Star Sydney could regain conditional casino license by end-September: NICC

By AGBrief Editorial

The Star Sydney could regain control of its suspended casino license on a conditional basis by the end of September, while remaining subject to continued monitoring and a future suitability assessment.

NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford outlined the proposed arrangement during a state parliamentary budget estimates hearing on August 26th, according to an uncorrected transcript published by the New South Wales Parliament.

The casino’s license remains suspended and is currently held by government-appointed manager Nick Weeks, whose term runs until the end of September.

Crawford said the NICC was working with The Star on a framework that would avoid seeking another government appointment of Weeks as manager. Instead, control of the license would revert to the company with additional conditions and regulatory directions attached.

Crawford said The Star would regain its licence, but it would be “conditional on compliance with what we’re now going to require them to do.”

The company’s performance would continue to be monitored before the NICC conducts another suitability assessment under section 31 of the Casino Control Act. Crawford said the review could take place in 12 or 18 months, although the timing had not been determined.

Weeks is “highly likely” to remain involved as a monitor but would no longer manage the casino, Crawford said. He added that The Star, rather than taxpayers, bears the cost of the current manager arrangement.

The commissioner said the casino’s new management and ownership were cooperating with the regulator, although the company’s financial difficulties had not been fully resolved.

Crawford also pointed to the pending Federal Court decision in AUSTRAC’s civil penalty proceedings. The financial-crime regulator is seeking an AU$400 million ($286 million) penalty from The Star, with Crawford saying a decision was likely around the end of September.

The Star Sydney’s license has been suspended since October 2022 following the first Bell inquiry, which found the operator unsuitable to hold a casino license.