Shock move on Star Gold Coast’s casino licence suspension

The new Queensland Government has made a big call on whether or not to suspend the licence of under-fire Star Gold Coast casino.

The new LNP Queensland government has pushed back the date to make a decision on suspending The Star Gold Coast’s licence.

The decision was due to be made this month but has now been deferred until March 31, 2025.

The move comes after Premier David Crisafulli’s Cabinet recommended the decision be deferred to allow the government more time to properly assess The Star Gold Coast’s progress on its recently amended remediation plan – a plan which will oversee cultural reform, safer gambling, risk management, financial crime, and governance formally recognised as failures as identified in the Bell and Gotterson reviews of 2022.

Star Casino. Picture: John Gass

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington said the Crisafulli Government had the “highest standards” when it came to the integrity of casino operations.

“We are committed to transparency and restoring the confidence of Queenslanders in the regulatory process,” she said.

“This Government has been clear in its expectations of The Star, and will not allow The Star Gold Coast to keep operating as a casino at the expense of integrity, our government’s high standards, and community safety.”

The Attorney-General said the remediation actions must be The Star’s most urgent priority.

“There should be no assumption that there will be any further deferrals granted to The Star,” she said.

“Any failure to meet milestones may result in The Star Gold Coast casino licence being suspended.”