The Australian Star Entertainment Group has had its permit withdrawn and been penalized a hefty A$100 million (£55.3 million/€64.1 million/$67.8 million) for a series of missteps in Queensland.

The struggling land-based operator was deemed “unqualified” to maintain a permit in Queensland following an inquiry into its management of two gambling establishments in the state – Star Gold Coast and Treasury Brisbane.

The review, initiated in June, delved into a range of matters and uncovered a series of systematic shortcomings. These shortcomings were generally aligned with those discovered in a report by lawyer Adam Bell concerning Star Entertainment’s operations in New South Wales, which also deemed the operator unfit to hold a permit.

Crucially, Star Entertainment was found to have “intentionally” deceived banks and regulatory bodies by making false statements regarding the purpose of China UnionPay transactions, in violation of China’s capital flight regulations. Star Entertainment was also discovered to have associated with individuals linked to criminal organizations and encouraged them to participate in gambling, against the direct counsel of the police commissioner.

Moreover, the firm’s shortcomings in social accountability, severe shortcomings in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing strategies, and serious concerns about its past dealings with high-profile operators have all been revealed.

Last month, the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) issued a “show cause” notice to Star Entertainment Group concerning its two gambling establishments in Queensland. Star was required to provide proof by November 25 to prevent enforcement action against the operator.

However, Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman MP and the OLGR have sent a letter to Star Entertainment Group informing the operator of the decision to revoke its license and impose a $100 million penalty.

The penalty will be paid in three installments, with the initial $30 million due on March 31 of next year, the second $30 million due on June 30, 2023, and the final $40 million due on December 31, 2023.

The license suspension will take effect 90 days later, from December 1, 2023, while Nicholas Weeks has been appointed as a special manager to supervise the operation of the two casinos.

Weeks was also appointed as a special manager of Star Sydney in October, after Star was fined $100 million and deemed unsuitable to hold a license in New South Wales for a series of similar regulatory violations.

The Queensland legal representative declared that the delayed postponement provided Star Entertainment an opportunity to rectify its administrative and operational procedures, enabling them to regain stability before the suspension commenced. If Star Entertainment demonstrates sufficient progress, the legal representative might choose to defer or rescind the license suspension.

Star Entertainment, on December 9th, requested the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) to immediately halt trading of its common shares in response to the recent disciplinary action.

Star Entertainment asserted that the suspension was essential to prevent trading of securities in an uninformed market. The suspension is anticipated to persist until December 13th.

Star Entertainment implemented a comparable measure in October when it was levied a A$100 million fine and experienced a license suspension in New South Wales.

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