In response to the growing number of troublesome casino inquiries both in and Queensland and throughout Australia, the Queensland government has announced a number of new regulations aimed at curbing problem behavior moving forward.
In lockstep with similar laws recently implemented in Victoria, New South Wales (NSW) and Western Australia, Queensland officials now have the authority to appoint independent managers to oversee casinos that are deemed unsuitable for licensure.
Additionally, the government is no longer required to offer any compensation for casino operators when introducing stricter guidelines, and the maximum fine for regulatory violations has been increased to US$62 million.
The new laws come as a result of Star Entertainment’s recent inquiry, in which it was found to be unsuitable to hold a license for its Treasury Brisbane and Star Gold Coast casinos. That said, they will apply to all casinos and operators in the state, including the Reef in Cairns and the Ville in Townsville, both of which also faced regulatory discipline in recent months.
Shannon Fentiman, Queensland attorney-general and minister for justice, told Inside Asian Gaming that because of the “extremely serious and concerning findings of the Gotterson Review, the government has acted swiftly to prioritize critical reforms that address certain key matters in Mr Gotterson’s report.”
She also noted that the government wanted these reforms in place in order to best prepare for Star Entertainment’s remediation process.
“I announced last week that the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation will be issuing a show cause notice to The Star,” she added. “These reforms will give the Government more options to respond to the potential outcomes of that process.”
