Want to know more about gambling in Brisbane?
Wagering in Queensland is a big business and in 2014/15, Queenslanders spent $3.7 billion on gambling activities. From Bingo to sports and race betting, poker to the lotteries, with a population of 2.2 million people, Brisbane can account for much of this figure.
Here, we take a look at the gambling scene in the city of Brisbane, looking at the various ways you can place a wager including a little history of the gambling scene in Brissie.
Contents
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Gambling Laws in Brisbane
Gambling in Brisbane is legal for those aged over 18 who use a licensed bookmaker (registered TAB agency or TAB outlet), casino or registered gaming facility (including licensed Electronic Gaming Machines).
Gambling in Brisbane comes in many forms; not just at the casino. Image via Pixabay.
Gambling legislation is looked after in the state of Queensland by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR). Under the OLGR, the following national Acts pertaining to gambling are fully legislated:
- Brisbane Casino Agreement Act 1992
- Casino Control Act 1982
- Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999
- Gaming Machine Act 1991
- Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act 1998
- Keno Act 1996
- Lotteries Act 1997
- Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Act 2016
- Wagering Act 1998
These Acts cover charitable and non-profit gaming as well as casino, lotteries, Keno and wagering.
Gambling Scene in Brisbane
In Queensland, the average spend per capita on gambling is $1,032 per year which is lower than the national average by about 16.5%. However, the proportion of how this money is wagered varies from the rest of Australia as per the following stats:
Type of Gambling | Queensland (% of Gambling Expenditure) | Australia (% of Gambling Expenditure) |
Electronic Gaming Machines | 58% | 51% |
Casino | 18% | 23% |
Race Betting | 9% | 12% |
Lotto | 9% | 8% |
Keno | 3% | 15% |
Scratch Cards | 2% | 1% |
Sports Betting | 1% | 4% |
As can be seen from the above, people in Queensland spend more money on the pokies than any other form of gambling and spend five times less per capita than the national average on Keno.
Money spent on race betting and at the casino is also lower than the rest of Australia.
Gambling in Brisbane dates back to the original settlement of the city by the Europeans with the first race meeting held in 1843. However, it wasn’t until 1962 that the first off-course betting facilities were made available by TAB.
Queensland opened its first casino in 1985 with the Conrad Jupiters on the Gold Coast. The following year saw a second casino added with the Sheraton Townsville Hotel and Casino.
An hour south of Brisbane, the Conrad Jupiters was the first casino to be opened in Queensland. Image via Wikimedia.
Six years later in 1992 and gaming machines were licensed for use in clubs, pubs and hotels.
In 1995, Brisbane welcomed the opening of its own casino (the Treasury, see below) and less than 12 months later, Cairns saw the Reef Hotel Casino open its doors to punters.
Over the last few decades, Brisbane has seen many changes in legislation which have been designed to promote responsible gaming.
Casinos
In keeping with the policy of single integrated resorts in Australia’s cities, there is only one casino in Brisbane. Owned by the Star Entertainment Group and funded by partners in China, the Treasury enjoys a prominent position in the city and is investing around $4 billion in plans to upgrade the development.
Treasury Casino
130 William St, Brisbane City QLD 4000,

Due to be redeveloped and extended, the Treasury Casino in Brisbane is in prime position. Image via Wikipedia.
Situated in the heritage-listed old Treasury building, Brisbane’s only casino originally opened in 1995. The casino is split over three separate gaming floors with 1300 electronic gaming machines (pokies), 80 gaming tables and private poker rooms. The majority of poker games are played Texas Hold’em or Omaha style.
Table games include Blackjack, Roulette, Carribean Stud Poker, Sic Bo, 3 Card Poker as well as Craps.
The Treasury Casino and surrounding area is under development as of 2017 to extend the existing facilities. Due to be completed by 2022, the new complex will include five new luxury hotels, 50 restaurants and bars plus a new theatre. The details of the new casino have yet to be finalised but we can expect this venue to be even larger with many more gaming zones.
Race Courses
Horses
The first race meeting in Brisbane occurred in 1865 and was held at the historic Eagle Farm Racecourse. Ever since, horse racing has been a big spectator sport, enjoying its heyday during the 1960s and 1970s. Attendance at live events has fallen due to the advent of televised racing and the widespread availability of off-course TAB facilities but big events can still draw big crowds.
The city plays host to some important meetings including the Brisbane Cup, the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival and the Doomben Cup.
Doomben Racecourse
75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007

