Yesterday
Businesses failing to weigh wider risks
Readers’ letters on the need for boards to consider risks beyond their organisation; the links between gambling and sport; and the fight against inflation.
June
- Opinion
- AFL 2024
How the AFL got hooked on harmful gambling
The insidious link between professional sport and betting was exposed by Gillon McLachlan’s appointment as chief executive of Tabcorp.
- John Kehoe
- Exclusive
- Online gambling
Bet365 probed over credit card ban loophole
The gambling regulator began making inquiries after The Australian Financial Review was able to deposit credit cards funds into Bet365 via third parties.
- Ronald Mizen
- Exclusive
- Rich List
Laurence Escalante’s Virtual Gaming Worlds delivers monster dividend
The record payout for shareholders comes despite increasing legal scrutiny of the company’s business and its popular Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slots.
- Primrose Riordan
Bigger, more frequent Powerball jackpots on the way: Citi
The investment bank’s analysts have told clients that The Lottery Corporation is cashed up and will defend its most popular game by offering more prize money.
- Zoe Samios
May
Tabcorp recruits Laundy in pub fight
The ASX-listed wagering group will upgrade its betting terminals and broadcast displays across the Laundy Hotels portfolio, but lock its rival out.
- Zoe Samios
April
Star Entertainment is eating itself alive
How far will the regulator push the company? How much damage have squabbling executives done? An inquiry into the Sydney casino operator is getting ugly.
- Kylar Loussikian and Zoe Samios
Broken Star cash machine gushed cash and exposed ‘deep cultural’ issue
For weeks, one terminal paid out millions to patrons who already cashed their wins. “Numerous failures” prevented the fraud being detected, an inquiry heard.
- Kylar Loussikian and Zoe Samios
Flutter warns of Sportsbet headwinds as annual profits slide
Sportsbet boss Barni Evans would not rule out job losses after parent company Flutter revealed the local offshoot’s financial results.
- Zoe Samios
March
WA’s ‘$1b’ TAB deal in strife as bookie dollars dry up
The WA racing industry wants a bookmaker to run its state-owned wagering operations but attempts to secure a deal have hit a major roadblock.
- Zoe Samios
February
- Exclusive
- Political donations
Labor rakes in $5m of ‘hidden money’ from big companies
Payments from gambling giants like Sportsbet, Tabcorp and pokies outfit Endeavour accounted for a chunk of Labor’s pay-for-access packages sold to companies.
- Ronald Mizen
- Analysis
- Online gambling
Bookmakers desperate for a win from AUSTRAC audits
Low discretionary spend, advertising bans and credit card deposits have made margins tight for the wagering sector. The financial crimes watchdog could make it a lot worse.
- Zoe Samios
January
PointsBet is pushing out bonus chasers. Early signs show it’s working
The CEO of ASX-listed PointsBet says a dedicated cleanout of punters relying on inducements is improving performance.
- Zoe Samios
December 2023
- Exclusive
- Online gambling
Rich lister’s online casino empire feels heat of US lawsuits
The wildly profitable business operated by the Perth billionaire is facing legal challenges in US two states, and a crackdown on digital gambling in a third.
- Primrose Riordan
November 2023
Gambling stocks up 300pc pose dilemma for super funds
The guardians of Australia’s $3.5 trillion worth of retirement savings, among the biggest investors in gaming stocks, say the sector is becoming a tougher investment to justify.
- Amy Bainbridge
Ausbil thinks this small cap could be the next Aristocrat
Portfolio manager Andrew Peros likes an ASX-listed gaming operator and says the shares of family tracking device Life360 – up 55 per cent this year – has more to run.
- Joanne Tran
Labor edges away from gambling ad ban
In a speech to the National Press Club in Canberra, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland noted some sporting codes relied heavily on online gambling revenue.
- Ronald Mizen
Banks and buy now, pay later stump up for financial counselling
The Albanese government will implement a key recommendation of the Hayne royal commission to provide more help to vulnerable people.
- Tom McIlroy
- Exclusive
- Political donations
Access to Michelle Rowland for $1500 - or free with a subscription
The event is illustrative of the opaque world of “policy forums” used by political parties to sell corporate Australia privileged access to key politicians.
- Ronald Mizen
- Exclusive
- Political donations
Anthony Albanese wined and dined by betting giant Sportsbet
Sportsbet chief Barni Evans joined the prime minister at the National Press Club amid growing calls for political parties to clamp down on gambling ads.
- Ronald Mizen
