Thursday, March 31, 2011

PartyGaming Plc, now known as bwin.party digital entertainment plc ('bwin.party' or the 'Company')

Completion of the Merger

The process of merging PartyGaming Plc and bwin Interactive Entertainment AG ('bwin') has been completed today. The Company has formally re-registered its name as 'bwin.party digital entertainment plc'.

The Company's ordinary shares of 0.015 pence each ("Shares") have today been de-listed and re-admitted to the premium segment of the official list and commenced dealing on the London Stock Exchange's main market. A total of 439,209,325 new Shares have today been issued in the form of dematerialised depositary interests and credited in CREST for onward transfer to the relevant securities accounts of former bwin shareholders no later than 1 April 2011. As a result of this issue of new Shares, the Company now has 852,271,026 Shares in issue.

The new London Stock Exchange 'ticker' for the Shares is 'BPTY'. The ISIN number for the Shares remains G1000A0MV757, whilst the SEDOL number has changed to B53TNH6. The London Stock Exchange will show the Company's new name of 'bwin.party digital entertainment plc' on its trading system from 1 April 2011.

As a result of the merger completing, the following appointments to the Company's board of directors have taken effect from today:

Simon Duffy, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
Norbert Teufelberger, Co-Chief Executive Officer
Joachim Baca, Chief Operating Officer
Per Afrell, Independent Non-Executive Director
Manfred Bodner, Non-Executive Director
Helmut Kern, Independent Non-Executive Director
Georg Riedl, Non-Executive Director

Biographies for each of these directors are set out in the Company's prospectus and circular published on 23 December 2010 and available on bwin.party's website, www.bwinparty.com. There are no disclosures to be made under Listing Rule 9.6.13 in respect of any of the new directors other than those set out in the Company's prospectus and circular to shareholders published on 23 December 2010.

Commenting on the completion of the merger, Jim Ryan and Norbert Teufelberger, the Co-CEOs, said:

"We are delighted that our merger is now complete so that we can start with the integration of our businesses and capturing the synergies we have already identified. As we make the transition from unregulated to regulated markets we have an excellent opportunity to capitalise on our market-leading positions in sports betting, poker, casino and games as well as bingo."

Simon Duffy, the newly appointed Chairman of the Board, commented:

"Congratulations to bwin.party's directors and employees on managing the merger through to completion. This is a landmark day for the online gaming sector and bwin.party is now in a position to leverage its combined resources to take maximum advantage of regulating markets and the exciting opportunities in the real money gaming and digital entertainment sectors."

Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.

Websites

PartyCasino.com

PartyPoker.com

World Poker Tour Casino

Profiles

PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions

Website Network

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Saturday, March 26, 2011

PartyCasino Scoops Gaming And Media Awards, by Greg Tingle

The online gaming sector is one of the world's most competitive.

When you think about the pick of the online casino rooms one name keeps coming up time and time again - PartyCasino.com

You likely already know how awesome PartyCasino.com is, but they now have even more awards and games to their name.

The casino triumphed over the competition to walk away with the Online Casino Operator of the Year award at the International Gaming Awards. It’s the most prestigious prize of the evening and although more than 300 casinos would love to have this shiny trophy on their mantelpiece, it’s PartyCasino.com that was voted the winner! PartyCasino is also a multi-time Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory 'Online Casino Of The Month' winner.

Do you reckon their slot games are the best? Well, the panel at the eGaming Review Awards agreed! Party scooped the prize for Slots Operator of the Year at the the EGR Awards 2010 thanks to their action-packed slot games like Kung Food and Circus.

PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.

The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.

The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $5 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.

PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Unicorn Legend, Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot, Sensible Soccer and Robin Hood Mini.

PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.

PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out current PartyCasino exclusive promos that being called some of the greatest online casino promos ever.

Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.

Websites

PartyCasino.com

PartyCasino.com Marvel Slots

PartyPoker.com

Profiles

PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

PartyGaming News: Court Sanctions Merger with bwin - 23rd March 2011

Court Sanctions Merger with bwin Interactive Entertainment AG (“bwin”)

PartyGaming is pleased to announce that the Supreme Court of Gibraltar has today issued a court order sanctioning the merger of the Company and bwin (the “Merger”). This court order comes into full effect on 31 March 2011 (the “Effective Date”).
Today’s development follows the announcement by bwin on 15 March 2011 that the Merger had formally been entered into the companies’ registry in Vienna, Austria by the Vienna Commercial Court.

