Impact of pandemic/economic situation on spending
The impact of the pandemic on the gaming market
The COVID-19 pandemic has left long-term consequences for gambling in Australia. During the 2020-2021 lockdown period, many players switched from offline slots in clubs and casinos to online and mobile platforms. This shift has become a steady trend: even after the opening of establishments, a significant part of the audience continued to bet via the Internet. In 2025, the online sector holds about 55-60% of total spending, which is 20% more than before the pandemic.
Economic situation and expenses
The economic situation in 2023-2025 is characterized by rising inflation, higher life costs and higher interest rates. This directly affected game budgets:
Structural changes in player behaviour
Microtransaction growth: Economic volatility pushes gamblers toward more frequent but shallow bets.
Decrease in the number of offline sessions: clubs and land casinos record a drop in attendance by 8-12% compared to 2024.
Strengthening the role of bonuses: players are more active in using online casino shares, compensating for the overall rise in prices.
Long-term effects
1. Shifting the center of gravity online - the habit formed by the pandemic has been reinforced by economic factors, making the offline segment less resilient.
2. Increased competition between platforms - players are more sensitive to deposit conditions, RTP returns and bonuses.
3. Changing age profile - Younger Australians are more likely to opt for mobile apps with a flexible betting model, while older generations continue to visit clubs but with lower frequency.
Conclusion
The pandemic and the economic situation have changed Australians' spending on slot machines systemically. The online sector began to dominate, offline establishments are losing share, and the cost structure has shifted towards small but regular microtransactions. Economic pressure has limited spending by low- and mid-income players, but high rollers have maintained a high level of activity. Thus, by 2025, the influence of macro factors has become the main driver of the transformation of the gaming market.
The COVID-19 pandemic has left long-term consequences for gambling in Australia. During the 2020-2021 lockdown period, many players switched from offline slots in clubs and casinos to online and mobile platforms. This shift has become a steady trend: even after the opening of establishments, a significant part of the audience continued to bet via the Internet. In 2025, the online sector holds about 55-60% of total spending, which is 20% more than before the pandemic.
Economic situation and expenses
The economic situation in 2023-2025 is characterized by rising inflation, higher life costs and higher interest rates. This directly affected game budgets:
- Low-income groups reduced spending on machines by 10-15%.
- The middle class redistributed costs: deposits in offline casinos decreased, but investments in online slots increased, where minimum rates and microtransactions are more flexible.
- Highly profitable players (high rollers) have retained or increased spending, since gambling remains a form of leisure for them, less dependent on macroeconomics.
Structural changes in player behaviour
Microtransaction growth: Economic volatility pushes gamblers toward more frequent but shallow bets.
Decrease in the number of offline sessions: clubs and land casinos record a drop in attendance by 8-12% compared to 2024.
Strengthening the role of bonuses: players are more active in using online casino shares, compensating for the overall rise in prices.
Long-term effects
1. Shifting the center of gravity online - the habit formed by the pandemic has been reinforced by economic factors, making the offline segment less resilient.
2. Increased competition between platforms - players are more sensitive to deposit conditions, RTP returns and bonuses.
3. Changing age profile - Younger Australians are more likely to opt for mobile apps with a flexible betting model, while older generations continue to visit clubs but with lower frequency.
Conclusion
The pandemic and the economic situation have changed Australians' spending on slot machines systemically. The online sector began to dominate, offline establishments are losing share, and the cost structure has shifted towards small but regular microtransactions. Economic pressure has limited spending by low- and mid-income players, but high rollers have maintained a high level of activity. Thus, by 2025, the influence of macro factors has become the main driver of the transformation of the gaming market.
