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Australian casino operator The Star Entertainment Group announced on Friday that Robbie Cook had stepped down as chief executive officer and executive director of the group on the same day. "David Foster will take on an additional chairmanship while the search for a permanent CEO is ongoing," the company said in a filing.
"Mr. Cooke and the board believe a change in leadership will be in the best interests of the company for now," the company said.
The company said Cook's continued leadership would not help Australia's New South Wales Independent Casino Council (NICC) "decide to find The Star to hold a casino license."
Cook will remain a consultant for The Star for six months to "enable an orderly leadership transition and provide continuity across business activities," The Star added.
The casino company also announced that the group's chief financial officer, Christina Katsibuba, had also resigned and that "Neil O'Connell will make an interim replacement." O'Connell, who served as CFO of Australia-based Tatts Group, will report to Mr. Foster.
Licenses for Sydney's flagship casino (pictured) in New South Wales have been suspended "indefinite" since October 2022, subject to state supervision.
NICC is currently conducting a second investigation into The Star's suitability to hold a casino license. Attorney Adam Bell, who led the first public inquiry, will conduct a public hearing as part of the second review.
As a result, NICC said it plans to extend Nicholas Weeks' term as special manager of The Star Casino "further until September 30, 2024.
Licenses for two Queensland-based casinos, Treasury Brisbane and Star Gold Coast, were also suspended in December 2022 and placed under state supervision.
Mr Weeks, head of Wexted Advisors, a Sydney-based business consultancy specialising in corporate restructuring, has been appointed casino operations manager for The Star in Queensland.
Friday's announcement quoted Mr Foster as saying the casino operator was "absolutely committed to being judged fit to hold a casino licence in New South Wales and Queensland." 에볼루션 바카라사이트
Cook said in prepared remarks that his continuation as group CEO of The Star "will not help him decide to find The Star, who is eligible to hold a casino license in New South Wales," and that he "reached the conclusion."
"In this situation, a shift in leadership provides the best opportunity for the business to navigate the regulatory pressures it faces. I am comforted by the performance we have achieved as a team over the last 16 months, and I am confident the company is now on the right track."