The claim alleges that in the period between 29 March 2016 and 16 March 2022, The Star made misleading representations, including about its systems and processes for compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations, that it failed to disclose relevant information it had about those matters to the market and conducted its affairs contrary to the interests of the members of The Star as a whole.

According to the statement of claim, filed on Friday (4 November), The Star allegedly engaged in business practices “likely to facilitate money laundering” that were also unlikely to meet Australian regulatory requirements.

“[The] Star did not take adequate or timely steps to ensure its risk and compliance committee, audit committee, or the board was made aware of the legal or compliance risk associated with those business practices,” the statement of claim said.

“Alternatively, by the risk and compliance committee, audit committee, or the board to investigate the legal-compliance risk posed by those business practices.”

This news follows the launch of a largely similar class action, filed by Slater & Gordon in March this year, which came after widespread media reporting in October 2021, which revealed that The Star had cultivated high-roller players who were allegedly associated with criminal or foreign-influence operations and had failed to comply with its obligations under anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.

In response to those media reports, The Star’s share price declined by over 25 per cent, wiping more than $1 billion from the company’s value.

The allegations also prompted the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority to announce an inquiry into whether The Star remained suitable to hold its casino licence.

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The Star “intends to defend the proceedings”, as stated in an announcement to the ASX on Tuesday (8 November).

Maurice Blackburn declined to comment on the ongoing proceedings.