Whether you’re an amateur or professional poker player, where you play matters. Australian casinos offer some of the best playing environments in the world. The amenities and gambling laws also make Australia very attractive for gamblers.
Players can enjoy tax-free winnings, as opposed to American casinos where players always pay a cut. Although there are still rakes in poker rooms, some of them offer interesting alternatives, such as time-rakes. With that said, the top casinos in Australia are more than just places the gamble, they’re all-inclusive resorts.
If you’re on the search for a great place to have fun, score some big prizes, and feel like royalty–even for just a few hours–keep reading! This is our list of the seven best casinos in Australia.
There are 8 states and territories with gambling facilities in Australia which have 20 legal gambling facilities available in total, though we’ve cut this down with the following list. The Best Casinos in Australia. Best casino deals, memberships and programs at local Australian casinos - Wide range of information on game base, accommodation and dining options at casinos - Latest information about regular payouts - Variety of coin sizes and bets - Names of the casinos with progressive jackpot.
Your Invitation to the Best Online Pokies in Australia
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1. The Star Casino
Choosing a number one in a big gambling mecca like Australia is difficult, but not impossible. In the end, we can’t help but be continually marveled by The Star Casino in Sydney. If size matters, then Star City will impress and deliver on every measure.
The floor space is so massive, you’ll need a map and a tour guide. Lights as big as your head and tables that make sitting feel like a VIP no matter how rich you are. Of course, even the humblest of gamblers can become a big-time winner at these Australian casinos.
Let’s Play!
Blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, poker, Sic Bo, Pai Gow, and pontoon make up the numerous games you can play at Star City. Poker games also include Texas Limit and No-Limit Hold’em, Omaha, Three Card Draw, 7-Card Stud, and more.
You can find the WSOP tournament here every year, as well. High-rollers will find large pools of players with guaranteed winnings of $20k up to $50k. But, if poker is above your pay-grade, you can sit down at one of the 1500 electronic gaming machines and play.
You have your traditional video poker, reels, hyperlink games, bingo, mah-jong, and more niche games. Sports can also be bet on digitally with fully paperless TAB kiosks. With all the variety in games, it’s just a matter of finding which ones give you the best odds to win.
Amenities and Entertainment
This all-inclusive hotel and casino resort has all the posh features you would expect. Five-star rooms, four-star restaurants, a vibrant nightlife filled with concerts and events, luxury boutiques, and etc. When you’re worn out from all the action at the casino, you can hop into your private day spa room and relax.
The biggest casino in Australia attracts some of the biggest names in showbiz, too. Major award shows like AACTA and ARIA have hosted here, red carpet premiers for movies, as well as music artists like Alicia Keys and Coldplay. The stars shine bright in Star City Sydney Casino.
2. Crown Melbourne
While we did pick Star Casino in Sydney as our number one, the Crown Casino in Melbourne holds the title as the largest casino complex in the country. Actually, it holds the title of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
We choose Crown in Melbourne for a few different reasons. Poker fans will know it by the location where the Aussie Millions Tournament is held. Phil Ivey fans will recognize it because he is a repeating champ and has defeated many fellow poker legends.
Like the Star Casino, the Crown in Melbourne hosts a number of celebrity events. What sets this casino apart from other Australian casinos is the vast array of digital gaming machines. A massive 2500 slots and gaming machines with a stunning 3500 digital poker machines.
As you can expect, these are state-of-the-art installations with an amazing display of sights, sounds, and exciting energy.
3. Country Club Tasmania
Not your average casino in Australia, that’s for sure. The Country Club is half private casino, half golf club resort. Everything here is truly catered to luxury and outstanding service. Visiting Prospect Vale is a treat in itself, and this casino is not too far from the Cataract Gorge in Queen Victoria.
There are five restaurants and four bars to go with the casino and full-featured golf course. You can also find tennis and horseback riding for activities to occupy the whole family. The casino has poker, blackjack, electronic machines, sports betting, keno, and craps available for play.
This casino makes our list for the location, the relaxing atmosphere, and unconventional pairings of casino and outdoor activities.
4. Crown Casino in Perth
We are going to go ahead and crown our second Crown resort in Perth. This one differs from its sister casino by catering more to pokies selection. They have the biggest collection, as well as the only license for pokies in Perth. Over 2000 electronic gaming machines are under the license of Crown Casino in Perth.
Their luxury hotels and amenities are held in what is called the Burswood Island Casino. This place has to be seen to be believed. This man-made island of entertainment holds a theatre, 32 different restaurants and bars, concert hall, nightclub, spas, and gyms.
Soon, this Crown Casino will grow even larger and offer even more luxury, which we may have to revisit and update this list when it does.
5. Star Gold Coast
Call us biased, but we think both Star Casinos are pinnacles of gambling entertainment. This was the first casino to open in Queensland, but it went by the name of Jupiter before it was bought up. Don’t worry, although this old casino has classic charm, it doesn’t lack in modern amenities.
