ON the eve of the Melbourne Cup, new research from the Australian National University (ANU) has found more Australians are experiencing gambling harm and suffering life and health hardships for much longer than previously known.

In one of the first national snapshots on gambling harm in Australia, the Centre for Gambling Research (CGR) has identified that more than 1.4 million Australians experience gambling harm, which is six times more than the generally accepted figure of around 200,000 people.

While industry and other bodies focus on the figure of one per cent of the population having a gambling problem, the CGR study found 7.5 per cent of Australians are experiencing low, moderate or high levels of gambling harm.

The study found this group had been experiencing far worse financial, health and social circumstances for an extended time period – at least 15 years.

Director of the CGR Dr Marisa Fogarty, who carried out the research, said these people had been neglected by the system and like the one per cent of problem gamblers, also need substantial support.

“Fifteen years is a long time for anyone to be experiencing depression, anxiety, separation or not being able to pay bills, but along with gambling, these people are suffering a range of hardships that need addressing,” she said.

“On Melbourne Cup day and other big one-off sporting events, it’s seen as socially acceptable to have a bet, but we should remember for these gamblers with long-term hardships, a one-off bet might further escalate their problems.

“That’s why our community should be discussing how we glorify sporting days and think about the sort of messages we want to send to young people watching on.”

Compared to people who experience no problems, the study identified those at high-risk of gambling harm were also significantly more likely to:

• smoke
• drink heavily
• be depressed or anxious
• be unable to pay household and personal bills on time
• be unable to pay off credit cards on time
• take financial risks
• experience three or more financial hardships like not meeting rent or mortgage payments on time
• and, have a generally lower life satisfaction.

The study also found that the same group of people are highly likely to experience the following negative life events:

• separation from a spouse
• physical violence or property crime
• incarceration; themselves or a close family member
• being fired or made redundant and
• see a major worsening in their finances

“What we want to come out of this research now we see the range of problems faced by the high risk group is to weave gambling interventions into other help services they may access,” she said.

The CGR research used data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey (HILDA), a longitudinal study over 15 years.