The Star in Sydney is one of Australia’s most recognisable casino and entertainment destinations, combining large-scale gaming with luxury accommodation, fine dining and big-ticket shows right on the harbour foreshore. This review focuses on what Australian players and visitors can expect from the casino floors, hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and overall guest experience at The Star, Sydney.
Location and first impressions
The Star sits in Pyrmont on the Sydney Harbour foreshore, just a short walk or light rail ride from Darling Harbour and the CBD, which makes it easy to reach for both locals and tourists. The complex faces the harbour and skyline, blending casino gaming, hotels, theatres, shopping and dining in a single integrated resort precinct.
From the outside the Pyrmont Street entrance can feel understated, but once inside, visitors move into a bright, modern environment filled with bars, restaurants and gaming floors spread over multiple levels. The design mixes polished marble, soft lighting and large open spaces, giving the feeling of a Las Vegas–inspired venue adapted to Sydney’s more relaxed harbour-side atmosphere.
Casino gaming options
The Star is the second‑largest casino in Australia and runs extensive gaming operations with both table games and machines. Players find hundreds of tables offering classics like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, sic bo, pai gow, poker variants and more niche titles such as Casino War and Money Wheel.
Electronic gaming is a major drawcard, with around 1,500 electronic gaming machines on the floor, including pokies, keno, rapid roulette and video poker terminals. Stakes range from low‑limit options aimed at casual guests through to high‑denomination areas, allowing different bankrolls to find a comfortable level.
Poker room and tournaments
Poker has a strong presence at The Star, with a dedicated room hosting cash games and events. Players can sit in on Texas Hold’em and Omaha games at a wide range of blinds, attracting everyone from recreational visitors to serious regulars.
The venue also hosts major tournament series such as the Star Poker Sydney Championships, which feature guaranteed prize pools into seven figures and draw strong fields from across Australia and overseas. For many Australian poker enthusiasts, The Star’s room is seen as one of the key live poker hubs in the country alongside its interstate sister properties.
VIP and high‑roller areas
High‑stakes players have access to exclusive zones such as the Sovereign Room, which offers elevated table limits, private gaming spaces and premium service. Wagers in these rooms can stretch from mid‑level minimums up to very high maximums suited to serious bankrolls.
Above the Sovereign Room sits the ultra‑exclusive Chairman’s Lounge, an invitation‑only area reserved for a small group of top‑tier members with Diamond status. These VIP spaces feature private dining, lounges and discreet entrances, pitched at international visitors and domestic high rollers seeking privacy and personalised attention.
Hotels and accommodation
The broader complex houses multiple hotel offerings, with The Star Grand Hotel and The Darling forming the core accommodation options. The Star Grand provides 5‑star rooms, suites and penthouses, many with harbour or skyline views, along with a resort‑style pool, fitness centre and direct access to the casino and entertainment areas.
The Darling positions itself as a luxury boutique hotel within the complex, featuring high‑end furnishings, contemporary artwork, and a spa that has received international recognition. Guests can move easily between hotel towers, gaming floors, theatre spaces and restaurants without leaving the property, which appeals to visitors looking for a contained city break or conference base.
Dining and bars
Dining is a major focus at The Star, with more than 20 restaurants, bars and cafés scattered throughout the property. Signature venues feature well‑known local and international chefs, and guests can choose from fine dining, contemporary Asian, Italian, seafood, grills, casual eateries and an expansive buffet.
The Harvest Buffet is particularly known for its all‑you‑can‑eat spreads and weekend seafood offerings, which attract both hotel guests and outside visitors. Nightlife options include cocktail lounges, sports bars with large screens, live music venues and late‑night bars, creating an entertainment circuit beyond the gaming floors.
Entertainment, events and functions
The Star is home to the Sydney Lyric Theatre, which stages musicals, concerts and large touring productions throughout the year. In addition, the Event Centre hosts conferences, award nights, gala dinners and live performances, giving the complex a strong footprint in Sydney’s events and entertainment calendar.
