Part V: Regional & Cultural · Asia-Pacific Regional Terms

4.6 Super Punter

Australia — VIP Gaming

“Super punter” is the Australian casino industry term for a high-stakes player or VIP gambler, equivalent to the “whale” terminology used in other jurisdictions. Australian casinos have actively courted super punters from Asia, particularly mainland China, through relationships with junket operators. The revenue generated by super punters became a significant component of Australian casino earnings, but also exposed operators to money laundering and organized crime risks, as documented in the Bergin Inquiry and subsequent investigations.

In practice

The pursuit of Asian super punters by Australian casinos led to the establishment of dedicated VIP gaming rooms and junket partnerships that ultimately contributed to regulatory problems at both Crown and Star.

One entry from the Casino Industry Glossary — 1,157 terms written for surveillance, compliance and operations professionals rather than for players. Definitions describe industry usage; where a term carries a regulatory meaning, verify against the instrument that governs your jurisdiction.