The chairman of Australia’s Star Entertainment Group told colleagues he wanted to “abolish” the state’s gaming regulator in a bid to “level the playing field” with NSW pubs and clubs, an inquiry into The Star Sydney’s suitability was told Tuesday.
David Foster, who was appointed chairman of the group in March 2023 following the departure of John O’Neill, made the comments in text messages sent to Star’s former CEO Robbie Cooke and read aloud by counsel assisting Casper Conde.
However, Foster rejected claims he was out to get the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC), insisting instead that his comments were based around a desire to establish a regulator that oversaw casinos as well as pubs and clubs.
