The Australian Gambling Industry: A Comprehensive Overview
From placing a bet on the footy to spinning pokies at the local pub or logging into an offshore casino platform, millions of Australians gamble each year. As a result, the Australian gambling industry ranks among the largest per capita markets globally.
Pokies remain the most common form of gambling, particularly across New South Wales and Victoria, where electronic gaming machines are available outside traditional casino settings. Online sports betting has expanded steadily over the past decade, driven by mobile technology and strong ties to Australia’s sporting culture. Although online casino gaming is not licensed domestically, offshore platforms continue to attract Australian players under international gaming licences.
The Scale of the Australian Gambling Industry
The numbers behind the Australian gambling industry are significant. In the most recent fiscal data available, Australians lost around AUD $32 billion in 2023–24, up from approximately AUD $31.5 billion in 2022–23. These figures represent net losses, meaning money lost after winnings are paid out, and mark the highest levels recorded in more than two decades.
Total wagering turnover remains substantially higher, with well over AUD $240 billion in bets placed annually across pokies, sports betting, racing, and lotteries. While overall participation has eased slightly compared to peak levels in the early 2010s, recent research indicates that close to 60 percent of Australian adults still gamble each year.
On a per-adult basis, Australia is one of the most active gambling markets globally, reflecting both widespread access and high engagement across multiple forms of betting.
Pokies at the Centre of Spending
Despite the growth of digital betting, pokies continue to account for the largest share of gambling losses. Unlike many countries where slot machines are confined to casinos, Australia distributes electronic gaming machines across pubs and clubs. That accessibility plays a major role in overall spending.
States such as New South Wales and Queensland consistently report multi-billion-dollar annual pokie losses. The scale of those figures has prompted renewed discussion around cashless gaming trials, spending caps, and stronger harm-minimisation measures. Even so, electronic gaming machines remain central to the domestic gambling economy.
With the growth of online pokie casinos in Australia, interest in remote play has expanded alongside venue-based gaming. While real-money online casino services are not licensed locally, many Australians continue to access offshore platforms that offer digital versions of traditional poker machines.
The Rise of Sports Betting and Mobile Betting
While pokies account for the bulk of total losses, sports betting has been the most visible area of growth. Betting on sports such as AFL, NRL, cricket, and racing is now a regular part of Australia’s sporting culture.
Licensed domestic bookmakers operate legally under Australian law, and the majority of betting now takes place through mobile apps. The shift to mobile has changed behaviour. Betting no longer requires visiting a TAB agency; it can be done instantly on a smartphone, often alongside live broadcasts.
Although advertising restrictions have tightened in recent years, sports betting continues to expand as part of mainstream entertainment.
Offshore Online Casinos and Sportsbooks
Alongside licensed domestic betting services, offshore platforms have become a notable part of Australia’s online gambling activity. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, online casinos cannot be licensed to operate within Australia. Real-money online pokies and table games are therefore not regulated domestically.
However, many Australians access offshore gambling platforms licensed in jurisdictions such as Curaçao or Malta. These operators typically combine both casino and sportsbook products within a single account. A player can bet on the AFL, move to online pokies, and then join a live blackjack table without leaving the platform.
Most offshore sites offer online pokies, live dealer games, blackjack, roulette, global sports markets, and increasingly, cryptocurrency payments. Many support AUD accounts. Research suggests that roughly one-third of Australia’s online gambling activity now occurs offshore.
The appeal is broader product access and fewer domestic restrictions. The trade-off is oversight. Offshore operators are not regulated by Australian authorities, meaning consumer protections and dispute resolution depend on the overseas licensing body. For anyone comparing services, understanding how online casinos in Australia operate and how offshore platforms differ from domestic bookmakers is essential before registering.
Gambling Regulation in Australia
Gambling regulation in Australia is divided between the federal and state governments. Sports betting is licensed domestically, while online casino services remain prohibited locally.
Policy discussions now focus on advertising limits during live sport, national self-exclusion systems, anti-money laundering enforcement, and harm-minimisation tools in pubs and clubs. As scrutiny increases, greater emphasis is being placed on practical safeguards for players. Understanding the responsible gambling tools available in Australia is becoming an increasingly important part of navigating the modern gambling environment.
Governments continue balancing tax revenue with community impact concerns. The sector remains economically important but politically sensitive.
Land-Based Casinos in a Changing Market
Australia’s major land-based casinos continue operating in metropolitan centres, offering table games, hospitality, and tourism infrastructure. However, industry growth has shifted toward online betting.
Compliance standards have tightened in recent years, and regulatory oversight has increased. While land casinos remain significant employers and tourism contributors, they no longer drive expansion as they once did.
Where the Industry Is Heading and What It Means for You
The Australian gambling industry is not shrinking. It is adjusting. Mobile betting will continue to drive growth, digital payments will expand, and advertising scrutiny is likely to increase. Harm-minimisation tools are becoming more standardised across jurisdictions, particularly as public pressure around gambling-related harm grows.
At the same time, offshore access will remain part of the landscape while domestic product restrictions continue. As long as real-money online casino services cannot be licensed locally, many Australian players will continue exploring international alternatives.
For players, this creates a more complex environment. Pokies still account for the largest share of losses. Sports betting remains embedded in mainstream entertainment. Offshore casino platforms operate in a regulatory grey area. Oversight is increasing, but it varies depending on where a service is licensed. Understanding how these pieces fit together and knowing which services are regulated locally versus overseas matters more than ever.
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