How Many Casinos Are There in Australia? A 2026 Guide
Australia has 14 land-based casinos, with at least one in every state and territory. They range from major entertainment resorts in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to smaller properties in Canberra, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Finding the right venue involves more than choosing the nearest address. Some local casinos in Australia combine gaming with hotels, theatres and restaurants, while others focus on table games. Pokies, live poker and entry arrangements also vary between properties. This CasinoCapo guide covers the national casino list, notable venues, gaming machines and what to check before visiting.
Australia has 14 land-based casinos, with at least one in every state and territory. They range from major entertainment resorts in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to smaller properties in Canberra, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Finding the right venue involves more than choosing the nearest address. Some local casinos in Australia combine gaming with hotels, theatres and restaurants, while others focus on table games. Pokies, live poker and entry arrangements also vary between properties. This CasinoCapo guide covers the national casino list, notable venues, gaming machines and what to check before visiting.
The table below lists Australia’s 14 casino properties by state and territory. Pubs, clubs and standalone poker venues are excluded from this count.
State or territory
Number of casinos
Casino properties and locations
New South Wales
2
The Star Sydney, Pyrmont; Crown Sydney, Barangaroo
Victoria
1
Crown Melbourne, Southbank
Queensland
4
The Star Brisbane, Brisbane; The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach; The Ville Resort-Casino, Townsville; The Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns
Western Australia
1
Crown Perth, Burswood
South Australia
1
SkyCity Adelaide, Adelaide
Tasmania
2
Wrest Point, Hobart; Country Club Tasmania, near Launceston
Northern Territory
2
Mindil Beach Casino Resort, Darwin; Lasseters, Alice Springs
Australian Capital Territory
1
Casino Canberra, Canberra
Queensland has the widest geographical spread, with casinos in four cities. Sydney offers two different casino destinations within the same city, while visitors to most other capitals have one main property to consider.
Interesting facts:
♦️ Wrest Point opened in 1973 as Australia’s first casino after 53% voted yes in Tasmania’s 1968 state referendum.
♦️ The Star casino occupies less than 5% of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, a precinct with hotels, dining and public parklands.
♦️ The Crown Sydney tower resembles three twisting petals, with a 60-degree twist designed to maximise harbour vistas.
♦️ Crown Melbourne’s Gas Brigades use eight Southbank towers to shoot huge fireballs into the sky during scheduled evening shows.
♦️ Lasseters in Alice Springs features in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, including Felicia’s performance.
Top Local Casinos in Detail
The following properties illustrate the range of local Australian casinos, from large resort complexes to city venues with a strong poker offering.
Crown Melbourne
Crown Melbourne combines a casino with three hotels, restaurants, shopping and live entertainment on the southern bank of the Yarra River. Its Southbank location makes it straightforward to include in a wider Melbourne city break.
The main attraction is the breadth of the complex: visitors can arrange accommodation, dinner and a show within the same precinct. Poker has its own cash-game and tournament programme, so anyone travelling specifically to play should check that schedule separately from the main casino’s opening hours.
Crown Perth
Crown Perth is a resort destination in Burswood, with three hotels, a spa and a 2,300-seat theatre. Its restaurants and bars give visitors plenty of options beyond the gaming floor.
The casino offers table games, electronic table games and electronic gaming machines. Guests using gaming machines need an updated Crown Rewards membership card, making registration an important part of planning a first visit. The venue usually operates around the clock, with specified closures on Christmas Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day.
The Star Sydney
The Star Sydney is the Pyrmont option for visitors seeking table games, gaming machines and a dedicated poker room.
Its poker offering includes No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha cash games, alongside a separate tournament calendar. Check the specific format before arriving: blinds, buy-ins, rake and waiting lists matter more to a poker session than the size of the surrounding resort.
For visitors comparing Sydney’s two casinos, the distinction is practical. Crown Sydney has no pokies, while The Star offers electronic gaming machines.
Casino Crown Sydney
Crown Sydney sits in Barangaroo and focuses on table gaming, with baccarat, blackjack, roulette and poker-based casino games among its offerings.
It operates on a members-only basis, with free membership available to eligible guests following identification checks and approval. Smart casual dress is required.
A game described as poker here may be a house-banked table game, such as Ultimate Texas Hold’em or Mississippi Stud. That is a different experience from joining a poker-room cash game against other players.
SkyCity Adelaide
SkyCity Adelaide brings together gaming, restaurants, bars and Eos by SkyCity accommodation in the city centre.
Its casino offers traditional tables, gaming machines and automated table-game stadiums. The District also has a dedicated poker offering, giving visitors another reason to check individual gaming-area schedules before travelling.
The property is a practical choice for people planning an evening around dinner and entertainment as well as gaming, with several distinct spaces within the same destination.
Casino Games: What Can You Play?
Most local land-based casinos offer several gaming formats, but their selections differ. A casino name alone does not guarantee that a particular game, machine or poker session will be available.
