In Australia there are some federal regulations and standards for gaming machines but the majority of the gaming machine rules and regulations are controlled by the individual States and Territories.
These laws vary from state to state and cover everything from minimum return to player, maximum bets, how winnings are paid out and where the games are found. In this guide you can compare all of the different regulations around Australia.
Regulations by State and Territories
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has a total of 5,200 gaming machines all of which are located in clubs and hotels. Casino Canberra is the only casino in the ACT and does not have any gaming machines.
- Total Machines : 5,200
- Machine Locations : Clubs (5,114) and Hotels (60)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (5 hour break)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $1,200 are paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Accept $5, $10 and $20 notes
- Game Frequency : No restrictions
- Maximum Bet : $10 per spin
- Win Limits : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 87%
- Regulator : ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory has 2,195 gaming machines located in clubs, hotels and the two casinos operating in the territory - Sky City and Lasseters.
- Total Machines : 2,195
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (1,190), Casinos (1,005)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Hotels & Clubs), Yes (Casinos)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $500 are paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Banned in hotels and clubs.
- Game Frequency : No restrictions (National Standards)
- Maximum Bet : $5 per spin (Clubs / Hotels), No Limit (Casino)
- Win Limits : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 85% (Clubs / Hotels), 88% (Casinos)
- Regulator : NT Gambling and Licensing
New South Wales
New South Wales leads the country with 100,500 gaming machines which are located in clubs, hotels and the Star Casino in Sydney.
- Total Machines : 100,500
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (99,000), Casino (1,500)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Hotels & Clubs), Yes (Casino)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $5000 are paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Accept $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes
- Game Frequency : No restrictions (National Standards)
- Maximum Bet : $10 per spin (Clubs / Hotels), No Limit (Casino)
- Win Limits (Clubs /Hotels) : $10,000, $500,000 (Inter-venue)
- Win Limits (Casino) : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 85%
- Regulator : NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
Queensland
There are almost 50,000 machines found in Queensland in clubs, hotels and four casinos located around the State with Brisbane's Treasury Casino having the most games.
- Total Machines : 47,811*
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (44,015), Casino (3,796*)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Hotels & Clubs), Yes (Casino)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $5000 are paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Accept $5, $10, $20, $50 notes. Casinos unrestricted.
- Game Frequency : 3 seconds between game start and finish
- Maximum Bet : $5 per spin (Clubs / Hotels), No Limit (Casino)
- Win Limits (Clubs /Hotels) : $10,000, $25,000 (Jackpot)
- Win Limits (Casino) : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : Maximum of 50 lines
- Minimum RTP : 85% - 92% (Clubs / Hotels), 90% (Casinos)
- Regulator : QLD Office of Liquor and Gaming
* There is no cap on the actual amount of gaming machines at casinos so the actual number of machines in QLD varies.
South Australia
South Australia has a total of 13,113 machines which are found in clubs, hotels and Adelaide Casino.
- Total Machines : 13,113
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (12,118), Casino (995)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Clubs / Hotels), Yes (Casino)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $1,000 can be paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Banned. Machines accept coins only
- Game Frequency : Minimum spin rate of 3.5 seconds
- Maximum Bet : $10 per spin
- Win Limits : $10,000 (Clubs / Hotels), No Limit (Casino)
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 87.5%
- Regulator : Office of Liquor and Gaming
Tasmania
In Tasmania there are 3,680 machines locates in both hotels and clubs and at the two casinos (Wrest Point and Country Club)
- Total Machines : 3,680
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (2,500), Casino (1,680)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Clubs / Hotels), Yes (Casino)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $1,000 are be paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Banned in Hotels and Clubs
- Game Frequency : Minimum spin rate of 3 seconds
- Maximum Bet : $5 per spin
- Win Limits : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : Maximum of 30 lines
- Minimum RTP : 85%
- Regulator : Department of Liquor and Gaming
Victoria
Gaming machines in Victoria total 30,000 and are found in hotels, clubs and at Crown Melbourne which has the largest amount of games in Australia.
- Total Machines : 30,000
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (27,500), Casino (2,500)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Clubs / Hotels), Yes (Casino)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings of $1,000 or more are be paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Accept $5, $10, $20 and $50 notes
- Game Frequency : Minimum spin rate of 2.14 seconds
- Maximum Bet : $5 (Clubs / Hotels), None (Casino)
- Win Limits : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 87%
- Regulator : VIC Commission for Gaming Regulation
Western Australia
In WA there are a total of 1,750 gaming machines located at Crown Perth.
- Total Machines : 1,750
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (N/A), Casino (1,750)
- 24 Hour Gambling : Yes
- Cheque Payouts : No regulations
- Note Acceptors : Unlimited
- Game Frequency : National Standards
- Maximum Bet : $225
- Win Limits : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 90%
- Regulator : Department of Gaming, Racing and Liquor