Industry facts, statistics and information
Australia’s licensed online wagering service
providers pay some of the highest tax rates in
the world, with more than 51 cents in every
dollar of revenue paid solely in taxes and fees
in Australia before any other business expense.
In FY2023/24 RWA members paid $1.265 billion
in taxes and fees. These taxes included $1.05
billion to state and territory governments through
Point of Consumption Tax, Product Fees,
Racing Fees, Payroll Tax and Licensing Fees
and $215 million to the Federal Government
in GST and Corporate Income Tax.
Around $1.016 billion is spent by Australians each year on overseas gambling websites which offer online pokies and other casino games. As these sites are unlicensed, they operate illegally and don’t pay taxes like Australian wagering service providers do. Illegal offshore gambling sites are expected to cost the Australian economy more than $3 billion from 2022 – 2027.
36% of Australia’s online gambling market is offshore
meaning Australians lose a staggering $3.9 billion dollars each year,
expected to grow to $5 billion by 2029. Over the next 5 years
governments will forego $2 billion dollars in revenue and sports
and racing will lose almost $800 million. These sites offer no consumer protections, no recourse if something goes wrong and no guarantee you’ll get your winnings paid out. They pay no tax, contribute nothing to sports and racing or the economy and target minors and vulnerable Australians including those registered on BetStop.
In FY2023/24, RWA members directly contributed
more than $500 million to Australian racing and
sporting codes through product fees and
sponsorships. This included $385.2 million in
product fees paid to racing codes, over $80
million in product fees to sporting codes, and
$41.2 million invested in sponsorships that
support the sustainability and growth of both
sectors. These contributions play a critical role in
funding grassroots programs, elite competitions,
and the broader sport and racing ecosystem
across Australia.
The online wagering industry contributes
more than $5.8 billion to the Australian economy
each year and supports more than 32,000 jobs.
Online sports wagering is governed by over 17,000 pages of state and federal regulation. Additionally, Australia’s licensed wagering sector is accountable to 26 different regulatory bodies that oversee/analyse operations.