Australians have been gambling for centuries and the activity has come a long way since then. Though the people started betting on horse races, gambling in Australia has transformed into a major industry. Today, people can now bet on all kinds of games including pokies, table games, poker, and more.
Additionally, the emergence of online casinos has made life much easier for Aussie punters. The people can now get high-quality gambling action on their phones and computers without stepping out of their homes or spending fortunes. So, it is no surprise that the number of gamblers in the country has continued to rise.
The long relationship between Australians and casinos means that there are several interesting facts to dig up. Some of these facts will surely amaze you. In this article, we will be looking at curious facts that you didn’t know about Australian online casinos.
The Historical Importance of Gambling
Gambling is an important part of Australia’s history and this is evident in one of the country’s national holidays which is known as Anzac Day. Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and the holiday is celebrated on the 25th of April. The purpose of this holiday is to honor the men and women who gave their lives in the service of their country.
Interestingly, it is the only day that a gambling game known as Two-up can be played legally. This game was very popular among Australian soldiers during the First World War. Now, it is an important part of the country’s culture and we believe that it also has a connection with the popularity of the best payout online casino Australia. It is played with two coins and the participants bet on what side of the coins will come up when they are thrown.
The World’s Biggest Gamblers
Online casinos are incredibly popular in Australia and Aussies spend more on gambling than people from any other country. More than 80% of adults in the country bet on one game or the other, no country can beat this percentage. Also, 4% of the adults bet on pokies at least once a week.
Additionally, over $18 billion or $1500 per capita is spent on gambling by Aussie punters every year and the majority of the bets are placed on electronic gaming machines. When you compare this number to that of other countries, you will realize just how much Aussies love to gamble. For example, US gamblers spend $325 per capita while Canadians spend $393 per capita.
Since Australians spend more in casinos, it is no surprise that they lose more money than gamblers in other countries. It was reported that gamblers in the country lost about $1000 each in 2018. However, this shouldn’t discourage you as Aussies win the biggest jackpots per person. The losses also become less significant when Australia’s GDP per capita is compared to the losses incurred from gambling.
Gender Roles
The gambling industry has some interesting trends when it comes to gender roles. Aussie male gamblers tend to be more interested in horse racing, sports betting, and live games. Though Aussie women love to gamble as much as their male counterparts, they are usually more likely to bet on pokies and online casino games.
By taking a closer look at this trend, the reason for it becomes clear. To bet on sporting events like horse racing and football, bettors need to gather lots of information on the parties involved. These include recent performances and head-to-head information. Online casino games are much simpler and straightforward. They are also cheaper. As a result, women find them more attractive.
Is There a Gambling Problem?
Though some Aussie punters indeed struggle with habitual betting, there is no real proof that there are more gambling addicts in Australia than in other countries. Gambling is a part of the people’s culture and they enjoy it a lot. So, the gambling habit of the people is nothing negative.
Additionally, the most important trends show that all is well in the country. Australia has been amongst the most livable nations in the world for a long time. Poles and statistics have also shown that the citizens live happily. Hence, the percentage of the population that suffers from slightly excessive gambling doesn’t tell the full story in any way.
Online Casino and the Economy
Mega casinos such as the Crown Entertainment Complex were introduced to improve the country’s decades ago and the results have been excellent. When the country’s economy was declining in the 70s, casinos were introduced to bring in revenue for underdeveloped states. These companies still bring in massive revenue for the government annually as the online platforms continue to grow massively. What’s more, Aussie punters aren’t required to pay tax on their winnings. This is another good indicator of the country’s growth.
Final Thoughts
Online casino games are becoming increasingly popular in countries around the world and Australia is no different. In this article, we have gone through the curious facts about online gambling in the country. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it for you.