The federal government is set to introduce its long-awaited gambling advertising legislation into Parliament this week, but anti-gambling advocates and crossbench MPs say the proposed reforms fall well short of what is needed to protect children and vulnerable people.
The legislation follows a parliamentary inquiry, led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, which recommended a complete, phased-in ban on gambling advertising. Instead, Labor’s proposal would allow gambling ads to continue on television, including during halftime and scheduled breaks in sports broadcasts after 8.30pm. Between 6am and 8.30pm, broadcasters would be limited to three gambling ads per hour, per channel. Online gambling ads would be banned for users under 18.
The government has defended the package as a significant reform, with Communications Minister Anika Wells saying the legislation will be introduced this week and should be passed quickly. She said there would be some differences between the exposure draft and the final bill, but described them as minor rather than substantive. “In social policy, the pen is never down, but this is a big and meaningful reform package,” she said.
However, critics argue the reforms are too weak and risk simply shifting gambling advertising into other timeslots and formats. Independent MP Kate Chaney was among the strongest critics, warning that the proposal does not meet the government’s stated goal of protecting children from gambling advertising.
“Really, unless this is a step towards a full phase-out of gambling ads, it's just going to move the money around and it's not going to do what the government says it will do, which is protect kids from gambling ads,” Ms Chaney said.
Ms Chaney also challenged the idea that allowing three gambling ads per hour during the day represented meaningful protection. Drawing a comparison with tobacco advertising, she said: “Imagine if we'd stopped at three ads per hour for cigarettes. It's still a lot of time to be exposed and after 8.30 there are unlimited ads. Well, I don't know any kid who goes to bed at 8.30, unfortunately.”
Anti-gambling advocate Reverend Tim Costello also criticised the government’s approach, contrasting it with Australia’s world-first social media ban for children under 16. He said it was a “sad irony” that Australia was leading internationally on social media restrictions while lagging on gambling advertising. He pointed to figures suggesting 600,000 Australians aged 12 to 17 gambled last year, despite being underage.
Professor Samantha Thomas from Deakin University said only a full ban would properly protect children and vulnerable people. She warned that under the proposed laws, children watching television or sport after 8.30pm could still be heavily exposed to gambling promotions.
Labor will need support from either the Greens or the Coalition to pass the bill through the Senate. The Greens appear unlikely to back the legislation in its current form, while the Coalition has left open the possibility of support, describing the proposal as a move in the right direction.