Australia has one of the highest rates of gambling participation and gambling losses per capita in the world. Understanding the scale of gambling in this country, who is most affected, and how patterns are changing is essential for individuals, families, and communities working to address gambling harm.
This article provides an overview of the key statistics and trends related to problem gambling in Australia. If any of these figures resonate with your own experience, please know that support is available. You can call the Gambling Help Online helpline on 1800 858 858 at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is free and confidential.
Australia’s Position on the Global Stage
Australia consistently ranks among the countries with the highest gambling losses per adult in the world. Various international analyses have placed Australia at or near the top of global rankings for per capita gambling expenditure. Australians lose tens of billions of dollars to gambling each year, a figure that has continued to grow over time.
This is not simply a reflection of population size. When losses are measured on a per-person basis, Australia’s figures far exceed those of most other developed nations. The accessibility of gambling, the density of electronic gaming machines, and the cultural normalisation of betting all contribute to this position.
For many Australians, these losses are manageable and represent a form of entertainment spending. But for a significant minority, gambling losses lead to serious financial hardship, relationship breakdown, mental health difficulties, and other forms of harm that extend well beyond the individual gambler.
How Many Australians Gamble?
Gambling participation in Australia is widespread. Surveys have consistently found that a substantial majority of Australian adults participate in some form of gambling each year. Lottery products tend to have the highest participation rates, followed by electronic gaming machines, race wagering, and sports betting.
While most people who gamble do so without experiencing significant problems, research suggests that a meaningful proportion of the adult population experiences some level of gambling-related harm. This includes people who would meet the clinical threshold for problem gambling as well as a larger group who experience moderate risks and harms from their gambling.
It is important to note that gambling harm does not only affect the person who gambles. For every individual with a gambling problem, multiple other people are affected, including partners, children, parents, friends, and colleagues. When these broader impacts are included, the number of Australians affected by gambling harm runs into the millions.
Types of Gambling in Australia
Electronic Gaming Machines (Pokies)
Electronic gaming machines, commonly known as pokies, are the single largest source of gambling losses in Australia. They are found in pubs, clubs, and casinos across most states and territories, with particularly high concentrations in New South Wales and Victoria.
Pokies account for a disproportionate share of gambling-related harm. Their design, which features rapid play cycles, near-miss effects, and variable reinforcement schedules, makes them particularly associated with the development of problem gambling. Despite representing just one form of gambling, pokies consistently account for the majority of total gambling losses nationwide.
Sports Betting
Sports betting has grown rapidly in Australia, driven by the expansion of online platforms and aggressive marketing campaigns. What was once a relatively niche activity has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the gambling industry.
The proliferation of sports betting advertising, particularly during live sporting events, has normalised betting among younger demographics. Features such as in-play betting, multi-leg bets, and cash-out options have increased both the frequency and complexity of sports wagering.
Race Wagering
Betting on horse racing and greyhound racing has a long history in Australia and remains a significant part of the gambling landscape. While participation rates have been relatively stable compared to the rapid growth of sports betting, race wagering still accounts for a substantial share of total gambling expenditure.
Lotteries
Lottery products, including Powerball, Oz Lotto, and scratchies, have the highest participation rates of any form of gambling in Australia. While lotteries are generally considered lower risk than other forms of gambling, they can still contribute to gambling problems, particularly scratch ticket products which offer more rapid play and immediate results.
Online Gambling
Online gambling has experienced significant growth in recent years, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Online wagering on sports and racing, casino-style games offered by offshore operators, and the increasing availability of gambling through mobile applications have all contributed to this expansion. The specific risks associated with online gambling are explored in detail in our article on the hidden risks of online gambling.
Demographic Breakdown
Age
Gambling participation and harm are not evenly distributed across age groups. Young men aged 18 to 34 are among the most likely to experience gambling-related harm, particularly in relation to sports betting and online gambling. This demographic has been heavily targeted by gambling advertising and is more likely to use mobile betting apps.
