Star Entertainment Group named Dave Whimpey chief operating officer and interim chief executive of The Star Brisbane, subject to regulatory approval. The company said he has held roles in gaming, hospitality and tourism, including at Tabcorp and Brisbane Racing Club.
The appointment would change the leadership of The Star Brisbane, subject to regulatory approval.
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Flutter appointed COO Doug Brown as chief executive of Australian operator Sportsbet, according to a report on 27 May 2026. Departing CEO Barni Evans is taking an expanded role with Flutter covering APAC and emerging markets.
Star Entertainment appointed Ameet Patel as chief executive of The Star Brisbane and The Star Gold Coast, subject to regulatory approvals. The company said Patel previously held senior roles at Bally’s Corporation, Penn National and Sun International.
Queensland’s government extended the deadline for suspending The Star Gold Coast’s casino licence to 31 March 2027, giving The Star Entertainment Group six more months to meet remediation requirements. The decision followed a special manager’s assessment that found progress alongside unresolved priority matters. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the extension did not change the government’s expectations; independent supervision will continue.
The Queensland government has moved the suspension date for The Star Gold Coast's casino licence to 31 March 2027. That gives The Star Entertainment Group, the operator, another six months to deal with remediation requirements that are still outstanding. Nicholas Weeks, the special manager, reported "significant progress" in the company's reform initiatives in an August assessment, while also identifying several unresolved priority matters.
The Star Entertainment Group reported group EBITDA of A$12 million for the September quarter of FY27, compared with a A$13 million loss a year earlier. The company said the NSW Independent Casino Commission had advised that The Star Sydney’s licence suspension would continue, with its appointed manager remaining until 30 June 2027 unless the commission ends the role sooner; Queensland oversight measures also remain in place.
Queensland Attorney General Deb Frecklington announced a further six-month deferral of the Star Gold Coast casino licence suspension, through the end of March 2027. She said remediation work had progressed but priority matters remained unfinished; Nicholas Weeks’s appointment as special manager was also extended to that date.