The Star Entertainment Appoints Former MGM China CEO to Board

(AsiaGameHub) –   The Star Entertainment Group Limited, an Australian casino and hospitality firm, has announced a new addition to its board of directors. The company stated that this appointment is in line with its ongoing recovery efforts and its commitment to achieving strong sustainability.

Another Strong Addition to The Star’s New Management

According to an official ASX announcement from The Star, industry veteran Grant Bowie has joined the company as a non-executive director. The company also noted that this board appointment is contingent upon regulatory and ministerial approvals.

As a member of The Star’s board, Bowie will serve as a Non-Executive Director (NED) and observer, contributing to the company’s efforts to meet its sustainability targets.

With his previous role as CEO of MGM China, Bowie brings a wealth of experience in the gaming industry. The Star highlighted that its new director has approximately 4 decades of experience in the tourism, gaming, and hospitality sectors.

Bowie began his career in finance, holding various positions in public accounting and consulting across New Zealand, the US, and Australia. He spent roughly 16 years with Hilton Hotels Corporation in Australia, where he held several executive roles, including those related to the company’s gaming operations on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.

In 2003, Bowie relocated to Macau, joining Wynn Resorts before moving to its competitor, MGM Resorts. During his tenure with these two major casino operators, Bowie was responsible for leadership, management, strategic development, and expansion initiatives.

The appointment of Bowie as an observer and NED was positively received by Soo Kim, the chair of The Star.

I would like to welcome Grant to the Board and look forward to working with him to assist in delivering our strategic objectives and creating a sustainable future for The Star.

Soo Kim, chair, The Star

The Star Sold Its DBC Interest

In separate news, the Group recently announced via an ASX release that it has finalized the previously disclosed sale of its stake in Destination Brisbane Consortium (DBC). This transaction involved The Star selling its share in Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, which has helped reduce the company’s debt during a challenging period.

The company, which has faced significant challenges over the past few years, largely due to its inadequate Anti-Money Laundering (AML) controls, has been under intense regulatory scrutiny. Its shortcomings led to it being deemed unsuitable to hold licenses in New South Wales and Queensland, and it also faced criticism from investors.

Fortunately for The Star, its new majority owner, Bally’s, appears committed to addressing the issues left by previous management and ushering in a new era for the company.