Australias Online Gambling Surge A Looming Crisis
A new report from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has uncovered a troubling pattern: more than one in ten Australians have engaged in online gambling within the last half-year. This signifies a growth from 2020, when the number was at 8%. Alarmingly, the research also indicated an uptick in wagering on sports and races, with 8% of Australians confessing to placing a bet in the previous six months, contrasted with a mere 5% in 2020. The COVID-19 crisis seems to have worsened the problem, as 16% of respondents noted a heightened regularity in their gambling habits since the pandemic’s onset. The ACMA further voiced apprehensions regarding the influence of partner marketing strategies in publicizing internet gambling, especially on platforms such as social media and Twitch, which hold increasing appeal for younger demographics. The ACMA stressed its dedication to safeguarding Australians from the detrimental effects linked to online gambling.
From 2017 onward, officials in Australia have taken significant action against illicit internet wagering. They’ve closed numerous websites providing these services to Australians, deemed unlawful by the Interactive Gambling Act. They’ve even pursued sites that were advertising these prohibited betting platforms!
