Cafes Blog part of the Media Man Group, including Media Man (Australia) and beyond
Friday, December 30, 2022
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Cafe, Coffee Blog: Cheers Sydney, Cheers Melbourne, Cheers Brisbane, Cheers Miami, Cheers Texas, Cheers Monaco.
Cheers Sydney, Cheers Melbourne, Cheers Brisbane, Cheers Miami, Cheers Texas, Cheers Monaco
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Coffee and Cafes Blog. Organic Search Results. Cheers.
Coffee and Cafes Blog
Organic Search Results
Cheers
In Web search engines, organic search results are the query results which are calculated strictly algorithmically, and not affected by advertiser payments. They are distinguished from various kinds of sponsored results, whether they are explicit pay per click advertisements, shopping results, or other results where the search engine is paid either for showing the result, or for clicks on the result.
Background
The Google, Yahoo!, Bing, Petal and Sogou search engines insert advertising on their search results pages. In U.S. law, advertising must be distinguished from organic results. This is done with various differences in background, text, link colors, and/or placement on the page. However, a 2004 survey found that a majority of search engine users could not distinguish the two.
Because so few ordinary users (38% according to Pew Research Center) realized that many of the highest placed "results" on search engine results pages (SERPs) were ads, the search engine optimization industry began to distinguish between ads and natural results.[citation needed] The perspective among general users was that all results were, in fact, "results." So the qualifier "organic" was invented to distinguish non-ad search results from ads. It has been used since at least 2004.
Because the distinction is important (and because the word "organic" has many metaphorical uses) the term is now in widespread use within the search engine optimization and web marketing industry. As of July 2009, the term "organic search" is now commonly used outside the specialist web marketing industry, even used frequently by Google (throughout the Google Analytics site, for instance).
Google claims their users click (organic) search results more often than ads, essentially rebutting the research cited above. A 2012 Google study found that 81% of ad impressions and 66% of ad clicks happen when there is no associated organic search result on the first page. Research has shown that searchers may have a bias against ads, unless the ads are relevant to the searcher's need or intent.
The same report and others going back to 1997 by Pew show that users avoid clicking "results" they know to be ads.
According to a June 2013 study by Chitika, 9 out of 10 searchers don't go beyond Google's first page of organic search results, a claim often cited by the search engine optimization (SEO) industry to justify optimizing websites for organic search. Organic SEO describes the use of certain strategies or tools to elevate a website's content in the "free" search results.
Users can prevent ads in search results and list only organic results by using browser add-ons and plugins. Other browsers may have different tools developed for blocking ads.
Organic search engine optimization is the process of improving web sites' rank in organic search results.
References
Monday, November 28, 2022
Coffee Blog: A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-caffeinated beverages.
A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-caffeinated beverages. In continental Europe, cafés serve alcoholic drinks.
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Friday, November 04, 2022
Blog: Cafe News Media is part of the Media Man Group. Media, Advertising and Business Enquires
Monday, October 17, 2022
Friday, October 14, 2022
Blog: Google: We’re celebrating #InternationalCoffeeDay with this awesome coffee art shared by Googlers Kamil and Trevor! #LifeAtGoogle wouldn’t be the same without our morning cup, or three! - October 1st
Google: We’re celebrating #InternationalCoffeeDay with this awesome coffee art shared by Googlers Kamil and Trevor! #LifeAtGoogle wouldn’t be the same without our morning cup, or three!
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Blog: WWE Crown Jewel Press Conference. Promotions 101 says Media Man.
WWE Crown Jewel Press Conference. Promotions 101 says Media Man.
*click here for official WWE article
*click here for official WWE YouTube video
Roman Reigns and Logan Paul. (Image credit: WWE)
I don't usually cover pro wrestling via LinkedIn, as its not quite our bread and butter industry from a professional perspective, although I have had the opportunity to assist (officially) on a number of WWE, FITE TV, AEW, Australasian Wrestling Federation, Hulk Hogan, independent and Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling campaigns over the past 25 years plus.
The current WWE Crown Jewel Press Conference involving main players Roman Reigns and Logan Paul, along with Paul Heyman (Heyman Hustle) and Sami Zayn, was off the charts.
Big Fight Feel. Big Money Match. Big Heat. Just big. Tremendous promotion all round and this can be used as a blueprint for combat sports promotions for many years to come.
