Betting in Gold Coast

The two most populous cities in Queensland, Australia are separated by less than 95 kilometres (58 miles), creating an urban environment for some three million residents. Brisbane is the state’s capital and economic centre, while the Gold Coast grew from a single hotel in the 1920s to become one of the nation’s major tourist destinations. The region is home to a sunny subtropical climate, surfing beaches, canal and waterway systems, high-rise dominated skylines, theme parks, nightlife and a rainforest hinterland.

The very first major gambling establishment constructed in the Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor was Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino on Broadbeach Island next to the Nerang River. From the start, the project was criticised as a folly. Many claimed that its scale was far too large to be supported by tourism. But the Echo Entertainment Group proved the naysayers wrong, and today the Jupiter’s complex covers seven acres, comprising eight bars, seven restaurants, conference facilities, a ballroom, theatre, health spa, gym and a monorail that connects the property to the Oasis Shopping Centre across the road. With 594 rooms, the 21-storey Conrad Hotel tower dominates the skyline at a height of 66 metres (216 feet).

The 65,000-square-foot gaming space at Jupiter’s is open 24 hours daily. It features 1,400 gaming machines and 78 table games, including 3-Card Poker, American Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Double Deck Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Poker, Roulette Sic Bo, Texas Hold’em and also a lounge for Keno. Table minimums start at just A$2 (Roulette) and range upward to a maximum limit of A$10,000 (Baccarat).

The success of Jupiter’s inspired the opening of more gambling establishments in the area, such as the Treasury Casino in Brisbane, also operated by the Echo Entertainment Group. The Treasury houses two hotels, five restaurants, seven bars and a nightclub, in addition to a 67,788-square-foot gaming space. The casino floor offers 2,658 gaming machines and 87 table and poker games, making it the largest gambling establishment in the region. Accommodations include 98 guestrooms at its Hotel Conrad and 32 additional units at the Treasury Casino Hotel.

Situated between the two giant casinos and serving the local community are two branches of Fitzy’s, a venue that provides levels of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. The Fitzy’s in Loganholme offers dining in an award winning restaurant, wedding facilities, convention space and big screen plasmas showing the latest sporting events plus a variety of “pokies” in the pub area. The casino gaming floor features 80 gaming machines, and it is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10am to 12:30am and on Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 3:30am.

Fitzy’s in Waterford is quite similar, with a restaurant and meeting space plus a sports bar with plasma TVs and a huge projector screen. The gaming lounge gaming lounge features 40 state of the art gaming machines, including four hyperlink systems for Jackpot Carnival, Players Paradise, Money Chimes and Cash Magnet. There is also plenty of room to sit and watch Fitzy’s Keno screens in a newly completed Keno lounge.

Those who enjoy horse racing may do so at the Gold Coast Turf Club in Bundall. It features thoroughbred racing on Saturdays and there are bookmakers on site. For non-race days, the Club hosts “Betting Only” meetings, meaning the Club’s bars and facilities are open and races are broadcast from around Australia for local wagering.

Published on: 02/04/2013

Related Articles