Gaming briefs for Nov. 13, 2003

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003 | 9:36 a.m.

Man holds two winning tickets

ATLANTA -- A Georgia man held two of three winning tickets for a $70 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot, good for a cash option prize of $26.6 million before taxes, lottery officials said.

Stephen Cooke of Roswell said Wednesday that he didn't realize until he went to claim the prize that he had double-purchased the winning numbers for Tuesday's drawing. Cooke will share the $70 million jackpot with the owner of another Mega Millions ticket purchased in Portage, Mich.

"I woke up this morning and checked the winning numbers on the Georgia Lottery website," Cooke said. "When I saw that one of my three tickets was a winner, I was in shock. I didn't even think to check my other tickets."

He said he planned to buy a cabin on a lake and spend time fishing.

Mohegan Sun finds new home for shark

UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- A casino shark, of the fish not the loan variety, is leaving the Mohegan Sun Casino for New Jersey.

The casino had been looking for a new home for the aggressive sand tiger shark that had been swimming in the 25,000-gallon aquarium at the casino's aquatic-theme gift shop, the Odysea Store.

The 6-foot-long shark has eaten about a half dozen other fish in the aquarium, prompting officials to contact other aquariums to find a new home. The shark, which does not have a name, will soon be heading to the New Jersey State Aquarium.

Rule changes boost Tab stock

SYDNEY, Australia -- Shares of Tab Ltd., Australia's second-biggest gaming company, surged as much as 4.9 percent after the New South Wales government agreed to change laws that would bolster Tabcorp Holdings Ltd. chances of acquiring its rival.

The government is prepared to amend ownership limits on Tab for both Tabcorp and Unitab Ltd., both of which want to merge with Sydney-based Tab, State Treasurer Michael Egan said in a statement. It also will let one company own both casino and wagering licenses.

Tab owns licenses for taking bets on horse and greyhound racing across New South Wales, Australia's most populous state. Tabcorp owns the Star City casino in Sydney.

Shares in Tab rose 17 cents, or 4.4 percent, to A$4.05.