Queensland casinos could go cashless under recommendations of Star Inquiry report

Gambling giant Star is set to learn its fate following a damning review, with the possibility of cashless casinos and gamblers made to use cards linked to IDs flagged.

Queensland’s casinos could go cashless and gamblers made to use cards linked to identification under recommendations expected to be made by an independent review into Star Entertainment.

The embattled gaming giant behind the $3.6bn Queen’s Wharf Casino is set to learn the fate of its future in the state on Thursday when a report into its Queensland operations is released publicly in full.

The Queens Wharf development in Brisbane. Picture: AAPimage/David Clark

It’s understood the report, by former Justice Robert Gotterson KC, is about 170-pages long and outlines 12 recommendations including some pertaining to mitigating gambling harm.

This includes “carded play” linked to a form of identification, going fully cashless and compulsory precommitment daily, weekly, and monthly loss limits for gamblers.

The release of the report comes a day after it was discussed in cabinet.

The release of the Gotterson report comes more than three weeks after New South Wales unveiled the results of its own “shocking” investigation into Star, conducted by Adam Bell SC, which branded the company “unsuitable” to hold a Sydney casino licence.

The Bell report included 30 recommendations including the introduction of carded-only play similar to how Crown’s Sydney casino operates.

The company’s acting chief executive, Geoff Hogg, stepped down almost two weeks after the embattled casino group was found unfit to hold its NSW casino licence.

Queensland’s report is expected to lean heavily on the Bell report, which found there were failures in Star’s anti-money laundering procedures, risks of criminal infiltration and evidence of players being exposed to gambling harm.

The VIP Premium gaming room at the Star Casino on the Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied

But Opposition Attorney-General spokesman Tim Nicholls is concerned Queensland’s inquiry was too narrow and won’t be able to provide a full picture.

Mr Nicholls has called on his government counterpart Shannon Fentiman to explain “she deliberately made the terms of reference” so narrow.

“Links between the Palaszczuk Government, Labor lobbyists, unions and casinos were not able to be examined by Mr Gotterson AO KC,” he said.

“Nor were serious allegations of criminal activity like money laundering or allegations about the failures of the Office of Liquor and Gaming.”

The Star on the Gold Coast.

In addition to the immediate release of the Gotterson report; the Opposition also demanded that a separate report into Star from the Office of Liquor and Gaming be released in its entirety.

During August’s public hearings, Mr Gotterson heard evidence of several high-rollers banned from the Sydney casino by the NSW Police Commissioner being lured to Queensland to gamble at Star.

One was given trips on a private jet, a $52,000 Rolex and luxury accommodation, despite having suspected links to criminal activity.