MONA founder and professional gambler David Walsh has lashed out at one of Australia's richest families for attempting to use him to extend its poker machine monopoly indefinitely.
The Farrell family run Tasmania's two casinos and have owned the gambling license monopoly for decades, including every poker machine in the state.
The license was extended for 20 years in 2003 following secret negotiations with the then Labor state government.
The monopoly has seen the Farrell's personal wealth skyrocket to an estimated $463 million.
Mr Walsh, the owner of Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), wants to break the Farrell monopoly by opening a high rollers casino dubbed Monaco. But last month he withdrew from negotiations with the Farrells and the Hodgman State Government when he decided the terms were unacceptable.
PHOTO: MONA owner David Walsh says poker machines are "insidious".
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