Star Casino has three weeks to avoid huge fines

Gambling giant Star Casino has been given three weeks to show why it shouldn’t face disciplinary action after being declared unsuitable to hold a casino licence in Queensland.

Star Casino has been given a three-week deadline to respond to show cause notices on why it should not face disciplinary action after being declared unsuitable to hold a casino licence in Queensland.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the gambling giant - which runs The Star Gold Coast, Treasury Brisbane and is behind the $3.6b Queen’s Wharf development - was issued the notices late on Thursday.

The Queens Wharf development which will also house the new Star Casino. Picture: David Clark

“The notices issued provide these entities with the opportunity to show cause as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against them,” she said.

“This follows the determination that these entities are currently unsuitable to hold a casino licence.”

An independent review into the company’s operations headed by esteemed retired judge Robert Gotterson and released in late September uncovered a range of issues, which Ms Fentiman described as “extremely serious and concerning”.

Robert Gotterson KC speaks during a press conference at Parliament House to release the findings from his review into the Queensland operations of The Star Entertainment Group. Picture: Dan Peled

Mr Gotterson found the company had actively encouraged patrons who had been excluded from casinos in Sydney and Melbourne to gamble in Queensland, serious deficiencies with the company’s anti-money laundering program, and the company had a “one-eyed” focus on profit.

“While it is important that we do not pre-empt the outcomes of these show cause notices, new legislation ensures the government has a range of disciplinary options available following that process, including increased fines of up to $100 million and the appointment of a special manager,” Ms Fentiman said.