How inflation affected gambling costs
1. Inflation in Australia - trend 2024-2025
In May 2025, the annual inflation rate was 2. 4%, and after seasonal adjustments - 2. 7–2. 9%, which corresponds to the target RBA range (2-3%). (\[turn0news26], \[turn0news27])
Central Bank: Further rate cuts are expected as inflation continues to stabilize. (\[turn0news24])
2. The growth rate of spending on excitement (which is higher than inflation)
Average Australian gambling losses rose 25% from A $1,992 to A $2,492 per year from 2019 to 2023. This significantly exceeds the CPI growth (~ 16%). (\[turn0search10])
Similarly, spending on pokies (slots) increased by 7. 6% for the period to 2022-23, which also exceeds inflation for several years. (\[turn0search4])
3. Real cost changes (after inflation)
Spending on excitement is growing in real terms, that is, it exceeds the growth in spending on other goods and services. (\[turn0search10], \[turn0search11])
The data show that real spending on excitement is growing faster than real income: expenses + 25%, while real earnings were declining. (\[turn0search11])
4. Implications for household budgets
Gambling losses exceeded A $31. 5 billion in 2022-23, ahead of spending on elderly care and approaching disability spending. (\[turn0search2])
Low-income households have been particularly affected, with gambling accounting for> 10% of their income in some cases (high-risk players up to 27%). (\[turn0search5])
5. Comparison table
The takeaway for How much Australians are spending on pokies in 2025
Inflation has receded, but gambling spending is rising faster, especially among regulars and high-risk groups.
The real increase in spending speaks not so much of an increase in value as of a deepening of involvement and an increase in the scale of losses.
This adds to the strain on households, particularly those on low incomes: they spend a proportion of the budget that is well above inflation.
Sources
Equity Economics: Average losses rose from A $1,992 to A $2,492 per year (+ 25%) with inflation + 16% (2019-2023)
Rising spending on pokies + 7. 6% through 2022-23
Gambling spending growth outpaces inflation, while real incomes decline
Reducing inflation to 2. 4%, rates within 2-3% of RBA target range
Gambling loss A $31. 5 billion more than spending on aged care, and the burden on low-income budgets - up to 27%
In May 2025, the annual inflation rate was 2. 4%, and after seasonal adjustments - 2. 7–2. 9%, which corresponds to the target RBA range (2-3%). (\[turn0news26], \[turn0news27])
Central Bank: Further rate cuts are expected as inflation continues to stabilize. (\[turn0news24])
2. The growth rate of spending on excitement (which is higher than inflation)
Average Australian gambling losses rose 25% from A $1,992 to A $2,492 per year from 2019 to 2023. This significantly exceeds the CPI growth (~ 16%). (\[turn0search10])
Similarly, spending on pokies (slots) increased by 7. 6% for the period to 2022-23, which also exceeds inflation for several years. (\[turn0search4])
3. Real cost changes (after inflation)
Spending on excitement is growing in real terms, that is, it exceeds the growth in spending on other goods and services. (\[turn0search10], \[turn0search11])
The data show that real spending on excitement is growing faster than real income: expenses + 25%, while real earnings were declining. (\[turn0search11])
4. Implications for household budgets
Gambling losses exceeded A $31. 5 billion in 2022-23, ahead of spending on elderly care and approaching disability spending. (\[turn0search2])
Low-income households have been particularly affected, with gambling accounting for> 10% of their income in some cases (high-risk players up to 27%). (\[turn0search5])
5. Comparison table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Inflation (CPI, 2025) | ≈ 2. 4 % |
| Growth in average gambling spending (2019-23) | + 25% |
| CPI growth (2019-23) | + 16% |
| Real growth in gambling spending | Exceeds inflation and income growth |
| Impact on the poorest households | Gambling represents up to 27% of the budget |
The takeaway for How much Australians are spending on pokies in 2025
Inflation has receded, but gambling spending is rising faster, especially among regulars and high-risk groups.
The real increase in spending speaks not so much of an increase in value as of a deepening of involvement and an increase in the scale of losses.
This adds to the strain on households, particularly those on low incomes: they spend a proportion of the budget that is well above inflation.
Sources
Equity Economics: Average losses rose from A $1,992 to A $2,492 per year (+ 25%) with inflation + 16% (2019-2023)
Rising spending on pokies + 7. 6% through 2022-23
Gambling spending growth outpaces inflation, while real incomes decline
Reducing inflation to 2. 4%, rates within 2-3% of RBA target range
Gambling loss A $31. 5 billion more than spending on aged care, and the burden on low-income budgets - up to 27%
