Regular online betting in Australia, 2022

National Gambling Trends Study

Content type
Research snapshot
Published

October 2023

Researchers

Overview

This research summary presents findings from a 2022 survey of Australian adults (n = 955) who bet online on sports/races (also known as online wagering) on a regular basis (at least fortnightly). The survey examined gambling behaviour and experiences in the past 12 months.

Key messages

  •  Two in three participants (68.4%) who regularly bet online on sports/races were classified as being at risk of gambling harm, with younger age groups (18-34 years; 81.9%) at highest risk.

  • Most participants spent money betting on horse racing (91%) and sports (86.7%), followed by gambling on lotteries (81.7%) and poker machines/'pokies' (67.6%).

  •  Participants spent around $768 per month (median) across all types of gambling, including $125 on horse racing and $80 on sports, with over 1 in 4 (26.7%) reporting using credit cards to gamble.

  • Median monthly expenditure on gambling activities was higher for men and the younger age group (18-34 years).

  • Participants' most recent session of online betting lasted 2.5 hours on average (median) and almost two-thirds (63.0%) reported that they had gambled alone.

  •  More than half (55.1%) reported having multiple online betting accounts and 13.3% had used an offshore (illegal) online betting account during the past 12 months.

  •  Only a minority (6.3%) of regular online bettors reported seeking help for gambling harm (in the past year). The most common reasons reported for not seeking help were embarrassment (46.5%) and not thinking help would change their gambling (23.8%).

  • Participants classified as being at risk of gambling harm:

    • spent more per month on sports betting ($100 compared to $50 not at risk) and pokies ($88 compared to $15 not at risk) and across all gambling activities ($1,283 compared to $352 not at risk)
    • gambled longer for their most recent online betting session (4.5 hours compared to 2.5 hours not at risk)
    • gambled in the late-night hours of midnight to 8 am during their most recent online betting session (33.5% compared to 19.2% not at risk)
    • met criteria for probable serious mental illness (5.5% compared to 0.7% not at risk)
    • sought help in the past year for gambling harm (9.0% compared to 0.3% not at risk) or wanted to seek help but didn't (15.2% compared to 0.7% not at risk).

About the National Gambling Trends Study

Purpose

This is the first release of the National Gambling Trends Study (NGTS) findings, which will be produced annually by the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) at the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS). The aim of the NGTS is to present timely information on recent trends, emerging issues and possible future directions in gambling participation and related harms in Australia. The information is relevant for gambling policy makers and regulators, service providers, researchers and the broader community. A long-term goal of the NGTS is to support the development and implementation of evidence-based approaches to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm in Australia.

Methods

The NGTS uses mixed-methods research, drawing on data from different sources to increase robustness and reliability. The current release is based on a consumer survey conducted online during July-November 2022 with people who bet online on sports or races (also known as online wagering) on a regular basis (at least fortnightly) (N = 955).

Reports

This research summary is 2 of 3 published for the 2022 edition of the NGTS. The full suite includes:

  1. Regular pokies gambling in Australia, 2022
  2. Regular online betting in Australia, 2022
  3. Consumer views on emerging trends and future directions for gambling in Australia, 2022.

Sample characteristics

A convenience sample of Australian adults who bet online on sports or races (e.g. using a mobile phone, tablet, computer) on a regularly basis (at least fortnightly in the previous 3 months) were recruited during July-November 2022 and completed an online survey regarding their demographic characteristics, gambling behaviour (frequency, spend, mode, location, payment methods used, risks and harm), most recent online betting session, alcohol use and smoking, health and wellbeing, help-seeking, and use of harm minimisation tools. Median survey duration was 18 minutes.

Table 1: Characteristics of participants in the consumer survey of regular online bettors
Number of survey participants%  
(N = 955)
State/Territory
New South Wales34.9
Victoria25.5
Queensland19.0
South Australia8.3
Western Australia9.8
Tasmania1.7
Australian Capital Territory0.8
Northern Territory0.0
Age
18-24 years8.1
25-34 years22.0
35-49 years32.0
50-59 years15.9
60-64 years7.6
65+ years14.3
Mean age (years)45.2
Gender
Men52.8
Women46.7
Non-binary0.3
Not answered0.3
Birthplace, ancestry and language
Australian born83.0
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander4.4
Speaks language other than English at home11.9
Relationship and household status
In a relationship/married/de facto68.4
Lives with other people81.8
Location
Lives in a major city79.2
Lives outside a major city20.8
Education, employment and income 
Bachelor's degree or higher40.1
Currently studying24.3
Currently employed75.1
Median weekly income (AUD$)1,000-1,249

Gambling participation

Past-year gambling

Among Australian adults who reported regularly betting online, the majority reported betting on horse racing (91.0%) and sports events (86.7%) in the past year (see Figure 1). Four in five reported also gambling on lotto/lottery games (81.7%), and two-thirds reported also gambling on pokies (67.6%). More than half reported gambling on greyhound racing (60.8%), instant scratch tickets ('scratchies') (60.7%) and harness racing (53.4%). Overall, those participating in regular online gambling reported an average of 8 different gambling activities in the past year.

