Wrest Point Casino: Tasmania's Licensed Gaming Venue
Wrest Point Casino in Hobart operates as Tasmania's only land-based casino, licensed under state regulation since opening in February 1973. Located in Sandy Bay on the River Derwent waterfront, the venue was Australia's first legal casino and remains the sole provider of casino-style gaming in Tasmania. The complex combines a gaming floor with a hotel tower, multiple restaurants, bars, conference facilities and entertainment spaces.
The casino operates under a licence granted by the Tasmanian Government and is regulated by the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission. Federal Group owns and operates the property. Entry is restricted to guests aged 18 and over, with photo identification required at the door. The venue enforces dress standards: no thongs, singlets, or overly casual attire on the gaming floor, though standards relax slightly during daytime hours.
Wrest Point holds the monopoly on casino gaming in Tasmania under its exclusive licence. This means pokies, table games, and other casino products available at the venue cannot be legally offered by competing land-based operators in the state. The licence structure differs from mainland states where multiple casino operators may hold licences in different cities.
The hotel tower stands as Hobart's tallest building and offers rooms with views across the Derwent River or toward Mount Wellington. The integrated resort model means guests can access accommodation, dining, entertainment and gaming within the same property. Conference and function spaces occupy several floors, hosting corporate events, weddings and large gatherings throughout the year.
Gaming Options and Operating Conditions
The gaming floor at Wrest Point spans two levels and offers around 500 electronic gaming machines alongside traditional table games. Pokies dominate the floor space, with a mix of older reel-style machines and newer video slots. Denominations range from one cent to five dollars per line, with most machines offering multi-line play. Maximum bets vary by machine but commonly reach fifty dollars or more per spin on higher-denomination games.
Table games include blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker variants. The number of active tables varies by day and time, with more tables operating on Friday and Saturday nights. Minimum bets typically start at ten to twenty-five dollars during peak periods, dropping to five or ten dollars on quieter weekday afternoons. Maximum bets depend on the game and table, commonly reaching several thousand dollars per hand on main floor tables.
Electronic table games sit between traditional pokies and live dealer tables. These automated versions of roulette and baccarat allow lower minimum bets—often two to five dollars—and operate continuously without dealer breaks. Players interact with a touchscreen while watching a physical or virtual wheel or shoe. TASkeno and sports betting terminals occupy a separate area, opening earlier than table games and catering to racing and sports punters.
| Gaming Category | Product Range | Typical Operating Hours | Minimum Stakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Gaming Machines (Pokies) | Approximately 500 machines across two floors, including video slots and older reel-style games with denominations from 1c to $5 per line | Generally 9am to 3am Sunday–Thursday, 9am to 4am Friday–Saturday | From 1c per line; total minimum bet depends on lines activated, commonly 20c to $2 per spin |
| Live Table Games | Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker variants; number of active tables varies by day and demand | Typically 5pm to 1am Sunday–Thursday, 5pm to 3am Friday–Saturday; reduced hours on quiet periods | $5–$10 on weekday afternoons, $10–$25 during peak evening and weekend sessions |
| Electronic Table Games | Automated roulette and baccarat with touchscreen betting on a shared physical or virtual outcome | Extended hours aligned with pokies floor, often starting earlier and closing later than live tables | $2–$5 per bet; appeals to players seeking lower minimums without live dealer wait times |
| TASkeno & Sports Betting | Keno draws and fixed-odds sports and racing terminals operated in partnership with state lottery and wagering providers | From 9am daily; among the earliest gaming options available each day | Keno from $1 per game; sports betting minimums vary by event and bet type, commonly $1–$5 |
Access to the gaming floor requires valid photo identification and compliance with the 18-plus age restriction. Venue staff conduct ID checks at entry points, particularly during evening and weekend periods when foot traffic increases. The casino uses a membership system that allows regulars to earn points and access loyalty benefits, though membership is optional for casual visitors.
Gaming machine RTP at Wrest Point is subject to Tasmanian regulatory minimums, which require machines to return a minimum percentage of total wagers over their lifespan. Individual machines vary in their configured RTP, commonly ranging from 87% to 96%, with the figure disclosed in machine help screens. RTP measures the statistical return across millions of spins; short-term session outcomes will deviate significantly due to variance. A 92% RTP machine does not return $92 from every $100 wagered in a single visit—it means that over an extended period and across all players, the machine retains 8% of total money wagered.
