September 25, 2025
The study states that 65% of Australians had gambled at least once in the previous 12 months, up from 57% in 2019, according to a survey of 3,881 adults conducted by the Australian Gambling Research Centre.
Furthermore, the data showed that approximately 3m Australians gamble in a harmful way, with problems linked to family violence, poor mental health and financial stress.
The nation’s most popular gambling activity is still the lottery, which is followed by sports betting, poker machines, instant scratch tickets and racing.
Rising Numbers and Increased Risks
Lead researcher Dr Gabriel Tillman noted that 15% of people surveyed reported experiencing gambling-related harm in the past year, compared to 11% in 2019.
“If we look at harm, 15% of people experienced gambling harm in the past 12 months and that is up from 11% in 2019,” he said, citing behaviours such as borrowing money, selling possessions, or even skipping meals to support gambling habits.
7.7% of monthly gamblers were classified as high-risk. The study found a strong correlation between high-risk gambling and serious financial hardship, intimate partner violence, and behavioural and cognitive health issues.
Concerns regarding the role of advertising targeted at younger audiences were raised by the fact that young people between the ages of 18 and 24 were almost twice as likely as older age groups to experience serious gambling harm.
State-by-state differences were also noted in the report; Queensland had the highest participation rate at 70.2%, followed by Western Australia at 69.6%. The lowest percentages, about 60%, were reported by Victoria and Tasmania.
Australians lose $32 bn (£23 bn) a year from legal gambling, more than any other country per capita, according to the Alliance for Gambling Reform.
Chief advocate Tim Costello attacked the federal government for not enacting the 2023 Murphy Report’s recommendations, which included a national gambling regulator and a ban on online advertising.
Speaking in support of its current policies, a government spokesperson cited the launch of BetStop, ID verification requirements for online gambling, restrictions on using credit cards for betting, and more stringent advertising regulations.
Garrett Kerman is a writer for ESI. He is a seasoned sports and gambling industry news writer and betting analyst. Known for his sharp predictions and in-depth coverage, he provides valuable insights into betting trends and news. Whether it’s in-depth matchups or predictions, Garrett delivers expert analysis and news that resonates with fans and bettors alike.