Does Canberra Have Pokies?
You’ve found yourself walking around the streets of the Capital, hearing all of the city sounds except for jackpots ringing. It might make you wonder: does Canberra have pokies? What do people do for fun around here?
The answer to the pokie question is that there aren’t many. Can’t help you with the other. Canberra has heavily restricted pub gaming and does not have pokies in most of its pubs and clubs, nor in its casino. You have ACT gambling legislation to thank for that.
I’ll take you through the history of why Canberra pokies are on their way out, and even if you live in the Capital, how you can still play pokies online Australia-wide from home.
Does Canberra Have Casinos?
Yeah, Canberra has one licensed casino: Casino Canberra, smack dab in the middle of the CBD. But don’t roll in expecting flashing lights and rows of pokies as you’d see at The Star or Crown. This place is pretty tame. You’ll find table games, a bit of sports on, and some food, and that’s about it.
What catches people off guard is that there are zero Canberra casino pokies. Not a single one. In other states, casinos are packed wall-to-wall with Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs). But here, you’ll stick to blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker. You can still grab a feed and watch a game, sure…but a plate of sashimi’s not exactly gonna patch up that pokie-shaped hole in your heart.
Why Doesn’t Canberra Casino Have Pokies?
Casino Canberra doesn’t have pokies because the ACT government has strictly limited the operation of electronic gaming machines to specific community-based licensed clubs.
This is a deliberate policy decision to keep high-intensity betting machines away from the main streets and the casino floor. For any legend visiting or living in the Capital who fancies a spin, it means your options are different from what you’d find at a local in Sydney or Melbourne.
In 2024, Casino Canberra had to bin its pokies entirely as a condition of its license renewal. While other states are packed with machines—NSW has over 90,000 across its venues, those lucky devils—the ACT government is on a mission to shrink the local footprint to just 1,000 machines territory-wide by 2045.
Some industry groups reckon this hurts the local economy, but the government and health advocates argue the ACT pokies ban is a necessary move to reduce gambling-related harm.
Truth is, if you want to play pokies in Canberra, you’ve gotta whip out your thinking cap and get creative. Wait—I have an idea! Play pokies online at Joe’s.
Play Pokies Online with Joe
You can play pokies online Australia-wide from the comfort of the permanently dented corner couch seat, even in Canberra.
Since you’re asking, I’ll let you know that Joe Fortune is the go-to destination for Canberra residents and visitors who want the thrill of bonus buys, hold & wins, and progressive jackpot pokies without going on a wild goose chase around town. At least that’s one thing to do in Canberra.
Because we’re a digital casino, you can play your favourite games with no one bothering you and no stale pokies that haven’t had an upgrade since Kevin Rudd was in the big chair. Might I add that we never close, so you can punt while watching Question Time at 3 p.m. or the sunrise at Lake Burley Griffin at 6 a.m. Bob’s your uncle.
You can play old-school, nostalgic pokies, modern and futuristic ones—anything you fancy. Whatever you’re into, the right pokie theme for you is somewhere in the mix. They all hit hard with excellent Return to Player (RTP) percentages, often 96% and higher.
Browse our full range of online pokies to see what I keep harping on about.
I could go on for hours about why Joe Fortune is the answer to your pokie woes in the capital, but I’ll save your ears and put this neat Executive Summary in front of you.
| Feature | Pokies in Canberra (Physical) | Online Pokies at Joe Fortune |
| Availability | Banned at the casino, only available in a handful of pubs & clubs | Available 24/7 from anywhere in Australia |
| Game Selection | N/A (not available) | Hundreds of titles across all volatility levels |
| Bonuses & Promos | N/A | Welcome Bonus + ongoing promos |
| Convenience | Requires travel to a venue | Play on mobile or desktop, from your couch |
| Free Play Option | Not typically available | Demo mode available on most titles |
| Best For | N/A | Canberra locals wanting a genuine pokies experience |
If you’re new around here, I’m not going to let you walk through the door without a proper G’day and slap on the shoulder. My Welcome Package puts up to $5,000 in your wallet, plus up to 450 free spins[1] across your first five deposits. You can’t find a bankroll boost like that at any RSL in Belconnen, I’ll tell you that for free.
If you’re still not convinced, I’ll introduce you to some of the online pokies you could spend your Welcome Bonus and free spins on right now.
A Night with Cleo
A Night with Cleo is a ripper of a pokie and easily one of the most popular picks for a reason, probably having to do with its 95.45% RTP, up to 180 free spins, and random progressive jackpot.
If you’ve been a bit bored staring at geese in Commonwealth Park, the double-up feature should wake you up. After each win, you can throw in your winnings for a chance to double them. When you do, Cleo reveals a more intimate part of herself. I’ll leave you to your imagination for that one.
777 Deluxe
If you’re pining for the clatter and ding of a real old-school machine, 777 Deluxe is a classic 5-reel slot built for the here and now. It’s packing a 96.14% RTP and mystery symbols that kick off a bonus round with multipliers up to 250x and a progressive jackpot.
It’s the perfect shout for when you’re missing the spin of a classic. Have a crack for free in demo mode, or pay with Crypto. Either way, you’ll see why I don’t shut up about this one.
Responsible Gambling—Keep It Fun
Let’s be straight: pokies are built with a house edge, whether you’re punting in a club or on your phone. You should always treat your session as an entertainment expense, like buying a ticket to the Raiders home game, not like a way to pay the winter power bill.
Variance is real. You might win big or lose fast, but neither is a reason to chase a loss. Set your bet size and session bankroll before you start, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. If you need a hand staying in control, use our deposit limits, read our responsible gambling guide, or head over to gamblinghelponline.org.au for confidential support.
Ready for a Spin?
The gaming machine ban isn’t going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a spin. Whether you’re in the ACT or just prefer the comfort of your own couch, Joe Fortune has a massive library of games right in your pocket, no travel required.
It’s a lot easier than trekking across town just to find a machine that might be there one day, but gone the next. Create an account, claim your Welcome Bonus, and find your next favourite pokie today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Canberra have pokies in pubs or clubs?
The ACT government bans EGMs from general pubs, meaning you won’t find them in your local watering hole like you would in Sydney. Club gaming is instead restricted to specific licensed community and sporting clubs.
Does Casino Canberra have pokies?
No. As a condition of its latest license renewal, Casino Canberra is the only casino in Australia that does not operate any poker machines.
Why are pokies banned in Canberra?
The government views EGMs as a high-risk form of gambling. Their pokie policies are designed to reduce gambling-related harm by keeping machines out of high-traffic environments like the CBD casino.
Can I play pokies online if I live in Canberra?
Of course. Residents can access online pokies through licensed platforms like Joe Fortune, which offers a wider variety of games than ACT venues do.
What can you gamble on in Canberra?
Canberra hasn’t completely banned gambling. Casino Canberra is the only venue in the ACT with a licence to operate table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker. Sports betting via licensed wagering operators is still legal in the ACT.