Star Sydney licence suspension extended to March 2026
The NSW Independent Casino Commission has prolonged the suspension of The Star Sydney’s casino licence and extended the appointment of a state-appointed Manager.
Key points:
– Licence suspension to remain in place with no set reinstatement date
– Manager Nicholas Weeks reappointed until 31 March 2026
– Star continues to operate gaming under oversight while delivering remediation plan
The Star Entertainment Group has confirmed that the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) will maintain the suspension of The Star Sydney’s casino licence.
As part of the decision, the NICC has extended the appointment of Nicholas Weeks as Manager of the property until 31 March 2026, unless the regulator ends the arrangement sooner.
The extension allows casino operations to continue under external oversight while the group works through its remediation plan.
Star Entertainment Group CEO and Managing Director Steve McCann said: “We acknowledge that there is more work to do but we remain committed to delivering on our Remediation Plan to support the safe and compliant operation of our business.”
The Star Sydney first had its licence suspended indefinitely in October 2022 after the NICC ruled the company unsuitable to hold a casino licence. Since then, the casino has operated under a manager appointed in line with section 28 of the Casino Control Act 1992.
In submissions to the NICC ahead of the September 2025 deadline, both The Star and the Manager provided reports on the group’s progress. However, the regulator determined that the licence suspension should continue, citing the need for further evidence of suitability.
Good to know: JPMorgan Chase recently ceased to be a substantial shareholder in Star Entertainment, reducing its holding below the disclosure threshold
The decision comes during a period of wider financial and operational restructuring for the group. Earlier this month, Star confirmed a 29.2% drop in annual revenue to AU$1.19bn (US$787.9m), though losses narrowed due to asset sales and a strategic agreement with Bally’s Corporation.
The company is also in negotiations with lenders over covenant waivers, while continuing to consolidate ownership of its Gold Coast assets and exiting its joint venture interest in Destination Brisbane Consortium.
The NICC stated it will continue to monitor developments at The Star Sydney and assess whether the company can meet the standards required to regain its casino licence.
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