Australia, known for its love of gambling, has earned the title of having the highest average annual gambling losses in the world. According to a recent report released by the Grattan Institute, an Australian public policy think tank, the country is facing a serious issue when it comes to gambling harm.
The report, titled ‘A better bet: How Australia should prevent gambling harm,’ has highlighted the staggering figures that show Australia leading the pack with an average annual loss per adult of AU$1,635 (US$1,098.90). This is way more than countries like the US, where the figure stands at AU$809, and New Zealand, where it is AU$584.
Most of these losses in Australia can be attributed to popular forms of gambling such as pokies and sports betting. As a result, the report has put forward a series of recommendations to address this growing concern. These include suggestions like banning all gambling advertising and inducements, reducing the number of pokies available in each state gradually, and implementing a mandatory pre-commitment system for online gambling.
Aruna Sathanapally, the CEO of Grattan Institute, expressed her concerns regarding the impact of gambling in Australia. She said, “Australia has let the gambling industry run wild, and gamblers, their families, and the broader community are paying the price. Gambling products are designed to be addictive and the consequences can be catastrophic: job loss, bankruptcy, relationship breakdown, family violence, even suicide.”
Sathanapally called on the government to take action, stating, “It’s time our politicians stood up to the powerful gambling lobby and reined the industry in. Federal and state governments should take on the vested interests and work together in the interests of all Australians to make gambling a safer, better bet.”
As the debate around gambling harm continues to gain traction in Australia, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address this pressing issue. Only time will tell if the government will heed the recommendations put forth by the Grattan Institute and take the necessary steps to make gambling safer for all Australians.
