Australia’s online gambling industry has seen explosive growth in recent years, with Queensland Treasury’s latest report revealing a staggering 166% increase in online gambling turnover for the 2022-23 financial year. This surge highlights the growing preference for online platforms among Australian players, contributing significantly to the overall national gambling landscape.
Significant Growth in Online Gambling
In 2022-23, Australia’s total gambling turnover across all channels and verticals reached AU$244.3 billion (£124.9 billion/€148.0 billion/US$164.3 billion). Online gambling accounted for a substantial AU$75.4 million of this total, marking a 165.7% year-on-year increase. This rise has brought online gambling to represent 31% of the nation’s overall gambling turnover.
One major factor contributing to this growth is the rising demand for attractive promotions like win real money no deposit bonuses, brought to you by AussieBonuses.com, which offer players the chance to win without upfront costs. These incentives, along with the general accessibility of online gambling, have spurred an unprecedented rise in participation.
On a per capita basis, Australians wagered an average of AU$397.5 online during the financial year. Queensland Treasury’s data largely attributes this surge to operators licensed in the Northern Territory, where the majority of Australia’s online gambling businesses are headquartered.
Increased Turnover Across Most Channels
The Queensland Treasury report indicates broad growth across nearly all gambling channels in the 12 months leading up to June 2023. Overall, gambling turnover rose by 18.2% year-on-year. The national per capita gambling expenditure also increased by 11.5%, reaching an average of AU$1,555 per person.
Gaming machines remained the most popular gambling activity, generating AU$191.2 billion in turnover, a 20.9% increase from the previous year. However, it was the land-based casino sector that recorded the most notable growth, with a 22.6% increase in turnover, bringing its total to AU$20 billion.
Gambling Profit on the Rise
In terms of operator profits, classified as “gambling expenditure” in the report, the total gross gambling profit in Australia increased by 13.8%, reaching AU$32 billion for the 2022-23 financial year. Gaming machines contributed the largest share, with profits rising 22.8% year-on-year to AU$15.8 billion.
The online gambling sector saw the most significant jump in profits, with a 146.3% increase, reaching AU$44.4 million. Land-based casinos also recorded a 27.6% increase in profits, totaling AU$3.6 billion, while keno profits grew by 14.7% to AU$473.2 million. Minor gaming activities saw a similar 19.9% increase, contributing AU$61 million to the overall profit tally.
Conversely, the slight dip in lottery turnover also resulted in a 1.1% decrease in gross profit for the sector, which amounted to AU$3.1 billion.
New South Wales: Australia’s Gambling Hub
New South Wales (NSW) continues to be the centre of gambling activity in Australia, both in terms of turnover and profit. In 2022-23, the state’s gambling turnover reached AU$114.6 billion, a 17.1% increase from the previous year. NSW also accounted for AU$12.9 billion of the country’s total gambling profits.
Other notable regions include Queensland, with AU$56.5 billion in turnover and AU$6.1 billion in profits, and Victoria, which saw AU$44.1 billion in turnover and AU$7.4 billion in profits. Western Australia, South Australia, and the smaller territories also contributed significantly to the national totals.
Concerns Over Increased Gambling Spending
While these figures illustrate the growing popularity of gambling in Australia, they have also raised concerns among regulators and advocacy groups. The Australia Alliance for Gambling Reform expressed alarm at the rise in gambling spending, with CEO Martin Thomas calling it a symptom of a “grossly inadequate regulatory regime.”
He stressed the need for the federal government to take more robust action, advocating for the full implementation of the 31 recommendations from the Murphy Report, including a ban on gambling advertising in broadcast and online media.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, however, has been cautious in his response to calls for stricter regulations. While discussions about gambling reforms are ongoing, Albanese has yet to commit to any specific measures regarding advertising bans.
In short, Australia’s booming online gambling market continues to shape the broader gambling landscape, but its rapid growth has also prompted renewed debates about regulation and consumer protection. As online gambling platforms expand their reach, balancing industry growth with responsible gambling practices will remain a vital issue for both policymakers and operators.
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