Pushes for Gambling Reform Won’t Go Away, Says Tim Costello

Despite promises and calls by responsible gambling groups in Australia, the country is yet to implement effective restrictions on gambling marketing. Meanwhile, losses to casino gambling and sports betting are in the hundreds of millions on a monthly basis and billions annually.

Late last month, the government in Australia laid aside gambling ad reforms ahead of a potentially early election. This caught the attention of rival parties, responsible gambling advocates and other stakeholders. Now, the chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Tim Costello, confirmed that a new campaign will once again urge lawmakers to revisit the gambling ads issue.

New Campaign Urges Lawmakers to Revisit the Gambling Reform

In a radio interview for ABC, the executive was asked about the government’s failure to introduce a sector-wide gambling reform. Costello pointed to the importance of reforming gambling ads policies but said that the lagging efforts do not come as a surprise, considering the Prime Minister’s difficult position. Notably, the Alliance for Gambling Reform’s executive explained that the national advocacy group that seeks to prevent and minimize gambling-related harm organizes a new “Christmas card campaign” that to all Members of Parliament.

Besides the Alliance for Gambling Reform, the effort is supported by Unions across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, as well as different religious groups. According to Costello, the new campaign is also supported by a NSW group that fights against domestic violence. On that point, he added “… because when there’s gambling in the family there’s three times more domestic violence.”

“It’s Not Going Away”

Focusing on the gambling reform, Costello said: “So the Prime Minister wants it (the reform) to go away. He wants to do nothing. We’re saying – it’s not going away. We are still here, 72% of Australians badly want what Peta Murphy (envisioned).”

The late Peta Murphy issued a report, proposing key changes to the gambling sector across Australia with a key part of that reform being a ban on gambling ads. Costello said that the Alliance for Gambling Reform and other groups admire and honor Murphy, calling her a “brave woman” who was able to bring “crystal clarity to this (gambling) issue.”

The Alliance for Gambling Reform’s executive spoke about Australia’s gambling losses per capita and gambling harm. At the same time, Costello said that gambling increases domestic violence and even affects kids and “captures” sports. “None of us want our great sports now owned by betting companies,” the executive added. Finally, Costello said that the Alliance will continue pushing for reform, saying that the issue isn’t going to go away.