Whenever many outsiders look at Australia, their attention is immediately drawn to the vast open spaces and wonderful scenery. But if we delve into the beating heart of metropolitan areas, we also find exceptional creative flair, driving the country ahead at a lightning pace in the digital age.
In fact, Australia has quickly become one of the key international hubs for the gaming industry. This is a country filled with remarkably talented people, which is also welcoming of incomers who can add further fuel to the flames of growth, largely thanks to a burning desire to be at the forefront of technological advancements on the global stage. Within the beating heart of those advancements is the gaming industry.
Established & Thriving iGaming Scene
With so many terms and phrases attached to the gaming industry, due to the wide scope of activities and inherently profound spectrum of diversity, iGaming is the word referring to most forms of gambling and betting across the internet. Primary focus leans towards the provision of content management software and games for online casinos, alongside core technology that drives the vast majority of sports betting platforms.
Now that iGaming and gambling are considered to be firmly part of the mainstream, the options are greater than ever before. This is never more clearer than observing reviews covering top Australian online poker sites, given this area of online casino gaming now boasts impressive variety. Alongside classic versions of the popular card game, successfully converted for our digital consumption, we now have live poker dealers and intriguing variants.
Checking the number and variety of poker games available at leading casino sites, this is always recommended by expert casino reviewers, who also highlight reputation and safety as important considerations when choosing where to play. This is always advantageous when seeking the most appealing ways to play poker online, given that legitimate casino sites must adhere to stringent Australian regulations, guaranteeing fairness and transparency.
Quite liberal socially insofar as acceptance towards online gambling is concerned, Australia is now home to many of the world’s most prominent iGaming platforms. Just as importantly, this forms part of a larger network of keystone development studios, many of which are producing some of the most innovative technological advances, often duplicated and utilised within other niches of mainstream gaming.
International Recognition Backed by Local Support
Leading international publishers and studios have long maintained roots Down Under, including Microsoft, who released Flight Simulator World Update VII: Australia in January 2023. Deeply involved in the new release was Orbx Simulation Systems, who proved to be an ace up the sleeve for the huge American multinational corporation, as the Melbourne developer brought major graphical improvements and enhanced the user experience.
Other major publishers include AAA gaming companies have setup bases in Australia, including the likes of Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive, while Nintendo has long maintained established foundations for development with local studios. Many of those local studios are also propelling themselves into the global spotlight, rising from the indie gaming sphere to compete at the highest levels.
Indeed, it’s fair to say that Aussie companies now holds all the cards, having become recognised as major players in the gaming industry. Last year, the Interactive Games & Entertainment Industry spoke very positively, firmly of the belief that Australia is the next big games hub. Major companies continue looking to developers here as key partners, while new startups are constantly emerging and flourishing.
This is largely thanks to the proactive stance taken by national and state governments, encouraging further growth via subsidies and tax benefits, specifically targeting the digital arena by supporting the game development industry. Although similar incentives are provided in many other countries, none seem to be resulting in the impressive levels of gaming industry growth currently enjoyed by Australia.
Recruitment Opportunities Are Rocketing
Thanks to the high levels of confidence within the industry itself, and the invaluable support of both local organisations and government bodies, the gaming sphere of influence in Australia continues to expand rapidly. In fact, data released towards the end of last year indicated that during the 2021-2022 financial year, games development employment rose by 59%. And just like any savvy poker player, local companies are betting on continued success.
Fuelled by income generated that surpassed $280 million over the last twelve months, rising 26% compared to the previous fiscal period, Australian developers continue cashing in their chips to make further investments. Small developers are now becoming medium-sized entities, employing more than 100 people, indicating that 2023 will herald another period of impressive expansion. Right now, it seems that Australia really is the place to be in gaming.
