Star Sydney casino with huge fine for series of breaches

The suspension of The Star Sydney’s licence has been prolonged and millions more handed down in fines after a second probe into the casino revealed further, significant failings.

The casino operator was advised on Thursday morning that it was being hit with a $15 million fine for the breaches, the NSW Independent Casino Commission announced.

Star Entertainment Group had started to clean up its act but huge questions remain around competence and capability, chief commissioner Philip Crawford said.

Another extension of its existing Sydney licence suspension and independent manager’s appointment is aimed at protecting employment at the business.

“We’ve had in our minds for quite some time that the public interest is served around the jobs,” Mr Crawford told reporters.

“If Sydney Star fails, the Star group will fail, and that’s a group that employs 9000-plus people ... it would affect the lives of a lot of people.

“There’s no coming back if you take the licence away.”

An independent review into governance and management at the casino must be completed by the end of the financial year.

Senior management will be “refreshed” in a bid to reset the leadership group, while conditions around the casino’s licence have been amended.

The decision follows a second inquiry into the Sydney casino, which in July found the licence should not be returned.

Further significant breaches were identified including a major cash fraud against the casino, high-risk patrons not having their source of wealth checked and false welfare checks being logged for potentially vulnerable customers.

The licence was first suspended after damning evidence of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism failings were highlighted at a 2022 inquiry.

The casino was fined $100 million but allowed to continue operating with a regulator-appointed manager.

Both NSW inquiries were led by senior counsel Adam Bell.

Star has faced inquiries in other states and its Queensland casinos are also operating with a special manager under a government remediation plan.

A decision is due to be made about licences for its casinos in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast in December.

Star shares were suspended from trade after its financial year report was not filed by the end of August and prices tumbled again when they resumed trading in late September, reaching a record low.

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