Home to the best horse racing in Brisbane, Doomben is the course of choice. Image via Wikipedia.
Just 7km outside of the CBD in the Ascot area of the city is Doomben Racecourse.
Opened in 1933 but upgraded in 1982, the course is home to the BTC Cup and the Doomben Cup. The latter is one of the best middle-distance flat races in the country and regularly attracts good crowds when it’s held in May.
Races are generally held on a Saturday with some midweek (Tuesday/Wednesday) racing during the summer. A full calendar of events can be downloaded from the website.
TABs are available on site along with dining and bar facilities.
Midweek racing is free with Saturday general admission tickets costing $15.
Eagle Farm Racecourse
230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007
The premier racing facility in Brisbane, Eagle Farm Racecourse was opened in 1863 and is a heritage-listed venue. It is situated across the Nudgee Road from the Doomben racecourse and shares many of the same facilities.
The history of the racecourse also shares similarities to Doomben and both were closed during the Pacific War to host American troops. Together the two courses were known as U.S. Camp Ascot.
Eagle Farm holds the prestigious events of the Queensland Oaks and the Queensland Derby in June. Both part of the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, you can also watch the Stradbroke Handicap, a $1.5 million thoroughbred race.
TAB services are provided on race days.
Ipswich Turf Race Club
219 Brisbane Rd, Bundamba QLD 4304
http://ipswichturfclub.com.au/
For some midweek racing, you can head 30 minutes west of Brisbane to Ipswich Turf Race Club.
Formerly known as the Bundamba Racecourse, the Ipswich Turf Club dates back to 1848.
They hold 48 meetings each year including two Saturday events.
Their big event is the Ipswich Club, held in June each year. It’s not the most prestigious event in Queensland’s racing calendar but it is a very social occasion and there is some good racing to be had.
TAB and bar facilities are available on site.
Albion Park Harness Racing Club
Yulestar St, Albion QLD 4010

The thrill of harness racing is half the draw…as well as some good wagering. Image via website.
Just 2.5km upriver from Fortitude Valley is Albion Park; home of harness racing in Brisbane.
Top pacers meet on a Saturday evening with weekday events on Tuesday and Friday nights.
There is a good community who regularly attend the course and the sport is definitely one for spectators who enjoy live action.
TABs are available on site.
Dogs
Greyhound racing in Australia has fallen into decline over the last few decades but Brisbane is currently enjoying a resurgence of public interest including with overseas visitors.
Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club
3 Amy St, Albion QLD 4010

Midweek racing attracts some good crowds and can offer some good returns. Image via website.
With midweek meets on Monday and Thursday nights, Wednesday afternoons plus racing on Sundays, the Albion Park raceway has plenty of live action.
You can catch the action trackside or watch indoors from the betting auditorium.
Admission is free.
Capalaba Greyhounds
Old Cleveland Rd, Capalaba QLD 4157
Holding Saturday races with some midweek action on Tuesdays, Capalaba extends the dog racing calendar where the Brissie Greys club leaves off.
The club is about a 20 minute drive to the east of the CBD and is easy to reach by bus or car.
It’s not the largest dog track you will ever visit but it does have a good local following and punters are welcoming to new faces.
The track has the honour of being the location of the world record fastest greyhound in history. ‘Lincoln Stanley’ ran 366m in 19.51 seconds in 2006 recording a speed of 67.53 km/h; no other dog in history has officially been recorded at this speed.

The fastest greyhound in history, ‘Lincoln Stanley’ was recorded in Brisbane. Image via Greyhound Data.
Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club
81 Warwick Rd, Ipswich QLD 4305
Half an hour outside of the city, in Ipswich, you can also enjoy dog racing on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings out in the sticks.
Admission is $5.50 and the track has TABs, snack bar and bar facilities.
Lotteries & Kenos
Queenslanders spend a little more than the national average on playing the lotto but considerably less on Keno.
The National Australian Lottery is held daily and is run by the Tatts Group. You can find full details of how to play the huge variety of games via the Official Lottery website. Tickets can be purchased online or via a licensed Lotto retailer.
Jackpots range from a few million to huge jackpots in excess of $10 million.
There aren’t that many places in Brisbane to play Keno but you can find details of the 37 venues where you can join in this lottery like, instant win game via the official Keno website.
Poker
The main venue for poker is, of course, the Treasury Casino (see above) where you can find WSOP satellite tournaments. Poker takes place on Level 1 on Mondays and Thursdays.

