news99

"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 January 1999 to 31 December 1999

Go back to Know the Odds Inc home page

Important - see Disclaimer at foot of page.

4 January 99
Herald Sun
"Raffle's Crown glory"
by Tom Salom
The 113 year-old Raffles pub in Buninyong is being raffled with proceeds going to Australia's Olympic athletes.

4 January 99
Herald Sun
"Spiders and dreams bring lotta luck"
by Doug Button
Stories of Tattslotto winners told by Gerry Devine, Tattslotto public relations officer.

4 January 99
Age
"Bets on for new chief of TAB"
by Anne Hyland
TAB is searching for a new chief for the NSW TAB with the pending retirement of Mr Alan Windross.

4 January 99
Age
"Pakistanis face arrest warrants"
Arrest warrants have been issued for former Pakistani captain and batsman for failing to appear before a Lahore court on match fixing charges.

5 January 99
Herald Sun
"Great sailing nation being decided"
Tattersalls advertisement
Winners in the World Sailing Championships will be awarded a Tattersall's Winning Nations Trophy.

5 January 99
Herald Sun
"Core of state's corruption"
obituary
Hector Hapeta was a Queensland racketeer who was involved with gambling boss Vic Conte.

6 January 99
Herald Sun
"Wrong man claim as woman robbed"
by Sarah Dolan
An elderly gambler yesterday denied arming himself with a large stick and robbing a 77-year-old woman then losing the money on the pokies.

6 January 99
Herald Sun
"A yen for good luck"
by Reuters
With Japan in recession, stores are selling "lucky bags" with consumer goods. They are proving popular.

6 January 99
Age
"Pensioner robs woman to gamble"
Police allege a 67-year-old grandfather robbed a 76 year old woman and lost the money at the Moonee Valley Racing Club.

6 January 99
Age
"High-rollers whip up wild casino rides"
by Rod Myer
Casino shares have rallied but only Jupiters has delivered shareholders a gain over the last twelve months.

7 January 99
Age
"Shares in Crown hit 65 cents"
by Leonie Wood
Shares in Crown casino are rallying though they are still trading at a discount to the 11:1 PBL proposed offer.

7 January 99
Age
"Is sport killing itself?"
by Simon Barnes and Martin Flanagan
Philosophical articles tracing development of sport from play to moral guidance to entertainment.

7 January 99
Herald Sun
"Punters lose out"
letter to the editor by Disenchanted Punter of Frankston
Racing Victoria should have put in $1 million to keep up racing on Channel 31; not everyone can afford Sky Racing on pay-TV.

7 January 99
Herald Sun
"Tables turning at Crown"
by Miranda McLachlan
More than 3% of Crown casino's shares changed hands yesterday with rumours it was a cheap way into PBL.

7 January 99
Herald Sun
"Lucky town on a wining streak"
by DPA
A Spanish village with the name of Sort (which means "luck") won a huge lottery jackpot for the fourth time in five years.

7 January 99
Herald Sun
"Crown presents"
Crown advertisement
Crown series of entertainments including Gina Lollobrigida, Kevin Wilson, Sally Yeh and George lam, Sunbury Festival, John Williamson, Gina Jeffries and The Four Kinsman.

8 January 99
Herald Sun
"New claims on bookie scandal"
by Michelle Coffey
Mark Waugh and Shane Warne will be quizzed today over sensational new claims the match they admitted taking money for was fixed.

8 January 99
Herald Sun
"Cricketer's crossroads"
by Ron Reed
Argues that Waugh and Warne have sullied the game's reputation.

8 January 99
Herald Sun
"A long life in focus"
by Sarah Hudson
Interview with Gina Lollobrigida.

8 January 99
Age
"How Warne dropped, gained and lost $5,000 in 1994"
by Greg Baum
Account of approach to Shane Warne at casino in Colombo. Interesting observations on one-day cricket. "The contrived nature of one-day cricket lends itself to upset results and the game is too cheap for anyone to care much about victory or defeat anyway. Retrospectively, it is a match that ought to excite suspicion."

8 January 99
Age
"State urged to stem rise in youth suicide"
by Sandra McKay
Father Peter Norden of Jesuit Social Services has criticized the government for not doing enough to tackle youth suicide.

9 January 99
Herald Sun
"Innocent"
Account of Pakistani judicial commission proceedings in Melbourne.

10 January 99
Herald Sun
"Cricket chief in bet denial"
by Rod Nicholson
Alan Crompton, former Chairman of the Australian Cricket Board, told the Pakistani enquiry that he denied in the strongest terms that he had been involved in a cover up. It was put that the ACB had used double standards in regard to the allegations against Malik and the treatment of its players. Crompton said the Australian players had not been accused of bribery.

10 January 99
Herald Sun
Charity faces funds threat"
by Sue Hewitt
The Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority is investigating Ambitions and Aspirations over $1 million in donations it allegedly did not pass on to the Ardoch Youth Foundation.

11 January 99
Age
"Chiefs meet in cricket's last chance to break even"
by Mark Ray
The International Cricket Council will at its meeting in Christchurch this weekend address the issue of match-fixing and the illegal betting industry. Discussion on seriousness of issues to cricket.

11 January 99
Herald Sun
"Shot man crime link"
by Tanya Giles and Paul Anderson
Mr Vincenzo Mannella, a convicted criminal, was shot dead outside his North Fitzroy home at the weekend. Chopper Read said Mannella was a frequent gambler with a taste for nightclubs.

11 January 99
Herald Sun
"More alcoholic youths seek aid"
by Helen Carter
More young alcoholics than ever are turning to Alcoholics Anonymous to beat their addiction.

11 January 99
Age
"Charities on brink as pokies trap poor"
by Sally Finlay
Victorian welfare agencies yesterday reported demand for their services has soared up to 20% because of the growing impact of poker machines.

11 January 99
Age
"The gospel according to Saul"
by Mark Riley
"The common thread of [the Canadian intellectual John Ralston Saul] is his contention that democracy has been hijacked by a corporatist elite, who have structured a system to satisfy the wishes of a selection of selfish-minded interest groups. In doing so, this elite of technocrats, bureaucrats, professional managers and propagandists has shut out the greatest assets of a democratic society - the voice and opinions of the people."

12 January 99
Age
"The Italian siren sounds"
by Gabriella Coslovich
Profile on visiting Gina Lollobrigida.

12 January 99
Age
"ICC gets muscle to tackle evils"
by Mark Ray
The ICC in Christchurch has set up a new code of conduct and a conduct commission to be run by three independent people.

12 January 99
Age
"Cricket chiefs act on match-fixing"
by Mark Ray
The nine Test-playing countries agreed to surrender significant powers to the International Cricket Council to deal with the crisis over bribery and match- fixing.

12 January 99
Herald Sun
"Ice storm - World-first technology puts alcohol in an icy pole"
by Miranda McLachlan and Greg Thom
Ice blocks in plastic tubes are to go on sale sparking fears they could become a fad with children. Consumer association advocate Gail Kennedy said it was placing an adult product in children's clothing.

12 January 99
Herald Sun
"Gambling debt clue to killing"
by Tanya Giles
Police are investigating whether heavy gambling debts were behind the execution-style killing of criminal Vincenzon Mannella.

12 January 99
Herald Sun
"Tattersalls funds upgrade for Warrnambool lifesavers"
Tattersalls advertisement
Tattersalls has donated another $5,000 to the Warrnambool life saving club.

12 January 99
Herald Sun
"A taste for gambling"
by Kenny Weir
Restaurant review of Margo's on the casino riverbank.

13 January 99
Age
"Star City goes all out in Asian high-roller game"
by Lyndall Pickering
Star City has been wooing the high-roller market since December following the tax cuts. Indications were promising but Star is waiting for the Chinese New Year (February) figures. Star is aiming at 20% of the Australian high-roller market.

