PROFIT OR PUBLIC HEALTH? We Must Phase Out Ads for Online Gambling - June 2025
Two years ago, I was part of a parliamentary committee that tabled a report containing a unanimous recommendation to phase out ads for online gambling. Phasing out gambling ads fully, like we did with tobacco, is the best option - the evidence shows that partial bans don’t work.
Since then, we have had no response from the Government to this or any of the other 30 recommendations about gambling reform.
Three out of four Australian children who watch sport think betting is just part of the game. Most can name at least one betting company, perhaps because there is a gambling ad on Australian TV every two minutes, not to mention the online ads that specifically and effectively target vulnerable groups.
In the two years we have been waiting for a response, Australians have lost more than $50 billion to gambling. We are the world's biggest gambling losers per capita. On average, individual gamblers lose nearly $2,500 annually - roughly equivalent to the average household’s electricity bill.
So why is the Government turning a blind eye? Money and power.
Gambling companies are huge political donors, donating $1.7m to the major parties in 2023/24. The media companies that benefit from gambling ads are fighting any change and wield significant power over the Government. Both media and gambling interests have lobbied the Government hard since the report was submitted to avoid any reform.
Representatives on both sides of politics want to see this change, but those in political parties are not able to speak up publicly because their party’s interests outrank their communities’ views.
As your community independent, I will keep fighting to represent the 86% of Australians who agree that these ads shouldn’t be shown to children. A response to the gambling inquiry report is overdue.
The Government must explain why it refuses to take the action needed.
If you would like to support this change, you can sign the Alliance for Gambling Reform’s Petition here.
