There’s no way of describing the Aussie gaming industry without talking about pokies, whether online or at physical establishments. These games have been popular among Aussies since the first machine went line in 1953. Clubman followed, and it experienced much success. The trajectory has always been gradual, with multiple changes right from when the classic three-reel pokies or armed bandits to the 3D pokies available online. iGaming also allowed gamblers to enjoy free online pokie games—a clear indication of immense growth. And the growth doesn’t stop with more changes expected. We put the future of pokies in Australia under the microscope.
An Unavoidable Future
There’s no doubt the recent COVID-19 pandemic had a major effect on the Australian gambling industry. Of course, the effects directly affect pokies in the singular. But two contrasting angles to the pokies emerge.
One is that the pandemic saw a resurgence in the online gambling sector. A sector many stakeholders thought to be dead and buried. The restrictions imposed by the government to avoid social gatherings are a key contributor, with many gamblers opting to play online. According to Market Research, the gambling industry in Australia is set to hit $112.09 billion by 2025.
The second aspect is the amount of money saved by Australian gamblers over the pandemic. A report by the government showed players saved in the region of 38 million AUD daily. An alarming figure by any measure. And pokie players are now reconsidering the reels, which may not be welcomed news in the much-loved pokie industry.
The pandemic simply drained players’ resources. That means the extra cash to indulge in pokies may be hard to come by. Plus, they may have to play their favorite pokies online since at least 5,000 physical locations remain closed.
Stricter Conditions Outlined in the Pre-Commitment System
Pre-commitment features a restriction on player expenditure on gaming machines to stop them from playing with more money than they originally planned. This is done by placing a maximum loss limit before they start playing.
Back to the 38 million AUD per day expenditure, the government’s ears may just perk up and eventually impose even stricter regulations on the pre-commitment. It won’t come as a surprise considering the community surplus now stands at $800 million since the close of pokies. That means the could economy could get a jab in the arm if people invest the money in other areas of the economy.
Stricter regulations would also attract fury and protest from pro-gambling circles. Keep in mind that the industry is set to hit $112.09 billion by 2025. This is not a figure you just want to wipe off the economy and ultimately cripple an entire industry.
The Future is Online Pokies
Land-based establishments continue to face an increased cost of operations, yet revenue from pokie machines is on a decline. From licenses to basic costs of running a physical establishment, many operators are now considering surrendering their licenses.
This is a most likely event, thereby creating a surplus of orphaned players compared to the number of available pokies. The result is a mass migration to online pokies to quench their thirst.
Many iGaming sites in the country already offer pokies, including free online pokie games. You no longer need to make the tiresome journey to a physical establishment to enjoy your favorite online pokie. Should physical establishments resolve to surrender their license, it would be inevitable to see increased activity around online gaming.
In a Nutshell
There are no doubt pokies are popular among Aussies. But the changing tides could just cause seismic shifts in the industry at large. A host of physical establishments are on the verge of shutting down, providing iGaming operators with an opportunity to attract players looking for alternatives. Stricter regulations could see reduced gaming on online pokies too. But then it’s unimaginable to see pokies vanish from Australia’s gambling scene.
