The Australian state government of Queensland has determined that The Star Entertainment Group Ltd. is “unfit” to hold casino licenses there. The information was made public in a statement by Attorney General Shannon Fentiman on Thursday.
The announcement comes after the Australian casino operator completed a review process that turned out to have concealed illegal betting payments from Chinese customers to authorities and lured problem gamblers from other states in Australia. Star Entertainment said in a filing with the Australian Stock Exchange on Thursday that it would consider the report’s findings and the state’s decision and continue to work with authorities.
The company currently operates two Queensland casinos, Treasury Brisbane and Star Gold Coast, and is building a third Queens Warp Brisbane plan (pictured) through a partnership between two Hong Kong-based businesses, Chautai Phuk Enterprises Limited and Far East Consortium International Limited. The latter venue is expected to open in the second half of 2023.
Last month, Star Entertainment was found unfit to hold a casino license in New South Wales following inquiries into Star Sydney properties. The company pleaded at the time to continue operating under “strict supervision.”
The Queensland review, conducted by former judge Robert Gotterson, highlighted several concerns related to Star Entertainment’s business.
These included the risk of Star Entertainment returning to hosting junket operations “in pursuit of future commercial goals.” It also cited allegations of flaws in casino operators’ anti-money laundering practices and a lack of transparency in their transactions with bankers and Queensland regulators.
The review made 12 recommendations on improvements to the company’s casino operations and regulations.
This included revising provisions of the state’s Casino Management Act to allow for the appointment of special managers to enhance oversight and integrity applicable to operations. Other recommendations included minimizing gambling damage and placing limits on cash transactions by ensuring players use “mandatory and identified” cards when gambling.
It also advised casino licence holders to pay a “supervision charge” as a condition of their licence, and to make “reasonable efforts” to ban those subject to casino exclusion protocols issued by police officers in other Australian states.
The Queensland government said in a press release on Thursday that it supports all recommendations by the Gotterson Commission in principle.
“We are currently considering the [review] report and the issues raised by Mr. Gorterson and will continue to work with OLGR [Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation],” the company said in a filing
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