13 January 99
Herald Sun
"Ice pops get the big chill"
by Greg Thom and Miranda McLachlan
Laws will be changed in a bid to stop new alcoholic ice pops easily being obtained by children. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said it was about targetting young people.

13 January 99
Herald Sun
Cartoon of a Met ticket machine alongside a poker machine with caption "Which machine has been offering the biggest payouts lately?"

13 January 99
Age
"Gambling may be the key to murder"
Mannella's gambling habit may hold the key to his murder.

14 January 99
Herald Sun
"How our kids fare - stress strikes young"
by Andrew Cummins
Melbourne psychologist and teacher Jenny Rickard says the increasing number of young people who were seeking therapy and relaxation courses was a sign of the times. Children are being allowed to take on too many activities.

14 January 99
Herald Sun
"What's on around Crown"
Crown advertisement
Outline of Italiafest expo from 10 - 22 January.

14 January 99
Herald Sun
Cartoon
by Knight
Showing Crown riverboat on bottom of Yarra with Kerry Packer in salvage submarine saying he had better hurry, there was a rumour it may be quite seaworthy after all.

14 January 99
Herald Sun
"Crown hits the jackpot with $21 million profit"
by Miranda McLachlin
Crown surprised the market with a better than expected $21.37 million profit in the December half-year. Crown attributed it to cost cutting, buoyant pre- Christmas trade and better win rate from high rollers up from 1% to 1.47%.

14 January 99
Age
"Casino on a streak to profit"
by Leonie Wood
Crown half year report shows how potentially profitable casino could be.

14 January 99
Age
"Tables turning at Crown"
by Leonie Wood
Crown is still advocating the merger with PBL despite its good half-year result.

15 January 99
Herald Sun
"Pulling plug on pokies"
by John Dalziel
Article by spokesman for the Salvation Army calling for tougher action on poker machines to protect vulnerable Victorians.

15 January 99
Herald Sun
"Crown tax rate cut"
by Sasha Baskett
The Premier Kennett has advised Crown casino is poised to get a high roller tax cut to match Sydney's Star Casino.

15 January 99
Herald Sun
"Air to fortune takes a gamble"
by Geoff Stead in New York
Account of Michael Jordan's problem gambling habits.

15 January 99
Age
"Kennett points to tax cut for casino"
by Clare Kermond
Premier says Crown's request for a high roller tax break would probably be approved. VCGA is yet to make a recommendation.

15 January 99
Age
"Packer's casino gamble turns up trumps"
by Leonie Wood
The PBL Crown merger proposal demonstrates impeccable timing by the Packers.

16 January 99
Herald Sun
"Backyard cockfighting flourishing"
by Mark Butler
According to the RSPCA, cockfights are taking place in Melbourne almost weekly with at least 20 fights at each meeting. The season runs from October to February. The birds wear metal spurs and bouts are almost always fatal to both birds.

16 January 99
Age
"Kennett threat to scrap FOI after row"
by Clare Kermond and Meghan Shaw
Following the release of the names of 51 nurses to convicted murderer Ashley Mervyn Coulston Premier Kennett said the State Government would not hesitate to scrap the FOI if this was the best way to provide absolute security for public servants. Legal groups and civil libertarians said the Coulson decision should not be used by the Government as an excuse to gut FOI.

16 January 99
Age
"Call for action to halt rise in suicides"
by Adrian Rollins
The Australian Bureau of Statistics released a report yesterday showing that in 1997, more Australians took their own lives than ever before.

17 January 99
Herald Sun
"Caffeine habit hard to kick"
Millions of coffee drinkers unknowingly hooked on caffeine would suffer similar withdrawal symptoms as drug addicts if they tried to kick the habit according to a study in Dorset, England.

18 January 99
Herald Sun
"New bay regatta makes us sail city"
by Kristin Owen
Melbourne has created a major event to be staged here with an internationally recognised sailing regatta with more than $150,000 in prize money.

18 January 99
Herald Sun
"Smokers depression link
by Tanya Taylor
People who are depressed or anxious are more likely to smoke, a study has found.

18 January 99
Herald Sun
"Will alcoholic ice pops encourage kids to drink?
Arguments for and against.

19 January 99
Herald Sun
"Parents go without to pay school bills"
by Wendy Busfield
A family with two toddlers can expect to pay almost $340,000 for a private education.

19 January 99
Herald Sun
"Tattersall's Australia Day fun run walk changed
Tattersalls advertisement
Advertisement for Tattersalls Australia Day fun walk. Entry fee is $20 for adults and $15 for children under 16. There will be a range of random spot prizes.

20 January 99
Age
"Capital city, where the top hands bid for fame and glory"
photograph by Mike Bowers
Elderly women players at the table at the Summer Festival of Bridge at Canberra.

20 January 99
Herald Sun
"Fire to hot for bookies"
by Adam Hamilton
A limited field and hot favourite will probably mean some bookies will apply to operate "fav-out" books for the Victoria Derby. Discussion of regulations governing bookies obligation to make a full book.

21 January 99
Herald Sun
"Don't feel sorry for boy wonder"
by Robert Craddock
Article saying don't feel sorry for Ponting; he has to learn to control his drinking.

22 January 99
Herald Sun
"Crown's pokies blow"
by Miranda McLachlan
VCGA has denied Crown casino further poker machines.

22 January 99
Herald Sun
"Crown loses pokies punt"
by Damon Johnston

22 January 99
Herald Sun
"Crown loses pokies punt"
by Damon Johnston
The Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority (VCGA) has refused Crown casino's request for a further 1000 poker machines. Bill Lahey, the authority's director of gaming and betting refused to comment.

22 January 99
Age
"Gaming machine setback"
by Clare Kermond
The final decision on Crown's request for 1000 additional gaming machines now rests with the State Government but the Premier's stated position is that there was no need for more machines.

23 January 99
Herald Sun
"Grandad wins $15m"
by Jim Tennison
Victoria's largest lottery winner is a grandfather who isn't sure whether he should go back to work next Wednesday.

23 January 99
Herald Sun
"Hudcon future questionable"
by Miranda McLachlan
Hudson Conway has delivered an $18.05 million first-half loss amid growing speculation on its future. HudCon is struggling to find a reason to exist.

23 January 99
Herald Sun
"Night racing on track"
by Matthew Stewart
Paul Brettell, the chief executive of Moonee Valley Racing Club, envisages many of the races held at night. Account of other Australian night racing initiatives. Michael Eskander, bookmaker, says bookies turnover is down, the young generation comes to have a bit of fun, not to bet.

23 January 99
Age
"Found! Our $15m lottery grandpa"
by Kerry Taylor
Account of winner's excitement.

24 January 99
Herald Sun
"The six degrees"
by Polly Shulman
They say that any two people on the planet are connected by a chain of, at most, six acquaintances. Discussion of networks.

24 January 99
Age
"Poor play more, lose more, says pokies report"
by Royce Millar
Research by the Maribyrnong Council has related the density of machines to an index used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to rank municipalities across Australia according to socio-economic advantage. A Tabcorp spokesperson said the machines were put where there was demand.

24 January 99
Age
"Mob linked to Wall Street share fraud"
by Benjamin Weiser
Two reputed mob figures pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges they had participated in a conspiracy to manipulate the price of a stock.

25 January 99
Age
"Last resort for island casino: sell"
by Neale Prior
Christmas Island Resorts liquidator is to sell the Christmas Island casino by tender.

25 January 99
Herald Sun
"Tabcorp a winner"
by Ian McIlwraith
Tabcorp Holdings shares are galloping ahead again following positive brokers' reviews and the VCGA declining Crown's application for more poker machines.

26 January 99
Age
"Analysts reject talk on Star City payment"
by Andrew Hobbs
The Sydney casino operator Star City Holdings is unlikely to make a capital return in lieu of preference share dividend payments.

