Each day across countries, millions of people across the globe are visiting online gambling websites as a means to have fun and spend their leisure time. While some people gamble simply to experience the thrill and the fun, there are also those who play to win.

As a result, this booming popularity of iGaming platforms allowed the entire industry to grow, continuously attracting a diverse audience eager for both entertainment and potential winnings. In New Zealand, around 7 in 10 adults take part in some form of gambling at least once a year. This widespread participation in the country reflects not only an interest in lottery and race and sports betting but also an interest in innovative gaming experiences offered by iGaming platforms.

Accordingly, researchers can’t help but compare it with its neighboring country, Australia, where iGaming has also seen a significant rise. Below, let us explore how Kiwis and Aussies differ in gambling behaviours, spending patterns, preferred payment methods, as well as, the contrasting legal frameworks and market sizes of both countries.

Gaming Habits

Gambling has long been one of the most popular forms of entertainment among New Zealanders or Kiwis. Across the country’s population, lotteries, sports betting, and playing in pokies machines or casino games in gaming websites are some of the most favored activities.

Considering that these games are among the legalised ones, these are the ones that attract a diverse range of participants. However, as Kiwi gamers embrace the digital revolution, many are now more inclined to play games in iGaming platforms. This has been one of the reasons for the growth of the online gambling market in New Zealand.

Interestingly, pokies are also popular among Kiwis, although their presence is more felt in physical venues than online considering that no New Zealand based companies are allowed to offer online casino types of gambling.

On the other hand, the Australian online gambling landscape is characterized by having a wider variety of gaming options. While it may be a bit similar with New Zealand where Aussie-based gaming companies are not allowed to offer online casino types of gambling, off-shore based companies are allowed to do so.

As such, many Aussies are playing online pokies and have been continuously on the hunt for the best paying online pokies in Australia, not only for convenience but also to maximize their entertainment. Accordingly, it has always been the habit of most Aussie gamers to check gaming review sites for recommendation lists of pokies sites that offer the best payouts.

Aside from online pokies, many Aussies are also avid fans of sport betting with horse racing and Australian Football among the most popular ones they bet on.  

Spending Patterns and Preferred Payment Methods

When it comes to spending, New Zealanders exhibit a relatively cautious approach. Despite Kiwis having a high disposable income and thus have more discretionary income to spend on their leisure activities, studies show that many are putting more emphasis on responsible gambling. As such, this translates into a more restrained spending pattern among the iGaming population.

In contrast, Aussies are more known for their heavier gambling expenditure. Studies have shown that Aussies are among the highest spenders on gambling around the world which has even spurred on due to the widespread availability of online gambling platforms, especially the offshore-based ones.

When it comes to financial transactions, Kiwis and Aussies exhibit differing preferences.

For Kiwis, cards both debit and credit remained to be the dominant payment methods. Accordingly, credit cards appear to be the main method for most Kiwis to top up their gaming accounts. However, young adults in New Zealand are discovering digital wallets and may be using them as alternative payment methods not only for the convenience but for the added layers of security and convenience.  

For Aussies, they have embraced a wide variety of payment methods. While credit and debit cards along with digital wallets remain popular, many Aussies are now venturing into cryptocurrencies due to lesser delay in processing of transactions and the added layer of security.

Respective iGaming Markets and Regulations

Lastly, regulations remain superior to both New Zealand and Australia. Both countries have prohibited their respective country-based gambling companies from offering online casino games to their citizens.

While New Zealand is relatively permissive when it comes to lotteries and race and sports betting, its online casino segment is among the very few in the world that is largely unregulated. As such, New Zealand is aggressively targeted by offshore online gambling sites.

In Australia, the landscape is more fragmented due to state-specific regulations they impose. One state may be relaxed in implementing legislations such as New South Wales while others are more restrictive such as Victoria. As a result, Aussies are frequently exposed to varying online gambling options by both local and offshore-based operators.

Final Thoughts

As a final note, while both Kiwis and Aussies treat online gambling as one of the most popular forms of entertainment, their behavior and attitude towards it are mainly shaped by their cultural attitudes and legal frameworks.

New Zealanders have a cautious approach when it comes to gambling as can be seen with their spending habits, adoption of digital payment methods, and better focus on responsible gambling. On the other hand, Aussies embrace the digital revolution that comes with online gambling. As such, they get to enjoy a more diverse and expansive gambling landscape.

Nevertheless, both countries are set on evolving and will likely hold new opportunities and challenges in their respective online gambling landscape.

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