Australians have a well-documented reputation as the world’s biggest gamblers. The numbers back this up. In 2024-2025, total gambling expenditure in Australia reached $17 billion , according to the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO) . This represents a 5% increase from the previous year and continues a long-term upward trend.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of gambling expenditure Australia 2026, including breakdowns by sector, state-by-state spending, per capita losses, and international comparisons. Accordingly, all figures are based on the latest available data from QGSO, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), and industry analysts.
Total Gambling Expenditure – The $17 Billion Figure
The Australian gambling market has shown consistent growth over the past decade, with only a temporary dip during the COVID-19 lockdowns when land-based venues were closed.
Key expenditure statistics: Total expenditure (2024-2025): $17.0 billion, representing year-over-year growth of +5%. By comparison, the pre-COVID peak (2018-2019) was $15.8 billion, while the COVID low (2020-2021) dropped to $12.8 billion. Since then, the post-COVID recovery has seen a +33% increase from that low.
The market has fully recovered from the pandemic and continues to grow. Online gambling has been the primary driver of this growth, while land-based expenditure has remained relatively stable.
Source: Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO)
Gambling Expenditure by Sector (2024-2025)
| Sector | Expenditure (AUD) | Share of Total | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land-Based Pokies (Clubs & Pubs) | $5.2 billion | 30.6% | -2% |
| Online Sports Betting | $4.8 billion | 28.2% | +8% |
| Online Casino / Pokies (Offshore) | $3.9 billion | 22.9% | +12% |
| Land-Based Casinos | $2.6 billion | 15.3% | -3% |
| Lotteries & Keno | $0.5 billion | 3.0% | Stable |
| Other (Racing, etc.) | Included above | – | – |
| Total | $17.0 billion | 100% | +5% |
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Expenditure by Sector – Where the Money Goes
The $17 billion gambling market is divided across several distinct sectors. The biggest single sector remains land-based pokies, but online gambling (sports betting + offshore casino) now accounts for the majority of total expenditure.
Sector breakdown highlights:
- Land-based pokies remain the largest single sector at $5.2 billion, but their share has declined from 35% to 30.6% over five years
- Online sports betting has grown to $4.8 billion, driven by mobile apps and same-game multis
- Offshore online casinos (including blackjack, roulette, and online pokies) reached $3.9 billion, growing at 12% annually
- Land-based casinos generated $2.6 billion, but have struggled with declining foot traffic and increased competition from online alternatives
Significantly, online gambling now accounts for 51.1% of total expenditure ($8.7 billion), surpassing land-based gambling for the first time in 2024-2025. Thus represents a major structural shift in Australian gambling habits.
Expenditure by State – NSW Leads the Pack
Gambling expenditure varies significantly across Australian states, driven by population size, number of pokies, and regulatory differences.
NSW dominance: Specifically, New South Wales accounts for approximately 38% of national gambling expenditure, driven by the highest concentration of pokies (95,000+ machines) and a large population.
WA exception: Western Australia has the lowest per capita gambling expenditure due to the absence of pokies outside of Crown Perth casino .
Per Capita Gambling Expenditure by State
| State | Estimated Expenditure | Adult Population (est.) | Losses per Adult | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | $6.5B | 6.2M | $1,048 | #1 |
| Victoria | $3.4B | 5.1M | $667 | #3 |
| Queensland | $3.0B | 4.0M | $750 | #2 |
| Western Australia | $1.7B | 2.1M | $810 | – |
| South Australia | $1.2B | 1.4M | $857 | – |
| Tasmania | $0.6B | 0.4M | $1,500 | Highest per capita |
| ACT | $0.4B | 0.3M | $1,333 | #2 per capita |
| Northern Territory | $0.2B | 0.2M | $1,000 | – |
Per Capita Expenditure – Australia’s Global Ranking
Australia consistently ranks as one of the highest gambling-loss nations per capita in the world. According to international comparisons, Australians lose approximately $1,300 per adult annually to gambling, second only to Singapore .
Global per capita gambling losses ranking (2025 estimates):
| Rank | Country | Losses per Adult (AUD equivalent) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | ~$1,600 |
| 2 | Australia | ~$1,300 |
| 3 | United States | ~$800 |
| 4 | Macau | ~$700 |
| 5 | United Kingdom | ~$500 |
Why Australians gamble so much:
Several factors contribute to Australia’s high per capita gambling losses:
- Widespread availability of pokies – Australia has approximately 195,000 poker machines, more than any other country except Japan (pachinko)
- Cultural acceptance – Gambling, particularly pokies and sports betting, is deeply embedded in Australian culture
- Aggressive marketing – Sports betting ads dominate live sports broadcasts (until the 2027 ban)
- Online accessibility – Offshore casinos are easily accessible, though unregulated
- High disposable income – Relative wealth enables higher gambling expenditure
Per capita expenditure by state (highest to lowest):
For example, Tasmania has the highest per capita gambling losses at approximately $1,500 per adult, driven by a high concentration of pokies relative to population. Meanwhile, NSW follows at approximately $1,048 per adult. Western Australia has the lowest due to the absence of pokies outside of Crown Perth .
Australian gambling expenditure reached $17 billion in 2024-2025, a 5% increase from the previous year. Specifically, online gambling now accounts for the majority of total expenditure (51.1%), signaling a structural shift in Australian gambling habits.
Key findings: Pokies remain the largest single sector at $5.2 billion, though their share is declining. Meanwhile, online sports betting and offshore casinos are the fastest-growing sectors. In addition, NSW accounts for 38% of national gambling expenditure. Overall, Australia ranks #2 globally in per capita gambling losses at ~$1,300 per adult.
However, as regulatory reforms (advertising bans, cash limits, BetStop) take effect, future expenditure growth may moderate and the shift toward online gambling is expected to continue.
Sources: Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO), Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Gambling Research Australia (GRA), IBISWorld
How Much Do Australians Spend on Gambling Each Year?
Q1: How much money do Australians lose to gambling each year? ▼
Australians lose approximately $17 billion annually to gambling, making Australia one of the highest gambling-loss nations per capita in the world. Online gambling now accounts for 51% of total expenditure.
Q2: Which gambling sector generates the most expenditure? ▼
Land-based pokies remain the largest single sector at $5.2 billion (30.6% of total). However, online gambling (sports betting + offshore casino) now accounts for 51.1% of total expenditure ($8.7 billion).
Q3: Which state has the highest gambling expenditure? ▼
New South Wales has the highest gambling expenditure at approximately $6.5 billion, accounting for 38% of national expenditure. This is driven by the highest concentration of pokies (95,000+ machines).
Q4: How does Australia’s gambling expenditure compare globally? ▼
Australia ranks #2 globally in per capita gambling losses at approximately $1,300 per adult, behind only Singapore (~$1,600). The United States ranks #3 at approximately $800 per adult.
Q5: Is gambling expenditure increasing or decreasing? ▼
Total expenditure increased by 5% in 2024-2025 to $17.0 billion. Online gambling is growing rapidly (+8-12% annually), while land-based pokies and casinos are declining (-2-3% annually). The long-term trend is a shift from land-based to online.
