Samantha Thomas

2 months ago | theconversation.com | Hannah Pitt |Grace Arnot |Samantha Thomas |Simone McCarthy

Do something about it before it gets worse. This was a response from a 16-year-old boy in one of our recent studies when asked what he would say to the prime minister about gambling in Australia. This response is not uncommon. Read more: Gambling in Australia: how bad is the problem, who gets harmed most and where may we be heading?

2 months ago | theconversation.com | Simone McCarthy |Hannah Pitt |Samantha Thomas

Whatever the code, whatever the season, Australian sports fans are bombarded with gambling ads. Drawing on Australians’ passion, loyalty and pride for sport, the devastating health and social consequences of gambling – including financial stress, homelessness, family violence, and mental health issues – are largely sidelined. Instead, ads continue to normalise gambling, encouraging punters to embrace mateship and “have a crack” on gambling apps.