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The Star Sydney Fined $15 Million But Retains Licence

The Star Sydney has been slapped with a $15 million fine by the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) but will retain its operating licence under strict conditions.

The NICC announced today that the casino has faced significant challenges regarding its leadership and culture.

Philip Crawford, chief commissioner of the NICC, stated that the casino has repeatedly failed to meet compliance standards.

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The casino’s licence was initially suspended following damning evidence of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism failures uncovered during a 2022 inquiry.

“In a casino setting, compliance breaches can have serious consequences for the community,” Crawford said.

He also highlighted the findings of the Bell Report, which illustrated how inadequate controls could lead to criminal infiltration and gambling-related harm.

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The Star’s licence will remain restricted until March 2025, during which the NICC will closely monitor the casino’s operations to determine its capability to maintain compliance. 

Crawford underscored the importance of the casino’s role in the community, noting that the Star employs over 9,000 people.

He expressed concern for the potential fallout if the casino were to close.

“If Sydney Star fails, the Star group will fail, and that’s a group that employs 9000-plus people… it would affect the lives of a lot of people,” he added.

“There’s no coming back if you take the licence away.”

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