The Star Entertainment Group has had the suspension of its Gold Coast casino licence deferred until 31 March 2025.
The deferral will give the state government of Queensland, Australia, sufficient time to evaluate the operator’s progress in its remediation programme, which includes cultural reform, improvements to safer gambling procedures, and stronger risk management policies.
Alongside the licence suspension deferral, the government has also extended the appointment of Nicola Weeks, the casino’s special manager, until 30 June 2025.
The licence to operate Star Gold Coast was meant to be suspended for 90 days from 20 December, having already been deferred from May.
“The Crisafulli Government has the highest standards when it comes to the integrity of casino operations and, unlike our predecessors, we are committed to transparency and restoring the confidence of Queenslanders in the regulatory process,” said Queensland attorney general and minister for justice Deb Frecklington.
“We will release the Special Manager report and the outcome of the assessment following the Government’s March 2025 decision.”
Frecklington continued: “This Government has been clear in its expectations of The Star, and will not allow The Star Gold Coast to keep operating as a casino at the expense of integrity, our Government’s high standards, and community safety. We recognise this may place pressure on The Star; however, the remediation actions must be its urgent priority.
“There should be no assumption that there will be any further deferrals granted to The Star and any failure to meet milestones may result in The Star Gold Coast casino licence being suspended.”