Recent research highlights a significant rise in online gambling among Australians, with many venturing into “risky” behaviors. The Australian National University’s Centre for Gambling Research has reported continued high levels of gambling since the pandemic’s peak.
Dr. Aino Suomi, Director of the Gambling Research Centre, noted that approximately 60% of Australians are now engaged in gambling activities, a notable increase from the 50% recorded during the Covid-19 lockdowns. While the gambling rate has slightly decreased from 61.3% to 60.3% over the past year, it remains above pre-pandemic levels of 65.6%.
Risky Gambling on the Rise
The study reveals a concerning trend: the proportion of individuals engaging in high-risk gambling has risen from 11.6% last year to 13.6% in 2024. This shift indicates a growing segment of the population is participating in more perilous gambling activities.
Online gambling has seen the most substantial growth, with 33.4% of respondents reporting that they placed bets through digital platforms in the last year. Sports and racing bets are particularly prevalent among online gamblers. Dr. Suomi highlighted this trend, stating, “Online gambling has exponentially increased and should now be considered one of the main gambling platforms.”
Dr. Suomi also expressed concerns about the potential harm of unrestricted online gambling. The ease of access to these platforms could lead to significant negative consequences if not adequately managed.
The research, covering data from April 2019 to January 2024, also explored the impact of gambling on others. It found that approximately 1.2 million adults reported being affected by someone else’s gambling within the past year. Those impacted were typically younger (18-24), had lower incomes, faced their own gambling problems, and experienced feelings of loneliness or psychological distress.
Dr. Suomi concluded, “Individuals who were affected by someone else’s gambling tended to be younger, earning a lower income, and struggling with their own gambling issues or mental health concerns.”
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