AS AUSTRALIANS prepare for the Melbourne Cup today, concerns mount over rising gambling-related harms which include serious health trauma including brain changes due to high stress, psychological suffering, and suicide.
The Australian Government is facing criticism for its delay in responding to the parliamentary report You Win Some, You Lose More, which outlines urgent reforms to curb gambling-related damage.
Among its recommendations are phasing out gambling advertisements, enhancing public education, and establishing a national online wagering regulator.
Recent findings from the Lancet Public Health Commission amplify the urgency, calling for immediate global action.
The report revealed that gambling, in some form at least, is now legally permitted in more than 80% of countries worldwide.
Online gambling, given its borderless accessibility, is available everywhere via the internet.
The report, created by over 20 global experts, emphasises the need for robust regulation and the elimination of gambling advertising, especially those visible to children and young people.
Monash University's Associate Professor Charles Livingstone, a contributor to the report, highlighted that gambling promotion exacerbates suffering and trauma.
Livingstone expressed concern over the explosive growth of gambling in the country.
"The harms associated with gambling are not trivial, and are rapidly expanding as the wagering sector surges on the back of significant advertising and marketing," he said.
"Between 2018-19 and 2022-23, wagering revenue grew by 54% in real terms, compared to growth in gambling overall of 8%, and poker machine gambling at 7%.
"We need urgent action to address this phenomenal growth in gambling losses, and associated harms," Livingstone urged.
"The good news is that the government has a well-crafted blueprint to act, based on the 31 unanimous recommendations of Peta Murphy's all-party committee," he added.
However, Livingstone warned that government action may be hindered by industry influence.
"The gambling industry, backed by media and sporting elites, seems to have the government's ear, stalling crucial reforms," Livingstone said.
"If we want to avoid further escalation of gambling-related harm, we need to act now." JG
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