The Parliament of Australia gathered for its spring session on Monday ahead of a divisive issue scheduled for discussion by lawmakers in the upcoming weeks — a suggested prohibition on gambling ads.
As problem gambling rates remain persistently high and are viewed as unacceptable by mental health professionals and the public, government representatives from both parties have proposed restricting or prohibiting advertisements that promote the nation's extensive gaming sector. The Labor Party government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is anticipated to advocate for a limit on TV ads related to gambling, while crossbench parties are seeking an outright prohibition.
Labor's plan would ban gambling advertisements on the internet and television when children's shows air. Marketing for gambling would similarly be restricted to airing outside of live sports transmissions, as well as one hour before and after the game's beginning and conclusion.
Gambling companies would still be permitted to sponsor jerseys, and signage both on the field and in the stadium would persist. The Albanese government prefers limiting gambling advertisements rather than implementing a total ban, as supported by the Greens.
"Recognizing that this is a complex issue, we’re taking a comprehensive approach,” said Albanese.
Labor holds 78 out of the 151 House seats and 25 of the 76 Senate seats.
Lawmakers Split
Australia is well-known for recording some of the highest annual gambling losses per capita globally. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that almost 40% of Australians gamble weekly, with around 50% of men indicating they participate in gambling each week.
Common forms of gambling consist of sports wagers, horse racing, lottery games, and pokies, also known as slot machines, found in casinos, pubs, and clubs. Australians spend approximately AU$30 billion (US$20 billion) annually on gambling.
The Green Party is backed by the Alliance for Gambling Reform, which reached out to Parliament before its spring session, calling on the government to ban all gambling advertisements. The alliance is an autonomous, non-profit group that aims to minimize gambling-related harms in Australia.
"There is strong evidence that gambling companies are now grooming our kids by targeting children as young as 14 through social media,” the Alliance for Gambling Reform’s letter to Parliament read. “Our children are also being targeted by the tsunami of gambling ads that assault our screens, especially around coverage of our major sporting codes. It is ensnaring a whole new generation of gamblers.”
The letter urges both the government and the opposition “to openly pledge to the quick acceptance and enactment” of all suggestions provided in the 2023 Murphy Report. The report, spearheaded by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, who passed away in December 2023 due to breast cancer, suggested an outright prohibition on gambling advertisements.
The alliance letter bears the signatures of 74 current or former legislators alongside health specialists. Among those who signed are ex-Prime Ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull.
Public United
In 2023, the Australian Institute of Family Studies commissioned a survey to assess public opinion on gambling advertisements persistently filling television commercial slots.
Most of the 1,765 adults surveyed indicated that “seeing or hearing betting advertisements” affected their engagement in wagering activities. Most also argued that this kind of marketing increases young people's likelihood of experiencing gambling-related harm.
The investigation found that Australians "largely favor" increasing limitations on gambling advertisements.
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