New South Wales has been one of the pioneering Australian territories regarding gambling. NSW Racecourses and brick-and-mortar gambling venues first became legal in 1997, following the Totalizator Act 1997 and the Betting and Racing Act 1998.
Today, players have no shortage of places to play pokies in NSW, bet on horses, or try their skill at the blackjack table. The situation is not the same with online gambling in NSW, which is illegal, like in every other Australian territory, under the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act. That’s not to say online casinos are not widespread here and that NSWanders who join and play online pokies are subject to any punishments because that’s not the case.
The main downside is the lack of regulation of offshore gambling sites offering casino games and pokies in NSW. That’s because the New South Wales Casino Authority is only responsible for overseeing brick-and-mortar casinos in Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Queanbeyan, etc., and no physical casino is allowed to operate an online skin.
With the background of NSW online gambling laws in order, you can continue below for an overview of the best online casinos in New South Wales and the locations where you could play poker machines or bet on sports in person.
Casinos and Racecourses in New South Wales
| NSW Casino | Regulatory Body | Games | Address | Contact |
| Star Casino Sydney Hotel and Resort | New South Wales Casino Authority | 1500+ Pokies | 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont NSW 2009 | +61 1800 700 700 |
| Panthers World of Entertainment | New South Wales Casino Authority | Keno, Poker, TAB betting | Mulgoa Road, Penrith NSW 2750, Australia | +61 2 4720 5555 |
| Kembla Grange Racecourse | New South Wales Casino Authority | In-person Horse Betting | Princes Highway, Kembla Grange NSW 2526, Australia | +61 2 4261 7211 |
| Royal Randwick | New South Wales Casino Authority | In-person Horse Betting | Alison Rd, Sydney NSW 2031, Australia | +61 2 9663 8400 |
| Crown Sydney Casino Hotel and Resort | New South Wales Casino Authority | 2,000+ Pokies, 160 Tables, 30 VIP tables, 66 Electronic Tables | 1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000, Australia | +02 8871 7188 |
| The Gosford Racing Club | New South Wales Casino Authority | In-person Horse Betting | 4 Racecourse Rd, West Gosford NSW 2250, Australia | +61 2 4325 0461 |
All NSW gambling activities are regulated by the NSWCA, ensuring that you will be protected from any issues since they act as mediators between players and operators.
The main casinos you can visit to play poker machines, and table games are listed above, with the Crown Sydney making the highlight of the list and the most recent addition. You can find pokies and table games in additional locations, but in much smaller variety, such as:
- City Tattersalls Club
- Holland America Cruise Line – Noordam
- Celebrity Cruises – Solstice
The racetracks listed offer horse racing betting, but they might eventually add pokies, too. Sports betting is also legal in NSW, but you must visit one of the above locations to confirm your wager.
Unfortunately, we don’t see NSW online casinos being a thing anytime soon. Instead, you can rely on trusted and licensed online casinos accepting Australians from offshore locations.
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As we mentioned earlier on this page, New South Wales does not explicitly ban offshore gambling sites accepting players from Australia. Instead, the current wording of the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 prohibits Australian operators from launching online casinos. Also, no official body is responsible for regulating online gambling operators from within Australia.
That’s frustrating, considering NSW has 95,800 pokies machines, falling second only to Nevada. The void left in the slow progress of the legalized online casino industry seems to be covered by offshore gambling sites operating under eCuracao licenses. This iGaming license allows them to provide their services Down Under, specifically in NSW, without facing backlash from the Australian Government.
The listed operators fall under this category, the only option for legal and regulated online casino access from within NSW. Players don’t need to use VPN to play online pokies there since these sites accept anyone over 18. Using our links, you can create an account, claim your welcome bonus, and start playing online pokies real money or with a no deposit bonus.
Finding and Playing Online Pokies in New South Wales
We would be lying if we said that all online casinos accepting players from NSW are worth your time. In fact, finding an online casino that could match the Crown Sydney is challenging due to the lack of an NSW online gambling authority.
Pokies.Bet is, however, a platform dedicated to online gambling in Australia, and we have a line-up of the best New South Wales gambling sites right up our sleeves. We did provide a solid top-10 list above, ideal for playing the highest-paying pokies in NSW.
Want to learn more about how we review online casinos and the factors that make up our selection criteria? Check below the aspects we considered to source you the best online pokies sites in NSW.
iGaming License
You won’t find an online casino licensed by the MGA or UKGC accepting players from NSW since they do not support jurisdictions outside Europe, the UK, and Canada. The same is true for iGaming regulators in Panama, Costa Rica, the US, and Asia.
