Funding virtue from vice, the discursive elements supporting gambling’s legitimisation. Empirical evidence from Victoria, Australia.

Gambling is classified as an unhealthy product causing significant harms. Gambling’s acceptance as lawful recreation means laws on preventing gambling related harms are not as strong as they should be. This thesis provides examples of how certain discourses - adopted language, behaviours and actions - have promoted gambling as a legitimate form of recreation and exaggerated claims that gambling is a dedicated funder of community causes. A better understanding of how the gambling industry, governments and the community talk about and act towards gambling should help decision-makers develop more effective policies and regulations that focus on preventing gambling related harms.