Sports betting has become the engine of Australia’s gambling industry. While land-based pokies remain the largest single sector, sports betting is growing faster than any other form of gambling, with double-digit percentage increases year-over-year in mobile wagering.
According to the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO) and Gambling Research Australia (GRA) , sports betting revenue reached $4.8 billion in 2024-2025, representing 28.2% of the total gambling market. This places it second only to land-based pokies ($5.2 billion), and it is on track to become the largest sector within five years.
This article analyzes the growth trends, mobile adoption, demographic shifts, and future projections for Australia’s sports betting market.
Sports Betting Revenue Growth 2020-2026
The sports betting sector has shown remarkable resilience and growth, even through the COVID-19 pandemic when live sports were temporarily suspended. The return of major sporting codes (NRL, AFL, cricket, rugby union) saw a rapid rebound.
Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) 2021-2025: 13.4%
The sector has added $1.9 billion in new revenue since the pandemic low, representing a 66% increase over four years.
| Year | Revenue (AUD) | YoY Change | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | $3.2B | – | Pre-COVID baseline |
| 2020-2021 | $2.9B | -9% | Sports suspended |
| 2021-2022 | $3.8B | +31% | Post-COVID rebound |
| 2022-2023 | $4.2B | +11% | Mobile growth |
| 2023-2024 | $4.5B | +7% | Live in-play betting |
| 2024-2025 | $4.8B | +8% | Same-game multis |
Mobile Adoption – The Key Driver
The shift from desktop and retail TAB outlets to mobile betting is the dominant force behind the growth of sports wagering in Australia. Mobile now represents over 80% of all sports bets, a dramatic rise from 50% in 2018, while desktop and retail channels continue to decline. The progression has been steady: mobile’s share increased from 50% in 2018 to 65% in 2020, 75% in 2022, and 82% in 2025, with desktop falling from 30% to 15% and retail TAB outlets dropping from 20% to just 3% over the same period.
This dominance is driven by features unique to mobile platforms, including live in‑play betting that boosts turnover, the popularity of same‑game multis pioneered by operators like Sportsbet, push notifications that promote offers and cash‑out opportunities, and the overall convenience of app‑based wagering compared with visiting a TAB outlet or using a desktop computer.
Participation Trends by Demographics
Sports betting participation has increased across all age groups, but the strongest growth is concentrated among younger Australians aged 18–34, who now show a 45% participation rate, spend an average of $85 per month, and place 92% of their bets via mobile. Participation remains solid among the 35–54 cohort at 35%, with higher average monthly spend ($110) but slightly lower mobile reliance (78%).
Engagement drops significantly among Australians aged 55 and over, with only 18% participating, spending $95 per month, and using mobile channels for 55% of their betting activity. Men continue to participate at more than double the rate of women (52% vs. 22%), and the most bet‑on sports remain the NRL and AFL, followed by horse racing and cricket. Same‑game multis are especially popular among the 18–34 demographic, who also report the highest levels of responsible‑gambling concerns, particularly among heavy users.
Future Projections – 2028 Outlook
Industry analysts project continued strong growth for sports betting, with the sector expected to reach $6.5-7.0 billion by 2028, potentially overtaking land-based pokies as the largest gambling sector.
Projected market share by 2028:
| Sector | Projected Revenue | Market Share | Trend vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Sports Betting | $6.5-7.0B | 34-37% | +35-45% from 2025 |
| Land-Based Pokies | $5.0-5.5B | 26-29% | -5-10% from 2025 |
| Online Casino | $5.0-5.5B | 26-29% | +28-40% from 2025 |
| Land-Based Casinos | $2.0-2.2B | 10-12% | -15-20% from 2025 |
Growth drivers through 2028:
- Continued mobile adoption (projected 88-90% mobile share)
- Expansion of legal betting markets (more sports, more events)
- Integration of cryptocurrency payment options
- Potential relaxation of in-play betting restrictions
Potential headwinds:
- Proposed advertising bans during sports broadcasts
- Stricter affordability checks
- BetStop self-exclusion expansion
Video Resource
How Fast Is Sports Betting Growing in Australia?
Q1: What is the current size of Australia’s sports betting market? ▼
Sports betting revenue reached $4.8 billion in 2024-2025, representing 28.2% of the total $17 billion gambling market. It is the second-largest sector behind land-based pokies.
Q2: What is driving sports betting growth? ▼
The key drivers are mobile adoption (now 82% of bets), live in-play betting, same-game multis, and aggressive promotions from licensed operators like Sportsbet, TAB, and Bet365.
Q3: Which age group bets the most on sports? ▼
Australians aged 18-34 have the highest participation rate at 45%, and they overwhelmingly bet via mobile (92% share). Their average monthly spend is $85.
Q4: How big will sports betting be by 2028? ▼
Analysts project sports betting will reach $6.5-7.0 billion by 2028, potentially overtaking land-based pokies as the largest gambling sector in Australia.
Q5: What are the most popular sports for betting? ▼
NRL and AFL are the most bet-on sports, followed by horse racing, cricket, rugby union, and international soccer (EPL, World Cup).
