October 26, 2026 — 5:00am

The Federal Court is scheduled to hand down its decision this week on how big a penalty Star Entertainment should pay for repeated breaches of anti-money laundering laws that led to the suspension of its casino licences in NSW and Queensland.

Star has acknowledged in its most recent annual report the existential threat the fine may pose for its business.

“AUSTRAC submitted that a penalty of $400 million would be appropriate while The Star submitted that a penalty of greater than $100 million, payable in the 12 months following the hearing, would be challenging based on available liquidity options, including accessing equity markets. The Star is awaiting the court’s judgment,” it told investors in August.

Star Entertainment chief executive Bruce Mathieson jnr has the job of rehabilitating the casino operator so it can regain its licence to operate the business.…