Bally’s Bets Big on Australia: AU$ 300M Star Entertainment Deal Marks Global Expansion

WORDS: Ocean Road Editorial Staff PHOTOGRAPHY Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexel

In a move that signals growing global ambition, Bally’s Corporation has agreed to acquire a 56.7% controlling stake in Australia’s Star Entertainment Group for AU$ 300 million. The acquisition, confirmed in April 2025, marks the U.S. gaming giant’s first expansion outside of its domestic market and is being widely interpreted as a bold step toward international growth. 

This investment is not only significant for Bally’s but also for the Australian gaming industry which is undergoing a period of transformation and recovery amid shifts and financial strain. 

One of the most notable trends in recent years is the continued rise of online casinos. Wilna Van Wyk from CasinoBeats explains that online casinos are restricted under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. However, many fully licensed and regulated casino operators for players in Australia offer online gameplay options. These operators are gaining popularity among Australian players thanks to their cutting-edge technology, secure gaming environments, and highly attractive bonuses and rewards. With an emphasis on innovation and user experience, they offer a compelling alternative that more and more Australians are choosing for their online gaming needs.

Star Entertainment has faced considerable challenges in recent years with financial setbacks, leadership changes, and regulatory scrutiny weighing heavily on the company’s performance. The decision to partner with Bally’s is viewed as a stabilizing force, offering not just capital injection but also the operational expertise of a company that has consistently expanded and modernized its offerings across the United States. For Star, this new partnership brings the promise of revitalization and potential access to a global network of innovation and strategic leadership. 

The deal arrives at a crucial time. The Australian gaming industry, while lucrative, is navigating heightened calls for reform. There’s been increasing pressure to improve governance and compliance within the industry, especially around responsible gambling and anti-money laundering practices. Bally’s entry would introduce new corporate standards and global best practices that might help Star rebuild trust and enhance its standing with both regulators and the public.

For Bally’s Corporation, the acquisition is more than just an overseas investment, it represents a foothold in one of the world’s most established gambling markets. Australia has a long-standing casino culture, with cities like Sydney and Brisbane serving as tourism and entertainment hotspots. By securing a majority stake in Star, Bally’s gains immediate access to physical infrastructure, licensing agreements, and brand recognition in a region with high gaming participation. The move could also pave the way for further expansion across the Asia-Pacific region, allowing Bailey’s to diversify its portfolio and reduce its reliance on the U.S. market. 

The financial terms of the agreement also reflect a broader trend of strategic acquisitions in the gambling sector, where companies are consolidating to adapt to changing consumer behaviours, digital disruption, and global economic shifts. Bally’s AU$300 million investment is seen as a vote of confidence not only in Star’s future but in the resilience and potential of the Australian gambling industry as a whole.