Casino chasing chronic gambler for $1.4m, by Norrie Ross - 10th February 2009
(Credit: Herald Sun)

A pathological millionaire gambler could not resist the lure of gaming tables on his honeymoon at a luxury Bahamas resort.

Atlantis Paradise resort boasts a "marine habitat second only to mother nature".

But Harry Kakavas, who is suing Crown casino for $36 million, was drawn to the gaming tables where he lost $1.4 million in a day.

The Atlantis Paradise Casino is trying to get its money in the Supreme Court.

Paradise Enterprises claims the 42-year-old property developer lost the sum in November 2006 in single bets of up to $60,000, but never settled the debt.

In the Supreme Court last week Justice James Judd heard that Mr Kakavas will say the casino knew of his gambling addiction and that the debt is not enforceable under Bahamas and Victorian law.

The judge made orders about the exchange of documents and set a date for trial in July.

Barrister Leslie Glick, QC, told the court Mr Kakavas was under a "special disability" and would call a large body of evidence from psychiatrists and psychologists who had examined him.

In its writ Paradise Enterprises claims Mr Kakavas signed five "markers", or credit cheques, ranging from $15,000 to $600,000 during his spree.

It claims Mr Kakavas did not make repayment of the loans when a letter of demand was sent to him.

In his defence Mr Kakavas says he is a pathological gambler and has an excessive preoccupation with gambling.

The casino was aware he had a special disability, had voluntarily banned himself from Australia's main casinos and had more than $5 million in outstanding "markers" at other casinos.

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