entering into a $2m major sponsorship deal with Betchoice. Officially, the deal was not allowed because it conflicted with the NRL's arrangement with TAB Sportsbet but it is understood the league does not want clubs wearing the name of betting agencies on their jerseys for moral reasons.
Titans CEO Michael Searle anticipated criticism of the club's move into gambling but argued that bookmaking organisations were making money from betting on sport, including the NRL, so they might as well profit.
"There's no point being half pregnant so we've decided to take it to the next level by entering into a joint venture with a bookmaking agency," Searle said.
"Unlike other clubs, we don't rely on money from poker machines and I believe this is an opportunity to get a foothold into the growing gambling market within Australia for the benefit of rugby league."
Searle said the revenue stream created from the joint venture would fund both the football club and its charity arm, the Gold Coast Titans Community Foundation. He said Titansbet.com.au had agreed to implement certain safeguards to guarantee the integrity of the game and the players, while the club would sign a betting integrity and product fee agreement similar to those between the NRL and both Tabcorp and Betfair.
The NRL has insisted the Titans have no exposure to profit or loss from betting on a single match.
With betting in the Northern Territory expected to turn over more than $4 billion this financial year, other clubs have been approached about entering into similar partnerships. It is understood some clubs have been told they could earn $4.5 million per year from such a deal.
"It's something we've already looked at and we will consider more closely after the grand final," Manly CEO Grant Mayer said.
Melbourne Storm CEO Brian Waldron said: "It's something I envisage we will get involved with too at some stage."
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The Titans, who anticipate an annual $3 million boost from the online gambling operation, stunned rival clubs when they announced a joint venture with Betezy.
Punters can bet with Titanbet on the grand final. Manly and Melbourne, the combatants in Sunday's premiership decider, said last night they were likely to follow suit. But the NRL said strict conditions would be placed on any arrangement entered into by clubs, including the right to prevent certain types of bets, such as the one that infuriated Storm officials last week when Sportingbet offered odds on whether or not Smith would be suspended at the judiciary.
"While we accept that sports betting is a reality and that clubs are looking to build revenue streams, we will retain the right to examine each proposal on a case-by-case basis," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.
The move by the Titans comes just weeks after the NRL prevented the Sea Eagles entering into a $2m major sponsorship deal with Betchoice. Officially, the deal was not allowed because it conflicted with the NRL's arrangement with TAB Sportsbet but it is understood the league does not want clubs wearing the name of betting agencies on their jerseys for moral reasons.
Titans CEO Michael Searle anticipated criticism of the club's move into gambling but argued that bookmaking organisations were making money from betting on sport, including the NRL, so they might as well profit.
"There's no point being half pregnant so we've decided to take it to the next level by entering into a joint venture with a bookmaking agency," Searle said.
"Unlike other clubs, we don't rely on money from poker machines and I believe this is an opportunity to get a foothold into the growing gambling market within Australia for the benefit of rugby league."
Searle said the revenue stream created from the joint venture would fund both the football club and its charity arm, the Gold Coast Titans Community Foundation. He said Titansbet.com.au had agreed to implement certain safeguards to guarantee the integrity of the game and the players, while the club would sign a betting integrity and product fee agreement similar to those between the NRL and both Tabcorp and Betfair.
The NRL has insisted the Titans have no exposure to profit or loss from betting on a single match.
With betting in the Northern Territory expected to turn over more than $4 billion this financial year, other clubs have been approached about entering into similar partnerships. It is understood some clubs have been told they could earn $4.5 million per year from such a deal.
"It's something we've already looked at and we will consider more closely after the grand final," Manly CEO Grant Mayer said.
Melbourne Storm CEO Brian Waldron said: "It's something I envisage we will get involved with too at some stage."
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Monday, September 29, 2008
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New spin on high-stakes poker, by Clinton Van Der Berg - Business Times - 7th September 2008
Cricket and boxing bad boys Warne and Fenech trade knockout blows across the table
You could never mistake Shane Warne for a fighter.
Tanned, blond and handsome, the cricket pin-up says he wouldn’t have the guts to take a punch anyway.
That he would leave to his mate Jeff Fenech, the hell-raising three-time world champion who would, in turn, never be mistaken for a male model. He has a nose only a boxer’s mum could love and the coarse texture of his face is testament to a life spent eating leather.
You wouldn’t expect them to have much in common, but the two share a reputation for being among the bad boys of Australian sport. Controversy could be Warne’s middle name given his shenanigans over the years.
Fenech’s had his share of nonsense too: he’s been stabbed, shot at and is known to handle himself in bar fights. It’s a habit he shares with good mate Mike Tyson.
Now there’s another bond that connects Warne and Fenech: poker.
It’s an ironic choice for Warne given how he likens the card game to cricket. “You’ve gotta be patient, disciplined ... it’s all about position, how much you bet, how you read people.”
As Freudian slips go, it’s a clanger, but there’s no mistaking Warne’s passion for the game. He was in South Africa this week for the Sun City Million Dollar Poker Tournament — and not just for celebrity value.
He contested the World Series in Las Vegas earlier this year, ending 726th out of 7000 starters.
“I did okay,” he says. “After two 14-hour days, I lasted seven hours into day three, so it was 35 hours at the table. I was really happy.”
Fenech, 44, plays a first-rate hand too. Days before his comeback fight against Azumah Nelson earlier this year, he was up until 4.30am, winning a major poker tournament in Melbourne.
“I needed some sleep for the fight, but I kept doubling up, so it went on until I won. I called people the whole day to tell them. It was more exciting than any fight. I knocked out a lot of guys (in the poker). If that hadn’t happened, I would have used my left hook.”
Warne and Fenech are now in that unfamiliar place all sportsmen occupy: the transitional phase between sport and life largely beyond it. Warne, 39, has quit international cricket, but is clearly energised by the Indian Premier League (his team, the Rajasthan Royals, won the inaugural title), various business interests, his charity foundation and poker.
No more “fat boy” headlines for him either: he’s been exercising for months and, at 87kg, is the picture of good health.
Fenech trains fighters in his own gym and is heavily involved in charity work. He’s obviously enjoying poker, which is as far removed from the blood and guts of the ring as possible. It’s a long way from his days as a rabble-rouser.
“I try and ensure I’m an everyday guy,” says the former three-time world champion who fought with the fury and power of a mini-Tyson.
“But in the late ’80s, early ’90s, I didn’t like myself much. I had too much success, things got to my head. I got a bit carried away, but I quickly changed that. Although I’ve done some great things in boxing, I never thought I was better than anyone else.
“The real heroes are the mums and dads who look after handicapped kids. That’s why I help with the Special Olympics.”
Warne reckons he’s been lucky. He’s pleased how he retired from international cricket — “to walk off with Glenn McGrath was a real honour” — and he can pick and choose how to occupy himself. He has multiple business interests, but it’s poker he can’t get enough of.
He talks animatedly of his approach, with much the same enthusiasm he brought to his leg-spin art. “You’ve just gotta hang in there and maximise when you get a good hand,” says Warne, who was once fined for sending an SMS in the middle of a poker game. “It’s no use having the best hand and everyone folds all the time. You’ve got to find a way to make it work. Also, the beauty of poker is that anyone can play — they can be chairmen, CEOs or car salesmen. The mixture is good fun.”
And the pressure? Warne eats it for breakfast. “A lot of people don’t want the ball to come to them in cricket. I was very lucky: I wanted the ball. That’s in my nature. If there was one run to win, one wicket to get, I wanted the ball in my hand. I’m an aggressive cricketer and I’m an aggressive poker player.”
The other appeal is travel. As the captain of 888.com’s world team, he gets to visit new places and is seldom away from home for more than a week, a welcome change from three month-long cricket tours.
Warne loves the revolution cricket finds itself in, saying the popularity of Twenty20 cricket fits perfectly with our “super-fast culture”. He just wishes the ICC would get its head around IPL cricket and embrace it rather than fight it.
For all that, Warne says international cricket, more particularly Test cricket, must have primacy. “If you ask any top player, what they want is to be regarded as a top Test player. It’s the ultimate test of discipline, fitness, skills, technique and stamina.”
Warne loved his time as captain-coach of the Rajasthan Royals. He took a famously relaxed attitude to the role. Armed with a beer or a cold drink, players typically gathered around the hotel pool to discuss how to construct an over, how to work a batsman or how to read a scenario.
Warne sticks to his belief that coaches are overrated at international level. “Don’t need ’em,” he says. “At that level, it’s all about attitude and the way you think. All that happens in international cricket is your attitude changes. It’s nothing to do with technique. You have b ad days, you have good days — that’s sport. Hopefully if you’ve prepared right and have the right attitude, you’re gonna be okay.”
He’s looking forward to the year-end cricket series between Australia and SA. “I think Australia will do well in the one-day stuff, but the Tests will be very interesting, very exciting.”
