The Star Entertainment Group is attempting to recruit the former chief executive of the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority, despite the requisite of a four-year waiting period.
While ex-officials of the ILGA are required to wait four years until they can work for gambling businesses, Star Entertainment wants Micheil Brodie to be an adviser for The Star Entertainment Group.
Mr Brodie was in charge of regulation and licensing for casinos in NSW up until the position was dissolved just over a year ago due to a departmental overhaul.
He was heavily involved in regulatory decisions concerning both the Pyrmont casino and the $2 billion planned casino at Barangaroo by Crown Resorts.
Star Entertainment has ignored the waiting period and lodged an application to the ILGA for Mr Brodie to become a key employee under the Casino Control Act.
An ILGA spokesman has commented on the rules stating they are there “to ensure the integrity of regulation and to avoid scope for any real or perceived conflicts of interest”.
Mr Brodie has found a loophole involving the post-employment of former ILGA officials, alleging he was not reclassified as a key official following the dissolution of his former role.
He also argues the new role won’t involve guiding Star Entertainment on gambling compliance issues.
“It isn’t about gambling compliance,” he said. “It’s about whole of group compliance. My expertise is in risk and regulation,” he said.
“From my point of view, as a person who likes to think he has good integrity, I’ve thought through what they want me to do with great care.
“At first I was a little reluctant [about the new role]. I wanted to make sure it didn’t leave me in a difficult situation.”
A spokesperson for The Star Entertainment Group said Mr Brodie’s role “places a huge focus on compliance, regulatory obligations, responsible gambling and other associated risk areas”.
“To maximise excellence in this part of the business, The Star would welcome the opportunity to provide a broad group role for Mr Brodie, but this would be dependent on further discussions and advice from authorities,” they said.
“He has a deep skills-set and would provide further robustness to a purpose-built team reporting into our group chief risk officer.”
While the waiting period has presented itself as an obstacle, the ILGA spokesperson has revealed the application is being considered but “it would be inappropriate to comment”.
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