Sports betting and gambling ads are everywhere! It feels like you can't escape them, and they're influencing our kids by making gambling seem like a normal, safe, fast and easy way to make money. But it doesn't have to be this way.
By calling out the risks of sports betting and learning ways to protect our kids from betting advertising, we can help young sports fans rediscover the real reasons we love sport: big kicks, drama, winning goals, the atmosphere, community, the excitement!
We're Here For The Game. Not the gambling.
The facts and the stats
Sports betting is growing in South Australia
From 2005 to 2019, the amount lost on sports betting increased from $1.98 million to $8.25 million.1 On a typical day, the average Australians spends $83 on sports betting. 2
Sports betting advertising in SA continues to grow
Nielson Ad Intel reports that in 2022, gambling and wagering companies spent $310 million on advertising in Australia. While locally, over $3.9 million was spent on advertising in 2020.3
Sports betting brand recognition starts young
75% of kids ages 8 to 16 can name one or more sports betting companies, 25% can name four or more.4 One quarter (23%) of bettors reported being under 18 when they first placed a bet on sports. 5
Young men are the most at risk
Men aged 18 to 34 are most likely to bet on sports online. Men are more likely than women to bet on sporting events — and are likely to bet more frequently and bet higher amounts. 6
Sports betting is risky business
32% of sports bettors in South Australia gamble at risky levels compared to 27% of poker machine players, and 12% of gamblers generally.7
Young kids have participated in sports betting
In survey of Victorian students aged 12 to 17 year olds, 31% of students reported they had gambled, with 52% of those that had gambled having done so at home or at a friend's home.8
Can you really trust the 'experts' for a top tip?
Growing community concern9
Beliefs and attitudes
60% of South Australians believe betting on sports is a normal part of life in South Australia.
Concerns about exposure
78% of South Australians are concerned by how much sports betting advertising children are exposed to.
Kids think it's normal
84% of South Australians agreed that betting advertising makes kids think that gambling on sport is normal.
It's important kids know
92% of South Australians agreed it’s important to talk to children and adolescents about the risks of betting on sports.
More needs to be done
Only 20% of respondents had spoken to their child or teenager about the risks involved in sports betting.
You can learn more
Less than 38% of South Australians felt informed enough to talk to children about the risks of sports gambling.