Had a couple of millions lying around? Australia recently had an offer you might’ve found hard to refuse.

In early June, we reported that the Australian government is planning to auction 24,518 confiscated bitcoins worth about AU$16 million (US$11.49 million) at the time.

Now, Ernst and Young announced it has successfully sold all of the bitcoins, which are now worth around AU$22 million (US$16 million) by current value. The financial services group did not disclose the price paid by the bidders or the number of bidders involved, only noting that the auction attracted interest from “bitcoin exchanges, digital asset investment funds and high net worth individuals.”

Analysts, however, believed that “as many as three to four winners” were awarded during the sale that ended last June 21. Data from blockchain data provider Skry indicated the largest winner claimed seven 2,000 bitcoin blocks during the auction, while the other winners claimed 13,999 bitcoins (US$9.25 million), 6,517 bitcoins (US$4.27 million) and 1,999.99 bitcoins (US$1.31 million), according to a Coin Desk report.

Had a couple of millions lying around? Australia recently had an offer you might’ve found hard to refuse.

In early June, we reported that the Australian government is planning to auction 24,518 confiscated bitcoins worth about AU$16 million (US$11.49 million) at the time.

Now, Ernst and Young announced it has successfully sold all of the bitcoins, which are now worth around AU$22 million (US$16 million) by current value. The financial services group did not disclose the price paid by the bidders or the number of bidders involved, only noting that the auction attracted interest from “bitcoin exchanges, digital asset investment funds and high net worth individuals.”

Analysts, however, believed that “as many as three to four winners” were awarded during the sale that ended last June 21. Data from blockchain data provider Skry indicated the largest winner claimed seven 2,000 bitcoin blocks during the auction, while the other winners claimed 13,999 bitcoins (US$9.25 million), 6,517 bitcoins (US$4.27 million) and 1,999.99 bitcoins (US$1.31 million), according to a Coin Desk report.

Macau casino dealers are showing up in increasing numbers in the city’s problem gambling treatment programs.

According to Macau’s Social Welfare Bureau, last year saw 147 individuals sign on with the Central Registry System of Individuals with Gambling Disorder. Around 80% of these individuals reported owing gambling debts, with 60% owing debts of over MOP 100k (US $12,500) apiece.

Among the registrants who were employed, around one-fifth were employed as dealers or croupiers in the city’s casinos. One might have suspected that the countless costly losing streaks these dealers must have witnessed on the job would have deterred them from falling down the same well, but apparently one really does have to experience some things for oneself.

The Social Welfare Bureau’s report noted that half of the problem gamblers on its register were employed in shift work, while official data shows that 90% of Macau gaming staff are required to do shift work.

Macau casino dealers are showing up in increasing numbers in the city’s problem gambling treatment programs.

According to Macau’s Social Welfare Bureau, last year saw 147 individuals sign on with the Central Registry System of Individuals with Gambling Disorder. Around 80% of these individuals reported owing gambling debts, with 60% owing debts of over MOP 100k (US $12,500) apiece.

Among the registrants who were employed, around one-fifth were employed as dealers or croupiers in the city’s casinos. One might have suspected that the countless costly losing streaks these dealers must have witnessed on the job would have deterred them from falling down the same well, but apparently one really does have to experience some things for oneself.

The Social Welfare Bureau’s report noted that half of the problem gamblers on its register were employed in shift work, while official data shows that 90% of Macau gaming staff are required to do shift work.

At least two serious bidders are vying to take over the stalled $3.5b Baha Mar integrated resort casino in the Bahamas.

Last week, Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie told legislators that the bankrupt Baha Mar’s receivers had shortlisted two groups as “preferred bidders” for the project. Christie said Sarkis Izmirlian, the project’s original backer before China Export-Import Bank (EXIM) foreclosed on the property, was not involved with either bid.

One of these bidders has a “Bahamian investor connection” but Christie refused to divulge further details. (Sun International founder Sol Kerzner, who has a Bahamian connection, was previously rumored to be interested in taking over Baha Mar.)

Christie said the Bahamian government was not involved in the negotiations currently taking place in China, which is also home to the property’s principal contractor, China Construction America (CCA).