The London-listed AsianLogic (www.asianlogic.com) revealed further details on the agreement signed with Philippine-based Leisure Resorts and World Corporation (LRWC) for a planned sportsbook operation.

AsianLogic has sold its domestic sportsbook operation in the Philippines in "an all paper transaction". Together with a third party international sportsbook operator, AsianLogic will be issued up to 342 million LRWC shares or about a 30% stake in LRWC to be realized in three years. Under the MOA, AsianLogic will assist LRWC in expanding the number of betting outlets and number of sports offers to punters with the aim of boosting betting turnover and profits.

AsianLogic will also invest US$4.5 million in LRWC in part shares and part purchase of treasury equating to about 8% of the expanded LRWC share capital. LRWC will utilize about US$1 million for development and infrastructure work in projects via its LRWC subsidiary, First Cagayan Leisure and Resorts Corporation, the Philippines' master franchisor for online gaming. LRWC will use the remaining US$3.5 million for setting up a new landbased gaming entity in Metro Manila, Philippines.

AsianLogic and LRWC will be coming out with a more detailed announcement on the aforementioned transactions in the next couple of weeks.

AsianLogic has also been busy in acquisitions in recent months to increase its presence not only in Asia but also in Europe.

Aside from closing a US$24 million transaction with a leading Asian e-gaming operator in the next couple of months, AsianLogic has also announcede that it has invested US$3.4 million for a significant minority stake in a European gaming solutions provider. This move the company believes will complement its existing product range currently provided by gaming developer Playtech Limited (www.playtech.com).

AsianLogic also re-announced its intent to push through with six tournaments in 2009 for its Asian Poker Tour (www.asianpt.com) after its successful maiden event in Manila. AsianLogic will hold three more APT events this year in Macau in August, in Korea around October and a culminating event in Singapore in December.

It also announced that it has agreed terms with a leading Macau hotel and casino to operate an "APT Poker Room" within the hotel's premises to address increasing demands for more poker facilities.

In a related announcement, AsianLogic Director Christopher Parker vacates his CEO post with the company and moves over to the Asian Poker Tour to handle CEO duties. Director and current Vice Chairman Thomas Hall replaces Parker and will assume CEO duties for AsianLogic.

Commenting on the announcements, new AsianLogic CEO Thomas Hall said:

“These results reflect the successes AsianLogic has enjoyed and demonstrate the Company’s continuing growth as a listed entity. We believe that the acquisitions and joint ventures announced today will strengthen, complement and expand our existing operations. My new role in the company provides me with the opportunity to ensure all appropriate opportunities are secured and developed to the maximum benefit of the Company.

“For the Asian Poker Tournament, opening a poker room in Macau - the gaming capital of Asia - will cater to the growing demand for poker facilities as well as providing us with excellent cross marketing opportunities for our online brands and online initiatives.  A big part of our future strategy is to combine our online revenues with those that can be derived from slot clubs, bingo halls, sports betting venues and other land based, regulated gaming venues and to leverage both channels wherever possible.

“Our core gaming activities are performing strongly and the accretive benefits from acquisitions and investments coming into play from Q3 onwards.  We have added several key senior staff members so as to enable the Company to cope with its planned growth. The Board are very positive about the Company’s prospects”

[...]in the first [experiment], participants planned two bets in a roulette simulation. after the outcome of the first bet, they could either stick to their plan [to stick to a budget] or change it. the researchers found no noticeable pattern among those who won the first bet, but, says [business professor eduardo] andrade, "about 40 percent of those who lost deviated [from their plan], and within that 40 percent, 90 percent bet more than planned. and that was a huge effect."

andrade... thought the observed behavior might be explained by something decision theorists call the "hot-cold empathy gap"-- that is, our inability to anticipate how miserable we'll feel when the worst happens. indeed, when asked to predict how they would react emotionally to a loss, 70 percent of andrade and [colleague ganesh] iyer's subjects underestimated how bad they would feel. [...]

so if emotions were playing a role, andrade wondered whether they could be manipulated in a way that would affect behavior. to test this, he and iyer rigged the game so that everyone lost the first bet. then experimenters feigned technical difficulties. while subjects waited for betting to resume, they were shown a short video clip-- a neutral documentary, a drama, or the sitcom friends. when it came time to make the second bet, the people who'd watched friends behaved as if they'd won, while those who'd viewed the drama or documentary exhibited no discernible change.

so, what this research suggests is that going to las vegas with a budget is useless to you unless you win all the time. if you think you might lose, a budget won't be as strong a defense against bankruptcy as, say, a positive attitude and a good sense of humor.

