Matthew J. Rockloff

INTRODUCTION Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the gambling industry in Western markets has experienced sustained growth, largely driven by online and mobile sports betting on smartphones [1, 2]. Direct marketing is a particularly important means for promoting smartphone betting [3-7], where gambling operators contact customers via emails, text messages, app notifications and phone calls that prompt people to place bets based on special offers or deliver reminders of upcoming sporting events.

Gambling prevalence studies provide a snapshot of gambling behavior, problems and harm in our communities. They are typically conducted about every five years. In some Australian states and territories, four or five have been conducted over the past 20 or so years. These have provided a snapshot into how gambling has changed—and how it has not. So, how has gambling in Australia changed in the past two decades or so, and where may we be heading?

By Alex Russell, Matthew Browne, and Matthew Rockloff Gambling, especially sports and race betting, is a hot political issue at the moment. This is largely due to the recommendations from a 2023 report from a nonpartisan federal government committee, chaired by the late Peta Murphy, called You Win Some, You Lose More.