The Star Sydney Could Regain Casino Licence

The Star Sydney could have an opportunity to regain its casino licence by the end of September, although the company will need to meet strict conditions and remain subject to ongoing regulatory oversight.

The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has indicated that The Star’s current challenges could reach a key point when government-appointed manager Nick Weeks’ term ends. However, Weeks is expected to continue playing a role in the process.

The Star’s casino licence has been suspended since October 2022, following the Bell Inquiry, which identified major shortcomings in the company’s anti-money laundering controls, VIP management and corporate governance.

Regaining the licence will depend on The Star meeting the required regulatory conditions and maintaining compliance. The NICC is also expected to carry out another suitability assessment within 12 to 18 months.

The company continues to face significant financial and regulatory difficulties. These include an AU$307 million loss for FY2026 and the AUSTRAC case, under which The Star is expected to pay approximately AU$400 million over alleged breaches of anti-money laundering legislation.

In August, The Star also received another AU$500,000 fine linked to an incident involving minors and gambling.

Even if The Star regains control of the casino, the company will remain under regulatory scrutiny. The NICC is expected to reassess its suitability and compliance with Section 31 of the Casino Control Act within the following 12 to 18 months.

For now, The Star Sydney remains in a critical position as it seeks to determine whether it can regain control of its casino operations.