• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Tuesday 16 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

ASIC launches proceedings against 11 current and former Star Entertainment executives for breach of corporate duties

Ben Blaschke by Ben Blaschke
Tue 13 Dec 2022 at 14:50
Off Track: AUSTRAC’s AML Failures

The Star Sydney

26
SHARES
653
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has launched civil penalty proceedings against 11 current and former directors and officers of The Star Entertainment Group Limited for alleged breaches of their duties under the Corporations Act.

Citing a failure to sufficiently address risks around money laundering and criminal association in their dealings with Asian junkets, ASIC alleges the directors instead approved the expansion of Star’s relationship with them. By not taking steps to make further enquiries of management about such risks they breached their director duty obligations, the watchdog said on Tuesday.

The directors named in the proceedings are former chairman John O Neill, former Managing Director and CEO Matt Bekier, Kathleen Lahey, Richard Sheppard, Gerard Bradley, Sally Pitkin, Benjamin Heap and Zlatko Todorcevski. Also named are former Company Secretary and Group General Counsel Paula Martin and former Chief Casino Officer Greg Hawkins.

Bekier, Martin and Hawkins are separately accused of not addressing the money laundering risks posed by Macau’s Suncity Group, continuing to deal with them despite being aware of reports of Suncity’s alleged criminal links, and not appropriately escalating money laundering issues to the Board.

“ASIC alleges that Star’s board and executives failed to give sufficient focus to the risk of money laundering and criminal associations, which are inherent in the operation of a large casino with an international customer base,” said ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court.

In its response, Star confirmed plans for the two current directors named in the proceedings, Ben Heap and Katie Lahey, plan to step down once additional directors are appointed, likely in early 2023, claiming it is vital for the Board to maintain a sufficient number of directors while the company carries out its reform efforts.

Heap, Star’s interim chairman, said, “Ms Lahey and I intend to contest the ASIC allegations, but to remain on the Board beyond the transitional period would be a distraction to the company when remediation needs to be our unwavering focus. A search is currently underway for new directors.

“I am proud and privileged to have had the opportunity to lead The Star during a difficult and important time in the company’s history, and will continue to do so until an appropriate handover is complete.”

The proceedings represent yet another hurdle for Star to overcome with the company having already been found unsuitable in the two Australian states in which it operates and fined AU$100 million by the governments of each.

ASIC Chair Joe Longo said the role of directors was critical to a company’s general standing and performance, including how it deals with significant issues.

“Directors and officers are a critical part of the conduct of business in Australia,” Longo said. “Their duty is to understand the operations of the company over which they preside, and the particular risks faced by the business. They are required to bring an inquiring mind to business operations. It is not ‘set and forget’.”

RelatedPosts

Entain Australia and New Zealand CEO Andrew Vouris announced as Featured Speaker at Regulating the Game 2026

Entain Australia and New Zealand CEO Andrew Vouris announced as Featured Speaker at Regulating the Game 2026

Sun 14 Sep 2025 at 11:33
Aristocrat in leadership shakeup with former Light & Wonder exec Dylan Slaney to lead online unit, Barry French taking over corporate affairs

Aristocrat in leadership shakeup with former Light & Wonder exec Dylan Slaney to lead online unit, Barry French taking over corporate affairs

Fri 12 Sep 2025 at 07:20
Unhitching Online Poker

Australian government reportedly ready to proceed with gambling advertising reform

Thu 11 Sep 2025 at 14:51
Philippines senator calls for PAGCOR to split in two on conflict of interest concerns

Senate hearing into online gambling sector on hold as flood control scandal reveals almost US$17 million in embezzled funds lost in Philippines casinos

Thu 11 Sep 2025 at 06:43
Load More
Tags: ASICAustraliaAustralian Securities and Investments CommissionBen HeapJohn O’NeillMatt Bekiermoney launderingStar Entertainment GroupThe Star (Sydney)
Share10Share2
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

Police arrest 100 people after detecting 62 cases of illegal money exchange in joint Macau operation

Police arrest 100 people after detecting 62 cases of illegal money exchange in joint Macau operation

by Pierce Chan
Mon 15 Sep 2025 at 22:58

Police from Macau, Guangdong and Hong Kong detected 62 cases of illegal money exchange and apprehended around 100 people suspected of being part of money exchange gangs as part of a month-long joint operation codenamed “Thunderstorm 2025”. Authorities said that...

Melco wins sustainability awards for “Above and Beyond” strategy

Melco yet to price proposed new notes offering, looking to redeem outstanding 2026 notes

by Newsdesk
Mon 15 Sep 2025 at 22:49

Melco Resorts Finance Limited, the Melco Resorts & Entertainment subsidiary that operates City of Dreams Macau, Altira Macau and Mocha Clubs, is proposing to conduct an international offering of senior notes as part of its plan to redeem all outstanding...

PAGCOR executive says technology advancements aiding rise in illegal online gaming operators

PAGCOR executive says technology advancements aiding rise in illegal online gaming operators

by Newsdesk
Mon 15 Sep 2025 at 22:25

The rapid advancement of technology within the gaming industry is driving a proliferation of illegal online operators by creating an unstable environment in which legitimate businesses can struggle, according to PAGCOR Vice President for Human Resource and Development Group, Dr...

Comtrade Gaming to expand reach of in-house studio CG Games via partnership with Interwetten

Comtrade Gaming to expand reach of in-house studio CG Games via partnership with Interwetten

by Newsdesk
Mon 15 Sep 2025 at 22:05

Comtrade Gaming, a leading provider of advanced gaming technology, has announced a new partnership with online gaming provider Interwetten through which CG Games – Comtrade Gaming’s in-house game studio – will be integrated into Interwetten’s casino offering. This, Comtrade said,...

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