An initial public hearing has taken place to kick off the state’s external review, which follows a series of allegations linking The Star to criminal activity elsewhere in Australia.
To begin, former Court of Appeal Judge Robert Gotterson, who has been appointed to lead the inquiry, made general introductory remarks about the nature and scope of the review.
Gotterson said the inquiry was “established against the background of there being, in recent times, allegations of money laundering, criminal infiltration and other integrity issues in casinos in Australia.”
In particular, the Queensland probe will examine the use of China UnionPay debit or credit card facilities, as well as other arrangements that may have permitted Chinese nationals to gamble.
This allegation has also been raised during an ongoing inquiry in New South Wales regarding The Star’s Sydney casino. Gotterson added: “Evidence presented in that inquiry, and allegations made elsewhere, have raised concerns regarding the operation of The Star Sydney.
“The shared governance and operational arrangements within The Star Group, and the conduct of The Star Group entities more broadly, is said, within my terms of reference, to give context for the inquiry and review which I am charged with undertaking.”
Shares in Genting Singapore jump following MGM Resorts takeover interest
Shares in Genting Singapore have jumped following news that MGM Resorts has expressed interest in acquiring the operator.
“Even though culturally and linguistically diverse communities gamble less than the general population in New South Wales, they are more vulnerable to gambling harm and experience more gambling problems than the general community”Kevin Anderson, New South Wales Minister for Hospitality and Racing
Reports by Bloomberg claim MGM Resorts International recently approached the Lim family – the controlling shareholders of Genting Singapore – to sound out the cost of acquiring its stake in the business.
The Lim family owns an estimated 53% of Genting Singapore, a company worth around $7bn.
The operator's stock price has lept by 9% following this news, the highest rise in Genting Singapore's stock in almost two years.
Genting Singapore is one of just two casino operators in Singapore, the other being Sands, which operates the 1.4m square-foot Marina Bay Sands casino.
Genting’s properties include Resorts World Sentosa, a 49,000 square-metre destination on Singapore’s southern coast.
So far, there is no certainty that negotiations between MGM Resorts and Genting will lead to a transaction, but should they do, MGM Resorts will enter Singapore’s market with a significant disadvantage.
NSW Government to offer diverse communities gambling support via new campaign
The NSW Government has launched a new campaign intended to provide support for people suffering gambling-related harm in Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic and Hindi communities.
The four-month campaign, 'The Number that Changed our Life', has gone live across TV, radio, print and social media. It is designed to encourage people from these communities to seek help if they need it.
Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said: “Even though culturally and linguistically diverse communities gamble less than the general population in New South Wales, they are more vulnerable to gambling harm and experience more gambling problems than the general community.”
Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure added: “It can be difficult for anyone to come forward and ask for help. For some, there may be cultural sensitivities to gambling, which makes it harder for them to talk to their families or friends, or which may make recognising when someone is in trouble harder to identify.
“This campaign helps to cut through to both those that are experiencing trouble, their friends and family around them, and ensures no one is left to suffer alone in silence.”
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