Donna Kamal | December 9, 2023 | Updated on: December 31st, 2024
Gambling in Australia is a huge deal! Despite being smaller than tons of other countries, the state is considered one of the largest gambling markets in the world. Thus, finding quality gambling destinations is relatively easy.
From Perth to Melbourne, you will find quality gambling venues scattered across the country. And, if you live in one of those remote locations where a solid internet connection is a luxury, you have got online casinos to help you get your fix.
If you would like to find out more about gambling online in Australia, scroll down. We’ve detailed all you need to know, including which casinos to visit, whether you’re online or offline.
Top AUS Casino Sites
Current Australian Gambling Laws
Here is all you need to know about the gambling laws regulating various parts of the industry in Australia:
Casino Laws
Casinos are legal in Australia. There are more than 11 land-based casinos spread across the country. Most of the casinos are owned by Crown, but other groups own some venues, including the New Zealand SkyCity outfit.
Land-based casinos are heavily regulated and need to comply with tons of terms and conditions to offer services. For example, the auto-play function is not allowed to appear on machines at casinos.
In addition to this, casinos also need to deal with state-specific laws to obtain licenses from local boards. Gambling regulators across states include:
- Australian Capital Territory Gambling & Racing Commission
- Liquor & Gaming NSW
- Northern Territory Gambling and Licensing Services
- Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation
- South Australia Independent Gambling Authority
- Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation
Sports Betting Laws
Sports betting is legal in Australia. You can bet on sports either on or offline. The only companies that may accept online sports wagers are brick-and-mortar shops. The monopoly in charge of sports betting in Australia is the Totalisator Agency Board (TAB).
TAB used to be a state-owned enterprise but was privatised in 1994. The service is known as UBET in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania.
Lottery
The Tatts Group runs most lotteries in Australia. The company recently merged with Tabcorp to further cement its position as one of the gambling powerhouses in Australia. It is legal for anyone 18 and older to buy lottery tickets.
Online Gambling
Online gambling in Australia is governed by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. This act was amended in 2017 to state that companies based in Australia cannot offer Australians online gambling services.
However, the wording of this law does not prevent Australians from seeking out online gambling services from offshore sites. You will not get prosecuted for playing at an offshore casino because nowhere in the law does it say that it is illegal for casinos to offer you these services. The casino itself is at fault.
Sports betting is the only form of online gambling that is exempt from the IGA. However, you will have to phone the actual sportsbook if you want to place an in-play bet.
Top 10 Australian Land-Based Casinos
Here is a list of the top 10 land-based casinos in Australia:
|
Rank |
Casino Name |
Games |
City |
Address |
| 1 | Crown Melbourne | Slots and Table Games | Melbourne, Victoria | 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006 |
| 2 | Crown Sydney | Slots and Table Games | Sydney, New South Wales | 1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000 |
| 3 | The Star Sydney | Slots and Table Games | Sydney, New South Wales | 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont NSW 2009 |
| 4 | The Star Gold Coast | Slots and Table Games | Gold Coast, Queensland | 1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach QLD 4218 |
| 5 | Crown Perth | Slots and Table Games | Perth, Western Australia | Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood WA 6100 |
| 6 | Treasury Casino | Slots and Table Games | Brisbane, Queensland | 130 William St, Brisbane City QLD 4000 |
| 7 | Adelaide Casino | Slots and Table Games | Adelaide, South Australia | 125 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5001 |
| 8 | The Reef Hotel Casino | Slots and Table Games | Cairns, Queensland | 35-41 Wharf St, Cairns City QLD 4870 |
| 9 | Mindil Beach Casino & Resort | Slots and Table Games | Darwin, Northern Territory | Mindil Beach, Gilruth Ave, Darwin City NT 0820 |
| 10 | Casino Canberra | Slots and Table Games | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | 21 Binara St, Canberra ACT 2601 |
Australian Casino – FAQs
There are about 20 traditional casinos in Australia. When we mean “traditional,” we mean venues with thousands of games and entertainment plazas attached. For example, a Crown Casino venue.
Outside of these casinos, tons of bars offer players the chance to play gambling games, such as pokies. Winnings on these machines are limited, though.
The biggest casino in Australia is the Crown Melbourne. The casino has 2,628 pokie machines on its gaming floor. In addition, there are 540 table games. In short, you should not have a problem finding something to play at this fabulous establishment.
Crown is the most famous casino chain in Australia, but it is not the only one in the country. New Zealand outfit SkyCity also has a few venues in Australia, including Adelaide Casino, and there are a few independent venues.
You are not taxed on gambling winnings in Australia if you are not a professional gambler. So if you are playing casino games purely for the fun of it, you will not have to pay taxes on your gains.
According to statistics gathered in 2011, Australia is the sixth biggest gambling market, with the industry generating billions of dollars each year. Although these stats are out of date, it’s hard to say that much has changed in that time, with online gambling booming and the state authorizing the construction of more casinos.
The Wrest Point Hotel Casino in Tasmania was the first casino in Australia. The venue opened its doors in 1973. This is not exactly the answer many expect given the size of the island and Melbourne and Sydney being the largest cities in Australia.
