CANBERRA: An Australian gambler who lost millions in a A$1.4bn ($909mn) 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$50mn damages after a 14-month baccarat binge in which he lost A$37mn.
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.
During the spree, the confessed gambling addict turned over $1.4bn, a figure believed to have been provided to Kakavas’s defence by Crown’s legal team.
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$370mn.
“We have no intention of responding to the allegations made publicly. We are defending the action vigorously,” Crown spokesman Gary O’Neill said. – Reuters |
