More than 3.3 million Australian adults are dealing with financial, emotional or social harm linked to gambling, according to the latest research from Roy Morgan. The firm’s Gambling Harm Index puts the figure at 15.1% of the adult population — people harmed either by their own gambling or by someone close to them.
Roy Morgan chief executive Michele Levine said the numbers underline the scale of the problem as the federal government advances its latest package of gambling reforms.
Harm Reaches Beyond the Player
Roy Morgan defines gambling harm as any negative financial, emotional, psychological or social outcome caused by gambling. The index tracks two overlapping groups: those hurt by their own behaviour and those affected by a partner, family member or other person in their life.
Roughly 2.86 million adults — 13% of the population — reported at least one form of harm from their own gambling. A further 1.18 million people, or 5.4% of adults, said they had suffered consequences from someone else’s gambling.
Because some respondents sit in both groups, the figures cannot simply be added. After removing the overlap, Roy Morgan estimates 3.32 million unique Australian adults are affected.
While the report focuses on gambling-related harm, many Australians continue to choose licensed gambling services and responsible play. Readers can explore how online casinos operate and compare real money casinos before deciding where to play.
Money Problems Top the List
Financial pressure remains the most common form of harm. Across the adult population, 7.8% said gambling had reduced the money available for day-to-day spending. Another 7.1% reported a drop in their savings.
Almost 6% said they had cut back on recreational activities such as restaurant meals, movies or other entertainment. More serious effects also appeared: 3.6% of adults had taken on extra credit-card debt because of gambling, while 2.6% said they had sold personal belongings.
The results show that gambling harm is not confined to people with severe addiction. Even quieter reductions in household spending or savings can add real strain for families already facing higher living costs.
Emotional and Relationship Strain Widely Reported
The index also captured the psychological side of the issue. About 5.9% of Australian adults said they felt regret over their gambling, while 5.8% reported feelings of shame. Nearly 5% said gambling made them feel like a failure, and 4.5% experienced distress.
Relationships suffered too. Approximately 4.5% of adults said they had spent less time with people they cared about because of their gambling.
Levine noted that the data paints a wider picture by looking beyond pure financial losses. The findings land at a time when Australia is debating new federal limits on gambling advertising and stronger consumer protections. Critics continue to push for tougher action, including the full set of 31 recommendations from the Murphy review.
he findings add to the ongoing debate around gambling regulation and consumer protection in Australia. Anyone researching the industry can learn more about online casino platforms and how real money casinos operate in different jurisdictions before making informed decisions.
Pokie Inc will keep examining new gambling research and the regulatory response to gambling-related harm across Australia.
