The social cost of gambling to Victoria

The second phase of the study estimated the costs of gambling to Victoria for all severity levels. It was found that when low-risk and moderate-risk categories were included, the cost of gambling in Victoria in 2014-15 totalled $7 billion, as compared to a previous figure of $2.4 billion when including only the more severe, but less prevalent, problem gambling group.

The research categorised the types and costs of gambling harm as follows:

$2.2 billion – family and relationship problems

$1.6 billion – emotional and psychological issues, including distress, depression, suicide and violence

$1.3 billion – financial losses through, for example, excessive spending on gambling, bankruptcy and illegal offshore gambling

$1.1 billion – costs to the Victorian government, such as research, regulation, and professional support services, including mental health and homelessness services

$600 million – lost productivity and other work-related costs

$100 million – costs of crime, including to businesses and the justice system.