The New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has extended the suspension of Star Entertainment’s casino licence for Star Sydney until June 2027.
The regulator cited continuing concerns around governance, leadership and culture remediation at the casino. Star Sydney has operated under a suspended licence since October 2022.
Despite the extension, the casino will continue operating while the suspension remains in place. Nick Weeks, the regulator-appointed manager who has overseen the property since 2022, will retain overall responsibility for the venue until June 30, 2027.
NICC cites ongoing remediation concerns
The original licence suspension followed the Bell inquiry in 2022, which found Star Entertainment unsuitable to hold a casino licence amid findings concerning money laundering, governance and compliance.
A further inquiry in 2024 concluded that significant shortcomings remained.
The suspension has remained in force while Star has worked to address the issues identified by the inquiries. The latest extension means the regulator will continue overseeing the casino as remediation work progresses.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford acknowledged that Star Sydney had made progress in recent years but said concerns remained regarding governance, leadership and organisational culture.
Crawford also referred to recent allegations involving the casino, describing them as serious matters that were being addressed by the regulator and manager.
Star Sydney continues operating
The extension does not mean that Star Sydney will close. The property will continue operating while its casino licence remains suspended.
However, Nick Weeks will retain overall responsibility for the venue during this period. His role as regulator-appointed manager has been in place since 2022.
The NICC said the suspension could be lifted before June 2027 if Star demonstrates that its remediation measures have been properly embedded in the business.
This means the June 2027 date functions as an extension of the current suspension rather than a fixed point at which the suspension must automatically remain in force.
Star Gold Coast also faces extension
The latest development follows a separate extension affecting Star Gold Coast.
Its licence suspension has been deferred to March 31, 2027. Weeks also oversees the Gold Coast property, where Star has continued implementing improvements.
Crawford said that while progress had been made at Star Sydney, problems remained across other parts of Star Entertainment’s Australian operations.
The NICC said it would continue monitoring how Star and the wider Star Entertainment Group address the outstanding issues.
AUSTRAC proceedings remain unresolved
The NICC also highlighted Star’s ongoing legal proceedings with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).
Australia’s financial crime regulator has alleged serious and systemic breaches of anti-money-laundering laws. The factual issues in the case were resolved before a penalty hearing in June 2025, but the Federal Court had not yet delivered its judgment when the latest licence decision was reported.
AUSTRAC is seeking a A$400 million penalty. The NICC also raised questions about Star’s ability to support remediation at the Sydney property while critical leadership and governance positions remain under review.
The regulator said these matters could influence the pace of remediation and the possibility of lifting the suspension before the June 2027 deadline.
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