Crown Jewel will be broadcast via Peacock and WWE Network on Saturday, November 5, 2022. Again, I am not officially assisting, but I was blown away from fan, media and promoter perspective.
(Image credit: WWE).
Shared for the business world via LinkedIn!
#wwe #wwecrownjewel #crownjewel #wwepress #wwemedia #wrestling #sportsentertainment #reignsvspaul #promotion #promotions #combatsports #streaming #entertainment #popculture #wwenetwork #news #media
Sunday, September 11, 2022
Cafe, Gaming and Sports Culture: Media Man Casino, Gaming, Sports and Pop Culture; Las Vegas, Canada, UK, Australia and beyond
Media Man Casino, Gaming, Sports and Pop Culture; Las Vegas, Canada, UK, Australia and beyond
The Media Man Group including Media Man Int, Media Man Australia, Casino News Media, Global Gaming Directory, Hottest On TV, Wrestling News Media, Bitcoin News Media and Cafe News Media have searched the world once again and deliver some of the freshest, most up-to-date casino, gaming, sports and pop culture news and intel to be found anywhere.
Nevada Gaming Control Board preparing for disciplinary hearing against Steve Wynn
The Nevada Gaming Control Board on Tuesday confirmed that it is preparing for a disciplinary hearing before the Nevada Gaming Commission against former Wynn Resorts Ltd. CEO Steve Wynn on sexual harassment charges. Wynn, now a Florida resident, has said that because he is no longer licensed by state gaming regulators and has divested all financial connections with the company that he believes he is no longer subject to its discipline.
The plan for a downtown Chicago casino now has a surprising ally: river lovers
Chicago’s push for a casino has stirred fervent debate focused mostly on the predictable: whether the right site was chosen, how much tax revenue it will generate and whether it will worsen noise, traffic or problem gambling. But river advocates and ecological preservationists see the complex in a different light. To them, the Bally’s plan to replace the Tribune printing plant in River West can be a meaningful next step in the ongoing makeover of the city’s riverfront — if done right.
Ontario: More staff back, but border issues continue to be a challenge for Caesars Windsor
While the bulk of the staff at Caesars Windsor have returned to work, officials say there's still more work to do as they prepare for the fall. Back in March, unionized workers at Caesars voted 93 per cent in favour of a new three-year collective agreement, covering the roughly 1,800 workers at the casino. With restrictions related to COVID-19 mostly lifted, one of the remaining issues involves the border and being able to get more visitors from the US back.
Michigan Gaming Control Board highlights need for gaming education
The Michigan Gaming Control Board is trying to do its part to help raise awareness on responsible gaming among the state’s youth in tandem with the American Gaming Association’s “Responsible Gaming Education Month.” According to a press release from the MGCB, and citing statistics from the National Council on Problem Gambling, between 60% and 80% of high school students say they’ve gambled for money in the past year, and some 4% to 6% of them are considered gambling addicts.
Mixed ruling filed in Apple, Google, Meta social casino case
The Northern District of California issued an opinion partly siding with social casino users late last week, determining that the defendants, Apple, Google, and Meta Platforms defeated only two of three theories of liability on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act grounds.
Caesars Atlantic City debuting the first east-coast location of Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen
What’s opening next? This question applies to all three of Caesars Entertainment’s Atlantic City casinos. There are so many projects on the to-do list that something new is debuting every month.
Survey suggests many in Ontario cool to sports wagering
Over three months after the full launch of Ontario’s sports-betting industry, a survey conducted by Canada Sports Betting suggests a majority of people in the province haven’t taken to wagering on athletic events. Canada Sports Betting surveyed 1,222 people between July 19-20 regarding their views on the regulated sports-betting market.
North Carolina: Catawba Nation opens sportsbook inside temporary Two Kings casino
Another sports-gambling venue opened on Tuesday in North Carolina, this time at the temporary casino opened by the Catawba Nation last year along Interstate 85 near the South Carolina border.
Caesars opens two retail sportsbooks in Louisiana on the eve of football season
Caesars Sportsbook made a big splash less than a week before the NFL season begins, opening two new retail locations for sports betting in Louisiana.
