"Through education, to prevent the harmful consequences of problem gambling in the community."
Some Newspaper Reports of Gambling-Related Matters Published in Victoria, Australia from 1 September 1997 to 31 December 1998
Go back to Know the Odds Inc home page
Important - see Disclaimer at foot of page.
1 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Mixed emotions at Planet's party"
by Greg Thom
A crowd of 10,000 observed a minute's silence in honour of Princess Diana at the opening of the Planet Hollywood and the Official All Star Cafe Restaurant last night. Names of the many celebraties who attended.
2 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Protest group in a spin"
by Greg Thom
The Kennett Government was accused yesterday of gambling away the rights of disabled Victorians. Demonstrators staged a protest outside Crown casino over the government's decision to withdraw funding ($680,000) from 14 disabled advocacy groups around the State.
3 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Stake your lotto claim"
Today is your last chance to stake your claim if your free Herald Sun Tattslotto Quick Pick was a week two winner.
3 September 1997 - Progress Press
"Blow to anti-pokie crusade"
by Kamahl Cogden
The State Opposition has nominated Boroondara for extra gaming machines dealing the council another blow in its fight to stop a pokies boom.
5 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino's win is KP's loss"
London's Crockfords casino would have made no profit in the past six months were it not for Kerry Packer who has lost $21M there in the past six months. Singapore hotelier Kwek Leng Beng has dropped more than $8M there in the same period.
5 September 1997 - Age
"Packer gambles $22M away on UK spree"
by AAP
The high rolling Australian media tycoon Mr Kerry packer was reported today to have lost 10 million pounds at a British casino.
7 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Betting drop hits bookies"
by Rod Nicholson
Bookmakers are facing a crisis after an alarming 13.5% drop in turnover this year. The number of bookmakers has fallen from 500 to 233 in only a decade. Bookies have dropped from conducting 97% of the legal gambling in the 1960s to 3% today. They complain about the 2% turnover tax and the dwindling racing crowds. The Lone Star Syndicate (a horse racing syndicate?) has given more than $350,000 to the Variety Club to spend on disadvantaged children.
9 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Gaming deaths probe"
by Claire Heaney
The coroner will conduct a special investigation into gambling-related suicides. Comments by Tim Costello. Figures have gone from 1 to 4 to 13.
9 September 1997 - Melbourne Weekly
Profile of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. Her father was a problem gambler and on countless occasions her mother had to use her charms and gentle persuasion to keep creditors at bay, often preventing a crisis by renting out the family home, Pemberly, to cover expenses. His friends appointed him official starter of the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup and so prevented him making bets.
11 September 1997 - Age
"Chips down but all bow to Mecca"
One executive at Crown, presumably Mike Mecca, received $1,745,000 in salary according to the Crown accounts.
11 September 1997 - Age
"Hudcon signals drive into Asia"
by John Hurley
The property developer Hudson Conway yesterday signalled a big push into Asia in reporting that profit before tax rose 4% to $39.7M in the June year.
11 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Gaming claim caution"
Gambling's role in suicide should be treated with caution, the state coroner, Graham Johnstone, warned yesterday. (crime)
11 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"First dividend for Hudcon"
by Ian McIlwraith
Hudcon paid its first dividend. Hudcon did not have a dividend policy according to Lloyd Williams. Williams pointed out the advantages of gambling to Hudcon as many Asian gamblers were also entrepreneurs.
12 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown shelves $55M theatre plan"
by Greg Thom
Plans for a $55M theatre at Crown casino complex, the 1800 seat Lyric Theatre, have been put on ice.
12 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Payout went to public - Kennett"
by Matthew Pinkney
Mr Kennett rejected claims he received a defamation settlement of $400,000 from Channel Nine saying the figure was closer to $40,000 (unclear whether moneys paid to "public coffers").
12 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"30 banned from Sydney casino"
by Louise Martin
The NSW police commissioner has banned 30 people including 6 or 7 high rollers from the Sydney Casino on the basis of police intelligence for offences committed outside the casino. (crime)
13 September 1997 - Age
"Dicing with death"
by Paul Heinrichs
Dianne Standaar, 38, was last seen alive withdrawing money from an automatic teller machine near the Vegas Room in Waverley Gardens shopping Centre. She committed suicide by breathing exhaust fumes. (crime)
13 September 1997 - Age
"The human cost of gambling"
by Paul Heinrichs
The Victorian coroner's office has begun special project to monitor gambling- related suicides. Gambling related suicides have been 1 in '92, 4 in 1993, 4 in 1994, 8 in '95 and 13 in '96. There have been 5 to September 1997. Details of suicides disclosed as a result of FOI case. (crime)
13 September 1997 - Age
"Brothers' suicides linked to gambling"
by Paul Heinrichs
Two brothers who committed suicide four months apart late last year left notes associating their deaths with gambling. (crime)
13 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Luck runs out for Lloyd as shares tumble"
by Peter Coster Insider
Crown shares have continued to slide and are now trading at $1.46 on the basis that Crown is wildly overcapitalised at more than $2B.
15 September 1997 - Age
"Even at 80, there's nothing like this dame"
by Michael Winkler
Profile on Dame Phyllis Frost. "I know some of the poor will always be poor, because they put their money into stupid poker machines and lose the jolly lot, but I would like to see less emphasis on the making of money, and the honesty and decency of people brought to the fore."
16 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Rich but bored"
An English builder who won a $4M lottery jackpot wants to go back to work because he is bored.
16 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"More pokies may be a bad gamble"
by Damon Johnston
Within four months, the State Government will have to decide whether to raise the ceiling on pokies. 72% of people polled in a Quadrant poll said that despite massive revenues they were unhappy with management of the industry. The raw numbers show that there are anywhere between 40,000 and 100,000 problem gamblers in Victoria.
16 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"$1,000 cash bonus everyday now available on Crown tables"
advertisement
Cash bonus of $1,000 each day for a table player at Crown. Bonus is doubled for Crown Club members actively using their card.
16 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"$1.5M in chips missing"
by Greg Thom
More than $1.5M in chips was unaccounted for at any given time. In Sydney, criminals were using Sydney casino chips to buy heroin. Calls for legislation making it illegal to remove chips from the casino were dismissed by Crown and Victoria Police. (crime)
16 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Most worry about pokies"
by Damon Johnston and Matthew Pinkney
Victorians have given an overwhelming thumbs down to the State Government's gambling revolution with more than 70% saying they are unhappy with the direction of the boom industry. Even 59% of the Liberal National Party supporters indicated they wanted a change in the gambling industry's direction.
17 September 1997 - Age
"NSW probe the latest hurdle for Aristocrat"
by Michael Sharp
The NSW Department of Gaming and Racing is investigating Australia's largest gaming machine manufacturer Aristocrat Leisure to determine if it is suitable to hold gaming related licences in NSW. Aristocrat is facing proceedings in Colorado and Missouri.
17 September 1997 - Age
"Crown watching currency swings"
by Leonie Wood
Crown casino yesterday conceded it was carefully watching the skittish currency swings of some South East Asian countries and trying to assess how they might affect its high-stakes gambling business. Crown was continuing to increase business from Asia.
17 September 1997 - Age
"Institutions shy on Crown shares"
by Chrisopher Webb
Professional investors continued to give the Crown share register a wide berth in the latest year and in the process did themselves a big favour.
18 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Leadership is seen as the key"
by Lainie Barnes and Annie Lawson
Comments by Tim Costello. The winners - $1M pokies jackpot winner. The losers - Bob who obtained credit to feed his pokies addiction by forging his wife's signature.
19 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Church call to probe link"
by Greg Thom
Church groups yesterday called for a full coronial inquiry into the link between gambling and suicide. State coroner Graeme Johnstone said the court would monitor the gambling-suicide link but so far has ruled out a full scale investigation. (crime)
19 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Pub plea for more pokies"
by Greg Thom
Tattersalls has now exhausted its allocation of 13,750 machines. Tabcorp is up to 13,176 with an undisclosed number already allocated and yet to be installed. The government finds itself caught between the Australian Hotels Association and the Victorian Licensed Clubs Association. Hallam has said he will not increase pokies until the results of a social and economic impact study. Small clubs and pubs were unable to get the machines.
21 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"God's tough guy"
by Bryan Patterson
Profile of Archbishop George Pell. He took a tough stand on gambling, refusing premier Jeff Kennett's offer to visit the casino before it opened.
21 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Bookie bid for tax cut"
by David Wilson
Victorian bookmakers will ask the Treasurer Alan Stockdale to drop a 2% turnover tax in an effort to save the industry. Reynolds said the bookies would have to ask Stockdale. Stockdale said it was most unlikely the rate would be changed.
24 September 1997 - Age
"Pokies in a dour fight for punters "
by John Hurley
Poker machine gambling has just celebrated its fifth year of operation in Victoria but faces strong challenges on several fronts. A report by JLW Transact says there are three constraints on the continued increase of poker machine revenue: casino gaming, internet gaming and the poor performance of clubs.
25 September 1997 - Age
"Kennett steps in to silence Costello "
by Gay Alcorn
The Rev Tim Costello was dumped from a panel selected to comment on a public lecture by the Premier, Mr Jeff Kennett, after objections from the premier's office.
25 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown chips part of drug-ring haul "
by Greg Thom
Four people who yesterday admitted laundering $10M in drug money were regular gamblers at Crown casino according to Victoria Police. National Crime Authority investigators seized up to $80,000 in Crown casino chips and 6 kilograms of heroin in raids on two houses two years ago. (crime)
26 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Fears casino will axe up to 500 jobs "
by Greg Thom and Dimitri Serghis
Crown casino is believed to be about to shed up to 500 jobs at its $2B complex.
26 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Shopped 'til she dropped "
Susan Bako of Clayton went within one number of winning $350,000 in Tattslotto 12 years ago. Her luck changed last week when she won a $20,000 Myer Melbourne shopping spree in the Sun Herald Tattslotto second chance draw.
26 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Flying casino "
Former Formula One champion and airline chief Niki Lauda has the world's first flying casino, a Boeing 777 flying Vienna - South East Asia - Australia.
26 September 1997 - Age
"Victoria outspends nation, while incomes lag behind "
by Tim Colbatch
Crown casino appears to have been the biggest reason why Victorians out spent the nation. First the construction teams, then the gamblers.
27 September 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino lease plan"
by Greg Thom
Crown Casino is considering leasing its restaurants on the Riverbank Promenade.
1 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Elderly gamble savings "
by Greg Thom
Many elderly Victorians are raiding their savings and cash set aside for food in the search for gambling money according to Roy Morgan research "Older People and Gambling" prepared for Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority.
1 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Haddad wins big at Crown "
by Peter Coster
Haddad as Deputy Chairman of Crown Management is getting $692,355 this year.
1 October 1997 - Age
"Gambling gets the older punter in"
by Rachel Gibson
VCGA analysis of older people's gambling patterns.
2 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Call to slash pokies "
by Greg Thom
Interchurch Gambling Task Force has called for a gradual reduction in the number of poker machines.
2 October 1997 - Age
"Tab package too good, says Premier "
by Gareth Boreham and Soman Mann
The Premier, Mr Jeff Kennett, said it would have been nice to have arranged for a different financial package for the head of Tabcorp.
2 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Tabcorp boss pay regret "
by Lainie Barnes
Premier regretted generosity of Tabcorp head, Ross Wilson, salary package.
2 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Internet gambling to reach $1B "
by Greg Thom
Commercial gaming researcher Mark Solonsch forecast that within five years, Internet betting would dominate the way Australians gambled. Comments of US experts. It is believed Victorian Gaming Minister Roger Hallam will set Victoria's position on internet gambling as early as next week.
3 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Child gambling fear "
by Greg Thom
School children should be educated about the potential negative impact of gambling, a group of psychologists says. These include Professor Alex Blaszcynski and Professor Mark Dickerson. Position paper to be given at the annual conference of the Australian Psychological Society in Cairns. Recommends: gambling advertising to be accurate, moratorium on expansion of gaming outlets nation wide, community education campaigns to promote responsible gambling, better education of judiciary. Gambling begins at between the ages of 8 and 13.
4 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Bid to control net gamble "
by Greg Thom
Victoria is set to become the first state in Australia to introduce laws designed to control Internet gambling.
4 October 1997 - Age
"Call for ban on smoking at casino "
by In Brief
Anti-smoking groups have urged the State Government to follow the NSW WorkCover Authority and ban smoking in the casino and other venues. The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union yesterday said it had received dozens of complaints from Crown workers.
5 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Punting priest's gamble pays off "
by Kristine Robson
Father Joe Giacobbe has for ten years been publishing the Winning Post, a weekly racing form guide with a circulation of 20,000. Profits go to a charity to help disadvantaged youth.
6 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown plans push into Asia "
by Greg Thom
Crown casinos could start appearing in Asian cities within three years according to Lloyd Williams.
7 October 1997 - Age
"Casino deal makes sense "
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Crown decision to purchase casino management contract from Hudson Conway makes sense. One problem with management contract is that it theoretically tempted Crown to maximise revenue because Hudson Conway got 2% gross revenue and 5% of profits. The purchase price for the management contract ($290M) will be funded by the issue of converting preference shares to Hudson Conway. This will simplify Crown's decision- making structure and pave the way for expansion.
7 October 1997 - Age
"Crown in buy-up to placate investors "
by Leonie Wood
Crown has capitulated to strong pressure from institutional investors by agreeing to buy the rights to manage its $2B casino from its biggest shareholder, Hudson Conway.
7 October 1997 - Age
"Sydney casino in contract buyback "
by Matthew Kidman
Sydney Harbour Casino is finalising a plan to buy its own management contract from the US based Showboat Inc in a move expected to be warmly received from the investment community.
7 October 1997 - Age
"Casino plan to shed more jobs "
by Leonie Wood
Crown planned more staff cuts according to Lloyd Williams at the annual meeting, down from 8,000 to about 7,500.
7 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"$290M Crown deal "
Crown will purchase the management contract for $290M and it wants to lease the golf course rather than buy it.
7 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown forced to play hand "
by Sean Smith
Crown will pay nearly $300M for the management rights for the casino complex after being pressured into an early deal by institutional investors. Crown on track to achieve 1997/98 revenues of $1.3B. Second hotel tower will cost $140M. Five month staff review.
7 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Glitzy touch woos chairman's flock "
by Peter Coster
Account of Crown AGM.
7 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"All work, no pay for casino boss "
by Peter Coster
Lloyd Williams will pick up $3.4M in November when Hudson Conway pays dividend.
7 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Lloyd's tax deal to be Crowning glory "
by Peter Coster
Crown will argue for a flat 9% on high rollers. The existing arrangement 9% to $160M rising up to 21.25% at $380M acts as a disincentive for Crown to increase its high roller income according to BZW report.
8 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Lloyd chats, but no Showboat deal "
by Peter Costner
Lloyd Williams talked to Showboat president J Kel Houssels about buying the Sydney Casino management contract as reported by Insider in August. Lloyd Williams was not a buyer now.
8 October 1997 - Age
"Croupier fined for not taking gamblers' chips "
by Rachel Gibson
A dealer was fined $1000 with no conviction on two counts of theft after he called a stand off where Pai Gow gamblers had lost. (crime)
8 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"All bets are off for Crown's Robin Hood "
by Natalie Sikora
Yesterday Magistrate Kevin Mason found a dealer guilty of two charges of theft and fined him $1,000 without conviction. Mr Mason said Mr Fairhall had acted dishonestly and betrayed his employer by calling a losing bet a stand-off (tie) and allowing gamblers to keep their chips. (crime)
8 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Pokies under attack "
Anglican parishes should campaign against poker machines in their areas, Anglican Archbishop Keith Rayner said today.
8 October 1997 - Age
"Odds against the casino "
letter to the editor by Ken McIntyre
The Roy Morgan Research study into gambling in Victoria gives the lie to those sections of the public and media who blame the success of the casino for the gambling ills of the state. Analysis of gambling revenues.
9 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"King advises Lloyd on Asia "
by Insider Peter Coster
Robert King is Lloyd Williams' adviser on Asian matters.
9 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Minister to ease pokie laws "
by Greg Thom
Proposed changes in the law will split the operator and premises licensing approval system so that an approved gaming operator can obtain a gaming operator's licence before acquiring a venue. At present, licenses are tied to venues and are not transferable.
10 October 1997 - Age
"Court told of bingo charity scam "
by Manika Naidoo
An organisation for disabled athletes set up false clubs in an elaborate deception to obtain bingo permits illegally, the Melbourne Magistrates Court was told yesterday. The fraud was the creation of false minute books and membership lists. Ms Spanos imposed a fine of $2,000 without conviction with a 12 month community based order. (crime)
12 October 1997 - Age
"Life's a gamble, and then you lose "
by Geoff Strong
A Melbourne University mathematician, Associate Professor Barry Hughes, s a specialist in statistical chaos. "From a mathematician's point of view, if you are gambling in a game that is biased against you, your position is more likely to get worse than to improve. Irrespective of whether you are ahead of behind, the best thing you can do is quit."
13 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino soccer brawl "
by Brad Clifton
A soccer match on the other side of the world was the catalyst for a brawl between rival soccer fans from Victoria and England yesterday.
13 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Call on pokies odds "
by Cheryl Critchley
Archbishop Keith Rayner of the Anglican Church after the Melbourne Synod called for all poker machines to display the odds, parishes to resist Crown casino bus trip deals, a strict advertising and consumer protection code and State government recognition of and action against the growing social cost of gambling.
14 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Pokies party tipped to win "
by Greg Thom
Anti-poker machine forces are set to flex their political muscle by gaining election to parliament for the first time in South Australia if solicitor Nick Xenophon gets into the SA upper house with 2.89 of the primary vote.
15 October 1997 - Age
"More gamblers admit crimes "
by Belinda Parsons
Thirty percent of registered problem gamblers in Victoria say they have committed illegal acts to finance their habit according to a report released yesterday. Men were twice as likely as women gamblers never to have married and twice as likely to be living alone.
16 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Shopping centres pokies row "
by Greg Thom
A protest meeting tonight over a planned pokies pub in a Mt Waverley shopping centre is expected to attract more than 1000 outraged residents and traders.
17 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown blast over Hanson "
by Ian McIlwraith
Crown casino boss Lloyd Williams has attacked Prime Minister John Howard's government for being out of step in its attitude to Asia.
17 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Aristocrat chief in shock exit "
by Kathy Lipari
Gaming machine maker Aristocrat Leisure's woes deepened yesterday with the shock departure of executive chairman John Dougall. Dougall considered that though the allegations against him were false he considered it was in the best interests of the company that he resign.
17 October 1997 - Age
"PM deals a losing Asia hand: Crown
by Leonie Wood
After the annual general meeting of Crown Lloyd Williams attacked Prime Minister John Howard for failing to quell the "Hanson factor".
17 October 1997 - Age
"US push forces gaming chief out "
by Anne Hyland
Aristocrat Leisure's chairman and chief executive John Dougall is quitting the poker machine manufacturer as part of a settlement brokered with the Colorado Gaming Commission. It is understood that the Gaming Commission will drop its charges upon the resignation and payment of a fine of more than $50,000. Dougall strenuously denied the claims.
17 October 1997 - Age
"Hudcon looks to Asian focus "
by Leonie Wood
Hudson Conway is unlikely to pursue big projects in Australia in the medium term, instead preferring what it sees as the growth economies of South East Asia.
19 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Lucky cash up for grabs "
Tabaret Wild Cash Jackpots Game
19 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Models for very little"
People are still talking about the parades of clothes from the La Peria people, the latest international fashion label to open at Crown.
19 October 1997 - Age
"Gambling on the Internet on its way "
by John Silvester
Crown casino will open an international virtual reality casino early next year after the State Government passes new laws making Victoria the first Australian jurisdiction to legalise internet gambling. Australian state and territory gaming ministers have agreed to take a compatible approach to internet gambling. Proposals include betting on television game shows, telephone raffles on 0055 numbers and all casino games and mechanisms to uncover money laundering.
20 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Sending the wrong message "
letter by Christian Bennett of Carrum
Crown chief Lloyd Williams was spot-on on taking the Federal Government to task over Pauline Hanson.
20 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Blame gamblers not casino"
letter from Heather McDonald of Broadmeadows
You cannot legislate against stupidity. Don't blame the casino or any other gaming venue for the weakness inherent in compulsive gamblers. No-one twists their arms and forces them to gamble. It is a self-inflicted wound as is alcoholism and drug abuse.
22 October 1997 - Age
"Latte scratchings: punters bemused, bewitched at TAB "
by Rachel Gibson
Launch day of the first super-TAB in Bourke Street, by 1999 there will be 60 of them across the state. Bright light, extra space, you can place a bet at the counter without being caught in a throng of blokes. "I think they're trying to make it more of an environment for women with the way they've set it out". The Tabcorp corporate affairs manager, Ms Jill Hollingworth, says the trick was to strike a balance; get a new breed of punter through the doors but don't frighten the horses.
21 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Lloyd's swipe at Libs leaves out Ron"
Lloyd William's call to bring back Paul Keating brought a response from Trade Minister Tim Fischer who said that Lloyd was "wrong and wrong". Crown is launching a $2.5M advertising campaign in Asia.
21 October 1997 - Age
"And now for Sydney's jewel in the crown "
by Joe Rollo
Article on the new Sydney casino which opening on 26 November 1997. Star City is into serious theme setting . Inside, you can explore Australia coast to coast across three interconnected gaming rooms with 160 tables and 1500 slot machines.
21 October 1997 - Age
"Aristocrat action partly dropped "
by AAP
The Colorado Gaming and Control Commission, which had threatened to terminate an Aristocrat Ltd licence, had dropped its allegations against the gaming machine manufacturers, the company's legal representative said last night. Nevertheless the Colorado commission would conduct an open hearing later this month.
22 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"TAB store move no firm favourite "
More intrigue than in the run-up to the Melbourne Cup surrounds the decision by "Ross the Boss" Wilson to open a chain of TAB superstores.
22 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Gambling helps increase abuse "
by Cheryl Critchley
Gambling addiction could soon be as much to blame for child abuse as alcohol and drug addiction, Governor-General Sir William Deane said yesterday.
23 October 1997 - Age
"Asian rollers still key to Crown jewels "
by Fulcrum
Crown shareholders will be better off if they give the green light to their leaders to buy the rights to manage their casino complex. Casino turnover nationally is expected to rise at 11% per year nationally from 1996 - 2001.
23 October 1997 - Age
"Thumbs up on Crown deal with Hudcon "
by Leonie Wood
Coopers and Lybrand have said Crown casinos $290M purchase of its management contract would benefit Crown shareholders. Crown directors content the deal will increase cash flow and give Crown direct control over the senior management team at the complex.
23 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Deal erodes Crown profit "
by Richard Webb
Crown casino is paying Lloyd Williams' Hudson Conway top dollar for its management rights but the deal is deemed to be fair and reasonable according to Coopers & Lybrand.
25 October 1997 - Age
"Casino's Williams bets crisis a 'blip' "
by David Elias
Williams believes that the Asian crisis is a blip and he believed that the sheer momentum of the Asian economies over the last decade will continue into the 21st century.
25 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"It's no joke - you've won"
Deer Park mother of three, Jane Wright won $5,000 in the Herald Sun Wildcash Jackpot Second Chance Draw.
26 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Gambling "
by Russell Robinson
Asia's currency chaos will have a significant impact on Crown Casino a gambling industry expert, Mark Solonsch, warned this week.
27 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Lotto win not so grand "
by Andrew Probyn
Sixty people won first division in Tattslotto at the weekend by they are still poor, poor by first division standards anyway. Each gets $41,573.46 of the $2,494,407.60 pool.
27 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Take a walk on the wild cash side "
Win cash with the Herald Sun when you play the exciting $150,000 Herald Sun Tabaret Wild Cash Jackpots Game.
28 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Tots evade Crown security measures "
by Greg Thom
Children as young as two and babies have been found in gambling areas at the Crown Casino. In the first three months of casino operation 73 minors were detected. Tim Costello said this was just the tip of the iceberg.
28 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino warning urged "
Casino and gambling advertising should carry a warning about the chance of winning a federal Labor MP, Peter Morris, said yesterday.
28 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Packer gambles on Hudcon"
by Peter Coster
Packer has been buying Hudson Conway shares in the last week, nearly one million.
28 October 1997 - Melbourne Weekly "Bettor days ahead "
editorial
Pending Melbourne Cup reminder of concern over amount of gambling and problem gambling in Australia.
28 October 1997 - Age
"Stakes high as Crown drops 15% "
by Michael Lynch and David Saunders
Crown casino shares slumped as low as 80 cents yesterday. An analyst said it was not impossible that Crown could become a takeover target.
29 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"No favours to Lloyd as PBL buys cheaply "
by Peter Coster
PBL has bought about 1 million Hudson Conway shares in the last week lifting its holding from 17.37% to 19.47%.
29 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Golf's king of clubs "
by Jim Tennison
Article on Capital Golf Course at Heatherton with aerial photograph.
29 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"High rollers drop off "
by Greg Thom
The number of cashed up Asian high rollers gambling at Crown casino has dropped by more than half in the past three weeks it was claimed yesterday.
30 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown shares query "
by Lainie Barnes and Greg Thom
Major concerns have been raised in State Parliament over public institutions and their massive shareholdings in Crown casino - Workcover, TAC and VicSuper held about 23 million shares in Crown. It was also revealed that Crown could lose its licence to operate if it failed to build a planned second hotel tower due for completion in November 1999.
31 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Worry over ATM betting "
by Greg Thom
Tabcorp chief Ross Wilson came under fire yesterday for endorsing the introduction of ATM style betting machines. Critics said it would give easy access to children.
31 October 1997 - Herald Sun
Letter
Lloyd Williams and Ron Walker would be terror-stricken if they believed Rod Pike's suggestion that Peter Costello was Jeff Kennett's only friend.
31 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Go for the big jackpot "
Herald Sun Tabaret Wild Cash Jackpots Game.
31 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Tabcorp is set to swoop on targets "
by Ian McIlwraith
Tabcorp Holdings boss Ross Wilson is reviewing potential listed acquisitions after the recent turbulence in the share market. Suggested targets include Sydney Harbour Casino.
31 October 1997 - Herald Sun
"Bookie four no longer on card "
by Shane Templeton
Four of Melbourne's best known bookies have withdrawn from Monday's "Million Dollar" Call of the Card on the Melbourne Cup. Other bookies will still participate at a Call of the Card at the Casino.
31 October 1997 - Age
"Tabcorp betting on new system "
by Leonie Wood
Betting on Victoria's spring racing carnival is already 8.8% above last year's levels. Tabcorp has developed a new computer system for on and off course betting; it is called Bravo and will be commissioned after the Spring racing carnival.
31 October 1997 - Age
"Tabcorp hangs back "
by Leonie Wood
Tabcorp is believed to be reviewing its entry price into Sydney Harbour Casino following this week's extraordinarily volatile trading on the broad share market.
31 October 1997 - Age
"Odds against the bookie "
by Libby Lester
Article on the downturn for bookmakers. Comment: "The tracks have become as sterile as the TABs, which feed of them and the casinos with which they compete. ... They say they have to compete with the Casino for example, so they have to have something running around and around day and night. But all they're doing is catering for the gamble-holics, the blokes who can't help themselves. I mean, to bet on a meeting at the back of Queensland is lunacy. "
1 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"$86M tip for Cup splurge "
by Greg Thom
Punters are tipped by Tabcorp to bet $86M on the Melbourne Cup, up about a million on last year.
1 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Gambling mum loses child "
by Michael Gleeson
A Flemington woman who had already been banned from the Casino for leaving her toddler in a pusher in the food court area at the temporary casino, left the child with a sitter for two days while she gambled. The child was handed over to Health and Community services and the mother lost custody. (crime)
1 November 1997 - Age
"Crown of thorns "
by Malcolm Maiden and Leonie Wood
Williams is worried about the downturn in Asia and its effect on Crown. Williams holds 38% of Hudson Conway shares.
1 November 1997 - Age
"Casino calls for tax break to lure high rollers "
by Shane Green
The State Government is considering giving Crown Casino a more generous tax break to attract high-roller gamblers. The sliding scale from 9% to 21.25% acted as a disincentive to Crown to build its high-roller business.
2 November 1997 - Age
"Crown not charged for wheel of misfortune "
by John Silvester
The Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority has yet to press charges against Crown Casino six months after a police investigation found it had run a lottery without a permit after a contestant complained about a damaged, sub- standard wheel used in a 3AW / Crown promotion.
4 November 1997 - Age
"Double standards at the casino "
letter by Tim Costello
The casino will almost certainly get another tax break from its servile patron, the Kennett Government. There have always been double standards when dealing with this monopoly.
4 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Bookies dare not blink "
by Terry Brown
Account of Williams' betting at Call of the Card. Williams staked $20,000 on Arabian Story as a courtesy to its jockey Frankie Dettori who was sitting with him.
4 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"$550,000 splurge opens bets "
by Greg Thom and Clare Heaney
Account of Williams' betting and general excitement and expectations leading up to the Cup.
4 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"A bettor class of student "
by Lynne Holroyd
The Australian appetite for gambling is legendary ... but as losses escalate and gambling venues proliferate, the issue is rarely addressed in schools. Duncan Stalker head of the Victorian Secondary Schools Principals Association says a dearth of educational materials hampers efforts to provide education about responsible gambling. There's virtually nothing available he says. And schools lack welfare staff to deal with the new financial and inadequate care and supervision of children that parental gambling creates. Comments by Tim Hawkes and Rob Wootten. Account of 1995 racing industry kit. Health and Community Services Minister Dennis Napthine says "there are no plans at this stage to offer across-the-board gambling education into schools. Heather Hebron advocates responsible gambling education. Health educator Heather Hebron gave figures for north and western suburbs sample of Year 10 students - 21% played the pokies and 6.5% gambled at the casino. VUT survey of secondary and university students showed 5% gambled over $99 per week and 3% admitted they may have a problem "to some extent".
4 November 1997 - Age
"Bookies $5M in red to Packer's might and power "
by Tony Bourke and Michael Lynch
Kerry Packer won about $5M when Might and Power won the Melbourne Cup.
5 November 1997 - Age
Cartoon showing call of the Cup referring to casino, silencing of critics, downsizing etc.
5 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Somebody up there doesn't like Lloyd"
by Peter Coster
Account of Williams' losses at the Cup.
6 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Gamble plea on gold "
by Sean Smith
A Victorian gold captain wants red tape on capital raisings slashed to enable cash-strapped explorers to better compete for the gambling dollar. Ken Fletcher argued that gold mining was a gamble and it was useless having a lot of experts sign a prospectus when they did not have the faintest idea whether there was an ore body waiting to be discovered.
6 November 1997 - Herald Sun
Cartoon showing Kerry Packer on the phone to a bookmaker.
6 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Power of $6M Packer punch "
by Ray Thomas
Bookies count the cost after tycoon's plunge. Account of Packer's betting.
6 November 1997 - Age
"Gaming authority must be remote "
by Venerable Andrew Oddy, Archdeacon of Geelong
Need for creation of an independent gaming authority. Describes the Authority as a sub-department of government.
7 November 1997 - Age
"Hambros is bullish on Crown "
by Leonie Wood
Hambros Hopkins is bullish on Crown after reading the Coopers and Lybrand report.
9 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Pokies loophole attack "
by Felicity Dargan
Liberal MP Geoff Coleman wants Mr Kennett to close a planning loophole that allows developers to set up pokies without permits as long as they do not occupy more than a certain percentage of floor space. He also wants to overturn government policy that allows gaming machines in strip shopping centres but not shopping complexes.
9 November 1997 - Herald Sun
Cartoon showing Might and Power and John Howard asking "C'mon - tell me how do you do it? "
10 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"They're off soon to woo night dollar "
by Greg Thom
On 26 January 1998, Victorian racing history will be made with the State's first night gallops meeting at Moonee Valley. The concept is not new overseas but the first in Australia. The club has invested two years and $5M to make night racing a reality. There are 47 light towers.
10 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"A squid each way "
Photograph of squid racing in Hong Kong. Prize is tickets to a hot spa.
11 November 1997 - Herald Sun
'New gaming laws blasted "
by Greg Thom
Opposition gaming spokesman Rob Hulls yesterday said a draft of amendments to be debated in State Parliament today threatened to weaken the probity of the entire industry. Proposals at issue were: removal of power to investigate the financial soundness and stability of a gambling venue applicant; no longer tracking movement of pokies employees from one venue to another; abolishing VCGA power to scrutinise contracts between Tatts/Tabcorp and gaming venues. Victorian Licensed Clubs Association was concerned.
11 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino's revenue leap "
by Kathy Lipari
Sydney Harbour Casino has reported record gaming revenue in the September quarter as an extra 850,000 punters tried their luck on its tables. $12M loss for quarter because of abnormals.
11 November 1997 - Age
"Sydney casino posts $12M loss "
by Anne Hyland, Sydney
Neil Gamble says good result.
12 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino paid fines after opening "
by Greg Thom
Crown casino continued to pay the State Government fines of $5,500 per day after the gala 8 May opening of the complex.
12 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino must wear losses "
letter from B Brian of Broadmeadows
12 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Conway, Crown find little to cheer about "
by Christopher Webb
Article on low price of Crown shares.
13 November 1997 - Age
"Crown dumps deal on contract "
by Leonie Wood
Crown has suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of testy institutional investors who yesterday forced it to dump plans to buy the casino's management contract from Hudson Conway.
13 November 1997 - Age
"Big boy's move is a big blow to Crown "
by Fulcrum
Article discussing implications of dumped management contract purchase plans.
13 November 1997 - Age
"Judge hits at casino culture "
by Victoria Gurvich
Judge James Duggan sentenced a problem gambler, to 2.5 years with 15 months suspended on charges of obtaining property by deception and attempting to obtain property by deception. (crime)
13 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown contract backdown "
by Richard Webb
Article discussing implications of dumped management contract purchase plans.
13 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Youths gamble on luck "
by Greg Thom
Victoria University study (Professor Susan Moore and Dr Keis Ohtsuka) of 1000 western suburbs gamblers between 14 and 25 show that many youths had an illusion of control.
