IN THE NEWS – AUSTRALIAN CASINOS
- The Star Entertainment Group handed additional six months to prove Queensland casino licence suitability
The Star Entertainment Group has provided an update on its Queensland operations, stating that its remediation plan for casinos in the Australian state has been approved.
As a result, the casino operator has been handed an additional six months to prove to the Queensland government that it is executing the plan and returning to suitability in the area.
In December 2022, The Star was hit with an A$100m penalty and given 12 months to get things in order after it was found to be unsuitable for holding a casino licence in the state, where it operates The Star Gold Coast and Treasury Brisbane casinos.
Read more >>> Star Entertainment’s Queensland remediation plan approved (casinobeats.com)
- Crown Sydney to cut 180 jobs as visitor numbers drop
Crown Resorts will reduce its Sydney casino operating hours and cut almost 200 jobs just two months after it was forced to close one of its gaming floors due to a lack of foot traffic.
The casino operator told staff on Monday its remaining gaming floor at Barangaroo did not have enough visitors to warrant being open 24/7, forcing the casino operator to cut 180 jobs.
Crown Sydney will now close the casino between 2am and 10am from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays it will operate between 10am and 4am.
The casino will open at 2pm on weekend days and will close at 4am on Saturdays and 2am on Sundays.
Read more >>> Crown cuts 180 jobs in Sydney as visitor numbers drop (smh.com.au)
- Sydney casinos agree to pay increased taxes after negotiations with NSW govt
The tax rates for Crown Sydney and The Star will increase from 17.91% to 20.25%, backdated to July 1st, 2023, after the two agreed on the govt. proposal on Monday night.
In return, the Star has been granted a reprieve on a planned poker machine tax increase until 2030 and has also agreed to pay a transitional levy until the new duty regime kicks in. The changes are in line with an in-principle agreement carried out with The Star in August of this year.
The government’s negotiations and agreements are aimed at protecting jobs, especially at The Star, and facilitating ongoing efforts to restore The Star Sydney’s reputation.
Read more>>> Sydney casinos agree to pay increased taxes after negotiations with NSW govt. | Yogonet International
