Australia: Survey shows gambling increasingly prevalent, residents support banning betting advertising on TV

The Australian Institute of Family Studies has revealed the extent of harm gambling is causing to the country in a new survey. The research showed most surveyed participants believed there were "too many opportunities to gamble" and shows a majority of Australians support banning gambling advertising on TV.

The research found that 38% of the adult population gambled at least weekly. Three in four Australians gambled at least once during the past 12 months and, of those, almost half (46%) were classified as being at some risk of harm from wagering.

The survey of 1,765 people found that when people were exposed to wagering advertising, 21% were prompted to start betting for the first time, 28% tried a new form of betting, 29% said they “placed bets on impulse” and a third of people increased their betting. Young people were more likely to bet on impulse or increase their betting after seeing gambling ads.

Our new report shows a strong link between exposure to betting advertising and riskier #gambling behaviour: https://t.co/un7T6fixca
“…being exposed to these ads actually leads to riskier gambling behaviour, especially among young people...” – Dr Rebecca Jenkinson #BettingAds pic.twitter.com/vwxJ7KC753

— AIFS (@FamilyStudies) March 26, 2023

The  Australian Gambling Research Centre estimates two in three adults believed wagering advertising is “too common,” and 53% thought it “normalizes gambling among children. Exposure to wagering advertising had the greatest impact on young people aged 18-34 years and people at risk of gambling harm, with 1 in 5 young women and 1 in 7 young men starting betting for the first time after seeing or hearing an advertisement on television.”

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth and Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said the Government is taking further action to reduce the impact of gambling harm, including for online gamblers. “We are closely considering credit card betting as well as the regulation of games that contain gambling-like content, such as loot boxes and simulated gambling," she stated.

She also stated 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, including the effectiveness of current gambling advertising restrictions to limit children’s exposure to gambling products. 

“We know the harms that gambling causes – at an individual, family and societal level – including impacts on finances, relationships and health and wellbeing” - Dr Rebecca Jenkinson
Check out our new report: https://t.co/un7T6fixca#BettingAds #Gamblinghttps://t.co/0oiQFpkOYD

— AIFS (@FamilyStudies) March 26, 2023

Dr. Rebecca Jenkinson, Executive Manager of the Australian Gambling Research Centre, said the research clearly shows the potential harm that exposure to betting advertising can cause: “We know the harms that gambling causes - at an individual, family and societal level - including impacts on finances, relationships, and health and wellbeing.”

According to Jenkinson, this research shows that exposure to wagering advertising is leading to riskier betting behavior and escalating the likelihood of experiencing gambling harms. “Most believe sport and race betting is ‘too common’ (69%) and ‘makes sport less family friendly’ (60%)," she pointed out.

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, which will also help inform the Government’s future response.