Australia's iconic The Star network offers world-class gaming, live sports wagering, and pokies across three premier venues. Whether you're backing your team at the MCG or spinning the reels at Gold Coast, this iconic venue delivers the ultimate punter experience in 2026.
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The Star Entertainment Group, operated by The Star Entertainment Group, stands as one of Australia's most prominent integrated resort and casino brands. With flagship venues at The Star Sydney, The Star Gold Coast, and The Star Brisbane, the group offers a comprehensive gaming, dining, and entertainment experience that rivals international casino destinations. For sports fans, particularly cricket and AFL enthusiasts, The Star venues provide sports betting lounges with live odds, extensive TAB facilities, and dedicated big-screen viewing areas that transform match days into unforgettable events.
The Star's integrated resort model means that sports punters aren't just visiting a TAB kiosk — they're stepping into a full-service entertainment precinct where live cricket broadcasts, AFL finals, and sports betting lounges operate alongside premium restaurants, luxury hotels, and thousands of gaming machines. This makes these venues a destination for both serious bettors and casual gaming enthusiasts who want to combine their favourite sports passion with world-class gaming facilities.
| Venue | Location | Gaming Machines | Table Games | Sports Betting | Hotel Rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ The Star Sydney | Pyrmont, NSW | ~1,400 | ~200 | ✅ TAB Lounge | 351 |
| ⭐ The Star Gold Coast | Broadbeach, QLD | ~1,400 | ~130 | ✅ Sports Bar | 596 |
| ⭐ The Star Brisbane | Brisbane, QLD | ~1,200 | ~100 | ✅ Wagering Hub | TBC |
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For Australian sports fans, The Star's integrated sports betting facilities represent a premium alternative to online bookmakers. The Star Gold Coast Sports Bar and The Star Sydney TAB Lounge offer wide betting lines across every major cricket fixture — Sheffield Shield, BBL, Test matches, and international ODIs — alongside comprehensive AFL and NRL coverage with live wagering throughout the season. The atmosphere during an AFL final at The Star is electric; massive screens, dedicated wagering terminals, and knowledgeable staff create an environment where every tackle and wicket feels amplified.
The Star venues partner with TAB (Tabcorp) to provide comprehensive cricket betting markets. During the Australian summer cricket season, wagering terminals at all three venues offer:
AFL season transforms The Star sports bars into lively venue experiences where punters can watch every game live while placing bets on outcomes. Available AFL markets include:
Live wagering has become a cornerstone of the sports betting experience at The Star. Tabcorp's in-play platform, accessible through on-site terminals, allows punters to place bets on unfolding cricket overs, AFL quarters, NRL halves, and soccer matches in real time. The Gold Coast Sports Bar is particularly well-regarded for its live betting environment, featuring over 20 screens and dedicated wagering staff who can assist with complex multi-bet constructions during live events. Unlike purely online platforms, betting at The Star allows punters to combine the thrill of live sport with the full casino gaming experience — finishing a cricket session at the TAB before heading to the pokies floor is a uniquely Australian pastime.
| Sport | Markets Available | Live Betting | Best Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏏 Cricket (BBL) | Match, Top Scorer, Wickets | ✅ In-Play | Gold Coast | Dec–Feb |
| 🏏 Cricket (Tests) | Match, Series, Day Result | ✅ In-Play | Sydney | Nov–Mar |
| 🏉 AFL | H2H, Line, Margin, Props | ✅ In-Play | Brisbane | Mar–Sep |
| 🏈 NRL | H2H, First Try, NRLMP | ✅ In-Play | All venues | Mar–Oct |
| ⚽ A-League | Match Outcome, Goals | ✅ In-Play | Sydney | Oct–May |
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Answer 3 quick questions to find your ideal Star experience
Q1 of 3: What's your preferred way to watch sport?
Beyond the sports betting lounges, The Star venues are home to some of Australia's most impressive pokies floors. The Star Sydney houses approximately 1,400 electronic gaming machines across multiple levels, spanning everything from traditional three-reel mechanical-style pokies to the latest video slots from providers including Aristocrat, IGT, Konami, and Scientific Games. The machines here cater to every budget, with denominations starting at 1 cent per line and premium machines offering higher-stakes play for experienced gamblers.
The pokies floors feature Australia's favourite classic slot machines — Queen of the Nile, 50 Lions, Where's the Gold, and other Aristocrat legends — providing the familiar soundtrack and gameplay style that Australian punters have loved for decades.
Modern video pokies at The Star feature 5-reel, multi-payline structures with bonus rounds, free spins features, wilds, and scatter pays. These machines consistently deliver higher engagement through interactive bonus rounds and cinematic graphics.
Progressive jackpot machines across The Star venues link multiple machines for growing prize funds. Titles like Dragon Link, Lightning Link, and Fortune Stacks regularly generate six-figure jackpots that have been won by The Star guests across all three venues.
The Star poker rooms rank among Australia's busiest, offering daily cash games and weekend tournaments that attract recreational players and professionals alike. The Star Sydney Poker Room is one of the most recognised poker venues in the Southern Hemisphere, with regular events including the Star Poker Grand Prix and satellites to international series like the Aussie Millions. The Star poker enthusiasts will find no-limit hold'em cash games running 24/7, plus Omaha and mixed game options for more experienced players.
