The Queensland government has announced that The Star Gold Coast's casino licence suspension will now run until March 31, 2027. This latest decision, made last week, provides the casino operator with an additional six months to complete necessary remediation work while still allowing the venue to operate under close regulatory oversight.
The extension comes after a report from Special Manager Nicholas Weeks, who noted that despite some progress in the casino's reform efforts, several key issues remain unresolved. Weeks’ oversight role has also been extended, ensuring that independent supervision continues alongside the external adviser's oversight of The Star Brisbane throughout this period.
Attorney General Deb Frecklington reiterated the government's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the casino industry in Queensland. She stated, "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."
Frecklington emphasized that this extension is purely procedural and not indicative of any leniency in regulatory expectations. She remarked, “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.” Furthermore, she expressed appreciation for Weeks' ongoing oversight.
This isn’t the first postponement for The Star Gold Coast's licence suspension; it had earlier been pushed back from March 2025 to September 2026, following several delays. The casino first came under scrutiny in Queensland in 2022 and was declared unsuitable for licensure in October of that year, resulting in significant fines, Weeks' appointment, and a 90-day suspension initiated based on his comprehensive report.
In comparison, The Star Sydney has seen its licence suspension extended to June 30, 2027, with the regulator citing concerns about governance, leadership, and corporate culture as the reasons for this extension. Philip Crawford, the chief commissioner of the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC), acknowledged improvements made by The Star Sydney but attributed the extended suspension to ongoing issues at the parent company level.
Crawford noted that two former senior executives of The Star Entertainment Group were found to have violated the Corporations Act 2001 regarding money laundering and criminal activity risks. He stated, “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.” He added that the NICC would be closely monitoring the situation to ensure both The Star and The Star Entertainment Group address these issues effectively without necessitating the NICC’s intervention.
