New Report Reveals Significant $14.1 Billion Social Impact of Gambling in Victoria

Overview of Victoria’s Gambling Harm Study

The Victorian State Government has released a comprehensive report aimed at measuring the social harms caused by gambling within the current regulatory environment. This study seeks to provide an evidence-based estimate of the broader costs associated with gambling to society.

Economic Impact Assessed at $14.1 Billion

Commissioned by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation and conducted in partnership with Central Queensland University, the research estimates that gambling-related harm could cost Victoria up to AUD 14.1 billion. This figure highlights the widespread consequences beyond just the affected individuals, extending to their families, workplaces, and communities.

Contributors and Key Findings

The study involved several researchers, including Matthew Browne, Catherine Tulloch, Vijay Rawat, Georgia Dellosa, Alex M. T. Russell, Nerilee Hing, Matthew Rockloff, and Chris Doran. Their work sheds light on the ripple effects of gambling harm that impact not only those directly involved but also those connected to them in various social contexts.

This latest estimate is notably higher than an earlier figure of AUD 7 billion, reaffirming the increasing recognition of gambling’s societal costs within Victoria.

Primary Drivers of Gambling Harm

The research identifies electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and sports betting as the main contributors, responsible for 80% of all losses statewide. This aligns with the understanding that poker machines are among the most accessible and frequently used gambling options.

Importantly, the study points out that EGMs have a disproportionate influence on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), indicating that users of these machines are more likely to experience severe gambling problems.

Possible Policy Responses: Restricting EGMs

The findings suggest that limiting access to EGMs could enhance consumer protection in Victoria. The study even raises the prospect of banning these machines as a measure to reduce gambling-related harm.

Context: Growing Calls for Regulation

This report emerges alongside advocacy by medical professionals across Australia who urge for stricter controls on social media advertising of poker machines. Concerns focus on the glamorization of this gambling form without appropriate warnings, which may encourage risky gambling behaviors, especially among vulnerable groups.