In 2025–26, Australians lost more than $36 billion to gambling, and one in five people surveyed in NSW reported experiencing harm from their own gambling or the gambling of someone close to them.
Behind these figures are families experiencing financial stress, relationship breakdown, mental health challenges, and isolation. Gambling harm affects not only individuals, but entire communities.
Wesley Mission, is continuing a 200-year tradition of standing against injustice, supporting people experiencing hardship and advocating meaningful gambling reform. Gambling harm affects millions of Australians and impacts families, relationships, mental health and communities.
As Christians are called to stand alongside those experiencing hardship, seek justice and be a voice for hope.
Wesley Mission is asking churches to dedicate a brief moment during worship on Sunday 25 October 2026 to pray for people experiencing gambling harm, for their families, for community wellbeing and for meaningful reform.
To support your participation, Wesley Mission has developed a free church toolkit containing:
- Background information on gambling harm and reform
- Prayer points and model prayers
- Digital resources and videos
Prayer has played a significant role in many movements for social justice. It remains essential to protect communities and reduce gambling harm across Australia. Access the toolkit, sign the pledge for Gamble Aware week, and learn more at: Join the Day of Prayer: Stop Gambling Harm – Oct 25
Together, we can pray for healing, advocate for justice and work towards communities where every person can flourish.