13 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown hooks Dion "
Celine Dion will play two shows at the Crown Casino in January.
14 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Let the TAB chip in for jockeys' fees "
by Daren Beadman
The TAB, not the owners, should pay for an increase in jockeys' fees.
15 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Skull hits jackpot "
by Greg Thom
Crown casino chief Lloyd Williams is believed to have hired a former Victorian detective, Brian "Skull" Murphy to act as his "eyes and ears" around town.
15 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"the laundry men "
by Geoff Wilkinson
NCA team investigating money laundering find currency, jewellery and $79,500 of Crown Casino chips in house. (crime)
15 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"No show on $15M win "
Winner in NSW of $15.34M powerpick ticket did not show up at agency to claim prize.
15 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Investors dump falling Crown "
by Richard Webb
Crown shares drop further 7 cents on analysts forecasts.
15 November 1997 - Age
"Men discuss the yo-yo of life "
by Sally Heath
Main issues that concern Melbourne men and women - gambling ranked third with men and seventh with women.
19 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Network stalls on anti-gambling ad "
by Cheryl Critchley
Church groups say Channel Nine has refused to play a new Christian commercial showing a casino gambler losing money.
19 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Deane defends church opinions "
by Cheryl Crichley
Sir William Deane, Governor General said also that the rise in gambling could contribute to the rise in homelessness.
19 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Nine in a spin over wheel "
by Scott Thompson
Channel Nine is facing illegal lottery charges after its popular In Melbourne Tonight show ran a prize wheel competition without a permit.
19 November 1997 - Age
"Las Vegas aims to add class to crass "
by Andrew Pollack
Las Vegas is trying to diversify in the face of lower gambling rates by trying to turn a profit on food and hotel rooms.
19 November 1997 - Age
"State fails to rule out lift in gaming machines "
by Sushila Das
The State Government refused to rule out an increase in the number of gaming machines in Victoria notwithstanding the pending Mitcham by- election.
19 November 1997 - Age
"Police alarm over woman missing from casino hotel "
by Jason Koutsoukis
Police hold grave fears for woman who left her hotel room at the Crown casino.
19 November 1997 - Age
"Channel 9 bars anti-gambling ad "
Channel 9 has refused to screen a new Christian Television Association advertisement that presents a negative view of gambling.
21 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino wheel charges "
by Greg Thom
Crown casino has been charged with running an illegal lottery after seizure of a lucky prize wheel at the casino. Crown marketing manager Jamie Bartels has also been charged. (crime)
21 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Pokies also suck the sockets dry "
by Greg Thom
Victoria's 27,000 poker machines consume more than $8M in electricity per year.
21 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Mum defies poker ban "
by Sarah Dolan
A single mother who was banned from Crown casino for leaving her child alone while she gambled was yesterday convicted and fined for ignoring the order. (crime)
22 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Starry-eyed battle "
by Greg Thom
Sydney's new casino is confident of being better than Crown. Comparison between Crown and Star City.
22 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Mitcham gamble "
The head of the Victorian Council on Problem Gambling, Rob Wootton , will run as an independent candidate in the Mitcham by-election.
23 November 1997 - Age
"New bill to allow airport gambling "
by Karen Lyon
Gambling could be allowed at Victorian airports under changes to the Gaming Act now before Victorian Parliament.
24 November 1997 - Age
"Woman missing from Crown found dead at Sydney factory "
by Caroline Overington
The body of a woman who went missing from Melbourne's Crown casino last Sunday has been found at the rear of a factory in Wentworthville, Sydney. Police wish to speak to husband.
25 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Liberal pledge to cap pokies "
by Lainie Barnes and Michelle Edmunds
Liberal candidate Andere Munroe has vowed to campaign for a cap on gaming machines across Victoria if he wins the Mitcham by-election on 13 December.
26 November 1997 - Age
"Gaming group up despite year of troubles "
by Anne Hyland
Poker machine manufacturer Aristocrat Leisure has improved net profits in the four months to 31 October and hinted its new chief executive would probably be American.
25 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Men punt for macho win, women to escape "
by Greg Thom
Study of 200 problem gamblers shows differences between the gambling habits of the sexes.
25 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Star ad costliest "
A sixty-second TV advertisement for Star City casino had a production budget in excess of $1M.
27 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Bob can 'crown' Star City - and Jeff and Lloyd
by Terry McCrann
Discussion on probability of NSW reducing tax of high rollers for Star City casino.
27 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Pokie cap likely to stay "
by Greg Thom
Tourism minister Louise Asher yesterday gave the strongest indication yet the State Government would maintain the 27,500 cap on poker machines.
27 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Stars sparkle for casino opening "
Account of Sydney casino opening.
27 November 1997 - Age
"Asia crisis giving casinos the jitters "
by Anne Hyland
Investor fears mounted as the problems in Asia slowly emerged in the last few months and casino stocks were dumped because of concerns that high-stake gamblers from there will stay away.
27 November 1997 - Age
"Star City: It's kitsch, it's glam, yes, it's gotta be another casino "
by Caroline Overington, Sydney
Account of the opening of the Sydney casino.
28 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Windfalls for Lloyd, Kerry and Ron "
by Peter Coster
Hudcon dividend cheques to go out today with the bulk of the cash going to Lloyd Williams, Kerry Packer and Ron Walker.
28 November 1997 - Herald Sun
Cartoon depicting Kennett and Carr as casino hosts on each side of a wild west street trying to tempt tourists into their respective Crown and Star casinos.
28 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Save power, unplug pokies "
letter to the editor from G Main of Cranbourne
28 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Net bets to get go ahead "
by Greg Thom
Victoria would regulate internet gambling even if the other states baulked Gaming Minister Roger Hallam said yesterday.
28 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Teens prefer punting "
University of Western Sydney study on teenage gambling habits.
28 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Notes boost pokie betting "
by Greg Thom
Column on poker machine bettors behaviour for machines with note acceptors and multiple line and bet combinations.
28 November 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino wars "
by Terry Brown
States trade insults on casinos.
29 November 1997 - Age
"Gambling on the allure of gaming "
by Paul Heinrichs
Article on Rob Wootton standing for Mitcham by-election and interview with housewife poker machine player.
2 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Jobless lotto win "
by Greg Thom
A struggling father about to lose his job has won $415,000 in Tattslotto.
2 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Jury acquits hotel owner "
by Jason Silverii
A hotel owner walked free from court yesterday after a jury found him not guilty of arranging for a nearby home to be burnt down.
2 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Emu lotto man in flap over ASX "
by Peter Coster
Article on Emu Hills Gold Mines lottery shareholders incentive scheme.
3 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Outcry keeps cap on pokies "
by Greg Thom
Gaming Minister Roger hallam said state would keep cap on pokies until year 2000.
3 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Odds stacked against battling bookmakers "
by Tim Habel
Article on tough times for bookmakers.
3 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Poker machines ring loudly for Tatts Heirs"
by Richard Webb
Article setting out profits of Tatts poker machine operation. Net profit would have been $170M up from $103.4M but for retrospective licence fee deduction of $50.9M.
3 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown bounces as Asian fears ease "
by Richard Webb
Crown shares bounced back 6 cents to close at 91 cents yesterday.
3 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino royale "
by Damien Woolnough
The big casino guns have come out firing to attract the entertainment dollar.
3 December 1997 - Age
"Gaming machines capped at 27,500 "
by Shane Green
The State Government has announced in the run-up to the Mitcham by- election that it will cap gaming machines at 27,500 until 2000.
3 December 1997 - Age
"Holy row as Mecca turns heat on Lloyd "
by Christopher Webb
Michael Victor Mecca hired in 1994 by Lloyd Williams is suing Crown Management Ltd over a dispute arising out of his employment contract.
3 December 1997 - Age
"Nice work if you could get it "
by Sharon Grey
Account of a two-up establishment in the old days.
4 December 1997 - Age
"A welcome cap on gaming "
editorial
Editorial on gaming machine cap and speculation on further high-roller tax cut.
4 December 1997 - Herald Sun "Peter Ruehl - could win the lottery without becoming distraught "
by Peter Ruehl
Story of Eleanor who won $11.8M in a lottery and gave it to the Catholic Church and several other service groups.
5 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Tax ruling could ruin pokie clubs "
by Greg Thom
The tax office has ruled that clubs are collecting revenue on behalf of the owners of the pokies, Tatts and Tabcorp, and that money injected by club members is therefore not tax exempt.
5 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Lotto scam goes global"
Danish police have seized thousands of letters containing British bank cheques made out to two Australian firms promising sweepstake fortunes.
6 December 1997 - Good Weekend
"Just leave it to me mate "
by David Leser
Profile on Michael Kroger.
6 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Don't harbour casino grudge "
letter to the editor
Letter criticising denigration of NSW casino by Victorian Premier.
8 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Pinch on the pokies "
by Greg Thom
Article analysing distribution of poker machines throughout Victoria and concentration in low socio-economic areas.
9 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Pokies cap a positive sign "
letter from Rev Ray Cleary, Chair Interchurch Gambling Task Force
Decision to cap pokies numbers is welcomed.
9 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Gambling raised as key to poll "
by Michelle Edmunds
Crackdowns on gaming advertising and Community Support Fund spending are key planks in independent candidate Rob Wootton's Mitcham campaign.
13 December 1997 - Age
"Libs face gaming jibe on eve of vote "
State Government accused of sitting on gambling reports.
13 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"NSW punts on $1.2M TAB float"
The NSW yesterday launched the long awaited $1.2B privatisation of its TAB.
13 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Hell of a party ends the year "
by Rick Wallace
On New Years Eve, most of Melbourne's party set will be going to Crown casino for an invitation-only function where Rod Stewart and Kate Ceberano will perform.
13 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Howard bookies' favourite "
by Tom Salom
John Howard may be trailing in the polls but bookmakers have him odds-on favourite to win the next election.
14 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Slap in the face for Kennett "
by various journalists
Labor easily wins Mitcham by-election. Wootton polls 1.8%.
16 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"$250M golden marble "
by Mark Russell
Gold prospector Leith Beal became an instant multi-millionaire yesterday when his number came up a lucky dip for a gold mine worth up to $250M.
17 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Showboat may sail out of Star City with $248M "
by Terry McCrann
There are strong suggestions that Sydney Harbour Casino has done a deal to buy the American Showboat company out of its management contract for $248M.
17 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Pokie bushwack "
by Greg Thom
Article speculating on redistribution of poker machines given cap and expiry of five year gaming contracts on many venues.
17 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Kitty goes on pokies "
by Greg Thom
More than 15% of pokies players in the inner city spend cash reserved for necessities on gambling, research has found. Socio-economic data on pokies players.
17 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Welfare loses to gambling "
by Greg Thom
Some social security beneficiaries are spending their money on the pokies.
17 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Towns have big pull "
VCGA study giving perceptions of effects of pokies on rural areas.
17 December 1997 - Age
"Uneasy lies the Crown as the axeman cometh "
by Christopher Webb
Analysis of Crown share price movements.
17 December 1997 - Age
"Victorian slam pokies culture "
by Fergus Shiel
Account of three separate reports into the impact of electronic gaming in inner-city municipalities, regional centres and small rural communities.
18 December 1997 - Age
"Tabcorp in deal to buy share of Sky "
by Leonie Wood
Tabcorp, NSWTab and the Vic and NSW racing industries are trying to buy Murdoch's half-share in specialist pay-TV Sky Channel.
18 December 1997 - Age
"Dice rolling Reef's way "
AAP Improved results announced for Reef Casino Hotel in Cairns.
18 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"TAB war as punters prepare to defect to NSW "
by Peter Coster
Article speculating that Victorian punters will take their business to NSW when Victoria's Tabcorp takes an additional 1% from the trifecta pool ie total of 19% as from 6 January.
18 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Many wary of charities"
Australians are generous supporters of charities but would give more if they were certain the needy would get their donations.
19 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Judge hits casino on safeguards "
by Russell Coulson
Judge Barnett said it was now common for thieves to squander the proceeds of their crimes at the gaming tables. Sentenced Mark Ronald Cheeseman to four years and two months. A week ago he had jailed an accounts clerk.
(crime) 19 December 1997 - Age
"Slow sailing on any US buy of Showboat "
Hilton Hotels and Hurrah's Entertainment are dead keen on Showboat. Complicating factors are the falling Australian dollar, institutional reluctance to take casino shares and the Asian crisis.
19 December 1997 - Age
"Crown of thorns or Crown jewel? It's a toss up. "
by Christopher Webb
The investment community appears split into two camps over Crown. Some see it at exceptionally cheap and some see it as high risk.
20 December 1997 - Age
"High-rollers savage Crown "
by Malcolm Maiden and Leonie Wood
Big wins by high-stakes foreign gamblers have savaged the Crown Casino's financial position and forced a $200M support package
.
20 December 1997 - Age
"Crown thorns of own making "
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Crown's woes were largely of its own making and partly due to a run of extremely bad luck.
20 December 1997 - Age
"Williams to remain as Crown prince "
by Malcolm Maiden and Leonie Wood
Williams will continue managing the casino group.
20 December 1997 - Age
"Packer scores again with casino "
by David Saunders
Discussion of Packer's investment history in casino.
20 December 1997 - Age
"History of a gamble "
Chronology of Crown casino.
20 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Packer gambles on Crown coup "
by Terry McCrann
Kerry Packer has effectively seized control of Melbournes $2B Crown Casino in a spectacular coup.
20 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Concern over Tabcorp criticism "
by Gary Pemberton
Letter to the editor by Tabcorp chairman expressing concern over 18 December 1997 article.
20 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"A scratch start for flawed jewel "
by Greg Thom
Two page article setting out recent history of Crown complex.
20 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown in shock funds bid "
by Richard Webb
Crown casino yesterday shocked the market with a $146M rights issue to address its deteriorating financial position.
20 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Ex Aristocrat boss launches legal bid "
by Kathy Lipari
Len Ainsworth, founder of Aristocrat Leisure has launched a $200M legal suit against the company over its discontinuance of a legal bid.
20 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Packer's $90M casino lifeline "
by Richard Webb
Packer supported the $146M rights issue.
21 December 1997 - Age
"Crime rise due to gambling: judge "
by Steve Butcher
A County Court judge has blamed the Crown casino, poker machines and the excessive urgings of the public to gamble for the rise in white-collar crime in Victoria. (crime)
21 December 1997 - Age
"New probe into Crown "
by Helen Shields, Rod Myer
Australia's corporate watchdog is investigating whether Crown Ltd broke the law by not telling shareholders of its financial woes until Friday.
22 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"US giant deals its way into Star City "
by Drew Gibson and Stephen Mayne
Hurrahs may soon win control of Star City.
22 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown share probe "
by Ian McIlwraith
ASC investigators will today start examining the public statements of casino group Crown following last week's announcement it had lost $40M in the past five months.
22 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Tabcorp trifecta sums don't add up"
by Brian Meldrum
Account of reaction of Tabcorp to criticism over proposed increase in trifecta rate to 19%.
22 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Letter to 50/50 "
letter by Mr A Hocksenar, Wheelers Hill
Short comment criticising Lloyd Williams.
22 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Cartoon showing Crown casino as riverboat approaching falls "
by Knight
22 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"ASC Crown probe "
Note of Australian Securities Commission investigation.
22 December 1997 - Age
"Gaming revenue secure - but Minister concerned "
by Graham Borcham, Rachel Gibson and Malcolm Maiden
Spokesperson for Premier says gambling taxes secure because based on turnover rather than profits.
22 December 1997 - Age
"Tarnished Crown "
editorial
Editorial commenting on Crown's financial position.
22 December 1997 - Age
"Early payoff from Crown needed to avert radical surgery "
by Malcolm Maiden
Next month critical for Crown.
22 December 1997 - Age
"Long probity check for Star City's new owner "
by Anne Hyland, Sydney
Hurrah's must pass a gruelling four month probity check before it can take control of Star Casino.
23 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Top bookie cops ban, $20,000 fine "
by Tim Habel
Leading Melbourne rails bookmaker Bill Graham was yesterday stunned after being suspended until March 31 and fined $20,000 by the Victoria Racing Club.
23 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"ASX continues casino probe"
Crown is still under investigation by the Australian Stock Exchange despite its full response yesterday to a wide-ranging probe from the share market regulator.
23 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"High-rollers from Asia hold key to Crown's jewels "
by Terry McCrann
Analysis of Crown high-roller business.
23 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown's $275M high-roller gamble "
by Richard Webb
History of recent Crown financial situation.
23 December 1997 - Age
"Crown paid high-rollers $46M in commissions "
by Leonie Wood
Account of recent Crown financial situation.
23 December 1997 - Age
"Crown crunch time? Not yet "
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Article considering future of Crown and saying that market needs to wait.
23 December 1997 - Age
"Crown ex-boss spells out beef"'
by Christopher Webb
Note on action by Mecca against Crown.
23 December 1997 - Age
"Cartoon regarding opening of Crown on Christmas Day "
by Tandberg
23 December 1997 - Age
"Crown chief blames losses on bad luck"
by Leonie Wood and Clare Kermond
Crown's chief yesterday defended the group's delay in releasing details about its financial opposition as regulatory authorities stepped up their inquiries into the casino.
23 December 1997 - Age
"Crown is not the first casino to feel the heat "
by Leonie Wood
Crown situation compared with woes of other casinos.
23 December 1997 - Age
"When all's quiet on the floor, hear the pennies drop "
by Jim Schembri
Account by reporter of afternoon in Crown casino.
24 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Bookies robbed in brazen raid "
by Charles Miranda and Murray Bell
Account of armed robbery at Randwick racecourse in Sydney. (crime)
24 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"White collars prop up casino "
by Glen Mitchell
Forget the myth of Asians as the typical gambler at the casino it is more likely to be a sales manager or mild-mannered accountant.
24 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Gaming gains in survey"
Note of Arthur Anderson survey commissioned by VCGA pointing out economic benefits from gambling.
24 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Gambling profile applies to many "
Short profile of "typical gambler".
24 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Crown's non-disclosure should reap penalty jackpot "
by Terry McCrann
McCrann argues it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Lloyd Williams did not disclose the problems of Crown casino for the simple reason he did not want to disclose them.
24 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Disclosure delay was reasonable - Williams "
by Richard Webb
Crown executive chairman said yesterday a reasonable person would not have expected the casino to disclose its financial predicament any sooner.
24 December 1997 - Age
"New island casino to woo Crown's Asian high-flyers "
by Lindsay Murdoch
One of Asia's richest families is poised to seize control of Australia's Christmas Island casino and woo high-stake gamblers away from Crown.
24 December 1997 - Age
"Struggling Crown delays tower "
by Leonie Wood
Crown's second hotel tower is to be delayed.
24 December 1997 - Age
"Some win, some lose in a big way "
by Fergus Shiel
Account of winners and losers in Victoria's gambling.
24 December 1997 - Age
"Study maps profile of the punter "
by Fergus Shiel
Account of results of VCGA study.
24 December 1997 - Age
"Cartoon showing jobs produced by gambling: croupier, real estate salesman and social worker "
by Tandberg
24 December 1997 - Age
"Crown's tarnished hand could prove to hold the trump "
by Rob Wootten
A costly bail-out, a drop in foreign punters, flak from community groups - the casino must take stock if it is to survive.
25 December 1997 - Age
"ASC an option in the Crown affair "
by Malcolm Maiden
The ASX is saying it is still considering whether or not to refer Crown's activities to the Australian Securities Commission.
25 December 1997 - Age
"Cartoon - I wish I had someone to support my gambling habit "
by Tandberg
25 December 1997 - Age
"Access - Age"
Four short comments regarding Crown and the government.
25 December 1997 - Age
"Casino tax break hint "
by Gareth Boreham and Malcolm Maiden
Premier yesterday strongly hinted the Government would grant tax relief to Crown.
25 December 1997 - Herald Sun
Cartoon depicting Premier as Santa about to put tax relief in Lloyd Williams' stocking "
by Knight
25 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"A $1.5M present "
An unemployed Melbourne man had all of his Christmases come at once after winning $1.5M in Tuesday's OzLotto draw.
26 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"West Bank casino "
Jerusalem - Palestinians are planning to open a casino in the autonomous West Bank area of Jericho to attract gamblers from Israel where casinos are banned.
26 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Keep the lid on pokies "
by Ray Cleary
Article on adverse social effects of gambling by chairperson of the Inter- Church gambling task force.
26 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino takes break "
Crown casino closed for eight hours at 4 am on Christmas morning.
27 December 1997 - Age
"Week's End "
by Simon Hughes
Humourous account of Christmas at casino.
27 December 1997 - Age
"Cartoon showing Premier demanding child play with casino Christmas present "
by Petty
27 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Your baby Lloyd, not ours"
letter to editor by Lucky Kerry
Short letter arguing no intervention by government.
27 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Calling the Crowned Crusader"
letter to the editor by L Harris of Bendigo
Letter mainly on liability of publicans but includes URI GELER Ultimate Revival In Gaming and Entertainment Led Economic Recovery.
27 December 1997 - Age
"Kennett's biggest gamble "
by David Elias
Article looking at problems with government's reliance on casino.
27 December 1997 - Age
"There's no sure thing in US gambling "
by Alan Attwood
Some big cities in the US are shying away from casinos.
27 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Life's just one big party "
by Fiona Byrne
Crown casino opening was year's biggest event.
27 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Push to hold Crown help "
by Kylie Hansen
State Government under pressure from Labor not to alter Crown legislation.
28 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Cartoon showing husband returning home in casino towel "
by Jeff
28 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Snapshots of a lively year "
Include photos at Crown opening.
28 December 1997 - Age
"Pawnshop fee cap scrapped "
by Jenny Sinclair
Scrapping of pawnshop maximum interest rate of 48% will leave vulnerable gamblers at the mercy of pawnbrokers welfare groups claim.
28 December 1997 - Age
"State loses $45M on Crown "
by Mark Forbes, Rod Myer and Darren Goodsir
Victorian Government agencies have lost $45M in the collapse of Crown Casino's share price over the last 12 months.
28 December 1997 - Age
"Lloyd's dream: an icon or a house of cards "
by Mark Forbes and Rod Myer
Account of Crown fortunes.
29 December 1997 - Age
"State casino share losses spark new row "
by Gabrielle Costa
Account of the losses by government authorities holding Crown shares.
29 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Heavies scoop casino jackpots "
by Greg Thom
Gangs of professional gamblers are muscling in on poker machines at Crown casino to scoop up cash jackpots and free cars.
29 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Wary week with focus on Crown" Market warily awaiting ASC and ASX reports.
30 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Casino must stand alone"
letter by James R Vaselow, Blackburn
Arguing no government intervention over casino.
30 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Blast on share investment plan "
by Michelle Edmunds
Government blasts Opposition's blue chip investment policy for government - agencies in wake of Crown share price fall.
30 December 1997 "Greed, sex and madness "
by Russel Coulson, Jason Silverii and Norrie Ross
Desperate punters stole hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund 007-style gambling habits.
30 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Not a legend - yet "
by Tim Stoney
Rod Stewart has performed two performances at Crown.
30 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Students 'paid to play the pokies' "
by Glen Mitchell
Police said yesterday they were aware of claims that university students were paid to play poker machines at Crown casino.
30 December 1997 - Herald Sun
"Player tells of pressure "
by Glen Michell
A Melbourne solicitor has told how he was stood over at a Crown casino pokie as its jackpot rose to $150,000.
30 December 1997 - Age
Letters to the editor arguing against bail out for Crown.
31 December 1997 - Age
"Throw of the dice turns on Williams "
by Leonie Wood
Account of past year for Crown casino.
1 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"The sums aren't simple "
by Kevin Donnelly
Hard lessons need to be learnt before Australia's numeracy standards catch up with Asian nations.
1 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Winner's $7.1M charity"
Woman gives winnings away to charity.
3 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Gambling not Jeff's fault"
letter by Vietnam Veteran
Argues Joan Kirner responsible for gambling.
4 January 1998 - Herald Sun
Full page colour advertisement for Star City.
4 January 1998 - Age
"Lloyd and the granny of all ingratitude "
by Lawrence Money
Humorous article on allegations made in papers about Crown casino.
5 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Gamblers fund lifesavers"
Lifesavers get $2M from gambling taxes and $750,000 from Tabcorp.
5 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Veteran Bookie fed up with Victoria "
by Shane Templeton
Experienced popular bookmaker Kel Strang is moving to Darwin.
6 January 1998 - Age
"Fine dining at casino"
Elizabeth May, Drysdale letter to editor
Complaint about coffee shop at casino.
6 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Unkind cut for stars "
by Trevor Grant
Top golfers lose lucrative deals as casino tightens belt.
6 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Bunkers loom for exclusive playground "
by Trevor Grant
Description of Capitol golf course and speculation as to future with Crown budget cuts.
6 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Kerry paves way for Lloyd "
by Peter Coster
Speculation on Crown property trust.
6 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Hefty fine could dim Crown dazzle"
by Peter Coster
Article discussing $50,000 per day second hotel fine and high-roller tax breaks.
6 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Gamblers flock to help line"
by Keith Moor
Calls to Victoria's problem gambling crisis service G-line soared dramatically after the opening of Crown casino.
6 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown dumps golfer support "
by Trevor Grant and Terry Brown
Effects of Crown budget squeeze.
7 January 1998 - Age
"Crown drops ball as sports sponsor "
by Gay Alcorn, Leonie Wood and Clare Kermond
Crown has cut back on sporting sponsorships.
7 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Letter to the editor suggesting casino buildings could be used for inner city hospital.
7 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown shares forced lower "
by Richard Webb
Stockbroker JB Were was a huge seller of shares in Crown casino yesterday.
8 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Whale circles sinking Lloyd "
by Peter Coster
Kerry Packer is likely to swallow a larger mouthful of Crown after the casino group's shares reached another low point yesterday.
8 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Letter to editor complaining about Crown poker machine jackpots "
8 January 1998 - Age
Letter to editor praising Crown service.
8 January 1998 - Age
"Kennett hits back at casino gouls "
by Tony Parkinson
Premier says government could not be held responsible for commercial decisions of Crown.
8 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"What's on around Crown"
Crown two-page colour brochure
10 January 1998 - Age
"Gaming body clears Crown"
VCGA will not discipline Crown.
10 January 1998 - Age
"Crown is given a clean bill on licence "
by Kirsty Simpson
VCGA says Crown diligently pursuing a course of action to remedy the breach of its debt to equity ratio.
10 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown escapes VCGA censure"
by Richard Webb
VCGA says Crown on track to reduce gearing ration below 60%.
11 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Circus fun at casino"
Galactic Circus, Crown entertainment complex's latest installation, provides fun for all the family in a carnival environment.
11 January 1998 - Age
"Exclusive shops to quit Crown "
by Michael Bacheland
Two of Crown casino's most exclusive shops will close at the end of the month, after failing to meet turnover requirements imposed by Crown.
12 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Retailers still reject longer hours: survey "
by Tanya Taylor
Half the respondents to a small business survey said the Crown casino complex had hurt their businesses and 84% believed that gambling in general had affected their turnover.
14 January 1998 - Age
"Silks not so smooth the day the waiter kneed the chef "
by Victoria Button
Melbourne Magistrates Court was told that on 10 May 1998 the head waiter at Silks Restaurant at the Crown casino kneed at assistant chef in the groin.
14 January 1998 - Age
"Hawke told to return $300,000 payout "
by Ben Mitchell, Canberra
The former Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawke has been asked to return a $300,000 payout he received after the Australian Captial Territory Government withdrew from a betting agency in which he was a shareholder.
14 January 1998 - Age
"Tabcorp on a roll, still on the prowl "
by Leonie Wood
Tabcorp lifted sales revenue more than 16% in December quarter. Tabcorp is looking for acquisitions.
15 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown jewel snatch "
by Paul Anderson
Thief stole from Michael Kroger's Faberge boutique at Crown casino. (crime)
15 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Turner heads donations list "
by AAP
Cable TV pioneer Ted Turner gave $1.6B to the United Nations.
15 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Silence on Crown affair "
by Peter Coster
No news yet on ASC investigation.
16 January 1998 - Age
"Unlucky number comes up for state's pubs and clubs "
by Rachel Gibson
Only 930 gaming machines to be released before cap is reached.
19 January 1998 - Age
"TAB not winning over NSW clubs "
by Anne Hyland, Sydney
NSW licensed club industry is refusing to embrace the proposed introduction of the TAB jackpot links and monitoring system.
20 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Mobile Tattslotto at MCG"
advertisement
People attending the one day cricket match will be able to buy 18-game Tattslotto Quick Pics and Tattslotto scratchies.
21 January 1998 - Age
"In search of a woman of substance "
by Sharon Grey
Where are the women role models? One suggestion Dame Phyllis Frost.
21 January 1998 - Age
"Casinos not good bet even for the owners "
by Adrian Rollins
Australian casinos have become a bad business bet, with profit margins collapsing to little more than 1% in the past financial year.
22 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Casino taxes secure "
by Greg Thom
Plunging casino profits are unlikely to have an impact on State Government gambling revenue.
25 January 1998 - Age
"Chinese holiday tests Crown's fortunes "
by Murray Mottram, Lyall Johnson and Luke Hunt
Account of Asian high-rollers arriving at Crown for the Chinese new year.
26 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Film's soggy ending "
by Greg Thom
Sprinklers malfunctioned during a showing of the Titanic at the Crown cinema.
26 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Champ calm over stalker "
by Amanda Ruben
Photograph of Pat Rafter in front of Crown logos.
26 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"130 punters opt to ban themselves "
by Greg Thom
More than 130 punters have banned themselves from the State's pubs and clubs.
27 January 1998 - Age
"Gaming's new player" The stranglehold of Aristocrat Leisure Industries and IGT Australia on the local poker machine industry is under threat from Konami, a Japanese gaming machine manufacturer.
27 January 1998 - Age
"Japanese poker challenge "
by Anne Hyland, Sydney
Konami, a Japanese gaming machine manufacturer will commence manufacturing gaming machines next month in Sydney.
28 January 1998 - Age
"Crown's one offering: the fountain of youth "
by Jim Schembri
Fountain outside Crown casino complex provides entertainment for persons of all ages.
28 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Gambler body to even odds "
by Greg Thom
A new community based group, Know the Odds was launched last night. It aims to tackle problem gambling before it begins through the use of education.
30 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown bans pokie gang "
by Greg Thom
Crown casino has banned a group of professional punters involved in a pokies jackpot scam.
30 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Probity ruling "
by Greg Thom
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal has ordered the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority to hand over material relating to probity checks on pokies king, Bruce Mathieson.
30 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Friend robber has jail slashed "
by Jason Silverii
A man who stole more than $17,000 from a 94-year-old woman had his jail term reduced. [The money was spent on poker machine play - see Herald Sun 21 August 1997.] (crime)
30 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Life's tough on $15.34M "
Lifestyle of winners of Powerball jackpot.
30 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Japan's Konami on attack in pokie war "
by Peter Coster
Konami hopes to take 50% of the replacement poker machine market in Victoria.
30 January 1998 - Herald Sun
Cartoon showing two poker machines.
30 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown probe limps on "
by Peter Coster
ASC and ASX probes into Crown are still proceeding.
31 January 1998 - Age
"Man sentenced for casino bomb threat "
by Victoria Gurvich
Man given 12 months sentence suspended for two years. (crime)
31 January 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown jumps 8% "
by Miranda McLauchlan
Crown shares rally.
1 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Casino death "
by AAP
A man suffered a heart attack and died soon after being thrown out of Sydney's Star City casino yesterday.
1 February 1998 - Age
"Man dies in Sydney casino brawl "
by Simon Crittie
A 25-year-old man's dead following a savage brawl with bouncers at Sydney's Star City casino yesterday.
2 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Casino fight man charged "
by Phillipa Walsh
James Dalamangas woke from a coma to discover his brother had died. (crime)
3 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Lottery counts axed"
Illegal lottery charges against Channel Nine arising out of the use of a prize wheel were dropped and the VCGA ordered to pay costs.
4 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"What's on around Crown"
two page colour advertising lift out
4 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown leaves shareholders punting in the dark "
by Terry McCrann
McCrann critical of Crown failure to provide shareholders with more contemporary information.
5 February 1998 - Age
"In the booze stakes, Australia is getting on the light wagon "
by Tim Winkler and Rachel Gibson
Account of falling alcohol consumption in Australia.
5 February 1998 - Age
"Luck may run out as millions of numbers come up "
by Virginia Ellis, Sacramento
Unclaimed lottery prizes in California.
5 February 1998 - Age
"Brash's music won't soothe a savage Lloyd "
by Christopher Webb
Crown sues Brash's Pty Ltd music store over lease dispute.
5 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown issue closes "
by Tracey Johnson and Ian McIlwraith
Crown's $146M rights issue closed yesterday.
7 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown's cards dealt "
by Tracey Johnson
Crown's $146M rights issue has been well supported, falling just 3% short of full acceptance.
7 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"High-rollers cut Jupiter's profit "
by Rosemary Odgers
Queensland casino operator Jupiters has posted a worse than expected interim net profit of $12.08M after failing to recoup substantial losses to high- rollers in August.
7 February 1998 - Age
"Give and take in philanthropy "
by Claire Miller
Article discussing capacity of charity funds to replace government budget welfare cuts.
9 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Addict fears over toy pokies "
by Greg Thom
Toy poker machines aimed at children as young as eight are being sold at the Crown casino complex.
12 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Tattslotto games hit $31M "
Total first division prize pool it all Tattersall's lotto games in the next week is likely to top $31M.
13 February 1998 - Herald Sun
$150M jackpot in unclaimed Lotto loot "
by Greg Thom
More than $150M in unclaimed prizes is sitting in State coffers.
14 February 1998 - Age
"Tactic of a hardened punter: snip, and get high on the hog "
by Fast Eddy
Humourous article on the difficulty of punters keeping up with a heavy racing calendar and how to borrow (how much and from whom) to keep going.
15 February 1998 - Age
"Guilt drives robber to confess "
by Steve Butcher
Would-be robber in 1991 suffered remorse and drank and gambled until he gave himself up six years later. (crime)
15 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Kicking habit up to addict "
by Toby Green
Advice to writer who has friend who takes drugs and gambles.
