On Monday, an Assembly committee will consider the latest research from the Australian National University's Centre for Gambling Research, compiled from surveys of 7000 people in late 2014 and early 2015.

It shows problem gambling affects 0.4 per cent of ACT residents or about 1110 people, while 45 per cent of people have not gambled in the past 12 months, up from 30 per cent in 2009. People who gamble at least once a month dropped from 17 per cent to 13 per cent in the same period and the proportion who play poker machines fell from 30 per cent to 20 per cent.

Less than 3 per cent gamble on poker machines at least once a week.

The level of problem gambling in the ACT is 0.4 per cent, down from 2009 and below levels in New South Wales at 0.8 per cent, Queensland at 0.5 per cent, South Australia at 0.6 per cent and Victoria at 1 per cent.

In 2009, 92 per cent of moderate risk or problem gamblers played poker machines, falling to 76 per cent in the latest report. Problem gamblers are more likely to be male, less well educated, more likely to smoke and drink and to suffer from poor physical and mental health.

Those who gambled more than monthly fell from 17 per cent in 2009 to 13 per cent in 2014 and those who gambled weekly or more fell from 18 per cent to 12 per cent.

On average, poker machine gamblers played for 47 minutes per session and 16 hours each year in 2014. High frequency machine players were three times more likely to play for 2 hours or more, gambling 120 hours per year.

The survey provides the first comprehensive look at internet gambling in the ACT, finding 8.4 per cent of adults played online. Less than 1 per cent played poker machines or table games online, the most common activities being sports or events, horse or greyhound racing, and lotteries.

Losing more than $1000 a year was reported by 8 per cent of ACT adults while 1 per cent reported losing more than $5000. High frequency gamblers saw 50 per cent losing more than $1000 a year and 9 per cent losing more than $5000.

The impact of problem gambling on families is stark.

More than 15 per cent of ACT adults said a close family member had had a gambling issue, with 6.1 per cent reporting the problem had been in the past 12 months.

Where the gambling issue had occurred in the past 12 months, 38.8 per cent of family members said the issue had affected them. Relationship and family impacts were report by 92 per cent, 86 per cent suffered emotional impacts and 47.8 per cent reported financial impacts.

More than 27 per cent of family members with gambling problems were parents and 19.1 per cent were partners.

Racing and Gaming Minister Joy Burch welcomed preliminary findings.

"The results show more Canberrans are choosing not to gamble at all and those who do gamble are doing so less often. Overall, Canberrans are spending less money on gambling than in 2009," Ms Burch said.

"There is still more work to be done and the ACT government remains committed to working with our community clubs to protect vulnerable gamblers."

Later this month the government's new trading scheme for poker machines will begin operation.

The survey considered attitudes to gambling, recording fewer people agreeing that gambling does more good than harm, at 7.3 per cent. Less than half of poker machine players reported knowing about self-exclusion programs.

Australian problem gamblers are unlikely to receive professional help. Only 17.9 per cent who self-identified as having problems said they had wanted help, 14 per cent sought help and 8.9 per cent received it.

Relationships Australia and Council on the Ageing ACT will also give evidence on Monday. The committee is set to hear from social service agencies, industry groups and sporting clubs this week.

The Centre for Gambling Research's final report is due at the end of the year.

Do you need help with gambling? Free and confidential help is available from the national gambling helpline on 1800 858 858 or at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au