Gambling participation and harm on the increase in Australia
Summary
A new pilot study from the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) and the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), based on a 2024 survey of 3,881 adults, finds gambling participation and associated harm have risen in Australia. Some 65.1% of adults gambled at least once in the last year (up from 57% in 2019) and 15% were classified as at-risk of, or already experiencing, gambling-related harm.
Key Points
- 65.1% of Australian adults gambled in 2024, an 8-percentage-point increase since 2019.
- 15% of adults were classified as at-risk or experiencing harm according to the PGSI (Problem Gambling Severity Index).
- PGSI breakdown: 7.6% low risk, 4.8% moderate risk, 2.6% high risk.
- Most-played products: lottery 52.7%, scratch tickets 24.5%, poker machines 19.8%, racing 17.8%, sports betting 12.5%.
- 31.9% gambled at least monthly; among regular gamblers, lottery dominates (73.8%).
- Young adults (18–24) recorded the highest risk share (17.8%) while older regular gamblers were more often low/moderate risk.
- Men who gambled regularly were more likely to be high risk (9.3%) than women (5.8%).
- Higher rates of intimate partner violence and financial hardship were reported where gambling was regular; 65.9% of high-risk gamblers reported financial issues.
- Researchers call for stronger monitoring and improved harm-reduction measures from policy and industry.
Content summary
The AGRC/AIFS pilot provides a clearer snapshot of gambling behaviour and harm in 2024. Participation climbed across the population with lotteries remaining the most common activity. The PGSI metric shows a meaningful minority of adults experiencing or at risk of harm, and particular groups (young adults, regular male gamblers) show elevated vulnerability.
The study links regular gambling to increased financial stress and a higher incidence of intimate partner harm. Researchers emphasise that existing harm-reduction efforts have not prevented an overall rise in harm and recommend expanded monitoring and policy review to better protect individuals, families and communities.
Context and relevance
This report matters for public-health policymakers, regulators, gambling operators and community services. Rising participation plus higher measured harm suggests current interventions are insufficient and that trends seen in 2019 have worsened. It also provides granular product and demographic breakdowns useful for targeted prevention and for evaluating the impact of regulations and industry measures.
Author note
Punchy take: more Australians are gambling and more are being harmed. That combination makes this a serious policy and industry story — not a niche data point. If you work in regulation, public health or the gambling sector, the numbers here should push for action rather than complacency.
Why should I read this?
Short and blunt: if you care about public health, safer gambling or the industry’s social licence, this is worth your two-minute skim. It flags where harm is rising, who’s most affected and why current measures might not be cutting it — so you don’t have to trawl the full report yourself.
