The Star Entertainment’s Sydney casino will continue under external management until June 30, 2027, as determined by the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC).
On Friday, the commission cited persistent concerns regarding the company’s governance, leadership, and corporate culture as reasons for the extension of the casino’s licence suspension.
With this extension, Nick Weeks will remain in charge, allowing the casino to operate its gaming facilities amid the ongoing suspension.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford acknowledged the progress made by The Star but stressed that uncertainties about its governance and culture improvements still needed resolution. "There is no doubt that The Star has come a long way in addressing the matters which led to the suspension of its casino licence in 2022," Crawford stated in the commission's update.
Nevertheless, he expressed disappointment that the group continues to face issues affecting all its properties. "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.
Crawford concluded that it is ultimately The Star’s responsibility to show its commitment to long-term remediation efforts.
This extension comes almost four years after The Star’s Sydney casino lost its independent operating rights due to findings from the Bell inquiry in October 2022, which resulted in a AU$100 million ($70.286 million) fine. Since then, the NICC has repeatedly extended the licence suspension while keeping Weeks in an external management role.
The Star is currently involved in a remediation programme focusing on compliance, risk management, ethics, and reforms in senior management. In a March 2025 statement, Crawford noted advancements in these areas but pointed out ongoing financial uncertainties hindering faster progress.
The regulator also flagged uncertainties associated with key leadership roles and the civil proceedings against The Star initiated by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) in Federal Court.
In these proceedings, two former senior executives were found to have breached the Corporations Act 2001 for failures in managing and reporting risks related to money laundering and criminal activities. Crawford emphasized, "These are all issues which need to be resolved before the NICC can lift The Star’s licence suspension, which can occur at any time if the casino demonstrates that its remediation efforts are thoroughly integrated into the business."
The suspension will remain in effect until the Commission is assured that the necessary reforms are sustainable. Meanwhile, Weeks is tasked with overseeing the high-profile license situation at Sydney’s casino.
Earlier this year, the NICC reported that both Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney faced a combined fine totaling AU$2.25 million ($1.61 million) after a 16-year-old repeatedly accessed their gaming floors using fraudulent identification documents.
