A former rugby league executive will keep hold of the reins of Star Entertainment’s casino operations as the gaming giant tries to arrest a slide into insolvency.
Nicholas Weeks’s term as watchdog-appointed manager of Star Sydney was on March 28 extended until September.
The New South Wales (NSW) Independent Casino Commission’s move came a day after Weeks won a six-month extension as special manager of Star’s Brisbane and Gold Coast gaming venues.
Star accepted Weeks—who oversaw cultural change at rival Crown Casino after stints at the National Rugby League (NRL) and Rugby Australia—should remain in place while it tried to secure its finances and overhaul its business model, the NSW watchdog said.
“We welcome progress in The Star’s remediation efforts and are confident the company is moving in the right direction with its remediation plans,” Chief Commissioner Phillip Crawford said.
“The next six months is a critical phase for The Star as it will need to show further progress with its remediation activities whilst also stabilising its finances.”
Regulators have placed Star under heavy scrutiny and slapped it with fines totalling more than $210 million (US$132.2 million) in recent years.
But they have been cautious to close its doors, noting the devastating impact that would have on 9000 employees.
“The Star recognises the importance of continuing to deliver on its commitments under the remediation plan and returning to suitability,” Star Entertainment Group chief executive Steve McCann said.
The Sydney casino licence was first suspended after damning evidence of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism failings were highlighted at a 2022 inquiry.
A second review in 2024 found further significant breaches including a major cash fraud against the casino and false welfare checks being logged for potentially vulnerable customers.
A Queensland inquiry found Star “actively encouraged” people banned from gaming in Victoria and NSW to its casinos in the Sunshine State.
Star has been in a trading halt since the end of February as it teeters on the edge of collapse.
Property development fund Salter Brothers is expected to make a concrete refinancing offer on March 24 worth up to $940 million (US$581.8 million).
The bailout is part of a three-pronged deal revealed in early March that would offload Star’s 50 percent stake in its newly opened Brisbane precinct to two Chinese investors and a $250 million (US$157.4 million) short-term loan from a New York financier.
