The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) reported that the Federal Court found The Star Entertainment Group Ltd’s former Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Matthias Bekier, and former Chief Legal & Risk Officer, Paula Martin, breached their duties to the company under section 180 of the Corporations Act 2001 in connection with the handling of risks linked to money laundering and criminal activity. The Court dismissed ASIC’s case against seven former non-executive directors, finding they did not breach their duties. For Mr Bekier, the breaches related to failing to properly deal with a KPMG report identifying deficiencies in Star’s AML/CTF risk processes, failing to properly manage risks arising from the gambling junket Suncity’s operations in an exclusive gaming room (Salon 95) even after media allegations concerning Crown and Suncity, and failing to properly manage and escalate to the board issues concerning the impermissible use of China Union Pay (CUP) cards by Star customers. Ms Martin was found to have breached her duties by failing to properly inform and advise the board about risks arising from Star’s dealings with Suncity, and through involvement in misleading Star’s banker National Australia Bank about CUP card use, without informing the board. ASIC noted that Suncity was Star’s largest junket, with turnover from Suncity of approximately AUD 2.1 billion, AUD 4 billion and AUD 5.9 billion for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 financial years, and that ASIC is aware over AUD 900 million was obtained by Star customers using CUP cards in NAB ATMs from 2013 to 2019. The matter will proceed to a further hearing, with ASIC seeking financial penalties and disqualification orders against Mr Bekier and Ms Martin. ASIC also referenced earlier admissions by former senior executives Gregory Hawkins and Harry Theodore, who were penalised and disqualified in 2025 for nine months and 18 months respectively.

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