Poker Leagues are played in the pubs and bars around Brisbane. Image via Pixabay.
Poker Leagues
In addition to the Treasury, you can also find poker events across the city being run by the Australian Poker League (APL), Australian Pro Poker (APP), World Poker Tour League (WPT), Deep Stack Poker (DSP) and 888. Most of the events are listed on the Poker Nights website with a summary of the best central Brisbane poker games listed below:
Mondays
League | Venue | District | Start Time | Buy In |
APL | Wynnum Manly Leagues Club | Manly West | 19:00 | $ 12.00 |
WPT | Underdog Pub | Fortitude Valley | 19:30 | Free |
WPT | Crown Hotel | Lutwyche | 19:00 | Free |
APL | Crushers League | Grange | 19:00 | Free |
WPT | Prince of Wales Hotel | Nundah | 11:30 | Free |
Tuesdays
League | Venue | District | Start Time | Buy In |
APL | Shafston Hotel | East Brisbane | 19:30 | $ 2.00 |
888PL | Eye Candy Bar | Fortitude Valley | 19:30 | Free |
APL | Everton Park Community Club | Everton Park | 19:00 | Free |
Wednesdays
League | Venue | District | Start Time | Buy In |
APL | Wynnum RSL Services Club | Wynnum | 19:00 | $ 12.00 |
APL | Stafford Tavern | Stafford | 19:00 | Free |
APL | Red Lion Hotel | Moorooka | 18:30 | $ 12.00 |
WPT | Boundary Hotel | West End | 20:00 | Free |
APL | Coorparoo RSL | Coorparoo | 19:00 | Free |
APL | Stafford Tavern | Stafford | 18:00 | Free |
888PL | Moorooka Sports & Social Club | Moorooka | 19:00 | Free |
Thursdays
League | Venue | District | Start Time | Buy In |
APL | Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club | Manly | 19:00 | $ 2.00 |
WPT | The Melbourne Hotel | South Brisbane | 19:00 | Free |
WPT | Crown Hotel | Lutwyche | 19:00 | Free |
Fridays
League | Venue | District | Start Time | Buy In |
888PL | Moorooka Sports & Social Club | Moorooka | 19:00 | Free |
APL | Everton Park Community Club | Everton Park | 19:00 | Free |
WPT | Prince of Wales Hotel | Nundah | 11:30 | Free |
DSP | Club Chermside | Chermside | 19:00 | Free |
Saturdays
League | Venue | District | Start Time | Buy In |
APL | Royal Exchange Hotel | Toowong | 18:30 | $ 12.00 |
APL | Red Lion Hotel | Moorooka | 13:00 | $ 12.00 |
WPT | Underdog Pub | Fortitude Valley | 13:00 | Free |
APL | Coorparoo RSL | Coorparoo | 19:00 | Free |
DSP | Enoggera Bowls Club | Enoggera | 19:00 | Free |
APP | Salisbury Hotel | Salibsury | 19:00 | Free |
Sundays
League | Venue | District | Start Time | Buy In |
WPT | The Melbourne Hotel | South Brisbane | 13:00 | Free |
DSP | Club Chermside | Chermside | 13:00 | Free |
Bingo
Bingo is a popular form of gambling in Brisbane. Although it doesn’t generate the same kind of revenue as other wagering, it regularly attracts good crowds for cash prizes across the city and the suburbs.
There are a couple of main bingo halls, each situated in a different suburb or Brisbane but all have good reputations for their facilities, cash prizes and warm welcome.
Southside Bingo
76 Mount Gravatt Capalaba Rd, Upper Mount Gravatt QLD 4122
The biggest Bingo facility in Brisbane and one of the best facilities in Queensland, you can find 200 touch screen tablets to make bingo even quicker than normal.
Joining the modern revolution, this recently refurbished venue gives away $100k in prizes every week. No wonder it’s so popular!
Despite the upgrade, Southside retains its retro charm and offers a sports bar, dining area and café in addition to the large bingo hall. There are also 210 EGMs on site.
Sessions are run at Southside every day of the week with games played during the following times:
- Monday to Wednesday: 10.00am to 1.00pm and 7.30pm to 10.30pm
- Thursday: 10.00am to 2.30pm and 7.30 to 10.30pm
- Friday: 10.00am to 2.30pm and 7.30 to 10.30pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 1.00pm to 4.30pm and 7.30 to 10.30pm
Dolphins Bingo
Klingner Rd & Ashmole Road, Redcliffe QLD 4020
www.redcliffeleagues.com.au/bingo
Located on Level 1 of the Redcliffe League’s Club you don’t have to be a club member to join in on the bingo sessions. You can use the club’s facilities whilst you are there with regular sessions throughout the week:
- Tuesday 10.30am
- Wednesday 10.30am & 7.30pm
- Thursday 10.30am
- Friday 7.30pm
- Saturday 1.30pm & 7.30pm
- Sunday 6.30pm

