High-rolling gambler Harry Kakavas loses $35 million case against Crown Casino

Victortian Supreme Court Justice David Harper accepted that Mr Kakavas was once a pathological gambler, but said he had presented himself to the casino as in control of his addiction.

Earlier in the case the court heard Mr Kakavas gambled almost $1.5 billion playing baccarat at Crown between June 2005 and August 2006.

At times, he would bet up to $300,000 a hand and in one weekend alone gambled with $243 million.

Mr Kakavas said Crown wooed him to the casino with the use of a private jet, boxes of cash worth up to $50,000 of 'lucky money' to bet, and tickets to events including the Australian Open.

He said Crown executives acted unconscionably by deliberately exploiting his pathological addiction.

The civil trial heard the casino had chased Mr Kakavas' business after Kerry Packer spotted him gambling in Las Vegas in 2004 and wanted to know why he wasn't spending up in his own casino.

In 1995, Mr Kakavas had placed himself under a self-exclusion order from the Crown, three years before he was jailed for four months on fraud charges.

He had also been banned by the New South Wales Chief Commissioner from Sydney's Star City and as an "interstate excluded person" should not have been allowed to gamble at Crown, the court heard.

Allan Meyers, QC, for Mr Kakavas said an interstate barred person had to forfeit their winnings to the state which meant Crown owed Victoria $700 million, the amount Mr Kakavas had won.

Neil Young, QC, for Crown said Mr Kakavas had pleaded to be allowed to bet at the casino and had threatened legal action if he remained barred.

Mr Young argued the casino was not responsible for Mr Kakavas' addiction. During the trial, Crown said addicted gamblers could still control their actions and Mr Kakavas was responsible for his own decisions.

Crown has countersued Mr Kakavas for $1 million it says he owes the casino.

Mr Kakavas sued Crown chief executive Rowen Craigie and chief operating officer John Williams. The executives have been indemnified by Crown.