Gambling

Inquiry report

This inquiry report was released on 23 June 2010.

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Preliminaries (PDF - 165 Kb)
Cover, Copyright, Letter of transmittal, Terms of reference, Contents and Abbreviations
Overview - including key points (PDF - 208 Kb)
Recommendations and findings (PDF - 89 Kb)
Chapter 1 Introduction (PDF - 78 Kb)
1.1 What has the Commission been asked to do?
1.2 Inquiry processes
1.3 How is this report organised?
Chapter 2 A snapshot of the gambling industry (PDF - 220 Kb)
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The state of the Australian gambling industry
2.3 EGMs in clubs and hotels
2.4 The casino industry
2.5 The wagering industry
Chapter 3 The policy framework (PDF - 163 Kb)
3.1 Governments and gambling
3.2 Steps to good policy
3.3 Rationales for gambling policy
3.4 Different frameworks inform policy
3.5 Evidence-based policy in gambling
Chapter 4 A broad perspective on gambling problems (PDF - 196 Kb)
4.1 Measurement should be policy-relevant and relate to vulnerabilities and harm
4.2 Identifying vulnerabilities
4.3 Identifying those who are harmed
4.4 Risks by venue type
Chapter 5 The prevalence of 'problem' gambling (PDF - 219 Kb)
5.1 "What is 'the' number?" — measuring problem gambling
5.2 A true 'case' is hard to find
5.3 'False positives and negatives' : how accurate are the surveys?
5.4 The headline indicator: identifying 'problem' gamblers
5.5 Exposure and problems
5.6 Comparison of gambling problems with other public health concerns
5.7 How much do problem gamblers spend (lose)?
5.8 Has problem gambling prevalence declined?
Chapter 6 The benefits of gambling and some implications (PDF - 182 Kb)
6.1 The benefits to consumers of gambling
6.2 What are the perceptions of social benefits to communities?
6.3 Empirical evidence about community impacts
6.4 Volunteering
6.5 In-kind contributions
6.6 Cash contributions
6.7 Clubs with greater dependence on gambling serve different market segments
6.8 Employment and business benefits
6.9 The bottom line on the benefits of gambling
6.10 The size of the 'prize' from more effective harm minimisation
Chapter 7 Counselling and treatment support services (PDF - 216 Kb)
7.1 Reaching the target population
7.2 Effectiveness of treatment and support
7.3 Counsellors' qualifications and service standards
7.4 Funding of gambling help services
7.5 Building a better evidence base
Chapter 8 In-venue information and gambling advertising (PDF - 620 Kb)
8.1 Warning messages
8.2 Advertising
Chapter 9 School-based gambling education (PDF - 127 Kb)
9.1 Existing approach to school-based gambling education
9.2 Youth and gambling
9.3 Evidence on the effectiveness of school-based gambling education programs
9.4 Lessons from other school-based education programs?
9.5 Drawing together the evidence
Chapter 10 Pre-commitment strategies (PDF - 208 Kb)
10.1 Why should player choice and control be a policy issue?
10.2 Self-exclusion
10.3 More flexible pre-commitment arrangements
10.4 What limits or other options might be available for players?
10.5 How could partial pre-commitment work?
10.6 How could full pre-commitment work?
10.7 The details of the scheme and its implementation are critical
10.8 Auxiliary functions of a pre-commitment system
10.9 In conclusion
Chapter 11 Game features and machine design (PDF - 233 Kb)
11.1 Introduction
11.2 The intensity of play
11.3 Note acceptors and cash input limits
11.4 A novel proposal for safer play: an 'airbag' EGM?
11.5 Other features
Chapter 12 Venue activities (PDF - 221 Kb)
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Voluntary harm minimisation measures by venues
12.3 Strengthening incentives for venues to implement harm minimisation measures
12.4 Staff training in harm minimisation
12.5 Problematic player behaviour identification and intervention
12.6 Inducements to gamble
12.7 'Reality checks'
12.8 Exposure of children to gambling activity
Chapter 13 Access to cash and credit (PDF - 214 Kb)
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Restrictions on ATMs/EFTPOS facilities
13.3 Using credit for gambling
13.4 Payment of gaming machine prizes as cash
13.5 Cheque cashing
Chapter 14 Accessibility of gaming machines (PDF - 183 Kb)
14.1 Introduction
14.2 The link between accessibility and gambling harms
14.3 Restricting the accessibility of gaming machines
Chapter 15 Online gaming and the Interactive Gambling Act (PDF - 175 Kb)
15.1 Background
15.2 What harms are associated with online gaming and how do they compare to other gambling?
15.3 Has the prohibition 'worked'?
15.4 Policy alternatives
15.5 Weighing up the regulatory options
Chapter 16 Developments in the racing and wagering industries (PDF - 254 Kb)
16.1 The legacy of traditional funding arrangements
16.2 Principles of a good funding model
16.3 A national funding model for racing and wagering in Australia
16.4 Other aspects of a national model
Chapter 17 Regulatory processes and institutions (PDF - 159 Kb)
17.1 Introduction
17.2 What does best practice look like?
17.3 Governance structures still need work
17.4 Improving regulatory processes
17.5 National regulation and jurisdictional consistency
Chapter 18 Gambling policy research and evaluation (PDF - 174 Kb)
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Improving gambling data: collection, national consistency and access
18.3 Improving national gambling research
18.4 Improving policy evaluation and review
18.5 A forward agenda for gambling research
Chapter 19 Implementation issues and transitions (PDF - 145 Kb)
19.1 Implementation issues vary across measures
19.2 Changes to EGMs: influences on implementation
19.3 Changes to EGMs: an implementation path
19.4 A leadership role for the Australian Government
Appendix A Consultations (PDF - 83 Kb)
Appendix B The expenditure share of people experiencing problems (PDF - 149 Kb)
Appendix C Pre-commitment systems (PDF - 294 Kb)
Appendix D Scoring in the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (PDF - 98 Kb)
Appendix E Self-exclusion programs and exclusion on welfare grounds (PDF - 124 Kb)
Appendix F Survey of clients of counselling agencies 2009 (PDF - 188 Kb)
Appendix G Access to cash and credit: evidence (PDF - 162 Kb)
Appendix H Australian litigation on gambling (PDF - 74 Kb)
Appendix I The link between accessibility and gambling harms (PDF - 101 Kb)
Appendix J Counselling services (PDF - 139 Kb)
Appendix K Advertising (PDF - 173 Kb)
References (PDF - 157 Kb)

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