UberPokies.org

Aristocrat Pokies Promise
Home » Gambling News

Play’n Go’s The Green Knight steps up for battle

March 12, 2021 by Admin

The Road to Play’n GO’s rising success is paved with a multitude of innovative and engaging iGaming content. The developer’s latest release is a continuation of a successful thematic series that revolves around the fantasy legend of King Arthur. The Green Knight slot is inspired by the poem, Sir Gawain & The Green Knight, sporting and 5 reels and 20 paylines with an enriching selection of bonus features.

Moving parts

The gameplay format follows familiar requirements. Land 3, 4 or 5 matching symbols or wilds on a pay line from left to right to form a winning combination. You can bet anywhere from 0.10 to 100 per spin.

The autoplay function takes the pressure off your spinning finger and the RTP comes in sat an above average 96.27%.

Fuelled by high volatility, the game also features wild multipliers that could help you increase your winnings by up to 100x. The slots maximum potential weighs in at an impressive 10,000x your total stake from a single spin.

Sights and sounds

The Green Knight is part of Play’n GO’s Arthurian thematic universe, taking its place alongside titles such as The Sword and the Grail and Rise of Merlin.

The reels are set against the backdrop of a leafy forest, awash with the full spectrum of energising green hues. Stone symbols bear playing card suits with higher value symbols being represented as an axe, a horse, and the queen. The highest value symbol is Sir Gawain with 3, 4 or 5 on a payline paying 2.5x, 5x or 25x your bet, respectively.

The wild symbol substitutes for any other symbol except the Green Knight scatter. Watch out for wilds that come with a multiplier enhancement.

You can enjoy this game across all devices, including your smartphone, tablet, and PC or laptop.

Bonus Features

Unlocking the games maximum potential is anchored in Wilds, multiplier wilds and free spins. Activate free spins with the Green Knight scatter symbol and gain guaranteed wild multipliers for the duration of the feature. The wild multiplier values climb with each progressive free spin. On free spins 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, you can claim multipliers of 2x, 5x, 10x, 25, and 100x, respectively.​

Filed Under: Casino Pokies News

Aristocrat mulls M&A deal

March 10, 2021 by Admin

Aristocrat’s most recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) saw several issues critical to the company’s growth being discussed. Among the more exciting points of discussion was a proposal to employ the services of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) to increase its online footprint.

Aristocrat has experienced mixed fortunes of late, with its most recent report revealing a drop in group revenues of 5.9% to $4.1 billion for 2020. Its online gaming does not offer any real-money titles and is entirely comprised of social gaming offerings.

Despite this, Aristocrat’s online gaming engagement increased by 29%, taking some of the heat off the flagging land-based business which saw a decline of 35% due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which led to temporary closures of land-based casinos worldwide.

Trevor Croker, the CEO of Aristocrat, relayed to investors that the company would “significantly escalate” its interest in M&A, with an eye on cultivating the digital business.

He said, “We will continue to significantly escalate our focus on convergence products and services as part of our strategy. We remain ready to invest to accelerate our strategy. During fiscal 2020, we concluded two deals to acquire access to more world-class game development capability in Digital. Investments in the proven game studios Neskin and Proteus signaled our intent.”

This latest news had many analysts speculating that the company seems poised to explore real-money online gambling to counteract the losses experienced by the land-based sector.​

Filed Under: Aristocrat Gambling

Spring into March with Microgaming’s fresh releases

March 5, 2021 by Admin

Spring, as they say, has sprung and Microgaming has a fresh new selection of March releases to tantalise your senses and your bankroll. Discover a varied selection of themes, characters, and features in the season of renewal as Microgaming with its independent studio partners and content partners bring you a range of slots to suit any taste.

Green is your lucky colour on 9 March in Emerald Gold by Just for the Win. Take a trip to the mystical world of leprechauns and brave the game’s super-high volatility to collect golden clovers and claim amazing prizes.

Real Roulette with Matthew has a wide release date of 11 March and is the most recent title in the Real Dealer Studios cinematic roulette series. The series contains titles that meld top-class interactive video and Hollywood-level production with action only random number generation could bring. The game is set in a luxury casino environment, created using a professional cast and film crew with the enigmatic Matthew acting as your croupier and bringing a human element to the interactive proceedings.

