The appointments, revealed in a 24 June ASX filing, reflect an attempt to decentralise leadership across its multiple properties.
They also align with commitments made to the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) and the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR).
Jennifer Cronin has been named Interim CEO of The Star Gold Coast for a maximum term of 12 months, pending regulatory approvals.
Cronin also joins the board of The Star Entertainment Qld Custodian Pty Ltd, which holds the licence for the Gold Coast casino, for an initial three-year term.
Her experience in hospitality, notably as CEO of Wharf Hotels in Hong Kong, was cited as a critical asset during this transitional period.
The announcement also formalises the appointments of other key figures. Rowena Craze, who joined in April 2024, now serves as Star’s group chief risk officer.
With a background including a senior governance role at KPMG, Craze is tasked with reinforcing internal risk and compliance frameworks.
Meanwhile Patrick McGlinchey, formerly with Tabcorp and The Lottery Corporation, has been confirmed as group chief legal officer, while Sarah Derry will step into the chief people officer role full-time starting 1 July.
Technology executive Peter Meliniotis has been promoted to group chief information officer, overseeing digital transformation initiatives.
Another notable structural development is the appointment of Helen Galloway as the independent chair of The Star Sydney.
Galloway, who has served on compliance committees across Star’s three casino properties, will assume the chair position for a three-year term, subject to approvals.
This move is part of the company’s decentralisation and governance overhaul strategy, and comes soon after an agreement which will see Bally’s Corporation take a major stake in the company.
Multiple investigations precede executive shake-up
These leadership changes occur in the shadow of extensive regulatory failures linked to AML breaches.
In recent years, Star has faced significant scrutiny over its internal controls and culture, culminating in regulatory inquiries in both New South Wales and Queensland.
These probes uncovered widespread compliance deficiencies, particularly in VIP operations and the handling of high-risk patrons.
As a result, The Star has incurred cumulative fines of hundreds of millions from various state authorities.
Star also remains under intense scrutiny as it undergoes a major AML investigation led by Australian regulator AUSTRAC.
Legal action seeking civil penalties began in late 2022, following the launch of the probe in June 2021.
The company is accused of a range of AML breaches that allegedly took place over several years. These include failures in reporting obligations, inadequate oversight from senior management, and other systemic issues.
Many of the alleged failures involve Star’s ties to junket operators with connections to China — most notably the Suncity Group.
Suncity’s former chairman, Alvin Chau, is now serving an 18-year prison sentence in Macau for illegal gambling offences.
AUSTRAC reported that between November 2016 and October 2020, Suncity junkets generated more than A$70m in weekly turnover at Star’s Sydney casino.
The watchdog is now seeking a penalty of A$400m, which is just below the A$450m fine Crown Resorts received in 2023 for comparable AML violations. Star, already struggling financially, has warned that even a A$100m fine could threaten its survival.
The company remains under tight oversight, with the NICC having previously suspended its casino licence and installed a special manager to oversee operations in Sydney. These sanctions underscore the onus on Star’s new leadership to effect durable reform.
Dingnews.com 27/06/2025