Among the 86.7% of regular online gamblers who reported betting on sports, the most popular types of sports bet on included: Australian Rules Football (AFL) (58.5%), National Ruby League (NRL) (49.0%), soccer (28.5%), cricket (27.4%), basketball (25.1%) and tennis (24.2%).

Figure 1: Past-year gambling participation by type of gambling activity among regular online bettors

Bar chart -  Figure  1:     Past-year gambling participation by type of gambling activity among regular online bettors: Horse racing 91.0%; Sports events 86.7%; Lotto or lottery games 81.7%; Poker machines or pokies 67.6%; Greyhound racing 60.8%; Instant scratch tickets 60.7%; Harness racing 53.4%; Casino table games (not poker) 47.0%; Keno 44.7%; Poker 34.1%; Novelty events 26.9%; Financial betting 26.3%; Bingo 25.9%; Fantasy sports for money 25.7%; Esports for money 22.8%; Virtual sports for money 22.2%.

Note: Percentages do not add up to 100% as online bettors could gamble on one or more gambling activities in the past 12 months.

Gambling initiation

Around 2 out of 5 online bettors reported that their first experience of gambling with real money was on horse races (41.3%), while for around 1 in 6 it was sports events (16.3%), and 1 in 10 gambled on the pokies (12.7%).

Gambling participation by age and gender

Among regular online bettors, past year participation in gambling activities was proportionately higher for those in younger age groups (18-34 and 35-54 years) than the oldest age group (55+ years), with the exception of horse race betting, keno and lotto/lottery games. For example, betting on sports among regular online gamblers was most prevalent in the younger age groups (96.2% among those aged 18-34 years; 91.5% among those aged 35-54 years) than the oldest aged group (70.1% among those aged 55+ years). In contrast, betting on horse races was most prevalent in older age groups (96.0% aged 55+ years; 92.6% aged 35-54 years) than the youngest age group (84.0% aged 18-34 years).

Men were more likely than women to report gambling on greyhound racing (63.3% vs 56.2%) and harness racing (55.7% vs 48.6%). However, women were more likely than men to report participating in most other gambling activities including, for example, gambling on lotto/lottery games (90.5% vs 77.5%), gambling on the pokies (78.4% vs 62.2%) and gambling on casino table games (53.0% vs 43.8%).

Frequent gambling

More than half of regular online bettors reported betting on horse racing at least weekly (52.9%), and around half reported betting on sports (45.4%) (see Figure 2). Around one-third of regular online bettors reported gambling at least weekly on lotto/lottery games (36.3%), around one-quarter reported betting on greyhound racing (27.2%). On average, regular online bettors reported participating in 3 different types of gambling activities at least weekly.

Figure 2: At least weekly gambling participation by type of gambling activity

Bar chart - Figure  2:     At least weekly gambling participation by type of gambling activity: Horse racing 52.9%; Sports events 45.4%; Lotto or lottery games 36.3%; Greyhound racing 27.2%; Poker machines or pokies 21.5%; Harness racing 20.0%; Instant scratch tickets 16.6%; Keno 11.6%; Poker 9.9%; Casino table games (not poker) 9.1%; Financial betting 8.6%; Fantasy sports for money 8.5%; Virtual sports for money 7.6%; Bingo 7.4%; Esports for money 7.4%; Novelty events 6.1%.

Note: Percentages do not add up to 100% as online bettors could gamble on one or more gambling activities at least weekly in the past 12 months.

Session length and time of day gambling

Participants were asked a range of questions focused on their most recent session of online gambling. The estimated median length of regular online bettors' most recent online betting session was 2.5 hours. Typically, online betting sessions were short at 10 minutes or less (17%), long at 12-24 hours (9.8%) or more than 24 hours (15.1%). However, session length varied considerably across participants (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Length of most recent online betting session among regular online bettors

Bar chart - Figure  3: Length of most recent online betting session among regular online bettors: 10 minutes or less 17.0%; 20-50 minutes 9.7%; 1 hour 7.0%; 1-2 hours 9.6%; 2-3 hours 8.3%; 3-4 hours 5.9%; 4-5 hours 45%; 5-6 hours 3.9%; 6-7 hours 2.5%; 7-8 hours 2.0%; 8-12 hours 3.9%; 12-24 hours 9.8%; >24 hours 15.1%.

Notes: Sample n = 955. Data were missing for 0.8% of sample (n = 8).

