Last Bets: A True Story of Gambling, Morality and the Law (Michaela McGuire, MUP)

Michaela McGuire was an uninspired writer spending time overseas when she came across the death of Crown Casino patron Anthony Dunning in the news. Fascinated by the alleged role of the casino’s bouncers and the responsibility of the casino, she began to follow the court case and think about gambling more generally. The result is Last Bets, a thoroughly researched but quite intimate account of a complicated social issue. McGuire writes in a personal way; she lays bare her process in a method reminiscent of Jeff Sparrow’s excellent study of the porn industry Money Shot. Last Bets is about gambling but it is also a compelling study of an entire court case. McGuire follows the trial of the Crown Casino bouncers, describing intricately the atmosphere of the courtroom: the procedures, the witness testimonies, the lawyers’ squabbles, her own doubts and responses—even the gossip of the work experience kids—as the trial unfolds. Interspersed with the trial are McGuire’s interviews with others involved with gambling, from an addicted family member to the Crown Casino chaplain. Most interesting is gambling syndicate member and MONA founder David Walsh. McGuire provides insight into issues surrounding gambling, the law, and her own experiences in casinos. Last Bets is a thoughtful and enjoyable book.

Portia Lindsay is a former bookseller who now works at the NSW Writers’ Centre