The Star Sydney has a new leader at the helm. Scott Wharton, formerly of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), has taken the reins as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Robbie Cook. Wharton’s previous role at CBA was Executive Officer of Project Delivery. Before that, he held various leadership positions at Citigroup, including Global Head of Supply Chain and Managing Director. He also serves as Co-Chair of Supply Nation. Wharton will be reporting directly to Robbie Cook, who was recently appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of The Star Entertainment Group.
“I am thrilled to be joining The Star Entertainment Group at this pivotal moment,” stated Wharton. “The Star plays a vital role in the economies of New South Wales and Queensland, serving as a major employer and a key driver of tourism in both states. I am eager to collaborate closely with the team at The Star, regulatory bodies, and other key partners.”
Ben Heap, the interim chairman, added: “Scott brings with him a wealth of experience that will be essential in driving the renewal program across the group. His leadership at CBA was recognized as one of the most comprehensive overhauls of corporate culture in Australia.”
This seasoned executive, with a wealth of experience in driving change and collaborating with regulatory bodies, is the perfect choice for this critical position within the organization. His keen business sense and expertise in managing large companies make him an ideal candidate.
Wharton assumes the role as an independent assessment of Star Sydney Casino is ongoing. The review commenced last June due to concerns regarding the casino’s dealings with junket operators and its anti-money laundering practices.
The scope of the investigation was broadened in January 2022 to examine other entities within the group. The Star Sydney review was initially planned to conclude in June but has been extended to the end of August to enable more individuals to provide testimony.
Public hearings into the casino’s operations have thus far revealed a variety of accusations, including that Star Sydney permitted junket operator Suncity to operate its own chip exchange at the casino, where they exchanged chips for cash, in violation of the New South Wales Casino Control Act.
The case also alleges that Star Sydney’s claims of having policies in place to mitigate risks such as money laundering, corruption, bribery, insider trading, and restricted gambling product use were misleading or deceptive.
In light of the issues raised in the ongoing review of Star Sydney Casino, Matt Bekier, the long-standing CEO and Managing Director of Star Sydney, has stepped down from both positions.
Star Entertainment named John O’Neill as temporary head of the board, but he was succeeded by Jeff Hogg less than two months later, who took on the role of chief executive on June 1st. However, it was later revealed that Cook would be appointed as chief executive and Managing Director.
The company stated Wharton has been named Head of Transformation, which will continue to build upon its Transformation Office, which is leading the company’s revitalization plan with a focus on operations in New South Wales and Queensland.
Last month, an independent assessment was declared to determine if Star Entertainment is appropriate to hold a casino license in Queensland.
The revitalization plan includes a variety of initiatives focused on governance, culture, training, and risk and compliance systems and technology, while also integrating and expanding existing work programs within the risk and compliance function and implementing new programs to enhance operations.
“The revitalization plan began months ago, and while we have a lot of work to do, we are satisfied with the initial progress,” said Ship. “The plan is crucial to redesigning how we operate.
“This will strengthen systems and controls to help ensure our casinos are free from criminal influence and create an environment where we can collaborate and cooperate with regulators.”
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