Australia’s ban on using credit cards for online gambling had little effect on its biggest spenders, new research by the e61 Institute shows. Most gamblers switched payment to transaction accounts. Some used credit card loopholes like cash advances or PayPal deposits. The average gambler’s spend dropped slightly but stayed mostly steady. The ban made betting harder but did not stop heavy gamblers, who didn’t rely on credit much. Casual gamblers often quit due to inconvenience, said co-author Adit Maitra: “It’s not super clear that [the ban] has restricted borrowing to gamble in any sense.” Responsible Wagering Australia said betting firms support the ban but didn’t reveal revenue changes. The ban stopped credit card debt but not debit spending or credit use on lotteries and poker machines, known for major harm. The study also highlights low awareness of the BetStop self-exclusion program, with only 30,000 active users despite 400,000 risky gamblers in Australia. Monthly activity statement rules were often ignored, with Sportsbet fined over $300,000 after failing to send statements. Gambling advocate Lauren Levin said further government action is needed: “Those measures were only ever designed to be first steps.”