Gambling survey re-established by Palaszczuk Government

The 2016-17 Queensland Household Gambling Survey has been released today, revealing more Queenslanders don’t gamble at all.

The Palaszczuk Government has re-established the survey, which was axed by the LNP, to gain an accurate picture of gambling activity in the state, and in turn inform harm minimisation strategies.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the survey of 15,000 people found that 29.2 % of people hadn’t bought lottery tickets or art union tickets; placed a bet; or used electronic gaming machines in 2016-17 – up from 26.2 % in the last survey in 2011-12.

“It was also encouraging to see the percentage of problem gamblers has remained stable over the past five years at 0.51% - the second lowest rate in the country,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“These results reflect the ongoing efforts by the Government to minimise gambling-related harm in Queensland, as we continue in our election commitment to develop a revised framework to address problem gambling,” Mrs D’Ath said.

Key findings in the Queensland Household Gambling Survey 2016-17:

o    29.24% of adults hadn’t gambled in the previous 12 months

o    61% of adults are recreational gamblers who were unlikely to have experienced any negative impacts.

o    0.51% of adults were problem gamblers.

o    2.51% were at moderate risk

The survey also identified a decrease in the percentage of people playing gaming machines (from 29.6 to 24.7 per cent) and an increase in the percentage of people betting on sporting events (5.1 to 6.9 per cent).

“The marginal change in the percentage of gamblers at risk since the 2011-12 survey is of concern and will be a key focus of the Government’s election commitment to a revised framework to address problem gambling,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“In the past, the data from this survey has assisted in developing key initiatives to minimise gambling-related harm and will continue to do so.

“The survey also helps to assess impacts in the broader gambling regulatory environment at a population level,” she said.

“Many of us enjoy a flutter from time to time, or buy a weekly lottery ticket, and for the most part, this is harmless fun.

“We will continue to work with industry to ensure the small number of problem gamblers get the support they need,” she said.

Presently, there are a range of measures in place in Queensland to promote responsible gambling and assist people affected by gambling problems, including:

o    Queensland’s Responsible Gambling Code of Practice, providing a whole-of-industry approach to the promotion of responsible gambling practices

o    mandatory responsible service of gambling training for industry staff who perform gambling roles, which includes a requirement for gambling providers to offer patrons the ability to self-exclude or ban themselves from gambling venues, products or services

o    harm minimisation measures for gaming machines in venues, such as a $5 maximum bet and restrictions on the location of ATMs

o    a requirement that new sites or, sites with significant increases in machines must include a community impact statement assessing likely social and economic impacts for the locality, and

o    a state-wide system of problem gambling counselling and support services, including a 24/7 telephone helpline and internet-based counselling service.

The Queensland Household Gambling Survey was first conducted in 2001 and repeated in 2003-04, 2006-07, 2008-09 and 2011-12. Problem and at-risk gamblers were identified using a series of questions from the Canadian Problem Gambling Index.

Complete survey results are now available www.justice.qld.gov.au/corporate/business-areas/liquor-gaming/gaming/research.

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