Key Highlights
- 1. The Australian gambling industry generated approximately AUD 25 billion in revenue in 2022
- 2. Around 80% of Australian adults have participated in some form of gambling at least once in their lifetime
- 3. The average annual expenditure on gambling per adult in Australia was about AUD 1,200 in 2021-2022
- 4. About 0.5% of Australian adults are considered problem gamblers
- 5. The most popular gambling activity in Australia is pokies (electronic gaming machines), with approximately 185,000 machines nationwide
- 6. The number of gambling venues in Australia has declined by 10% over the past decade
- 7. The total amount wagered on sports betting in Australia was AUD 16 billion in 2022
- 8. The proportion of adolescents engaging in gambling at least once a month is approximately 10%
- 9. The majority of online gamblers in Australia prefer sports betting, accounting for over 60% of online betting activity
- 10. In 2021, the average age of problem gamblers was 45 years old
- 11. The total revenue from casino gambling in Australia was approximately AUD 4 billion in 2022
- 12. The percentage of women involved in gambling activities is around 52%
- 13. About 15% of problem gamblers are estimated to engage in illegal gambling activities
With Australians spending over AUD 25 billion annually on gambling, a landscape marked by widespread participation, significant social impact, and growing concerns about regulation and harm, the country’s gambling industry is more vibrant—and complex—than ever before.
Consumption and Spending Patterns
- 3. The average annual expenditure on gambling per adult in Australia was about AUD 1,200 in 2021-2022
- 27. Australia spends more per capita on gambling than any other country, with an average of AUD 210 annually per person
- 34. The average loss per online gambler was around AUD 2,400 annually in 2021
- 39. The Australian government’s investments in harm minimization strategies reached AUD 50 million in 2022
- 49. The proportion of sports betting losses borne by recreational bettors is estimated at 70%, with high-rollers accounting for the remaining share
- 52. Australian online poker players spend an average of AUD 3,000 annually on the game
- 61. The annual average loss per online gambler has increased by 15% since 2020
- 66. Australian households on average spend AUD 1,000 annually on gambling, with higher expenditure noted in urban areas
- 71. The average monthly expenditure on gambling among active gamblers is approximately AUD 150, with high-spenders averaging AUD 500
Consumption and Spending Patterns Interpretation
Australia’s staggering per capita gambling expenditure, averaging AUD 1,200 annually with online losses soaring to AUD 2,400, underscores a nation increasingly wagering beyond its means, despite government efforts of AUD 50 million pledged for harm minimization—suggesting that in the land Down Under, the gamble might be winning more often than the outcomes themselves.
Gambling Behavior and Problem Gambling
- 16. The average duration of a gambling session among problem gamblers is approximately 2 hours
- 19. The proportion of high-risk gamblers who seek help is approximately 25%
- 21. Approximately 15% of Australian gamblers exhibit signs of gambling harm, including financial, emotional, or relationship issues
- 22. The average amount lost per problem gambler per year is estimated at AUD 10,000
- 30. Around 25% of problem gamblers are classified as having severe gambling issues, requiring extensive treatment
- 35. The percentage of gamblers seeking counseling for gambling addiction increased by 15% from 2020 to 2022
- 44. The most common reason for reducing gambling participation is financial hardship, cited by 60% of individuals
- 45. In 2022, the number of self-excluded online gamblers reached over 20,000, indicating efforts to control gambling harm
- 46. The percentage of Australian households reporting a member with gambling problems is about 4%
- 51. The proportion of Australians experiencing gambling-related harm who seek online support is around 35%
- 54. Public concern over gambling harm has increased, with 65% of Australians supporting tighter regulations
- 57. The share of problem gambling treatment programs that are fully funded by government increased by 20% between 2020 and 2023
- 65. The percentage of problem gamblers accessing counselling services increased by 10% from 2019 to 2022
- 68. The number of responsible gambling tools used by online betting platforms has increased by 40% over the past three years
- 72. More than 50% of problem gamblers report that gambling negatively affected their relationships
Gambling Behavior and Problem Gambling Interpretation
With Australians gambling intensively—spending around two hours per session and losing an average of AUD 10,000 annually—it's no wonder that 15% suffer harm, yet only a quarter seek help, prompting rising calls for tighter regulations and expanded support, as evidenced by increased counseling, online support, and responsible gambling tools.
Market Size and Revenue
- 1. The Australian gambling industry generated approximately AUD 25 billion in revenue in 2022
- 6. The number of gambling venues in Australia has declined by 10% over the past decade
- 7. The total amount wagered on sports betting in Australia was AUD 16 billion in 2022
- 11. The total revenue from casino gambling in Australia was approximately AUD 4 billion in 2022
- 14. The state of Victoria has the highest number of gambling venues, with over 5,000 outlets
- 17. 35% of all gambling revenue in Australia comes from electronic gaming machines
- 23. The number of licensed betting offices in Australia decreased by 8% over the past five years
- 25. Total community contributions from Australian gambling companies exceeded AUD 500 million in 2022, supporting charities and community projects
- 42. Online gambling revenue accounts for roughly 25% of total gambling revenue in Australia
- 48. The gambling advertising expenditure in Australia exceeds AUD 300 million annually
- 55. The technological share of gambling revenue, i.e., from online platforms, has grown by 30% over the past three years
- 74. The growth rate of online sports betting in Australia averaged 12% annually over the past four years
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
Despite generating a staggering AUD 25 billion in 2022 and fueling over a quarter of the industry’s revenue through online platforms—growing at a brisk 30%—Australia's decreasing number of venues and betting shops hints at a digital shift that’s both innovative and ironic, as the nation’s gambling landscape navigates declining physical outlets while pouring over AUD 300 million into advertising and community contributions exceeding AUD 500 million.
