URGENT UPDATE: Australians are gaming online more than ever, with 16.8 million Australians visiting gaming websites and apps in June 2025. This marks a significant 3.9% increase from last year, highlighting a growing trend that transcends generations.
New data from Ipsos iris reveals that 75% of Australians aged 14 and over are engaging with online games across various devices. Surprisingly, the demographic that spends the most time gaming is not the youth but rather Australians aged 55–64, who average a staggering 19 hours per month on gaming activities. This shift challenges the long-held belief that gaming is primarily a pastime for the younger crowd.
Across the entire population aged 14 and older, the average time spent gaming each month is 9.8 hours, or approximately 20 minutes per day. Interestingly, both men and women dedicate similar time to gaming, although younger males (ages 14 to 24) are more inclined to seek additional gaming content, including live commentary and updates.
The data also indicates that 36% of Australian households own at least one gaming console, demonstrating an enduring interest in dedicated gaming hardware alongside mobile and desktop gaming. This trend underscores the mainstream acceptance of gaming as a digital pastime that appeals to all age groups.
In related news, while news consumption remained robust in June—21.05 million Australians accessed news websites or apps—the audience dipped slightly following the recent Federal election. Australians spent nearly five hours consuming digital news content, maintaining a steady engagement level compared to June 2024.
Key news stories capturing attention included the disappearance and alleged murder of Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop and ongoing developments in the Erin Patterson courtroom saga. Additionally, the 2025 NRL State of Origin series sparked considerable interest nationwide.
Globally, significant events such as the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine dominated headlines, with major developments drawing readers back for updates. The recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad also captured national attention, alongside the lavish wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, which made waves for its scale and celebrity guest list.
Online categories witnessing the most significant growth included energy suppliers/utilities, sports, and games. Year-on-year, the strongest performers were automotive content (+6.8%), homes and property (+5.5%), and games (+3.9%), indicating a notable shift in digital engagement preferences.
As digital habits evolve, Australians aged 14 and above are spending an average of 4.9 hours online daily, reflecting an 8.2% increase compared to last year.
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