A new study by The Australian National University (ANU) has focused on analyzing risky behavior in gambling populations in the country, determining that the number of wagers qualified as "risky" has reached a six-year high.
According to the authors, who used the Problem Gambling Severity Index, a standardized reference benchmark to assess player behavior, 19.4% or one in five Australian adults are now engaging in a gambling behavior that can be qualified as unsafe.
Risky behavior associated with gambling has surged over the past six years
There is a silver lining, with Associate Professor Aino Suomi, who led the study, arguing that overall gambling participation was on the wane, but nevertheless, the number of risky players has surged. The study noted that over the past 15 years, gambling participation has indeed been declining, not least owing to shifting consumer preferences.
Yet, those who get involved usually use online gambling as a gateway to the activity, which makes it far more dangerous for them, argues Professor Suomi. In a statement, the professor explained:
"This has coincided with a huge spike in online gambling – more than half of all gambling in Australia is now happening online. This is accelerating the pace at which gambling is moving into the home. Online gambling is clearly related to more risky gambling, more frequent gambling, and psychological distress."
The primary challenge that analysts and consumers face now is that pinpointing the group of high-risk gamblers has become more elusive than ever before. People who engage in such behavior come from vastly different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Young people are disproportionately affected by riskier behavior
"Males aged between 25 and 34 with a trade certificate or diploma who were employed full-time, and in the highest household income bracket, were more likely to gamble online compared to the general population," notes Professor Suomi, who further focuses on the actionable data collected by the study.
In terms of who gambles and what product they prefer, the professor notes that the lottery leads the way, accounting for 41.3% of the total gambling activity.
Another interesting point that the study found was that gambling harm disproportionately affected younger consumers and gamblers, reinforcing a long-established qualm that younger consumers are more vulnerable and their early exposure to such practices develops into lifelong problems.
Not least, gambling harm is parasitic in nature, and it can affect the families and loved ones of the person with a gambling issue.
"This is the first time we’ve also seen gambling risk being heightened in families with children, showing that gambling harm is now present in family homes," Professor Suomi noted.
