Star Gold Coast licence suspension deferred to 2026
Queensland Government extends suspension deferral and Special Manager oversight for another year.
Key points:
– Licence suspension for The Star Gold Coast deferred to 30 September 2026
– Special Manager’s appointment extended to the same date
– Brisbane casino remains under advisory monitoring
The Queensland Government has confirmed that the suspension of The Star Gold Coast’s casino licence has been deferred until 30 September 2026.
In a statement, the Acting Attorney-General said the extension follows advice from the appointed Special Manager, who noted that while remediation efforts had made progress, further improvements were still required. The decision also extends the tenure of the Special Manager at the Gold Coast venue and the External Advisor at The Star Brisbane until the same date.
The Star’s Group CEO and Managing Director, Steve McCann, said: “We acknowledge there is more work to do, but we are pleased the Special Manager has recognised the steady progress on The Star’s remediation efforts, including those measures identified as key priorities.”
Good to know: The licence had previously been deferred until 30 September 2025, following a decision in March 2025 to allow the company more time to meet regulatory standards
The Queensland Government and the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation continue to monitor both properties, with oversight aimed at ensuring the group’s compliance with legal and operational requirements.
The Star has been under regulatory scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions since 2022, when inquiries into its suitability to hold casino licences in New South Wales and Queensland identified serious governance and compliance shortcomings.
In recent months, the group has also faced financial challenges, including a 29.2% decline in annual revenue to AU$1.19bn (US$784m), as reported in August 2025. This has been accompanied by shareholder changes, with JPMorgan Chase ceasing to be a substantial shareholder earlier in September.
The extension of oversight arrangements in Queensland reflects continuing regulatory caution, as The Star works to demonstrate its suitability as a licence holder and progress on its remediation plan.
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