Pokies, also known as poker machines or slot machines, are an incredibly popular pastime in Australia. So much so that the slang name for these machines, the word ‘pokies’ itself, originated in this country in the mid-1900s. Every Australian knows what pokies are and how popular they have become in their country, but who is actually playing them? In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the demographics that are regularly playing pokies in Australia and engaging in gambling on a wider scale.
Understanding ‘Pokies’
Pokies is a slang term for slot machines, or fruit machines, that originated in the mid-1900s in Australia and New Zealand. It is a common type of gambling game that, unlike other forms of gambling such as poker, does not rely on the skill of the player. Instead, it puts the likelihood of winning completely down to chance. When using these machines, players will ‘spin’ a reel and whatever symbols the reel lands on when it stops determines if and how much they win.
In pokies, there are a number of paylines that dictate when a payout should be given so it’s a good idea for a gambler to look for options with a high number of paylines. On top of this, when playing pokies, gamblers should also take into consideration the game’s volatility, its return to player rate and their own bankroll.
Pokies can be played in a number of brick-and-mortar institutions across Australia, including casinos and some pubs and clubs. However, by far the easiest way to engage with pokies is through the mass of online options available on the internet at this most popular list of online pokies. These sites not only give the gambler access to a vast amount of online pokies but also provide them with a whole cohort of additional bonuses and incentives when they do so, including but not limited to free spins and instant cashback.
General Statistics
A recent study, conducted by the Australian Gambling Research Centre in 2022, revealed that a staggering 73% of Australian adults engaged in gambling at least once during the 12 months. Although lotteries and scratch cards were the most popular, with 64% participating, pokies were revealed to also be a desirable choice, with 33% stating that they had used these machines. It was also revealed that 39% had engaged in race betting, with the most popular being horse race betting, and 34% in sports betting. It is clear from these results that gambling has become an integral part of life for many Australians.
The study also brought to light the fact that almost one quarter of respondents (23%) revealed that they had gambled on six or more different products during this period, and 38% reported that they gambled at least once a week. These statistics demonstrate the versatility of gambling options in Australia and their popularity with customers.
Men and Gambling
Out of all the demographics, pokies and gambling are most popular amongst Australian males. Those surveyed were asked about their activities regarding several different forms of gambling, including horse racing, casino table games and esports, and it was discovered that pokies was the second most popular option for this group after horse racing, with 54% suggesting that they had used a machine at least once in the 12-month period. The average age for men engaging with pokies was 39, which was significantly older than the average age of those who engaged with newer gambling options like esports and fantasy sports, with an average age of 32 and 33, respectively.
Women and Gambling
Despite being more popular with males, gambling and pokies are still a significantly popular pastime amongst Australian women. In a recent study, it was revealed that 27.5 % of Australian women had gambled on a poker machine during the twelve-month period. However, despite its popularity, three other forms of gambling, these being lotteries, scratch cards and horse racing, proved more popular. More generally, the study also revealed that 66.2% of Australian women had engaged with some kind of gambling during the year, which is significantly lower than the 80.3% of males who reported the same.
Young People and Gambling
When it comes to what young people enjoy, various studies have revealed that for those who have reached the legal age to gamble (18-19-year-olds), pokies are by far the most popular option. Almost half of the population, both male and female, of eighteen to nineteen-year-olds in Australia reported that they had spent money on gambling at least during 12 months. 30% of these then went on to reveal that the form of gambling they had engaged with was pokies, making this the most popular option for this demographic by a long shot and only followed by the 15% stating they had used instant scratch tickets.
Final Thoughts
Slot machines, or pokies, remain an incredibly popular gambling option for a variety of different demographics in Australia. Although they are most favoured by young people, various studies have revealed them to be a favourite amongst older men and women too. The reasons for their popularity are diverse, but are likely driven by their ease of accessibility and the fact that they do not require skill to use. On top of this, there is a lot of cultural acceptance and positivity surrounding pokies, and they can be found in a variety of different establishments, as well as online, which also increases how often they are used.
