The company chairman addressed the issue of executive bonuses and the\u00a0JobKeeper\u00a0subsides at the annual shareholders meeting.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Australia.- The Star Entertainment Group offered a financial update at its annual shareholders’ meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The operator said that from July 1 to October 15, domestic gaming revenues stood at approximately 75 per cent of prior-year levels, while the group\u2019s domestic revenue was at 70 per cent with reduced capacity at all properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CEO and managing director Matt Bekier said: \u201cThe Queensland properties have traded strongly with domestic gaming revenue broadly in-line with the prior period, notwithstanding the spatial distancing requirements and reduced trading hours that are currently in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Sydney continues to be impacted by the more onerous constraints on the operations of the property, including a cap on the number of patrons in an area and no co-mingling between areas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that loyalty gaming revenue remained strong and was enhanced by the opening of a new private gaming room in Sydney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bekier added: \u201cThe VIP Rebate business continues to be impacted by the closure of the international and domestic borders with negligible turnover in the period.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Offering an update on measures taken to safeguard the company against the impact of the pandemic, chairman John O\u2019Neill noted that during the 2020 financial year, The Star secured AU$200 million (US$142 million) in additional liquidity, covenant waivers<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, and had practised cash preservation through reduced operations and an underwritten interim dividend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It also stood down 95 per cent of its workforce and implemented executive pay cuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently, the Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast properties remain operational with capacity limits. About 85 per cent of the workforce is already back at their posts, although the company is operating \u201cwell below pre-Covid-19 levels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n