Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Gambling harm describes any negative consequence or side effect that comes from gambling.
- Gambling products are designed to keep people gambling and can lead to harm.
- If you gamble you should expect to lose. Gambling should be budgeted as an expense, just like going out for dinner, and not considered as a way to make money.
- If gambling is causing you harm, understanding why you gamble can help you change your behaviour.
On this page
Whether it’s buying a lotto ticket, placing a bet on the horses, sport events or using the pokies, many people gamble at some stage. But even if you only have a flutter from time to time, it’s important to know how gambling works so you have realistic expectations about your chances of winning.
What is gambling harm?
Gambling harm describes any negative consequence or side effect that comes from gambling. It can range in severity from momentary feelings of guilt or regret right through to bankruptcy, broken relationships, mental ill-health or thoughts of suicide.
The most obvious type of gambling harm is financial, but there are many others. These include relationship difficulties, health problems, emotional or psychological distress, issues with work or study, cultural stresses and criminal activity.
Broader impacts of gambling harm
Gambling harm is associated with poor health and wellbeing, not only of individuals who gamble, but families, communities, and the broader population. Indeed, research shows that in Victoria over 5% of the Victorian adult population report being personally affected by someone else’s gambling.
Gambling harm often co-occurs alongside other health-related issues, such as mental ill-health, misuse of alcohol and other drugs, family and relationship conflict or trauma.
Expect to lose when you gamble
Gambling odds are designed to work against you. If you gamble, you should expect to lose. Gambling should be budgeted as an expense, just like going out for dinner, and not considered a way to make money.
The odds work against you
When you gamble, do you know what your chances of winning really are? This table shows the odds of winning on some common forms of gambling in Victoria.
The bottom line is, no matter what type of gambling you do, you should always expect to lose.
| Bet | Odds of winning | Typical prize |
|---|---|---|
| Poker machines – getting five black rhinos on black rhinos machine (top prize) ($1 bet per line) | 1 in 9,765,625 | $5000 |
| Tattslotto – winning first division (getting all six numbers correct) | 1 in 8,145,060 | $300,000 - $1m+ |
| Powerball – winning first division (getting all five numbers and the powerball correct) | 1 in 76,767,600 | $3m–$15m |
| Set for Life – winning first division (getting all eight numbers correct) | 1 in 38,608,020 | $20,000 a month for 20 years |
| Super 66 – winning first division (getting all six numbers correct) | 1 in 1,000,000 | $60,000–$90,000 |
| Oz Lotto – winning first division (getting all seven numbers correct) | 1 in 45,379,620 | $1m–$5m |
| Trackside – horse number 1 wins race ($1 bet) | 21 in 100 | $4 |
| Trackside – horse number 12 wins race ($1 bet) | 2 in 100 | $35 |
| Casino – roulette (single zero) – winning straight up (correct bet on a single number) ($5 bet) | 1 in 37 | $180 |
| Casino – roulette (single zero) – winning black/red, high/low or odd/even ($5 bet) | 18 in 37 | $10 |
| Casino – big wheel – getting the joker (pays 47-1) ($5 bet) | 1 in 52 | $240 |
| Instant Scratchies – winning top prize ($1) | 1 in 600,000 | Top prize $10,000 |
| Intralot Scratchies – winning top prize ($20) | 1 in 630,000 | Top prize $1,000,000 |
You are in control
If you want to make sure gambling doesn't become an issue, here are some tips to help keep the balance right:
- Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money. Venues use gambling to make money, it’s not designed to work the other way around.
- Only gamble with what you can afford to lose. Gamble with your weekly entertainment budget, not with your phone bill or rent budget.
- Set money and time limits in advance. Decide how much, and for how long you will gamble, and stop when you hit your limits.
- Never chase your losses. Chasing losses will usually lead to bigger and bigger losses.
Gambler's Help
Gambler’s Help is a state-wide gambling support service that delivers support to people experiencing harm from gambling. They provide specialised, integrated services that are professional, free, confidential and available 24/7 for people experiencing harm from their own, or someone else’s gambling.
Every year Gambler’s Help assists thousands of Victorians to successfully quit or take control of their gambling.
Gambler’s Help services include:
- Phone support (24/7) – 1800 858 858
- Face-to-face counselling
- Financial counselling
- Help in languages other than English
Learn more at Gambler's Help.
Where to get help
- Gambler’s Help Youthline - free, confidential, 24/7 telephone counselling service for people under 25. Tel. 1800 262 376.
- Your GP (doctor) or other health professional.
- Gambling Help Online – online counselling and information services including a peer support program.
- Lifeline Tel. 13 11 14.
- SuicideLine Victoria Tel. 1300 651 251.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
