NewsBite

Star loses Gold Coast CEO in latest blow to recovery

Troubled Star Entertainment Group has been struck another blow with the resignation of the chief executive of its Gold Coast property only three months after he joined the company.

Mark Mackay has left The Star Gold Coast after only three months
Mark Mackay has left The Star Gold Coast after only three months

Troubled Star Entertainment Group has been struck another blow with the resignation of the chief executive of its Gold Coast property only three months after he joined the company.

Star told the ASX on Friday that Mark Mackay had resigned as chief executive of The Star Gold Coast effective immediately and it had commenced a recruitment process for his replacement. Star Entertainment Group chief executive Steve McCann thanked Mr Mackay for his assistance and wished him well for the future. He did not comment on the reasons behind Mr Mackay’s sudden departure.

Star Entertainment tapped the former Crown Resorts executive in September as the embattled casino group attempted to rebuild its management team amid a continuing cash crunch. Mr Mackay, who was responsible for managing the operation and strategic direction of Crown Melbourne, had a previous stint as chief operating officer of The Star Gold Coast, then Jupiters Hotel and Casino. He replaced Jessica Mellor, who resigned in May after six months in the job.

The Star Gold Coast CEO Mark Mackay has resigned.
The Star Gold Coast CEO Mark Mackay has resigned.

Star chair Anne Ward said at the time that Mr Mackay had “a deep understanding of what it takes to run a leading integrated resort development and brings a lot of capability to this role.”

The appointment had completed a new leadership structure of decentralised management across its three integrated resorts in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney.

Star Entertainment Group earlier this month cleared a major hurdle in its bid to keep afloat, confirming it had satisfied the conditions laid down to enable it to access the first $100m tranche of a rescue loan.

The company, which last month revealed a $27m loss before significant items in the first four months of the 2025 financial year, said the $100m drawdown from corporate lenders is was expected to be received this month.

The accessing for the first tranche has cleared the way for the company to focus on meeting the more stringent conditions set for the second $100m tranche by April 9, 2025.

Star has been struggling with liquidity and viability issues amid its regulatory and management challenges after a tumultuous 12 months which put the group’s casino operations in doubt and generated a record share price plunge.

Originally published as Star loses Gold Coast CEO in latest blow to recovery

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/star-loses-gold-coast-ceo-in-latest-blow-to-recovery/news-story/0477ac86a9ff0ab0919047429ec26d3f