Mark Mackay: New Star Gold Coast CEO at casino after Jessica Mellor exit

The Star Gold Coast has a new boss, with the under-fire casino and entertainment giant appointing a CEO poached from a rival. Read what he has to say

The Star Gold Coast has a new boss, with the under-fire entertainment giant appointing a CEO with a mandate to bring tourists back to the city.

Star Entertainment Group has appointed Mark Mackay as the new CEO of the Star Gold Coast. He will assume the position on Tuesday.

For Mr Mackay, who has 18 years experience in the gaming sector, it is a return to the Gold Coast site after a long recent stint at rival Crown.

He originally spent 11 years working at the Broadbeach island precinct at then-Jupiters casino from 2006 to 2017 when he left to join Crown Melbourne.

He said he was “excited” to rejoin the Star Gold Coast team.

“When I was last there as Chief Operating Officer, the only accommodation offering was The Star Grand,” he said.

“Now it has become a world-class tourism precinct with The Darling, the second of two hotel and apartments towers nearing completion and a host of new culinary and entertainment destinations.”

Star Gold Coast’s latest tower Epsilon has topped out but remains under construction.

The Star Entertainment Group has appointed Mark Mackay as the new CEO of The Star Gold Coast

Mr Mackay said he wanted to work with government to help drive tourism back to the Gold Coast.

“My focus will be on supporting the Star team to create and provide memorable, safe, guest experiences and ensuring we continue to drive visitation to the beautiful Gold Coast,” he said.

“I understand there are challenges that the business is facing but I am optimistic for the opportunities ahead.

“I am committed as the highest priority to working hard with our regulators and Government to deliver on all necessary reforms and rebuilding trust with our communities.”

Star Gold Coast and the wider company is under pressure financially after two $100 million fines in Queensland and NSW following separate and damning inquiries into the casino operations. As it stands the ASX has placed a trading halt on Star Entertainment Group after it failed to post its annual financial report last week.

Star Entertainment Group made the announcement to the stock exchange on Monday morning.

Mr Mackay, who replaces Jessica Mellor after her recent decision to depart, has spent the previous seven years working as chief operating officer for Crow Resorts Melbourne.

The Star Gold Coast’s former CEO Jess Mellor who departed last month. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Star chairwoman Anne Ward, said it was a “great pleasure” to make the appointment.

“Mark has a deep understanding of what it takes to run a leading integrated resort development and brings a lot of capability to this role,” she said.

“Mark’s appointment and relevant experience further strengthens our leadership team as we focus on implementing the necessary reforms at The Star.

“This appointment completes the new leadership team structure of decentralised management across our three integrated resort developments in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney.”

Star Entertainment recently opened the first stage of its $3.6 billion Queens Wharf project in Brisbane, but Queensland Premier Steven Miles has been considering tax and payroll relief to enable the under-pressure giant to stay afloat.

Among speculation around the embattled Star Entertainment group is a potential break up of its assets with Gold Coast pubs and pokies billionaire in a prime position to take over the Star Gold Coast operation.

Originally published as Mark Mackay: New Star Gold Coast CEO at casino after Jessica Mellor exit