Problem gambling is a major public health concern in Australia and internationally. This paper presents the first nationally representative data of the rates of online gambling participation beyond COVID-19. While overall gambling participation rates have decreased over the past 15 years, online gambling rates have exponentially increased in the same period.

This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on gambling participation and risky gambling before, during and after the pandemic-related social restrictions. The main findings show a reduction in overall gambling levels during the pandemic, with a slight increase of gambling levels by January 2023.