Australia has long carried a reputation as one of the world’s heaviest gambling nations. New reports shed further light on the scale of gambling harm gripping the nation, revealing that addiction numbers are rising despite the government’s efforts. The data have prompted health professionals to push for further reforms as the societal costs of problem gambling reach tens of billions of dollars.
The Newest Data Raised Alarms
The National Gambling Prevalence Study Pilot, released by the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) at the Institute of Family Studies, surveyed nearly 4,000 adults in 2024. Its findings paint a grim picture: 65% of Australians had gambled in the past year, compared to 57% in 2019. More concerning is that 15%, roughly 3.1 million adults, reported suffering from gambling harm.
The fact that gambling harm numbers have increased in recent years despite harm-reduction measures should concern Australians.
Dr Gabriel Tillman, AGRC research fellow
The report catalogued a broad array of harms, from feelings of guilt and financial strain to borrowing money or selling possessions to cover losses. High-risk gamblers fared the worst: 16% admitted to having suicidal thoughts, while two-thirds reported severe financial difficulties, including skipping meals.
The study revealed disparities by age and culture, showing that gamblers among adults 18–24 years were nearly twice as likely to be classified as high-risk compared with older groups. Meanwhile, 27% of First Nations Australians were affected by gambling harms, almost twice the national rate.
The research also drew attention to links between gambling and broader social harms. Nearly 20% of households where partners gambled weekly reported intimate partner violence, compared with just 7% where gambling was absent. People with risky gambling behaviors were also far more likely to suffer from cognitive and mental health conditions.
Gambling Often Leads to Financial Distress
Australia’s annual gambling losses are estimated at around AUD 32 billion, the highest per capita in the world. Meanwhile, a previous study found that the societal harm resulting from the gambling industry could be as high as AUD 14.1 billion. Electronic gaming machines (EGMs), or “pokies,” are responsible for the majority of gambling losses. These devices also significantly contribute to problem gambling severity scores.
With sports betting gaining prominence over the past few years, particularly among males aged 18-35, there is rising concern about aggressive marketing on TV and social media. Health professionals and advocacy groups have warned of the normalisation of gambling in digital spaces. They urge for tighter advertising restrictions, noting that ads routinely glamorize poker machine play without any health disclaimers.
We know that gambling can cause deep harm to individuals and families, profoundly impacting relationships, mental health, work, and other aspects of life.
Dr Gabriel Tillman, AGRC research fellow
The AGRC noted that while the pilot survey provided valuable insights, it was just the first step toward a long-term national monitoring program. The organization argued that without regular, reliable data, governments risk falling behind in tackling a rapidly evolving industry. If regulations fail to keep up, Australia’s gambling epidemic could get significantly worse.