Australians Are Overtaking the UK as the World's Biggest Gamblers

Australia has been associated with a strong gambling culture for a while now. The scale of spending, however, now means the country is ahead of more established markets like the UK in several measures.

Recent figures show Australians are losing more money per adult on gambling than almost anywhere else in the world. The UK still operates one of the largest regulated gambling industries globally but Australia’s smaller population is generating remarkably high levels of gambling spending.

The contrast shows how regulation, product availability and player behaviour are changing two of the world’s most mature gambling markets in very different ways.

Australia’s gambling losses are among the highest globally

Australia’s gambling losses reached around A$31.5 billion during 2022–23. This is according to figures published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

It works out at approximately A$1,527 per adult each year. On a per-capita basis, Australians are among the biggest gamblers in the world.

The UK market is larger in total size. The latest figures from the UK Gambling Commission show the British gambling sector generated approximately £16.8 billion in gross gambling yield (GGY).

However, the comparison changes when you look at population size.

The Numbers

Australia’s relatively small population generating gambling losses on this scale is one of the main reasons the country is increasingly viewed as an outlier.

Slot games drive Australian gambling spending

A major factor behind Australia’s position is the country’s long-standing use of slot games, locally known as pokies.

Unlike many other countries, these are widely accessible. You’ll find them in pubs, clubs and gaming venues throughout Australia. These account for a significant share of total gambling losses nationally.

Sports betting has also expanded rapidly in recent years. This is particularly true among younger male audiences.

Mobile betting apps, constant advertising exposure and easier digital access have all contributed to the rise in participation levels since the mid-2010s.

Australia and the UK have very different regulatory approaches

One of the biggest differences between the two countries is regulation.

Online casino gaming is fully licensed and regulated in the UK. Domestic operators can legally offer slots, roulette, blackjack and other casino products under UK Gambling Commission oversight.

Australia operates differently. Locally licensed operators can offer sports betting and lotteries, but traditional online casino gaming is unavailable within the regulated domestic market.

To get round this, many Australian players use offshore operators licensed in jurisdictions like Malta and Curaçao. These don’t offer the same levels of protections that players get in the UK with regards to tools and support for problem gambling.

UK players gamble more broadly but spend less individually

The UK gambling market is still highly active. Yet, the average spending per player is generally lower than in Australia.

British gambling policy has moved towards tighter regulation in recent years. Affordability checks, advertising restrictions and responsible gambling tools are more prominent.

In Australia, a smaller proportion of players account for a very large share of gambling losses. This is particularly within high-frequency products like slots. That concentration of spending is a major reason Australia continues to rank among the world’s highest gambling-loss nations on a per-adult basis.