1.
GV PAN..Bay and Hobart
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LV & GV Casino and hotel (2 shots)
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GV Casino TILT DOWN to entrance
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4.
CU Plague
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GV PAN & GV..Balloons released in front of casino (2 shots)
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GVs & SVs firework displays (9 shots)
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GV PAN & GV INTERIOR..casino (2 shots)
1.02

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MV People talking
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GV & SV Card games and roulette in progress (3 shots)
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A scheme to make Tasmanian capital Hobart the Australian mecca for gamblers got underway at the weekend. On Saturday (February 10th), Australia's first gambling casino opened in the city.

The project is intended to boost tourism in Tasmania -- Australia's smallest state. Illegal gambling establishments reputedly operate in several mainland capitals. But the Hobart casino is the first to open within the law.

It has been built as part of a 21-storey hotel overlooking the bay. The cost of the entire project is 10 million dollars. (5.4 million sterling).

SYNOPSIS: At stroke, the Tasmanian capital Hobart has become the centre of legal gambling in Australia.

The new building dominating Hobart's bay contains the first gambling casino to operate in Australia. It was officially opened at the weekend. Other state capitals reputedly have their illegal gambling establishments. But the Hobart casino is the first to open with the blessing of the authorities. It has bene built as part of a twenty-one storey hotel. Cast on the entire project is ten million dollars.

Hobart may not have the bright lights of las Vegas. But the casino owners put on a firework display to compensate. Tasmanian authorities hope that the casino will play an important part in attracting tourists to the state -- which is Australia's smallest.

As the gambling tables opened for business, abut three-hundred guests got their first taste of legal gambling. But security officers kept the proceedings under??? observation, with ??? of chance television came???