20 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Williams deserves casino - Kennett "
by Greg Thom and Damon Johnson
Premier gives reasons why he considers Crown should continue with casino.
20 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Watchdogs' Crown hunt gains pace "
by Peter Coster
ASC has received an informal referral from the ASX.
20 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Hudcon directors still believe in casino's big bucks "
by Terry McCrann
Hudcon keeps Crown shares at $1.14 in interim profit report.
20 February 1998 - Age
"Kennett tips helping hand ahead of 'great tragedy' at uneasy Crown" by Sandra McKay
Speculation following 3AW talk by Premier that Government will make concessions to Crown.
20 February 1998 - Age
"Hudcon slump adds to Williams woes "
by Malcolm Maiden
Hudson Conway has announced a sharp fall in earning and write-downs on its exposure to Asia.
21 February 1998 - Age
"The big gamble - why Kennett must weigh the odds for Crown rescue "
by Leonie Wood, Malcolm Maiden and Sandra McKay
Article spelling out the dilemma faced by the Premier as to whether or not to grant concessions to Crown.
21 February 1998 - Age
"Politics a thorn in side of ailing Crown "
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Politics complicate the consideration of Crown's latest plea for help.
21 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"NSW TAB strikes club deal "
by Ben English
New South Wales' TAB and the state's Registered Clubs Association have formed a joint venture to lease poker machines to clubs.
23 February 1998 - Age
"The heavy cost of gambling "
by Liz Curran and Rev Tim Costello of the Interchurch Gambling Task Force
Government should consider other calls on its revenues before helping Crown.
23 February 1998 - Age
"The cost and folly of replacing the state jewels with a Crown "
by Kenneth Davidson
Concern over bridge connecting Crown casino complex with exhibition centre.
23 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown must accept risks"
letter to editor by J Murphy, Macleod
Government must treat Crown same as everyone else.
23 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Pub gamblers biggest losers "
by Greg Thom
Gamblers are losing nearly $25,000 per year more on pub poker machines than in licensed clubs.
23 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Heart drugs help addicts "
by Graeme O'Neill
A pilot study at a Melbourne drug treatment centre has shown two common heart drugs dramatically alleviate craving and withdrawal symptoms in drug addicts and alcoholics. May also assist gambling addicts.
24 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"ASA calls on Crown to reveal Hudcon deals"
by Ian McIlwraith
According to the Australian Shareholders Association, Crown should fully explain all transactions with its larges shareholder, Hudson Conway.
24 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Two boys left in shop at casino"
by Fay Burstin
Two boys were left in a shop at Crown casino while their parents gambled.
24 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Judge knocks ATMs at gambling venues"
by Jason Silverii and Greg Thom
A County Court judge yesterday raised concerns over automatic teller machines in gambling venues. Comments while sentencing a pathological gambler to four years jail on deception charges.
(crime)
24 February 1998 - Age
"Crown and the elusive walkway"
letter from Gary O'Neill, general manager, government and media, Crown Ltd, Melbourne
Response to Kenneth Davidson's column of 23 February.
25 February 1998 - Age
"Premier says no to Crown"
by Sandra McKay and Leonie Wood
The State Government yesterday refused Crown's request for high roller tax cuts. The issue of the fine for non completion of the hotel tower is still open.
25 February 1998 Age
"Market relaxed on Crown"
by Leonie Wood
Market analysts yesterday played down the effect of the Government refusal to lower high roller tax.
25 February 1998 Age
"Aristocrat rings up $16M"
by Anne Hyland, Sydney
Aristoc Leisure Industries, the poker machine manufacturer, scored a record net profit of $16.3M in the December half.
25 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Lotto error pays $3M"
In London, a couple made a mistake in filling out their lottery ticket and won $3M.
25 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Aristocrat shares boom on profit"
by Drew Gibson
Aristocrat Leisure surged to a record yesterday after the interim profit of $16.3M.
25 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Jeff does Crown's Lloyd a big favour at the odds"
by Terry McCrann
Crown better off if Government maintains high roller tax levels and waives penalty on non-building of hotel tower.
25 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Cartoon showing Lloyd Williams in a telephone booth getting on a gambling problem help line to the Premier"
by Knight
25 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown charges:
by Fay Burstin
Crown casino marketing manager Jamie Bartels will contest charges relating to an alleged illegal lottery involving a lucky wheel promotion.
(crime)
25 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Gambler tax plea rejected"
by Damon Johnston and Greg Thom
The State Government has rejected Crown's plea for a tax cut.
26 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Strike rate better than high rollers"
by Peter Coster
Insider column was first to identify issues of high roller tax reduction request, request for waiver of hotel tower fine and property trust proposal.
26 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown in tower talks"
by Greg Thom
Crown gave a statement to the stock exchange stating it was holding talks with an overseas investor who might be interested in building the second hotel tower.
26 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Scratchie alert"
by Greg Thom and Mark Butler
Police are investigating a suburban Tattslotto agent over a novel scratch ticket scam.
(crime)
26 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown hits back on tax"
by Sandra McKay and Leonie Wood
Crown hits back on high roller tax relief refusal and advises foreign investor may build second hotel tower.
26 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Cartoon showing Crown tower and words 'After all we've done for the Liberal Party'"
by Tandberg
26 February 1998 - Age
"Crown: to tax or not to tax"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Speculation over Crown's statement concerning super tax.
26 February 1998 - Age
"Foreign interest in new Crown tower"
by Leonie Wood
Article on Crown tower proposal including foreign investor study.
26 February 1998 - Age
"A win for taxpayers"
editorial
Government has made the right decision in rejecting Crown high-roller tax reduction.
27 February 1998 - Age
"Kennett pressed to quit Crown committee"
by Sandra McKay and Malcolm Maiden
The Premier, Mr Kennett has resigned from toe powerful casino Cabinet sub- committee after claims that he was too close to the Crown casino group's big shareholders.
27 February 1998 - Age
"Pokies ring up earnings for Tabcorp"
Tabcorp enjoyed big rises in poker machine revenue and an encouraging increase in returns from its wagering business. Account of Tabcorp half-year report.
28 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown push for secrecy"
by Russell Coulson
Crown has applied to a Supreme Court master for an order that documents in the proceedings brought against it by its former chief operating officer (Mecca) kept secret.
28 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"Pokies pair left children to run amok"
by Tim Stoney
A couple playing pokies were fined for leaving their three children to run amok at a McDonalds restaurant in Geelong.
(crime)
28 February 1998 - Herald Sun
"ASX, ASC discuss wider Crown probe"
by Ian McIlwraith
Inquiries into Crown casino group's market disclosures are understood to be widening following discussions between Australian Stock Exchange officials and the Australian Securities Commission yesterday.
28 February 1998 - Age
"Nothing simple in Crown issues"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Account of recent developments concerning Crown casino. Discussion of awkwardness of Crown position fulfilling its obligations to both government and the ASC/ASX.
3 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown to sue on claim of breach"
by Greg Tom
Crown will sue the ASX and ASC after allegations the casino kept shareholders in the dark.
3 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Tatts Classic Sports Cars At Grand Prix"
Classic sports cars with Tatts logos will be driven by famous drivers.
3 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown's ludicrous claims could win in court"
by Terry McCrann
Discussion of problems with disclosure rules and Crown's defence.
3 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Casino hits back with writ spree"
by Ian McIlwraith
Account of issuing of writs by Crown against ASX, ASC and Australian Financial Review.
3 March 1998 - Age
"Crown to sue in row over tower"
by Leonie Wood and Sandra McKay
Crown launches scathing attack against ASX and ASC.
3 March 1998 - Age
"God enters debate"
by Malcolm Maiden
Account of letter saying Williams was only giving an opinion of tower situation and background of Crown solicitors.
3 March 1998 - Age
Cartoon
by Tandberg
Showing Jeff Kennett running in opposite direction from Crown.
3 March 1998 - Age
"ASC called for refund: Crown"
by Leonie Wood
According to Crown, the ASC requested Crown to offer to repay the moneys raised in the $146M share issue.
3 March 1998 - Age
"What's behind Crown dispute"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Discussion of the substance of the Crown allegations.
4 March 1998 - Age
"Crown board must set rules"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Discussion of situation of non-executive board members of Crown in relation to dispute. In- depth examination of Crown managerial style.
4 March 1998 - Age
"Crown battle highlights pressures of disclosure rules"
by Anne Hyland
Views on continuous disclosure rules.
4 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown chopped as board backs writs"
by Miranda McLachlan
Crown shares fell 4 cents to 65 cents yesterday on the news that the Crown board had confirmed the actions against the ASX and ASC.
4 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Time to over-inform"
by Terry McCrann
Crown should look at the effect of its dispute is having on the share price.
4 March 1998 - Age
"Labor in pledge over politicians and the casino"
by Sushila Das, Caroline Milburn and Malcolm Maiden
The State Labor Party would legislate to prohibit political party members from sitting on the boards of casinos.
5 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Poker face"
Confusion at Georges where a lady asked where the pokies were.
5 March 1998 - Age
Cartoon
by Leunig
Shows series of casino owner descending staircase to collapse.
5 March 1998 - Age
"Crown in new move for management deal"
by Anne Hyland
Crown is still seeking a way to purchase the management contract from Hudson Conway.
6 March 1998 - Age
"Warning on banned gamblers"
by AAP
Kennett said he did not know of any persons banned from the Sydney Casino who were playing at the Melbourne casino.
6 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"In or out, tactics to decide sprint"
by Shane Templeton
Templeton describes all the factors which can influence the outcome of a race in the straight.
6 March 1998 - Age
"Crown still set to regain Hudcon management contract"
by Anne Hyland
Crown is still seeking a way to purchase the management contract from Hudson Conway.
7 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Net punt setback"
by Greg Thom
Western Australia has gone it alone, complicating a push for national internet gambling laws.
7 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"When all roads lead to Casino Curve"
Article suggesting names for Grand Prix circuit.
7 March 1998 - Age
"How Kennett sidestepped casino fight"
by Graham Boreham
Comprehensive history of casino development and speculation as to why Kennett stepped down from casino sub-committee.
8 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Problem gambling on rise"
by Sue Hewitt
Pathological gambling is on the rise - accounts from Dr Peter Cook and Rob Wootten.
8 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Backtrack - 1905"
by Glenn Miller
Charles Fay invented the poker machine (??)
9 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Odds watered down"
Odds of man on Mars by 2020 are now down from 200:1 to 50:1. Bookies remember 1000:1 odds for man on the Moon.
9 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Punters' fury on race deal"
by Greg Thom
Hundreds of punters who backed David Colthard to win yesterday's Grand Prix were outraged when he handed the race to Mika Hakkinen.
9 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Ladbroke take punt on Corals"
The British Horseracing Board has sanctioned the Ladbroke takeover of rival bookmaking firm Coral.
9 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Sad day for sport"
Discussion on Coultard concession to Hanniken at Grand Prix.
9 March 1998 - Age
"Punters move to snap up Caltex share offer"
by Rebecca Lang
Investors taking up float described as "punters".
10 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"GP probe call on fixed finish"
by Mike Edmonds and Bruce Brammall
Australian Grand Prix organisers have lodged an official complaint about Coultard conceding to Hanniken at the Grand Prix.
10 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"World Class Rowing At Tatts Championships"
Hundreds of Australia's top rowers, including at least 20 Olympic medallists will compete in the Tattersalls Kings Cup and National Rowing Championships. Photograph of Deputy Premier with Ms Eliza Blair, rower and Peter Gillooly, Tattersalls Chief General Manager.
10 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Cutting ad gets chop"
by Greg Tom
A Geelong newspaper has bowed to pressure from local gaming venues and dumped an anti- pokies advertisement placed by a local businessman.
10 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"A chequered result"
editorial
Criticism of Grand Prix pre race deal between Coulthard and Hanniken.
10 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"GP greed may run it off track"
by Peter Coster
Warning to Grand Prix over races with arranged finishes.
10 March 1998 - Age
Cartoon
by Tandberg
Caption showing high rise housing commission tower and casino tower with person saying the high rise has to go.
10 March 1998 - Age
"Reborn dad surfing again"
by Joanne Painter
Ross Wilson wanting to wind back and give more attention to his family life.
10 March 1998 - Age
"Net gaming companies nabbed"
by Sharon Walsh
Internet sports betting companies are being prosecuted in the US Federal Court.
10 March 1998 - Age
"I want answers says GP Chief"
by Colin Young
Ron Walker has lodged a formal complaint in London over GP finish.
11 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Moves to ban rigged races"
by Bruce Brammall
GP result will not be overturned.
11 March 1998 - Age
"FIA to look at ban on arranged finishes"
FIA foreshadowed possible changes in team finishes.
12 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"$660M punted on net"
by Greg Tom
The global internet gambling industry is tipped to generate more than $660M this year.
14 March 1998 - Age
"Former footballer jailed for $950,000 bank cheque fraud"
Dean Francis Hipworth was jailed for offences arising out of his obtaining a $950,000 cheque in return for a dud ANZ cheque and exchanging the $950,000 cheque for chips, vouchers and cash at the Sydney casino.
(crime)
14 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Gaming has too much influence"
letter from Ian McDonald
Industry wields too much influence, reference to withdrawal of ad from Geelong News.
14 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"One armed gambit pays off"
photograph of grandmother admiring young hunk's biceps during Senior Citizens' week at Crown
by David Caird
13 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Fine art lures Vegas king from tables"
Account of Steve Wynne (Mirage Resorts) friendship with Lloyd Williams and investments in fine art.
13 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Loss fails to dim Star City's hopes"
by Lachlan Johnston
Account of Star City trading figures.
13 March 1998 - Age
"Star City casino writes off $150M"
by Anne Hyland
Account of Star City trading figures.
15 March 1998 - Age
"Lloyd's luck goes up in flames"
by Lawrence Money
Feng Shui expert is concerned about Crown casino.
17 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Daring Crown theft"
by Greg Thom
A daring thief stole from cash draws at Crown.
(crime)
17 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Casino should save itself"
letter from R Henderson, Narre Warren
Major shareholders should bail out Crown.
17 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Banned bookie's trot offer"
Robbie Waterhouse may operate as bookmaker at Perth harness track.
17 March 1`998 - Age
"Among the punters, matters of principle and profit determine whether to buy a stake in Telstra"
by Gabrielle Costa
Public polled on attitude to second Telstra float.
19 March 1998 - Age
"Of sultans and swinging"
by David Graves, London
Prince Jefri, brother of Sultan of Brunei, alleged to have hosted secret gambling sessions in breach of Muslim tradition.
19 March 1998 - Age
"Wagering on close cooperation"
by Leonie Wood
Ross Wilson wants closer cooperation between state-based racing authorities.
19 March 1998 - Age
"$40M grandstand for Flemington"
by Tony Bourke
Increased prize money and a $40M grandstand for Flemington.
19 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Authority's desperate fight to keep 'nothing' secret"
by Terry McCrann
Query on VCGA action to prevent disclosure of three blank pieces of paper.
19 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Pokies cash stolen"
by Kamahl Cogdon"
Pokies manager robbed at knife point at pokies venue.
(crime)
19 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown letters shown"
by Greg Tom
Letter re tower tabled in State Parliament.
19 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"A cash windfall for farm battlers"
by Greg Tom
A family of struggling Kyabram dairy farmers won $3.5M in Tattslotto.
20 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Morris defends spending"
by Kristin Owen and Mike Edmonds
Museum director's guests included Haddon Storey, Minister for Gaming and David Jones of Tattersalls.
20 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown chief's $3M claim"
by John Ferguson
Account of Mike Mecca action.
20 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"A major wedding"
Son of Ron Walker will wed tomorrow at St Johns, Church, Toorak.
20 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown material sought"
by Miranda McLachlan
Minister for Gaming has been asked by ASC for all material relating to Crown second tower and Lyric Theatre.
20 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Shipboard romantics"
by Brad Leonard
New P&O liner Arcadia has a casino and card playing area.
20 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Kerry's surprise TV offer was a safe bet"
by Shane Templeton
Several years ago, Kerry Packer offered the Victoria Racing Club half of Sky Channel for nothing. They did not take it.
G\EDUCATE\WORKSHOP\MULTIMED\LINKS.HTM 20 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"GP farce forces fixing crackdown"
by Paul Glover
FIA has outlawed anti-competition arrangements.
20 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Spuds turn into chips in lengthy 'career'"
by Steve Butcher
Elderly man with former long criminal record fined for breaching exclusion order.
(crime)
20 March 1998 - Age
"Crown in new attack on ASC"
by Malcolm Maiden
Crown has alleged ASC officer has acted in excess of his powers in talking to press.
20 March 1998 - Age
"Court given details on Mecca's departure"
by Christopher Webb
Details of termination of Mecca contract.
20 March 1998 - Age
"Walker happy at race deal ban"
Ron Walker welcomed the crackdown on formula one arranged finishes by FIA.
21 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Casino boss hired"
by Greg Tom
Crown has hired the former manager of Jupiters casino in Queensland.
21 March 1998 - Herald Sun
"Crown in court bid"
The Victorian executive direct of the ASC has been added to the Crown proceedings for allegedly feeding the media.
21 March 1998 - Age
"Crown case moves on to fast track"
by Peter Gregory
Crown case has been fast tracked by being listed in commercial causes.
22 March 1998
Age
"Counselled out"
by Logan Elliot
Drug and alcohol counselling services are not working.
22 March 1998
Age
"Tabcorp out of the race"
by Richard Salmons
Tabcorp has not made any move to take a stake in Sky Channel.
23 March
Age
"Crown's tangle with regulators gets curiouser and curiouser"
by Malcolm Maiden
Suggests that settlement between Crown and ASC will be likely eventually.
23 March 1998
Herald Sun
"Tatts gambles on overseas market"
by Greg Thom
Tattersalls hopes to sell its gambling technology to the world.
23 March 1998
Herald Sun
"Tattersall's pokies hope"
by Joseph Dowling
Tattersalls hopes to do well out of providing monitoring/information services for Queensland pokies venues.
24 March 1998
Herald Sun
"Carer stole to gamble"
by Jason Silverii
A care worker stole more than $57,000 from a 90 year old woman to pay for her gambling habit a court was told yesterday.
(crime)
24 March 1998
Age
"Pokies-addicted nurse's aide stole from patient"
by Steve Butcher
Nurse stole $57,000 from a 91 year old woman.
(crime)
25 March 1998
Age
"Hallam admits to Crown slip"
by Sushila Das
Hallam, Minister for Gaming, may have unwittingly misled Parliament over when he heard of Crown's property trust proposal.
25 March 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown's 'disclosures' keep dribbling out. Late."
by Terry McCrann
McCrann examines the timing of the property trust proposal.
25 March 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown has King for a stay"
by Peter Coster
During the Grand Prix, King Constantine stayed at Crown Towers instead of the Sheraton.
25 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Odds on, they'll lose"
by Greg Tom
Mathematics professor Herb Freeman's comments on Crown.
26 March 1998
Age
"Crown may face action after new revelations"
by Claire Miller
Auditor General tabled report in Parliament giving VCGA a general clean bill of health but raising issue of Crown's failure to notify certain lease arrangements.
26 March 1998
Age
"Crown issue cleared before market told"
by Malcolm Maiden
Comment on Auditor General report on VCGA including calling off of probity check on sale to ANI of company by CPH.
26 March 1998
Herald Sun
"Call to give pokie odds"
by Greg Tom
Auditor General suggested odds on poker machines should be given - plus other recommendations in report to Parliament.
26 March 1998
Herald Sun
"GP chief lauds fix ban"
by Allen Rados
Judith Griggs described the decision to ban Formula One race fixing as a good result.
26 March 1998
Herald Sun
"Callous carer gets 2 years"
by Jason Silverii
Carer who stole $57,155 gets two years.
(crime)
26 March 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown affair raises long-term disclosure issues"
by Terry McCrann
Consideration of Crown's two requirements to discuss with VCGA and to disclose to the public.
27 March 98
Herald Sun
"Hudcon director quits"
by Rhyll Cronin
Hudson Conway director Peter Barraclough has left the group to pursue other interests.
27 March 98
Age
"Casino authority checks Crown on gaming breaches"
by Leonie Wood
Auditor General's report lists breaches by Crown investigated by VCGA. Crown fined $90,000 for allowing minors into the gaming areas.
(crime)
27 March 98
Herald Sun
"Hudcon probe extends to Europe, Asia"
by John Ferguson
The Fraud Squad investigation into the Hudson Conway "Gleem" affair is in its final stages.
27 March 98
Age
"$25m hospital crutch"
by Mary-Anne Toy
Victoria will use $25 million of its gambling revenue to prop up the ailing public hospital system and schools.
28 March 3/98
Age
"Council demands pokies limit"
by Karen Lyon
The anti-gambling campaigner the Rev Tim Costello yesterday launched Moreland Council's "Responsible Gambling Strategy".
28 March 98
Herald Sun
"Crown legal case gets fast-track"
by Tanya Taylor
The Crown case against the ASX has been moved into the commercial list so as to fast- track it.
28 March 98
Herald Sun
"Crown chief riddle"
by Sean Smith
Report that Lloyd Williams would stand down as Crown chief was denied by Kevin Gosper.
28 March 98
Age
"Crown denies move on Williams"
The Crown Casino Group rejected rumours that Williams would stand down.
by Caroline Wilson
Society gossip from Crown's Oak Room.
29 March 98
Age
"Crown of thorns"
Richard Salmons
Note of Crown news for week including Williams step down rumour and Auditor General's report.
29 March 98
Herald Sun
"Gambling bans to be national"
by David Wilson
Victorian gamblers banned from Crown may be banned in other casinos around Australia.
29 March 98
Herald Sun
"Crown players untied"
Account of opening of Oaks Room at Crown.
30 March 98
Age
"Full marks for fun at Crown"
Photographs and text of fun at opening of Oak Room at Crown.
30 March 98
Age
"Williams stays, but the odds shorten on changes at Crown"
by Malcolm Maiden
Analysis of Crown dispute with regulators and pressures for restructure.
30 March 98
Herald Sun
"Casino reports infuriate boss"
by John Ferguson and Kristin Owen
Lloyd Williams has complained to James Packer over the stand-down story and plans to sue.
30 March 98
Herald Sun
"System crash at TAB"
by Loretta Hall
A software fault caused a crash in the TAB betting system.
31 March 98
Age
"Blow for Crown as director walks out"
by Malcolm Maiden and Leonie Wood
Mr Geoffrey Cousins has resigned from the board of Hudcon citing significant differences with the company on corporate governance and related matters
31 March 98
Age
"Crown assesses hand as Hudcon director visits ASC"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Analysis of Geoffrey Cousins' resignation from Hudcon board.
31 March 98
Age
"Analysts warn against betting on gaming stock
by Catharine Munro
Two gaming analysts have painted a gloomy short term picture for the gambling sector saying the only stock to be positive about is Tabcorp Holdings.
31 March 98
Age
"Cousins to get queries from ASX"
by Malcolm Maiden
ASX expected to query Cousins.
31 March 98
Herald Sun
"Twist at Hudcon"
Speculation that Cousins resignation signals falling out between Packer and Williams. (But see McCrann article on 1 April 1998).
31 March 98
Herald Sun
"Crown rates 'sell' in gaming study"
by Lachlan Johnston
Industry analysts report card on Crown.
1 April 1998
Age
"Hudcon probe thwarted"
by Malcolm Maiden and Anne Hyland
Former Hudcon director Geoffrey Cousins declined to elaborate to the ASX on his reasons for quitting the board.
1 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown faces probe
by Ian McIlwraith and John Ferguson
Cousins resignation a negative development for Crown.
1 April 1998
Herald Sun
"A year on, Crown isn't celebrating"
by Greg Thom
Crown first anniversary celebrations are likely to be far more subdued than opening.
1 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown must tell shareholders all"
editorial
Call for more disclosure from Crown.
1 April 1998
Herald Sun
Cartoon
by Knight
Depicting the casino complex as a house of cards.
1 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino adds up to Kerry and Lloyd"
by Terry McCrann
Suggested restructuring of Hudcon/Crown boards/administration/arrangements.
2 April 1998
Age
"Shake up plan for casino empire
by Malcolm Maiden
Speculation on Crown management changes.
2 April 1998
Age
"We need the truth about the casino"
editorial
Call for disclosure on Crown/Hudson Conway.
2 April 1998
Age
"Star City calls for tax break"
by Anne Hyland
Revenue from local Asian players had fallen 10% since first January.
2 April 1998
Age
"Gaming favourite Tabcorp slows down"
by Catharine Munro
Share prices falling from record high but revenues still growing.
2 April 1998
Age
"Crown's opaque statement hopes to clear the air"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Discussion of previous night's statement from Crown non-executive directors.
2 April 1998
Age
"Rights deal could split casino duo"
by Malcolm Maiden and David Saunders
Advantages of sale of management agreement from Hudcon to Crown.
2 April 1998
Age
"Cousins hits out at claims by ASX"
by Jane Schulze
Cousins concerned about allegations of non cooperation with ASX advises he is willing to participate fully in a formal legal enquiry.
2 April 1998
Herald Sun
"The Gos(per) has it: Lloyd will hand over chair"
by Terry McCrann
Speculation on Williams' ceding Crown chairmanship to Kevin Gosper.
2 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Tabcorp shares pull up short"
by AAP
Stock had risen too far too fast. Company posted 18% lift in profit in six month Sun to December.
2 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Williams set to leave Crown chair"
by Ian McIlwraith
Speculation that Williams' days as executive chairman of Crown are numbered.
3 April 1998
Age
"ASX may suspend Crown, Hudcon"
by David Saunders and Malcolm Maiden
Speculation that ASX may suspend Crown and Hudcon if ASX questions are not answered.
3 April 1998
Age
"Casino, it's D-day for Crown chief"
by Malcolm Maiden
Pressure on Crown increased following formal list of questions from ASX.
3 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Letting chips just fall"
by John Ferguson
Casino a liability in electoral terms for State Government.
3 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Publicity pales for Crown's invisible man"
Press stake out Williams' house.
3 April 1998
Herald Sun
"$3.3M punt on crime"
by Greg Thom
Account of crime by problem gamblers.
(crime)
3 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Coming out of the shadows"
by Greg Thom
Profile of Gabriela Byrne who shook off a poker machine addiction and now helps others.
3 April 1998
Herald Sun
"The toll of gambling addicts"
Notes of problem gambling crime cases.
(crime)
3 April 1998
Age
"ASX on spot over Crown"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
ASX now in a difficult position regarding what documents it should disclose.
4 April 1998
Age
"Boardroom brouhaha"
Malcolm Maiden
Profile of Crown board and history of recent events.
4 April 1998
Age
"Gambling accountant loses widows' fortunes"
by Steve Butcher
A Carlton accountant stole more than $700,000 from two elderly widows and spent the money on gambling, personal expenses and his own failing business.
(crime)
4 April 1998
Age
"Bingo reform is on the table"
by Andrew Masterton
Legislative changes for bingo operators including probity checks on staff.
4 April 1998
Age
"Court ruling on key casino papers"
by Sandra McKay and Peter Gregory
Court of Appeal has upheld a decision that will force the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority to give reasons for refusing Rob Hulls access to casino tender documents.
4 April 1998
Age
"Directors reaffirm faith in Crown chief, reject claims"
by Malcolm Maiden
Williams wins support from independents of Hudson Conway and Crown boards.
4 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Time for answers"
editorial
Call for disclosure.
4 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino probe in limbo"
by Ian McIlwraith
Hudcon and Crown have delivered their responses to the ASX and must now wait.
6 April 1998
Age
"ASX set to titillate market with peek at letters on Crown"
by Malcolm Maiden
ASX expected to release correspondence today. ANZ Securities tips rebound of Crown shares.
6 April 1998
Age
"ASX cools on Crown"
by Malcom Maiden
ASX appears to have softened its attitude toward Crown.
6 April 1998
Herald Sun
"More queries on Crown"
by Ian McIlwraith
Crown is believed to have been questioned again at the weekend by the ASX.
6 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Fraud cheats gamblers"
by Ben English and michelle Coffey
NSW Department of Gambling and Racing estimates up to 5% of the $2.3B gaming profit on gaming machines generated last year was stolen. Staff alter computer codes and skim cash from note acceptors. Central monitoring will put a stop to the fraud.
(crime)
6 April 1998
Progress press
"Caught in grip of gambling"
Local councils feel powerless to quell the gambling explosion in the suburbs.
7 April 1998
Age
"New Hudcon missile despite ASX all-clear"
by Malcolm Maiden
ASX satisfied by Crown about issues raised by Mr Cousins.
7 April 1998
Age
"No sex please we're gambling"
by Nathan Cochrane
The internet sex museum is now linked to an online casino.
7 April 1998
Age
"Crown affair turns out to be much ado about little"
Stephen Bartholomeusz
ASX satisfied no outstanding Cousins matters though Crown letters released were heavily edited to remove alleged defamatory matters.
7 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino up the creek"
by Peter Coster
A Mississippi riverboat casino, the "Admiral" was knocked from its moorings and actually floated down the Mississippi.
7 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Letters fuel fight"
by Ian McIlwraith
Discussion of Cousins correspondence.
7 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Pokies feeding taxation habits"
by Michael Harvey
Hopelessly addicted state governments are feeding their gambling tax habits by promoting casinos and poker machines to low-income earners a study by the Australian Tax Research Foundation finds.
8 April 1998
Age
"Crown offer for Hudcon's casino rights"
by Malcolm Maiden
Crown has announced it has made another offer for the Hudcon casino management rights.
8 April 1998
Age
"Concern over casino revenue"
by Anne Hyland
Daily revenue of Sydney casino has fallen. Harrah's will find out by May if it has passed probity checks.
8 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown bids for casino rights"
by Sean Smith
Announcement of new Crown offer, Crown shares rose 1 cent.
8 April 1998
"Herald Sun
"Lloyd takes first step in the rest of his reign
by Terry McCrann
New offer for management contract beneficial and should be approved.
8 April 1998
Herald Sun
Teenage Survey
One question on problem gambling, four on drugs, two on tobacco, two on alcohol.
8 April 1998
Herald Sun
Mother's milk
letter speculating about breast feeding in Crown Casino.
8 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling advice blitz"
Women, ethnic groups and rural communities will be targets of a $5M blitz on problem gambling.
10 April 1998
Herald Sun
Tattersalls will be able to split up its trust into three corporatised divisions covering lottery, poker machine and club keno operations.
by Damon Johnston
10 April 1998
Herald Sun
"
Casino's phantom thief back for more"
by Tim Stoney
Man convicted of theft, trespass and breach of exclusion order from Crown Casino.
(criime)
10 April 1998
Age
Advertisement for Crown Cedar Room with no smoking.
11 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Showtime and Lloyd kicks back"
Three world kick boxing championships will be decided at Crown.
11 April 1998
Age
"Casino culture"
Winners and losers out of Victoria's casino culture.
12 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown loses name gamble"
by Katy Ashley-Griffiths
Crown forced to re-name restaurant.
13 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling ads misleading"
letter to editor by Barry Cross
Always show people winning.
13 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown gets its king"
Mock Elvis at Legendary Stars at Crown Show.
13 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Mix-up costs punters"
by Glenn Mitchell
Dispute over roulette pay-out.
14 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Church call for inquiry on gambling"
by Glenn Mitchell
Church leaders and anti-gambling activists have called on the State Government to hold an inquiry into the gambling industry. Graph showing rise in gambling expenditure.
14 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Lifeline wants people who want to help people"
Tattersalls advertisement showing church and advising Tattersalls has contributed $5,000 to lifeline training services.
15 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown buys its jewel"
by Miranda McLachjlan
Details on Crown offer to Hudcon for management rights. Will pave way for property trust.
15 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown quit rumour"
Speculation that Williams will step down as executive chairman.
15 April 1998
Age
"Crown bows to VCGA worry"
by David Saunders
Crown will amend its commercial leasehold arrangements following VCGA concerns.
15 April 1998
hs
"Leasing crisis : Crown forced to amend deals"
by Ian McIlwraith
Crown will have to renegotiate furniture, plant and equipment leases worth nearly $50 million because they breach its casino licence agreement.
16 April 1998
Age
"Crown, Hudcon prepare to part"
by Malcolm Maiden
Crown and Hudson Conway have agreed to a transfer of management rights subject to approval of shareholders.
16 April 1998
Age
"Sale of rights another step forward for Crown"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Article approving of sale of management rights.
17 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown bets on winning big from paying more"
by Terry McCrann
Analysis of proposed purchase of management contract.
18 April 1998
Age
"Crown rocked by Asia"
Crown confirmed it was being savaged by the Asian economic crisis.
18 April 1998
Age
"Ailing Crown in drive to cut costs"
by Malcolm Maiden
The troubled casino group reveals an operating loss and new cost cutting plans.
18 April 1998
Age
"Bets on for TAB float success"
by Anne Hyland
Article dealing with machinations of NSW TAB float.
18 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Vegas hits town"
Jerry Lewis and his Las Vegas show will play at Crown.
18 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown in $50 million dip"
Crown's revenue problems.
19 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Pokie critics poor losers"
by Peter Costigan
Article in defence of poker machines
19 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Bingo fee anger"
by Felicity Dargan
Charities concerned about cost of probity checking on bingo volunteers.
20 April 1998
Age
"Punters get early TAB bid"
by Lyndall Pickering
NSW TAB is allowing pre-registration for shares in its float.
20 April 1998
Age
"Medicine may encourage cocaine use"
by Leigh Dayton
Medicine used to treat attention deficit disorder children in the USA may encourage cocaine use in later life.
21 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Callers on hold for TAB"
by Lachlan Johnston
The NSW TAB prospectus hotline has been swamped.
21 April 91998
Age
"Williams holds the numbers to recarve his throne"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Speculation about Crown restructure.
23 April 1998
Age
"Good time dividend on Crown"
by Jason Koutsoukis
The low share price of Crown shares make them attractive for a purchase in order to obtain shareholders' discount at the Crown complex.
24 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling cash grab"
by Damon Johnston
Laws are being introduced to transfer $150 million from the community support fund to the education and health portfolios.
25 April 1998
Age
"Casino shock to hit jobs"
by Gervase Greene
Hundreds of jobs will be lost when the Christmas Island casino closes.
