This Month
- Exclusive
- Casinos
Victorian gaming regulator Annette Kimmitt quits
The former MinterEllison chief executive joined the Victorian gaming regulator when it was given more power to penalise misconduct.
- Zoe Samios
November
Labor vowed to ban sports gambling ads (18 months ago)
Nothing has happened. The prime minister has gone from blasting gambling advertising around sport as “reprehensible” to admitting he hasn’t been able to see it through.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
- Exclusive
- Entain
Laurence Escalante’s VGW bulks up exec ranks as casinos bristle
Virtual Gaming Worlds was one of the early beneficiaries of a US legislative loophole in states where gambling is otherwise banned. It’s now under attack.
- Primrose Riordan and Zoe Samios
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
- Updated
- Food & drink
Endeavour warns on profits amid sluggish liquor store sales
The owner of Dan Murphy’s and BWS is still ahead of the market and next biggest competitor, but increased discounting is hurting margins and earnings.
- Updated
- Carrie LaFrenz
- Exclusive
- Casinos
Blackstone builds Crown Resorts debt bomb as casino profits slide
The private equity giant says it’s comfortable with the big loan it took to buy the casino operator, despite the interest bill and an earnings crunch.
- Updated
- Zoe Samios and Amelia McGuire
October
- Opinion
- Opinion
Gambling ad ban: listen to the facts, not the vested interests
Gambling is not like any other consumer product. Australia’s lax regulation has led to real harm being done.
- Elizabeth Baldwin
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Tabcorp’s silent hands reveal how activism really works
As AGM season ramps up, the behind-the-scenes discussions happening at Tabcorp are a rare example of how shareholders shape corporate Australia.
- Anthony Macdonald
How much is Star’s Sydney casino worth? Just $8m, says Barrenjoey
The broker has warned clients that the company will post years of losses as it struggles with falling revenues and big costs involved in developing its hotels.
- Zoe Samios
September
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Star needs new friends to stop the bleeding
Where will Star Entertainment’s shares trade? Surely, it’s going to be ugly on Friday morning.
- Anthony Macdonald
Queensland threatens Star over its big tax bill bid
Premier Steven Miles threatened to walk away from discussions with the casino operator due to executives refusing to give up bonuses.
- James Hall
- Updated
- Casinos
Star Entertainment set to sign financial accounts as bailout finalised
The company – which operates casinos in Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast – has been in turmoil after it failed to lodge its accounts with the ASX.
- Updated
- Zoe Samios and Anthony Macdonald
Star’s Queen’s Wharf comes to life – unless you want to shop or eat
It’s been dubbed a “multistaged opening” or, in other words, a work in progress. But the sight of hi-vis and faint smell of sawdust haven’t deterred visitors.
- Tess Bennett
Queensland government set to hand Star Entertainment a tax lifeline
Street Talk understands the state government has agreed to morph Star’s looming tax bill into a Treasury loan.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
- Updated
- Gambling
Online casino mogul gets into lotteries as profits surge
Revenues at Virtual Gaming Worlds, which pioneered the use of a loophole to offer casino-like games with cash prizes in the US, has soared above $6 billion, accounts show.
- Updated
- Primrose Riordan
- Exclusive
- Capital raising
Star Entertainment lands $100m instant cash injection in bailout deal
The casino’s lenders are now seeking approvals for a new two-tranche loan that would give new chief executive Steve McCann a chance to turn around the business.
- Anthony Macdonald and Zoe Samios
- Exclusive
- Casinos
Star’s lenders offer $150m lifeline as casino fights for survival
The gaming group, which operates in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, has been in turmoil since its shares were suspended from trade earlier this month.
- Zoe Samios and Anthony Macdonald
Tabcorp’s former CEO says betting ads have gone too far
Elmer Funke Kupper said the risk of harm from wagering had “materially increased” since the rise of social media, smartphones and targeted online advertising.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
Star confirms sale of Treasury Casino site in scramble for cash
The troubled gaming company has ended months of speculation, pocketing a much-needed $60.7 million from selling its Brisbane property to Griffith University.
- James Hall and Zoe Samios
