Issue 359
July 30 - August 5, 2007
Volume 7
page 2
 


Poker powers deliver WPC keynote
Press Release

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- The organizers of the World Poker Congress (WPC) are thrilled to announce that Steve Lipscomb, president of the World Poker Tour, and Jeffery Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker will jointly deliver the opening keynote address at WPC 2007 on November 29 & 30 in St. Julian's, Malta. The two veterans at the helms of competing poker institutions will discuss the current state of the game and what the future has in store.

"With Steve Lipscomb and Jeffery Pollack, we will present two of the individuals most responsible for the recent poker boom," says Sue Schneider, president of River City Group, one of the organizers of the World Poker Congress. "With their unique perspective and wisdom, they will examine the global reach of the game and how it is penetrating international markets."

An award-winning producer/director of television and film, Lipscomb has directed the remarkable growth of the WPT, including the 2005 launch of the Professional Players Tour (PPT), international expansion of WPT, and the branding of the WPT with a variety of different licenses including sunglasses and apparel, poker tables and d?cor, artwork and much more.

As the first commissioner of the World Series of Poker, Pollack has brought a professionalism to the event it never had before. The recently completed WSOP 2007 introduced several cutting-edge innovations that have been hailed by professional players. His sense of branding was developed when he was managing director of broadcasting and new media at NASCAR Digital Entertainment. He is also the founder of the Sports Business Daily.

The World Poker Congress is the first conference to fully explore the synergies between the live and online games. The conference will feature two tracks dedicated to the different forms of the game, as well as plenary and general sessions featuring topics that appeal to each audience. Attendees will join colleagues to discuss issues such as marketing your poker room, player development, legislation and economics in Europe, staging tournaments, building a player base, business strategies for a quickly maturing industry, fraud and security, mergers and acquisitions, and much more.

"The World Poker Congress is the premier conference for the business of poker globally," says Roger Gros, publisher of Global Gaming Business and PokerBIZ magazines, the other producer of WPC. "There is clearly a synergy between online poker rooms and real world poker and the WPC examines how to capitalize on the growth of the game no matter which side of the equation your business operates."

 

 



Residents approve Massachusetts casino
As reported by The Boston Globe

MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. - "By a vote of 2,387 to 1,335, Middleborough residents (Saturday) approved a deal to bring the state's first casino to this mostly rural town south of Boston, capping a sometimes acrimonious local debate and dropping the future of casino gambling in Massachusetts into the lap of Governor Deval Patrick.

"Within minutes of the final tally, the five members of the Board of Selectmen signed a 21-page legal agreement that binds the town to support a $1 billion casino when the casino developers go to the state and federal governments for approval.

"'The town just took a giant step forward to preserve and enhance the town for its residents and their children," said Wayne Perkins, a longtime selectman.

"Glenn Marshall, Wampanoag tribal chairman, said it was 'an exciting day for everyone. Now, it's time to sit down and negotiate with the governor.'

"Noting that the ancestral grounds of the tribe include Middleborough, Marshall said, 'We now have a home. The tribe's coming back home and I can't say how happy we are.'

"In exchange for its support, the casino developers are promising the town $7 million a year in cash payments, plus revenues from a 4 percent lodging assessment when a planned 1,500 room hotel opens on the site. The tribe has also promised to make improvements in town roads and other infrastructure for the benefit of the casino, and to make a onetime $2 million payment for police and ambulance services.

"... For casino opponents, the vote marked a bitter defeat, but some vowed to fight on.

"'This is only the preseason,' said Richard Young, a prominent casino opponent. 'The regular season has yet to begin.'

"...Tony Lawrence, a casino proponent, said the deal gives the town financial stability.

"'This is like a Thanksgiving Day turkey,' he said. 'This deal is stuffed with extra money.'

"But David Parker, an opponent, said a casino would bring traffic, health, and crime problems.

"...Attention now turns to Washington and Beacon Hill. The developers have said they will simultaneously seek approvals from Governor Deval Patrick and the Legislature, and from the US Department of Interior, which oversees the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

"Marshall has had preliminary discussions with Patrick, but agreed to Patrick's request to wait at least until Labor Day to allow the governor to study the proposed expansion of gambling in the state..."

Casino's height brings controversy
As reported by The Daily Telegraph

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- "James Packer's casino consortium in Las Vegas has attracted flak from aviation regulators for its controversial plans for the world's second tallest building.

"Mr Packer's Publishing and Broadcasting said in May it paid $27 million for a stake in the consortium which will develop and operate the $5 billion Crown Las Vegas casino.

"But the project has hit a snag because the US Federal Aviation Administration believes the 575m high tower may be a hazard since it is near an airport.

"The group will be sweating on a decision by the FAA, which ruled last year that anything higher than 200m on the site will be problematic, because of its proximity to Las Vegas' McCarran Airport.

"...Mr Packer has 38 per cent of the consortium which plans to build the towering casino on the former Wet'n'Wild theme park site at the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard.

"...The Nevada casino project is a joint venture between Mr Packer, Texas developer Chris Milam and the New York investment fund York Capital Management..."

 

 

The Producers

Paris Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nev.: THE PRODUCERS is now playing at Paris Las Vegas! See the Mel Brooks musical that’s won more awards than any show in history, including 12 Tony® Awards. The storyline is a comedy classic: a crooked producer and his accountant cook up a scheme to present a massive trainwreck of a theatrical fiasco – and pocket their investors’ money before the curtain falls.

THE PRODUCERS stars Brad Oscar as scheming, down-on-his-luck Max Bialystock, Larry Raben as mousy, anxiety-ridden accountant Leo Bloom and the lovely Leigh Zimmerman as Swedish secretary Ulla. All three are recreating the roles they played in the Broadway production of THE PRODUCERS.

As of May 6, 2007 they have been joined by two more stars from the Broadway company: Lee Roy Reams and Bill Nolte.

Lee Roy Reams will recreate the role of flamboyant director Roger DeBris, for which he received the Helen Hays and Carbonell awards during the show’s first national tour. Reams was previously Tony-nominated for his role in 42nd Street, and he’s also recently been featured in Applause, Lorelei, Hello, Dolly! and Oklahoma.

Bill Nolte joins the cast as crazed playwright Franz Liebkind after playing this memorable role on Broadway and in the Leo and Max touring company of THE PRODUCERS. He’s also performed on the Great White Way in 1776, A Christmas Carol and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

With the biggest sets, costumes, clever songs and belly laughs from the mind of Mel Brooks, THE PRODUCERS is a show everyone should see at least once. And the nation’s only permanent production is right here at Paris Las Vegas.

Dates: Once daily, Monday - Friday; Two shows on Saturdays
Time: Monday - Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Ticket Prices:
$69 - $143
Ticket office: 1-888.727.4758
For more information: Official Web site

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