Nearly two in three Australian adults gamble at least once a month.
The finding comes from the Australian Institute of Family Studies’ (AIFS) National Gambling Prevalence Study, which surveyed almost 4,000 adults.
Young people aged 18 to 24 were much more likely than any other age group to be at high risk of gambling-related harm.
Methodology
The report surveyed 3,881 Australians.
The survey base was adjusted to be nationally representative, meaning its demographics reflect Australia’s population.
Participants completed surveys between August and October 2024, detailing their habits and experiences from the previous 12 months.
Participation
In the 12 months to October 2024, almost two-thirds of adults (65%) surveyed reported taking part in some form of gambling.
Lotteries were the most popular form, followed by instant scratch tickets and electronic gaming machines (pokies).
Around 32% of people gambled at least once a month, with men almost 8% more likely than women.
Men were also more than twice as likely as women to bet on racing and sport.
Pokies
Estimates suggest there are more than 180,000 pokies in Australia. NSW accounts for almost half, with around 89,000 machines.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s most recent data, one-third of adults use pokies at least once a year.
The Australia Institute estimates Australians lose up to $16 billion on pokies annually.
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According to the AIFS survey, one in five Australians gambled using a pokie in the 12 months to October 2024.
Harms
The AIFS found 15% of adults were considered at risk of gambling harm, with almost 3% at high risk.
First Nations Australians were at greater risk, with 27% considered at risk of gambling harm.
Almost one in five 18-24-year-olds who gambled regularly were at high risk of harm, more than any other age group.
Around one in 10 regular gamblers aged 25 to 54 were at high risk of harm.
Government
Since coming to power in 2022, the Government has launched a gambling self-exclusion register, and banned the use of credit cards for online gambling.
In 2023, a federal parliamentary inquiry set out 31 recommendations to reduce gambling-related harms. One was a blanket ban on all forms of advertising for online gambling.
Ahead of the last election, the Government suggested capping the number of gambling ads on TV and banning them online. The Government did not respond to a question from TDA about the status of this proposal.
Comments
AIFS director Liz Neville said the findings should provide “a clearer picture” of the impact of gambling in Australia.
“Gambling is pervasive, and we need a more robust approach to helping families and communities, as well as the individuals themselves who are affected by their own gambling,” Neville said.
Gambling reform advocate Tim Costello warned that until the Government implements the 2023 inquiry’s recommendations, Australia “will continue to have the greatest harm from gambling in the world”.
