IAG MAR 2023

IAG MAR 2023年3月 亞博匯 14 THE STAR SYDNEY WARNS OF EARNINGS HURDLES ON INCREASED CASINO DUTY RATES 星億發盈警稱THE STAR SYDNEY 目前面臨賭場稅率提升等挑戰 AUSTRALIA’S STAR ENTERTAINMENT GROUP has warned that the future earnings capacity of The Star Sydney could be seriously harmed should the NSW state government proceed with plans to substantially increase casino duty rates starting in FY24. In an earnings and outlook update filed with the Australian Securities Exchange, Star explained that it anticipates a non-cash impairment charge in relation to its NSW business in the range of AU$400 million to AU$1.6 billion (US$277 million to US$1.12 billion), with the high end of this range based on full implementation of the proposed NSW casino duty rate. The low end of the range assumes no change in the NSW casino duty rate, it added. “The Star and the NSW Government are in discussions on the implementation of the proposed changes to NSW casino duty rates,” Star said. “The Star understands the proposed changes will require legislation to be passed by the NSW Parliament, unless the NSW Government and The Star reach agreement. “If implemented in their current form, the proposed duty rate increases would have a significant adverse impact on the profitability of The Star Sydney, further compounded by the changing operating and competitive environment. “In this scenario, The Star intends to undertake an urgent review of The Star Sydney’s operating model and assets, with a view to maximizing value for the group’s shareholders.” 澳洲星億集團 發盈警稱，如果新南威爾士州 從2024財年開始實施大幅提高賭場稅率的計 劃，The Star Sydney未來盈利能力可能會受 到嚴重損害。 在提交至澳洲證交所的文件中，星億解 釋稱，預計其新南威爾士州業務的非現金減值 支出在4億至16億澳元（2.77億美元至11.2億 美元）之間，這一範圍的最高值乃是基於新南 威爾士州擬議全面實施的賭場稅率。該公司補 充稱，這一區間的最低值為假定新賭場稅率沒 有變化。 星億表示：「星億和新南威爾士州政府 正在討論擬議實施新賭場稅率的改革。」 「星億獲悉，除非新南威爾士州和星億 達成協議，否則擬議的改革將需要新南威爾士 州議會通過立法。」 「若以目前的形式實施，擬議的稅率提 升將對The Star Sydney的盈利能力產生重大 不利影響，並進一步受到上述不斷變化的經營 和競爭環境的影響。」 「這種情況下，星億打算對The Star Sydney的運營模式和資產進行緊急審查，以 為集團股東實現價值最大化。」