It’s time to battle the gods themselves for supremacy on 16 March in Amazing Link: Zeus by SpinPlay Games. Claim divine treasures using the Amazing Link feature that is activated when six or more Amazing symbols appear on the reels. After you trigger the feature, all the new Amazing symbols that appear will remain locked in place and set off more respins with some symbols holding the Mini, Minor, and Major jackpots. Grab the Mega jackpot worth 5000x your stake by filling the grid with 15 Amazing symbols. Wrest even more riches from the heavens with the Zeus Pick where you match three symbols to win amazing prizes.

Things get deep in Fire Forge by Stormcraft Studios on 23 March. Traverse cavernous subterranean forges in this dark fantasy slot and witness Dwarven metallurgists turning precious ore into fearsome weapons and tools. The slot boasts 243-ways-to-win and Rolling Reels that keep the wins coming in. The free spins multiplier trail is your path to the slot’s phenomenal Gold jackpot worth up to 50,000x your stake.

It’s time for some high-stakes sleuthing in Sherlock and Moriarty Wowpot by Just for the Win on 25 March. This title pits the most famous detective in literature, Sherlock Holmes against his genius nemesis, Moriarty. The game features the Wowpot! Progressive Jackpot Wheel with a top jackpot that starts at $2 million. The Mystery Symbols hide precious secrets and trigger the Mystery Respins, a feature where all wild symbols and Mystery symbols become sticky.

Live your scallywag fantasies on 8 March with the launch of Pirate’s Quest by Gong Gaming Technologies where you sail the high seas on a pirate adventure. Gather ship symbols and plot their course on the Progressive Map to reach the 10x multiplier.

Shoot your shot on 11 March with the release of Pulse 8 Studios’ sporty slot, Basketball Star on Fire. This highly volatile title includes thrilling features like Hyperhold and retriggering free spins to help you win on the court.

More high-volatility action follows with Fortune Factory’s Amber Sterling’s Mystic Shrine on 30 March. Unearth treasure in a jungle environment with your arsenal of special features. The stars beckon in All41 Studios’ Solar Wilds on 17 March. Orbit heavenly orbs on the reels and use the Wild Respins.

Sate your appetite for slot action with Gold Coin Studios’ Bushi Sushi on 29 March and give your bankroll some well-deserved sustenance.

Arnie is back just like he promised on 02 March with the release of the remastered version of the Terminator 2 slot. Now players can take this blockbuster slot on the road with its first-ever mobile version.

Microgaming’s third-party partners also have a flurry of slots primed for release. Take a trip on the cute side with Eyecon’s Fluffy Favourites Megaways on 3 March or take in the sights from a classic American boardwalk in Big Time Gaming’s “Pop” on 8 March and discover the new Dual Reel feature.

There’s more Megaways on the way with on 10 March with Iron Dog Studio’s leprechaun and fairy-themed Rainbow Wilds Megaways. 1x2gaming’s Stellar Ways sets you on the path of an interplanetary explorer discovering precious space gems on 24 March.

Come back to earth and enjoy a Wild West-themed adventure with Inspired Gaming’s Gimme Gold! Megaways on 24 March. End the month in stellar fashion on 29 March with MGA’s Toi Planet, a cartoon space adventure where you discover freaky aliens and a host of bonus features.

Filed Under: Casino Pokies News

Social casinos in Australia face the chop

March 3, 2021 by Admin

In 2020, Independent Australian MP Andrew Wilkie began a crusade against social casino games. His mission is to have social casino games outlawed across the entire country. Social casinos feature free-to-play games that simulate gambling, most often found on social networking sites

Wilkie argues that a ban on the practice would assist in curbing gambling-related harm in Australia and, to that end, he introduced a bill to parliament on June 10, 2020. The sole purpose of the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2020 is to have all social casinos banned.

Should the bill pass, a ban on social gambling would be added to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 that already outlaws iGaming in the country.

What’s the harm?

The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 states that parties found guilty of participating in or facilitating online gaming will be fined. The penalty for individuals is up to $220,000, and companies could face a fine as high as $1.1 million.

Wilkie’s act seeks to reclassify social casino gaming as a type of gambling, changing its current status as a form of entertainment. This action would effectively place it in the same boat as iGaming, so anyone caught participating in it would face significant financial penalties.

