NSW Regulator Imposes AU$15 million Sanctions on The Star Sydney

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The sanctions stem from four main disciplinary matters across 2025

Key Takeaways:
  • The New South Wales Independent Casino Commission fines The Star Sydney AU$10 million for financial and responsible gambling breaches
  • AU$5 million ring-fenced for enhanced anti-money laundering controls and regulatory technology upgrades
  • The casino remains under management suspension and faces ongoing legal and operational pressures

The New South Wales Independent Casino Commission has hit The Star Sydney with AU$10 million in penalties and ordered an additional AU$5 million to be ring-fenced for financial crime controls. 

The regulator said the sanctions stem from four disciplinary matters reviewed after investigations led by Liquor and Gaming NSW.

Compliance Pressure Intensifies

The fines also cover responsible gambling breaches, including allowing patrons to exceed mandatory break limits and letting an excluded customer re-enter the property repeatedly. 

According to the announcement from NICC, the four disciplinary matters included:

  • Customers to gamble without a break longer than the prescribed time limits between May 2024 and April 2025 – $1.5 million penalty
  • For allowing conversion of casino reward points to cash involving at least 1898 patrons between December 2018 and November 2023 – $3 million penalty
  • For the failure to prevent entry by an excluded patron on nine occasions between February and May 2024 – $500,000 penalty
  • For systemic failures in financial crime risk operations between July 2023 and September 2025 

NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said, “we have seen considerable progress at The Star under its new leadership,” even as he confirmed the seriousness of the breaches. 

The commission is also requiring technology upgrades aimed at improving detection of financial crime risks.

L&GNSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations Dimitri Argeres said “We continue to work closely with the NICC to ensure casino operators are held to account, with a strong focus on improving systems, strengthening compliance, and protecting the integrity of the sector.”

Business Turnaround Remains Fragile

The latest action lands while The Star Sydney remains under an NICC-appointed manager and its license stays suspended. 

The operator is now backed by Bally’s Corporation and Investment Holdings, but it is still reporting heavy losses and faces further legal scrutiny, including ASIC proceedings against former chief executive Matt Bekier. 

Last year, The Star Sydney had its license suspension extended until March this year due to a lack of sufficient reforms from the casino in their compliance efforts.