The Star Casino Faces AUSTRAC Penalties Over Money Laundering Breaches

The Star Casino is embroiled in legal difficulties after allegations emerged in a Federal Court involving their facilitation of risky financial transactions, including offering massive gambling credits to individuals known for money laundering.

This follows financial watchdog AUSTRAC's pursuit of legal action against the casino.

In a court session, barrister Daniel Tynan highlighted the casino's significant failures to adhere to Australian anti-money laundering regulations. In particular, The Star reportedly conducted business with 117 customers deemed as high-risk, of which 70 were heavily involved in activities presenting high money laundering risks.

Of particular concern was The Star's engagement with Alvin Chau, a prominent Suncity junket operator. Despite media associations with international criminal syndicates, The Star issued him a credit ceiling of approximately $266.67 million. Chau reportedly managed to amass a $12.6 billion turnover from 3690 junket operations at The Star’s Sydney venue.

The casino allegedly disregarded Chau's questionable activities until his arrest by Macau authorities on money laundering charges–which subsequently prompted The Star to sever connections with him.

Additional revelations allege that The Star provided roughly $167 million in credit to another customer involved in similar illicit finance activities since 2014. The Star also enabled transactions through 1221 customer channels designed to obscure the individuals' identities.

EEIS, a Macau-based arm of The Star, is accused of aiding these transactions by creating fraudulent documentation for clients wishing to direct funds via the Bank of China, facilitating a near $990 million inbound flow without involving Australian banks.

Justice Cameron Moore heard that these manipulations disguised gambling transactions under the pretense of services like hotel accommodation, exploiting jurisdictions with strict gambling regulations like China. In addition, the casino offered immediate cash withdrawals as funds were deposited anonymously and swiftly converted into cash.

The courtroom expose regarding The Star unveils systemic breaches that not only highlight glaring compliance gaps but also reflect negatively on Australia's financial safeguards against illegal fund movements. Such extensive contraventions expose shareholders and remaining stakeholders to reputational damage and potential financial fallout.

The Star’s controversies also raise concerns among Australian financial entities about maintaining robust practices for preventing illicit financial activities. It necessitates increased vigilance among casinos and financial operators to ensure adherence to anti-money laundering legislation.

AUSTRAC is seeking a hefty $400 million in penalties against The Star, while the casino contends it can afford no more than $100 million without risking administration. This contention highlights the financial crunch The Star faces, following a recent $300 million investment from US-based Bally's Corporation, aimed at stabilising its operations.

As the legal proceedings continue, it puts considerable pressure on The Star to reformulate its compliance strategies and rebuild trust with regulators and the public. Financial experts suggest that broader repercussions might prompt stringent regulatory reforms targeting casinos, ensuring tighter scrutiny over financial dealings and enhanced inter-agency collaborations to deter money laundering activities.

Published:Friday, 6th Jun 2025
Source: Paige Estritori

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