Gambling is a common recreational activity in the Northern Territory (NT) with over 70 per cent of the adult population participating in some form of gambling over a 12-month period. For most gamblers it is an enjoyable recreational activity that provides them with a chance to win money and socialise. However, for others, particularly those who gamble weekly or more on continuous forms of gambling such as electronic gambling machines or pokies, it can lead to considerable harms for themselves and people close to them.

In addition to commercial forms of gambling, private card gambling (another form of continuous gambling) is a common activity in most Indigenous communities across the NT. Harms associated with card gambling are less documented though recent evidence suggests that children in houses where gambling is reported as a problem suffer from higher levels of scabies and ear infections.

Our research focus:
  • To reduce harms associated with commercial and non-commercial forms of gambling in the Northern Territory (NT). We focus on policy relevant research across primary, secondary and tertiary prevention and treatments. Project are spread across a broad range of areas including gambling in Indigenous communities, screening for gambling problems in Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and service providers, monitoring Electronic Gambling Machine revenues in Northern Territory venues, and providing reliable estimates of gambling participation and problem gambling through population level surveys. 
Our research impact:
  • Our gambling research program provides a solid evidence-base for developing effective gambling-related policy in the NT. The program will ensure consistent surveillance of gambling-related indicators and contribute to improved clinical treatment of problem gamblers through better screening processes across service different providers. The research will ensure there is an evidence base that government and NGOs can access to ensure policy and programs remain up to date in this changing policy and program space.

     

  1. Stevens, M. and Livingstone, C. (2019). Evaluating changes in electronic gambling machine policy on user losses in an Australian jurisdiction. BMC Public Health 19(1): 517.
  2. Flack, M., & Stevens, M. (2018). Gambling motivation: Comparisons across gender and preferred activity. International Gambling Studies, 19(1), 69-84
  3. Barnes, T., Stevens, M., Thoss, M. & Taylor, A. (2017)  The size and growth of the Northern Territory’s Gambling Industry. Northern Institute Working Paper 08/2017. Darwin: Northern Institute and Menzies School of Health Research.
  4. Stevens, M., Thoss, M., & Barnes, T. (2017). 2015 Northern Territory Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey Report. Darwin: Menzies School of Health Research & the Northern Territory Government.
  5. Stevens, M., & Paradies, Y. (2014). Changes in exposure to ‘life stressors’ in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, 2002 to 2008. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 144.
  6. Stevens, M., & Golebiowska, K. (2013). Gambling problems amongst the CALD population of Australia: Hidden, visible or not a problem? Asian Journal of Gambling Issues and Public Health, 3, 1-20.
  7. Stevens, M., & Bailie, R. (2012). Gambling, housing conditions, community contexts and child health in remote Indigenous communities in Australia. BMC Public Health, 12, 377.
  8. Stevens, M., & Young, M. (2010). Independent correlates of reported gambling problems amongst Indigenous Australians. Social Indicators Research, 98(1), 147-166.
  9. Stevens, M., & Young, M. (2010). Who plays what? Player preferences in chance and skill-based games. Journal of Gambling Studies, 26(1), 89-103.
  10. Stevens, M., & Young, M. (2009). Betting on the evidence: Reported gambling problems amongst the Indigenous population of the Northern Territory. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 33(6), 556-565.
Click here to view more gambling publications in PubMed.
  1. How online sports betting companies exert pressure on government to pay less tax

    How online sports betting companies exert pressure on government to pay less tax

    Date

    Matthew Stevens, a gambling researcher from the Menzies School of Health Research only discovered the consultation was open by chance when he visited the NT Licensing website.

  2. CDU Newsroom | Boredom and isolation a key trigger for gambling

    CDU Newsroom | Boredom and isolation a key trigger for gambling

    Date

    Researchers from CDU’s Northern Institute and Menzies School of Health Research who investigated the gambling habits of the NESB communities found that anti-social gambling, such as electronic gaming machines (pokies), were popular with some sectors of the NESB and non-Indigenous community.

