Casino group Star Entertainment has seen a surprise bump in VIP gambling turnover so far this year, defying expectations that the coronavirus and resulting China travel ban would clear its high-roller tables.

The company, which has casinos in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, on Thursday reported a 2.4 per cent increase in normalised revenue, including a 2 per cent bump in VIP turnover for the six months to December 31.

The Star has seen a bump in VIP turnover so far this year. Credit:Peter Rae

That is in contrast to its major competitor, James Packer's Crown Resorts, which on Wednesday said its high-roller turnover fell 34 per cent in the first half, driving a 5 per cent fall in overall revenue amid the fallout from revelations it went into business with "junket" partners with links to organised crime.

Star Entertainment chief executive Matt Bekier said the coronavirus caused a sharp drop in domestic visitors in Sydney of about 20 per cent, as people avoided going out amid uncertainty around the infection.