This Month
Sam Arnaout’s Midas touch turns suburban pubs into pokie gold mines
Iris Capital has a remarkable knack of attracting high-rolling gamblers to its NSW hotels, increasing gambling profits and supercharging the value of the pubs.
This elusive Aussie built a multimillion-dollar global gambling empire
Bernard Marantelli has for the past few decades outsmarted many in the wagering industry, including US authorities after he won a $95 million lottery jackpot.
The Star case is a warning for boards and a setback for the regulator
Justice Michael Lee in his judgment said it was still difficult to look at what happened at Star “without a sense of disquiet”.
Michael Lee’s judgment leaves legacy for Sally Pitkin and friends
The market and shareholders may expect higher standards of boards these days, but that doesn’t mean ASIC can enforce them (in this case, at least).
February
Rugby union is rising in the US. That’s bad news for the NRL
Hosting season openers in Las Vegas was supposed to help the NRL grab a slice of the world’s biggest sports fan and betting market. It has not been so simple.
Ladbrokes owner dampens takeover talks, eyes online casino expansion
New chief executive Andrew Vouris said an attempt to compete against Tabcorp inside pubs and clubs had distracted the bookmaker from what it does best.
January
Victor Churchill to open new restaurant inside Crown
Set to open in mid-2027, the restaurant will be the third to launch inside Crown Melbourne since 2024.
Sam Arnaout fights off legal bid to limit Alice Springs poker machines
The Sydney pokies and pub billionaire has fought off a legal challenge that tried to reduce the number of gaming machines in two of his Alice Springs hotels.
Loophole allows illegal gambling sites to promote AO bets
The platforms, which are illegal to users in Australia, are leveraging the Australian Open for new punters.
Battle of the poker machine giants settled for $190m after two years
After a messy battle over trade secrets, Light & Wonder has paid its major rival Aristocrat and agreed to stop creating its dragon-themed games.
The professional punter who made more than $1m on the Sydney Roosters
Kingsley Bartholomew is a rock star in the world of gambling, where followers seek his advice for a winning edge. His main tip? Learn to deal with the losses.
December 2025
Gillon McLachlan urges ‘attacking’ regulation to end productivity trap
In an interview, the Tabcorp chief executive reveals how he brokered a massive AFL broadcasting deal and why he doesn’t think gambling is bad for sport.
November 2025
Mathieson jnr to become Star chairman as major investors take control
The billionaire Mathieson family and its business partners at American casino giant Bally’s converted loans into shares, leaving them in a dominant position.
James Packer has a point about government’s gambling hypocrisy
Crooks have benefited by being able to wash their ill-gotten gains in thousands of less-scrutinised venues compared with the bright lights of high-profile casinos.
Legal battle over poker machine trade secrets takes new turn
Two ASX 100 companies have been in a legal battle over trade secrets – and a recent request for new documents suggest it could be about to turn ugly.
Labor tipped to drop proposal for online gambling ad ban
Political and industry sources expect Communications Minister Anika Wells to crack-down on illegal offshore gambling websites.
How Chelsea FC’s billionaire owner wants to catch dodgy gambling
Billionaire Todd Boehly is keener on Australia’s resources sector than its sports teams, as his investment firm sidestepped corporate debt accidents.
Something unusual has happened in racing. Punters keep winning
In industry speak, it’s a customer-friendly result. That’s a polite way of saying that the favourites this year are coming out on top more often than usual.
The communities with 50pc more pokies than anywhere else
A new study has found Indigenous communities have been flooded with poker machines.
October 2025
Insider trading, the mob and LeBron: The NBA’s gambling scandal
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier have been charged over an illegal sports betting scheme and rigged poker games.
