Multibillion-dollar casino operator Star Entertainment has been fined $140,000 after illegally helping patrons use credit cards to gamble.
The embattled Star pleaded guilty to 11 charges in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday, leading to the fine - the latest in a series of penalties over its operations in two states.
Seven of the charges related to sections of Queensland’s casino legislation that prohibit the purchase of gambling chips with a credit card.
Some people were able to obtain chips on credit at Brisbane’s Treasury Casino and the Star Gold Coast in 2017, 2018 and 2022, the court was told.
The amount of money in chips they were able to purchase was "quite significant" with one gambler receiving $20,000 worth and another $15,000.
The other charges related to casino promotional material being sent to four excluded patrons - who are generally problem gamblers - in February 2022.
The casino operator had been issued warning letters in 2012 and 2017 by the Queensland gaming regulator about sending promotional material to excluded people.
Star launched an internal audit of its operations after the promotional material error and in the process discovered the credit card purchases.
The company faced a maximum fine of more than $1 million after self-reporting the offences.
Magistrate Shane Elliott said it was concerning the offending occurred after Star received warning letters.
However, he said there were elements of human error in relation to all the charges.
"It's not a situation where there is systemic problems with the casino or flagrant breaches of the (Casino Control) Act," he said.
Mr Elliott said a significant mitigating factor was that Star self-reported.
There was no audit process in place for regulators to discover similar offending, the court heard.
"I accept that there is a possibility that the contraventions would not have been picked up but for that self-report," Mr Elliott said.
He noted Star had completed its own thorough investigations since the offences and amended all procedures to ensure they didn't recur.
"These weren't intentional breaches, they were oversights of staff," the magistrate said.
Star was also ordered to pay $3250 in legal costs.
No conviction was recorded.
Treasury Casino interim chief operating officer Justine Russell was in court for the decision but did not speak to media.
Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said Star's offending was unacceptable.
"The community expects The Star, at an absolute minimum, to effectively control risks, such as gambling harm and money laundering," she said.
"The regulator is closely monitoring all casinos operating in Queensland and will take action if they fall short of their requirements."
Wednesday's fine comes months after Star was hit much harder in the pocket.
The NSW gaming regulator suspended Star’s Sydney licence in October 2022, slapping a record $100 million fine on the company after an inquiry found the casino had allowed money laundering to take place inside private rooms among numerous compliance failures.
A similar review in Queensland also fined Star $100 million in December last year, finding it unfit to hold the two casino licences in the state.
That inquiry found Star neglected its anti-money laundering and responsible gaming duties, and deliberately misled the regulator in pursuit of profit.
Corporate integrity expert Nick Weeks and senior public servant Terri Hamilton were appointed special managers to overhaul operations at the Gold Coast and Treasury casinos.
The attorney-general said in December that Star had 12 months to get its house in order or both its licences would be suspended for three months.
Star's $3.6 billion Queens Wharf casino in Brisbane is expected to open in April 2024.
Shareholders have separately launched a class action against Star over its failure to disclose money-laundering links to organised crime.