However, Curacao-licensed online casinos are allowed to accept players from NSW, and having a license from this body ensures that some checks are in place. Not the safest gambling license, but we expect NSW online casinos to at least hold this to be recommended.
Convenient Banking Methods
Safely managing your funds is an essential part of online gambling. Although most Australian banks do not support gambling transactions, and even Visa is expected to block casino payments, we never recommend platforms that feature dodgy payment processors.
Online casinos that accept PayID, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Cash App, Neosurf prepaid vouchers, Bitcoin, or cryptocurrency gambling payments are our preferred ones. These payment systems are always encrypted and secure, enabling flexible minimum casino deposit limits and fast gambling payouts.
Extra points go to casinos supporting AUD online pokies payments, helping users avoid conversion fees and lengthy processing times.
Selection of Online Pokies and Casino Games
Most traditional gamblers think that NSW gambling venues like the Crown Sydney and Star Casino offer the largest range of poker machines and games they can ever find in a single place, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Online casinos have greatly evolved in the last decade, partly because of the establishment of various online casino software companies. And the good news for New South Wales gambling enthusiasts is that most iGaming developers are also licensed by Curacao and, therefore, available Down Under.
If you join one of our recommended NSW online casinos, you will find an outstanding range of pokies from varying themes, with free spins, mini-games, progressive pots, Lighting Link, and other gaming features like Megaways. Legal online pokies also take flexible bets, starting from as low as $0.10 per spin.
After you join, you can try one of the 5,000+ supported free online pokies and settle for one after putting them through rigorous testing.
Reputation and Background
The lack of official regulation from an NSW gambling authority creates the need for additional research to ensure a casino is legit.
Before we recommend you open an online casino account, we do some background checks to identify the company powering the casino and any associated platforms. If any of them has bad reviews or has previously treated players poorly, we do not recommend their newer platforms.
Casino Bonuses
A relatively straightforward way to find a top NSW online casino is by reviewing their casino bonuses. This comes after the essential checks and balances covered above and will vary based on your preferences. Ultimately, we want to see a range of bonus codes for all players, followed by fair and easy-to-meet terms and conditions.
The most crucial bonus is, of course, the welcome package. Usually, this comes in the form of a 100% deposit bonus or even a 200% match, up to a certain amount.
Australian players also love no deposit free spins bonuses and free chips for pokies, which is why we create separate guides for casinos with a no deposit bonus code.
Loyalty schemes, referral bonuses, and promotions for existing NSW users, like reload bonuses and cashback, are always welcome. Our reviews and bonus pages provide a complete rundown of coupon codes and free cash bonuses.
Important: The above are crucial in our selection process, but far from the only aspects that help us determine which is the best online casino in Australia, and in extension NSW. For more, you can check the reviews and expert analyses of some of the best mobile casinos in NSW:
- Spinago Casino Review
- King Johnnie Casino Review
- PlayAmo Casino Review
- Sky Crown Casino Review
- Golden Crown Casino Review
Getting Started with NSW Online Gambling
The lack of solid New South Wales online gambling laws doesn’t mean that online casinos accept everyone. A rigid online casino registration procedure followed by KYC verification is required to play NSW online pokies and withdraw any winnings.
The following is how you can typically signup from home and play online games:
- Click on one or more of the page banners to visit the official online casino website.
- Click on the registration area and provide the required information.
- The first step usually asks for your username, password, and email address.
- The second form is where you enter your legal name, background details, and address information.
- The last signup step is to accept the online casino’s terms and conditions.
- After the 5th step, you can begin playing online pokies for free or real money. However, we recommend completing the email verification and KYC procedure.
- You must upload specific documents for the KYC to prove your name, address, and banking method used. After which, you will be allowed to cash out any winnings accumulated at NSW online casino pokies.
Best NSW Online Pokies
So far, we have objectively provided information and online casino resources for aspiring players in NSW. However, an objective measure for the best pokies machines in NSW, online or offline, is non-existent.
As such, we use a few official metrics – RTP, volatility, payouts, theme, graphics, etc. – to the best of our ability to provide you with a list of the best online slots in NSW.
Gonzo’s Quest Megaways – Red Tiger Gaming
Few online slots stack up against Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, a recent sequel to the renowned Gonzos Quest pokies machine. You can find this title on all listed operators and experience a combination of special features, including:
- Free Games
- Free Spins Gamble
- Progressive Multipliers
- Unbreakable Wilds
- Cascading wins
- Random number of paylines per round
- Earthquake (symbol upgrade)
Check out our Gonzos Quest Megaways review for additional information.
