The Alliance for Gambling Reform has sent an open letter to the Australian government calling for all forms of gambling advertising to be banned.
The open letter has been sent and published just days after reports suggested that the government was going to reject an outright ban on gambling ads. Last week, the Sydney Morning Herald cited five independent sources within the government who claimed that an outright ban will be rejected in favor of placing limits on TV ads.
Following the reports, the Alliance for Gambling Reform released its open letter signed by former prime ministers and political leaders, MPs, and union leaders. other signatories of the letter included prominent figures in sport, business, health, union and faith.
The letter calls on the Federal Government and the Opposition to commit to banning all gambling advertising within three years and banning any inducements to gamble. These are just some of the 31 recommendations published by the Federal Inquiry into Online Gambling, chaired by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy.
In the media release announcing the publication of the letter, former Prime Minister John Howard said:
“Many Australians are alarmed about the proliferation of gambling advertising on our screens and the mounting losses through gambling. I believe gambling losses are responsible for enormous harm across the community. Our political leaders should follow the courageous example of the former New South Wales Premier, Dominic Perrottet. As an unapologetic sports fan I am troubled by how advertising is now linked with all our major sporting codes and what message this is sending to our children.”
Alliance for Gambling Reform CEO, Martin Thomas added:
“A total ban on all gambling advertising is essential to stop gambling companies targeting our children. Any decision to simply cap advertising, or limit a blanket ban to only social media, would be a win for vested interests and leave Australians exposed to significant harm.
Australians lose $25 billion a year to gambling. But the real cost of inaction – is the mounting financial ruin, mental health problems, suicide, and the family violence that gambling can exacerbate. We are calling on the Government and Opposition to commit publicly to adopting in full all 31 recommendations from the Murphy Report.
Children are being saturated in advertising and people who want to stop gambling are being pulled back in through exploitative and unethical inducements and promotions.
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have a once-in-a-generation chance to embrace common sense, effective reform and end the vicious cycle of gambling harm that destroys families and communities.”
The Alliance’s Chief Advocate, Tim Costello, said the rejection of an outright gambling ad ban signified the power held by the gambling lobby.
“If the reports are true this decision just underlined the power of the gambling lobby and its allies and those interests have trumped the concerns of most Australians.
I met with the Prime Minister once last year and with the Communications Minister only twice, but apparently this government continues to engage frequently with the gambling lobby and those who profit from the proliferation of gambling advertisements.”
Australians Agree with Gambling Ads Ban
Studies show that 78% of Australians reported seeing or hearing wagering ads at least once a week. Young people aged 18-34 years stated that they are more influenced by online and social media ads.
As a result, many Australians support stronger regulations on gambling advertisements with 64% believing that the government should play the biggest role in deciding how wagering is advertised. The same studies showed that 7 in 10 Australians believe there are too many gambling ads and that gambling advertising on television should be banned.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has stated that over 1 million gambling ads were broadcast on free-to-air TV, radio, and online in the 12 months leading up to April 2023. The total spent on this advertising costing $238 million.
According to the latest Australian gambling statistics, Australia has the highest losses per person in any country with a regulated gambling market. Losses amount to $1,200 per person per year or $25 billion in total. Research by Roy Morgan also revealed that 12% of gamblers classed as problem or moderate gamblers contribute 48.5% of all gambling revenue.
Based in London, Natasha is a former sports journalist with experience working for some of the biggest athletes & brands in the world of sports and iGaming.
In a recent development, an Australian alliance comprising various health and community groups has come together to call for a ban on gambling advertisements in an open letter to the government. The alliance, which includes organizations such as the Australian Medical Association and the Public Health Association of Australia, is urging policymakers to take action to protect vulnerable individuals from the harmful effects of gambling advertising.
The issue of gambling advertisements has been a contentious one in Australia for some time now. With the rise of online betting platforms and the proliferation of sports betting ads during live sporting events, concerns have been raised about the impact of these ads on individuals, particularly young people and problem gamblers.
Research has shown that exposure to gambling advertisements can increase the likelihood of individuals developing gambling problems. Studies have also found that problem gamblers are more likely to be influenced by these ads and are at a higher risk of developing addiction.
The alliance is calling for a ban on all forms of gambling advertising, including television, radio, online, and social media. They argue that such a ban is necessary to protect the public from the harms associated with gambling, including financial hardship, mental health issues, and relationship breakdowns.
In their open letter, the alliance highlights the need for stronger regulations to address the negative impact of gambling advertising on individuals and communities. They are calling on the government to take decisive action to protect vulnerable populations and prevent further harm from occurring.
The issue of gambling advertising is a complex one, with stakeholders on both sides of the debate. While some argue that advertising is necessary for the industry to thrive and generate revenue, others believe that the harms associated with gambling outweigh any potential benefits.
As the debate continues, it is clear that the Australian alliance is committed to advocating for stronger regulations to protect individuals from the harmful effects of gambling advertising. It remains to be seen how policymakers will respond to their call for action, but one thing is certain – the issue of gambling advertising will continue to be a topic of discussion in Australia for the foreseeable future.