Online gambling during both daytime and night-time hours was common. More than half of regular online bettors reported that their most recent online betting session was in the afternoon, either between midday and 3 pm (57.7%) or between 3 pm and 6 pm (60.3%) (see Figure 4). Around half reported that their most recent session was in the evening between 6 pm and 9 pm (49.2%). Large proportions also reported that their most recent session was in the morning between 10 am and midday (43.2%).

Figure 4: Times of day of most recent online betting session among regular online bettors

Bar chart - Figure  4: Times of day of most recent online betting session among regular online bettors. Midnight to 4am 26.7%; 4 am to 7am 25.3%; 7am to 10am 30.6%; 10am to midday 43.2%; Midday to 3pm 57.7%; 3pm to 6pm 60.3%; 6pm to 9pm 49.2%; 9pm to midnight 33.9%; Midnight to 8am 29.0%.

Notes: Sample n = 947. Data were missing for 0.8% of sample. Percentages do not add up to 100% as gambling could have occurred across multiple time of day categories.

Gambling expenditure and setting

Estimated monthly expenditure

The estimated expenditure on gambling across all gambling activities combined (excluding financial betting) by regular online bettors was $768 per month on average (median). However, estimated expenditure differed across gambling activities. For example, the highest estimated expenditure (per month median) was reported for gambling on horse races ($125), followed by gambling on sports events ($80), pokies ($50), lotto/lottery games ($40) and greyhound racing ($40) (see Figure 5).

Expenditure on gambling also differed by gender and age. For example, men reported higher estimated median monthly total expenditure on gambling compared to women ($982 vs $445), with the gender differences largest for betting expenditure on horse racing ($200 vs $60) and sports events ($100 vs $50).

Being younger was associated with higher median monthly expenditure, with expenditure on all gambling activities per month highest for participants aged 18-34 years ($886) and 35-54 years ($843) than those aged 55+ years ($623). Expenditure also varied by gambling activity; for example, younger groups had higher expenditure on sports betting ($125 per month), betting on horse racing ($80 per month), and gambling on the pokies ($80 per month). While being older (55+ years) was associated with higher median monthly expenditure for betting on horse racing ($200) and lotto/lottery games ($50).

Figure 5: Estimated expenditure (per month median) by regular online bettors on each type of gambling activity

Bar chart - Figure  5:     Estimated expenditure (per month median) by regular online bettors on each type of gambling activity: Horse racing $125; Sports events $80; Poker machines or pokies $50; Lotto or lottery games $40; Greyhound racing $40; Casino table games (not poker) $25; Harness racing $25; Virtual sports for money $20; Esports for money $20; Poker $20; Fantasy sports for money $15; Bingo $13; Instant scratch tickets $10; Keno $10; Novelty events $6.

Notes: Monthly expenditure per activity was calculated using gambling frequency and reported expenditure on a typical day. The figure shows expenditure for 15 types of gambling activities (financial betting not included).

Payment methods

A variety of gambling payment methods were reported by regular online bettors for any type of gambling (see Figure 6). Non-credit payment methods were most commonly used, with around two-thirds (66.3%) using debit cards to pay for gambling, and around half (53.2%) using cash. However, more than a quarter of regular online bettors reported using credit cards to pay for gambling (26.7%).

Figure 6: Gambling payment methods used by regular online bettors in past 12 months

Bar chart - Figure  6: Gambling payment methods used by regular online bettors in past 12 months: Debit card 66.3%; Cash 53.2%; Credit card 26.7%; Cash advanced by credit card 5.9%; Crytocurrency 3.1%; Buy now pay later 3.0%; Other method 3.4%.

Note: Percentages do not add up to 100% as online bettors could have used multiple types of payment method for gambling.

Expenditure at most recent online betting session

The most common activities that regular online bettors reported betting on at their most recent session were horse racing (59.4%) and sports events (49%). Of those who reported betting on sports events, most bet on either AFL (36.5%), NRL 28.6%), soccer (17.5%) or cricket (10.5%), and more than a quarter reported betting on 2 or more sports (26.3%).

The average (median) total expenditure reported by regular online bettors at their most recent online betting session was $50. Around a quarter reported that they broke even at their most recent online betting session (23.2%), but larger proportions reported that they finished ahead (won money; 39%) or behind (lost money; 31.9%), with 5.9% unable to say.

More than two in five regular online bettors reported they did not set a maximum spending limit for their most recent online betting session (43%), and around one in five reported that they spent more than usual at their most recent session (18.8%).

Of those regular online bettors who did set a maximum spend/time limit for their most recent session (53.1%), both informal and formal limits were used, including: making a mental note to spend up to a set amount (69.4%), setting themselves maximum spend limits via their account or machine (33.1%), or by setting a maximum spend limit via their personal bank/cash app (6.9%). Of those who set a maximum spend limit, the median limit set was $50.

