Gambling in Australia takes many forms today. Players have many options at their disposal – from scratch cards and lotteries to big roulette and live online slots – because this is the favorite entertainment of australians in casinos, especially since there is no need to go anywhere, just hold and win pokies online without the need to get out of the house!
Nowadays, things have changed greatly. You can play online from any place and at any time, claiming bonuses and perks like never before. There are also things that you never thought could become available. For example, did you know that there’s a bonus buy pokies option available to Australians today? Or that you can claim a bonus without any wagering requirements linked to it? Or, one of the best things – you can withdraw your funds instantly from some casinos?
The Australian gambling market has certainly changed a lot lately. Below you’ll find some fascinating facts about the Aussie casino industry.
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Fact no.1: Australians are the Biggest Gamblers
In 2013, a study showed that Aussie players are the biggest gamblers in the world. The results showed that over 80% of the population in this country does some form of gambling. During the pandemic that started in 2020, the proportion of gamblers rose even further.
Fact no.2: Aussie Players Bet Big Money
Not only are most Australians gambling, but they actually bet big! Just in 2008-2009, the total gambling revenue in this country was $19 billion.
Fact no.3: They Also Lose a Lot of Money
So much gambling naturally results in big losses – at least for the unlucky gamblers. The average gambler in Australia losses around $1,260 per year. The market is full of fair and licensed casinos, offering great odds of winning. Still, with so many gamblers, someone has to lose, right? Since these players bet more often and bet big compared to other countries, they are far from being losers in this industry.
Fact no. 4: The Ban Has Only Driven Customers to Offshore Sites
The Australian ban on gambling online hasn’t reduced the growth or interest in this activity. It’s actually driven players to gamble on offshore websites. Online gaming has grown at a tremendous rate as a result and could amount to around $800.
Fact no. 5: Australia Has Thousands of Gaming Machines
Out of all electronic gambling machines, Australia has 20 percent! There are over 200,000 pokies located within the borders of this country, the majority of them being in New South Wales. If you have a preferred pokie, odds are you can find it here, including the infamous lucky 88 pokies, creation of Aristocrat Technologies, one of the largest software developers in Australia.
Fact no. 6: Australians Love Their Poker
Almost half of Australians pick poker as their game of preference. It’s no wonder why this is the case – poker has a high payout percentage that almost always goes above 90%. Not just that, but thanks to versatile online casino selections, they can now pick between many poker variants, and play this game live, too.
Fact no. 7: Online Casinos Exist Here for a Long Time
Compared to some countries that have grasped the opportunity for online gambling just recently, Australia welcomed this idea almost immediately. Gamblers have been able to play online for over 2 decades now. The first online casinos in Australia launched in 1994 thanks to the laws passed in Barbuda and Antigua.
Fact no. 8: The Biggest Poker Winner in This Country Was an American
Despite the huge number of gamblers in this country, and the fact that they really love poker, the biggest win in this game went to an American. It was in 2012 during the World Series of Poker, when a man named Antonio Esfandiari won over $23 million in a game with an entry fee of $1 million.
Fact no. 9: There’s a Cap on Jackpots in Casino Pubs in Australia
You cannot win millions with a jackpot if you play in Australian casino pubs. The maximum amount you can win in a jackpot is $10,000 in these establishments.
Fact no. 10: The One that Got Away was an Australian
Have you heard of the man who got away with $32 million when he figured out a way to manipulate the surveillance system in a gambling venue? This man’s identity remains unknown but what is known is that he was an Aussie gambler who played high stakes games at casinos.
Fact no. 11: Australians Have Bet on their Family Members
As unrealistic and strange as this sounds, it has happened. In a country where gambling is people’s favorite pastime, there are many problem gamblers and strange occurrences such as this. In 2000, a Welshman called Peter Edwards made a bet for his grandson. He bet that, when his infant grandson would grow up, he would represent Australia in soccer. Believe it or not, in 2013, Harry Wilson, the now grown grandson made a soccer debut in Wales. His grandfather won $240,000 on this ridiculous bet.
Fact no. 12: There’s a Game that’s Legal for a Single Day
This is a fascinating fact – in Australia, there’s a game that is legal to play one day a year. This day is Anzac Day in New South Wales and Victoria, dating back to the Anzac days of the 20th century. It’s a very simple game – players toss two coins and bet on their landing.
Final Thoughts
You might have heard about some of these interesting facts, but a few definitely missed you. Australia is a true gambling hub, filled with many opportunities for playing, and stories that make this even more entertaining. While you should still be cautious about where you play and try to stick to your budget, all these make Australia one of the best place to gamble. It’s the spot where people love playing, casinos offer amazing opportunities, and you can play online without worries.
