Online gambling now a pervasive threat that needs to be stopped

Online gambling now a pervasive threat that needs to be stopped

06 Apr 2023

The Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) published an Insight+ article this week co-authored by AMA President Professor Steve Robson and AMA Psychiatrists Speciality Group Representative Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi on the issue of online gambling.

Their article ‘Counting the cost of online gambling’ demonstrates how the ‘normalisation’ of gambling in Australia paved the way for the spread of online gambling, which became even more widespread during the pandemic lockdowns. With ubiquitous smartphones and push notifications, online gambling platforms can badger people to engage with them. This includes many young Australians.

The advertising of online gambling, especially entwined with sports, means many young people are exposed to online gambling products from a young age. Professor Robson and A/Prof Looi suggest urgent action is needed now as a generation of young Australians are exposed regularly to advertising of online gambling products.

Professor Robson earlier this year appeared before a parliamentary inquiry on online gambling following and earlier submission from the AMA.

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