How do young Canberrans gamble online? Researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) will conduct the first study on young people’s online betting and gambling habits. 

They are keen to hear from people aged 18 to 25 who wager, bet, or gamble online, or spend money on gambling-like features in video games.

Lead researcher Dr Aino Suomi, a public health researcher and psychologist, wants to “better understand some of the pathways to gambling, and how we might help people before they experience gambling harm down the track”.

The Young Adults Gam(bl)ing Online in the ACT study will interview 50 people: 30 to 40 young people aged between 18 and 25 who gamble online, and 10 to 20 adults important in their lives (parents, teachers, or adults from sports clubs and youth-serving organisations).  

“Sports betting in particular is a big part of online gambling for [18- to 25-year-olds],” Dr Suomi said. 

“It’s the only legal online gambling product in Australia, and incredibly easy to access. 

“We’re keen to understand more about how and why young people are engaging with this kind of betting – whether they’re more likely to do it while watching the game with mates or as a solo activity.”  

Those interested in taking part can find out more at the ANU’s Young Adults Gam(bl)ing Online page.

The project is funded by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission. 

Results will be published later in 2023, and will inform public health initiatives targeting gambling harm in the ACT. 

ACT Labor MLA Dr Marisa Paterson, former director of the ANU’s Centre for Gambling Research, is eager to see the results. Last year, she called for a ban on TV gambling ads, concerned about their effect on children and youths.

In 2021, she noted, 148 gambling ads were broadcast on free-to-air during primetime family viewing hours of 6 to 8.30pm every weeknight, while in NSW, 30 per cent of 12- to 17-year-olds admitted they gambled in some form.

“Young people have been exposed to advertising at a high rate,” Dr Paterson said. “They are highly aware of gambling in sport and different types of gambling. I am keen to see the evidence from this age group, and see if it is similar to current community perceptions.”

• Marisa Paterson MLA calls for TV gambling ad ban (28 September 2022)
• ACT Labor supports the Bets Off, Game On campaign (17 October 2022)

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