Australia has a small but diverse land-based casino industry, with major casino venues operating across several states and territories. From large integrated resorts in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to regional casinos in places such as Cairns, Townsville and Alice Springs, each venue offers a different gaming and entertainment experience. Australia currently has 13 operating live casinos commonly counted across the country.
This guide to casinos in Australia focuses on real land-based venues, not online gambling sites. Whether you are looking for a casino nearby or comparing Australia’s best-known gaming destinations, our directory and location pages make it easy to explore casinos across the country.
Australia’s casino industry is spread across several states and territories, with each jurisdiction responsible for its own licensing and regulatory framework. New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia are home to some of the country’s largest casino resorts, while Tasmania and the Northern Territory also have established casino venues.
The market varies considerably from state to state. Some casinos are large integrated resorts with hotels, restaurants and entertainment facilities, while others are smaller regional venues. This makes Australia’s casino landscape particularly diverse, with different gaming options and visitor experiences depending on where you travel.
Australia’s major cities are home to many of the country’s best-known casino destinations. Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane feature large casino resorts with extensive gaming floors, restaurants, bars and entertainment facilities. Gold Coast also attracts visitors looking to combine casino gaming with a broader holiday experience.
Outside the largest capitals, casino venues can be found in cities such as Cairns, Townsville, Darwin, Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston and Alice Springs. These casinos tend to have a more regional character while still offering table games, poker, pokies and other forms of gaming.
Online gambling in Australia is subject to strict federal restrictions. Unlike land-based casinos, online casino-style services offering games such as roulette, blackjack and online slots are generally prohibited from providing these services to Australian consumers under the Interactive Gambling Act.
This makes Australia’s gambling market very different from countries where online casino gaming is widely licensed. Australians looking for casino gaming can instead visit licensed land-based venues, where table games, poker and pokies are available under state and territory regulations. The Australian Communications and Media Authority also takes action against prohibited offshore gambling services.
Some Australian casinos stand out because of their size, location and reputation. Crown Melbourne, Crown Perth and Crown Sydney are among the country’s best-known casino resorts, while The Star Sydney, The Star Gold Coast and The Star Brisbane are also major destinations for casino visitors.
Outside the largest metropolitan venues, casinos such as The Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns, The Ville Resort-Casino in Townsville and Wrest Point in Hobart offer a different experience, combining gaming with hotels, restaurants and regional tourism. The casinos featured in this section represent some of the most recognisable names in Australia’s land-based casino industry.
Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville QLD 4810, Australia
1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach QLD 4218, Australia
33 William Street, Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia
Australia’s casino industry continues to evolve as operators invest in gaming technology, hospitality facilities and new forms of entertainment. At the same time, responsible gambling, regulatory compliance and tighter controls remain important topics across the industry, particularly following major regulatory reviews of several casino operators.
Player expectations are changing as well. Electronic gaming, cashless payment technology, upgraded hospitality areas and integrated entertainment experiences are becoming increasingly common. Our latest articles and updates cover the developments, venues and trends shaping Australia’s casino market.
Ideal spot for quality music and gaming. Dining ranges from properly first class down to solid value if that's your preference. Ev Continue Reading
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Australian casinos offer a wide range of traditional table games, with roulette, blackjack and baccarat available at many major venues. Poker is also offered at selected casinos, with cash games and tournaments depending on the venue and its current schedule. Some casinos also provide electronic table games alongside traditional dealer-operated games.
Pokies are another major part of Australia’s land-based gaming industry. Unlike traditional table games, gaming machines are found not only in casinos but also in many licensed clubs, pubs and hotels. The number and type of pokies available varies between states and territories, with local regulations determining where gaming machines can operate.
Operating a casino in Australia requires a casino licence and approval from the relevant state or territory regulator. Casino regulation is not handled by a single national casino authority. Instead, each jurisdiction has its own legislation, licensing framework and regulatory body responsible for overseeing casino operators.
Licensed casinos are subject to ongoing regulatory requirements covering integrity, financial controls, responsible gambling, security, anti-money-laundering measures and the suitability of operators and key personnel. Regulatory frameworks can differ between jurisdictions, which is why the rules applying to a casino in New South Wales may not be identical to those applying in Queensland, Victoria or Tasmania. For example, NSW currently lists The Star and Crown Sydney as its two casino licence holders.
Before visiting a casino for the first time, it’s worth keeping a few things in mind:
Visitors who plan ahead, understand the venue’s rules and treat gambling as entertainment are more likely to enjoy their casino experience.
