Australia Faces Rising Tide of Risky Gambling, ANU Study Finds
Rising Concerns Over Risky Gambling in Australia
A recent survey by The Australian National University (ANU) reveals a troubling increase in risky gambling behaviors among Australians, reaching the highest level recorded in six years. This research highlights growing public health concerns linked to gambling activities across the country.
Insights from the ANU Research
The study assessed the extent of gambling-related harm using the Problem Gambling Severity Index, a tool that measures the negative consequences of gambling such as spending beyond one’s means. In the past year, nearly one in five Australian adults (19.4%) reported gambling at levels considered risky. This analysis, led by researchers including Dr. Markus Hahn and Professor Nicholas Biddle, draws on data from the ongoing ANUpoll public opinion survey.
Associate Professor Aino Suomi, the lead author, noted a steady decline in overall gambling participation in Australia over the past fifteen years. However, she highlighted a concerning rise in harmful gambling patterns recently, closely linked to a dramatic increase in online gambling, which now represents over half of all gambling activity nationwide.
Professor Suomi explained that the shift towards online gambling has moved much of this activity into private homes. This change is associated with increased gambling frequency, riskier behaviors, and elevated psychological distress among participants. The report warns that gambling harm is becoming an escalating crisis in Australia, a claim that is supported by findings from the Australian Gambling Research Centre.
Who Is Most Vulnerable and What Gambling Methods Are Popular?
The profile of online gamblers tends to differ from the general gambling population. Online gamblers are typically younger adults, mostly men aged 25 to 34, often employed full-time with higher income levels, and usually possess trade qualifications or diplomas.
Lottery tickets remain the most popular form of gambling, bought by 41.3% of the population, followed by scratch and raffle tickets, electronic gambling machines, and race betting. Sports betting, while accounting for only 7% of gambling activities, has grown significantly from 4.7% the previous year and features the highest online participation rate.
Race betting, lotteries, and raffles also have notable online engagement, reflecting the easy accessibility of legal online gambling platforms across Australia. Additionally, the use of illegal online gambling options, such as pokies and casino table games, has doubled since last year, presenting further challenges for regulators and support services.
