Australian Casinos: A Look at What’s Happening Down Under in Gambling

Written by:
Greg Tingle
Published on:
Mar/10/2011
Australia Casinos

G'day punters, gamers, casino and gambling millionaires and billionaires, legal eagles, politicians...one and all. Today we explore the fantastic array of entertainment available at Australian land based casinos. The offerings have never been better, as the Crown Casino VS Star City war continues, with all and sundry looking to secure some of the hottest talent and acts on the planet, all in an attempt to deliver a total entertainment experience, which could make you feel better about trying your luck in the casino! Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com and Gambling911 travel across the great nation of Australia to fill you in on the greatest entertainment in casinos from the land down under. It's Thunder Down Under...

Australia is home to some of the world's great casinos, hotels and resorts.

While the land down under has over a dozen land based casinos, there's only three that both rate highly and grab the majority of headlines on a global stage. Enter James Packer's Crown Casino in Melbourne, Tabcorp's Star City in 'Sin City' Sydney, and Jupiters Hotel & Casino on the Gold Coast aka Surfers' Paradise.

Media Man and Gambling911 take our eye in the sky look at the landscape of the Aussie land based casino sector and bring you up to speed with what's news down under...

Readers will be aware that there's a "casino war" in the land of kangaroos, koalas and goannas at the moment. You would have to be Blind Freddy not to know about the ultra competitive showdown (and hunt for whales and dolphins) between Packer's Crown Casino down south in Melbourne and Tabcorp's Star City in 'Sin City' Sydney.

Crown Casino and Star City are following the global trend, largely driven forward from Las Vegas and Macau, of offering a total entertainment experience... not just gambling... you know, slots, poker, table games and the like. Whales aka high-rollers, have also demanded the changing face of the sector. Don't get us wrong, the gambling aspect remains vital to the business model and to the punters, but for a variety of reasons Australian casino kings have employed a more holistic models. The reasons include being more government friendly, legal eagle elements and complimenting the larger casino, entertainment and lifestyle.

Some of the ramped up services and offerings as part of the industry development include but are not limited to:

Entertainment complex upgrades (including securing more world class acts, more often, to attract the crowds and keep all clients and business partners happy)

Hotel suite refurbishments

Private gambling room upgrades for high rolling VIP's

Sports bar upgrades

Enhanced security - technology and more staff

Gulf Stream Jets aka Lear Jets for international high rollers in a hurry and who demand and casino afford the best

Aussie Casino News Bytes

Crown Casino: The Logie Awards will be held at Crown Casino, Melbourne on May 1. Last year Bert Newtown hosted the Logies with 1000 guests in attendance. Broadcast on Network Nine Australia. Newton did a fine job as host. One journalist / columnist was fired for what many saw as inappropriate Twitter - ing, including the editor of The Age newspaper. Upgraded website. Management in regular contact with sister casinos, City of Dreams Macau and Altira Macau. 100s more staff to be employed, some of which under the GenerationOne employment initiative, dedicated to helping get Indigenous Australians back into the workforce.

Crown is the place to see the biggest names in local and international entertainment. Well known artists such as Suzi Quatro, Human Nature and Village People have performed to sold out crowds. Our newest venue, The Palms at Crown, will continue to play host to the big names in a casual yet stylish setting. Whilst the Palladium at Crown, a lavishly decorated ballroom, with state of the art lighting and sound system has attracted many international headline artists including the likes of Elton John, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Jerry Lewis, Tom Jones, Andrea Bocelli and Dionne Warwick.

Elvis to the Max

Elvis to the Max has successfully toured Australia for over a decade, always to sell out crowds. Max goes beyond impersonation. His re-creation of The King's looks, moves, vocal style, impressions and humour is so accurate, its awe inspiring.

