I’m Nerilee Hing, a research professor at CQUniversity’s Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory (EGRL) in Australia. For over twenty years, I’ve dedicated my career to understanding how gambling affects individuals, families, and communities. My work focuses on four critical areas: online gambling behaviors, sports betting and wagering patterns, the impact of gambling marketing, and research with vulnerable populations. Each of these domains tells a different story about how gambling has evolved from a weekend activity at the track to an omnipresent digital phenomenon that fits in your pocket.
General Profile
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Nerilee Hing |
| Position | Research Professor |
| Institution | CQUniversity (Australia) |
| Laboratory | Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory (EGRL) |
| Experience | 20+ years |
| Specialisation | Gambling behaviour, Marketing impact, Vulnerable populations |
From academic curiosity to social mission
My entry into gambling research wasn’t planned. Like many academics, I found my niche through a combination of opportunity and genuine interest in addressing real-world problems. Australia presented a compelling case study—we’re a nation that loves a punt, with some of the world’s highest per-capita gambling losses. When I started, online gambling was barely a blip on the radar. Sports betting meant visiting a TAB, not tapping an app during halftime. The transformation I’ve witnessed has been staggering, and it’s driven much of my research agenda over the years.
What kept me in this field wasn’t just academic curiosity. It was the human stories behind the statistics. Every data point in my research represents someone’s experience—a young person who started betting casually and spiraled into debt, a family torn apart by hidden gambling losses, or a community grappling with the consequences of gambling venue saturation. These aren’t abstract problems; they’re lived realities that demand rigorous investigation and evidence-based solutions.
My core research domains explained
The digital revolution in gambling deserves particular attention. When smartphones became ubiquitous, gambling transformed from a destination activity to something you could do anywhere, anytime. My research has tracked how this shift changes behavior patterns, increases expenditure, and creates new pathways to harm.
| Specialization | What I investigate | Current challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Online gambling | Digital platform behaviors, accessibility impacts, user interface effects | Rapid technological change, personalization algorithms, 24/7 availability |
| Sports betting and wagering | In-play betting patterns, betting normalization, youth engagement | Integration with sports broadcasting, aggressive app marketing, casual betting culture |
| Gambling marketing | Advertisement content analysis, targeting strategies, exposure effects | Saturation during sports events, sophisticated targeting, regulatory gaps |
| Vulnerable populations | Risk factors, harm experiences, intervention effectiveness | Young males, cultural diversity considerations, mental health comorbidities |
Sports betting’s cultural takeover
Sports betting has become woven into the fabric of Australian sports culture in ways that would have seemed impossible two decades ago. It’s not just that more people are betting; it’s that betting has become normalized as part of the sports experience itself. During my research analyzing sports broadcasts, we documented gambling promotions appearing every few minutes during peak events. Viewers are bombarded with odds, special offers, and messaging that frames betting as essential to being a true sports fan.
The implications are profound, particularly for younger audiences. My studies with young adults reveal that many don’t even see sports betting as gambling—it’s just part of watching the game. This normalization concerns me deeply because it removes the psychological barriers that might otherwise prompt people to question their behavior.
Vulnerable populations: where research meets reality
Working with vulnerable populations has been the most challenging and rewarding aspect of my career. Key vulnerability indicators I’ve identified include:
- Young males aged 18-25 demonstrate highest risk for sports betting harm
- Mental health conditions frequently co-occur with gambling problems
- Cultural attitudes toward gambling vary significantly across communities
- Financial stress can both drive and result from problematic gambling
- Social isolation increases online gambling as escapism or connection substitute
- Lower education levels correlate with reduced awareness of gambling risks
I’ve spent countless hours interviewing people affected by gambling harm. These conversations have shaped my understanding in ways quantitative data alone never could. Many express shock at how quickly things spiraled, often saying they never imagined gambling would become a problem for them.
CQUniversity’s EGRL: interdisciplinary research in action
The Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory at CQUniversity provides an ideal environment for the kind of comprehensive research gambling issues demand. Our team includes psychologists, public health researchers, economists, marketing specialists, and more. This diversity is crucial because gambling harm is multifaceted—it’s simultaneously a behavioral health issue, a public health concern, an economic problem, and a marketing phenomenon.
Translating research into policy change
Publishing academic papers is important, but it’s not enough. Research only creates social value when it influences policy, industry practice, and public understanding. I’ve been actively engaged in policy discussions at multiple levels of government, presenting evidence to inform regulatory decisions. My research has contributed to debates about advertising restrictions, product design modifications, and consumer protection measures.
The evolving frontier of gambling technology
Gambling technology continues to evolve at a pace that challenges both researchers and regulators. Cryptocurrency gambling, virtual reality casinos, esports betting, and AI-driven personalization represent the next wave of challenges. The intersection of gambling and gaming particularly concerns me. Loot boxes, skin betting, and gambling-like mechanics in video games are exposing children and teenagers to gambling experiences years before they’re legally allowed to gamble.
