Star Entertainment shares tumble 9% after Queen’s Wharf deal terminated
Star also secured a $200 million debt facility to cover some of its short-term financial needs, but this comes with a hefty 13.5% interest rate. Star will have to repay more than $36 million to its consortium partners between now and September, but the bigger issue is how it will shoulder its share of future equity contributions and the consortium’s debt. “As noted in the company’s recent ASX announcements, there remains material uncertainty as to the group’s ability to continue as a going concern,” it said. Star Entertainment has narrowly dodged financial collapse with thousands of jobs saved after a US casino giant swooped in to rescue the flailing business.
Sacks said the US government will have a Baccarat Strategy for Low House Edge Detailed to maximise the value of its holdings in such a reserve, but he didn’t offer details as to how. As noted, White House-appointed ‘AI and Crypto Czar’ David Sacks revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that Trump signed an executive order to establish a “strategic Bitcoin”. A full-blown trade war could also impact the direction of local interest rates and the Aussie dollar — which has already faced much volatility. According to the corporate watchdog ASIC the entity was registered on March 3 this year, and lists Melbourne businessmen Nicholas Dobromilsky and Graeme Wilson as its directors. The dairy giant did not name those involved in the new entity but said it was being led by “two experienced Australian businessmen with supply chain and manufacturing expertise”.
The half-year accounts, originally scheduled for release in February, showed a steep decline in revenues, which Star attributed to the introduction of stricter payment requirements at its Sydney Casino rating sites Australia. The rules, which started in October, force patrons to use a pre-paid card, which makes gambling more difficult and reduces the risk of money laundering. Shares in struggling casino giant Star Entertainment have plummeted on Friday after a brief trading halt was lifted, as the company searches for a financial lifeline to avoid collapsing.
Amcor shares are seriously undervalued according to the analysts at two major broking houses. A leading fund manager expects positive long-term growth from Guzman Y Gomez shares. Macquarie has reduced its price target for the Star Casino share price to just 24 cents per share. Much of Star’s struggles can be traced to the regulatory crackdowns it is currently facing, which are compounded by a weakened financial performance.
Exchange operator ASX automatically suspended shares in Star on Monday morning after the pure casino eSports betting operator missed Friday’s deadline for issuing its earnings update for the first half of the financial year. There remains a large amount of uncertainty surrounding the future of Star’s earnings recovery. The pending AUSTRAC fine, eventual outcome of its casino license and a probable capital raise in the coming months all weigh heavy on its future performance. The collapse in earnings since fiscal 2024 has indicated Star might not have sufficient liquidity to stay afloat amidst near-term earnings headwinds, the AUSTRAC fine and equity contributions to redevelopment. With a $200 million emergency debt facility at a rate of 13.5%, it appears Star may be buying time ahead of a potentially value-dilutive equity raise in fiscal 2025. Queensland is currently the only state where Star holds an exclusive position and consequently the company is throwing substantial amounts of capital (~$3 billion) in ensuring it stays that way.
Before signing the accounts, a board of directors must be satisfied that the company is a “going concern” – that it can pay its debts when they fall due. We’ve obviously been working with them over a period of time on a range of issues, including the importance of the employment that is there, and will continue to do so,” she said. Bruce Mathieson, who operates online video poker machine and pub empire Australian Liquor and Hospitality with Woolworths, holds about a 10 per cent share in Star and has been interested in buying the Gold Coast casino. It’s been facing serious operational challenges, burning through $107 million in three months and reporting an available cash balance of $79 million to the ASX in January. McCann, for years the chief executive of property group Lend Lease, knows a thing or two about gambling revenue forecast. In recent months, a series of senior executives appointed by Blackstone have parted ways with Crown including boss Ciaran Carruthers and his offsider Justin Casey.
“Star put out a notice to staff on Friday assuring staff that they’ll be paid this week, but that’s yet to be seen, obviously,” Mr Jones told Radio National Breakfast. NSW and Queensland governments said on Friday their main concern was to ensure jobs were protected. The 2022 inquiry determined that The Star Sydney had failed to protect itself from being used by criminal gangs to launder money in private high-roller junket rooms. It has only very recently turned its attention to dealing with challenges that should have been prioritized earlier,” NICC chief commissioner Philip Crawford said.
The longer-term investment case is clouded by the threat of Crown Sydney, liquidity risk and tightening regulatory measures. This article explores the once monopolistic establishment and why we believe its trading over 50% below its fair value. Star Entertainment’s shares will remain suspended for at least another week as the casino operator’s chief executive, Steve McCann, tries to secure the last of a series of deals critical for the company to stay solvent.
New rules that would have restricted patrons to gambling $1000 in cash per day will not be introduced for another two years after lobbying from casino giants. This came as bad news with Star’s performance historically lagging behind Crown Casino Melbourne casino in Melbourne, with both revenue and earnings falling short of its competitor. This long history of underperformance continues despite Sydney being the country’s largest city and international gateway to Australia. “In the absence of one or more of those arrangements, there remains material uncertainty as to the group’s ability to continue as a going concern.” In an update to the stock exchange this morning, Star reported a loss for the second quarter — although not as bad a loss as the previous period, as it managed to cut costs. Earlier this week, Star published its quarterly report, which precedes audited financial accounts due next month.
