Tasmania may be Australia's smallest state by population (~570,000), but it has a rich gaming heritage dating back to 1973 when Wrest Point Casino became Australia's first legal casino. Today, Tasmanian players enjoy both established land-based venues in Hobart and Launceston plus new online options through sweepstakes social casinos.
As an island state, Tasmania's geography creates unique access challenges. While Hobart and Launceston residents can visit local casinos, players in Burnie, Devonport, Ulverstone, or remote areas of the island have limited convenient gaming access. Online sweepstakes platforms provide equal access to all Tasmanians regardless of location - the same platforms work on the Bass Strait islands, the west coast, or anywhere on Tasmania with internet.
This guide covers what's available to Tasmanian players online, how sweepstakes compare to Wrest Point and Country Club, and why Tasmania's gaming industry operates so differently from mainland states.
Quick answers about Tasmania online gaming
Q: Are sweepstakes casinos available in Tasmania?
A: Yes. Tasmania is one of four Australian states where Roo Vegas (sweepstakes with prize redemptions) currently operates, along with Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia. Social casinos are available statewide.
Q: What can Hobart and Launceston players access online?
A: Roo Vegas (sweepstakes with cash prize redemptions) is available throughout Tasmania. Social casinos like Vegas World, Casino World, and 7 Seas offer free pokies. These work anywhere on the island - Hobart, Launceston, Burnie, Devonport, remote west coast, King Island, Flinders Island.
Q: Can I actually redeem prizes for cash in Tasmania?
A: Yes, at Roo Vegas. Prize wins redeem to Australian bank accounts (2-5 days), PayPal/Skrill (1-3 days), or gift cards. All major Tasmanian banks work normally - Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, Bendigo Bank, credit unions.
Q: How does this compare to Wrest Point or Country Club?
A: Wrest Point (Hobart) and Country Club (Launceston) offer full casino experiences with pokies, table games, restaurants, and entertainment. Online platforms offer convenience - play from your Hobart home, Launceston apartment, or anywhere on Tasmania. Many Tasmanian players use both depending on the situation.
Q: Does being an island state affect online access?
A: No. Island location doesn't matter for online platforms. Same access, same redemption methods, same processing times whether you're in Hobart CBD or remote west coast. Internet connection is all you need.
Q: Will I find Wrest Point's games online?
A: Not exact games. Popular Aristocrat titles at Tasmanian casinos (Lightning Link, Dragon Link, Buffalo) aren't available online due to licensing. However, sweepstakes platforms offer similar games from Betsoft, BGaming, and Evoplay with comparable features.
Q: Do these work in regional Tasmania (Burnie, Devonport, west coast)?
A: Yes. Location on Tasmania doesn't matter. Whether you're in Hobart metro, Launceston, Burnie, Devonport, Smithton, or remote areas, same platforms work with same features. Regional Tasmanians have equal access to Hobart residents.
Q: Are they mobile-friendly?
A: Yes, all platforms work on mobile browsers (iOS/Android) without downloads. Play anywhere in Tasmania with WiFi or mobile data.
Q: What about gambling help in Tasmania?
A: Call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 (24/7 free and confidential) or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. Tasmania has counseling through Relationships Australia Tasmania and Anglicare Tasmania. Liquor and Gaming Commission info at treasury.tas.gov.au/liquor-and-gaming.
What Hobart, Launceston, and regional Tasmania can access today
Roo Vegas operates throughout Tasmania with full sweepstakes functionality:
Vegas World, Casino World, 7 Seas Casino offer free pokies with virtual rewards:
New Australian sweepstakes social casino - no purchase required
● 1000+ Vegas Pokies
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● Multiple Redemption Methods: Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill & Gift Cards
Get 100% Extra: 1.5M Roo Coins + SC 3000 for $14.99
($29.99 worth of Coins for $14.99)
No Purchase Free Coins: 150,000 Roo Coins + SC 200
No purchase necessary. Available in Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania. Must be 18 or older. Additional terms and conditions apply. Void where prohibited by law
Established social casino with hundreds of free pokies
● Hundreds of Free Games
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● Available Worldwide
● No Real Money Required
Free to play - no purchase ever required
Entertainment only. No real money prizes. Must be 18 or older.
Popular social casino with classic Vegas games
● Classic Vegas Games
● Free Pokies & Table Games
● Active Player Community
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Free to play - join the community
Entertainment only. No real money prizes. Must be 18 or older.
Adventure-themed social casino with free games
● Pirate-Themed Adventure
● Free Slots & Games
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● Family-Friendly Fun
Free to play - set sail for free
Entertainment only. No real money prizes. Must be 18 or older.
