Gambling is an activity undertaken by many Australians. Over 80% of Australian adults engage in gambling of some kind, which is the highest rate of gambling in the world.^[1] This number includes some 4% of the adult population who play the pokies once a week, accounting for some 62% of locals' annual gambling spend.^[2]

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Gambling is a significant public health issue, with around 80,000 to 160,000 (or 0.5 - 1.0%) of Australian adults experiencing significant problems from gambling and a further 250,000 to 350,000 (or 1.4 - 2.1% of adults) experiencing moderate risks that may make them vulnerable to problem gambling.^[3]

Revenue

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In 2015–16, gambling revenue made up 7.7% of state and territory taxation revenue. The rate was lowest in Western Australia (2.5%) and highest in the Northern Territory (12.0%). Gambling revenue made up 2.5% of total state revenue when other revenue sources were taken into account. The rate was lowest in WA (0.9%) and highest in Victoria (3.2%). Gambling revenue as a portion of state taxation revenue has fallen for all states and territories between 2006–07 and 2015–16.^[4]

Total Australian gambling revenue in 2008-09 was just over $19 billion and the share of household consumption was 3.1%^[3]

New South Wales

New South Wales has a long history of gambling; Australia's first official horse racing meeting occurred in 1810 at Hyde Park in Sydney; the first official Australian lottery occurred in 1881 at the Sydney Cup; and registered clubs operated the first legal poker machines in Australia from 1956.^[5]

Approximately 95,800 of 'pokies' are in NSW, a state total beaten only by Nevada, which operated 181,109 gambling machines in 2014.^[6]

Between 1 December 2017 to 31 May 2018 NSW Clubs made a net profit of $1,945,161,625 and hotels made a net profit of $1,169,040,731 from pokies alone.^[7]

Fairfield

Fairfield had the highest poker machine revenue in the state for 2013, generating $298 million in clubs and $93 million in pubs, from the start of the year to August.^[8] This figure is $123 million greater than the combined total of profits generated from poker machines in the City of Sydney.^[8]

Hunter Region

From January to March 2013 poker machines in the Hunter region had a turn over of $4.5 billion, showing an increase of $500 million since 2010.^[9] Daily figures show a spend of $12.5 million, working out to be $8682 per minute.^[9] The Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing found that Newcastle was the Hunter Regions most profitable location with the 3206 poker machines averaging $44,963 each.^[9]The top five most profitable clubs for gaming revenue in the Hunter region in 2010 were:^[10]

• 1. Western Suburbs Leagues Club (Wests), New Lambton
• 2. Wests (formerly Club Phoenix), Mayfield
• 3. Wallsend RSL & Community Club, Wallsend
• 4. Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club, Belmont
• 5. Cardiff Panthers, Cardiff

The top five most profitable hotels for gaming revenue in the Hunter region in 2010 were.^[10]

• 1. The George Tavern, East Maitland
• 2. Bay Hotel Motel, Bonnells Bay
• 3. Hotel Jesmond, Jesmond
• 4. The Lake Macquarie Tavern, Mount Hutton
• 5. Warners Bay Hotel, Warners Bay

Central Coast Region

According to the latest figures from Liquor and Gaming NSW there are 4,046 poker machines in 39 clubs on the Central Coast, and 626 poker machines in 29 hotels; making a total of 4,672 poker machines on the Central Coast. That means 2.37% of the total number of poker machines in Australia are on the NSW Central Coast.^[11]

Gosford has approximately 1928 pokies, spread across 37 venues. That is the equivalent of one poker machine for every 71 adults. In 2010–11, venues in Gosford made approximately $95,865,000 in profit from pokies. That equates to $700 for each adult member of Gosford's population.^[12]

Wyong has approximately 2608 pokies, spread across 35 venues. That is the equivalent of one poker machine for every 47 adults. In 2010–11, venues in Wyong made approximately $123,159,000 in profit from pokies. That equates to $1,000 for each adult member of Wyong's population.^[12]

The Central Coast has a higher prevalence of problem gambling than the NSW average. Young men between the ages of 18-24 living on the Central Coast are the biggest players of poker machines in NSW and are the highest risk group for problem gambling.^[13]

In 2008 Central Coast Gambling Help carried out a survey of 200 young people aged from 13-24 and found:

• 96% of people from 18-24 had gambled for money or possessions
• 62% of those under 14 years old and 77% of those aged up to 17 had gambled for money or items, including mobile phones and MP3 players
• 25.5% of 14- to 17-year-olds and 55% of 18- to 24-year-olds had lost more than they had intended
• and 6% under 18 had played a poker machine^[14]