Betting locations and modes

The most common location where regular online bettors reported betting on sports or races in the past year was at home (84.5%). Around a third of regular online bettors also reported betting on sports or races at licensed venues (33.4%), and around 1 in 5 reported betting on sports or races at the house of a friend/family member (21.3%), at a sporting event or racetrack or at a TAB/UBET agency/shop (19.9% each), at work (14.8%) or at a casino (14.3%).

The majority of regular online bettors reported that they used a mobile phone to bet online on sports or races (87.7%), and more than half reported using a computer/laptop/tablet/smart TV (54.8%) (see Figure 7). More than a third reported betting using a self-service terminal at a venue (39.4%) or betting in-person at a venue (37.8%).

Figure 7: Locations/modes of online betting used by regular online bettors in the past 12 months

Bar chart: Figure  7: Locations/modes of online betting used by regular online bettors in the past 12 months: Online using a mobile/smar phone 87.7%; Online using a compouter/laptop/tablet/smart TV 54.8%; Self-service terminal at a pub, club, stadium, racetrack, casino, TAB/UBET 39.4%; In person terminal at a pub, club, stadium, racetrack, casino, TAB/UBET 37.8%; Telephone call 13.7%.

Betting alone or with others

Close to two-thirds of regular online bettors reported gambling on their own at their most recent online betting session (63.0%). However, close to a quarter reported betting online while being with a spouse/partner (23.7%), and around one in ten with friends/colleagues (11.2%).

Men were more likely to report betting alone at their most recent online betting session (71.8%) compared to women (46.4%), while women were more likely to report betting with their spouse/partner (37.1%) or a family member/relative (12.7%) than men (16.6% and 6.8%) (see Figure 8).

Younger online bettors (aged 18-34 years) were more likely to report being with friends/colleagues at their most recent online betting session (19.2%) compared to older age groups (7.9% of those aged 35-54 years; 7.6% of those aged 55+ years). Older online bettors (aged 55+ years) were more likely to report being by themselves at their most recent online betting session (69.8%) compared to those aged 18-34 years (53%) or aged 35-54 years (65.6%).

Figure 8: Others present (by gender) with regular online bettors during their most recent online betting session

Bar chart - Figure  8: Others present (by gender) with regular online bettors during their most recent online betting session: By myself male 71.8%*, female 46.4%; Spouse/partner male 16.6%, female 37.1%*; Friend(s)/colleague(s) male 10.9%, female 12.1%; Family member/relative male 6.8%, female 12.7%*.

Notes: *Significantly different at < .05 level. Those who identify with 'non-binary' were excluded from the analysis due to the small sample size.

Legal and illegal online gambling accounts

While around 4 in 10 regular online bettors reported having only 1 online betting account (41.3%), more than half reported having multiple accounts (55.1%). More than a quarter of regular online bettors reported having 3 or more online betting accounts (28.7%).

More than 1 in 10 (13.3%) regular online bettors reported gambling in the past year with an online betting account that they believed was an offshore (illegal) online betting service. Gambling with an offshore (illegal) online betting service was more likely to be reported by males (16.3%) than females (6.4%).

Although a majority (68.7%) of regular online bettors reported not using an offshore (illegal) online betting service, around one-fifth (18.0%) reported being unsure if the online account/s they had used were operated by offshore (illegal) online betting services providers.

At-risk gambling and experiences of gambling-related harm

Prevalence of at-risk gambling

Among Australian adults who bet regularly online on sports or races, more than two-thirds (68.4%) met the criteria for at-risk gambling (low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk/'problem' gambling combined), based on Ferris and Wynne's (2001) Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI; see Figure 9). More than a quarter (29.3%) met the criteria for high-risk gambling.

Figure 9: Classification of Australian adults who bet regularly online on sports or races according to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)

Figure  9: Classification of Australian adults who bet regularly online on sports or races according to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI): Non-problem gambling 31.6%; Low-risk gambling 20.0%; Moderate-risk gambling 19.1%; High-risk gambling 29.3%.

Notes: At-risk gambling during the past 12 months was assessed using the 9-item Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI; Ferris & Wynne, 2001). Respondents were grouped into 4 categories based on their scores: non-problem gambling (0), low-risk gambling (1-2), moderate-risk gambling (3-7) and high-risk/'problem' gambling (8-27). Respondents scoring 1+ may be classified as being at some risk of, or already experiencing, gambling problems.

Gender, age and gambling frequency differences in at-risk gambling

Although all age groups had high levels of at-risk gambling, there was a higher prevalence of at-risk gambling among younger regular online bettors (aged 18-34 years), with more than four in five of this age group classified as at-risk (81.9%) compared to those aged 35-54 years (67.9%) or 55+ years (55.0%) (see Figure 10). For men and women the prevalence of at-risk gambling was similar (67.9% and 68.9%, respectively), but for weekly online bettors the prevalence of at-risk gambling was higher than it was for fortnightly online bettors (70.2% compared to 62.7%, respectively).

