Australians gamble more than any another nation. Gambling starts well before the age of 18 and Australians start gambling in large numbers well before they are old enough to legally gamble. By highlighting the high rates of gambling among young Australians, this paper shows the need for stronger regulations to reduce the harm caused by gambling.

By introducing policies to address gambling problems at early age, the Commonwealth Government could eventually lower gambling rates across Australia and a large number of Australian teenagers could benefit from such policies. 

Key findings

• The $244.3 billion in bets that Australians placed in 2022–23 makes them the biggest gamblers in the world.
• Over 902,000 teenagers (12 to 19 year-olds) gambled in the past year, of which around 600,000 were aged just 12 to 17 years-old.
• Almost one in three (30%) 12 to 17 year-olds gamble.
• This increases to almost half (46%) of 18 to 19 year-olds, and these habits persist into adulthood.
• Australian teenagers – before and after they turn 18 – are more likely to gamble than to play any of the most popular sports in their age group.