This casino is big among corporate and business types, thanks to the hotel’s huge capacity. We love it for the world-class theatre, hosting major artists and acts year-around. The Jupiter Theatre was renovated in 2012. This brought it up-to-date with screen technologies and luxurious seatings found in the big cities.
The theatre can hold a total of 2,300 people, with 300 of those being luxury VIP seats. The casino itself is infamous for having experienced and excellent staff. At least 40 members have been there since it first opened over 30 years. That should give you a good idea as to how smooth things run at the Star Gold Coast.
6. Casino Canberra
Step into this casino if you want to feel like James Bond for a day. The Casino Canberra was once mired with dated interiors and stuffy tables. Fast-forward to the 21st Century of gambling entertainment. It is now among the top Australian casinos for the amateur and professional.
This place is big-everything: big ceilings, big chandeliers, big style, and big comfort. The glitz and glamour are easy to get lost in, but let’s not forget the games to be played here. Casino Canberra takes gambling seriously, offering VIP gaming sections and the first ever live gaming “stadium” filled with 50 machines.
If you’re a punter who is looking for something fresh and competitive, you have to visit this casino. The Lotus Room is also a new take on poker environments, offering a classy private lounge for big players.
7. Treasury Casino, Brisbane
We have to give our last slot to the classic and soon-to-be-replaced Treasury Casino in Brisbane. In 2022 we will no longer have the Treasury as we know it. The casino will be transformed into a multi-tiered entertainment complex called Queen’s Wharf.
As the name suggests, this complex will contain more than just a casino property. We expect the casino floors to change only in aesthetics, of course. With that said, now is the best time to come send off this legendary casino in Brisbane.
Gamblers from all over the world treat themselves to the Treasury Casino with its inviting staff and old school hospitality. You’ll get plenty of action with over 1600 digital poker machines and 80 poker tables. The atmosphere is always laid back, there is no wide-spanning poker lobbies, only rooms with tables.
Eight more poker tables are dedicated to live poker cash and tournament games. Get rich and maybe get famous playing in this historical casino monument!
The Future of Australian Casinos
A few of our top seven picks are currently in the process of expanding and transforming their brands. Billions of dollars are pouring into casino ventures in Australia. SKYCITY Adelaide 2020 Expansion project is one we are most excited about, besides the Queen’s Wharf.
It is worth noting that some of these ventures get stuck in limbo and fail to make the cut. The Aquis Casino in Cairns is a big one, racking up $8 billion in investments, but stalled in 2016. Gold Coast in Queensland attempted a humble $2 billion deal with Sea World to open the Gold Coast Integrated Resort.
That deal is still up in the air, partly due to the major controversies surrounding the land itself and Sea World in recent years. It is worth noting that things have turned around this year for Sea World, so that deal may still be good.
The State land still needs to be negotiated at The Spit for preservation and valuation of the property.
Bookmark our site for more updates on gambling destinations as they come in.
If there’s one thing you can say about casinos, it’s this: you’ll never run out of stuff to do. There’s no shortage of games to play. And new games are coming out all the time.
This is great if you play online, because with just a few clicks of your mouse, you could be playing a different, unique, or brand new game – one of hundreds (if not thousands) available at any ONE casino.
The question we have for you now is this: do you know all the casino games that are available to you? All the variations you can play? If not, then start with this brief guide. We’ll fill you in on all the types of casino games you can find and play online and at land-based venues.
Overview of Casino Game Types
Let’s start with an overview of the games you’ll usually find at a casino.
But before we list the games, we want to quickly explain how an online casino might list them on their website. That way, you know exactly where to find the games you’re most interested in if playing online.
Each casino will list their games differently. Here’s an example.
- Slots – This includes all variations, like 3D or progressives.
- Table Games – This includes all card games, like blackjack, baccarat, and pai gow poker. It also sometimes includes dice games like craps, as well as roulette.
- Video Poker – This includes all poker games played on a machine similar to slots.
- Specialty Games – This includes anything that doesn’t fit in the categories above, such as keno, scratch tickets, lottery games, and bingo. It may also include roulette or craps.
Some casinos also have an arcade or games section. Others list bingo or scratch card games separately. Some might have their own, unique categories.
Generally speaking, though, what we’ve listed here broadly covers all the main types of casino games.
Many popular casino games come in several variations. These variations sometimes come with just minor differences, while others have more significant differences.
Let’s take a look at some of the main variations of the most popular casino games. Many of these are available at both online casinos and land-based venues, while some are only available at one or the other.
Slots
- 3, 5, 7 reel machines
- Classic slots
- Video slots
- Fruit machines
- 3D slots
- Progressive slots
- Single and multiple payline slots
There are more, too. And then there are the various features that you’ll find with some slot games but not others. These included multipliers, free spins, cascading reels, and bonus rounds.
You could even add licensed slot titles to the list. This would expand to cover licensed movie, video game, celebrity, and board game slots. In short, slot games come in MANY variations.
