Australian Gamblers Face Highest Losses Globally, Study Reveals

A study by the Grattan Institute has found that Australian gamblers experience the highest gambling losses per capita in the world, with average annual losses reaching AU$1,635 ($1,105). These losses are significantly greater than those in other countries with regulated gambling, such as the United States (AU$809/$547) and New Zealand (AU$584/$394).

The report focused on gambling machines (pokies) and sports betting, revealing that Australians lost a staggering AU$24 billion ($16.2 billion) in 2022 alone. This represents a 36.25% increase from the AU$1,200 ($811) average loss per person recorded in 2020.

Key Findings:

1. Average annual losses per person: AU$1,650 ($1,105)
2. Total annual losses: AU$24 billion ($16.2 billion)
3. Sports betting losses: AU$5.8 billion ($3.9 billion)
4. Australians using pokies: 1.2 million
5. Australians placing sports bets: 1.6 million
6. NSW has the most pokies: 1 machine per 75 adults
7. NSW pokie losses per person: AU$1,288 ($830)
8. Monthly gamblers: 8% of Australians
9. 5% of sports bettors account for 77% of card payment gambling spend

Problem Gambling Insights:

1. 22,000 people are currently registered with BetStop (national self-exclusion register), with 50% under 30.
2. 30% of problem gamblers report sports betting as their biggest source of losses.
3. 1.7% of the adult population experiences acute gambling harm, while 8% show signs of gambling harm.
4. 500,000 people have requested banks to block gambling transactions.
5. 700,000 Australians live with someone suffering from a serious gambling problem.
6. People living within 250m of a pokie venue are 30% more likely to develop gambling issues compared to those living 2km away.

Calls for Action:

In response to these findings, the Grattan Institute has made several recommendations to the government:

• Reduce gambling exposure by banning all gambling advertising and inducements, such as bonuses and promotions.
• Limit the number of pokies in operation and implement gambling warning labels on games with gambling-like features, such as loot boxes and social casinos.
• Introduce mandatory pre-commitment and loss limits, with a national system for online gambling and state-wide systems for pokies. The institute also suggested a single universal pre-commitment system for all forms of gambling.
• Improve gambling support services by commissioning a national review and investing in treatment services and research.

Push for Gambling Reform:

In August, the Australia Institute proposed a 2% levy on gambling revenues as part of its campaign to ban gambling advertising. The levy would offset financial losses faced by media companies impacted by the potential advertising ban. This proposal followed an open letter from the Alliance for Gambling Reform calling for a total ban on gambling ads. The letter, endorsed by former prime ministers, political leaders, MPs, union leaders, and prominent figures from various sectors, expressed strong support for stricter gambling regulations.