Top Online Casino and Gambling News in Australia

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While the Australian authorities are discussing tougher gambling laws and betting platforms are looking for loopholes, the online casino market is having the time of its life. In recent months, several major gambling operators have reported increased profits despite the new restrictions. Players are adapting by switching to international websites from https://pokies.eu.com/, which do not have strict deposit and betting limits.

Meanwhile, the industry is going through tough times. Star Entertainment is trying to salvage finances through investor support. A Sydney casino is losing millions due to a software glitch. And officials are preparing to pass a law on a complete ban on online betting advertising in the media.

Here's a round-up of the latest developments that are changing the gambling market in Australia. From big deals to high-profile scandals, everything you need to know about online pokies and casinos.

Star Entertainment Gets $650 Mn: Bailout or New Dependence on Investors?

Star Entertainment is on the brink again. The Australian casino, which has survived scandals, fines and financial failures, is looking for a way to stay afloat. In February 2025, the company received an A$650 million debt refinancing offer from US investment firm Oaktree Capital Management.

This is much more than just a financial bailout. The deal will see Oaktree buy Star's debt from existing creditors at a discount, giving the Americans influence over the company. The fund has repeatedly entered the gambling industry with similar offers, turning crises into profitable investments. If the deal goes through, Star will have a chance to improve its position, but at the cost of partial control over the business by the new investors.

While casino players are placing their bets, financial analysts are not sitting idly by. Star shares rose 8.3 per cent after the offer was announced, suggesting the market is taking the news positively. But it's not that simple. In order for the deal to go through, it must be approved by regulators and the terms must be agreed with current creditors. And they may not be keen on the idea of giving up Oaktree's position.

How Casinos Win Players? Dissecting Advertising Creatives in Australia

Gambling advertising in Australia is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Casinos compete for players' attention by coming up with new promotional formats. They masterfully adapt slogans and adjust to the market, taking into account the cultural characteristics of the regions. Recently, a large-scale study was conducted to show which advertising creatives work best.

The main conclusion is that standard promos and banners no longer attract the audience. Players are tired of the same old promises of "big wins". Therefore, gambling platforms started to change their strategy:

• Gamification in advertising. Simple tests, quests, predictions - anything that requires engagement holds the audience's attention.
• Cryptocurrency is on trend. Bitcoin and NFT campaigns are attracting the interest of the younger generation. For this reason, many casinos are already testing such formats.
• Advertising masquerading as content. Sports analysts, streamers, and influencers don't just advertise betting - they create content that looks natural.

In general, the gambling market is becoming more adaptive and smarter. Casinos are ready to go for creative experiments in order to stay in the players' sight, despite the tightening of legislation.

Will Betting Advertising Be Banned in Australia?

The Australian gambling market is on the verge of major changes. The authorities are seriously engaged in regulating the advertising of betting and pokies AUS. While some demand strict restrictions, others are sure that this will lead to a mass exodus of players into the shadows.

Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) has recognised that bans are inevitable. It is now up to the organisation to ensure that the new laws do not bury the market. Leading betting platforms suggest a compromise: reduce advertising, but not eliminate it altogether. They remind that the industry generates billions in tax revenue and finances Australia's biggest sports clubs.

But human rights activists are not backing down. They insist on a complete ban on advertising on TV, radio and the internet. In their opinion, the current restrictions are a sham: gambling operators have learnt to circumvent them through sports broadcasts and social networks.

Who will win? So far, everything depends on the parliament. If the law is passed, the advertising budgets of betting sites will shrink dozens of times, and players will start looking for loopholes. Only illegal companies, which are difficult to control, will win.

Australians are Major Gambling Fans

The Australians are playing. And a lot of it. According to a study, the country of 26 million people loses about A$25 billion a year in casinos and betting.

What the numbers say:

• Australia takes up 1 per cent of the world's population, but it's where 18 per cent of the world's pokies are installed;
• The most popular types of betting are horse racing, sports betting and pokies;
• On average, each Australian spends more than $1,000 a year on gaming - that's more than any other country;

In some regions, there are as many as 10 pokies for every 100 people.

The government is attempting to introduce restrictions, such as reducing maximum bets on pokies and banning credit card deposits. But so far there have been no major changes in Australian attitudes towards gambling.

Community organisations are demanding radical measures, while casinos continue to operate at full capacity. While the authorities discuss new bans, players continue to bet, confirming Australia's status as the world's most gambling nation.

Exhibitions and Conferences on Gambling in Australia

Australia remains one of the largest gambling markets in the world. This year it will host several landmark events for the industry. They will bring together gambling operators, regulators, analysts and investors to discuss the future of casinos, online betting and marketing strategies:

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Conferences and exhibitions set new vectors in the development of the online betting industry. It is here that important decisions are made, laws are discussed and technologies that affect the Australian gambling market are discussed.