Teen Gambling Surges in Australia as Calls for Regulation Grow
A new report from The Australia Institute has found that teenage gambling is widespread in Australia, with nearly one in three youths aged 12 to 17 taking part in some form of gambling.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The figure jumps to almost half among 18 and 19-year-olds, which suggests gambling habits form early and continue into adulthood. The data, taken from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey and other studies, estimates that over 900,000 teenagers aged 12 to 19 gambled in the past year, more than the number playing soccer or basketball. In total, teens in this age bracket spent approximately $231 million on gambling, with underage teens (12–17) contributing $18.4 million and those aged 18–19 spending $213 million.
This breaks down to about $87 per teen annually, though among those who admit to gambling, the figures are higher: $30 for underage participants and nearly $700 for legal-age teen gamblers.
Gambling Starts with Private Bets and Loot Boxes
The report argues that many teens begin gambling informally, with private bets or loot boxes in video games, well before reaching the legal age. By the time they turn 18, their gambling behaviors often shift to more traditional avenues, such as scratch cards, pokies, and sports betting.
It is further claimed that Australian teenagers are now more likely to gamble than to play a sport, which the authors argue poses serious public health concerns. The trend is thought to be encouraged by widespread gambling advertising, which critics say targets younger audiences through digital platforms and sports sponsorships.
Despite growing evidence of harm, the federal government has yet to act on the recommendations from its 2023 inquiry into online gambling. These include a proposed ban on gambling ads, an idea that enjoys broad public support, with 76% of Australians favoring a phased ban over three years and 87% backing restrictions during prime-time family TV hours.
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The World’s Biggest Gambling Nation
Australia currently holds the title of the world’s biggest gambling nation, with total annual losses exceeding $31.5 billion, more than the entire gambling losses in Las Vegas. The losses have grown 25% since 2019.
Experts have warned that without immediate policy intervention, early exposure to gambling will continue to encourage young Australians to gamble.
The Australia Institute’s report concludes that without stricter regulation, particularly in relation to advertising and online gambling access for minors, the country’s teenagers may remain among the world’s most prolific and vulnerable gamblers.
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