Salvos shining spotlight on teen gambling crisis
- deansimpson7
- 21 hours ago
- 5 min read
Melbourne Cup – the iconic horse race that stops the nation – is almost here, drawing millions with its glitz, glamour and enticing ads encouraging punters to place a bet. But beneath the surface of this sparkling spectacle and popular gambling season lies a darker reality: young people are gambling at alarming rates, and it’s spiralling out of control. In the lead-up to this week’s Victorian Gambling Harm Awareness Week, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH interviewed Michael Kheirallah from the Salvos’ Gambling Support Service, to uncover the human cost of gambling on countless lives – and an entire new generation.
A silent battle is raging amongst our teens – and we are losing ground.
That is the harsh reality Michael Kheirallah, Manager of The Salvation Army’s Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Gambling Support Service, wants the public to know as his program shines the spotlight on the teen gambling crisis in Australia during Gambling Harm Awareness Week and their social media Facebook campaign.
The new generation of gamblers is being targeted earlier than ever, with devastating effects on their studies, well-being, relationships and future lives.
“It’s going through the roof,” Michael said.
“The new trend now is online gambling, especially among youth. Sports betting is massive now. Unfortunately, when you watch sport, you see gambling ads popping up all the time. So, sports betting is becoming a huge issue for a lot of people. The gambling industry is very smart. They know how to draw in young people by developing free games that incorporate gambling elements.
“So, when they reach a certain age, especially 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and have access to their parents’ credit card or money, they want to try gambling in real life. It’s incredibly easy to go on any online betting site and start gambling, and that’s why it’s so dangerous, especially for young kids. It can have a big impact on their personal lives, on their studies, school, uni and will affect all their lives.”
More than $18 million is spent annually by young people under the age 18 on illegal gambling. The latest findings released by The Australia Institute reveal that almost one in three young people aged 12 to 17 have engaged in some form of gambling.
However, amidst the stark reality, there is a silver lining.
Michael’s team has embarked on a life-changing mission: to educate youth groups, community, schools, universities and other places where young people congregate about the real and hidden dangers of gambling harm and how to minimise its impact.
And they have achieved great success.
This year alone, the Gambling Support Service has reached thousands of young people across schools, universities and community groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA+, and multicultural communities. The team also visits schools and speaks to large student audiences.
“We give them the opportunity to ask questions and learn about gambling harm,” Michael said. “We play a proactive role. Instead of waiting for them to come to us, we go out and reach them – and we’ll keep doing that.”
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Kirrily Mitchell, Community Engagement Practitioner, has led many students through the Be Ahead of the Game workshop, a school program that helps young people understand the risks tied to gambling and gaming.
And the message is being heard.
When asked what they found most helpful in the workshop, students recently pointed to many discoveries including finding out how harmful gambling is and the true extent of the damage caused by gambling, the staggering amount of money people lose on gambling, how gambling companies rope in young people, and the different support services for gambling help including Gambler’s Help, Kids Helpline and Headspace.
Michael stressed that parents played a vital role in keeping their kids safe.
And the top priority? Know what your kids are doing online.
It is essential for parents to monitor their kids’ online activities, he says, and to stay vigilant. Supervision and support are critical, particularly when it comes to screen time and games that feature gambling elements.
“They think it’s just fun, but it can lead to a much bigger gambling problem down the line,” Michael remarked. “So, it’s a big responsibility for parents to keep an eye on their kids, ensuring they’re accessing the right websites and not betting online. It’s illegal for young kids under 18 to gamble, and it can cause a lot of stress and issues with their studies, school or uni.”
So, what can parents do?
Michael offers three simple steps. First, monitor where their kids are spending money. Check if they have access to credit cards or online payment options. Consider using banking tools to block gambling transactions.
Secondly, if they can’t stop, get help. Reach out to the Gambling Support Service or another support provider. Thirdly, encourage healthy alternatives to gambling – physical activities or new interests outside of technology.
“It’s good for parents to take their kids out, to engage in physical activities such as team sports,” he said. “Just get them away from their technology!”
Reducing the risk of experiencing gambling harm is also the key focus of Gambling Harm Awareness Week, which runs until November 2. Its theme, Reducing Harm Through Setting Limits, focuses on how setting limits can reduce someone's risk of experiencing gambling harm.
With Melbourne Cup season starting next week, Michael says setting money limits when gambling and taking a punt is crucial.
“Melbourne Cup season is a gambling culture that lasts for two or three weeks,” he said.
“People want to buy scratchie tickets, go to the track, bet on the horses. That’s why it’s so crucial to get the message out this Gambling Harm Awareness Week: If you want to gamble as entertainment and set strict limits on how much you can afford, that’s fine.
“But don’t let yourself lose all your money. It’s a very serious addiction. That’s how gambling addiction starts – and that’s a real addiction. Gambling is shattering families, leading to violence, substance abuse, and emotional breakdowns.”
Michael warns that while gambling can be harmless as entertainment, it turns toxic when it becomes an addiction. People often can’t stop, continuing to spend money they don’t have, which brings serious harm to themselves and their families.
The financial strain of gambling losses leads to fights, arguments, and, in some cases, violence. Michael adds that, in extreme cases, it can even lead to homelessness.
But all is not lost.
The Gambling Support Service team provides support for families already struggling with gambling harm, offering therapeutic counselling, financial counselling, and, when people lose everything, small grants to cover bills, rent, and other immediate needs.
“We try to help as much as we can,” Michael explained. “That’s why our program has been so successful in reaching people with urgent needs, especially in offering therapeutic and financial support.”
Michael also has a final message for anyone affected by gambling harm: seek help now.
“If you know someone in your family who’s struggling with gambling, encourage them to seek help,” he emphasised. “It’s always better to intervene early before it becomes an addiction. And always stay vigilant with young people. They are our future – and they are worth fighting for.”
For more information on The Salvation Army’s Gambling Support Service, click here: Phone: 03 9653 3250. The service offers financial and therapeutic counselling, community engagement and venue support.
