Two in three Australians are at risk of gambling harm, with young people most affected, according to the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).
The research, which surveyed 955 adults in 2022 found 68.4 per cent who regularly bet on sport and/or races online were classified at being at risk of gambling harm.
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Young people, aged 18-34, were at the highest risk, 81.9 per cent.
Participants who were found to be at risk of gambling harm had to meet several alarming considerations:
- People spent more per month on sports betting: $100, compared to $50 not at risk,
- Spent 4.5+ hours gambling in one session, compared to 2.5 hours not at risk,
- Gambled between midnight to 8am,
- Met criteria for probably serious mental health,
- And sought help in the past year for gambling harm or wanted to seek help.
Ninety-one per cent of participants bet on horse racing, 86.7 per cent on sports, 81.7 per cent on lotteries and 67.6 per cent on poker machines.
Participants were spending around $768 (median) per month across all types of gambling, with one in four staying they used a credit card to gamble.
AIFS research director, Rae Kaspiew, said the results showed why stronger gambling industry regulation was necessary.
“We hear every day that Australia is experiencing a cost-of-living crisis with increasing financial stress borne by everyday Australians – yet every week thousands of people are losing amounts they can’t afford to online betting platforms and pokies venues.”
The full report can be viewed on the Australian Institute of Family Studies website.