When David Sonenmier is not yelling at me for my rookie Gin player mistakes he is often spouting off a host of Gin sayings that most non gin players would never understand.  If you feel you are worthy to learn this secret language of gamblers, read on.

This may be the first Gin Glossary every published on a Television News Site:

1. Are you baiting? - Tricking someone into giving you a card you need.
2. You're Cut - When you have less points in your hand then your opponent.
3. You sitting up on me? - Waiting for your opponent to knock so you can cut him.
4. Not a smart knock. - When you are cut by your opponent.
5. You missed Gin - What David says to me at least once an hour. (When you have Gin, but don't see it, even though everyone else in the room does.)
6. Is that a new go? - When you forget to turn over the knock card.
7. Frish? - When you want a new hand.  I often say "Fresh" because that makes more sense.
8. Play like a man. - When someone watching you tries to trick you into making a dumb throw.
9. Out in all three - You lost all three games.
10. Even in Boxes - You won just as many hands as your opponent but probably not as many points.
11. Do you want to turn? - Do you want to start a new game?
12. I got players. - I have some of your cards that I can play off in your hand.
13. Save what you can - I lost big, you better not lose big too!
14. We write - Your partner won more points then you lost.
15. You under the count? - Your partner won so many points you need to decrease the points in your hand so no matter what happens, you write.
16. What would Harry do? - When you are faced with a tough decision try to model your game off the greatest gin player of all time, the famous Harry Ballou.

If you choose to watch the video, you will need to watch it more than once so you can read the scrolling lines at the bottom.

First, let me set the record straight (before I get "you're going to Hell" emails and comments.

1. I am a Christian. I believe in the risen Savior.

2. I have a wicked sense of humor.

3. I know people who are really like this. Ex. My brother (who lives at the car wash). Just yesterday, he told me that he was going to be preaching a sermon at the Church of Christ.( Let me say here, all COC congregations are not alike. The last time that I posted about the COC, I got the most ignorant and hateful comments ever! ) Anyways, in the next breath, my brother proceeded to talk total trash about another COC congregation. All I could think was how hypocritical and ironic. I started to ask him if there was a contest going on for tickets on Heaven's bus or something.

I think he should just challenge the other congregation to a boxing match. Makes about as much sense as backstabbing and trash talking. doesn't it?

4. Do not post hate comments until you read 1-3. Then, if you still feel the need....please, go right ahead.

5. Hateful comments will be dealt with according to what mood I am in that day. WARNING: Some days, I am in a really foul mood.

On these days, I have to ask for forgiveness....lots and lots of forgiveness

.

Marat Safin beat Italy's Fabio Fognini in ronud 1 6-1 6-2 7-6, before knocking out the #3 seed Novak Djokovic in round 2 6-4 7-6 6-2  He dropped his first set beating up-and-coming Italian Andreas Seppi 7-6 3-6 7-6 6-4 in round 3.  In round 4 he defeated Swiss talent Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4 6-3 5-7 6-1 and coming from behind to beat Feliciano Lopez 3-6 7-5 7-6 6-3 in the quarter finals.  He may have beaten some big names so far, but the road really does end here for Marat Safin.  Federer is above everybodies league in this sport and hasn't lost here for 6 years.  Safin is no match for Roger.

Roger Federer has yet to drop a set in this years competition, with only Robin Soderling and Lleyton Hewitt taking him to tie breaks (once each).  We don't expect those statistics to change tomorrow.

These 2 have met 10 times in the past with Roger Federer leading the head-to-head 8-2, winning both games that were on grass (Halle 2005, Wimbledon 2007).  Roger Federer beat Marat Safin in straight sets last year and is likely to do the same again this year.

PaddyPower are offering 1/16 on Roger Federer to win, which is like printing money.  Put as much as you can afford on this is you want to make a profit.  We've only got £130 in our bank (we had a starting limit of £100 starting from yesterday) and have ALL of it on this result.   We wouldn't be able to afford to continue this blog if the result doesn't come in, but let's face it, we know it will!

For those with less to stake, PaddyPower are offering 4/11 on Federer winning 3-0 which we are pretty certain will happen. PaddyPower are also offering Free £20 bets to new customers so join now!

Obama, a first-term Senator from Illinois who debuted on a February, 2005 future book as the 40th (yes, 40th) choice to be elected President at a price of 100/1, is poised to beat enormous odds if he is able to defeat McCain in November. McCain, who in 2000 ran unsuccessfully for the Republican Presidential nomination against George W. Bush, opened as the leading Republican and second choice overall in futures at odds of 7/1. The overall favorite in the future book was New York Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton, at odds of 6/1. Clinton battled Obama to the end of the primary season before finally losing the delegate fight on June 3.