If cricket seems in robust health, Fenech paints a dreary picture of boxing. “It’s on the way out,” he says. “It’s all about mixed martial arts in the US. Until someone in boxing makes competitive fights from day one, boxing’s gonna go backwards.”
He cites the example of the upcoming “superfight” between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao, the most exciting fighter in the sport.
“Oscar’s best weight was at light-middle and Manny’s best is featherweight, and they say Manny has a great chance to win. Come on! And they’re paying these guys 20-30-million.
“The last big fight was Oscar against Floyd Mayweather — and neither of them had a mark on their face afterwards. The other day, Australian Billy Dib was carrying on like a fool after beating your guy (Zolani Marali). I felt ashamed for the Aussie — he lost every round. He’s an embarrassment to the sport. Decisions like that turn people off the sport.”
He says he would have loved to fight Brian Mitchell. “I respect him, he was a great fighter. .. but none of them wanted to fight Azumah the way I did.”
Pointing to Warne, he says the reason they’re mates is because “we’re both winners.”
“You reckon?” asks Warne.
“You betcha,” laughs the fighter.
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Jeff Fenech
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You could never mistake Shane Warne for a fighter.
Tanned, blond and handsome, the cricket pin-up says he wouldn’t have the guts to take a punch anyway.
That he would leave to his mate Jeff Fenech, the hell-raising three-time world champion who would, in turn, never be mistaken for a male model. He has a nose only a boxer’s mum could love and the coarse texture of his face is testament to a life spent eating leather.
You wouldn’t expect them to have much in common, but the two share a reputation for being among the bad boys of Australian sport. Controversy could be Warne’s middle name given his shenanigans over the years.
Fenech’s had his share of nonsense too: he’s been stabbed, shot at and is known to handle himself in bar fights. It’s a habit he shares with good mate Mike Tyson.
Now there’s another bond that connects Warne and Fenech: poker.
It’s an ironic choice for Warne given how he likens the card game to cricket. “You’ve gotta be patient, disciplined ... it’s all about position, how much you bet, how you read people.”
As Freudian slips go, it’s a clanger, but there’s no mistaking Warne’s passion for the game. He was in South Africa this week for the Sun City Million Dollar Poker Tournament — and not just for celebrity value.
He contested the World Series in Las Vegas earlier this year, ending 726th out of 7000 starters.
“I did okay,” he says. “After two 14-hour days, I lasted seven hours into day three, so it was 35 hours at the table. I was really happy.”
Fenech, 44, plays a first-rate hand too. Days before his comeback fight against Azumah Nelson earlier this year, he was up until 4.30am, winning a major poker tournament in Melbourne.
“I needed some sleep for the fight, but I kept doubling up, so it went on until I won. I called people the whole day to tell them. It was more exciting than any fight. I knocked out a lot of guys (in the poker). If that hadn’t happened, I would have used my left hook.”
Warne and Fenech are now in that unfamiliar place all sportsmen occupy: the transitional phase between sport and life largely beyond it. Warne, 39, has quit international cricket, but is clearly energised by the Indian Premier League (his team, the Rajasthan Royals, won the inaugural title), various business interests, his charity foundation and poker.
No more “fat boy” headlines for him either: he’s been exercising for months and, at 87kg, is the picture of good health.
Fenech trains fighters in his own gym and is heavily involved in charity work. He’s obviously enjoying poker, which is as far removed from the blood and guts of the ring as possible. It’s a long way from his days as a rabble-rouser.
“I try and ensure I’m an everyday guy,” says the former three-time world champion who fought with the fury and power of a mini-Tyson.
“But in the late ’80s, early ’90s, I didn’t like myself much. I had too much success, things got to my head. I got a bit carried away, but I quickly changed that. Although I’ve done some great things in boxing, I never thought I was better than anyone else.
“The real heroes are the mums and dads who look after handicapped kids. That’s why I help with the Special Olympics.”
Warne reckons he’s been lucky. He’s pleased how he retired from international cricket — “to walk off with Glenn McGrath was a real honour” — and he can pick and choose how to occupy himself. He has multiple business interests, but it’s poker he can’t get enough of.
He talks animatedly of his approach, with much the same enthusiasm he brought to his leg-spin art. “You’ve just gotta hang in there and maximise when you get a good hand,” says Warne, who was once fined for sending an SMS in the middle of a poker game. “It’s no use having the best hand and everyone folds all the time. You’ve got to find a way to make it work. Also, the beauty of poker is that anyone can play — they can be chairmen, CEOs or car salesmen. The mixture is good fun.”
And the pressure? Warne eats it for breakfast. “A lot of people don’t want the ball to come to them in cricket. I was very lucky: I wanted the ball. That’s in my nature. If there was one run to win, one wicket to get, I wanted the ball in my hand. I’m an aggressive cricketer and I’m an aggressive poker player.”
The other appeal is travel. As the captain of 888.com’s world team, he gets to visit new places and is seldom away from home for more than a week, a welcome change from three month-long cricket tours.
Warne loves the revolution cricket finds itself in, saying the popularity of Twenty20 cricket fits perfectly with our “super-fast culture”. He just wishes the ICC would get its head around IPL cricket and embrace it rather than fight it.
For all that, Warne says international cricket, more particularly Test cricket, must have primacy. “If you ask any top player, what they want is to be regarded as a top Test player. It’s the ultimate test of discipline, fitness, skills, technique and stamina.”
Warne loved his time as captain-coach of the Rajasthan Royals. He took a famously relaxed attitude to the role. Armed with a beer or a cold drink, players typically gathered around the hotel pool to discuss how to construct an over, how to work a batsman or how to read a scenario.
Warne sticks to his belief that coaches are overrated at international level. “Don’t need ’em,” he says. “At that level, it’s all about attitude and the way you think. All that happens in international cricket is your attitude changes. It’s nothing to do with technique. You have b ad days, you have good days — that’s sport. Hopefully if you’ve prepared right and have the right attitude, you’re gonna be okay.”
He’s looking forward to the year-end cricket series between Australia and SA. “I think Australia will do well in the one-day stuff, but the Tests will be very interesting, very exciting.”
If cricket seems in robust health, Fenech paints a dreary picture of boxing. “It’s on the way out,” he says. “It’s all about mixed martial arts in the US. Until someone in boxing makes competitive fights from day one, boxing’s gonna go backwards.”
He cites the example of the upcoming “superfight” between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao, the most exciting fighter in the sport.
“Oscar’s best weight was at light-middle and Manny’s best is featherweight, and they say Manny has a great chance to win. Come on! And they’re paying these guys 20-30-million.
“The last big fight was Oscar against Floyd Mayweather — and neither of them had a mark on their face afterwards. The other day, Australian Billy Dib was carrying on like a fool after beating your guy (Zolani Marali). I felt ashamed for the Aussie — he lost every round. He’s an embarrassment to the sport. Decisions like that turn people off the sport.”
He says he would have loved to fight Brian Mitchell. “I respect him, he was a great fighter. .. but none of them wanted to fight Azumah the way I did.”
Pointing to Warne, he says the reason they’re mates is because “we’re both winners.”
“You reckon?” asks Warne.
“You betcha,” laughs the fighter.
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Couture Returns to Defend Heavyweight Crown against Lesnar on Nov. 15, by Thomas Gerbasi - 2nd September 2008
If we’ve learned one thing in combat sports, it’s to never say old adage was solidified once again today, as UFC President Dana White announced the November 15th return to the Octagon of heavyweight champion Randy Couture to face Brock Lesnar in the main event of UFC 91 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The announcement comes after nearly a year of contentious relations between the organization and Couture, who walked away from the UFC in October of 2007 with two fights remaining on his contract. But in August, the heavyweight champion and the organization worked on a renegotiation of his contract that will enable ‘The Natural’ to finish his Hall of Fame career with the UFC.
“We had some problems with Randy, we’ve resolved them all, and he’s always been the heavyweight champion of the UFC,” said White. “It took us some time to get everything straight, but I think we’re all good now and ready to move forward and get Randy back out there fighting again.”
”I think we cleared the air and addressed a lot of the issues, we’re both in a different place, and both the company and myself are trying to move forward,” said Couture. “I think we understand each other, and I certainly would much rather fight in the Octagon than anywhere else. Spending the last year in legal fights is not someplace where I’ve had a very good time. At 45, I can’t sit around in court rooms for very long – I want to fight.”
Couture’s first order of business – taking on the imposing 6-3 ½, 265 pound Lesnar, a former NCAA Division I National Wrestling Champion whose arrival in the UFC earlier this year shook the foundations of the MMA world. Add in the former pro wrestling superstar’s spectacular victory over Heath Herring at UFC 87 in August, and the stage is set for what will most certainly be one of the most highly-anticipated heavyweight title fights in history.
