The toxic trifecta fuelling a surge in family violence

Domestic and family violence agencies and experts have warned that alcohol, gambling and sport events are creating a “toxic” trifecta linked to a surge in violence, calling for advertising reform.

Community organisations including the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, the National Women’s Safety Alliance and the Alliance for Gambling Reform, along with University of Technology Sydney industry professor, journalist and advocate Jess Hill, are calling for the AFL and NRL to phase out alcohol and gambling advertising they say fuels the crisis.

Across last weekend, Sydney hosted two preliminary NRL finals while Melbourne hosted the AFL grand final. Victoria Police warned the 2024 grand final had led to a 9 per cent increase in family violence and predicted this year would be no different.

Advocates are calling for a ban on gambling and alcohol ads linked to sporting matches.Credit: Aresna Villanueva

Hill said alcohol, gambling and sports created a “toxic trio”.

“It adds jet fuel … the severity and the unpredictability increase.”

She said family violence was three times more likely when problem gambling was present.

“Victim survivors are asking us [to] stop endorsing hypermasculine cultures of gambling and alcohol … and stop creating a through line from the alcohol and gambling companies into their home.”

La Trobe University’s Centre for Alcohol Policy Research found in a 2018 study that domestic assaults increased by more than 40 per cent in NSW on State of Origin rugby league nights, along with a 71 per cent increase in non-domestic assaults during the weeks around the State of Origin rugby league series.

‘They are grooming a whole new generation of gamblers, and they’ve had two years longer to do it because of government inaction.’

Martin Thomas, Alliance for Gambling Reform

CEO of Domestic Violence NSW Delia Donovan said a single night of increased calls could translate into months of stretched capacity for frontline domestic and family violence services, which already have two-month waitlists.

“Spikes in demand only compound the pressure on providers who are already severely under-resourced,” she said.

In NSW, the government has partnered with state sporting clubs to launch the Reclaim the Game initiative, including the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, South Sydney Rabbitohs, the Sydney Swans and the Giants Netball.

Participating clubs pledged to turn down sports betting sponsorship and eliminate advertising at home games, as well as educate fans, players and staff about gambling harm.

In 2023, an inquiry into gambling harm chaired by the late Peta Murphy MP recommended a national ban on all online gambling advertising and sponsorship within three years. This recommendation was rejected, with a federal plan instead aiming to cap the number of ads on TV and impose a total ban on ads during and around sports broadcasts.

Gambling ads are not permitted during play, and promotion of odds is banned during breaks in play.

Alliance for Gambling Reform CEO Martin Thomas said the delay in a federal ban on ads meant gambling companies had extra time to target young people through sport and social media feeds.

A 2025 study by the Australian Institute found that almost one in three 12- to 17-year-olds gambled, teens losing an estimated $231 million per year.

“They are grooming a whole new generation of gamblers, and they’ve had two years longer to do it because of government inaction,” Thomas said.

CEO of Say No to Violence Phillip Ripper said the use of gambling, alcohol and violence was a choice.

“These times of year are an important opportunity for men to take stock of their life choices, reflect on their own behaviour, take responsibility and seek help to address their use of violence,” he said.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491. For crisis support, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au. For alcohol and drug support call 1800 250 015 │ counsellingonline.org.au. For gambling support, call 1800 858 858.

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