Australian operator Star Entertainment Group has found itself in hot water once again, after the Queensland state government announced a new inquiry into the company’s suitability to hold a casino license in the region. The announcement comes as Star nears the end of a separate inquiry in New South Wales (NSW).
Queensland’s Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) has started a preliminary investigation, although it is unclear at this time who will spearhead the inquiry moving forward.
Star currently operates two Queensland casinos—Treasury Brisbane and The Star Gold Coast—and plans to open a third, called Queen’s Wharf, next year, but the latest investigation could complicate those plans.
Shannon Fentiman, Queensland’s attorney general, told Inside Asian Gaming that the “allegations of money laundering and integrity issues” that were brought up over the course of the NSW inquiry were very alarming, and prompted Queensland authorities to conduct “an independent expert review into the suitability of The Star to keep its casino license.”
Fentiman also said, however, that even if the operator is found unsuitable to hold its license, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be forced to halt operations in the state.
She noted that “even if a casino is found to not be suitable there are things we can put in place provisionally to make sure they do meet all the expectations of the regulator and the community.”
According to Fentiman, more details about hearings and proceedings will be released in the coming weeks.
Star has yet to release a statement on the recent announcement, but the company has confirmed that it plans to cooperate fully with authorities. In light of the recent NSW inquiry that ruled Star was unfit to hold its Sydney license, numerous executives have left the company, even though state officials said previously that layoffs and resignations alone are not sufficient punishment for the operator.