“I haven’t looked at tape yet and studied him,” said Couture of Lesnar. “Obviously, he’s a great big guy, and on the ground or standing, he poses some interesting problems, so I’ve got to go to work and find the answers to those questions.”
“My whole goal coming into this company was to get a shot at the UFC heavyweight title, so for me, this is a great opportunity, one that anybody in my position wouldn’t turn down,” added Lesnar. “Randy poses all kinds of threats, and we’re gonna try to nullify them and try to win the title that night.”
You don’t have to convince White when it comes to the importance of this matchup.
“I can tell you this right now,” said White. “Couture vs Lesnar will be the biggest fight in UFC history.”
And though some might question whether Couture
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- 45 years old and more than a year removed from his last fight – will be able to keep up with a younger, faster, and stronger challenger, keep in mind that the Las Vegas resident has made a career of baffling oddsmakers, most recently in March of 2007, when he returned from a year-long retirement to shutout 6 foot 8, 263 pound Tim Sylvia to win the UFC heavyweight crown a record third time.
Couture went on to successfully defend the title with a third round TKO of Gabriel Gonzaga in August of 2007, but two months later, the title was left in limbo, leaving Brazil’s Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to swoop in and take the interim belt by submitting Sylvia in February. Nogueira is scheduled to clash with his fellow Ultimate Fighter 8 coach (and former heavyweight champion) Frank Mir in December, with the winners of these two heavyweight megafights to meet sometime in 2009.
“The winner of the Brock-Randy fight will be the heavyweight champion of the UFC,” said White. “Obviously, the reality show is already in motion, and those two (Nogueira and Mir) are already scheduled to fight, so they’ll fight for the interim (title) and then it will be Champion vs Champion when this thing’s all done. So it’s a pretty interesting little tournament.”
Of course, Lesnar will have something to say about putting a dent in Couture’s fighting plans, and he’ll get his chance to say it on November 15th.
“Things happen in mysterious ways, and I’m fortunate and honored to get in the Octagon with Randy, so it’s very exciting all the way around,” said Lesnar.
As for Couture, it’s been a long, strange trip to get to this point, but suffice to say, he’s happy to put acting, book tours, and speaking engagements on the side for now in order to get back to where he belongs – the Octagon.
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The announcement comes after nearly a year of contentious relations between the organization and Couture, who walked away from the UFC in October of 2007 with two fights remaining on his contract. But in August, the heavyweight champion and the organization worked on a renegotiation of his contract that will enable ‘The Natural’ to finish his Hall of Fame career with the UFC.
“We had some problems with Randy, we’ve resolved them all, and he’s always been the heavyweight champion of the UFC,” said White. “It took us some time to get everything straight, but I think we’re all good now and ready to move forward and get Randy back out there fighting again.”
”I think we cleared the air and addressed a lot of the issues, we’re both in a different place, and both the company and myself are trying to move forward,” said Couture. “I think we understand each other, and I certainly would much rather fight in the Octagon than anywhere else. Spending the last year in legal fights is not someplace where I’ve had a very good time. At 45, I can’t sit around in court rooms for very long – I want to fight.”
Couture’s first order of business – taking on the imposing 6-3 ½, 265 pound Lesnar, a former NCAA Division I National Wrestling Champion whose arrival in the UFC earlier this year shook the foundations of the MMA world. Add in the former pro wrestling superstar’s spectacular victory over Heath Herring at UFC 87 in August, and the stage is set for what will most certainly be one of the most highly-anticipated heavyweight title fights in history.
“I haven’t looked at tape yet and studied him,” said Couture of Lesnar. “Obviously, he’s a great big guy, and on the ground or standing, he poses some interesting problems, so I’ve got to go to work and find the answers to those questions.”
“My whole goal coming into this company was to get a shot at the UFC heavyweight title, so for me, this is a great opportunity, one that anybody in my position wouldn’t turn down,” added Lesnar. “Randy poses all kinds of threats, and we’re gonna try to nullify them and try to win the title that night.”
You don’t have to convince White when it comes to the importance of this matchup.
“I can tell you this right now,” said White. “Couture vs Lesnar will be the biggest fight in UFC history.”
And though some might question whether Couture
Click here to find out more!
- 45 years old and more than a year removed from his last fight – will be able to keep up with a younger, faster, and stronger challenger, keep in mind that the Las Vegas resident has made a career of baffling oddsmakers, most recently in March of 2007, when he returned from a year-long retirement to shutout 6 foot 8, 263 pound Tim Sylvia to win the UFC heavyweight crown a record third time.
Couture went on to successfully defend the title with a third round TKO of Gabriel Gonzaga in August of 2007, but two months later, the title was left in limbo, leaving Brazil’s Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to swoop in and take the interim belt by submitting Sylvia in February. Nogueira is scheduled to clash with his fellow Ultimate Fighter 8 coach (and former heavyweight champion) Frank Mir in December, with the winners of these two heavyweight megafights to meet sometime in 2009.
“The winner of the Brock-Randy fight will be the heavyweight champion of the UFC,” said White. “Obviously, the reality show is already in motion, and those two (Nogueira and Mir) are already scheduled to fight, so they’ll fight for the interim (title) and then it will be Champion vs Champion when this thing’s all done. So it’s a pretty interesting little tournament.”
Of course, Lesnar will have something to say about putting a dent in Couture’s fighting plans, and he’ll get his chance to say it on November 15th.
“Things happen in mysterious ways, and I’m fortunate and honored to get in the Octagon with Randy, so it’s very exciting all the way around,” said Lesnar.
As for Couture, it’s been a long, strange trip to get to this point, but suffice to say, he’s happy to put acting, book tours, and speaking engagements on the side for now in order to get back to where he belongs – the Octagon.
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British tabloids catch Warne in action - The Age - 8th May 2006
Shane Warne doesn't waste time. Less than a month into Warne's English county cricket season another sex story has appeared in the British tabloids.
Pictures in Sunday's edition of the tabloid News of the World show Warne and two 25-year-old models involved in sexual positions with a blow up toy, allegedly taken on Thursday night.
The alleged sexual episode occured in west London during Warne's Hampshire game against Middlesex when he claimed 7-99.
One of the models, Coralie Eiccholtz, has known Warne for a few years but said things only started heating up after she learnt that the cricketer had separated from wife Simone.
"I've known him for years but nothing happened before because I knew he was married," said the New-Zealand born Eiccholtz.
"But since his split he's been texting like mad. He even sent me one during a match."
The other model Emma Kearney praised Warne's performance.
"Shane's a stallion and very willing to experiment. He loved playing around with the inflatable and was up for anything," she said.
After the 10-wicket win over Middlesex, Warne claimed he was suffering.
He said in an interview: "If I'm honest, I'm tired out."
Warne's management did not immediately return calls today.
Warne has a history littered with sexual and mobile phone indiscretions, most of them occurring either on tour or in the UK during a county cricket stint.
A series of tales were published in various tabloids prior to and during the Ashes series last year, leading to the end of his marriage to Simone.
The champion legspinner was dumped by sponsor the Nine Network during the Ashes for his off-field behaviour.
There is speculation the Nine Network are in negotiation to re-sign the Victorian, but that was before his latest scandal made headlines.
One of his current sponsors, Messages On Hold, reaffirmed their commitment to Warne today.
"Obviously what Shane does in his private life as a single man is up to him. Certainly his conduct at staff and client functions has been nothing short of exemplary," said managing director Kym Illman.
"Whilst we are acutely aware that some people will react negatively to this latest news report, we are focused on his undeniable cricketing brilliance and the powerful impact he has on the vast majority of our clients."
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Pictures in Sunday's edition of the tabloid News of the World show Warne and two 25-year-old models involved in sexual positions with a blow up toy, allegedly taken on Thursday night.
The alleged sexual episode occured in west London during Warne's Hampshire game against Middlesex when he claimed 7-99.
One of the models, Coralie Eiccholtz, has known Warne for a few years but said things only started heating up after she learnt that the cricketer had separated from wife Simone.
"I've known him for years but nothing happened before because I knew he was married," said the New-Zealand born Eiccholtz.
"But since his split he's been texting like mad. He even sent me one during a match."
The other model Emma Kearney praised Warne's performance.
"Shane's a stallion and very willing to experiment. He loved playing around with the inflatable and was up for anything," she said.
After the 10-wicket win over Middlesex, Warne claimed he was suffering.
He said in an interview: "If I'm honest, I'm tired out."
Warne's management did not immediately return calls today.
Warne has a history littered with sexual and mobile phone indiscretions, most of them occurring either on tour or in the UK during a county cricket stint.
A series of tales were published in various tabloids prior to and during the Ashes series last year, leading to the end of his marriage to Simone.
The champion legspinner was dumped by sponsor the Nine Network during the Ashes for his off-field behaviour.
