A second phase of a national online survey examining the online gambling habits of Australian players has been launched by two leading Australian universities.
The University of Sydney and the Southern Cross University have launched the survey in order to observe how Australian players use their smart phones, computers, smart TV’s and wireless devices in order to play online poker and casino games and bet on sports events.
According to Professor Alex Blaszcynski from the University of Sydney, they are hoping to be guided as to the development of policies which could eventually help in protecting those who play as a pastime as well as those players who are at risk of developing gambling problems by gaining a better understanding of the characteristics, extent and patterns of involvement of internet users in Australia.
Australians spend more than $1 billion by wagering at offshore sites according to recent statistics. These players do not have many regulations to protect them.
Dr. Sally Gainsbury, the leading researcher from the Center for Gambling Education and Research at Southern Cross University, revealed that research has shown that although gambling online can put one at risk, it is felt that players can be protected by being provided with a regulated environment with responsible gaming features and tools.
Professor Blaszcynski praised the recent interim review of the current laws governing gambling in Australia where at least 30 recommendations were made to ensure the protection of consumers while gambling online.
The first phase of the Australian online gambling survey showed that –
• Internet gamblers had higher incomes, worked full time or were students, and were either married or lived with their partners. A high proportion of non internet gamblers had never been married.
• The majority of Australian online gambler partook in race wagering and sports betting, followed by online poker, casino games and lottery.
• 94% of online gamblers did so from home on their personal computers. 6% wagered on their mobile phones
• Half of the internet gamblers began doing so before 2006.