Prevalence and Demographics
- 2. Around 80% of Australian adults have participated in some form of gambling at least once in their lifetime
- 4. About 0.5% of Australian adults are considered problem gamblers
- 5. The most popular gambling activity in Australia is pokies (electronic gaming machines), with approximately 185,000 machines nationwide
- 8. The proportion of adolescents engaging in gambling at least once a month is approximately 10%
- 9. The majority of online gamblers in Australia prefer sports betting, accounting for over 60% of online betting activity
- 10. In 2021, the average age of problem gamblers was 45 years old
- 12. The percentage of women involved in gambling activities is around 52%
- 13. About 15% of problem gamblers are estimated to engage in illegal gambling activities
- 15. In 2022, Australians lost an estimated AUD 2.5 billion to online gambling
- 18. The number of online poker players in Australia increased by 20% between 2019 and 2022
- 20. The most common motivation for gambling among Australians is for entertainment, cited by 70% of gamblers
- 24. The share of Australian adults who have gambled online in the past month is about 8%
- 26. The proportion of problem gamblers who identified as Indigenous Australians is about 8%, significantly higher than their population proportion
- 28. The most commonly used method for sports betting in Australia is via mobile devices, accounting for over 70% of bets placed online
- 29. The total number of problem gamblers in Australia is estimated to be around 150,000
- 31. The percentage of Australian adults who have ever tried horse racing betting is approximately 15%
- 33. Australians aged 18-24 are the most active online gamblers, with participation rates of about 12%
- 36. The proportion of Australians who gamble annually is approximately 66%
- 37. The lifetime prevalence of gambling harm among Australian adults is estimated at 21%
- 38. Nearly 40% of problem gamblers began gambling before the age of 20
- 40. The proportion of Australians who have gambled on a race or sports event in the past year is about 20%
- 41. The percentage of Australians who report gambling-related financial hardship is approximately 12%
- 43. The average age of new problem gamblers is approximately 36 years old
- 47. Approximately 60% of Australians believe their government should impose stricter gambling regulations
- 50. The average number of gambling venues per capita in Australia is 1 per 166 residents
- 53. In 2021, cross-sectional studies indicated that approximately 15% of Australian youth aged 15–24 engaged in gambling activities monthly
- 56. 92% of Australian sports bettors use mobile devices to place their bets
- 58. The unemployment rate among problem gamblers is about 18%, higher than the national average
- 59. Approximately 7% of Australian households have a member who struggles with gambling addiction
- 60. The number of active online gambling accounts in Australia surpassed 2 million in 2022
- 62. The percentage of Australians who gamble regularly (at least monthly) is around 35%
- 63. The number of Australian gambling-related suicides was estimated at 250 annually, highlighting the serious social impact
- 64. In 2022, the government allocated AUD 100 million toward research and prevention initiatives targeting gambling harm
- 67. The proportion of gambling revenue derived from internet wagering increased from 18% in 2019 to 25% in 2022
- 69. The percentage of Australian adults who believe gambling should be more heavily regulated is 68%
- 70. Australians aged 35-44 have the highest lifetime gambling prevalence at 27%
- 73. The proportion of Australians who have ever tried online gambling is estimated at 33%
- 75. The number of self-exclusion registrations in Australia reached 25,000 in 2022, indicating increased participation in harm prevention programs
Prevalence and Demographics Interpretation
While over 80% of Australians have gambled at least once in their lifetime, with the average age of problem gamblers at 45 and a troubling 21% lifetime prevalence of harm, the nation’s reliance on pokies and online betting—dominated by mobile devices—highlights a cultural appetite for entertainment that, even in the face of rising awareness and stricter regulations favored by 68% of the population, continues to pose significant social and economic challenges.
Regulatory and Industry Developments
- 32. The Australian government imposed a AUD 1 billion levy on gambling operators in 2022 to fund responsible gambling initiatives
Regulatory and Industry Developments Interpretation
The Australian government's AUD 1 billion gamble on responsible gambling initiatives signals a bold move to balance the stakes between revenue and reform in a nation where betting is truly a national pastime.
Sources & References
- Reference 1AIHWResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 2PWCResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 3ABCResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 4ESRBResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 5VICResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 6SMHResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 7GAMBLINGHEALTHResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 8OECDResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 9AUSTRADEResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 10HEALTHResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 11TECHREVIEWResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 12ACMAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 13FINANCEResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 14GAMBLINGResearch Publication(2024)Visit source