Family and domestic violence and gambling harm in NSW: Developing the evidence base

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Reports

Author(s): Suomi, Aino ; Perry, John ; Rehill, Patrick ; Boxall, Hayley ; Rees, Susan ; Noble-Carr, Debbie ; Cowlishaw, Sean

Publisher: GambleAware New South Wales

Year Published: 2025

Date Added: May 26, 2026

Resource Type: Research report

This research report explores how gambling harm and family and domestic violence intersect in New South Wales, Australia. The research involved analysis of longitudinal data from 2017 to 2023, and interviews with 33 service providers. The goal was to inform services for people experiencing gambling harm and family/domestic violence.

Findings include:

In areas where there are more gambling machines, there was a small increase in incidents of family and domestic violence incidents. The data analysis suggests that this link is causal.
In some areas, gambling machines had a strong effect on rates of police-recorded domestic violence.
There is a need for services to address family and domestic violence and gambling that integrate different services, including child and family services.
There is a desire for training modules and resources related to gambling-related family and domestic violence among service providers.

Citation: Suomi, A., Perry, J., Rehill, P., Boxall, H., Rees, S., & Noble-Carr, D., & Cowlishaw, S. (2025). Family and domestic violence and gambling harm in NSW. Australian National University. Canberra. Available from: https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/-/media/family-and-domestic-violence-and-gambling-harm-in-nsw---developing-the-evidence-base-report.ashx?rev=084fe3d4690348169580f0dbf2e7d6c8

Keywords: family violence ; gambling harm ; intimate partner violence ; spouse ; violence

Topics: Comorbidities ; Domestic and Inter-Partner Violence

Conceptual Framework Factors: Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Social - Family and Peer Gambling Involvement ; Social - Deviance ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources

Geographic Coverage: Australia, New South Wales

Source Type: Academic

Study Funding:

This study was funded by a research grant from the GambleAware New South Wales Responsible Gambling Fund to the Australian National University.