Hard Rock Sportsbook launches in Indiana, Tennessee
Hard Rock Sportsbook is officially live in Indiana and Tennessee, just days ahead of the start of the 2022 NFL season. The mobile sportsbook is now operational in Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Liz Truss’s UK premiership raises hopes of countering affordability checks, lawmaker says
Liz Truss's appointment as prime minister has been hailed as a major positive for racing by fellow Conservative MP Laurence Robertson, who hopes she will oppose the controversial affordability checks, which are set to feature in the upcoming gambling white paper and would cost the sport millions. Robertson, whose Tewkesbury constituency includes Cheltenham racecourse, has long campaigned against strict betting restrictions.
Camelot drops legal challenge over UK National Lottery licence transfer to Allwyn
Outgoing National Lottery operator Camelot has dropped a legal challenge which was preventing the handover of the lottery licence to rival Allwyn. Allwyn has ended its counter-claim against Camelot for damages due to delaying the £6.4bn contract.
Player protection and responsible gambling at the core of the agenda for SBC Summit Barcelona
Hundreds of player safety professionals will gather at SBC Summit Barcelona September 20-22 to share their gambling harm prevention strategies and help improve the industry's understanding of the subject of responsible gambling.
Friday, September 09, 2022
Tuesday, September 06, 2022
Let's talk coffee and health, By Kathy Ozakovic (NuFit Wellness)
Let's talk coffee and health, By Kathy Ozakovic (NuFit Wellness)
Did you know coffee beans come from a cherry? Recently, I've decided to moderate my coffee and caffeine intake in particular. In this blog I share with you the why and how. I also share some of the latest reviews on the health benefits of coffee. Yes, there are health benefits to drinking coffee and yes there are some "warnings" too. Finally, before I get into it I want to highlight it is never only about the coffee. I am always more concerned about what my clients are not eating and not getting enough of, as opposed to how much coffee they are drinking. Unless...
Did you know coffee has about 1000 bioactive substances! Caffeine is only 1 of these. The most well known and most researched are: Chlorogenic Acid (CGAs), Diterpenes, Trigonelline, Melanoidins and Caffeine. The overall health effects of the coffee depends on the amount of nutrients and bioactive substances which vary significantly across types of coffee. This is why its not as simple as saying "keep drinking coffee, don't keep drinking coffee, this is how much coffee you should drink" However, I can give you a better understanding and some questions worth asking yourself to make that decision for yourself. 1 cup of coffee refers to 200ml and about 100mg caffeine.
Inflammation and Heart Health
Out of the most researched bioactive substances researched CGAs and Caffeine are pro inflammatory whilst Trigonelline, Melanoidins an Diterpenes are anti-inflammatory. Keep in mind caffeine is never consumed by itself. Diterpenes have been shown to have a negative effect on cholesterol (increasing) yet overall coffee has shown a net protective effect for heart health at moderate intakes. 3 cups of coffee per day actually does not raise blood pressure (there's a myth busted, sorry nanna!) and has protective effects against stroke, heart failure and cardiovascular disease.
Bone Health
The effects vary in men and women. Caffeine and estrogen compete for absorption. Caffeine wins and knocks away estrogen which increases the risk of bone fractures in women. This effect is not seen in Men as they have a different hormone profile to women. One study found that caffeine intake increases the rate of bone loss in elderly women and interacts with vitamin D receptor genotypes. A total of 489 elderly women aged 66–77 y participated in this double-blind randomized clinical trial.
More beneficial findings:
Both caffeinated and uncaffeinated coffee was found protective of Type II Diabetes
Coffee has been shown to improve kidney health, lower the risk of gout
4 cups/day improves liver health
1 - 5 cups/day decreases the risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Improves gastrointestinal function after abdominal surgery
Coffee had no effect in people with colitis
Coffee has a pre-biotic effect (increases Bifidobacterium!)
Delivers Polyphenols (plant compounds beneficial to gut health)
Improves mood, especially depression
Cautions:
Pregnancy - increases risk of pregnancy loss, low birth weight.
Increases gut motility (good and bad!)
Has a greater adverse effect in people who have preexisting gastrointestinal disorders (eg. reflux, diarrhoea - the hot water itself will exacerbate symptoms!)
Caffeine and Iron compete for absorption, Iron looses!
Optimal dose
The optimal dose of coffee for the health benefits listed above is 3 - 4 cups per day! (1 cup being 100ml, 100mg caffeine) However, some contraindications that must be considered include:
Your individualised metabolism of caffeine (anywhere from 5 to 8 hours) 50% of the population are slow metabolisers and 50% are fast metabolisers! It depends on your genetics and genetic testing is very expensive. The only other way to tell is through experience (trial and error and correction!)
