The Queensland state government has deferred a decision on suspending Star Entertainment Group’s casino license for The Star Gold Coast until 31 March 2025 while it determines what action the company is taking to fix a “litany of problems”.
Star, whose two Queensland properties also include recently opened The Star Brisbane, was due to have its Gold Coast casino licence suspended for 90 days commencing 20 December 2024 due to compliance failures uncovered in recent inquiries in New South Wales, home of The Star Sydney.
In a statement, the government said it had considered the advice of Star’s Special Manager Nick Weeks and its remediation progress to date, with the deferral to allow the government to properly assess such progress in relation to cultural reform, safer gambling, risk management, financial crime and governance.
These, it added, will be assessed in February at which time the government will decide whether a license suspension is warranted.
“The government has the highest standards when it comes to the integrity of casino operations and, unlike our predecessors, we are committed to transparency and restoring the confidence of Queenslanders in the regulatory process,” said Attorney-General Deb Frecklington.
“We will release the Special Manager report and the outcome of the assessment following the government’s March 2025 decision.
“This government has been clear in its expectations of The Star and will not allow The Star Gold Coast to keep operating as a casino at the expense of integrity, our government’s high standards, and community safety.
“We recognise this may place pressure on The Star; however, the remediation actions must be its urgent priority.
“There should be no assumption that there will be any further deferrals granted to The Star and any failure to meet milestones may result in The Star Gold Coast casino licence being suspended.”
The deferred suspension comes just weeks after Star’s Managing Director and CEO Steve McCann, who was appointed in June to save Star from financial collapse and drive its return to suitability, warned it would take time to return the company to suitability given subdued business volumes and significantly higher compliance costs.
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