New findings have shed light on just how far-reaching the effects of gambling really are—not just for those placing the bets, but for the people around them and the community as a whole. A landmark ACT survey reveals 1 in 6 adults are affected by gambling harm. Young men face the highest risk, especially through pokies and online gambling. “Young men are more likely to engage in high-risk forms of gambling—and they’re the most likely to experience harm from their own gambling,” said Associate Professor Alex Russell.

Bright blue lights in casinos, pokie venues, and gambling websites might be driving riskier behaviour. Flinders University research reveals blue-enriched lighting dulls our sensitivity to losses, making it easier to gamble away money. “Under bright, blue-heavy light… the $100 loss didn’t appear to feel as bad,” said lead author Dr Alicia Lander. This lighting, common in gambling environments, could be quietly shaping gambling harm.

It’s time to rethink how these venues manipulate people through design. Support real reform.

The NSW government must act swiftly to protect the community after a damning report found it is failing to reduce harm from poker machines across the state’s pubs and clubs which cost $8.4billion in losses in just one year.

The NSW Auditor-General’s Regulation of Gaming Machines report also revealed the number of gaming machines across the state has increased in the past two years despite an explicit legislative push to reduce the number of machines.

But for families, the real fight is against the flood of gambling ads hijacking the game.

Let’s make this the last Origin season kids grow up thinking betting is just part of sport.

Donate to our EOFY appeal today.

A damning report has exposed NSW's failure to protect communities from gambling harm. The state’s 87,749 poker machines raked in $8.4 billion last year—yet just two high-risk venues had their licences reviewed since 2019.

Martin Thomas, CEO of The Alliance, said: "NSW already has more poker machines than any other jurisdiction, more than almost any other part of the world, so it is appalling that the numbers of machines is still increasing despite the rhetoric about reducing the number of machines."

While venues profit, western Sydney communities are losing entire salaries to poker machines.

“The latest research is showing that 85% want some form of restrictions on gambling advertising… even those who vent tell us they're so sick of the amount of ads.” – Martin Thomas, CEO of The Alliance

Despite this, the federal government remains silent. We're calling for a total ban on gambling ads—just like we did with tobacco. Too many are losing homes, lives, and futures. It's time to end this harm.

🎧 Listen to Alliance CEO Martin Thomas discuss this issue at length with Rob Cameron on Front Page.

Most Australians want gambling ads gone — and the Murphy Report lays out a 31-step plan to do just that. But two years on, the government still hasn’t responded. Why? According to The Alliance’s Chief Advocate Tim Costello: “It’s not the public that’s the problem here. It’s the vested interests.” Powerful players like the AFL, NRL, and big broadcasters are profiting — while children are exposed and harmed.

It's time to prioritise health over profit. The public is ready. The plan is ready. The delay must end.

More than 900,000 teens gambled last year, thanks in part to over a million gambling ads on free-to-air TV. Online gambling now dominates, yet none of the 31 reforms from the landmark Murphy review—including a total ad ban—have been adopted. Even worse? MPs took $245,000 in sports freebies while stalling action.

“Australians do not like being flooded by messages and inducements to gamble online and worry about the effect this is having on children and young people.” – Murphy review