The COVID-19 pandemic was a game-changer. Its impact was felt by the majority of the world's population in various unforgettable ways. For most of us, what we remember most is how much free time we suddenly had. At the peak of the two-year-long pandemic, casino gaming enthusiasts experienced a shift in how they went about their favorite pastimes.

The Australian government's containment measures in 2020 and 2021 negatively impacted traditional lotteries, poker machines, and the overall gambling activity in land-based casinos. The consequence of this meant that players had to turn to alternative avenues of social interaction and entertainment.

In this article, we explore how the Australian casino industry weathered the COVID-19 storm and the effect on player behavior and subsequent casino trends observed since the end of the COVID-19 era.

Changes and Adaptations During COVID

The sharp decline in the gross revenue of business sectors that relied most on physical human interactions was the most noticeable impact of the pandemic restrictions. The laws imposed by the government restricting mass interaction resulted in the premature closure of many congregational facilities, of which land-based casinos were one of the most significant casualties. Despite these limitations, the effect of these strictly enforced shutdowns on the casino gambling industry was not entirely negative. It hastened a hurried transition from land-based casino gambling to internet gaming in online casinos.

An Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) survey with over 2,000 participants across Australia had some interesting findings. The research aimed to understand how traditional casino guests adjusted to changes in the availability of land-based gaming facilities brought about by the pandemic. Highlighted below is a breakdown of some key findings from the survey:

• During the COVID-19 lockdown, a reported one out of every three participants signed up for a new betting account in an online casino, and at least one out of twenty started gambling online.
• Demographically, young adults aged 18-34 years were observed to be the most likely to sign up for new online accounts. This age group also increased their gambling frequency and monthly spending from $687 to $1,075.
• Despite the limited access to land-based gambling venues, it was observed that participants gambled more often during the COVID-19 pandemic. People who risked online four or more times a week increased their gambling frequency from 23% to 32%.
• The main types of betting participants did before and during the pandemic were sports betting, lotteries, pokies, horse racing, and greyhound racing.
• According to key experts, the unexpected closure of pokie venues also had immediate benefits for some players, allowing them to save more money for essential items.

The Rise of Online Casinos

The landscape of the Australian casino industry underwent a profound transformation during the COVID-19 lockdown, marked by a significant shift towards online gambling. 

While online casinos were not a novel concept pre-2020, the pandemic evolved to meet the escalating demand for internet-based gaming platforms. Notably, the introduction and widespread acceptance of live casino games emerged as a pivotal development in reshaping the dynamics of the Australian casino sector.

Key Developments

 Details

Pandemic-driven surge

 The closure of physical casinos led to a substantial increase in online gambling activity during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Adaptation and innovation

 Online casinos adapted to the heightened interest by introducing innovative features, with live casino games gaining prominence.

Newcomers to online gambling

 A survey by AIFS revealed a rise not only in the frequency of gambling but also in the number of Australians previously unfamiliar with online casinos creating accounts on both established and newly launched platforms.

Reasons for the surge

 Various factors contributed to the increased popularity of online casino gambling during the pandemic, showcasing a dynamic shift in consumer preferences.

Gambling experts at https://gamblenator.com platform have put some time and effort into compiling a list of some of the newest and best online casinos, but here are some observable reasons for the rise of online casino gambling during the pandemic:

Leisure Time

Going by easily observable trends, a lot changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the most noticeable being the amount of leisure time available to everyone. The lockdown and limited public interactions resulted in Australians having much more time. Not only was there a massive increase in leisure activities, but more money was available to be spent gambling online.

Psychological Needs

The COVID-19 pandemic was a reflective time for so many people. There was very little to do but plenty to think about, and as such, gambling served as an outlet for pain and other negative feelings for some people. There was also the issue of recurrent instances of unexplained boredom brought about by the government-imposed lockdown during the pandemic. Many Australians choose to manage the new reality by engaging in alternative forms of entertainment like online casino gambling.

Low-Risk Gambling

One of the most significant benefits of playing at online casinos in Australia is that they can be played for fun, and there is little pressure to invest too much money in online casino games. During the pandemic, Australians didn't have to lose any money if they didn't want to; even in cases where wagering was required, the minimum bets offered at Australian online casinos were and are still ridiculously lower than in land-based casinos.

Post-COVID Era: The Renaissance of Australia's Casino Industry

In the wake of COVID-19, the Australian gaming industry witnessed several emerging trends and opportunities, the most notable being the continued growth of online casinos. This, in turn, has led proactive stakeholders of land-based casinos to develop new innovative ways to resurrect the land-based casino sector. One such key player is Crown Resorts, Australia's largest gaming and entertainment group, which is committed to revitalizing the casino industry by developing future integrated casino gambling establishments.

Overall, there has also been a significant increase in the casino industry's revenue as the operations of online casinos complement those of land-based casinos. In keeping up with modern expectations, industry representatives, such as FSND, continue to innovate with new technologies and game categories, such as virtual sports and eSports, to meet the ever-evolving needs of players. Gambling participation by more Australians in the post-COVID era also accounts for a very noticeable upward trend in casino gambling.

Responsible Gambling in the Post-COVID Era

Gambling-related issues are a common occurrence across all demographics. It is commonly assessed via the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and provides a measure of at-risk gambling behaviors among players. The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has also spent the last 35 years working to provide safeguards and resources for gambling problems worldwide.

Findings from research conducted in 2022 discovered that almost 46% of Australian gamblers aged 18 and above are at risk of developing gambling problems. The need for more responsible gambling initiatives continued to be a significant part of the casino industry post-COVID.

Conclusion

Gambling has accelerated rapidly after the COVID-19 pandemic, along with innovative technologies and emerging products. The Australian casino industry has taken advantage of the improved interest in gaming by encouraging investments in online casinos and land-based establishments equally.

With these investments and expansions, the Australian Gambling Research Centre continues conducting the National Gambling Trends Study to prepare better evidence-based policy supporting practical responses.