All forms of mobile gaming entertainment is currently enjoying a boom across Australia, with astonish rates of growth in both terms of usage and revenue generated. This is the case for skill based games as well as apps that link to casino style websites too, and must be attributed to the improving status of the broadband communication network as well as the increasing use of smartphone technology. Indeed Australia has long struggled to deliver a broadband that matches that found in many other western countries, but thanks to improvements in infrastructure, data speeds and public wifi things are looking ever brighter for the future.

 

In this article we'll take a look at some of the most significant trends in the numbers related to the Australian online gaming market. Most of the currently published data stems from 2014-2015, and unless otherwise noted assume this to be the most up to date information at time of writing.

 

A 20% Market Increase Between 2013-2014

 

We can expect this trend to have easily continued and likely increased over the last year too, but this data stands out in importance as it really does herald the widespread increase in the use of smartphones for playing online games. This is not only because of the increased available of the devices themselves, but just as importantly also the quality and ease of delivery of the games themselves. To put it simply, Australians are getting much more interested in online gaming.

 

Digital Sales Have Overtaken Retail Sales

 

2014 also saw digital purchases overtake physical purchases for the very first time, with electronic sales accounting for $1.248bn ahead of retail's $1.214bn. In a similar manner related to the general growth and expansion of the market as a whole, this margin will have considerably widened over the last couple of years. These figures also only account for app-based gaming purchases (both core games and in-play enhancements), and do not take into account gaming wagers via online casino or slot style providers.

 

56% Year On Year Growth In Gaming Downloads

 

If any further evidence was needed to imply that online is the future of gaming, the year on year figures between 2013-2014 show this staggering increase in the use of electronic means of delivering gaming content. Technology will once more have played a major role in this, with the increasing use of tablets and large screen smartphones which also incorporate higher graphical and processing performance. The accessibility of such games - obviously not requiring a console or high performance PC to enjoy - has also likely fueled this trend, while also opening up gaming to previously underdeveloped age/gender demographics.

 

Online Wagering Is In Trend With Other Sectors

 

The ever growing frequency with which people place their wagers online rather than via more traditional means is almost exactly in line with the growing incidence of people performing general shopping online. It falls very close in line with increases in retail and services being bought online rather than in traditional b'bricks and mortar' format.

 

Nearly $2 in $3 Wagered Online Goes Overseas

 

Astonishingly Australians generally continue to wager much more via overseas betting exchanges than they do with domestic based gaming services. This is despite there being over 2300 sites online accessible to Australians, and can be attributed particularly to restrictive regulations concerning in-play betting - which is one of the largest growing sectors of online gaming worldwide.

 

These selected statistics go to show that the Australian online gaming sector is on the whole in excellent health and shows no signs whatsoever of slowing down or peaking in the near future. Should amendments be made to the overly restrictive and considerably outdated Interactive Gambling Act 2001 then this format of online wagering will likely grow faster and deliver much more taxation revenue too.