09.28.2007 | 5:46 pm | News, casinos
In a move that had been forecast by many, the US workers unions are looking to break into the once union free casino industry. While the process of appointing a union through to actually union contracts will take some time (if it is successful), table dealers in the US state of Connecticut have begun the process of appointing a union to represent them. How will this change the casino industry?
While the move by the United Auto Workers union was not totally unexpected, it does blow wide open the whole casino industry to official conflicts between management and the workers (represented by their union). The casino industry has grown in power and influence over the last decade, assisted by the massive growth in internet activity, but treatment of workers has been a sore point for many.
Operating on often thin profit margins, creating large profits with high turnover, the industry has been at pains to ensure that cost are always under control. While there have been reports of casino operators in certain areas forcing long hours onto their workers, the industry is the centre of local employment for many areas of the US. So what do the unions see in the casino industry?
The casino industry more than many other industries plays very heavily on the fact that it is already very heavily regulated, although the unions seem to have taken note of some employee unrest. As we have seen in many other US industries, mistreatment of workers (or perceived mistreatment) can often result in massive compensation claims. If it can be proved that some casino workers are being mistreated, then we may see both industrial action and compensation claims if the unions are formally appointed.
An increase in the cost base for casino operators would at some stage result in a transfer of some of the increase to customers. If traditional casinos were to suffer, would this play into the hands of the online operators? Probably yes, which is why the casino operators will do everything they can to block union representation for their work force.
09.27.2007 | 10:03 pm | Poker, News, Poker Stars
While an announcement by the Norwegian authorities that they are considering banning online Poker would not normally rank as big news in the overall picture of online gaming, there are concerns that the tide in Europe may be turning against the industry. In what many see as a constant battle by the various governments around the world to extract more tax from the industry, it looks as though recent Norwegian Poker Champion Annette Obrestad may struggle to defend her crown next year.
Even though online gaming has been at odds with the spirit of Norwegian law for some time, nobody ever thought that the authorities would take this leap in line with the US. While the Norwegian Culture Minister citied concerns about the potential for a growing gambling problem in the country, there are some in the EU who suggest that the ban may be illegal and against the principle of free trade. Or is it just a cynical ploy by the authorities to reign in the power of the Poker sites?
We only need to look back to a similar situation with slot machines in the country, and again, the concerns that this may lead to out of control gambling amongst certain areas of society. What did the authorities do? They only took over the running of all slot machines in Norway, and while they introduced “less aggressive” machines, they saw a major bounce in their income for the government coffers!
The subject of control of the online gaming industry is set to rumble on for some time, and while there are a number of countries vying for top spot, it make take a consortium of countries to exert any meaningful control over the industry. Norway may just be on of the cogs in the wheel, but it will be interesting to see if any of their EU counter parts follow.
09.26.2007 | 10:29 pm | Poker, Poker Stars
The age old debate about one sex Poker competitions was blown wide open last week when a group of well known male Poker players demanded entry into an all ladies Poker tournament, under the threat of discrimination. It appears that a battle of the Poker sexes is brewing, but what is it really all about?
The ladies Poker player industry has been well represented by the Ladies International Poker Series for some years, and while they were not the first to push for ladies only tournaments (the first ladies only tournament took place in 1977) they have been amongst the most vocal in their support. While the winners pot for ladies Poker tournaments has yet to reach those for the mixed tournaments, it has been slowly moving up over the years.
It seems that money is not the problem with the male Poker players, it is the principle that they have been routinely slaughtered by the press for their historic male only games (which are now a thing of the past). Mixed sex games are all the rage now, with the added edge of “the battle of the sexes”, and while the men often hit the headlines, there have been a number of very high profile female winners of mixed tournaments.
It will be interesting to see where the latest developments lead, as there has long been an under current that the men only tournaments of the past had been harshly treated. Will we see a merge of the men’s and ladies associations? Will we ever see a head to head against the men’s and woman’s champions?
A head to head of the two champions would be a sponsors dream, potentially attracting massive interest from both areas of the game. Watch this space!
09.25.2007 | 8:14 pm | Poker, Poker Stars
If you look at the majority of the main Poker players in the industry today, they quite often have a very different physique to those champions of years gone by, just prior to the sector taking off. In general you would say that today’s Poker players look slimmer, fitter and that little bit healthier, but does this really make a difference?
