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By the end of 2023, revenue for the mobile games market in Australia is expected to surpass AU$3.5 billion, following the consistent growth patterns of the last decade. This comes despite a slight downturn in year-on-year growth elsewhere around the world, as players Down Under increasingly turn their attention to mobile gaming platforms.
Aussie mobile numbers are positive
According to detailed market research published via Statista, beyond the positive numbers for 2023, the mobile gaming industry in Australia is expected to continue booming. Based on the projections of leading financial institutions, revenues are tipped to grow by 6% until 2027, when the mobile gaming industry in the country will be worth around AU$4.4 billion.
Insofar as the Android vs. iOS balance of power between smartphone operating systems is concerned, 52.9% of Australians prefer using Android, compared to 47.1 with iOS platforms. This would indicate that Apple is gradually making further inroads, even if Android continues to hold the edge when it comes to market share.
Still, opinions continue to remain mixed regarding which OS provides the better gaming experience, although devices quality and specifications tend to have the biggest impact on performance. But perhaps most intriguing of all, Australians are more likely to spend money on Android gaming, compared to the global averages.
Recent mobile gaming statistics via 42matters produced some interesting figures, when looking at how game developers and publishers monetise their apps. They found that in Australia, 9% of game releases must be purchased, while 40% feature in-app purchases. This compares to 4% for purchased apps and 20% for in-app purchases globally. Aussies are more likely to spend money on mobile gaming, and this is also influenced by a thriving online gambling industry.
The buzz around mobile pokies
Did you know that per head of population, more people gamble regularly in Australia than anywhere else in the world? Betting and wagering are firmly established in popular culture Down Under, dating all the way back to the end of the 19th century, when horse racing was rising in popularity and the first poker machines began arriving.
In fact, pokier machines is what led to the “pokies” name in Aussie slang, and they have inevitably evolved with time and technology. Indeed, based on the latest Android app statistics for October 2023 via AppBrain, the top grossing mobile game is Lightning Link Casino Slots. This is the modern counterpart of the many physical machines, often found at bricks-and-mortar casinos, and numerous pubs or clubs throughout the country.
Arguably one of the most diverse and varied niches of casino gaming, pokies now come in all manner of styles and themes, providing a huge variety of gameplay options. From games based around hit movies and TV shows to pokies featuring chart-topping musical acts, developers have designed the spinning reels that appeal to every preference.
Now the best Australian online pokies are mostly played via Android platforms, finding the safest sites can be quite challenging, although sites like Top Australia Gambling do provide in-depth research and honest reviews. This includes a keen emphasis on mobile casino sites, including the range of pokies available, plus important information about bonuses and extensive guides.
No signs of decline
Based on the most recent Digital Australia reports, published in January 2023, smartphone penetration has now reached 81% of the total population, and this is expected to reach around 87% by early 2026. So long as those numbers keep increasing, the uptake for mobile gaming and online gambling is likely to keep apace, given that both are increasingly ranking as two of the most popular pastimes.
Regardless of the recent decline in market share, providing it provides the most cost effective option for devices and operating system packages, Android should also continue to maintain an edge over iOS in Australia. In this regard, tracking upcoming technologies and trends will certainly be interesting in the next couple of years.