26 January 99
Herald Sun
"Thank you George 10,000 times says dialysis patient"
Tattersalls advertisement
Tattersalls Community Dialysis Centre at StVincents Hospital which opened in December 1997 has performed its 10,000th dialysis treatment.

27 January 99
Herald Sun
"More dangers facing young"
by Loretta Hall
According to Open Family chief executive officer Nathan Stirling, all young people were now more at risk from the pervasive drug culture.

27 January 99
Herald Sun
"$700,000 track facelift to close Valley"
by Adam Hamilton
Harness Racing Victoria announced a $700,000 upgrade to Moonee Valley harness track.

28 January 99
Herald Sun
"Sad demise of a brave filly"
by Jon Anderson
Filly breaks leg in fall and is put down.

29 January 99
Herald Sun
"Court lets Crown bid succeed"
by Miranda McLachlan
Victoria's Supreme Court has paved the way for Crown shareholders to vote on the Packer family's $1 billion play for the casino.

29 January 99
Age
"Pokies profit may cost the RSL"
by Penny Fannin and Kerry Taylor
RSL clubs may be forced to pay rates on their gambling venues after a County Court hearing next month. 78 of Victoria's 347 RSL clubs have gaming machines. La Trobe council is arguing the land is not being used exclusively by the RSL as required by the legislation but also by the gambling operator.

30 January 99
Herald Sun
"Crown check plan"
by Vanessa Williams
Peter Day Consulting has recommended to the VCGA tighter controls on reporting requirements for high rollers and group tour operators.

30 January 99
Herald Sun
"Drinkers gulp at beer ruling"
by AP
Complaints have led to a court ruling that Bavarian beer gardens are to close at 9 pm.

30 January 99
Herald Sun
"Money and lotto"
by Ross Brundrett and Robyn Brundrett
Humorous article about wife's lotto ticket purchases and husband and wife's attitudes.

30 January 99
Herald Sun
"$800,000 bungle"
by Fay Burstin and Greta McMahon
Tabcorp has accidentally paid more than $800,000 into a Melbourne punter's bank account. The punter withdrew large amounts then went overseas.

30 January 99
Age
"RSL comes out fighting over pokie tax"
by Lyall Johnson
Mr Bruce Ruxton said welfare work for veterans would suffer if the RSL had to pay municipal rates. He also rejected claims by Rev Tim Costello that the RSL was perpetuating hardship on veterans by giving them an opportunity to gamble money they could not afford to lose.

1 February 99
Herald Sun
"Wheel of fortune"
by Kathy Lipari
Vidco, a gaming machine manufacturer, has manufactured an automated money wheel.

2 February 99
Herald Sun
"Tattersall's Ballarat Gift to be highlight of 13 exciting races on Sunday"
Tattersalls advertisement
Tattersalls is advertising the Tattersall's Ballarat Gift at Ballarat.

2 February 99
Herald Sun
"What a week ..."
A laverton man who lost his licence for drink-driving has won $622,000 in Tattslotto.

2 February 99
Herald Sun
"Punter took out $95,000"
by Norrie Ross and Glenn Mitchell
A punter known as "Footybet Bob" withdrew a large amount after $838,000 was mistakenly placed in his account the Supreme Court was told today.

2 February 99
Age
"PBL high ahead of Crown report"
by Leonie Wood
PBL is trading high in anticipation of a Rothschild Report detailing how Crown will fit into the PBL stable.

3 February 99
Herald Sun
"For the mug punter, it's chicken feed
by Ross Brundrett
Account of share traders at the Stock Exchange.

3 February 99
Herald Sun
"Rialto team on its high horse"
by Bob Hart
Rialto Management has blocked a proposal by Racing Victoria to run an advertising campaign showing a giant horse climbing the Rialto building.

3 February 99
Herald Sun
"PBL unscathed by slide"
by Luke Collins
PBL riding high on proposed Crown merger.

3 February 99
Herald Sun
"Big hand for Kerry"
by Peter Coster
Crown shares are now at 78 cents and PBL has surged 45 cents to $8.80.

3 February 99
Age
"Millions struggling to read and write: study"
by Carolyn Jones
Nearly half of all Australians aged between 15 and 64 have poor literacy skills with many unable to grasp everyday tasks such as reading a newspaper or a magazine.

3 February 99
Age
Thumbs up on Crown deal"
by Leonie Wood
Independent Rothschild report is bullish on Crown/PBL merger. "A report into the PBL/Crown merger by N M Rothschild & Sons and commissioned by PBL notes that about half of all betting in Australia is conducted on gaming machines that employ a games style suitable for an internet environment.

3 February 99
Age
"Experts in agreement on Crown's winning formula"
by Stephen Bartholomeusz
All three experts support the PBL/Crown merger.

5 February 99
Herald Sun
"Youth smoke worry"
by Sarah Dent
Health experts are concerned about the failure of anti-smoking campaigns to prevent the young from smoking.

6 February 99
Herald Sun
"Attack on gambling overdue"
letter to the editor from Laurel Jackson of East StKilda
Concern expressed about problem gambling. "Gambling is an industry now, but we must seek and find what corrective measures can be instituted to lessen its impact on vulnerable people.

6 February 99
Good Weekend
"Nightmare on Wall Street"
by David Thomas
How high-geared speculation on the bonds market brought the world's financial system to the verge of collapse.

6 February 99
Good Weekend
"The two of us - Lynda and Christopher Dean"
by Phil Thornton
Account of young couple who built a tea-tree oil business from nothing.

7 February 99
Herald Sun
"Crown brings on stars"
by Paul Stewart
Crown is bringing out the very famous Sally Yeh and George Lam; singer-songwriters who are worshipped throughout Asia.

7 February 99
Herald Sun
"Booze drug waits on OK"
by Murray Johnson
A new anti-alcohol drug, Campral, which suppresses the craving for alcohol could be available in Australia this year.

7 February 99
Herald Sun
"Waugh too hot a bet for the bookies"
by Robert Craddock
Centrebet will not make a book on the next Australian captain because punters only want to bet on Steve Waugh.

7 February 99
Herald Sun
"Receiving good odds"
Las Vegas reported a record betting spree on the Super-Bowl.

8 February 99
Herald Sun
"Bottoms up, then bingo"
Bob Hart
Dandenong bingo centre charges for water but Carrum Downs bingo centre give chilled water, coffee and tea free.

9 February 99
Age
"Cockfighting in a big way in Thailand
Thailand's leading agribusiness corporation has sponsored Asia's inaugural cockfighting championships. Rooster breeders from eight countries participated.

9 February 99
Herald Sun
"James Reyne's New Songs Plus Hits From the 70's with Babba at Tatts Pokies
Tattersalls advertisement
Entertainment at Tatts pokies venues.

9 February 99
Herald Sun
"Ted fonder of grapes and gamblers than China"
by Terry McCrann
Ted Kunkel has reason to smile.
CUB leisure and gaming group revenue up 50% in half year after buying Austotel pub group.

9 February 99
Herald Sun
"Flurry of action as gates fly open"
by Shane Templeton
Meadows dogs track opened last night. Queue 500 metres long.

10 February 99
Age
"Broking house tips casino roll"
by AAP
HSBC Securities has tipped a more upbeat year for the casino sector.

10 February 99
Age
"Government claims judge erred in law on FOI bid"
by Christopher Webb
Account of Supreme Court action by Victorian Government to overturn Judge Wood's ruling on FOI case re casino bidding documents.

10 February 99
Herald Sun
"I thought I scooped the pool - punter"
by Norrie Ross
Footybet bob believed he had scooped the pool when $838,000 appeared in his bank account with Tabcorp due to an error.

10 February 99
Herald Sun
"The cult of success"
by Lindsay Tanner
Greater freedom has been accompanied by greater isolation and loneliness for many. Family breakdown, crime, drug abuse, suicide gambling and juvenile misbehaviour have all increased considerably since the late '60s.

