Australia: Alliance for Gambling Reform calls on government to ban gambling advertising
The Australian Alliance for Gambling Reform has penned an open letter to the Prime Minister and the Opposition, calling for the introduction of a gambling advertising ban within the next three years. The letter, signed by over 70 leading Australian personalities from politics, sport, and research, urges the government to implement a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising.
Tsunami of Gambling Advertising
The Alliance for Gambling Reform is advocating for stricter gambling laws in Australia and has today sent an open letter to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, 61, and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, 53, calling for a complete ban on gambling advertising. The alliance highlights the detrimental effects of escalating gambling advertising, which it says leads to social, financial, and health harms and exacerbates family problems. It also warns that gambling can trigger domestic violence and suicide.
Moreover, the Alliance for Gambling Reform points out that gambling advertising is now targeting young people, with teenagers as young as 14 being targeted on social media. Gambling advertising is particularly prevalent during sporting events, with the alliance describing it as a "tsunami of gambling advertising" that could lead to a new generation of gamblers. It is estimated that more than 1 million gambling advertisements are aired on Australian television and radio each year.
Call for a Complete Advertising Ban
Due to the dangers posed by gambling advertising, the Alliance for Gambling Reform is calling for the introduction of a gambling advertising ban to be phased in over three years. This ban would not only prohibit gambling advertising but also other inducements and promotional activities for gambling, with a particular focus on sports betting advertising, which the alliance says currently encourages people to engage in gambling in an unethical manner.
The Extent of the Gambling Problem in Australia
Australia has been grappling with problem gambling for several years. With a population of 27 million, annual losses from gambling are estimated at AUD 25 billion (approximately EUR 15 million), making Australia one of the countries with the highest per capita gambling losses worldwide. The Australian government has implemented measures to tackle the problem, including the introduction of the BetStop self-exclusion register last year, allowing problem gamblers to opt out of all gambling. In June this year, the ban on using credit cards for gambling came into effect, making it illegal for Australians to use credit cards to fund their gambling activities, both online and in land-based casinos.
An Open Letter from the Alliance for Gambling Reform has been signed by over 70 prominent Australian personalities, including former Prime Ministers Hon John Howard, 85, and Hon Malcolm Turnbull, 69. Journalists and CEOs of major Australian companies also lent their signatures.
The Alliance recently published a statement from Hon John Howard, describing gambling advertising in the country as "too much." He calls for a complete ban on gambling advertising, similar to what is already in place for tobacco [English contribution]:
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Alliance For Gambling Reform (@reformgambling)
The letter also gains support from heads of various health authorities and research institutions, such as a professor of public health at Deakin University, the director of health promotion at The George Institute for Global Health, and the lead researcher on gambling and youth at Curtin University.
Similar Calls in Germany and the UK
The open letter was published just hours ago, with no response yet from the Australian government or opposition. The call is also noteworthy as similar demands exist in other countries.
In December 2023, the German Alliance Against Sports Betting Advertising also wrote an open letter to politics, calling for a phased ban on advertising, with prominent supporters.
Before the 2024 European Championship, a ban on sports betting advertising during major events was demanded. Both demands were unsuccessful.
In the UK, there is also strong debate around gambling and sports betting advertising. From the 2026/2027 season, it will be prohibited for Premier League teams to display gambling operator advertising on their shirt fronts [English link].
Various studies suggest that the British public supports a ban on gambling advertising during sports events. It remains to be seen if there will be a response to the open letter and if the Australian government will follow the UK's lead.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform, in their open letter, specifically mentions the need for a ban on gambling advertising aimed at young people due to its prevalence on social media and during sporting events. The alliance views this as a potential catalyst for a new generation of gamblers.
In response to the escalating issue of problem gambling in Australia, the open letter from the Alliance for Gambling Reform has garnered support from various prominent figures, including former Prime Ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, as well as journalists and CEOs of major Australian companies.
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