Economic Contribution
Australia
Key statistics for the 2019-20 financial year include:
- $5.8 billionin taxation revenue across all gambling sectors.
- Approximately$16.8billionindustry value added (IVA) to the economy.
- Employment of approximately201,950 peopleacross Australia, paying just over$10.5 billionin salary and wages.
- Approximately$587millionfrom casinos, and$2,839millionfrom hotels and clubs, in direct tourism gross value added to the economy.
*Source: IBISWorld Pty Ltd, Australian Industry Reports 2022, http://www.ibisworld.com.au;Queensland Government Statistician’s Office, Queensland Treasury (2022) Australian Gambling Statistics 1994-95 to 2019- 20 (37th edition); Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021) 5249.0 Tourism Satellite Account: 2019-20
Industry Sector Estimated Value Added 2019-20 | |||
Industry Sector | Revenue | Industry Value Added | Salary & Wages |
($ Million) | ($ Million) | ($ Million) | |
Casinos | $5,114 | $2,491 | $1,780 |
Gaming & Vending Machine Manufacturers | $364 | $217 | $167 |
Horse & Dog Racing | $3,638 | $778 | $477 |
Horse & Sports Betting | $5,266 | $1,259 | $340 |
Lotteries | $8,988 | $1,995 | $216 |
Pubs, Bars, Nightclubs | $16,201 | $4,488 | $3,552 |
Social Clubs | $11,187 | $5,549 | $4,010 |
*Source: IBISWorld Pty Ltd, Australian Industry Reports 2022, http://www.ibisworld.com.au
Funds from gambling taxes, mandatory levies and voluntary contributions from the gambling industry are distributed via state-wide funding and benefit schemes to assist the community, provide gambling help services and support responsible gambling initiatives.
Some examples of how funds were distributed via these channels include:
- In New South Wales approximately$11.57millionwas distributed to support gambling help services and counselling in NSW
- In Queensland more than$44millionwas distributed to some 2,021 community organisations and programs via the Gambling Community Benefit Fund
- In the Northern Territory$12.55millionin funding was distributed to support community development projects, gambling research and the amelioration of problem gambling.
- Over$5.3 millionin funding was distributed to fund support programs and initiatives to minimise problem gambling in South Australia.
- $147.79million was distributed in grants to support the Victorian community, including drug and alcohol treatment, and problem gambling assistance services.
- In Tasmania$3.08 millionwas paid into the state's fund to support the community, including sports and recreation, research and gambling support services.
- Approximately$292 millionof funding to the community was provided by Lotterywest, to support hospitals, sports, the arts and other eligible community organisations.
New Zealand
Key statistics for the 2019-20 financial year include:
- Non-casino gaming machine trusts raised an estimated$215.7 millionfor authorised community purposes from 16,338 grants.
- OverNZ$265.8 millionwas allocated by the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board for distribution to the community in the 2019-20 financial year.
- NZ$152.3millionin funding from the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) was distributed to industry and the community, and payments ofNZ$14.7 millionwere distributed to sporting organisations.NZ$15.2 millionwas distributed to racing and sports from RITA’s own gaming machines.
- SkyCity Casinos contributedNZ$3.7 millionto the SkyCity Community Trusts.
Online Casinos and Economic Contribution
Though online casino operations in Australia and New Zealand face different regulatory structures — with Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act restricting certain online casino offerings and New Zealand’s Gambling Act limiting domestic online casinos — the broader online gambling segment still contributes to economic activity through international engagement and digital services.
Online gambling platforms attract players, facilitate substantial turnover, and support ancillary services such as payment processing, customer support, and technology innovation. This digital footprint stimulates investment in secure infrastructure and satellite economic activities, such as mobile gaming development and digital advertising.
As online casino access grows globally, so too does its economic footprint — including cross-border spending, employment in digital services, and the expansion of technology ecosystems that support remote gaming experiences.