Australian Gambling Survey Considers Impact of Mobile Casinos

Mobile gambling

Accessing the internet while on the move is easier than ever before, and it has some Australians concerned about a potential rise in mobile gambling.

A survey on problem gambling in Australia will soon be conducted in New South Wales, and will include an investigation into the impact of mobile phone gambling. The study, called “Prevalence of Gambling and Problem Gambling in NSW”, is funded by a grant of up to $250,000 from the Responsible Gambling Fund. It will involve interviewing 10,000 Australians about their gambling habits. The project will begin in March 2011, and will conclude late next year.

“The study will examine the habits of gamblers over the last 12 months including the most popular gambling products, frequency of gambling, expenditure, the days and times they are most likely to gamble, and their demographic information,” said NSW Gaming and Racing Minister Kevin Greene.

“It will also look at the impact of technology such as online gambling and the easy access afforded by mobile phones, other hand-held devices and laptops.”

Mobile gambling is a fairly new phenomenon. It allows gamblers to load casino games onto their mobile phones, and to play them with real money whenever and wherever they like. Mobile casino games are available for a number of devices, including Android and iPhone.