26 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Tabaret boost"
by Rod Nicholson
Mornington race course has installed a Tabaret. Financial bonanza predicted.
27 April 1998
Age
"Christmas Island casino owners seek tax breaks"
by Gervase Greene
The owners of the Christmas Island casino have asked the federal government for tax breaks to assist the casino to attract South-East Asian high roller gamblers. Dispute over operations.
27 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown ruckus diverts high rollers"
by Greg Tom
Account of an alleged dispute over a $200,000 baccarat hand at Crown.
27 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Anti-heroin drug soon"
by Regila Titelius
Naltrexone, the anti-heroin drug should be released for use in Australia soon.
28 April 1998
Herald Sun
Full page colour advertisement for Crown Riverside.
28 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino inspector stole to gamble"
by Fay Burstin and Kim Wilson
Rosemary Alice Harty, a casino inspector, stole to support a pathological gambling habit.
(crime)
28 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Tatts pokies players collect 52 cars they won"
advertisement
Photograph of winners and statements by the winners.
28 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Credibility on the line"
by Terry McCrann
McCrann argues for release of casino documents.
28 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Premier given casino secrets"
by Damon Johnston
Allegation that key financial details based on the secret bids for Victoria's casino were sent to Jeff Kennet and Alan Stockdale in the final weeks of the tendering process.
29 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown may have to catch a rising harbor Star"
by Terry McCrann
Comparison of revenues, costs and markets of Crown and Star casinos.
29 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino gone in a minute"
The Aladdin casino in Las Vegas has been demolished.
29 April 91998
Herald Sun
"Papers stay secret"
by Damon Johnston
Government still refuses to release papers.
29 April 1998
Herald Sun
"It's time to cough up"
by Terry McCrann
McCrann argues for release of documents.
29 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Taking on the Aussies"
Account of Crown Asia-Pacific jockey challenge at Moonee Valley tonight.
29 April 1998
Age
"Kennett fights casino claim"
by Sandra McKay
Article on demand by opposition for release of casino tender documents.
30 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Stockdale digs a hole"
by Terry McCrann
Article arguing for release of documents.
30 April 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino leak row widens"
by Damon Johnston
Further article on parliamentary attack by opposition over casino tender documents.
30 April 1998
Age
"Mobsters are getting away with murder in Macau"
by Andrew Higgins
Account of triad killings in Macau including a senior official in the gambling inspectorate.
(crime)
30 April 1998
Age
"Casino tender"
Letters to the editor on casino tender.
1 May 1998
Age
"Kennett on casino papers: 'Ask Lloyd'"
by Sandra McKay
Account of continuing parliamentary attack over documents.
1 May 1998
Age
"Gaming inquiry uproar"
by Phillip Hudson and Adrian Rollins
Victorian Premier accuses Federal Government of interfering in State affairs with Federal Productivity Commission inquiry into social and economic effects of gambling.
1 May 1998
Age
"Crown proposal backed"
by Helen Shield
Coopers & Lybrand announce proposed purchase of Crown management rights fair and reasonable.
1 May 1998
Age
"Second time lucky for Crown's management rights?"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Account of new attempt to have Crown purchase the casino management rights.
1 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Bets frenzy"
by Clinton Porteous and Greg Tom
Federal probe into gambling by Productivity Commission. Article contains graph of increased expenditure on gambling.
1 May 1998
Herald Sun
"False reports gamble"
by Greg Thom
Problem gamblers are trying to hide their problem by reporting bogus crimes to police.
(crime)
1 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Kennett tip on casino document"
by Damon Johnston
Premier continues to maintain cabinet confidentiality over casino tender documents.
1 May 1998
Herald Sun
Cartoon showing poker machines invading planet turning people into zombies
Knight
1 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown to rule on its chiefs"
by Ian McIlwraith
Crown's board to decide fate of executive chairman and other managers later this month.
2 May 1998
Age
"Day of punting now sold as a holiday package"
by Michael Lynch
Country racing clubs are being obliged to market themselves as one or two-day holidays.
2 May 1998
Age
"Racing and lotteries left behind"
by Andrew Darby
Australian gambling statistics report shows that in Victoria gaming machines and the casino are heading the gambling goldrush
2 May 1998
Age
"They man be angling for a win, but many get hooked"
by Fergus Shiel
Account of low-income poker machine players.
2 May 1998
Age
"Gambling's misery - PM" by Phillip Hudson and Gareth Boreham
PM Howard voices his concerns about gambling.
2 May 1998
Age
Cartoon illustrating Premier Kennett playing at roulette - Peter Costello at door saying 'stop it or you'll go blind'
by Petty
2 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Big fish stay in Crown aim"
by Ian McIlwraith
Crown rejects that it is abandoning its high roller market strategy.
2 May 1998
Herald Sun
Cartoon showing Premier Kennett standing outside casino with Peter Costello standing outside church across the road saying 'Repent my son'
by Knight
2 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Gaming probe 'political play'
by Damon Johnston and Karl Malakunas
Premier Kennett accuses federal government of political play in gambling enquiry.
2 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Football club's pokie poach upsets suburbs"
by Greg Tom
Geelong football club's interest in a massive new pokies venue in Melbourne's western suburbs has outraged welfare workers.
3 May 1998
Herald Sun
"What's on around Crown"
Advertising insert for Crown's first birthday in May.
3 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Night blight"
by Rod Nicholson
Disgruntled racegoers were denied access to Cafe Cosmos after the last race on Wednesday night. Casino was a hive of activity.
3 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Rambo raid hits triad"
by Jan McCallum in Hong Kong
Police arrested Broken Tooth Koi after a failed car bomb attempt on the anti-triad head.
(crime)
3 May 1998
Herald Sun
Cartoon showing Lloyd Williams wooing average housewife replacing high rollers with hair rollers
by Knight
3 May 1998
Age
"Gambling: an inquiry we needed to have"
Editorial
Claiming federal justification is justified.
3 May 1998
Age
"Internet to be probed in inquiry into gambling"
by Phillip Hudson
Federal inquiry will include internet gambling.
3 May 1998
Age
"Muted party for an uneasy Crown"
by Tim Winkler
Crown to throw a relatively quiet first birthday party.
4 May 1998
Age
"Why Victoria is a corrupt, addicted gambling state
by Kenneth Davidson
Article by Davidson examines some of the moral issues surrounding legalised gambling. Includes mention of history of TAB.
4 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Grabbing that share deal"
by David Koch and Jason Collins
Discussion of NSW TAB float. Cartoon showing punters cheering on TAB office.
5 May 1998
Age
Cartoon showing Howard/Costello and Jeff Kennett betting on flies crawling up a wall.
by Wilcox
6 May 1998
Age
"Allegations resurface of Crown secrecy"
by Gareth Boreham
Crown accused of breaching disclosure laws by keeping plans not to build its second tower quiet. Heated parliamentary committee meeting.
6 May 1998
Age
"When it's un-Victorian not to gamble"
Letter to the editor from Adrian Costigan, Mentone
Letter supporting Davidson article.
6 May 1998
Age
"TAB offers two prices"
by Anne Hyland
Consideration of NSW TAB float with account of proposed operations.
6 May 1998
Herald Sun
"TAB float price beats the odds"
by Ben English
Consideration of NSW TAB float.
6 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Corporate birth and death help build the autobahn"
by Terry McCrann
TAB and Tabcorp must merge their betting pools as part of a global Packer/Murdoch/Gates information infobahn. Is Federal enquiry a means of forcing merger of NSW TAB and Tabcorp?
7 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Family hits the jackpot"
A 41-year old mother of seven has pickd up $10 million in Oz Lotto.
7 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Costello bets on a winner"
Letter to Herald Sun from Jill Duck, Geelong
Costello is aiming at taxing gambling.
7 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling suicides income link"
by Greg Tom
Nearly 85% of the gambling suicides in the past seven years were unemployed or low income earners.
7 May 1998
Age
"The truth behind the gambling enquiry"
by Jill Duck
Same letter as in Herald Sun.
7 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown mystery"
Speculation over unexplained 9% fall in Crown share price over the last four days.
7 May 1998
Age
"TAB listing premium tipped"
by Catherine Munro
Fund managers tipped NSW TAB float shares would list at a premium.
8 May 1998
Age
"Pleasure dome or poverty trap"
by Paul Heinrichs
Retrospect on Crown opening.
8 May 1998
Age
"A year on, who's winning?"
by Sian Watkins and Melissa Ryan
Assessment of fortunes and impact of Crown casino since opening. Includes comments by Deveson, nightclub owners, Tim Costello.
8 May 1998
Age
"A year of Crown"
Sub articles - "A place to make our city proud" by Jeff Kennett
"How Labor will run the casino" by John Brumby
"Is Melbourne better for the casino - you bet" by Lloyd Williams
8 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Lloyd rolls on, sure of a win"
by John Hamilton
Account of year with Crown and interview with Lloyd Williams.
8 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Death of gaming guardian"
by Greg Tom
John Richards the former Chairman of the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority has died.
8 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling at home fears"
Senator Chapman has called for a ban on transmitting gambling products by telecommunications.
9 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Risking a fortune"
by John Ferguson
General article on tax evasion; Crown casino used by businessman who failed to declare more than $3 million in cash.
(crime)
9 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling ceiling right by Lloyd"
by Greg Tom
Williams supported cap on gaming machines.
9 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling's a matter of choice"
Letter to the editor from Self Control, Clunes
9 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Onus on leaders to probe cosy tax, gambling link"
by Mike Nahan
Article in support of federal gambling enquiry.
9 May 1998
Age
"Williams in casino clash"
by Gareth Boreham
Account of exchange at 3AW forum between Williams and Hulls over Hull's allegations in Parliament.
10 May 1998
Age
"TAB float hotline runs hot"
by Anthony Hughes
Enormous response to TAB hotline.
10 May 1998
Age
"Gambling booming? You bet"
"Heads we win"
by Graham Reilly
Quite detailed account of winners and losers from gambling.
11 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling on the future"
Editorial
Herald Sun congratulates the casino on its first year of activity.
11 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Police hunt for pokies bandits"
by Greg Tom
Police are hunting a sledge hammer gang preying on pokies venues.
(crime)
11 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Thanks a million"
Christian and Julie won a $1 million jackpot on the Crown pokies.
11 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown jewel or a crown of thorns?"
by Greg Tom
Account of Crown's first year.
11 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Where gambler's take stock"
by Bloomberg
The volatility of the Hong Kong stock market is attributable in part to the gambling mentality of the Hong Kong investors.
11 May 1998
Herald Sun
"$30M trial saga"
by Geoff Wilkinson
Taxpayers have spent $30 million on a court case dealing with a man charged with drug offences. The man turned over $4.9 million gambling at casinos before he was remanded in custody.
(crime)
12 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino cheats nabbed"
by Greg Tom
Past posters caught at Crown.
(crime)
12 May 1998
Herald Sun
Tattersalls has presented the Albert Park Yacht Club with three yachts for training the handicapped. Photograph of yacht with Tattersalls logo.
12 May 1998
Herald Sun
Full page colour advertisement showing Christian who won $1 million on the Crown 2 cent pokie game Mystic Garden. The tenth millionaire.
13 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Punters in dark over telephone bet changes"
by Shane Templeton
New bet types available on TAB new computer system.
13 May 1998
Herald Sun
"CBA funds punters for TAB gamble"
by Peter Coster
CBA Bank is offering personal loans to investors in TAB shares.
13 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Don't belittle gambling addicts"
Letter to the editor from self-excluded gambler
Gambling should be recognised as an addiction.
13 May 1998
Age
"NZ study weighs up impact of gambling"
by AAP
NZ research group will study effects of gambling in New Zealand and Australia.
14 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino crows as ex-ASC boss joins Crown board"
The former chairman of the ASC, Tony Hartnell has joined the Crown board.
14 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Research a sliver of gambling pie"
by Kristin Owen
Only 0.8% of the community support fund has been spent on research into the social impact of gambling.
14 May 1998
Age
"Crown puts legal tussle aside for board choice"
by Helen Shield
Crown has appointed Tony Hartnell (former ASC chairman) to its board and set up a compliance committee chaired by Mr Kevin Gosper and including Hartnell and Blake Dawson Waldron partner Mr Tony Greenwood.
14 May 1998
Age
"Depression in teens widens"
by Darren Gray
Article on depression in children.
14 May 1998
Age
"Bomb hoax at casino"
A man alleged he had placed a bomb in his car outside the Crown Towers hotel for four hours before he gave himself up to police.
(crime)
15 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Court told of casino siege"
by Fay Burstin
Account of court hearing over Wednesday's siege by man who had lost his home and family due to gambling debts.
(crime)
15 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Papers link Libs, casino"
by Damon Johnston
Confidential documents suggest Crown vetted responses provided to Kennett Government ministers to rebut opposition attacks on the Casino in State Parliament.
15 May 1998
Age
"Gambling addict faces court over bomb threat near Crown casino"
by Manika Naidoo
Account of Court hearing over Wednesday's siege at Crown.
(crime)
15 May 1998
Age
"Crown conspiracy row"
by Gareth Boreham
Brumby accuses Crown of vetting Government responses.
16 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Let the gambler beware"
Letter to the editor by Name Supplied, Greensborough
Arguing for warnings about gambling.
16 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Legal man Hartnell's ride into Crown is a safe bet"
by Peter Coster
Profile on Tony Hartnell.
17 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Vatican gives guarded praise"
by Anthony Black
Account of Frank Sinatra's links with Mafia figures.
18 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Teenage Worries"
Sixteen percent of teens are worried about becoming a gambling addict (same as drugs but low compared to other worries - highest environment 74%.
19 May 1998
Age
"Battling the odds"
by Tania Ewing
Long article about one woman problem gambler and women problem gambler's generally.
20 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling help for Vietnamese"
Father Norden advises support is being given for Vietnamese problem gamblers at a Flemington housing commission estate through the housing department and the Federal Government.
20 May 1998
Age
"Guarantees on TAB halted"
by AAP
NSW Government is refusing to guarantee any further allotments of NSW TAB shares.
20 May 1998
Age
"Building the Best"
Grollo wins Master Builders Association of Victoria award for the year for building Crown Casino complex.
21 May 1998
Age
"Experts find that a little knowledge is dangerous"
Experts have found that uninformed investors were just as confident and aggressive in their stock trading as investors who had much more information.
21 May 1998
Age
"Fiji bans casinos"
Fiji's cabinet has categorically rejected a proposal to allow casinos citing social and moral issues.
21 May 1998
Age
"TAB Share Offer Supplementary Information"
Quarter page notice
Additional information on TAB float.
21 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Grollo Master Builder of the Year 1998"
Full page colour advertisement by Grollo.
22 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Parents gamble school fees"
by Greg Thom
Pokies addicted parents are gambling away their children's education it was claimed today by welfare agencies.
22 May 1998
Age
"Who's got $5.2b? Our richest man of course"
by Jane Schulze
Account of BRW Rich List including Kerry Packer and Lloyd Williams.
22 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Forum looks at gambling"
Account of forum last night on problem gambling.
23 May 1998
Age
"Forum told reasons for women gambling"
by Gabrielle Costa
Account of forum called Women in the Spin organised by Absolutely Women's Health at the Royal Women's Hospital.
24 May 1998
Herald Sun
"TAB float leaves punters holding their money"
by Terry McCrann
NSW Government must cut the minimum application for NSW TAB shares.
25 May 1998
Age
"Crown may split Williams job"
by Leonie Wood
Speculation that Williams role may be split three ways with Williams looking after high rollers.
25 May 1998
Age
"Rush for TAB shares begins"
by Staithe Paxinos
NSW TAB share offer opens today.
25 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown in spotlight"
by Ian McIlwraith
Crown is putting the casino management rights purchase proposal to the shareholders today.
26 May 1998
Herald Sun
"TAB share cut boosts people's privatisation"
by Terry McCrann
McCrann praises NSW Government for cutting minimum application for NSW TAB shares.
26 May 1998
Age
"Crown set to cut the HudCon connection"
by Leonie Wood
Crown's shareholders have approved the management rights purchase.
26 May 1998
Age
"One stock punters at risk of losing"
New entrants into the stock market who have purchased shares on floats of Tabcorp, Telstra and the Commonwealth Bank could be burnt off if the market crashes.
Cartoon by Tandberg - "I've made 3% on the money I borrowed at 10%.
27 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown payout for former chief"
by John Ferguson
Mike Mecca has settled his suit against Crown.
27 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling alarm"
by Greg Tom
A leading adviser to US President Bill Clinton on gambling policy, Dr Robert Goodman, will warn Premier Jeff Kennett of the negative social cost of Victoria's gambling revolution.
27 May 1998
Herald Sun
"12-hour action new Sky format"
by Shane Templeton
Sky Channel has a plan, likely to be ratified by the industry and major TABs by the end of the week, to broadcast non-stop racing 12 hours per day by organising racing clubs to stagger meetings and run races to tight schedules.
27 May 1998
Age
"Casino settles suit out of court"
by Mark Forbes
Crown has settled the action against it by former chief operating officer Mike Mecca out of court.
28 May 1998
Herald Sun
Cartoon by Knight showing Lloyd Williams being towed behind the Crown riverboat in a small dinghy.
28 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Pokies need warning label"
letter to the editor from JMA of Caulfield
Poker machines should carry warning labels like cigarette packets.
28 May 1998
Herald Sun
"74 gamble on a strike"
Seventy-four workers at Olympic Gaming machines are on strike fearing they will lose their jobs in June.
28 May 1998
Herald Sun
"All aboard at Crown"
by Peter Coster
Crown has a new chief executive named Robert E Riley who was the former chief executive of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
28 May 1998
Herald Sun
"New chief's first casino", "Lloyd's double coup proves it's a small world", "Crown dials out for fresh blood"
articles by Ian McIlwraith, Terry McCrann and John Ferguson respectively
Account of appointment of Riley as Crown CEO and ramifications.
28 May 1998
Age
"Williams moves over for new CEO"
by Malcolm Maiden
Account of appointment of Riley as Crown CEO.
28 May 1998
Age
"Premier to meet expert on gambling"
by Sushila Das
The premier is to meet Robert Goodman, an adviser to the US Senate's national gambling enquiry today.
28 May 1998
Age
"Obituary - John Carlisle Richards"
By Michael McCoy
Account of Richard's life - Richards was the former chairman of the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority.
28 May 1998
Age
"Lloyd Williams passes on the Crown baton"
by Malcolm Maiden
Analysts reacted cautiously to the appointment of Riley as CEO and director of Crown.
28 May 1998
Age
"Williams has hired a wily new managing director"
by Christopher Webb
Short account of appointment of Riley as Crown CEO.
29 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Winner turns down $147m lottery prize"
by AP
The winner of the worlds biggest lottery $168M will not give up his job mowing lawns.
29 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino No.2"
by Kristin Owen and Greg Thom
Victoria is likely to get a second casino according to the Premier.
29 May 1998
Age
"Not so lucky Lloyd"
by Malcolm Maiden
Feature article on fortunes of Williams and Crown.
29 May 1998
Age
"A new deck at Crown"
Editorial noting changes at Crown.
29 May 1998
Age
"Second casino odds-on: Kennett
by Sandra McKay and Nicole Brady
Article including Kennett's comments on country casino and comments by Kennett and Goodman.
30 May 1998
Herald Sun
"A saviour for Crown"
by John Ferguson
Profile of new Crown CEO Robert E Riley.
30 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino culture"
Editorial arguing against second casino in Victoria.
30 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Haven keen for casino"
by Kristin Owen and Greg Thom
Interviews with provincial mayors, industry, politicians and churches on second casino proposal.
30 May 1998
Age
"Waging a war against gambling"
by Gay Alcorn
Interview with Professor Robert Goodman executive director of the United States Gambling Research Institute who argues against the spread of gambling.
30 May 1998
Age
"Suspended sentences for Tatts fraud pair"
by Judith Heywood
Account of owners of Tattslotto agency who were recycling losing Tatts scratchies.
31 May 1998
Herald Sun
"Probe on casino misdeal dispute"
by Sue Hewitt
The VCGA and police are investigating a dispute in the high-rollers room at the Crown complex yesterday.
31 May 1998
Herald Sun
Cartoon showing country town with shops and bank closed and two local reading about new country casino planned saying it would be nice to have something opened for a change.
by Jeff
31 May 1998
Herald Sun
"TAB float shows common sense"
by Terry McCrann
Advice on how to apply for NSW TAB shares.
31 May 1998
Age
"Women rob casino pair"
by Jenny Sinclair
Three female bandits bound and robbed two women who had left Crown casino yesterday.
(crime)
31 May 1998
Age
"Crown takes control"
Review of week's business news including brief account of management contract purchase and appointment of Riley as Crown CEO.
1 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino row on payout"
Brief account of $130,000 disupte in Crown high roller baccarat game.
1 June 1998
Age
"Bet rown settled says Crown"
Longer article on dispute in Crown high roller baccarat game.
2 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Claim on casino"
A man is suing Star City casino on a personal injury claim for $250 million arising out of a struggle with casino employees in which the man's brother died.
2 June 1998
Age
"Too soon for a second casino"
Editorial
Editorial against second casino on social issues.
3 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Jerry Lewis displays his genius for lunacy"
by Helen Elliot
Review of Jerry Lewis show at Crown Casino.
3 June 1998
Age
"Crown calls in the chips on Jakarta high-roller"
by Christopher Webb
Crown is suing an Indonesian junketeer for $1,204,377.20 being the balance owing on a bounced cheque. Crown "agreed not to issue proceedings" although the junketeer was not a customer of the bank upon which the cheque was drawn. (crime)
3 June 1998
Age
"Oh my, its Jerry live!"
by Fiona Scott-Norman
Review of Jerry Lewis show at Crown.
1/6/98
Herald Sun
"Casino row on payout"
Account of dispute over baccarat deal at Crown casino.
1/6/98
Age
"Bet row settled, says Crown"
by Sushila Das
Police called in to dispute over baccarat hand in Mahogany Room involving bets of $260,000.
2/6/98
Herald Sun
"Claim on casino"
A man is suing the Star City casino for more than $250M arising out of a brawl with security guards in which his brother died.
2/6/98
Age
"Too soon for a second casino"
Editorial recommending no decision on second casino until more research including Federal study.
3/6/98
Herald Sun
"Jerry Lewis displays his genius for lunacy"
by Helen Elliot
Positive review on Jerry Lewis band act at Crown casino.
3 June 1998
Age
"Crown calls in the chips on Jakarta high-roller"
by Christopher Webb
Crown is suing an Indonesian junketeer for $1,204,377.20 being the balance owing on a bounced cheque. Crown "agreed not to issue proceedings" although the junketeer was not a customer of the bank.
3 June 1998
Age
"Oh my, its Jerry live!"
by Fiona Scott-Norman
Review of Jerry Lewis show at Crown.
4/6/98
Herald Sun
"Hanson blasts Victoria"
by Andrew Bolt
Pauline Hanson attacks Victoria saying it has too much gambling and sex.
4/6/98
Herald Sun
"Gambling probe eyes money drain"
by Greg Thom
Treasurer Peter Costello's national gambling inquiry will investigate gaming's impact on federal and state government revenue.
5/6/98
Age
"Break for Crown on terms of licence"
by Leonie Wood
The VCGA has agreed to let Crown alter its accounting in the way it calculates debt ratios by allowing the group to include cash assets. History of Crown breaching 60% threshold.
5/6/98
Age
"Second casino scotched"
by Sandra McKay
Premier Kennett ruled out a second casino for Victoria changing his earlier statement.
5/6/98
Herald Sun
"Dice roll in favour of Crown casino"
by Miranda McLachlan
Crown wins approval from VCGA to change the way it views its gearing ratio.
5/6/98
Herald Sun
"States win a tax jackpot"
by Matthew Horan
State governments have hit the jackpot with an extra $200M in tax from gambling last financial year.
6/6/998
Age
"Cruise industry bigger and better"
by Alessandra Stanley
The biggest passenger liner to be launched, the Grand Princess, has a casino.
6/6/98
Herald Sun
"Locals shine in Jerry built week"
by Eddie McGuire
Review of week's entertainment.
7/6/98
Age
"Airline caters for high rollers"
Singapore Airlines has equipped one of its 747s with electronic gambling.
7/6/98
Age
"Monks lose deadly game"
Thai monk charged with murder after playing reverse Russian roulette in temple.
7/6/98
Herald Sun
"Hotel call for more pokies"
by David Wilson
The Australian Hotels Association has called for more poker machines.
8/6/98
Herald Sun
"Gamble probe a bad bet"
Letter by S Craig, Ocean Grove
Letter against Federal study and supporting gambling. Gambling never started a war.
9/6/98
Herald Sun
"Secrets of the great bookie robbery"
by Glenn Mitchell
Phillip Dunn QC reveals the secrets of the great bookie robbery in 1976.
9/6/98
Herald Sun
"Tattersall's Aware for 'Bonnie Babes' Founder
Advertisement
Tattersalls awards $5,000 to founder of Bonnie Babes Foundation. Photograph of Mrs Stanfield-Porter holding a bonnie babe.
10/6/98
Herald Sun
"Cyber casinos all set"
by John Masanauskas
Australia is set to get its first virtual casinos in September. Internet casinos are presently banned in Australia but government cannot stop people playing on overseas sites.
10/6/98
Age
"Institutions rush to invest in TAB"
by Anne Hyland
The $1B NSW TAB float has been rushed by cashed-up institutional investors.
11 June 1998
Herald Sun
Cartoon showing Pauline Hanson on TV saying Jeff Kennett is arrogant ... gambling and sex is everywhere in Victoria; Kennett in bed alone saying two out of three ain't bad.
by Knight
11 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Hawke hails gambling for public funds"
by Greg Thom
Hawke advocating gambling for South Africa as a painless way of gaining taxes.
12 June 1998
Age
"Daimaru dealt a blow by Crown Casino"
by Christopher Webb
Sales at Daimaru were down attributed partly to competition by Crown casino.
12 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Doctors to focus on gambling ills"
by Greg Thom
Student doctors are to be trained to look for signs of problem gambling among patients.
12 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown card scam"
by Greg Thom
Crown casino is tightening its controls on Crown Club membership cards after some players were found to have as many as fifty.
12 June 1998
Age
"What's on around Crown"
Advertisement
Full page advertisement advertising Crown complex.
13 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Silk with a soft side"
by Glen Mitchell
Phil Dunn QC has been appointed chairman of the Addiction Research Institute. He believes gambling is a people problem, not a gambling problem.
14 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Families probe Greek deaths"
by Heather Kennedy
One man murdered in Greece was a card dealer who had worked at Crown casino and then Star City casino.
14 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Big year ahead"
Mayor of Stonnington, Cr Gahan, says people are returning to High Street traders some time after Crown opening.
15 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling bucks flow out of Vic"
by Brian Meldrum
Bookie Michael Eskander wants to enable punters to gamble on jockeys and trainers winning races but complains he is not allowed to because the totalisator does not.
16 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Wheel of fortune"
by Garry Mansfield
TV review of TV documentary "The Cutting Edge: Easy Money" by Frontline tracking the expansion of gambling in the USA.
16 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Welfare class"
by Jeanette Hill
Schools were being forced to provide welfare resources for families.
17 June 1998
Age
"TAB ready for grand entrance at top price"
by Anne Hyland
NSW TAB float has been fully subscribed.
18 June 1998
Herald Sun
"150,000 teens smoking dope"
by Helen Carter
Review of drug use trends with graphs.
18 June 1998
Age
"Day of dithering or diddling as punters dudded?"
by Christopher Webb
Account of AMP share trading on first day.
20 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Pokies venues clamp"
by Greg Thom
New hotels and clubs cannot install poker machines in strip shopping centres.
21 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Market steels for TAB fever"
by Mark Phillips
Account of coming NSW TAB float, includes reference to preceding AMP float.
21 June 1998
Herald Sun
"240 shares a modest punt amid frenzy"
by Terry McCrann
Investors will get about 240 shares but Egan and NSW government really have no choice.
21 June 1998
Age
"NSW TAB rated as fair bet up to $2.20"
by Helen Shield
Account of NSW TAB float. Not to be compared with Victorian TAB.
22 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Lotto 10 get $1.5M"
Result of Tattslotto Superdraw with $15 million in prizes.
22 June 1998
Herald Sun
"VRC playing numbers game before committing to pay-TV"
by Brian Meldrum
VRC does not want to show major races on Sky because this could affect attendances and this is delaying negotiations to show races on Sky. Conflict between interests of Tabcorp and VRC.
22 June 1998
Herald Sun
"No glitch guarantee"
by Matthew Stewart
Tabcorp could not give punters any guarantee that there would not be another computer glitch.
22 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Brokers punt on NSW TAB"
Brokers are tipping NSW TAB will open at a comfortable premium.
22 June 1998
Herald Sun
"NSW TAB off and running"
by Drew Gibson
Account of pending opening of NSW TAB.
22 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Nervy debut for TAB float"
by Ben English
Prediction that shares will open at 20 cents over their $2.05 cost.
22 June 1998
Age
"Off and racing: brokers go easy"
by Anthony Hughes
Speculation about TAB opening.
23 June 1998
Herald Sun
"250 punters seek pokies ban"
by Greg Thom
More than 250 Victorian have excluded themselves from gaming venues.
23 June 1998
Herald Sun
"TAB punt nets paltry profit"
by Drew Gibson
Mum and dad investors made a paltry $38.55 profit when the gaming company was listed yesterday.
23 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Masters of the universe fall - expensively - to earth"
by Terry McCrann
McCrann discusses bidding tactics in recent floats.
23 June 1998
Herald Sun
"NSW Govt's $14m float bonus"
by Drew Gibson
Account of NSW Tabcorp float.
23 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Modest NSW TAB debut off the mark for stag hopefuls"
by Leonie Wood
NSW TAB opened at $2.16 and up to $2.26 then closed at $2.20.
23 June 1998
Age
"Quiet debut for TAB"
by Jason Koutsoukis
Account of NSW TAB opening.
24 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino accused of child ploy"
by Greg Thom
A children's pantomime in the Crown complex, starring Robert DiPierdominico as the footy fairy has sparked accusations that Crown is using children to seduce parents to gamble at the casino.
24 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Equality hits a hurdle"
by Brian Meldrum
Women members now cannot bring in a male guest which has caused an uproar.
24 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Net betting to boom"
Account of Australian Institute of Criminality conference, statements by Amanda Vanstone, Prof Jan McMillan and Dr Peter Grabosky expressing concern about the potential adverse effects of internet gambling.
24 June 1998
Age
"Tourism chief cans casinos' value"
by Leonie Wood
A top Australian tourism official has stunned casino operators with claims that casinos are glitzy, Disneyland attractions that do not attract significant numbers of overseas tourists.
25 June 1998
Age
"Gambler profits from loophole" (crime)
by Steve Butcher
An addicted gambler used a banking loophole to obtain more than $370,000 using worthless cheques. Gambler had accounts with ANZ, Westpac and National.
25 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambler in cheque scam" (crime)
by Jason Silverii
A man helped hard luck gamblers at Crown casino open bank accounts which he used to deposit more than $746,000 in dud cheques.
26 June 1998
Age
"Comedy, casinos and cars"
letter to the editor by David Gifford, Melbourne
Satirical letter including reference to casino losses.
26 June 1998
Herald Sun
letter to the editor by Mrs Sheralyn Van Dyke of Sunbury
I am appalled after watching Today Tonight and I wonder if our casino could have the same filthy conditions as our public hospitals (Royal Melbourne).
27 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Labor vow to grab more casino tax"
by Damon Johnston
Labor has promised to hit Crown casino for $20 million to fund drug rehabilitation if it wins the next state election.
27 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Globalism steals AFL betting"
by Adrian Dunn
International sporting competition is detracting from AFL betting according to Centrebet General Manager Gerard Daffy.
29 June 1998
Herald Sun
"TAB winners on a small stake"
by Craig Binnie
NSW TAB investors have made 16% profit on their meagre allocation of shares.
30 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Punting in Hope"
by Garry Mansfield
Preview of episode of Chicago Hope featuring problem gambler"
30 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown's luck runs out as shares slump"
by Ian Lovett
Crown shares reached a low of 48 cents before coming back to 49 cents.
30 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Investors dub Crown bad gamble"
by Peter Coster
Analysis of market for Crown shares. Heavy selling of 2.2 million through several brokers. Reasons for low price.
30 June 1998
Herald Sun
letter to the editor from AMN Carrum
Complaining about health of Tattersalls and the run down state of hospitals. Tattersalls was supposed to help hospitals.
30 June 1998
Herald Sun
"Pokie gangs hit suburbs"
by Greg Thom
Professional gamblers are swooping on Tabcorp pokies jackpots in the suburbs.
30 June 1998
Age
"Courting the fickle favours of Lady Luck"
by Simon Hughes
Review of episode of Chicago Hope featuring problem gambler"
1 July 1998
Herald Sun
"What's on at Crown"
full colour advertising lift out
free pokie credits, scratchies/keys/boxes with prizes up to $100,000, Winter Wednesdays
1 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Battle for pokies - Profit contracts anger venues"
Venues are complaining about strict new Tattersalls performance contracts which give Tattersalls wider powers to remove machines from under-performing venues.
2 July 1998
Herald Sun
letter to the editor by Money Before Sense from Orbost
The government should close the casino and nightclubs after 1 pm to lower the crime rate.
2 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown hits $73 million jackpot over fines"
by Damon Johnston and Greg Thom
Crown has been given a four-year extension for the construction of its second hotel tower thus avoiding fines of $50,000 per day.
2 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Lotto win mystery"
by Greg Thom
Lone winner of $5 million Oz Lotto draw from Springvale has not yet come forward.
2 July 1998
Age
"Crown to get reprieve on $73m penalties"
by Gareth Boreham and Leonie Wood
Crown has been given an extension to build its second hotel tower. Analyst says Crown will now probably not go ahead with the proposed property trust. Share price rebounded to 52 cents.
2 July 1998
Age
"Crown set to shelve property trust bid"
by Leonie Wood
Discussion of government decision, on VCGA advice, to extend hotel tower construction. Analyst said decision sensible and pragmatic as over supply of hotel rooms. Discussion of recent gearing change and probable postponement or abandonment of property trust proposal.
