However, The Star still has an interest in combining both companies, especially after the investigation into Crown ended and the threat of suspension was lifted in September. The Star had previously shown interest in acquiring its rival, but withdrew a A$12 billion ($8.6 billion) merger offer last year, as Crown’s licenses for its Melbourne and Perth casinos came under threat of suspension amid a money-laundering investigation. The news of the investigation expansion comes amid an announcement on Thursday that rival gaming giant Crown Resorts received an A$8.9 billion ($6.5 billion) offer from private equity group Blackstone, which the company is likely to accept. Star Entertainment shares were down 0.8% in early trading following the new report. The Star has now announced that the AUSTRAC advised the company that it has “not made a decision” regarding the appropriate regulatory response that it may apply to the gaming group, including whether or not enforcement action will be taken. The gaming company first informed the public that it was under regulatory scrutiny in June last year, when it announced it was notified by the AUSTRAC of an investigation into possible breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism laws at its casino in Sydney. The group currently operates casinos in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Central (AUSTRAC) has decided to now expand the scope of its investigation to other entities within The Star group, besides the initial probe at Sydney's casino. Australia’s financial crime regulator is expanding its Star Entertainment Group money laundering probe, the company announced in a statement to the ASX on Friday.
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