Casino Star Sydney Addresses Misconduct Issues
The Sydney casino, operated by Star Entertainment, has been at the centre of a money laundering scandal that has been unfolding since 2014. Here's a detailed timeline of the major events related to the scandal, based on publicly available information up to mid-2025:
Star Entertainment Money Laundering Scandal Timeline
- 2014–2019: Allegations surface around Star Entertainment properties accepting large amounts of cash from high-roller gamblers, some of whom were suspected of links to organized crime and money laundering activities.
- 2019: Reports emerge that Star Entertainment might have breached anti-money laundering (AML) laws by failing to properly report suspicious transactions and vet high-roller patrons adequately.
- Late 2019: Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) begins formal investigations into Star Entertainment for potential AML violations related to its casino operations in Sydney and Queensland.
- September 2020: AUSTRAC files civil penalty proceedings against Star Entertainment, alleging failures to comply with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006.
- 2021: Additional internal and independent reviews reveal systemic compliance failures within Star Entertainment, including inadequate staff training, weak oversight of high-roller activities, and ineffective reporting mechanisms.
- 2022: Regulatory bodies increase scrutiny of Star Entertainment’s operations; the company faces financial penalties and is required to overhaul its compliance and risk management frameworks.
- Early 2023: Star Entertainment replaces several top executives and board members as part of governance reforms prompted by the scandal.
- Mid 2023: The Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) investigates potential links between the company’s activities and organized crime networks.
- Late 2023 to 2024: Star Entertainment works to satisfy new stricter regulatory requirements, including improved identification and reporting procedures for suspicious transactions.
- 2025: Ongoing regulatory monitoring and industry reforms continue, with Star Entertainment focusing on compliance, transparency, and rebuilding public and investor trust.
The Sydney casino is undergoing changes to ensure future staff and executives play by the rules. The casino has allowed Sunset, a junket operator from Macau, to operate a money-for-chips desk, and it has been discovered that Chinese nationals were involved in the money laundering scheme. A total of $582 million was disguised as hotel expenses for the purpose of providing gaming money.
The changes at the Sydney casino are a response to its involvement in money laundering operations. The management team at the Sydney casino has been replaced due to the scandal, and additional monitoring staff has been added to the casino to monitor the actions of staff and the operations of junkets in the casino.
It is unclear if the changes implemented at the Sydney casino will ensure its future compliance with laws and regulations. The timeline for the completion of the rectification process at the Sydney casino is expected to span a couple of years.
For the most precise and up-to-date information, reviewing official reports from AUSTRAC, the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission, and statements by Star Entertainment is recommended.
- Despite casinos being a hub for casino-games and casino-culture, the Sydney casino, operated by Star Entertainment, has been embroiled in a gambling-trends controversy involving money laundering, with a significant focus on crimes related to chips and transactions with junket operators from Macau.
- The Sydney casino, in an attempt to rectify its involvement in money laundering activities, has replaced its management team and added additional monitoring staff to ensure responsible-gambling practices and compliance with casino-and-gambling laws.
- General-news outlets and crime-and-justice agencies will continue to follow the ongoing developments at the Sydney casino, as the completion of its rectification process is expected to take a couple of years, with regulatory bodies and Star Entertainment working towards transparency and rebuilding public trust.
- To stay informed about the latest updates regarding the Star Entertainment money laundering scandal, individuals are advised to regularly review official reports from AUSTRAC, the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission, and statements by Star Entertainment.
