Survey shows steady decline in gambling in ACT


Released 25/07/2017

Minister for Racing and Gaming Mick Gentleman today welcomed findings of the 2014 Survey on Gambling, Health and Wellbeing in the ACT which found significant falls in gambling participation, frequency and expenditure since 2009.

The ACT prevalence survey collected data on gambling behaviour in 2014. The final report of the survey, conducted by The Australian National University Centre for Gambling Research and funded by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission was finalised in late 2015 and will be published on the Centre for Gambling Research website on Thursday 31 March 2016.

“This report provides a comprehensive picture of gambling trends in the ACT, and is particularly useful in helping to identify strategies to respond to gambling harm in the community,” Mr Gentleman said.

The survey found that fewer people are choosing to gamble and those that do are gambling less often.  Overall, Canberrans are spending less on gambling than in 2009. The proportion of adults reporting any gambling harm in the ACT has fallen by 2% to 5.4% in 2014.

“The ACT’s gambling harm prevention measures are some of the strongest in Australia and it’s pleasing to see fewer people experiencing harm from problem gambling.

“The ACT Government remains committed to working with our community clubs to protect vulnerable gamblers and to help clubs diversify their business models to reduce their reliance on gaming machine revenue.  The gaming machine trading scheme introduced last year by the ACT Government has already resulted in fewer machines in the community,” Mr Gentleman concluded.

Dr Tanya Davison from the ANU Centre for Gambling Research was the lead researcher for the survey and can be contacted on (02) 6125 7839 tanya.davidson@anu.edu.au.

- Statement ends -

Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

Name Phone Mobile Email


«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases