Posted on: June 1, 2026, 02:04h.
Last updated on: June 1, 2026, 02:04h.
- The Star Sydney has faced a fine of A$10 million due to regulatory violations
- The Sydney casino is charged with permitting players to engage in extended gambling sessions
- In 2022, The Star was penalized A$200 million for shortcomings in anti-money laundering practices
Star Entertainment has been penalized A$10 million (approximately US$7.17 million) in New South Wales due to four distinct disciplinary issues concerning its Sydney casino.
According to the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC), the disciplinary measures stem from four charges related to The Star Sydney, Australia’s second-largest casino, which overlooks Darling Harbor.
The NICC stated that A$1.5 million was fined for permitting customers to gamble without breaks for longer than the limits set. NSW regulations allow a maximum of 12 hours of gambling in any 24-hour period. The NICC reported that one player at The Star Sydney gambled for over 36 hours continuously.
Additionally, the casino was penalized A$3 million for allowing approximately 1,898 patrons to cash in their rewards points and A$500,000 for permitting an excluded individual to gamble on nine occasions.
The most significant penalty of A$5 million was imposed due to “systemic failures” in The Star Sydney’s operations concerning financial crime risk. This fine is paired with an “enforceable undertaking” mandating the casino to set aside A$5 million to enhance its financial crime risk management.
Regulatory Compliance Enhancements
The NICC noted that the violations mostly occurred before Bally’s acquired a 56.7% stake in The Star in April 2025, following a strategic capital investment of A$300 million.
“While these disciplinary actions are disappointing, we have observed substantial advancements at The Star under its new management. The NICC is optimistic that the revised remediation strategies, coupled with Bally’s expertise and technological upgrades since the violations, have significantly improved The Star’s compliance efforts,” stated NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford.
“Although we are hopeful regarding The Star’s rectification progress, the casino’s recent history of poor compliance has also influenced the Commission’s decisions. Enforcing these fines alongside the undertaking underscores NICC’s commitment to addressing breaches that jeopardize customers or open avenues for criminal activity,” Crawford added.
The Star Facing Fines
This week’s penalties in New South Wales are the latest in a series against The Star.
Previous fines include A$200 million in 2022 from the governments of NSW and Queensland after inquiries declared The Star unsuitable for holding casino licenses due to failures in preventing money laundering.
Investigations revealed that Star Sydney, Star Brisbane, and Star Gold Coast did not adequately protect their gaming areas from being exploited for laundering illicit funds, leading to significant infiltration by organized crime.
Moreover, The Star was accused of promoting and servicing high-rollers allegedly connected to criminal enterprises.