Regulatory authorities

Since the introduction of new gambling services, including online gambling, the Commonwealth has taken a more active role in the regulation of gambling, but the Australian gambling industry is also regulated by State and Territory authorities:^[15]

• Australian Capital Territory - ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
• New South Wales - New South Wales Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
• Northern Territory - Licensing Commission
• Queensland - Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation
• South Australia - Independent Gambling Authority
• Tasmania - Tasmanian Gaming Commission
• Victoria - Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation
• Western Australia - Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor

Key legislation

Traditionally gambling has been legislated at a state and territory level rather than by the Commonwealth:^[16]

• Australian Capital Territory
  • Betting (ACTTAB Limited) Act 1964
  • Casino Control Act 2006
  • Gaming Machine Act 2004
  • Interactive Gambling Act 1998
  • Lotteries Act 1964
  • Pool Betting Act 1964
  • Race and Sports Bookmaking Act 2001
  • Racing Act 1999
  • Unlawful Gambling
• New South Wales
  • Betting Tax Act 2001
  • Casino Control Act 1992
  • Charitable Fundraising Act 1991
  • Gambling (Two-Up) Act 1998
  • Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007
  • Gaming Machines Act 2001
  • Gaming Machines Tax Act 2001
  • Liquor Act 2007
  • Lotteries and Art Unions Act 1901
  • Public Lotteries Act 1996
  • Racing Administration Act 1998
  • Registered Clubs Act 1976
  • Totalizator Act 1997
  • Unlawful Gambling Act 1998.
• Northern Territory
  • Gaming Control Act 2005;
  • Gaming Machine Act 2005;
  • Northern Territory Licensing Commission Act 2001;
  • Racing and Betting Act 2004;
  • Soccer Football Pools Act 2004;
  • Totalisator Licensing and Regulation Act 2004; and
  • Unlawful Betting Act 2004.
• Queensland
  • Brisbane Casino Agreement Act 1992
  • Breakwater Island Casino Agreement Act 1984
  • Cairns Casino Agreement Act 1993
  • Casino Control Act 1982
  • Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999
  • Gaming Machine Act 1991
  • Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act 1998
  • Jupiters Casino Agreement Act 1983
  • Keno Act 1996
  • Lotteries Act 1997
  • Wagering Act 1998.
• South Australia
  • Authorised Betting Operations Act 2000
  • Casino Act 1997
  • Gaming Machines Act 1992
  • Lottery and Gaming Act 1936
  • State Lotteries Act 1966
• Tasmania
  • Gaming Control Act 1993
  • TT-Line Gaming Act 1993
• Victoria
  • Casino control Act
  • Casino (Management Agreement) Act 1993
  • Gambling Regulation Act 2003.
• Western Australia
  • Betting Control Act 1954
  • Bookmakers Betting Levy Act 1954
  • Casino (Burswood Island) Agreement Act 1985
  • Casino Control Act 1984
  • Gaming and Betting (Contracts and Securities) Act 1985
  • Gaming and Wagering Commission Act 1987
  • Gaming and Wagering Commission (Continuing Lotteries Levy) Act 2000
  • Racing and Wagering Western Australia Act 2003
  • Racing and Wagering Western Australia Tax Act 2003
  • Racing Restriction Act 2003
  • Racing Bets Levy Act 2009

Online gambling

The Interactive Gambling Act (2001) was passed by the Australian Commonwealth Parliament on 28 June 2001.^[17] It received assent on 11 July 2001^[18]

The Act is targeted at online gambling operators, making it an offense for them to offer 'real-money' online interactive gambling to residents of Australia. It also makes it illegal for online gambling operators to advertise 'real-money' interactive gambling services (such as online poker and casino) to Australian citizens.^[17]That being said, the amount spent on online gaming by Australians reached some $800 million by 2010, according to the official 2010 Productivity Report of the Australian Government.^[2]

Accessing and using the interactive gambling services is not an offence. It is also allowed to companies based in Australia to offer their gambling services to gamblers located outside Australia with the exception of those countries that were called 'designated countries'.^[19]

Taxation laws on gambling in Australia

Gamblers' winnings in Australia are not taxed. There are 3 main reasons for that:

• Gambling is not considered a profession, it's treated as a hobby or recreational activity.
• The Australian government views gains from gambling activities not as income, but as a result of good luck. Even if someone wins big, they also lose a lot in other gambling sessions.
• The government taxes gambling operators instead.^[20][21]

