Research into gambling

The National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering is underpinned by the best available evidence. The measures have been trialled and tested to deliver outcomes for people experiencing gambling harm and provide strong nationally consistent consumer protections. 

Key partnerships

The Department for Social Services, together with other key organisations, has funded research to inform the implementation of these measures.

Gambling Research Australia (GRA) is a partnership between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments to initiate and manage a national gambling research program. 

The Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) provides resources for policy-makers, researchers and professionals in the area of gambling. It is part of the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), a statutory research agency of the Australian Government. 

Useful research publications

The distribution of Australian sports data into foreign jurisdictions.

Year: 2022

Prepared by: Sports Integrity Australia and Gambling Research Australia

The study aimed to better understand Australian sports data creation and dissemination, and its flow into offshore wagering markets on sports integrity and consumer protection outcomes in Australia. The research found that Australian sports data is necessary for the development of offshore wagering markets, that the sale of unofficial sports data to offshore wagering providers creates a risk to sports integrity, and that the products offered do not provide consumer protections in line with regulatory standards in Australia.

This is a joint Sport Integrity Australia and Gambling Research Australia project funded by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and published on their behalf by the NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade. This report has been independently peer reviewed.

The distribution of Australian sports data into foreign jurisdictions | Gambling Research Australia

Gambling Tagline Research Phase 2: Implementation and Market Testing

Year: 2022

Commissioned by: Department of Social Services 

Prepared by: Hall & Partners, Frances Chapman and Kathryn Priestly

The aim of this study was to test the suite of proposed messaging across a range of platforms to inform implementation of the consistent gambling messaging measure. 

Phase II DSS Gambling Tagline Testing and Implementation - Hall and Partners Report 2022

Consistent Gambling Messaging Phase 1: Development and Refinement

Year: 2022 

Commissioned by: Department of Social Services  

Prepared by: Hall & Partners, Frances Chapman and Kathryn Priestly 

The aim of this study was to develop, refine and recommend the most effective approach to consistent gambling messaging and recommend tagline/s to replace the existing ‘gamble responsibly’. 

Phase I DSS Gambling Messaging Development – Hall and Partners Report 2021

The second national study of interactive gambling in Australia (2019-20)

Year: 2021

Commissioned by: Gambling Research Australia

Prepared by: Nerilee Hing, Alex M. T. Russell, Matthew Browne, Matthew Rockloff, Nancy Greer, Vijay Rawat, Matthew Stevens, Nicki Dowling, Stephanie Merkouris, Daniel King, Helen Breen, Anne Salonen, Linda Woo.

Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, Central Queensland University

The aim of this study was to update and expand upon the first study in 2014 and evaluate how the interactive gambling environment has changed since that time.

The second national study of interactive gambling in Australia (2019-20) | Gambling Research Australia

Behavioural trial for consistent gambling messaging under the National Consumer Protection Framework

Year: 2021

Commissioned by: Gambling Research Australia

Prepared by: Prof. Matthew Rockloff, Dr. Phillip Newall, Prof. Matthew Browne, Dr. Alex M T Russell, Dr. Tess Visintin (nee Armstrong), Prof. Nerilee Hing, Hannah Thorne.

Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, Central Queensland University

The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the categories of messages employed in safer gambling messaging.

Behavioural trial for consistent gambling messaging under the national consumer protection framework | Gambling Research Australia

A behavioural trial of voluntary opt-out pre-commitment for online wagering in Australia

Year: 2021

Commissioned by: Gambling Research Australia

Prepared by: Nerilee Hing, Matthew Browne, Alex M. T. Russell, Matthew Rockloff and Catherine Tulloch

Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, Central Queensland University

The aim of this study was to build evidence and understanding of the impact of different features of pre-commitment deposit limits on the effectiveness of the measure, across different customer groups.

A behavioural trial of voluntary opt-out pre-commitment for online wagering in Australia | Gambling Research Australia

Better Choices: Enhancing informed decision-making for online wagering consumers

Year: 2020

Commissioned by: Department of Social Services 

Prepared by: Katrina Anderson, Charis Anton, Su Mon Kyaw-Myint, Laura Bennetts Kneebone, Roxarne Armstrong, Robert Sale, Amy Fulham, Linda Ma and Chiara Varazzani.

Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA)

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of behaviourally-informed activity statements on gambling behaviour. By showing participants clear and easy-to-understand information about their gambling activities including spending, wins and losses, they were empowered to make informed decisions about their gambling habits. 

Applying behavioural insights to online wagering | Behavioural Economics (pmc.gov.au)

National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering – Baseline Study

Year: 2019

Commissioned by: The Department of Social Services

Prepared by: Rebecca Jenkinson, Tayyab Khokhar, Rukhsana Tajin, Uma Jatkar and Julie Deblaquiere 

Australian Gambling Research Centre, Australian Institute of Family Studies

The aim of this study was to address some of the gaps in the current evidence base regarding online wagering in Australia. 

National Consumer Protection Framework for online wagering – Baseline Study Final Report | Department of Social Services, Australian Government (dss.gov.au)

Betting restrictions and online wagering in Australia – A review of current knowledge report

Year: 2017

Commissioned by: Department of Social Services

Report prepared by Jennifer Podesta and Anna Thomas

Australian Gambling Research Centre, Australian Institute of Family Studies

The aim of this study was to understand the impact of current restrictions on gambling for consumers and their behaviour. 

Betting restrictions and online wagering in Australia – A review of current knowledge report | Department of Social Services, Australian Government (dss.gov.au)

Government Response to the 2015 Review of the Impact of Illegal Offshore Wagering

Year: 2016

The Government announced its response to the recommendations of the Review of Illegal Offshore Wagering, supporting 18 of the Review’s 19 recommendations.

Government Response to the 2015 Review of the Impact of Illegal Offshore Wagering | Department of Social Services, Australian Government (dss.gov.au)

Review of Illegal Offshore Wagering

Year: 2015

Lead Reviewer: the Hon. Barry O’Farrell

The 2015 Review of Illegal Offshore Wagering found that online wagering is the fastest growing gambling segment, with over $1.4 billion gambled online each year.

Review of Illegal Offshore Wagering | Department of Social Services, Australian Government (dss.gov.au)

Interactive Gambling Study

Year: 2014

Commissioned by: Gambling Research Australia

Prepared by: Professor Nerilee Hing, Dr Sally Gainsbury, Professor Alex Blaszczynski, Professor Robert Wood, Professor Dan Lubman, Alex Russell

Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, Central Queensland University

The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of online gambling in Australia. 

Interactive Gambling Study | Gambling Research Australia

Related pages

Gambling support
State and Territory regulators of gambling
Gambling reforms
Information for Online Wagering Service Providers 
 

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