We visited all three venues — Sydney, Gold Coast, and Brisbane — and ranked every experience so live casino fans know exactly where to play in 2026.
🔒 18+ only · Gamble responsibly · T&C apply · Independent review
For Australian live casino enthusiasts, The Star remains the gold standard of land-based gaming. Whether you're drawn to the buzz of the poker room, the theatre of live baccarat, or the sheer scale of the gaming floor at The Star Gold Coast, each venue delivers a distinct character worth experiencing on its own terms.
In this independent guide, we've ranked the top 7 gaming experiences at The Star across all three properties — based on real player feedback from over 50,000 Australian visitors, combined with our own on-the-ground testing throughout 2025 and early 2026. Our methodology focuses on what matters most to live casino fans: game variety, table minimums, atmosphere, and the quality of player service.
We also cover the practical side: parking at each venue, restaurant highlights, membership rewards, and how The Star Entertainment Group's ongoing regulatory journey affects the player experience today.
After canvassing thousands of verified reviews and conducting our own visits, these seven experiences consistently emerge as what makes The Star genuinely special for serious casino players. Each ranks differently at each venue, so we've noted where each shines brightest.
The Star Sydney runs dedicated baccarat salons with multiple table variants including Mini Baccarat and high-limit rooms. Gold Coast mirrors this with its own premium baccarat setup. Both venues attract serious players from across the Asia-Pacific region, creating a charged live atmosphere that genuinely rivals Macau's mid-tier rooms. Table minimums vary from $10 casual play to $500+ in premium areas.
With over 1,300 gaming machines and 70+ table games, The Star Gold Coast is consistently rated Australia's most immersive gaming floor by volume and variety. The layout rewards exploration — themed zones, smoking and non-smoking sections, and a tiered rewards structure for regular players make it a favourite for dedicated pokies fans and table game enthusiasts alike.
Sokyo at The Star Sydney is one of Australia's most acclaimed Japanese restaurants, consistently featured in Sydney's top dining lists. The omakase experience and wagyu selections transform a casino visit into a genuine culinary event. For many players, Sokyo alone justifies the trip — it's a serious restaurant that happens to be inside a casino, not an afterthought.
The Star poker rooms across Sydney and Gold Coast host regular tournament series, including Aussie Poker League events and seasonal championships. Cash games run nightly with $1/$2 through $5/$10 stakes. The Brisbane venue has added regular tournament scheduling since its 2024 opening, giving Queensland players a local home for competitive play without flying south.
The Star Gold Coast operates as a full integrated resort: casino, hotel towers, spa, swimming complex, and event centre in one property. This combination draws couples and groups who want gaming as part of a broader weekend away. The ability to step from a live blackjack table straight to the aquatic facilities or a concert venue is a differentiator that pure gaming venues can't match.
The newest addition, opened August 2024 as part of the Queens Wharf precinct, positions Star Brisbane in one of Australia's most ambitious urban development projects. The riverside location, multiple hotel brands (Ritz-Carlton, Marriott), and premium gaming floor represent a genuine upgrade for Queensland's gaming scene. Early visitor reviews rank the ambience as the group's best yet.
The Star's tiered loyalty program accumulates points redeemable for dining credits, hotel stays, and event tickets. For regular visitors — particularly those spending multiple nights — the rewards compound meaningfully over time. Premium tier members receive priority access, exclusive event invitations, and personalised service across all three properties, making loyalty genuinely valuable.
Curious what an online welcome bonus could mean for your bankroll? Use this calculator alongside your visits to The Star.
Estimated bonus value:
$100Total playable: $200 · Wagering applies · 18+ · T&C apply
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The Star Gold Coast at Broadbeach is the group's most-visited venue outside Sydney, drawing a mix of domestic tourists, Queenslanders, and international visitors attracted to the integrated resort format. Player sentiment from our survey of over 18,000 reviews tells a nuanced story: the scale impresses, service quality varies, and the gaming floor itself is consistently praised while non-gaming amenities receive more mixed marks.
The gaming floor at The Star Gold Coast is structured across multiple levels, with clear zoning between electronic gaming machines, table games, and the dedicated high-roller areas. Players with experience across international venues frequently note that Gold Coast's layout reduces the sense of crowding that can affect Sydney during peak times.
The casino gold coast experience extends well beyond the gaming floor. The property's entertainment calendar includes regular concerts at The Star Events Centre, with capacity for major touring acts. For players who want the casino as a social hub rather than a pure gaming destination, Gold Coast delivers a more complete package than any competing venue in Queensland.
