Star inquiry to call who’s who of Pyrmont casino, no probe into regulator

An imminent inquiry into whether Sydney’s Star Casino was fit to hold its licence won’t examine the company’s regulator, as a who’s who of the Pyrmont venue were set to be grilled on Monday.

Adam Bell SC will lead an inquiry in The Star and The Star Entertainment Group. Picture: Damian Shaw

An imminent inquiry into whether Sydney’s Star Casino was fit to hold its licence won’t examine the company’s regulator, as a who’s who of the Pyrmont venue were set to be grilled on Monday.

The outcome of that 15-week inquiry – led by barrister Adam Bell SC in what would be his second probe after a one in 2022 – could see Star Entertainment Group forced to close its flagship casino if it fails to convince it has reformed its culture.

However, the inquiry, while probing the culture, financial resources, management and compliance of the group and venue, won’t look at the role of the regulator, the NSW Independent Casino Commission, or any possible failings on its own part while overseeing the venue’s operations.

Nick Weeks, the Star’s manager, who was appointed by the NICC, is one of nine witnesses set to front the inquiry’s first week, including the group’s former chief financial officer Christina Katsibouba, and former chief customer and product officer George Hughes.

Other witnesses to be called next week include: the group’s former chief legal officer Betty Ivanoff; former company secretary Nawal Silfani; Managing Values principal Dr Attracta Lagan; and Star Sydney’s patron liaison manager Ron Wagemans, head of risk Eileen Vuong, and acting chief executive and interim chief operating officer Peter Humphreys.

Star manager Nick Weeks.

The group’s former chief executive, Robbie Cook, who left the business in March, is expected to be called as a witness after the completion of week one.

It comes after NICC chief commissioner Philip Crawford ordered a fresh inquiry into Star Sydney in mid-February, two years after an earlier inquiry found anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism failings. He said that the group and venue had “not been at the level that we’d be comfortable (with)”, saying he didn’t think it would “automatically regain” its licence.

In 2022, Mr Bell determined The Star was unsuitable to hold its casino licence after he found evidence of a compliance breakdown that led to money-laundering, criminal infiltration and large-scale fraud.

NICC chief commissioner Philip Crawford.

Its market value halved as a result and Mr Bell will, from Monday, consider the progression of the business.

Star Sydney’s licence has been suspended since 2022 and has been operating under manager Mr Weeks, whose term has been extended three times, and was extended until at least September to accommodate the new inquiry.

Mr Bell’s first report found The Star was a “case study of unethical conduct and cultural failure”.

“The cultural dysfunction had significant adverse consequences for Star Entertainment’s capacity to withstand the risks of criminal infiltration and money laundering,” his original report found.

The NSW regulator imposed a record $100m penalty on The Star in 2022 following changes to casino legislation introduced by the former Coalition state government.

The options available to Mr Bell and the inquiry include: that the inquiry provide conditional approval for The Star to operate under the eye of an independent monitor (as is the situation at rival Crown Sydney); or that it maintains its casino licence suspension and seeks cabinet approval to extend the tenure of the special manager for a fourth term.

It could also retire the manager who currently holds its casino licence, or cancel the licence entirely. Both these options would shut down the casino.

The inquiry will start on Monday.