The rise of internet-based sports betting is changing the face of problem gambling in Australia, say addiction experts who report a surge in younger men in need of help.
Faster internet speeds and the proliferation of internet-enabled mobile phones had created a younger generation that could "gamble anywhere anytime", experts attached to the University of Sydney say.
The number of people with sports betting-related problems attending their gambling addiction clinics have surged by around 70 per cent in just three years.
These were mostly younger men who could "literally lose a fortune without even leaving the comfort of their own home".
"Problem gambling has certainly moved away from the traditional picture of a person sitting for hours on end at a poker machine," said the university's Professor of Psychology Alex Blaszczynski.
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"Whilst we are still seeing these clients, we are seeing that young men in particular are turning to gambling on sports.
"These young men are reporting difficulties controlling their internet-based sports betting in increasing numbers."
Prof Blaszczynski said as technology and the promotion of sports betting boosted access and awareness so there was an "increase risk of higher rates of problem gambling".
"With the footy season soon underway we are expecting to see a raise in the young male clients present with these problems," he also said.
The big upswing in people with sports betting addictions was seen in those attending the university's various Gambling Treatment Clinics held from 2008-09 to 2010-11.
This service offers free one-on-one counselling to problem gamblers.
It is funded by the NSW State Government Responsible Gambling Fund and the clinics are held in western Sydney (Parramatta CBD, Lidcombe, Campbelltown, Tahmoor) as well as in central Sydney.
Christopher Hunt, a clinical psychologist who has operated the clinics, said a few years ago the majority of its clients were people who used poker machines only.
"However, today, we are seeing many young men, who are losing large sums of money from betting on sports over the internet," he said.
"They can literally lose a fortune without even leaving the comfort of their own home."
Mr Hunt said it was now commonplace to see gambling odds shown on television during the live coverage of sports programming, and in such an environment it was "natural that many people with an interest in sports may try their luck".
Unfortunately some of these people will lose more than they planned to and become problem gamblers," Mr Hunt said.
