Star Entertainment Group
An Australian gambling and entertainment group operating casinos, hotels, restaurants, convention facilities and integrated resorts.
Last updated October 25, 2026
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Overview
Star Entertainment Group Limited is an Australian gambling and entertainment company whose principal business is the operation of casino and integrated-resort properties. The group operates The Star Sydney in New South Wales and The Star Gold Coast and The Star Grand Brisbane in Queensland. Its venues combine casino floors with hotels, restaurants, bars, entertainment, event spaces and other hospitality facilities. The company also manages the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for the Queensland Government. The business was previously known as Echo Entertainment Group. It became the successor to the casino operations separated from Tabcorp and later adopted the Star Entertainment Group name as it developed a portfolio organized around the Star brand. The group is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the code SGR and has been described as Australia’s largest listed casino operator. A major expansion project was Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, developed through the Destination Brisbane Consortium with Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium. Echo was selected as the consortium’s preferred tenderer by the Queensland Government in 2015, defeating Crown Resorts. The resulting precinct added a large-scale integrated resort development to Star’s Queensland interests. Star later pursued the sale of its interest during a period of severe financial pressure and ultimately agreed to dispose of the stake in 2025. The company’s public standing deteriorated after investigations and regulatory inquiries exposed weaknesses in anti-money-laundering controls, governance, risk management and dealings with high-value customers. The New South Wales casino regulator found The Star Sydney unsuitable to hold its licence in 2022, imposed a A$100 million penalty and placed the property under an appointed manager. Queensland authorities subsequently reached similar conclusions regarding Star’s Queensland licences and imposed another A$100 million penalty, with licence sanctions deferred to allow remediation. The regulatory crisis coincided with substantial losses, increased compliance costs, restrictions on casino operations and pressure from shareholders and lenders. In early 2025 the company experienced acute liquidity concerns, entered safe harbour while seeking refinancing, delayed its half-year results and was suspended from ASX trading. It considered asset sales and received competing approaches from potential investors. Bally’s Corporation ultimately agreed in April 2025 to acquire a controlling interest of 56.7 percent, subject to shareholder and regulatory processes. Star shareholders approved the transaction in June 2025. The group’s continuing identity and operations therefore depend on the completion and implementation of that transaction, its remediation program and the regulatory status of its casino licences.
History
Star Entertainment Group developed from the casino business that became Echo Entertainment Group after the separation of Tabcorp’s gaming interests. The company built its identity around casino and resort operations in Australia and later adopted the Star name. Its principal assets became The Star Sydney, The Star Gold Coast and the Brisbane casino operation, supported by hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and event facilities. A significant strategic step came in 2015, when the Queensland Government selected Echo Entertainment as the preferred tenderer for Queen’s Wharf Brisbane. Echo participated as a 50 percent partner in the Destination Brisbane Consortium, alongside Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, each holding the remaining quarter. The development was conceived as a major integrated resort and urban-renewal project in Brisbane. Star also held interests in other hospitality assets, including a 50 percent stake in the Sheraton Mirage resort on the Gold Coast, which it sold in 2023. The group’s expansion was later overshadowed by compliance and governance failures. Media investigations published in 2021 alleged that management had been warned about deficiencies in anti-money-laundering controls and that the company had pursued high-value customers allegedly connected with criminal or foreign-influence networks. Star disputed aspects of the reporting but acknowledged the seriousness of the issues and engaged with authorities. Inquiries followed across several Australian jurisdictions, while shareholders pursued class-action litigation alleging inadequate disclosure and failures to protect investor interests. In September 2022, the NSW Independent Casino Commission determined that The Star Sydney was unsuitable to hold its casino licence. The regulator imposed a A$100 million penalty, suspended the licence and installed Nicholas Weeks as an independent manager. Queensland subsequently conducted the Gotterson review into Star’s Queensland operations. The Queensland Government concluded that Star had misled regulators and failed to meet anti-money-laundering obligations, imposed another A$100 million penalty and deferred proposed licence suspensions to give the company an opportunity to remediate its operations. Remediation produced continuing tension between the board, management and government-appointed oversight. Chair David Foster resigned in 2024 after evidence to the NSW inquiry, where he indicated that the company was not ready to operate The Star Sydney without external supervision. The company also faced further scrutiny from AUSTRAC and ASIC, including proceedings or proposed penalties concerning anti-money-laundering controls, disclosure and the use of casino ATMs. By 2023–24 the company was reporting exceptionally large losses and carrying significant regulatory, financing and operational burdens. In early 2025 it sought tax relief, refinancing and asset sales while using safe-harbour protections. It sold or explored sales of event and development assets, including its Queen’s Wharf interest, and considered approaches from overseas investors. The company’s delayed half-year report led to an ASX trading suspension in March 2025. Bally’s Corporation then agreed to acquire a 56.7 percent controlling stake, a transaction approved by Star shareholders in June 2025. The group’s future is consequently linked to Bally’s ownership, the resolution of its regulatory proceedings, continued licence compliance and the financial viability of its Australian resorts.
- 2025
ASX trading suspension
[1]The ASX suspended Star shares after the company failed to lodge its half-year report while seeking refinancing and liquidity support.
- 2025
Bally’s takeover approved
[1]Star agreed to a transaction giving Bally’s a 56.7 percent controlling stake, which shareholders approved in June.