11 February 99
Herald Sun
Bet feud for trial"
by Jason Silverii
The action between Footybet Bob and Tabcorp will go to the Supreme Court on March 16.

12 February 99
Herald Sun
"Lottery is a gamble"
by Bob Hart
It is now a criminal offence for Victorians to purchase lottery tickets in lotteries that have not been specifically authorised by the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority.

12 February 99
Herald Sun
"Punter sues TAB"
A prominent Perth jeweller is suing the West Australian TAB for $4.2 million he lost in bets in three years claiming he was allowed to bet on credit.

13 February 99
Herald Sun
Tattersalls advertisement showing the gangster fairy.

13 February 99
Herald Sun
"Punter's funds stay frozen"
by Norrie Ross
Footybet Bob's funds stay frozen as the Supreme Court refuses to lift an injunction.

13 February 99
Herald Sun
"60 and on top of his world"
by Michael Cameron
Andrew Peacock's 60th birthday with photograph of Ann Peacock and an account of Andrew Peacock's contacts amongst Washington's political elite.

13 February 99
Age
"The Gambler (part 1) - Marriage and children brought joy but the happy days were ending"
by Gay Alcorn
Account of the Nick Vlahopanagos, the problem gambler who made a bomb threat against Crown casino.

13/12/99
Age
"Police throw light on soccer betting scam"
British police are investigating a scam involving tampering with soccer lights to cause the abandonment of soccer games. It is believed Asian betting syndicates are behind the scam.

13 February 99
Age
"The Gambler (part 2) - I will either be shot by you, I will speak to the press or I will blow myself up"
by Gay Alcorn
Account of the Nick Vlahopanagos, the problem gambler who made a bomb threat against Crown casino.

14 February 99
Herald Sun
"Poor draw for club's pokies"
by Kate Ashley-Griffiths
The 106-year-old Kensington Bowling Club said it would close the five machines within weeks because it could not meet Tattersall's profit target.

15 February 99
Age
"The Gambler (part 3) - Beyond the glittering golden Tabaret doors lies the chimera of wealth. But the bills never stop."
by Gay Alcorn
Account of the Nick Vlahopanagos, the problem gambler who made a bomb threat against Crown casino.

15 February 99
Herald Sun
"Please explain, Kerry"
Allegation that Kerry Packer had abused bar staff at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney.

16 February 99
Age
"The Gambler (part 4) - Where did the money go? He worked, they lived frugally. But there was never enough."
by Gay Alcorn
Account of the Nick Vlahopanagos, the problem gambler who made a bomb threat against Crown casino.

17 February 99
Herald Sun
"Island gambles on net betting"
by Brian Walsh
Norfolk Island is proposing to establish an internet gambling industry.

17 February 99
Herald Sun
"Race scratching is a lucky bet"
by Bob Hart
Harold Park, NSW. Race four, which is reckoned unlucky by the Chinese, has been cancelled on the Chinese New Year.

17 February 99
Herald Sun
I though Saturday night's delay of the Tattslotto drawn by channel Seven was disgusting. More people are interested in it than a meaningless game of football.
Letter to the editor from Brian E of Edenhope.

17 February 99
Age
"The Gambler (part 5) - He plays again, the fifth card, a $5,000 win. Lights flashed at him ... his lucky day."
by Gay Alcorn
Account of the Nick Vlahopanagos, the problem gambler who made a bomb threat against Crown casino.

18 February 99
Age
"The Gambler (part 6) - 'No one comes near the car or lots of people will die.' He thought he'd be dead in five minutes."
by Gay Alcorn
Account of the Nick Vlahopanagos, the problem gambler who made a bomb threat against Crown casino.

18 February 99
Age
"Crown casino cafe sells half"
by Helen Shield
A half-interest in the All Star Cafe at Crown has been sold.

18 February 99
Herald Sun
"Suntan loses its attraction"
by Tanya Taylor
Tattersalls has put $1 million into Drummond Street cancer research institute.

18 February 99
Herald Sun
"Arabs face racing hurdle"
by Terry Brown
Arabs may race camels but not horses in Victoria. The VRC which controls all forms of Victorian horse racing is willing to let the Arabs race camels but has not agreed to a separate organisation racing horses.

19 February 99
Herald Sun
"Packer given sell order"
by Emma Blake
Kerry Packer's Fairfax Trust has been ordered to sell its holding in John Fairfax media group down to 15%.

19 February 99
Herald Sun
"Light relief for gamblers"
by Brian Carroll
Fremont Street (Glitter Gulch) has been turned into a pedestiran mall with a roof and sound and light show. This is to bring people back from the competition from the Strip.

19 February 99
Age
"Shielding poor from pokies growth"
by Sandra McKay
The number of people seeking help for a gambling addiction has doubled. In the year to July 1998, 3149 people registered with the Break Even counselling service, up from 1324 two years ago. The Labor Party (Hulls) is proposing regional caps to limit machines in poorer areas and banning people holding an office in a political party from controlling a gambling company.

19 February 99
Age
"Games man in sin bin for indoor sport"
by Chloe Saltau and Misha Ketchell
A visiting Commonwealth Games official was asked to leave Melbourne after requesting a prostitute and becoming 'over-amorous' with a prostitute at Crown Towers.

19 February 99
Age
"The Gambler (part 7) - I take my children to the snow. It was wonderful, I haven't spent money on the kids for so long."
by Gay Alcorn
Account of the Nick Vlahopanagos, the problem gambler who made a bomb threat against Crown casino.

22 February 99
Herald Sun
"Help on cyber casino"
by John Masanauskas
RMIT University is helping to develop one of Australia's first internet casino sites for Pacific Casino Management partly owned by the Jacobsen entertainment group. The government is seeking legal advice on whether Crown's casino monopoly extends to table games in cyberspace.

22 February 99
Herald Sun
"Bob's got an eye for a winner"
by Bob Hart
Account of painter Bob Dickerson's success with part ownership of Red Ivory.

22 February 99
Age
"Gambler accosted near casino"
A 28 year old man was grabbed and robbed of Crown casino chips outside Crown casino.

23 February 99
Herald Sun
"Tatts gives $250,000 towards medical pressure chamber"
Tattersalls advertisement
Tattersalls has contributed $250,000 towards the new hyperbaric chamber at the Alfred Hospital.

23 February 99
Herald Sun
"Scouts prepared for sex"
by Loretta Hall
Scouting movement has advocated safe sex for teenagers.

24 February 99
Herald Sun
"Dual lotto winner jailed"
A rabbit trapper who won Tattslotto first division twice in six years has been jailed for three months.

24 February 99
Herald Sun
"Jackpot pokies result comes with a warning"
by Kathy Lipari
Aristocrat Leisure has reported an exceptionally strong first-half year result. Aristocrat was still awaiting licensing in Nevada. It was developing a machine for Japan and getting business from the machine changes in NSW and the freeing up of the market in Queensland.

24 February 99
Herald Sun
"Uncertain future for picnic races"
Picnic racing is under siege. Horses are paid to take part in TAB meetings but not picnic races. Some TAB races are cluttered up with horses that should really be racing in the picnic races.

24 February 99
Age
"ASIC probing Crown trades"
by Leonie Wood
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission is investigating instances of unusual trading in the shares of the Crown casino group last year.

24 February 99
Age
"Aristocrat pulls off record result"
by Kevin Morrison
Account of good result for Aristocrat.

25 February 99
Herald Sun
"Racing to make a $41.5 m stand"
by Fiona Byrne
The VRC is building a new stand and embarking on a membership drive.

