Treat Gambling Like Drinking Says Report

(AAP) Problem gambling needs to be addressed in a similar way to binge drinking, the Productivity Commission has recommended.

Releasing its final report on Australia's gambling industries on Wednesday, the commission found there was strong evidence that gambling had adverse health, emotional and financial impacts on many more people than those categorised as problem gamblers.

"As is the case in policies addressing harm from alcohol consumption, policy also needs to address these wider impacts," the report recommended.

The commission estimated there were between 80,000 and 160,000 Australian adults suffering severe problems from their gambling.

There are between 230,000 and 350,000 people at moderate risk, experiencing lower levels of harm, and who may progress to problem gambling.