Gambling continues to be Australia’s favourite pastime and the harm associated with it remains prevalent, according to a UOW researcher.
The Anzac Day long weekend saw record numbers of Australian’s swarm local pubs to play two-up, the one day of the year the game is legal.
For some of them, gambling over the weekend was a unique experience, but statistics from the NSW Responsible Gambling fund show, that for many, gambling will remain a significant part of their lives.
In 2024, 53 per cent of NSW adults participated in at least one gambling activity in the last 12 months. A figure that has stayed consistent since 2019.
University of Wollongong researcher, Dr Amy Bestman said that the gambling industry is designed to be attractive to people.
“When we think about the marketing, when we think about the apps and the way their designed, its priming people to engage in those behaviours. You’ve got an industry that makes money the more people spend,” she said.
The amount Australians are spending on gambling yearly varies, with Australians aged 55 to 64 spending the most each year.
Dr Bestman said that people can be affected by gambling harm in a number of ways.
“We talk about harm as that could be your mental stresses, or it could be your financial losses, or you could have a partner who gambles,” she said.
Earlier this month, the NSW Government introduced new reforms focusing on protecting children and young people, from the harms of gambling.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said in a press release that these reforms are aimed at mitigating the harm of gambling.
“The Government is taking decisive action to tackle the community and public health concerns associated with gambling,” he said.
Gambling continues to affect Australians, with the focus now being on greater regulation to minimise the harm.
Additional reporting by Harry Mellare
Additional reporting by Caprice Veronica Tesoriero
