Initially, Star Sydney‘s license was suspended in October 2022, after the Bell inquiry found the operator unfit to hold one due to serious money laundering and compliance failures, with a follow-up inquiry in 2024 finding many of the same issues still unresolved. Nick Weeks, the regulator-appointed manager supervising the casino since 2022, will now stay in that role through June 30, 2027. The casino will keep operating as normal while the suspension remains active.
NICC chief commissioner Philip Crawford commented:
“There is no doubt that Star has come a long way in addressing the matters which led to the suspension of its licence in 2022. However, recent allegations regarding governance, leadership, and culture at the casino are serious and are being treated as such by both the manager and the NICC.”
Star’s Gold Coast property also had its suspension deferred this week, pushed to March 31, 2027, with Weeks noting progress there too. However, Crawford criticized the broader pattern across Star’s properties, saying it’s disappointing that issues keep affecting every venue despite the improvements made in Sydney.
The NICC also noted Star’s unresolved civil case with AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial crime watchdog, which is seeking a A$400 million penalty over alleged anti-money laundering breaches. On the other hand, Crawford said that the suspension could be lifted early if Star’s remediation efforts prove they’re properly conducted, but that many issues still need to be corrected first.