25 February 99
Herald Sun
"Drug fear on hyper kids"
by Keith Moor
Latest federal health department figures reveals a massive increase in ADHD scripts from 9940 in 1990 to 209,100 in 1997. Treatment rates for attention deficit disorder ADD are as high as 30% to 40% of the class. Some Australian ADHD children are being bullied at school to hand over their drugs for recreational use.

25 February 99
Herald Sun
"Off lightly"
by Michael Horan
Shane Warne and Mark Waugh should have served long suspensions for dealing with an illegal bookmaker in 1995 a cricket inquiry has found. Life bans should be considered for cricketers betting or taking bribes.

25 February 99
Age
"VRC hopes its grand $41 m punt will come home"
by Tony Bourne
Account of Flemington Racecourse's new members' grandstand.

25 February 99
Age
"Inquiry slams ACB"
by Greg Baum
Account of the QC inquiry into the Warne/Waugh affair. ACB honest but decision was mistaken.

26 February 99
Herald Sun
"Punters wager $1,000"
Victorians spent more than $1,000 each on pokies and at the racetrack with Tabcorp Holdings in the past six moths, up $100 on the previous year. A 13% jump in profits with pokies players contributing $
352 million.

26 February 99
Herald Sun
"Family break-ups soar"
by Sarah Dent
A record surge in marriage break-downs ha seen the number of Australian children living with only one parent soar to one million for the first time. 21% of children had one parent living outside the household.

26 February 99
Herald Sun
"Tabcorp's TV bet pays off"
by Miranda McLachlan
Tabcorp's wager on pay-television racing and upgraded pokie venues has paid handsomely with the group's first-half takings up 18.3% to $71.5 million.

26 February 99
Age
"Tabcorp investors in the money"
by Leonie Wood
Tabcorp's good half-year result. Pay-TV on Sky Channel - greyhound racing in early evening - but biggest cash flow came from poker machines. Daily take from each machine rose from $170 to $190. Wilson queried whether Tabcorp could satisfy demand after 2000.

27 February 99
Herald Sun
"Pokie boast backfires"
by Fay Burstin
Poker player played a faulty poker machine at a Chadstone hotel last year. He boasted about his winnings and the venue had him charged with theft. Magistrate Jack Tobin found him guilty, fining him $250 and ordering him to repay the money.

28 February 99
Herald Sun
"Glenroy club a poor bet"
by Felicity Dargan
Another bowling club is being stripped of its poker machines by Tattersalls after falling short of its target by $2000.

28 February 99
Herald Sun
"Luck runs out for the Lotto larrikin"
by Sarah Harris and Sarah Stuart
Two time Tattslotto winner Raymond Nobby Williams went to jail this week. His wife, said she wished they had never won a cent; the money transformed her husband.

28 February 99
Herald Sun
"The meek need help"
editorial
The government has created a business duopoly and has relinquished its responsiblity to small community groups lacking the commercial acumen of the casino and major hotels.

28 February 99
Age
"Crown to move out of the spotlight, under PBL wings"
by Malcolm Maiden
Maiden makes the very interesting point that it is going to take bigger things in Crown to trigger the continuous disclosure requirement for PBL.

1 March 99
Herald Sun
"You can't buy happiness"
by Kay O'Sullivan
US psychologists have found that people who see value in relationships, self- development and helping others are happier than those who seek wealth, fame and physical attractiveness.

1 March 99
Herald Sun
"Where's the security"
letter to the editor from Tonia B of Airport West
Crown casino criticised for not having adequate security to prevent cars being broken into.

1 March 99
Herald Sun
Free heroin for heroin addicts, what next? Free casino chips for gamblers ...
letter to the editor from K King of Forest Hill

2 March 99
Herald Sun
"Frankie and Lucky in Tatts seniors week tribute"
Tattersalls advertisement
Two of Australia's most popular cabaret singers, Frankie Davidson and Lucky Star will appear at Tatts pokies venues.

2 March 99
Herald Sun
"Pupils go Dutch in cannabis cafes"
by PA
Dozens of Berkshire schoolchildren will visit Amsterdam's cannabis cafes this summer as part of a police drug education project. A spokeswoman for the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Association said there was a danger that too much information about drugs would encourage children to experiment.

2 March 99
Herald Sun
"Melbourne is now sin city"
by Tanya Giles, Kristin Owen and Mark Buttler
Melbourne has outstripped Sydney and its notorious red light district of King's Cross as the nations capital of sex and sleaze, police said yesterday. A spokeswoman for a legal brothel said outlaw parlours were booming and it was well-known organised crime had infiltrated the illicit industry.

3 March 99
Herald Sun
"After placing your bet on a pokie, press all the buttons to confuse its computer"
G-line advertisement

3 March 99
Herald Sun
"Task force hits anti-gambling ads"
by Glenn Mitchell
A $5 million Victorian Government anti-gambling campaign came under attack within minutes of being launched yesterday. The Interchurch Gambling Task Force attacked new television advertisements aimed at 'at risk' gamblers as useless. The Women's Health Service for the West found there were strong links between domestic violence and gambling.

3 March 99
Age
"Pokies didn't pay so Tattersall's took 'em away. These people turned green."
by Sian Watkins
This week Tatts removed Glenroy Bowls Club's five pokie machines.

3 March 99
Age
"Problem-gambler ads labelled pathetic"
by Meaghan Shaw
Tim Costello said the ads were pathetic and unconvincing.

4 March 99
Age
"Police check games float at Celtic Club"
by Fergus Shiel
Police are investigating a report of discrepancies in the gaming float at Melbourne's troubled Celtic Club.

4 March 99
Age
"Legislators take a flutter on the net"
by Leonie Wood
Roger Hallam, Minister for Gaming, is trying to make internet gambling a safe pastime in Victoria. US legislators are looking at banning credit card companies from handling transactions linked to internet gambling sites. Queensland legislation has loopholes and Tasmanians can only gamble with the operators of the Wrest Point Casino. Ross Wilson is arguing checks as stringent as those applied to telephone betting accounts but even then he is concerned about what he sees as the increased action in gaming over wagering and minors playing. Hallam contends that Crown's rights do not extend to gaming on the internet. Crown disagrees.

4 March 99
Age
"It's odds on PBL will win Crown prize"
by Leonie Wood
Merger deal expected to gain overwhelming approval from Crown shareholders.

5 March 99
Herald Sun
"Packers' Crown jackpot"
by Miranda McLachlan
Kerry and James Packer have their own casino, Melbourne's $2.1 billion icon Crown after shareholders in two cities endorsed the takeover yesterday.

5 March 99
Herald Sun
"Hudcon on investment trail"
Hudson Conway may look at other investment opportunities after the Packer takeover is completed.

5 March 99
Herald Sun
"At Crown, its Kerry's call"
by Peter Coster
Jocular account of journalists present when Packer called Lloyd Williams.

5 March 99
Age
Cartoon showing how lap dancing is a traditional activity with a proud and joyous history involving dancing a miniature fox terrier on the lap.

5 March 99
Age
"Lloyd moves closer to his mates at PBL"
by Christopher Webb
Short account of success of Crown PBL merger.

5 March 99
Age
"Crown shareholders approve 'star' union"
by Leonie Wood
Account of success of merger. Lloyd Williams yesterday threatened that Crown would take legal action against the Victorian Government if it legislated to allow any other Victorian gaming operator to supply casino games on the internet.

6 March 99
Herald Sun
"Now Bond butts out"
In the next Bond film, 'The World is Not Enough' Bond does not smoke.

6 March 99
Herald Sun
"News nets $35 m from NSW TAB sale"
News Corporation is believed to have sold its 5% holding in the NSW TAB for a profit of $35 million.

7 March 99
Herald Sun
"Schools lose bingo revenue"
by Felicity Dargan
Schools, sporting clubs and community organisations that rely on bingo revenue are abandoning the game because they cannot compete in the deregulated industry. Bingo operators were cutting each other's throats offering big jackpots.

