Grace said,under existing legislation,the only disciplinary action available to the government was to strip casino operators of their leases or licences.
The omnibus bill introduced on Thursday would allow the state to fine operators up to $50 million for regulatory breaches.
“Suspension or cancellation of a casino licence,or the termination of a casino lease or casino management agreement,would have major impacts on innocent parties such as casino employees,local suppliers and the state,” Grace said.
“Accordingly,the threshold at which disciplinary action can be taken against a casino entity is fairly high to ensure there are other meaningful consequences for misconduct and breaches of the law by casino entities.”
Former Star chairman John O’Neill,whoresigned shortly before he was to give evidence at an inquiry into the company’s Sydney casino licence,has described the scrutiny ascathartic.
The inquiry has uncovered allegations Star ignored basic anti-money laundering procedures,ignored criminal links of major “junket” high-roller tour partners and lied to its bank,NAB,about $900 million in fraudulent gambling transactions.
A Star spokeswoman said:“The Star notes the Bill introduced to parliament today and we are currently reviewing the content.”