Tasmanian casinos have a bigger place in Aussie gambling history than most people realise. Wrest Point in Hobart opened in 1973 as Australia’s first legal casino, and Launceston followed a few years later. I spent a long weekend down there last winter poking around both, and this guide covers what they’re like, how Tassie’s pokie scene grew up, and what the online rules mean if you live on the island.
-
1
Top pick
Casea Casino
350% up to AU$16,000 + 350 FS
5.0Ripper -
2
Lizaro Casino
250% up to AU$3,000 + 350 FS
4.9Ripper -
3
Vicibet Casino
325% up to AU$3,000 + 300 FS
4.8Ripper -
4
CasinoInfinity
250% up to AU$3,000 + 350 FS
4.8Ripper -
5
CasinoLab
100% up to AU$500 + 200 FS + 1 Bonus Crab
4.8Ripper -
6
Fatpirate Casino
350% up to AU$16,000 + 350 FS
4.7Excellent
18+ only. Offshore sites are not licensed in Australia. Gamble responsibly: Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858. We may earn a commission; the order reflects our own testing.
How many casinos are in Tasmania?
Two. Wrest Point sits on the water at Sandy Bay in Hobart, with its round tower that’s hard to miss from anywhere near the Derwent. Country Club Tasmania is in Prospect Vale on the edge of Launceston, set among golf and bushland. Both have long been run by the Federal Group, a family-owned company that’s been part of Tassie gambling for decades.
- Wrest Point, Hobart The original 1973 casino. Pokies, tables, a revolving restaurant up top and a proper view on a clear day.
- Country Club, Launceston Quieter, more of a resort feel, handy if you’re up north or doing the Tamar Valley.
Wrest Point: Australia’s first casino
When Wrest Point opened in February 1973, it kicked off legal casino gambling in this country. Locals still tell stories about the 1980s card-counting crews, and whether every detail is true or pub lore, the house clearly took notice: blackjack there now runs on continuous shufflers, so counting is dead. If you’re a table player expecting a beatable shoe game, adjust your expectations.
On my visit, the pokie floor had the usual Aristocrat and Light & Wonder mix you’d find at a mainland club. A Thursday arvo was quiet enough to get a table for lunch without booking.
Pokies in Tasmania and the Federal Group era
For years Tasmania was unusual. Federal Group held an exclusive arrangement covering the two casinos and the pokies in pubs and clubs across the state, through its Keno and Network Gaming operations. That long monopoly deed became a real political fight, and the model has since been changed so venue pokie licences work differently. The details are dense, so if it matters to you, the Liquor and Gambling Commission Tasmania publishes the current rules.
Tasmania has also been working on stronger harm-minimisation for pokies, including card-based play and pre-set loss limits. The exact rollout timing has shifted, so check what applies at your local before assuming.
Online casinos from Tasmania: what applies
Here’s where Tassie is exactly the same as every other state. Online casinos and pokies fall under the federal Interactive Gambling Act. It’s illegal to offer them to people in Australia, there’s no Tasmanian licence for them, and you as the player aren’t breaking the law by using an offshore site. You’re just on your own if things go sideways.
So if you’re in Devonport or Huonville and keen on online pokies, the only options are offshore sites licensed in Curaçao, Anjouan, Malta and similar. That means no Tasmanian regulator to complain to and slower, harder disputes. Before you deposit anywhere, read our guide to checking offshore casinos and our post on what to do when an offshore casino won’t pay.
Heads up: Some sites call themselves “Tasmanian” or claim local approval to look trustworthy. There’s no such thing for online casinos. Treat that claim as a red flag.
Tips for Tassie players who go online
Island internet and island banking are the same as the mainland, so the practical advice holds. I test with $20 to $50 deposits and time withdrawals. PayID has been the smoothest for me in recent tests, while Neosurf vouchers from the servo suit people who’d rather keep casino spend off their bank statement (deposits only, mind you).
If you grew up on Wrest Point pokies, remember online spins are a lot faster. Our pub vs online RTP comparison explains why a higher advertised percentage doesn’t always mean a longer session.
A Tassie friend of mine sets a hard rule: online budget equals what he’d spend on a night out at the Country Club, and not a cent more. Simple, and it works.
Getting help in Tasmania
Gambling Help Tasmania offers free counselling across the state, and the national Gambling Help Online line (1800 858 858) is open 24/7. Venue self-exclusion covers Tasmanian pubs, clubs and both casinos, but not offshore websites. For the other states and territories, see our casinos in Australia by state hub.
How many casinos are in Tasmania?
Two: Wrest Point in Hobart and Country Club Tasmania in Launceston.
What was Australia’s first casino?
Wrest Point in Hobart, which opened in February 1973.
Who owns Wrest Point casino?
Wrest Point has long been owned and operated by the Federal Group, which also runs Country Club Tasmania.
Can you play online pokies legally in Tasmania?
There’s no Tasmanian or Australian licence for online pokies. Offering them to Australians breaches federal law, but players aren’t committing an offence by using offshore sites, which come with no local protection.
Does Wrest Point still have blackjack?
Yes, but it uses continuous shuffling machines, so traditional card counting doesn’t work.