Underreported Gambling Harm in Australia Reaches Critical Levels
Australia is grappling with an escalating gambling crisis, and recent research suggests the full scope of gambling-related damage is still largely unrecognized. Despite numerous government reviews and growing public concern, experts argue that effective measures to mitigate this harm are still lacking.
Escalating Losses and Hidden Impacts Underscore Urgent Reform Needs
A recent investigative report by ABC’s Four Corners has reignited the conversation on gambling regulations across the nation. The program exposed deep-rooted issues like conflicts of interest within regulatory bodies, undue influence from the gambling industry on political decisions, and close relationships between lawmakers and betting companies. Critics believe this cozy connection has allowed gambling operators to function with minimal oversight, often to the detriment of vulnerable populations.
Dr. Angela Rintoul, a research fellow at the University of Melbourne, highlights that the harms caused by gambling are frequently underestimated, particularly its link to suicide. Her findings reveal that gambling contributed to at least 4% of suicides in Victoria between 2009 and 2016, though she suspects the actual figure is much higher due to underreporting and incomplete investigations.
Australia continues to lead globally in gambling losses per capita, with projected losses reaching around AUD 32 billion ($21 billion) in 2024. Data from the Australian Gambling Research Centre’s National Gambling Prevalence Study reveals nearly two-thirds of adults engaged in betting last year. About 15% of these gamblers—over three million people—experienced gambling problems ranging from emotional distress and relationship breakdowns to serious financial difficulties.
Absence of Pokies Restrictions Fuels Addiction and Social Consequences
Electronic gaming machines, commonly known as pokies, remain the most destructive form of gambling. More than 15 years ago, the Productivity Commission recommended implementing a mandatory pre-commitment system allowing players to limit their spending. Unfortunately, no Australian state or territory has yet adopted this measure. Experts warn that the lack of such safeguards enables addiction to flourish, as players can use pokies anonymously without any mechanism to monitor losses.
Health professionals are increasingly concerned about the broader social impact linked to gambling, including rises in domestic violence and mental health problems. Research suggests that one in five households with a regular gambler is affected by intimate partner violence. Additionally, young men aged 18 to 35 are becoming more engaged with online sports betting, a trend amplified by heavy advertising through television and digital media.
Calls for stronger national regulation are growing, with proponents advocating for a unified, well-resourced oversight body to replace the fragmented state-based regulatory system. They also demand bans on political donations from gambling companies and tighter controls on marketing and advertising. Experts warn that without decisive government action, gambling-related harm will only intensify. Dr. Rintoul emphasizes that the issue is not just a social concern but a pressing public health emergency requiring immediate intervention.
