Lawyers for Star Entertainment Group say the gaming giant has already triggered a dramatic overhaul in response to a public inquiry, making it suitable to maintain its lucrative casino licence.

Star’s barrister Kate Richardson, SC, said evidence had exposed significant failings and misconduct, but that Star had committed to a “reformation” to guard against such failures occurring again.

Richardson on Tuesday conceded that while the casino was not suitable to hold a licence when the inquiry began, it has since sent a “powerful message” with a mass clean-out of senior executives.

“The Star accepts that evidence means it is open for the review to conclude that as at the commencement of the review, The Star was not a suitable person to hold a casino licence,” she said. “However, The Star respectfully submits that the review should conclude that it is presently suitable to hold the casino licence.”

Richardson said The Star accepted there had been “significant deficiencies and failings” that did not adhere to the company’s code of conduct and risk and compliance policies.