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Summary
- Star Entertainment argues its Queensland venues should be separated from its Sydney property
- New proposals would deny Queensland casinos “procedural fairness“
- Violators will face tougher penalties under new measures
Star Entertainment said its Queensland properties should be treated as separate entities from their NSW counterpart after Queensland announced proposed measures that would authorize the state’s chief law officer to use interstate or federal findings in forming a view about the company’s suitability to hold a casino license.
The Queensland government earlier this month announced its own probe into Star’s casino license after an NSW inquiry into the scandal involving the gambling giant was told the company is unfit to hold a gaming license in the state as it facilitated money laundering, fraud, organized crime, and foreign interference at its Pyrmont property.
The terms of reference for Queensland’s independent review will be released this week, with the government also putting forward proposals to strengthen its gambling laws ahead of the planned opening of Star’s Brisbane venue in 2023.
Star Questions Fairness of Evaluation Process
Under the new proposals, Queensland’s attorney-general would be authorized to base her legal opinion on the findings of interstate or federal inquiries with regards to a casino’s suitability to hold a license. This, according to Star’s acting chief executive Geoff Hogg, would deprive Star’s Queensland casino of “procedural fairness“.
Hogg argued that the Minister’s decision on Star’s suitability to hold a license in Queensland should not be entirely dependent on the actions of the gambling giant’s Sydney property. He maintained that Australian casino operations in different jurisdictions should be viewed independently of each other.
Hogg said that Star’s Queensland casinos should be allowed to issue a reply if the state pushes on with plans to use interstate findings in its inquiry into the company’s suitability to hold a license.
In making its case, Star also underlined its major economic contribution to the state, saying its properties created over 4,000 jobs. Star has an existing casino and hotel establishment in the suburb of Broadbeach in Gold Coast. It’s also building a mega $3.6 billion development at Queen’s Wharf in Brisbane which will open next year.
Star’s Queensland casinos will most likely not be ordered to completely terminate their operations should the inquiry find them unfit to hold a license. According to Queensland’s Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman, the government will find a way to keep their operations going while ensuring they adhere to regulations and meet the standards, such as by granting provisional licenses.
Queensland to Impose Higher Penalties for Violators
The new proposals also include tougher penalties of up to $50 million for gambling companies committing violations, as well as measures that would pave the way for more cashless gambling across the state.