Is it affecting your sleep? Research has also shown having a coffee at 2pm still has the potential to affect your sleep
Pregnancy - no more than 200mg caffeine is recommended, I personally wouldn't be taking the risk, maybe a black tea occasionally or decaf, can't say as I'm not there!
Individualised bone health status
Individualised gastrointestinal health status
High levels of caffeine found in coffee can increase levels of anxiety, which again will be very dose dependent and individual
Why I chose to moderate my coffee intake
You may be wondering, so why did I decide to all off a sudden kick my coffee loving habit. I've just confirmed it's good for Gut Health with polyphenols and a prebiotic effect increasing Bifidobacterium! Exciting stuff. Personally, I get a lot of my prebiotic foods elsewhere, eating 30+ plants a DAY even though 30 per WEEK is the recommendation for gut health. Once a high achiever, always a high achiever.
I have a history of low iron, anxiety and panic attacks. Even though I feel coffee has never interfered with my sleep when I've had it late in the day (its a WOG thing), I definitively feel my heart rate increase and an uneasy flustered, frazzled Kathy. I have also noticed how quickly my energy levels plummet after 2-3 coffees per day. Kicking my coffee habit now will also help me later in life, when I am pregnant and later when estrogen drops off. I consider myself an athlete and high performing individual. So, I want to use caffeine as an athlete, for performance on cognition only sometimes. Moderating my coffee intake makes me feel more grounded and present in the now. When I have that bitter sweet barista made small black coffee I enjoy it much more and am not using it to get through my workload or my errands.
Bottom Line:
It is never only about the coffee, it's the lifestyle and everything else we do in the day around the coffee. There is no one recommendation for coffee intake. Coffee recommendations are not so simple and are to be individualised to the person. Knowing your body, how it feels and what it needs is key. Always check in with yourself. Is this uplifting me, or is this weighing me down? Knowing your 'why' will help drive you towards your goals. Suddenly, something I didn't see ever happening (moderating my coffee intake and only drinking 1 coffee every 5 - 10 days) doesn't seem so hard anymore and excites me because I understand my 'why'.
Social Media
Greg Tingle
Great feature. As a keen coffee drinker I find the topic most interesting. It's given me a few ideas for our Cafe News Media channel, part of our Media Man firm. Cheers from Sydney.
Cafes Blog: THE ‘SUB’: HOW AN OLD ROLEX SUBMARINER BECAME A STORYTELLER September 5, 2022 • Trevor Thompson (Coffee Or Die Magazine)
Have you ever bought or been given a piece of equipment that became a token, a talisman, a piece of your personal history?
In 2009, I walked into a small Rolex service and resale shop and bought a Rolex Submariner. The things we carry can tell part of our story, and my watch — the nicks along the bezel, the single small chip on the sapphire face, a ding along the housing, and the worn stainless-steel finish — sure tells mine. Each mark of “damage” contains part of my story, turning a tool watch into a memento.
Special operations warfighters have had a close tie with the watches they wear for nearly a century — from Rangers climbing the cliffs at Normandy to SEALs thigh deep in the Mekong Delta to Special Missions Unit operators in the mountains of Afghanistan — and I wanted to be a part of this living history and carry it forward.
My model 14060 Rolex Submariner has no date on its black dial; it’s utterly simple, slim, and tough as hell. It has been with me on 30,000-foot HALO and HAHO jumps and on nuclear submarines performing SDV manned submersible opera-tions. It has been with me in the mountains of northeastern Afghanistan, and it has broken the sound barrier in an F-18. It has been covered in the blood of mountain goats and coastal brown bears. This is its story, which is part of my story....
Social Media
Greg Tingle
I've sped read this story of Trevor's, 'The Sub', the Rolex, damage et al, over my morning coffee and am impressed. As a former Australian Army Reserve (Comms and Weapons) I get it, at least to a significant degree, despite this being my first acquaintance with this story. The magazine title, Coffee or Die Magazine, already had me searching for more Intel. Time keeps ticking, damage occurs, and the battle, inward, outward and external marches on. Significant events happen and are endured on and off the sub, and the Rolex and the mind takes note. This is my first, but not last reading. Earns a plug via our Media firm and associated Cafe News Media arm. Second shot of coffee coming up and I continue to adjust to war stories, while also trigging my own account of serving. Swimming, not drowning. Much respect COD.