Figure 10: Age, gender and gambling frequency of regular online bettors by at-risk gambling status

Figure  10: Age, gender and gambling frequency of regular online bettors by at-risk gambling status: 18-34 years: not at-risk 18.1%, at-risk 81.9%*; 35-54 years: not at-risk 32.1%, at-risk 67.9%*; 55+ years: not at-risk 45.0%*, at-risk 55.0%; Male: not at-risk 32.1%, at-risk 67.9%; Female: not at-risk 31.1%, at-risk 68.9%; Fortnightly online betting: not at-risk 37.3%*, at-risk 62.7%; Weekly or more online betting: not at-risk 29.8%, at-risk 70.2%*.

Notes: Respondents scoring 1+ on the PGSI are classified as being at some risk of, or already experiencing, gambling harm; respondents scoring 0 on the PGSI are classified as not at-risk of gambling harm. Those who identify with 'non-binary' were excluded from the analysis due to the small sample size. *Significantly different at < .05 level.

Differences in gambling behaviours for at-risk online bettors

The intensity of gambling behaviours of online bettors at-risk of gambling harm (PGSI = 1+) were higher than those not at-risk (PGSI = 0; see Table 2 and Table 4 Dashboard), as shown by:

  • higher frequency gambling (at least weekly) on all gambling activities, excluding horse racing and lotto/lottery games
  • higher total weekly expenditure on all gambling activities (median $150 at-risk; $50 not at-risk)
  • higher estimated monthly expenditure gambling on sports events and pokies
  • having on average a higher number of online betting accounts, and more likely to use an illegal offshore online betting account and engage in online in-play betting on sport
  • having, in their most recent online sports/race betting session: higher total expenditure, longer session length, higher number of bets placed, gambled in early hours (midnight-8am), gambling with friends/colleagues, bet on impulse, consumed alcohol, been affected by illicit drugs, experienced financial problems as a result.
Table 2: Gambling behaviours for regular online bettors, by at-risk of gambling harm status
Gambling behavioursNot at-risk online bettors   
(n = 302) 
At-risk online bettors   
(n = 653)
Estimated monthly expenditure (median AUD$)  
Horse racing$110$125
Sports events$50$100*
Poker machines or pokies$15$88*
Lotto or lottery games$32$40
Greyhound racing$13$40
Casino table games (not poker)$13$29
Poker$13$25
Harness racing$11$25
Instant scratch tickets$8$13
Keno$6$13
Underage gambling (<18 years)  
First gambled with money underage16.9%21.7%
First gambled at least fortnightly while underage7.0%7.2%
Last online sports/race betting session  
Total expenditure (median AUD$)$30$50*
Mean number of bets placed5.68.5*
Session length (median minutes)150270*
Gambled online between:  
midnight and 4 am16.6%31.4%*
4 am and 7 am15.6%29.9%*
7 am and 10 am21.9%34.6%*
10 am and midday37.4%45.9%*
midday and 3 pm53.0%59.9%*
3 pm and 6 pm55.0%62.8%*
6 pm and 9 pm36.4%55.1%*
9 pm and midnight20.9%40.0%*
Midnight and 8 am19.2%33.5%*
Gambled alone63.9%62.6%
Gambled with spouse/partner27.5%21.9%
Gambled with friends/colleagues7.9%12.7%*
Percentage of bets planned in advance (mean)65.9%*50.0%
Percentage of bets on impulse before start of event (mean)28.0%36.0%*
Percentages of bets on impulse during the event (mean)6.1%14.1%*
Consumed alcohol (before, while, or after session)29.1%41.5%*
Smoked cigarettes/tobacco or vaped nicotine18.5%38.3%*
Affected by illicit drugs2.0%6.6%*
Session resulted in experiencing financial problems0.0%11.5%*
Set a spend and/or time limit52.3%53.4%
Spend limit set (median AUD$)$50$100*

Notes: Respondents scoring 1+ on the PGSI are classified as being at some risk of, or already experiencing, gambling harm; respondents scoring 0 on the PGSI are classified as not at-risk of gambling harm. *Significantly different at < .05 level between not at-risk and at-risk online bettors.

Experiences of gambling-related harms

More than half (52.2%) of regular online bettors reported experiencing at least one of ten potential gambling-related harms in the past year, based on the Short Gambling Harms Screen (SGHS; see Table 3). The most prevalent gambling harms reported were a reduction in available spending money, a reduction in savings and having regrets about gambling.

