SA State Election 2026 - Women Deserve to Be Heard on Gambling Harm

As the state election approaches, conversations about gambling reform are starting to re-emerge in public debate. Too often, however, those conversations overlook a critical perspective: the experiences of women.

At The Untangle Project, we exist to create a space where women can speak openly about gambling harm and its impact on their lives. For many women, gambling harm is not simply about money. It can involve shame, secrecy, relationship breakdown, mental health struggles, and the invisible strain it places on families. Yet these experiences are rarely centred in policy discussions.

Gambling harm is often treated as an individual problem rather than what it truly is: a public health issue. When gambling products are widely available and heavily promoted, harm becomes a predictable outcome for some people and their families. Addressing this requires more than encouraging individuals to gamble responsibly. It requires governments to focus on prevention, support, and reducing exposure to high risk products.

Women’s voices must be part of these conversations. Historically, gambling research, policy, and support services have been shaped around male patterns of gambling, leaving many women feeling unseen and unsupported. Ensuring that women with lived experience are included in policy discussions is essential if we are serious about reducing harm.

There is also a need for more gender responsive support services. Women often face unique barriers to seeking help, including stigma, caring responsibilities, and fear of judgment. Support systems should recognise these realities and provide pathways that are safe, accessible, and tailored to women’s experiences.

The upcoming state election provides an opportunity to rethink how we approach gambling harm. Governments can take meaningful steps by recognising gambling harm as a public health issue, investing in prevention and research, supporting services that work for women, and ensuring that lived experience informs policy decisions.

Women deserve to be heard in these debates.

At The Untangle Project, we will continue advocating for a future where the voices of women affected by gambling harm are not only listened to — but valued in shaping the solutions.