Sydney's The Star casino gets new chief

Casino operator Echo Entertainment Group has appointed former Crown Resorts executive Greg Hawkins to run its flagship Sydney casino The Star.

Mr Hawkins is expected to begin in the managing director role in September, subject to regulatory approvals, the company said on Tuesday.

The appointment of Mr Hawkins was flagged by The Australian Financial Review three weeks ago.

New Echo chief executive Matt Bekier said he was delighted at Mr Hawkins's appointment.

"Greg brings a wealth of local and regional gaming and entertainment experience that will be invaluable in delivering on the very large growth opportunity in front of us in Sydney," Mr Bekier said.

"Having managed both a premium VIP hotel and casino and a large-scale integrated resort in Macau, Greg also brings experience in the Asian VIP and premium mass market where we see further growth opportunities for Echo."

Mr Hawkins was previously chief executive of Crown's Melbourne casino. His position was made redundant last August as a result of a management reshuffle that gave Perth boss Barry Felstead ultimate responsibility for the company's two Australian casinos.

Prior to this role, Mr Hawkins spent five years in Asia initially as chief executive of Crown's Altira casino in Macau and then as president of its other property City of Dreams.

The Star's managing director role became available when Frederic Luvisutto resigned in December 2013 after just 22 months in the job. His predecessor, Sid Vaikunta, left Echo following sexual harassment allegations.