Gambling harm in Australia is on the rise. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Personal harm stemming from addictive gambling in Australia is significantly growing, according to new government-conducted research.
As is its link to other serious issues including suicidal thoughts, intimate partner violence and financial stress.
The Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC), an arm of the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), has released its National Gambling Prevalence Study Pilot.
Based on a nationally representative survey of 3881 Australian adults, the study was conducted in 2024.
According to the research, nearly two in three (65%) Australian adults gambled at least once in the last year and more than one in seven (15%) experienced gambling-related harm.
It represents an increase of 8 and 4 percentage points respectively since 2019. Nearly one in three adults (32%) gamble at least monthly.
An estimated 3.1 million adults (15%) experienced harm such as feeling guilty and stressed about their gambling, borrowing money or selling items to fund gambling, or going back another day to try to win back lost money.
Among high-risk gamblers, 16 per cent reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, compared to 4 per cent of low-risk gamblers, while 19 per cent of those whose partner gambled weekly or more reported experiences of intimate partner violence, compared to 7 per cent whose partners did not gamble.
AGRC research fellow Gabriel Tillman said the findings showed the growing impact of gambling on individuals, families and communities.
“We know gambling can cause deep harm to individuals and families, profoundly impacting relationships, mental health, work and other aspects of life,” Dr Tillman said.
“The fact more than three million Australian adults are experiencing harms from their gambling, and these numbers have increased in recent years despite harm-reduction measures, should concern Australians.”
Sixty-six per cent of high-risk gamblers reported serious financial stress, such as going without meals or selling belongings to cope.
Younger adults were found to be particularly affected, with 18 to 24 year-olds who gambled regularly nearly twice as likely to be at high risk of harm compared to older age groups.
Among First Nations Australians, 27 per cent reported experiencing gambling harms, almost double the rate of non-Indigenous Australians.
AIFS director Liz Neville said the findings highlighted the need for rigorous approaches to understanding the size and nature of the problem as part of a framework for monitoring current harm-reduction measures.
“This pilot study gives us a clearer picture of the scale of the issue, who is most affected, and how policy and regulation need to keep pace,” Ms Neville said.
“The current harm-reduction initiatives need to be carefully examined and tested in view of this evidence, with ongoing measurement making for more impactful responses over time.
“Gambling is pervasive and we need a more robust approach to helping families and communities, as well as the individuals affected by their own gambling.”
Other key findings from the study revealed that in the 12 months prior to October 2024, lotteries were the most common activity, followed by scratch tickets, poker machines, race betting and sports betting.
Gambling participation varied by state, with Queensland (70.2%), Western Australia (69.6%), and South Australia (67.9%) reporting the highest rates. Victoria (60%) and Tasmania (59.9%) recorded the lowest.
The Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory prevalence rates were omitted from the study for not meeting reliability standards.
The study showed men were more likely than women to gamble regularly (36% to 28%) and to engage in riskier forms such as race and sports betting.
Women were more likely to favour scratch tickets and bingo.
Australians collectively lose $32 billion on legal forms of gambling annually – the largest per capita losses of any country in the world.
The study pilot was developed with the aim of establishing a wider, ongoing research effort to track trends, evaluate policy and guide future reforms.
The remit of AIFS, a Federal Government statutory agency established in 1980 under the Family Law Act 1975, is to conduct high-quality, impartial research into the wellbeing of Australian families, inform government policy and promote evidence-based practice in the family services sector.
AIFS incorporates the AGRC, established under the Gambling Measures Act 2012. Its director governs AGRC’s operations.
AIFS operates within the portfolio of the Department of Social Services and is responsible to the Social Services Minister.
If you or someone you know is experiencing gambling-related issues, call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit its website to chat with a trained professional online.
