Profits from Internet Gambling in Australia Keep Growing

Australia’s online gambling market is growing; software supplier Aristocrat has announced a five-fold increase in online revenues.

Looking at the latest financial reports released by Australian gambling equipment, software and games supplier Aristocrat, it appears that online gambling sites in Australia have become quite popular over the past few years.

The company just posted a significant increase in revenue from online activities. The group’s internet and social gaming operations have recorded an amazing 147% year-to-year growth and has reached AUD 19.5 million. For the six months ending March 31, Aristocrat’s income was much higher than the company expected. Revenues went up 7.6% and net profit after tax by 9.1%.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization have gone up 4.7%, from AUD 95.4 million in 2013 to AUD 99.9 million. With the first half of 2014 being such a successful period for the gaming firm, Aristocrat has announced that its leading position in the Asia Pacific markets is safe.

The future is online

Gambling is a popular pastime in the land Down Under and locals are huge fans of casino games and betting. This is why it seems quite unusual that Australian gambling laws don’t allow operators to obtain a license for online casinos. Clearly, it would be a profitable market. However, gamblers can opt for foreign operators if they want to gamble on the Internet and figures show that more and more of them do so.

“Aristocrat has reported positive performance over the six months to 31 March 2014 building on our established trajectory of NPAT growth,” Aristocrat CEO Jamie Odell said. “These gains flow directly from the rapid improvements we are making in the breadth, depth and competitiveness of our game portfolios, which have been exceptionally well received by customers and players across our priority segments.

“The performance of our online business represents an exciting and expanding value stream. It is quickly developing meaningful reach and performance momentum, and it’s clear our strategy of leveraging premium Aristocrat content to drive user numbers and profitability is gaining traction.

“We anticipate strong NPAT growth over the twelve months to 30 September 2014 largely driven by improving operational performance across key markets and segments, partly offset by higher DandD investment as we build for the future, in line with our strategy,” he added.

Australia – “second home”

Another gambling company that’s doing very well in Australia is William Hill. The British bookmaker’s latest financial reports show an 18% increase in revenue, reaching an impressive GBP 1.48 billion. Operating profit grew 3% to GBP 335 million and 48% of this figure came via the company’s online and Australian operations.

Aristocrat games

The Sydney-based company is a premium supplier of software and services to the international gaming industry. Titles released by Aristocrat include:

• 5 Dragons Legends
• The Red Empress
• Sparkling Royal Jackpot Streak
• Queen Of The Nile Legends
• The Red Empress

In 2013 acquisitions, the company bought the Australian Sportingbet/Centrebet brands, as well as a website. Since then, Australia has been so kind to William Hill that chief executive officer Ralph Topping referred to the country as Hill’s “second home”.

Meanwhile, the betting operator is working on shifting its offer from offline to online, with an improved Sportingbet site. In addition, TomWaterhouse.com will be moved to William Hill’s Australian platform.

As the demand for online betting and casino games in Australia continues to grow, gambling operators are trying to bring fresh offers and products to the local market. Australian players can expect to have more varied gambling options in the future.