9 March 99
Herald Sun
"'Bulletproof' Packer tells"
by Ian McIlwraith and Miranda McLachlan
Kerry Packer sees himself as the bulletproof billionaire. Account of Packer appearing before the Australian Broadcasting Authority which decided he did not control Fairfax.

9 March 99
Herald Sun
"Mark your valuables free this Saturday"
Tattersalls advertisement
Tattersalls is involved in the 'Mark it in March' project where people can take valuables to some Tatts pokies venues and some Tatts lotto outlets to have them marked or engraved free of charge. Police officers will be on duty in areas set aside at allocated sites to mark mobile phones etc. Tattersalls has donated $1 million to neighbourhood watch.

10 March 99
Age
"ANZ cuts exposure to gamble of gaming"
by Leonie Wood
ANZ has cut its exposure to the casino industry in Queensland. It had already cut its exposure to Crown in Victoria.

10 March 99
Herald Sun
Glenroy Bowls club losing its poker machines good news, perhaps less Tattersalls advertising.
Letter to the editor from Jocelyn Hunter of Vermont South

10 March 99
Herald Sun
"CUB boss serves up the profits he ordered"
by Kathy Lipari
Hotels are a very big driver for CUB in the future. Fosters now owns 160 hotels/pubs throughout Australia with more than 5,000 gaming machines.

11 March 99
Age
"Half of students binge drink: report"
by Darren Gray
Student binge drinking and smoking were on the rise according to a Victorian Department of Human Services report. The department still supported the current emphasis on educational and preventive programs on legal drugs, particularly alcohol and tobacco.

11 March 99
Age
"Gambling industry seeks tax overhaul"
by Leonie Wood
A group of gambling operators put in a submission to the Productivity Commission arguing that gambling was subjected to 'arbitrarily high and discriminatory' state based tax systems and regulations which skewed gamblers' spending patterns, impeded industry productivity and proved costly to administer. Gambling operators do not though want the federal government assuming control but they do want deregulation of gaming machine manufacturers.

11 March 99
Herald Sun
"A wedding made for high society"
by Kim Wilson
Account of Michael Krogor's marriage to Ann Peacock attended by Lachlan Murdoch, James Packer and John Howard.

11 March 99
Herald Sun
"Bigger prize lottery push"
by Michael McKinnon and Miranda McLauchlan
Punters would receive higher payouts if lotteries were not restricted from operating interstate, an Access Economics report has said. No evidence that lotteries habit forming like races and pokies. ACIL Consulting lodged a submission claiming 'It is wrong to blame gambling as an industry for difficulties experienced by a small number of people with deep-seated personality disorders."

11 March 99
Herald Sun
"Student heroin shock"
by Helen Carter
Statistics on high use of drugs by school children.

12 March 99
Herald Sun
"Fury greets toy pokies"
by Greg Thom
Psychologists, parents groups and gambling critics said Target should not sell toy poker machines which dispensed lollies. "I can't believe anyone would make something like this available for kids" child psychologist Dr Janet Hall said.

12 March 99
Herald Sun
"Branding against theft"
information on where to have valuables marked (including Tattersalls venues).

12 March 99
Herald Sun
"Star City plays its cards right"
Star City has made a profit of $16.9 million for 1998 after a loss of $56.8 million in 1997.

12 March 99
Age
"Laws make bingo go bung"
by Sian Watkins
Removal of 600 book and 70% player return limits has resulted in the big bingo operators cutting margins, squeezing themselves and their clients and pushing out the small operators.

12 March 99
Age
"Run up to Christmas turns casino round"
by Morgan Mellish
Strong hotel occupancies and improved gambling revenue in the lead-up to Christmas have helped Star City return to the black for the 12 months to December.

13 March 99
Herald Sun
"Pokies toys dumped"
by Greg Thom
Target Stores have withdrawn lolly-filled toy poker machines form sale following a community backlash.

15 March 99
Herald Sun
"The day a Liberal princess married her Mr Right"
by Corrie Perkins
Account of the wedding of Ann Peacock and Michael Kroger.

15 March 99
Herald Sun
"Risky gamble pays, so far"
MBA students at a school in Philadelphia have been borrowing to invest on the stock market. Borrowing enables big winners and losers. Account of winners and losers.

15 March 99
Herald Sun
"Laos finds life is a lottery"
by AAP
Monthly state lottery has proven very popular in impoverished Laos.

16 March 99
Herald Sun
"Deserving youngsters were Tattersall's guests at Grand Prix"
Tattersalls advertisement
Four groups of deserving youngsters were guests of Tattersalls at this year's Australian Grand Prix. Aged between 13 and 24 these young people were selected by four organisations supported by Tattersalls - Youth at Risk, Cottage by the Sea, Very Special Kids and Challenge Cancer Support Network. In addition, Tattersalls provided some free tickets to Reach Youth.

16 March 99
Herald Sun
"Royal mum owes $10m"
by Chris Manly in London
The Queen Mother's lover of horse racing is well known. As an owner, she has had 400 winners since 1949.

17 March 99
Age
"Teen gambler traded $4m on stock market"
by AAP
A 17-year-old appeared in a Sydney children's court pleading guilty to nine counts of obtaining money by deception. The boy, who was said to have a gambling problem, conducted a round robin cheque scheme taking down a bank and investment company for about $85,000.

19 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Plea from pokie addict"

letter to the editor by D Chappel of Chelsea

Poker addict seeks free coins to support addiction (reference to free heroin trial proposed).

19 March 1999

Age

"Cabinet to ban cyberporn"

by Adrian Rollins

Key politicians back government plans to regulate the internet.

19 March 1999

Age

"Heroin users' starting up age plummets into teens"

by Darren Gray

A national report shows a continuing drop in the age of first-time heroin users.

20 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Vics in scramble for rich egg race"

Greyhound, Poetic Reward's, prospects for the Golden Easter Egg series.

21 March 1999

Herald Sun

"You paid for his 'party house'"

by Felicity Dargan

A charity for disabled children has received $632,376 in donations but has expended only $660.

22 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Probe promised on charity man"

by Andrew Probyn

Disabled charity to be probed by the Office of Fair Trading.

22 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Anger at star's TAB ad"

The use of Tasmanian cricket star Ricky Ponting to promote gambling has been branded outrageous by Tim Costello.

23 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Tattersalls Provides $1 Million Towards New Cancer Research Institute"

Latest in 30 year relationship between Tattersalls and the Anti-Cancer Council.

23 March 1999

Age

"Packer: lift most rules on media"

by Peter Wilmoth

Cross-media and foreign ownership restrictions need to be lifted in the national interest according to James Packer.

23 March 1999

Age

""Last roll of the dice"

by Peter Wilmoth

Packers are relaunching the Bulletin.

24 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Lift foreign media curbs, urges Packer"

by Doug Button

Cross-media and foreign ownership restrictions need to be lifted in the national interest according to James Packer.

24 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Pokies jackpot for Tattersalls"

by Damon Johnston

Tattersalls has reaped a record $130 million profits in its 97/98 annual return.

24 March 1999

Herald Sun

"TAB has a punt on Tatts"

by Kathy Lipari

Gaming and wagering group NSW TAB has purchased Tattersalls Gaming Systems.

25 March 1999

Age

"Packer media call falls on deaf ears"

by Caroline Overington and Adrian Rollins

Changes to foreign ownership by Packers fall on deaf ears. Kerry Packer says press should stop investigating Keating piggery affair.

24 March 1999

Age

"Packers set to go to the movies"

by Jane Schultz

Packer's CPH seeks to purchase options giving it 17.1% of Hoyts.

24 March 1999

Age

"Packer Hoyts deal may not be quite the gem it appears"

by Stephen Bartholomeusz

Analysis of Packer push into Hoyts.

