Features and Popularity of Casinos in the Australian Capital Territory

The first gambling event in the Australian Capital Territory occurred in 1810 in Hyde Park in Sydney, when crowds of locals bet on their favorite team. Already in 1880, the authorities held the first lottery, starting the history of the region’s gambling industry with 70% open space. This region is famous for its untouched nature, rare bushes, and passion for casinos and bicycles. In 2013, Canberra celebrated 100 years of capital status, which means “meeting place” in the Aboriginal language.

Today, the Australian Capital Territory offers a wide range of entertainment for players without legal restrictions and with a sufficient choice of games. Just look at the casino Canberra, where a luxurious atmosphere of excitement and adrenaline reigns. Let’s examine the state’s gambling industry and its other features together.

Legislative Framework of the Australian Capital Territory

The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission regulates gambling in this region of Australia. This body is responsible for issuing licenses and monitoring the activities of land-based or online casinos in the state, and also oversees the payment of taxes by gambling operators. Besides, the work of clubs with pokies and board games is regulated by the following laws:

• On limited property rights
• On the control of casino operations
• About interactive gambling
• About racing
• About lotteries
• About bookmakers

In the Australian Capital Territory, there are no significant restrictions on the operation of casinos, except listed above. All types of gambling are permitted, excluding online games. According to the 2001 law, sites offering online pokies or roulette are prohibited from advertising and offering their services for real money.

Statistical Database

Statistics from Canberra gambling and the ACT show almost 5,100 pokies across multiple gaming platforms in 2023. According to experts, 46 gambling establishments operated in the region in the same year, including small pubs, restaurants, and bars. Thanks to the activity of local players and tourists, the annual turnover amounted to 1.87 billion Australian dollars in 2020-2021. Our site specialists also found information about potential user losses for 2022-2023, which amounted to 0.19 billion AUD.

Land-based Casinos in the Australian Capital Territory

Our research has revealed that the Australian Capital Territory is home to almost 50 gaming establishments. But these statistics include small local pubs and bars with a few dozen pokies. We focused on larger gambling establishments, such as Casino Canberra below in the review.

Casino Canberra

The gaming establishment is located at 21 Binara Street, Canberra, ACT 2601. To get acquainted with the casino’s interior, we recommend visiting the website, which lists upcoming events. This European-style playground began operations in 1994. Since 2014, the casino has been operating under the leadership of Aquis Group and has been closed for a $14 million renovation. The casino reopened on June 9, 2016, and has since offered 200 gaming pokies in Canberra casino, 45 tables for roulette, blackjack, and other games, and a Lotus Room with 6 poker tables. There are bars and restaurants on-site, and there are many options for accommodation in the best rooms of neighboring hotels in the central region.

The casino occupies 38,750 square feet, welcoming pokies connoisseurs. The establishment is equipped with a poker game with a bank called Canberra Poker, based on five-card poker. Game bets start at 1 dollar, and there is even a jackpot of 100,000 AUD. Players will play sic bo, wheel of fortune, mini baccarat, and poker tournaments. For the most avid party-goers, there is a nightclub that invites you to experience an atmosphere of fun and pleasure with the best DJs in the region and exclusive drinks to get you in the mood.

Thoroughbred Park

This establishment welcomes all horse racing enthusiasts at 1 Randwick Rd, Lyneham, ACT 2602. The club’s website provides more information about events in the world of horse racing and the platform’s services. Horse racing is extremely popular throughout Australia, with millions of local people betting on it.

This club offers different types of entertainment on and off the track during the event. The cozy Winning Post bar is open, as are comfortable tables for a picnic and a bright time in the company of loved ones or friends. Racing is conducted among thoroughbred horses, and there are 25 races annually. Here are the main race days: Fashions on the Field, Black Opal Stakes, and Melbourne Cup.