3 July 1998
Age
"But Crown was allowed to ..."
by Chris Tomkins of Glen Waverley
If Government can waive $50,000 per day in fines surely it can waive his $40 parking fine.
3 July 1998
Herald Sun
"No dice for taxpayers"
by Rev Ray Cleary, Chairman, Inter Church Gambling Task Force
The VCGA is protecting the casino by extending the time for constructing the second hotel tower. Other businesses are suffering because of the Asian meltdown.
3 July 1998
Herald Sun
letter to the editor from Carl Tennant of Glen Waverley
Why did not the Government take the $70 million fine and put it into the public health system?
4 July 1998
Herald Sun
"House money lost at casino"
A 67-year old Yarraville man stole $86,000 from a woman and her seven children then lost it all gambling at Crown casino.
4 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling clean-up on Games"
A complete betting ban on the Olympic Games in NSW has opened the door for Victoria to be the centre for gambling on Sydney 2000.
4 July 1998
Age
"Tarnished Crown" editorial Editorial recommending against Cabinet accepting recommendation of VCGA to grant Crown four-year extension to complete 1800 seat Lyric Theatre and hotel tower.
5 July 1998
Age
"Crown's big win"
by Richard Salomons
Note of extension of time for completion of second hotel tower at Crown.
5 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Stealing to stay alive"
by Sue Hewitt and Mary Viscovich
Elderly people re stealing food from supermarkets to survive. There had been a dramatic increase. Marilyn Webster of the Inter Church Gambling Task Force said it was possible gambling had forced the elderly on pensions to steal.
5 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Survey's heroin surprise"
by David Wilson
Federal health department report shows that while heroin is undoubtedly addictive for a small group of users, the survey evidence suggests there is a much larger proportion of recreational users in the general population.
6 July 1998
Age
"Punter, get ready to bet on junior mining 'specs'"
by Barry Fitzgerald
Article on investing in small mining stocks.
6 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Addicts bet on help"
by Greg Thom
Problem gamblers are allowing themselves to be hypnotised in an effort to control their addiction.
6 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown boss cleans up"
by Bob Hart
Lloyd Williams spotted picking up empty glasses and rearranging chairs in the Crown Oak Room.
6 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Vic doggies to go it alone"
by Brian Meldrum
The Victorian Greyhound Racing Control Board is likely to sign with Sky Channel soon.
6 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Letter to the editor from A Mug Punter, St Leonards
Asking if he can sue the TAB for losses like a drunken drivers and smokers.
7 July 1998
Herald Sun
"$600,000 more from Tattersalls for sick kids"
advertisement Tattersalls have donated $600,000 to enable the royal Children's Hospital to purchase nwe medical equipment for use in neuro-surgery.
7 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Help farmers, not casino"
letter to the editor from Disenchanted, Camperdown
Government should help farmers instead of giving Crown a $74 million reprieve.
7 July 1998
Age
"Couple left children for gambling night"
by Manika Naidoo
A Doncaster couple allowed their two young sons to wander unattended for more than two hours in the Crown casino complex while they gambled the Melbourne Magistrates Court was told today.
7 July 1998
Age
"Victorians lead rise in personal bankruptcy"
by D M Walker
Personal bankruptcies have jumped 25% in the first half of this year.
8 July 1998
Age
:"Crown tower into extra time"
by Leonie Wood
Article on extra time given for second hotel tower and 1800 seat Lyric Theatre.
8 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown tunnel lighting delay"
by Greg Thom
Crown casino is being criticised for not completing $300,000 in roadworks.
9 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino fights racist claim"
by Greta McMahon
9 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino forecourt a winner"
letter to the editor from Lisa Doyle, Doncaster
Critical of Crown building but praising open forecourt along the river.
10 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino protest in bomb threat"
by Tim Stoney
Account of court hearing of hoax bomber who was disgruntled gambler. Critical of ATMs.
10 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown on a winner"
letter to the editor by R J Webb of Broadford
Why should we criticise Pauline Hanson's discounted loans to farmers when Kennett gives nil interest loans of $73 million to Crown.
Another letter asking why the casino is forgiven debts for four years when schools and hospitals languish for lack of funds.
10 July 1998
Herald Sun
"TAB expects decision soon"
by Adam Hamilton
TAB distribution negotiations are continuing. Last years arrangements were gallops 75.4%, harness 15.7% and greyhounds 8.9% but harness and dogs asking for more.
10 July 1998
Age
"Survival roulette in small business"
letter from John Allison, Richmond
Crown gets favoured treatment over small business.
10 July 1998
Age
"Gambler on bond for bomb threat"
Note of bomb hoax case.
11 July 1998
Herald Sun
"The best deals in the card game"
by Craig Binnie and Kelly Ryan
Article on credit cards. Picture showing woman holding credit cards like playing cards and gambling title.
11 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Billboard booze ban"
by Fiona Byrne and Kim Wilson
Alcohol advertisements which appeal to children will be banned under strict new guidelines.
11 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Turning 60 and still the top banana"
by Simon Plant
Short profile on Bert Newton.
11 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Happy Bertday"
by Simon Plant
Profile on Bert Newton. "Newton is a gambler. He loves the races. And in the early '90s he had money problems compounded by 'limited employment opportunities'"
11 July 1998
Age
"Lost Vegas"
by Stephanie Bunbury
Film review on Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
12 July 1998
Age
"With the changing of the guard complete, is it still like father, like son?"
by Lindsay Murdoch
Profile on James Packer. Note of Packer Empire's holding in Crown casino.
13 July 1998
Age
"Inquiry stalls casino payday"
by Lindsay Murdoch
Account of the closing of the casino on Christmas Island and of the non-payment of casino staff wages and the disruption to the economy of the island.
13 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Anger over new retail settlement"
by Tracey Joynson
Disclosure statements for tenants under the new retail tenancies legislation have been branded a farce.
13 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Positive view of casino"
by Letter to the editor from Nicholas Wheelahan
Effects of problem gambling sad but people are adults and must exercise willpower and accept responsibility.
13 July 1998
Herald Sun
Crown pokies 400th anniversary car
advertisement
14 July 1998
Age
"Cards fall right for Packer bid"
by Lindsay Murdoch
Indonesian operator of Christmas Island casino is poised to lose his licence.
14 July 1998
Herald Sun
"A chance to ski for kids with no chance"
advertisement by Tattersalls
Tattersalls is supporting the Yeti Schools Ski Program for less privileged young Victorians.
15 July 1998
Age
"Beware effects of unconscionable conduct law"
by Max Cameron
Unconscionable conduct provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 have been strengthened.
15 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Tatts jackpot switch"
by Greg Thom
Pokies giant Tattersalls' multi-million dollar linked jackpot system has been branded a failure by gaming venues.
15 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Cash give-away satisfies an itch"
advertisement for Herald Sun Tatts Pokies Bingo Game Board.
15 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Early plunge is a punt worth taking"
Article on lover of horse racing and of betting on horses.
16 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown in line for Net rights"
by Greg Thom
Crown casino's agreement with the Victorian Government giving it a monopoly over casino games may prevent anyone offering such games over the net. A similar situation exists with Tatts and Tabcorp.
16 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Bet on top day out"
The Herald Sun is giving a $5 bet to everyone going to the Moonee Valley harness races on Saturday, July 18.
16\7 July 1998
Herald Sun
Letter to the editor complaining about Grand Prix and casino losing money.
16 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Victoria in no Sky rush"
by Adrian Dunn
The odds against Victoria being part of Sky's pay-TV racing launch in September lengthened considerably yesterday.
17 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling bug fear - Chinese double rate"
by Greg Thom
Prof Alex Blaszczynski of the University of NSW found pathological gambling rates of 2.9% for Chinese and 1.16 for the rest of the community. One in five respondents said a person in family had a gambling problem.
17 July 1998
Age
"How these battlers from the bush took on Lloyd Williams ... and won"
by Lindsay Murdoch and Gary Hughes
Investors in syndicated sale of building from Hudson Conway subsidiary Amadio Pty Ltd won case on basis that no prospectus had been issued.
17 July 1998
Age
"Opposition calls for new enquiry"
by Gary Hughes and Lindsay Murdoch
The Opposition has asked for the Crown probity enquiry to be reopened in the light of the Amadio decision.
17 July 1998
Age
"Victoria plays waiting game over pay TV"
by Andrew Eddy and Patricia Bartley
Article outlining the state of negotiations of various racing clubs with Sky Channel.
18 July 1998
Age
"Genetic link to drug addiction"
by Darren Gray
American researchers have found what appears to be a genetic link to drug addiction.
18 July 1998
Age Magazine - Good Weekend
"The enforcers"
by Ian Verrender
Article on security industry including Star Casino incident in which Peter Dalmangas died.
18 July 1998
Herald Sun
"New heart scare for Packer"
by Kim Sweetman
Kerry packer has spent the past three days in a hospital cardiac ward in Sydney. He had been visiting kidney specialists.
18 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Make casino do road work"
Letter to the editor from B Brian of Broadmeadows.
19 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling on a rescue bid"
by Derek Ballantine"
Account of depressed state and history of Christmas Island casino.
19 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Watch on scratchies move"
by Robyn Riley
NSW is considering a proposal to introduce scratch tickets into supermarkets. Church and community groups are concerned as well as newsagents.
20 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Paula reveals game plan"
by Greg Thom
Profile of a New Zealand championship poker player.
20 July 1998
Herald Sun
"The odds of winning"
by David Koch
Article on odds of winning on lottery and poker machines. Advice to horse bettors by Alan Aitken to bet on the high profile events and to go for quinellas (first two horses in either order) and trifectas (first three in order).
21 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Pokies mates claim"
by Greg Thom
The State Government has been accused of changing the planning laws to favour Bruce Mathieson by exempting a hotel premises destroyed by fire from a pending strip shopping poker machine ban.
21 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Fears soar over gambling"
by Karl Malakunus
A national survey has shown a massive 82% of Australians believe the harmful side effects of gambling have become worse. In Melbourne the figure was 97.3%.
21 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Safe city good for business"
by Loretta Hall
Melbourne is one of the safest cities in the world from a point of view of robbery and car theft.
21 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Colorado plays Aristocrat game"
by Drew Gibson
Colorado's gaming commission has renewed Aristocrat's licence to operate in that State. It will apply to be registered in Las Vegas where there are 200,000 machines (followed by NSW with 85,000).
21 July 1998
Age
"Mate claim on hotel pokies rule"
by Sushila Das
The State Government has been accused of changing the planning laws to favour Bruce Mathieson by effectively exempting a hotel premises in Banyule which was destroyed by fire from a pending strip shopping poker machine ban.
22 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Keys to cash"
colour advertisement advertising $10,000 winner on table game "door prize".
22 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Thai troupe to kick on at Crown"
by Bob Hart
Account of kick boxing match next month at Crown.
22 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Hudcon deconstructing"
Shares in Hudcon continued to fall following Amadio decision. Shares now at $3.70 down from $17.92 reached in October 1996.
22 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Sky proposal on the cards"
by Shane Templeton
The Victorian racing industry is poised to put a proposal to Sky Channel with or without the TAB.
22 July 1998
Age
"Gambling can be a health hazard"
by Darren Gray
The AMA is urging the State Government to do more to help problem gamblers. AMA survey by Ray Morgan Research.
22 July 1998
Age
"Poor missing out in the name of fashion"
by Eli Greenblat
The Smith Family says there is a drop in the quantity and quality of clothes it is receiving. It puts it down to greater recycling, retro-fashion and people wearing clothes longer.
23 July 1998
Age
"Packer's heart in best hands money can buy"
by Mark Riley
Packer to have heart bypass and valve replacement surgery in New York.
23 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Pups stolen for pokies money"
by Greta McMahon
Man aged 22 stole seven Malamute pups to sell them for poker machine money a court was told.
24 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino hit by race bias claim"
by Greg Thom
A former globetrotting basketball player and Crown employee has accused the casino of racial discrimination.
24 July 1998
Herald Sun
Cartoon showing Ron Walker in limousine giving street collector, John Howard a wad of notes for his "Lib Party" tin.
24 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Ron's appetite defies losses"
by Insider
Jocular article about Ron Walker and loan of $4.65 million to National Bank to cover Liberal Party debt.
24 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Fosters takes pokies top slot"
by Ian McIlwraith
Fosters Brewing Group has become Australia's largest gaming machine and hotel operator with the $300 million purchase of the Austotel Trust from the struggling Brierley Investments group.'
24 July 1998
Herald Sun
Thredbo hero at side in Packer's flight"
Packer has asked Paul Featherstone, Thredbo hero to be by his side as paramedic on his emergency flight to New York for surgery.
24 July 1998
Age
Letter to the editor titled "Against the odds" asking will the Government ever get the message about these socially destructive machines - by David Everard, Nunawading.
25 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Packer clan gathering"
Packer friends and family gather in New York.
25 July 1998
Age
"Upping the bar fare to lure drinkers"
by Andrew Masterton
Pubs are putting on plays to attract customers.
25 July 1998
Age
"Pub rises from the ashes"
by Ian Munro and Sushila Das
Long history of Colosseum Hotel site now associated with Brian Mathieson and the subject of an exclusion from amendment S 69 by amendment S 70 allowing pokies in pubs burnt down notwithstanding they are in strip shopping centre.
25 July 1998
Age
"US setback for internet gambling"
The US Senate, by 90 to 10, voted to prohibit gambling on the internet.
26 July 1998
Herald Sun
Coca Cola promotional lottery - collect numbered caps to win holiday home.
26 July 1998
Age
"West swamped by pokies, says mayor"
by Royce Millar
City of Maribyrnong mayor calls for freeze on pokies in Maribyrnong.
26 July 1998
Age
"Labor looks at casino rules"
Labor may introduce rules prohibiting political party office bearers from involvement in casino operations. It may also limit the number of gaming machines in poorer areas.
26 July 1998
Age
"Packer faces lengthy heart operation - if fit enough"
by Candace Sutton
Account of Packer's proposed operation.
27 July 1998
Age
"Victoria steams ahead on Net bets"
by Leonie Wood
Quite long article detailing differences between US Senate prohibition of net gambling and Australian states legislatures seeking to accommodate it.
27 July 1998
Age
"Fury over liquor sale at petrol stations"
by D M Walker
Quite long article on proposal to allow petrol stations to sell alcoholic beverages.
27 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Tests for Packer"
Packer undergoing many tests.
27 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Change on cards for liquor licensing"
by Tanya Taylor
State Government is examining permitting milk bars and petrol stations to sell alcohol.
28 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Queen of pop and Elvis top August bill"
Tattersalls advertisement
Alison Durban and Elvis impersonator at Tatts venues.
28 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Packer gathering grows"
by Carolyn Alexander and Tom Skotnicki
Article on Packer family etc gathering in New York.
28 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Rural casinos call"
Country towns are being urged to fight for the right to have a casino.
28 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino dealer charged"
Alleged that Crown dealer and four other Melbourne men were colluding with a Queensland baccarat dealer at a Gold Coast casino.
28 July 1998
Herald Sun
"Drinks all round"
by David Luff and Damon Johnson
Article on proposal to allow petrol stations and supermarkets to sell alcohol.
28 July 1998
Age
"What Packer faces on the surgeon's table"
by Fergus Shiel
Account of proposed Packer operation.
29 July 98
Age
"Casino licence cancelled"
by Gervase Green
The Federal Government has revoked the Christmas Island casino licence.
29 July 98
Herald Sun
"Grim family vigil"
by Tom Skotnicki in New York
Account of Packer's heart surgery progress"
29 July 98
Herald Sun
"Sticky moments"
by Bob Hart
Footy humorist Trevor marmalade made a joke about Crowns financial situation in front of Lloyd Williams.
29 July 98
Herald Sun
Letters to the editor anti Kennett and anti VCGA "a spineless, pitiful rubber stamp for the rampant gambling industry in Victoria".
30 July 98
Herald Sun
"Loungeroom casinos"
by Jill Singer
Long article on internet gambling including arguments of Tim Costello and contrast with USA legislation.
31 July 98
Age
"Kennett whips racing over Sky"
by Tony Bourke
Kennett argued that the VRC should have bought Sky Channel which was now owned by NSW TAB.
31 July 98
Herald Sun
"Amazing lotto win"
Short account of US powerball lotto win of $840 million.
31 July 98
Herald Sun
"Bid to curb school sponsors"
by Kristen Owen
The State Government could change the law to prevent companies such as Crown Casino sponsoring schools.
31 July 98
Herald Sun
"Packer silence"
Note that Packer operation had been successful.
31 July 98
Herald Sun
"Our latest casino"
Editorial
Neutral editorial on government internet gambling proposals.
31 July 98
Herald Sun
"Kennett on attack"
by Shane Templeton and Adrian Dunn
Account of negotiations of racing clubs with Sky and Premier's input.
1 August 98
Age
"ABS data hits retailers"
by Judith Heywood
Retail share prices fell in response to ABS figures showing falls in retail turnover.
1 August 98
Age
"Packer recovers after surgery"
by Mark Riley
Packer in stable condition after successful heart surgery.
1 August 98
Herald Sun
"Crime rate rises"
by Peter Mickelborough
Crime has risen in Victoria for the third time running. Theft and drug counts have climbed.
1 August 98
Herald Sun
"Meet the factory workers set to share a $266m lotto record"
Nine out of thirteen USA factory workers who won $266 million plan to keep working in the factory.
1 August 98
Herald Sun
"Win with the Herald Sun"
Today, Corinella gives you the chance to win one of 66 Pooh or Tiger cuddly toys. And on Friendship Day tomorrow Pooh will host a giant Friendship Party at Caulfield Racecourse at 10.30 am, admission is free.
2 August 98
Herald Sun
"Court crusade for hypnotist"
by Robyn Riley
A change to the Psychologists Registration Act last year means that anyone can practice hypnotism.
2 August 98
Herald Sun
"Skase close to buying casino"
Skase is reportedly close to securing a $27 million loan to buy a luxury hotel and casino complex on the Caribbean Island of St Maarten.
2 August 98
Herald Sun
"Chinatown goes hungry"
by Derek Ballantine
Chinatown's fortunes are falling in the face of fierce competition from south of the Yarra and changing food fashions.
2 August 98
Herald Sun
"Angry mob hoist with own petard"
by Michael Barnard
Article on democracy. "Effervescent young intern Jeff searches for a patient-friendly trolley finally wondering if a baccarat table might do.
2 August 98
Age
"Waiter the bill please"
Cricketer Cronje refused to eat at Duck Restaurant at Crown. Went out for duck next morning. Shane Warne signing autographs at Crown.
3 August 98
Herald Sun
"Fake notes find alert"
by Charles Miranda
Counterfeiters are now counterfeiting the $50 note. Passing them off at food outlets, casinos and betting tracks in Sydney, Victoria and Western Australia.
3 August 98
Herald Sun
"Man robbed again"
by Rick Wallace and Tanya Giles
An elderly Tattslotto agent was robbed for the second time in eight days.
3 August 98
Herald Sun
"What's hot, what's not"
Graph and commentary on Crown share price.
4 August 98
Age
"Crown maul ends in a wrangle over costs"
by John Rouw
Crown has abandoned its litigation against the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) but its action against the Australian Securities Commission (ASC) remains on foot.
4 August 98
Herald Sun
"Crown drops ASX bid"
by AAP
Crown has abandoned its litigation against the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).
4 August 98
Herald Sun
"Job win in life's lottery"
by Karen Collier
If you are lucky enough to win the lottery the odds are you will keep working. Discussion of work ethic.
5 August 98
Age
"500 schools want more autonomy"
by Carolyn Jones
Nearly a third of schools have expressed interest in the State Government's self-managing schools scheme.
5 August 98
Age
"Tabcorp takes a punt on a football betting revolution"
by Stephen Linnell
Tabcorp has submitted a plan to the AFL to facilitate sportsbetting on football. Plan includes limits on last-minute substitution of players and greater opportunity for punters to place bets between matches and between quarters. Turnover figures on football sportsbetting.
5 August 98
Herald Sun
"High roller rocks the night"
by Sasha Baskett
Account of Premier's roller blading.
5 August 98
Herald Sun
"Packer on mend"
Kerry Packer is believed to be making good progress after discharge from hospital.
5 August 98
Herald Sun
"18 breaches of casino ban"
by Kim Wilson
A single mother who abandoned her toddler so she could gamble has defied a ban from Crown Casino eighteen times.
6 August 98
Herald Sun
"Hound drug barons, not milk bars"
Letter to the editor from M Clements of West Coburg
Defending milk bars selling tobacco. Unfair for council to use entrapment.
6 August 98
Herald Sun
"Casino cards scam"
by Greg Thom
A scam has been uncovered involving collusion between gamblers in the Crown Mahogany Room and baccarat dealers.
7 August 98
Age
"Crown chief saw card scam unfold"
Lloyd Williams watched cheating on security videos.
7 August 98
Herald Sun
"Crown boss viewed scam"
by Greg Thom
Account of baccarat collusion between players and dealers at Crown.
9 August 98
Herald Sun
"... coffers"
by Wayne Jones
Account of money held by State Trustees including moneys left by Halyna Czornyj killed by the problem gambler Ivan (Jan) Podgorny.
9 August 98
Age
"Long Island cabbie down on his luck"
Story of Long Island cab driver who says he tossed his lottery ticket in the trash before realising it was worth $12.3 million.
9 August 98
Age
"Banks 'ignored' casino warning"
by Steve Butcher
Major banks ignored American Secret Service warnings that they were losing millions of dollars through a scam based at Crown casino a court was told today.
10 August 98
Herald Sun
"Lottery win a real find"
by Regina Titelius
The Ashburton winner of the $9 million powerball has not yet claimed on his ticket in last week's draw.
10 August 98
Herald Sun
"Pokie clubs lose in back-tax bid"
by Greg Thom
Licensed pokies clubs face financial ruin. The taxation commissioner has ruled that profits paid into poker machines by club members is paid to Tatts or Tabcorp, the owners of the machines and not to the club. Thus the moneys are taxable.
10 August 98
Herald Sun
"All bets are off at the TAB"
by Ex-Daily Double Punter of Cheltenham
Complaint about closure of TAB betting shop.
10 August 98
Herald Sun
"Lottery plan scrapped"
Pressure from Muslim groups has forced the Indonesian government to quash a plan to use a lottery to fund Indonesia's National Sports Council.
10 August 98
Herald Sun
"Saddling up for legal peril"
by Brian Meldrum
Interesting article on potential liability of jockeys for negligence.
10 August 98
Herald Sun
"Bravo bytes, OK"
by Brian Meldrum
Short account of new TAB Bravo computer system. Also, Sportscolour which tapes all Victorian races has a system where the whole meeting is taped on to a hard drive enabling stewards to quickly review incidents resulting in protests.
10 August 98
Age
"Where's Winnie the **##!!!?"
by Danny Katz
Very critical account of the Friendship Day at Caulfield Racecourse which was well attended.
11 August 98
Herald Sun
"Plea on suicides"
Schools should introduce emotional health and personal awareness classes to slash the number of youth suicides.
11 August 98
Herald Sun
"Race caller in pacer fixing row"
by Adam Hamilton
Race caller Rick McIntosh refused an approach by a professional punter to fix a race at Kilmore last week.
11 August 98
Herald Sun
"Millions to be claimed"
by Kelly Ryan
Winner of the $9 million powerball lottery has still not claimed prize. Tatts says about 155 million in prizes has not been claimed.
11/9/98
Herald Sun
"Hello Tatts phone lotto?"
advertisement
Picture of a yacht afloat with statement that wherever you are you can phone in your bets for Tattslotto, Powerball, OzLotto and Tatts Keno.
11 August 98
Age
"Crown falls to new low"
by Malcolm Maiden
Crown shares fell a further 7 cents to 41 cents per share.
12 August 98
Herald Sun
"Planet spinning over shock loss"
by Andrew Butcher in New York
Planet Hollywood has made a loss this quarter. Apparently the problem is getting first-time customers to come back.
July 1998
Synergies Newsletter
TAB Ltd to launch sportsbetting
NSW TAB has launched National Sportsbet which will put a lot of pressure on Tabcorp's operation.
Other articles:
Asian sportsbetting market could provide massive export potential
Kennett leaves us guessing on second casino
Howard's cheap shot on gambling
13 August 98
Herald Sun
"Punters lose on the ABC"
letter by Disappointed Punter, Tallangatta
ABC high handed in discontinuing racing service.
13 August 98
Herald Sun
"Religion good for the body as well as the soul"
Religious people deal better with addictions than atheists.
13 August 98
Age
"Three of a kind take a gamble - but is it a winning hand?"
Picture by Mike Bowes showing Howard, Costello and Fischer launching GST.
13 August 98
Age
"Silence as Crown director resigns"
by Leonie Wood
Account of resignation of Ken Spencer, a senior partner of KPMG, from Crown.
14 August 98
Herald Sun
Letter to the editor complaining about closing of betting shops and location of betting facilities at hotels.
No Pubtabs for Me, East Keilor
14 August 98
Herald Sun
"Home in on $46,000 prizes"
Details of promotional prizes.
14 August 98
Herald Sun
"Crown dream, or nightmare, is in Packers' hands"
by Terry McCrann
Crown's future lies in the hands of the Packers.
14 August 98
Herald Sun
"Crown seeks US lifeline"
by Ian McIlwraith
Crown is understood to be considering making a bond issue in the United States. Asian business is deteriorating and any write down of assets will affect Crown's 60% gearing ratio.
14 August 98
Herald Sun
"How it will affect you"
by G Bryar, M Davison, E Chisholm
GST tax will tax gambling operators 10% on operating profits.
14 August 98
Herald Sun
"Extra lead in saddle"
The gambling industry has reacted angrily to GST tax proposals.
14 August 98
Herald Sun
"Asian crisis batters Crown"
by John Ferguson and Ian McIlwraith
The Asian crisis has rocked Crown Casino.
14 August 98
Herald Sun
"Melbourne so you think you know it"
by Bob Hart
You know you're in Melbourne when ... you get into a taxi and ask to go to the casino and the driver gets out the Melways.
14 August 98
Age
"Crown risks breach of rules"
by Leonie Wood
The casino may write down $380 million as the Asian crisis hits.
14 August 98
Age
"Thai brothel deal earned thousands"
by AAP
A man who pleaded guilty to charges of pimping with Thai prostitutes spent part of the money on gambling debts.
14 August 98
Age
"Youth suicide school solution"
by Andrew Darby
Schools must focus more on teaching life skills to students if the alarming rate of youth suicide is to abate.
15 August 98
Herald Sun
"Self-employed to collect GST"
by Tax Hot Line
GST will be levied on the operator's margin.
15 August 98
Herald Sun
"Says perfectly happy people shouldn't play Lotto"
by Ross Brundrett
Humourous article about lottery winners.
15 August 98
Herald Sun
"Crown to pay ASX costs"
by Ian McIlwraith
Crown is to pay the costs of the ASX arising out of the suit against it which Crown abandoned.
15 August 98
Herald Sun
"States scoop the pool from Howard's GST play"
by Mike Nathan
Gratuitous photograph captioned : Smart bet: the States are the winners under the GST plan.
15 August 98
Age
"Premier rules out concession for casino"
by Edwin Hannan
Premier said State Government was not considering any new concessions to Crown, matter for banks, casino and gaming authority.
15 August 98
Age
"Crown casino: will the bubble burst"
by Leonie Wood
Long article on plight of Crown.
16 August 98
Herald Sun
"A little helper for Jaxon"
by Felicity Dargan
A new anti-depressant drug is being tested on dogs that suffer separation anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder.
16 August 98
Herald Sun
""Pupils hit by run on charity"
by Kathy Ashley Griffiths Sun
Desperate families have drained a fund set up to provide clothing and footwear for needy school children.
16 August 98
Herald Sun
"Planet down under a hit"
by Robyn Riley
Planet Hollywood in Melbourne is doing fine.
16 August 98
Herald Sun
"Europe braces for Russian roulette"
by Market Watch
Heading of article on European currency movements.
16 August 98
Age
"When Irish eyes aren't smiling
Poison pen letter at Celtic Club includes allegation of failure to comply with the Gaming Machine Control Act.
17 August 98
Inside Melbourne
"Rachel Griffiths Sun - A woman of substance"
by Melinda Houston
Includes Rachel Griffiths Sun' reasons for appearing semi-naked outside Crown at its opening, "I was shocked at how many members of my profession were endorsing something I don't think they had really thought about."
17 August 98
Age
"Gaming sector trio to show their cards"
by Phillip Hudson
Gambling operators are due to provide profit results.
18 August 98
Herald Sun
"Tatts funds to help young with drug problems"
advertisement
Estate of George Adams to donate $400,000 to StVincents Hospital for Gertrude Street residential respite withdrawal centre.
18 August 98
Herald Sun
"What's On Around Crown"
full page colour advertisement
18 August 98
Herald Sun
I'm sorry I ever voted for you Mr Kennett
letter to the editor from You're a disgrace, Frankston
Includes reference to waiver of hotel tower fines.
18 August 98
Herald Sun
"Star City's best bet is $1.27 million a day"
by Kathy Lipari
Some figures on Star Casino. Asian meltdown continues to affect growth, also, 10% fall in local Asian business.
18 August 98
Age
"Costs drag Star City profit down"
by Anne Hyland
Profit figures for Star City. Star City hit by higher marketing and labour costs, lower than expected revenues and $29.2 million interest bill.
18 August 98
Age
"Agencies turn to one-stop shops"
by Jane Schultz
Article on advertising agencies. Graphic shows agents as deck of cards with caption: staking the deck: how Cleminger diversified.
18 August 98
Age
"Tabcorp boss joins TV talks"
by Tony Bourke
Ross Wilson has become personally involved in the talks as the deadline nears for the Victorian racing industry to be involved in pay-TV.
18 August 98
Age
"VR challenge for Web sports"
by Glenn Mulcaster
Play by mail sports are booming but new software could make them huge.
19 August 98
Herald Sun
"Lawsuit gamble"
A woman who racked up m ore than $120,000 in gambling losses is trying to get out of the debt by claiming that internet gambling is illegal.
20 August 98
Herald Sun
"Marvellous Melbourne, it's all too tempting"
by Andrew Bolt
Humourous account of gambling temptations in Melbourne.
21 August 98
Herald Sun
"Tambourines and poker machines"
by Adam Turner
Journalist is in Crown Casino complex queuing to book for Bob Dylan performance.
21 August 98
Age
"Tabcorp pays out big jackpot"
by Leonie Wood
Tabcorp figures. Tabcorp has not experienced any slowdown. It is distributing $100 million to shareholders.
21 August 98
Age
"Victims to get $18.5 million for Australian lottery scam"
by AAP
International lottery broker will pay US$11 million in restitution to the victims of his schemes. Down bought up to US$200,000 lottery tickets per week.
21 August 98
Age
"Alcohol warning for Crown Casino"
briefs
Magistrate warned Crown over service of alcohol - patron had been drinking for 14 hours before a fight.
21 August 98
Herald Sun
"Lottery fraud pays up"
by Dale Paget
Account of trial of international lottery broker.
21 August 98
Herald Sun
"Tabcorp's bonus payout"
by Miranda McLaughlin
Account of Tabcorp results.
21 August 98
Herald Sun
Letter to the editor by Unemployed, Laverton
Accuses Kennett of ignoring unemployed in favour of casinos.
21 August 98
Herald Sun
"TAB lifts its game"
by Tricia Wunsch, general manager, corporate affairs, Tabcorp
Letter in defence pointing out Tabcorp has increased its TAB outlets and improved its services.
21 August 98
Herald Sun
"Punters to spend $3b"
by Greg Thom
Tabcorp estimates Victorians will spend $3 billion on gambling next year. Tabcorp's revenues had risen 15% in the last year.
22 August 98
Herald Sun
"Crown blasts Labor attacks"
by Kristin Owen
Lloyd Williams has written an angry letter to the Victorian Opposition asking them to give the casino a fair go.
22 August 98
Herald Sun
"Jerry says thank you"
by Eddie McGuire
Jerry Lewis has written to Jamie Bartels and Lou Cerantonio of Crown inviting them to his muscular dystrophy telethon.
22 August 98
Herald Sun
"Investors savage TAB"
by Kathy Lipari and Ray Thomas
Unimpressed investors wiped $50 million off the share value of NSW TAB after it produced its first profit.
22 August 98
Herald Sun
"Take three times a day"
by Ruth Ostrow
Account of explanation for sex addiction where man wants many partners.
22 August 98
Age
"Casino chief lashes Labor, shares dive"
by Ewin Hannan and Leonie Wood
Account of Crown letter to Labor and of Hulls hitting back.
22 August 98
Age
"Crown likely to get a new player"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
The Crown report for the year to June is likely to eventually trigger a fundamental restructuring of Crown's capital and ownership which will consign Lloyd Williams to a minority role.
22 August 98
Age
"NSW TAB finishes ahead by a nose"
by Anne Hyland
NSW TAB's net profit has exceeded prospectus forecasts by 3.4% helped by an abnormal tax refund. Shares slumped 13 cents to $2.62.
23 August 98
Age
"Numbers come up for Tabcorp
review
Tabcorp announced a 20% jump in profits.
23 August 98
Herald Sun
"Dansino decision puzzles punters"
by David Moore
A well backed favourite, Dansino, was declared fit to race and put into the gates less than half a minute after rearing over backwards and knocking down a section of the running rail.
23 August 98
Herald Sun
"Balls keep the riches rolling"
by Robyn Riley
Account of Powerball winner and other lottery winners.
23 August 98
Herald Sun
"Lloyd's luck is fast running out at Crown"
by Terry McCrann
Account of failed fortunes of Crown and mediocre performance of Star City.
24 August 98
Age
"Charlatan counsellors in the spotlight"
by Mark Forbes
New laws to police the conduct of "charlatan" counsellors and psychotherapists will be considered by the State Government.
24 August 98
Age
"Total Control"
by Lisa Anthony
Celebrities are increasingly requiring journalists to sign legal agreements as a precursor to interviews proscribing the content of materials published.
24 August 98
Age
"Dansino's start after mishap puts stewards on wrong foot"
by Tony Bourke
Account of Dansino incident including the observation "there is a world of difference between a horse being fit to start and fit to win".
