Former Star Entertainment chief executive Matt Bekier says he believed suspicious activity in a private gambling room at his Sydney casino was an operational matter as he defends himself against allegations from the corporate regulator that he failed to provide proper oversight.

Bekier – one of nine former executives and directors being sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission – told the Federal Court on Thursday that he had not requested additional information from management about the probity of two major junket owners, Qin Sixin and Alvin Chau because he trusted regular checks were being done by his team.