DATE & SHOWTIME:

Friday 11 March, 2011

BJ Thomas

During the four decades BJ Thomas has been performing, he has sold more than 70 million records, earned 2 platinum records, 11 gold records, won 5 Grammy awards, 2 Dove awards for Gospel recordings and 15 Top 40 pop hits. Come and see him perform his hits songs such as Hooked on a Feeling, Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, Eyes of a New York Woman, Rock and Roll Lullaby, I Just Can't Help Believing and (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.

DATE & SHOW TIME:

Saturday 12 March, 2011

Dragon

In a special 3 part concert presented by BBC 2011, DRAGON play 20 of the best songs of the 60's British pop Invasion by 20 great British bands. The show begins with DRAGON playing acoustic guitars, mandolin & melodica. They will perform a capella and acoustic versions of such great songs as Thunderclap Newman's SOMETHING IN THE AIR, Cat Stevens' MATTHEW AND SON, a rousing acoustic version of The Troggs GIRL LIKE YOU by way of The Beatles YESTERDAY and more. After a short intermission the band will be back in electric mode tearing into the Stones GET OFF MY CLOUD followed by The Beatles TICKET TO RIDE.  This electric set of great British songs gets crowd singing and dancing along. Songs such as WHITE ROOM, IT'S NOT UNUSUAL and WATERLOO SUNSET and ITCHYCOO PARK all get the Dragon treatment and a new burst of life in 2010. These are the 20 favourite songs that the guys in Dragon played when they first took up their instruments. They are timeless songs and the band loves playing them. The DRAGON versions are fresh and affectionate and have an energy that references the way these songs turned the music world upside down in the 60's. In the encore Dragon will play 6 of their timeless hits including APRIL SUN, CELEBRATE, RAIN and ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH.

DATE & SHOW TIME:

Friday 25 March, 2011 

Star City: Has expanded with close to $900,000 budget. Now has at least 1 Lear Jet for high rolling VIPs, which helps it better with Crown Casino. Upgraded website.

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO

From 11 February 2011

In this explosive new musical romance based on Boris Pasternak's 20th century Russian masterpiece, Doctor Yurii Zhivago is a man divided against himself: on the one hand a dedicated husband, father and healer; on the other a poet, dreamer and sensualist. Reflecting his struggle, the musical swirls around him in a panoramic portrait of a nation in upheaval and tells a story at once epic and personal, funny and breathtaking, impetuously romantic and bitingly political. The action sweeps breathlessly from the final glory days of Czarist Russia through the chaos and upheaval of the Russian Revolution into an unprecedented tyranny under a heartless new political regime. Through all these volcanic upheavals three passionate men, the ardent young Doctor Zhivago, the fiery political radical Pasha Antipov and the cunning bourgeois magistrate Viktor Komarovsky compete for the love of one woman, the alluring and enigmatic Lara......as if they are fighting for the soul of Russia itself. With its lush, unforgettable melodies, suspenseful story and the internationally renowned Anthony Warlow in the title role, the premiere of Doctor Zhivago introduces the world to a new musical in grand tradition.

SUITE SYNERGY

6 - 9 April 2011

Internationally acclaimed choreographer Graeme Murphy joins forces with celebrated composer/percussionist Michael Askill in Suite Synergy - a groundbreaking new production of enormous energy and emotion. Created by Mod Dance Company, arguable Australia's most exciting new contemporary dance company, this new production is sensual, dynamic and grounded in raw emotion. Four drummers. Eighteen dancers. Unlimited imagination. Suite Synergy is a dynamic fusion where powerful percussion consumes the dancers' every movement. A high energy, high impact production, Suite Synergy gives Graeme Murphy's artistic genius a bigger, bolder stage to truly captivate and entertain. Under the masterful direction of choreographer Graeme Murphy, composer Michael Askill, artistic director Brett Morgan and associate artistic director Teagan Lowe, Suite Synergy's creative alchemy is sure to carve out a new place for contemporary dance in Australian history.

THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

25 - 29 May 2011

Celebrate the magic of the music! A new theatrical event featuring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most timeless songs performed by the current stars of Australian musical theatre is coming to the Lyric Theatre on 25 May for 8 shows only. He’s been described as the master of musical theatre, the maestro of musicals, and a theatrical force to be reckoned with.  His musicals have been seen by hundreds of millions around the world, translated into dozens of languages and won every major entertainment award. Now – Australia is set to fall in love once more with THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER in a stunning new theatrical event that will tour Australia in 2011. After more than 40 years, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music continues to have the extraordinary ability to touch an audience, lifting them to new heights of exhilaration and emotion after just a few bars of music. Through state-of–the-art technology, audiences will be swept from the avenues of Broadway to the magnificence of Eva Peron’s Argentina and the speedways of Starlight Express, in a dazzling journey through the many settings of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s greatest works. All the ‘big’ moments from Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sunset Boulevard, Woman in White to the current Love Never Dies will be there. Don't miss this spectacular show! Tickets on sale now.

Jupiters Gold Coast: Upgraded their poker room to the tune of a few hundred thousand dollars. Jupiters is nearby to the beaches where major surfing competitions take place annually. Dreamworld (Hollywood On The Gold Coast) is only a short drive away from the casino. Upgraded website.

JUPITERS THEATRE 

Everything about Jupiters is spectacular, especially the acclaimed stage shows and concerts. With a theatre seating over 1,000 people showing unforgettable productions all year round featuring lively music scores, energetic choreography and vibrant costuming - there's never a bad seat in the house!

GENESIS

Genesis The Magic Spectacular now showing live in Jupiters Theatre.

WEIRD AL YANKOVIC LIVE IN CONCERT

The undisputed kinig of pop parody, Weird Al Yankovic, will be at Jupiters for one night only on March 14, 2011.

GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS

Gerry and The Pacemakers, accompanied by the Allstars, are set to perform one night only this March 16, 2011.

MOVIE MONDAYS

Every Monday at Jupiters Gold Coast is Movie Mondays

Burswood Entertainment Complex: Upgraded security. A bush tucker bag of world class acts booked.

Burswood is known to put on fantastic community fundraisers. American pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan drew a massive crowd at Burswood a few years ago with his match and for his charity work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Virgin's Richard Branson also did some impressive fundraising on site last year, with folks the world over keen to meet and speak to the entrepreneur. Branson's Virgin Games remains keen to expand the gaming globally, and seems the face to face meetings with the media and political savvy Aussie Casino king, James Packer, won't go astray.

Kylie

The showgirl rises from the sea! Kylie, the Goddess of Love is bringing her spectacular Aphrodite-Les Folies Tour 2011 to our shores this June! The production alone is valued at over US$25 million and features over a million moving parts, including 30 high impact jets, rain curtains and fountains. Also featuring a special "splashzone" within the stage itself, fans can get up close and personal and be amongst the action in an amazing 4D experience. Set to become a landmark moment in concert touring, this is one tour no music fan should miss! With special guests Gypsy & the Cat.

Rihanna

See global megastar, Rihanna at Burswood Dome on Saturday, 12 March.

Usher

Make way for R&B superstar Usher at Burswood Dome on Tuesday, 15 March. Tickets on sale now!

Telethon Mega Bingo

Perth's biggest bingo event returns to Burswood Dome on Saturday, 2 April. Tickets on sale now!

Good Charlotte

Please note this concert event is moving to Challenge Stadium.

Disturbed

For all you heavy metal fans, don’t miss Disturbed at Burswood Dome on Wednesday, 20 April. Tickets on sale now!

Maroon 5

Please note this event has been cancelled. Ticket holders read on to find out how to obtain your refund.

Chris Brown

Yeah, yeah, yeah! Put your hands up for Chris Brown at Burswood Dome on Tuesday, 3 May. 

Justin Bieber

Catch ‘Bieber-Fever’ at Burswood Dome on Saturday, 7 May. Tickets on sale now!