25 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Hoyts takeover bid"

by Sean Smith and Kathy Lipari

Packer's CPH seeks to purchase options giving it 17.1% of Hoyts.

25 March 1999

Herald Sun

"It's the Kerry show screening at a Hoyts near you"

by Terry McCrann

Analysis of Packer Hoyts bid. Noteworthy that theatres are not essential to PBL integrated media and communications development vision.

26 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Curb pokies dragon"

by John Dalziel

Dalziel argues for amelioration of poker machine action and information to be given to players.

26 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Gambling help"

Gambling addicts have been offered $21 million in services over the next 3 years. Hulls says this is only 8% of community support fund revenue compared with 15% previously.

27 March 1999

Age

"School heads ponder random drug testing"

by Carolyn Jones

Britain's Eton College may have done it but Melbourne's private schools are not enthusiastic about testing students for drugs.

27 March 1999

Age

"Departing manager gives Kroger a last word of advice"

by Christopher Webb

Letter of resignation to Kroger from Faberge store manageress.

27 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Hoyts rebuff to Packer"

by Emma Blake

28 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Lotto luck in Taylors Lakes"

by Kate Ashley-Griffiths

Two lucky Taylors Lakes women will share in almost $450,000

28 March 1999

Herald Sun

"John revives spirit of '49"

by Michelle Rose

Account of past winner of Stawell Gift (foot racing) and how his father won 3,500 pounds betting on him.

28 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Bars offer games older people play"

by Mark Phillips

EDG Entertainment has opened Galactic Circus at the Crown complex which has an emphasis on games that can be played for prizes.

29 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Back young who fight drugs"

by Paul Gray

David Nguyen and Thanh Vu are staging a play Dragon's Lair aimed at educating the Vietnamese community against drugs.

29 March 1999

Age

"James goes into town in buying frenzy"

by Jane Schultz

Account with lists etc of massive buy up by Packer empire of strategic stakes in the entertainment and communications sectors.

30/3//99

Herald Sun

"Jade Harley, Australia's King of Country Rock at Tatts Pokies in April"

Tattersalls advertisement

31 March 1999

Herald Sun

"Lotto man keeps job"

A Fountain Gate labourer who won $1.2 million in Tattslotto turned up at work yesterday because he did not want to leave his mates short-handed.

31 March 1999

Age

"Tabcorp ups the take on trifectas"

by Andrew Eddy

From 1 July Tabcorp will be deducting a rate of 20% from Supertab trifecta pools. This adds on an increase of 1% last year but will enable pools to include money from SA and WA.

1 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Gamblers to play 'n pray"

Melbourne's Crown casino may be the site for a Planet Holyland restaurant themed on a church.

1 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Teen heroin use trebles"

by Helen Carter

National Drug Strategy Household Survey results show disturbing trend, particularly amongst females.

2 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Packer's Hoyts plan"

by Andrew Hobbs

Suggested Packer strategy for Hoyts holding.

6 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Sharene Shocked to Win Bendigo Sports Star Award"

Tattersalls advertisement

Tattersalls sponsors award to netballer. The Victorian Minister for Sport, Mr Tom Reynolds, presented the award at a gala dinner.

6 April 1999

Age

"Heroin: the bogeyman of the frightened '90s"

by Gay Alcorn and Nicole Brady

On Friday, the nation's leaders will meet to discuss strategies to combat the heroin crisis. Only 15% of people who try heroin become addicted to it.

7 April 1999

Herald Sun

Crown advertisement for Crown Palladium including Jaya, Alkaios, Al Martino, Julie Anthony, The Drifters, Shake Rattle and Roll, Gene Pitney and Renee Geyer.

7 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Peace in punting duel"

by Jason Silverii

Footybet Bob settles tussle with Tabcorp.

8 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Punt on VAFA?"

by Jon Anderson

Proposal by Capital Sports in Canberra for betting on Victorian public schools old boys' football matches.

9 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Gaming explosion"

by Matthew Horan and Michelle Coffey

Victorian lose $819 a year bet on the horses, poker machines, lotteries and at the casino. This is up 63% on three years ago. Average Australian figure is $634.

10 April 1999

Age

"That sinking feeling"

Proposal for Titanic style boat in Las Vegas.

10 April 1999

Age

"Gambling goes on line up north"

First Australian internet gambling site opens in Lasseters Hotel Casino in Alice Springs.

10 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Boost for female riders"

by Michelle Edmunds

VRC to install better facilities for female jockeys. Also, the VRC has upped the ante to seven days a week racing and most jockeys are now living out of their cars.

11 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Lotto winners on dole"

by Kara Lawrence

Less than a year after winning $500,000 two lottery winners are down to their last $20,000 and are on the dole.

11 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Anti-smokers call for lolly ban"

Candy sticks that resemble cigarettes such as Fads should be banned in Victoria according to an anti-tobacco lobby group.

11 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Safer cigarettes kept from public"

by Kate Ashley-Griffiths

Tobacco companies shelved plans for safer cigarettes because of their dilemma that a safer type of cigarette would raise the question as to why the more dangerous one was still being marketed.

11 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Kroger keeps party waiting"

by Gerard McManus

Speculation whether Kroger will run for pre-selection.

11 April 1999

Age

"It's time to grow up about kids and drugs"

by Michael Carr-Gregg

Carr describes "harm minimisation". Harm minimisation drug education tries to educate young people about rather than against drugs. It is non-judgmental and respects the right of young people to make their own decisions.

12 April 1999

Herald Sun

"A risky wager"

editorial

Editorial against internet gambling.

12 April 1999

Age

"PBL bid on Crown tied in red tape"

by Leonie Wood

The approvals process for the PBL/Crown merger is taking longer that expected because of VCGA approval lead times.

13 April 1999

Age

"Bingo operator sentenced"

by Sue Cant

A key figure in the bingo industry skimmed profits from football clubs and charities after the introduction of poker machines bankrupted him. He stole $8666 and received a four-month suspended sentence.

13 April 1999

Age

"OneTel deal gets the thumbs up"

by Kevin Morrison

PBL puts cash injection into telephone company/internet service provider, One Tel.

13 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Tatts Helped RSPCA On All Creatures Day"

Tattersalls advertisement

Tattersalls sponsored the pet care exhibition "Caring for your pet". Other entertainment at the RSPCA day were the Carlton Clydesdales, children's entertainment from the Kangaroo Creek Band and other musical features.

13 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Bingo king's number is up"

by Greta McMahon

A bingo baron duped fundraising groups out of thousands of dollars by fiddling with prize money records for his own profit. Account of court proceedings.

13 April 1999

Herald Sun

"How you can help to drug-proof your children"

by Lynne Holroyd

Parents setting a good example are the best way to avoid drug abuse in children. Alcohol is a gateway to illegal drugs.

14 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Camels racing? you bet"

Punters will be allowed to bet on camel racing in Victoria for the first time following a decision by Sport Minister Tom Reynolds.

14 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Facts on pokie numbers"

letter to the editor from Peter Gillooly, Chief General Manager, Tattersalls

Letter to the editor contradicting statements made by Rev Tim Costello. Tattersalls not asking for limit of 45,000 machines but content with government review. Tattersalls competes with Tabcorp.

14 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Myers pay tribute to founder"

by Sasha Baskett

Account of Michael Myers' speech to Philanthropy Australia with his account of Sidney Myer's philanthropy and Michael's belief that philanthropy needs to become an intrinsic part of the Australian way of life.

15 April 1999

Age

"Call for gambling support in jail"

by Sally Finlay

Nicholas Stewart Matthews, 24 pleaded guilty to six counts of gambling-related crime. The court heard that to support a growing gambling addiction, Matthews used a meat cleaver to rob the Parkdale and Cranbourne Pizza Hut stores in November last year. The former employee of both stores was charged with two counts of armed robbery along with four counts of theft for stealing from friends and family. Judge McInerney expressed concern there was no counselling at Port Phillip prison.