The likelihood of experiencing at least one gambling-related harm in the past year was very high among those online bettors classified as being at-risk of gambling harm (70.2%). Notably, more than one in seven not at-risk online bettors (13.6%) reported experiencing at least one gambling-related harm in the past year.

Table 3: Experience of gambling harms in the past year reported by regular online bettors (measured according to the Short Gambling Harms Screen (SGHS)), overall and by at-risk gambling status
Type of gambling-related harm experiencedTotal online bettors 
(N = 955) 
%
Not at-risk online bettors   
(n = 302) 
%
At-risk online bettors 
(= 653) 
%
A reduction in your available spending money34.86.347.9*
A reduction in your savings32.35.644.6*
Had regrets that made you feel sorry about your gambling28.02.339.8*
Had less spending on recreational expenses such as eating out, going to movies or other entertainment29.63.341.8*
Felt ashamed of your gambling23.70.334.5*
Spent less time with people you care about23.63.332.9*
Felt distressed about your gambling22.00.731.9*
Felt like a failure21.81.031.4*
Increased card debt14.62.020.4*
Sold personal items12.30.017.9*
Experienced one or more harms (out of ten)52.213.670.2*

Notes: Experience of gambling harms was measured using the Short Gambling Harms Screen (SGHS) which is 10-item assessment of individuals' experience of harms caused by gambling (Browne, Goodwin, & Rockloff, 2018). Respondents scoring 1+ on the PGSI are classified as being at some risk of, or already experiencing, gambling harm; respondents scoring 0 on the PGSI are classified as not at-risk of gambling harm. *Significantly different at p < .05 level between not at-risk and at-risk online bettors.

Help seeking and use of harm minimisation tools

Help seeking by online bettors

There was a low rate of help-seeking for gambling related problems among regular online bettors. Only around one in twenty (6.3%) reported that they had sought help. Most (80.0%) reported that they didn't need help. However, around one in ten (10.6%) reported that they wanted to seek help but had not done so. The most common reason those individuals reported for not seeking help was feeling embarrassed (46.5%). Some also reported that they didn't think the currently available help would change their gambling (23.8%).

Online bettors at-risk of gambling harm (PGSI = 1+) were more likely to seek help for their gambling (9.0% vs 0.3% not at-risk online bettors) or want to seek help (15.2% vs 0.7% not at-risk).

Among those who did seek help, financial problems were the most reported reason for doing so, followed by relationship problems, health problems and work/study problems (see Figure 11).

Figure 11: Reasons for seeking help for gambling in the past 12 months reported by regular online bettors

Figure  11: Reasons for seeking help for gambling in the past 12 months reported by regular online bettors: Financial problems 43.3%; Relationship problems 31.7%; Health problems 25.0%; Work or study problems 23.3%; Someone urged me 21.7%; Legal problems 8.3%; Other reasons 6.7%; =Prefer not to say 16.%.

Note: Based on a sample of regular online bettors who sought help (n = 60).

The main types of help that were sought by regular online bettors included:

  • enrolling in a self-exclusion program (30%)
  • calling a helpline (e.g. Gambler's Help, Lifeline) (28.3%)
  • seeking help from a community organisation (e.g. sporting club, church group, charity organisation) (26.7%)
  • seeking help from a doctor, psychologist or counsellor (25%)
  • browsing a gambling help-related website or forum (20%).

Consumer protection tools and other actions used by online bettors

Four in 10 regular online bettors (39.5%) reported using any online sports/race betting app- or web-based consumer protection tools in the past 12 months to limit the amount of time or money they spent betting (see Figure 12). The most common harm minimisation tools that regular online bettors reported using were setting a maximum deposit limit on their online betting account (14.9%), using account features to set limits on betting/spending (14.1%) and accessing their betting activity statements (12.6%).

Figure 12: Consumer protection tools (app or website) used in past 12 months by regular online bettors to try and control the amount of money or time spent betting on sports/races

Figure  12: Features to set limits on how much I want to deposit in my account 14.9%; Features to set limits on how much I want to bet/spend 14.1%; Accessed activity statements 12.6%; Features to unsubscribe from direct marketing (e.g emails, text messages) 9.8%; Features to exclude myself from betting accounts for a period of time (i.e. time out/take a break) 8.8%; Features to close my account 7.6%; Features to permanently exclude myself from betting accounts 6.8%; Any of the above 39.5%.

Only around one-quarter of regular online bettors (24.9%) reported taking any actions in the past year to limit the amount of time or money spent betting online (see Figure 13). Closing an online betting account was the most reported action (9.4%), followed by avoiding push marketing and inducements to bet (8.3%) and blocking gambling advertising on social media and internet search engines (7.3%).

