Public Opinion on Gambling: ANUpoll July 2011

First, the attitudes of the public may affect the desire and ability of governments to implement legislation relating to the regulation of gambling activity. In Australia, gambling reforms are currently under review. Recommended changes include the introduction of mandatory pre-commitment schemes, requiring all players of high intensity poker machines to pre-set a spending limit before they play2. Responsible advertising of gambling activities, particularly during sporting events, has also recently been debated and received considerable media attention. Second, public attitudes and beliefs may affect the likelihood that appropriate treatment is received by people with gambling problems. For example, knowledge about treatments or services that are available for gambling problems may be limited and beliefs about the helpfulness of specific treatments or service providers may be misplaced. Furthermore, negative attitudes towards people with gambling problems may compound feelings of helplessness and reluctance to seek help. A third important reason for investigating public opinion about gambling is that certain attitudes and beliefs may increase the likelihood that individuals engage in one or more forms of gambling, or do so more often. For example, the perception that gambling is part of being Australian may be associated with an increased likelihood of experimenting with gambling and, perhaps, developing a problem with gambling among vulnerable individuals. The ANUpoll on gambling was designed to address public opinion concerning four aspects of gambling, namely: (1) the consequences of gambling and gambling regulation; (2) types of gambling activities and help-seeking; (3) characteristics of people with gambling problems; and (4) the likely causes of problem gambling. Questions were also included to provide information about respondents own levels of gambling participation