15 April 1999

Age

"Casino chief to tower's rescue"

by Paul Robinson and Ian Munro

The chairman of Crown casino said he was prepared to invest up to $100 million to save the world's tallest building project at Melbourne's docklands.

15 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Million-dollar hitch - Networks told new game shows illegal"

by Glenn Mitchell

VCGA has written to both channels 7 and 9 advising them their intended games shows are illegal. Channel 7 last night defied the ruling and channel 9 intends to follow suit. The shows are channel 7 - $Million dollar chance of a lifetime with Frank Warrick and Channel 9 Who wants to be a millionaire with Eddy McGuire.

15 April 1999

Herald Sun

"It's raining jackpots at Crown Pokies"

Crown advertisement

Full page advertisement showing photos of jackpot winners.

15 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Addict admits masked thefts"

by Sarah Dolan

A gambling addict donned a Halloween mask during a robbery on a Pizza Hut restaurant he used to manage.

15 April 1999

Herald Sun

Cartoon

Knight on Jeff's preamble

Includes verse of:

Our nation's early success

was on the back of the merino

Today we owe it all to those who lose

on the pokies and casino.

15 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Packer wins again with Crown profit"

by Miranda McLachlan

Good fortune for Packer as Crown casino returns to good form with profit of $14.9 million.

16 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Legal storm hits TV shows"

by Glenn Mitchell and Robert Fidgeon

WA and SA regulatory authorities have doubts on Victorian million dollar game shows.

16 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Gambler first to get help in jail

by Sarah Dolan

Pizza Hut bandit will get counselling in jail.

16 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Casino deals everyone a share of PBL's win

by Terry McCrann

PBL/Crown deal still good because of tax losses and PBL-Crown gambling brand on the internet.

17 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Betting giant's Star on the rise"

by Miranda McLachlan

Victorian poker and betting powerhouse Tabcorp Holdings is confident about it s $1.1 billion dollar play for Sydney's Star City casino.

17 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Sydney shift a winning punt"

by Terry McCrann

Acquisition of Star City will be good for Tabcorp ensuring it will remain one of the major players in gambling.

17 April 1999

Herald Sun

"The casino wheel turns"

editorial

Kennett may have to change his tune on Star City if it is acquired by Tabcorp.

17 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Merger a safe bet, says Tabcorp"

by Miranda McLachlan

Analysts commended Tabcorp's $1.11 million merger proposal with Star City.

17 April 1999

Australian Financial Review

"Tabcorp takes $1.1bn punt on casino"

by Simon Evans

Account of proposed Tabcorp offer for Star City.

17 April 1999

Australian Financial Review

"Regulators, rivals could quench Wilson's burning ambition"

by Ivor Ries

Reminder that Tabcorp Star City merger must pass Victorian regulators. Move into NSW weakens VCGA control over Tabcorp.

17 April 1999

Age

"Wilson's Star act thoroughly rehearsed"

by Malcolm Maiden

Account of Tabcorp/Star City proposal.

17 April 1999

Age

"Tabcorp buys into Star City potential"

by Helen Shield

Upbeat account of Tabcorp's offer to Hurrahs Entertainment

18 April 1999

Age

"Account of charity run by twice-bankrupted property developer who runs the Kids at Sea program.

18 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Third charity targeted"

by Felicity Dargan

A third Victorian charity, Adrium Charitable Association Incorporated formed to help people with muscular dystrophy is being investigated by the Office of Fair Trading.

18 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Tatts' heirs stay secret"

by Kate Ashley-Griffiths

Hulls criticises Tattersalls for retaining anonymity of its beneficiaries, accusing it of being a secret society.

18 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Cheaper punt on Tabcorp"

by Mark Phillips

Tabcorp Holdings High Yield Instalment securities will list tomorrow morning.

19 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Racing over a hump"

by Tanya Giles

Account of camel races at Geelong.

19 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Tabcorp may have to lift Star bid"

by Ian McIlwraith

Speculation on sufficiency of Tabcorp offer for Star.

19 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Gaming float stalls after ASIC steps in"

by Ian McIlwraith

The ASC has forced Consolidated Gaming Corporation to return cheques for $3.5 million to potential investors on the basis it did not adequately outline the risks in the prospectus.

19 April 1999

Age

"Ceiling on pokies may be changed"

by Sandra McKay

The Gaming Minister, Mr Roger Hallam, said the ceiling of 27,500 machines was putting pressure on the smaller clubs and may have to be reviewed.

19 April 1999

Age

"Star City loses in punt on high rollers"

by Leonie Wood

Star City this week is expected to reveal it lost heavily to high rollers.

19 April 1999

Age

"Calling the bluff on online gambling potential"

by Glen Barry

US figures on internet gambling a beat-up. US authorities coming down on internet operators. US upset with Australian state governments move to legislate for internet gambling.

20 April 1999

Age

"Tabcorp in Star City ultimatum"

by Anthony Hughes

Tabcorp says it will not pay more to Leighton Holdings for its 15% share in the management contract.

20 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Banks Emerging in National Rowing with Tatts' Aid"

Tattersalls advertisement

Tattersalls has played a significant role in the Banks Rowing Club and a few years ago its support was extended to sponsorship of the Banks Talent Identification program.

20 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Kerry's not about to forgo the pleasure of his local"

by Terry McCrann

Interesting analysis of the manoeuvring of the big three gaming corporations, PBL/Crown, Tabcorp and Tatts and also Fosters Brewing Group. Query where this will leave TAB (NSW) - it will likely be absorbed by Tabcorp.

20 April 1999

Herald Sun

Cartoon in Learn section under article on business courses.

by Holden showing a young man playing the pokies saying to girlfriend he prefers to think of it as a high risk investment.

21 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Packers load up with heavy financial firepower"

by Terry McCrann

Growing relationship between James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch in competitor/partnership mix.

22 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Star City's luck runs out"

by Miranda McLauchlan

Poor performance by Star City because of bad table yield. Poker machine return good and reasonable hotel occupancy rates.

22 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Dye gambling probe"

by Ray Thomas

Champion jockey Shane Dye will face a steward's enquiry into his gambling activities at Crown Casino.

22 April 1999

Age

"Unlucky streak bedevils Star City"

by Leonie Wood

Article on poor performance by Star City. Analysts are worried about a fall off in the mainstream table games down to $4014from $4412 per table per day.

23 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Dad to sue over son's expansion"

by Kelly Ryan

Child expelled for smoking. Parent to sue school for breach of contract to educate child in return for fees.

23 April 1999

Herald Sun

Letter to the editor arguing about advertising and sporting sponsorships by alcohol manufacturers even though it is as addictive as nicotine and causes more social problems.

By Fair's Fair, Warragul

23 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Money, money, money ... it's a poor man's whirl"

by Jill Singer

Quiz gambling shows on Channel 7 and Channel 9 are showing healthy ratings. Winner wins $125,000, stakes it and ends up with $32,000.

23 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Packer punt probably also a winner for Tabcorp"

by Terry McCrann

Packer bid for cash caused slide in market for gaming shares.

24 April 1999

Herald Sun

"Bet all night"

The opening of the State's first 24-hour bookmaking operation last night at Flemington Racecourse is touted to be the forerunner of a $2 billion a year sportsbetting bonanza.

24 April 1999

Herald Sun

Letter to the editor claiming poker machine payouts have been lowered.

By Laurie McEvoy, Burwood East

25 April 1999

Australian Financial Review

"Best of times, worst of times"

by Ivor Ries

Analysis of share movements on Tabcorp and TAB NSW.

24 April 1999

Age

"Victoria leads gambling rush as losses soar"

by Andrew Darby

Analysis of increased Victorian gambling spending.

25 April 1999

Age

"Accountant hits charity audit claims"

by Murray Mottram