Gambling in Australia: The Billion-Dollar Empire of Harm

Australia is one of the biggest gambling nations in the world — and not always in a good way. Every year, Australians bet hundreds of billions of dollars, and millions experience harm from gambling, from financial stress to broken relationships. Brent talks with public health expert Louise Francis about how gambling became such a huge part of Aussie life, who is at risk, and what the real costs are to families and communities. We cover: How big is the industry? Australians lose billions every year — more than some government budgets. Who is at risk? Around half of people who gamble are considered at risk of harm. Easy access & marketing: Betting apps, TV ads, and sports sponsorship make it nearly impossible to avoid. The ripple effect: Gambling harm doesn’t just affect the player — families and communities feel it too. Join us to understand the scale of gambling in Australia, why it’s so harmful, and what can be done to protect people. Are we normalising harm for profit? Listen and decide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.