The Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) of New South Wales (NSW) has announced that it is going to investigate the operations of The Star Sydney casino resort.
The probe will be much like the scrutiny that is being currently faced by Crown Resorts, as it will investigate the compliance of the gambling company-owned casino with the Casino Control Act 1992 and the Casino Control Regulation 2019. The probe will also look into The Star Sydney’s compliance with the legal and licensing rules of the state of New South Wales.
The investigation held by the NSW gambling regulatory body will look at the major aspects of The Star Sydney’s operations, including anti-money laundering practices and bank accounts management. The security measures used by the operator will be subject to consideration and evaluation. Investigators will review the overseas transactions and deposits involving high-roller players, also known as VIP players, as well as withdrawals from the bank accounts of The Star Sydney, the adequacy of anti-money laundering procedures and transaction receipts maintenance.
Furthermore, the officers taking part in the investigation will evaluate the core values of the casino company by taking into consideration the responsibilities of The Star Sydney’s staff. They will also investigate whether any loan sharks have given large money loans and will consider the relationship between the casino operator and its international patrons.
The Review Findings Set to Be Announced in January 2022
Reportedly, the investigation into The Star Sydney will consider evidence that the was given by the casino operator in August 2020 as part of the probe into its Australian rival company Crown Resorts.
At the time, The Star Sydney had shared that it was still partnering with so-called junkets, as junket operators are commonly known. The services offered by junket companies have been one of the major areas of focus in the Crown Resorts probe, with the Australian gambling giant being ordered to stop working in collaboration with such companies.
As far as the newest investigation announced by the NSW gambling watchdog is concerned, the chairman of ILGA, Philip Crawford, explained that such probes were carried out with the cooperation of the casino operator. Mr Crawford also noted that such reviews were aimed at making sure that the casino remained free from criminal activity or patrons’ exploitation, and its services did not affect the public interest in a negative way.
Under the provisions of the Casino Control Act1992, casinos in the state of New South Wales are subject to regular reviews. The last probe into the operations of The Star Sydney took place in 2016.
Now, the casino is about to be put under scrutiny by Adam Bell SC, the same lawyer who participated in the probe into the operations of Crown Resorts in NSW and decided that the casino giant was unfit of holding its operating licence in the state. The investigators are expected to officially announce the findings of the latest probe into The Star Sydney in January 2022.
- Author
Olivia Cole
