“We need a more robust approach”: Gambling rates are rising – and so is the harm caused

New research from the Australian Gambling Research Centre has revealed participation and harm stemming from gambling has increased across the country.

The study linked gambling to other serious issues, including suicidal thoughts, intimate partner violence and financial stress.

Conducted in 2024, the study was based on a nationally representative survey of 3,881 Australian adults.

3.1 million Aussie adults (15 percent) are estimated to have experienced harms from gambling.

Eighteen percent of the 18–24 age group who gamble regularly were at high risk of gambling harm compared to 10 percent of the 35–44 age group.

Gamblers were scored on a survey of their past-year behaviour, with results grouping them from non-risk to high-risk.

Sixty-six percent of high-risk gamblers reported serious financial stress, giving examples like going without meals to fund a gambling habit or selling belongings to cope.

Nineteen percent of people whose partners gambled weekly or more reported experiences of intimate partner violence, compared to 7 percent of people whose partners did not gamble.

Among high-risk gamblers, 16 percent reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, compared to 4 percent of low-risk gamblers.

Gambling participation (adults who have gambled at least once in the past year) varied by each state, with Queensland topping the country.

The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory prevalence rates were omitted because they did not meet reliability standards.

AGRC Research Fellow Dr Gabriel Tillman said the rise in gambling harm despite current harm-reduction measures should concern Australians.

Australian Institute of Family Studies director, Liz Neville, said the pervasive nature of gambling requires a more robust approach to helping families and communities, as well

as individuals.