Star Entertainment has secured another six months to continue operating its Australian casinos, as the Queensland government has postponed the suspension of The Star Gold Coast’s licence until 30 September.
The decision gives the troubled operator more time to show meaningful progress in fixing the issues uncovered in a 2022 inquiry.
That inquiry revealed serious failings in governance, compliance, and anti-money laundering (AML) procedures across Star’s operations. Since then, the company has been working under strict remediation conditions.
Queensland Attorney General Deb Frecklington announced the licence deferral, stressing that the extension doesn’t signal any relaxation in the government’s expectations. She said the company had shown “positive progress” toward meeting its obligations and that keeping the casino operational would support continued improvements.
As part of this decision, special manager Nick Weeks-appointed in late 2022 to oversee Star’s reform process – will also remain in his role until 30 September. Weeks monitors both The Star Gold Coast and The Star Sydney, ensuring the company meets its regulatory milestones under government-imposed agreements.
In New South Wales, however, the situation remains more severe. The NSW Independent Casino Commission has kept The Star Sydney’s casino licence suspended “at least” until September. Their investigation found similar breaches, including misuse of China UnionPay cards – banned for gambling transactions in Australia – being used to withdraw funds on casino premises. It also uncovered cases where banned players from other regions were actively encouraged to gamble at Star venues.
These findings prompted both states to implement special oversight measures and demand a clear path to reform.
Frecklington made it clear that while the licence deferral allows operations to continue, the government will not hesitate to act if the company fails to meet its obligations. “This is not a free pass,” she cautioned.
Star Entertainment responded positively, with CEO Steve McCann thanking the government for its support and reaffirming the company’s commitment to rebuilding trust. He said Star is focused on meeting its remediation plan and becoming a suitable licence holder once again.
Follow our Telegram channel
