Gambling Problems in Australia
Gambling is a widespread activity and, when problematic, can lead to financial stress, relationship issues, family violence, unemployment and crime. It is also associated with mental health problems including depression and bipolar disorder, which can trigger gambling, or make it worse, and is one of the leading causes of suicide in Australia – it’s reported that problem gamblers are 15 times more likely to commit suicide than people who don’t have a gambling problem (5).
The availability and accessibility of gambling products, particularly electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and online wagering, drives uptake and harms. The normalization of gambling is also driven by commercial associations with sporting leagues and cultural activities and aggressive promotion in popular media. In addition, features that blur the boundaries between simulated and real-life gambling (e.g., in the case of online pogs and Magic: The Gathering games, whose collector game pieces have value) can be psychologically addictive and can increase the frequency of gambling behavior.
Despite its pervasiveness, gambling is not considered to be an addiction in the same way as other addictions such as alcohol or drug use, and it’s difficult to measure how many people are affected by it. However, there are many warning signs that someone may have a gambling problem. These include being unable to stop gambling, having frequent thoughts of gambling, or spending more and more time gambling than planned, or even when the money is gone.
Problem gamblers can be at risk of suicide and also may face stigma, especially in communities with high levels of disadvantage. Gambling can be used to cover up other criminal activity, such as theft or fraud, and it is often a source of income for people with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Moreover, problem gamblers are more likely to be involved in income-generating crimes such as theft and exploitation of children.
To address these issues, governments should regulate gambling and provide support services for those at risk of gambling problems, including helplines, community-based interventions, and residential rehabilitation programs. These should be accompanied by measures to reduce the marketing of gambling products, especially EGMs, and by clear warning messages that emphasize the risks.
Individuals who have difficulty overcoming the urge to gamble can seek help from peer support groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous, which follows a similar model to Alcoholics Anonymous and provides a range of different services for those with gambling problems. In addition, individuals can find replacement activities for their gambling time, such as exercising or taking up a new hobby. They can also delete gambling apps and websites from their phones and computers, remove autofill information for banking apps, and use other tools that can make it harder to engage in impulsive financial decisions when they’re feeling a craving. Ultimately, the best thing for anyone with a gambling problem is to seek professional help. This could involve cognitive behavioural therapy, which looks at beliefs around betting and the ways we think about gambling, such as believing that certain rituals can bring luck or that you can win back lost money.