There is speculation the Nine Network are in negotiation to re-sign the Victorian, but that was before his latest scandal made headlines.
One of his current sponsors, Messages On Hold, reaffirmed their commitment to Warne today.
"Obviously what Shane does in his private life as a single man is up to him. Certainly his conduct at staff and client functions has been nothing short of exemplary," said managing director Kym Illman.
"Whilst we are acutely aware that some people will react negatively to this latest news report, we are focused on his undeniable cricketing brilliance and the powerful impact he has on the vast majority of our clients."
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Thursday, June 26, 2008
Raising the news stakes - all bets are on, by Jacquelin Magnay - The Sydney Morning Herald - 26th June 2008
Australians will bet on two flies crawling up a wall. Or cane toad races, the Lightning Ridge goat races, or the Henley-on-Todd dry river boat regatta. In a few weeks punters can add to their horse, dogs, trots and footy bets by plonking hard-earned cash on the Beijing Olympic Games.
Every sport, every event, every athlete will be covered by one betting agency or another. By a curious state law, if we tell you the leading agencies and if they don't have a NSW licence, the editor gets thrown in jail, but a tip for the internet savvy: type in a combination of words like TAB, bet, sports, odds, centre or index and negotiate the plethora of options. Australia has 26 betting sites, making it one of the most prolific betting countries in the world, but way behind the Chinese, who luuuuurve to punt, but don't have the online options.
Which is why the International Olympic Committee has imposed a betting ban on anybody accredited at the Beijing Olympics: athletes, officials, coaches, support personnel and journalists. The IOC doesn't want the stench the kind of corruption scandal that has hit tennis of late tarnishing its image.
Still, everyone else will be able to have a plunge, tipping the top country by medals (China is outright favourite at $1.55), the men's 100 metres freestyle (our man Eamon Sullivan, is at better odds than the Frenchman Alain Bernard) and our softball girls, second favourite behind the US at $9. Bizarrely, most sites are giving odds for handball, not exactly a household sport in this country, with France favourite at $3 ahead of Germany, $5, and Croatia and Denmark, both at $5.50.
Still some of the more interesting sporting events of late haven't made the betting sheets.
Imagine the fun if it were open slather and the agencies could offer odds on what really grabs the sporting attention. This is my current sporting book:
Finding the debt-riddled Tim Johnson of Firepower and Sydney Kings fame? 100 to one. A white knight emerging to buy and rescue the Kings? 10-1. Wayne Carey's squeeze, Kate Neilson, being promised some kind of leg up in her new media career following her 60 Minutes tell-all? 2-1 on. Ben Cousins staying clean? 50-1. Tamsyn Lewis creating headlines similar to the past doozies "my bum is not big enough" or 'I'll get you bitch" to Jana Rawlinson: 2-1 on. A stink in Wednesday's State of Origin, 20-1.
An Aussie athlete being arrested for taking a photo of a government building in Tiananmen Square, 5-1. A fracas at the Sapphire Suite involving a highly paid footballer, 2-1; a fracas at the Sapphire Suite involving a highly paid footballer after 2am, 10-1 on. A doping scandal before the start of the Tour de France, 3-1. Lleyton Hewitt winning Wimbledon 100-1. I would also offer odds on Belinda Neal representing Australia in soccer, but like Nick D'Arcy I am betting she is in the wrong sport.
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Every sport, every event, every athlete will be covered by one betting agency or another. By a curious state law, if we tell you the leading agencies and if they don't have a NSW licence, the editor gets thrown in jail, but a tip for the internet savvy: type in a combination of words like TAB, bet, sports, odds, centre or index and negotiate the plethora of options. Australia has 26 betting sites, making it one of the most prolific betting countries in the world, but way behind the Chinese, who luuuuurve to punt, but don't have the online options.
Which is why the International Olympic Committee has imposed a betting ban on anybody accredited at the Beijing Olympics: athletes, officials, coaches, support personnel and journalists. The IOC doesn't want the stench the kind of corruption scandal that has hit tennis of late tarnishing its image.
Still, everyone else will be able to have a plunge, tipping the top country by medals (China is outright favourite at $1.55), the men's 100 metres freestyle (our man Eamon Sullivan, is at better odds than the Frenchman Alain Bernard) and our softball girls, second favourite behind the US at $9. Bizarrely, most sites are giving odds for handball, not exactly a household sport in this country, with France favourite at $3 ahead of Germany, $5, and Croatia and Denmark, both at $5.50.
Still some of the more interesting sporting events of late haven't made the betting sheets.
Imagine the fun if it were open slather and the agencies could offer odds on what really grabs the sporting attention. This is my current sporting book:
Finding the debt-riddled Tim Johnson of Firepower and Sydney Kings fame? 100 to one. A white knight emerging to buy and rescue the Kings? 10-1. Wayne Carey's squeeze, Kate Neilson, being promised some kind of leg up in her new media career following her 60 Minutes tell-all? 2-1 on. Ben Cousins staying clean? 50-1. Tamsyn Lewis creating headlines similar to the past doozies "my bum is not big enough" or 'I'll get you bitch" to Jana Rawlinson: 2-1 on. A stink in Wednesday's State of Origin, 20-1.
An Aussie athlete being arrested for taking a photo of a government building in Tiananmen Square, 5-1. A fracas at the Sapphire Suite involving a highly paid footballer, 2-1; a fracas at the Sapphire Suite involving a highly paid footballer after 2am, 10-1 on. A doping scandal before the start of the Tour de France, 3-1. Lleyton Hewitt winning Wimbledon 100-1. I would also offer odds on Belinda Neal representing Australia in soccer, but like Nick D'Arcy I am betting she is in the wrong sport.
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Sunday, April 06, 2008
Rabbitohs start the long road back, By Nick Walshaw - The Daily Telegraph - 7th April 2008
THERE won't be any cameras at Erskineville Oval today. No documentary crews, Sydney paparrazzi or publicists in Porsches.
No one to capture the real South Side Story.
"Mate, we know people think it's all lights, cameras and Hollywood here," Dean Widders shrugs. "That we all walk around like movie stars with big heads.
"But when we run 400s at training we do them the same as anyone else. We only take the field with 13 too. And when we're going bad . . . mate, we expect to get our arses kicked."
As they sit battered, bleeding and with ice on parts of their body you thought impossible to hurt, Rabbitohs players will quietly tell you they always knew the pressure was going to be on this year.
What with their two millionaire owners, Philadelphia trips and Bra Boy movie premieres. The upgraded facilities, infamous silver bunny keyrings and that schmick new merchandising range.
And if Giorgio Armani received a dollar for every time someone has mentioned those bloody striped suits they wear . . . well, the little Italian could buy himself another yacht, Porsche, wife . . . whatever.
Yep, this was supposed to be the year of the Bunny. Even Russell Crowe predicted as much when, during his takeover celebrations back in March 2006, he was asked to put on a time frame on delivery of the club's first premiership since 1971.
"2008 sounds good," he oozed. "The 100th year of the club. But I'm like that, I like things organised."
But, after losing to Manly at Brookvale yesterday, Maximus and his legion of battlers have once again slumped to their usual position on the NRL table. Four games, four losses. Stone motherless last.
Now this is when the cameras should really be rolling. Documenting the weights sessions. The endless training drills. Seeing if there really is a Cinderella Man story in Redfern.
But they won't.
"Because we don't give a damn about what people think of us," skipper Roy Asotasi said last night. "We've lost four games and have to turn that around.
"And we'll do it the same way Manly, Melbourne or any other team in the NRL would."
Of course, Sunday afternoon started promisingly enough for the Bunnies. Nathan Merritt posting first points when he kicked a penalty goal after only 11 minutes.
Had Rabbitohs fans known it would be their only points of the game, maybe they would've cheered harder. Or left.
Because for the next 69 minutes, South Sydney were unorganised, unsuccessful, just plain ugly. In fact, Crowe may have to consider his cheergirl ban if he wants to see anything even remotely attractive in coming weeks.
On the last play Souths passed forward and kicked dead. Got themselves tackled. Dropped more ball than a month of Lotto results.
It was attacking ineptitude that reached rock bottom midway through the second half. When Merritt failed to find touch with a penalty kick.
So Eagles fullback Brett Stewart picked up the loose ball, started to motor and suddenly found things all too easy . . . palming off Merritt and Shannan McPherson on a 60m run to the tryline.
It was that type of afternoon for the Bunnies. Prop Michael Greenfield leaving the field with concussion, but coach Jason Taylor heading back across the Spit Bridge with a bigger headache.
"We made improvements to our defence," JT deadpanned afterwards. "But in other areas we went backwards."
And so today that South Side Story really begins. A chance to prove "Pride of the League" is more than a useful marketing tool.
