Queensland extends The Star Gold Coast licence suspension deadline to March 2027

The Queensland government has moved the suspension deadline for The Star Gold Coast's casino licence to 31 March 2027. The decision, announced last week, gives the operator an additional six months to complete outstanding remediation work, and the venue may keep trading under strict regulatory supervision.

The change follows advice from Special Manager Nicholas Weeks. He acknowledged that the casino group has made notable progress with its reform programme, but said several priority issues remain unresolved. His appointment has also been extended, so independent oversight continues without a break. The Star Brisbane will likewise stay under the supervision of an external adviser for the same period.

Queensland Attorney General Deb Frecklington said the government's expectations of The Star have not changed. She said Queenslanders can be confident that immediate action will follow if the company fails to meet its obligations. In her words, the extension will let The Star "further demonstrate its delivery on key remediation commitments under the agreement". She also thanked Weeks for his comprehensive report and continued oversight.

This is not the first deferral. The suspension was earlier pushed back from March 2025 to September 2026, after several previous delays. The Star first came under investigation in Queensland in 2022 and was found unsuitable for licensure in October of that year. Alongside fines and Weeks's appointment, a 90-day licence suspension was ordered at the time.

The situation in New South Wales is similar. The Star Sydney's licence suspension has been extended to 30 June 2027, with the regulator citing ongoing concerns about governance, leadership and corporate culture. Philip Crawford, chief commissioner of the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission, said the Sydney casino had made progress in addressing its original suspension. He placed the responsibility for the extension on the parent company, saying it continues to experience problems that affect each of its properties.

Australia's Federal Court previously found two former senior executives of The Star Entertainment Group to have breached the Corporations Act 2001, citing failures in managing and reporting money-laundering and criminal-activity risks. Crawford said both The Star and The Star Entertainment Group must show the commission that they have learned from past mistakes and can resolve cultural issues without its intervention.