Pokies shut down at three Star casinos amid ‘performance issues’

Star Entertainment Group has switched off all electronic gaming machines and electronic table games in its three casinos after planned upgrades to its systems ran into performance issues.

In the latest blow to the embattled gambling and entertainment company, some of The Star’s systems were disrupted while being upgraded to prepare for the introduction of cashless gaming.

The Star’s machines and electronic tables will remain switched off until issues with its latest updates are resolved.Credit: Peter Braig

In an announcement to the ASX on Monday, The Star said the issues, identified in post-upgrade testing, “resulted in the decision to switch off all electronic gaming machines and electronic table games in each of [its] three properties” from 10pm on July 13.

The three venues affected are Brisbane’s Treasury Casino, The Star on the Gold Coast and The Star in Sydney.

Cashless gaming was a key recommendation of an inquiry by the NSW Crime Commission into money laundering in pubs and clubs which found billions of dollars in dirty money was being ploughed through the state’s poker machines.

The Star’s machines and electronic tables will remain switched off until the issue is resolved, but its venues will remain open, with table games, restaurants, bars and entertainment available, according to the company’s statement.

“The decision was taken by The Star to ensure compliance with relevant regulations, and to maintain the company’s commitment to safer gambling procedures,” it said.

Shares in the company fell 1.6 per cent to 50¢ a share about 1.30pm AEST, ending the day down 1 per cent at 51¢.

The news comes as The Star issued a sombre trading update last month, following the news that high rollers continue to avoid its three casinos and the costs associated with its regulatory compliance eat into its earnings.

Days later, the company announced that it had convinced former Crown Resorts boss Steve McCann to helm the struggling casino operator from July 8 following weeks of negotiations.

Steve McCann, the new chief executive of Star Entertainment.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

McCann, who is just a week into his role, was tasked with finding a way forward for The Star, including completing Star Sydney’s transition to cashless gaming by August.

The Star has been subject to several probes and is awaiting a final report commissioned by the NSW Independent Casino Commission into whether its Pyrmont premises deserves its casino licence. The findings are due to be made public on July 31.

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