Australia Online Gambling And Mobile Internet Trends Report

Australia’s communications regulator has released updated data showing continued high internet access levels alongside stable participation in online gambling. The figures appear in the Communications and media in Australia series report examining digital behaviour, connectivity patterns, and consumer interaction with online services. The data highlights widespread device use, expanding mobile adoption, and consistent online wagering engagement among adults.

The report indicates that 38 percent of Australian adults participated in at least one form of online gambling during the six months leading to June 2025. Lottery participation remained the dominant activity among online gamblers, with 80 percent choosing lottery products. This proportion has shown little movement since 2019.

Demographic differences appear in betting preferences. Men recorded higher participation in sports betting than women, with figures standing at 21 percent compared with 12 percent. The same pattern applied to wagering on racing events, where male participation reached 21 percent while women recorded 14 percent. Regional residents showed stronger engagement with racing bets than metropolitan populations, with 21 percent compared with 14 percent.

These participation figures exist within a population where internet access is almost universal. The regulator’s broader research does not evaluate gambling expenditure or harm indicators but focuses on usage behaviour within the digital environment.

Internet connectivity across Australia remained steady. In June 2025, 99 percent of adults reported having internet access at home, including access through mobile networks. Fixed or wireless home internet connections reached 93 percent, with most connected through the National Broadband Network.

Device usage also stayed widespread. Almost all adults used at least one device to access the internet in the six months to June 2025, maintaining levels observed since 2020. Australians increasingly accessed the internet across multiple devices, averaging 4.1 different device types in 2025 compared with 3.7 a year earlier. Forty percent reported using five or more connected devices.

Mobile phones remained the primary gateway to online services. Usage reached 97 percent of adults in 2025, with most users accessing the internet multiple times each day. Older age groups recorded significant increases in mobile adoption, with usage among those aged 75 and above rising to 88 percent from 18 percent recorded in 2017. These patterns suggest continued expansion of digital engagement across age segments.

Internet data consumption increased modestly. Australians downloaded 14.4 million terabytes of data across broadband and mobile networks in the three months to December 2024. This represented a 4 percent increase compared with the same quarter a year earlier. Most downloads occurred through the National Broadband Network, while mobile data usage showed a notable rise.

Beyond gambling, several online activities experienced renewed growth. Access to news and information online rose to 94 percent. Use of applications to interact with government services increased to 75 percent, while video conferencing activity reached 58 percent. These figures align closely with levels recorded in 2023 after slight declines in earlier reporting periods.

Smart televisions, laptops, tablets, and other connected devices continued to contribute to diversified internet access. Smart TV usage reached 64 percent of adults, while laptop usage remained stable at 73 percent. Increased device ownership and varied access methods indicate a mature digital ecosystem where multiple connection points support daily online activity.

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The regulator’s tracking survey underlines a stable pattern of online gambling participation within a highly connected population. With nearly universal internet access and widespread mobile usage, digital gambling remains accessible across Australia. At the same time, the report frames these figures within broader communication and media trends rather than focusing on financial outcomes or risk measures.

Overall findings describe a population with sustained internet access, increasing reliance on mobile devices, and consistent participation in selected online activities, including gambling.

Source:

, acma.gov.au, February 2026