Because there's no doubting Taylor's ability. You don't become the only interim coach in 100 years to lead a side to the finals - like he did with Parramatta in 2006 - if you don't have a great footy brain, passion and the respect of those warriors in your charge.
Likewise, the Rabbitohs players cannot be accused of lacking heart. For large portions of yesterday's game they penetrated the Manly half. Pushing, competing, trying.
But never once looking a real threat.
Sure, they kept Manly to three tries. But whether that was good defence or poor attack is debatable. At one stage the grandstand turned its attention to a fight between the two mascots.
And, for the record, the Sea Eagle won that stink too. Convincingly.
But none of this matters today. When the players find Erskineville Oval a galaxy away from those flashbulbs, red carpet functions and promising boasts of a new owner.
"Because we're footballers," Widders smiles. "We're here to play football.
"And when you get in a bad patch like this, mate, there is no easy way out."
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No one to capture the real South Side Story.
"Mate, we know people think it's all lights, cameras and Hollywood here," Dean Widders shrugs. "That we all walk around like movie stars with big heads.
"But when we run 400s at training we do them the same as anyone else. We only take the field with 13 too. And when we're going bad . . . mate, we expect to get our arses kicked."
As they sit battered, bleeding and with ice on parts of their body you thought impossible to hurt, Rabbitohs players will quietly tell you they always knew the pressure was going to be on this year.
What with their two millionaire owners, Philadelphia trips and Bra Boy movie premieres. The upgraded facilities, infamous silver bunny keyrings and that schmick new merchandising range.
And if Giorgio Armani received a dollar for every time someone has mentioned those bloody striped suits they wear . . . well, the little Italian could buy himself another yacht, Porsche, wife . . . whatever.
Yep, this was supposed to be the year of the Bunny. Even Russell Crowe predicted as much when, during his takeover celebrations back in March 2006, he was asked to put on a time frame on delivery of the club's first premiership since 1971.
"2008 sounds good," he oozed. "The 100th year of the club. But I'm like that, I like things organised."
But, after losing to Manly at Brookvale yesterday, Maximus and his legion of battlers have once again slumped to their usual position on the NRL table. Four games, four losses. Stone motherless last.
Now this is when the cameras should really be rolling. Documenting the weights sessions. The endless training drills. Seeing if there really is a Cinderella Man story in Redfern.
But they won't.
"Because we don't give a damn about what people think of us," skipper Roy Asotasi said last night. "We've lost four games and have to turn that around.
"And we'll do it the same way Manly, Melbourne or any other team in the NRL would."
Of course, Sunday afternoon started promisingly enough for the Bunnies. Nathan Merritt posting first points when he kicked a penalty goal after only 11 minutes.
Had Rabbitohs fans known it would be their only points of the game, maybe they would've cheered harder. Or left.
Because for the next 69 minutes, South Sydney were unorganised, unsuccessful, just plain ugly. In fact, Crowe may have to consider his cheergirl ban if he wants to see anything even remotely attractive in coming weeks.
On the last play Souths passed forward and kicked dead. Got themselves tackled. Dropped more ball than a month of Lotto results.
It was attacking ineptitude that reached rock bottom midway through the second half. When Merritt failed to find touch with a penalty kick.
So Eagles fullback Brett Stewart picked up the loose ball, started to motor and suddenly found things all too easy . . . palming off Merritt and Shannan McPherson on a 60m run to the tryline.
It was that type of afternoon for the Bunnies. Prop Michael Greenfield leaving the field with concussion, but coach Jason Taylor heading back across the Spit Bridge with a bigger headache.
"We made improvements to our defence," JT deadpanned afterwards. "But in other areas we went backwards."
And so today that South Side Story really begins. A chance to prove "Pride of the League" is more than a useful marketing tool.
Because there's no doubting Taylor's ability. You don't become the only interim coach in 100 years to lead a side to the finals - like he did with Parramatta in 2006 - if you don't have a great footy brain, passion and the respect of those warriors in your charge.
Likewise, the Rabbitohs players cannot be accused of lacking heart. For large portions of yesterday's game they penetrated the Manly half. Pushing, competing, trying.
But never once looking a real threat.
Sure, they kept Manly to three tries. But whether that was good defence or poor attack is debatable. At one stage the grandstand turned its attention to a fight between the two mascots.
And, for the record, the Sea Eagle won that stink too. Convincingly.
But none of this matters today. When the players find Erskineville Oval a galaxy away from those flashbulbs, red carpet functions and promising boasts of a new owner.
"Because we're footballers," Widders smiles. "We're here to play football.
"And when you get in a bad patch like this, mate, there is no easy way out."
Media Man Australia Profiles
South Sydney Rabbitohs
News
Sports News
Friday, January 18, 2008
JT deal tied to member drive, By Steve Mascord - Fox Sports - 16th January 2008
COACH Jason Taylor signed on as South Sydney coach for another two years with a mission to beat one team above all others - Sydney Swans.
Taylor's innovative contract to stay on until 2010 involves his performance being assessed on how many members the club has rather than exclusively on results.
And co-owner Peter Holmes a Court said: "All I'm trying to do is get more members than the Sydney Swans. I don't know why we can't make that our target. Each (NRL) club in New South Wales should have 20,000-plus. As long as we have the most, I'm OK with that."
The executive chairman said the Rabbitohs' decision to jettison poker machines made it doubly important they recruit new members.
But considering the Swans have at least 27,000 and Souths are striving to sign up their 10,000th, Taylor may find winning a premiership an easier target.
Speaking after meeting some Souths members at Erskineville Oval on Tuesday night, the coach refused to comment on whether he had been sounded out by any rival clubs.
"I don't want to talk about that," he said.
But he admitted that trying to attract 17,000 more fans to part with their cash over the next three years was "a lofty goal".
"Being a coach is not just about winning matches, it's about building a club that is strong in all areas. Whether we can get that many members in this sort of time period, I don't know. But it's nice to have the bar set high."
As part of his duties, Taylor will continue to read out the team online to members every Tuesday night and take part in other recruitment programs. But he said: "I don't see my job so much as selling memberships as making this a club people want to be members of."
The Bunnies, who leave today for their pre-season camp and clash with Leeds in Jacksonville, will now set about tying up key players for extended periods.
Holmes a Court said: "All coaches have incentives but we have incentives built on how the business is going and how many members we have. The test of how we're really doing as a club is how our members are supporting us.
"That is why JT will have targets in his contract tied to membership.
"Winning for a football team is like oxygen. It's the fundamentals. But it's how you win and the environment you create."
Media Man Australia
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Controversy could fatten Ponting's bank balance, By Nick Walshaw - The Daily Telegraph - 10th January 2008
WHEN an Indian bank recently advertised their Sign to Dine with Ricky Ponting campaign, the response was overwhelming.
Countless enquiries, submissions from the rich, piles of signed miniature bats moving out the door with each new account.
"Because India is such a cricket hungry nation," Sateesh Kumar explains from his ING Vysya office in Bangalore. "We've used Ponting, Brian Lara, Anil Kumble . . . cricketers with talent become icons here."
But exactly how many bats would Punter need to scribble on this week - after playing a lead role in the greatest Aussie cricket scandal since Bodyline?
It's a question worth asking as the man with a role long regarded as second only to the Prime Minister comes under attack.
Like on Tuesday, when an exclusive poll by The Daily Telegraph revealed 83 per cent of readers consider Ponting a poor ambassador.
Just the start of an unrelenting tirade of criticism, burning effigies and even a call for his head. How does that affect his back pocket?
"But it was Groucho Marx who said any publicity is good publicity," laughs celebrity agent Max Markson. "And I honestly believe that's the case here with Ricky Ponting.
"Controversy attracts interest. Interest attracts money.
"A fortnight from now people will only remember the name Ricky Ponting. He'll earn more money as a result."
Yep, crazy as it sounds, this past week of drama could prove to be the best earn of Punter's life.
A boon for this superstar who Sweeney Sports recently listed as our most marketable athlete. A bloke who boasts $2.5 million annually from sponsors like Valvoline and Kookaburra.
"Because Ponting is no mug," says Greg Tingle of Media Man, "he could make anything up to $500,000."
Sydney agent Lauren Miller agrees, adding there's "no way Ricky will suffer financially".
But what about the subcontinent - home to those burning effigies, scathing website vitriol and threats to make any Indian Premier League experience as painful as possible?
Even The Hindu newspaper this week carried a piece demanding corporations suspend all dealings with the Australian cricketers.
While highly unlikely, the threat places pressure on all Aussie cricketers with financial ties to the subcontinent.
Topping the list with is Brett "Binga" Lee.
A celebrity whose extensive Indian sponsors includes Pharmacare, Deakin University, Timex and Neo Television.
