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Home | Harms of Gambling in Australia

Gambling harm

Gambling, like any other addiction, is a chronic disease, not a personal weakness or a moral failing. Australians spend more on gambling per capita each year than any other country, around $1300 per adult.[1]

Gambling harm is any adverse consequence related to gambling activity. Gambling harm is about more than losing money and extends beyond the individual, impacting loved ones and communities. For every person experiencing harm because they gamble, another six experience harm because of that gambling.[2]

Gambling harm ranges from minor consequences to major crises, and the harm experienced is not always proportionate to the gambling participation.[3] Gambling harm can include relationship difficulties, health concerns, psychological or emotional distress, financial problems, issues with work or study, cultural issues, and criminal activity.

Because gambling harm is so widespread in Australia, and affects so many people, it is critical that we look at ways to support people who want to stop or lessen their gambling activity, and prevent harm from occurring wherever possible.

In June 2023, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs inquiry report, “You Win Some, You Lose More: Online Gambling and its Impacts on those Experiencing Gambling Harm”, was released, outlining 31 recommendations to reform the gambling industry, with one key recommendation being a comprehensive ban on online gambling advertising within three years.[4]

$25b approx. lost on gambling each year

Australians lose approximately $25 billion on legal forms of gambling each year.99[5]

In 2022, three in four (73 per cent) of Australians aged over 18 reported gambling in the past 12 months.[6]

Most common gambling products

The most common gambling products Australians spend money on are lotteries and scratchies (64 per cent), horse racing (38 per cent), sports betting (34 per cent) and poker machines (33 per cent).[7]

We have the power to make a difference

We can urge action from our governments

Gambling harm minimisation, prevention, and consumer protections need to be at the centre of any gambling-related legislation and policy across the country. To support that, governments need to reduce their reliance on gambling tax revenue.

Regulatory and policy interventions need to focus on consumer protections and preventing harm. Measures such as banning online gambling advertising, reducing availability of poker machines in the most stressed communities, and increasing the obligations on gaming venues to identify gambling behaviour that could lead to harm, could have a real impact in reducing harm.

Funding for early intervention and prevention programs to prevent harms associated with gambling from occurring is more effective than only providing support after harm has occurred.

We can implement change in our community and our workplaces

One major thing we can do in our workplaces and community groups is to ensure that social events and activities are not centred around gambling. Being sensitive to the possibility that some of our colleagues and friends may be experiencing gambling harm might lead us to avoid gaming venues for social events or forgo “office sweeps” on sporting matches.

We can also make sure that our workplaces and social groups do not perpetuate stigma around seeking help to reduce gambling (such as self-exclusion programs or counselling) and that our Employee Assistance Programs are available to help employees who may want to access help and support.

We can have influence in our personal lives

In our own lives, we can recognise that a person exhibiting concerning addictive behaviour around gambling is dealing with a health issue and not a personal weakness. It might be that we have friends and family who are experiencing gambling harm and, by the way we talk about gambling, we can reduce the stigma around seeking help.

  1. Boyle, C., Joshi, A., & Jenkinson, R. (2021). Understanding gambling harm and ways to identify those at risk. [Link] ↩︎

  2. Goodwin, B.C., Browne, M., Rockloff, M., & Rose, J. (2017). A typical problem gambler affects six others. International Gambling Studies, 17(2), 276–289. [Link] ↩︎

  3. Boyle, C., Joshi, A. & Jenkinson, R. (2021). Understanding gambling harm and ways to identify those at risk. [Link] ↩︎

  4. Parliament of Australia. (2023). You win some, you lose more. [Link] ↩︎

  5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Gambling in Australia. [Link] ↩︎

  6. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Gambling in Australia. [Link] ↩︎

  7. Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2023). Gambling participation and experience of harm in Australia. [Link] ↩︎

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