Gaming Industry. I knew you wouldn't let the
team down. Keep netting those perps!"
Your Fellow Crime Fighter,
Rx
Postcard from the Asian Internet Gaming Congress,
Macau, March 26-28th '08
The King is alive and he's
gambling online
Just why is he getting spanked?
Why not click on him and find out?!
First off to our readers, we hope liked the preview of our ridiculous new ad. Thanks for the mail. While we enjoy doing them ourselves, we'll keep your ideas for future ads in mind. Keep 'em coming. By the way, in case you thought the press are unduly critical of our industry and gaming generally, you were bang on the nail. Read the essay up above first.
You're back! Yessiree, the gaming industry is a bit of a hero these days. And it is about time someone wrote a more balanced account. I'm not going to rabbit on about this for too long, but something really has to be said for the 'scourge' that is gambling, the racing industry, casino operators, RSL clubs and the list goes on. Whether it's pokies, horsies, scratchies, lotteries - or whatever - understand this: the Government commissions possibly the most renowned research and analysis firm in the entire world, AC Nielson. After the most exhaustive study of gambling that Australia has ever seen .... this is the result. Nielson conclude that over 99% of gamblers in NSW - and you might as well toss in all the other bits of Australia - do not fall into the category of 'problem gamblers'. Do you feel that figure of 0.8% feels more like 30%-40% for all the fuss?
An AC Nielson report commissioned by the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing and The Department of The Arts, Sport & Recreation concludes people who fall into the 'problem gambling' category is 0.8% of the population.
I was pleased to be able to write that story. Researching the article for Gizmag.com was really interesting and quite challenging. It was terrific to see that the gaming industry is working with authorities. This is helping to put an end to human trafficking, drug addiction and veritable jail full of undesirables that hurt far more than 0.8% of the population.
Of course gaming software is interesting enough, but for the fact it's all on little chips. I digress. So, Scratchies? While we were at AIG, we were particularly interested in Multi-Platform Gaming applications for Scratchies and particularly the Pokies TV brand. The convergence of interactive television, mobile platforms and the Internet is the way the Business is going f-a-s-t. Still, it's got a way to go. The potential in Asia for this style of play can not be underestimated. Australia will forever be playing catch-up, of course, but the technology is 'just a phone call away'. That will be Part Two for the magazine. And I'll tell you more about the fascinating AIG conference soon.
If you were wondering where we were going with all this statistical gumbo and why the partner site went sideways, here's your answer: some months ago we put out feelers for a third party interested in piloting Scratchies.com in a JV.
Yes, we're going live! No, we're not certain who with at this exact point in time. We are intent on bringing customers the very best gaming and entertainment experience on offer - and we haven't found p-r-e-c-i-s-e-l-y what we're looking for yet. We have been watching the market closely for a long time, included traveling to GIGSE [the Global Interactive Gaming Summit & Expo in Montreal] and consulting the best minds in i-Gaming today. We are now in discussions with two or three excellent shortlistees. You'll hear it first here.
Our ambition for Scratchies & Pokies are the emerging Asian markets. Patently, the potential for our raft of portals does not lie as affiliate/review sites. Scratchies.com is definitely not restricted to operating as a 'lottery' site - and that's not our intention. Australia will get free play, but they will be very generously looked after. Actually, our Aussie Scratchies.net model is barrels of fun.
We envisage that the group that controls Scratchies.com and the other sites will be far more likely to dedicate it to casino play and sportsbook. But it doesn't end there. More about Pokies TV and our plans later, because they are still top secret.
Whichever partner we decide on, our promise is that you will not be left high and dry - or in the dark again. Sorry. We also promise that in due course you will be clicking into what will be the very best integrated i-Gaming experiences the web has to offer now and into the future.
While they were primarily for investors, the articles on site will give you an idea of where scratchies, pokies and online gaming are going in 2008 and beyond. If you are gambling, be responsible for your actions and act in accordance with common sense and your conscience. If you think you might be one of that 0.8%, read this paragraph from the start. Then please read it again on the home page - then check out any of the support groups we recommend.
God Bless
Richard, Elvis and the Scratchies Team
