Australia’s Federal Court hits Star with combined AU$260 million in penalties in AUSTRAC civil case

Australia’s Federal Court has ordered Star Entertainment Group to pay a total AU$260 million in penalties for contraventions of the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws. The penalties, representing the conclusion of a civil case brought by AUSTRAC in 2022, comprise a AU$195 million (US$137 million) fine for The Star Sydney and AU$65 million (US$46 million) fine for The Star Gold Coast, reflecting the greater contraventions committed at the Sydney property. Both the AUSTRAC penalty and the pecuniary penalty are to be paid in four equal instalments over 19 months.