This is the first national study of Australian men to examine gambling behaviour and associated harms. Using data from Wave 3 of Ten to Men, this report examines the prevalence and frequency of gambling participation, the socio-demographic characteristics of men who gamble, risks of experiencing gambling problems, and financial stress experienced by adult men in Australia in 2020/21.

Key messages

• Of Australian men aged 18-63 years, 44% had gambled in the past 12 months in 2020/21.
• One in four men who gambled (around 739,511 Australian men) were classified as being at risk of, or experiencing, problem gambling in the past year. Almost one-quarter (26%) of these men also experienced financial stress during that time.
• Most men who gambled spent money on multiple activities, including horse racing (56%), poker machines (54%) and sports betting (46%).

Findings from the current study of Australian men support a range of policy and practical initiatives, including the need to develop and implement holistic prevention and treatment frameworks to address co-occurring gambling, drinking and mental ill-health, rather than treating these behaviours and outcomes in isolation. Other strategies recommended to help minimise gambling-related health, social and economic harms to affected individuals and communities include measures such as limiting the availability of gambling marketing and promotions (especially related to sports and race betting), reducing the number of poker machines in venues and restricting operating hours, implementing online and land-based gambling pre-commitment systems and effective self-exclusion programs, and developing a National Gambling Strategy.