Australians of all ages are engaging with gaming to relax, learn or connect with friends, but common design features can leave players worse-off – 95% of Australian adult gamers encounter manipulative design practices in digital games, leading to financial losses and emotional distress. The report makes 9 recommendations to protect vulnerable players, improve consumer protection...

This report contains the Committee’s findings and recommendations in relation to the three Victorian Auditor-General reports. The Committee also investigated online gambling, which now accounts for the fastest growing gambling losses in Victoria.

This discussion paper draws on the findings of Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation-funded and other academic studies, market research and public discourse, as well as policy and regulatory responses, such as the National Consumer Protection Framework.

This Royal Commission was established following the findings of the Bergin Inquiry. The Commission has found that Crown is unsuitable to hold a casino licence on the basis that it has engaged in conduct that is “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative”.

The findings in this report suggest that the close proximity of gambling venues to people’s homes increases financial hardship and mental health problems, particularly for socio-economically vulnerable populations. This evidence may be useful for state and local governments with their decisions to approve future gaming licence applications.