Online Gambling Skyrockets in Australia, Sparking Renewed Calls for Reform

Online gambling in Australia has surged over the past 12 months, new data shows, placing more pressure to introduce wide-ranging industry reforms. Recent findings also confirmed that problem gambling is also on the rise, highlighting Australia’s ongoing difficulties in introducing meaningful change to the sector. The country’s federal nature further complicates this matter, making centralized reforms increasingly challenging.

Recent Findings Are Less than Optimistic

According to a new Australian National University (ANU) report, overall gambling levels remained steady despite a post-pandemic spike in 2023. However, the industry is experiencing a significant shift in gambling habits toward online platforms. The report notes that unlimited access to gambling apps could create substantial potential for gambling harm if left unchecked.

The findings revealed that the prevalence of people gambling at risky levels had surged from 11.6 % to 13.6% in the past 12 months. Study lead author Aino Suomi expressed concern that this correlation could imply that online gambling was more dangerous to consumers. These results are especially problematic, considering Australia’s less-than-stellar track record of gambling regulation.

This means a larger proportion of individuals who gamble are experiencing harm.

Aino Suomi, ANU public health researcher and a psychologist

The ANU study collected data between April 2019 and January 2024, asking participants about their gambling activity and well-being over the past 12 months. Lottery tickets were the most common type of gambling in Australia, even with the rise of online gambling. Other findings show that men, older age groups, and those with lower education levels gambled more than younger people.

Australia Has Yet to Implement Meaningful Reforms

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that the government was still analyzing the parliamentary report into online gambling’s 31 recommendations. He recognized the growing need for reforms but noted that any regulatory changes had to undergo careful consideration. Albanese revealed that the government was consulting with stakeholders, including industry and harm minimization groups.

Despite these ongoing efforts, the government faces rising skepticism. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie highlighted the ANU’s findings, urging for swifter adoption of the report’s recommendations. He accused the federal government of wasting time while Australian citizens suffered from gambling harm and remained adamant that the sector required urgent reforms. 

It’s been more than a year since the report was released, and the government is yet to implement the recommendations, including a ban on gambling advertising.

Andrew Wilkie, independent MP

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that Australians probably lose more on gambling per person annually compared to people of any other country. The dramatic increase in online gambling underlines the beginning of an imperative need for basic regulation and harm minimization strategies to protect vulnerable people against such risks and mitigate gambling’s adverse effects.