Star Entertainment is under renewed regulatory scrutiny after internal documents revealed senior managers repeatedly flagged structural safety concerns at its Brisbane casino complex, yet failed to implement fixes for over a year before a young employee's death at the site.

Timeline of Ignored Warnings

The problem centred on The Star Brisbane's Sky Deck, a 23rd floor high-rise attraction at the Queen's Wharf complex. Internal assessments identified that the balustrade configuration, combined with gaps in glass safety panels, made the structure climbable. Senior staff first raised these concerns in May 2025, with follow-up warnings issued in July and September that same year.

A September report specifically flagged the risk of intentional falls and recommended modifications to external barriers, including changes to the handrail design and balustrade openings. The issue was serious enough to warrant escalation to the Destination Brisbane Consortium, the joint venture partner behind the Queen's Wharf development, in October 2025. A separate technical review conducted that month also identified the Sky Deck barrier as a priority safety concern.

Death and Delayed Action

Despite these multiple warnings and discussions, no permanent structural solution had been completed when a 24-year-old Filipino employee, employed as a chef in the casino's room-service operation, died at the site in June 2026. Only after this tragedy did Star implement enhanced security measures and install a temporary barrier.

The timeline raises difficult questions about internal decision-making and risk management at a company already under significant regulatory pressure. Star's ownership structure at the time included Hong Kong-based Far East Consortium and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, though Star held a 50 percent stake that it later sold earlier this year.

Mounting Regulatory Headwinds

The revelations arrive as Star faces deeper financial and regulatory challenges. The operator reported a AUD307 million loss for the financial year to June 30, with gaming revenue declining over 5 percent to AUD756.2 million. Auditors have flagged concerns about the company's financial prospects.

Star's compliance troubles run far deeper than recent events. Since serious regulatory breaches came to light in 2022, the company has faced sustained scrutiny. Its Sydney casino license remains suspended under the oversight of an independent administrator, who also supervises Star's Queensland operations.

Both New South Wales and Queensland regulators have now requested further information following these latest reports. The timing is critical: authorities are actively considering whether Star should regain its casino licenses, and this incident will inevitably factor into those deliberations.