As the federal government faces increasing pressure, a decision needs to be made regarding the proposed reforms, and the debate over gambling advertisements and their potential impact on minors in Australia intensifies. Opponents of a gambling ad ban, including industry representatives, are advocating for the use of age verification technology to prevent minors from accessing sports betting content. Meanwhile, the government has already planned to implement age verification methods to restrict young children's access to social media, leading some in the gambling industry to suggest similar measures for gambling ads.
The Guardian quotes Tim Costello, chief advocate of the Gambling Reform Alliance, expressing concern that the Albanese government might miss a rare opportunity for significant reform in the gambling sector. Costello believes that Australia's high gambling losses are overlooked, with the government favoring minor adjustments to appease sports regulations and media. He said, "They still can't explain why our gambling losses are the highest in the world, yet they continue to tinker on the margins to keep sports regulations and media on their side."
About 15 months ago, Peta Murphy released a report recommending a ban on all online gambling ads, since then the momentum for gambling ad reform has increased. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is reluctant to adopt such a comprehensive ban, and the government is considering more limited restrictions, such as banning ads during children's programs and live sports, and limiting the frequency of ads in general TV programs.
Harm reduction advocates believe these proposed measures are still insufficient. A study conducted by the Australian Gambling Research Centre highlights the significant risks faced by minors, finding that about one-third of young people who gambled in the past year started gambling before the age of 18. Those who start gambling at a younger age tend to face more severe gambling problems later in life, highlighting the importance of early intervention and stricter ad regulation.
Industry Seeks Alternatives
While anti-gambling advocates push for stricter reforms, the gambling industry advocates for alternative measures. Kai Cantwell, CEO of Responsible Wagering Australia representing companies like bet365, Sportsbet, and Pointsbet, emphasizes the need for "reasonable, evidence-based alternatives." These alternatives include opt-out clauses and age verification requirements, which would allow consumers to prevent themselves from being exposed to gambling ads while ensuring minors cannot access gambling content.
Cantwell believes these measures can effectively reduce the chances of children and vulnerable groups being exposed to gambling ads, while also maintaining the financial support of the gambling industry on which sports leagues and broadcasters rely. "It is crucial to find a balance to prevent Australians from turning to illegal offshore providers, who offer no protection to customers and do not pay the taxes that licensed providers must pay," Cantwell said.
Both sides of the debate express dissatisfaction with the government's delay in making a final decision. With the AFL and NRL finals approaching, many expect the government to announce its proposals shortly after the games, possibly during the next federal parliament session in early October. Currently, there is still uncertainty about which route the government will take.
The Prime Minister's Stance on Gambling Reform
Prime Minister Albanese states that his government is exploring a range of options and questions whether a complete ban on gambling ads would "solve the problem." Additionally, Albanese mentions that the government intends to tighten the rules of the self-exclusion program BetStop, following reports that problem gamblers had found ways to exploit system loopholes, continuing to bet despite being registered with the exclusion program. The office of the Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, confirms that the government will soon initiate a statutory review of BetStop to determine if the program is fully effective.
However, Tim Costello remains skeptical about the government's willingness to take decisive action. He calls on Albanese to demonstrate strong leadership, comparing the current situation with reforms led by former Prime Ministers John Howard and Kevin Rudd. "John Howard undertook gun reforms, Kevin Rudd tackled smoking ads. The Albanese government has drafted the Murphy report, people want a ban, we don't want children to be tempted—but Albanese will refuse," Costello said.
