Major Australian Online Gambling Study Launched

Thursday 7 June, 2012 16:55

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Two major Australian universities have kicked off the second phase of a national online survey which will examine the online gambling habits of players Down Under.

The survey, launched by Southern Cross University and the University of Sydney, will look at the way Australians use their computers, smart phones, wireless devices and smart TVs to play online casino and poker games, and wager on sports events.

Professor Alex Blaszczynski from the University of Sydney said that gaining a greater understanding of the extent, characteristics and patterns of involvement of Australian internet users will help in guiding the development of policies which could ultimately protect recreational players, as well as those who are at risk of developing gambling problems.

Statistics show that Australians spend over $1 billion wagering at offshore sites, with very few regulations in place to protect consumers.

Calls for Regulated Australian Gambling Industry

"Research shows online gambling can be risky, but that the best way to protect players is to provide a regulated environment that has harm minimisation and responsible gambling features and tools in place," noted the lead researcher from the Center for Gambling Education and Research at Southern Cross University, Dr. Sally Gainsbury.

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In the recent interim review of the current laws governing gambling in Australia, commissioned by the federal government, there were no less than 30 recommendations made to ensure that consumers were protected when gambling online.

Prof. Blaszczynski praised the recommendations made and said that they "will go a long way towards harm minimisation and consumer protection."

He showed, as an example, the recommendation to allow online poker games and said that this was "consistent with the Productivity Commission's recommendation and in this context is aimed at allowing access to popular but less risky forms of gambling compared to other types of gambling that allow high frequency play."

Results of First Online Gambling Survey

The first phase of the Australian online gambling survey launched showed some interesting results, including:

Internet gamblers had higher incomes, worked full time or were students, and were either married or lived with their partners. A high proportion of non internet gamblers had never been married.
The majority of Australian online gambler partook in race wagering and sports betting, followed by online poker, casino games and lottery.
94% of online gamblers did so from home on their personal computers. 6% wagered on their mobile phones
Half of the internet gamblers began doing so before 2006.

The second phase of the report will be completed in 2013.

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