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, and tennis. The rise in sports betting is driven by its easy accessibility via smartphones and the heavy promotion through advertising on TV and social media, which often portrays gambling as fun, a quick way to make money, and a normal part of watching the game.
This surge in popularity is contributing to increased gambling harm. Young people are especially vulnerable, with their betting habits strongly influenced by friends and peers. Social media plays a key role, where conversations often revolve around odds, betting tips, and encouraging each other to place bets. These discussions tend to highlight wins rather than losses, creating a distorted perception of success and masking the true risks involved.
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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.