According to Wilkie, social casinos made it possible for the current explosion of iGaming to happen. This claim holds water as it can be demonstrated that a slew of players continues to transition from social casinos to online betting sites.

By his reasoning, the inherent social risk of gambling is that casinos tend to cater to and encourage the “winner spirit” in their players, and this can bleed into the individual’s life, making them more confident but also less averse to risk.

While Wilkie’s position that social casinos and iGaming are harmful may make sense, the prevailing social culture seems to indicate that gamers largely engage in these practices as a form of stress relief, something which became particularly pertinent with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic where the movements and freedoms of individuals were restricted.

In a 2020 study by the Australian Gambling Research Centre where 2000 individuals were surveyed, nearly 50% of respondents reported that their physical and/or mental health had been negatively affected during COVID-19. Close to 1 in 3 of respondents had signed up for a new online betting account during COVID-19, with almost 1 in 20 gambling online for the first time.

Alarmingly, 79% of respondents could be categorised as being at risk of or already in the throes of gambling-related harm.

A reviving industry  

Wilkie’s attempt to eradicate iGaming and social casinos comes at the same time as calls from other members of parliament to fully reopen brick-and-mortar gambling venues to assist in propping up the country’s economy, which continues to be battered by the effects of COVID-19.

The fate of Wilkie’s Bill still hangs in the balance, in the interim players are increasingly discovering the joys and pitfalls of mobile iGaming entertainment. What is certain is that the disappearance of social casinos would disappoint many players who rely on them as a source of entertainment.

Filed Under: Australian Gambling

2021 iGaming Australian events you can’t miss

February 26, 2021 by Admin

With one of the world’s most active and lucrative gambling industries, Australia is host to a packed roster of gaming events and awards ceremonies throughout the year. These events present ample opportunities for the showcasing of new products, innovations, and services and to network with other industry folks.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority also takes advantage of these events to publicise its proposals and intentions.

Physical events, which have been sparse of late, offer players the chance to engage in face-to-face interactions with the companies and individuals that produce their favourite content and services.

Whether you are looking to exhibit your product or service or simply attend to expand your knowledge of the gambling industry and its upcoming innovations, there are numerous events taking place across the country over the coming year and we have listed the most notable happenings for you to slot into your annual planner.

Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE)

One of Australia’s most important iGaming events is up first. The AGE is Supported by the Australasian Gaming Council and draws 6,000 attendees from the online and offline gaming sectors. The first AGE event ever happened in 1990, coinciding with the beginning of the rise of online gambling in Europe. The event’s 30 -year history has solidified its place as a mainstay among the nation’s enthusiasts, developers, and operators.

The 2021 event is scheduled to take place at the ICC Sydney between 10 and 12 August. There will be over 240 exhibitors from all the various sub-sectors of the Australian iGaming industry, including such notable names as Aristocrat, Ainsworth, IGT, Konami, Scientific Games, Aruze, and Banktech

With the participants’ list growing daily, serious anticipation is growing for the expo’s August launch date.

EGR Australia Summit

Similar to the Australasian Gaming Expo, the EGR Australia Summit is a showcase for the cream of the crop of the country’s gaming industry. This does not mean that this event doesn’t have its own unique characteristics.

The EGR event focuses exclusively on the online gambling sector and provides a space for stakeholders to exchange ideas over the pressing developments changing the face of the Australian gaming market.

While the 2021 edition of the event will be held online, it was previously held as a closed-door event to create an ideal, environment for qualitative discourse between the industry’s leading organisations.

Previous attendees of note to the event include Ladbrokes, GVC, Unibet, Bet365, Betfair, Crown Resorts, PointsBet, Bet Easy, and PlayUp.

The presence of the country’s most prominent iGaming forms offers local authorities the opportunity to present their proposals around legislation to a very specific focus group.

International Gambling Conference (IGC) 2021

The International Gambling Conference takes us towards Kiwi territory and will run from the 30th of June to the 1st of July 2021 at the AUT in Auckland. In the spirit of its previous editions, the IGC in New Zealand will provide a platform for issues such as new technology for online and offline gambling, responsible gaming practices, and regulations among others.

While the event takes place off Australian soil, many of the attendees operate in Australia and New Zealand. This event is a lot less player-focused than the previous ones mentioned so there is less about flashy new title releases and a lot more relating to game mechanics and math models.