Sunday, September 04, 2022
Blog: Las Vegas' Circa Sports Expands to Northern Nevada with Launch of New Sportsbook at Legends Bay Casino
Las Vegas' Circa Sports Expands to Northern Nevada with Launch of New Sportsbook at Legends Bay Casino
SPARKS, NEV. – Las Vegas-based sports betting brand Circa Sports has continued its rapid expansion with the launch of a new Circa Sports sportsbook at Olympia Gaming’s Legends Bay Casino in Sparks, Nev. The new book officially opened its doors Tuesday, Aug. 30, marking the sports betting brand’s first northern Nevada venture. Circa Sports at Legends Bay delivers an ultramodern and technology-forward sportsbook to the region and now offers northern Nevada residents the opportunity to participate in its record-breaking pro-football contests Circa Million IV and Circa Survivor, promising its largest guaranteed payout ever of $12 million, no rake.
“We are thrilled to welcome guests to our Circa Sports sportsbook at Legends Bay and expand our offerings to northern Nevada,” said Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Sports. “Our team has brought some of the industry’s top oddsmakers and a menu featuring some of the best odds in the country. We are excited to kick off the new book with the Circa Sports contests and for northern Nevada residents to be able to join the fun.”
Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens and Olympia Gaming’s Chairman and CEO Garry Goett welcomed the new sportsbook to the property with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting followed by remarks from executives.
Garry Goett, Chairman and CEO of Olympia Companies, said, “This is a momentous occasion for northern Nevada. Derek Stevens and his team at Circa Sports have been an excellent partner in helping us deliver a sports betting offering worthy of this property. We look forward to ushering in a new era for Sparks together.”
Circa Sports at Legends Bay
Circa Sports at Legends Bay is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and boasts a 10-by-15-foot Daktronics video board displaying live odds and six of the day’s hottest games. The biggest events in sports are always be broadcast, including the full Sunday football lineup.
With a capacity of nearly 140, the venue features multiple 60-inch TVs and a variety of seating options. Each seat includes USB and power outlets for guests’ convenience. During their visit, guests can order a variety of gameday bites or libations. Three ticket counters and an ADA window are open for bettors to place bets, register for the sports betting app, make deposits/withdrawals and more.
Circa Million IV & Circa Survivor
Circa Million IV and Circa Survivor are taking entries through September 10 at Legends Bay, either in person or via proxy beginning the opening day of the book. Details are as follows:
Circa Million IV will deliver $6 million in guaranteed total prizes, with a $1 million first place prize that comes with a coveted, handmade Circa Sports blue jacket. The contest includes no rake, and any extra fees go into the quarter and full-season prize pools.
$3.65 million will be allocated amongst places two through 100 and $300,000 of prizes per quarter will be awarded every four to five weeks. The last place booby prize winner will receive $100,000 and second to last place booby prize winner will receive $50,000.
Each player will make five professional football picks against the spread each week. One point will be awarded for each correct selection and one-half point for each push. Each entry for Circa Million IV is $1,000, with a maximum of three entries per person.
Circa Survivor will offer a $6 million payout for the last entry standing. A $1 million undefeated bonus prize will be gifted for any entry that goes 20-0. To be eligible for this bonus prize, an entrant must not choose either of the teams that played in the 2022 Big Game.
Circa Survivor will consist of up to 20 legs throughout the year, one for every week of the football season plus two special weeks. Each week, participants will choose one different team to win straight up, but the player cannot pick the same team twice for the duration of the season. Thanksgiving and Christmas will each be considered their own contest weeks. Entries are $1,000 each, with a maximum of six entries per participant. An entrant can purchase up to six additional entries if they lose their original entries on the opening Thursday Night Football game. An entrant cannot go into the Saturday deadline with more than six active entries.
Entries are eliminated from the contest by selecting a team that subsequently loses or ties its game that week. If more than one entry remains after 20 legs, the pool will be split equally amongst all the entries that successfully submitted a selection during the leg. If an entry wins before the 20th leg of the contest, the winner will have the opportunity to continue making selections each week to try and achieve the 20-0 record.
Promising guests one of the most approachable betting scenes, Circa Sports is defined by incredible customer service, as well as an unrivaled team of experts leading the charge. This includes a diverse menu of wagering options and the option to take custom bets from the public. In addition to its new Legends Bay location, the betting brand is available to bettors in five properties across Southern Nevada – including the brand’s flagship location: the world’s largest sportsbook at Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas – via mobile betting offerings in Colorado and Iowa, and soon in a temporary book in Waukegan, Ill.
