Star could front public hearings in Queensland’s casino crackdown
Embattled casino operator Star Entertainment could front a public hearing into the Queensland government’s bid to enhance its oversight of the gaming sector. But any such appearance by the company – which operates Gold Coast and Brisbane casinos, and will anchor the $3.
6 billion Queen’s Wharf development – is unlikely to mirror scenes from NSW, where company officials have been hauled before an official inquiry into its Sydney site licence. Legal affairs and safety committee chair Peter Russo, the state Labor member for Toohey, has confirmed tothat a review of proposed legislative changes introduced last week would hold at least one public hearing.The committee has since outlined plans for a public briefing on June 8, and a public hearing on July 11, with a final report is due back to parliament by July 22. Russo said the committee was also hoping to take submissions, briefings, or hear evidence from interstate bodies working in the sector. In a statement to the market on Thursday, Star Entertainment said it was “currently reviewing the bill and the potential implications for its Queensland operations, noting it remains subject to the usual consultation and parliamentary processes”. The Queen’s Wharf integrated casino, to be operated by Star, and resort complex is expected to open progressively from mid-2023Further comment has been sought from Star about its willingness to appear before the committee. A spokeswoman referred this masthead to the earlier statement. Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman told parliament in March that state casino regulator officials from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation had travelled to NSW and were “working very closely” withHowever, Fentiman was not drawn on whether she would commit to public hearings into whether Star was fit to hold its casino licences in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.Queensland remains the only state to have not held an independent inquiry into its major casino operators, after reporting by this masthead sparked probes into Crown operations in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia, and the NSW Star inquiry expected to hand down its report by September. Introducing the proposed casino control bill on Thursday, Racing Minister Grace Grace introduced described it as a proactive move to stave off “risks identified in the national casino environment”. “The bill reflects that the ability to conduct casino gaming is a lucrative privilege bestowed only through licences issued by the state,” Grace said., including the federal financial intelligence agency Austrac, remained ongoing.The bill will open further disciplinary avenues for wrongdoing, including fines of up to $50 million, in addition to licence-based sanctions. It will also create tighter oversight and reporting requirements for casino licensees, operators and managers. Consultation on the bill took place in March, and involved Star and the operators of Queensland’s two other casinos —The Ville casino in Townsville and The Reef in Cairns — as well as the gambling reform lobby, United Workers Union and regulators in NSW and Victoria. Explanatory notes for the bill also state the changes were being made to “ensure that failings of the kind found by the Bergin, Finkelstein and Owen Inquiries do not become prevalent in Queensland”. Reporting by this masthead has cited official sources saying an organised crime network involved in illegal prostitution and suspected human trafficking has been washing its cash, but at smaller poker-machine venues. The Morning Edition newsletter is your guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights.
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