Australians have lost more than $104 billion to gambling in just three years, according to a new report from the Australia Institute, renewing calls for stronger action to reduce gambling harm across the country.
The report, Australia's National Gambling Toll, estimates Australians are now losing around $666 million every week, $95 million every day, almost $4 million every hour, or more than $1,000 every second to gambling.
The Australia Institute has launched a live "National Gambling Toll" to highlight what it says is the continuing growth in gambling losses since the release of the Federal Parliament's landmark Murphy Inquiry into online gambling in 2023.
According to the report, "Australians lose more money gambling per capita than any other country in the world."
The report also notes that while Australia is home to only a small proportion of the world's population, Australians account for a disproportionately large share of global poker machine losses.
A public health issue
Rather than viewing gambling simply as a matter of personal choice, the report argues that gambling harm should be treated as a public health issue.
It states that gambling losses can contribute to financial hardship, relationship breakdown, family violence, mental ill-health, homelessness and suicide, with impacts extending well beyond the individual gambler.
The report says "gambling harm affects families, friends, workplaces and communities, not just people who gamble."
Advertising under scrutiny
A major focus of the report is gambling advertising.
The Australia Institute argues that the Federal Government has not fully implemented the recommendations of the 2023 parliamentary inquiry chaired by the late Peta Murphy MP, which recommended a phased ban on gambling advertising.
Instead, the Federal Government has introduced a package of reforms that includes tighter restrictions on wagering advertisements, stronger regulation of illegal online gambling providers and improvements to the national BetStop self-exclusion register.
However, the Australia Institute continues to advocate for a complete ban on gambling advertising, arguing that Australians remain exposed to gambling promotions across television, streaming services, social media and sporting broadcasts.
Growing financial pressure
The report comes at a time when many Australian households are already dealing with rising housing costs, higher grocery prices and increasing energy bills.
It argues that gambling losses can worsen financial stress, particularly for vulnerable households.
For regional communities such as the Hawkesbury, the effects can extend beyond individual families to local businesses, sporting clubs, charities and community organisations when money that might otherwise circulate through the local economy is lost through gambling.
Local impact
The Hawkesbury has numerous licensed clubs, hotels and other venues offering poker machines and wagering services.
While these venues provide employment, hospitality services and financial support to community organisations through club grants and sponsorships, gambling can also result in significant harm for some individuals and families.
Community organisations working in financial counselling, mental health, family support and emergency relief regularly encounter people experiencing financial hardship where gambling has contributed to their circumstances.
The report argues that reducing gambling harm requires stronger regulation, improved support services and measures to reduce the normalisation of gambling, particularly among children and young people.
Have Your Say
The Hawkesbury Gazette is seeking to better understand how gambling affects our local community.
Have you, a family member or someone you know experienced gambling harm? Have you sought help through counselling or support services? Are you involved with a community organisation helping people affected by gambling, or do you work in the hospitality or club sector and have a perspective to share?
We are also interested in hearing from local sporting clubs, licensed clubs, hotels, financial counsellors, mental health professionals and support organisations about both the benefits and challenges associated with gambling in our community.
Your experiences will help inform a future Hawkesbury Gazette feature exploring the local impact of gambling, available support services and potential solutions.
If you would like to share your story, email editor@hawkesburygazette.com with the subject line "Gambling in the Hawkesbury". Personal stories can be published anonymously where appropriate.
Free specialist gambling counselling
The main specialist service for the Hawkesbury residents is GambleAware Blue Mountains & Western Sydney, which provides free, confidential counselling. Call 1800 858 858 (24-hour GambleAware referral line), or contact the clinic directly on 1300 827 638.
