Sports betting is one of the fastest-growing forms of gambling, particularly among young South Australians. It involves placing bets on the outcomes of sporting events such as AFL, rugby, soccer, tennis and racing. Sports betting is growing because it’s easy to access on smartphones and heavily advertised on TV and social media where gambling is made to seem like a normal part of watching the game.
The popularity of sports betting is contributing to increased gambling harm.
Young people are especially vulnerable. Their betting habits are strongly influenced by social media, where conversations often talk about odds, betting tips, and encouraging each other to place bets. These conversations usually focus on wins, not losses, which gives a false sense of success and hides the real risks.
Find out about Here for the Game, a new program to disrupt the link between sports and gambling.
Horses
Horse racing involves betting on horses ridden by jockeys competing against each other in a race. Online betting apps have made race betting far more accessible to people.
Some people think they can improve their odds of winning by investing time and effort in studying the form guide. In reality, there are many variables that can affect a horse race, including some that are impossible to know, including how the horse is feeling on the day.
Dogs
Dog racing involves betting on greyhounds who race around a track. Similar to horse racing, some people think they can improve their chance of winning through researching the dogs, trainers and odds. But there are many other variables in play, including how the dog will behave on the day, that make gambling on them more about chance than skill.
You can find help to manage your gambling at Get Support.