Recent research by the Australian National University indicates a significant rise in risky online gambling among Australians, with the percentage of individuals gambling at risky levels increasing from 11.6% to 13.6% over the past year. Despite overall gambling participation remaining stable at about 60%, there has been a marked shift towards online platforms, particularly sports betting, which now dominates the gambling landscape. The study highlights that online gambling advertising is largely unregulated, leading to calls from experts for the federal government to implement a ban on online betting ads. Critics argue that the current advertising practices are contributing to a new generation of gamblers and increasing harm. The report also revealed that approximately 1.2 million Australians have been negatively affected by someone else's gambling behavior in the past year, emphasizing the broader social impact of the gambling crisis. Advocates for reform are urging the government to act on recommendations for stricter regulations and support for affected individuals.