Fantasy sports is a popular entertainment activity in America, as well as in Australia. Millions of Americans and Aussies enjoy various fantasy sports games, such as football, soccer, hockey, and basketball.
Statistics show the United States has over 60 million players and Australia 2.4 million. Many factors have contributed to its growing popularity in both countries. They include cheap and reliable internet data connection, increased smartphone ownership, and fewer legal restrictions.
However, there are some contrasting behaviors of American and Australian gamers that influence them to participate in fantasy sports. Dive in and learn about them.
What are Fantasy Sports?
Fantasy sports involve assembling virtual or imaginary teams composed of proxies of actual professional athletes. The fantasy teams compete based on the actual statistical performance of the players in real games throughout the league.
Best of all, many platforms offer rewards and cash prizes to gamers. You get a prize when you have the highest points at the end of a season. It could be a trophy, clothing, or any merchandise. Paid contests also have a cash prize pool and require an entry fee to join them. However, only the top finishers get a share of it.
The most popular games include fantasy football, rugby, soccer, hockey, and basketball. They also feature many leagues, including the NFL, MLB, Australian Football League, NBA, National Hockey League, and Cricket World Cup.
Status of the American and Australian Fantasy Sports Markets
The USA dominates the global fantasy sports market, with North America taking the lead. It has a large user base and many established platforms. North America’s daily market size is growing at a 12.90% CAGR and is expected to reach $13.21 billion in 2024. Statistics further show that it will continue to rise to $24.23 billion by 2029.
On the other hand, Australia’s daily fantasy sports market is also rising steadily. The number of players has increased to over 2.4 million, which was less in the early years. Many big companies in Australia, like Dream11, Moneyball, and Springfree Trampoline, have also heavily invested in the industry. You will find several AUS platforms for your fantasy gaming adventures.
Contrasting Behaviors of American and Australian Gamers Influencing Fantasy Sports Participation
1. Mobile Gaming Trends
Mobile gaming is a popular trend in the United States. Statistics show that over 200 million Americans play video games on handheld devices. With this in mind, many companies in the country have optimized their platforms for mobile devices. This has attracted many mobile gamers to fantasy sports games.
Not only that, but others have developed dedicated apps. Americans download and install them from the Play Store to enjoy the games on smartphones and tablets. Some include Yahoo Fantasy Sports, ESPN, FanDuel, and DraftKings. Furthermore, some of them also support online casinos for real money. So, besides fantasy sports, you can also enjoy real betting on your favorite team or spin some reels on your mobile.
Australia’s mobile gaming market is also booming because of the high smartphone ownership in the country. Research shows that 81% of Aussies play video games, and the percentage keeps on growing every year.
Several companies in the country understand this and have created dedicated apps and launched mobile-friendly platforms. This has attracted many new Aussie players. Some popular apps include Moneyball, Super Coach, NRL Fantasy, Draftstars, SportChamps, and AFL Fantasy.
2. Cultural Nuances
Americans are heavy sports consumers, and over 70% of the population are sports fans. Many religiously follow specific teams in different sports and leagues. This includes NFL, soccer, hockey, and baseball. Americans embrace fantasy sports because it gives them a golden chance to engage more with their teams.
Australia is also a sporting country that hosts several sports events. They include cricket, tennis, basketball, and football, among others. So, there’s grassroots participation in sports throughout the country. This has enabled Aussies to pick interest in fantasy sports. Many Aussies enjoy traditional and free fantasy football varieties, tracking NRL and AFL regular seasons.
3. Major Sporting Leagues
The United States has several major sporting leagues with millions of fans. They include NBA, NHL, MLB, and NFL and are available in the fantasy sports market. This attracts many fans. For instance, statistics show that 17% or one in five NFL fans play fantasy football. The fanbase of each sporting league contributes greatly to player participation in its fantasy leagues.
In contrast, Australia also has several popular leagues followed by many Aussies. AFL and NRL were the first to feature in the country’s daily market, and fans embraced their fantasy leagues. In 2023, SuperCoach introduced NBL and BBL, which expanded the market. Aussies also now participate in leagues in global sports, including the NBA, the Premier League, and the NFL.
4. Demographics
Statistics from the Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association show that Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 take the lead in playing fantasy sports games. They account for 48% of all players in the country and the males are more than females. In this industry, the percentage of male gamers in the United States is 64%, while that of females is 35%.
Australia’s market is also most dominated by men. Studies show that nine in 10 daily fantasy sports players in the country are men between the ages of 18 and 40. Women’s participation is still low in Australia but will improve with time.
Fantasy Sports Consumption is Growing in America and Australia
The thrill of competition, love of sports, and improving technology are responsible for growing fantasy sports consumption in both countries. Americans and Aussies are huge sports fans and engage in many sporting leagues. This explains why they embrace fantasy sports with open arms.
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