As Australia’s gambling industry continues to diversify, various larger-than-life casino resorts are popping up across the country. This phenomenon of massive upcoming casinos is fueled by multiple factors that range from lower local participation to booming tourism. Even though Aussies are routinely painted as the most prolific gamblers in the world, the number who regularly punt is falling slightly. Between 2008 and 2018, the number of dedicated punters dropped from 10.5 million to 9.3 million. This decline represents a major shift in the market and is forcing casinos to get creative.
New Casino to provide more entertainment options
Faced with a new generation of millennials who demand more than pubs and pokies, casinos are starting to provide more intricate entertainment options. Instead of sticking to the old blueprint of local keno parlors, mega-corporations are stepping in and building massively integrated resorts. These sprawling venues provide enough decadence to convince the staunchest advocate to test their luck on the casino floor. The allure of this level of lavishness transcends cultures and makes integrated resorts the future of the casino industry.
Nowhere is this trend more obvious than in Australia. Even after surviving lower participation rates amongst younger punters, this massive industry easily exceeds $23 billion. On top of cementing gambling into the Aussie culture, this impressive amount of revenue sets the stage for some epic casino resorts. Australia is already home to 60 casinos, and more are on the way. To showcase where the industry is going, we compiled a list of Australia’s biggest upcoming casinos. Each entry is truly spectacular, so prepare to rethink what’s possible after examining this collection of larger-than-life resorts!
Top Upcoming Casinos in Australia
Casino #3: Crown Sydney ($1.5 Billion)
Boasting one of the boldest plans, this 6-star hotel resort will redefine luxury in Sydney. James Packer promised that this towering venue will fit Sydney’s world-class reputation, and by many accounts, it will exceed it. Between its prime position on the beach at Barangaroo South and groundbreaking design, this resort will steal the show. Its 448,000 square foot casino floor will be home to 480 table games that will only cater to VIP gamblers. This venue has overcome an overwhelming amount of opposition, so come experience its long-awaited transition into an iconic landmark!
Casino #2: The Star Brisbane ($3 billion)
This resort is to take the world-renowned Queen’s Wharf by storm. Located along the Brisbane River in Queensland, this revered tourist area is undergoing a dramatic makeover. Construction is already on, and this resort is set to complete in 2022. Once the ribbons are cut, visitors can indulge in a shocking amount of entertainment options. In total, Star Brisbane’s casino will have 50 bars and restaurants. Punters will be able to choose between 6 hotels, so there’s no excuse not to stay the night!
Casino #1: Aquis Resort at the Great Barrier Reef ($8.15 billion)
In just a few years, 343 hectares of rural land are going to become one of the largest integrated resorts in Australia. The Cairns Regional Council approved this massive project in 2 stages, and each phase is more decadent than the last. The first $5.05 billion stage consists of a staggering amount of amenities that range from an artificial lake and island to 5 hotels with a combined total of 4,000 rooms. Visitors will be able to visit the on-site casino, shopping center, aquarium, reef lagoon, golf course, and outdoor sports facility.
Even though the introduction of this venue will forever change Yorkeys Knob, it’s only the start of a tourism revolution. The second $3.1 billion stages will bring yet another casino, shopping center, 3 additional hotels, and an artificial rainforest. No other project can match the epic proportions of this integrated resort, which makes it a spectacle worth waiting for. It doesn’t get more extravagant than Aquis Resort, so watch it transform into Australia’s next biggest tourist attraction!