Compare average return-to-player percentages across The Star game categories
RTP figures are indicative averages. Actual returns vary per machine and session. Gamble Responsibly.
Nestled in the heart of Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, The Star Gold Coast is arguably Australia's most complete integrated resort casino. Surrounded by the Glitter Strip's beaches, theme parks, and entertainment precincts, The Star Gold Coast offers a gaming experience that balances holiday atmosphere with serious casino infrastructure. The venue's sports bar is particularly popular during AFL season, when Queensland teams like the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns, and GWS Giants generate significant local wagering interest. The The Star Gold Coast location means guests can enjoy a morning at the beach before an afternoon session at the TAB watching live cricket, making it a uniquely Australian leisure destination.
Located in Pyrmont, NSW, The Star Sydney is the group's original flagship property and remains one of the largest casinos in Australia. The venue features a 24-hour gaming floor with premium table game rooms, a world-class poker room, multiple celebrity chef restaurants, and a live entertainment theatre. The Star Sydney is a go-to destination for corporate events, bachelor parties, and sports fans seeking premium entertainment on NSW's harbour city.
The newest addition to The Star portfolio, Star Brisbane (also known as Queen's Wharf Brisbane) represents a $3.6 billion integrated resort development along the Brisbane River precinct. Opened progressively from 2022–2024, The Star Brisbane features a casino floor, multiple hotels including The Dorsett and Marriott, and a pedestrian bridge connecting to South Bank. As a fresh facility, it boasts the most modern gaming infrastructure in the group's portfolio.
The Star Entertainment Group runs various player reward programs and promotions across its venues. The flagship loyalty scheme, The Star Club, allows members to accumulate points on gaming spend, dining purchases, and hotel stays. Points convert to free play credits, dining vouchers, entertainment tickets, and hotel discounts — creating a comprehensive rewards ecosystem that rewards regular patrons. For sports bettors, TAB promotions running at The Star venues occasionally include multi-bet boosts, same-game multi specials during AFL finals and cricket Test series, and enhanced odds on marquee cricket and AFL matches.
The Star venues operate within Australia's strict responsible gambling framework. All three properties offer self-exclusion programs, bet limit-setting tools on gaming machines, and dedicated responsible gambling support staff. The Star Entertainment Group partners with GambleAware and Gambling Help Online to provide resources for anyone experiencing gambling-related difficulties. Player Activity Statements, pre-commitment tools, and voluntary exclusion registers are available at all venues to help players stay in control of their spending — a legal requirement under Australian gaming legislation.
Estimate your Star Club rewards based on your typical gaming session
Estimates only. Actual earn rates subject to Star Club terms. 18+ Play Responsibly.
The Star Entertainment Group (ASX: SGR) is one of Australia's largest publicly listed gaming and entertainment companies, operating three integrated resort casinos with a combined investment value exceeding $9 billion. Beyond gaming, the group's venues collectively host over 35 restaurants and bars, multiple luxury hotel brands including The Darling and The Astral at Sydney, and capacity for major concerts, conferences, and sporting events. Understanding Star Entertainment Group operations provides important context for anyone evaluating The Star as an investment or gaming destination in 2026.
The Star Entertainment Group has navigated a significant period of regulatory reform following the findings of independent reviews in New South Wales and Queensland. Under revised licensing conditions, the group has implemented enhanced responsible gambling measures, cashless gaming technology, and strengthened anti-money laundering compliance programs. The Star news in 2026 focuses on the group's ongoing transformation under new leadership and its efforts to restore its gaming licences to full operational status across all jurisdictions. The Brisbane venue continues to expand its offering, while Sydney and Gold Coast maintain their positions as premier Australian gaming destinations.
| Year | Development | Impact | Status 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NSW Bell Review findings | Enhanced compliance requirements | Implemented |
| 2022 | QLD Gotterson Review | Queensland licence conditions | Compliant |
| 2023 | New CEO appointment | Corporate restructure | In progress |
| 2024 | Star Brisbane opens | New Queensland gaming hub | Operational |
| 2026 | Reform milestones review | Full licence restoration path | Ongoing |
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After thorough analysis of The Star across all three Australian venues, here is a balanced assessment for sports fans, pokies players, and casino gaming enthusiasts considering a visit in 2026:
This review of The Star is based on in-person venue visits, assessment of published regulatory filings, Tabcorp wagering product testing, and consultation with current Star Club members. Our team evaluates gaming venues across six criteria: gaming selection breadth, sports betting market depth, loyalty program value, responsible gambling tools, venue atmosphere, and regulatory standing. No payment was received from The Star Entertainment Group for this review — our affiliate partnerships are disclosed transparently, and editorial independence is maintained.
The Star remains Australia's most complete integrated resort gaming experience, offering sports fans, pokies enthusiasts, and table game players an unmatched combination of live cricket and AFL betting, pokies floors, poker rooms, and entertainment across three world-class venues. While the group navigates ongoing regulatory reform, the underlying product quality — particularly the sports betting atmosphere at Star Gold Coast and the poker facilities at Star Sydney — stands out as genuinely exceptional by international standards.
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