Australian Teens Lose Over AU$231m Annually to Gambling

Australian teenagers are losing hundreds of millions to gambling—often before they’re even legally allowed to bet. A new report from the Australia Institute reveals that nearly one in three Australians aged 12–17 has gambled in the past year, with total losses exceeding AU$231 million (US$146.2 million) annually across 12–19-year-olds. As gambling companies target young demographics through digital ads and gamified platforms, campaigners and researchers are urging swift government intervention to curb what they call a public health crisis in the making. Experts and advocacy groups demand the full implementation of all 31 Murphy Inquiry recommendations, including an ad ban, inducement restrictions, and mandatory cashless gaming.

Over 900,000 Australian Teens Gamble Yearly, Losing AU$231M as Calls for Reform Intensify

3 Key Points:

1. 902,000 teens aged 12–19 in Australia gambled in the past year, with 600,000 under the legal gambling age.
2. Combined, teenagers lost over AU$231 million, with 18–19-year-olds accounting for more than 90% of that amount.
3. The Australia Institute calls for urgent reforms, echoing the Murphy Inquiry’s call for a full gambling ad ban.

A shocking new report by the Australia Institute has lifted the lid on the scale of teenage gambling in the country, estimating that over 902,000 young people aged 12–19 engaged in gambling activities over the past year. Of that group, two-thirds were aged between 12 and 17—well below the legal age to gamble in any Australian jurisdiction.

The report estimates that these teenagers lost a combined AU$231 million (US$146.2 million) in 2023 alone. Broken down further, 12–17-year-olds accounted for AU$18.4 million (US$11.6 million) in losses, while 18–19-year-olds lost a staggering AU$213 million (US$134.8 million).

On a per-person basis, 18–19-year-olds wagered an average of AU$321 (US$203.2) annually, while underage gamblers still spent AU$9 (US$5.7) each on average—an alarming figure considering their legal status.

Gambling Exposure Begins Early

According to researchers, the early exposure to gambling often stems from the normalisation of betting culture—heavily driven by advertising and inducements. Sports betting and online platforms frequently feature aggressive marketing campaigns designed to appeal to young audiences, using gamified language, influencer partnerships, and bonus incentives.

“One of the main aims of gambling advertising is to attract new, younger gamblers,” the report stated. “As the data shows, these young users continue gambling well into their 20s.”

The Australia Institute warns that failing to address youth gambling now could cement harmful behaviours that persist for decades, significantly worsening Australia’s already high rate of gambling harm.

Policy Recommendations: From Inquiry to Implementation

The findings add fresh urgency to calls for full implementation of the Murphy Inquiry’s 31 recommendations, produced during the 2023 Inquiry into Online Gambling and Its Impacts.

Key recommendations include:

• A total ban on gambling advertising, particularly during sporting events and children’s programming.
• Prohibition of bonus bets and gambling inducements that exploit cognitive biases.
• Establishment of a national gambling regulator and gambling ombudsman.
• Enforced closure of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) from midnight to 10 a.m.
• Mandatory cashless gaming systems to increase transparency and limit impulsive spending.

Advocates argue that only comprehensive reform can reverse the trend of rising youth participation in gambling and the long-term damage it causes.

Public Health, Not Profit

Campaigners have shifted the rhetoric surrounding gambling from entertainment to public health harm, especially where minors are concerned. They call on the federal government to treat gambling like tobacco or alcohol, where regulation focuses on harm prevention, not industry growth.

“These figures are unacceptable,” said one campaign spokesperson. “If a similar number of teens were drinking or smoking illegally, the government would act immediately. Gambling deserves the same urgency.”

The Australia Institute’s latest report sends a stark message: gambling among Australian youth is widespread, underregulated, and incredibly costly. As teenagers lose over AU$231 million annually, the pressure mounts on lawmakers to act decisively. With the blueprint for reform already in place through the Murphy Inquiry, now is the time to implement policies that protect young Australians from the long-term consequences of early gambling exposure.