The Queensland gambling regulator has announced a $100m fine for Star Entertainment Group and plans to suspend the licences of two of its casinos.
The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation revealed details of a payment schedule for the A$100m fine against Star. The group will pay the sum in three installments starting with a A$30m payment in March 2023.
The OLGR has also ordered The Treasury Brisbane and The Star Gold Coast casino to cease activity for a period of 90 days on a deferred basis, with effect from December 1 next year.
Although, the Queensland Attorney General, Shannon Fentiman, stressed that the suspension could be postponed or rescinded; the delay, she said, gives the group an opportunity to remediate its management and operations before the suspension takes effect.
The regulator has also appointed Nicholas Weeks as a special manager to monitor the operations of Treasury Brisbane and The Star Gold Coast. The cost of his appointment will be paid by The Star group. Weeks was also appointed as the special manager of The Star Sydney Casino in October.
Fentiman said: “Queensland casinos must operate with integrity – and it is clear that there have been major failings by the Star group and its entities.
“Like many Queenslanders, I was appalled at the extent of the actions of The Star in welcoming excluded persons to their casinos and the exorbitant incentives on offer for questionable gamblers.
“The reason these significant penalties could be applied is due to recent reforms to the Act which passed in the Queensland Parliament in October.
“And I can assure Queenslanders that The Star will be sent the bill for the cost of the special manager’s work.”
She added: “Having a special manager that monitors the operations of The Star in both states will ensure they will be looked at as one operating entity and provide consistency across jurisdictions.
“It’s also important that we have a person on the ground here in Queensland, which is why Ms Terri Hamilton will be the Queensland Manager Assisting and will join Mr Weeks’ very skilled and capable team.”
