Wrest Point Casino Hobart Map
Enquire about an event at Wrest Point Notice: JavaScript is required for this content. Alternatively, phone (03) 6111 4628 or email guestservices@wrestpoint.com.au to make a reservation. 410 Sandy Bay Rd, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, 7005 Situated on the Derwent River waterfront in walking distance to central Hobart, Wrest Point offers the best of all things Tasmania. Ample free parking on-site. Box Office Numbers. Guest Services (03) 6111 4628. Box Office Payment.
Hotels near Wrest Point Casino, Hobart on Tripadvisor: Find 21,586 traveller reviews, 28,249 candid photos, and prices for 30 hotels near Wrest Point Casino in Hobart, Australia. West point casino hotel - Hobart Set on the Derwent River, this vibrant casino hotel is 2.6 km from Salamanca Market, Australia's largest outdoor market,.
| Wrest Point Hotel Casino | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Location | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Coordinates | 42°54′7″S147°20′17″E / 42.90194°S 147.33806°ECoordinates: 42°54′7″S147°20′17″E / 42.90194°S 147.33806°E |
| Opening | 10 February 1973 |
| Management | Federal Hotels |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 17 |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 269 |
| Number of restaurants | 5 + 6 bars |
| Website | |
| Official Site | |
The Wrest Point Hotel Casino was Australia's first legal casino, opening in the suburb of Sandy Bay in Hobart, Tasmania, on 10 February 1973.
Granting of the casino licence[edit]
The Wrest Point Riviera Hotel, designed by architect Keith Wildman and built by Arthur Drysdale and opened on 5 December 1939, was originally constructed on the site of the current Wrest Point Casino.[1] During World War II the hotel was 'booming' and the hotel was sold to Australia's oldest hotel group, Federal Hotels, in March 1956.
In the 1960s, The Federal Group attempted to secure Australia's first casino license. At the time, Tasmania's natural scenery and beauty were not widely known elsewhere, and as a result the state wasn't attracting many tourists. The marketing claim was that a casino could be the draw-card that would kick-start Tasmania's tourism industry.
John Haddad, one of the company's executives at the time, was assigned the role of getting a casino license. He met with then Tasmanian PremierEric Reece and other state officials.
A state referendum was held to determine the granting of a gambling licence. The polls were very tight, especially since the question in the referendum attempted to minimise the gambling aspect of the development.
Shortly before the referendum was to be held, the Labor party, sensing they had the numbers in the parliament pushed through the legislation to legalise the casino. They did not wait for the results of the vote. When the vote was taken the hotel redevelopment was narrowly passed. Questions have since been raised about how the legislation was passed, with one member of parliament, Kevin Lyons, suspected of accepting bribes over the licence.[2]
Development[edit]
The development of the casino included the construction of the 17-storey hotel tower, with a revolving restaurant, designed by Sir Roy Grounds, a landmark that is nationally identified with Hobart, and the 64-metre dodecagonal prism tower remains the city's tallest building.
After the centre's opening in 1973 (after which it was known as Wrest Point Hotel Casino) the casino provided a catalyst for the nation's casino industry, with 12 additional casinos opening across the country. This included a second Federal Group casino in Tasmania, the Country Club Casino, which opened in Launceston in 1982.
The building has been extended in recent years, including the conference centre which was opened in 1984, and the boardwalk in 1996. In 2015 a 70 million dollar investment was announced, bringing five new dining outlets and more bars, a private VIP gaming room and a complete new contemporary feel across the entire casino.[citation needed]
Controversy[edit]
While initially the hotel was supposed to be an entertainment complex, the casino soon took over much of the hotel; and, while the poker machines were initially not permitted, by executing successful lobbying,[1] they now come to dominate the complex, with over 650 machines.[3]
The owners of the hotel and the poker machines, Federal Hotels, were fined on a number of occasions for poker machines that were not functioning as programmed, and were thus in breach of the law.[4]
In 2017, the building was protected with a heritage listing.[1] While some saw this as significant, the decision 'angered local residents and puzzled some experts.'[5]
2018 Tasmanian election[edit]
In the 2018 election, the opposition leader, Rebecca White, promised to remove all pokies from pubs and clubs, leaving the two casinos as the only location for pokies in the state, citing the negative health and economic impacts of poker machines.[6] The Federal Group, who own both the casinos and the pokies licences have opposed the policy as have the Liberal government.[7]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abc'Hobart's giant 'hair roller' honoured with heritage listing'. ABC News. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^patrickw@themonthly.com.au (1 March 2017). 'Tasmania got gamed'. The Monthly. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^'Best pokies venues in Tasmania'. Online Casino Sites. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^'Wrest Point Casino fined for allowing faulty poker machine to be played'. ABC News. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^'Questions raised about heritage listing of Hobart's Wrest Point Casino'. Commercial Property & Real Estate News. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^'Pokies out of Tasmanian pubs, clubs by 2023 under Labor promise'. ABC News. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^Koziol, Michael (13 December 2017). 'Tasmania could become first state to blow up the pokies under Labor plan'. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
External links[edit]
- Wrest Point Hotel Casino official site
Hobart Casino, Tasmania
Wrest Point is an absolute waterfront location on the River Derwent in Hobart. The premier choice for accommodation, dining, events and entertainment.
Wrest Point Tasmania has been a hub of excitement and entertainment since it opened its doors as Australia’s first casino more than 40 years ago. Popular table games including BlackJack attract enthusiastic players and the dealing of cards inspires a sense of anticipation and possibility.
| Telephone | call +61362211888 |
| Opening Hours | The Wrest Point Casino is open each and every day, and is open Sunday to Thursday between the hours of 9a.m.-3a.m. and Friday to Saturday between the hours of 9a.m.-4a.m. The only exceptions to these opening times are on Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day, when opening times may vary |
| Dress Code | The casino house rules state that all visitors are dressed appropriately in smart, casual clothing. |
No person under the age of 18 will be permitted entry to the Casino at any time.
Wrestpoint Casino Address: 410 SANDY BAY ROAD, SANDY BAY 7005, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
Casino Gaming: Electronic gaming machines bring the ever present buzz of excitement and with two areas dedicated for machines you will find there is always a place at one of your favourites. The latest State-of-the-art gaming machines provide a hub of action and linked machines provide the opportunity for impressive payouts with progressive jackpots.
Table games include Blackjack, Poker, Money Wheel, Baccarat, Pontoon and Roulette.
Friendly staff on hand to help should you have any queries.
With a relaxed atmosphere, live music, free parking and all you need on site Wrest point Casino is the perfect venue for a fabulous night out, weekend away, function or corporate event.
Accommodation
Wrest Point Hotel offers authentic hospitality and a variety of accommodation styles to suit all needs and budgets from comfortable modern motel style rooms to the sophisticated luxury of their executive hotel rooms and suites. Facilities include an indoor health club with gymnasium, sauna and spa, heated pool, undercover parking and plenty more.
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Dining
Famed for local Tasmanian produce, food and wine you will not be disappointed at Wrest point where knowledgeable and friendly staff are paired with exceptional food and stunning views.
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A sophisticated evening meal or quick bites between rounds of BlackJack are all catered for exceptionally well and range from our spectacular revolving restaurant to the more casual but equally welcoming Loft Bistro.
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Website Link: www.wrestpoint.com.au/casino