The Star Sydney will continue to be overseen by a government-appointed supervisor until at least the conclusion of September. 

The Star Sydney's casino operations have been overseen by manager Nicholas Weeks since Oct. 17, 2022, following his appointment by the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) to manage the gaming floor. Last Friday, the gaming authority in NSW prolonged Weeks’ oversight for an additional six months until Sept. 30, 2025. 

The Star's gaming license was paused following a government investigation in NSW that found the company, similar to its main rival, Crown Resorts, did insufficiently to prevent unsavory individuals and criminal groups from accessing its gaming area and safeguard its casino cages from functioning as money laundering hubs. 

The Star was permitted to keep its gaming rights provided that the company implements various corrective measures and revamps its corporate governance, a lengthy procedure still underway. 

Advancement, Not Flawlessness 

NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford stated that the agency is happy with The Star's efforts to meet the requirements for maintaining a gaming license while announcing the six-month extension of Weeks' monitoring. Nevertheless, the financial instability concerning the company, which operates casinos in Queensland — The Star Gold Coast and The Star Brisbane — has significantly hindered Star’s reforms.

"We welcome progress in The Star’s remediation efforts and are confident the company is moving in the right direction with its remediation plans,” said Crawford. “The next six months is a critical phase for The Star as it will need to show further progress with its remediation activities while also stabilizing its finances.”

Continuing Week’s oversight is beneficial for The Star Sydney, since ending the surveillance would have led to the casino's gaming operations being halted. 

The Star Sydney features approximately 1,500 slot machines, often referred to as pokies in Australia. The gaming area offers around 140 live dealer tabletop games. 

Suitability Objective 

In conjunction with its NSW operations, The Star was deemed unfit to possess a gaming license in Queensland due to an inquiry that arrived at similar findings regarding failures in regulatory compliance. Last week, the Queensland government postponed a licensing suspension for The Star until September 30. 

Queensland government officials are satisfied with The Star's progress on improvements. 

“Based on the advice of the special manager, we are satisfied The Star has been continuing to make positive progress under the agreement. The extension will provide The Star with additional time to deliver on its outstanding commitments while keeping its doors open,” said Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington.

Steve McCann, CEO and Managing Director of Star Entertainment Group, states that the aim is for the organization to secure suitability findings in both NSW and Queensland by October 1, 2025. 

“The Star recognizes the importance of continuing to deliver on its commitments under the remediation plan and returning to suitability,” McCann said.

The Star Entertainment Group remains engaged in discussions regarding a potential takeover. The firm has attracted interest from Bally’s Corporation, which recently proposed an AU$250 million (US$156 million) funding deal for a 50.1% stake in the business. 

The Bally’s proposal would enable The Star to maintain its Brisbane casino, which The Star has consented to sell to its two biggest shareholders — Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium — for only AU$50 million.