Yesterday
Carlton’s $10m pokies windfall undermines its domestic violence drive
Only a week after the club played a “respect” game for gender equality, new data shows its reliance on revenue that experts say is linked to relationship abuse.
This Month
Ainsworth CEO in tax probe but company says it’s a ‘personal matter’
A second investigation related to Harald Neumann recommenced in 2023. The poker machine business says it met all its ASX disclosure obligations.
Queen’s Wharf owners consider dumping Star for rival casino operators
The complex’s Hong Kong-based investors continue to negotiate, but have held discussions with others including American hospitality giant Delaware North.
Escalante sets up second casino business, annoying VGW investors
The Perth businessman quietly established Kickr, which provides some of the same services as Virtual Gaming Worlds, the company he wants to take private.
June
Computershare saves PointsBet from its own constitution
In Sam Swanell’s and Brett Paton’s eagerness to explain the exclusion of Betr’s votes, it seems some finer print was overlooked.
Escalante goes best and final in $3.2b bid for his gambling biz VGW
The Perth billionaire wants to buy out minority shareholders at Virtual Gaming Worlds, his online gambling business.
Shuffle follows Stake into the gutter
It seems the crypto casino operators are keen to emulate their heroes in more ways than one.
Mystery at the heart of $20m in PointsBet shares
You know a prospective offer is a good deal when it offers payouts for performance not yet delivered.
Entain boss Dean Shannon to depart ahead of AUSTRAC remediation
The chief executive who led the company since 2019 will step down upon the completion of a new anti-money-laundering program.
Escalante to buy out investors in his $3.2b online gambling giant
Billionaire Laurence Escalante already controls 70 per cent of Virtual Gaming Worlds, and last month told unhappy shareholders they should just sell out of the company.
May
Tabcorp unleashes promotions, but turns off commissions for 1300 pubs
The wagering giant’s chief Gillon McLachlan told publicans the company had “some serious structural challenges … but it’s not just us that needs a change”.
Pollies should kick their poker machine addiction
State and territory goverments are blinded by the lustre of gambling revenue to the social ills pokies cause.
Former NT chief’s pokies regret: ‘I wish we never had them’
Alice Springs has one of the highest concentrations of pokies in the world. Shane Stone, who ran the NT in the ’90s, wishes he did more to rein them in.
Light & Wonder keen on more M&A deals, primary listing in Australia
The gaming group’s CEO, Matt Wilson, discusses its strategy, what businesses it might acquire, and how they are managing the Trump-led trade volatility.
Gil McLachlan needs a strong defensive game on live sport betting
Tabcorp now has a risk-taker in charge, which excites the market, even though caution is required.
The Rich Listers whose financial success (or pain) remains a secret
Billionaire Sam Arnaout’s private company Iris Capital has been able to shield his gambling profits from prying eyes. Corporate governance experts are asking why.
‘Grave social evil’: Howard urges government to crack down on pokies
The former prime minister is calling for regulatory reform following an investigation into the distribution and ownership of poker machines in Alice Springs.
Gambling billionaire Escalante in expletive-ridden rant to investors
Perth gambling billionaire Laurence Escalante has told investors to sell their shares in his gaming business Virtual Gaming Worlds if they don’t trust him.
The stage of life Australians can’t afford to ignore
Kate Carnell says federal funds for end-of-life planning would reduce costly hospitalisations and prevent unnecessary suffering.
Allan Gray, Spheria slam Ainsworth board over takeover bid
The minority shareholders have accused Ainsworth’s board of failing to act in the interest of shareholders by accepting a takeover bid from Novomatic.