The discussion surrounding gambling advertising and its potential impact on minors has intensified in Australia, as the government faces increasing pressure to make decisions on proposed reforms. Opponents of a ban on gambling ads, including industry representatives, are advocating for the use of age verification technology to prevent minors from accessing sports betting content. This suggestion comes at a time when the government is already planning to implement age verification methods to restrict young children’s access to social media, leading some in the gambling sector to propose similar measures for betting ads.
“The push for gambling ad reform gained momentum after Peta Murphy’s report, released nearly 15 months ago, recommended a ban on all advertising for online gambling,” said Tim Costello. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shown hesitance in implementing such a complete ban. The government is considering more limited restrictions, such as prohibiting ads during children’s programming and live sports broadcasts, as well as placing caps on ad frequency during general TV programming.
Advocates for harm reduction argue that these proposed measures are not sufficient. A study conducted by the Australian Gambling Research Centre has revealed the significant risks minors face, with approximately one-third of young adults who gambled in the past year starting before the age of 18. Early intervention and stricter advertising regulations are crucial in addressing these issues.
Kai Cantwell states that these measures can effectively reduce the exposure of children and vulnerable individuals to gambling advertising, while still providing financial support to sports leagues and broadcasters from the gambling industry. “It’s crucial to strike a balance that prevents Australians from turning to illegal offshore providers, who provide no protections to customers and don’t pay taxes and fees that licensed providers are required to pay,” Cantwell explained.
Both sides of the debate express frustration over the government’s delay in making a final decision. With the AFL and NRL finals approaching, many anticipate the government revealing its proposal shortly, possibly during the next federal parliamentary session in early October. The uncertainty lingers on the path the government will choose to take.
Prime Minister Albanese has expressed that his government is exploring various options and questioned whether a complete ban on gambling advertisements would effectively “solve the problem.” Additionally, Albanese indicated that the government plans to tighten the rules surrounding the self-exclusion scheme BetStop, following reports of problem gamblers finding ways to circumvent the system and continue betting despite being registered for exclusion. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland’s office confirmed that the government would soon initiate a statutory review of BetStop to assess if the program is fulfilling its intended purpose.
