According to a recent report, online gambling participation among players has increased to 8% in 2021 compared to the previous year. This rise can be attributed to the growing number of consumers opting for online gambling options, excluding lottery.
Out of those who gamble online, the survey found that 44% do so less than once a month, while 10% gamble on a monthly basis. Additionally, 10% gamble every two weeks, 15% gamble weekly, and 14% gamble multiple times a week. Only 4% of players gamble once a day, and 2% play multiple times a day.
The report also examined the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on players’ habits and discovered that 16% of players increased their online gambling activity during this period. However, 6% claimed to have played less, while the majority (77%) reported no change in their gambling habits.
Sports betting emerged as the most popular choice among players, with 57% of respondents stating that they had wagered on sports in the six months leading up to June 2021. Close behind was horse racing, with 55% of players betting on it online. Esports attracted 6% of players, non-sports events (such as elections) attracted 5%, and fantasy sports attracted 3%.
During the survey period, 25% of online players placed at least one in-play bet. However, it should be noted that these findings did not distinguish between legal in-play betting on horse racing and illegal in-play wagering on other sports. Among those who placed in-play bets, 37% were aged between 18 and 44, while 12% were 45 and over.
Concerning illegal activity, only 5% of online players used unlicensed offshore websites or apps during the six-month period. The percentage was higher among players aged 18-34 (11%) compared to those aged 45 and over (2%). Additionally, 6% of players were unsure about the location of their gambling service, while the majority (89%) only gambled with licensed operators.
The report suggests that the Covid-19 pandemic may have influenced the increase in online gambling participation in Australia. The convenience and availability of digital wagering services, along with expanded gambling features and increased betting advertising, could have contributed to this phenomenon. Furthermore, as Australian sporting events resumed their regular schedules after the disruptions of 2020, online sports betting experienced a resurgence and attracted new participants.
