Australia’s Best Locations For A Gambling Trip

Australia has a lot of features to attract tourists from around the world. And while the Sydney Opera House and Great Barrier Reef might contest it, the country’s casinos are among its greatest attractions. Not only do major cities like Sydney and Melbourne feature some great gambling destinations, but there are smaller hidden gems where tourists can enjoy wagering, too.

The proliferation of online casinos and pokies means tourists don’t have to leave home to enjoy a flutter. A list of the best Australian pokies by Techopedia’s team highlights some of the best online pokies sites, and as Vlad Grindu points out, players can find a varied range of online pokies where they can play for real money. And, the emergence of crypto casinos has further enhanced players’ options.

But, for many people, the thrill of playing and winning is even greater in person, and it means visitors can also enjoy some of the incredible local sites while they travel. So, below, we look at five of the best locations for a gambling trip to Australia.

1. Sydney

Home to The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge amongst other sites, Sydney is also home to some of the country’s best casino experiences. The Star Sydney is especially popular as it overlooks Sydney Harbour so it offers incredible views as well as close access to local sites and entertainment. The casino hosts live poker tournaments. Sydney is also home to a greyhound racing track, a horse racing track, and a wealth of other casinos and gambling establishments.

While in Sydney visitors can take the time to see inside the Sydney Opera House and a visit to Wendy’s Secret Garden is well worthwhile. Although part of the garden, which gives a great view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is closed to the public.

2. Melbourne

Melbourne runs Sydney close as the best gambling destination in Australia, in no small part thanks to the Crown Casino. Not only is the Crown Casino Australia’s biggest casino, but it’s also the largest casino complex in the Southern Hemisphere. It has 100 poker tables, more than 500 table games, and thousands of poker machines. When players want a break from the tables, there are also bowling alleys, laser tag, and a selection of restaurants and major brands. Melbourne also has a selection of other gambling venues including a couple of horse racing tracks.

Apart from the local casinos, the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of Melbourne’s most popular attractions. It includes more than 8,000 plant species with walking tours available for those who want to check out all of the different plants.

3. Brisbane

As well as racecourses and a harness racing track, Brisbane is home to Treasury Casino, which is being upgraded and relocated from across the city. The casino is set to open in August 2024 and is being built in anticipation of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Queen’s Wharf development consists of 12 hectares of leisure and tourism destinations including the new casino. It will also be home to hotels and restaurants and will see many of the local buildings refurbished and improved.

Brisbane offers a plethora of activities for visitors. Brisbane River offers adventurous activities ranging from kayaking at twilight to abseiling down Kangaroo Point Cliffs – not for the faint-hearted.

4. Adelaide

SkyCity is Adelaide’s primary gambling destination and is found right in the heart of the city. It has 1,000 pokies and video gaming machines and dozens of table games. There are also regular poker tournaments for players who prefer to get their enjoyment head-to-head. Within the complex, players can access restaurants, bars, and other entertainment, too.

One of the best ways to see everything Adelaide has to offer is to join an organized walk around the roof of the Adelaide Oval.

5. Tasmania

Tasmania’s Wrest Point is a complex that includes hotel rooms with incredible views of the surrounding island as well as electronic gaming machines, table games, and sports betting opportunities. There is evening entertainment and a host of dining and drinking venues, too. The Wrest Point Hotel Casino has the honour of being Australia’s oldest casino and was formed in 1973 when casinos were first legalised in the country.

Tasmania has some beautifully unspoiled nighttime skies, and it is one of the best spots to see the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis.

Gambling in Australia

Casinos have only been allowed in Australia since 1973. The first casino to operate in the country was the Wrest Point Casino in Tasmania, which is still open today. Since then, casinos have been introduced in most cities, although the number is still restricted with just over a dozen found across the country. However, there are lots of pokies found in bars and other venues, as well as sports betting opportunities aplenty. Horse racing is one of the most popular forms of gambling in Australia and visitors will typically find racing venues in most areas.