Star Casino Loaned Junket Master Known As A Swindler $166 Million
A NSW public inquiry into casino operator Star Entertainment Group’s activities in regard to money laundering has heard that the company loaned $166 million to a junket master although it was reported he was a “swindler” and loan shark.
Following revelations in media outlets in Australia a public inquiry was setup to investigate the accusations and have already found disturbing activity by the casino operator.
In cross examination Greg Hawkins who is the chief executive of the NSW casino and was in charge of the companies International business was asked if it was normal procedure to loan an individual that amount of money to which Mr Hawkins said he had not been informed by the loan to Sixin Qin who was known as the leader of the Star’s biggest junkets although an external report in 2020 said he wealth came from running illegal online gambling sites and loan sharking back in Shanghai.
Hawkins said that the 2020 report was not filed and was unaware of its content and so loaned Qin $166 million through a Hong Kong subsiduary called EEIS Services. Hawkins when asked why the casino operator loaned him the amount as opposed to allowing cheque cashing facility he replied that he can “only assume there was a request” for the loan and that relevant checks and approvals were followed.
This latest revelation is hugely damaging to the whole casino operations in Australia and many fear that the full extent of what the Star casino company failed in money laundering activities is yet to come.
