The Star’s Sydney Licence Stays Suspended, Gold Coast Suspension Deferred to 2027
Both of The Star Entertainment Group’s state regulators made decisions on its casino licences in the last week of September 2026, and both pushed the outcome into 2027. On 24 September the Queensland Government deferred the suspension of The Star Gold Coast’s licence for another six months, to 31 March 2027. On 25 September the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) declined to restore The Star Sydney’s licence and extended the term of its appointed manager to 30 June 2027.
Gold Coast: suspension deferred again
The Star Gold Coast’s licence had been due to be suspended for 90 days from 30 September 2026. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington announced that the Crisafulli Government had extended the deferral to 31 March 2027 after considering the latest report and supplementary advice from Special Manager Nicholas Weeks.
In his August report, Weeks found The Star had made significant progress on its main remediation and reform initiatives, while several priority remediation matters were still in progress. The Special Manager’s appointment has been extended to the same date, and The Star said the appointment of an external advisor at The Star Brisbane has also been extended to 31 March 2027.
The Attorney-General said the government’s expectations were unchanged and that it would “take immediate action” if The Star failed to meet its obligations. The decision is the latest in a series of six-month deferrals; the previous one moved the start date to 30 September 2026.
Sydney: licence remains suspended
The Star Sydney’s licence was suspended in October 2022 after the Bell review found the operator unsuitable, and the casino has since operated under a manager appointed by the NICC, with Nicholas Weeks holding the licence. The manager’s term had been due to end on 30 September 2026. The NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing approved a nine-month extension to 30 June 2027 at the NICC’s request.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford acknowledged that The Star had come a long way in addressing the matters behind the suspension, but said recent allegations about governance, leadership and culture at the casino were serious and being treated that way by both the manager and the Commission. The NICC also pointed to the pending AUSTRAC civil penalty case in the Federal Court and uncertainty over the group’s ability to support remediation while it fills key leadership and governance roles.
The Commission said the suspension can be lifted at any time if The Star shows that its remediation is embedded in the business, and that the manager’s appointment could end before June 2027.
Why the dates matter
The Star’s 31 August FY26 accounts named the restoration of the Sydney licence and the withdrawal of the Gold Coast suspension as two of the conditions tied to its going concern outlook, alongside the AUSTRAC penalty, which has not yet been set by the court. Neither condition has been met. For patrons, the casinos continue to trade normally: gaming floors stay open in Sydney under the manager and on the Gold Coast under the deferred suspension.
Our Australian gambling statistics page sets out how casino gaming compares with pokies in pubs and clubs and with wagering, and our comparison of online and land-based gambling explains the different rules that apply to each. Readers looking at how regulators deal with offshore online operators can see our explainer on the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Yes. The licence has been suspended since October 2022, but the casino operates under a manager appointed by the NSW Independent Casino Commission, whose term now runs to 30 June 2027.
The 90-day suspension was due to start on 30 September 2026. Queensland has deferred it to 31 March 2027, when the government will again review the Special Manager’s advice.
Yes. The NICC said the suspension can be lifted at any time if The Star shows its remediation is embedded in the business.
Sources
- The Star Entertainment Group ASX announcement and Queensland Government media statement (24 September 2026, PDF)
- AGB: Star Sydney casino license remains suspended amid unresolved governance concerns (25 September 2026)
- iGaming Business: Star Entertainment’s Sydney casino licence suspension extended until 2027 (25 September 2026)
- The Star Entertainment Group: FY26 results media release (31 August 2026, PDF)
Header photo: Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast by Shiftchange, licensed Public domain.