Australia faces significant challenges with gambling, particularly with poker machines which account for 51-57% of gambling problems nationwide. Recent data from the 2022 National Gambling Trends Study highlights concerning patterns among regular gamblers, prompting calls for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

You should know that Australia lacks a comprehensive national strategy on online gambling harm reduction despite having some of the highest gambling losses in the world. This regulatory gap has led to increasing pressure for reform, including proposals to restrict simulated gambling games to adults and implement a six-point plan to address gambling-related harms.

The conversation around gambling reform has intensified, with recent political motions calling for poker machine harm-minimisation measures, abolishing tax caps for online gambling companies in the Northern Territory, and implementing stricter controls. These developments signal Australia’s growing recognition that healthier approaches to casino play and gambling overall are essential for public wellbeing.

Australia’s Efforts to Promote Healthier Casino Play

Australia has implemented numerous measures to address gambling harm while maintaining a viable casino industry. These efforts span across government regulations, public health approaches, and industry-led initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable players.

Government Policies and Legal Framework

Australia’s regulatory approach to casino gambling varies across states and territories, with each jurisdiction maintaining its own gambling authority. The Productivity Commission has repeatedly highlighted Australia’s world-leading gambling losses, prompting stronger federal oversight in recent years.

The National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Gambling, introduced in 2018, established baseline protections including mandatory pre-commitment systems and self-exclusion registers.

In most states, legislation now requires casinos to implement responsible gambling codes of practice. These codes mandate regular staff training, visible warning signs, and intervention protocols for problem gambling behaviours.

Recent parliamentary inquiries have pushed for tighter regulations, particularly around electronic gaming machines (pokies) which account for substantial gambling harm in Australia.

Read more