Following the above developments, the approval of the Merger by PartyGaming and bwin shareholders on 28 January 2011 and the approval of the Merger by various national anti-trust and gaming regulatory authorities, there are no further conditions precedent remaining to be satisfied as part of the Merger process save for the matters set out below which will be effected on completion.

Completion of the Merger is now expected to take place on the Effective Date, when the Company’s name will change to ‘bwin.party digital entertainment plc’. The Company’s ordinary shares of 0.015 pence each (“Shares”) are expected to be de-listed and then re-admitted to the premium segment of the official list and commence dealing on the London Stock Exchange’s main market at 8.00 a.m. (London time) on the Effective Date. New Shares are expected to be issued to the bwin shareholders on the Effective Date, when CREST accounts are also expected to be credited with dematerialised depositary interests in respect of the Company’s Shares.

Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.

Websites

PartyCasino.com

PartyPoker.com

World Poker Tour Casino

Profiles

PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions

Sunday, March 20, 2011

PartyGaming Bwin merger nears completion, by Greg Tingle - 21st March 2011

The proposed merger between gaming giants PartyGaming and Bwin is set to be completed by 31 March, subject to the formal approval of the Gibraltar Supreme Court, after being formally entered into the companies' register by the Vienna Commercial Court last week.

In a statement released bwin revealed that trading in its shares on the Vienna Stock Exchange will cease at the close of business in 25 March with existing bwin shareholders receiving 12.23 bwin.party depositary interests for each bwin share free of charge on 1 April. Shareholders will then be able to trade them on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BPTY.L.

The new bwin.party depositary interests will carry a dividend entitlement with effect from 1 January 2010. The company's dividend policy will be determined by the new board of bwin.party digital entertainment plc over the next few months.

In addition to the approval of Germany's Federal Cartel Office and the Austrian Federal Competition authority the merger has also received anti-trust approval from authorities in Romania.

PartyGaming is regarded by most as the world's leading igaming company, and is currently looking to ramp up in many countries, with a re entry into the U.S as a major focus point. PartyGaming's World Poker Tour brand already enjoys strong press in the U.S, Canada, as well as other countries with a strong passion for gaming and gambling such as Australia. Pay TV, magazines and the internet are the main media platforms unitized by PartyGaming. They are also looking at sports and entertainment stadium sponsorships and naming rights opportunities, taking note of strategies used by the likes of Betfair and Centrebet in Australia.

PartyCasino.com remains the companies most popular and profitable brand, and also boasts the world's largest jackpots for the online casino sector. PartyGaming are currently taking steps to see their PartyPoker.com poker brand reclaim their number one position, and a return to the U.S would likely see that outcome within a number of months, possibly weeks. World Poker Tour continues to act as powerful media and marketing vehicle boosting awareness, thus business, across the entire PartyGaming portfolio.

Media Man advised that Party and a range of other igaming companies remain in close contact with a number of leading Australian and New Zealand media companies and brands, and that the Australian print, online publishing and television sector remains extremely interested in exploring b2b with Party, having become aware of Party's success with leading website portals that are available in the region, plus the popularity of Hollywood brands down under like Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.

Media moguls with strong ties to Australia such as James Packer, mate Lachlan Murdoch, and News Corp old guard, Rupert Murdoch, are all aware of Party's success in the Asia Pacific, pushed along by internet commerce, and are open to exploring business possibilities with the Gibraltar igaming powerhouse.

The PartyCasino.com website remains the most popular of the Party branded gaming sites.

By The Numbers

Overall revenue up 15% to €357m

Casino revenue up €15m from €136.8m to €151.4m

Bingo up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m

Sports betting up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m

Poker down €11m from €136.8m to €124.8m

World Poker Tour contributes €6.5m

B2B network services customers generate €2.4m

Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.

Websites

PartyCasino.com

PartyPoker.com

World Poker Tour Casino

Profiles

PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Casino News Media

Poker News Media

Global Gaming Directory

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Casino News Media: Merger Between bwin and PartyGaming Planned to Complete on 31 March 2011

March 15, 2011 - Merger Plan Requirements Now Met in Austria

Following the almost unanimous approval of the merger at the extraordinary general meetings of both bwin Interactive Entertainment AG (bwin) and PartyGaming Plc.

(PartyGaming) on 28 January 2011, the proposed merger was formally entered into the companies' register by the Vienna Commercial Court on 15 March 2011. Subject to the formal approval from the supreme court in Gibraltar, the merger is expected to complete on 31 March 2011.

