Recent years have witnessed a significant increase in gambling advertising in Australia, prompting concerns from policymakers, service providers, researchers, and the wider community. As part of a public debate on the rise of gambling advertising, the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) conducted a survey to explore the prevalence of gambling harms and attitudes towards wagering advertising. The results shed light on the widespread participation in gambling, gender disparities, public attitudes, exposure to advertising, and support for policy reforms.
Gambling Participation and Frequency:
According to the AGRC survey, gambling is prevalent throughout Australian society, with 73% of adults having placed a bet at least once in their life. A notable 38% of the total population engage in regular gambling, participating at least once a week. Lotteries, scratchcards, horse racing, sports betting, and poker machines emerged as the most popular gambling products.
Gender Disparities in Gambling:
The study highlighted significant gender disparities in gambling behavior, with men consistently gambling more than women across all surveyed products. Men exhibited higher gambling frequency, spending more money, and were more likely to be at risk of experiencing gambling harms.
Attitudes towards Gambling:
The survey explored the attitudes of Australians towards gambling, even among those who did not regularly participate. The majority (77%) agreed that there are “too many opportunities for gambling nowadays.” Additionally, 68% believed that gambling posed risks to family life and should be discouraged.
Exposure to Gambling Advertising:
A significant proportion of Australian adults reported regular exposure to gambling advertising in the past year. Approximately 78% encountered gambling advertisements at least once a week, with 41% exposed four or more times per week. Younger individuals (aged 18-34) were more likely to encounter advertising through social media or online platforms, while those aged 55 and above were more exposed to television, radio, or print advertisements.
Support for Policy Reform:
The AGRC survey delved into respondents’ political attitudes regarding gambling and gambling advertising in Australia. The findings revealed that 64% of Australians believe the government should play a larger role in regulating gambling advertising. Notably, a significant portion of the population (53%) supported a watershed ban on all gambling advertising before 10:30 PM, while only 19% opposed such a measure. A considerable number of respondents expressed support for banning social media advertising (47%) and implementing sponsorship bans (42%).
Implications and Recommendations:
The research conducted by the AGRC provides valuable insights to inform future regulatory and policy responses aimed at minimizing gambling-related health, social, and economic harms in Australia. The study’s findings underscore the need for heightened governmental involvement in determining the extent and nature of gambling advertising. Public sentiment, as evidenced by the survey, indicates widespread support for measures such as watershed bans, social media advertising restrictions, and sponsorship bans.
The proliferation of gambling advertising in Australia has sparked concerns about its influence on gambling behavior and associated risks. The AGRC survey revealed the prevalence of gambling participation, gender disparities in gambling habits, and the public’s attitudes towards gambling. Additionally, the study highlighted the significant exposure to gambling advertising among Australians and the support for policy reforms to address the issue. By leveraging these insights, policymakers and stakeholders can work toward implementing effective measures that mitigate gambling-related harms and foster a safer gambling environment for individuals and communities.