You can go traditional or use the electronic bingo pads at Redcliffe. Image via website.
Nudgee Bingo
2199 Sandgate Rd, Boondall QLD 4034
Situated in the grounds of the catholic boarding school of Nudgee College, the bingo hall at Boondall runs sessions as follows:
- Wednesday: 7.30pm – 1 x Jackpot $1000 and 3 x Trebles $500 plus Star Game $10000
- Thursday: 7.30pm – 1 x Jackpot $2000 and 8 x Trebles $1000 plus Star Game $10000
- Saturday: 7.30pm – 1 x Jackpot $2000 and 3 x Trebles $500 plus Star Game $10000
- Sunday: 1.00pm – 1 x Jackpot $2000 and 3 x Trebles $1000 plus Star Game $10000
Lucky numbers are drawn every night and there are good payouts in other games.
Swifts Sports Club
95A Brisbane Rd, Booval QLD 4304
Swifts is a bit of a schlep outside of the city but if you are staying in the west of Brisbane then you could reach it in under 20 minutes.
The facilities at Swift Sports Club are extended to non-members during bingo events and you enjoy the bar and bistro prior to, or after, your games.
Swifts holds three bingo sessions each week:
- Wednesday: 6.30pm
- Thursday: 9.00am
- Friday: 6.30pm
Electronic Gaming Machines (‘Pokies’/Slots)
There are almost 200 venues in Brisbane city that have electronic gaming machines (EGMs) with the most being situated at the Treasury Casino (1300 licensed pokies).