- Perfect Pairs
- Spanish 21
- Pontoon
- Blackjack Switch
- Chinese Blackjack
- Super Fun 21
- Atlantic City Blackjack
- Bonus Blackjack
- European Blackjack
These are just a few examples, and there are several other blackjack variants. You’ll also find payout variations such as 6:5 or 3:2 for a natural blackjack.
- Bonus Deuces Wild
- Bonus Poker
- Deuces Wild
- Bonus Poker Deluxe
- Double Jackpot Poker
- Jacks or Better
- Joker Poker
- Loose Deuces
Again, these are just a few examples. In many land-based casinos, especially the large ones in Las Vegas, you might find dozens of different video poker games. Most of the online casinos we’ve reviewed have at least ten or so, and many of them have a lot more.
Some common video poker variations you’ll find everywhere, while others are exclusive to a specific online casino or software provider. Other variations also include progressive and multi-hand video poker machines.
- American Rouette
- European Roulette
- French Roulette
- Live Dealer Roulette (online only)
- 3D Roulette
- Multi-Ball Roulette
- Multi-Wheel Roulette
Almost hard to believe a simple game like roulette could have so many variations, huh?
Anyway, these casino games have the most variations. Most other games either don’t have variations, don’t have nearly this many variations, or don’t have variations you’ll find at more than one or two casinos.
Other than what’s listed above, here are the most popular casino games you can play today.
- Baccarat
- Pai Gow Poker
- Craps
- Let Em Ride
- Caribbean Holdem
- Caribbean Stud
- Three Card Poker
- Vegas Three Card Rummy
- Keno
- Scratch Cards
One of the biggest variations you’ll find with these games (the table games, at least) will be side bets. They’re often exclusive to brick-and-mortar casinos, but you will find side bets for these games at some online casinos. In terms of value for money, they’re hit or miss.
Other than side bets, other types of variations or twists to casino games you’ll find include the following
- Live Dealer – Available online. A real person deals and the action is streamed live. Read more here.
- 3D
- Progressive – Every (max) bet contributes a small portion to a single jackpot that can be won at random by someone making the max bet.
- Video
- Multi-line
The options you have will vary from casino to casino. Online, the variations depends on the software provider(s) being used.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some games will have a different name due to licensing and/or copyrights. For example, tri-card poker is identical (or nearly identical) to 3-card poker.
When reading or talking about casino games, you might hear someone refer to them as skill games or games of chance. For example, blackjack is considered a skill game. Slots are a game of chance.
The difference between skill games and games of chance is there’s more or less a right and wrong way to play games of skill, and if not right or wrong, then definitely optimal and not optimal. You can learn these by studying various books and websites, then practice what you learned at the casino.
But games of chance? These are totally random. There’s not anything you can really do outside of cheating to gain an edge playing those.
That all said, skill games are only skill games if you yourself become skilled at them. Otherwise, they might as well be games of chance.
On top of that, few games can truly be beaten for a profit. Blackjack is one of those games. Some video poker variations can be, too.
Other games, such baccarat, pai gow poker, or craps, have strategies or optimal plays or optimal bets you can make to get the house edge down. Add in some bonuses, and you might turn a slight profit. But you shouldn’t count on it.
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We point that out because unless you choose a game that can be beaten for a profit – and you’re willing to put in dozens or maybe even hundreds of hours learning it, and hundreds or probably more like thousands of dollars practicing it live – you’re unlikely to become skilled enough to beat the house for a profit.
Our point? We just recommend that you don’t choose a game for any other reason than that you like to play it. Because you’re most likely going to lose while playing it – at least in the long run.
Finding and Playing Casino Games Online
Let’s talk a minute about finding casino games online.
Most casinos will have the same options – blackjack, various table games, video poker, and slots. There are few exceptions.
Those exceptions include variations, like live table games, 3D slots, or something “rare” like multi-wheel or multi-ball roulette.
It also includes exclusive games or titles. Since many casinos work with different and/or multiple software companies, you’re likely to find a different selection of casino games at every casino you join.
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This will also affect game rules, payouts, and odds – but on a much lower scale.
And it’ll affect the number of games you can play. Some casinos only have a few dozen games. Others have hundreds. Some more than a thousand. Seriously.
Then you’ll have casinos that offer full-blown mobile casino apps (for smartphones and tablets), while with others you might be lucky to have five or ten mobile friendly games. Some casinos – if you can believe it – won’t have any.
The point of all this is that you’ll have to do some research if there’s a specific game or variation you want to play. One of the best things you can do is join a casino that works with several software companies.
That way you have a wide variety of games to choose from.
There are so many types of casino games you can play. It can be overwhelming.
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If you already know what games you like to play, and want to play online, we highly suggest looking for software companies that have them. From there, find out which casinos work with those software companies. Then read our casino reviews.
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For everyone else?. Find a casino with LOTS of games to play. Then get busy. You’ll find the type of casino game you like to play in no time. Here are some of our recommended casinos that have a great selection of games, and they all offer bonuses too new customers, too.
Rank | DE Online Casino | Exclusive Bonus | Get Started | |
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#5 | Spin Casino | 100% Up To€400 | Visit Site | Visit Site |