The Star Queensland has received show cause notices following the conclusion of the Gotterson Review last month, which identified several institutional failures. As a result, the state government has determined that the casino is 'unsuitable' to hold its licence.
The notices require Star to provide evidence by 25 November aimed at preventing enforcement actions against the operator. Under current Queensland law, potential actions could range from a letter of censure, written directions, a fine of up to AU$100 million, the appointment of a special manager, or even the suspension or cancellation of the casino's licence.
State Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman noted in a statement, 'The Gotterson Review highlighted major failings in the Star’s operations at The Star Gold Coast and Treasury Brisbane casinos. The notices issued today provide these entities with the opportunity to show cause as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.' She added, 'While it is important that we do not pre-empt the outcomes of these show cause notices, new legislation ensures the government has a range of disciplinary options available following that process.'
The controversies surrounding Star have extended across multiple states and various venues. During an investigation in New South Wales into The Star's licensure, the operator was found unsuitable. The investigation revealed that the casino misrepresented the purpose of Chinese UnionPay transactions to banks and regulators, sought individuals with ties to organized crime, and examined the company’s historical interactions with junket operators. Furthermore, the inquiry found that The Star's current social responsibility measures, as well as its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing strategies, were inadequate.
