A Gold Coast problem gambler has lost his bid to sue Melbourne's Crown Casino, and has been ordered to pay the casino a debt of $1 million.
Gold Coast property developer Harry Kakavas gambled almost $1.5 billion at the casino over about a year.
He sued Crown for $30 million, claiming it exploited his gambling addiction, and lured him back there with cash and the use of a private jet.
But Victorian Supreme Court Justice David Harper rejected this claim, and found the casino did not exploit Mr Kakavas.
In his judgement, Justice Harper said Mr Kakavas once among the elite of Australian patrons of gambling casinos.
"He was the highest of this country's high rollers," he said.
He said Mr Kakavas spread his wings, gambling across Australia and overseas in Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Macau and the Bahamas.
"Over a 16 month period he turned over $1.479 billion in Melbourne alone," he said.
"He enjoyed some spectacular wins. In the end, however, he lost all he won, and more."
However, in his 240 page judgement he criticised Crown saying Harry Kakavas was and is a problem gambler.
"I also find that the first defendant, Crown Melbourne cannot divorce itself of some knowledge of his condition," he said.
"Crown presents itself as a world leader in responsible gambling. Its relationship with Mr Kakavas does not give one any confidence that it deserves that status."
He ordered Mr Kakavas to pay a gambling debt to Crown of $1 million.
Issued by ABC News December 8th 2009
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/08/2764826.htm?section=justin
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