AnglicareSA, as part of the broader Anglicare Australia Network, works with people experiencing financial hardship, housing stress, family violence, and other forms of disadvantage in our community. Through emergency relief, financial counselling, and community services, we regularly see the impacts of gambling harm on individuals, families, and communities.

Nearly three in four Australians gamble at least once each year, and almost half of those who gamble experience some level of risk of harm. At the same time, Australians lose more money per person to gambling than people in any other country.

Gambling losses can push people into severe financial hardship, leaving them unable to pay rent, bills, or other essential expenses. In many cases, people seek help only after significant debts have accumulated or when their financial situation has reached crisis point.

Financial stress linked to gambling losses can contribute to relationship breakdowns, family violence, and housing instability. For people already experiencing poverty or financial insecurity, gambling harm can quickly escalate into a cycle of debt and crisis.

The Anglicare Australia Network believes taking action to minimise gambling harm can be undertaken through a number of measures. First and foremost, the Federal Government should act on the recommendations handed to it by the 2023 Inquiry into Online Gambling chaired by Peta Murphy. These recommendations include a comprehensive ban on advertising for online gambling, stronger regulations and consumer protections, a more powerful watchdog, and banning inducements like referral bonuses.

The Anglicare Australia Network is calling for:

• the full implementation of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Online Gambling, including a phased ban on gambling advertising
• stronger regulation of online gambling, including bans on inducements such as sign-up bonuses and referral promotions
• the creation of a national gambling regulator with stronger enforcement powers and responsibility for reducing gambling harm
• the expansion of funding for gambling harm support services, including financial counselling, family support and community education
• Federal Government leadership on the introduction of mandatory cashless gaming systems for poker machines, allowing people to set spending limits and track losses.

Addressing gambling harm requires structural reform and at AnglicareSA we back these calls to reduce the impact of gambling harm on individuals, families, and our community.

Together we change lives.