24 August 98
Herald Sun
"Some pay more than dividends"
by David Koch
Many listed companies offer their shareholders discounts on their goods and services. These include Crown where a 500 share holding gives access to a 20% discount on Crown merchandise and food and beverage and accommodation.
25 August 98
Herald Sun
"Tattersall's Cup Ends Tomorrow with King of the Mountains"
advertisement
Account of Tattersalls cup cycling series.
25 August 98
hs
"Two more rocks go into ever-rippling Fairfax pond"
by Terry McCrann
Jostling for control of Fairfax including Packer interests.
25 August 98
hs
"Crown denies cash woes"
by MIranda McLachlan
Crown has advised its net cash flows have exceeded all financing costs and have been sufficient to absorb a reduction in liabilities.
25 August 98
Age
"A better hand is unfolding for Crown"
by Leonie Wood
Account of Crown financial position.
26 August 98
Age
"Gambling critic to head probe into social impact"
by Tim Colbatch
The Productivity Commission enquiry into gambling will be chaired by Gary Banks who will sit with Robert Fitzgerald, the former ACOSS head. Its terms of reference will include the incidence of gambling abuse, the cost and nature of welfare support services, the redistribution of income and its effects on community development.
27 August 98
hs
"Charity collapses"
by Glen Mitchell
The VCGA is to investigate the collapse of the Miss Teenage Victoria Quest.
27 August 98
hs
"The juice on Lloyd Williams"
by Bob Hart
A waitress dropped a tray of juice near Lloyd Williams at the opening of the Spring Carnivale"
27 August 98
hs
"Crown must help itself"
letter to the editor from Arnold Jago of Mildura
Government should not use taxes to prop up the struggling casino industry.
27 August 98
hs
"Williams parties with a cha-cha repertoire"
by Peter Coster
Williams defers answers re financial affairs of Crown at Spring Carnivale.
27 August 98
"Crown's bubble hasn't burst, says Williams"
by Leonie Wood
Account of journalists speaking to Williams at Crown Spring Carnivale.
29 August 98
Age
"Hudcon flags Crown accounts write down"
by Leonie Wood
Hudson Conway has flagged potentially huge write downs against its investment in the Crown casino group when it unveils its 1997-98 accounts next month.
29 August 98
Age
"In tireless pursuit of the secrets behind Crown"
by Ewin Hannen
Account of Labor's attempts to disclose Crown/Liberal Government link in awarding of casino licence.
29 August 98
hs
"Crown losses hit Hudcon"
by Tracey Joynson
Hudcon's share price has dropped 54% to a record low of $1.75 since the start of the month.
29 August 98
hs
"Crown loses lustre"
by Peter Coster
Article and photographs including interview with Lloyd Williams.
30 August 98
hs
"Let's take a good hard look at racing"
by Stephen Moran
Article lamenting loss of racing's heart and soul caused by too many race meetings to increase turnover.
30 August 98
Age
"Show us the money!"
by Doug Aiten
Two-third page article on Gerry Devine who gives out winnings to Tatts winners.
30 August 98
Age
"Taking licence with the gaming laws"
letter to the editor by Michael Leachy, Geelong Catholic Social Justice Committee
Account of case before the Liquor Control Commission and complaint that the commission will not take into account gaming-related materials.
30 August 98
Age
"ONce, twice, three times a loser"
by Steve Butcher
Account of punter who committed a crime by making a false report to police to cover the loss of $600 rent money on a horse.
31 August 98
hs
"Tatts riders' challenge"
by John Trevorrow
Fourteen Tattersalls employees will ride in the People's Cycling Challenge.
31 August 98
Age
"Youth trapped in casino ride"
An 18 year-old man had to be helped by the Ambulance and Fire Brigade Officers after his arm became trapped in a ride at Crown.
31 August 98
Age
"Till debt do us part"
by Anne Lampe
Recent case on sexually transmitted debt gives some protection to the wife.
1 September98
hs
"Sporting legends at Tatts pokies"
advertisement
Australian rules footballing personalities will visit 12 Tatts pokies venues each month.
1 September98
hs
"Crime rate soars in Soutbank precinct"
by Peter Mickelburough
Crime statistics released show that crimes in the Southbank area have almost trebled. Thefts from cars up from 108 to 322 and theft (non-car, bike, shoplifting) has grown from 234 to 655.
1 September98
hs
"Crown bet pays off"
by Peter Coster
Crown shares have rallied to 36 cents.
1 September98
hs
"VRC issues unfair tactics warning"
by Adrian Dunn
VRC chief steward reprimanded two jockeys for an interference incident.
1 September98
Age
"Changes top FOI spark cost anger"
by Ewin Hann
Changes in costs rules have exposed FOI applicants to threat of costs being awarded against them in an appeal.
1 September98
Age
"Crown Carnivale"
Half-page advertissment advertising cut price food and drink.
1 September 98
Herald Sun
"What's on around Crown"
lift-out colour advertisement
Detailing activities at Crown during September Carnivale.
2 September 98
Herald Sun
"Genes a gamble"
by Greg Thom
A US study of twins suggests that problem gambling is inherited. The President of the National Association of Gambling Studies is not so sure believing environment played a greater role.
2 September 98
Herald Sun
Letter to the editor blaming Jeff Kennett for gambling culture.
by Barry Little of Sunbury
2 September 98
Herald Sun
"Riding the bear's back"
by Peter Coster
Article on downturn of market with mentions of Packer and Williams shareholdings.
2 September 98
Herald Sun
"Aristocrat wins big"
by Kathy Lipari
Aristocrat has delivered a 21 per cent increase in profit to $28.2 million.
2 September 98
Herald Sun
"Phar Lap for a Holden"
by Shane Templeton, Alison Crosweller and Genevieve Lally
A car salesman believes he has purchased the 1930 Melbourne Cup won by Phar Lap in exchange for a Holden and an undisclosed sum.
2 September 98
Age
"Market gamble pays off"
by Daniel Morrisey and Andrew Hobbs
Account of profit by Aristoc.
2 September 98
Age
"Tabcorp holds pay-TV reins"
by Tony Bourke
Arrangements between Sky Channel and Tabcorp are coming closer - only 15 meetings will be excluded from the service which will be viewed on Optus and Foxtel. Optus is offering a ten-channel service for $9.95 per month.
3 September 98
Herald Sun
"Crown cuts shop rents"
by Greg Thom
The Asian crisis has forced Crown to slash the rents at some of its exclusive shops.
3 September 98
Herald Sun
"Death of a legend"
by Ray Thomas and Tom Salom
Legendary trainer Tommy Smith has died - front page article with photo of Gail Waterhouse.
3 September 98
Age
Star Casino intends to list next month on the Nasdaq index in the United States. Gamble stated there was a drop in spending by Asian customers who live in Australia and who have business connections in the region.
3 September 98
Age
"Against the odds"
by Les Carlyon
Detailed account of the life of Tommy Smith, trainer.
4 September 98
Age
"Vic racing on Sky Channel"
by Kevin Morrison
A deal has been made between Sky Channel and the Victorian racing industry.
4 September 98
Herald Sun
Wait until bingo centre has a massive smoking claim against it.
letter to the editor by Can't Wait of Carrum Downs
4 September 98
Herald Sun
Cartoon of the Godfreys going to a Satanic bingo evening.
by Knight
4 September 98
Herald Sun
"Tutor plan for science"
by Wendy Busfield
Parents will be trained as science tutors under a Victorian State Government plan according to Phil Gude.
4 September 98
Herald Sun
"All clear as pay-TV row ends"
by Adam Hamilton
Deal has been done between Victorian racing industry and Sky Channel. The racing industry reserves free to air rights for specified important race days.
5 September 98
Herald Sun
"Consumers spend as business frets"
by Ed Shann
Despite the Asian crisis, consumer spending has remained high with increases of 5% in retail, motor vehicle registrations up 24% and housing approvals 30%.
5 September 98
Age
"Defence of being drunk may be dumped"
by Ewin Hannan
Victoria is reviewing its laws to remove the defence that a person was too drunk to know what he was doing when he committed a crime.
6 September 98
Herald Sun
"Hero's medal homecoming"
by Felicity Dargan
Tattersalls put in $100,000 to the RSL to enable it to purchase a Victoria Cross for $158,000.
6 September 98
Herald Sun
"Virtual world of 3D just around the corner"
by Murray Johnson
Article on 3D innovations. Reference to Tattersalls Magic Vision cards featuring AFL football stars.
6 September 98
Herald Sun
"Gangs play, Moscow falls"
by Vitali Vitaliev
While Russia slides into chaos thousands of wealthy Russians flee to the French Riviera to indulge in gambling and extravagant spending.
6 September 98
Herald Sun
"Why the chips are down"
by Derek Ballantine
Comprehensive account of poor performance of Australian casinos.
7 September 98
Age
"Watchdog may revisit casino"
by Sushila Das
VCGA may revisit Hudson Conway suitability review following Federal Full Court appeal decision in Amadio Pty Ltd case.
7 September 98
Age
"Gambling and grog are a perilous cocktail: study"
by Matthew Russell
University of West Sydney study shows that alcohol dramatically increases the time spend gambling and reckless gambling behaviour.
7 September 98
Herald Sun
"Foster's gets big bloods in NSW gaming"
by Ian McIlwraith
Foster's Brewing Group, already the nation's biggest gaming machine operator, has won a bid for more poker machine licences in NSW.
7 September 98
Herald Sun
"VRC focus must remain on business"
by Brian Meldrum
Appointment of Jim Brodrick to VRC committee. Criticism that Brodrick wants to run racing as a sport and not an industry.
8 September 98
Herald Sun
"Horse vet dead"
by Mark Buttler and Philip Cullen
A vet involved in a harness racing drug scandal has been found dead.
8 September 98
Herald Sun
"A sporting legend goes out a winner"
by Nicola Webber
Account of funeral of Tommy Smith, trainer.
8 September 98
Herald Sun
"Fill a Piggy Bank for the Very Special Kids"
Tattersalls advertisement
Tattersalls donating to and canvassing for donations to Very Special Kids - families with child with progressive life-threatening illness.
8 September 98
Age
"Delay on casino tender bid"
by Sandra McKay
Judge Tim Woods has adjourned an application by the Labor party which is trying to FOI financial documents relating to the casino competition which went to the Cabinet's Casino and Gaming Committee in May and July 1993.
8 September 98
Age
"Drink still the bane of youth"
by Andrew Darby
More than 10% of younger Australians have a drinking problem.
8 September 98
Age
"Gentle laughter and an anecdote or two farewell a king of the turf"
by Kendall Hill
Account of Tommy Smith's funeral.
8 September 98
Age
"Moment of decision"
by Roslyn Guy
Choosing schools. What parents want. Need to check out school values against family values.
8 September 98
Age
"Friendless at the bottom for Hudson Conway"
by Christopher Webb
Little market interest in Hudson Conway. Slight interest in Crown on rumour Vic TAB interested.
9 September 98
Herald Sun
"Kiwis lure punters"
by Greg Thom
A New Zealand casino is hosting two invitation-only dinners for local gamblers in a bid to woo them to play in New Zealand. Other state casinos are also trying to woo local gamblers away from Crown.
9 September 98
Herald Sun
"Bookies on wrong track"
by Shane Templeton
Victorian bookmaker's turnover small compared to other states and Vanuatu.
10 September 98
Age
"Test cheats crisis"
by Greg Baum
Cricket is in crisis after three senior Pakistani players were found yesterday to have rigged matches.
10 September 98
Age
"Labor appeals on rules for Crown"
by Sandra McKay
The State Opposition has urged the VCGA not to alter the rules for Crown if it breaches its gearing condition.
10 September 98
Age
"The great betrayal"
by Greg Baum
Pakistani players are likely to remain free to play in Australia.
10 September 98
Herald Sun
"Teenage killer gets life as boys run riot"
by AP
Account of murder of seven-year-old girl in a casino restroom stall in Las Vegas
10 September 98
Herald Sun
"Wheel spins a little longer"
by Peter Coster
Crown's balance sheet out tomorrow.
10 September 98
Herald Sun
"You cheats"
Account of Pakistani match fixing.
11 September 98
Herald Sun
"Tax millions up in smoke"
by Keith Moor
Account of illegal tobacco industry that has grown up in Victoria since control was passed to Commonwealth. Caused by combination of poor enforcement and high taxes.
11 September 98
Herald Sun
"Punter puts faith in Saints"
by Sarah Hudson
Punter places $30,000 sports bet on StKilda to beat Melbourne.
11 September 98
Herald Sun
"Betting"
Odds for Federal election results!
Coalition 1/3
Labor 2/1
11 September 98
Herald Sun
"$10,000 yabby on the loose"
A prize of $10,000 will be paid for any Camp Out participator capturing a tagged yabby at Albert Park. thousands of families are expected.
11 September 98
Herald Sun
"Waterhouse sorry"
Robbie Waterhouse is applying to have his ban lifted after the Fine Cotton affair.
11 September 98
Herald Sun
"Get on your high horse"
by Ross Brundrett
Account of pending opening of Spring Racing Carnival. Includes list of race courses.
11 September 98
Herald Sun
Sky Racing
advertisement
Sky Racing now on Optus at special deal of $10 per month for ten channels.
11 September 98
Age
"Packer key in Crown restructure"
by Leonie Wood
A major Crown restructure is expected to be announced today involving Kerry Packer.
11 September 98
Age
"I will regret Find Cotton until I die: Waterhouse"
by Caroline Overington
Robbie Waterhouse applies for lifting of ban.
11 September 98
Herald Sun
"Lotto win too late"
A 22 year-old Welsh woman committed suicide weeks before she won a $3.7 million jackpot in the National Lottery.
12 September 98
Age
"Kerry, a $425 million mate to casino boss"
by Malcolm Maiden
Packer offer to inject $425 million into Crown in exchange for half the profits is a financial life saver.
12 September 98
Herald Sun
"Deal a slick punt on mateship"
by Terry McCrann
Packer could have squeezed Williams out of the casino but did not because of his friendship to Williams. That is not to say the deal was charity.
12 September 98
Herald Sun
"Packer's $425m casino bailout
by Ian McIlwrath and Greg Thom
Account of bailout with photos of Kerry Packer and Lloyd Williams.
12 September 98
Herald Sun
"Packer deals himself in"
by Greg Thom
Account of bailout with brief chronology of Crown woes.
12 September 98
Herald Sun
Cartoon showing packer at gambling table saying "You only get one Bond in your lifetime" and the female dealer answering "It doesn't hurt to be dealt a Lloyd too".
by Knight
12 September 98
Herald Sun
"Odds in favour of ban lift"
by Agencies
Tip that Robbie Waterhouse will get back his licence.
12 September 98
Herald Sun
"Crown drives Hudcon loss"
by Ian McIlwraith
Crown has finished the year more than $350 million in the red and Hudcon has posted a $158 million loss.
12 September 98
Herald Sun
"Watchdog slaps Crown"
by Ian McIlwraith and Greg Thom
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has found that Crown breached the corporations law by failing to keep its shareholders informed. Crown has been obliged to give undertakings to produce quarterly results.
12 September 98
Herald Sun
"Knockabout Packer saves Williams"
by Peter Coster
Account of negotiations between Williams and Packer.
13 September 98
Age
"He's baaaack!"
Richard Salmons
Brief account of Packer bailout of Crown.
13 September 98
Age
"Pyramid game causes concern"
by Ian Munro
Authorities are worried by a pyramid-type airline game in country areas particularly south-east of Melbourne.
14 September 98
Herald Sun
"Racing commission now just a tiff away"
by Brian Meldrum
Speculation about appointment of Racing Commission to replace individual committees to avoid issues of media coverage and turnover distribution.
14 September 98
Age
"Gambling enquiry gets a tax exemption"
by Phillip Hudson
Last week the commission met with industry representatives and welfare groups to decide what questions it should be including in its investigation.
14 September 1998
Age
"Losses and debt in common but Crown gets an ace"
by Malcolm Maiden
Comparison of Brierley Investments and Crown.
15 September 98
Herald Sun
"$50,000 Tatts donation for vehicle emissions program"
advertisement
Tattersalls has donated $50,000 to the greenfleet program which plants trees to offset car exhaust gasses.
15 September 98
Herald Sun
"One nation lottery row"
by Greg Thom
The VCGA yesterday charged One Nation with violating the State's lottery laws.
15 September 98
Herald Sun
"The Betting"
Coalition 4/13
Labor 9/4 (Centrebet NT)
15 September 98
Herald Sun
"Packer's Crown gains"
By Ian McIlwraith
Packers $425 million investment in Crown has already reaped him $20 million in the increase in the value of his shares in Crown. Graph of recent Crown and Hudcon movements.
15 September 98
Age
"One Nation charged on illegal lottery counts"
by Steve Butcher
VCGA has charged One Nation over an illegal lottery arising out of a NSW lottery being sold in Victoria.
15 September 98
Age
"Gambling on Crown: what a difference a Packer makes"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Packer assistance removes risk but the high risk option of hanging in may have been the only way the shareholders would have recouped their losses over the last 12 months. Account of rap over the knuckles of Crown by Australian Securities and Investment Commission.
15 September 98
Age
"Crown plan encounters opposition"
by Leonie Wood
Some analysts are against the deal with Packer.
16 September 98
Age
"Tabcorp chief hits out at campaign's inward focus"
by Leonie Wood
Ross Wilson called for a lifting or all company merger controls to be lifted.
16 September 98
Age
"Gambling growth to continue: Tabcorp"
by Leonie Wood
Ross Wilson said Victorian gambling expenditure would rise 15%.
16 September 98
Age
"Hudcon feels pressure"
by Judith Heywood
Crown and Hudcon shares slid a little lower today.
16 September 98
Herald Sun
"Charting an obsession"
by Garry Mansfield
Account of six-part series - The Gamblers - on Channel 2
16 September 98
Herald Sun
"Casino scams"
Crown has failed to eliminate the 'scammers' from the casino - those who crowd the machines when a bank of machines is likely to pay a jackpot.
16 September 98
Herald Sun
"Tabcorp looks for expansion"
by Miranda McLachlan
Tabcorp had been looking for investment opportunities but had found none. Tabcorp's Pay-TV racing deal had bolstered telephone and retail wagering by 9% in the first week.
16 September 98
Herald Sun
"Crown's prince charming"
by Peter Coster
Lloyd William's comments on the bailout.
17 September 98
Age
"Lockett in the doghouse"
by Mark Forbes
Article on alleged greyhound breeding scam.
17 September 98
Herald Sun
"PLO punt on cards"
by AP
The Oasis casino has opened in Palestine aimed at foreign tourists, Israelis and Palestinians who live in Israel.
17 September 98
Herald Sun
"Pubtab's Sky row"
by Matthew Stewart
Victoria's 400 pubtabs are likely to close betting facilities for Sunday's Caulfield meeting in protest over Sky channel costs.
18 September 98
Age
"Alarm over increase in teenagers' tobacco use"
by Tim Winkler
Health authorities are asking for funds to stop children smoking.
18 September 98
Herald Sun
"Teen smoke concern"
by Helen Carter
The Australian Government should commit the $64 million it makes from under-age smoking into programs to stop children smoking.
18 September 98
Herald Sun
"Anti-drug hope"
by Geoff Wilkinson and Sasha Baskett
Kennett may reverse the decision to stop funding for Life Education Victoria.
18 September 98
Herald Sun
"Crown, ASIC tiff resolved"
by Norrie Ross
The bitter legal battle between Crown and the ASIC ended yesterday. Each side bore its own costs.
18 September 98
Age
"Tobacco to butt out of Grand Prix"
by Mark Forbes and Sandra McKay
Tobacco advertising at the Grand Prix will be phased out after the year 2000.
18 September 98
Age
"Employees behind most corporate espionage"
by Leon Gettler
Almost one in three Australian companies have lost trade secrets and confidential information worth up to $50 million.
18 September 98
Age
"Industry to meet on pubtab blackban
Executives will meet with AHA representatives over the proposed blackban.
19 September 98
Age
"Board lifts bookie's track ban"
by Richard Macey
Robbie Waterhouse's warning off over the Fine Cotton incident has been lifted.
19 September 98
Age
"Gambling beyond walls of sacred city"
by Ross Dunn
Muslims are concerned about the moral corruption that the Palistinian casino will spread.
19 September 98
Age
"Investor group queries Crown deal"
by Leonie Wood
The Australian Shareholders' Association has issued a raft of questions to Crown about the Packer bailout.
19 September 98
Herald Sun
"Bookie back on track"
by AAP
Robbie Waterhouse's warning off over the Fine Cotton incident has been lifted.
19 September 98
Herald Sun
"World punts on our footy"
by Adrian Dunn
Punters around the world will plunge $1.5 million on this week's AFL Preliminary Finals. Quite detailed account of distribution of sports betting on the football finals.
19 September 98
Herald Sun
"So very special in times of need"
by Ross Brundrett
Tabcorp assisting Very Special Kids with pink pig moneyboxes.
19 September 98
Herald Sun
"Medal count gets the punters' vote"
by Adrian Dunn
Account of betting on the Brownlow Medal.
20 September 98
Herald Sun
"Time to lift game on betting rules"
by Tony Bourke
Article arguing for revision of laws in favour of bookies.
21/11/98
Age
"Children to learn lessons of gambling"
by Carolyn Jones
Academics form the Youth Research Centre at the University of Melbourne are developing gambling education guidelines for primary and secondary schools modelled on the harm minimisation approach used in successful drug and alcohol education programs.
21 September 98
Age
"Ministers tight-lipped on casino documents"
by Sandra McKay
The State Government will not say whether it will grant indemnity to ex-employees of the Casino Control Authority who give evidence on the opposition's FOI application regarding the giving of tender documents to ministers.
21 September 98
Herald Sun
"Father and son team could call odds again"
by Ray Thomas
Bill Waterhouse, Robbie Waterhouse's father may apply to have his warning lifted also.
21 September 98
Herald Sun
"Very Special Kids Piggy Bank Week"
advertisement
Tattersalls and others are sponsoring a collection drive for Very Special Kids.
21 September 98
Herald Sun
"Punters suffer a mauling"
by Adrian Dunn
Punters who bet on Footscray to beat Adelaide lost their money. Insight into sports betting amounts and conditions. Use of even money bets with "starts" of x.5.
22 September 98
Herald Sun
"Getting ready for the giant red pig"
advertisement
Tatts is helping with the inaugural statewide funding campaign the Very Special Kids Piggy Bank Week.
22 September 98
Herald Sun
"Crown to answer race complaint"
by AAP
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has refused to strike out a complaint of racial discrimination made by Fang Hong.
22 September 98
Herald Sun
"Trustee criticised"
by Michelle Pountney
Problems have emerged in the way pensions and estates of disabled people have been managed by State Trustees.
22 September 98
Herald Sun
"Suicide fight boost"
by Wendy Busfield
The State Government has given the private schools $1.2 million as part of a State-wide push to curb youth suicide.
22 September 98
Herald Sun
"Packer's case starts"
by Emma Blake
Kerry Packer corporation's long-awaited tax case has started.
22 September 98
Age
"Chinese gambler accuses Crown of discrimination"
by Sue Cant
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has refused to strike out a complaint of racial discrimination made by Fang Hong.
22 September 98
Age
"Packer company takes stand against the tax man"
by Anne Lampe
Packer corporation tax case has started in Federal Court.
23 September 98
Herald Sun
"$900,000 bet on favourites"
by Greg Thom
Brief account of betting on Brownlow.
23 September 98
Herald Sun
The Betting
Centrebet odds on federal election.
23 September 98
Age
"Need gambling help? You bet"
by Phillip Hudson
The Productivity yesterday called for submissions for its year-long enquiry into gambling.
23 September 98
Age
"New formula bans tobacco sponsors"
The federal government has set a worldwide precedent to end tobacco sponsorship for all international sporting events held in Australia. This will impact on the Grand Prix.
23 September 98
Age
"Addicted to sex"
by Maree Curtis
Account of sex addicts and sexaholics anonymous.
24 September 98
Herald Sun
"Sport's base instinct"
by Terry Brown
Ballarat Softball Association is raffling a Ballarat massage parlour.
24 September 98
Herald Sun
"The Quick Campaign"
Centrebet NT coalition 11/8, Labor: 1/2, One Nation 250/1.
24 September 98
Age
"Packer backs coalition"
by Andrian Rollins
Kerry Packer has publicly come out in support of the coalition.
24 September 98
Age
"Past premiers face axe if MCG trust is recast"
by Malcolm Maiden and Stephen Linnell
The State government is poised to introduce legislation which will revamp the MCG Trust.
25 September 98
Herald Sun
"Bookies' Kangaroo nightmare"
by Adrian Dunn
Bookies are staring at another wipeout if North Melbourne wins the flag.
25 September 98
Herald Sun
"The Quick Campaign"
Centrebet betting Coalition 4/9, Labor 6/4, One Nation 250/1.
25 September 98
Herald Sun
"Tabcorp boss pockets bonus"
by Miranda McLauchlin
Account of Tabcorp annual report.
25 September 98
Herald Sun
"$7,000 fine for McIntosh
by Adrian Dunn
Racecaller Rick McIntosh yesterday was fined $7,000 overturning a one year disqualification for failing to alert stewards of an approach by a professional punter Peter Grouis to allegedly rig a race.
26 September 98
Age
"York out for three months"
Jockey Brian York suspended for three months for "failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that equal favourite Markhabayan gained the best possible place in a welter at Canterbury on 9 September".
26 September 98
Age
"Gambling trumps alcohol as the new forbidden fruit of our youth."
by Carolyn Jones, Education reporter
Account of youth gambling by Alun Jones of Melbourne University. Comment also by University of West Sydney Ms Robyn Maddern.
26 September 98
Herald Sun
"Mates share $17.5 million"
by Glenn Mitchell
Country NSW syndicate wins pool in Powerball.
26 September 98
Herald Sun
"The Quick Campaign"
Centrebet figures: coalition 4/9, Labor 6/4 and One Nation 250/1.
26 September 98
Herald Sun
"Big gig for porkers"
Itinerary for the Very Special Kids Piggy Bank Week pink pigs' tour of Victoria.
27 September 98
Age
Election '98
Centrebet $1 buys coalition $1.50, Labor $2.40, One Nation $251.
28 September 91
Herald Sun
"The Quick campaign"
Centrebet odds: coalition 4/9, Labor 6/4, One Nation 250/1
29 September 98
Herald Sun
"John Rowles plus Grease at Tatts Pokies"
advertisement
Singer John Rowles will entertain at Tatts venues. Rowles first hits were in the mid '60s.
29 September 98
Herald Sun
"Piggy banks today"
Itinerary for the Very Special Kids piggy banks.
29 September 98
Age
"$54 million at stake in Packer tax case"
by Jane Wardell
Consolidated Press Holdings is appealing a taxation ruling disallowing deductions alleging a tax avoidance scheme.
30 September 98
Herald Sun
"Trainers should put punters on track"
by Shane Templeton
Complaint that trainer had run a horse on a heavy track.
1 October 98
Herald Sun
"Diesels ready to roll at the casino"
by Glenn Mitchell
Crown casino has spent more than $250,000 to cope with the gas crisis.
1 October 98
Herald Sun
"The Quick Campaign"
Betting on coalition 2/5, Labor 7/4, One Nation 250/1.
1 October 98
Herald Sun
"Betting plunge on Labor"
by Andrew Cummins
A punter has bet $30,000 on Labor to win
Few gamblers are picking One Nation but "most gamblers have backed Pauline Hanson to miss re- election".
1 October 98
Herald Sun
"Join the party to welcome back pigs"
Five giant piggy banks will end their fundraising drive across Victoria with a very special celebration at the Melbourne zoo on Sunday.
1 October 98
Herald Sun
"Pokie pull earns $1 million"
A father of two from Epping won a $1 million poker machine jackpot at Crown casino.
2 October 98
Herald Sun
"The Quick Campaign"
Coalition 1/3, Labor 2/1, One Nation 250/1.
2 October 98
Herald Sun
"RSL backed $300,000 bets"
An RSL club allowed its manager to go an a Keno credit betting spree worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in one night.
2 October 98
Age
"Sunday racing on track for TAB"
by Kevin Morrison
Account of proposed expansion of NSW Sunday racing and night racing. "The racing industry is attempting to provide additional racing product to fill these gaps".
4 October 98
Age
"Sale farewells a great mate, a hero who loved a punt"
by Farah Farouque
Workman who died in the Esso Longford gas plant fire loved a punt.
5 October 98
Herald Sun
"Pakistani in backflip on bribes"
by Ron Reed
One of the chief accusers in the Pakistani cricket corruption enquiry may retract his allegations.
5 October 98
Age
"State issues proved a deciding factor in Bendigo poll"
by Lindsay Murdoch
Mr Gibbons, the Labor candidate who won Bendigo from the Liberals claimed his opposition to a casino in Bendigo drew votes away from his Liberal opponent.
6 October 98
Herald Sun
"Tatts Award for Recycling Special Needs Equipment"
advertisement
Tattersalls gave a $5,000 award to a woman who recycles equipment for disabled children.
6 October 98
Herald Sun
"Honest punter finds $1.5 million"
Man finds settlement cheques in street.
6 October 98
Herald Sun
"Betting made easy"
by Tim Habel
Explanation of how to bet at the TAB and PubTABs.
6 October 98
Herald Sun
"Bookies don't bite"
by Adrian Dunn
Explanation of bookmakers and interview with Bill Graham, a bookmaker. Graham's advice on tips and betting.
7 October 98
Herald Sun
"NSW high-roller tax cut a blow to Crown"
by Stephen Mayne and Mark Robinson
The decision by the NSW government to reduce the tax rate for high-roller betting at the Star City casino will impact on Crown's high-roller business.
7 October 98
Herald Sun
"EDI will have to take silver"
The decision by the NSW government to reduce the tax rate for high-roller betting at the Star City casino will impact on Crown's high-roller business. More than half Crown's business will go to Sydney.
7 October 98
Age
"Sydney cuts high-roller tax rate to lure players"
by Kevin Morrison
Gamble, Star Casino Chief, looking for 20% of the high-roller market. Account of high-roller market and Star's expectations.
8 October 98
Herald Sun
"Gambling on a new deal"
by Peter Coster
Star City is to have a 10% flat tax on high-roller gambling. This will put Crown at a disadvantage both to Star and also to Las Vegas where the high-roller tax is a flat 8%.
8 October 98
Herald Sun
"CPH leaves Crown waiting"
by Ian McIlwraith
Consolidated Press Holdings has extended the completion date of its due diligence investigation of Crown by one month.
8 October 98
Age
"Crown, Packer report due amid high roller figures."
The result of the Crown due diligence study by CPH is expected on 20 October 1998.
9 October 98
Herald Sun
"MCC forced to fight for stadium"
by Vanessa Williams and Damon Johnston
The Melbourne Cricket Club will have to fight for its historic right to manage the MCG. Legislation introduced into Parliament last night.
9 October 98
Herald Sun
"Business toasts liquor law changes"
by Greg Thom and Sahsa Baskett
The radical overhaul of the state's liquor laws drew cautious approval from consumer groups and hoteliers yesterday. Shops can sell liquor under strict controls but not milk bars, service stores or convenience stores.
9 October 98
Herald Sun
"Casino tax break bid"
The Premier, Jeff Kennett, has indicated that he would approve of Crown getting a high-roller tax break but that the decision lay with the Gaming Minister.
10 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Egar: Why I sat on bribes"
by Robert Craddock
Former Australian cricket manager, Colin Egar, kept bribery allegations secret on the 1994 tour of Pakistan for fear that having them make public would cause an "enormous ruckus" which could have ruined the tour.
10 October 1998
Age
"God, the Devil and the Holy Land's big gamble"
by Lee Hockstader
Account of the new casino in Palestine.
11 October 1998
Herald Sun
The wagers of sin"
by Mark Ray
Article on cricket fixing in Pakistan.
11 October 1998
Age
"Galloping over the line of investment"
by Richard Salmons
Competition between investors results in "Lucky Phil", the Sunday Age racing tipster coming out ahead of share and gold investors.
11 October 1998
Age
"Law revamp sparks under-age drink fear"
by Gabrielle Costa
Proposed legislation to widen number of liquor outlets is causing concern.
12 October 1998
Age
"Bribe probe widens"
by Mark Ray
Account of developments in Pakistan commission of inquiry into cricket bribery, match-fixing and corruption.
13 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Tatts Bike Team has Skill and Balance"
advertisement
Account of Tattersalls bike team on VicHealth Herald Sun tour.
13 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Gaming at a gallop"
by Kathy Lipari
Gaming and wagering groups TAB (NSW) and Tabcorp Holdings surged to record high Sun yesterday as the market rated the revenue streams of the two companies danger free.
14 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Packer tax win"
Packer will not be forced to hand over millions to the taxman after wining a battle in the Federal Court yesterday.
14 October 1998
Herald Sun
Letter to the editor
by Stan Collymore, South Melbourne
Billions of dollars into the casino but what about a backup gas supply.
14 October 1998
Age
"The filthy dollar blackens all in cricket"
by Mark Ray
Complaint that cricket administrators not taking sufficient action over bribery allegations.
14 October 1998
Herald Sun
"How John Elliott's habit cost Carlton a sponsor"
by Mike Sheanah and Rick Wallace
John Elliott's continuous refusal to stop smoking has cost Carlton Football Club $80,000.
15 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Elliott told to butt out"
by Mark Robinson, Bruce Brammall and Jen Kelly
Account of VicHealth's withdrawal of $80,000 sponsorship over Elliott's smoking.
15 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Packer tax victory outcry"
Packer's tax victory has raised criticism from several quarters.
15 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino chip scam"
A 20 year-old former casino employee stole $11,500 worth of chips from Crown Casino to fund a luxury lifestyle.
15 October 1998
Age
"Institutions fret in the dark over Packer Crown rescue"
by Rod Myer
Institutional shareholders in Crown are restive over rumours that Packer's CPH may withdraw its $425 rescue bid.
