Over 60 Influential Australians Urge Government to Eliminate Gambling Ads

A group of influential Australians, including former prime ministers and state premiers, has signed an open letter urging the federal government to impose a comprehensive ban on all gambling advertising within three years. The letter, which was made public on August 10 by the Alliance for Gambling Reform, emphasizes the urgent need for stronger regulatory measures to curb the country’s escalating gambling issues.

Former Prime Ministers Join Forces to Combat Australia’s Gambling Crisis

The signatories, numbering over 60, include former prime ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, as well as other prominent figures from various sectors. Their call to action is based on the recommendations of the Murphy Report, a 2023 parliamentary inquiry chaired by the late MP Peta Murphy, which proposed sweeping reforms to address the harmful impacts of online gambling in Australia.

The open letter paints a stark picture of the current situation, declaring that “Australia has a gambling addiction” that is causing severe social harm. According to the letter, Australians lose approximately $25 billion annually to gambling, which in turn contributes to a range of serious issues including financial hardship, mental health crises, domestic violence, family breakdowns, and even suicide.

The letter points out a concerning issue: gambling ads and their effect on young people. Those who signed the letter claim that gambling firms are more and more going after kids, with children as young as 14 seeing tons of ads on social media. They caution that this is creating a new wave of gamblers who are getting caught up in pushy marketing strategies.

Millions of Gambling Ads Normalize Risk for Australian Youth

The letter mentions a shocking number from Nielsen research showing that Australian free-to-air TV and radio played one million gambling ads in just one year. This flood of gambling promotion during sports shows, has people worried about gambling becoming too normal for young viewers in Australian culture.

In a statement with the letter former Prime Minister John Howard said he is worried about how common gambling ads are in Australia. He pointed out that many Australians are upset by these ads always being on their screens and the big losses from gambling, which he thinks are hurting communities all over the country.

The letter urges the government and opposition to put into action all 31 suggestions from the Murphy Report. This includes a step-by-step ban on gambling ads over three years and stopping promotions and incentives, especially those linked to sports betting. The people who signed it say that anything less than a complete ban will not keep Australian kids safe from gambling’s bad effects.

As the government faces increasing pressure from these prominent figures, the debate over the future of gambling regulation in Australia is set to intensify. Whether the Albanese administration will fully embrace the recommendations of the Murphy Report remains to be seen.

At the same time, the Australian government is moving forward with a plan to cap gambling ads during general TV programming, despite calls for a complete ban from health advocates, politicians, and community groups concerned about the impact on vulnerable populations. The proposal faces opposition from sectors like sports leagues and media companies, which fear revenue losses.