Gambler sues casino
2008-10-30 07:40
Canberra - An Australian gambler
who lost millions in a A$1.4bn gaming
spree is suing one of the country's largest casinos, claiming
he was targeted by managers despite a known gambling addiction.
In a case which lawyers say could have implications
stretching to China, gambling addict Harry Kakavas is suing
Crown Casino in Melbourne for A$50m damages after a
mammoth 14-month baccarat binge in which he lost A$37m.
At the time in 2007, property developer Kakavas had been
barred from every casino in Australia.
But the Supreme Court in Victoria state was told Crown's
Chief Executive Rowen Craigie did not "give a monkey's" about a
prohibition in place since 2004, the Age newspaper said.
Supreme Court documents said Kakavas wore a concealed
recorder that captured Crown managers allegedly attempting to
lure him back to its riverside baccarat tables.
Crown is owned by Australian billionaire James Packer, who
also operates Crown Macau and is developing a second casino
project, The City of Dreams, in the Chinese territory. The
company last year reported profits of A$370 million.
"We have no intention of responding to the allegations made
publicly. We are defending the action vigorously," Crown
spokesperson Gary O'Neill told Reuters.
Craigie and Chief Operating Officer John Williams face
accusations of unconscionable conduct while in change of Crown,
which this month reported revenue from table games and gaming
machines up four percent as Packer looks to expand in Macau.
Court documents in Melbourne alleged that emails detailed a
Crown plan to lure back Kakavas after managers discovered he
had lost millions of dollars gambling in Las Vegas.
If found guilty, Crown could be judged to have breached
Australia's Trade Practices Act, state gambling regulations and
special laws covering the high-profile casino's operation.