Australian Problem Gambling Reseach

•Over 33% of gambling industry profits is generated by those who gamble problematically (Productivity Commission, 1999).

•One in four people with gambling problems say they have marriage problems because of their gambling.

•Many people with gambling problems say they have lost time from work because of their gambling problem.

•60% of those in counselling had seriously contemplated suicide as a result of their gambling (Productivity Commission, 1999)

•The Productivity Commission’s Inquiry estimated that up to 400 people commit suicide each year because of the crushing burden of their gambling

•80% of those in treatment for problem gambling are having difficulties with Electronic Gaming Machines (pokies)

Some Findings from the NSW 2006 Problem Gambling Prevalence Study

•In a total sample of 5,029 NSW adults who were of gambling age (over 18) 5% evidenced some level of problem gambling risk – if generalized to the NSW population this represents 341,500 people.

•5.5% of those who had gambled in the past 12 months were identified as Problem Gamblers. Poker machines were identified as the highest level of risk with (95%) of problem gamblers

•The majority of those identified as problem gamblers were young men aged 18 – 24 (34.3%).

•32% of those interviewed had been exposed to someone else’s gambling through an interpersonal relationship.

•53 % of problem gamblers had felt seriously depressed

•29% had been under the care of a doctor or other professional because of physical or emotional problems brought on by stress.

•The most sacrificed item for gambling was money for groceries (19%) with one in ten gamblers across groups not spending money on groceries so they could gamble. Women were most likely to be sacrificing this form of expenditure.

Source:

Productivity Commission Report into Australia’s Gambling Industries, 1999

AC Nielson (2007), Prevalence of Gambling and Problem Gambling in NSW – A Community Survey 2006, NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing

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