Online casinos and Gen Z: Young gamblers' preferences and trends in Australia

Introduction

Generation Z (born approximately between 1995 and 2010) is becoming an increasingly prominent part of the online gambling audience in Australia. Despite strict legal restrictions (banning online casinos, regulating betting and advertising), it is this cohort that forms new requests and transforms the market. Their style of play and expectations are significantly different from the millennial generation and especially baby boomers.

Gen Z Features

Digital socialization: grew up among smartphones, social networks and streaming; prefer products with gamification, quick visual stimuli and the ability to share experiences.
Mobility: More than 80% of Gen Z's gaming traffic comes from mobile devices.
Cryptocurrencies and fintech: young players are more active in using crypto wallets and are not afraid to experiment with new payment methods.
Social influence: TikTok, Twitch and YouTube play a significant role, where short videos about gambling, slot bonuses and live casinos are popularized.

Preferred products

1. Mobile slots and fast games
Gen Z appreciates short gaming sessions. Of greatest interest are slots with arcade elements, "Crash games" and instant lotteries.

2. Layv-casino
For many young players, a key factor is the "presence effect": the ability to play with live dealers and chat.

3. Crypto Casino
Generation Z adapts faster to BTC, ETH, and USDT. Anonymous and instant replenishment is important for them.

4. Social mechanics
Co-op tournaments, rankings, in-game achievements and "friends online" become part of the gaming experience.

Gen Z players' motivation

Entertainment and atmosphere: Emphasis on emotional experience, not just winning.
Transparency: distrust of classic brands and the desire to see "honest random" confirmed by blockchain.
Speed: instant deposits/withdrawals, fast game sessions, no complicated procedures.
Aesthetics: high-quality design, animation and interface are just as important as RTP or bonus.

Impact of regulation

The ban on online casinos in Australia (Interactive Gambling Act) does not stop Gen Z: they go to offshore sites, where crypto deposits and gamified products are most often offered.
Advertising restrictions are pushing operators to gray promotion channels - bloggers, TikTok and Telegram.
The National Register of Self-Exclusion (BetStop) shows an increase in the number of young users, which indicates a high level of engagement and risks for this age group.

Key trends

Growth of crypto games and "hybrid" casinos (game + blockchain + in-game economy).
Popularity of streaming real-time games and community formats.
Shifting focus from "classic casino" to more dynamic, visually rich products.
Strengthening the role of social platforms as a source of traffic.

Forecast

In the next 2-3 years, generation Z will become the main driver of the growth of offshore online casinos, especially crypto sites. Trends include:

gamification of classic casino products,
simplified payment solutions based on digital currencies,
increased integration with social media and streaming services.

Results

Generation Z is shaping a new standard for online gambling: mobile, fast, social and crypto-oriented. For legal operators in Australia, this audience remains inaccessible due to IGA restrictions, but offshore platforms are actively using their interest.