The chief legal officer of Star Entertainment abruptly resigned in the weeks before the NSW regulator publicly warned that the ASX-listed gaming group could lose its license to operate a casino in Sydney.

Betty Ivanoff, a former group counsel at Crown Resorts and Coca-Cola Amatil, is departing the business after about six months in the role, according to people familiar with the exit who spoke anonymously. She is the second senior executive to depart in a matter of months – David Brenac, group executive, asset management and development, left in August.