Experts reveal online gambling’s dominance in Geelong

A local support service has experienced a significant increase in young people presenting for counselling over certain types of gambling.

Bethany Community Support has revealed it is experiencing a significant increase in people aged 18-30 presenting for counselling that are using gambling apps and sports and race betting.

It comes as a parliamentary probe was launched following concerns over online gambling advertising and accessibility.

Bethany Community Support executive manager Sharlene Gillick said Bethany’s gambling harm services were continuing to have high demand for support.

“During Covid Bethany experienced a decrease in gambling at pokie venues due to closure and restrictions, however, there was an increase in other forms of gambling during this time,” she said.

“Harmful gambling affects much more than a person’s finances.

“It can affect their mental and emotional wellbeing, their relationships with family and friends, their time, their work and employability.

“Factors such as family issues, social problems, poor mental health, or alcohol or drug use can contribute to a person’s harmful gambling.”

St Albans Park private mental health facility The Geelong Clinic expanded its addictive behaviours program about a year ago to include gambling in response to growing need.

Psychiatrist Ranjini Rao, a co-director of the addictive behaviours program, said the clinic had experienced an almost 25 per cent increase in referrals for problem gambling – which could be comorbid with mental health disorders – over the last 12 months.

The most common medium for gambling patients overall was online, and people had shifted to the platform during the pandemic, Dr Rao, who has a special interest in gambling, said.

The younger age group used online predominantly while the older cohort leant towards pokies, she said.

Dr Rao said there were well-established treatment options and resources available for people struggling with gambling.

Dr Ranjini Rao. Picture: Supplied

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs this week launched an inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on people with gambling problems.

Committee chair MP Peta Murphy said the inquiry would be a fresh look at online gambling and whether current laws, regulations, consumer protections and education and support programs were enough to reduce harm to gamblers.

“The committee is concerned about the increasing reach of online gambling platforms into Australians’ lives, the exposure of children and young people to gambling advertising and how this may contribute to increases in problem gambling in the future,” Ms Murphy said.

Bethany Community Support provides people with free and confidential counselling to address how their gambling impacts their health, relationships and finances.

If gambling harm affects you or someone you know, you can call Bethany Community Support on [phone] or call Gambler’s Help (24/7) on 1800 858 858.

Originally published as Experts reveal online gambling’s dominance in Geelong