Gambling participation and related harm are rising steeply across Australia, according to new findings released in September 2025 by the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) the ABC reports. Nearly two in three adults (65%) reported gambling at least once in the past year, up from 57% in 2019, and more than 15% reported experiencing some form of gambling-related harm—an increase since previous national studies. The most popular products were lotteries, followed by scratch tickets, poker machines, race betting, and sports betting.
Scale of Gambling: Who, What, Where
Gambling remains a widespread pastime, embedded in everyday Australian life. Across the landscape:
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65% of Australians gambled at least once in the past year, with 32% gambling monthly.
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Men engaged more frequently and at higher risk, particularly through sports and race betting, while women preferred scratch tickets and bingo.
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Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia reported the highest participation rates, whereas Victoria and Tasmania showed notably lower figures.
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Australians collectively lose $32 billion annually to legal gambling—the highest per capita losses globally.
Harm: Financial, Emotional, and Social Consequences
Gambling harm affects millions and extends far beyond monetary loss:
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An estimated 3.1 million adults experienced harm, with effects ranging from guilt and stress to borrowing or selling possessions and attempting to win back lost money.
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Among regular gamblers, one-third fell into risk categories; high-risk gamblers were 16% more likely to report suicidal ideation and severe financial stress—including going without meals, missing bills, and using credit to fund gambling.
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Gambling harm is closely linked to mental health stressors and interpersonal issues, such as intimate partner violence. Nearly 19% of people whose partners gambled weekly reported domestic abuse, compared to 7% when partners did not.
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Young adults (18–24) who gamble regularly are almost twice as likely to be at high risk compared to older Australians, with 3.1% classified as high-risk gamblers.
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First Nations Australians are disproportionately affected, with 27% reporting harm, nearly double that of non-Indigenous Australians.
Changing Patterns: From Land-Based to Online
Traditional venue gambling (pokies, clubs, casinos) is now eclipsed by a surge in online participation, especially during and following COVID-19 restrictions:
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More than half of all gambling in Australia occurs online in 2025, accelerating risky and frequent betting, often in isolation.
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Online gamblers tend to be younger, employed, and show higher average spend than traditional venue visitors.
Product Focus & Advertising Influence
Lotteries remain the most popular, but sports betting and online slots are expanding fastest:
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Gambling advertising is pervasive, with mandatory disclaimers failing to stem behavioral influence—particularly among youth, who are constantly exposed during sport broadcasts and social media engagement.
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The growth in sports betting ads is especially concerning for young adults and vulnerable groups.
Community Views & Calls for Reform
Most Australians believe there are too many opportunities to gamble and express concern about the proliferation and impact of betting ads:
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Community support for banning wagering advertising is strong, and a majority want government to take greater responsibility.
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Australians broadly agree that gambling harm is a public health issue, calling for strengthened regulation, more robust harm reduction, and ongoing assessment of policy effectiveness.
Table: Key Gambling Participation and Harm Statistics (Australia 2025)
| Metric | Data (2025) |
|---|---|
| Adult gambling participation | 65% |
| Monthly gambling rate | 32% |
| Experiencing harm | 15% (3.1 million adults) |
| Annual gambling loss | $32 billion |
| High-risk regular gamblers | 3.1% (18-24 age group) |
| Intimate partner violence (gambler partner weekly+) | 19% |
| First Nations gambling harm | 27% |
| Men gambling weekly+ | 36% |
| Women gambling weekly+ | 28% |
Harm Minimisation & The Way Forward
Experts from AGRC, Monash University, and AIFS agree that current harm reduction systems—although present—are not adequately curbing Australia’s growing crisis. Calls for reform highlight:
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More rigorous monitoring and testing of harm-reduction strategies
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Bans or strict limits on gambling advertising, especially in sport and digital platforms
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Increased support for at-risk groups: young adults, First Nations people, and the partners/families affected
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Accessible psychological and financial counseling for problem gamblers and dependents
NLP & SEO Optimization for Google Indexing
This review addresses key Australian search queries for 2025:
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“gambling harm rising Australia”
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“Australian gambling participation statistics 2025”
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“risk factors problem gambling Australia”
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“gambling loss mental health statistics Australia”
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“government gambling policy Australia 2025”
Clear headers, data tables, population segmentation, and expert commentary maximize utility for both readers and Google’s algorithms, supporting visibility, relevance, and site authority on gambling harm, regulatory news, and policy analysis.
The surge in gambling participation and associated harms demands urgent attention from policymakers, operators, and community groups. With escalating financial loss, mental health concerns, and calls for systematic reform, Australia’s gambling landscape is at a pivotal juncture heading into 2026.
