Online gambling has spiked sharply over the past year, new data shows, re-stoking calls to reform the sector.
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Independent MP Andrew Wilkie said the Australian National University report, which noted an increase in the number of people gambling at risky levels, came as no surprise.
"The accessibility of phones has made it easier for people to gamble from their own lounge room and the proliferation of gambling advertising is enticing people to keep coming back for more," Mr Wilkie said.
"Meanwhile, the federal government has been sitting on their hands while many people suffer from gambling harm."
The data revealed gambling levels had remained steady despite a post-pandemic spike in 2023, but habits were shifting.
"Online gambling has exponentially increased, and should now be considered one of the main gambling platforms," study lead author Aino Suomi said.
"The unlimited access to online gambling has the potential to cause real harm if not properly addressed."
The study found the number of individuals gambling at risky levels had spiked from 11.6 per cent to 13.6 per cent in the past year.
"This means a larger proportion of individuals who gamble are experiencing harm," Dr Suomi said.
A separate ANU report found that about 1.2 million Australians, or more than one in 20 adults, had been personally impacted by someone's gambling in the previous 12 months.
Mr Wilkie urged the federal government to implement all recommendations from a standing committee report on gambling harm in Australia.
"It's unconscionable that it's been more than a year since the report was released and the government is yet to implement the recommendations, including a ban on gambling advertising," Mr Wilkie said.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was still working through the report's 31 recommendations.
"We recognise that what we need to do is more in this area but we want to make sure we get it right," he told parliament.
Communications minister Michelle Rowland was consulting on the reforms with stakeholders, including industry and harm minimisation groups.
The ANU study collected data between April 2019 and January 2024, and asked participants about their gambling activity and wellbeing over the past 12 months.
Punters were turning away from venues and shifting towards online gambling such as sports betting, the study found.
Lottery tickets remained Australia's most popular form of gambling, with almost half of respondents buying picks in the past 12 months.
Men, older age groups and those with lower education levels were more likely to gamble than younger people.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, studies show each year Australians lose more on gambling per person than any other country - around $25 billion.
Australian Associated Press
