Star Sydney Remains Under Independent Management Through June 2027

SYDNEY, Australia – The Star Sydney’s casino license will remain suspended after NSW regulators extended independent management through June 30, 2027. The casino can continue offering gaming under manager Nick Weeks while The Star works to demonstrate that its remediation has been fully embedded.

The NSW government amended the Casino Control Regulation 2019 at the request of the NSW Independent Casino Commission. Weeks will continue to hold the casino license for The Star Pty Limited during the additional nine-month period.

In its Sept. 25 announcement, the NICC acknowledged progress at the Sydney casino but said concerns remain over governance, leadership and culture. The regulator also pointed to unresolved issues affecting The Star Entertainment Group more broadly.

Governance and Culture Concerns Remain

NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said The Star had made substantial progress since its license was suspended in 2022. However, he said recent allegations involving governance, leadership and culture were serious and were being examined by both the regulator and the independent manager.

“There is no doubt that The Star has come a long way in addressing the matters which led to the suspension of its casino licence in 2022.”

Philip Crawford
Chief Commissioner, NSW Independent Casino Commission

Crawford said both The Star Sydney and its parent company must demonstrate that they have learned from previous failures and can resolve cultural issues without further regulatory intervention. He said responsibility ultimately rests with the operator to show its remediation measures can remain effective over the long term.

The Sydney casino has remained under regulatory oversight since its license was suspended following the first Bell Review. A September 2025 extension kept Weeks in control through March 2026, before his term was subsequently extended again to Sept. 30.

AUSTRAC Case Adds to Regulatory Uncertainty

The NICC said The Star is also awaiting the outcome of civil proceedings brought by Australian financial crimes regulator AUSTRAC in Federal Court. The commission said uncertainty remains over the wider group’s capacity to support the Sydney remediation program while critical leadership and governance positions are being filled.

Regulatory pressure intensified in June when The Star Sydney received AU$10 million in fines over risk-management failures. The NICC said the breaches involved historical financial crime risks and imposed an enforceable undertaking alongside the penalties.

The latest Sydney decision also comes amid continued regulatory scrutiny of The Star’s operations in Queensland. On Sept. 24, Queensland authorities extended the deferred suspension of The Star Gold Coast’s casino license and continued independent oversight of the property through March 31, 2027.

License Could Be Restored Before June 2027

The extension of Weeks’ appointment does not mean The Star Sydney must necessarily remain without its own license until June 2027. The NICC said it can lift the suspension at any time if the casino demonstrates that its remediation efforts have been properly embedded in the business.

For now, Weeks will continue to hold the license and oversee gaming operations while the NICC assesses The Star’s progress. The regulator said the unresolved governance and cultural issues, the AUSTRAC proceedings and the group’s ability to support remediation will all need to be addressed before the suspension can be lifted.

RELATED TOPICS: Regulation