Dalai Lama's Journey

Join the Dalai Lama for a rare insight into happiness, life and living at Burswood Dome on Sunday, 19 June.

Casino Canberra: Blast From The Past: Are you a baby boomer? Then don't dare miss Baby Boomers Blast from the Past, the ultimate live entertainment experience. 

Galaxy Nightclub - Canberra's hottest nightclub opens from 9pm every Saturday with the beats of the 70's and the best of the 80's. Come and hear the soundtrack of our lives. Galaxy has a NO GLASS policy!

VOU

The United Australia Fiji Community Association Inc proudly present VOU.  Through the medium of live music and dance, Vou (meaning new in Fijian), is the blending of old and new, traditional and contemporary.  Vou is an explosive and vibrant Pacific experience that brings Fiji and their rich island paradise in ancient stories, including their traditions and culture to you.  Don't miss this awesome opportunity to witness a cultural event like no other.  Tickets available by booking only.  Call the Casino Canberra Guest Services desk on 6257 7074 today.

Thursday Night Poker

Every Thursday night, commencing at 7.45pm, you can try your poker skills out playing Hold-em Poker in Casino Canberra's poker pit. Buy-in is just $85. For more details go to out Tournaments Page

Your Private Gaming Table

If you want to try your hand at Blackjack, or become an ace poker player, you can do it all in your own private gaming pit at the Casino. At Casino Canberra's Fun Nights, you'll play on real tables, from as little as $1 a bet, enjoy a drink or two, plus gourmet nibbles and take a spin around your own private nightclub. It's exclusive, it's private, it's like nothing else that's out there. Call 62577074 and ask for our Functions Department who will organize an event for you.

Coming up in 2011

Chinese New Year

'Year of the Rabbit'

Don't miss out on your chance to win with our 'The Lucky Rabbit' promotion.  Enjoy our table games to gain entries into this awesome promotion.  Commencing on Friday 25 January 2011 you can start to get your entry tickets into eight draws for a chance to win up to $2,700 instantly.  Eight draws, eight chances for you to walk away with over two and a half GRAND!

The Reef Hotel Casino:

Premium Entertainment Cairns: Live Bands, Shows, Dancing, Sports, Morning Melodies, Movies, Music, Promotions, Gaming, Events & Wildlife Dome...IT'S ALL HERE UNDER ONE ROOF!!! The Reef Hotel Casino is the "Must See - Must Visit" venue to experience in Cairns & Tropical North Queensland. Featuring free live music, Vertigo is one of the most happenin' cocktail lounges in Cairns. This is nightlife at it's best, with live bands, dance shows, big name touring acts, special events & promotions. From Salsa nights to tribute shows & local talent, Vertigo Bar & Lounge is the number 1 meeting place in Cairns. The Casino Sportz Arena is home to great promotions, big screen sport, free movies & Mornings in the Arena - a morning melodies extravaganza! Calendar & special events are regularly celebrated in all venues, where street performers, dancers & roving entertainers come out to play, turning a simple visit into an experience! Boasting a nightclub & ticketed shows in Velvet Underground, The Reef Hotel Casino complex plays host to a wide variety of entertainers & will satiate anyone's desire to be entertained. Be assured that there is always something on at the Casino. So drop in for some fun, food & entertainment.

Lasseters Hotel Casino:

Money In The Box - Thurday 10th March

WIN your share in $1000! Simply be active on a Slot Machine or Table between 5.30pm - 7.30pm and you could win! If your number is draw, choose a box and WIN between $25 to $500 cash!

Slots Tournament - 15th March

Your chance to win a share in $750! Slots Tournament every Tuesday from 4.30pm, only $10 entry per heat.

Lasseters Hotel Casino has a dining destination waiting to satisfy your taste buds!

You can find contemporary delights for brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks at the Juicy Rump, fine dining Asian-fusion cuisine at Sukra, great value buffets at Samphire or casual café-style cuisine at Casbah.