SiGMA

Once you have satisfied your hunger for Australian-focused iGaming events, you can widen your field of vision and take in a global perspective of the industry at SiGMA. The Malta-based event is a major happening in the international iGaming industry.

Initially planned for February, the 2021 edition has been moved to April, more specifically from the 13th to the 15th of the month. Following tradition, the event will take place at the Malta Fairs Conventions Center which accommodated over 15,000 delegates from 80 countries for the 2019 edition of the event.

SiGMA 2021 will be an amalgamation of prominent iGaming companies including operators, suppliers, affiliates, fintech start-ups, and any other interested parties seeking to make their name by creating premium gambling entertainment.

The event has a packed itinerary, but some of the major talking points that will be explored include the following.

In Emerging Trends the future of online gaming and its associated services and products will be discussed with a particular focus on the challenges and opportunities presented by the global pandemic.

The Emerging Hubs discussion will offer a deep dive into flourishing iGaming hubs in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Emerging Tech delivers on the collaboration between SiGMA and AIBC to present an exhaustive breakdown of all tech-related iGaming topics. Expect the discussion points to focus on AI, big data, Blockchain, the Internet of Things, and Quantum computing.

Far from daunting SiGMA’S spirit, the organisation embraced the challenges presented by the global pandemic with SiGMA Asia taking place in Manila in May. SiGMA Americas will follow in September 2021 and a SiGMA Africa event is in the pipeline with the organisation eyeing a March 2022 launch date. The African edition may take place in Cape Town as that is where the headquarters are, but all we can do at this stage is speculate.

Filed Under: Australian Gambling

Aussie credit card gambling debate flares up again

February 23, 2021 by Admin

Over approximately the last 20 years, Australian punters have been prohibited from using credit cards for cash advances in pokie lounges and casinos. Online gambling is, however, free from this restriction and punters are free to use their credit cards as they wish.

This issue has made an appearance in the public arena numerous times over the years, normally as the result of politicians adding the topic to their agendas. The voices in support of and opposition to the practice have re-emerged to do battle once again.

Fighting for change

Queensland MP Andrew Wallace re-ignited the debate recently when he called for a ban on the use of credit cards for online gambling. In his words, the banks have a “social responsibility” regarding this issue and he pushed for them to establish a voluntary code of conduct. The objective of this would be to prohibit online gamblers from betting with funds borrowed from credit card companies.

Wallace called his solution a “no brainer,” and further stated, “We know that people pay 22% or thereabouts in interest on their credit card balances; that’s a very dangerous mix.”

He wrapped up by saying, “You can’t use a credit card to go into a TAB and gamble on the horses or the dogs. You can’t use a credit card at a casino, and you can’t use a credit card to gamble on the pokies.”

Status quo champion

The gambling industry expectedly does not hold the same opinions as Wallace. Measures against credit card use in online gambling represent a threat to the profitability of gambling organisations and the industry also argues against the limitations to personal freedoms in this respect.

Brent Jackson, the CEO of Responsible Wagering Australia, a lobby group that major industry players like  Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, Neds, and Bet365, is a prominent voice of support in favour of maintaining the current practice.

Jackson’s stance is that punters generally behave responsibly and that the minority who are problem gamblers are offered assistance on an individual basis. He also put forward that punters have the right to enjoy the full freedom of managing their betting preferences. On the subject of how specifically casinos approach problem gambling, he stated,

“They [online casinos] do keep an eye out specifically for unusual behaviour and strange behavioural patterns and activity that is not considered normal and might be risky. “We can take a number of interventions aside from banning them completely, we often contact customers directly as this is happening.”

He added that there is no evident crisis that justifies such a drastic intervention and that online gambling is safer than visiting land-based casinos or pokie lounges because of the strict legislation and live monitoring of gambling behaviour.

An inert ABA

Towards the end of 2019, the Australian Banking Association (ABA) surveyed its members to ask whether credit card usage should be banned on gambling apps. Eighty-one percent were in favour of restrictions or a total ban, 12 percent were undecided and the remaining seven percent were against restrictions of any kind.

The ABA characterised gamblers as “vulnerable customers.” However, the association has failed to make any decisions on any kind of overarching policy. This is mainly due to concerns that their actions in this respect could represent a violation of anti-competition laws.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has stated that it is willing to grant an exemption in this case as it sees this as a crucial public issue.  The commission has previously shown support for banks implementing voluntary conduct codes.