Besides Clinton, future book ducats were discarded on former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) (8/1); Senator George Allen (R) (15/1), whose Presidential aspirations were dashed when he lost his Virginia Senate seat to Democrat Jim Webb in 2006; former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) (20/1); former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R) (20/1); New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (D) (20/1); Indiana Senator Evan Bayh (D) (20/1); former Florida Governor Jeb Bush (R) (25/1); and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (R) (25/1).

Even if you're not one of those astute (more likely, lucky) bettors holding a 100/1 future book bet on Obama or a much more modest 7/1 on McCain, it's not too late too wade into the Presidential wagering waters.

Obama opened as the -200 favorite (bet $200 to win $100) in his head-to-head matchup with McCain, the +160 underdog (bet $100 to win $160). Given an unpopular war, a sagging economy, President Bush's 28 percent approval rating, and the fact that 80 percent of those polled believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, as well as the general tarnishing of the Republican brand, and it's to see why the experienced McCain opened as the underdog.

But as Presidential betting devotees can attest, things can change rapidly in politics. Remember, George H. W. Bush enjoyed a 90 percent approval rating following the Gulf War but winding losing his 1996 re-election bid to Bill Clinton.

What's more, the race to become US President really is 51 individual races, the 50 states and the District of Columbia. In that regard, each candidate begins with a base of roughly 200 Electoral votes (it takes 270 to win), leaving a dozen or so of battleground states, including Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Iowa, Missouri, Virginia, New Mexico, Colorado, Florida, Wisconsin and Nevada as pivotal. It's possible that a candidate gaffe or an unforeseen event could tilt those states.

Now that the Presidential candidates have been chosen by the voters, the speculation-—and betting-turns to who will fill out the respective tickets. Hillary Clinton is 3/2 to be Obama's Vice President with Jim Webb 5/1 and John Edwards, himself a Presidential candidate this cycle, listed at 6/1. Bill Richardson is held at odds of 10/1 with Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius offered at odds of 12/1. Showing that bookmakers have a sense of humor, the list also includes Oprah Winfrey, 100/1, and Bill Clinton, 150/1.

Mitt Romney is 4/1 to be McCain's top choice for Vice President, (especially if internal polls show he can deliver Michigan, where his father was Governor), while Tim Pawlenty, the Governor of Minnesota, is listed at 6/1. Florida Governor Charlie Crist, whose presence would lock up that important state, and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin each are held at odds of 8/1.

No one knows for sure who will shine or stumble in the debates and which global events will shape the tenor and substance of the campaign, two more unknown factors that make Presidential election betting both intriguing and potentially profitable.

This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering election betting, in addition to sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online.

It's a perfect storm that happens once or twice a decade.  The 4th of July takes place on a Friday which means a long weekend of debauchery.  This weekend will be extra special for the APIAS crew: TGC will 2-2-2 the Tigers as they attempt to "keep the turtle head poking out," EDay will make sure none of the Indians he works with read his scathing review of the game of cricket, 2SL will keep making sacrifices to the baseball gods after doing this and I will attempt to get in the triple digits in the category: number of beers drank for weekend.  Add those to BobWicket's move and TheW's wild 4th of July bash and there is quite a bit to get done.  There's also a lot of baseball to be watched, NASCAR night racing, checking up on Brett Favre's every move and hiding your girlfriend from you-know-who.  Enough with the intro, let's get to it.  As always, long weekend means long predictions...