Taxation of gambling operators in Australia differs from state to state and different gambling services are taxed in a different way. There are taxes on the turnover, on player loss and net profit. As gambling operators need to obtain a license to offer their services, certain fees must also be paid at this stage of gambling business development.^[22]

The use of different tax rates and tax bases makes it difficult to compare taxes across states. For example, the ACT's keno tax rate of 2.53% of turnover is equivalent to a tax rate on gross profits of 10.12%.^[23]

Tax rates (2015–16)^[24]

See also

References

1. ^Bryant, Nick 'Australia in thrall of gambling mania', BBC, 30 January 2007
2. ^ ^abAustralian Gambling Habits
3. ^ ^abProductivity, Commission. 'Productivity Commission Inquiry Report'. pc.gov.au/. Australian Government. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
4. ^Fourth social and economic impact study of gambling in Tasmania (2017), Volume 1: Industry trends and impacts(PDF). ACIL Allen Consulting. pp. 57–60. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
5. ^Australian Institute of Gambling Research. 'Australian Gambling Comparative History and Analysis'(PDF). www.vcgr.vic.gov.au. Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
6. ^Ziolkowski, S. 'The World Count of Gaming Machines 2013'(PDF). www.gamingta.com. The Gaming Technologies Association. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
7. ^McNally, Caroline. 'Gambling in Australia'. problemgambling.net.au. Central Coast Gambling Help.
8. ^ ^abNeedham, Kristy. 'Punters in west pile money in pokies', 'The Sydney Morning Herald', Australia, 23 March 2014. Retrieved on 10 September 2014.
9. ^ ^abcPage, Donna. 'Hunter punters blow $8682 a minute on pokies', 'Newcastle Herald', Australia, 4 October 2013. Retrieved on 9 September 2014.
10. ^ ^abPage, Donna.'How the Hunter gambled $4bn', 'Newcastle Herald', Australia, 26 July 2010. Retrieved on 9 September 2014.
11. ^Office of Liquor and gambin NSW 2018 https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/resources/gaming-machine-data
12. ^ ^abMarkham, Francis. 'Who wins big from gambling in Australia'. theconversation.com. The Conversation. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
13. ^ACNielsen. 'Prevalence of Gambling and Problem Gambling in NSW – A Community Survey 2006'. www.olgr.nsw.gov.au. NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
14. ^McNally, Caroline. 'Gambling in Australia'. problemgambling.net.au. Central Coast Gambling Help. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
15. ^Parliament Library: Gambling Policy and Regulation
16. ^Australian Gambling Statistics, 1986-87 and 2011-12, 29th Edition, 2004, p. 7.
17. ^ ^abInteractive Gambling Act Receives Assent
18. ^Interactive Gambling Act 2001: Compilation
19. ^Review of the Interactive Gaming Act 2001
20. ^Australia’s future tax system - Report to the Treasurer 2009^{[permanent dead link]}
21. ^Australian Gambling laws: Taxes
22. ^ ^ab'Australian Gaming Council: Gamblng Taxes'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
23. ^Joint Select Committee on Future Gaming Markets: Final Report. Parliament of Tasmania. p. 146. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
24. ^Joint Select Committee on Future Gaming Markets: Final Report. Parliament of Tasmania. pp. Tables 6–10. Retrieved 11 January 2018.

Is there such a thing as the best pokies strategy? Is theres something special about the Australian pokie landscape that makes a difference in your strategy? We’ll explore those topics in this article and give you the best possible overview on how to increase your chances to win on pokies when playing from Australia.

This article applies to online pokies, as these are much better for many reasons.

Play the best pokies

We’ll start with the basics – it’s vital to choose the pokies that play and pay best. It goes without saying you’ll be better off playing a quality game that pays well than some poor game that isn’t set up for you to win it.

Every pokie is an independent game that’s different than the others, even if pokies by the same developer will likely be similar. Pokies have different theoretical returns, they have different volatility, and while they all follow same universal guidelines, there are better and worse pokies.

Choosing a good pokie is easier said than done as there are hundreds of pokies, but Australians are limited to Betsoft, Rival and Realtime Gaming online pokies anyway so the choice of a good pokie starts with a choice between these three.

Which developer to choose?

Of the three brands available to Australians, Betsoft is by far the best one. Betsoft is releasing quality pokies every month. These have excellent theoretical payouts, amazing graphics and fun gameplay. There are over 100 games to choose from.

