• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Thursday 11 September 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

Australia’s AML watchdog AUSTRAC launches civil penalty proceedings against Star Entertainment Group entities

Ben Blaschke by Ben Blaschke
Wed 30 Nov 2022 at 07:37
Star Entertainment Group falls to AU$95 million loss in FY20 but domestic gaming showing signs of recovery

The Star Sydney

23
SHARES
582
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Australia’s financial crimes watchdog AUSTRAC has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against Star Entertainment Group entities The Star Pty Limited and The Star Entertainment QLD Limited for alleged serious and systemic non-compliance with Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws, it announced early Wednesday.

The proceedings follow the launch of an investigation into Star in June 2021, which was expanded to incorporate the company’s Queensland operations in January of this year.

The range of allegations AUSTRAC is directing at Star include that the company:

  • Failed to appropriately assess the money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) risks they faced, including the likelihood and impact of those risks, and to identify and respond to changes in risk over time;
  • Did not include in their AML/CTF programs appropriate risk-based systems and controls to mitigate and manage the risks to which the Star Entities were reasonably exposed;
  • Failed to establish an appropriate framework for Board and senior management oversight of the AML/CTF programs;
  • Did not have a transaction monitoring program to monitor transactions and identify suspicious activity that was appropriately risk-based or appropriate to the nature, size and complexity of the Star entities;
  • Did not have an appropriate enhanced customer due diligence program to carry out additional checks on higher risk customers; and
  • Did not conduct appropriate ongoing customer due diligence on a range of customers who presented higher money laundering risks.

It also alleges that, in the absence of adequate AML/CTF controls, Star permitted customers to move money through payment channels that were non-transparent and involved high risks; did not understand the sources of money moving through these channels or whether there was a risk that the source of funds was illicit; and failed to consider whether it was appropriate that they continue an ongoing business relationship with higher risk customers.

The court will now determine whether a civil penalty order is made and any related amount Star may be ordered to pay.

“Criminals will always seek to exploit the financial system to launder their money and harm the community,” said AUSTRAC CEO Nicole Rose. “Businesses, as the front line of defence of our financial system and our communities, are often the first to be alerted to criminal activity.

“AUSTRAC’s investigation identified a multitude of issues including poor governance and failures of risk management and to have and maintain a compliant AML/CTF program.

“The Star Entities also failed to carry out appropriate ongoing customer due diligence which has led to widespread and serious non-compliance over a number of years.”

In response, Star issued a statement on Wednesday claiming it takes its anti-money laundering obligations seriously and has co-operated with AUSTRAC throughout the investigation.

“We are transforming our culture, transforming our business,” said Star Managing Director and CEO Robbie Cooke. “We are committed to improvement but there is a lot still to do.

“Our goal is to earn back the trust and confidence of AUSTRAC and all our regulators. We will continue to work with AUSTRAC as we build a better, stronger and more sustainable company.”

Star, which was recently found unsuitable to hold casino licenses for its NSW and Queensland resorts, added that it is currently reviewing AUSTRAC’s statement of claim.

RelatedPosts

Entain looking to sell Australian pub poker and trivia business

Entain looking to sell Australian pub poker and trivia business

Mon 8 Sep 2025 at 21:34
Ciarán Carruthers: Crowning glory

Crown Resorts rolls out AI to improve player protection abilities

Fri 5 Sep 2025 at 05:37
The Star Sydney’s casino license in limbo as final report from second inquiry handed to regulator

Son of Star’s largest shareholder joins Star Entertainment Group board as non-executive director

Sun 31 Aug 2025 at 09:16
Australia’s Star Entertainment Group says available cash halved in December 2024 quarter as liquidity crunch bites again

Star Entertainment Group falls to AU$471.5 million loss in FY25 as remediation, regulatory hurdles continue to bite

Fri 29 Aug 2025 at 07:38
Load More
Tags: anti-money launderingAUSTRACAustraliacivil proceedingsNicole RoseRobert CookeStar Entertainment Group
Share9Share2
Ben Blaschke

Ben Blaschke

A former sports journalist in Sydney, Australia, Ben has been Managing Editor of Inside Asian Gaming since early 2016. He played a leading role in developing and launching IAG Breakfast Briefing in April 2017 and oversees as well as being a key contributor to all of IAG’s editorial pursuits.

Current Issue

Editorial – Flipping the script

Editorial – Flipping the script

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:30

This month represents an important milestone for Inside Asian Gaming as we launch IAG EXPO – an expansion of the...

Asia market roundup

Asia market roundup

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:26

Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the state of Asia-Pacific’s key gaming markets: who’s hot, who’s not and...

Rewriting the rules

Rewriting the rules

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:43

IAG EXPO, taking place at Newport World Resorts from 8 to 10 September, is not your usual trade show. IAG...

Test of character

Test of character

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:28

Since its establishment in 1989, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has developed into the world’s most trusted name when it comes...

Evolution Asia
Evolution Asia
Aristocrat
GLI
Nustar
SABA
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
NWR
NWR

Related Posts

As sector grows, industry warns that tightening of Philippines eGames regulations threatens to remove all incentives for operators to remain licensed

As sector grows, industry warns that tightening of Philippines eGames regulations threatens to remove all incentives for operators to remain licensed

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 11 Sep 2025 at 11:46

Recent moves to impose significantly tighter regulations on the Philippines online gaming industry – including a ban by the central bank on e-wallet providers linking to online gambling platforms – will unwind regulatory progress and drive licensed operators back to...

More reasons to visit Clark

Korean dining at the Culinary Capital of Clark

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 11 Sep 2025 at 10:49

Hann Resorts in Clark, Pampanga, continues to redefine the integrated resort lifestyle by embracing the global fascination with Korean culture and cuisine. According to Hann Resorts Chairman and CEO Dae Sik Han, a South Korean national, the integration of Korean...

2025 IAG EXPO: Day 2 Highlights

2025 IAG EXPO: Day 2 Highlights

by Newsdesk
Thu 11 Sep 2025 at 07:03

The 2025 IAG EXPO, including the first ever IAG Exhibition, wrapped up on Wednesday afternoon following two incredible days at Manila’s Newport World Resorts. Check out the Day 2 highlights as we take a look at some of the key...

Guiding light

Light & Wonder prices US$1 billion in senior notes to pay down existing debt

by Newsdesk
Thu 11 Sep 2025 at 07:00

Light and Wonder International, Inc – a wholly-owned subsidiary of global gaming supplier Light & Wonder – has priced US$1 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6.250% senior unsecured notes due 2033 in a private offering. The offering includes an...

Your browser does not support the video tag.


IAG

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • English