Australia’s online gambling turnover soared in 2022-23, with the total amount wagered across all sectors and platforms reaching AU$244.3 billion (£124.9bn/€148.0bn/US$164.3bn).
Online gambling alone surged 165.7% year-on-year to $75.4 billion, making up 31% of the country’s total gambling turnover. The average online turnover per person was $397.50.
According to data released by the Queensland Treasury, the figures are broken down by territory. Online gambling data is reported under the Northern Territory, where most online operators hold licenses.
It’s important to note that the figures exclude online racing and sports betting, keno, and lotteries.
Almost all gambling channels and verticals saw growth in the 12 months ending June 30, 2023. Overall wagering rose 18.2%, with gambling spend per capita across Australia increasing 11.5% year-on-year to $1,555.
Gaming machines remain the most popular form of gambling in Australia, accounting for $191.2 billion in turnover, up 20.9% from the previous year.
Land-based casinos experienced the largest increase in activity, with turnover climbing 22.6% to $20 billion. Keno turnover grew 18.7% to $1.8 billion, and “minor gaming” (such as raffles and fundraising events) increased 19.9% to $141.9 million.
The only sector to decline was lotteries, which saw a 1.1% drop in turnover to $7.6 million.
Gross Gambling Profit Hits $32 Billion
The report also highlights gross gambling profit, defined as operators’ revenue or “gambling expenditure.” For 2022-23, this reached $32 billion, a 13.8% increase.
Gaming machines generated the highest profit at $15.8 billion, a 22.8% rise. Online gaming profit saw the largest jump, soaring 146.3% to $44.4 million. Profits from casinos increased 27.6% to $3.6 billion, keno rose 14.7% to $473.2 million, and minor gaming was up 19.9% to $61 million.
Due to lower lottery spending, gross profit from lotteries fell 1.1% to $3.1 billion.
New South Wales Remains Australia’s Gambling Epicenter
New South Wales continues to be the dominant gambling region, with turnover hitting $114.6 billion, up 17.1% year-on-year. Queensland followed with $56.5 billion, Victoria $44.1 billion, and South Australia $11.7 billion. Other states contributed smaller amounts: Western Australia $10 billion, Northern Territory $3.6 billion, Australian Capital Territory $3.5 billion, and Tasmania $351.8 million.
In terms of gross profit, New South Wales accounted for $12.9 billion, Victoria $7.4 billion, and Queensland $6.1 billion.
Concerns Over Rising Gambling Spend
The report’s release sparked criticism from the Australia Alliance for Gambling Reform. CEO Martin Thomas called the rising player expenditure “alarming,” attributing it to “a grossly inadequate regulatory regime.”
Thomas urged the federal government to implement all 31 recommendations from the Murphy Report, including a complete ban on gambling advertising on broadcast media and online. He emphasized the urgent need for a national gambling strategy and the creation of a national regulator.
