Operator News
Australia – Lawyer says The Star is not fit to hold its licence
By Phil - 1 June 2022
Lawyer Naomi Sharp has said that the Star Entertainment is not fit to hold a casino licence in New South Wales claiming The Star Sydney due to a ‘litany of problems’ with a Chinese debit card scheme for VIP customers.
Star Entertainment has been accused of money laundering, fraud and foreign interference by a junket operator.
Naomi Sharp said: “We submit that the evidence in the public hearing establishes that the Star is not suitable to hold the casino licence and that its close associate Star Entertainment is not suitable either.”
“There has not yet been the period of deep reflection which of course will be necessary in order to develop a concrete plan about what can bring these corporations into a position of suitability. It is not enough to bring a corporation into suitability simply to terminate the employment of, or part company with a number of senior officers. There is more to the question of suitability than particular individuals within the corporation.”
She produced evidence that Star concealed gaming transactions as hotel charges to the tune of $900m until it was stopped in 2020.
Describing the process used by the Star as a ‘sham,’ Ms Sharp added: “This highlights deeply ingrained cultural problems shared across a large number of members of the senior executive.”