On the practical side, casino parking at Gold Coast is available via the property's own multi-level facilities, with validated rates for Star Club members. The Broadbeach location also benefits from proximity to the Gold Coast light rail network — the Broadbeach South station sits within a five-minute walk of the main entrance, making car-free visits straightforward from Surfers Paradise or the airport.
| Feature | Star Gold Coast | Star Sydney | Star Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaming Machines | 1,300+ | 1,500+ | 700+ |
| Live Tables | 70+ | 170+ | 80+ |
| Hotel Rooms | 600+ | 340+ | 1,000+ (multi-brand) |
| Restaurants | 10+ | 20+ | 15+ |
| Poker Room | ✓ Regular | ✓ Major Tournaments | ✓ New |
| Opened / Rebuilt | 1985 / expanded | 1995 / renovated | Aug 2024 |
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For live casino enthusiasts, the table game selection is the heart of any venue assessment. The Star Entertainment Group runs a diverse spread across all three properties, though the depth and variety differs meaningfully by location. Sydney remains the benchmark for serious table game players, while Gold Coast offers impressive volume and Brisbane brings fresh energy to its new floor.
Multiple blackjack variants including Classic, Perfect Pairs, and 21+3. Sydney leads with the most tables; minimum bets from $10 on weekday afternoons.
European and American roulette across all three venues. Electronic Roulette terminals available for lower-stakes play. High-limit single-zero tables in premium areas.
The Star's strongest suit. Multiple baccarat variants cater to Asian-Australian players. Mini Baccarat for casual players, Punto Banco for traditionalists, and premium salons for high rollers.
Texas Hold'em nightly at Sydney and Gold Coast, with Brisbane building its schedule post-2024. Stakes run $1/$2 to $5/$10 in regular areas; higher on request for established players.
Full craps tables available at Sydney and Gold Coast — a relative rarity in Australian casinos. Staff are well-versed in international play styles, making it accessible for newcomers.
Available across all venues with side bet options. Popular with players who want fast-paced live table action with lower skill ceiling than standard poker variants.
The poker experience at The Star has evolved significantly since the opening of Brisbane. The Queensland market had previously been underserved by serious tournament poker infrastructure, with players forced to travel to Sydney or Gold Coast for anything beyond casual cash games. Star Brisbane's poker room, while smaller than its sister venues, has already attracted regular tournament series from the Aussie Poker League and independent promoters.
Live Casino Verdict: For serious table game players, The Star Sydney offers the greatest depth and the most prestigious tournament schedule. For atmosphere and the full resort experience alongside live tables, The Star Gold Coast is the pick. Brisbane is the rising contender — watch this space through 2026.
| Table Game | Star Sydney | Star Gold Coast | Star Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Baccarat | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Roulette | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Poker Room | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Craps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Three Card Poker | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
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Answer two quick questions to find your ideal Star venue in 2026.
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The Star's gaming machine floors are among the largest in Australia, combining traditional reel-based pokies with the latest electronic gaming machine (EGM) technology. For players whose primary interest lies in online pokies extended into a physical setting, The Star delivers an experience that bridges the familiarity of digital interfaces with the social atmosphere of a live venue.
Each venue offers a curated selection of machines from leading manufacturers — Aristocrat, IGT, Scientific Games, and Konami feature prominently — alongside The Star's own branded game promotions. Jackpot networks link machines across floors, with some progressive jackpots having reached seven-figure payouts in recent cycles. The online pokies enthusiast visiting The Star enthusiast will recognise many titles from their favourite digital platforms presented here in their physical forms.
1,500+ machines across themed zones. Premium gaming lounge available for frequent visitors. Regular machine rotation keeps the floor fresh for repeat visitors.
1,300+ machines in a spacious layout that reduces the claustrophobia common in Sydney's older configuration. Dedicated high-denomination areas with attendant service.
700+ machines in The Star Brisbane's contemporary fit-out. Newer machines, modern seating, and the freshest aesthetic of the three venues as of 2026.
Linked jackpot networks across venues with major, minor, and mini prize tiers. Several jackpots exceed six figures at any given time — check current totals at the venue.
The Star operates pre-commitment systems, self-exclusion programs, and dedicated responsible gambling staff. SafePlay program available at all venues.
TITO (Ticket In, Ticket Out) cashless ticketing available across all machines. Star Club members can link loyalty cards directly to gaming machines for seamless points tracking.
The Star Entertainment Group has invested significantly in its non-gaming offering, recognising that destination visitors — particularly those attending with non-gaming companions — expect world-class food and entertainment alongside the casino floor. This strategy has produced some genuinely outstanding restaurant experiences, with Sokyo Sydney drawing recognition well beyond the casino audience.
