This Month
Light & Wonder eyes UAE after strong North America gains
The Caledonia-backed gaming giant has brushed off concerns about court action from its major rival Aristocrat, claiming the financial impact is not material.
- Zoe Samios
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
This market darling just did another U-turn. Investors love it more
A $1.5 billion deal shows why Aristocrat Leisure has lifted the ASX 200 more than just about any other company this year.
- Updated
- Anthony Macdonald
Aristocrat sells fantasy mobile games publisher for $1.2b
The pokies manufacturer is refocusing on slot machines, lotteries and social casinos, divesting itself from the owner of a popular RPG.
- Zoe Samios
October
Chalmers flags crackdown on tax refunds for pokie makers
ASX-listed poker machine giant Aristocrat had a research and development budget of $22.1 million in 2021-22, according to the ATO data released earlier this month.
- Ronald Mizen
September
Aristocrat wins dragon game injunction against Caledonia-backed rival
The ruling prevents Light & Wonder from selling, leasing, or making money from its game Dragon Train in the US.
- Zoe Samios
July
Class action claims Aristocrat breaking gambling laws
Lightning Link, Heart of Vegas and other social casino games are a lucrative and growing business. But some users allege the company is being misleading.
- Zoe Samios and Primrose Riordan
June
Why pokies giant Aristocrat is doing a U-turn on computer games
Aristocrat Leisure went big into developing non-gambling computer games less than a decade ago. Now it is considering an exit, in full.
- Anthony Macdonald
- Exclusive
- AUSTRAC crackdown
Sydney’s Mounties club under AUSTRAC scrutiny for pokies profits
The club, in the city’s south-west, is one of the biggest in terms of gaming machines profit. It is unclear if other NSW clubs are under similar scrutiny from the financial crimes watchdog.
- Zoe Samios
May
Aristocrat pops as pokies giant takes share in lucrative US market
Shares soared nearly 12 per cent after it rewarded shareholders with a 6¢ increase to its fully franked interim dividend. It expects to continue to grow there.
- Zoe Samios
April
Another casino operator is in trouble. Nobody is talking about it
Star Entertainment has been tearing itself apart. But SkyCity is also in a world of pain, with lenders sceptical, money tight and management in disarray.
- Zoe Samios
Star Entertainment is eating itself alive
How far will the regulator push the company? How much damage have squabbling executives done? An inquiry into the Sydney casino operator is getting ugly.
- Kylar Loussikian and Zoe Samios
Broken Star cash machine gushed cash and exposed ‘deep cultural’ issue
For weeks, one terminal paid out millions to patrons who already cashed their wins. “Numerous failures” prevented the fraud being detected, an inquiry heard.
- Kylar Loussikian and Zoe Samios
March
Aristocrat rival says it did not steal trade secrets for dragon game
Aristocrat is suing its main rival over claims it used confidential trade secrets to rip off one of its games. Light & Wonder has attempted to have the process thrown out of court.
- Zoe Samios
Pokie rivals in bitter court dispute over dragon games
Aristocrat claims it has lost revenue and market share to its rival, which allegedly copied one of its top games. Light & Wonder described the lawsuit as baseless.
- Zoe Samios
‘Limiting it to obscurity’: Ainsworth investor slams strategic review
Ainsworth Game Technology, founded by rich lister Len Ainsworth, could talk itself private. A strategic review is infuriating some investors.
- Zoe Samios
February
Philip Crawford is on a one-man crusade against Star Entertainment
Depending on who is asked, the corporate lawyer turned casino regulator is either keeping the bastards honest – or hounding them out of business.
- Zoe Samios
December 2023
- Exclusive
- Board shake-up
Mathieson Group says Endeavour chairman’s days are numbered
With tensions unresolved, the Mathieson camp says it is prepared to call an extraordinary general meeting if Peter Hearl does not step down.
- Carrie LaFrenz
November 2023
Ainsworth confirms Macquarie review, could take itself private
Aristocrat said it was assessing all strategic options, but has received no expressions of interest.
- Zoe Samios
Aristocrat’s investors aren’t spooked by casino, bookie headwinds
The largest pokies manufacturer in the world is one of the few gaming stocks to have enjoyed an increase in share price during a difficult year for the sector.
- Zoe Samios
October 2023
Endeavour sales miss market expectations as focus switches to returns
The company’s largest investor, billionaire publican Bruce Mathieson, says revenue is in “absolute free fall”. The retailer holds its annual meeting on Tuesday.
- Simon Evans and Carrie LaFrenz