Poker machines, or pokies as most Australians call them, sit at the heart of the country’s gambling landscape. They generate billions of dollars in turnover each year and fund a significant share of state revenue through taxation. Yet the rules governing them are anything but uniform. Each state and territory runs its own licensing regime, its own tax rates and its own restrictions on where machines can operate. Understanding these differences matters whether you play socially, follow industry news or simply want to know your rights at the venue. For more details, visit https://topspinaus.net/.
Nationally, around 200,000 electronic gaming machines operate across Australia, with the overwhelming majority located in New South Wales and Victoria. Return-to-player rates are set by regulators rather than operators, and most jurisdictions require a minimum of 85% to 90%. Below, we break down how the laws differ from state to state.
New South Wales and Victoria: The Two Largest Markets
New South Wales hosts roughly half of all pokies in the country, with around 95,000 machines spread across clubs and hotels. The state caps machine numbers through a forfeiture and transfer system, and venues must hold a gaming machine entitlement for every device on the floor. Return-to-player minimums sit at 85%, and the government has progressively tightened cash input limits and mandatory pre-commitment trials in selected areas.
Victoria operates close to 27,000 machines, concentrated in hotels and clubs rather than a casino-dominated model. The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation sets a minimum return of 87%, one of the higher floors in the country. Victoria also enforces strict caps per venue and has rolled out mandatory carded play in stages, a reform designed to reduce harm and improve transparency.
Both states levy substantial taxes on gaming revenue, and both require venues to contribute to responsible gambling funds. For players, the practical differences come down to machine availability, venue size and the growing shift toward cashless systems.
Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia
Queensland allows pokies in clubs, hotels and its casinos, with around 45,000 machines in operation. The state sets a minimum return of 85% and applies a tiered tax structure that rises with revenue. Recent reforms have introduced slower spin limits and mandatory pre-commitment technology on new machines.
South Australia takes a stricter approach, permitting machines only in the Adelaide Casino and licensed hotels and clubs, with a state-wide cap of roughly 12,000. Return-to-player must reach at least 87.5%, and the SA government has pushed hard on carded play trials. Western Australia stands apart entirely: pokies are legal only inside the Crown Perth casino, meaning the state has no machine network in pubs or clubs at all.
Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory
Tasmania licenses machines in hotels and clubs with a modest cap of around 3,500 and a minimum return of 85%. The Australian Capital Territory permits pokies in clubs only, with about 5,000 machines and a return floor of 87%. The Northern Territory regulates machines through its Racing Commission, with most concentrated in Darwin and Alice Springs venues.
Across every jurisdiction, players must be 18 or older to use a poker machine, and venues are required to display responsible gambling information. If you want to compare how different operators present their gaming floors and player protections, checking a trusted comparison resource can help you see which venues meet the standards you expect.
| State/Territory | Approx. Machines | Minimum RTP |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 95,000 | 85% |
| Victoria | 27,000 | 87% |
| Queensland | 45,000 | 85% |
| South Australia | 12,000 | 87.5% |
| Western Australia | Casino only | Varies |
The regulatory picture continues to shift, particularly around cashless gaming and harm minimisation. Staying informed about your own state’s rules is the simplest way to gamble responsibly and know exactly what protections apply where you play.