That’s a wrap for the Star casino inquiry blog today.

Here’s a summary of former Star CEO Matt Bekier’s Tuesday appearance before the NSW government inquiry into the company’s suitability to hold a casino licence:

– Bekier told media in 2019 The Star was ending its relationship with Suncity even though he knew the junket was getting another salon in the casino. He says at the time he believed The Star was doing appropriate due diligence on Suncity, but that in retrospect this “looks stupid”.

– Bekier says he was not aware of the contents of the controversial Hong Kong Jockey Club report, which found that Suncity and its boss Alvin Chau were likely connected to money laundering, triad gangs and drug trafficking, until it was tabled at the Bell inquiry.

– The former Star boss also admits to directly approving billionaire property developer Phillip Dong Fang Lee’s withdrawal of over $22 million using his China UnionPay card over three days, but didn’t ask the anti-money laundering team to check the source of his funds.

– He also says he made the “wrong decision” to allow a high roller to gamble at the Star Sydney casino despite being warned the high roller was reportedly under investigation by the federal police for money laundering.

– Bekier says The Star was “secretive and not transparent” with the NSW regulator as distrust had grown between executives in the two organisations.

– Bekier says he knew that the China UnionPay cards were used for the purpose of funding gambling. He also says he knew about the “workaround” to allow patrons to swipe the cards at the hotel foyer rather than the casino cage.

– When asked about The Star’s misleading conduct towards NAB, Bekier says he did not have knowledge that NAB had asked The Star for detail about transactions made on China UnionPay cards because they had more serious concerns than just general ones, but says he “should have known”.

– Bekier also says he was unaware of any misconduct despite having biweekly meetings with all executive colleagues while he was CEO except chief legal and risk officer Paula Martin, who he met on a weekly basis.

– Bekier also strongly rejects suggestions The Star’s board is responsible for cultural issues at the company, saying that if he were a non-executive director he would “not accept responsibility” for the behaviour uncovered by the inquiry.

– Inquiry head Adam Bell, SC, slams Matt Bekier’s repeated claims that Star’s misconduct took place because the casino was merely following the practices adopted at other gambling outfits.

“Being an accepted industry practice is no justification for conduct which was in breach of the scheme rules is it?” the silk says.