Person 1 had been banned from NSW casinos by the NSW police commissioner,dating back to July 2007,for suspected criminal activity.
Star executives decided in early 2016 that Person 1 could go to the Gold Coast casino and be “treated the same as any other customer of their level”.
Person 1 was a Diamond member – the highest tier. As of January 2019,there were only a dozen or so Diamond members in NSW,and just two or three in Queensland.
Among the incentives offered to Person 1 to come to Queensland was a Rolex watch worth $52,600 and a special dinner,including cake,for an upcoming “milestone birthday”.
Despite these freebies,Star domestic and international sales president Chris Peasley told the inquiry the operator did not “pursue” Person 1.
“I would constitute pursuing as actively ringing and trying to activate the customer,” he said.