Australian Govt. Urged To Proceed with Total Ban on All Gambling Ads

Summary:

• The Australian government is contemplating a blanket ban on gambling ads
• Media execs are currently engaged in lobbying efforts to block the measure
• Anti-gambling campaigners are encouraging the government to move forward with the ban

Gambling reform advocate Tim Costello has called on Labor and the Coalition to push on with plans for a total ban on Australian gambling advertisements amid ongoing efforts by broadcasters to block the measure.

Gambling Ads “Grooming” Kids

Costello, the chief advocate of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, said gambling ads are “grooming kids”, putting them at a greater risk of harm, and this is what the government should address.

Major Australian media companies Network 10, Seven West Media and Nine Entertainment have been lobbying top government officials on the ban, which was among the recommendations contained in a parliamentary inquiry report released in June. The report proposed a comprehensive ban on online gambling ads to be implemented in phases within three years.

The measure faced strong opposition from Australian broadcasters who said a total ban would result in ads from non-sports broadcasts being cut which in turn would hurt their business operations. While they have acknowledged that in-game ads after 8:30 p.m. should no longer be allowed, they do not agree with plans to implement a total ban, most especially prohibiting ads an hour before the start of matches.

Free TV Australia, the industry body representing Australia’s free-to-air broadcasters which also warned that free sports broadcasts could be removed if the ban is implemented, instead proposed alternative measures, such as introducing limits on the frequency of ads.

Media firms generate between $200 and $300 million in revenue from gambling ads each year. Meanwhile, Australians who are considered the worst gamblers in the world are losing an estimated $25 billion each year to gambling, equivalent to around $1,300 for every Australian adult.

Australian Govt. Should Not Bow to Pressure

Costello said claims by broadcasters of a potential “existential crisis” as a result of the ban are unfounded, saying the real existential crisis is tolerating these ads to groom kids.

Labor MP Peta Murphy admits the ban would somehow affect free TV operations but it would not lead to the termination of their services, as they can still look for other sources of revenue.

Amid intense lobbying by broadcasters, Costello urged the government to not bow to pressure as it still has options to alleviate the impact the ban would have on free-to-air TV, such as imposing a levy on foreign sports betting companies.