It is easy to classify gambling addiction as a medical condition, but problem gambling is better understood as a behavior driven by rational choices and the thrill of excitement.

The federal government’s response to the Murphy inquiry into online gambling harms has been “appalling”, says Andrew Wilkie MP. Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Clark, joins the Australia Institute’s Noah Schultz-Byard to reflect on the government’s gambling reforms, making polluters pay for the damage they do to the climate, and the state of Australian politics. This episode was recorded live as part of the Australia Institute’s webinar series on Wednesday 5 August. If this episode raised issues for you, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 (about:invalid#zCSafez)  for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or visit Gambling Help Online (http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/) at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au (http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au) . If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline (http://www.lifeline.org.au/)  on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au (http://www.lifeline.org.au) . More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia (https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/more-fool-me-vantage-point-issue-6) by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription (https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/vantage-point-subscription) to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble. Guest: Andrew Wilkie, Independent Member for Clark // @andrewwilkiemp (https://bsky.app/profile/andrewwilkiemp.bsky.social) Host: Noah Schultz-Byard, Strategy Director, the Australia Institute // @noah_sbyard (https://x.com/noah_sbyard) Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett (https://bsky.app/profile/ebonybennett.bsky.social) Show notes: National Gambling Toll (https://gambling-toll.australiainstitute.org.au/) , the Australia Institute SIGN THE PETITION: Ban online gambling ads! (https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/gambling) , the Australia Institute Australia’s gas giveaway (https://gas.australiainstitute.org.au/) , the Australia Institute Online gambling “reshaping a whole generation” as government reforms fall well short (https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/online-gambling-reshaping-a-whole-generation-as-government-reforms-fall-well-short/) , Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (May 2026) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au (mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au) . Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/follow-the-money/id1078781512) , Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0JOrvYNuhHOwaFuZ7PlW1d?si=e9265dc6a04d40b3) , Pocket Casts (https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/follow-the-money/2aeecbb0-b36a-0133-2e57-6dc413d6d41d) or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

The federal government’s response to the Murphy inquiry into online gambling harms has been “appalling”, says Andrew Wilkie MP. Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Clark, joins the Australia Institute’s Noah Schultz-Byard to reflect on the government’s gambling reforms, making polluters pay for the damage they do to the climate, and the state of Australian politics. This episode was recorded live as part of the Australia Institute’s webinar series on Wednesday 5 August. If this episode raised issues for you, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 (about:invalid#zCSafez)  for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or visit Gambling Help Online (http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/) at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au (http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au) . If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline (http://www.lifeline.org.au/)  on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au (http://www.lifeline.org.au) . More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia (https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/more-fool-me-vantage-point-issue-6) by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription (https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/vantage-point-subscription) to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble. Guest: Andrew Wilkie, Independent Member for Clark // @andrewwilkiemp (https://bsky.app/profile/andrewwilkiemp.bsky.social) Host: Noah Schultz-Byard, Strategy Director, the Australia Institute // @noah_sbyard (https://x.com/noah_sbyard) Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett (https://bsky.app/profile/ebonybennett.bsky.social) Show notes: National Gambling Toll (https://gambling-toll.australiainstitute.org.au/) , the Australia Institute SIGN THE PETITION: Ban online gambling ads! (https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/gambling) , the Australia Institute Australia’s gas giveaway (https://gas.australiainstitute.org.au/) , the Australia Institute Online gambling “reshaping a whole generation” as government reforms fall well short (https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/online-gambling-reshaping-a-whole-generation-as-government-reforms-fall-well-short/) , Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (May 2026) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au (mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au) . Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/follow-the-money/id1078781512) , Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0JOrvYNuhHOwaFuZ7PlW1d?si=e9265dc6a04d40b3) , Pocket Casts (https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/follow-the-money/2aeecbb0-b36a-0133-2e57-6dc413d6d41d) or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

The federal government’s response to the Murphy inquiry into online gambling harms has been “appalling”, says Andrew Wilkie MP. Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Clark, joins the Australia Institute’s Noah Schultz-Byard to reflect on the government’s gambling reforms, making polluters pay for the damage they do to the climate, and the state of Australian politics. This episode was recorded live as part of the Australia Institute’s webinar series on Wednesday 5 August. If this episode raised issues for you, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 (about:invalid#zCSafez)  for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or visit Gambling Help Online (http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/) at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au (http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au) . If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline (http://www.lifeline.org.au/)  on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au (http://www.lifeline.org.au) . More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia (https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/more-fool-me-vantage-point-issue-6) by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription (https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/vantage-point-subscription) to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble. Guest: Andrew Wilkie, Independent Member for Clark // @andrewwilkiemp (https://bsky.app/profile/andrewwilkiemp.bsky.social) Host: Noah Schultz-Byard, Strategy Director, the Australia Institute // @noah_sbyard (https://x.com/noah_sbyard) Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett (https://bsky.app/profile/ebonybennett.bsky.social) Show notes: National Gambling Toll (https://gambling-toll.australiainstitute.org.au/) , the Australia Institute SIGN THE PETITION: Ban online gambling ads! (https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/gambling) , the Australia Institute Australia’s gas giveaway (https://gas.australiainstitute.org.au/) , the Australia Institute Online gambling “reshaping a whole generation” as government reforms fall well short (https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/online-gambling-reshaping-a-whole-generation-as-government-reforms-fall-well-short/) , Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (May 2026) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au (mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au) . Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/follow-the-money/id1078781512) , Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0JOrvYNuhHOwaFuZ7PlW1d?si=e9265dc6a04d40b3) , Pocket Casts (https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/follow-the-money/2aeecbb0-b36a-0133-2e57-6dc413d6d41d) or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.