Star Entertainment fined A$140,000 after pleading guilty to 11 counts.
Date: 2023-08-02 Author: Kirill Zagoruyko Categories: CASINO, EVENTS
Star Entertainment was fined A$140,000 ($92,000) following an investigation by the Liquor and Gambling Regulatory Authority (OLGR) in Queensland. The fine was imposed for allowing customers to illegally use credit cards to purchase gambling chips at Brisbane and Gold Coast casinos.
The operator pleaded guilty to 11 charges in Brisbane Magistrates' Court.
Seven of the allegations relate to accepting lending rates in excess of A$170,000 between 2017 and 2022. Star was also ordered to pay A$3,250 in legal costs.
The remaining four payments are related to sending promotional materials to self-excluded customers.
The Brisbane Magistrate's Court learned that the lack of proper oversight of card machines meant that customers could use their credit cards to deposit significant amounts of money into their casino account, potentially allowing customers to play beyond their means.
A spokesman for Star Entertainment said: "We are fully focused on improving and returning to fitness in Queensland and New South Wales with the goal of regaining the trust of our regulators, governments, shareholders, team members, guests and the community."
Yvette D'Ath, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, said: “The Palaszczuk Government expects all Queensland casinos to operate legally and ethically.
“Allowing bets on credit and distributing promotional material to excluded individuals is not an acceptable way for casinos to operate in Queensland.
“The power to run a casino is a privilege. In return, the community expects The Star to, at a minimum, effectively manage risks such as gambling harm and money laundering.”
The operator pleaded guilty to 11 charges in Brisbane Magistrates' Court.
Seven of the allegations relate to accepting lending rates in excess of A$170,000 between 2017 and 2022. Star was also ordered to pay A$3,250 in legal costs.
The remaining four payments are related to sending promotional materials to self-excluded customers.
The Brisbane Magistrate's Court learned that the lack of proper oversight of card machines meant that customers could use their credit cards to deposit significant amounts of money into their casino account, potentially allowing customers to play beyond their means.
A spokesman for Star Entertainment said: "We are fully focused on improving and returning to fitness in Queensland and New South Wales with the goal of regaining the trust of our regulators, governments, shareholders, team members, guests and the community."
Yvette D'Ath, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, said: “The Palaszczuk Government expects all Queensland casinos to operate legally and ethically.
“Allowing bets on credit and distributing promotional material to excluded individuals is not an acceptable way for casinos to operate in Queensland.
“The power to run a casino is a privilege. In return, the community expects The Star to, at a minimum, effectively manage risks such as gambling harm and money laundering.”