Gaming format
How it works
What to check
Pokies and electronic gaming machines
Individual machines offering electronic games, often with bonus features
Total cost per play, game rules and membership requirements
Blackjack and pontoon
Card games played against the dealer, with rules that vary by version
Payouts, dealer rules and minimum bets
Roulette
Bets on numbers or groups of numbers on a wheel
Wheel layout and table limits
Baccarat
Bets on the outcome of player and banker hands, with additional options on some tables
Commission arrangements and side-bet rules
Poker-room games
Players compete against one another in cash games or tournaments
Rake, buy-in, blinds, registration and waiting lists
Electronic table games
Table-game formats accessed through individual terminals
Whether outcomes use a live dealer or automated equipment
The difference between a machine’s denomination and its total stake is particularly important. A game labelled with a small credit value can still cost considerably more per play when multiple credits or betting options are selected.
Likewise, two tables displaying the same game name can have different rules. Read the layout and ask the dealer to explain unfamiliar conditions before placing a bet.
How Many Poker Machines Are There in Australia?
Australia had 186,643 operating gaming machines, the reporting date in the latest national annual statistics published in August 2026.
These local poker machines were distributed across casinos, clubs and hotels. In this context, “hotels” generally refers to pub-style venues offering gaming, rather than accommodation-only hotels.
Venue category
Operating gaming machines
Casinos
13,142
Clubs
104,455
Hotels
69,046
Approximately 93% of the machines in this snapshot were outside casinos. This explains why the number of local pokies in Australia is much larger than someone might expect from a list of just 14 casino properties.
The figure is a dated national snapshot, rather than a live count of machines available today. It also measures operating machines, which should not be confused with a venue’s maximum approved capacity.
Why Are There So Many Pokies in NSW?
New South Wales has a long-established network of clubs and pubs offering gaming machines. Its club-based machine industry dates back to 1956, helping explain why pokies became part of local venues as well as casino floors.
Western Australia has a different venue landscape. Electronic gaming machines are concentrated at Crown Perth, rather than spread across ordinary pubs and clubs.
For visitors, the practical result is that searching for local casinos and searching for a nearby pokies venue can produce very different lists.
Does Australia actually operate 20% of the world’s poker machines? Analysts should avoid citing this popular 20% figure as an absolute, up-to-date fact. The statistic originates from older comparisons of similar machines, and global counting methods heavily alter the final percentage.
A useful comparison needs a reporting year and a clear definition of the machines included. For understanding Australia’s present venue landscape, the dated domestic breakdown above is more informative than an unexplained global percentage.
Australia Poker Rooms and Tournament Listings
A directory of local Australia poker rooms will contain a different set of venues from a casino directory. Poker can take place within casinos and at other locations, while some casino poker offerings consist of games played against the house.
For player-versus-player poker, these established venues publish dedicated information:
Poker venue
Published offering
Crown Melbourne
Hold’em, Omaha and other cash-game formats, plus scheduled tournaments
The Star Sydney
No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha cash games, plus tournament listings
The District at SkyCity Adelaide
No Limit Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha cash games
For example, The Star Sydney lists an A$2/A$3 cash game with an A$200–A$500 buy-in. Its published rake is 10%, capped at A$20. The buy-in is the amount brought to the table; rake is a separate charge taken from qualifying pots.
Before choosing local poker tournaments, check:
The entry fee and how much contributes to the prize pool.
Whether re-entry or additional purchases are available.
Starting chips and blind-level duration.
Late-registration deadlines.
The likely finishing time.
A tournament requires a different time commitment from a cash game. In a cash game, players can generally leave between hands; tournament chips remain part of the event until a player is eliminated or play concludes.
How to Judge One for Yourself
The right casino depends on the visit you want to make. A large resort may suit an overnight stay, while a dedicated poker session calls for closer attention to the room’s schedule and fees.
Use these checks to narrow your options:
Start with the game. Confirm that the venue offers your preferred format and that it runs on your intended day.
Check the full cost. Allow for transport, parking, food and accommodation separately from any gaming budget.
Read entry conditions. Bring accepted identification and check whether membership or a player card is required.
Review dress standards. Requirements differ between properties and may be stricter in particular areas.
Check operating hours. A resort, casino floor, poker room and restaurant can all keep different schedules.
If you are searching for a local casino near me, use the property’s current name and suburb. This helps avoid old listings, particularly where a venue has moved or changed branding.
Hotels, Restaurants and Entertainment
Accommodation can make a resort visit more convenient, but it should be assessed on its own merits. Compare the room rate, parking arrangements, cancellation conditions and distance from other places you plan to visit.
The same applies to dining and entertainment. A restaurant booking or theatre performance can anchor the evening without requiring a long gaming session.
Casino Rewards and Comps
Casino rewards programmes may offer points, dining discounts, accommodation rates or invitations to selected events. Benefits depend on the programme, membership tier and qualifying activity.
Before joining, check how points are earned, where they can be redeemed and when they expire. Some player cards also support identification, gaming access or time and spending controls.
Treat rewards as an additional benefit to an existing visit. Spending more to reach a tier can easily outweigh the value of the reward.
