The Australian online casino market operates in a unique regulatory environment. Unlike sports betting, which has a licensed domestic industry, online casino games (pokies, blackjack, roulette, etc.) are prohibited from being offered by Australian-based operators under the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001.
However, this has not stopped Australians from playing. Instead, the market has been filled by offshore operators – online casinos based in jurisdictions like Curacao, Malta, Gibraltar, and Kahnawake. These operators are accessible to Australian players, and the government has limited ability to block them.
The online casino market share Australia reflects this reality: approximately 85-90% of the market is controlled by offshore operators, with the remaining share held by a small number of licensed but limited offerings (such as online keno and lotteries).
Total Online Casino Market Share in Australia
According to Gambling Research Australia (GRA) and Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO) , online casino and pokies generated approximately $3.9 billion in revenue during 2024-2025. This represents 23% of the total $17 billion Australian gambling market.
The online casino sector is the fastest-growing segment of the Australian gambling market, with year-over-year growth of 12%. This outpaces online sports betting (+8%) and far exceeds land-based sectors (which are declining).
Key statistics:
- Online casino revenue (2024-2025): $3.9 billion
- Share of total gambling market: 23%
- Share of total online gambling: 42% (online sports betting is 58%)
- Year-over-year growth: +12%
| Sector | Revenue (AUD) | Share of Total Market | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land-Based Pokies | $5.2B | 30.6% | -2% |
| Online Sports Betting | $4.8B | 28.2% | +8% |
| Online Casino / Pokies | $3.9B | 22.9% | +12% |
| Land-Based Casinos | $2.6B | 15.3% | -3% |
| Lotteries & Keno | $0.5B | 3.0% | Stable |
Offshore vs Licensed Operators – Who Controls the Market?
Because Australian-based online casinos are illegal under the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001, the market is dominated by offshore operators. These companies are licensed in jurisdictions such as:
- Curacao (most common)
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
- Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission
Key point: There are no licensed Australian-based online casinos offering real-money pokies, blackjack, roulette, or similar games. All such offerings available to Australians come from offshore operators.
| Operator Type | Market Share | Estimated Revenue | Regulatory Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore (Curacao/Malta/Gibraltar) | 85-90% | $3.3-3.5B | Unregulated |
| Offshore (Other) | 5-10% | $0.2-0.4B | Unregulated |
| Licensed Australian | <1% | <$0.05B | Legal (limited) |
Mobile vs Desktop Share – How Australians Play
Mobile devices dominate online casino traffic in Australia. According to industry data from SimilarWeb and Statista, the breakdown is as follows:
Mobile share by device type:
- Smartphone: 65% of traffic
- Tablet: 10% of traffic
- Desktop: 25% of traffic
Mobile share has grown from 55% in 2020 to 75% in 2025. This trend is driven by:
- Improved mobile-optimized casino websites
- Faster mobile internet (5G rollout)
- Convenience of playing anywhere, anytime
- Push notifications and mobile-specific promotions
| Device Type | Share of Traffic | Trend | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartphone | 65% | Growing | Mobile optimization |
| Tablet | 10% | Stable | Larger screen |
| Desktop | 25% | Declining | Legacy preference |
Top Platform Categories by Revenue
The online casino market can be broken down by game type. In Australia, online pokies (slots) dominate, followed by table games and live dealer offerings.
Key takeaway: Pokies are by far the most popular online casino game in Australia, mirroring the land-based market where pokies also dominate. Live dealer games are the fastest-growing category, with year-over-year growth of 25%.
| Game Category | Share of Revenue | Estimated Revenue | Growth Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Pokies (Slots) | 65% | $2.5B | +10% |
| Table Games | 20% | $0.8B | +5% |
| Live Dealer Games | 10% | $0.4B | +25% (fastest) |
| Other (Video Poker, Bingo) | 5% | $0.2B | Stable |
Video Resource
Who Owns Australia’s Online Casino Market?
Q1: How big is the online casino market in Australia? ▼
The online casino market generated approximately $3.9 billion in revenue in 2024-2025, representing 23% of the total $17 billion Australian gambling market.
Q2: Are there any Australian-licensed online casinos? ▼
No. Under the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001, Australian-based online casinos cannot offer real-money games. All online casinos accessible to Australians are based offshore.
Q3: What percentage of online casino traffic comes from mobile devices? ▼
Mobile devices account for 75% of all online casino traffic (65% smartphone, 10% tablet). Desktop accounts for the remaining 25%.
Q4: What is the most popular online casino game in Australia? ▼
Online pokies (slots) are the most popular, accounting for 65% of online casino revenue. Live dealer games are the fastest-growing category.
Q5: Where are most online casinos serving Australian players based? ▼
Most offshore operators serving Australia are licensed in Curacao, Malta, Gibraltar, or Kahnawake. These operators control approximately 85-90% of the market.