- 2024
Chair resigns during regulatory inquiry
[1]David Foster resigned as chair amid continuing scrutiny of The Star Sydney’s licence suitability and remediation arrangements.
- 2023
Sheraton Mirage interest sold
[1]Star sold its 50 percent interest in the Sheraton Mirage resort on the Gold Coast.
- 2022
Sydney casino found unsuitable
[1]The NSW casino regulator found The Star Sydney unsuitable to hold its licence, imposed a A$100 million penalty and appointed an independent manager.
- 2021
Investigations expose compliance concerns
[1]Media reporting raised allegations about anti-money-laundering controls and the recruitment of high-value customers, prompting regulatory inquiries and shareholder litigation.
- 2015
Preferred tenderer for Queen’s Wharf Brisbane
[1]Echo Entertainment, Star’s predecessor, was selected as the preferred tenderer for Queen’s Wharf Brisbane as part of the Destination Brisbane Consortium.
Products and positioning
An Australian casino and integrated-resort operator combining gaming, hospitality, dining, entertainment and event services.
Casino and integrated resort
The Star Sydney
Star’s Sydney flagship combines casino gaming with hotel accommodation, dining, bars, entertainment and event facilities. The property has operated under enhanced regulatory supervision since the NSW casino regulator found it unsuitable to hold its licence in 2022.
Casino and resort
The Star Gold Coast
A Gold Coast casino resort offering gaming, accommodation, restaurants, bars and entertainment. It is one of Star’s two Queensland casino properties and has been subject to Queensland regulatory remediation requirements.
Casino and integrated resort
The Star Grand Brisbane
Star’s Brisbane integrated-resort operation, associated with the Queen’s Wharf precinct and the group’s Queensland casino licence. The business combines casino gaming with hospitality, dining and entertainment services.
Convention and exhibition venue
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
A major convention and exhibition facility on the Gold Coast managed by Star on behalf of the Queensland Government. It extends the group’s activities beyond casino gaming into conferences, exhibitions and business events.
Controversies
2025
ASIC and AUSTRAC enforcement exposure
Star and former officers faced continuing enforcement exposure concerning alleged failures to monitor money laundering, disclosures to investors and representations involving casino ATM activity.
2024
Governance conflict during remediation
Evidence to the NSW inquiry described friction between senior management and the independent manager overseeing remediation at The Star Sydney. Chair David Foster resigned shortly afterward.
2022
Casino licence suitability findings
Regulators in New South Wales and Queensland found Star unsuitable to operate casino businesses because of failures involving money laundering controls, governance, regulatory disclosure and risk management.
2021
Anti-money-laundering and high-roller controversy
Media investigations alleged that Star’s anti-money-laundering systems were inadequate and that the group sought high-value customers with alleged criminal or foreign-influence connections. The allegations triggered regulatory inquiries and shareholder litigation.
2020
Star Entertainment fined over underage gambling incidents
The New South Wales Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority fined Star Entertainment Aus$90,000 over three incidents of underage gambling at its Sydney property. The incidents occurred between March and July 2019, and the authority said Star self-reported them.
Brand decisions
2025
Agree to Bally’s controlling investmentM&ABackground
Star required new capital and refinancing after losses, regulatory costs and liquidity pressure raised fears of administration.
Action taken
Star agreed to a transaction under which Bally’s Corporation would acquire a 56.7 percent controlling stake.
Aftermath
Shareholders approved the transaction in June 2025, providing a proposed ownership and capital solution while leaving regulatory remediation obligations in place.
Proposed transaction value. A$180 million (2025 announcement)
2025
Pursue asset sales and refinancingStrategyBackground
Star faced cash depletion, delayed financial reporting and uncertainty over its ability to continue as a going concern.
Action taken
The company explored sales of non-core assets, sought loans and negotiated the disposal of its Queen’s Wharf interest while pursuing broader refinancing.
Aftermath
These measures were intended to preserve solvency and avoid external administration while the company negotiated the Bally’s transaction and other funding arrangements.
2015
Join Destination Brisbane ConsortiumStrategyBackground
The Queensland Government sought a private-sector consortium to deliver the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane integrated resort and urban-development project.
Action taken
Echo Entertainment joined Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium as the consortium’s 50 percent partner, with the other two partners holding 25 percent each.
Aftermath
The project became a major Queensland asset but was later considered for sale as Star faced financial and regulatory pressure.
- Crown Resorts — Crown Resorts was the competing bidder for the Queensland project and was not selected.
Recent events
- 2025
Star faces acute liquidity pressure and possible administration[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Sharp share-price declines, large losses, cash consumption and unresolved refinancing needs led to public speculation that the company might enter voluntary administration or sell major assets.
- 2025
ASX suspends Star shares over delayed half-year report[1]
Regulation · Other
The ASX suspended trading in Star shares after the company failed to lodge its half-yearly financial report while it sought a viable refinancing arrangement.
- 2025
Bally’s agrees to acquire controlling stake in Star Entertainment[1]
M&A
Bally’s Corporation agreed to acquire a 56.7 percent controlling interest in Star Entertainment in a transaction intended to support the group’s solvency and preserve its three-property operating portfolio.
- 2025
Star shareholders approve Bally’s transaction[1]
M&A
Shareholders approved Bally’s proposed takeover of a controlling interest in Star Entertainment.
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