Queen’s Wharf in Brisbane Opens Amid Licensing Issues

The Queen's Wharf precinct and Star Casino are seen in Brisbane, Australia on Aug. 29, 2024. AAP Image/Darren England

The staged opening of Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf has arrived, with the Star Grand Hotel and casino, Sky Deck viewing platform, events centre, and bike path attracting around 10,000 visitors on its opening day.

The nearby Neville Bonner Bridge also opened on Aug, 29, ready to connect pedestrians from South Bank to Queen’s Wharf.

It’s taken eight years and multiple delays for the project to come to partial fruition, and while some have touted the project as a boon for Brisbane, there has been some concern about The Star’s history of non-compliance in its capacity as a casino.

‘Hero of Tourism’

Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) CEO Anthony Ryan called the precinct a “game-changer” and “the new hero of Queensland tourism.”

“In addition to new world-class hotels, event venues and a stunning riverside precinct, this landmark development will further catapult Brisbane’s reputation on the world stage as a must-do destination,” he said in a statement.

Premier Steven Miles was optimistic about the contribution of the $3.6 billion (US$2.4 billion), 12-hectare precinct.

“Queen’s Wharf will be the biggest new integrated resort development to open in the world for years to come,” he said.

The premier, however, conceded it hadn’t all been “smooth sailing” in the lead-up to the opening.

Hurdles Remain for The Star

In 2022, the state Labor government fined The Star in Brisbane and Gold Coast $100 million amid “major failings” in its anti-money laundering efforts.

In 2023, the gaming group entered guilty pleas in the Brisbane Magistrates Court relating to other offences. The court found the casino lacked proper controls on their EFTPOS machines, meaning customers could potentially gamble beyond their means.

Last year, Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said the community expected The Star, at the absolute minimum, to control gambling harm and money laundering.

Star Brisbane CEO Daniel Finch said the company had recently increased measures on money laundering and harm minimisation fronts.

“We have an enormous team now. We have protocols in place and we are well and truly on our way to suitability,” he said.

All 340 rooms at the new Star Grand hotel were fully booked for the hotel’s opening night and through the weekend.