The Australian government has announced long-awaited gambling advertising reforms, after years of public pressure. The suite of measures will further limit when and where gambling ads can appear, as well as who can star in them - but it stops short of a full ban, which had cross-party support and the backing of a range of community groups. Restrictions have been fiercely opposed by powerful gambling agencies, as well as media firms and sports organisations who feared a steep revenue hit. Australians lose more money to gambling, per capita, than anywhere else in the world.
A number of countries - like Italy, Belgium, and Spain - have introduced total or near-total bans on gambling advertising, and a parliamentary inquiry weighing up reform in Australia recommended similar more than 1000 days ago. In a speech to the National Press Club on Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was 'getting the balance right' with this package, stating, 'Letting adults have a punt if they want to, but making sure our children don't see betting ads everywhere they look.'
Under the reforms, effective from January 1:
1. TV ads from betting agencies will be capped at three per hour, during restricted hours, and banned completely from any live sports broadcasts in that time.
2. Gambling ads will be banned from radio during school pick-up and drop-off times.
3. Celebrities and sports players will not be permitted to appear in gambling advertising.
4. Gambling ads on online platforms will be restricted to logged-in users over 18.
5. Ads will be outlawed in sports venues and on uniforms.
The government will also tackle illegal offshore gaming sites and broaden the definition of banned online gambling activities. However, the measures have sparked backlash from the gambling industry, which claims the regulations are excessively harsh and could result in unintended consequences such as driving Australians towards unregulated offshore betting.
Despite the reforms, many advocacy groups remain unsatisfied, calling for a complete ban on gambling ads to protect children and vulnerable individuals. Reverend Tim Costello voiced concerns, drawing comparisons to cigarette advertising, suggesting a similar liberal approach to gambling ads could have dire public health implications.
A number of countries - like Italy, Belgium, and Spain - have introduced total or near-total bans on gambling advertising, and a parliamentary inquiry weighing up reform in Australia recommended similar more than 1000 days ago. In a speech to the National Press Club on Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was 'getting the balance right' with this package, stating, 'Letting adults have a punt if they want to, but making sure our children don't see betting ads everywhere they look.'
Under the reforms, effective from January 1:
1. TV ads from betting agencies will be capped at three per hour, during restricted hours, and banned completely from any live sports broadcasts in that time.
2. Gambling ads will be banned from radio during school pick-up and drop-off times.
3. Celebrities and sports players will not be permitted to appear in gambling advertising.
4. Gambling ads on online platforms will be restricted to logged-in users over 18.
5. Ads will be outlawed in sports venues and on uniforms.
The government will also tackle illegal offshore gaming sites and broaden the definition of banned online gambling activities. However, the measures have sparked backlash from the gambling industry, which claims the regulations are excessively harsh and could result in unintended consequences such as driving Australians towards unregulated offshore betting.
Despite the reforms, many advocacy groups remain unsatisfied, calling for a complete ban on gambling ads to protect children and vulnerable individuals. Reverend Tim Costello voiced concerns, drawing comparisons to cigarette advertising, suggesting a similar liberal approach to gambling ads could have dire public health implications.
