June
Market finds solace in McLachlan’s experience growing AFL bets
But others, like David Pocock, are increasingly unhappy about the “nexus” between the powerhouse football code and major wagering companies like Tabcorp.
- Zoe Samios
- Updated
- Tabcorp
Former AFL boss Gillon McLachlan takes on ‘legacy brand’ Tabcorp
He arrives at the company in the midst of a painful transformation and after the departure of Adam Rytenskild, who was being investigated for offensive language.
- Updated
- Zoe Samios
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Gillon McLachlan’s new Tabcorp job is a risky bet for both sides
The former AFL boss steps into a business that feels like it’s in a perpetual turnaround. He could end up looking like a hero, but the odds are not on his side.
- James Thomson
Why pokies giant Aristocrat is doing a U-turn on computer games
Aristocrat Leisure went big into developing non-gambling computer games less than a decade ago. Now it is considering an exit, in full.
- Anthony Macdonald
- Exclusive
- Gambling
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
SkyCity suspends dividends, cuts guidance as troubles mount
The operator of casinos in Adelaide and Auckland warned of delays in major projects and a “challenging economic environment”, sending shares tumbling.
- Zoe Samios
May
The biggest threat to Australia’s lotteries? This Oregon sports bar
In an understated barbecue joint on the outskirts of Portland, lotto sales are booming – thanks to a secretive Northern Territory-registered wagering group.
- Zoe Samios
- Exclusive
- The Star Entertainment Group
Brisbane developer emerges at centre of Star’s Hard Rock mystery
The Florida-based entertainment giant said it had not authorised its name for use, despite Star telling investors it had received a proposal.
- Updated
- Zoe Samios, Anthony Macdonald and Liam Walsh
Star suitor Hard Rock knows a thing or two about the mass market
If a deal proceeds, there’s every chance casinos in Sydney and Queensland will look very different. Just look at their guitar-shaped Florida palace.
- Primrose Riordan and Zoe Samios
- Exclusive
- Casinos
Hard Rock Cafe pitches Star rescue plan
The Florida entertainment giant is considering taking control of Star Entertainment with a proposal that would inject more capital into the struggling gaming group.
- Zoe Samios
SkyCity agrees to $67m penalty as licence decision looms
The case was based on allegations the company allowed high-risk patrons to gamble more than $4 billion in dirty cash through its casino.
- Zoe Samios
Casino regulator bans Star staff from tables over collusion
The NSW Independent Casino Commission has banned the two employees from operating games in the state for a decade.
- Zoe Samios
Dan Murphy’s parent Endeavour posts 2.2pc sales growth
The pubs and bottle shops owner warned that market conditions have remained subdued so far in April.
- Carrie LaFrenz
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Blood in the water: Star needs a CEO to stop sharks tearing it apart
Star’s board, beaten and bruised, has a short window to try to keep the entity together. If it misses this, sharks will move in. They’re already circling.
- Updated
- Anthony Macdonald
Star Entertainment debt investor tries offloading stake
At least one lender is feeling nervous after the list of executives leaving Star got bigger, and its shares fell 20 per cent in the past month.
- Jonathan Shapiro and Zoe Samios
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Star chief’s sacking reveals boardroom exit wounds
“There is a narrative behind every departure,” former Star boss Robbie Cooke says. Unfortunately for Cooke, we’ve been given a rare glimpse into his.
- Anthony Macdonald
April
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Is this the person to save fallen Star Entertainment?
The clean-up of the gaming company is one for the ages. And there’s a name keeps coming up as a potential salvage CEO - former Lendlease boss Steve McCann.
- Updated
- Anthony Macdonald
- Updated
- Casinos
Former Star CEO says he felt ‘under assault’ from casino regulator
Robbie Cooke left last month after NSW officials made it clear they did not think he was moving fast enough to fix governance and cultural issues at the group.
- Updated
- Zoe Samios
- Updated
- The Star Entertainment Group
‘Not a scenario’: Star concedes it’s unfit to operate Sydney
The gaming giant’s chairman has also told a NSW inquiry that he was “trigger-happy” when he sent messages suggesting the regulator be scrapped.
- Updated
- Zoe Samios
Another casino operator is in trouble. Nobody is talking about it
Star Entertainment has been tearing itself apart. But SkyCity is also in a world of pain, with lenders sceptical, money tight and management in disarray.
- Zoe Samios