Despite all of this, the ABA seems mired in indecision with some speculating that its inaction is due to cowardice or greed. In the meantime, Aussies are increasingly creating up new betting accounts and the segment that has shown the biggest growth is the 18 to 34-year-old group.

Sportsbet reported a 108% increase from April to June in 2020 following COVID-related shutdowns, resulting in their profits skyrocketing from $96 million to $191 million.​

Filed Under: Australian Gambling, Casino News

Crown Resorts CEO steps down amid inquiry report fallout

February 19, 2021 by Admin

The CEO of the Australian casino operator, Crown Resorts, Ken Barton, resigned on 15 February in the wake of the findings of an inquiry that judged the operator to be unfit to hold a gambling licence for its new Sydney casino.

The inquiry uncovered evidence of pervasive money laundering and governance transgressions. It precipitated Barton’s resignation, which was expected as his presence was a sore point for the state regulator that suspended the company’s gambling license.  Crown was on the verge of opening its massive casino resort in Sydney, and this latest development brings all of its plans into question.

Barton’s departure was not the only one as three directors of the company have also vacated their posts following the inquiry’s report.

The vacant CEO’s position has created a vacuum that will need to be filled soon by the company that is 36% owned by billionaire James Packer. The company’s chairperson, Helen Coonan, a former federal communications minister, will expand her role to absorb executive responsibilities until a new CEO is appointed.

In a statement, Coonan said, “Assuming the role of executive chairman is a decision I have not taken lightly, but the Board feels it provides leadership stability and certainty at this important time for the business. The Board is determined to maintain the momentum as Crown takes significant steps to improve our governance, compliance, and culture.”

The recently released report caps a year-long inquiry that was initiated by the New South Wales state gambling watchdog. Its contents revealed allegations of widespread money laundering and failures in governance at Crown. The report ultimately recommended comprehensive changes to the company’s Board and culture.

The report states that Crown is, therefore, not eligible for a gambling license.  Barton was described as “no match for what is needed at the helm of a casino licensee”.  Before the resignation of the CEO and the directors mentioned in the report, the Victoria state had formally requested that Barton justify continuing in the role.

Like Coonan, Barton had only assumed his role a year ago; however, he had served as Crown’s chief financial officer for a decade prior.

Crown shares saw a rise of 0.9% on the day of the announcement in line with the broader market. However, the stock is still down one-sixth since a year ago following lockdowns and border closures geared ad combating the spread of the coronavirus which spooked investors interested in the company’s earnings potential.

The company’s half-year results are expected to be made public on Thursday.​

Filed Under: Australian Casinos, Casino News

Google to Allow Gambling Apps for Aussies

February 16, 2021 by Admin

Android device-using Australian punters now have an added layer of convenience and security to celebrate. From March 1st, they will be able to access gambling apps directly from the Google Play Store. Currently, gambling apps can only be found in the Brazilian, French, Irish, and United Kingdom Google Play Stores.

Before this development, Android users in Australia had to download apps directly from licensed casino websites. This practice has inherent risks, many of which stem from having to disable security features to install non-Play Store apps.

The new additions

The 15 new markets that can now access gambling apps via the Play Store include Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Canada, Japan, Finland, Germany, Colombia, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, Spain, Romania, and the United States.

The rules

A statement on Google’s support page read, “We allow real-money gambling apps, ads related to real-money gambling, and daily fantasy sports apps that meet certain requirements.”

While online casino games are allowed under the new policy. They will not be made available in Australia, with punters in the country being limited to lotteries, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports apps.

With Android users making up close to 50% of the mobile device market in Australia, millions of new users will now be able to make use of gambling apps and interact with targeted adverts.

The Requirements

Any developers seeking to add their apps to the Play Store will have to complete an application process and meet several requirements.

Online casinos have to be compliant with set industry standards and legal requirements for their country. Developers also need to have a valid gambling license and apps will be required to bear an ‘Adult Only’ rating (or IARC equivalent) to prevent underage players from getting their hands on them. The availability of apps should also be limited to their specified territories.

No paid apps will be permitted, so all will have to be available for free download and Google will exclude their in-app billing system from gambling apps.

