Ex-CEO of a Celebrity Firm Testifies at Sydney's Gambling Establishment License Hearing
The Star Entertainment Group is currently under intense regulatory scrutiny, with the focus of the investigation centering on significant breaches related to anti-money laundering (AML) compliance at its The Star Sydney property.
In February 2025, the Federal Court penalized two former executives of Star Entertainment Group following admissions of breaches connected to these failures [3]. However, public search results up to August 2025 do not specify direct allegations or penalties against the current CEO, Robbie Cooke, or Chairman, David Foster, personally. Most reports focus on the company’s operational and financial difficulties, including the collapsed sale of its Queen’s Wharf Brisbane stake and a looming A$400 million AML penalty impacting Star Entertainment Group’s finances [1].
During a recent testimony, another important topic involved the messages exchanged between Cooke and Foster. The company disagreed with a number of proposals made during the inquiry [2]. Cooke explained that he tried to write the response in a way that indicated respect, but also addressed contentious matters in a clinical manner.
The messages, sent during a time when the duo was on "high alert," allegedly discussed the possibility of waging "war" against the NSW gambling regulator and Weeks, the special manager of The Star Sydney. Cooke described the messages as only representing a "moment in time." When asked about seeking legal advice from a law firm for a lawsuit against the regulator, Cooke said he didn't think it was a good idea.
The second inquiry into the license suitability for The Star Sydney is currently ongoing. The testimony released by IAG reveals that during the testimony, Cooke addressed a number of hot topics, including a report from Nicholas Weeks to which the company responded with a number of concerns.
Star Entertainment Group confirmed changes to its leadership back in mid-March, with CEO Robbie Cooke stepping down from his role. Cooke acknowledged the difficulties related to communications with regulators, comparing the process to a "one way street." He reiterated that he was on high alert at the time.
The inquiry into The Star Sydney followed a massive probe into the company's operations that uncovered a range of deficiencies. Damning text messages uncovering an alleged plot of Star against the gambling regulator in NSW and The Star Sydney's special manager, Nicholas Weeks, emerged earlier this month. The former CEO, Robbie Cooke, gave a lengthy testimony on Wednesday addressing a number of recently discussed issues.
The company continues to collaborate with the regulator to address issues for The Star Sydney. Despite the ongoing challenges, no specific charges against current leadership have been identified in the latest data available as of August 2025.
The Star Entertainment Group's CEO, Robbie Cooke, addressed allegations of discussing a potential "war" against the NSW gambling regulator and The Star Sydney's special manager during a recent testimony. Cooke, who is under investigation for significant AML compliance breaches at The Star Sydney, also revealed during the inquiry that he received advice from a law firm regarding a potential lawsuit against the regulator but decided against it.