# # #
About Circa Sports
Helmed by casino owner and downtown Las Vegas developer Derek Stevens, Circa Sports is blazing a new trail in the gaming industry by combining customer-first approach to business with a team of the country's top oddsmakers. Circa Sports boasts one of the most competitive wagering menus in Las Vegas and is a leader in the city for sports futures. The venture currently operates in the world’s largest sportsbook at Circa Resort & Casino, as well as sister properties Golden Gate Hotel & Casino and the D Las Vegas. Stevens launched his first Las Vegas books outside of his downtown properties at Tuscany Suites & Casino and The Pass Casino in Henderson. Additionally, Circa Sports’ mobile app is available in Colorado and Iowa. This summer, the brand launched a sportsbook at the new Legends Bay Casino in Sparks, Nev.
About Olympia Gaming
Olympia Gaming is the gaming development division of Olympia Companies, whose subsidiaries and related entities include Casino Fandango in Carson City and Legends Bay Casino in Sparks, opening in summer 2022. In addition, through its affiliated companies, Olympia owns the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Carson City and co-owns the Hampton Inn and Suites, and Residence Inn hotels in Sparks. For more information, visit Olympia Gaming.
About Legends Bay Casino
Building upon Olympia’s success in Carson City, Legends Bay Casino will feature the latest slots and table games, northern Nevada’s only Circa Sports | Sportsbook, several original dining and bar concepts, as well as seamless access to the open-air shopping and dining at The Outlets at Legends and the adjacent Sparks Marina. For more information, visit Legends Bay Casino.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Saturday, August 13, 2022
Tuesday, August 09, 2022
Blog: Crown Sydney, Australia opens under a close eye; Mixed response from great to concern depending upon what business and community sector
Crown Sydney, Australia opens under a close eye; Mixed response from great to concern depending upon what business and community sector
The NSW casino regulator has warned that its independent monitor installed to watch Crown’s Sydney casino will scrutinise every move Crown makes at the $2.2 billion Barangaroo tower when its high-roller gambling floor opens for the first time today.
As gaming group Crown's flagship skyscraper casino on Sydney Harbour finally opens its doors to VIP customers, anti-gambling groups are concerned about the harm caused by gambling.
Only Crown members and guests will be allowed to wager when the Crystal Room gaming floor opens on Monday, with patrons having to undergo comprehensive checks.
Crown had been prevented from opening the high-end casino in its $2.2 billion dining and hotel tower in Barangaroo for more than a year.
The opening was blocked after an inquiry led by former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin found Crown was not fit to operate a casino.
The inquiry heard evidence of foreign junket operators with likely organised crime links being allowed to do business through the casino.
The approval was finally granted earlier this year by the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (LGA) for the members-only gaming facilities inside the upscale Barangaroo complex.
This week the NSW government will introduce legislation designed to improve transparency and accountability for casino operators and clamp down on organised crime and money laundering risks.
The centrepiece of the reform will be the establishment of the NSW Independent Casino Commission, which will have enhanced and wide-ranging compliance and enforcement powers likely to extend beyond the existing powers of the existing authority.
Casinos will be banned from dealing with junket operators under the reforms.
The chief advocate of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Tim Costello, said the Royal Commission into Crown Casino Melbourne exposed a pattern of predatory behaviour that caused great harm.
"Gambling harm was front and centre of the inquiry, it was clear that Crown failed to protect people and instead systematically sought to exploit them," he said in a statement on Monday.
"With the opening of Crown Sydney, we hold deep concerns about the gambling harm its operations will cause, and we are fearful that the NSW government will not put in place strong enough measures to protect people, their families and communities across the state."
Wesley Mission general manager Jim Wackett said he had no confidence in Crown's commitment to minimising gambling harm.
"Crown Sydney is pitched as an 'exclusive high roller' venue, but with minimum table game bets starting from as low as $20, the casino will be accessible to many more people than they imply, increasing harm to the community," he said.
"It is just another example of why we can't trust Crown to administer their products in a way that protects the community.
"To be clear, there's nothing exclusive about gambling harm - it affects high rollers to everyday punters, and we see the full impact on individuals and families through the services we provide."
NCOSS chief executive Joanna Quilty said more needed to be done to address the scourge of gambling.
