Understanding Gambling Harms in the Digital Age

Gambling harm presents a unique challenge for public communicators. Gambling is a normalised activity in the ACT and Australia more broadly. There is recognition in the community of the harms that gambling can cause but for many it is considered a form of entertainment, fun and socialising, which is reinforced in gambling advertising. Our own and previous research suggests the general community may not see gambling as a public health issue. This may be in part because most messaging efforts have been directed at gamblers and, often, tagged to promotions of gambling products and services. Broader public visibility of the issue has been limited, which underscores the need for a public communication campaign about gambling harm in the ACT.
The Understanding Gambling Harms in the Digital Age research project was commissioned by the ACT Gambling & Racing Commission (the Commission) to help inform the Commission’s work in educating the public about, and reducing harms from, gambling in the ACT.