The government outlined that following the decision “clear expectations have been set”, urging The Star to “ensure it takes urgent action to prioritise and deliver critical remediation measures”.

In addition, the appointment of Nicolas Weeks as the Special Manager of The Star Gold Coast has been extended until 30 June 2025.

In a statement, the Queensland Government said the licence has been deferred so that the government can “properly assess” The Star’s progress on its recently amended remediation plan. 

The casino was previously due to have its licence suspended for 90 days from 20 December 2024.

Deb Frecklington, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity, stated: “The Crisafulli Government has the highest standards when it comes to the integrity of casino operations and, unlike our predecessors, we are committed to transparency and restoring the confidence of Queenslanders in the regulatory process.

“We will release the Special Manager report and the outcome of the assessment following the Government’s March 2025 decision.”

The Queensland Government stated that the extension of Weeks’ position as Special Manager will be “an integral part of that process”.

It was also said that in February next year, The Star’s “progress in achieving its priority remediation measures of cultural reform, safer gambling, risk management, financial crime, and governance” will be assessed.

The assessment’s outcome will provide information to the Government on whether it should suspend The Star Gold Coast’s casino licence.

Frecklington added: “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.

“We recognise this may place pressure on The Star; however, the remediation actions must be its urgent priority.  

“There should be no assumption that there will be any further deferrals granted to The Star and any failure to meet milestones may result in The Star Gold Coast casino licence being suspended.”

Earlier this month, The Star confirmed it received all necessary regulatory approvals regarding the appointment of Steve McCann as its Group CEO and Managing Director.

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Building on a partnership formed in 2008, Star Entertainment has used Konami’s proprietary casino management system to deliver ‘exceptional patron experiences’ across its Australian casino resorts – The Star Sydney, The Star Gold Coast and The Star Brisbane.

Star Entertainment CEO and Managing Director, Robbie Cooke, stated: “Our collaboration has yielded outstanding results over the years, and this extension will help us deliver significant advancements in our ongoing commitment to responsible gaming and harm minimisation.” 

Star’s extended partnership will include a selection of SYNKROS solutions that will look to ‘elevate the gaming experience for patrons across Star’s properties’. 

These include a cashless digital wallet for ‘enhanced convenience and security for players’ and streamlined gameplay processes from mandatory card based play, as well as enhanced identity management using SYNK Vison, Konami’s in-house developed AI facial recognition technology.

“We are thrilled to embark on this extended journey with The Star Entertainment Group,” said Steve Sutherland, President and CEO at Konami. “Our joint commitment to innovation and excellence will not only transform the cashless gaming experience but also set new industry benchmarks for years to come.”

Additionally, SYNKROS will offer Star the ability to collaborate with Konami to ‘digitise and modernise’ its existing gaming offerings in a bid to ‘meet the evolving needs of today’s players’. 

The renewed partnership is also suggested to include an increased level of collaboration on regulatory requirements, helping Star adapt to Australia’s evolving regulatory landscape. 

“SYNKROS will not only provide our core cashless gaming solution but also enable The Star in delivering world-class harm minimization features. We have a long-standing technology partnership with Konami and this commitment further reinforces our shared vision of the casino of the future,” added Laurent Fresnel, Group Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Star Entertainment.

At the end of last month, Star Entertainment Group revealed a statutory net loss of A$2.43bn for the financial year, ending June 30, 2023, with Cooke stating that there is ‘“still a lot to be done” in the midst of relentless regulatory action.

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The three day lockdown, due to an unvaccinated hospital worker who contracted COVID-19 and travelled from Brisbane to north Queensland, will remain in place until July 2, subject to change.

Under the lockdown, the Treasury Hotel will remain open with limited facilities and will continue to operate in a COVID-19 safe manner.  

Furthermore, non-essential businesses are not allowed to operate during this period, which includes cinemas, entertainment and recreation venues, hairdressers, beauty and personal care services, gyms and places of worship. 