Understanding the "no purchase necessary" model
Sweepstakes social casinos operate under trade promotion laws rather than gambling regulations. This is why they're legal in Tasmania while traditional online casino gambling remains restricted under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Tasmania's geography creates access challenges. If you live in Burnie, Devonport, Smithton, or anywhere outside Hobart/Launceston, your nearest casino might be 200+ kilometers away. For casual gaming, traveling to Hobart or Launceston isn't practical. Sweepstakes provide convenient access from anywhere on the island.
Tasmanian players can play extensively without spending: claim welcome packages (often 150,000+ coins), log in daily for bonuses, follow Roo Vegas social media for promo codes, sign up for email offers, use mail-in requests (send stamped envelope for additional prize coins). Many Tasmania players report regular play and occasional redemptions without purchases.
What to expect compared to Wrest Point and Country Club
If you're used to Tasmanian casino pokies - Lightning Link at Wrest Point, Dragon Link machines at Country Club - online game selection will feel familiar but different.
Over 1,000 games from providers including Betsoft, BGaming, Evoplay, Booming Games. While exact Aristocrat or Ainsworth titles aren't available (licensing restrictions), you'll find similar mechanics:
Flowplay's social casinos feature hundreds of licensed games from major developers:
These are authentic licensed titles - same math, same features, just using virtual currency instead of real money.
Different options for different situations
Many Hobart and Launceston players use both: local casinos for social nights out, sweepstakes for convenient casual gaming at home.
Registration and first steps for Tasmanian players
When you're ready to redeem prizes, platforms require identity verification:
How to redeem prizes to your Tasmanian account
Tasmanian players can redeem prizes through multiple methods:
All major Australian banks work with sweepstakes platforms - Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB, ANZ. Tasmanian institutions like Bendigo Bank and local credit unions also process transfers normally. Island location doesn't affect banking functionality.
How Tasmania pioneered Australian casino gaming
Tasmania holds a unique place in Australian gaming history, and understanding its current landscape requires knowing how it developed.
Wrest Point Casino in Hobart wasn't just Tasmania's first casino - it was Australia's first legal casino, opening in February 1973, a full 12 years before Burswood (now Crown Perth) and 21 years before Crown Melbourne.
Tasmania operates under a unique monopoly structure unlike any other Australian state:
Tasmania's flagship casino remains an iconic Hobart landmark:
Tasmania's second casino serves northern Tasmania:
Since the 1990s, Tasmania has allowed gaming machines in hotels and clubs, but with the critical difference that Federal Group maintains control:
Tasmania's monopoly structure is unique in Australia:
New South Wales: Multiple casino operators (The Star, Crown) plus independent club/hotel pokies licenses. No single entity controls all gaming.
Victoria: Crown Melbourne dominates casinos but doesn't control club/hotel pokies. Venues independently license machines.
Queensland: Multiple casino operators (The Star properties) plus independent venue licenses.
Tasmania: Federal Group controls EVERYTHING - both casinos AND all pokies licenses statewide. Complete monopoly.
The Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission regulates Federal Group's operations:
How Tasmania's gaming access compares nationally
Tasmania's small population but long gaming history creates a mature, established gaming culture. Federal Group's monopoly ensures consistent standards across all venues, though it also means less competition than other states experience.
See how online options differ across Australia:
Resources for Tasmanian players
24/7 National Helpline: 1800 858 858 (Gambling Help Online)
Website: gamblinghelponline.org.au
Tasmania Services: Free, confidential counseling through Relationships Australia Tasmania and Anglicare Tasmania
Liquor and Gaming Commission: treasury.tas.gov.au/liquor-and-gaming
Federal Group Programs: Self-exclusion available at all venues, voluntary pre-commitment, counseling referrals
Whether playing at Wrest Point, Country Club, hotels/clubs, or online platforms, gaming should always be entertainment, never a way to make money or solve financial problems. Set limits before playing, stick to them, and recognize when it stops being fun.
Tasmania's Federal Group monopoly means consistent responsible gambling standards across all venues. Online sweepstakes should be approached with the same responsibility - free play options mean you never need to spend money to enjoy gaming.
18+ Only • Play Responsibly • Tasmania Residents
Sweepstakes social casinos operate under trade promotion laws with no purchase required. Social casinos offer entertainment only with no cash redemptions. This guide provides information for Tasmania residents. Platform features and availability may change. Gaming should always be entertainment. Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission regulates gaming in Tasmania. For help, call 1800 858 858.
Last Updated: February 2026 | Information for Tasmania players. For other Australian states, visit our Australia hub page.