Australian shares fell for the third straight session, with Tabcorp and Tattersalls accounting for 15 points of the fall after the loss of their Victorian monopolies yesterday.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 7.1 points to 5,439.3, while the broader All Ordinaries Index fell 10.3 points to 5,505.20.
BHP Billiton added 16 cents to $42.16, and its rival Rio Tinto up 86 cents to $138.60.
In the US overnight, the Dow was up 55 points to 12,581 points and Nasdaq added 30 points to 2,351.
New Zealand’s benchmark NZX-50 index fell 1.4%, or 51.17 points, to 3,488.
Telecommunications company BSA downgraded its market guidance, with the market punishing its shares 29% or 13 cents down to 32 cents.
Its full-year net profit is now seen at around $9.6 million ($9 million), compared to its previous guidance of $12 million.
Tabcorp and Tattersalls Group brought the gaming industry to the forefront after they lost the duopoly over the operation of slot machines in Victoria states.
Shares in Tatts slumped 27% or 98 cents to $2.68, and Tabcorp was pummelled 21% or $3.06 to $11.31.
Auckland Airport fell 20 cents or 10% to $1.80 after the New Zealand government rejected an application for a 40% stake from a Canadian State Pension Fund.
Oil and gas firm Woodside Petroleum Ltd fell 1.5% to $55.68 and gold miner Newcrest Mining fell 81 cents to $32.70.
After the week of falls, the financials made a slight recovery. Commonwealth Bank was 32 up at $41.43, National Australia Bank Ltd rose 31 cent to $29.01, ANZ gained 37 cents to $20.94 while Westpac slid 3 cents to $22.55.
