
Tourists may be attracted to Australia to scuba diving to the Great Barrier Reef or see kangaroos, but gambling is one of the most popular hobbies of residents. It’s quickly becoming a favorite for tourists, too. Here is everything you need to know about casinos in Australia:
Is Gambling Legal in Australia?
In a word, yes. Brick-and-mortar casinos have the ever-popular slot machines, poker and other table games. Smaller pubs often have slots and pokies (video poker) machines.
The Australian government views gambling as a recreational activity. Unlike most other countries, that means the winnings aren’t seen as income and aren’t taxed.
How Many Casinos Does Australia Have?
Australia is divided into eight states. Throughout the states, there are 20 full-service casinos. The landscape of Australia is dotted with smaller venues that offer pokie machines. Overall, Australia has 60 gambling facilities in the country.
Melbourne’s Crown Casino is the largest casino complex in Australia. It features over 5 million square feet of space, with 220,000 square feet taken up with gaming space. It is one of the largest entertainment complexes in the world and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
However, biggest doesn’t always mean the most popular.
Which is The Most Popular Casino in Australia?
The second-largest casino and most popular is The Star Casino in Sydney, Australia. The casino features a hotel and spa in addition to the numerous slot machines and table games.
Patrons of the casino are encouraged to sign up for The Star Club for more rewards and winnings. The casino also has an online casino played with coins instead of real money, as online gambling is illegal in Australia, except for sports betting and lottery.
However, residents and tourists in Australia are allowed to utilize online casinos owned and operated offshore. That’s why many online gambling sites indicate that Australians are welcome.