Realtime Gaming is a good developer but since the RTP is configurable by the casino, you don’t ever really know what the RTP of your pokie is. It could be set on Low, Medium or High setting, and you don’t know which one is it. That’s why we advise caution in case of Realtime Gaming.

Rival is the least technologically advanced developer of the three, though they too have some good pokies.

High variance is better than low variance

High variance pokies may seem tight, but that’s actually a good thing. You don’t want to be playing a pokie that gives you tiny wins all the time – you want to wait a bit and then hit the jackpot. It might as well come on your next spin.

Pokie Wins Perth Video

Also, examine the paytable of the game and see if it’s capable of giving you a big win. Some pokies aren’t designed to do that – but to pamper the player with small wins.

An ideal pokie would look like this: it would be a game that can give you really big wins from many different directions, but at the same time the game should be giving you enough small wins regularly so you don’t lose a lot of money while you wait for that mega win.

Without that possibility of a big win (not all pokies have it!), it’s not worth playing the game at all. And if you aren’t getting small wins to keep you going, the game will be too risky and it would deplete your bankroll too quickly.

Betsoft pokies are among the rare ones that fit this bill. Not all of them, of course, as different pokies are set up differently, but if you’re looking for that perfect pokie, you’ll most likely find it in the Betsoft portfolio.

Choose a good time to play

Is there such a thing as the best time to play pokies? You might be surprised, but actually we have an article about that subject. It turns out this can affect your bankroll a great deal, so go ahead and read that one.

Consider playing progressive jackpot slots

Playing a ‘regular’ pokie and playing a progressive jackpot pokie are two different worlds. When you play a normal pokie, you want to make the game pay, and are primarily concerned with bet lines, the paytable, the free spins game, bonus rounds and other things related to actual gameplay.

When playing a progressive jackpot pokie, you don’t care about the game at all. This is lottery – you will have several hundred tickets as your chance to win that progressive jackpot. You’ll set your budget, make a deposit, start the game and set it on autoplay. When you’re done, you leave and come back same time tomorrow for another round.

This is how almost all the progressive jackpot winners play these pokies. Sit down in the evening, do your progressive jackpot session, and do it again tomorrow.

A big setback here is that Australians can no longer win the Mega Moolah jackpot, and that’s by far the best progressive jackpot pokie in existance. So again, you will likely be playing one of the Betsoft progressive pokies.

Claim the bonuses and free spins

Welcome bonuses and free spins are free money you can use to win on pokies, and casinos are just giving them away. This simple boost can be enough to change your luck for the better, and it might just be the edge you’re looking for.

Poke Wings

It isn’t really worth it to play pokies without these perks. And now, let’s explore some specific pokie strategies that deal with the actual way you play the game.

Betting systems – yes or no?

We’re all familiar with betting systems such as Martingale, where you increase your bet every time you don’t win, hoping that the win is ‘due’ and you want to catch it with a higher bet rather than a lower one.

There is no proof that any kind of betting system can give you an edge while playing pokies, since every spin is random and individual, so you can’t ever know if the win is due or not. It never is. In practical tests, having a progressive betting system where you increase your bet when you don’t win is a very risky strategy that usually leads to much faster bankruptcy.

Poke Winchester San Jose

As you can see on our How to win on pokies every time article, a different strategy is needed. You need a good pokie that pays well, and when you get ahead of the game you walk away. There’s nothing in that article about making the pokie pay by increasing the bet size. That doesn’t work.

You can toy around with different bet sizes during the playing session just to add another layer of fun, but don’t ever think the game owes you anything and that the win is due.

Of course, you do want to be playing with the largest possible bet allowed by your budget. People usually set their budget, and then set the bet per spin so they can play for 500 or 1000 spins. So, if your budget is $1000, you can play 1000 spins of $1 or 500 spins of $2. And this is best left unchanged throughout your playing session.

Choices you make during the game

Finally, you have to use your best judgement at all times. Maybe you’ve been playing some pokie for a while, you lost 30% of your starting budget, and you still haven’t triggered the free spins round. The question here is – do you keep going since you already invested a lot, and because the free spins game is ‘due’, or do you quit?

Poke Wine

In all likelihood, if the game feels too tight then it probably is too tight. There are pokies that just don’t give you the free spins very often, and if you decide to push for it, you might be left disappointed.

Pokie Wins Casino

The key is to know what you’re doing and what kind of a pokie you’re playing. In our Pokies section you’ll find reviews of various pokies so you know what to expect from each one.