A powerful alliance of leading Australians has issued a forceful demand to the government: impose a total ban on all gambling advertisements. This call comes amid widespread concern over Australia’s staggering gambling losses, which are among the highest per capita globally. With a population of just 27 million, Australians are estimated to lose a staggering Aus$25 billion (US$16 billion) annually to gambling. The pervasiveness of gambling advertisements across television, radio, and billboards only exacerbates this issue, constantly tempting individuals to risk their hard-earned money.
The alliance, comprised of more than 60 prominent figures from politics, unions, sports, and faith communities, has penned a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the opposition leader, urging them to implement a complete ban on gambling advertising within three years. This call echoes the recommendations of a 2023 report examining the harm caused by gambling.
“Gambling advertising in Australia is out of control with one million gambling ads being aired on free-to-air television and radio in just one year,” the letter states, highlighting the sheer volume of exposure to gambling promotions. Former Prime Minister John Howard, a signatory to the letter, underscores the far-reaching consequences of this unchecked advertising, stating, “I believe gambling losses are responsible for enormous harm throughout the community.”
Studies cited by the government paint a grim picture of the financial devastation wrought by gambling. They estimate Australian gambling losses at Aus$25 billion annually, a figure representing a global record per capita. Even during the 2020-2021 financial year, when Covid-19 restrictions led to the closure of many pubs, clubs, and casinos, Australian state government statistics revealed that gambling losses still exceeded Aus$24 billion.
Martin Thomas, chief executive of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, emphasizes the urgency of a comprehensive ban, stating, “A total ban on all gambling advertising is essential to stop gambling companies targeting our children.” He denounces any attempts to merely cap advertising or limit a ban to social media as concessions to vested interests that would leave Australians vulnerable to continued harm.
The alliance stresses that the cost of inaction extends far beyond financial losses, encompassing “mounting financial ruin, mental health problems, suicide, and the family violence that gambling can exacerbate.”
Australia’s Nine Entertainment newspapers report that the government is expected to announce proposed legislation within weeks, potentially opting for limits rather than a total advertising ban. However, Prime Minister Albanese has stated his government’s commitment to “minimising gambling harm” while remaining ambiguous about the possibility of an advertising ban. Despite this, the mounting pressure from concerned Australians and the alliance’s powerful message have thrust the issue of gambling advertising into the national spotlight, demanding decisive action from the government.