Share trading on the stock exchange

bwin shares (ISIN AT0000767553) will cease trading on the Vienna Stock Exchange at close of business on 25 March 2011. For administrative reasons, trading in bwin shares on the Vienna Stock Exchange must be suspended for three days prior to completion and also on the day of completion itself (31 March 2011). On 1 April 2011, existing bwin shareholders will receive 12.23 bwin.party depositary interests (ISIN GI000A0MV757) for each bwin share free of charge. These depository interests can then be traded on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BPTY.L.

The exchange ratio of 12.23 bwin.party depositary interests for each bwin share will result in so-called 'fractional entitlements', rights to fractions of bwin.party depositary interests that cannot be traded on the London Stock Exchange. In accordance with the terms of the merger, these entitlements will be disposed of, and the proceeds of sale credited to the original beneficiaries (former bwin shareholders) in a process that may take up to two weeks. The disposal of fractional entitlements is also without cost to bwin shareholders.

Anti-trust approvals received

Following the approval of the merger in Germany by the Federal Cartel Office and in Austria by the Federal Competition Authority, bwin has now also received anti-trust approval from the relevant authorities in Romania.

Dividend

The new bwin.party depositary interests will carry a dividend entitlement with effect from 1 January 2010. The company's dividend policy will be determined by the new board of bwin.party digital entertainment plc over the next few months.

Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.

Websites

PartyCasino.com

PartyPoker.com

World Poker Tour Casino

Profiles

PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man News

Media Man Network

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Media Man Games

Casino News Media

Poker News Media

Global Gaming Directory

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Marvel Slots Online: PartyCasino Wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' Award

PartyCasino.com Wins Media Man Online Casino Award

PartyCasino.com has been awarded the Media Man and Casino News Media "Online Casino Of The Month".

PartyGaming's igaming suite has grown a custom to winning awards since they first opened for business in 1997.

The competition for the coveted award was intense again this month with massive bids from both WPTCasino.com, Captain Cooks Casino, Virgin Casino, Betfair, PKR and Noble Casino however there can only be one winner... ladies and gentlemen, that's PartyCasino.com

The award follows PartyPoker's EGR Poker Operator Of The Year and PartyGaming also made the shortlist for EGR Operator Of The Year. Recently PartyGaming's PartyPoker.com also won the Casino News Media "Online Poker Website Of The Month".

The Media Man - Casino News Media accolade is based on a combination of elements including user experience, innovation, trustworthiness, customer service, gameplay, affiliate program offerings, newsworthiness and company values.

PartyCasino.com is one of a number of PartyGaming brands.

The most popular PartyCasino.com games of late include Heist, Circus, Rambo, Palladium Slot, The Godfather, Sinatra, Slotbox, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Mission: Impossible, The Terminator, Cleopatra, Sinatra, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, Monopoly, Resident Evil, Melon Madness, Wheel Of Fortune and Mega Fortune Wheel.

The PartyCasino.com jackpot is currently approaching the $2 million mark. Players can also compete for The Big One and Marvel Hero Jackpot, playing the Marvel super hero themed online slot games.

PartyCasino's most recent game releases include Shaaark! SuperBet, Crocodopolis, Alice's Wonderland, Glamour Puss, Super Cubes, Heist, Palladium Slot and Circus Slot.

PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan has gone on record advising PartyCasino will soon feature more Hollywood blockbuster themed slots. A few in the know journalists and media agents have been recently tipped off that an all time classic movie adaption will be showcased in the PartyCasino portfolio within 1 month. PartyCasino has the world's most impressive line up of Hollywood themed games, and more are just around the corner.

PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com customers can also benefit from rewards and bonuses via PartyPoints and the Palladium Lounge. Be certain to check out the PartyCasino exclusive "Cash Machine" that is being championed as one of the greatest online casino promos ever.

Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.

Websites

PartyCasino.com

PartyPoker.com

World Poker Tour Casino

Profiles

PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Casino News Media: PartyGaming, Casino, Sports Betting, Bingo up, by Greg Tingle - 3rd March 2011

PartyGaming is on a financial and innovation role, impressing players, the stock market, partners such as Bwin, and media associates including yours truly - Media Man.

The London Stock Exchange listing igaming firm posted final results before it merges with Bwin on 31 March.

It needs to be noted that the world's leading igaming company is in good shares with its online casino, bingo and sports betting arms all up and popular with players and partners.

Developing regulated markets remains a prime strategic focus of PartyGaming, and news media opportunities such as televised events, media portal deals and even stadium or venue naming rights are all understood to be of considerable interest to the firm.

