The Star Sydney has been handed a fresh AU$10 million penalty by the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC), adding to the mounting regulatory pressure on the Australian casino operator as it continues efforts to restore its standing with authorities.
The regulator cited a series of compliance failures, including weaknesses in financial crime risk management, customer protection measures, and responsible gambling controls. Alongside the fine, the NICC has directed the casino to allocate an additional AU$5 million toward strengthening technology and systems designed to combat financial crime risks.
The penalties stem from investigations into thousands of alleged breaches that occurred between December 2018 and September 2025. The largest individual sanction, AU$5 million, was imposed for systemic failures in financial crime risk operations between July 2023 and September 2025. Regulators said the casino did not adequately assess some patrons for potential involvement in criminal activity, including money laundering and terrorism financing risks.
Another AU$3 million fine related to the casino allowing customers to convert reward points into cash or cash-equivalent benefits. Authorities found that nearly 1,900 such transactions occurred between December 2018 and November 2023.
The NICC also issued an AU$1.5 million penalty for breaches of mandatory gambling break requirements between May 2024 and April 2025. According to investigators, some patrons were permitted to gamble for more than 12 hours within a 24-hour period, while the most serious cases involved continuous play exceeding 36 hours.
A further AU$500,000 fine was imposed after an excluded customer was allowed to enter the casino on nine separate occasions during 2024.
Star Sydney chief executive Bruce Mathieson Jr. said the company remains committed to working with the regulator and advancing its remediation program as it seeks the eventual restoration of its casino licence. The venue continues to operate under the supervision of NICC-appointed manager Nick Weeks, whose oversight is scheduled to continue until at least September 30, 2026.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford acknowledged that many of the breaches occurred before significant remediation measures and technology upgrades were introduced. However, he stressed that the penalties reflect the seriousness of conduct that can expose customers to gambling harm and leave casinos vulnerable to criminal activity. At the same time, the commission noted that Star Sydney has made meaningful progress under its current leadership and through ongoing compliance reforms.