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Fentiman reveals options for further action against Star casinos

The Palaszczuk Government has confirmed that investigations into Star and its casino operations were ongoing in Queensland and that the findings from investigations into other states could be used in determining whether the company was fit to operate in Queensland.

Jun 01, 2022, updated Jun 01, 2022
Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman.   (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

The government has also left open the option of taking further action against Star.

The revelations follows a submission yesterday from counsel assisting the NSW inquiry into Star which said the company was not fit to hold a licence to operate in that state.

Star and Crown casinos have been the subject of allegations of money laundering and other criminal activities in casinos in NSW, Victoria and WA.

However, the state government has so far refused to hold public inquiries into the Queensland operations of Star’s casinos and instead has been liaising with NSW authorities.

Star operates the Gold Coast and Treasury casinos and is behind the $3.6 billion Queens Wharf development in Brisbane, a project that has been championed by the government.

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Attorney General Shannon Fentiman said the government had already sought to address the concerns which had arisen through its proposed legislative amendments that included a $50 million fine.

Grounds for a ‘show cause’, for which a fine may apply as a disciplinary action, already exist in the legislation and include failing to comply with licence conditions, failing to comply with terms of the casino management agreement, and giving false or incorrect information.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General said the amendments also clarified that the Minister may, when considering the suitability of an entity associated with a casino in Queensland, take into account the findings of other state and commonwealth investigations into the entity or a related entity – such as another subsidiary of the same parent company.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation “continues to work with Queensland Police and AUSTRAC and the investigations are ongoing. Further action may be considered.”

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