Star Entertainment Group anticipates a decrease in its overall income for the fiscal year 2024 compared to the previous year. The difficult market circumstances that have affected the operator in recent months continued into the final quarter.
Star Entertainment anticipates a decrease in overall income for the fiscal year 2024 after a “difficult” fourth quarter.
In a recent business update released today (June 24), Star Entertainment cautioned that it expects a decline in revenue for fiscal year 2024 and the fourth quarter. Star Entertainment’s fiscal year ends on June 30 later this week.
Overall income is projected to be between A$1.68 billion (£879.6 million/€1.04 billion/$1.11 billion) and A$1.69 billion. Even at the upper end of that range, it would be 11.1% lower than fiscal year 2023’s A$1.9 billion.
In providing this guidance, Star Entertainment alluded to the “difficult” market conditions that have persisted since its last update in April. It also emphasized increased operating costs due to ongoing remediation and transformation efforts, as well as increased resources in risk and control functions.
These events follow a critical inquiry by the Independent Casino Commission of New South Wales, with a second inquiry currently underway.
As a result, Star Entertainment also anticipates a decrease in adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2024 is expected to be between A$165 million and A$180 million, with the upper end representing a 43.2% year-on-year decline.
What occurred in Star Entertainment’s fourth quarter?
This week signals the conclusion of the final fiscal period, and Star has also unveiled its projections for some key metrics, including a 3.3% year-over-year decrease in income and a 4.3% quarter-over-quarter decline. Star once again highlighted that the difficult economic climate and the strain of the cost of living are the primary factors driving the downturn.
Star indicated that revenue from high-end gaming areas continues to decrease, with an anticipated 16.5% drop this quarter. The main gaming area has shown some improvement, with revenue projected to rise by 5.2% in the fourth quarter, but this is insufficient to offset the overall expected decline.
Examining individual properties, Star Sydney’s revenue is anticipated to fall by 0.9%, Star Gold Coast by 4.9%, and Treasury Brisbane by 6.9%.
On the expenditure side, Star stated that operating expenses in the fourth quarter are likely to be slightly higher than the A$92.5 million in the third quarter. Average operating costs in the first half of the year were A$90.3 million.
Star attributed the increase in spending to ongoing restoration and transformation efforts related to the Bell Inquiry-led business reorganization. In light of this, Star will explore a number of initiatives to reduce its overall future operating cost base. Specific details of these potential initiatives have not yet been disclosed.
The group also provided an update on the potential sale of assets. This includes the Treasury Casino, hotel, and parking facility, with transaction negotiations currently in progress. Star is also considering the sale of other non-essential assets, with further updates to be released later this year when it announces its FY24 results.
Star is on the verge of appointing a new chief executive officer.
In recent developments, Star Entertainment has revealed alterations to its leadership structure. David Foster, who vacated the chairman position in April, has also withdrawn from the board. Anne Ward has been formally designated as his successor.
Simultaneously, Star Entertainment is anticipated to announce a fresh group chief executive and managing director in the near future. Robbie Cooke relinquished the position in March but has retained an advisory role until Star Entertainment locates a permanent replacement.
Star Entertainment has appointed Neil O’Connell, the interim group chief financial officer, as acting chief executive. Furthermore, Chair Ward has assumed additional responsibilities, also on a temporary basis.
These adjustments follow the appointment of Jennie Mock, formerly of Crown Resorts, as group chief operating officer (COO) last month. Another recent departure is Jessica Mellor, who will be stepping down from her role as chief executive of Star Entertainment Gold Coast.
What lies ahead for Star Entertainment?
The projected revenue decline and leadership changes are interconnected with broader challenges faced by Star Entertainment. The most significant recent development is that Star Entertainment has been informed that it will undergo a second investigation by the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC).
Barrister Adam Bell, who spearheaded the initial Bell Report, is examining how Star Entertainment implemented the recommendations of the first report.
In September 2022, Star Entertainment was deemed unsuitable to hold a casino license in New South Wales following a preliminary inquiry that uncovered a series of anti-money laundering and social responsibility shortcomings.
Its important to acknowledge that certain modifications made by the organization have resulted in elevated expenses during the final quarter and the 2024 fiscal year trading update.
Queensland officials have once more postponed a verdict regarding the suspension of Star Entertainment’s permit following the initiation of a second investigation in February and the publication of a concluding report last month. The precise details of the examination have not been disclosed.
Nevertheless, Star received some positive news in May. Queensland declared a further postponement of the intended license suspension, shifting the suspension date to December 20th.
In December 2022, Star was penalized in Queensland for a series of shortcomings, fined A$100 million, and informed that its license would be revoked.
The entity was granted a period of 12 months to rectify the problems and demonstrate its eligibility for a permit. The initial December 1, 2023 deadline was extended to May 31 of this year after Star submitted a preliminary remediation plan to address the concerns.
Queensland authorities have again delayed the decision as they desire to observe the outcomes of the second Bell inquiry before making a definitive judgment.
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