  3. Problem Gambling Rates Increase in Australia’s Northern Territory, Latest Report Finds

    Problem Gambling Rates Increase in Australia’s Northern Territory, Latest Report Finds

    Date

    A report reflecting a massive increase in problem gambling in Australia’s Northern Territory has been made public following a change in the local Government’s previous refusals to publish it.

  4. NT Government admits delay releasing problem gambling report

    NT Government admits delay releasing problem gambling report

    Date

    The Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey was conducted by the Menzies School of Health Research after the organisation received a $695,000 grant from the Government's Community Benefit Fund in late 2018.

  5. Researchers call for stronger regulation of online gambling industry in the NT

    Researchers call for stronger regulation of online gambling industry in the NT

    Date

    Dear Minister Fyles - Please see the attached letter from a group of public health researchers concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on patterns of gambling, and in particular, online gambling.

  6. Demands Grow to Shut Down Pokies

    Demands Grow to Shut Down Pokies

    Date

    Pressure is building for poker machine venues to be closed. A number of public health and gambling experts made the call almost a week ago and yet slot machine venues remain open across Tasmania.

  7. A fresh push to come to grips with online gambling

    A fresh push to come to grips with online gambling

    Date

    Gambling Research Australia (GRA) is funding a team of eminent Australian and international researchers to identify the latest trends in online/interactive gambling, particularly sports and race betting participation, in the context of broader trends in gambling behaviour.

  8. Campus Morning Mail | The Alcohol and Drug Foundation 2019 research award goes to Menzies School of Health Research

    Campus Morning Mail | The Alcohol and Drug Foundation 2019 research award goes to Menzies School of Health Research

    Date

    The Alcohol and Drug Foundation 2019 research award goes to the Alcohol, Other Drugs and Gambling Team at the Menzies School of Health Research, in Darwin

  9. MENZIES SCHOOL OF HEALTH RESEARCH RECOGNISED WITH NATIONAL AWARD

    MENZIES SCHOOL OF HEALTH RESEARCH RECOGNISED WITH NATIONAL AWARD

    Date

    Menzies School of Health Research, has won the Research Award at the 2019 National Alcohol and Other Drugs Excellence and Innovation Awards in Melbourne.

  10. Health survey of male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the NT

    Health survey of male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the NT

    Date

    The Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Gambling (AODG) Unit at Menzies School of Health Research is leading a research project relating to Health Literacy Among Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males in the NT.

  11. Gambling survey will measure gambling patterns and harms in the NT

    Gambling survey will measure gambling patterns and harms in the NT

    Date

    Menzies and Roy Morgan Research will conduct a survey on behalf of the NT Government to research patterns of gambling, problem gambling risk, harms from gambling and the health and wellbeing of Territorians.

  12. Gambling study examines 'incredibly social' card games played in Indigenous communities

    Gambling study examines 'incredibly social' card games played in Indigenous communities

    Date

    ANU's Centre for Gambling is leading the three-year project, which has made its initial findings, in partnership with Amity Community Services and the Menzies School of Health Research.

  13. NT Gambling Project - The Tiwi News | Issue #35

    NT Gambling Project - The Tiwi News | Issue #35

    Date

    The NT Gambling Project has satrted in Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands.

  14. NT Government - Gambling Prevalence Survey Released

    NT Government - Gambling Prevalence Survey Released

    Date

    A study from the Menzies School of Health Research, released by the Territory Government, shows gambling participation declined significantly.

  15. NT News editorial on Menzies gambling report

    Date

    NT Government release Menzies report into gambling rates

  16. Researcher brings Indigenous gambling and smoking into focus with funding boost

    Researcher brings Indigenous gambling and smoking into focus with funding boost

    Date

    The hundreds of communities nationwide that suffer the detrimental social and health effects of gambling and smoking will benefit from new research out of Menzies.

  17. Gambling causing harm to Indigenous children's health

    Gambling causing harm to Indigenous children's health

    Date

    A study by the Menzies School of Health Research has confirmed that gambling problems in remote Indigenous communities are associated with poorer health outcomes for children.