Older Australians also experience significant gambling harm, particularly in relation to electronic gaming machines. For some older people, pokies venues serve a social function, which can mask the development of problematic patterns.
Gender
Historically, problem gambling has been more commonly reported among men than women. However, this gap has been narrowing. Women are increasingly represented among those seeking help for gambling problems, and research suggests that women may be more vulnerable to certain forms of gambling, particularly electronic gaming machines.
Men are more likely to experience problems related to sports betting and race wagering, while women are disproportionately represented among those experiencing harm from pokies. The pathways into gambling problems can also differ between genders, with women more likely to report gambling as a way to cope with stress, grief, or loneliness.
Socioeconomic Factors
Gambling harm is not limited to any one socioeconomic group, but research consistently shows that people in lower socioeconomic areas bear a disproportionate burden. Electronic gaming machines are often concentrated in areas of greater social disadvantage, and people with lower incomes lose a larger proportion of their earnings to gambling.
This creates a regressive dynamic in which those who can least afford it contribute the most to gambling industry revenue. The social and economic consequences of gambling losses are also more severe for people with fewer financial resources, as they have less capacity to absorb losses and recover from financial setbacks.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience gambling harm at higher rates than the general population. A range of complex factors contribute to this, including the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation, social and economic disadvantage, and the role that gambling may play as a social activity within some communities. Culturally safe support services are essential for addressing gambling harm in these communities.
Financial Impact
Individual and Family Losses
The financial impact of problem gambling on individuals and families can be devastating. People experiencing gambling problems commonly report depleted savings, unmanageable debt, mortgage stress or loss of housing, inability to meet basic living expenses, and relationship breakdown driven by financial deception and loss of trust.
The average debt reported by people seeking help for gambling problems is often in the tens of thousands of dollars, though individual cases can involve losses of hundreds of thousands or even millions. The financial harm extends beyond the person who gambles to affect entire families, including children who may experience poverty, instability, and reduced opportunities as a result. If you are experiencing financial difficulties related to gambling, our guide on financial recovery after gambling offers practical steps.
Government Revenue
Gambling generates billions of dollars in revenue for state and territory governments each year through taxes and levies on gambling operators. This revenue funds public services including health, education, and infrastructure.
However, this creates a structural tension. Governments have a financial interest in maintaining gambling revenue while also bearing responsibility for regulating the industry and addressing gambling harm. Critics argue that this dual role can create conflicts of interest that slow the pace of reform and limit the effectiveness of harm-reduction measures.
State-by-State Comparison
Gambling regulation in Australia is primarily a state and territory responsibility, which means there are significant differences in how gambling is managed across the country.
New South Wales
New South Wales has the highest number of electronic gaming machines of any state, with pokies permitted in pubs, clubs, and the casino. The state also generates the highest total gambling losses. Reforms in recent years have focused on cashless gaming trials and harm minimisation measures, but progress has been gradual.
Victoria
Victoria has a large gambling industry, with significant losses from both pokies and the Crown Melbourne casino. The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation has been a key body in funding research and support services, though concerns about the prevalence of pokies in disadvantaged areas persist.
Queensland
Queensland has seen significant growth in gambling expenditure, driven by both pokies in clubs and pubs and an expanding sports betting market. The state has a substantial number of gaming machines relative to its population.
South Australia
South Australia has implemented some of the more progressive harm-reduction measures in the country, including mandatory pre-commitment tools for electronic gaming machines in some venues. However, gambling losses remain significant.
Western Australia
Western Australia is unique in that it does not permit pokies in pubs and clubs. Electronic gaming machines are restricted to the Crown Perth casino. As a result, per capita losses from pokies are significantly lower than in other states, though other forms of gambling, including sports betting and race wagering, continue to generate substantial losses.
Tasmania, Northern Territory, and the ACT
These smaller jurisdictions each face their own challenges. Tasmania has debated the future of pokies in pubs and clubs. The Northern Territory hosts a disproportionate number of online gambling operators due to its licensing regime, raising questions about regulatory oversight. The ACT has a relatively smaller gambling market but still grapples with pokies-related harm.
The Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on gambling patterns in Australia. When pubs, clubs, and casinos closed during lockdowns, gambling on electronic gaming machines dropped sharply. However, this reduction in venue-based gambling was partially offset by increases in online gambling, particularly sports betting and online wagering on racing.
Some people who had previously gambled primarily on pokies transitioned to online platforms during lockdowns, and not all of them returned to their previous patterns when venues reopened. The pandemic period also saw an increase in the use of gambling-like features in online gaming and the growth of cryptocurrency-based gambling.
Following the easing of restrictions, gambling expenditure on pokies rebounded strongly. In many states, pokies losses quickly returned to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels, suggesting that the forced break did not lead to lasting reductions in gambling behaviour for many people.
The pandemic also affected help-seeking behaviour. Some services reported increases in calls during the early stages of lockdowns, as financial pressures mounted and people had more time to reflect on their gambling. The shift toward online and telephone-based counselling during the pandemic also improved access for some people who had previously been reluctant to attend in-person services.
The Rise of Online and Mobile Gambling
One of the most significant trends in Australian gambling over the past decade has been the rapid growth of online and mobile gambling. The convenience of being able to place a bet at any time, from anywhere, using a smartphone, has fundamentally changed how many Australians engage with gambling.
Online wagering accounts for a growing share of total gambling expenditure. The number of active online betting accounts has increased substantially, and the average amount wagered per account has also risen. The growth of in-play betting, where bets are placed during a live sporting event, has been a particular area of concern due to its fast-paced, impulsive nature.
Gambling advertising on digital platforms, social media, and during sports broadcasts has played a significant role in driving this growth. Young Australians are particularly exposed to this marketing, and research suggests a clear link between advertising exposure and gambling participation.
The Australian Government’s introduction of BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, represents an important step in providing people with tools to manage their online gambling. BetStop allows individuals to exclude themselves from all licensed Australian online wagering providers through a single registration. You can learn more about how BetStop works.
Trends in Help-Seeking Behaviour
Despite the scale of gambling harm in Australia, only a small proportion of people experiencing problems seek formal help. Research suggests that it often takes many years from the onset of gambling problems to the point of reaching out for support.
Common barriers to help-seeking include shame and stigma, a belief that the problem is not serious enough, a desire to handle the problem independently, lack of awareness of available services, and concerns about confidentiality.
There are, however, encouraging trends. Awareness of services such as the Gambling Help Online helpline has increased, and the availability of online chat and counselling options has made it easier for some people to seek support without the perceived barrier of a face-to-face appointment. The introduction of BetStop has also provided a concrete, accessible tool that people can use as a first step toward managing their gambling.
Help-seeking rates tend to increase following public awareness campaigns and media coverage of gambling-related issues. This suggests that continued investment in community education and destigmatisation efforts is important for reaching more people.
What the Numbers Mean
Statistics can feel abstract, but behind every figure is a real person and a real family affected by gambling harm. If you recognise yourself or someone you care about in any of the patterns described in this article, the most important thing to know is that help is available and that recovery is possible.
You do not need to have lost a certain amount of money or reached a particular level of crisis before you are entitled to support. If gambling is causing you worry, stress, or harm of any kind, that is reason enough to reach out.
Support is available right now:
- Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858 (24/7, free and confidential)
- Gambling Help Online Chat: gamblinghelponline.org.au
- BetStop National Self-Exclusion Register: betstop.gov.au
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24-hour crisis support)
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
You are not alone, and taking the step of learning about this issue is a positive beginning.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on publicly available research and data. Statistics cited reflect broad trends reported in Australian gambling research and may not capture the most recent data available. This article is not intended as professional advice. If you are experiencing gambling-related harm, please contact the Gambling Help Online helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, confidential support. Problem Gambling Australia does not accept responsibility for any actions taken based on the information in this article.