Australia's Parliamentary to Criminalize Gambling Ads

The parliamentary inquiry report on the effects of gambling ads is finally out. The report concluded that gambling ads have far-reaching consequences in Australia, proposing 31 solutions to curb the problem.

But the one that has attracted attention is the recommendation that all forms of online gambling ads be criminalized within three years to protect the "susceptible and vulnerable" in society. This recommendation comes after months of intense discussion about gambling promotions, with Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, labeling them "irritating".

In the report, the implementation of the ban should be in four stages:

• Prohibiting incentives, social media advertising, and advertisements during transitional school times.
• Preventing all gambling-related ads and odds commentary during and one hour before and after a sports broadcast.
• Banning betting broadcast ads from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.
• Ban online gambling ads and sponsorships by the end of 3 years.

Peta Murphy, the Chair of the House of Representatives social policy and legal affairs committee, said the 3-year period would provide operators enough time to find alternative advertisers and sponsors. The committee's chair added:

"Gambling advertising and simulated gambling through video games is grooming children and young people to gamble and encourages riskier behavior. The torrent of advertising is inescapable. It is manipulating an impressionable and vulnerable audience to gamble online."

Michelle Rowland, the Communications Minister in Australia, initially accepted that the current system for gambling advertising is inadequate. However, the government is yet to confirm if they will implement all the recommendations in the report.

Mixed Reactions Regarding the Recommendation

As expected, the move to ban internet gambling ads in Australia has its proponents and opponents. Several Greens and independent MPs have called for the government to implement the ban within 12 months. Parliamentarians who have come out publicly to support the move include:

• Zoe Daniel – Independent
• Andrew Wilkie – Independent
• Rebekha Sharkie – Independent
• Sarah Hanson Young – Greens

Senator Sarah Hanson Young is concerned that the government remains non-committed to backing the recommendations fully. She said:

"Gambling ads should be banned for footy finals time. Three years is too long. It means three more years of gambling ads fueling addiction, wrecking lives and affecting children."

Free TV Australia, via its chief executive Bridget Fair, has warned that its members will stop providing free sports broadcasts if the move to ban adverts on sports betting and casino games becomes a reality. She said this would ultimately hurt viewers, preventing them from accessing TV services they cherish.

Sportsbet, one of the biggest regulated gambling sites in the country, has supported some of the recommendations while warning the ban was inappropriate. Through its chief executive, Barni Evans, the company said:

"It is important that any changes in regulation recognize that gambling is a lawful form of entertainment enjoyed responsibly by millions of Australians."