Figure 13: Harm minimisation action taken in past 12 months by regular online bettors to try and control the amount of money or time spent betting online

Figure  13: Closed an online betting account 9.4%;      Avoided using push marketing or inducements to bet 8.3%; Blocked or hid gambling or betting ads on social media and/or search engines 7.3%; Had my bank(s) block or limit gambling transactions 6.3%; Used software to clock gambling or betting websites 5.1%; Any of the above 24.9%.

Health and wellbeing

Alcohol use

There was a high prevalence of alcohol use among regular online bettors, with around four in five (87.6%) reporting past year alcohol use (see Figure 14). More than one-quarter (28.1%) reported drinking 2 to 3 times a week, and around one in six (15.1%) reported drinking 4 or more times a week. Based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C), more than half (62.9%) of regular online bettors were high-risk hazardous drinkers, and the average expenditure (mean) on alcohol in a typical week (reported by 45.0% of past-year drinkers) was $88.50.

Online bettors at-risk of gambling harm (PGSI = 1+) were more likely to than those not at-risk of gambling harm (PGSI = 0) to: have drunk alcohol in the past 12 months, be classified as a high-risk hazardous drinker, and spend more on alcohol in a typical week (see Table 4 Dashboard).

Figure 14: Frequency of alcohol use in the past year among regular online bettors

Figure  14: Frequency of alcohol use in the past year among regular online bettors - Never: 12.4%; Monthly or less 18.4%; 2-4 times per month 26.1%; 2-3 times per week 28.1%; 4 or more times per week 15.1%.

Note: Percentages in chart do not add up to 100% as numbers shown are rounded to 1 decimal place.

Past-year drinkers were asked about alcohol use surrounding their most recent online betting session (i.e. before, during, and/or after betting). Of drinkers, around 2 in 5 (42.9%) reported consuming alcohol proximate to their most recent online betting session, with around one-quarter reporting that they were drinking while betting (25.8%). Of those consuming alcohol surrounding their most recent online betting session, 1 in 5 (18.1%) reported consuming 2 standard drinks, and around one in seven (13.1%) reported consuming 3 standard drinks (median total drinks = 4). Around 1 in 10 reported consuming 6 or more standard drinks during their last online session (10.9%).

Smoking

Almost one-third (30.3%) of regular online bettors reported that they were smokers (had smoked in the past year), and around 1 in 5 (19.3%) reported using electronic cigarettes or vaporising devices to inhale nicotine.

Smokers were asked about smoking on the day of their most recent online betting session. More than three-quarters of smokers reported that they had smoked that day (81.7%). Around two-thirds reported smoking cigarettes or other tobacco (65.2%), and around one-third reported vaping nicotine (33.3%).

Online bettors at-risk of gambling harm (PGSI = 1+) were more likely than those not at-risk of gambling harm (PGSI = 0) to: smoke cigarettes or other forms of tobacco, use e-cigarettes or vapes to inhale nicotine, and smoke either around their last online betting session (see Table 4 Dashboard).

Mental illness

Probable serious mental illness was identified in 4.0% of regular online bettors, based on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). During the past 30 days, around two-thirds of regular online bettors said they felt nervous (68.1%), felt that everything was an effort (64.7%) or felt restless and fidgety (64.0%), at least a little of the time or more often.

Online bettors at-risk of gambling harm (PGSI = 1+) were more likely to than those not at-risk of gambling harm (PGSI = 0) to meet criteria for probable serious mental illness (5.5% compared to 0.7%).

Dashboard: National gambling trends - regular online bettors

The following dashboard of national gambling trends presents key indicators of gambling participation, risks of harm and harm minimisation behaviour among regular online bettors in Australia (see Table 4). The 2022 figures presented in this inaugural dashboard represent baseline values that will be compared over time in future annual releases of the NGTS.

Table 4: Key indicators of national gambling trends among regular online sports/race bettors in Australia, 2022
Gambling participationTotal online bettors 
(N = 955) 
%
Not at-risk online bettors 
(n = 302) 
%
At-risk online bettors 
(n = 653) 
%
High frequency gambling activities (at least weekly)
Horse racing52.953.052.8
Sports events45.437.449.2*
Lotto or lottery games36.337.735.7
Greyhound racing27.215.232.8*
Poker machines or pokies21.57.927.7*
Harness racing20.010.924.2*
Instant scratch tickets16.611.918.8*
Keno11.66.014.2*
Poker9.93.013.2*
Casino table games9.12.612.1*
Expenditure on gambling
Total gambling expenditure (all activities) in a typical week (median AUD$)$100$50$150*
Estimated monthly gambling expenditure (median AUD$)$768$352$1,011*
Payment methods for gambling
Cash53.245.057.0*
Debit card66.358.370.0*
Credit card26.721.928.9*
Cash advance by credit card5.92.07.7*
Buy now pay later3.00.34.3*
Cryptocurrency3.10.74.3*
Location bet on sports/races
At home84.592.1*81.0
At a licenced venue33.428.535.7*
At a friend's/ family member's home21.314.924.2*
At a sporting event or racetrack19.916.621.4
At a TAB/UBET agency/shop19.915.921.7*
At work14.89.317.3*
At a casino14.38.916.8*
While commuting5.83.36.9*
At school/university/TAFE3.61.04.7*
Online betting accounts
Have active online betting account/s96.398.395.4
Mean number of online betting accounts3.02.33.4*

