In Summary: The peak registered in September nearly tripled the levels registered during periods without lockdowns
Executives from both companies reporting the data believe the spike was due to recently imposed lockdowns
A significant spike in online gambling in Australia is indicated by data published by two companies tracking consumer spending, AlphaBeta and illion . Surpassing 2020 High
Published by both analytics companies, real-time data showed spending on gambling activities in the country almost tripled during the latest lockdowns in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria. It also surpassed levels seen during 2020 lockdowns.
The average weekly spend on gambling in Australia increased from a base index of 100 per week pre-lockdowns to 384.4 for the week ended September 19, 2021, according to a consumer spend tracker put together by both AlphaBeta and illion, surpassing by almost 100 points the peak registered during lockdowns in 2020 of 298.3 registered in November last year.
There was no breaking down by type of gambling or online gambling verticals, but illion CEO confirmed in a commentary to a local media that the spike in gambling spending was most likely due to the closure of pubs, clubs, casinos and most other forms of entertainment in NSW and Victoria since June , leaving Australians with nothing else to entertain with. There really isn’t anywhere else to blow your cash in Sydney and Melbourne if you want a quick entertainment hit.” Simon Bligh, CEO, illion Among the latest victims of the health and safety measures enforced on Australians was Casino Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) , albeit for a temporary 7-day shutdown only. Limited Choice Entertainment-Wise
Commenting on the consumer spend tracker, Andrew Charlton , managing director of Accenture, the parent company of AlphaBeta, stated that data showed many people turned to online gambling during the latest lockdowns, realizing that online gambling was as close as their pockets. It appears many people have been introduced to online gambling during lockdowns. They’ve discovered there’s a poker machine in their pocket. Combine that with the boredom of being at home and extra money – maybe from government […]
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