Source : THE AGE NEWS
Star Entertainment’s licence for its Sydney casino will stay suspended for a further nine months, after the NSW regulator said questions remained about the company’s progress in improving its governance, leadership and culture.
Star lost its licence to operate its Sydney casino in October 2022 after a NSW government inquiry found it was unfit to continue operating independently. The NSW casino regulator then appointed Nick Weeks as manager to provide external oversight of the casino, allowing it to keep trading.
On Friday the NSW government said Weeks’ term would be extended until June next year, following a request from the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC).
NICC chief commissioner said questions remained over the casino’s progress in improving its governance, leadership and culture.
“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 said.
“However, recent allegations regarding governance, leadership, and culture at the casino are serious and are being treated as such by both the manager and the NICC. 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.”
The move comes after this masthead last month reported that a leaked recording of Star Entertainment Group’s most senior executives had captured top staff complaining of the risk and compliance measures forced onto the scandal-ridden firm by regulators as it attempts to retain its licence in NSW and Queensland.
Crawford said on Friday: “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.”
Clancy Yeates is deputy business editor. He has covered banking and financial services, and was previously national business correspondent in the Canberra bureau.Connect via X or email.
