Australians are avid gamers. This claim is not without merit because Australian culture has a strong connection to casino gaming, and interest in it is only increasing. The majority of Australians would rather play at Australian online casinos at home than engage in any other online-based recreational activity.
According to recent findings, Australians’ interest in online games extends beyond the mundane pursuit of a pastime. Australians are becoming more interested in learning real skills and competing in professional competitions. This dedication to gaming, among other things, accelerates the gaming industry’s growth to the tune of billions of dollars in annual revenue.
The Surprising Statistics on Australians’ Gaming
Australia has a population of 25 million people. At least 17 million (72%) of these people use gaming devices to play various games. It means that people of almost all ages play some kind of mobile or video game.
According to Bond University’s Digital Australia research, the average player is over the age of 35. Additionally, 88% of young adults aged 18 to 34 enjoy gaming, but this figure drops to 51% of those over the age of 55. The majority of gamers are working-age adults. People aged 15 to 24 years old, on the other hand, prefer online games over other activities. A video game is played by approximately 86% of people in this age group.
Above the age of 25, the preference for gaming is strikingly similar. Interestingly, about 32% of the elderly aged between 75-84 years play online games, and another 40% aged between 85-94 years also play video games. Another noticeable trend in the Australian gaming industry is female Australians’ increased interest in online games. By 2021, approximately 46% of Australian women have played video games. The ratio has risen marginally.
Given that 92% of Australian households own a gaming device, this data comes as no surprise. The ease of access to gaming devices allows people of all ages to play online games for extended periods of time, with the average player playing for about 83 minutes per day.
Avid Australian gamers use a variety of gaming platforms. Smartphones are the most popular, with 70% of Australians using them to play online games privately. 51% use laptops or desktop computers, while 38% use game consoles. Tablets are the least preferred device because the majority of gamers who use them are over the age of 55.
Reasons for the Appeal of Online Games among Australians
According to recent trends, Australians prefer video games to other household activities such as listening to music, watching TV, and reading books. People, however, play online games for a variety of reasons, top of them being that it is therapeutic for the vast majority of gamers. They find much solace and a healthy escape in participating in the interesting options offered online.
A sizable proportion of players seek a social connection, particularly those over the age of 35. Playing games allows adults to connect with their peers in a fun environment and allows parents to bond with their children. It provides the modern connection that people require, especially if they are separated.
Additionally, iGaming gives a small but steadily growing percentage of people a sense of accomplishment, especially in this day and age of competitive video gaming which has created new career options for professional players. This is especially true among combative gamers who seek the satisfaction of victory.
Factors Influencing Australians’ Interest in Online Games
Several factors influence Australians’ preference for online games. People were isolated and eventually lonely as a result of the unfortunate COVID-19 pandemic. Most people desired stronger bonds with others, particularly with family members, friends, and members of their communities.
Fortunately, online fun activities provided a means for them to stay in touch with the rest of humanity. During the peak of the pandemic, 44% of Australians increased their gaming activity. It was especially true for people aged 18 to 24, with 69% planning to play more games in 2020 than they did previously.
Another factor is the continued proliferation of local and international eSports leagues and tournaments. The popularity of eSports has increased the number of Australians who participate as players or spectators. There are more game categories in the eSports domain than in traditional sports, such as multiplayer online battle arena tournaments like League of Legends.
Australians are daring, which contributes to their interest in the vast world of eSports. Some Australians use the expansion as a career opportunity to pursue professional gaming, such as competing in eSports versions of traditional sports.
The shift to a subscription model has been critical in assisting the popularity of the eSports industry as Australians can now easily access various leagues and tournaments by streaming them online.
Final Thoughts
Australians’ love of gaming is unrivaled, and it is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. This is because, despite these concerns, the Australian casino industry is highly regulated and thus looks out for the best interests of both players and gaming operators. Given the industry’s rapid growth, we may expect even more Australians to join the fray in the very near future.
