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How people gamble in different countries worldwide

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A quick comparison of the average gambling habits of people in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.


Over the last few years, players across the globe have managed to find an escape from reality. It's a place where adventure and non-stop entertainment awaits. As with all things, there is always a flipside to the coin.

No matter your skill or game of choice, you're not above the odds. The quality of casino games continues to improve as new features are added, making them more fun to play.

Recently, different countries have seen their share of changes in regulation, innovation and other changes. We're taking a look at the dominating countries and the gambling habits of the average person in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.

United Kingdom

The UK is one of the top gaming nations with great regulated options available to players, both land-based and online. The UK Gambling Commission has become one of the industry's best and most respected authorities over the years, leading the way for many others.

In terms of gaming entertainment, UK players don't lack options. There is everything from the regulated national lottery to UK land-based casinos, poker and bingo. The past few years have seen an influx in online and mobile betting.

Online gaming in the UK is mostly favoured by those aged between 35 and 44. According to gambling statistics, the average Brit spends about £2.60 per week on gambling entertainment. Furthermore, the statistics reveal that those with higher earnings tend to spend about £4.20 per week on gaming. Lower-income players will average about £1.50 per week.

United States of America

The USA is a two-forked road where you'll find gambling-friendly states and others where gambling is still banned. Interestingly, it should be mentioned that 8 million gamblers make up over 39% of the US population. With the launch of mobile gaming, about 96% of online gamblers prefer to stay at home and play via mobile devices.

In USA states where gambling is legal and permitted, players have access to various entertaining betting options at land-based casinos and online. This varies from sports betting entertainment to slots, table games and live dealer games.

Studies found that the average American adult spends about $251 per year on lottery and casino entertainment. While those residing in Las Vegas, Nevada, spend almost $5,000 per year.

Canada

Canada has been known to have a liberal gaming approach, and surprisingly, it has managed to benefit from it. The Canadian gambling industry is considered one of the top global gambling industries. It's recognised for producing some of the best software providers and top casino sites in Canada.

Studies show that 76% - 79% of adult Canadians participate in gambling activities. The betting industry in Canada generates about $15.5 billion per year. In terms of game participation, it was found that players in Ontario casinos prefer slots.

Statistics show that 16% - 26% of players participate in online slots while 6% - 6.5% play table games.

Players spend about CA$25 when visiting a bar in a land-based casino in Canada and an average of CA$50+ while playing card and table games like Roulette, Craps, Blackjack and Poker. Slot players spend about CA$50 per visit to the casino.

You can also see the detailed infographic we made about the different countries and gambling there in 2020. Can you see the difference from 2020 to 2023?

Australia

In Australia, pokies are everywhere. Known to the rest of the world as slots, you can find these machines in almost every public establishment. Half of the adult Australian population loves to gamble and do so regularly.

Experts reported that Australians spend about $20 billion on electronic gaming machines, lotto and other gaming activities alone. The average Australian adult spends about $1,200 on online gambling every year.

While pokies are definitely favoured, there are plenty of different games that Australians can access, with esports and other sports betting options being just as popular.

The average person spends about $177 on horse racing betting in Australia. Statistics further show that around $1,017 in total is spent per year on casino games and $62 on sports betting. These stats are per person, of which the majority of bettors are men.

Published: January 29, 2023

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Article by Stelly

CasinoWow Contributor

Hey there! I am Stelly, and happily, I'm part of CasinoWow's content team. It excites me to be able to write and share with all gambling enthusiasts unbiased reviews and news that contribute to the gambling community and industry. Thankfully, I also have the chance to help you make an informed choice for casino brands and games, as well as provide interesting guides and news.

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