The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has warned Star Entertainment that the gaming floors of its flagship Sydney casino property could be closed permanently if it is still deemed an unsuitable operator next year.
Speaking to the Australian Financial Review (AFR), a spokesperson for the NICC said that they had warned Star that it must return to suitability within six months from January 2024.
The spokesperson told the AFR:
“The NICC is not satisfied The Star has reached a point where the license suspension can be lifted and it can run its casino without the supervision of the manager. If they can’t prove they are capable of operating with a conditional license over the next six months, the manager will be retired, and the doors will close.”
The casino operator was informed in November that its state-approved special manager would remain in place until June 30th 2024 and that this would be the company’s final extension. However, at the time, the NICC stopped short of saying that the casino could be permanently closed.
Queensland Extension
November also saw the Queensland Government give Star Entertainment another six months to prove that the company is fit to operate its Brisbane and Gold Coast casinos. In a similar move, the state regulator extended the appointment of the company’s special manager but did not mention the potential closure of gaming facilities next year although it did note that the company could face a suspension of its license and fines of up to AU$5 million.
Image credit: llee_wu / CC BY-ND 2.0
Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.