Sydney - An Australian gambling addict who ended up losing his property portfolio was lured to Melbourne's Crown Casino with promises of free flights, free accommodation and his own butler, a court was told Monday. Former property tycoon Harry Kakavas is suing the casino for 50 million Australian dollars (38 million US dollars) over his loses of 20 million Australian dollars between 2004 and 2006.
The self-confessed pathological gambler banned himself from the casino in 1995. But when he began flying the Pacific to gamble in Las Vegas, it's alleged the casino offered inducements for him to return to Crown.
Kakavas, 42, claims he was flown for free 30 times from his Gold Coast home to Melbourne. As well as trips on Crown's VIP executive jet, Kakavas said he was handed wads of cash to start his sprees on the baccarat tables.
