ONLINE GAMBLING
I have been committed to reducing harm from online gambling ever since I was elected.
I am particularly concerned about children’s exposure to gambling products. I have heard heart-breaking stories of loss and shame from the Curtin electorate. An immediate priority should be a complete ban on online gambling advertising. A gambling ad is shown every two minutes on free to air TV in Australia. We are conditioning our kids to think gambling is normal.
Three quarters of Australian children aged 8–16 years who watch sport think betting on sport is normal and can also name one or more sports betting companies – one in four can name four or more.
Almost 75% of Australian parents reported being ‘bothered’ by their children being exposed to gambling ads, whilst 86% of Australians agreed that gambling adverting should not be shown to children while online.
In June 2023 the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, of which I am a member, completed its inquiry into online gambling, after 40 hours of hearings and 161 submissions.
The committee’s report ‘You Win Some, You Lose More’ includes 31 recommendations. These 31 recommendations urge the government to respond with a national strategy for online gambling harm reduction based on public health principles.
A key recommendation in the report was a “comprehensive ban on all forms of advertising for online gambling”.
This reflects the very broad consensus and alarming supporting data, that gambling does a great deal of harm, not just significant financial harm but psychological and social harm as well.
This data is strongly supported by the submissions the committee received, many informed by personal lived experiences, close observation, and participation in the gambling industry.
On 8 September 2022, 17 October 2023, and 13 November 2023 I spoke about the impact of online gambling in Parliament. My office continues to hear from others impacted, which only emphasises the breadth of the issue.
I will continue to push the Government until the committee recommendations are implemented.
Add your name to the petition to end advertising for online gambling, click here: https://www.agr.org.au/endgamblingads