‘Best Club of the Bayside’ – the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club has 300 EGMs. Image via website.
We’ve listed the venues below that have licenses for over 45 machines and where you can also get a decent drink at the same time:
Venue Name | Area of Brisbane | District | No. of EGMs |
Arana Leagues Club | West | Keperra | 300 |
Brisbane Broncos Leagues Club | Inner City | Red Hill (Qld) | 300 |
Carina Leagues Club | South | Carina | 300 |
Easts Leagues Club | South | Greenslopes | 300 |
Kedron-Wavell Services Club Inc | North | Chermside | 300 |
Queensland Lions Football Club | Ipswich | Inala – Richlands | 300 |
Sunnybank Rugby Union Club | South | Macgregor (Qld) | 300 |
Wynnum Manly Leagues Club | East | Manly West | 300 |
Southside Sport Club | South | Upr Mt Gravatt | 210 |
Sherwood Services Club Inc | West | Corinda | 184 |
Aspley Australian Football Club | North | Carseldine | 167 |
The Blue Fin Fishing Club Inc. | Ipswich | Inala – Richlands | 158 |
Aspley Leagues Club | North | Aspley | 146 |
RSL Queensland | West | Mitchelton | 136 |
Geebung Rsl | North | Geebung | 122 |
Wynnum Rsl Sub Branch | East | Wynnum | 105 |
Yeronga Community Club Inc | South | Yeronga | 95 |
Norths Devils Leagues Club | North | Nundah | 93 |
Gallopers Sports Club | Inner City | Ascot | 91 |
Moreton Bay Sports Club | East | Tingalpa | 80 |
Sandgate RSL Club | North | Sandgate | 80 |
Grange Community Sports Club | Inner City | Grange | 76 |
Wynnum Manly Workers Sports Club | East | Tingalpa | 75 |
Zillmere Sports | North | Zillmere | 74 |
Southern Cross Sports Club | South | Upr Mt Gravatt | 70 |
Algester Sports Inc. | South | Algester | 60 |
Souths Acacia Leagues Club | South | Rocklea | 56 |
Coorparoo Rsl And Community Club | South | Coorparoo | 50 |
Acacia Ridge Hotel Motel | South | Rocklea | 45 |
Albion Hotel | Inner City | Albion | 45 |
Alderley Arms Hotel | Inner City | Alderley | 45 |
Bracken Ridge Tavern | North | Bracken Ridge | 45 |
Calamvale Hotel Motel | South | Calamvale | 45 |
Camp Hill Hotel | South | Camp Hill | 45 |
Centenary Tavern | Ipswich | Darra – Sumner | 45 |
Everton Park Hotel | North | Mcdowall | 45 |
Forest Lake Hotel | Ipswich | Doolandella | 45 |
Glen Hotel | South | Eight Mile Plains | 45 |
Gumdale Tavern | East | Wakerley | 45 |
Hamilton Hotel | Inner City | Hamilton (Qld) | 45 |
Holland Park Hotel | South | Holland Park West | 45 |
Homestead Tavern-Boondall | North | Geebung | 45 |
Hotel Colmslie | Inner City | Seven Hills | 45 |
Hotel Richlands | Ipswich | Doolandella | 45 |
Jindalee Hotel | West | Sinnamon Park | 45 |
Nudgee Beach Hotel | North | Nudgee – Banyo | 45 |
Pacific Golf Club | South | Carindale | 45 |
Prince Of Wales Hotel | North | Nundah | 45 |
Royal Exchange Hotel | Inner City | Toowong | 45 |
Royal George Hotel | Inner City | Fortitude Valley | 45 |
Runcorn Tavern | South | Runcorn | 45 |
Salisbury Hotel | South | Salisbury – Nathan | 45 |
Stafford Tavern | North | Stafford | 45 |
Sunnybank Hotel | South | Sunnybank | 45 |
Taigum Tavern | North | Taigum – Fitzgibbon | 45 |
The Brook Hotel Motel | West | Mitchelton | 45 |
The Junction @ Annerley | South | Annerley | 45 |
Waterloo Bay Hotel | East | Wynnum | 45 |
TABs are licensed bookies that can take your racing and sports bets. As well as being situated in the city’s horse and dog race courses, you can find TABs in sports bars, social clubs and hotels around Brisbane. There are also TAB shops.
The following locations in Brisbane’s CBD and inner city area provide TAB facilities:
- Brusnwick Hotel, 569 Brusnwick Street, New Farm, QLD, 4005
- Caxton Hotel, 38 Caxton Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000
- Criterion Tavwern, Cnr Adelaide & George Streets, Brisbane, QLD, 4000
- Gilhooleys Tavern, 124 Albert Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000
- Grand Central Hotel, Central Railway Centre 270 Ann Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4001
- Hotel LA, 68 Petrie Terrace, Paddington, QLD, 4064
- International Hotel, 525 Boundary Street, Spring Hill, QLD, 4004
- Jubilee Hotel, 470 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley, QLD, 4006
- QA Hotel, 64 James Street, Teneriffe, QLD, 4005
- Royal George Hotel, 327 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD, 4006
- Sofitel, 249 Turbot Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000
- The Elephant Arms, 220-230 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley, Qld, 4006
- The Exchange Hotel, 131 Edward Street, Brisbane, Qld, 4000
- The Mill Hotel, 239 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, QLD, 4004
- Trans Continental Hotel, Level 4 482 George Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000
- Victory Hotel, 127 Edward Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000
- Waterloo Hotel, Cnr Ann St & Commercial Road, Newstead, Qld, 4006
Agency TABs
The following locations provide only TAB services:
- Adelaide Street TAB: 134-138 Adelaide Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000
- Milton TAB: Shop 6 16 Baroona Road, Milton, QLD, 4064
- New Farm TAB: U4 98 Merthyr Road, New Farm, QLD, 4005
Other
Tattersalls Club
215 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
http://tattersallsclub.com.au/
Built at the turn of the 20th century, the Tattersalls Club on Queen Street is a heritage-listed building which is home to a private members only sports and racing club.

An historic and prestigious club, this is as close as most of us will get to the Tattersalls Racing Club. Image via website.
The building is elegant in design and sophisticated in its membership. The facilities include TAB sports and race betting as well as a health and wellness centre, bar and dining area plus billiards room, library and wine room.
The Tattersalls Club has its own race club which holds four meetings at the Doomben Racecourse.
Featured image via Pixabay.