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: Objective: This study aimed to explore regular gamblers’ perceptions of the social acceptance and cultural accommodation of gambling in Australia, which are two dimensions of the normalisation of gambling. Methods: Qualitatively focused online survey with 363 adults in New South Wales and Victoria who gambled in a typical month. Open‐text responses about the link between gambling and Australian culture were interpreted using reflexive thematic analysis to construct themes from the data. Results: Gambling was perceived to be a culturally significant part of Australian life due to existing traditions, the perception that gambling was central to the Australian identity, and perceived economic benefits. Participants considered that gambling was a common and socially accepted activity that was embedded in the activities of social networks. Participants also stated that gambling products, venues and marketing were embedded in everyday environments, although some believed that the embedding of gambling in society was harmful. Conclusion and public health implications: This study demonstrated that regular gamblers largely viewed gambling as being a socially accepted and culturally accommodated activity in Australia. There is scope for governments to develop comprehensive programs to denormalise gambling, including learning from research, evidence and experience in other areas of public health., It is now widely recognised that gambling poses a threat to public health through a range of serious health and social harms.[sup.1] Approximately $25 billion is lost on gambling in [...]

Young people's exposure to gambling marketing has had a clear impact on their gambling attitudes, risk perceptions and consumption intentions. Celebrities and social media influencers (SMIs) are increasingly used by the gambling industry in a wide range of promotions. While there is evidence that these types of promotions are influential in shaping young people's attitudes towards other harmful products, there is limited evidence in relation to gambling. Qualitative focus groups (n  = 22) with n  = 64, 12–17 year olds were conducted in Australia. These investigated young people's exposure to celebrity and SMI marketing for gambling and the influence they perceived this marketing had on young people's gambling attitudes. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to construct four themes from the data. First, young people perceived that celebrities and SMIs created additional appeal and recall of gambling advertisements because they were attention grabbing and familiar. Second, young people thought that celebrities and SMIs increased the trust, legitimacy and social acceptance of gambling. Third, the use of celebrities and SMIs lowered the perceptions of risk associated with gambling. Lastly, there were suggestions to reduce the impact of celebrity and SMI gambling promotions on young people, such as bans and restrictions. This study highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to preventing young people's exposure to gambling marketing, that not only considers imposing stronger regulations to restrict the way the gambling industry is allowed to promote its products, but also aims to counter the novel ways the gambling industry attempts to appeal to children and young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the health promotion-periodical's achievements in 2023. Topics discussed include the periodical's appointment of associate editors, social media coordinators and early career researchers, its establishment of priority areas to reflect important health promotion and public health priorities, and its re-establishment of the publication of editorials calling for actions on several health promotion issues.

The article urges for global public health action to counter the commercial gambling industry. It argues on the exacerbation of social and health inequalities, the influence of technology in the normalization of gambling and the contribution of powerful vested interest to gambling exceptionalism. It discusses the transformational impact of political will on population health and well-being and the role of public health and health promotion communities in preventing gambling harm.