Broken Tooth<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\nIn addition, there are now questions about how regulators could have signed off on the Queen\u2019s Wharf consortium. Fook\u2019s alleged involvement in organized crime and its ties to Broken Tooth have been common knowledge for years. Fook also owns, among other companies, Australia\u2019s Alinta Energy company.<\/p>\n
In this early stage of the inquiry, it isn\u2019t clear what the government intends to do about the Star-Fook connection. The government has only stated that it will discuss the issue \u201cbehind closed doors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gambling Addiction Not a Problem<\/h2>\n
The fact that police banned an Aussie from gambling didn\u2019t seem to matter to Star. Media outlet In Queensland<\/em> reports that Star enthusiastically welcomed a banned gambler, even giving him a $52,000 Rolex, private jet trips, and more.<\/p>\n\n
Police banned the unnamed individual from Star Sydney beginning in 2007. However, he was able to gamble regularly at Star\u2019s Gold Coast casino until December of last year. The media outlet reports that there were \u201c719 pages of history of (complimentary services)\u201d for the individual in the records.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
It wasn\u2019t until Chris Peasley, the head of the casino\u2019s sales team, came across a news article that he realized the ban was in place. That was a clear indication that Star was not performing due diligence throughout its operations.<\/p>\n
It was also an indication of Star\u2019s indifference, as Peasley and his team discussed the ban in 2015-2016. Yet, in spite of that, the gambler continued to visit the gaming floor and receive gifts until the end of 2021.<\/p>\n
Lack of Responsibility<\/h2>\n
Perhaps part of the reason Star\u2019s Gold Coast venue didn\u2019t realize there was an issue with the gambler is because it wasn\u2019t living up to its responsible gambling promise. But, overall, the operator has left the decision-making process up to staff members to make the calls.<\/p>\n
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Although many regulars and high-rollers had access to membership cards, their use is not mandatory. As a result, if a cardholder visited a casino and didn\u2019t use the card, Star had virtually no indication that any flags might exist. In addition, staff could not keep track of thousands of identities to know their status.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Despite already having been subjected to an inquiry in NSW, Star executives and management apparently maintained an apathetic approach toward responsible gambling measures in Queensland. Junior Toleafoa, Star\u2019s responsible gambling manager, acknowledged this in his testimony.<\/p>\n
Toleafoa admitted that Star did not change some of its gambling policies until the day before its suitability hearing in Queensland began. Until then, some gamblers could spend six hours straight on the gaming floor with no problem. In some instances, 10-12 hours was acceptable.<\/strong><\/p>\nHowever, even then, Star only knew how long gamblers remained active if they had entered with their membership cards. If not, the operator paid little attention.<\/p>\n
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All of this sheds light on what seems to be a pattern of indifference at Star. This Friday, the company\u2019s CEO, Geoff Hogg<\/a>, will have to answer questions, and it\u2019s possible more damning evidence may surface. The inquiry already knows what it wants to ask and knows what answers it expects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe inquiry will begin to wrap up soon in order to prepare a final report and provide recommendations. By September 30, the inquiry will deliver its findings to Queensland Attorney General Shannon Fentiman, who will then determine how to punish Star for its violations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Star Entertainment is now in the spotlight in Queensland, Australia, and the company is certainly feeling the pressure. Not surprisingly, the hearing into how the casino operator has conducted business for years is not putting it in a good light. A similar inquiry in New South Wales (NSW) already pulled back the curtain on what […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":228095,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,33810],"tags":[81985,13363],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Star Entertainment Revelations During Queensland Inquiry Are Unsettling - Casino.org<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n