The Star Entertainment Group’s Problem Gambling Approach Labeled Appalling Amid Compliance Staff Cuts
TL;DR — Anonymous sources called The Star Entertainment Group’s problem gambling measures appalling after its compliance team was cut to 4, risk team to 2, and investigation resources reduced. Despite last year’s majority stake sale to Bally’s Corporation and an ongoing remediation program, the operator faces continued license suitability issues in Australian states.
SCCG Take — Staff reductions in compliance functions erode credibility of remediation efforts and extend regulatory recovery timelines for operators under scrutiny.
The Star Entertainment Group faces renewed criticism after anonymous sources described its approach to problem gambling as “appalling.” The operator has struggled for years with regulatory findings of severe and systematic non-compliance with Australian casino rules.
Compliance Team Reductions
Anonymous sources told The Sydney Morning Herald that The Star’s compliance team has been reduced to only 4 members, while the group risk team was slashed to only two. At the same time, the investigation team has also been significantly reduced. This lower headcount means support officers cannot always identify all customers at risk of gambling harm.
An earlier memo suggested the reduced workforce means The Star might no longer fulfill its regulatory commitments. The operator previously faced issues with excessive gamblers who lost more than they could afford. Its efforts to retain such customers raised further concerns.
Persistent Regulatory Challenges
Last year Bally’s Corporation and Mathieson secured a majority stake and took control. Soo Kim, Bally’s chair, previously said that this had been “the greatest bit of mismanagement that he had ever seen.”
The Star continues efforts to reclaim licenses and complete its mandatory remediation program. The critiques arrive at an inconvenient time. Earlier this year the Star Sydney property received an eight-figure fine for compliance breaches and was ordered to invest an additional seven-figure sum to strengthen responsible gambling systems. The company also published unaudited Q4 fiscal results showing a narrowed EBITDA loss.
This account follows reporting by GamblingNews.
Reporting: GamblingNews
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Cutting compliance staff to skeleton crews while claiming remediation sends the worst possible signal to regulators holding your license.
We've worked through dozens of regulatory crises across every jurisdiction, and the math here is brutal: you cannot rebuild trust while gutting the teams regulators expect to see. Star's workforce cuts directly contradict the remediation narrative Bally's needs to restore those Australian licenses. This extends timelines, increases scrutiny, and raises real questions about operator priorities under new ownership.
- Compliance team reduced to 4, risk team to 2 — far below levels needed for credible remediation
- Anonymous sources say support officers can't identify at-risk customers with current staffing
- Cuts come amid ongoing license suitability reviews and fresh eight-figure fines
SCCG angle: SCCG has guided operators through regulatory rebuild programs in multiple markets. When compliance infrastructure is under the microscope, we connect leadership to the specialist RG technology providers, audit partners, and independent advisors that demonstrate commitment — not cost-cutting — to regulators. We know what rebuilds trust because we've done it.
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