"But Brett has been successful for a long time in India and we don't expect that to change," manager Neil Maxwell explains. "I mean, he certainly hasn't been scarred personally as far as the current scenario is concerned. "
Speaking from the Sydney set of Victory, a Bollywood movie in which Lee plays a key role, producer Anu Sharma says the bond between Binga and India is "unbreakable".
"Because you need to remember cricket and film are like religions over there," Sharma explains.
"So when Brett Lee is playing cricket and starring in films . . . well, there isn't a scandal out there to stop him."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Cricket
News
Sports News
Countless enquiries, submissions from the rich, piles of signed miniature bats moving out the door with each new account.
"Because India is such a cricket hungry nation," Sateesh Kumar explains from his ING Vysya office in Bangalore. "We've used Ponting, Brian Lara, Anil Kumble . . . cricketers with talent become icons here."
But exactly how many bats would Punter need to scribble on this week - after playing a lead role in the greatest Aussie cricket scandal since Bodyline?
It's a question worth asking as the man with a role long regarded as second only to the Prime Minister comes under attack.
Like on Tuesday, when an exclusive poll by The Daily Telegraph revealed 83 per cent of readers consider Ponting a poor ambassador.
Just the start of an unrelenting tirade of criticism, burning effigies and even a call for his head. How does that affect his back pocket?
"But it was Groucho Marx who said any publicity is good publicity," laughs celebrity agent Max Markson. "And I honestly believe that's the case here with Ricky Ponting.
"Controversy attracts interest. Interest attracts money.
"A fortnight from now people will only remember the name Ricky Ponting. He'll earn more money as a result."
Yep, crazy as it sounds, this past week of drama could prove to be the best earn of Punter's life.
A boon for this superstar who Sweeney Sports recently listed as our most marketable athlete. A bloke who boasts $2.5 million annually from sponsors like Valvoline and Kookaburra.
"Because Ponting is no mug," says Greg Tingle of Media Man, "he could make anything up to $500,000."
Sydney agent Lauren Miller agrees, adding there's "no way Ricky will suffer financially".
But what about the subcontinent - home to those burning effigies, scathing website vitriol and threats to make any Indian Premier League experience as painful as possible?
Even The Hindu newspaper this week carried a piece demanding corporations suspend all dealings with the Australian cricketers.
While highly unlikely, the threat places pressure on all Aussie cricketers with financial ties to the subcontinent.
Topping the list with is Brett "Binga" Lee.
A celebrity whose extensive Indian sponsors includes Pharmacare, Deakin University, Timex and Neo Television.
"But Brett has been successful for a long time in India and we don't expect that to change," manager Neil Maxwell explains. "I mean, he certainly hasn't been scarred personally as far as the current scenario is concerned. "
Speaking from the Sydney set of Victory, a Bollywood movie in which Lee plays a key role, producer Anu Sharma says the bond between Binga and India is "unbreakable".
"Because you need to remember cricket and film are like religions over there," Sharma explains.
"So when Brett Lee is playing cricket and starring in films . . . well, there isn't a scandal out there to stop him."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Cricket
News
Sports News
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Goorjian ploy to put Wildcats on the ropes, by Michael Cowley - Sydney Morning Herald - 28th November 2007
DON'T expect to see the moves made famous by Mario Milano, Killer Karl Cox, Brute Bernard or, more recently, Hulk Hogan, but Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian will continue to employ a tactic straight out of the wrestling ring to maintain his team's stunning start to the season.
The Kings, with 12 wins from 13 games this season, play host to the Perth Wildcats at the Sydney Entertainment Centre tonight, and Goorjian believes one of the keys to success is a wrestling move. But not the full nelson, the pile-driver or the sleeper hold.
"We played really well against Cairns on Sunday night, and the most pleasing thing was that we got contributions from everybody," Goorjian said of his team's 102-87 road win over the Taipans.
"I think we had a lot of energy on the defensive end of the floor and we really ran and pushed the ball. We kept the energy at a very high level, and to do that, you need that gang effect. It's like the wrestling, where you do your thing then you tag the next guy and he comes in and he does his thing … and then he comes out and tags someone else and they come in.
"That's how we want to play but that style is very demanding, so having that depth to call upon is vital and where the success has come from so far. We're definitely getting better and the improvement has come from our depth.
"We're getting good contributions from everyone. There isn't a guy who's not coming in and delivering, and that's a real key. We came out of that Cairns game feeling pretty good about ourselves because we beat a pretty good team, and now we've got another tomorrow night."
Perth are coming off an impressive 18-point win over Melbourne and are looking to improve on their fifth spot on the ladder. While Goorjian believes the Tigers were definitely below their best on the weekend, that doesn't detract from Perth's performance, and he is wary of tonight's clash.
"I thought their defence was great and they executed well," he said. "They are physical and they play well defensively. It will be a challenge for us."
Another team facing a challenge is West Sydney. The Razorbacks host Singapore at the State Sports Centre tonight and, after three straight losses which saw them slip from fourth to ninth, are keen to get the season back on track.
"If we win tomorrow night we could jump back up to sixth, it's so close," coach Rob Beveridge said. "We knew at some stage during the season we were going to take some hits because at the end of the day, we're just not good enough to compete against the best teams in the league.
"Where we are at as a rebuilding group, we're not good enough - but I just take my hat off to the players. They have worked their asses off so hard to be able to beat those [good] teams and I think we've gained respect and credibility. No one takes us lightly any more because they know if they do, they will probably lose."
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Holmes a Court launches new company - The Sydney Morning Herald - 31st October 2007
South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team co-owner Peter Holmes a Court proved he was no bunny in the business world, launching a new sports management, digital media and investment company on Wednesday.
His new venture, The Passionate Group, also announced the acquisition of International Sports Facilities Management, a company providing specialist management services to the sports and leisure industries.
The sum of the acquisition was not disclosed.
"We have identified the sports and related sports media sectors as tremendous growth areas in the Australian economy and indeed the region, following similar rapid growth demonstrated in the US and Europe," Mr Holmes ? Court said.
"Digital media and internet broadcasting are radically reshaping the sporting landscape, creating new opportunities for sports rights holders and providing sports fans with unprecedented access to the sports they love."
The Passionate Group also said it would pursue activities in sports apparel through District Apparel Company, a 50:50 joint venture with actor Russell Crowe - who is a partner with Mr Holmes a Court in the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team.
The Passionate Group would develop internet broadcasting for sporting organisations through its Sports Club TV.
Mr Holmes a Court said the Passionate Group was examining other investments within the sports and related digital media sectors.
It recently purchased a 10 per cent stake in internet broadcast technology company Viocorp.
His new venture, The Passionate Group, also announced the acquisition of International Sports Facilities Management, a company providing specialist management services to the sports and leisure industries.
The sum of the acquisition was not disclosed.
"We have identified the sports and related sports media sectors as tremendous growth areas in the Australian economy and indeed the region, following similar rapid growth demonstrated in the US and Europe," Mr Holmes ? Court said.
"Digital media and internet broadcasting are radically reshaping the sporting landscape, creating new opportunities for sports rights holders and providing sports fans with unprecedented access to the sports they love."
The Passionate Group also said it would pursue activities in sports apparel through District Apparel Company, a 50:50 joint venture with actor Russell Crowe - who is a partner with Mr Holmes a Court in the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team.
The Passionate Group would develop internet broadcasting for sporting organisations through its Sports Club TV.
Mr Holmes a Court said the Passionate Group was examining other investments within the sports and related digital media sectors.
It recently purchased a 10 per cent stake in internet broadcast technology company Viocorp.
Peter Holmes a Court launches sports conglomerate, By Rhys Haynes - The Daily Telegraph - 3rd November 2007
THERE'S plenty of money to be made from sport, according to one man who would know.
Co-owner of the South Sydney rugby league club Peter Holmes a Court has said little has been done to cash-in on something Australians love so much. Which is why he this week launched The Passionate Group, a new sports management, digital media and investment company, which will provide an investment opportunities for sports fans.
"Sport is a very large business - an $8.5 billion industry in Australia - but the number of listed sports entities here, and the number of ways for investors to participate in sports is very, very small," Mr Holmes a Court told The Daily Telegraph.
"The number of ways for management to get equity in the business they are running is also very small. So my goal was to build a listed sports and related digital media business."
The business has acquired International Sports Facilities Management, a company providing specialist management services to the sports and leisure industries.The Passionate Group also owns a sports apparel division District Apparel Company, jointly owned by actor Russell Crowe, who is co-owner with Homes a Court of the Rabbitohs.
Setting up the company was a project unrelated to the pair's involvement in the rugby league team."This is not about going out and buying football teams, Souths is not part of this - my investment with Russell is a personal passion and sits outside of this," he said.
The club's history is having an influence on the way the business is run."About 50 years ago 100 per cent of South's revenue came from gate takings," Mr Holmes a Court said.
