That you never knew
We are some of the biggest gamblers in the world. In fact, we love to gamble so much that it has even been dubbed a national pastime!
Whether it's betting on the horses, playing the pokies or heading to the casino, Australians love a punt.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the most interesting gambling facts about Australians. So if you're interested in learning more about our prolific gambling culture, read on!
Gambling is ingrained in our cultural DNA
Let's face it – shipping thousands of people to the Australian colonies was a massive gamble.
For starters, the country was already inhabited by an indigenous population. Secondly, the trip took months and was incredibly dangerous.
We love a good time, big sporting events and the thrill of winning, which is all a punter really needs. Australians generally prefer to make small bets every once in a while instead of chasing big wins.
(Although truth be told... we wouldn't turn down the chance to score a life-changing payout if it came our way!)
Pokies are the most popular gambling machine
Out of all the newfangled gaming machines and casino games, there's one that stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to popularity in Australia – and that's the good old-fashioned pokie machine.
There's something about these simple machines that just seems to draw us in! Maybe it's because they're so easy to play, or maybe it's because they offer the chance of a big win with just a small investment.
Whatever the reason, Australians love their pokies – and we're not alone.
Pokie machines are actually the most popular gambling activity in the world, with an estimated 200 million players worldwide. In Australia, around 200,000 pokie machines are operating in clubs, pubs and hotels across the country – that's one for every 113 people!
Nothing beats a bet on the horse races (but we love dog races and trotters too)
By far the biggest day when it comes to gambling in Australia is Melbourne Cup day.
It’s a public holiday in the state of Victoria and people all over the country have a “cup day” where they get together to watch the race and place a few bets.
On this one day, Australians gamble more than any other day of the year, with our last Melbourne Cup bets totally a whopping $221.6 million across the country.
This just goes to show how much we hold horse racing in esteem. But it's not just horses that we love to punt on – we also bet on dog races and the trotters too.
Online casino gambling is becoming more and more widespread
Of course, you needn't walk into a bowlo or RSL to play the pokies. With the rise of online casinos, you can play your favourite games from the comfort of your own home.
So why is online casino gambling so popular? Well, there are a few reasons. First of all, it's convenient. You don't have to leave your house or even get dressed up to gamble online. You can do it anytime, anywhere – all you need is an internet connection.
Another reason people love gambling online is that there are so many different games to choose from. At a brick-and-mortar casino, you might find a dozen or so pokies and maybe a few table games. But at an online casino, there are hundreds of different pokies and dozens of different table games, not to mention other games like bingo and Keno.
Plus, with online gambling, you can get bonuses and rewards that you wouldn't get at a traditional casino. For example, many online casinos offer sign-up bonuses for new players, as well as loyalty programs for regular players.
Sport and betting go hand in hand
As we said earlier, Aussies are sport mad. And when you combine this with our passion for punting, you can see why sports betting is such a big industry Down Under.
In fact, it’s estimated that around 80% of Australians place a bet on at least one sport each year. With the sports that we bet on varying from state to state. So what sports do we like to punt on the most? Here are the top five:
- Soccer
- Rugby league
- Rugby Union
- Cricket
- Aussie Rules Football
Our casinos are amongst the best in the world
In addition to sports and online casinos, there are also Australian casinos – most of which are world-renowned.
For example, the Crown Casino in Melbourne is the largest casino in the Southern Hemisphere and has been voted one of the best in the world. The Star Sydney is another iconic Australian casino known for its stunning harbour views.
Then there's the world-famous Crown Perth, which is the only casino in Western Australia and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state.
But what makes Australian casinos so special?
Well, it could be the fact that they're some of the most modern and innovative in the world. Or it could be because they offer an incredible range of gambling experiences, from high-stakes table games to low-key pokies.
Whatever the reason, there's no doubt that Australian casinos are some of the best in the world.
The takeaway we here? We love to punt. Whether it’s on horses, dogs and sports, as well as play pokies and other casino games online. But it doesn't matter whether you're Aussie or not at Uptown Pokies – we accept all-comers and offer amazing bonuses and benefits!
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