Online Alternatives to Australia’s Local Casinos
For a different gaming format, online casinos bring together pokies, table games and live dealer entertainment in a browser. The following options offer different combinations of game categories, promotions and loyalty features.
DragonSlots – Pokies from Familiar Studios
DragonSlots Casino combines pokies from developers including Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming and Nolimit City with live games and classic casino formats. Its welcome offers are spread across several qualifying deposits, while a loyalty programme adds points-based rewards.
Multi-deposit welcome promotions.
Pokies, live games and table games.
Loyalty points for eligible activity.
Check which games contribute towards bonus wagering, as jackpot titles and live tables may be excluded.
Casino Rocket – A Space-Themed Bonus Shop
Casino Rocket pairs its space-inspired presentation with pokies, table games and live casino entertainment. A distinctive feature is the Bonus Shop, where points or cash can be exchanged for mystery rewards, including free spins and bonus funds.
The shop gives the rewards system a different format from a standard deposit promotion. However, purchased rewards have their own wagering requirements, expiry dates and cashout limits, so their displayed value is only part of the picture.
WestAce – Live Tables and Dedicated Jackpot Categories
WestAce Casino offers a varied lobby with separate sections for Megaways, Bonus Buys, instant games and jackpots. Its live casino includes roulette, blackjack, baccarat and game shows, alongside the branded Gold Saloon category.
The category structure makes it straightforward to browse by game format rather than scroll through one continuous catalogue.
Posido – Achievements and Recurring Promotions
Posido Casino combines pokies and live dealer games with achievements, weekly challenges and a shop. Its promotional calendar includes a multi-stage welcome package, weekly free spins, weekend reloads and separate casino and live casino cashback offers.
The distinction between these promotions matters: eligibility, activation and qualifying play can differ. The achievements and shop sections provide additional reward features beyond the welcome package.
5Gringos – Challenges and a Shooting Range
5Gringos Casino adds a distinctive Shooting Range to its pokies, live casino and jackpot sections. Players collect bullets through challenges or obtain them in the shop, then use them for shots that can award coins, free spins or bonus rewards.
Shooting Range with random prizes.
Challenges, tournaments and a coin shop.
VIP levels with benefits that vary by status.
Shooting Range prizes have separate conditions, including wagering requirements for applicable rewards.
Land-Based vs Online Casinos: What’s the Difference?
Land-based casinos and online casinos offer familiar game types in different settings. Beyond the choice of pokies or tables, the main differences involve the atmosphere, payment process and rewards available.
Feature
Land-based casinos
Online casinos
Access
Visit a physical venue and meet its entry requirements
Access games through a browser or supported app, subject to account and location restrictions
Game selection
Physical tables, gaming machines and electronic terminals; selection varies by property
Digital pokies, virtual table games and streamed dealer games; availability varies by site
Atmosphere
Face-to-face interaction with dealers, staff and other visitors
Remote play with on-screen controls; some live tables include chat
Payments
Cashiers, chips, tickets, player cards or venue wallets, depending on the property
Account deposits and withdrawal requests using supported payment methods
Rewards
Membership points, dining benefits, hotel offers and selected promotions
Deposit bonuses, free spins, cashback and digital loyalty rewards
Opening hours
Casino floors, poker rooms and individual tables may follow different schedules
Digital games generally offer flexible access, although maintenance and live-table schedules can apply
Additional facilities
Some properties include accommodation, restaurants, theatres and bars
Features focus on games, account tools, tournaments and digital rewards
The word “live” does not always describe the same experience. An online live casino streams a dealer managing games such as roulette, blackjack or baccarat. Poker-labelled titles may also be played against the house.
A dedicated poker room, meanwhile, offers formats where players compete against one another. Check the game rules and format rather than relying on the word “poker” in the title.
FAQs
How many casinos are there in Australia?
Australia has 14 land-based casino properties across its six states and two territories. This count excludes pubs, clubs, standalone poker venues and online websites.
Which Australian state has the most casinos?
Queensland has four: The Star Brisbane, The Star Gold Coast, The Ville in Townsville and The Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns.
How many casinos are in Sydney?
Sydney has two: The Star Sydney in Pyrmont and Crown Sydney in Barangaroo. Their gaming selections and entry arrangements differ.
Do all Australian casinos have pokies?
No. Crown Sydney and Casino Canberra do not offer pokies. Casino Canberra focuses on table gaming, while Crown Sydney also offers electronic table-game formats.
Are poker machines the same as poker tables?
No. “Poker machines” usually means pokies or electronic gaming machines. Live poker tables involve card games, including formats where players compete against one another.
The Bottom Line for Aussies
Australia has 14 land-based casinos across its six states and two territories, with Queensland home to the most venues. That casino count represents only part of the country’s gaming scene: most poker machines are located in pubs and clubs. When planning a casino visit, look beyond the property’s size to its games, entry requirements and facilities. Online alternatives provide a different format, with digital game libraries and promotional rewards. In either setting, understanding the rules and costs matters more than the headline offer.
