The 2024 ACT Gambling Survey, released today, reveals that while fewer Canberrans are gambling, the harms associated with gambling remains widespread and persistent.
Commissioned by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission (GRC) and conducted by CQUniversity, the survey provides a detailed snapshot of gambling behaviours, harms, and attitudes across the ACT.
The survey, which included responses from over 10,000 ACT adults, found that 53.2% of residents had gambled in the past year. One in six adults (15.8%) reported experiencing at least one type of harm from gambling, including:
- 9.1% from their own gambling.
- 5.7% from someone else's gambling.
- 5.7% from legacy harm—lasting effects even after gambling has stopped.
Despite falling participation rates, the harms are increasingly severe and disproportionately impact younger men. Males under the age of 40 make up only 22.6% of the population, but they account for over half (51.5%) of those most affected by gambling harm in the ACT.
Minister for Gaming Reform, Dr Marisa Paterson, said the findings reinforce the need for continued action.
"This report provides us with key insights into how gambling is impacting our community. Despite public perceptions around the use of poker machines being an activity that older people engage in, this research shows men under 40 are disproportionately participating in poker machine gaming and experience harm as a result," Minister Paterson said.
The report also reveals significant shifts in behaviour around gambling. Since 2001, overall gambling participation has dropped from 72.9% to 53.2%, and Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) use has halved since 2009. However, online gambling has surged five-fold and is now considered a higher-risk form of gambling.
"We've made strong progress in reducing the number of pokies in our community, and we'll continue working towards reducing machine numbers to 1000 by 2045. This will be supported by a range of harm minimisation measures, particularly through the implementation of mandatory account-based cashless gaming."
Encouragingly, community support for reform remains strong, with two-thirds (66%) of ACT adults backing further reductions in the number of poker machines.
The survey findings will inform future policy and intervention strategies focused on protecting vulnerable groups and addressing the evolving risks of online gambling.
"The insights from this report will guide targeted efforts to prevent gambling harm. This includes exploring stronger advertising controls and other measures to address the risks posed by online gambling," said Minister Paterson.
The full report is available at www.gamblingandracing.act.gov.au/research/10000-person-act-gambling-survey-report-now-available.
If you or someone you know is affected by gambling, free and confidential help is available 24/7 through the ACT Gambling Support Service. Call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
