Global gambling harm decried
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Researchers are calling for urgent action to curb gambling’s rising health impacts.
Findings from the Lancet Public Health Commission reveal that gambling-related harms are significantly greater than previously estimated, and the situation is expected to worsen as the industry’s digital reach expands rapidly.
A recent review by the Commission links gambling to severe harms, including mental health issues, suicide, domestic violence, financial instability, and crime.
Experts warn that current figures may underestimate the scale of these problems, driven by the proliferation of mobile gambling, which has created a “casino in their pocket” for millions of people.
The growth of online gambling is a major factor in increasing harm, particularly among teenagers.
Sophisticated marketing and advanced technology make gambling more accessible, starting earlier and becoming harder to quit.
“Australians spend the most per head on gambling worldwide, AU$1,555 per adult per year,” says Associate Professor Charles Livingstone from Monash University, a key contributor to the report.
“Online betting, closely tied to sports, along with electronic gaming machines, continues to grow rapidly, despite increasing concerns from the public.”
An estimated 448.7 million adults globally are at risk, with 80 million suffering severe gambling disorders.
The impact is particularly felt by children, adolescents, and low-income groups, with gambling also becoming embedded in video games.
The Commission calls for urgent regulatory measures to limit gambling access, marketing, and sponsorship, regardless of the legal status of gambling. It urges stronger global regulations, similar to those used to control other health risks, to reduce exposure and prevent further harm.
In Australia, the government has delayed action on recommendations from a 2023 parliamentary inquiry into online gambling, which called for a ban on gambling advertising and a national regulator.
Professor Livingstone criticised the slow reform process, citing “Herculean efforts” needed to combat industry resistance: “Extensive evidence of dishonest and illegal behaviour by casino operators has been revealed, yet the industry remains heavily resistant to reform.”
Global consumer losses from gambling are projected to reach US$700 billion annually by 2028, driven by mobile technology and digital gambling growth.
This financial burden extends beyond individuals, affecting families and communities through job loss, relationship breakdowns, and economic strain.
“Most people think of a traditional Las Vegas casino or buying a lottery ticket. They don’t think of large technology companies using advanced techniques to drive frequent engagement with a product that can pose substantial health risks. But this is the reality of gambling today,” says Professor Heather Wardle, co-chair of the Commission from the University of Glasgow.
The Commission recommends affordable, universal treatment for gambling harms, alongside public awareness campaigns.
It also calls for a global alliance of researchers, professionals, and those with lived experience to drive international advocacy.
The report urges the World Health Assembly to adopt a resolution recognising gambling's health impact.
“If we delay, gambling and gambling harms will become even more widely embedded as a global phenomenon and much harder to tackle,” Professor Wardle warns.