Developers may not offer any type of gambling app that is not permitted within their gambling licenses boundaries.

Play it safe

Contrasted against the delight of eager punters, Tony Mohr, the Executive Director at the Alliance for Gambling Reform, had a sobering message to share, stating that such apps can “greatly increase the risk of people experiencing gambling harm.”

The ACMA (Australian Media and Communications Authority) has previously shut down dozens of illegal online gambling providers. The arrival of gambling app availability via the Play Store will make its job much more challenging as it will now need to monitor the influx of Play Store gambling apps to ensure their compliance.

Picking apart the mobile app market

On September 8th, 2020, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission launched a probe into the country’s mobile app market. The investigation included both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

A statement released at the time says, “The ACCC will be looking at the experiences of Australian consumers, developers, suppliers, and others in a new report scrutinising mobile app stores. They’ll examine issues such as the use and sharing of data by apps, the extent of competition between Google and Apple’s app stores, and whether more pricing transparency is needed in Australia’s mobile apps market.”

The final report from the probe is due in March of 2021.

Filed Under: Australian Gambling

Crown Resorts’ license hopes dashed by inquiry

February 13, 2021 by Admin

A month-long investigation into Crown Resorts’ license application for its A$2.2 Billion Barangaroo casino resort has ended unfavourably for the company.

The NSW’s Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) presented a report to the State Parliament on 9 February, with the recommendation that Crown needs to make “sweeping cultural changes if it wanted to apply for a license in the future.”

The head of the inquiry and former chief judge in the NSW Supreme Court, Commissioner Patricia Bergin stated that the Crown Resorts casinos in Melbourne and Perth were proven to have serious problems with money laundering and were possibly linked to international organised crime groups.

The company’s numerous regulatory arrangement failings were also brought up, with some crucial issues that needed to be urgently remedied.

This places the new resort in Sydney in an awkward position as it has already opened its hotel and restaurants to the public. The report has yet to be adopted by the ILGA but it is widely understood that this is a mere formality.

The report identified several “core problems” that made Crown unsuitable to hold the requested license. These include the operator’s “poor corporate governance” and “deficient risk-management structures.”​

Filed Under: Casino News

NSW youth gambling study goes public

February 9, 2021 by Admin

In 2020, the NSW Office of Responsible Gambling initiated a study into the connection between young people and gambling. The now publicised results reveal some profound truths, the more notable of which are detailed below.

The study encompassed gambling and simulated gambling among those aged 12 to 17. The researchers involved sought to use the data to better understand and combat gambling-related issues.

The methodology

The research was conducted in two stages with NSW youths aged 12 to 17. Initially, 16 focus groups with 104 participants each were conducted in eight locations across the state. The groups targeted Vietnamese and Chinese participants in particular, as well as two with Indigenous participants.

An online survey was then performed with 2,200 young respondents which ran from March 28 to May 11, 2020.

Crunching the numbers

Analysing the collected data allows one to establish the most salient truths around underage gambling in NSW.

The study established that young people in NSW tend to first engage with monetary and simulated gambling at around the ages of 11 to 12 years and 2020 saw young people choose simulated gambling over more traditional methods.

All the individual types of simulated gambling proved more popular among the youth than most other forms of gambling, except for private betting. The participants who had participated in simulated gambling were shown to be most likely to transition to more traditional forms in future.

Problematic gambling levels are higher than those of problem/at-risk gambling with parents being the most common introduction young people had to the pastime. Gambling with parents, receiving parental approval for gambling, or growing up with an adult who’s a problem gambler were all factors that influenced the respondents’ behaviour.

A year in review

29.8% of respondents stated they had gambled in the previous year and 21% had engaged in commercial gambling (excluding private betting). 2.2% of this group were determined to be at-risk with another 1.5% being labelled as problem gamblers.

53.7% of gambling activity took place in the presence of a parent or guardian, followed by friends 17 or younger at 26.8%, relatives 18 or older came in at 20.7%, relatives under 18 at 20.1%, and grandparents at 19.5%. A mere 9.1% of respondents stated that they gambled alone.

Private betting emerged as the most popular form of gambling at 17.1%. Scratchies/lotteries represented 11%, while bingo and keno came in at 6% and 5.1%, respectively.