"Gate takings are now less than 8 per cent."
"Income derived from or transacted through the internet two years ago was less than 5 per cent of total revenue, but it will be 30 per cent in a few years."
The internet is the future for sporting clubs, as far as revenue goes, Mr Holmes a Court believes.
"If you look at sporting apparel, it is dnow what people wear, it isn't something they just wear at the weekend going to a match, it is actually casual wear," he said.
"It is one of the key ways that sporting clubs generate revenue."The Passionate Group is headed for a public float.
"That is the goal, we are on an acquisition strategy."
Mr Holmes a Court said the company was also keen to be part of the digital age - including giving fans access to live footage.
"The rule of digital content is that if you don't find a way to get it to your customers, they'll find a way of getting it from you," he said.
"Industry after industry have been left behind by trying to control their digital rights and prevent the public having access to them. It has decimated the music industry.
"We have got to get smarter about getting digital access to our fans."
Co-owner of the South Sydney rugby league club Peter Holmes a Court has said little has been done to cash-in on something Australians love so much. Which is why he this week launched The Passionate Group, a new sports management, digital media and investment company, which will provide an investment opportunities for sports fans.
"Sport is a very large business - an $8.5 billion industry in Australia - but the number of listed sports entities here, and the number of ways for investors to participate in sports is very, very small," Mr Holmes a Court told The Daily Telegraph.
"The number of ways for management to get equity in the business they are running is also very small. So my goal was to build a listed sports and related digital media business."
The business has acquired International Sports Facilities Management, a company providing specialist management services to the sports and leisure industries.The Passionate Group also owns a sports apparel division District Apparel Company, jointly owned by actor Russell Crowe, who is co-owner with Homes a Court of the Rabbitohs.
Setting up the company was a project unrelated to the pair's involvement in the rugby league team."This is not about going out and buying football teams, Souths is not part of this - my investment with Russell is a personal passion and sits outside of this," he said.
The club's history is having an influence on the way the business is run."About 50 years ago 100 per cent of South's revenue came from gate takings," Mr Holmes a Court said.
"Gate takings are now less than 8 per cent."
"Income derived from or transacted through the internet two years ago was less than 5 per cent of total revenue, but it will be 30 per cent in a few years."
The internet is the future for sporting clubs, as far as revenue goes, Mr Holmes a Court believes.
"If you look at sporting apparel, it is dnow what people wear, it isn't something they just wear at the weekend going to a match, it is actually casual wear," he said.
"It is one of the key ways that sporting clubs generate revenue."The Passionate Group is headed for a public float.
"That is the goal, we are on an acquisition strategy."
Mr Holmes a Court said the company was also keen to be part of the digital age - including giving fans access to live footage.
"The rule of digital content is that if you don't find a way to get it to your customers, they'll find a way of getting it from you," he said.
"Industry after industry have been left behind by trying to control their digital rights and prevent the public having access to them. It has decimated the music industry.
"We have got to get smarter about getting digital access to our fans."
Friday, October 26, 2007
Rabbitohs in hunt for major sponsor - The Sydney Morning Herald - 24th October 2007
NRL finalists South Sydney are in the market for a new major sponsor after ending their association with Firepower.
The fuel additive company and the Rabbitohs will amicably terminate their relationship next Wednesday after Firepower opted against taking up an option of two more years as major sponsor.
"As they were unable to commit to the long term, we decided on a mutual parting of ways," said Rabbitohs co-owner Peter Holmes a Court.
"We were happy with the relationship but we felt we needed a partner who could commit to us in the long term and Firepower couldn't provide that certainty.
"Firepower met every financial obligation with the club during the 2007 season and we wish them all the best in the future.'
AAP
The fuel additive company and the Rabbitohs will amicably terminate their relationship next Wednesday after Firepower opted against taking up an option of two more years as major sponsor.
"As they were unable to commit to the long term, we decided on a mutual parting of ways," said Rabbitohs co-owner Peter Holmes a Court.
"We were happy with the relationship but we felt we needed a partner who could commit to us in the long term and Firepower couldn't provide that certainty.
"Firepower met every financial obligation with the club during the 2007 season and we wish them all the best in the future.'
AAP
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Rabbitohs dump Firepower, by Jacquelin Magnay - 24th October 2007
Rabbitohs dump Firepower, by Jacquelin Magnay (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
FirepowerSouth Sydney Rabbitohs have dumped their major sponsor, the controversial fuel technology company Firepower, in a move unprecedented in the NRL.
After finishing seventh this season, senior Souths executives have quickly sought to find another multimillion-dollar sponsor that is more in keeping with its core values. Usually it is the sponsor that severs ties with clubs, not the other way around, but it is understood several current and prospective sponsors of the club were unhappy with the continued association between the Rabbitohs and the negative, headline-grabbing Firepower.
What began as quiet nervousness when the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Taxation Office started investigating Firepower in March developed into open concern when Firepower chief executive John Finnin was sacked after evidence in court revealed the Victoria Police and Australian Federal Police were investigating him on possible child sex offences in August. He is defending the allegations.
Several new sponsors are expected to sign up with the Rabbitohs now that Firepower is off the jersey and no longer linked with the club. South Sydney owner Peter Holmes a Court confirmed to the Herald last night the club decided not to take up the further options of the Firepower sponsorship when it expires on October 31.
Firepower was just one year into a proposed three-year, $3.5 million sponsorship of Souths, which involved having its logo and brand across the front of home jerseys as well as signage at home grounds and on club property. It bought the company, mainly based in Perth, enormous exposure in the east-coast markets. Players such as Nigel Vagana and Roy Asotasi were approached to help publicise the company at marketing campaigns in Queensland, but training commitments prevented that occurring.
"We have been very fortunate that Firepower met all of their obligations and we are very thankful for their million-dollar-plus support, but we need to be in the market for $2 million major sponsors in addition to Virgin Blue," Holmes a Court said.
"At Souths the job was to start the re-building of our club and Firepower helped support that and we have nothing but good things to say about them. We thank them but we are moving on and we have got to go into the market now for a number of senior partners, which is a great opportunity because the brand and business is in a great place."
This season Souths raised a total of $5.5 million in sponsorship, one of the highest in the league, with total revenue being $13 million, but the finals appearance was the biggest boost for the privately owned club. Holmes a Court said Firepower had paid all of its sponsorship monies.
Firepower shot to prominence after a multimillion-dollar sponsorship contracts spree with the Sydney Kings basketball side, the Western Force rugby team, V8 supercars, the Australian Superbike Championship, and the Tongan rugby team as well as the Rabbitohs in late 2006. The company was also behind the massive $4.5 million three-year contract for Western Force player Matt Giteau, as well as supporting some other players, who have recently been offered Firepower shares in lieu of cash.
But the company, which makes a fuel additive that claims to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, has come under attack from some of its 1200 shareholders for failing to provide detailed financial records and continued delays in listing on the Alternative Investment Market in London for more than 18 months.
Shareholders include former AFL players Mark Ricciuto and Wayne Carey, who speculated the company would provide a 10-fold return once listed.
FirepowerSouth Sydney Rabbitohs have dumped their major sponsor, the controversial fuel technology company Firepower, in a move unprecedented in the NRL.
After finishing seventh this season, senior Souths executives have quickly sought to find another multimillion-dollar sponsor that is more in keeping with its core values. Usually it is the sponsor that severs ties with clubs, not the other way around, but it is understood several current and prospective sponsors of the club were unhappy with the continued association between the Rabbitohs and the negative, headline-grabbing Firepower.
What began as quiet nervousness when the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Taxation Office started investigating Firepower in March developed into open concern when Firepower chief executive John Finnin was sacked after evidence in court revealed the Victoria Police and Australian Federal Police were investigating him on possible child sex offences in August. He is defending the allegations.
Several new sponsors are expected to sign up with the Rabbitohs now that Firepower is off the jersey and no longer linked with the club. South Sydney owner Peter Holmes a Court confirmed to the Herald last night the club decided not to take up the further options of the Firepower sponsorship when it expires on October 31.
Firepower was just one year into a proposed three-year, $3.5 million sponsorship of Souths, which involved having its logo and brand across the front of home jerseys as well as signage at home grounds and on club property. It bought the company, mainly based in Perth, enormous exposure in the east-coast markets. Players such as Nigel Vagana and Roy Asotasi were approached to help publicise the company at marketing campaigns in Queensland, but training commitments prevented that occurring.
"We have been very fortunate that Firepower met all of their obligations and we are very thankful for their million-dollar-plus support, but we need to be in the market for $2 million major sponsors in addition to Virgin Blue," Holmes a Court said.
"At Souths the job was to start the re-building of our club and Firepower helped support that and we have nothing but good things to say about them. We thank them but we are moving on and we have got to go into the market now for a number of senior partners, which is a great opportunity because the brand and business is in a great place."
