Online survey targets internet gambling

The results from an online survey will enable groundbreaking research into internet gambling, one of the fastest growing forms of gambling in Australia. The initiative is a collaboration between the University of Sydney and Southern Cross University. The Australian Gambling Survey Homepage will collect data that helps researchers, policy makers, and industry insiders gain a better understanding of internet gambling and the people involved. Very little is known about the social and economic impacts of internet gambling despite a Neilsen survey of online activity in 2008 finding that it is one of the top 10 activities conducted online across all age groups and one of the top four online activities for people aged 35 years and over. Dr Sally Gainsbury has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Menzies Foundation to conduct this research. "As a clinical psychologist I'm concerned about the impact that internet gambling has on youth and problem gamblers - it is highly accessible, fast, can be played alone, at home, with just a credit card and unregulated sites provide few player protection measures," Dr Gainsbury said. "Although internet wagering and sports betting is legal in Australia, internet casino games, gaming machines and online poker are illegal.