King of Kings – Relax Gaming
Ancient Egypt pokies are hugely popular, dating back to the renowned Cleopatra poker machine by IGT. King of Kings is a Relax Gaming title with 96.25% RTP, high volatility, and wins up to 5,000x. Players looking for a classic with outstanding graphics shouldn’t miss out on this game. The action unfolds on a 5×3 grid with five paylines that can trigger respins, wild wins, free spins, and scatter wins.
You can check out our King of Kings slot review here.
IC Wins – RealTime Gaming
Although I am not personally a fan of RTG pokies, the IC Wins slot is particularly fun. Firstly, it has some of the best animations and graphics in the industry, taking you on a trip to the Ice Age. Respins, wilds, scatters, and bonus symbols make up a fun and rewarding gameplay – but the best feature is the guaranteed win that is exclusive to RTG casinos.
88 Fortunes – SG
Despite the launch of 88 Fortunes Megaways, the original title is one of my old-time favourites. Firstly, you got one perfect execution of a Chinese-themed slot with Oriental game symbols. The RTP is 96%, which is spot on, and the game features a progressive jackpot that can pay out over $100k.
Free spins, symbol upgrades, wild wins, and multipliers are other ways this game delivers a fun and rewarding experience.
Dead or Alive 2 – NetEnt
Although the original Dead or Alive game remains an old-time favourite, the sequel released by NetEnt has shaken the gambling world. You will not find it on any NSW gambling venue, but the game is available to play on the best online casinos we listed.
A maximum win of 111,111x your bet. A nearly 97% RTP. High volatility. Excellent Wild-West theme. Free spins, multipliers, stacked wilds, and a special bonus where you choose your volatility! 10/10.
New South Wales Online Gambling vs. Land-Based
The pros and cons of gambling online or from a retail casino in NSW are quite personal, but we draw from our experience to provide you with a quick overview of the two routes:
| NSW Online Gambling | Gambling on NSW Physical Facilities |
| Available to play from home online or via mobile devices | Must travel to the nearest NSW pokies venue |
| Outstanding range of pokies, table games, and specialty titles (on selected operators) | Dated poker machines with 3-reels, few paylines, and usually just free spin bonuses |
| Not officially regulated, creating opportunities for dodgy operators | Licensed and regulated on a local level |
| Officially tested games, ensuring fairness via RNG software | Licensed and tested games |
| Gaming software from 40+ software companies, including names like Nolimit City, Microgaming, NetEnt, and Pragmatic Play | Oldschool but state-of-the-art gaming software by Aristocrat, Konami, and Ainsworth |
| Multiple bonuses for new and current players, including no deposit offers | Loyalty schemes for high rollers mostly |
| Huge range of NSW online casinos | Very limited number of pokies venues in NSW |
FAQs
Can you play online pokies in NSW?
Online pokies are widely available in NSW, mainly through offshore gambling sites that ignore the legislation forbidding online gambling activities in Australia.
Can you gamble online in NSW?
Gambling online in New South Wales is extremely easy. Several online casinos now accept players from NSW, but you must carefully select a licensed Australian online casino.
Are there any real online pokies in Australia?
There are thousands of poker machines in Australia. In fact, the number of NSW poker machines is second to Nevada only. The same is true for online pokies provided by offshore online casinos that accept players from Australia, often powered by 50+ software companies.
Are NSW gambling winnings taxable?
NSW players’ gambling winnings are not subject to any tax, unless they fall under the professional gamblers’ clause.
What’s the best online pokies in New South Wales?
The number of pokies machines available in NSW is huge, making it hard to pick a handful that stand out. Each online casino creates dedicated lists of their most-played games, often including games like Starburst, the Book of Dead, Cash Bandits 3, Asgard Deluxe, and Mega Moolah.
Helpful Resources
Online gambling laws vary from one Australian territory to another, i.e., QLD online gambling laws differ from NSW, as with different countries. Online gambling is prohibited by law in New South Wales, but the government has been slow in stopping offshore gambling sites from operating Down Under.
As such, Australians primarily gamble online instead of visiting Star or Crown Casino in Melbourne. No actual measures have been enforced to stop such practices, making it a generally safe route to play pokies.
For a complete breakdown of the Australian and NSW gambling laws, we recommend the following online resources and bills:
- Totalizator Act 1997
- Betting and Racing Act 1998
- Interactive Gambling Act 2001
- NSW Gambling Help and Support
As a heads up, they are not a light read.
- About the Author
- Affiliate Disclosure
Michael has reviewed and verified all information on this page. Having worked in the iGaming industry for over 8 years, he is the most capable person to help you navigate online casinos, pokies, and the Australian gambling landscape.
