AQUIS GAZUMPS OSCARS FOR IRIS
Aquis Entertainment has announced a new agreement to sell its Casino Canberra to Sam Arnaout’s Iris Capital after receiving a greater bid than previously proposed by rival pub group Oscars Hotels. News emerged mid-May that Oscars had formed an agreement
SHAMROCK TO TURN NEW LEAF UNDER GURR
Toowoomba’s famous Shamrock Hotel has been sold by Wayne and Seona Lee to former AHA Vice-President Pat Gurr, bringing news of a major transformation. Located on the edge of the Toowoomba CBD for more than 130 years, the large-format Shamrock
LAUNDY FLOWER SALES TO THE POINT IN PORT MACQUARIE
The Laundy-Flower North Coast Investments partnership has further expanded its Port Macquarie fleet, taking the family-sized Tacking Point Tavern for around $47 million. Industry cornerstones the Laundy family have teamed up again with Mr Port Macquarie Alistair Flower to buy
COLOSIMO ROPES IN DIXON’S NAG’S HEAD
Marcello Colosimo has taken an inner west hattrick, picking up Dixon’s historic Nag’s Head Hotel in Glebe. Former Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon and business partners David Birkbeck and Russ Lowe’s vehicle DBL Pub Group bought the 1860s-built pub in 2015
HUNTINGTON TAVERN SEEKS OWNER-OPERATOR
The handsome Huntington Tavern of Kempton, on the Tassy tourist trail, has been put to market by a private vendor. Kempton is a colonial town around 50 kilometres north of Hobart that was settled in the 1820s. It features historic
ARNAOUT TAKES FIVE IN ALICE
Iris has taken another big step in the red centre, acquiring three pubs and two accommodation hotels in Alice Springs. Sam Arnaout’s expansive group already owns the award-winning Lasseters Casino in Alice Springs, purchased early 2021. Iris’ portfolio in the
NEWCASTLE MARKET HITS THE MARK
Newcastle stalwart the Mark Hotel of Lambton comes to market, as its owner-operators look to retirement after a relatively short stint in the industry. A pub has been on the corner of Morehead and Dickson streets since 1874, first opening
CHANGES TO VICTORIAN GAMBLING LAWS
Victorian Parliament has recently passed amendments to the state’s gaming and liquor Acts that will affect gaming operators and licensed venues. The Gambling and Liquor Legislation Amendment Act 2022 will soon change specific laws regarding gaming, and also amends the
RETIRING PRENTICE PUTS UP HISTORIC CRITERION
Master publican Tony Prentice has put up his historic Criterion Hotel of Warwick as he looks to an exit from the industry. The two-storey brick Criterion of today was built in 1917, for the Allman family, for an estimated price
JACK DUGGAN’S FUTURE LOOKING BRIGHT
Award-winning local institution Jack Duggan’s Irish pub in Bathurst has been sold to a growing regional hotel group. A pub has been trading on the site since 1849. Originally named the Daniel O'Connell Inn, it later became the Commercial Hotel.