The New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) first suspended the gaming license of Star Entertainment’s Sydney property in October 2022, some four years ago. Late last week, the NICC confirmed it was extending the suspension until at least June 2027.
Star Sydney lost the right to operate independently in October 2022 following the damning Bell inquiry report. The report found Star to be unsuitable to operate a casino due to serious compliance, governance, and money-laundering failures. The NICC fined the casino giant a record A$100 million and appointed Nicholas Weeks as the Star Sydney manager.
Progress Main But Doubts About Star Sydney Remain
Philip Crawford, the NICC’s Chief Commissioner, acknowledged that Star Entertainment had made some progress toward regaining its operating license, but also stated that questions about its governance, culture, and leadership still remain.
“There is no doubt that The Star has come a long way in addressing the matters which led to the suspension of its casino license in 2022. It is disappointing that despite the progress made by the Sydney casino, the group company continues to experience problems that affect each of its properties,” Crawford said in a statement.
Popular Slots Vlogger Vegas Matt Banned from Venetian in Las Vegas
“The NICC will be watching carefully to see how The Star and The Star Entertainment Group resolve these issues. Both companies need to demonstrate to the NICC that they have learned from past mistakes and can resolve these cultural issues without the need for the NICC’s intervention.”
“Ultimately, it is The Star’s responsibility to demonstrate that it believes in its remediation efforts and that they can do the work to ensure its remediation sticks long-term.”
Star Entertainment is on the Hook for a Potential A$400 Million Fine
The continuation of the problems that Crawford mentioned includes the company’s Star Gold Coast, also operating under an appointed manager, while its gaming license remains suspended until March 2027.
Additionally, the Australian Transaction and Analysis Center (AUSTRAC), Australia’s financial crime watchdog, is seeking an A$400 million penalty from Star Entertainment Group for allegations of serious breaches of Australia’s strict anti-money-laundering laws.
According to reports in the Australian press, the case was resolved ahead of a June 2025 penalty hearing. However, the Federal Court has not yet delivered its judgment or indicated what Star’s punishment will be.
Disclaimer: any promotions presented on this page were correct and available at the time of writing. Promotions can change regularly. We encourage all users to check the promotion displayed matches the most current promotion available by clicking through to the operator welcome page. Please read the terms and conditions carefully before you accept any promotional welcome offer.
Matthew Pitt
Senior Editor