16 October 1998
Age
"Gaming blamed for rise in crime"
by Stephen Cauchi
Gambling at Crown casino and gaming venues has fuelled crime in Victoria said Judge Pannam as he sentenced a young woman who stole $42,046 from her employer, the Commonwealth Bank. The woman had developed a gambling habit at the casino.
16 October 1998
Age
"Row over Sky threatens Sunday TAB services"
by Tony Bourke
TAB agencies plan "strike" action over Sky Channel charges.
16 October 1998
Herald Sun
Very Special Kids and Tattersalls thank Victorians for successful Piggy Bank Week.
16 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Number is up for couriers"
by Andrew Probyn
Bike couriers are now to be numbered in an attempt to curb dangerous riding.
16 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Bank worker stole to bet"
by Jason Silverii
Judge Pannam as he sentenced a young woman who stole $42,046 from her employer, the Commonwealth Bank. The woman had developed a gambling habit at the casino.
18 October 1998
Age
"Snag for staff in gaming probe"
by Ewin Hannan
The State Government Minister for Gaming, Roger Hallam, has refused to indemnify State Government employees who give evidence to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on VCCA/Government communication during the casino competition/tender process.
18 October 1998
Age
"Game students learn some solid values"
by Judith Heywood
Jellis Craig, real estate agents, have initiated a competition called Threshold amongst Boroondara high schools whereby students try and estimate house sale amounts.
19 October 1998
Age
"Business is best in schools" by Carolyn Jones
State schools have been formally banned from accepting sponsorships from tobacco, alcohol and gambling corporations according to the Education Minister, Phil Gude.
19 October 1998
Herald Sun
"New rules limit school sponsors"
by Wendy Busfield
New school sponsorship guidelines prohibit sponsorships from tobacco, alcohol and gambling corporations according to the Education Minister, Phil Gude.
20 October 1998
Age
Cartoon showing Kerry Packer offering to paint woman's house saying normally he would charge $50 million but he would do it for $49,999,967.07 if she paid cash. Taxation inferences.
20 October 1998
Age
"Crown chief Riley has regulator's ok"
by Leonie Wood
Riley and non-executive Crown director, Ron Bourke, have passed the VCGA probity checks. Former ASC chief, Tony Hartnell, has not passed probity checks yet though 5 months since he agreed to join Crown.
20 October 1998
Age
"A betting shop by any other name"
by Mark Ray
Star Video shop in Lahore is suspected betting shop.
20 October 1998
Herald Sun
"George's house is open to the disadvantaged"
advertisement
Tattersalls has given Tattersalls Award for Enterprise and Achievement to George Farrington who established Open House, Christian Involvement Centres.
20 October 1998
Herald Sun
"There's nothing like the smell of chaff in the morning"
by Ross Brundrett
Humorous article on coming Spring Carnival, advice to punters.
20 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Packer to decide on Crown"
Packer company to decide today on $425 million deal with Crown.
20 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Iqbal job a worry for ICC"
by Malcolm Conn
The man accused of instigating illegal betting and match-fixing on test and one-day cricket is event manager for the International Cricket Council's mini-World Cup in Bangladesh later this month.
21 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Tributes to leading QC"
Neil McPhee died at 69. Funeral service at Scots Church. He regularly represented the VRC.
21 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Running a paddock"
editorial
MCG plans understandable but need to keep its autonomy.
21 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Kerry still finds it taxing to stroll into a casino"
by Terry McCrann
Implications of Kerry Packer walking away from the Crown $425 million deal.
21 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Packer keeps Crown on ice"
by Ian McIlwraith
Packer delays decision on $425 million deal.
21 October 1998
Age
"Packer reviews Crown deal"
by Leonie Wood
Speculation about Packer's likely decision on $425 million deal.
21 October 1998
Age
"Packer has tense Crown shareholders judging the risks"
by Stephen Barthlomeusz
No certainty that Packer will proceed with $425 million deal. Deal becoming less attractive for Packer with world slowdown and less attractive for Crown with maintenance of local business.
22 October 1998
Herald Sun
"A nation of beggars"
by Jill Singer
Large numbers of charities are asking for money.
22 October 1998
Age
"Casino tax break on the cards"
by Clare Kermond, Sandra McKay and Malcolm Maiden
Crown casino looks set to win a reduction in high-roller tax after Premier Kennett said it would be stupid to reject such a request.
22 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Packer's cards stay close to his chest"
by Miranda McLachlan
D-day for announcement on CPH Packer deal with Crown. Speculation on outcome.
22 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino given tax lifeline"
by Damon Johnston, Miranda McLachlan and Vanessa Williams
Crown casino looks set to win a reduction in high-roller tax after Premier Kennett said it would be stupid to reject such a request.
22 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Bali trip for lucky punters"
advertisement
Present your coupon when you place your trifecta bet to be in for trip to Bali.
22 October 1998
Age
"Casino taxes should stay"
editorial
No tax cuts for Crown.
22 October 1998
Age
Cartoon showing Packer, Williams and Kennett sitting at table. Kennett asks whether Williams thinks Crown is paying too much tax and Williams replies that Packer ought to know. Implied reference to recent income tax case.
23 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Kennett no to Packer"
Premier Jeff Kennett has signalled the government will not grant Kerry Packer's demand for more pokies and the scrapping of Crown's second hotel tower and Lyric Theatre.
23 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino needs new boss"
letter to the editor from Mrs V Blyth of Frankston
Small business owner finding it a bit difficult too - no special help for casino.
23 October 1998
Herald Sun
Cartoon
Elliott blowing smoke into VicHealth reps face and rep saying it may be a free country but it is going to cost him (Elliott).
23 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Bookies salute sports bet bill"
by Shane Templeton
Bookies delighted at government decision to allow them 24 hour, 7 days a week sportsbetting.
23 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino ask a bit rich"
by Terry McCrann
McCrann's useful analysis of Packer ambit claim on casino
23 October 1998
Age
"Kennett no to Packer"
by Sandra McKay and Malcolm Maiden
The Premier described Packer's claims for alterations for the casino operating conditions and taxes as an ambit claim and said any proposals must be referred to the VCGA.
23 October 1998
Age
Cartoon
Tandberg
Packer says to Kennett to use Packer's personal benchmark (to calculate new Crown tax).
23 October 1998
Age
"Crown and Packer play the game of second-guessing"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
The wish list of changes to Crown's tax and regulatory regime announced yesterday is either a cynical ambit claim, a smokescreen for something unrelated, or both. Bartholomeusz feels justification for bringing high roller tax into line with Sydney and waiving hotel tower requirement.
23 October 1998
Age
"A Crown profit but still gloom"
by Jane Schulze
Crown reveals a net quarterly profit of $9.1 million.
23 October 1998
Age
"Analysts divided on Crown wishlist"
by Malcolm Maiden and Jane Schultz
Analysis of Crown requests and analysts reactions. Requests are:
decrease in high roller tax from 12% to 8%
tax cut on domestic revenue from 22% to 15%
1000 more poker machines (in exchange for reduced tables) to 3500
waiver of hotel tower and Lyric Theatre requirements
(no mention of extension of exclusivity period)
23 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Deal me in"
by Ian McIlwraith, Glenn Mitchell and Damon Johnston
Packer has made his $425 million investment virtually contingent on the government accepting the changes sought.
23 October 1998
Age
"We have sacrificed too much for Crown"
letter to the editor from Archdeacon Andrew Oddy
Arguing against government accepting casino requests.
24 October 1998
Good Weekend
"The price of speed"
by John van Tiggelen
Fascinating article arguing that race horses have been bred up to a peak. Anatomical constraints include strength of legs, breathing rate and bleeding from the lungs.
24 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Gambling a way of life"
by R Gorman of Oakleigh
Letter expressing concern about problem gambling and approving "The Gamblers" series on Channel 2.
24 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Pigs might fly"
by Damon Johnston and Kristin Owen
Article on premier's rejection of Crown requests and requests for 10 year extension of exclusivity and reduction of domestic gaming tax were outrageous.
24 October 1998
Age
"Testing ties that bind"
by Malcolm Maiden
Half page discussion on economics and politics of Crown request for amendments.
24 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown chiefs' pay bid"
by Ian McIlwraith
Some details from Crown annual report. Non-executive directors are seeking a further $100,000 for distribution because more of them and more responsibility now that Crown has the management contract.
24 October 1998
Age
"Poker machine hope for Crown"
by Clare Kermond and Leonie Wood
More speculation on Packer proceeding with $425 million plan.
24 October 1998
Age
"But didn't Crown know the tax rate?"
letter to the editor from Keith Fitzgerald of Glen Waverley
Arguing against changes to the casino arrangements.
24 October 1998
Age
"Win a Racehorse Promotion"
advertisement by Sky Racing
Optus Vision Pay TV users will be entered in a competition to win a race horse.
25 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Pubs push for more gambling"
by David Wilson
The Australian Hotels Association is lobbying for the right to put Club Keno into 1750 hotels in Victoria.
25 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Dry again at Pubtabs"
Victoria's 300 pubtabs will be closed again today to protest against Sky Channel.
25 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Place your bets"
by Mark Phillips
Speculation on whether Packer will proceed with $425 million investment in Crown.
25 October 1998
Herald Sun
"No stars for Crown"
by Terry McCrann
Star Casino is retaining 29 cents of every revenue dollar against Crown's retention rate of 23.8 cents. Star is recouping $4500 per table per day against Crown's $2300 per day. There is room for massive improvement in Crown's efficiency. Crown needs less tables and more pokies.
26 October 1998
Age
"Who shapes Melbourne"
Lift-out report of several pages on the people and institutions who influence the shaping of Melbourne.
26 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Gamblers on a losing streak"
by Damon Johnston
New figures reveal gamblers poured $1.296 billion into Treasury coffers last financial year. Claims that not enough spent on problem gambling.
26 October 1998
Herald Sun
Letter to the editor from Brad Harrison of Waverley
Kennett should stop giving money to the casino and buy Waverley.
27 October 1998
Age
"Relaxed Riley at helm of Crown"
by Leonie Wood
Profile on Robert Riley, new Crown CEO. He was a former Ford Foundation lawyer.
27 October 1998
Age
"Perth casino seeks tax cut"
by Kevin Morrison
Perth casino is talking to West Australian government seeking high-roller gambling tax cuts from 15% rate to answer tax cut in NSW.
27 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Have a go Grand Final"
advertisement
Tattersalls winner of the annual Tattersall's Award for Enterprise and Achievement will be announced on Thursday.
27 October 1998
Herald Sun
"VRC suspends cocaine jockey"
by Adrian Dunn
Jockey Andrew Finlay suspended after positive test for cocaine and cannabis.
27 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Casinos must gamble too"
letter to the editor from the Rev John McDonald of Chicago
Casino must take risk same as everyone else.
similar letter from Norm of Sale.
27 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Lottery fortune splits couple"
by Daily Mail
English lottery winner who won $50 million is being divorced by his wife because of the strain the win put on their 17 year marriage.
28 October 1998
Herald Sun
"New market rort claims"
by Damon Johnston
A second fruit and vegetable chief has been accused of rorting his expenses and making 380 calls to a betting agency on his office mobile phone.
28 October 1998
Herald Sun
"A racing pundit at only 10"
by Fiona Byrne
A ten year old boy with brittle bones disease wants to be a jockey. Has a tip (Doriemus) for the cup.
28 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Letter to the editor titled The Gambling State, Glen Iris alleging Premier's first love is casino over hospitals and schools.
28 October 1998
Age
"Crown is a business not a charity"
letter to the editor by Mike Josem, 17, East Malvern
Arguing that Crown is a business and gamblers should not be given sympathy.
28 October 1998
Age
"On floor 37, the pampering is priceless"
by Geoff Strong
Description of Crown high roller suites.
28 October 1998
Age
"Gaming wars: Tabcorp wants same deal as casino"
by Leonie Wood
Tabcorp annual meeting. Tabcorp boss Ross Wilson wants government concessions if Crown casino gets its requests for lower tax rates and more poker machines.
28 October 1998
Age
"Row over market chief's TAB calls"
by Ewin Hannan
The chief executive of the Melbourne Market Authority, Mr Ian Webb, used his mobile phone to make over 380 calls to a betting agency over three months.
28 October 1998
Age
"Tabcorp the winner, even before the race"
by Leonie Wood
Tabcorp annual meeting. Tabcorp's wagering business has been strong this year but the growth in machine revenue has slowed markedly.
28 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Tabcorp chief lashes Crown"
by Miranda McLaughlin
Tabcorp annual general meeting. Gaming revenues growth down to 14% for first three months. Wagering up. Critical of Crown's call for lower tax. Pointed out Crown paid 22% against Tabcorp's 33.3%/42.5% club/pub tax.
29 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown to sell off land"
by Ian McIlwraith
Crown is selling off a $10 million parcel of land opposite its casino after deciding on a new site for its second hotel tower.
29 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Casino sues over musical"
by Russell Coulson
Star City casino is suing David Marriner over the musical production "Show Boat" at the casino.
29 October 1998
Age
"Crown to sell second hotel site"
by Leonie Wood and Antony Catalano
Crown is selling its second hotel site and earmarking another site closer to the exhibition centre targetting the conventions market and medium level gambling.
29 October 1998
Age
"Sparks fly in power firm's Crown job"
by Christopher Webb
An electrical contracting company, Kennedy Taylor (Vic) Pty Ltd is suing Crown for additional costs on variations to an electrical fitting-out contract.
30 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Ron Walker to quit Liberal post"
by Karl Malakunas
Ron Walker will resign as federal treasurer of the Liberal party. Walker has raised more than $100 million for the party over ten years.
30 October 1998
Herald Sun
"If your daughter is named Doriemus, back it"
by Kerry Cue
Humorous article about gambling and gamblers leading up to the Melbourne Cup.
30 October 1998
Herald Sun
"If Crown takes a hit, well, that's gambling"
by Ray Cleary, Chairman, Inter Church Gambling Task Force
Argues that Crown should not have it both ways on taxes.
30 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Packer pair prefer pay-TV to Lloyd and Jeff punt"
by Terry McCrann
The Packers have walked away from Crown in favour of a more attractive deal.
30 October 1998
Age
"Packer tunes in to Foxtel for $160 million"
by Jane Schultz
Media mogul Kerry Packer has once again given himself a major role in Australia's pay TV industry becoming a 25% stakeholder in Foxtel.
30 October 1998
Age
"CPH gets a fair go at Crown"
by Jane Schultz
Packer's explanation why attempted bailout for Crown was done by Consolidated Press Holdings rather than Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd.
31 October 1998
Age
"Packer rewires pay TV"
by Malcolm Maiden
The Foxtel deal cements a 14-month truce between the two media dynasties.
31 October 1998
Herald Sun
"$12 million lottery winner plans to give it away"
by Rick Wallace
One of Australia's biggest lottery winners, an Albury painter, plans to give all but $1 million to friends and relatives. He returned to his painting work.
31 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Threat to chop off girl's arms"
by Sarah Dolan and Greta McMahon
Four masked men invaded a Springvale home and threatened to torture and maim a six-year-old girl unless they were given cash a Magistrates Court was told. Reference to owner of home believed not to have money because he had lost a lot of money at the casino.
31 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Don't kow-tow to casino demands"
letter to the editor by G Roberts of Carrum
Arguing Crown should not get any watering down of its conditions.
31 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown loses gamble"
letter to the editor from Steven Todes of Doncaster
Melbourne can survive without a casino. Crown should not be bailed out.
31 October 1998
Herald Sun
"Crown's new chief plans to lift its odds"
by Ian McIlwraith
Article on Robert Riley. Riley's first introduction to Crown was through John Fairfax Holdings chairman Brian Powers when powers was managing director of CPH.
1 November 98
Herald Sun
"Bribe web widens"
by Malcom Conn in Lahore
Pakistan players Salim Malik and Mushtaz Ahmed have been accused in the Lahore High Court of accepting more than $160,000 to lose a match against Australia.
1 November 98
Herald Sun
"A repeat, but pay TV deal worth watching"
by Terry McCrann
Packer and Murdoch outcome in pay-TV wars is remarkable. Alan Fels and ACCC inadvertently did Murdoch, Telstra and Packer an enormous favour.
1 November 98
Herald Sun
"Cup fury"
by Derek Ballantine, Rod Nicholson and Sue Hewitt
Dispute over choice of overseas horses for cup over local horses.
1 November 98
Herald Sun
"Bookie admits bribery"
by Mark Ray
Evidence by bookmaker he paid bribes to Pakistan players.
2 November 98
Herald Sun
"... fillies a sure bet"
by Fiona Byrne and Helen Carter
Account of coming Tabcorp Parade of Champions through the city and call of the Card at the Palladium at Crown.
2 November 98
Age
Cartoon showing player going home to wife and kids and croupier saying no sense of responsibility
by Tandberg
2 November 98
Age
"Victoria growing richer on balance"
by David M Walker
Account of Victoria's balance sheet. Gambling revenues third highest yielding tax at $1.32 billion, up 7.8%.
2 November 98
Age
"The Crown casino hotel"
Age
by Leonie Wood
Crown plans to build a three or four star hotel at the western end of the complex. Calendar of past events with hotel tower.
3 November 98
Age
"Casino secret memo 'left in in-tray"
by Sandra Mc Kay
An FOI hearing has been told that sensitive details of rival casino bids were left in the Treasurer's office.
3 November 98
Age
"Horse power"
by Farah Farouque"
Influential women in the racing industry.
3 November 98
Age
"Sponsors pay up for Cup placing"
by Jane Schultz
About 300 companies have bought corporate packages for the four day racing carnival at a cost of between $18,000 and $150,000. New sponsors include Emirates airline.
4 November 98
Age
"Following the trail of ill-gotten gains"
by Paul Conroy
One money laundering gang would regularly travel to Melbourne to play at the gaming tables of Crown casino.
4 November 98
Age
"How the top suits fared on the big day"
by Leonie Wood
Account of prominent business people at the Melbourne Cup.
4 November 98
Age
Cartoon lampooning weekly themes, this week horse racing.
by Leunig
4 November 98
Herald Sun
"Tabaret bandit fires on street chase pair"
by Tanya Giles
Robbery at Palms Tabaret at Maidstone.
4 November 98
Herald Sun
"Packer's $4 million betting swoop"
by Shane Templeton, Tim Habel and Bruce Brammall
Packer and Williams stripped bookmakers of at least $4 million in a stunning Melbourne Cup betting plunge.
4 November 98
Herald Sun
"A win for Jezza"
by Peter Coster
Fosters boss Ted Kunkel said the brewing group would sponsor the Fosters Melbourne Cup for the next three years. Richard Pratt of Visy Board was at the Cup.
4 November 98
Herald Sun
"Cupboard bare for class acts"
by John Anderson
Account of the favourites which have not won the Cup in recent years.
4 November 98
Herald Sun
"No end to the pain of losing"
by Adrian Dunn
Account of Three Crowns snapping a leg in the Melbourne Cup. "When he came into the straight his leg just went 'bang'".
5 November 98
Herald Sun
cartoon and short letters on exclusion of Australian horses from the Melbourne Cup in favour of overseas horses.
5 November 98
Herald Sun
short letter criticising Premier Kennett for helping Crown but not Tabcorp
from Unbelievable of Hawthorn
5 November 98
Herald Sun
cartoon titled "Oaks Day Injuries"
by Knight
5 November 98
Herald Sun
"Kennett given casino briefing"
by Vanessa Williams
In a VCAT tribunal hearing Mr Peter Noble of Premier and Cabinet Department said Premier Kennett was briefed in 1993 on the gross revenue aspects of the casino bids.
5 November 98
Age
"Kennett statement on casino queried"
by Sandra McKay
In a VCAT tribunal hearing Mr Peter Noble of Premier and Cabinet Department said Premier Kennett was briefed in 1993 on the gross revenue aspects of the casino bids. Mark Dreyfus, counsel for the ALP will subpoena Paul Connolly.
5 November 98
Age
"Horseracing: the sad, sorry truth"
letter to the editor by Jackie Corless of Watsonia
Protest against injuries to racehorses. Three Crowns mentioned.
5 November 98
Age
"Injuries could have been prevented"
letter to the editor from Ginny Stubbs of WA
Flemington track was too hard, should have been better managed with longer grass and more water.
5 November 98
Age
"How much longer can the Government rig the odds?"
by Tim Costello
Government needs to curb increase in the gambling industry.
6 November 98
Herald Sun
"Couples lose as gambling takes toll"
by Ruth Lamperd
Gambling is getting in the way of healthy relationships more in Melbourne than anywhere else in the country. The number of couples in Melbourne citing gambling as a factor is double the Australian average of 4%.
6 November 98
Age
"Voters oppose casino tax cut"
by Ewin Hannan
Over two-thirds of voters polled, opposed a lowering of the high-roller tax for Crown.
6 November 98
Age
"Kennett concedes over casino bids"
by Sandra McKay
Kennett conceded that he received an assurance that the bids for the casino would be high enough to cover the Agenda 21 civic works program.
7 November 98
Age
"Thank you Samuel Pho"
letter to the editor by Neil Wallace of Warrandyte
Congratulatory letter to Samuel Pho.
7 November 98
Age
"Kennett under fire on casino"
by Sandra McKay
Labor party run parliamentary attack on Premier, Treasurer and Crown in light of FOI evidence.
7 November 98
Herald Sun
"Addicts fake robbery for dole"
by Brian Walsh
Drug addicts are reporting false robberies so they can get a cash advance on their next welfare payment from Centrelink.
7 November 98
Herald Sun
Letter from Interested of Heyfield wondering how much assistance Crown will get from the government.
7 November 98
Herald Sun
"Carnival over for Cup runner"
letter to the editor from Amanda Leeper of Boronia
Criticising racing industry for inhumane treatment of horses both racing - Three Crowns - and in retirement - knackery.
7 November 98
Herald Sun
"Casino clear winner here"
letter to the editor from Michael Binney of Bittern
Casino offers all-night gambling unlike Tabcorp.
7 November 98
Herald Sun
"Packer 'not running Fairfax'"
by Kathy Lipari
John Fairfax Holdings chairman Brian Powers yesterday strongly rejected suggestions the media group was being controlled by Kerry Packer.
8 November 98
Herald Sun
Cartoon by Knight showing Jezabeel partying on at the casino.
8 November 98
Age
"Police seek more power to move on illegal brothels"
by Fergus Shiel
Police are pressing for tighter evidentiary controls to enable them to give a brothel owner a formal warning that his premises are being used as a brothel to get over the evidentiary hurdle of having to prove that the owner knew that prostitution was occurring on the premises.
8 November 98
Age
"Kerry on taxing"
letter to the editor from Gavan Bennett of East Malvern
Suggesting that Packer's tax savings far exceeded his gift of defibrillating equipment to an ambulance service.
9 November 98
Herald Sun
"'Til debts do us part"
Financial problems are the main cause of relationship problems according to a study by Relationships Australia.
9 November 98
Herald Sun
"The dividend for the Melbourne Cup Trifecta (2030.80) reflects and casts doubt on the system."
letter to the editor from Robert Miller of Fairfield.
10 November 98
Herald Sun
"Kroger and Peacock form a love coalition"
by Lillian Frank and Kay O'Sullivan
Liberal Party power broker Michael Kroker and Ann Peacock, daughter of former Liberal Leader Andrew Peacock and Lady Renouf announced their engagement yesterday. Ann Peacock is the entertainment and media manager at Crown casino where they met.
10 November 98
Herald Sun
"Man's Russian roulette claim"
by Russell Coulson
A man accused of murdering his girlfriend claimed he accidentally shot her in the face while playing Russian roulette.
10 November 98
Herald Sun
fewer than one percent of racehorses are put down due to racing injuries
letter to the editor from Michael Grundmann of Cheltenham
10 November 98
Age
"Russian roulette killed woman"
by Stephen Cauchi
A man accused of murdering his girlfriend claimed he accidentally shot her in the face while playing Russian roulette.
10 November 98
Age
"Casino buys leading sportsbetting group"
by Leonie Wood
Jupiters has snapped up the Alice Springs based Centrebet group, Australia's biggest sports betting business.
10 November 98
Age
"Tabcorp media stays with Edge"
by Jane Schulze
Tabcorp has kept its $5 million media account with Media Edge.
11 November 98
Herald Sun
"Casino fined $140,000"
by Vanessa Williams and Sasha Baskett
The annual report of the VCGA showed Crown was fined $140,000 for 52 breaches of the regulatory laws mainly relating to 49 under-age gamblers in the casino. In the AAT, Paul Connolly said he was in a legal dilemma as the Casino Control Act prohibited him from discussing the establishment of the casino.
11 November 98
Herald Sun
never seen anything so horrible as Three Crowns
letter to the editor from Kerry Burns of Highett
11 November 98
Herald Sun
"TAB talks down result"
by Emma Blake
TAB (NSW) seems set to meet its forecast 1998/99 result.
11 November 98
Herald Sun
"Aristocrat on a winner"
by Stephen Mayne
Aristocrat Leisure has increased profit by more than 21%. Resolved to get into Las Vegas.
11 November 98
Age
"Contempt warning in casino bid case"
by Sandra McKay
Paul Connolly is warned by Judge Tim Wood that he risks contempt if he does not answer questions. Gives Connolly till next day to get further legal advice.
11 November 98
Age
"Under-age gambling costs casino"
by Sandra McKay
More details of Crown fines - baccarat shuffling offence, $10,000 - alteration to Mahogany Room $15,000 - faulty procedure for collecting gaming table proceeds $25,000. There were 151 complaints made by players with 19 ruled in the player's favour.
11 November 98
Age
"Horseracing's darker, brutal side"
letter to the editor by Barbara J Fraser
Letter lamenting suffering of racehorses and questioning steps taken by racing industry and RSPCA to alleviate it.
11 November 98
Age
"D-day arrives for Packer's Crown casino plan"
by Leonie Wood
Directors met today to decide whether to continue Packer's right to carry out a due diligence study of Crown in anticipation of the $425 million bail out.
11 November 98
Age
"Aristocrat hopeful on Nevada"
by Anne Hyland
Aristocrat will file for its Nevada gaming licence this month. Rumour of cap on NSW gaming venue sizes.
11 November 98
Age
"Sky Racing sees TAB past the post"
by Kevin Morrison
The introduction of Sky Racing in September has boosted TAB's wagering turnover as more people open up phone TAB accounts to place their bets. Following the launch of Sky Channel racing turnover had an 8.8% growth rate.
12 November 98
Herald Sun
"Kerry folds, Jeff hedges"
by Miranda McLauchlan and Damon Johnston
Crown refused to give Packer an extension on his $425 million bail out proposal following Packer adding conditions on taxes and other concessions from government. Kennett left the door open for a further 1000 poker machines at Crown.
12 November 98
Herald Sun
"Crown refuses Packer bet"
by Miranda McLaughlin
Crown casino has rejected Consolidated Press Holdings' request to extend the deadline on its offer of a $425 million funding lifeline.
12 November 98
Herald Sun
"Williams stops for tea"
by Peter Coster
Williams said he did not think the shareholders would have ratified the Packer $425 million bailout.
12 November 98
Herald Sun
"Key points lost"
by Terry McCrann
The withdrawal of the $425 million bailout changes nothing. It had effectively happened a month ago. Packer still faces the choice of going in deeper or selling. The dwindling exclusivity period, now seven years, is the driving factor.
12 November 98
Age
"Crown knocks back Packer"
by Leonie Wood and Ewin Hannan
Crown yesterday terminated Mr Kerry packer's plans to invest $425 million in the casino business.
12 November 98
Age
"Charity or justice"
by Pamela Bone
Article debating the pros and cons of private charity versus government support. "Business is in the business of image and profit, not social justice". "The acceptance of charity involves shame, the suppression of pride. That is why the best charity is anonymous. If you can't be anonymous, when you give, apologise for the fact that giving is necessary".
12 November 98
Age
"Crown deals out Packer"
by Leonie Wood
Crown yesterday terminated Mr Kerry packer's plans to invest $425 million in the casino business.
12 November 98
Age
"As Crown walks away, the Crown stakes are lifted"
by Stephen Bartholomuesz
Packer $425 million bailout proposal did have a beneficial effect, it put a floor price under the market and offered a fundamental solution to any breach of the VCGA gearing limits. But Crown will need some further injection of capital in the future.
13 November 98
Herald Sun
"Imran lifts lid on bet cheats"
by John Beveridge
Former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan said yesterday he was once forced to take a large bet to thwart cheats on his team throwing a cricket match.
13 November 98
Herald Sun
"Good sports for charity"
by Kim Wilson
A number of sports men and women will take part in the Alannah and Madeline Foundation at Crown casino on November 22. The foundation raises money for children affected by violent crime and sudden loss of family.
13 November 98
Herald Sun
"Crown shares query on MP"
by Sarah Dent
Victorian backbencher Wayne Phillips owned 10,000 shares in Crown Ltd at the time the government was deciding whether to reduce the high-roller tax the opposition claimed today.
13 November 98
Age
"$3.4 million for drug-aid houses"
Four houses designed to help young drug addicts kick the habit will be set up with $3.48 million from Victoria's gambling-derived community Support Fund the State Government said yesterday.
13 November 98
Age
"Crown deal throws spotlight on Hudcon"
by Leonie Wood
Hudcon faces a demanding repayment schedule for bank debt and notes over the next three years.
14 November 98
Age
"Judge accuses Crown of exploiting Asians"
by Stephen Cauchi
A County Court judge yesterday accused Melbourne's Crown casino of exploiting impoverished and vulnerable Asian gamblers. The casino and Australia's biggest banks were responsible for the "cultural entrapment" of Asians through gambling.
14 November 98
Age
"Doubts grow over purity of casino bid"
by Sandra McKay
Meetings between the head of the casino authority and the Gaming Minister during the bidding period and a steady exchange of memos with key ministers has highlighted Opposition allegations that the super-tight bidding process was not so secret. Connolly met with Minister Storey more than once during the final weeks of the tendering.
14 November 98
Herald Sun
"Judge hits banks over casino trap"
by Jason Silverii
The banks knew of the weakness of the system but did not develop the software to stop it. The casino's club card allowed the casino to monitor the gaming history of its holder and check the resources of its biggest gamblers (player tracking).
14 November 98
Herald Sun
Nick Moriatis congratulated for putting his horse before financial gain
letter to the editor from Horse Lover of Mordialloc
14 November 98
Herald Sun
when I think of Australians killed in the Great War I feel fairly unsympathetic to the Three Crowns tragedy.
letter to the editor from Andrew Ferguson of East Doncaster
14 November 98
Herald Sun
"Winning, you bet"
letter from Salim Malik
It would have been a moment to savour when Imran Khan strolled into the Pakistan dressing room and announced he had bet all the team's winnings on the final match.
14 November 98
Herald Sun
"Only the best in Vegas"
by Lillian
Paula and Lindsay Fox and Rosie and Solly Lew and Connie and Craig Kimberley were at the opening of Bellagio, Steve Wynn's new casino in Las Vegas.
15 November 98
Herald Sun
"VRC probes Lloyd links"
by Mike Colman and Rod Nicholson
The VRC is investigating the relationship between leading jockeys and Melbourne businessman Lloyd Williams.
16 November 98
Age
"Gambling on a people's shame"
by Captain Samuel Pho
Article expressing concern about impact of gambling on the Chinese community, the ineffectiveness of counselling on the Chinese community, the need for research about problem gambling in the Chinese community and education aimed at that community.
17 November 98
Herald Sun
"Last minute lotto windfall"
Cobram Tattslotto winner almost did not buy a ticket.
17 November 98
Age
"Call to tackle $3.5 billion fraud bill"
by Phillip Hudson
The Federal Government has been urged by 22 community and regulatory groups to set up a fraud advisory board .
18 November 98
Herald Sun
"Fast Eddie checks out the MCG"
by Michelle Coffey and Amdrew Maclean
Fast Eddie Irvine the formula one Ferrari driver gambled at Crown casino.
18 November 98
Herald Sun
"Gran a $42 million winner"
A 67 year-old woman won $42 million on a poker machine at the Palace Casino.
18 November 98
Herald Sun
"Punt on road Jeff"
letter to the editor from Who Cares For Victorians of Ripponlea
Letter arguing inconsistency between not putting money into Geelong Road and excusing Crown from fines.
18 November 98
Herald Sun
letter to the editor from Shaun Thompson of Sunbury stating murder of two policemen worse than putting down of Three Crowns.
18 November 98
Herald Sun
"Billy running out of puff"
by Vanessa Williams
Puffing Billy is suffering from competition including the casino.
18 November 98
Age
"Gaming control through legislation"
letter to the editor from Naiomi Saporta of North Caulfield
Argues gaming legislation should address choice of pokies location by private interests (Tattersalls and Tabcorp) and the powerlessness of councils.
18 November 98
Age
"Pub the prize in $100 raffle"
by Peter Semple
The Crown Hotel at Buninyong is being raffled to help pay for the Sydney Olympics.
19 November 98
Herald Sun
"Lotto cash lost on units"
Bus driver Mike Mutton who won a third of a $1 million lotto prize lost much of it on a failed property development.
19 November 98
Herald Sun
"Warne quitting for kids"
by Helen Carter
Shane Warne is going to quit smoking for the sake of the children. He will be paid $200,000 by a manufacturer of quit smoking gum and patches.
19 November 98
Herald Sun
"Trip with a bet on Bali"
Those placing a trifecta bet and showing a coupon from the paper will automatically enter a lottery with a trip to Bali as a prize.
19 November 98
Herald Sun
"Blowing the whistle"
by Terry McCrann
Tasmania's Trust Bank, a bank without shareholders, is dangerously unusual and should be floated.
20 November 1998
Age
"Poverty surge linked to gambling"
by Sandra McKay
Dame Phyllis Frost operating the Victorian Relief Committee says one in four persons seeking help from the Committee had a gambling problem.
21 November 98
Age
"Virus starts assault on shaky African economies"
by Donald McNeil
"But the indications are that the disease is devastating to family finances, widely variable in its damage to individual companies and government health budgets, and - so far anyway - surprisingly minor in its statistical effects on national economies." The minor national effect may be due to the ease with which unskilled labour can be replaced. Possibly the survivors may be better off like the survivors of the 14th century bubonic plague.
