Archive for December, 2009

Poker Channel has new distribution agreement in France

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

The Poker Channel, Europe’s largest gaming TV network, announces a new distribution agreement in France today with Neufbox TV, the popular TV service from SFR, the second largest telecoms company in Europe. The Poker Channel will be available 24 hours a day to all SFR’s TV subscribers from today on Channel 199.

The Poker Channel is already available on TV in France to the customers of Free and Numericable. Following the agreement with SFR, the Poker Channel is now available to more than 18 million TV homes.

Today also sees the exclusive world premiere of the PokerHeaven European Cash Game Season 2, where some of Europe’s best and emerging talent competes with a minimum chip stack of €10,000. It features world-class players from 10 countries including two successful French players, Bruno Fitoussi (France’s 3rd highest-ranking player by earnings) and Francois Balmigere (who took home over $350,000 in 25th place at this year’s WSOP).

The 7 episodes of the European Cash Game 2 will premiere exclusively on The Poker Channel every Friday at 2200 CET, to over 18 million TV homes in 20 countries.

Wynn Macau shares rise in Hong Kong

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

As reported by Bloomberg: “Wynn Macau Ltd. rose 6.9 percent on its first day of trading in Hong Kong, underscoring demand for Macau casino stocks as Sheldon Adelson’sLas Vegas Sands Corp. prepares to raise at least $2 billion.

“Wynn Macau, which raised $1.63 billion in Hong Kong’s second-largest initial public offering this year, closed at HK$10.78 today from the offer price of HK$10.08. The stock earlier gained as much as 13 percent. The city’s benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 0.03 percent.

“Wynn’s debut ‘may be good for Las Vegas Sands but they have to move soon,’ said Binay Chandgothia, who manages about $2 billion as Chief Investment Officer at Principal Global Investors (Hong Kong). ‘The sooner one comes to the market, the better they’ll do because there’s a saturation point.’

“Casino revenue in Macau, where billionaire Stephen Wynn’s company is the fourth-largest operator, is rebounding as China’s economy recovers and curbs on mainland visitors are loosened. Vegas Sands plans to raise funds in Hong Kong as the company seeks to restart construction of a Macau resort.

“Wynn, 67, sold the stake in his assets in Macau, the world’s biggest gambling hub, as he grapples with falling revenue at Wynn Resorts Ltd.’s Las Vegas operations…”