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Australia’s Star Entertainment names Bally’s executive Charles Diao as CFO

By Thomson Reuters Mar 20, 2026 | 12:48 AM

March 20 (Reuters) – Australian casino operator Star Entertainment Group said on Friday it has appointed HC Charles Diao as ​group chief financial officer, marking another ‌leadership addition from U.S.-based Bally’s Corporation.

Diao, currently senior vice president of finance and corporate treasurer at Bally’s, will succeed Frank Krile, who stepped down ‌as ​CFO of Star Entertainment ⁠at the end of ⁠December.

Diao’s appointment follows the December appointments of Bruce Mathieson Jr as CEO and Soo Kim, chair of Bally’s, as chairman ​of Star’s board.

The Mathieson family and Bally’s are Star’s largest shareholders, holding stakes ⁠of about 23% and ⁠38%, respectively, and have played ​a key role in backing a rescue of ​the Australian casino group as it neared ‌bankruptcy.

Diao will be instrumental to stabilise the business, strengthen governance settings, and position the company for long-term performance, Group CEO ⁠and Managing Director Bruce Mathieson Jnr said.

His appointment as CFO is subject to completion of regulatory ⁠and ministerial ‌approvals, Star added.

The embattled Australian ⁠casino operator on Friday confirmed several ​key ‌executive appointments, including Tom Boyd ​as interim ⁠group chief legal officer, John Koster as CEO of The Star Sydney, and David Whimpey as interim CEO of The Star Brisbane.

(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by ​Sherry Jacob-Phillips)