ROADMAP: Parts of Queensland will go into lockdown from 6pm today until 6pm Friday 2 July. Here’s all the information you need to know ? pic.twitter.com/fkSSzJwkJd

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) June 29, 2021

The state’s lockdown covers all of south-east Queensland – Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Redlands, Moreton, Somerset and Logan – as well as Townsville, Magnetic Island and the Indigenous community of Palm Island in north Queensland.

In an announcement, QLD Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, confirmed: “From 6pm tonight until 6pm on Friday, south east Queensland, Townsville City, Palm Island and Magnetic Island, will go into lockdown. 

“We want to give our contact traces time to get on top of this, it’s absolutely essential, and we want to make sure we stop the virus in its tracks. These are tough decisions… we have to take the advice of Dr. Young and I have accepted that advice. 

“I know this is going to be tough on a lot of families. I apologise for that. But, I don’t want to see people end up in our hospitals and on ventilators. That’s the last thing anyone wants to see.”

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With speculation mounting over which foreign operators could be interested in bidding to the Queensland State Government, Caesars and Hard Rock International were two firms to have previously stepped forward.

However, in light of its $17.3m merger agreement entered into alongside Eldorado Resorts this week, it would appear the initial allure of the project has now worn off.

In a statement published by The Gold Coast Bulletin this week, a Caesars spokesman is quoted as saying: “Several weeks ago, Caesars Entertainment decided that it would not pursue a casino license in Queensland”.

Despite no formal announcement being made by the firm, Caesars has seemingly communicated its decision to the Queensland Tourism Department, with its director general Damien Walker added that it had been informed that “this decision was a result of internal company changes, and not the attractiveness of the Gold Coast market as an investment opportunity.”

It would also appear that the decision falls in line with comments made by Eldorado CEO Tom Reeg during an investor call this week regarding its Caesars merger.

Reeg, who alongside further Eldorado senior personnel will lead the new organisation, stressed that “no firm decisions” had yet been made on the company’s long-term international ambitions, but “the opportunity internationally will have to be stupendous for us to run in that direction.”

Questions marks still exist surrounding The Sunshine State’s proposed second casino, with no site yet confirmed and speculation rife over whether the region is large enough to support another such establishment.

Furthermore, should plans proceed in the future, it’s believed it would put an end to a proposed $2bn expansion by Star Entertainment at its The Star Gold Coast property, which strives to add four new hotel towers.

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Analysts for research firm Macquarie Research have given notice that the Gold Coast may not be “the most attractive market” for a prospective new integrated resort and casino.

Detailed in the Gold Coast Bulletin, published material reveals that creation of a new multi-billion dollar ‘global tourism hub,” could potentially have a far more significant impact upon the local market.

As a number of firm’s jostle for position, and global heavyweights begin to flex their muscles regarding construction, an analyst from Macquarie commented that any creation in excess of AU$400m could well struggle to deliver an appropriate return.

Speaking to the local Australian publication, it was further stressed that:“We see challenges generating an appropriate return on a development larger than $400 million, which compares to media speculation of around $2 billion.

“The Gold Coast is not the most attractive market for a new integrated resort and casino, in our view, relative to other regions within Australia.

“With a decision up to the Queensland Government, they will need to assess the net community benefits and determine whether it deters The Star Gold Coast from completing its recently approved $2 billion masterplan.”

Florida-based global giant Hard Rock International is the most recent firm to express its interest in the Gold Coast, revealing its Tokyo-based Asian board have given the go-ahead to a AU$2bn action plan for a prospective second casino licence.

The company have stated that it could replicate its integrated resort within Barcelona if given the green-light by State Government, which would see the inclusion of 1000 rooms, a shopping precinct, major entertainment centre and casino.

Furthermore, Australian casino operator The Star Entertainment Group recently saw the Queensland Government grant approval for a AU$2bn “masterplan” expansion of its The Star Gold Coast property.

Stressing the importance of the investment, slated for completion in 2022, Matt Bekier, MD and CEO of The Star Entertainment Group, commented: “This would be a project of incredible scale, delivering substantial economic benefit to the State from jobs and increased tourism visitation.”

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