17% of respondents stated they had gambled in the last month, with 16.5% stating they had gambled in the last week. 24.9% revealed they had placed bets online, and that the source of their gambling funds largely came from home environments with 60.4% revealing that they used their pocket money to gamble.

The gaming-gambling problem

The youth in NSW can actively avoid real-money gambling avenues but evidence shows that addictive behaviour can form around types of gaming too. 40.1% of participants said that they had played some form of a game with gambling components over the previous year.

To be considered a “game with gambling components” encompasses a few standards that must be met.

These are games with gambling components on social networking sites, gambling-themed apps from an app store, video games with gambling “mini-games”, and free games from gambling apps or websites that don’t require real-money bets.

The study revealed that 31.7% of respondents had played video games with a “mini” gambling component in the previous year. The data showed this that this element of gameplay had been increasingly featured in recent years. In-game gambling mostly appears to enable players to gain additional lives, free items, and in-game currency rewards.

The loot box trap

Loot boxes are an almost ubiquitous feature in gaming. 72.2% of participants revealed that they had opened or purchased loot boxes over the previous year.

According to a definition on the UK House of Commons library website, loot boxes are “features in video games which may be accessed through gameplay, or purchased with in-game items, virtual currencies, or directly with real-world money. They often appear as chests, crates, or card packs.”

One-third of surveyed Australian youth revealed that they had spent money on loot boxes, at an average rate of approximately $10 per month. The respondents largely confirmed that their reasons for obtaining loot boxes were that they serve as in-game currency and provide the players with specific advantages or progress boosts.  Loot boxes are also highly coveted because they often contain special items or skins which are alternate costumes or cosmetic enhancements for player characters.

The transactional nature of loot boxes seems fairly simple at first. One simply pays money and gets something beneficial in return. However, the randomised nature of a lot of loot box features can act as a “gateway drug,” as the purchase is essentially a game of chance that can steer players towards traditional gambling.

This was demonstrated when 14.5% of participants revealed that they used in-game items for gambling. A smaller percentage of 7.9% said they betted privately with their friends while 6.2% has gone as far as wagering on Esports.

The report in full

If this condensed version has whet your appetite for more, the full 279-page report is freely available for all who would like to see. It can be accessed via this link.​

Filed Under: Australian Gambling

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 22
  • Next Page »
  • Aristocrat
  • Microgaming
Pokie Reviews
5 Dragons Pokie
50 Dragons
50 Lions
Big Ben
Big Red
Chilli Gold
Choy Sun Doa
Dolphin Treasure
Emperor's Treasure
Let's Go Fish'n
Pompeii
Queen of the Nile II
Red Baron
Warewolf Wild
Where's the Gold
Wild Panda
Zorro
Pokie Reviews
108 Heroes
Alaskan Fishing
Ariana Pokie
Asian Beauty
Avalon Pokie
Bar Bar Black Sheep
Basketball Star
Big Top
Break Away
Break Da Bank
Burning Desire
Castle Builder
Cricket Star
Deco Diamonds
Dragon's Myth
Emperor of the Sea
Fortunium
Gold Factory
Hitman
Immortal Romance
Isis
King Tusk
Ladies Night
Lions Pride
Lucky Little Gods
Lucky Twins
Mad Hatters
Mayan Princess
Mega Fortune Dreams
Mega Moolah
MegaSpin Break da Bank Again
Mermaid Millions
Rugby Star
Starlight Kisses
Thunderstruck II
Casino Reviews
Uptown Pokies
Sloto'Cash
Fair Go
Royal Vegas
Spin Palace
All Slots
Euro Palace
Pokies Guide
Understanding RTP & Slot Variance
Aristocrat Pokies
5 vs 3 Reels Pokies
Real Money Pokies
How to Win on Pokies
Pokies Deposit Options
Legal Casinos
Aristocrat Slot Machines
Download Aristocrat Pokies
Gambling News
Spin Palace Pokies
POPULAR PAGES Pokies For Real Money
Deposit Options
Win at Pokies
Aristocrat Pokie Machines

UBER POKIES About Us
Responsible Gambling
Contact Us
CASINO REVIEWS Royal Vegas Casino
Spin Palace Casino
All Slots Casino
Euro Palace Casino

POKIE REVIEWS 5 Dragons Slot Machine
Where's The Gold Slot Machine
Big Red Slot Machine
Aristocrat Pokies Sites are Secure and Verified