Function spaces range from intimate rooms to large ballrooms and exhibition floors, supported by on‑site catering and technical teams. This makes The Star a popular venue for corporate conferences, product launches and private celebrations that leverage the casino, hotel and dining facilities in one integrated package.
Player rewards and membership
Regular visitors can join The Star Club, a loyalty program that spans the group’s properties and rewards play with points, benefits and tier progression. Members earn points on gaming, hotel stays and dining, which can then be redeemed for free play, meals, accommodation or other perks.
Higher tiers unlock added advantages such as priority service, invitations to exclusive events and access to private gaming or lounge areas. For local players who visit frequently, the program can noticeably improve value over time, especially when combined with targeted offers and promotions.
Atmosphere and crowd
The Star attracts a mix of tourists, business travellers, locals out for a night and dedicated gamblers, which creates a varied atmosphere across the venue. Weeknights often feel more relaxed, while weekends and event nights bring a busier, high‑energy crowd, particularly around the bars, main gaming floor and theatre entrances.
Online reviews commonly praise the variety of things to do under one roof, from gaming and dining to free live music and casual bar hopping. Some guests, however, mention that the environment can feel crowded or intense at peak times, especially around entry checkpoints and high‑traffic gaming zones.
Security, regulations and controversies
As a licensed casino in New South Wales, The Star operates under the supervision of the NSW Independent Casino Commission and must comply with strict regulations around gaming operations, anti‑money laundering and harm minimisation. In recent years the venue has been the subject of regulatory reviews and inquiries, including the Bell Review, which examined its suitability to hold a casino licence and its compliance with legal obligations.
These processes led to increased scrutiny of internal controls, governance and risk management, and the operator has been required to implement corrective measures and cultural reforms. For players and visitors, this regulatory framework means that the casino sits within a tightly monitored environment, with ongoing oversight aiming to improve transparency and compliance.
Responsible gambling measures
The Star promotes responsible gambling messages across the property and provides tools and information to help guests manage their play. This includes visible signage, links to counselling services, and options for self‑exclusion or voluntary limits in line with New South Wales regulations.
Staff training and monitoring processes are designed to detect potential problem gambling behaviours and intervene when necessary, reflecting broader efforts by regulators and operators to reduce gambling‑related harm. While these systems are not foolproof, they show a structured approach to harm minimisation within the casino environment.
Service quality and guest feedback
Guest experiences at The Star vary, but many visitors highlight friendly staff, efficient hotel service and generally well‑maintained facilities. Positive comments often mention the cleanliness of rooms, the quality of restaurant food and the convenience of having so many activities within one complex.
On the other hand, some reviews point to inconsistent service, strict entry procedures and occasional negative interactions with security or floor staff. Like many large casinos, the size and volume of visitors can mean that service levels feel excellent on some visits and less personal on others, depending on timing and staff workloads.
Pros and cons for Australian visitors
The Star offers a broad package for Australians seeking a combined casino and city escape. Key strengths include its harbour‑side location, extensive game variety, strong accommodation options and wide dining and entertainment range, all linked by an established rewards program.
Potential downsides include peak‑time crowding, stricter security presence than some guests expect, and ongoing regulatory attention which occasionally leads to public scrutiny and operational changes. For some players, the scale of the venue is a major draw; for others, it can feel overwhelming compared with smaller local clubs or regional casinos.
Final thoughts on The Star, Sydney
For Australian players and visitors who want a full‑scale entertainment complex rather than a standalone casino, The Star in Sydney delivers a comprehensive experience that stretches well beyond the gaming floor. With its combination of casino games, poker room, luxury hotels, high‑profile restaurants, theatres and event spaces, it functions as a self‑contained destination in the heart of the city’s harbour precinct.
While regulatory issues and mixed individual reviews remind visitors to approach any casino with clear limits and realistic expectations, The Star remains one of the country’s central hubs for live gaming and integrated resort entertainment. For many Australian adults planning a night out, a staycation or a full entertainment weekend, it continues to stand as a landmark choice on the Sydney skyline.
