Land-Based Casinos in Canberra, Australia

Canberra’s gaming scene is centred around in-person pokies rather than large-scale land-based casinos. Notably, nearly 90% of the state’s gambling income comes from a singular source – the pokies. 

A 2019 survey found that almost 60 per cent of the state’s population indulged in some form of online gambling, with the most common activity being the purchase of lottery tickets. Of these residents, patrons of the pokies amount to nearly 20% of the overall total, with the average pokie session amounting to 50 minutes or less. 

The Australian Capital Territory, or ACT, is home to over 5,200 registered pokies, making it the state with the most video pokie machines per capita, with one machine for every 88 residents. 

This figure does not account for online pokie machines. When compared to other states like NSW, the density of pokies is high. For example, NSW has only one pokie per 1000 residents. 

Our experts believe that this number is high because of the limited number of casino options in the ACT. State laws only allow the operation of a single casino, which incidentally has no pokies in its facility. 

Accordingly, Canberra’s high rollers and professional punters travel to larger cities to get their bets in. Canberra has many pokies in bars, clubs, and hotels accessible to the city’s residents. Our experts describe an imbalance in the city’s licensed gaming industry. On one hand, Canberra has an officially licensed casino with no pokies present in the building. 

Conversely, pokies are allowed to operate in a wide range of establishments, allowing gaming activities to spill over into everyday life. We believe reforming ACT’s gambling laws is long overdue, and it’s only a matter of time before changes are introduced. 

In Canberra, a large number of pokies can be found in abundance in social clubs, where the money spent on gaming re-enters the local economy by funding community and sporting endeavours. ACT has been shown to have a relaxed stance towards gambling activity in the state. 

Casinos in Canberra

Technically, the only casino licensed to operate in the ACT is Casino Canberra. Compared to the large casino complexes in Melbourne and Sydney, Casino Canberra is a small establishment with a limited selection of games. 

For the reasons described above, the casino does not contain any pokies. However, this is a positive detail overall as the casino allows players to take a break from the widespread pokies scattered throughout the city.

Accordingly, our experts decided to broaden the scope of this guide to include other gaming hotspots in the city. While they may not hold the all-encompassing appeal of casinos, each establishment mentioned in this guide has something unique that a punter can enjoy.

If we look past the city’s numerous pokies, visitors to Canberra will be delighted to discover a low-key gaming culture thriving in the city’s few hotspots dedicated to gambling. Below, you can read more about Canberra’s five best land-based casinos. 

Casino Canberra, situated on Binara Street, close to the banks of the Molonglo River, is Canberra’s top destination for legal gaming activities. Canberra’s gaming enthusiasts frequent the snug establishment since it offers the only true casino experience in the region. 

As it does not feature any pokies, the casino has done well to include as many table games as possible, given its small size. Visitors can enjoy Tiger Baccarat, Texas Hold ’em, Dragon Bonus Baccarat, Canberra Poker, Blackjack, Money Wheel, Poker, Pontoon, and Roulette games. 

The lowest buy-in for poker at Casino Canberra is $100, with some other games offering unlimited buy-ins based on demand or customer request. The casino’s Money Wheel is a popular offering that tends to draw in large crowds, especially those who are relatively new to playing at land-based casinos in Canberra.  

Sports fans can also enjoy live games at the casino’s sports bar, with additional entertainment options like period live events and multiple dining options available to customers. 

The Belconnen Labor Club describes itself as a place for members and their guests to sit back and relax in its large and spacious main lounge or outdoor areas. Our experts believe that in terms of being a well-rounded leisure establishment, the Belconnen Labor Club has some of the finest food and drink options available in this part of Australia.

The club is part of a network located in various regions of the ACT. Some of the Labor Club locations include Chandler Street Belconnen, City Walk Canberra, Lhotsky Street Charnwood, Cameron Avenue Belconnen, and Teesdale Close Stirling. 

As a reader, you may wonder why a Labor Club is listed as a casino in Canberra. Since the city’s options are so limited, our experts believe that the availability of many pokies in a setting with food, drink, and entertainment adds to a decent land-based casino-like experience. We recommend looking into the club’s upcoming live events at any time of the year.

The Southern Cross Club is a favourite meeting place for residents of the Australian capital. Much like the Belconnen Labor Club, the Southern Cross Club is an all-in-one community entertainment centre that has been around since 1972.

The club has plenty of facilities for kids, allowing gamer parents to get brief moments of reprieve while relaxing on the premises. The club can be rented for weddings, conferences, parties, and more, and patrons can use a range of halls. It stands out for the large number of pokies located on its premises. 

The slot machines are located all over this land-based casino-like establishment in Canberra, making for an intriguing game of hide and seek to get a few spins in. Finally, the club also offers a range of sporting activities that allow you to cool off from all the gaming, drinking, and dining options it provides.

Raiders Gungahlin is a not-for-profit club with a focus on community and family. The facility offers a range of dining and entertainment experiences in one location. The facility is located at the Gungahlin Marketplace in the centre of Canberra and provides a conveniently located spot to relax and spend a few hours on leisure activities. 

With a $2 yearly membership fee, the Raiders is one of the most famous club options in the ACT region, thanks to its high value-for-money proposition. Membership in the club also gives patrons access to more Raiders locations in Belconnen and Weston. Facilities at Raiders Gungahlin are geared towards sports fans, who can enjoy watching live sporting events while wining and dining. 

For punters who crave a little more excitement, there are more than 3,000 pokies to choose from. Raiders Gungahlin has made our list of the best land-based casinos in Canberra thanks to its meagre membership fees and many pokies. 

Betting and wagering are deeply rooted in Australian culture. Many Australians describe sports betting as one of their favourite recreational activities. In 2020, the country recorded nearly AUD 6 billion in revenue from sports betting alone. 

Legislation around wagering and games of chance in Australia is fragmented, with each state having laws governing organized games of chance. In 2020-21, traditional betting outlets generated over AUD 150 billion in 2020-2021. ACT lawmakers are implementing stricter controls on betting to lower the number of available betting outlets in the state to 3500. 

Casino Canberra is in a unique situation that has yet to allow it to reach its maximum potential due to the Casino Control Act of 2006. Many local clubs are concerned that if pokies are permitted in the casino, they will lose access to a valuable source of revenue. 

The Alliance for Gambling Reform suggests that clubs be reclassified to fall under the business portfolio category to clarify the distinction between gaming and non-gaming activities. If things move in the right direction, we foresee a bright future for land-based casinos in Canberra. As things currently stand, gambling in the ACT is on the verge of a revolution. 

Despite offering little by way of land-based Casinos in Canberra, the city offers some exciting gaming hotspots frequented by locals and visitors alike. The long-standing Casino Canberra has served as a haven for the city’s gaming enthusiasts who seek out much more than a traditional pokie machine. 

However, it is limited by the absence of slot machines, which hold the potential to bring in much-needed additional revenue to elevate its experience to the next level. 

Outside of Casino Canberra, city residents can enjoy numerous pokie machines in nearly every part of the city. The establishments mentioned in this guide offer a holistic gaming experience, including food, entertainment, and relaxation. Overall, what the future holds for land-based casinos in Canberra remains to be seen. We’re sure lawmakers will take suitable measures to look after the city’s ever-growing population of gaming enthusiasts.