Star Entertainment Group anticipates a decrease in its FY24 earnings compared to the previous fiscal year. The difficult business climate that has affected the operator in recent months continued into the final quarter.
Star Entertainment anticipates a reduction in full-year revenue, following a challenging fourth quarter.
In a business update released today (June 24), Star Entertainment cautioned that it expects a decline in revenue in FY24 and the fourth quarter. Star Entertainment’s fiscal year concludes later this week (June 30).
Full-year revenue 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 higher end of this range, this would represent a 11.1% decrease from FY23’s A$1.9 billion.
In providing the forecast, Star Entertainment cited the difficult business environment that has persisted since its last update in April. It also highlighted increased operational costs due to ongoing remedial and transformation activities, as well as increased resources in risk and control functions.
These events follow a critical inquiry by the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission, with a second inquiry currently in progress.
As a consequence, Star Entertainment also anticipates a decline in adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA for FY24 is expected to be between A$165 million and A$180 million, a decrease of 43.2% at the higher end compared to the previous year.
What occurred during Star Entertainment’s final quarter?
The celestial body has unveiled projections for certain figures as the final period of the year draws to a close this week, encompassing a 3.3% annual decrease in earnings and a 4.3% sequential decline. The celestial body once again highlighted that the demanding economic landscape and strain on the cost of living are the primary forces behind the downturn.
The celestial body stated that income from premium gaming areas continues to dwindle, with an anticipated drop of 16.5% this quarter. The primary gaming area has witnessed some improvement in performance, with revenue projected to rise by 5.2% in the fourth quarter, but this is insufficient to counterbalance the overall anticipated decline.
Examining each property, the celestial body’s Sydney location is expected to experience a 0.9% revenue decrease, the Gold Coast location a 4.9% decrease, and the Brisbane location a 6.9% decrease.
On the expenditure front, the celestial body indicated that operating expenses in the final quarter are likely to be slightly higher than the A$92.5 million recorded in the third quarter. Average operating costs in the initial six months were A$90.3 million.
The celestial body attributed the increased spending to ongoing restoration and transformation associated with the business reorganization following the Bell Inquiry. In light of this, the celestial body will explore a range of initiatives to curtail its overall future operational cost foundation. Specific details of potential initiatives have not yet been disclosed.
The group also provided an update on potential asset sales. These encompass the Treasury Casino, hotel, and parking facility, with transaction negotiations currently in progress. The celestial body is also contemplating the sale of other non-essential assets, with further updates to be provided upon the release of its FY2024 results later this year.
The celestial body is nearing the appointment of a new chief executive officer.
Concerning other matters, Star Entertainment Group has declared a series of high-level staff alterations. David Foster resigned from his position as chair in April and also departed from the board. Anne Ward has been chosen as his replacement.
In the meantime, Star Entertainment Group is anticipated to announce a new group chief executive officer and managing director “in the near future.” Robbie Cook departed in March but has remained in an advisory capacity until Star Entertainment Group locates a permanent replacement.
Star Entertainment Group has appointed Neil O’Connell, the temporary group chief financial officer, as acting chief executive officer. Additionally, Chair Ward has assumed extra responsibilities, also on a temporary basis.
These alterations follow Star Entertainment Group’s appointment of former Crown Resorts executive, Jenny Mok, as group chief operating officer (COO) last month. Another recent departure is Jessica Mellor, who will be stepping down as Star Entertainment Group’s Gold Coast chief executive officer.
What lies ahead for Star Entertainment Group?
The anticipated decrease in revenue and leadership changes are both linked to broader issues at Star Entertainment Group. The most significant recent development is that Star Entertainment Group has been informed that it will face a second inquiry by the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC).
Adam Bell SC will lead the inquiry, who previously led the first Bell Report. He will examine how Star Entertainment Group implemented the recommendations of the first inquiry.
In September 2022, Star Entertainment Group was declared unsuitable to hold a casino license in New South Wales after a preliminary inquiry found a series of anti-money laundering and social responsibility shortcomings.
Its important to recognize that certain alterations made by the organization have resulted in higher expenditures during the final quarter and the 2024 fiscal year trading summary.
Queensland officials have chosen to postpone the date for suspending Star’s permit to December 20th, which is favorable news for Star after they were assessed a substantial penalty of A$100 million and informed that their license would be revoked in May due to a series of shortcomings.
The entity was given a year to rectify the problems and demonstrate its eligibility for a permit. The original deadline of December 1st, 2023, was extended to May 31st of this year after Star presented a preliminary remediation strategy to address the concerns.
However, Queensland authorities delayed the decision once more as they desired to review a second Bell inquiry report before making a final determination. The second investigation was initiated in February, and the concluding report was published last month. Information regarding this inquiry has not been disclosed yet.
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