• The Mets will win one, then lose one, then win one, then lose another.  That seems to be the new mantra of the team, "No winning OR losing streaks!"  That's a perfect way to end up right at .500, where MLB's third highest payroll is destined.  Nevermind the fact they're playing the Phillies (Friday-Sunday) and it would be a great time to make up some ground.
• Brett Favre will keep calling Mike McCarthy.  Seriously, Brett?  You just bawled your eyes out like two months ago at your "retirement" press conference.  At least Jordan took two years off before making his return.  Take a hint.  I've never had a wife and kid, but is it really that bad being home with them?  Well, seeing as your wife, Deanna is a smoking hot cougar... Yeah, I'm pissed.  Shut up, stay home, bang your hot wife.
• Venus Williams is going to win Wimbledon.  But, she's not hot, so she doesn't get her picture put up.  Instead of working on tennis, work on being more attractive.
• Seattle citizens will mourn the loss of the Sonics.  Didn't they used to be the SuperSonics?  Anyway, at least you've got the Mariners!  Er, at least you've got the Seahawks. Um... the Storm?  Or do WNBA teams leave with their NBA counterparts?  Who cares?  It's the WNBA.  The best hope for Seattle is that grunge rock becomes cool again.  The ball is in your court, Soundgarden/Pearl Jam/Nirvana.
• The Tigers will continue playing good baseball against the Mariners.  The hits just keep on coming, Seattle!  It's never a good sign when teams and fans look at a weekend trip to your city and think, "I'm damn near certain we win at least two of three."  Look at the bright side, Mariner fan: At least you didn't give out ridiculous contracts to bring in busts and trade what little prospects you had for a bust pitcher.  Oh, whoops.  There's going to be a lot of drinking going on in Seattle this weekend.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. will win Saturday night in Daytona.  Yes, I know, this is Dale's third time being picked the winner of the NASCAR race on FWP.  A dubious honor, indeed.  Dale did actually get a win for the first time in years a few weeks back which made EDay really happy (until someone brought up cricket, apparently).  Honestly though, the guy really doesn't need to race.  Here is yet another one of his ex-girlfriends, Lauren Anderson.  Simply incredible.  How does he keep letting these women get away?  Also, many NSFW pics available of Lauren (if that's your thing) on the web.
• Alex Rodriguez will slump, big time.  This guy is probably the best baseball player in the world, but he's also very aware of his public image.  All this stuff about him separating from his wife, him banging Madonna, his wife banging Lenny Kravitz; well, that is not going to be good for his batting average.  Madonna's hot and all, but couldn't A-Rod find someone hotter if he was going to cheat on his wife?
• Oakland will take care of the White Sox in Chicago.  This will make this entire staff happy.  When the A's win, EDay's happy.  When the White Sox lose, TGC is happy.  When anyone besides he loses, 2SL is happy.  I'm just happy when my friends are happy.  Cue the gay music!
• Stephen A. Smith will talk about LeBron James.  It goes without merit, anymore.  He just starts screaming about this year's free agents and somehow still ties it into, "LEBRON JAMES WILL BE A NEW JERSEY NET IN 2010!!!  HIM AND JAY-Z ARE BOYS!!!"  Seriously, we're two years away from this, but he feels the need to say it everyday.  I would guess LeBron never wears a Net jersey.
• Hancock will bomb.  Unless it co-stars DJ Jazzy Jeff, I don't need to see any more Will Smith movies.  Not even Charlize Theron can save this one.  She looks good, though, no?
• The Cubs will take care of business.  Gosh, I really hope so.  If you've ever seen 2SL after they lose a few in a row, you know what I mean.  Think of a four year old who has been awake for too long, has a poopy diaper, is hungry and drunk.  Well, actually, that's about how he acts all the time.
• You will hear a soft whisper in the wind.  It will be College Football calling your name.  We are officially under two months until kickoff.  Gambling, beer, gambling and football.  Hurry up, August.
• Ellis Park WILL have live horse racing.  Apparently my diatribe about the closing has changed some minds.  According the Henderson Gleaner (a top-5 national newspaper, for places named Henderson), live racing still may be salvaged.  I applaud all of you who called President Bush, your Congressman or me.  This is what America is all about!
• The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers will trade injured players.  What's the deal with this?  Baron Davis and Don Nelson didn't get along, but why would the Clippers sign him?  A guy who has professed he likes making movies more than basketball?  Oh, and has bum knees?  I guess Shaun Livingston's injury is worse than they want to let on.  And, Golden State... does Elton Brand really fit into Nellie's up-and-down system?  6'4", lumbering post players don't seem the best fit.
• Your girlfriend will dress up very patriotic, then Billy Gillispie will sleep with her.  You had to know it was coming, right?  You can't let your special lady going out on the town looking like this and not expect Lexington's Most Eligible Bachelor not to snatch her up.  More power to you if he doesn't, though.  Chances are, though, he will.  It's at least a good story.  Plus, you probably don't play basketball at UK, so you won't have to hear about it every day at practice.  A helpful hint, if you don't want your girlfriend to sleep with Billy G, DO NOT go to the new Harry's in Palomar.

Not to get all political or anything, but we live in a pretty fucking awesome country.  Go out and celebrate that fact this LONG weekend.  Say what you will about our President, gas prices or whatever, but a lot of people would kill to be able to live like we do.  Party, drink beer, sit by a pool and watch sports, because that's what makes America great.

Cruising further north we are promised a look into a world very unlike our own, a city with centuries of history and the stories to match. Read on...