The Star Entertainment Group Limited Forced to Halt Electronic Gaming

The Star Gold Coast where The Star Entertainment Group started deactivating units after platform upgrades for cashless gaming. (Image: Darren Tierney / Alamy)

The Star Entertainment Group Limited, a prominent Australian company known for their large casino complexes which feature a variety of table games, electronic gaming machines such as slots, and other gambling activities, has blamed 'system performance issues’ for its decision to indefinitely switch off all of the electronic gaming machines within three of its venues. 

The embattled firm detailed how it began mothballing the units as well as electronic gaming tables within its The Star Gold Coast, Treasury Brisbane and The Star Sydney properties on Saturday evening after completing a number of platform upgrades in preparation for the introduction of cashless gaming.

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Entertainment Evolution

The government of New South Wales recently updated its regulatory framework so as to require all of the state’s many gaming machines to accept cashless play by August 30, which is a move officials contend will help to proactively address instances of money laundering and gambling-related harm.

The Liquor and Gaming New South Wales regulator explained that this system is to see licensed venues in the state of 8.4 million people begin offering punters the opportunity to enjoy their favorite digital gaming pursuits by means of credits loaded onto machines via bespoke cards or mobile telephone apps.

Sudden Snag

Brisbane-headquartered The Star Entertainment Group stated it was preparing for this change-over at the weekend when it suffered ‘system performance issues identified in post-upgrade testing’. 

The operator moreover asserted these machines and tables are to remain switched off ‘until the issue is resolved’ although The Star Gold Coast, Treasury Brisbane and The Star Sydney ‘remain open with table games, restaurants, bars and entertainment available’.

“The decision was taken by The Star Entertainment Group Limited to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and to maintain the company’s commitment to safer gambling procedures,” read a statement from The Star Entertainment Group Limited.

Crucial Collaboration

Star Entertainment Group Limited’s decision to temporarily cease offering electronic games within three of its largest properties is thought to have wiped millions of dollars off of its market valuation. However, the firm declared it is ‘working closely’ with American casino machines and systems provider Konami Gaming Incorporated in hopes of being able ‘to address the operational issues as soon as possible’.

This electronic gaming shutdown comes even as The Star Entertainment Group has been running a cashless trial on machines within its The Star Sydney property. Nevertheless, this test run is thought to be comparatively small, involving only eight of the giant property’s 40 tables along with just 51 of its complement of approximately 1,500 slots.

Uncertain Future 

The Star Entertainment Group Limited earlier announced it was to begin welcoming guests to its new two-story The Star Brisbane casino from August 29. 

Work on this facility within the Queensland city’s $2.4 billion Queen’s Wharf development began over six years ago but its opening could now be in jeopardy as the enterprise is slated to feature an array of some 2,500 electronic gaming machines.