The Queensland government has extended the deadline for The Star Gold Coast’s casino licence suspension to March 31, 2027, granting operator The Star Entertainment Group another six months to address outstanding remediation requirements.
The decision follows an August assessment by special manager Nicholas Weeks, who reported “significant progress” in the company’s reform initiatives but identified several unresolved priority matters.
The extension also comes amid continued regulatory scrutiny in New South Wales, where The Star Sydney’s licence suspension has been extended until June 30, 2027, over concerns involving governance, leadership and corporate culture.
New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford acknowledged improvements at the Sydney property but raised concerns about continuing problems within its parent company.
“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.
“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,” he added.
In Queensland, the proposed 90-day suspension was originally scheduled for December 2024 but has been repeatedly deferred. In September 2025, acting Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie postponed enforcement until September 30, 2026, after Weeks described remediation progress as “steady” but “slower than anticipated.”
The regulatory action originated from investigations in 2022 that identified deficiencies in anti-money laundering controls, governance and corporate culture. The Star was subsequently deemed unsuitable to hold casino licences in Queensland and New South Wales, resulting in penalties, regulatory supervision and remediation requirements.
Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the latest extension would not change the government’s expectations. “Those expectations remain unchanged and, while I acknowledge the work of The Star to date, this extension will allow The Star to further demonstrate its delivery on key remediation commitments under the agreement,” she said.
“We have continued to set clear expectations for The Star to ensure the utmost integrity of Queensland’s casino operations. Queenslanders can have full confidence that we will take immediate action if The Star fails to deliver on its obligations.”
Weeks, appointed in 2022, will remain responsible for overseeing The Star’s Queensland operations and reporting on its compliance progress. Independent external supervision of The Star Brisbane will also continue.
Separately, Australia’s Federal Court found two former senior executives of The Star Entertainment Group had breached the Corporations Act 2001 over failures in managing and reporting money laundering and criminal activity risks.