The Star Entertainment Group (ASX: SGR) has secured a crucial reprieve from the Queensland Government. This has deferred the suspension of The Star Gold Coast’s casino licence until 30 September 2025.
Alongside this, the appointment of the Special Manager overseeing the casino’s operations has been extended for the same period. This signals the Government's continued scrutiny.
The extension reflects ongoing efforts to meet compliance standards under a remediation plan aimed at restoring the Group's operational suitability.
The reprieve also extends to The Star Brisbane, with its External Advisor’s term prolonged until 30 September 2025.
Star Entertainment’s Group CEO and Managing Director Steve McCann expressed gratitude for the Government’s decision. He reiterated the company's commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the remediation plan. McCann highlighted the organisation’s focus on regaining regulatory trust while maintaining business continuity across its key assets.
McCann commented: “We appreciate the Crisafulli Government’s decision to defer the suspension of the Gold Coast Licence to 30 September 2025, and note the comments made by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Integrity in her press release. The Star recognises the importance of continuing to deliver on its commitments under the remediation plan and returning to suitability.”
The developments underscore the high stakes for Star Entertainment as it works to overcome regulatory challenges.
With extensions in oversight and deferred penalties, the Group has gained valuable time to align with compliance expectations and safeguard its operations in Queensland’s competitive casino market.
For investors, these decisions present a mixed signal: regulatory headwinds persist, but operational continuity is temporarily preserved.
Economically, the extensions are significant for Star Entertainment and the broader Queensland economy. The Star Gold Coast and Brisbane casinos are major employers and attract substantial tourism revenue, making their sustained operations pivotal.
Any disruption to their activities could adversely affect local businesses and state revenues.
For the Crisafulli Government, this decision underscores a balancing act between enforcing regulatory integrity and supporting economic stability in Queensland’s thriving hospitality and tourism sectors.
The Star Gold Coast licence suspension was previously deferred to 31 March.