This season Souths raised a total of $5.5 million in sponsorship, one of the highest in the league, with total revenue being $13 million, but the finals appearance was the biggest boost for the privately owned club. Holmes a Court said Firepower had paid all of its sponsorship monies.
Firepower shot to prominence after a multimillion-dollar sponsorship contracts spree with the Sydney Kings basketball side, the Western Force rugby team, V8 supercars, the Australian Superbike Championship, and the Tongan rugby team as well as the Rabbitohs in late 2006. The company was also behind the massive $4.5 million three-year contract for Western Force player Matt Giteau, as well as supporting some other players, who have recently been offered Firepower shares in lieu of cash.
But the company, which makes a fuel additive that claims to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, has come under attack from some of its 1200 shareholders for failing to provide detailed financial records and continued delays in listing on the Alternative Investment Market in London for more than 18 months.
Shareholders include former AFL players Mark Ricciuto and Wayne Carey, who speculated the company would provide a 10-fold return once listed.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Media Updates
Judo champion, Mick Cutajar, has updated his web blog
ABC TV - The Chaser - 2 nights ago The Chaser featured Jelly Wrestling and Pro Wrestling
Media Man Australia - sports news
ABC TV - The Chaser - 2 nights ago The Chaser featured Jelly Wrestling and Pro Wrestling
Media Man Australia - sports news
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Sports Media Websites
Media Man Australia - Sport
Australian Sports Entertainment - Sport
Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
Australian Sports Entertainment - Sport
Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Friday, January 20, 2006
Media Man Australia Update
The Media Man Australia website, including the Sports section has been updated.
Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Warnie puts spin on business, by Jim Dickings - News.com.au - 13th November 2005
IT might seem risky, but signing a promotional deal with notorious text messager Shane Warne makes good business sense to Messages On Hold founder Kym Illman.
The 44-year-old former sound engineer caused a stir on Friday with a press conference announcing Australian cricket legend Warne would front a campaign promoting his corporate message recording service.
"We couldn't think of anyone better than him," he said.
"We're looking to piggyback on his instant recognition."
Warne himself could not see any connection with the furore over his history of risque text messaging, telling The Sunday Telegraph he was simply plugging a good company.
"People can try to spin it and twist it and say that about text messages," he said.
"It has got absolutely nothing to do with things like that."
Associating with a controversial star can be a double-edged sword some brands shy away from, and Warne's relationship with some previous sponsors has been bumpy.
But Mr Illman said his undiminished superstar status and immense popularity were worth taking a chance on.
"We're risk takers - there might be a level of risk involved but you have got to take risks in business," Mr Illman said.
A tendency for risk-taking, not to mention cheekiness, is what tipped him into business in the first place.
He lost his job at Perth's Nine Network affiliate after a prank phone call to the boss went wrong.
It was a reckless move, but the same careless spirit may also be what helped build Messages On Hold into what he proudly describes as the biggest business of its kind in the southern hemisphere, and the third largest in the world.
"It was a very good decision in hindsight," he says of his career-destroying practical joke.
As Warne intimates, Perth-based Messages On Hold actually has nothing to do with text messages.
It produces the promotional corporate recordings which callers sometimes hear when they are placed on hold.
It has grown from being a "one man band" in 1988 to a $12 million business with 100 employees working in several languages and clients in 14 countries.
Mr Illman founded it after listening to a recorded message while stuck on hold to American Express shortly after he was sacked.
"I thought, 'Oh, well - I'll start this up!"' he said.
"Sometimes I think it was a bit of a fluke I lasted the first few years."
Skills picked up as an audio engineer helped, as did experience from his previous life as a radio DJ based in Darwin.
The administration skills of his first employee - later to become his wife - tidied up the paperwork side of things.
While it might seem like a niche industry, the irrepressible Mr Illman argues there are few limits on its potential.
"About 70 per cent of the businesses that need our service don't have it," he said.
"There's plenty of scope there."
Friday, November 25, 2005
Warnie's marketing charm - Network Nine - Sunday - NineMSN
Warnie's marketing charm
Sunday, November 13, 2005
"I think the Australian press are a lot more judgemental and moralistic than the English press."He's Australia's most controversial sportsman but he's also a marketer's dream. Cricketer Shane Warne is now going to be the name behind the company, Messages on Hold. In his only television interview on the subject, he talks openly to Katrina Nicholas.
INTRO: He could be a marketers dream or nightmare. Shane Warne wasn't taking any personal questions at a press conference on Friday but while talking up his latest business venture, once again his personal life was taking a turn of its own. The champion spin bowler told National Nine News, off camera, that his marriage to estranged wife Simone was over. The couple starting divorce proceedings and Warne planning a move back to England full time.
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SHANE WARNE, Australian cricketer: In England there is a lot of opportunities at the moment, we’ve had a few things on the go that we can’t say, which I know probably people think 'oh, yeah sure', but there is actually a couple of good things which will be told in time. It is a different way of life but it is a long term commitment I’ve made to Hampshire and I enjoy that side of things and I enjoy England, and I enjoy living there at the moment. Australia will always be home and I love coming back to Australia, but England is where I’m living at the moment.
NICHOLAS: Warne’s move back and now marriage breakdown is the culmination of many things. His 12 month suspension from the game for taking a banned substance.
WARNE: I can confirm that the fluid tablet I took before appearing to announce my retirement from one day cricket was given to me by my mum.
NICHOLAS: And the headlines about steamy affairs conducted by text message. But amazingly he doesn’t blame the notorious English tabloids.
WARNE: The press over there were fine compared to here. I think the Australian press are a lot more judgemental and moralistic than the English press, the English press will nail you for a day and they’ll move on to the next person. Over here, a lot of people want to have their say, everyone wants to throw their two bob’s worth in, and it drags on for day after day after day.
NICHOLAS: At 36, Warne is reaching veteran status and starting to seriously consider life after cricket.
WARNE: At the moment though I suppose I’m getting to the end of my career so I’ve got to have a look at some opportunities and start setting myself up for after cricket. Hopefully, I’ve got a few years left yet. But at the moment I’m looking at all those years. I’ve been playing for 15 years so I am looking forward, and that is one of the reasons I started up the Foundation. It was something I could walk straight into when I’m finished, it is established and it is already established in the market place and the community as well.
NICHOLAS: Warne’s charitable foundation is just one part of his rapidly expanding but somewhat hotchpotch post cricket empire. They were the Nicorette patches.
WARNE: My worst probably decision I suppose was the Nicorette stuff, I tried to give up and unfortunately I didn’t give up, which is the way it goes, can’t win them all. I’ve been pretty lucky I haven’t had too many bad business calls yet.
NICHOLAS: OneTel?
WARNE: Well, I was endorsed to promote the product of OneTel, it obviously didn’t go the way everyone expected it to go.
NICHOLAS: And now messages on hold, a business that makes money dreaming up new ways to keep callers on the line.
WARNE: Well, you haven’t got a sense of humour and you can’t laugh at yourself in things like that well then I think you’ve got too big of an ego or you are worried about too many different things. With me Messages on Hold, what people, all they see is the name, straight away messages, and they think automatically texting and things like that.
NICHOLAS: It won’t be Shane Warne doing the talking or texting, he is just the public face of the business.
KYM ILLMAN, Managing Director, Messages On Hold: There may be a level of risk involved in this but no business gets to where we are today taking no risks. You can’t get anywhere sitting on the fence.
WARNE: Well, certain sections of the media will try and spin it and twist it and play on the word messages, if they want to that then that is up them.
NICHOLAS: To complete the somewhat eclectic mix, Warne is also looking at getting back into the wine market, and opening a restaurant or two. Warne’s obviously more comfortable in his cricket whites than a business suit but he does have some very powerful mentors.
WARNE: Business wise probably Lloyd Williams and Kerry Packer, those two guys I consider friends and they have helped me out in a lot of different things. They are very good friends of mine and helped me in a business sense and basically said 'no don’t do that' most of the time.
NICHOLAS: Losing that contract with Nine, how difficult was that?
WARNE: I understood their position, I’d been with them for 13 years, I’m living in England now and I’m playing cricket in the summer here so the time and the availability to do a lot of work with Nine and do their shows and things is quite difficult because you are not here, and I enjoy the time. I enjoyed learning how to do all the different things involved with TV, I wasn’t that good at some things, I was OK at others so, hopefully that door is not closed.
NICHOLAS: But having weathered all the disappointments and headlines is the CEO of Shane Warne Inc. finally mellowing.
WARNE: I’m getting older so I have to I suppose but I think all of us still like to have a bit of fun and I think that little kid inside all of us sometimes like to get out, maybe I just need to tame him down a little bit.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
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This blog forms part of the Australian Sports Entertainment and Media Man Australia sports online portfolio.
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