Almost one in three under-18s in Australia gamble, study finds

The report found that teenagers lose more than AU$231m (US$146.2m) each year.

Australia.- A report by the Australia Institute has found that almost one in three (30 per cent) 12-17-year-olds in Australia gamble. For 18-19-year-olds, the figure is 46 per cent. The research found that over 902,000 teenagers (12-19-year-olds) gambled in the past year, of which around 600,000 were aged 12-17-years-old.

According to the Australia Institute, annual expenditure on gambling among teenagers is AU$231m (US$146.2m). Of this, 12-to-17-year-olds spend AU$18.4m (US$11.6m), and 18-19-year-olds spend AU$213m (US$134.8m) a year.

On average, Australian teenagers gamble AU$86.72 (US$54.9) a year. The average 18-19-year-old gambles AU$321 (US$203.2) a year, and the average 12-17-year-old AU$9 (US$5.7).

Researchers said: “By introducing policies to address gambling problems at early age, the Commonwealth could eventually lower gambling rates across Australia. One of the main aims of gambling advertising is to attract new, younger gamblers who, as the data shows, continue to gamble in high numbers well into their 20s. The Commonwealth’s 2023 Inquiry into Online Gambling and its Impacts on Those Experiencing Gambling Harm recommends numerous policies to reduce Australia’s gambling problem, including a ban on advertising for online gambling.”

Campaigners have urged the government to implement all 31 recommendations from the Murphy Inquiry, including a ban on gambling ads, the prohibition of gambling inducements and the introduction of a levy on gambling to fund harm reduction programmes. They propose a national regulator and national gambling ombudsman, enforced closure of gambling machines between midnight and 10am and mandatory cashless gaming.

See also: Australian politicians reportedly received US$147,000 in match tickets from sports leagues