Australians generally hold negative attitudes towards gambling while supporting legislative changes. Even among those with the least negative attitudes towards gambling, attitudes are still generally negative.

That's according to CQUniversity researcher Dr Phillip Donaldson, who said those with the least negative attitudes towards gambling included "young males who gamble frequently, started gambling at a young age and have low status occupations with disposable income".

"Even these people are still generally negative towards gambling," Dr Donaldson said.

"Attitudes towards gambling can predict support for legislative change."

Dr Donaldson, from Bundaberg Campus, is part of a team based at CQUniversity's Experimental Gambling Laboratory who have been conducting phone surveys across the Central Queensland region.

Other researchers involved in the survey include Associate Professor Matthew Rockloff and Dr Matthew Browne Bundaberg Campus and Dr En Li from Rockhampton.