CLAIMS TO FAME
- Gaming industry veteran with 11 years spent working in lotteries
Whether Robbie Cooke ever dreamed of one day running a large-scale casino operator such as Australia’s Star Entertainment, it’s unlikely he ever envisioned doing so under such extreme circumstances.
More than just another CEO appointment, Cooke’s remit is very much one of transformation – both from a cultural perspective in terms of resetting the company’s outlook and from a regulatory one as he looks to prove its suitability to hold casino licenses in NSW – home to The Star Sydney – and Queensland, home to The Star Gold Coast and Treasury Brisbane.
While Star is preparing for the long-awaited launch of its AU$3.6 billion (US$2.3 billion) Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development next April, more pressing is the lingering impact of recent regulatory inquiries that have squeezed its profitability due to AU$200 million (and counting) in fines and ever-tightening government controls.
Funding initiatives such as a recent AU$1.2 billion (US$760 million) equity raising have done little to quell investor concerns, another challenge for Cooke currently reflected in Star’s record low share price. Perhaps the opening of Queen’s Wharf will provide some much-needed good news in the New Year.
Cooke, for his part, comes highly regarded, having led three ASX-listed companies in a business career spanning more than 30 years, including 11 in lotteries, race wagering and sports betting at Tatts Group Limited and a predecessor company, UNiTAB Limited, with five years as CEO and Managing Director.
He also ran Australia’s leading online travel company Wotif.com Limited for seven years and at Australian bank and spent time at payment fintech, Tyro Payments.
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