Two years after an inquiry with unanimous recommendations, the federal government is still yet to act on serious gambling reform.
The AMA have called out the federal government on gambling reform, with two years having passed since the release of the ‘you win some, you lose more’ parliamentary inquiry.
The inquiry delivered 31 unanimous recommendations, none of which the federal government has made any formal actions upon.
The lack of an adequate and comprehensive response has left many advocates frustrated.
“The committee was crystal clear — partial bans do not work and it is time to recognise that ongoing industry pressure is harming Australians,” AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen said.
“Whilst families struggle with cost-of-living pressures, gambling losses now amount to more than $1500 for every adult, draining budgets faster than utilities or housing.”
Australia holds the unfortunate title for the highest per capita losses in the world for gambling, with a predicted $31.5 billion lost annually to gambling.
This hefty sum exceeds what governments spend on aged care and comes close to NDIS funding totals.
Regulatory vacuums in the current gambling management have been exploited by gambling companies due to government inaction.
A report from the University of Melbourne has shown how this government inaction has caused a general impact with the prevalence of gambling in sports advertising.
“Peta Murphy’s inquiry was unambiguous — online gambling companies deliberately exploit Australia’s love of sport to normalise gambling as harmless fun,” Dr McMullen said.
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“Australia’s sporting codes and broadcasters have been in lockstep with gambling industry partners to oppose restrictions.”
General practice has been touted by the RACGP for its potential to bring conversations on gambling’s impact more into mainstream health services.
This suggestion has come in the wake of general practice looking to incorporate more mental health assistance as part of general health assessment to help address gaps in current care.
“For us, in general practice in Australia, we’re really fortunate because there are funded specialist gambling help organisations all around Australia,” RACGP’s Specific Interests Addiction chair Dr Hester Wilson told The Medical Republic.
“That’s certainly the other thing that we do see is family members who are affected by gambling, where we can actually refer them for support to specialist gambling services.
“The evidence is that can take people up to 10 years to actually reach out and look for help for their gambling.
“That’s why it’s so important for us as GPs to open that conversation, to let patients that we’re seeing know that we are happy to talk about this.”
“That’s the point for us as GPs to to ask the question, because people won’t volunteer it.
“They may not volunteer it because they don’t think that gambling is what GPS come up for assistance.”
