Australia’s online gambling turnover soars 166% in 2022-23, says Queensland treasury
Australia’s online gambling sector surged in 2022-23, with total wagers across all channels and verticals reaching AU$244.3bn (£124.9bn/€148.0bn/US$164.3bn).
Australia gambling turnover
Online gambling turnover rose 165.7% year-on-year to $75.4m, representing 31% of the nation’s total gambling handle. Turnover per capita online was $397.5.
The Queensland treasury report breaks down figures by territory, with most online operators licensed in the Northern Territory, which is where the online data is recorded.
The figures exclude internet-based racing and sports betting, keno, and lotteries.
Growth was reported across nearly all channels and verticals in the year ending 30 June 2023. Overall wagers across all verticals increased 18.2% over the period. Gambling spend per capita across all states rose 11.5% year-on-year, reaching $1,555.
Gaming machines remained the most popular, generating $191.2bn in turnover, up 20.9% from the previous year. Turnover represents the total handle for each vertical.
Land-based casinos experienced the largest increase in activity, rising 22.6% to $20.0bn. Keno turnover climbed 18.7% to $1.8bn, and “minor gaming” such as raffles and fundraising events increased 19.9% to $141.9m.
Lotteries were the only sector to decline, falling 1.1% to $7.6m in turnover.
Gross gambling profit up to $32.0bn in Australia
Operator revenue, reported as “gambling expenditure” or gross profit, reached $32.0bn for 2022-23, a 13.8% increase. Gaming machines produced the largest profit at $15.8bn, up 22.8% from the prior year.
Online gaming profits surged 146.3% to $44.4m. Casinos earned $3.6bn, up 27.6%; keno $473.2m, up 14.7%; and minor gaming $61.0m, up 19.9%.
The drop in lotteries spending caused gross profit in that sector to decline 1.1% to $3.1bn.
New South Wales remains Australia’s gambling hub
Geographically, New South Wales continues to lead Australia’s gambling market, with 2022-23 turnover reaching $114.6bn, up 17.1% year-on-year.
Queensland followed with $56.5bn, Victoria $44.1bn, South Australia $11.7bn, Western Australia $10.0bn, Northern Territory $3.6bn, Australian Capital Territory $3.5bn, and Tasmania $351.8m.
In gross profit terms, New South Wales contributed $12.9bn. Victoria reported $7.4bn, while Queensland reached $6.1bn.
Is higher spending a cause for concern?
The report sparked a reaction from the Australia Alliance for Gambling Reform. CEO Martin Thomas described the rising player spend as “alarming” and attributed it to a “grossly inadequate regulatory regime.”
“These latest staggering loss figures highlight the need for the federal government to adopt all 31 recommendations of the Murphy Report, including a complete ban on gambling advertising on broadcast and online platforms,” Thomas said. “It also underscores the necessity for a national gambling strategy and a central regulatory authority.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continues to reject reports of a full ban on gambling ads, noting that discussions on implementing new measures are ongoing.
