Australia: Labor under Scrutiny over Partial Gambling Ads Ban

Just like in the UK, Australia is also going through an overhaul of its gambling sector. An inquiry into the gambling industry which was completed last summer proposed a range of changes as a way to decrease problem gambling, protect vulnerable individuals and limit crimes related to the gambling industry such as money laundering.

The report outlined recommendations for strengthening the regulations on gambling marketing, including a blanket ban on the advertisement of gambling products. A recommendation for a three-year implementation of the gambling advertising ban was described in the report which surfaced in June 2023.

Recently, Australian media reports uncovered that Anthony Albanese’s government may be considering a gambling ads cap instead of a blanket ban. Per local media reports, the government considered imposing restrictions for gambling ads via TV, instead of the previously discussed complete ban on such ads.

The potential gambling ads cap immediately captured the attention of crossbenchers, who criticized Labor. Independent MPs and representatives of the Greens warned that if the Albanese government doesn’t propose a blanket ban on gambling ads, their proposal may undergo changes in the Senate, as announced by the Guardian.

The Albanese government was also under scrutiny over consultations with the gambling sector before discussions with organizations that provide gambling support treatment. What’s more, the potential gambling ads cap is quite different from Labor MP Peta Murphy’s initial proposal for an outright ban on gambling ads.

Speaking to reporters amid the speculation about TV gambling ads cap, Albanese said: “Don’t believe everything you read in the paper.” Moreover, he added: “We’ll announce what our preferred solution is when we announce it. I don’t comment on speculation.”

The Gambling Reform Is Long Overdue

A recent report by the Australian National University (ANU) highlighted data that proved online gambling across the country surged in the last 12 months. This report renewed calls for the country’s gambling reform. Per ANU’s report, the percentage of people at risk of gambling harm increased from 11.6% to 13.6% in the last year.

Besides online gambling, hundreds of millions of dollars are lost on retail gambling activities such as pokies across Australia every month. With losses in billions on an annual basis, the government’s move to impose restrictions on gambling ads doesn’t come as a surprise.

A Partial Gambling Ads Ban May Be Ineffective

Reportedly, the Albanese government is considering banning gambling ads one hour before and after live sports competitions. While the change may also include a complete ban on online gambling ads, there will be up to two gambling ads per hour via TV channels until 10 PM every day.

Still, according to experts, a partial restriction for gambling ads on TV won’t be effective. Professor Samantha Thomas, a Deakin University public health and gambling expert, deemed “unacceptable that big gambling companies and broadcasters appear to be calling the shots” when it comes to measures that seek to protect the public from gambling harm.