The term of the Manager appointed to run The Star Sydney casino will be extended by at least another six months amid speculation that a report delivered to the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) this week following a recent inquiry into Star’s suitability will again find the company unsuitable.
In a filing, Star said it has been informed by the NICC that it has sought and been granted approval from the Minister to further extend the appointment of Nicholas Weeks as Manager of the Sydney casino until 31 March 2025, unless terminated earlier by the regulator. Weeks’ term had previously been scheduled to end on 30 September 2024.
The new follows local media reports claiming the Bell report from the recent inquiry, which was handed to the NICC on Wednesday, recommends Star should not be considered suitable to hold a casino license until it proves it can change its ways. The report also suggests Star may need up to five years to become suitable again.
Star had earlier on Thursday – before the extension of Weeks’ appointment – issued a response to the media speculation in which it stated that the contents of the report had “not yet been publicly released and The Star has not received a copy of the report or been advised of its contents.”
However, that Star could be found unsuitable for the second time in as many years would come as no surprise given the revelations emanating from the recent Bell inquiry. The fallout of the inquiry included CEO Robbie Cooke and Chairman David Foster both stepping down after it was revealed that the company’s relationship with the NICC had broken down, and that the duo had plotted to remove Weeks while lobbying to replace the regulator entirely.
The inquiry also revealed evidence that Star had falsified records in regard to welfare checks on customers seen gambling for more than three hours at a time, as required under current regulations.
Since the inquiry, Star has taken significant steps to address its internal issues – most notably by way of appointing Steve McCann, who played a key role in helping local rival Crown Resorts return to suitability in Sydney and Melbourne, as its new CEO and Managing Director.
Although suggestions that Star will be again found unsuitable come as no surprise, the media reports may also provide some comfort given concerns Star’s license could be revoked altogether given its failure to remediate in the wake of the first inquiry in 2022.
