The Australian Star Entertainment Group has been stripped of its permit and penalized a hefty A$100 million (£55.3 million/€64.1 million/$67.8 million) for a string of errors in Queensland.
The organization was deemed “inappropriate” to maintain a permit in October after inquiries into its two Queensland gambling establishments – the Gold Coast Star Casino and the Treasury in Brisbane.
The review, declared in June, examined a variety of matters and uncovered a series of systematic failures. Many of these mirrored the findings of Adam Bell’s report into Star Entertainment’s operations in New South Wales, which also deemed the operator unfit to hold a permit.
The inquiry discovered that Star Entertainment had “intentionally” misled financial institutions and regulatory bodies about the purpose of UnionPay transactions, in violation of Chinese capital flight regulations. The inquiry also found that Star Entertainment had actively sought out individuals with connections to criminal organizations and encouraged them to gamble, contrary to direct advice from the police commissioner.
In addition, the firm has exhibited deficiencies in social accountability, significant flaws in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing procedures, and sparked serious worries about its past dealings with VIP room operators.
Last month, the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) issued “show cause” notices to two of Star’s Queensland gambling establishments. Star was obligated to provide evidence by November 25th to avoid enforcement action against the operator.
However, Queensland Attorney-General, the Honorable Shannon Fentiman, and the OLGR have sent a letter to Star, informing the operator of its decision to suspend its permit and levy a $100 million penalty.
The penalty will be paid in three installments, with the initial $30 million due on March 31st of next year, the second $30 million due on June 30th, 2023, and the final $40 million due on December 31st, 2023.
The permit suspension will take effect on December 1st, 2023, with a 90-day extension, and the appointment of Nicholas Weeks as a special manager to oversee the operation of the two gambling establishments.
Weeks was also appointed as a special manager of Star’s Sydney gambling establishment in October, after Star was fined $100 million and deemed unsuitable to hold a permit in New South Wales for a series of similar regulatory violations.
The Queensland legal representative has declared that the temporary suspension order gives Star Entertainment Group a chance to enhance their administrative practices and daily operations, and to achieve a suitable operational condition before the suspension becomes active. If Star Entertainment Group makes satisfactory progress, the legal representative may choose to delay or cancel the suspension of the permit.
Star Entertainment Group today (December 9) requested the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) to immediately halt trading in its common stock in response to the most recent disciplinary action.
Star Entertainment Group stated that the trading suspension was essential, otherwise trading in the securities could occur without sufficient information. The suspension is anticipated to continue until December 13.
Star Entertainment Group took similar actions in October when it was fined A$100 million and had its permit suspended by New South Wales.
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