International: Australian man sues casino for AU$50 million

A former Australian real estate magnate sued the Crown Casino of Melbourne, Australia for A$50 million (US$38 million) for allegedly luring him back to the gambling tables that cost him his entire fortune.

Harry Kakavas, a real estate developer who made his fortune with properties along Australia’s Gold Coast, claims that he lost over A$20 million (US$15.2 million) from 2004 to 2006 while in the grips of an addiction to the game of baccarat. Mr. Kakavas also claims that the casino sent him private jets to make the trips from his Gold Coast home to Melbourne, extended him a credit line of over A$3.5 million (US$2.6 million) and allowed him to bet over A$300,000 (US$228,000) per hand, despite their knowledge that he was a compulsive gambler. According to the suit, Mr. Kakavas was also offered free food, free rooms, and even his own butler as incentives for him to gamble at the Crown.

Attorneys for the Crown Casino are denying the allegations and are fighting the action in the Victorian Supreme Court.

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