AGRC Shows Increase in Pandemic Online Gambling Spending
Last week, we discussed how the ACMA’s claim that spending on online gambling going down is skewed. It didn’t take long for another study to come out to back up that claim. According to the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC), spending on online gambling has increased for men from 18 to 34, the prime demographic for online gambling.
Meanwhile, the ACMA is moving forward with plans to block even more Australian online casinos. This time around, they are blocking Dinkum Pokies and Fortune Clock Casino. If you have funds there, it’s time to move them or start using a VPN.
New Study From AGRC Shows Males Spending More For Online Gambling
Another week, another reason not to believe the ACMA in their claims that online gambling spending is dropping. The Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) released a report stating that spending on online gambling is going up. According to a study covering June and July, one in three players registered a new account. This doesn’t mean that they are new to online gambling, but rather that they registered for a new account.
Looking deeper, 79% of those new accounts were opened by men aged 18 through 34. Those players also significantly boosted their online gambling spending from AU$687 per player up to AU$1,075 per player.
‘Young people have been hit hardest by the economic shock of the pandemic. Higher gambling losses — perhaps exacerbated by the stress of being unemployed and the boredom of being stuck at home — would make this even worse.’https://t.co/OIMUzAR0YV
Interview with AGRC's @beckjenko— AIFS (@FamilyStudies) October 13, 2020
The AGRC study polled over 2,000 people. It found that a combination of lockdown, boredom, and generous online casino bonuses helped to drive player spending. According to the study, the number of people that gamble online after the start of the pandemic has risen from 62% up to 78%. The frequency that players are betting has also increased. Players who bet four times a week or more rose 11% from 23% to 34%.
Furthermore, the study concludes that since the pandemic doesn’t seem to be slowing down, it is unlikely that those numbers will drop anytime soon. This is in stark contrast to the ACMA who is claiming that online gambling participation is decreasing. As expected, the group that doesn’t have a political agenda is showing the true progression of online gambling during the pandemic.
ACMA Blocks Two Additional Sites
The ACMA must have been too busy trying to spin narratives to try and find more gambling sites to block. A report on Tuesday revealed that the organization is only adding two more online casinos to their ISP block list. This time around, the casinos are Dinkum Pokies and Fortune Clock Casino.
Like usually, the ACMA is claiming that “poor player treatment” and “withholding winnings” are reasons they opened investigations into the site. They then found they violate the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. That’s not hard to do because any site not licensed is illegal under that law.
You know the drill by now. If you have funds on these casinos, it is time to either find a new place to play or invest in a VPN. For those that are looking for a new home to play, you can check out some of our online casino partners. We offer comprehensive reviews for each to give you the information needed to make the best decision of where to play.
Since November 2019, the ACMA has added 150 gambling sites to their block list. Australia ISPs must comply with these orders, making it increasingly difficult for players to play online casino games. Unfortunately, this pattern will continue as the ACMA continues to find other sites to try and block. That’s why we urge you to make a backup plan now.
One part of this plan is limiting the funds kept on online casinos. If you have more money than you need at the casino, take some off. For example, if you have $500 on the site but your bankroll never fluctuates more than $100, take $350 to $400 off the site. That way, when the inevitable block comes, you have already moved most of your money off the site.