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No further deferrals! NZ Govt warns as The Star gets another breather
The Queensland government has announced a deferment in its decision to suspend The Star Gold Coast’s casino license until 31 March 2025. This marks the second postponement this year, following an earlier decision in May to push back the suspension initially set for 20 December 2024.
The deferral, according to Attorney-General Deb Frecklington (depicted on the right in the featured image), allows time to assess The Star’s progress on its revised remediation plan. Special Manager Nicholas Weeks (depicted on the left in the featured image), who oversees the casino’s compliance and governance, will continue in his role until 30 June 2025, ensuring oversight during this period.
Failures and regulatory scrutiny
The Star’s operational challenges stem from findings in the Bell Review and Gotterson Review conducted in 2022. Both reports highlighted serious shortcomings in governance, financial crime management, and responsible gambling practices. The Bell Review particularly criticised systemic cultural and ethical failings within The Star’s management, while the Gotterson Review flagged deficiencies in anti-money laundering (AML) protocols and risk mitigation strategies.
In response, The Star committed to a remediation plan to address these issues, though progress has been slower than anticipated. The Queensland government has stressed its “no-compromise” stance on upholding the integrity of casino operations.
Government’s position
Attorney-General Frecklington stated, “This Government has the highest standards when it comes to the integrity of casino operations and is committed to transparency and restoring the confidence of Queenslanders in the regulatory process.” She warned that failing to meet remediation milestones could result in license suspension, adding, “There should be no assumption that further deferrals will be granted.”
Key evaluation areas include cultural reform, safer gambling practices, risk management, AML measures, and governance improvements. A comprehensive report from Special Manager Weeks detailing The Star’s progress will inform the final decision in March 2025.
The Star’s remedial measures
The Star has acknowledged its past failures and outlined the key highlights of its revised remediation plan, which was approved by Queensland authorities in September 2024.
- Cultural reform:
Development of an ethical framework rooted in new Purpose, Values, and Principles (PVP).
Launch of a culture strategy based on stakeholder input.
- Safer gambling:
Implementation of daily cash transaction limits of $5,000 and mandatory card play to mitigate money laundering risks.
Introduction of time-play limits and check-in conversations to promote responsible gambling.
Comprehensive exclusion processes for at-risk individuals.
- AML and financial crime:
Expansion of the Financial Crime Risk Operations team.
Enhanced customer due diligence procedures and internal controls for AML compliance.
- Risk management:
Deployment of property-specific Heads of Risk and support teams.
A group-wide “Three Lines of Accountability” risk model.
The Star has already implemented some of these measures at its Sydney property, with plans to adapt lessons learned to its Queensland operations.
What next?
Authorities will evaluate The Star’s progress against the updated remediation plan in February 2025. This assessment, alongside Special Manager Weeks’ report, will guide the government’s final decision on the casino license suspension.
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