All In The Mind
All In The Mind
ABC listen
Ads, sports and games: how gambling infiltrated Australian culture
30 minutes Posted May 3, 2025 at 6:00 pm.
0:00
30:45
Download MP3
Show notes
If you're watching sport or browsing social media, odds are you will come across gambling ads. If you work in an office, you might've joined Melbourne Cup or footy tipping comps.
In Australia, it can feel like gambling is everywhere.
Today, we look at how everything from video games to shopping sites seem to be priming us for betting-like behaviours, and how the ubiquity of gambling ads is influencing young people in particular.
And if you haven't already, please take a moment to fill out our listener survey! It's only 7 questions and we'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.
Guests:
Dr Hannah Pitt
VicHealth Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute for Health Transformation 
Deakin University
Dr Anastasia Hronis
Clinical psychologist
Lecturer, University of Technology Sydney
Nic Bloom
Mental health first aid trainer
Wellbeing facilitator and speaker
Credits:
Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar
Senior producer: James Bullen
Producer: Rose Kerr
Sound engineer: Ann-Marie de Bettencor
Resources:
Gambling Help Online or over the phone 1800 858 858
Lifeline resources
Extra information:
Meta-analysis of the relationship between problem gambling, excessive gaming and loot box spending
Young people's recall and perceptions of gambling advertising and intentions to gamble on sport
"It's just everywhere!" Children and parents discuss the marketing of sports wagering in Australia
Gambling activity among Australian teenagers