Australian casino giant The Star Entertainment has been granted a six-month extension to its comment deadline in Queensland. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Last Chance Salon
Star Entertainment Group has been given a lifeline of another six months to acquire its home to avoid a suspension of its casino licence.
The Queensland Government has given Star until May 31
The Australian casino operator initially had a 12-month deadline; But this was scheduled to end next Friday. The Queensland Government has now given Star until May 31 to prove its casinos in Brisbane and the Gold Coast are fit for operations.
If Star fails to meet this jurisdiction, its gaming licenses could face a 90-day suspension.
Last December, the Queensland government fined Starr A$100 million (US$65.6 million) after finding the operator was unfit to hold its casino licences. The ruling followed a report by former Court of Appeal President Robert Guterson into alleged criminal activity.
The reform plan is in place
The Guterson report found that Starr had misled regulators and targeted gamblers excluded from interstate casinos. In order to get the company back on track, Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath has approved Starr’s 640-point reform plan.
Evidence that they are changing from top to bottom.”
Failure to adhere to the plan will make Star liable for further disciplinary action, including fines of up to A$5 million (US$3.28 million), according to D’Ath. Although she said it is still early days, there is “evidence that they are changing from the top to the bottom.”
The appointment of Special Director Nicholas Weeks has also been extended for a further 12 months by the Queensland Government. He is expected to remain in his position until December 8, 2024.
Star CEO and managing director Robbie Cook said he was pleased the plan had been approved, saying it was “an important step on our path back to relevance in Queensland”.
A difficult year
It has proven to be a difficult year for the star.
In March, the company received another fine after pleading guilty to new allegations just five months after the A$100 million fine. The guilty plea came after an investigation revealed breaches of compliance standards at two of Queensland’s Star Casinos: Brisbane Treasure Casino and Star Gold Coast Casino. The casinos admitted seven charges related to paying for gambling chips with a credit card.
Then, in April, Star announced it had to lay off 500 employees and freeze salaries after revenues fell at its Australian casinos.
