The Australian gambling industry in 2025 is at the epicentre of dramatic events. The largest operator, Star Entertainment, has barely escaped bankruptcy, the regulator ACMA is increasing pressure on unlicensed casinos, and parliament is discussing a revolutionary bill on the mandatory display of losses in real time. At the same time, the market continues to grow, with Australians remaining world leaders in per capita betting. We take a look at the key events that will determine the future of the best Aussie pokies.
Star Entertainment: From Collapse to Last-Minute Rescue
The beginning of 2025 was critical for Star Entertainment Group, Australia’s largest public casino and pokies operator. By January 2025, the company’s cash reserves had plummeted by 46% in just three months — from $149 million in September to $79 million in December 2024. The company’s largest shareholder, pub magnate Bruce Matheson, said he saw only two options: bankruptcy or a buyout.
The roots of the crisis stretch back to the scandals of 2021-2022, when regulators uncovered systemic violations in the fight against money laundering and links to organised crime. In October 2024, Sydney’s licence was suspended until at least March 2025, and the company was fined $15 million. The financial situation was exacerbated by massive restructuring costs and the hiring of compliance specialists.
February-March: A Hair’s Breadth from Administration
On 28 February 2025, trading in Star shares was suspended after the company failed to publish its half-yearly report. By the end of the day, the shares had plummeted to 11 cents. In February, Oaktree Capital offered $650 million in refinancing, but the deal fell through.
On 7 March, the company avoided immediate collapse by selling its stake in the Brisbane project to Hong Kong partners Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium for $53 million. The first payment of $35 million was received on Friday of the same day. However, on 9 March, an attempt to obtain $940 million in refinancing from Salter Brothers Capital failed.
April: Rescue from Bally’s
On 7 April 2025, Star Entertainment and Bally’s Corporation reached an agreement whereby Bally’s would acquire a controlling stake of 56.7% for $300 million. This was Bally’s first international expansion outside the United States. Of the $300 million investment, $200 million was provided by Bally’s and $100 million by Bruce Matheson.
On 15 April, the company finally published its delayed report for the first half of the year, showing a loss of $136 million. Revenue plummeted 25% to $650 million, and in the first quarter of 2025, it continued to fall by another 9%.
June-August: Deal Completed, Losses Mount
On 25 June, shareholders approved the acquisition of Bally’s. On 12 August, the sale of the stake in the Queens Wharf project was finally completed.
On 28 August, Star published its results for the financial year ending 30 June 2025: the loss amounted to $471.5 million, with revenue falling 29% to $1.19 billion. Gaming revenue plummeted 37%. The company said the decline was due to the mandatory pokies player card system in Australia and cash limits in Sydney, the implementation of a remediation programme and loss of market share.
September-October: Life Under Supervision
On 24 September, the NSW regulator announced that The Star Sydney’s licence suspension would be extended until 31 March 2026. Independent manager Nicholas Weeks, appointed in October 2022, had his mandate extended. On 25 September, Queensland authorities postponed the suspension of the Gold Coast licence until 30 September 2026.
On 30 September 2025, Star received a deferral on $430 million in debt obligations until February 2026. In exchange for the deferral, the company paid a fee to creditors and committed to repaying $60 million in principal. This is not the first deferral — creditors, including Deutsche Bank, Macquarie and Perpetual, have approved concessions several times, most recently at the end of June.
As of October 2025, Star Entertainment continues to operate under strict regulatory oversight. All three casinos — Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane — are operational but under the control of independent managers. The company is facing a large fine from AUSTRAC, which could exceed $400 million, for violations in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.
The deal with Bally’s gave the company a temporary respite, but the situation remains precarious. As of 30 June 2025, net debt stood at $207.1 million, with total debt at $598.3 million. Star’s future depends on its ability to regain its licences, stabilise revenue and pay off its debts. The company faces a critical period ahead until February 2026, when the current loan deferral expires.
ACMA Blocks Four Unlicensed Online Pokies Operators
On 30 September 2025, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) issued formal warnings to four companies for providing unlicensed online gambling services to Australian players. The companies targeted were Stellar Ltd (operator of Spinit), Just Entertainment B.V. (Lucky Ones7), Digibrite S.R.L. (The Pokies) and Hollycorn N.V. (Slot Lounge).
The ACMA emphasised that these companies are operating in violation of national legislation and do not provide the consumer guarantees required by Australian law.
The case of Stellar Ltd, which operates the Spinit platform, is particularly interesting. The company already received a warning from ACMA in August 2025 for the same violations, indicating repeated non-compliance. The regulator noted that it would closely monitor repeat offenders and apply tougher measures.
ACMA stated that if non-compliance with the law continues, the regulator may request internet providers to block access to the websites of violators. These are not empty threats — in recent years, ACMA has already blocked hundreds of illegal gambling websites with online pokies operating in the Australian market without licences.
