Star Entertainment posts $8m loss as licensing standoff drags on
Australia's largest listed casino operator has recorded another quarterly loss, with earnings continuing to be squeezed by falling gaming-table revenue and unresolved regulatory disputes over its casino licences.
Star Entertainment posted an $8 million loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an improvement on the $27 million loss before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation recorded in the same period a year earlier.
Full-year revenue fell two per cent to $265 million for the 12 months to June 30, with the bulk of the decline attributed to the company's flagship property, The Star in Sydney, which experienced weaker gaming table and non-gaming revenue. That was only partially offset by stronger gaming machine intake.
The Sydney casino has been operating under mandatory carded play since October 2024. This requires a player card to be inserted before a machine can be used. This sits alongside a $5000 daily cash limit. Star said average daily revenue at the property has dropped 20 per cent since those measures were introduced. The NSW government has confirmed the cash limit will stay in place until August 2027, and the Sydney casino licence remains suspended.
Star's Gold Coast operation also remains under regulatory scrutiny, after the Queensland government deferred the suspension of its licence to September 30, 2026, in 2025. The state government has extended the appointment of an external advisor for Star Brisbane to the same date.
"The Star continues to engage with regulators and government in respect of the … casino licences," the company said.
Star has faced regulatory pressure since 2021, when authorities began investigating suspected breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.
Jonathan Jackson, 29th July 2026
