Two recent studies from the southern hemisphere have shown a decline in problem gambling despite easier access and more options for players. The studies were from places with well-established gambling laws where the gaming industry can be said to have matured – Tasmania and South Africa. The Department of Health and Human Services in Tasmania commissioned a report for the Gambling Support Bureau as a follow up to studies conducted in 1994, 1996 and 2000. The National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) in South Africa commissioned a national problem gambling prevalence study from the National Centre for the Study of Gambling.

Some claims commonly made about problem gambling by anti-gambling lobbies have been shown to be unfounded in both the regions surveyed, and both attribute the decline in problem gambling to better overall awareness by the public of gambling support services and gambling education programmes. In South Africa pathological or addiction gambling affects less than 1% of gamblers and the survey, in line with National Gambling Board research, shows that problem gambling has been declining since 2003. In Tasmania problem gambling prevalence, which rose steeply to 1.84% between 1994 and 1996, is now at 0.18%. However, at risk gamblers have increased to 1.23% following a steep fall between 1996 and 2000.

Figures from Tasmania show that in the top age group gamblers are actually less likely to become problem gamblers and, as responsible gamblers, say that gambling makes life ‘more enjoyable.’ In both Tasmania and South Africa slot machine playing is the most popular form of gambling but the South African study shows that it is the lottery that attracts most play amongst the lowest income group, with over 70% of those earning less than R1400 per month (under US$193) playing regularly. Despite this, the research team for the South African study concludes that the majority of South Africans, including the poor, are gambling sensibly.

Statistical studies are always open to providing ammunition for both sides of an argument, but the recently released studies into gambling prevalence in South Africa and Tasmania suggest that although more people are becoming attracted to gambling in any of its many forms as a means of entertainment, problem gambling continues to decline. Regulators in all jurisdictions should note that public education plays a large part in the creation of responsible gamblers, and legislate accordingly. (E-07.06.06)

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