"Problem gambling destroys individuals, families and communities, and it's often the social services sector that is left to pick up the pieces," she said.
Crown's conditional period, which will run for 18 to 24 months, will allow the LGA to monitor changes made at Crown Sydney.
The once-listed Crown has been taken private by US investment firm Blackstone after a successful $8.9 billion takeover was ticked off in June.
Other
More than 18 months after the launch of non-gaming operations, Crown Resorts will open the casino at its AU$2.2 billion (US$1.6 billion) Crown Sydney development today.
The VIP-only casino will set over two high-end VIP gaming rooms – the Crystal Room and Mahogany Room – with 12 additional exclusive private Sky Salons located on levels 28 and 29. The facilities feature approximately 160 gaming tables and 70 electronic table games, as well as premium dining options and outdoor terrace areas for members.
However, only the Crystal Room will welcome guests today with Mahogany Room to open at a later date.
The long-waited launch of Crown Sydney’s casino comes some time after non-gaming operations commenced in December 2020, with Crown Resorts having been found unsuitable to hold a NSW casino license following the Bergin inquiry.
The company since undergone a substantial corporate makeover, prompting the NSW Liquor and Gambling Authority to recently issue Crown with a conditional license which it said would give the regulator additional time to monitor the final phase of Crown’s restricted gaming licence suitability assessment.
Crown Sydney CEO Simon McGrath said the property’s casino “sets a new standard in luxury and elegance – from the design of the room to the overall member experience. The salon floors are flooded with natural light to highlight our unparalleled waterfront views, while the finishes and furnishings are of the highest quality and standard.”
News
‘Huge step forward’: Government clears way for The Star Sydney’s luxury tower
The Star Sydney is gearing up for the development of a six-star Pyrmont hotel and entertainment precinct after the NSW Government last week cleared the way for the proposed site.
As part of a 20-year framework to revitalise the Pyrmont area and drive visitation, the state government has made changes to planning rules that will allow The Star to enter a development application and approvals process to build a 105-metre hotel, new theatres and a rooftop dining area.
The Star Sydney’s recently-appointed CEO, Scott Wharton, welcomed the decision saying it supports The Star’s ambition to become ‘Australia’s leading tourism and entertainment destination’.
“It represents a huge step forward to eventually realising what have been long held ambitions to increase our tourism and entertainment offerings while creating jobs and delivering other significant economic and community benefits,” Wharton said in a post on Linkedin.
“This means that The Star could in the future with the necessary approvals add a new luxury hotel – it would be the property’s fourth – to its suite of award-wining accommodation offerings, expand its dining portfolio with rooftop dining experiences and additional theatres to complement the Sydney Lyric Theatre.”
Wharton believes that the addition of these new entertainment venues will draw more visitors to the city and help support the arts industry’s COVID recovery.
“Not only would a buzzing theatre precinct such as this be a wonderful asset for Sydney, attracting both international and local productions and advancing the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene, it would also act as a catalyst to create more jobs and further support the state’s tourism sector,” he said.
In 2020, The Star’s hotel proposal was evaluated to be aligned with the strategic intent of the Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy, subject to certain requirements, including a maximum height of 105 metres so that it would not overshadow public and open spaces.
During public consultation, government found that business and industry groups mostly supported The Star’s hotel proposal and the economic opportunities it could bring, while many residents and community groups objected due to concerns around building height, overshadowing and wind impacts.
On announcing the planning changes that will facilitate four major sites within the Pyrmont Peninsula, NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts recognised the ‘significant potential’ of the area and the economic opportunities that lie ahead as a result of new developments.
“We’re giving industry and the community the certainty they need to bring to life incredible new assets, including an Indigenous residential college at the University of Technology Sydney, and The Star’s planned six-star hotel which will be located next to a proposed new theatre, as well as new dining and retail spaces,” said Roberts.
“This milestone means we have completed the first stage of implementing our 20-year strategy, which aims to unlock 23,000 new jobs and 4,000 new homes for the area.”
The planning changes also support the introduction of two sites for the new Sydney Metro Station, one of which includes an integrated tower.
The Star is currently awaiting the findings from the Bell Review, an independent review of processes at The Star Casino, which are expected next month. The review considers how effectively The Star is complying with its statutory obligations and whether it remains suitable to hold a casino licence.
(Hotel Management)
Saturday, July 16, 2022
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