Adolescent Gambling in the ACT

Abstract

This report presents key findings of a 2003-2004 study into adolescent gambling in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The study is based on a survey of years 7 to 12 students from Government, Catholic, and Independent schools. The aim of this research project was to increase existing knowledge concerning the nature and extent of gambling amongst a population subgroup that was generally omitted by the Federal Productivity Commission in their 1999 report. Although previous studies of young people have been conducted in Victoria and South Australia that reveal higher prevalence of problem gambling than adults, no such work has ever been undertaken in the ACT. Our research therefore contributes to this scant Australian literature on adolescent gambling by providing further data concerning its measurement, causes and prevalence. In addition, this study provides regulatory and educational authorities in the ACT with a much-needed overview and the material basis for the development of evidence-based prevention and counselling programs, and education strategies. The research also assists in the development and validation of a consistent methodology to allow future replications, as well as providing baseline statistics against which future developments in adolescent gambling can be compared. Show more