Photo by Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash
There was a time not long ago when casinos were the big show. Cities were built around them. Crown in Melbourne and The Star in Sydney used to pull in crowds just by lighting up for the night. Fast forward a few years, and things look very different. The buildings are still there, but the buzz? Not so much. It's not that people have stopped gambling, far from it. It's just that how and where Aussies choose to have a flutter has changed, and the shift has been quick.
Why Some Gamblers Are Skipping the Casino Trip
For players who still love that casino feel, the tables, the reels, the big jackpots, international platforms have quietly become the new go-to. These sites are offering smoother access, better bonuses, and a wider choice of games, all without needing to queue at a front desk or wait to cash out. The bigger global player base also means faster games and better odds in a lot of cases.
If you’ve seen ads or heard mates talk about how you can skip verifications and just start playing, that’s what they mean. No drawn-out sign-up. No ID checks up front. You just log in and get going. Plus, with so many Australian online poker platforms now offering 24/7 live dealer games and real-time sports markets, the lines between the casino and home entertainment are getting blurred. You're not just playing from your phone. You're part of a global room, and that's a big shift from the old casino model.
Pokies Down the Street vs. Tables in the City
Here’s something that makes Australia a bit different: you don’t need a casino to find a poker machine. They’re in pubs, RSLs, and just about any club with a licence. You could make a run to the store and hit a venue with pokies five minutes later. Supermarkets, bottle shops, even the local bowlo, you name it. This setup makes the big casinos less essential than they used to be. Why drive 30 minutes into town and pay for parking when the local has what you want: a beer, a schnitty, and a couple of machines?
Martin Thomas from the Alliance for Gambling Reform summed it up pretty well: “You go food shopping and there’s a poker machine venue.” No wonder casinos are finding it hard to stand out. Even people who aren’t regular players know there’s a difference in energy between a buzzing local on a Friday night and a half-empty gaming floor in a city precinct that’s past its prime.
Phones Are Where It’s At
The numbers back it up, too. Between 2018–19 and 2022–23, total gambling losses in Australia went up, not down. Sports betting alone jumped 45 per cent in that time, with the market now worth over $8.4 billion. On the other hand, casino revenue dropped more than 35 per cent nationally, and over 40 per cent in NSW.
Mobile betting is everywhere now, and it’s not just for die-hard punters. Whether it’s a casual multi on the weekend or spinning the virtual reels on the couch, it’s quick and easy. All the ads you see during the footy or cricket are not for casinos, they’re for apps. Younger players, especially, are moving towards this type of betting. No surprise there. It’s social, it’s immediate, and it fits into everything else they do on their phones. Also, because these platforms are constantly updating, offering live odds, in-game features, and time-sensitive promos, it’s a space that feels alive in a way casinos are struggling to match.
Rules Have Changed, And Not Everyone’s Keen
It’s not just competition that’s hit casinos. The rules around how they operate have changed a lot. Carded gaming is a big one. Instead of just walking in and playing, you now need to register, hand over ID, and use a card that tracks how long and how much you’re playing. In Victoria, it’s already in play at Crown Melbourne. Perth is next, and clubs and pubs statewide will follow soon. NSW is still figuring things out, but changes are coming.
These rules were brought in for a good reason, which is to improve safety and oversight, but they’ve also made the experience less spontaneous. Slower machine spins, lower load-in limits, and all the extra steps can take the fun out of it for casual visitors. For people who just want to pop in for a bit of entertainment without the feeling of being watched or recorded, it’s a big turnoff. That group might not be the loudest, but they’re a big chunk of the crowd casinos used to rely on.
Regulation's Role in the Shake-Up
Crown and Star have both copped major fines over the past few years, hundreds of millions between them, for breaching money laundering and compliance laws. There were also inquiries, licence suspensions, and new casino watchdogs being brought in to tighten things up.
It’s fair to say these rules were overdue, but they’ve also come with fallout. Crown had to cut around 1,000 jobs, and its VIP floors have been forced to close in stages. Star has had a rougher run financially, and its recent $300 million deal to help stay afloat fell through last minute.
Dr Andrew Russell, an economist who’s spent years studying the industry, says casinos have become what he calls a “government-enforced geographic monopoly”. In plain terms, that means they’re boxed in by rules made by the same governments that rely on them for revenue. He’s not against gambling. He sees it as entertainment like any other and says the sector can’t grow unless governments rethink how it’s structured.
Casinos Aren’t Dead, But They’re Not the Star of the Show
One thing’s clear: Aussies haven’t lost their appetite for gambling. However, with more convenient options out there and fewer high-rollers flying in from overseas, the role of the traditional casino is shifting. Maybe the future of casinos isn’t just about gaming floors. Some believe they’ll pivot into lifestyle destinations, restaurants, shows, rooftop bars, and accommodation, with gaming being just one part of the mix. It’s already heading that way in places like Melbourne’s Southbank and Barangaroo in Sydney.
For this to work, though, the whole experience has to feel like a night out again and not a chore. People want fun, atmosphere, and a bit of excitement. Not more paperwork, photo checks, and ID scanning just to play a few games. Casinos that focus on becoming broader entertainment spots will likely survive. The ones that don’t may struggle to justify their place in the middle of the city as the rest of the gambling world moves on.
Conclusion
Australian casinos are no longer the only place to get your fix, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. People still want to play, they’re just choosing to do it differently. Whether it’s from their phones, down at the local, or on an international site with better bonuses and faster payouts, the demand is still there. Casinos now have to decide what they want to be. If they can evolve from flashing lights and toward full-scale entertainment, they might just carve out a new role in an industry that’s quickly moving on. While the spotlight has shifted, the game’s still going, and people are still playing. Just not where they used to.