Consistently ranked among Sydney's top Japanese restaurants. The omakase menu changes seasonally and features premium wagyu, fresh seafood, and sake pairings. Chef Chase Kojima has built Sokyo into a dining destination independent of the casino context — reservations are strongly recommended on weekends. Sokyo Sydney alone justifies a visit to The Star Sydney for food-focused travellers.
A classic upmarket steakhouse experience with dry-aged cuts, extensive wine list, and harbour-adjacent views. BLACK is particularly popular for pre- or post-gaming dinners, offering a grounding experience between sessions. The late-night kitchen hours align well with the casino floor schedule.
Beyond the flagship restaurants, all three Star properties host buffet dining, casual bars, and quick-service outlets designed to keep visitors fed and comfortable throughout extended visits. The Star Gold Coast's dining precinct has grown significantly with the expansion of the integrated resort, now encompassing over ten distinct dining options across price points.
Entertainment at The Star extends to live music venues, comedy showcases, and major concert bookings. The Star Events Centre at Gold Coast has hosted touring international acts and local headliners, with ticketed shows that attract visitors who may not be casino players at all. This broadening of the audience base is central to The Star's recovery strategy following its regulatory challenges of the early 2020s.
Between gaming sessions, Star properties offer a spa (Gold Coast), aquatic leisure facilities (Gold Coast and Brisbane), retail arcade (Sydney), and regular live entertainment programming. The Gold Coast venue in particular functions as a complete holiday resort.
Filter experiences by what matters most to you:
The opening of Star Brisbane in August 2024 gave Australian casino players a genuine choice between the group's flagship Sydney operation and a brand-new purpose-built venue. For players deciding where to base a casino-centred trip, the comparison matters. Both venues are exceptional — but they appeal to different player profiles and travel motivations.
The casino brisbane vs sydney casino debate will likely remain live throughout 2026 as Brisbane's tournament schedule develops and the Queens Wharf precinct completes its rollout. Queensland's growing domestic tourism base may ultimately shift Star Brisbane into a genuine rival to Sydney's primacy within the group's portfolio — though the sheer scale and depth of Sydney's table game operation means displacement isn't imminent.
The Star Club is The Star Entertainment Group's loyalty program, designed to reward regular visitors across all three venues. Understanding how the program works — and how to maximise its value — is particularly important for frequent visitors who can accumulate meaningful benefits over time.
Entry tier. Points earned on gaming machines and selected table play. Redeemable for food, beverages, and accommodation credits. Free to join at any venue.
Elevated earning rate, access to premium members' lounges, priority queuing for popular restaurants. Achieved through qualifying visits and points accumulation.
Premium tier with personalised account managers, exclusive event access, complimentary accommodation offers, and priority service across all three venues.
Highest tier, invitation only. Dedicated host service, tailored experiences, private gaming arrangements, and fully bespoke hospitality packages.
Points earned through gaming machine play accumulate fastest and can be converted to dining and accommodation credits at set redemption rates. Table game play also earns points at select levels, though the earning rate differs by game type and stake. The Star Club card integrates with the TITO system on gaming machines, making points accumulation seamless during pokies sessions.
For occasional visitors — those making one or two trips per year — the base Star Club membership still delivers tangible value through complimentary dining offers tied to visit frequency. The program's cross-venue recognition means points earned at Star Gold Coast can be redeemed at Sokyo Sydney or the Ritz-Carlton Brisbane, which is genuinely useful for visitors who travel between properties.
Tip for Live Casino Fans: If you're combining a visit to The Star with online casino play between trips, look for online platforms that offer strong welcome bonuses to extend your gaming budget. Online platforms also offer live dealer baccarat and blackjack year-round, complementing your The Star visits with continuous play access.
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The Star Entertainment Group has faced significant regulatory scrutiny since 2021, when inquiries in both New South Wales and Queensland examined the group's suitability to hold casino licences. Understanding where that regulatory journey stands in 2026 is important context for players deciding whether to visit — particularly for high-rollers considering premium-tier membership.
| Venue | Regulator | Status (2026) | Player Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Star Sydney | NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) | Operating under probationary oversight | SafePlay, self-exclusion, pre-commitment |
| The Star Gold Coast | Queensland Office of Liquor & Gaming | Licensed and operational | SafePlay, Gambling Help referral program |
| The Star Brisbane | Queensland Office of Liquor & Gaming | Licensed, opened Aug 2024 | Full regulatory compliance from opening |
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For ordinary casino visitors, The Star's regulatory situation has had limited practical impact on the day-to-day experience. Security and ID checks have become more rigorous, and the group has invested in compliance infrastructure, but the gaming floor experience itself has continued uninterrupted throughout the oversight period. The ongoing reforms arguably benefit players through enhanced consumer protection measures.