Underage punter denied casino jackpot - 2004-01-04
A fake gold keyring is all Xiaofan Sun has to show for winning an $18,500 jackpot at the Christchurch Casino.

The 19-year-old Chinese student was sure the thousands of dollars he had poured into casino pokie machines in the past couple of years was about to be returned on New Year's Eve.

But when management discovered he was under the casino age restriction of 20 they refused to pay out, leaving him only a token memory of the win.

Mr Sun said he could hardly contain his excitement when he hit the $18,500 jackpot about 7pm on December 31. He was even given a glass of wine, a keyring and the congratulations of management.
Read the full story at Stuff.co.nz

Lawmaker's tribesmen slam casino plan - 2004-01-04
Indigenous people from the outskirts of Ilocos and Cordillera regions joined the local church sector in opposing the proposed casino in Camp John Hay.

The Bago Cultural Society Inc., comprised of village mates of Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan, said the City Council's endorsement of the casino was "undue and improper", even though Domogan admitted that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) is allowed to operate a casino in the country.

The Supreme Court, based on a 1994 ruling, declared the legality casino and lotto operations in the country.
Read the full story at Sun Star