Australia: Pressure is mounting on the government to tackle gambling problems

Australia’s reputation as the world’s biggest gambling loser has not emerged by chance. This reality has been shaped by a proliferation of gambling operators and a deeply entrenched gambling ecosystem. During the last term of parliament, decisive action on this issue had been delayed. Now, with a new government holding significant political capital, expectations are rising for meaningful reform.

With Australians losing more to gambling per capita than any other country, the proposal outlines key reforms such as mandatory loss limits, tighter advertising controls, and stronger federal oversight. Advocates argue that current policies have failed to protect vulnerable communities and that meaningful change is urgently required to prioritise public health and consumer protection. The plan’s authors warn that without firm leadership, existing harms will only deepen.

In the meantime, Australians seeking to gamble responsibly are being encouraged to use the official AussieCodes website, which offers a secure and regulated online gambling environment. The platform supports harm minimisation by promoting transparency and offering responsible gambling practices, incorporating tools such as spending caps, activity monitoring, and resources for responsible gambling.

Gambling losses in Australia exceed $32 billion each year. The largest portion of this figure—$15.8 billion—is attributed to poker machines, or pokies, which are prevalent in every state except Western Australia (WA). WA, which restricts pokies to a single casino, consistently reports the lowest rates of gambling harm.

In contrast, New South Wales (NSW) has nearly 90,000 machines in clubs and pubs, generating over $8 billion in annual revenue. Alongside pokies, online wagering—including sports, racing, and novelty bets—has rapidly expanded, bringing in another $8.4 billion. The online wagering sector has seen inflation-adjusted growth of more than 45% between 2018–19 and 2022–23.

The social cost of gambling stretches far beyond financial losses. Problem gambling has been linked to relationship breakdowns, unemployment, crime, mental health issues, and even suicide. Vulnerable groups, including children and partners, are frequently impacted. Yet, the expansion of the gambling industry has been supported by a wide network of stakeholders. including venue owners, sporting organisations, financial institutions, and governments themselves.

Here are the 6 main recommendations that have been made in terms of reforming the current system. 

A national regulator has long been proposed but not yet implemented. Currently, each state and territory sets its own rules, resulting in inconsistent standards. A national approach would allow for more effective oversight and standardised tax rates. The 2023 report from the parliamentary committee chaired by the late Peta Murphy strongly recommended this move.

Introducing a national pre-commitment scheme for pokies could drastically reduce harm. Already used in 27 European countries, this system enables players to set gambling limits in advance. While industry groups often resist such reforms, citing technical barriers, implementation is feasible and overdue.

Late-night gambling has been associated with higher levels of harm. Mandating the closure of pokie venues between midnight and 10 am would provide a straightforward way to limit access during high-risk hours.

The gambling sector maintains significant access to political decision-makers through donations, hospitality, and post-political employment. Strengthened rules around political donations and gifts could reduce this influence and foster more objective policymaking.

Online gambling advertisements remain unregulated in many respects. The Murphy committee’s call for a ban reflects public sentiment, with the majority of Australians supporting such a move. A ban would reduce exposure and limit gambling uptake among new users.

Much of the existing gambling research is funded by industry-linked sources, leading to concerns about bias. Establishing independent funding streams for gambling harm research would ensure a stronger, more credible evidence base for future policies.

In short, the Australian government has the political power required to take decisive action against gambling harm. While resistance from vested interests is expected, the reforms proposed are neither radical nor untested. Australians are not calling for a ban on gambling, but rather for a safer, regulated environment that protects public health.

 This article was written in cooperation with AussieCodes.com