These actions by ACMA show that the regulator is serious about protecting the Australian market from illegal operators. Offshore casinos without proper licences face growing barriers to accessing Australian players, even if players are not technically prohibited from using their services.
Revolutionary Bill on Real-Time Loss Display
One of the key legislative developments of 2025 was the proposal of the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Know Your Losses Activity Statement) Bill 2025. This federal bill represents a significant step forward in consumer protection and transparency in gambling operations.
The bill requires all licensed interactive betting operators to display the user’s net position (ratio of wins to losses) in real time on their apps or online pokies sites. This information must be visible at all times and show losses on a monthly, annual and lifetime basis.
This is a direct response to Australia’s high per capita gambling losses. The aim is to give players irrefutable financial feedback to help them make more informed decisions. Many players are unaware of the extent of their losses when the information is scattered across multiple transactions and sessions.
There are serious penalties for non-compliance with the new law, which underscores the government’s intention to ensure transparency and reduce the harm caused by gambling. Operators will be required to implement real-time tracking systems, which may require significant technical investment.
The bill is still under discussion, but its introduction indicates the general direction of regulatory policy. The authorities no longer rely solely on operators’ self-regulation, but are introducing mandatory technical requirements to protect players.
Lawsuit Against Sportsbet Raises Questions about KYC
In October 2025, 53-year-old Kim Cavigan from Victoria filed a lawsuit against Sportsbet, the Australian brand of the multinational company Flutter Entertainment. The case has attracted the attention of the entire AUS pokies industry, as it raises fundamental questions about operators’ obligations to verify the sources of funds.
Accountant Andrew Marshall stole $280,000 from Cavigan’s account and used the money to place bets on Sportsbet. Marshall has already pleaded guilty to theft, but Cavigan is now pursuing the bookmaker, claiming that Sportsbet had an obligation to ensure that large deposits were not made with stolen funds.
Although technically this is not money laundering (Marshall did not attempt to legalise illegal proceeds), the case raises serious questions about know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) procedures in the Australian betting industry. Should operators automatically check large deposits? What level of due diligence is required?
The timing of the lawsuit is no coincidence — it coincided with increased scrutiny of the gambling sector by AUSTRAC (the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre). From 29 September 2024, all online gambling providers will be required to conduct full customer identification before opening an account. AUSTRAC is also actively pursuing violators, with recent fines in the industry reaching $450 million.
A negative court ruling could set a precedent and force the entire industry to review its transaction monitoring procedures.
MPs Accuse the Government of Inaction
October 2025 saw a new wave of criticism of the federal government for delaying pokies reforms in Australia. MPs were active on social media, expressing their disappointment at the slow progress.
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, a long-time advocate for reform, wrote on X: “Gambling regulation in Australia is a national disgrace. The government ignored the Murphy report and repeatedly blocked my bill to hold gambling giants accountable.”
MP Kate Chaney cited a recent study by the Australian National University (1 October 2025) that revealed an alarming trend: “More than half of all gambling in Australia now takes place online, which is clearly linked to riskier bets, more frequent play and psychological stress.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces constant calls to implement the recommendations of the 2023 Murphy Report, including the creation of a federal regulator. However, the prime minister has expressed reluctance to move forward on some issues, particularly the complete ban on gambling advertising.
It has been widely reported that Albanese’s desire to avoid confrontation with betting and media companies ahead of the May 2025 election was a key reason for the Murphy report’s postponement last November. The gambling industry, broadcasters and sports leagues receive billions of dollars from betting company advertising and exert powerful lobbying pressure.
MPs also criticise the ACMA regulator, accusing it of having too close ties to the online pokies industry. According to the ABC, ACMA employees accept gifts from industry representatives.
Public opinion polls show that Australians support stricter restrictions. According to the Australian Institute of Research, 65.1% of Australians gambled in the 12 months leading up to October 2024, although most of this was on lotteries.
MIXI Completes Purchase of PointsBet: Japanese Capital in Australian Gambling
In 2025, a fierce battle for control of PointsBet, a well-known Australian betting brand, came to an end. Japanese technology company MIXI prevailed over local rival Betr, securing 66.43% of the shares and seats on the board of directors.
PointsBet was founded in Australia and has built a strong brand, especially among young sports fans. The company is known for its innovative approach to betting and aggressive marketing. The transfer of control to the Japanese company has sparked debate about the future of the national gambling industry and whether Australian brands should remain under local control.
MIXI is a large technology company specialising in social networking and mobile games. Entering the Australian betting market gives it access to one of the most active gambling markets in the world. The company is likely to use its technological expertise to improve the PointsBet platform and expand into other markets.
Betr, an Australian competitor, attempted to keep PointsBet under local control but was unable to beat MIXI’s financial offer.
The deal also shows that the market continues to consolidate. Large international companies are buying up local online pokies operators, which could lead to less competition in the long term.