House edge on table games follows standard casino rules. European roulette with a single zero offers a 2.7% house edge; American roulette with double zero increases that to 5.26%. Blackjack house edge depends on the rule set and player strategy, typically ranging from 0.5% with optimal basic strategy to several percent for players making frequent strategy errors. Baccarat banker bets carry approximately 1.06% house edge, player bets around 1.24%.
Dining, Accommodation, and Non-Gaming Facilities
Wrest Point houses multiple dining venues ranging from casual cafes to fine dining. The Point Revolving Restaurant occupies the top floor of the tower and completes a full rotation over the course of a meal, offering 360-degree views of Hobart, the river and Mount Wellington. The menu focuses on local Tasmanian produce including seafood, beef and wine from regional producers.
Additional restaurants include a steakhouse, an Asian dining venue, and a buffet-style option. A casual bar and bistro near the gaming floor serves lighter meals, pizzas and pub-style dishes throughout the day and into the evening. Room service is available for hotel guests, with menus drawing from the main restaurant kitchens.
The hotel offers over 200 rooms across standard, deluxe and suite categories. Rooms in the tower provide elevated views; water-edge rooms on lower levels sit closer to the foreshore and marina. All rooms include en-suite bathrooms, wifi, television and climate control. Suites add separate living areas and larger bathrooms, catering to extended stays and guests attending conferences or functions.
Non-gaming facilities include an indoor heated pool, sauna, steam room and fitness area. The property hosts live entertainment in dedicated function spaces and lounges, with schedules varying by season and event bookings. Conference facilities span multiple floors and accommodate corporate meetings, training sessions, weddings and private functions. The venue's proximity to Hobart's CBD and airport makes it a common choice for business travellers and interstate guests attending events in southern Tasmania.
Responsible Gambling and Venue Policies
Wrest Point operates under Tasmania's responsible gambling framework, which requires licensed venues to provide self-exclusion options, staff training on problem gambling indicators, and access to support resources. Guests can request voluntary exclusion from the casino for a specified period, during which venue staff are instructed to refuse entry and remove the person if they attempt to access the gaming floor. Exclusion periods commonly range from six months to permanent bans.
The venue does not currently participate in the national BetStop register, which covers Australian-licensed online wagering and some interstate casino operators. BetStop exclusions apply to participating online sports and race betting services but do not automatically extend to land-based casinos under state jurisdiction. Tasmanian residents seeking to self-exclude from Wrest Point must arrange exclusion directly with venue management or through the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission.
Gaming machines at the venue display time-and-spend tracking for players who opt in, allowing individuals to monitor session length and total wagered. Clocks are visible throughout the gaming floor, and staff are trained to approach patrons showing signs of distress or extended uninterrupted play. ATMs on the gaming floor carry responsible gambling warnings, and daily withdrawal limits apply in accordance with banking and venue policies.
Support resources are available through Gambling Help Online, a free national service reachable at 1800 858 858. The service provides telephone counselling, online chat, and referrals to face-to-face support in Tasmania. Tasmanian-specific services include Anglicare Tasmania and Relationships Australia Tasmania, both of which offer gambling counselling and financial advice for individuals and families affected by problem gambling.
Wrest Point enforces strict age verification at entry points. All guests entering the gaming floor must present valid photo identification proving they are 18 or older. Acceptable ID includes an Australian driver licence, passport, or proof-of-age card. Minors are not permitted on the gaming floor at any time, even when accompanied by adults. Hotel guests under 18 can access accommodation, dining and other non-gaming facilities but must avoid the casino area.
Is Wrest Point Casino the only legal casino in Tasmania?
Yes. Wrest Point holds the exclusive casino licence for Tasmania, making it the only venue legally permitted to offer casino-style gaming including pokies and table games in the state.
What are the operating hours for table games at Wrest Point?
Live table games typically operate from 5pm to 1am Sunday through Thursday, extending to 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. Hours may vary during quiet periods or special events.
Can I use BetStop to exclude myself from Wrest Point Casino?
No. BetStop covers participating Australian-licensed online services but does not extend to land-based casinos under state jurisdiction. To self-exclude from Wrest Point, contact venue management or the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission directly.
What is the minimum age to enter the gaming floor at Wrest Point?
You must be 18 or older and provide valid photo identification. Minors cannot access the gaming floor even with adult supervision, though they may use other hotel and dining facilities.
Source
Users seeking game rules should refer to the destination page.
