Online gambling and its impact on young people | Launceston

A conversation between 'Tubes' (Andy Taylor) and Tasmanian Mark Kempster and about his personal experience with online gambling harm.

At 15, it felt harmless.

By his early thirties, it had cost him $100,000, and nearly his family.

Join us for a powerful and honest conversation about how online gambling is affecting young Tasmanians , and what can be done to prevent harm.

What You’ll Hear About

• How online gambling first takes hold during the teenage years
• Why betting can feel normal within sport and youth culture
• How quickly occasional betting can escalate into harm
• The hidden impact on mental health, personality and relationships
• The warning signs families often miss
• Practical ways to prevent harm and support young people early

Who This Event Is For

• Parents and carers
• Teachers, youth workers and community leaders
• Young people navigating online pressures
• Anyone wanting to better understand the impact of online gambling on young Tasmanians

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher, youth worker, or a young person navigating these pressures, this event will offer practical insight into a problem that is becoming increasingly common, and insight into what can be done to prevent harm and support those already affected.

Meet the Speakers

Mark Kempster

Mark Kempster is a Tasmanian gambling reform advocate with lived experience. He placed his first bet at 15, drawn in by a culture where betting felt normal within the sport he loved. By his early thirties, gambling had cost him $100,000 and nearly his relationship with his family.

Today, Mark speaks openly about how gambling reshaped his personality, the moment everything collapsed, and the steps he took to rebuild his life. His advocacy focuses on prevention, early intervention and helping families understand how quickly online gambling can escalate for young people.

In Conversation With: Tubes (Andy Taylor)

Tasmanian radio host Andy “Tubes” Taylor has known Mark personally for years.

Together, they will explore the pressures shaping youth gambling today, including the involvement of sports culture and social media, to the constant visibility of betting apps, unpacking what families and communities can do in response.

Event Details

Location:
Grand Chancellor, 29 Cameron Street, Launceston

Arrival time:
The conversation will start at 6.30pm. Please aim to arrive and be seated before this time.

This event is hosted by Anglicare Tasmania with the aim of raising awareness of the online gambling harms affecting our youth today.

Anglicare Tasmania provides a Gamblers Help Service which is supported by the Tasmanian Government. For more information about this service visit www.anglicare-tas.org.au/gamblers-help-service/

A similar event will also be taking place in:
Devonport -
Hobart -

More about the conversation

Online gambling has become one of the most rapidly growing harms affecting young people across Australia. With sports betting ads saturating screens and gambling apps available at any moment, many teenagers and young adults are being pulled into a culture where betting feels normal, even expected. But behind the screens and statistics are real people and real families living with the consequences.

Tasmanian Mark Kempster knows this better than anyone.

Mark placed his first bet at just 15. A sports‑mad teenager, he loved watching and playing sport and thrived on competition. Betting felt like a natural extension of the sports he adored, something fun, something harmless, something everyone around him seemed to do. But what began as a small habit soon grew into something far bigger. As online gambling apps became more accessible, Mark’s betting intensified. By his early twenties, gambling had become a constant presence in his life.

Throughout this time, Mark lost a staggering $100,000. The financial loss was significant, but the personal cost was even greater. Gambling began to change who he was. He became withdrawn, anxious, and increasingly reliant on secrecy and lies to hide the growing problem. His relationship with his partner and his son was pushed to breaking point. Eventually, Mark reached a moment where he could no longer hide the truth, and that turning point became the beginning of his recovery.

Today, Mark is a passionate advocate for gambling reform and a powerful voice for young Australians who are quietly struggling with online gambling harm. His story is not just about the damage gambling caused, but also about rebuilding, accountability, and the ongoing work of staying well.

This is a raw, honest, and hopeful discussion designed to:

· build awareness,

· strengthen understanding, and

· spark meaningful conversations within families and communities.

We hope to see you there.