New Operators Storm the Market
Despite regulatory pressure and political uncertainty, the Australian market continues to attract new players. In 2025, several brands announced the launch or expansion of their operations:
- XBet entered the market with a focus on young audiences, crypto payments and esports. The company offers a modern interface and fast payouts via cryptocurrencies, which attracts tech-savvy players;
- NextBet, owned by Filipino owners, specialises in Asian sports, including basketball and esports. The platform targets Australian players of Asian descent who are looking for familiar betting markets;
- Betdragon is part of the MintBet group of companies, which also operates RipperBet, Bet Alpha, Bet Buzz and MintBet. The group is betting on aggressive marketing and multiple brands to capture different segments of the AUS pokies market.
The emergence of these operators shows that the Australian market remains attractive for investment. The online betting market is worth billions of dollars, and online gaming continues to grow. According to the latest data, more than half of all gambling in Australia now takes place online.
Crypto Casinos are Gaining Popularity Among Australians
One of the major trends of 2025 has been the explosive growth of crypto casinos targeting the Australian market. Platforms such as JACKBIT, 7Bit Casino, BitStarz, KatsuBet and MIRAX Casino offer players anonymity, instant payouts and no traditional banking restrictions.
These casinos operate under offshore licences (usually Curacao) and accept both fiat money (Australian dollars) and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Crypto transactions are processed instantly, while traditional bank transfers can take up to 5 days.
No-KYC options are particularly attractive — some platforms allow you to make small deposits and play without providing any documents. This appeals to players who value privacy, although large payouts usually still require verification.
7Bit Casino, founded in 2014 and operated by Dama N.V., offers over 10,000 games from providers such as Betsoft and Pragmatic Play. The generous welcome package includes a 325% bonus up to £5,400 plus 250 free spins. BitStarz is known for the fastest crypto payouts in the industry and a library of over 6,000 games.
The growth of crypto casinos is happening against a backdrop of tighter regulation of traditional online pokies operators. Players are looking for alternatives with fewer restrictions and faster payouts. However, these platforms exist in a grey area — they do not directly violate Australian laws (playing at offshore casinos is not prohibited), but they are not subject to local regulation either.
Victoria Prepares for Full Implementation of Card Systems
The state of Victoria continues to implement an ambitious programme of pokies reforms in Australia. Following the passage of the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill in November 2024, the practical implementation of the innovations began in 2025.
A three-month pilot of the card system started in mid-2025 at approximately 40 venues across the state. Players must insert a special card before starting to play on pokies. The card allows them to set loss limits, track their playing history and receive warnings about the time spent at the machines.
From 1 December 2025, the limit on a single deposit into a machine was reduced from $1,000 to $100. By default, players can lose no more than $50 per session, although this limit can be changed through the card settings.
All new slot machines approved by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) after 1 December 2025 must have a minimum spin speed of 3 seconds per spin. This slows down the game by 40% compared to the current 2.3 seconds, reducing the amount of money a player can lose per hour.
Crown Melbourne, which implemented the card system back in December 2023, is actively sharing its experience with other establishments. The casino supports the bill and provides data on how the system affects player behaviour.
Full implementation of the mandatory card system is planned for 2027. By that time, all pokies in Victoria will only work with player cards. This will make Victoria one of the most strictly regulated regions in the world in terms of slot machines.
Tasmania Becomes a Pioneer in Direct Player Control
Tasmania is going even further than Victoria and becoming the first state in Australia with full player control through card-based electronic gaming machines. In 2025, Tasmania is introducing a system where electronic gaming machines only work with a player’s prior commitment.
This means that before starting to play, a person must set clear limits on how much money they are willing to spend and how much time they intend to spend at the machine. Once the limit is reached, the machine automatically blocks further play.
The system is based on the “opt-in” principle — the player consciously chooses their limits before starting. This differs from “opt-out” models, where limits are set by default but can be disabled.
This system is the most radical intervention in the operation of pokies in Australia among all Australian states. Other regions are closely monitoring the Tasmanian experiment to assess how effective it is in reducing problem gambling and what impact it has on venue revenues.
Current Statistics in the Online Pokies Sector
A study by the Australian National University (October 2025) found that more than half of all gambling in Australia now takes place online. This is associated with riskier bets, more frequent play and increased psychological stress.
Pokies remain the biggest source of problems. Research shows that 52-57% of all gambling problems are related to slot machines. 18.5% of pokies users are classified as high or medium risk players.
What Lies Ahead for the AUS Pokies Industry
The Australian gambling industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. The Star Entertainment situation shows that even the largest operators are not immune to the consequences of regulatory violations.
Victoria and Tasmania are introducing mandatory limits and card systems. If the measures work without a disaster for revenues, other states will follow suit. Crypto casinos are creating a new challenge: regulators have not yet found effective ways to control blockchain transactions. The lawsuit against Sportsbet may force the entire industry to tighten checks on deposit sources.
2025 shows that an era of strict oversight and player protection is beginning — even at the expense of industry profits.