The NSW Independent Casino Commission confirmed that Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford joined the International Association of Gaming Regulators’ Board of Trustees in November 2025. His term runs until the association’s annual general meeting in 2028.
Crawford’s appointment gives NSW’s casino regulator a seat on an international body for gaming regulators.
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The NSW Independent Casino Commission fined Crown Sydney A$1.75 million and The Star Sydney A$500,000 after a 16-year-old entered both casinos using a fraudulent driving licence between April and August 2025. The commission said the minor entered Crown Sydney 19 times and The Star Sydney three times; Crown Sydney also provided complimentary alcohol. Both casinos accepted responsibility and introduced remediation measures.
The New South Wales Independent Casino Commission fined The Star Sydney A$10m over breaches involving financial crime controls and responsible gambling, the regulator said. It also required the casino to set aside A$5m for financial crime risk technology; The Star said it could pay the penalties progressively through 30 June 2027. Its Sydney casino licence remains suspended and the property operates under a regulator-appointed manager.
Former Crown Resorts chief James Packer alleged that Australian state regulators subjected Crown to tougher scrutiny than Star Entertainment. He also criticised changes to casino rules and taxes, while acknowledging that Crown had made errors; the claims were made in an interview.
New South Wales and Queensland authorities approved Bally’s A$300 million strategic investment in The Star Entertainment Group, the company said on 21 November. The approvals allow Bally’s to convert notes into equity and appoint directors; Bally’s and its partners were deemed suitable entities after probity investigations. Bally’s must report regularly on its plan to improve The Star’s finances, according to the NSW Independent Casino Commission.
New South Wales’ Independent Casino Commission (NICC) extended manager Nicholas Weeks’ oversight of The Star Sydney through 30 September 2025. Commissioner Philip Crawford said the casino had made progress on remediation, but financial uncertainty remained an obstacle; The Star’s Sydney gaming operations continue under Weeks’ supervision.