While on the face of it a Poker game looks fairly relaxed and quite easy to play, whether you actually win or not, but what about these long drawn out tournaments where millions of dollars are up for grabs. A one off game would probably not take an awful lot out of you, although you may have encountered a few nerves on the way to victory, but nothing to physically exert you. A tournament is totally different, and fitness and stamina will play a major role……
While it may look as though the players are just sitting there waiting for their turn, there are many potentially tiring things happening, including :-
- The length of the tournaments. If you manage to get to the final table, you will have played many games and it will take its toll. Tiredness leads to mistakes and the fitter and more focused you are the better.
- Nervous tension. While many of the big players will not admit it, they will get nervous, especially on that $1 million turnover! Nervous tension can soon sap all of your strength unless you are physically fit.
- Pressure. Very similar to nervous tension, constant pressure can also effect your thought patterns and your reaction times. In a game where concentration and reactions are paramount, the longer you can retain these the better - hopefully to the end!
These are just a few of the small issues which many Poker players of today will experience on a regular basis. Physical fitness is now becoming a part of the sport, as tiredness leads to mistakes, and mistakes can be very costly!
09.24.2007 | 8:16 pm | News, casinos
Due to the unique status which many American tribes have around the country, there has been a massive increase in the number of tribe operated casinos, but this is not just a passing thought, this is serious business. It has been reported that the 22 tribe operated casinos in Arizona reported a net profit of some $1.94 billion in the last fiscal year. While the increase of just over 8% was below the 17% rise the year before, this is still a great return!
The arrangement with the state of Arizona authorities allows tribes to own and operate casinos if there are other casinos within the state. Their unique arrangement allows them to withhold the vast part of their profits within their tribal communities. However, it was also announced that the tribal casinos contributed some $92 million towards state education, trauma care and gambling addiction services, with a further $11 million paid to county authority programs.
As the tribes arrange their own funding, and often operate the casinos themselves, we have a unique win win situation with employment on the up, tribal income rising and the state also receiving some very useful funding contributions. While the tribal authorities are very pleased with the recent returns, there is no doubt that growth like this cannot be sustained in the long term. Quite what services or additional casino operations will be added in the future remains to be seen, but their is more than sufficient funding to assist with any expansion plans.
Due to the large amounts of money involved, the casino operations often play a central role in the local economies of the many tribes in the industry. It can be tricky to balance the need for future expansion with the need to keep the economy under control, although this is something which the ruling parties are coming to terms with.
09.21.2007 | 8:41 pm | Poker
When you take a look at how Poker is played, what decisions you have to make and who should really win each hand, there is very little between a winner and a loser, except maybe “the killer instinct”. Do you learn it, can you teach it? Who knows, but it is a vital requirement for any good Poker player.
Imagine the scene, you are sitting at the table with a great hand, a pile of chips and you are sure that nobody else can have a hand as good as you. You check the cards as they are drawn, and you become even more confident that you are the winner, then, someone plays a loads of chips and increases the pot substantially. You are still sure you have the best hand but, but, could they really have sneaked a better one - you begin to have second thoughts.
This is a situation which will either make of break you as a Poker player, the killer touch, the feel that you are right and you need to push on. Alternatively, when the going gets tough you bottle it, drop out, only to find that you did have the best had and should really have won!
While the theory of the killer touch can be learnt and taught to Poker players, there is a natural aggression in the best players. They know when to push others to the limits, when to test you, and they can spot a little chink in your armour - which they will blow wide open. That is why many Poker players are beaten before they even set foot in the room, before they sit at the table, reputations count large in their minds, they feel on edge and nervous.
While there are many skills to playing Poker, you are all given the same chance of winning before a card is dealt, and you all have an even chance of being victorious, but have you really got that killer instinct to take you all the way? Check out the best in the world, they all have that will to win, and can smell someone who is unsure. Watch out!
09.20.2007 | 4:25 am | News, casinos, gambling
While the online casino industry took a major hit when the US authorities took steps to ban the industry from the US, they still have exposure to all other parts of the world, as well as the expectation that the US will come back online sooner rather than later. Is the massive investment in the traditional offline casino industry going to suffer, as and when online casinos move to the next growth stage? Will the billions of dollars invested of late be devalued?
After entering the market some years ago, the online casino industry has stalled a little of late due to the US situation and some concerns that it may spread to other areas of the world. While this seems highly unlikely, the value of some online business has fallen dramatically and investment has all but dried up in the sector - but will this turn at some stage?
The US markets have always been the jewel in the online crown, and when this was taken away many investors took fright. If as expected, the US authorities reverse their earlier decision, many expect a new growth phase in the online sector, but will this be at the expense of the offline market?
