Calls grow for Australian gambling reform as AGRC data shows high harm rates and AU$32 billion in annual losses

The Australian government is facing renewed calls to move ahead with gambling reform, according to a report published by trade outlet Gambling Industry News on 29 September 2025. The calls follow what the outlet describes as a surge in participation and harm over the past six years.

What the AGRC report found

The outlet cites a report from the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC). According to that report, more than 65.1% of Australian adults gambled in the 12 months before October 2024. About 3.9% took part regularly in some form of gambling.

Lotteries were the most popular activity, played by 52.7% of the population. Instant scratch cards followed at 24.5%, poker machines at 19.8%, horse racing betting at 17.8% and sports betting at 12.5%.

On harm, the AGRC reportedly found that 2.6% of Australians are at high risk of gambling harm. The article contrasts this with 0.3% for residents of the United Kingdom. The source does not explain how the two figures were measured or whether the methods are directly comparable.

Young adults appear to be particularly exposed. The AGRC put the rate of high-risk gambling at 3.1% among 18 to 24-year-olds. Within that age group, 17.8% of regular gamblers were deemed high risk.

The report also stated that Australians lose AU$32 billion annually through regulated gambling operators. According to the article, this is the largest per capita loss of any country. The outlet says this is putting severe pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor government to act. The source does not say how the government has responded.

The reform backdrop

The article notes that gambling reform has been a prominent issue for several years. A parliamentary inquiry into the impacts of gambling on society was held in 2022 and led to a number of recommendations.

The resulting report is known as the Murphy report, after the late MP Peta Murphy. It contained 31 recommendations on the future regulation of gambling in Australia. According to the article, these included gambling-harm reduction regulations, a harm reduction levy and an ombudsman. The source says advertising and sponsorship were strongly recommended for reform, but it does not detail the specific advertising measures proposed.

The source does not say which recommendations the government has adopted, delayed or rejected.

Advertising and operator conduct

The article points to several recent developments. In June, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) warned that social media influencers could face fines of up to AU$2.5 million for promoting unregulated gambling sites. The source gives no further detail on the warning.

In August, Sportsbet scrapped its TV advertisements encouraging viewers to bet in multiples, following what the article calls severe backlash. Later that month, BlueBet was fined for allowing a man to gamble away AU$570,000 without considering his wellbeing. The article does not name the body that issued the fine or give other details of the case.

What is not disclosed

The source is a short summary of the AGRC findings and does not link to the full report. It does not set out the survey methodology or what the 'six years' trend comparison is based on. It also includes no direct comments from the government, the AGRC, operators or harm-reduction advocates.

Online casino services are prohibited in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Licensed sports and race betting is regulated separately. Australians who use offshore casino sites do so outside local consumer protections. Anyone concerned about their gambling can contact the national Gambling Help service on 1800 858 858.