Embattled operator Star fined for casino breaches

Star Entertainment has been fined $140,000 for offences at its Brisbane and Gold Coast casinos. Photo: AAP
Star Entertainment has been fined $140,000 for offences including illegally helping patrons use credit cards to gamble at its Brisbane and Gold Coast casinos.
The embattled operator pleaded guilty to a total of 11 charges in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Seven charges related to sections of Queensland’s casino legislation which prohibit the purchase of gambling chips with a credit card.
A number of patrons were able to obtain chips on credit at Brisbane’s Treasury Casino and the Star Gold Coast, the court heard.
The breaches occurred in 2017, 2018 and 2022.
The other four charges related to sending promotional material to excluded patrons.
Star faced a maximum fine of more than $1 million after self-reporting the offences.
Magistrate Shane Elliott said there were elements of human error in all the offences and that there were no systemic problems at the casinos or “flagrant breaches” of Queensland’s Casino Control Act.
Apart from the fine, Star was also ordered to pay $3250 in costs.
No conviction was recorded.
The financial penalty on Wednesday comes months after the operator was hit harder in the pocket.
NSW’s gaming regulator suspended Star’s Sydney licence in October 2022, slapping a record $100 million fine on the company after an inquiry found the casino had allowed money laundering to take place inside private rooms and identified numerous compliance failures.
A similar review in Queensland last December also fined Star $100 million, finding it unfit to hold the two casino licences in the state after the company neglected anti-money laundering and responsible gaming duties in the state.
Shareholders have separately launched a class action against the group over its failure to disclose money laundering links to organised crime.
– AAP