New survey shows gambling in NSW is declining

The NSW Government has released the NSW Gambling Survey 2019 – a major new study into gambling in NSW commissioned by the Responsible Gambling Fund.

The survey found the level of gambling has fallen in the past eight years with just over half (53%) of 10,000 people surveyed gambling in the past 12 months compared to 65% in 2011.

Lotteries were the most common form of gambling followed by gaming machines, instant scratchies and race betting.

The rate of problem gambling in the NSW community has remained relatively stable since the last Gambling Survey in 2011, changing from 0.8 per cent of the population to 1 per cent. This change is not considered statistically significant.

The survey will give the NSW Government a better understanding of the gambling landscape, changes in gambling behaviour, the extent of problem gambling and how the various regions across NSW are affected.

The results show gambling problems are more prevalent among young people. Gamblers aged 18-24 were most likely to be moderate-risk and problem gamblers (14.9%) compared with 7.2% of gamblers overall.

Young people are a priority for the NSW Government which funds, through the Responsible Gambling Fund, a number of education and awareness initiatives targeting them.

There are particular risks around online sports betting which is the fastest-growing type of gambling. The survey found that just under one in 10 adults (8%) had gambled online in the past year with race betting being the most common form of online gambling.

The NSW Government is committed to preventing and minimising gambling harm. The information gathered from this survey will inform prevention, education and treatment initiatives, as well as policy development and regulatory efforts.

In 2019/20, $35 million has been allocated to responsible gambling programs and initiatives to prevent and minimise gambling harm, promote a safe gambling environment and support those impacted by problem gambling.

For more information visit the Office of Responsible Gambling website