Two former Star Entertainment executives have been fined a combined A$1.1 million and banned from managing corporations. The Australian Federal Court found both breached their duties under the Corporations Act by failing to manage money laundering risks at the casino operator.
Former CEO Matthias Bekier was ordered to pay A$700,000 and banned from corporate management for six years. Former chief legal and risk officer Paula Martin was fined A$400,000 and banned for seven years. Both were also ordered to pay 45% of ASIC's legal costs. The penalties were handed down on June 17 2026, following a March ruling that both executives had failed to address risks linked to the casino's dealings with Suncity, a gambling junket operator with reported criminal connections. The case adds to the legal and regulatory developments discussed across casino streaming, where changes affecting operators and the wider industry continue to draw attention.
The case centred on three key failures. First, an inadequate response to a KPMG report flagging deficiencies in anti-money laundering controls. Second, failure to escalate Suncity-related risks to the board. Third, misleading communications to National Australia Bank about the use of China UnionPay cards at Star's casinos. More than A$900 million was withdrawn using the cards between 2013 and 2019 despite rules prohibiting their use for gambling. Regulatory pressure is also increasing in the United States, where Massachusetts delayed its sweepstakes casino ban until 2027 while lawmakers consider stricter rules for online platforms.
