The Star Entertainment Group Limited announced that the Group’s corporate lenders have executed a commitment letter for a new debt facility (of up to $200 million in two-tranches) which will become effective upon completion of long-form documentation and satisfaction of various conditions precedent.

The Group’s existing $450 million facility has been reduced to $334 million which is fully drawn.

The Company’s lenders have agreed to provide covenant waivers for the next two testing dates, being 30 September 2024 and 31 December 2024, with the waiver for the latter date being subject to execution of long-form documentation for the new debt facility and other customary conditions.

The new facility comprises two tranches of $100 million each. The first tranche is expected to be available to be drawn, subject to conditions precedent, from the end of October 2024 through to 20 December 2024.

The first tranche is subject to certain conditions precedent being met, including:

•the provision of unsecured guarantees from some of the Group’s regulated entities and enhanced security granted to lenders;

•regulatory consents and government approvals as required for guarantees and enhanced security for the lender group;

•the establishment of a disposal proceeds account with a credit balance of an amount representing the net proceeds of the sale of the Treasury Brisbane casino building and any other non-core asset proceeds completed before the draw down; and

•other customary conditions precedent.

The second tranche is subject to more extensive conditions precedent but, if satisfied, would be expected to be available to be drawn from the end of December 2024 and have a 4 month availability period following the drawing of the first tranche.

The conditions precedent for the second tranche drawdown include:

•the receipt of required regulatory consents and finalisation of documentation for the granting to the lender group of security over the Group’s regulated entities;

•provision of information in relation to the Group’s long-term strategy;

•all lender approval of the Group’s strategic plan and long-term financial forecasts;

•the Company raising additional subordinated capital of at least $150m; and

•other customary conditions precedent.

The all-in coupon for the new facility is 13.50% per annum (assuming cash pay is elected), and the existing $300 million term facility has been repriced to this level:

•the Company has the flexibility to capitalise a component of the interest at its election; and

•there is a reduction in the coupon subject to the Group’s Adjusted Net Leverage Ratio falling below 4.0x.

The maturity date for the new facility is consistent with the existing term loan (December 2027). The Group will also retain up to $34 million of bank guarantees under the existing revolving credit facility.

Liquor & Gaming NSW has kicked off a compliance blitz on new gaming harm minimisation measures, ahead of additional training requirements coming into force for senior staff of licensed venues.

Inspectors visited 528 hotels and clubs across NSW in July and August to ensure venues were complying with new requirements relating to Responsible Gaming Officers (RGOs), gambling incident registers, ATM signage and Gaming Plans of Management (GPOM).

The operation comes amid new requirements for senior staff to undertake training to ensure venue leaders can support a culture of gaming harm minimisation.

The new requirements are part of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver evidence-based reform that helps prevent gambling harm and money laundering, and supports local communities and jobs.

Venues have shown a readiness to adopt the additional harm minimisation requirements, with inspections since 1 July finding 93 per cent of venues are complying with new measures required since that date. The majority of breaches found related to new ATM signage requirements.

Inspectors are continuing their work across the state to ensure industry is aware of its obligations and are complying with the new requirements as they come into effect.

Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations Jane Lin said the new requirements were an important next step in minimising gambling harm.

“Inspectors re focusing on Gaming Plans of Management to ensure they have the required content included, as well as testing that the policies and procedures in the plan are being adhered to.

“It’s important that venues not only have a plan prepared, but ensure their staff are aware of the contents and are checking to make sure it is being complied with.”

The new requirements are part of the government’s commitment to deliver an evidence-based reform that reduces gambling harm, stops money laundering, and supports local communities and jobs.

Under the new rules, club secretaries, club directors, hotel licensees, hotel managers and staff who are responsible for the management of gaming operations will all be required to undertake training on the practical skills to identify and proactively intervene when patrons are showing signs of gambling harm.

As part of a suite of gambling reforms, licensed venues have recently been required to:

-maintain and conduct monthly reviews of a Gambling incident register from 1 July 2024, that records instances of potential or actual gambling harm identified in the venue

-introduce RGOs into hotels and clubs with more than 20 gaming machine entitlements from 1 July 2024

-create and maintain a Gaming Plan of Management from 1 September 2024, and update at least annually.

From 1 January 2025, ATMs must be located outside of a five-metre radius of any entrance or exit of a gaming area in a hotel or club.

Venues that cannot comply with this requirement can seek an exemption from L&GNSW in some circumstances.

BetMakers Technology Group has announced that it has signed a new racing data and content distribution agreement with Sports Information Services Limited (SIS).

Under the agreement, BetMakers will deliver SIS race data and video content to approved SIS customers and affiliates in Australia and New Zealand via integration with BetMakers’ bookmaker technology platforms, including websites, mobile apps and pricing applications.

The agreement will give BetMakers’ bookmaker clients in the region who also use SIS data and audio-visual services access to video and data for horse racing from the UK and Europe, the Middle East and the Americas and to greyhound racing from the UK and Ireland.

BetMakers CEO Jake Henson said: “We are pleased to extend our longstanding working relationship with SIS to deliver content and data services to BetMakers’ bookmaker solution clients in Australia and New Zealand. Close integration with partners like SIS allows BetMakers to offer our End-to-End Platform, Embedded Solution and API clients the racing and betting content they demand and to ensure that our solutions continue to deliver the broadest suite of global racing products to heighten player engagement.”

SIS MD, EMEA, Paul Witten, said: “Australia is one of the largest international racing wagering markets and our partnership with BetMakers enables SIS customers to receive a tailored product that suits their local market needs. We are pleased to assist our racetrack partners in ensuring broad distribution continues and look forward to working with BetMakers over the course of the agreement to deliver growth for those partners.”