The Juicy Rump

The pulse of Alice Springs entertainment! Live music on the Juicy Deck, great value meals including brunch, lunch, dinner and juicy drinks. Open from 9am weekends and 10am weekdays. 

Australian Casino Directory List

New South Wales

Star City Casino (Sydney)

Victoria

Crown Casino (Melbourne)

Queensland

Conrad Treasury Casino (Brisbane)

Jupiters Hotel & Casino (Gold Coast)

Jupiters Townsville Casino (Townsville)

The Reef Hotel Casino (Cairns)

South Australia

Skycity Adelaide (Adelaide)

Western Australia

Burswood Entertainment Complex aka Burswood Casino (Perth)

Tasmania

Wrest Point Hotel Casino (Hobart)

Country Club Casino (Launceston)

Australian Capital Territory

Casino Canberra (Canberra)

Northern Territory

Lasseters Hotel Casino (Alice Springs)

Skycity Darwin (formerly MGM Grand Casino) (Darwin)

Media Man International Profile On Australia

http://www.mediamanint.com/profiles/australia.html

Australian - Yankee Connection...

Australia's Aristocrat Technologies Let's Loose Tarzan Lord Of The Jungle Slot In California; PartyCasino Online Players Play Tarzan Online...

Aristocrat Technologies’ Tarzan Lord of the Jungle  slot game made its world premiere debut Thursday at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in California. "Our guests have asked for more games and we’re making it happen by offering our guests the chance to be the first to play Aristocrat Technologies’ new video slot game." said C.J. Graham, general manager of Thunder Valley Resort. "Lord of the Jungle" brings the myth and fantasy of the famous tale to life with dazzling graphics, stereo sound, seven high-hit frequency bonus features and a four-level progressive with a giant top jackpot of $250,000! It is a 30 line, 20 credit ante bet game with a 50-credit minimum bet and a 150-credit maximum bet. The big screen style action stretches top to bottom on Aristocrat’s VERVEhd monitor, which showcases high def (1920x1080) graphics, 3D panoramic digital audio and player-adjustable sound. The action extends right to players’ fingertips. "Tarzan" has four progressive jackpots that include Mini, starting at $10; Minor, starting at $30; Major, starting at $500; and Grand, starting at $250,000. Tarzan Lord of the Jungle’s exciting bonus features include: Tarzan, Stampede, Kerchak Free Games, Monkey, and Progressive Wheel.

Australian Rock Legend Rick Springfield To Play FireLake Grand Casino, Oklahoma - 26th March

Aussie music legend Rick Springfield will playing at FireLake Grand Casino on Saturday, March 26th. He's got 17 Top 40 hits, sold out concert tours across the globe and more. Rick Springfield has had a full life. Growing up as the son of arm dad, his family shifted many times to bases in Australia and Great Britain. He discovered that piano at age 9, then the guitar at 13, the voice followed, as did the success. Springfield's music career kicked off when he dropped out of school and joined the Rock House as a singer and guitarist. After a name change to MPD, Ltd, the band toured Vietnam entertaining the troops. When he returned to Australia, he formed a band and later joined Zoot which became a popular Australian band. After Zoot folded, Rick started a solo career and recorded 'Speak to the Sky' which went to #1 in Australia. He moved to the USA and got things to the next level. Springfield signed with Capitol Records and got some TV time, including with American Bandstand. The teen girls loved him, but the dollars didn't always follow the love. TV's General Hospital soap gave him some financial stability where he played Dr. Noah Drake. It was around this time Springfield recorded "Jessie's Girl" and it got to #1 spot on the Billboard. If you have a chance to enjoy Rick's gift at the casino, we recommend you take it. Entertainment industry commentators say Rick is truly one of the greats. Rick got his fair share of luck over the years, so might you, if you get to FireLake on the 26th.

Take the time to research and learn games before placing down money

Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is a website portal run by Greg Tingle, a frequent contributor to the Gambling911.com website.

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