SGR ASX: Star shares to remain suspended until deal with unnamed investor

Embattled top crypto casino slots for high rollers operator Star Entertainment is facing a fresh blow, with a deal to exit a major Brisbane development on the brink of collapse. But in a sign of its deepening financial woes, Star has reiterated there is material uncertainty about its ability to continue operating. Star Entertainment chief executive Steve McCann has warned the casino group is still battling negative cash flows, and begged shareholders and lenders for patience as he attempts to turn around the business. Star is looking for a financial lifeline to stave off collapse after it was mired in a scandal involving criminal infiltration and money laundering in its Queensland and New South Wales casinos. The casino giant said it was anticipating a funding deal on Friday which it would consider, but again warned of the possibility of facing financial collapse.

Star Entertainment has managed to avoid financial collapse for now after signing a deal to sell its stake in Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf casino to its two equity partners along with other assets. Star Entertainment halted trading of its shares on Friday after a state-level NYC casino hotels for business travelers 2026 regulator issued a damning report accusing the group of failing to clean up a culture of money laundering and fraud. Australia’s largest publicly traded king billy casino maintenance operator has been temporarily suspended from the country’s stock exchange after failing to lodge its annual financial results. Star chief executive Steve McCann has been negotiating to lock in a different package which would leave the company’s Queen’s Wharf complex in Brisbane with two Hong Kong investors. That deal is backed by alternative asset manager Salter Brothers and includes a $750 million refinancing.

Against all odds, Star Entertainment has managed to avoid sliding into administration for now. But its near demise poses bigger problems for a glittering world that risks being consigned to a bygone era. Hong Kong investors Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, which each own 25 per cent of the Brisbane complex, had agreed to buy Star's 50 per cent stake for $53 million. In September last year, Star’s directors started getting advice on "safe harbour" provisions provided by the Corporations Act that would protect them from being personally liable for debts in the event that it cannot stay solvent.

E-Commerce Resources has a market capitalisation of $560 million, which puts the value of Wang’s stake at around $280 million. His private company, Winsway Resources, is registered in the British Virgin Islands. Rather than an attempted rescue, it looks like a $35 million punt from a guy from Macau who probably doesn’t have any inside running on whether this online casino Australia fair play group will survive. The sovereign wealth fund has warned of a disconnect between executive pay and the performance of many ASX companies.

Insignia said on Friday the two firms now vying for control of one of Australia's largest wealth management firms had increased their per-share offers to $5 each — an 8.7% premium over their previous $4.60 bids. That wording suggests that more rate cuts may be coming as the bank has long declared that restriction is no longer necessary while inflation, at 2.4% last month, is safely heading back to its 2% target this year. As for a potential catalyst for a turnaround in the ASX200, there isn't a clear one currently. US trade and Flamingo Las Vegas withdrawal limits tariff policy appears likely to remain volatile, live chat and bonuses the upcoming Federal Election adds to the uncertainty, with the possibility of a hung parliament. If the break below the psychologically important 8000 level is confirmed at the close of business today, it would open the way for the sell-off to extend towards 7600.

The remaining funds will be paid either following a shareholder vote, or will be split into two payments before October 7. Bally’s, which operate’s 19 casinos across the US, will get a 56.7 per cent stake in Star. As Star’s search for a white knight steps up, a potential newcomer to the Australian gaming industry has taken a look at its casinos. Airtasker will look to expand rapidly overseas after a new capital raise and an expanded strategic partnership. DBC's total current drawn balance on the debt facility is approximately $1.4 billion.