2007 NSW Population Health Survey Results on Gambling

Introduction

The gambling industry is big business in Australia, with Australians losing $15 billion on gambling in 2007. The industry has grown substantially in the last 20 years, following the widespread introduction and legalisation of casinos and gaming machines. The proportion of disposable household income directed towards gambling has escalated, as has the amount of taxation revenue provided to governments from gambling. A number of parallels have been drawn between gambling and alcohol, as both are legal for adults, heavily marketed, strongly regulated, provide substantial tax revenue, can be viewed as entertainment, and are deemed a matter of personal responsibility.[1]

In 2007 the New South Wales Population Health Survey asked respondents: In the last 12 months have you undertaken any forms of gambling? In the last 12 months have you bet more than you can afford to lose? In the last 12 months have you felt you might have a gambling problem? Has anyone in your immediate family ever had a gambling problem?

Results

Gambled in the last 12 months

Overall, in 2007, 44.8 per cent of adults gambled in the last 12 months. A significantly higher proportion of males (51.6 per cent) than females (38.1 per cent) gambled in the last 12 months. Among males, a significantly lower proportion of those aged 65-74 years (44.5 per cent) and 75 years and over (44.8 per cent) gambled in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult male population. Among females, a significantly higher proportion of those aged 55-64 years (43.5 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of those aged 16-24 years (26.3 per cent), gambled in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult female population.

A significantly lower proportion of adults in the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile (41.0 per cent) gambled in the last 12 months. A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (50.1 per cent) than urban health areas (42.6 per cent) gambled in the last 12 months. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Hunter & New England (51.5 per cent), North Coast (49.1 per cent), and Greater Western (51.0 per cent) Area Health Services, and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West Area Health Service (40.0 per cent), gambled in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult population.

Bet more than could afford to lose

Overall, in 2007, among adults who gambled in the last 12 months, 4.8 per cent always or often or sometimes bet more than they could afford to lose. There was no significant difference between males and females. A significantly lower proportion of adults aged 75 years and over (1.6 per cent) always or often or sometimes bet more than they could afford to lose.

A significantly lower proportion of adults in the first or least disadvantaged quintile (2.6 per cent) always or often or sometimes bet more than they could afford to lose. There was no significant difference between urban health areas or rural health areas, or among health areas.

Self-perception of gambling problem

Overall, in 2007, among adults who gambled in the last 12 months, 4.4 per cent felt they might have a gambling problem. There was no significant difference between males and females. A significantly lower proportion of adults aged 75 years and over (0.6 per cent) felt they might have a gambling problem. There was no significant difference among quintiles of disadvantage, between urban health areas or rural health areas, or among health areas.

Ever had a problem gambler in their immediate family

Overall, in 2007, 10.4 per cent of adults ever had a problem gambler in their immediate family. A significantly lower proportion of adults aged 75 years and over (8.0 per cent) ever had a problem gambler in the immediate family. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the first or least disadvantaged quintile (7.8 per cent) ever had a problem gambler in the immediate family. There was no significant difference between urban health areas or rural health areas, or among health areas.

References

Drabsch T. The Economic and Social Implications of Gambling: Background Paper 09/2003. Sydney: Parliament of New South Wales, 2008. Available online at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au (accessed 4 September 2008).

Source: New South Wales Population Health Survey 2007 (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.

www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/surveys/hsa/07/toc/2_beh14_gamblingasp. (accessed 16 December, 2008)

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