Cash Bonanza
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Gold Coast, Queensland , Australia |
| Products | Game show |
| Parent | Nine Network |
Cash Bonanza was an Australian game show presented by Larry Emdur and aired on the Nine Network in 2001. The program was recorded at Warner Bros. Movie World located on the Gold Coast, Queensland, and represented a collaborative effort among all five Australian lottery organizations.
Overview
Episodes commenced with participants descending the splash drop situated at the conclusion of the Wild West Falls Adventure Ride at Movie World.
In each game, three contestants were randomly drawn from a pool of 15 players holding winning scratch-it tickets. Should a contestant's prize be less than the $5,000 maximum, the balance was awarded to a viewer at home. For instance, a $3,000 win by a contestant would result in the remaining $2,000 being given to a home participant.
Round 1 – Gold Diggers Derby
Seated in mine carts, contestants competed to reach the track’s end by selecting numbers from a board containing 15 options. Each chosen number unveiled a red, yellow, or blue screen that advanced the corresponding cart forward by one space. The first to cross the finish line earned up to $5,000, while those finishing second and third received $500 each.
Round 2 – Double Quick Draw
A new set of three contestants faced off in a nine-round series of Rock, Paper, Scissors. The prize began at $30 and escalated with each round, culminating at $2,000 in the final round. If all players selected identical items or if all three different items appeared simultaneously, that round was declared a draw and its prize rolled over to the next. When two players defeated the third, both winners collected that round’s prize individually. A single player beating both opponents earned double the round amount. After nine rounds, the top scorer won up to $5,000, while runners-up were awarded $500 each.
Round 3 – Drop The Silver Dollar
Contestants dropped oversized coins into an expansive Pachinko machine featuring moving components and five cash pockets. Each participant had three drops per round, with cash values rising after every trio of drops. The leading scorer earned an additional drop where pockets randomly displayed either 'WIN' or 'LOSE'. Landing in a 'WIN' pocket granted $5,000 to that player and $500 to others. Conversely, landing in 'LOSE' reduced that player’s total winnings to $500; the next highest scorer then received their accumulated amount, and the lowest scorer still took home $500.
Round 4
The contestant with the highest earnings from prior rounds competed against a randomly chosen home viewer for a $100,000 prize. The contestant selected one of twelve celebrities displayed on a screen; six celebrities determined who would pick first—the contestant or the home viewer participating via telephone. Players alternated choosing celebrities: one concealed a $100,000 cheque, another held dynamite, and ten contained $500 prizes added to their totals. The round concluded when either the cheque or dynamite was revealed. Picking the cheque secured an immediate $100,000 win; selecting dynamite awarded this sum to the opponent instead. Home viewers who did not win the $100,000 were compensated with a trip to the Gold Coast.
Reception
The show encountered difficulties attracting viewers due to its heavy dependence on chance and absence of elements involving skill, knowledge, or risk-taking—contrasting with more popular programs like Deal or No Deal. Additionally, its repetitive structure featuring identical games each episode limited audience interest compared to shows such as The Price is Right, which provided more varied and dynamic gameplay experiences.