While there is obviously a degree of cross over between the markets, they do attract wholly different customers and it is unlikely that a revival of the online market will lead to a break down of the offline market. The online industry is more about bringing in new customers to the industry, some of which may actually move on to offline gambling as well.
Despite the over saturation in some areas of the world, such as the Far East and the US, the casino industry still has many markets to target over the coming years and there is more than enough to go around for both online and offline casinos.
09.19.2007 | 4:05 am | News, casinos, gambling
It seems that everybody wants a slice of the casino industry action these days, and after a mystery buyer approached Sky City it seems that the next big deal may be happening in New Zealand. While the identity of the potential bidder is shrouded in mystery, its seems that a price has been mentioned although there are a number of conditions to the possible offer. Yet to be accepted by the board, it may offer an easy exit route after what has been a difficult time of late.
Shares in Sky City rose to over $5, valuing the company in excess of NZ$2.5 billion, with analysts in the sector indicating a fair price in the region of $5.70. Unlike so many casino groups in the region Sky City have been suffering of late and had announced plans to spin off some of their casino’s to try and halt the slide in profits, and put the group back on a firmer footing. There have also been a number of managerial changes at the top which have created a vacuum, and offered the chance for bidders to enter the fray for what is effectively a ship with no rudder.
The insatiable appetite for casino assets across the world is set to continue for some time, and even though there is an ongoing credit crunch which has scuppered a number of deals of late, it seems there is still cash available for the casino sector. New Zealand will offer an interesting stepping stone into the Austral-Asian market for a would be bidder, and while the area may be awash with some of the largest casino operators in the world, new markets seem to be opening up in the area on a regular basis.
If the takeover goes through it will be interesting to see what kind of value is credited to the company, as this may have wider implications for a market which many believe has been over heating of late.
09.18.2007 | 10:14 pm | Poker
Since the US authorities took away the opportunity for US based citizens to play online poker, there have been concerns that some players may be lost to the sport forever. Is it really that much of a step up from online poker to full blown championship standard? What is all of the fuss about?
While we hear about the masses of championship winners who have progressed from playing online at home, to full blown world champions, very often it is not as simple as that. Playing in the luxury and comfort of your own home, looking at the screen with nobody watching your every move is fine, but could you hack it in a face to face hand for $1 million?
There are many differences between online and face to face poker which include :-
· Pressure. Can you handle the pressure of playing under the spot light, of everyone checking out your face movements, your eyes and the speed at which you are playing?
· Watching your opponents. In the hustle and bustle of a face to face tournament, have you got the skill to multi-task, thinking about your hand while keeping a close eye on your opponents? This is a vital part of any poker stars armoury, being able to think “on the move”.
· Confidence. Even if you have the best hand in the world, are you confident enough to see it through, can you spot the bluffs being thrown at you?
· Keeping your emotions in check. This is perhaps the most vital of the modern day poker player’s attributes - being able to keep focused and think straight.
While there are many things which will come with practice, there are few people who could actually handle the pressure of turning over that killer $1 million hand. There are even less who could bluff their way through a hand against the best in the industry. Practice makes perfect, but you need the will to win to really make it to the top table.
09.17.2007 | 9:55 pm | Poker, Poker Stars, gambling
While you would expect the likes of Phil Hellmuth, dubbed the worlds greatest poker player, to be building himself up and bragging about his 11 World Series of Poker championships, its seems that the great man is always on the lookout for his next challenger. He believes that the recent explosion in online poker has allowed many would be champions to push themselves to the front, and reckons that online gambling is the ultimate education for the next World Series of Poker champion. So could it be you?
Speaking at the newly formed World Series of Poker Europe, Hellmuth was full of praise for the online gamblers learning their trade. While he actually believes that there are upwards of 100 people on the planet who could beat him at poker, he does not think that they know it yet. As with any sport, it is the practical application which will see you home, you could be the best in the world, but if you crack under pressure you are gone. Hellmuth eats, sleeps and breaths pressure, the man knows what it is all about!
While many of Hellmuth’s comments may be tongue in cheek, he is actually right about the online market giving potential champions the chance to practice and polish up their skills before hitting the big time. The basics of the game are simple, it is the ability to make the right moves at the right time, when to bluff and when to walk away which separate the good from the great.
Dubbed the Poker Brat, Hellmuth’s comments will give a lift to a sport which has suffered from the US exclusion, although there are reports that this may end soon. Quite who will step up to the plate to take on the great man remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, he is ready for you!
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