Australia has long been known for its love of gambling, but a new report from the Grattan Institute sheds light on the staggering cost that comes with it. According to A Better Bet: How Australia Should Prevent Gambling Harm, the country leads the world in gambling losses, with Australians losing a staggering AU$24 billion in 2020-21. This translates to an average of AU$1,635 per adult, far exceeding the figures in countries like the U.S. (AU$809) and New Zealand (AU$584). The report calls for sweeping reforms to curb the growing harm caused by pokies and online betting.
The Grattan Institute report makes it clear that Australia’s gambling losses are not an accident. It accuses the government of taking a “lax approach” to regulating gambling, allowing the industry to operate without sufficient oversight. With gambling ads plastered across TV screens and pokies dominating pubs and clubs, the accessibility and normalization of gambling in Australian society have created a perfect storm of social and financial harm.
The numbers paint a troubling picture. Between 2008-09 and 2020-21, losses from online betting alone jumped from AU$3.6 billion to AU$5.8 billion. This sharp rise has coincided with an increase in advertising during sports events, a practice that has drawn considerable criticism. A Senate inquiry last year found that gambling ads, especially those targeting children, were essentially grooming young Australians to gamble. Despite this, efforts to ban gambling advertising have faced fierce opposition from media companies and industry lobbyists, stalling much-needed reforms.
Grattan’s report doesn’t mince words, urging federal and state governments to take immediate action to prevent further harm. The recommendations are bold but necessary: a complete ban on gambling ads, a gradual reduction in the number of pokies in each state, and mandatory pre-commitment systems for both online betting and pokies. These measures would put strict limits on how much Australians can gamble on a daily, monthly, and annual basis—providing a buffer for those most vulnerable to addiction.
The report’s lead authors argue that the government must stand up to “vested interests” and reject the self-serving claims of the gambling industry, which has repeatedly pushed back against regulation. Previous reform efforts have largely failed, the report suggests, because of the well-coordinated attacks by a powerful gambling lobby. As the public increasingly becomes aware of the dangers posed by unchecked gambling, the pressure is mounting on the Albanese government to act.
What stands out most in Grattan’s report is its focus on pokies and online betting. These two forms of gambling account for the largest portion of losses in Australia, and their prevalence in everyday life makes them particularly dangerous. Pokies, found in pubs and clubs across the country, are specifically designed to be addictive, preying on individuals who are often in precarious financial or emotional situations. Online betting platforms, with their easy access and constant promotions, only compound the problem.
The Grattan Institute’s call for a complete ban on gambling advertising is perhaps the most contentious recommendation. The sheer volume of these ads—often during prime-time sports events—has normalized gambling to the point where it’s become inseparable from the Australian sporting experience. The inquiry from last year suggested a ban within three years, but there are fears that the government may introduce a watered-down version of the proposed restrictions, bowing to pressure from media companies that rely heavily on gambling revenue.
Beyond the financial costs, the human toll of gambling addiction is profound. Grattan’s CEO, Aruna Sathanapally, highlighted the devastating consequences that can come from unchecked gambling: job loss, bankruptcy, relationship breakdowns, and even suicide. The report makes it clear that this isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s about protecting individuals, families, and communities from the long-term harm caused by gambling.
While the recommendations in A Better Bet may seem drastic to some, they are rooted in the undeniable fact that Australia’s gambling culture is out of control. The call for mandatory pre-commitment systems is particularly significant, as it would force gamblers to set limits on their losses upfront—potentially preventing impulsive, catastrophic losses. Similar systems have been implemented in other countries with success, proving that this is not an unrealistic or unattainable goal.
As Australia grapples with the social and economic costs of its gambling culture, the Grattan Institute report serves as a stark reminder that reform is overdue. The country’s current approach has allowed the gambling industry to “run wild,” leaving ordinary Australians to bear the burden. The question now is whether the government will finally take a stand and implement the bold changes necessary to rein in the industry—or if it will once again bow to the influence of a well-funded and powerful lobby.
The conversation around gambling reform in Australia is just beginning, and as public awareness grows, so too does the demand for meaningful action. With billions of dollars at stake, the challenge will be to strike a balance between the industry’s interests and the well-being of the Australian public. If the government takes Grattan’s recommendations seriously, it could mark a turning point in the fight against gambling harm in the country.
