Two in five Australians gamble every week, report shows

Three quarters of Australians have gambled at least once in the past year while almost two in five gamble weekly, new data shows. 

The Australian Gambling Research Centre found lotteries and scratchies were the most common products used (64 per cent), followed by racing (38 per cent), sports betting (34 per cent) and pokies (33 per cent).

Almost half of those who gambled were classified as being at some risk of gambling harm, including mental health issues and unmanageable debt. 

When it comes to gambling ads, three quarters of Australian adults reported seeing or hearing sports or race betting advertisements at least once a week in the past 12 months.

Two in five were exposed to those ads four or more times a week. 

Twenty-one per cent of people were prompted to start betting for the first time after seeing an ad, while 34 per cent increased the amount they spent. 

“Exposure to wagering advertising is leading to riskier betting behaviour and escalating the likelihood of experiencing gambling harms,” the research centre’s executive manager Rebecca Jenkinson said.

“The report also captures the concerns of the Australian public that wagering advertising normalises gambling activity.”

Seventy-seven per cent of Australians believe there are too many opportunities to gamble, while 59 per cent say it should be discouraged.

The federal government has said it is committed to reducing gambling harm.

From this week, consistent messaging will be used across the country while wagering service staff will be required to complete new training around gambling harm. 

In the coming months, the federal government will also implement the first national self-exclusion register called BetStop.

Communication Minister Michelle Rowland said the program will allow people to exclude themselves from all licensed interactive wagering services.

“We are closely considering credit card betting as well as the regulation of games which contain gambling-like content, such as loot boxes and simulated gambling,” Ms Rowland said.

“The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs is currently conducting an inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm.

“We eagerly await the committee’s report.”