The Star Sydney Casino Will Remain Under Government Supervision Through September
Posted on: March 31, 2025, 10:01h.
Last updated on: March 31, 2025, 10:18h.
- The Star Sydney will remain under government supervision through September
- Star Entertainment Group continues to progress with its remedial efforts to become suitable to hold a casino license in New South Wales and Queensland
- The Star is one of two casino operators in Australia with Crown Resorts
The Star Sydney will remain under the supervision of a government-appointed monitor through at least the end of September.
The casino operations of The Star Sydney have been under manager Nicholas Weeks’ control since Oct. 17, 2022, when the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) appointed him to govern the gaming floor. Last Friday, NSW’s gaming regulator extended Weeks’ supervision for another six months through Sept. 30, 2025.
The Star’s gaming license was suspended after a government inquiry in NSW determined that the company, like its primary competitor, Crown Resorts, did little to keep unsavory characters and criminal syndicates off its gaming floor and protect its casino cages from being used as money laundromats.
The Star was allowed to retain its gaming privileges on the condition that the company undertake many remedial solutions and overhaul its corporate governance, a lengthy process still in the works.
Progress, Not Perfection
In announcing the six-month extension of Weeks’ monitoring, NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said the agency is pleased with The Star’s work to become suitable to continue holding a gaming license. However, financial uncertainty regarding the company, which also has casinos in Queensland — The Star Gold Coast and The Star Brisbane — has greatly slowed Star’s reforms.
We welcome progress in The Star’s remediation efforts and are confident the company is moving in the right direction with its remediation plans,” said Crawford. “The next six months is a critical phase for The Star as it will need to show further progress with its remediation activities while also stabilizing its finances.”
Extending Week’s supervision is a win for The Star Sydney, as a decision to terminate the monitoring would have resulted in the casino’s gaming facilities being suspended.
The Star Sydney houses about 1,500 slot machines, or pokies as they’re commonly called Down Under. The gaming floor features roughly 140 live dealer table games.
Suitability Target
Along with its NSW business, The Star was found unsuitable to hold a gaming license in Queensland through an inquiry there that reached similar conclusions about regulatory compliance failures. Last week, the Queensland government deferred a licensing suspension for The Star through September 30.
Government officials in Queensland are pleased with The Star’s remedial advancement.
“Based on the advice of the special manager, we are satisfied The Star has been continuing to make positive progress under the agreement. The extension will provide The Star with additional time to deliver on its outstanding commitments while keeping its doors open,” said Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington.
Star Entertainment Group CEO and Managing Director Steve McCann says the goal is for the organization to gain findings of suitability in both NSW and Queensland by Oct. 1, 2025.
“The Star recognizes the importance of continuing to deliver on its commitments under the remediation plan and returning to suitability,” McCann said.
The Star Entertainment Group continues to be the subject of takeover talks. The company has interest from Bally’s Corporation, which earlier this month pitched an AU$250 million (US$156 million) financing offer in exchange for 50.1% of the enterprise.
The Bally’s pitch scheme would allow The Star to keep its Brisbane casino, which The Star has agreed to sell to two of its largest shareholders — Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium — for just AU$50 million.
Last Comment ( 1 )
Hello, It is my belief that board governance was seriously lacking at The Star Sydney.