Online betting accounts that are offshore (illegal)

Yes

No

Unsure

 


13.3

68.7

18.0

 


9.8

75.1*

15.2

 


14.9*

65.7

19.4

Illegal online gambling activities   
Online in-play betting on sport18.18.922.4*
Online pokies (slots)17.47.322.1*
Online casino-style games12.56.615.2*
Risk of harmTotal online bettors 
(N = 955) 
%
Not at-risk online bettors 
(n = 302) 
%
At-risk online bettors 
(n = 653) 
%
Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)
At-risk gambling (PGSI≥1)68.40.0100.0
Non-problem gambling (0)31.6100.00.0
Low-risk gambling (1-2)20.00.0100.0
Moderate-risk gambling (3-7)19.10.0100.0
Problem gambling (8-27)29.30.0100.0
Mean score (out of 0-27)5.120.007.49
Short Gambling Harm Screen (SGHS)
1 or more harms52.213.670.2*
Mean score (out of 0-10)2.420.253.44*
Alcohol and other drug use   
Any alcohol use (past 12 months)87.684.189.3*
At least weekly alcohol use54.158.358.2
High-risk hazardous drinker (AUDIT-C)62.953.067.5*
Mean weekly spend on alcohol (AUD$)$88.5$65$99*
Smoke cigarettes/tobacco (past 12 months)30.316.936.4*
E-cigarette/vape use (past 12 months)19.37.624.7*
Harm minimisationTotal online bettors gamblers   
(N = 955)   
%
Not at-risk online bettors   
(n = 302)   
%
At-risk online bettors   
(n = 832)   
%
Help-seeking
Sought help in past 12 months6.30.39.0*
Wanted to seek help but didn't10.60.715.2*
Actions taken to control money/time spent gambling at a venue
Set deposit limit14.98.917.6*
Set a bet/spend limit14.17.917.0*
Accessed activity statements12.66.615.3*
Unsubscribed from direct marketing9.83.612.7*
Temporarily self-excluded8.80.712.6*
Closed online betting account7.61.010.7*
Permanently self-excluded6.80.79.6*
Any of the above39.518.949.0*

Notes: Total sample of respondents who gambled regularly online on sports and/or races (at least fortnightly) in past 3 months = 995. Estimated monthly gambling expenditure calculated for 15 gambling activities, excluding financial betting. PGSI: Problem Gambling Severity Index (Ferris & Wynne, 2001). Not at-risk gambling (PGSI score = 0); at-risk gambling (PGSI score = 1+). SGHS: Short Gambling Harm Screen (Browne, Goodwin, & Rockloff, 2018). AUDIT-C: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (World Health Organization, 2001). *Significantly different at p < .05 level between not at-risk and at-risk online bettors.

References

Browne, M., Goodwin, B. C., & Rockloff. M. J. (2018). Validation of the Short Gambling Harm Screen (SGHS): A tool for assessment of harms from gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 34(2), 499-512. doi: 10.1007/s10899-017-9698-y

Ferris, J., & Wynne, H. (2001). The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Final report. Submitted for the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA). Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Retrieved from jogoremoto.pt/docs/extra/TECb6h.pdf

Hing, N., Russell, A. M. T., Browne. M., Rockloff, M., Greer, N., Rawat, V. et al. (2021). The second national study of interactive gambling in Australia (2019-20). Melbourne: Gambling Research Australia. Retrieved from www.gamblingresearch.org.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/Interactive%20Gambling%20Study.pdf

World Health Organization (WHO). (2001). AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Guidelines for use in primary health care. Geneva: WHO. Retrieved from www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MSD-MSB-01.6a

Contributions and acknowledgements

Contributions and acknowledgements

This research was conducted by the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) team at the Australian Institute of Family Studies: Dr Rebecca Jenkinson, Dr Nancy Greer, Dr Brian Vandenberg, Dr Kei Sakata, Uma Jatkar and Cailem Murray Boyle.

Featured image: © GettyImages/cyano66

Citation

Suggested citation

Greer, N., Jenkinson, R., Vandenberg, B., & Sakata, K. (2023). Regular online betting in Australia, 2022: National Gambling Trends Study. Melbourne: Australian Gambling Research Centre, Australian Institute of Family Studies.

ISBN

978-1-76016-299-3

Share