A coalition of over 60 prominent Australians, including former prime ministers, premiers, and other influential figures, has issued an urgent call for the federal government to impose a total ban on gambling advertising within three years. The open letter, published by the Alliance for Gambling Reform, addresses both the current Australian government and the opposition, advocating for the adoption of “Murphy’s Law.”
Named after the late MP Peta Murphy, who chaired the Federal Inquiry into Online Gambling, Murphy’s Law proposes a comprehensive ban on all gambling advertisements across both broadcast and online media within three years. This proposal was highlighted in a June 2023 report, which has since been met with varying levels of support and resistance.
Pressure Mounts on Government for Comprehensive Action
Reports suggest that the Albanese government may be considering a diluted version of the proposed ban. This alternative approach would cap the number of gambling ads to two per hour until 10 PM on television and enforce a ban on ads one hour before and after live sports broadcasts. Online gambling advertising is also expected to face stricter limitations. However, this potential compromise has sparked concerns among advocates who argue that it falls short of addressing the significant harm caused by gambling ads.
The open letter, signed by influential figures such as former prime ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, former New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet, and former Victorian premiers Jeff Kennett and Steve Bracks, underscores the urgent need for decisive action. The signees span a broad spectrum of society, including leaders from the sports, business, health, union, faith, and academic sectors, as well as social justice advocates and social service groups.
The letter paints a stark picture of the current state of gambling in Australia, asserting that the country is grappling with a gambling addiction that leads to annual losses of AU$25 billion (US$16 billion). This figure is cited from the Australian Gambling Statistics report, which noted that expenditure reached $25.9 billion in 2018-19. Although the source of the figure is debated, with expenditure reportedly at $24 billion in the most recent 2020-21 data, the overall message is clear: gambling is a pervasive issue in Australia.
The letter also highlights the severe social harms associated with gambling, including financial ruin, health and mental health problems, partner violence, family breakdowns, and even suicide. It raises concerns about the ways gambling companies are targeting younger audiences, particularly through social media, where children as young as 14 are reportedly being “groomed” by gambling advertisements. The letter’s authors emphasize the “out of control” nature of gambling advertising in Australia, noting that one million gambling ads aired on free-to-air television and radio in just one year, according to research commissioned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
A Call to Action for Government and Opposition
The letter calls on the government and opposition to commit publicly to the swift adoption and implementation of all 31 recommendations from the Murphy Report’s parliamentary inquiry into online gambling. This includes a phased-in three-year ban on all gambling advertising and the prohibition of inducements and promotions, particularly those related to sports betting, which are criticized for unethically targeting individuals trying to quit gambling.
Former Prime Minister John Howard, one of the letter’s signatories, expressed his deep concern over the impact of gambling advertising in Australia. “Many Australians are alarmed about the proliferation of gambling advertising on our screens and the mounting losses through gambling,” Howard said. He described gambling losses as causing “enormous harm across the community” and voiced his unease about the pervasive link between gambling ads and major sporting events, questioning the message this sends to children.
As the debate continues, the letter serves as a powerful call to action for the Australian government to take more aggressive steps in curbing the influence of gambling advertisements and protecting the public from the associated harms.
Source:
Former prime ministers urge blanket ban on gambling advertising in Australia, igamingbusiness.com, August 12, 2024.