The lottery is loved in Australia for its fun and the enormous potential winnings that players can get. Accessibility from numerous providers is also a key factor for lottery popularity in Australia. Most recently, the internet has made it easier for players to access lotteries without making the trip to the ticket seller.
Australia has a population of around 25.9 million people. In 2018, about 10.6 million adults (18+) gambled. Of these, 8.6 million (~44%) purchased a lottery ticket. That is a strong indicator of the popularity of lotteries in the country.
The price of tickets is also a key incentive. The $1 lottery ticket is listed in an article titled 'Why we play the lottery despite knowing we will not win.' Huge jackpots and the thrill of near misses are also named as incentives in the article.