Party's across the board revenue was up 15% to €357m with EBITDA up 7% on 2009, just overtaking the €100m mark. Online casino revenue rose €15m from €136.8m in 2009 to €151.4m last year, understood to be driven forward by its 'The Games Studio' slot game offerings; online bingo was up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m with both arts getting positive spin off via its Cashcade acquisition back in 2009, not to mention its international expansion across Europe; while its modest sports wagering arm was up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m. Online poker revenues are down, dipping €11m from €136.8m in 2009 to €124.8m last year. It's PartyPoker and World Poker Tour brands are expected to bounce back as news media and website portal - b2b deals develop in the coming months.

Party's World Poker Tour brand brought home €6.5m, while its B2B network services customers generated in the region of €2.4m. Taking a look at its social media, the WPT's Facebook app is Facebook’s fourth largest poker application, according to Party, and its WPT Hold ‘em III mobile poker application has been generated 16m million downloads, which is big in anyones language. Little wonder established company brands such as Media Man, Virgin, Google, News Limited, Fairfax Media, UFC and WWE keep pushing forward with the social media strategy, since that's where many punters and potential customers are located.

Journey across to France. The bottom line is looking good. Second half pre-tax revenue for 2010 is up 220% and post-tax revenue up 77%. PartyGaming continues to be placed in #3 slot in the .coms poker sector.

Party at present holds a 14% market share in France. Experts forecast the Bwin merger will see this double.

With its online casino arm, Party advised of its 10 best revenue generating slots were developed in-house. Sinatra, The Godfather, Rambo, Saturday Night Fever, Top Gun and Mission: Impossible are in the mix of their most popular and profitable. It's 4 Marvel Entertainment branded slots were not developed in-house, but also remain very popular, and some new 3D themed slots are in the works via b2b2 following the success of Heist. It's classic bread and butter slots via the likes of WagerWorks (Cleopatra, Wheel Of Fortune, Monopoly and Cluedo) also continue to bring home the bacon for the company, and remain favs for players.

PartyGaming advised the merger with Bwin is well on track to finalise by the conclusion of this month and that this year would present great opportunities in newly regulated US and European markets. Australia and New Zealand also remain of great interest, where the company already enjoys a solid player base.

Party’s chief exec advised the company had achieved its 2010 objectives growing its player base by a solid 16% over the previous year catapulted primarily by its acquisition of Cashcade and its expansion into newly regulated markets that traditionally increase player volumes. The new markets also get the word out to the masses as PartyGaming can push the message via advertising without any legal consequences, be it .com or .net. CEO Jim Ryan warmly welcomed more regulation and advised the firm was in a strong position to make the most of new markets including Spain, Greece, Denmark and the United States when it opens. Canada continues to perform very well for the company, but they keep the Canadian numbers closely under wraps.

Ryan noted he expected New Jersey governor Chris Christie to veto the state’s egaming bill, but that this "wouldn't be bad news" as several other US states were building strong momentum to regulate online gambling.

"UIGEA has failed, the market already exists and the market has grown since it was enforced. Legislation is being driven by US companies who are tired of seeing revenues flow offshore. Combine this with the need to generate tax revenue and create jobs and this will create the perfect storm. The passage of online gambling laws will happen at some point soon."

Media Man advised that Party and a range of other igaming companies remain in close contact with a number of leading Australian and New Zealand media companies and brands, and that the Australian print, online publishing and television sector remains extremely interested in exploring b2b with Party, having become aware of Party's success with leading website portals that are available in the region, plus the popularity of Hollywood brands down under like Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.

Media moguls with strong ties to Australia such as James Packer, mate Lachlan Murdoch, and News Corp old guard, Rupert Murdoch, were all aware of Party's success in the Asia Pacific, pushed along by internet commerce, and are open to exploring business possibilities with the Gibraltar igaming powerhouse.

The PartyCasino.com website remains the most popular of the Party branded gaming sites.

By The Numbers

Overall revenue up 15% to €357m

Casino revenue up €15m from €136.8m to €151.4m

Bingo up €29m from €22.8m to €51.4m

Sports betting up €7m from €13.2m to €20.8m

Poker down €11m from €136.8m to €124.8m

World Poker Tour contributes €6.5m

B2B network services customers generate €2.4m

Media Man, Casino News Media and Global Gaming Directory do have a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of other companies in the gaming, igaming, media and entertainment industry.

Websites

PartyCasino.com

PartyPoker.com

World Poker Tour Casino

Profiles

PartyGaming PartyCasino PartyPoker PartyBingo Circus PartyCasino Marvel Slots The Big One Melon Madness Casino World Poker Tour PartyCasino Promotions

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Casino News Media

Poker News Media

Global Gaming Directory

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Media Man Streaming Blog

Media Man Streaming Blog