Now that does come as a surprise …. not!
Star Entertainment’s chief financial crime officer has defended dealing with a Macau-based junket operator despite knowing of a report linking it to millions of dollars of drug-trafficking related money laundering, an inquiry has been told.
The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority inquiry into The Star Sydney has so far prompted the resignation of Star CEO Matt Bekier, and sparked calls for a similar inquiry into the ASX-listed company’s two Queensland casinos.
The inquiry is examining whether the Sydney casino has been infiltrated by criminal activity, and if its casino licence should be withdrawn.
Star’s chief financial crime officer Skye Arnott on Monday admitted the casino continued to deal with junket operator Suncity even after becoming aware in 2019 of a Hong Kong Jockey Club report linking the group to Triads, “large scale” money laundering and drug trafficking.
Suncity, according to the HKJC report, from 2013 to 2015 laundered about $2 million a day in cash, including proceeds of drug trafficking, the inquiry was told.
Star allowed Suncity to run a cage – a desk where cash is exchanged for chips – at a VIP room known as Salon 95 inside the Sydney casino even though the junket operator had no authority to do so, the inquiry has previously been told.
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