Former executive Matthias Bekier is among those accused of failing to sever ties with Suncity. (Image: martin berry / Alamy)
Casino industry in Australia has been rocked by the revelations that former executives at The Star Entertainment are accused of neglecting to address money laundering and other illicit activities.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) claims that between 2016 and 2022, the executives acted "incuriously and complacently," exposing the company to significant legal, regulatory, and financial risks.
Allegations of ‘Troubling Relationships’ With Overseas Junket Operators
The legal team for The Star Entertainment appeared at the Federal Court to hear ASIC barrister Ruth Higgins SC argue that the case centres on the risks associated with casinos in their Sydney, Brisbane, and Gold Coast locations. The allegations include ‘troubling relationships’ with overseas junket operators, especially Suncity.
Evidence was presented by the barrister, which highlighted organised crime connections with Higgins, stating that these junkets were susceptible to exploitation due to the obscured origins of their funds.
Alarming evidence was also heard at the second Star Sydney inquiry, which shed some additional light on company's activities.
Large Sums of Cash Moved in Bags
The court heard that large sums of money, including bags of $50 notes, were transported discreetly within the casino, with staff attempting to evade CCTV surveillance.
Former executives Matthias Bekier, Paula Martin, and Greg Hawkins are accused of failing to sever ties with Suncity despite being aware of suspicious activities.
Case About Failures to Tell Board of Risks
Addressing the court, Higgins said, “This is a case about casinos and risk” and “Not the risk involved when a player bets black instead of red in roulette or twists instead of sticking in blackjack.”
ASIC seeks penalties against the executives, which may include bans from corporate management.
It is alleged that Matthias Bekier (former chief executive), Paula Martin (former company secretary and general counsel), and Greg Hawkins (former chief casino operator) failed to terminate the relationship with Suncity or tell the board of the risks associated with the junket operators.
The Star Entertainment has faced scrutiny before and was forced to halt electronic gaming due to compliance failures.
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News WriterMost of my career was spent in teaching including at one of the UK’s top private schools. I left London in 2000 and set up home in Wales raising four beautiful children. I enrolled at University where I studied Photography and film and gained a Degree and subsequently a Masters Degree. In 2014 I helped launch a new local newspaper and managed to get front and back page as well as 6 filler pages on a weekly basis. I saw that journalism was changing and was a pioneer of hyperlocal news in Wales. In 2017 I started one of the first 24/7 free independent news sites for Wales. Having taken that to a successful business model I was keen for a new challenge. Joining the company is exciting for me especially as it is a new role in Europe. I am keen to establish myself and help others to do the same.
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