The New South Wales Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) has declared they will conduct a series of public hearings to assess the Star Entertainment’s casino license.
These hearings are part of a comprehensive examination of the Star’s operations, which commenced four weeks ago.
The review was initiated after the ILGA assigned Adam Bell SC to oversee it.
The inquiry will investigate the Star’s compliance with the Casino Control Act of 1992 and the Casino Control Regulation of 2019. They will also evaluate the Star’s adherence to its commitments to the NSW Authority.
The NSW Authority will concentrate on evidence provided by the Star on August 4, 2020, during the Bergin Inquiry. This inquiry focused on Crown Resorts, a competing enterprise. In this evidence, the Star stated they would continue collaborating with junket operators. These operators have been a significant concern for Crown. Crown was directed to cease working with these operators as a result of the inquiry.
Bell has recommended to the ILGA that the public hearings should concentrate on the Star’s management and maintenance of their anti-money laundering and anti-organized crime safeguards.
The session is anticipated to occur in March of 2022, with ILGA releasing a public document on June 30th, 2022.
Jonathan Houghton QC led the most recent assessment of Star Entertainment and its operations in 2016.
In May, Star Entertainment proposed a combination with Crown Resorts, creating a unified organization worth 12 billion Australian dollars (67.1 billion British pounds/77.6 billion euros/94.3 billion US dollars). However, private equity group Blackstone submitted an offer to purchase the company for 80.2 billion Australian dollars (44.7 billion British pounds/52.1 billion euros/61.9 billion US dollars).
An examination of Crown Resorts’ gambling establishments in New South Wales in February uncovered evidence of illicit financial transactions and criminal behavior.
Last week, Star Entertainment refuted claims that it disregarded KPMG’s report on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. Days prior, Star Entertainment labeled media accusations of money laundering as “deceptive.”
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