21 November 98
Herald Sun
cartoon showing Vodaphone boss offering the English cricket team $500,000 to win the ashes.
by Malla
21 November 98
Herald Sun
"Meet John, the man who Tatt's it outta here"
by Tracey Joynson
John Hycenko a former Braybrook Tattersall's agent was seriously injured during a violent armed robbery. He applied to Tattersalls to market the service overseas. He now provides the service in Norfolk Island, Fiji, Christmas Island, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Nauru.
21 November 98
Herald Sun supplement
"The bank robber's story"
Story of Graeme Alford who was a Melbourne solicitor, a chronic gambler, who went to jail.
22 November 98
Age
"Gaming out of control: councils"
by Ian Munro
State governments are addicted to gambling revenue and incapable of managing the gaming industry according to submissions to be put to the Productivity Commission enquiry into gambling tomorrow. Comments by Mike Hill of the Victorian Local Government Association.
23 November 98
Herald Sun
"Cyber gaming row"
by John Masanauskas and Bruce Brammall
Virtual casino licences could be opened up under State Government plans to legalise gambling.
23 November 98
Age
"Reveal pokie win rates, report urges"
by Sandra McKay
A joint parliamentary committee has adopted the recommendation of the Auditor-General for a players' charter to give a range of basic information about return-to-player percentages and the odds on a win.
23 November 98
Age
"Churches condemn gambling lures"
by Phillip Hudson
The Chairman of the Inter Church Gambling Task Force appearing before the Productivity Commission has criticised gambling operators for using strategies aimed at the vulnerable people in the community. Crown casino and Tattersalls are not appearing. Tabcorp will appear tomorrow.
24 November 98
Age
Cartoon showing Premiers of NSW and Victoria at card table with NSW premier saying he will bet the low income earners of NSW and the Premier of Victoria saying he will raise Victoria's unemployed.
24 November 98
Age
"Gaming bleeds poor, enquiry told"
by Ian Munro and Sandra McKay
The churches and local government leaders called for a say in how money was allocated from the Community Support Fund. Premier Kennett responded that the charities had no qualms in putting their hands out to share in the windfall.
24 November 98
Herald Sun
"Call for pokies warning"
by Glenn Mitchell
The Interchurch Gambling Task Force said to the Productivity Commission that poker machines should carry warnings similar to cigarette packets and that advertising should be regulated as was the case with tobacco.
25 November 98
Age
"$25 an hour: the price of playing the pokies"
by Tim Winkler
Victorian poker machine players paid an average of $25 to $27 an hour to use electronic gaming machines according to evidence given by Tabcorp's corporate affairs manager, Ms Tricia Wunsch, to the Productivity Commission. Tabcorp targetted where there was demand and there was a tendency for blue-collar workers to be attracted to the product. About 80% of Tabcorp's revenue came from 20% of the population.
25 November 98
Age
"Crown cuts buy-in rate for high rollers"
by Leonie Wood
Crown Casino has dropped the buy-in rate for high rollers from $75,000 to $10,000. One effect will be to bring a wider range of players within the lower tax rate.
25 November 98
Herald Sun
"Drugs deal poker ace a losing hand"
by Geoff Stead
Stu "The Kid" Ungar, three times world poker champion was found dead of an overdose in a Las Vegas motel room over the weekend.
25 November 98
Herald Sun
"ASA challenge at Crown meeting"
by Ian McIlwraith
The Australian Shareholders' Association will challenge casino chief Robert Riley's options issue and the re-appointment of director Neville Miles at today's annual meeting.
26 November 98
Herald Sun
"Confident on casino"
Lloyd williams told the meeting yesterday that good times were ahead for Crown casino.
26 November 98
Herald Sun
"Crown investors protest"
by Ian McIlwraith
Small Crown shareholders, more than 1000, turned up at the Crown annual meeting and voted against some of the resolutions. They were overwhelmingly defeated by proxies.
26 November 98
Herald Sun
"Furious country clubs stand against the VCRC"
by Brian Meldrum
A number of the country race clubs are dissatisfied with the Victorian Country Racing Council.
26 November 98
Age
"But where's the dividend, Mr Williams?"
by David Elias
Quite detailed account of Crown casino annual general meeting with questions by disgruntled shareholders.
26 November 98
Age
"Crown, Packer talks alive"
by Leonie Wood
Crown casino was still talking with Kerry Packer concerning possible business ventures with CPH. Trading in the first quarter of 1998/99 was stable and the company was able to meet all its debt obligations on time from cash flow and cash reserves.
27 November 98
Age
"Medicare swindler goes free"
by Stephen Cauchi
A 32 year-old mother who defrauded Medicare of over $100,000 and spent it on gambling walked free from court yesterday with a suspended sentence.
27 November 98
Age
"Passing the time, without illusions"
by Victoria Button
Brief account of pokies venue, the Danish Club in Middle Park.
27 November 98
Age
"Why we should have more casinos and gaming machines"
by Alan Moran
There should be more facilities for gambling as people have a right to gamble. Local gambling attracts tourists and reduces siphoning. Easy method of taxation. Only 1% pathological gamblers. Restrictions on gambling other than for protection of minors should be done away with. Gambling taxes should be brought into line with general taxes or at least more consistently applied between different forms of gambling. Gaming machine monopolies should be abolished as soon as contracts permit and additional casinos should be permitted as soon as legally possible.
27 November 98
Age
"Companies sloppy on managing risk: survey"
by Leon Gettler
An Ernst and Young survey has shown that more than two out of three Australian businesses and organisations are sloppy at managing their key risks, a survey has revealed.
27 November 98
Age
"Star City shining brightly and intent on not fading"
by Leonie Wood
Star City is operating very efficiently and making reasonable profits. It is now owned by US-based Hurrah's entertainment.
27 November 98
Herald Sun
"Star City's bid to roll Crown"
Star City intents to secure a $100 million slice of the high roller market (estimated at $500 million) following the lowering of the high roller tax rate. High rollers must reside overseas, hold a foreign passport and buy at least $75,000 in chips.
28 November 98
Herald Sun
"Hudcon's $80 million asset sale adds to war chest"
by Richard Webb
Lloyd williams' Hudson Conway will sell $80 million in residual assets next year to become a cashed-up pure investor with a 37.8% stake in Crown casino.
29 November 98
Age
"A mean harvest in the garden of greed"
by John Elder
A well written and perspicacious account of playing a poker machine in a suburban venue.
1 December 98
Age
"Elephants get lucky on pokies"
by Sandra McKay
The Premier is expected today to announce that $6.6 million of community support fund moneys will be paid towards a new elephant enclosure at the zoo.
1 December 98
Age
"Swiss reject bid to legalise drugs"
Swiss voters have decisively defeated a radical measure to legalise marijuana as well as heroin and cocaine.
1 December 98
Age
"Warning on side effects"
by Katie Hafner
Article on side effects of virtual reality and video game induced seizures. First documented case in 125 AD caused by a potter's wheel.
1 December 98
Herald Sun
"'Koolest' night of the year - this Saturday"
advertisement
The Kool Schools recording project of which Tattersall's is a major sponsor , is Australia's largest development project of contemporary music and multimedia in schools.
2 December 98
Age
"Casino papers to see the light"
by Sandra McKay
Judge Wood of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal yesterday ordered the government to release documents relating to the casino competition. Public interest was heightened because Ron Walker was both Crown casino director and Treasurer of the Liberal Party.
2 December 98
"Casino papers for release"
by Damon Johnston and Kristin Owen
Judge Wood of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal yesterday ordered the government to release documents relating to the casino competition. Public interest was heightened because Ron Walker was both Crown casino director and Treasurer of the Liberal Party.
2 December 98
Herald Sun
"Time to bring documents into public spotlight"
by Terry McCrann
Argues that the documents should be made public.
2 December 98
Herald Sun
"$10,000 punt"
advertisement
Newspaper lottery - to enter ring with the dog you think will win the TAB International Top Gun greyhound race at Sandown Park.
2 December 98
Herald Sun
"Owner blasts small field"
by Geoff O'Connor
Two breeders criticised for not paying a $5,000 entry fee to enter a race to aid the Bone Marrow Donor Institute. One breeder said race was elitist and entering a greyhound should remain free, not like thoroughbreds.
2 December 98
Herald Sun
"Sure bet to lose cash"
by Jon Anderson
Discussion of betting systems including one that favoured horse that had very poor record.
3 December 98
Herald Sun
"Shop owner infected by bacteria"
by Fay Burstin
Victoria's chief health officer on realising pork rolls from a bakery in Springvale were causing food poisoning immediately issued a closure order.
3 December 98
Herald Sun
"The casino documents"
editorial
Editorial advocating release of the competition documents.
3 December 98
Age
"Age report on casino was unfair"
letter to the editor from Alan Stockdale
Age should have reported judge's statement that no evidence of impropriety.
4 December 98
Age
"No special deals for Crown, urges Fosters"
by Helen Shield
Fosters, a major gaming machine operator through its Australian Leisure and Hotels business, has objected to Crown casino getting concessions.
4/12 98
Age
"Stockdale wrong on casino: Hulls"
letter to the editor from Rob Hulls, shadow attorney-general
Call for release of documents. Hulls alleges refusal to give evidence, barring of key witnesses, threats of criminal sanction.
4 December 98
Age
"US pokies cheat to tell all"
by AP
Dennis Nikrasch has agreed to explain to US authorities how he ran a scam that yielded many millions of dollars from poker machines. He rigged machines between 1976 and 1979 then was imprisoned for twelve years.
4 December 98
Age
"Lawyers seek help for gamblers"
by Caroline Milburn
The Springvale Legal Service has called on the government to widen the powers of the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority giving it power to monitor and police irresponsible gambling.
4 December 98
Herald Sun
"Casino cheat to reveal tricks"
Dennis Nikrasch has agreed to explain to US authorities how he ran a scam that yielded many millions of dollars from poker machines. He rigged machines between 1976 and 1979 then was imprisoned for twelve years.
5 December 98
Age
"Tribunal supports the right to know"
by Sandra McKay
Account of seven-day hearing. Judge Wood "It is apparent from page one under the heading 'Purpose' that the minute responds to a request from the Treasurer to his department for projections of casino revenue."
8 December 98
Herald Sun
"Jockey dies from fall"
by Bart Sinclair
Account of death of first Aboriginal jockey in race fall when her mount broke a leg. She had said she did not want to be like other brain-injured jockeys, Billy Barnes and Merv Marion.
8 December 98
Herald Sun
"See the world's largest sailing event"
advertisement
Tattersalls is a major sponsor of the world's largest sailing event, the 1999 World Sailing Championships.
8 December 98
Age
"Jockey dies after fall"
by John Lingard
Account of death of first Aboriginal jockey in race fall when her mount broke a leg. She had said she did not want to be like other brain-injured jockeys, Billy Barnes and Merv Marion.
9 December 98
Herald Sun
"Fines shock - Aussie heroes' bookie secret"
by Robert Craddock and Ron Reed
Star Australian cricketers Shane Warne and mark Waugh have been fined by the Australian Cricket Board for an improper association with an Indian bookmaker.
9 December 98
Herald Sun
Use TABs instead of banks to solve the banking solution.
letter to the editor by TAB for me of Mulgrave.
9 December 98
Herald Sun
"Lotto winners opt for privacy"
by Glenn Mitchell
18 Tattslotto winners in Albury are celebrating the anniversary of their win in private. One was sick of being touched by strangers when shopping.
9 December 98
Age
"Waugh, Warne in new cricket betting scandal"
by Mark Ray, Greg Baum and Martin Blake
The Australian Cricket Board last night confirmed that it had fined Waugh and Warne for providing information to an Indian bookmaker during Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in 1994.
9 December 98
Age
"Players and the cricket board must be called to account"
by Peter Roebuck
Waugh and Warne were lucky to escape so lightly.
9 December 98
Age
"Doubt cast on Waugh claims, says Pakistani
by Mark Ray
A senior lawyer involved in the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into match-fixing in Pakistan cricket says the revelations affect Waugh's credibility.
9 December 98
Age
"Finding it's just not cricket"
by Martin Blake
Account of Pakistani bribery inquiries and allegations.
10 December 98
Herald Sun and Age
Shane Warne and Mark Waugh - large number of censorious articles by journalists
10 December 98
Age
"Don't gamble with Lygon Street: taskforce
by Paul Heinrichs
The Inter Church Gambling Task Force has released a report written by social researcher, Mr Edward Chapman. The report argues that the cap is a :blunt instrument" as far as regulating the effects of faming machines. More control over gaming machine numbers and their placement needed to be given to local communities and their authorities.
10 December 98
Age
"Victorians pay less tax at last"
by Sue Cant
Victorians are paying less tax for the first time in at least five years.
10 December 98
Herald Sun
"Frankie and the mob"
by Geoff Stead in NY
FBI could not prove Frank Sinatra was involved in Mafia activities. Sinatra's licence to do business with Las Vegas casinos was withdrawn after he was photographed entertaining Chicago mob boss Sam 'Momo' Giancana.
10 December 98
Herald Sun
"He bats and he bets"
by Terry Brown and Ruth Lamperd
Mark Waugh is a keen gambler, gambling at casinos and owning race horses.
10 December 98
Age
"The noble game's blackest day"
editorial
Editorial calling for cricket's world body to launch a full investigation into the influence of gambling.
10 December 98
Age
Cartoon by showing batsman walking from the crease with a devil's tail.
by Leunig
10 December 98
Age
"Crown on the move"
by Eli Greenblat
Crown (and Hudcon) shares rose following a report from Macquarie Equities' gaming analyst Ms Jenny Owen who has upgraded the casinos earnings for 1999-2000.
11 December 98
Herald Sun
"Bookie set-up claimed"
by Andrew Probyn
Suggested by Alan Crompton (former ACB chairman) that Waugh and Warne may have been in the process of being groomed by the bookmaker for further more compromising action.
11 December 98
Herald Sun
"Half $12 million win given to mates"
Self-employed house painter Tony Hobjan has given away half his $12 million Powerball win in six weeks to family and friends. He continues to live in his simple house and drive his clunker.
11 December 98
Herald Sun
"Foreign lockout entrusts Packer with control"
by Terry McCrann
Fairfax is now indisputably a Packer company.
11 December 98
Herald Sun
"The shady world of Mumbai's bookies"
by Robert Craddock
Account of a visit to a Bombay betting den with 12 TVs turned to the cricket. Bets on how many runs would be made in each innings, who would take the most wickets and how many ducks would be scored.
11 December 98
Age
"Probe on other players likely"
by Martin Blake
A wide-ranging inquiry into links between some Australian cricketers and illegal bookmakers may be launched.
11 December 98
Age
"Ex-cricketer named as the go-between"
by Mark Forbes and Mark Ray
Speculation as to who introduced Warne and Waugh to the bookmaker.
11 December 98
Age
"What's on around Crown"
advertisement
Crown celebrating Christmas, entertainers in the new year include Jerry Lewis, Tony Bennett and Shirley Bassey.
11 December 98
Age
Cartoon titled 'Its not cricket'
by Leunig
11 December 98
Age
Three letters to the editor critical of Waugh and Warne
11 December 98
Age
"Powers digs in as Fairfax cheers and BIL exits laughing"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Withdrawal of Brierley Investment buttresses the position of the sole remaining strategic shareholder, Kerry Packer's FXF trust.
12 December 98
Age
"Pay up, pay up and play the game"
by Mark Ray
Blames big money for corruption of modern cricket. Picture of Shane Warne and Mark Waugh at Crown Casino.
12 December 98
Age
"The name of the game is having a punt"
by Andy O'Brien
Account of betting on cricket in India and Pakistan.
12 December 98
Age
three letters on Waugh and Warne by David Ahern, Northcote, Ruth Baker, Heidelberg and Jim Westcott, Camberwell.
13 December 98
Age
"Scandal divides nation"
by Michael Koslowski
Sunday Age poll shows wrong 70%, not wrong/entitled 20% and ashamed of Australian cricket very 16%, somewhat 24% and no effect 56%.
13 December 98
Age
"Prabhakar warns 'bookies may kill'"
by Alex Brown
An Indian all-rounder warns that the bookies are dangerous and a test cricketer will die unless cricket officials act immediately.
13 December 98
Herald Sun
"Odds-on for tax probe"
by Gerard McManus
ATO is likely to investigate Warne and Waugh.
13 December 98
Herald Sun
Cartoon showing bookmaker baiting line with money, casting into the Australian dressing room and hooking two cricketers.
by Knight
13 December 98
Herald Sun
Cartoon by Jeff - showing cricketers not big enough to wear Bradman's cap.
13 December 98
Herald Sun
"Warne's woes mount"
by Robert Craddock
Shane Warne is facing the sack as Australia's one-day vice-captain as a consequence of his involvement in cricket's great betting cover-up.
13 December 98
Age
"Bet row widens"
A Pakistani judge has summoned Shane Warne and Mar Waugh to appear next Saturday before an inquiry into cricket corruption in Pakistan, as the games betting scandal deepens.
13 December 98
Age
Cartoon by Petty showing Australian Broadcasting Authority as cricketer being offered bribe over cross media rules.
14 December 98
Herald Sun
"Inquiry told of world cup fix"
by Robert Craddock and Paul Martin
The Pakistani match fixing inquiry has heard allegations that at least two 1996 World Cup matches involving Pakistan were fixed.
14 December 98
Herald Sun
"We will make you a million"
by Daily Mail
Adam Hollioake was approached by bookmakers during the Champion's Cup in Sharjah a year ago.
15 December 98
Age
"Packer's big gamble"
by Leonie Wood
Kerry Packer's Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd has announced it will make a $780 million take over bid for Crown Ltd. Williams supports this. It will enable bring the gambling business into PBL's media and marketing expertise with all the cross- promotion possibilities they provide including electronic on-line gaming.
15 December 98
Age
"PBL casino play wins early market support"
by Leonie Wood
Proposed take over appears supported by Crown shareholders and analysts.
15 December 98
Age
"Packer punting on gambling recovery"
by Jane Shultz
PBL-Crown merger will dilute PBL earnings in the short term. Crown would constitute about 15% of PBL's business.
15 December 98
Age
"Investors to make the final decision"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Analysis of likely investor reaction to take-over proposal.
15 December 98
Herald Sun
"Coup for king of high rollers - Packer offers Crown new lease of life"
by Glenn Mitchell and Emma Blake
Account of PBL's Crown take over proposal.
15 December 98
Herald Sun
"Pride and joy wears thin"
by Glenn Mitchell
Lloyd Williams will lose control of Crown and pass to Kerry Packer but Williams will remain as executive chairman.
15 December 98
Herald Sun
"Boys choir Christmas concert on Thursday"
Tattersalls advertisement
Tattersalls supports the National Boys Choir.
15 December 98
Herald Sun
Cartoon by Knight showing Lloyd Williams crowning Packer king of the casino.
15/ December 98
Herald Sun
"Packer play should crown PBL's growth future"
by Terry McCrann
Analysis of PBL take over offer for Crown. Seems a good deal for all.
15 December 98
Herald Sun
"Tax loss points to a win"
PBL will obtain huge tax losses by merging with Crown.
15 December 98
Herald Sun
""Mark's pain - Waugh: Bookie affair still hurts"
by Michael Horan and AAP
Steve Waugh said Mark Waugh and Shane Warne should not be punished further over the bookie affair.
16 December 98
Herald Sun
Cartoon of cricket player from the British team waiting in vain in a seedy bar for a bribe to throw a game.
16 December 98
Herald Sun
"They don't make them like Dougie Walters"
by Paul Gray
Reflecting on change in cricket and cricketers since the old days.
16 December 98
Herald Sun
"Kennett backs casino takeover"
by Glenn Mitchell and Vanesa Williams
Premier Jeff Kennett urged shareholders to accept the PBL take over.
16 December 98
Herald Sun
"Better Crown bid tipped"
by Miranda McLaughlin
Industry analysts tipped institutional investors may insist the Packers come to the table with a juicier offer.
16 December 98
Age
"Labor call for Crown gaming cap"
by Ewin Hannan and Meghan Shaw
The State Opposition demanded the Government rule out any possibility of Crown getting more gaming machines.
16 December 98
Age
"Warne, Waugh and the media"
letter to the editor from John Capel of Black Rock
Let's put the Warne and Waugh matter behind us and get on with it.
16 December 98
Age
"Sport brought to book"
by Tony Coady
Cricket needs a strong code of ethics.
17 December 98
Herald Sun
"Putts and punts kicked off Casino deal"
by Terry McCrann
History of negotiations for PBL take over offer under cover of President's cup.
17 December /98
Herald Sun
"Queensland QC to head enquiry"
by Robert Craddock
Rob O'Reagan QC will conduct a two-month enquiry into gambling in Australian cricket stretching back over the past six years.
17 December 98
Herald Sun
"Ricky rings alarm bells"
by Ron Reed
Ricky Ponting's shock revelation yesterday that an Australian bookmaker had tried to put him on the payroll adds a worrying new dimension.
17 December 98
Herald Sun
"I'll tell all - Pointing to name bookie"
by Robert Craddock
Ricky Ponting has promised to unmask the mystery Sydney bookmaker who has triggered a shock twist in cricket's betting scandal.
17 December 98
Herald Sun
"Bookie tried to bribe me - Ponting tells of Sydney approach"
Ponting was approached by a bookmaker who offered him money for information at a greyhound meeting but says he rejected the offer.
17 December 98
Herald Sun
"Golf an excuse to shark a deal"
by Terry McCrann
Account of negotiations between Packer and Williams.
17 December 98
Herald Sun
"Williams keeps his Crown"
by Greg Thom and AAP
Williams will now be reduced to the role of chairman of a PBL subsidiary.
17 December 98
Age
"Ponting: bookie offered me cash"
by Martin Blake
Ponting, nicknamed "Punter" was offered money by a bookmaker in Sydney to give information about the team and pitch conditions.
17 December 98
Age
"Crown plan delights Williams"
by Leonie Wood
Williams advises he is absolutely delighted with the proposed PBL take over and that he was the architect of the deal.
17 December 98
Age
"Fair share in PBL's upside poser for Crown investors"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Points out attractions of PBL/Crown merger for both corporations.
17 December 98
Age
"Hush-up for bookie tales?"
by Martin Blake and Mark Ray
ACB chief Malcom Speed admitted the Board had no jurisdiction over players who were no longer contracted. Includes terms of reference of inquiry.
17 December 98
Age
"Speed has ACB take small step too slowly"
by Patrick Smith
Generally supportive of Malcom Speed but argues Malcolm Speed is acting too slowly. Need an open and unfettered inquiry.
18 December 98
Herald Sun
"Gambling up but casinos still lose"
Eleven percent increase in casino / poker machine gambling turnover in Australia. Statistics on gaming table yield (average $1.3 million) and high rollers account for 37% of takings.
18 December 98
Herald Sun
"Ricky bribe twist"
by Robert Craddock and Jeff Collerson
Ponting said he did not know the bookmaker by name. More details on approach.
18 December 98
Age
"Burgeoning cinema ad company gets a big helping hand"
by Christopher Webb
CPH buys into Media Entertainment Group cinema advertising corporation.
18 December 98
Age
"New twist to cricket betting scandal"
by Mark Ray
Doubts have emerged surrounding the location and contents of key documents relating to cricket's illegal betting scandal as the ACB prepares to launch its far- reaching inquiry into the affair.
18 December 98
Age
"Ponting: I erred in not telling"
by Martin Blake
Ponting admitted he should have told of approach. The amount offered was a four- figure sum.
19 December 98
Age
"To the son, a Crown"
by Jane Schultz
James Packer has put his stamp on PBL with the proposed merger with Crown. Interesting speculation on PBL Online and Crown internet gambling opportunities. Tree showing television, publishing, enterprises (Foxtel, PBL Online, ninemsn with Microsoft) and Crown.
19 December 98
Age
"Mr Packer's empire"
editorial
Argues that if PBL takes over the casino it should not also control Melbourne's most influential newspaper.
19 December 98
Herald Sun
"Williams wakes from casino dream"
by Leonie Wood
Comment by Ron Walker on PBL takeover of Crown; William's accomplishments and the strain that the declining fortunes of Crown had had on Lloyd Williams.
19 December 98
Herald Sun
"A sure-fire winner"
editorial
Spring racing carnival continues to outstrip all other attractions as the nation's most successful tourist and entertainment drawcard.
19 December 98
Herald Sun
letter to the editor saying Mark Waugh and Shane Warne have my full support. Many of the public always try to humiliate great people.
by Jennifer McCallum of Somerville
19 December 98
Herald Sun
"A climate of greed"
letter to the editor from Grace Wright of Middle Park
Kennett is contradictory in expressing disappointment at Warne and Waugh whilst encouraging ruthlessness and bonus payments in business.
19 December 98
Herald Sun
"Bookie's nightmare"
by Kit Galer
English captain Adam Hollioake was offered a bribe in Sharjah this week.
19 December 98
Herald Sun
"Public 'too hard' on Mark and Shane"
by Robert Craddock
Alan Border believes Mark Waugh and Shane Warne have been harshly judged by public opinion for taking money off an Indian bookmaker.
19 December 98
Herald Sun
"The party boy"
by Nick Richardson"
Long profile on Michael Kroger.
19 December 98
Herald Sun
"Lloyd puts his money on a Casino yes vote"
by Ian McIlwraith
Lloyd Williams is supremely confident that shareholders will vote in favour of merging Crown Casino into Kerry Packer's fortunes.
20 December 98
Herald Sun
"Warne and Waugh to give evidence"
Warne and Waugh will give evidence by video link.
21 December 98
Age
"Pump up the volume, I'm addicted"
by David Sapsted, New York
New American research claims that loud music of all sorts can be as addictive as cigarettes, drugs and alcohol.
21 December 98
Herald Sun
"Drug abuse takes its toll"
by Helen Carter
Men will lose more years of life because of drug abuse than any other cause barring heart disease - by the year 2016.
21 December 98
Herald Sun
"Wake up or be caught out"
by Brian Meldrum
As the God of money has spread its tentacles into just about every sport imaginable, so the incidence of shady dealing, corruption and straight-out cheating has increased, yet in most instances the respective authorities have reacted very slowly. Other sports should be as vigilant as the racing industry.
22 December 98
Herald Sun
"Tattersalls donates $50,000 to help homeless youth"
Tattersalls advertisement
Tattersalls has donated $50,000 to a street kids program carried out by Melbourne City mission.
22 December 98
Herald Sun
"Punters flushed out"
by Kristin Owen
Community services will place problem gambling posters and pamphlets in gaming room toilets.
22 December 98
Herald Sun
"Message on the cards"
by Jack Taylor
Photograph of Crown casino Christmas card.
22 December 98
Herald Sun
"Spice record hurts bookies"
by Daily Mail
Popularity of Spice Girls for third year in a row has hurt bookies.
22 December 98
Herald Sun
"Sir Rod buys into Hudcon"
by Stephen Mayne
Hudson Conway chairman Sir Rod Carnegie has purchased 20,000 Hudcon shares.
22 December 98
Herald Sun
"Casino ruling fight"
by Kristin Owen
The State Government will fight the tribunal decision for release of documents under FOI.
22 December 98
Age
"Appeal on casino papers"
by Clare Kermond"
The State Governemnt will fight the tribunal decision for release of documents under FOI.
22 December 98
Age
"Problem gamblers warned, and at their convenience"
by Meaghan Shaw
Posters in gaming room toilets, $260,000 program. Crown will not participate as it already displayed information about its own problem gambling referral centre.
22 December 98
Age
"The price women pay for gambling"
by Sally Cowling
Summary of social impact of gaming machines on women. Argues lack of resources allocated to problem.
23 December 98
Age
"With Crown in town it's a game of chance for Chinatown"
by Ian Munro
NIEIR study has shown that overall the City of Melbourne was almost $18 million a year better off because of spillover spending from visitors to the casino. However trading in Lygon Street and Chinatown is down.
23 December 98
Age
"PBL sells TAB stake to cut debt"
by AAP
PBL has sold its stake in TAB NSW for $78 million in order to cut debt pending its acquisition of Crown.
23 December 98
Age
"Pakistan inquiry to visit"
by Martin Blake
The Pakistani inquiry will come to Australia to take evidence from Warne and Waugh as video conferencing facilities cannot be arranged and the two are too busy playing cricket.
23 December 98
Herald Sun
"Crown king of high life in city"
by Scott Thompson
Crown entertainment complex has generated a $17.8 million boost to the city in its first full year of operation.
23 December 98
Herald Sun
"Bridge ugliest of all"
by Scott Thompson
The rusted and disused Sandridge rail bridge over the yarra River is Melbourne's worst eyesore according to a poll of Herald Sun readers. Crown casino was also nominated by some readers as an eyesore.
23 December 98
Herald Sun
letter to the editor telling Premier Kennett to keep his nose out of Crown business or it will increase suspicion
letter to the editor from Propriety First of Noble Park
23 December 98
Herald Sun
"Twice in Packer's lifetime"
by Peter Coster
Draws analogy between Lloyd Williams and Alan Bond - PBL will get a $2.1 billion complex for $780 million.
24 December 98
Age
"Luck all on TAB's side"
by AAP
The NSW auditor said good fortune was responsible for the NSW government getting $205 and $2.10 on the TAB NSW float. $1.80 would not have replaced lost revenues.
24 December 98
Age
"Cricket inquiry private says QC"
by Martin Blake
The ABC inquiry will be conducted in private.
24 December 98
Herald Sun
"Youth suicide numbers soar"
by Regina Titelius
Youth suicide in Victoria has increased 50% in a year.
24 December 98
Herald Sun
"Bookie seeks dual licence"
by Tim Habel
Michael Eskander is seeking a dual licence to entitle him to conduct sports betting. Eskander is one of five sports auditorium bookmakers who will be entitled to take bets seven days a week, 24 hours per day. Tabcorp expressed its concern with the expansion of off-course bookmaking.
25 December 98
Herald Sun
"$1.5m lotto ticket almost thrown out"
A Caulfield mother almost threw out a $1.5m winning Tattslotto ticket.
25 December 98
Herald Sun
"Unite to fight gambling"
letter to the editor from Juan Gorgal of Coburg
Argues for restrictions on gambling advertising comparing gambling to tobacco.
26 December 98
Age
"PS"
editorial
What has the government to hide by opposing FOI tribunal determination?
26 December 98
Herald Sun
"A gamble on drink"
letter to the editor by S Schade of Mulgrave
Why no breathalysers at Crown?
26 December 98
Herald Sun
"Trams, trains on track"
by Carl McColl of Carrum
People are wingers, they say they cannot operate public transport ticket machines but have no difficulty with ATMs and gaming machines.
27 December 98
Herald Sun
"Raffle for a brothel flops"
by Sue Hewitt
An attempted raffle of Ballarat's only brothel, Dalliance Encounter, foundered. It was intended to raise money for the Ballarat Softball Association.
27 December 98
Herald Sun
"Stone the bookie"
by Robert Craddock
Australian team bet on itself to score 200 before lunch in a minor match at Stone in 1993. It was reported by the Fleet Street papers as a bit of Aussie larrikinism.
27 December 98
Herald Sun
"Pakistan chief calls for life bans"
The Chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board has said that players should be banned for life if they fixed matches or gambled on games.
28 December 98
Herald Sun
Only Vegas is better than Crown casino, let's stop canning the place.
letter to the editor from Cheni, Lillydale
28 December 98
Herald Sun
"Some sports pay their own way"
letter to the editor from David Littlewood of Middle Park
Spring carnival is tourist draw but pays its way unlike the Grand Prix.
28 December 98
Herald Sun
"Premier wears the Crown"
letter to the editor by Joan Marshall of Moorabbin
Victoria's problems are Jeff Kennett's not Lloyd Williams'.
28 December 98
Herald Sun
"Las Vegas hotels get that empty feeling"
by Bloomberg
Increase in the number of hotel rooms and the Asian crisis is leading to a glut of rooms at Las Vegas.
29 December 98
Herald Sun
"Medallions and cup for Sydney to Hobart winners"
advertisement by Tattersalls
Tattersalls has given the cup for the Sydney Hobart since 1945. George Adams died in 1904.
29 December 98
Age
"Lighting for the American dream"
by Delia Falconer
Drive along Route 66 described including the neon sign graveyard at Las Vegas. Neon lights are giving way to lasers and the casinos are turning in upon themselves.
30 December 98
Herald Sun
"Race ring-in man dies in prison" Hector Hapeta the vice king who was a central figure in the Fine Cotton ring-in scandal died of a suspected heart attack in Brisbane Jail yesterday where he was awaiting trial on trafficking charges.
31 December 98
Age
"Portfolio tries a second gamble on casino stock"
by Christopher Webb
Portfolio Partners (David Earl Slack) has increased its holding in Crown shares.
31 December 98
Herald Sun
"Lotto in nick of time"
A Middle Park woman with an empty bank account learnt she had won $500,000 on OzLotto.
31 December 98
Herald Sun
"Crown of thorns"
letter to the editor from Mrs Pauline M Behrendorff of Vermont
Lamenting the introduction of casino and poker machine gambling and its effect on families.
31 December 98
Herald Sun
"Race overkill leads to second cancellation"
by Tim Habel
Only five entries were received for a race at Moonee Valley's Saturday meeting.
31 December 98
Herald Sun
"Major China deal for racing industry"
by Geoff Wilkinson
Victoria is set to supply everything for a $500 million horse racing complex in China at the Golden Pebble beach resort at Dalian, a city of seven million on China's north- east coast. This will be a tremendous boost for the Victorian racing industry.
DISCLAIMER The above entries are short notes of articles which have appeared in Victorian publications which may be of interest to those researching gambling. This is an index only and Know the Odds Inc makes no representation whatsoever as to the truth or otherwise of the articles noted. The brief note of each article is intended only to identify the subject matter and content of the article to enable the reader to decide whether to access the whole article. The brief notes are not intended to be relied upon for any other purpose; in all cases the reader must refer to the article. Should any person or organisation have any concern about an entry, that complaint should be referred forthwith to Know the Odds Inc at the e-mail address below or posted to Know the Odds Inc at PO Box 8018 North Camberwell 3124.
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Created: 28 February 1998
Last Modified: 17 November 1999
Author/Maintainer: Know the Odds Inc - e-mail address: knowodds@labyrinth.net.au
Internet address: http://www.knowodds.org