Australians Want Ban on TV Gambling Adverts

Most Australians are in favour of banning gambling adverts on TV, according to a new study.

The research, carried out by the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) also found more than half (53 per cent) of individuals taking part in the survey, want betting on TV, radio and streaming platforms to be shown only after 10.30pm at night.

Four-fifths (80 per cent) of Australian’s polled said they wanted to see fewer gambling adverts, while 64 per cent say it is time the government stepped in and cut back on the number of gambling adverts allowed.

The amount of money spent on advertising for gambling has jumped from $89.7 million in 2011 to $287.2 million within a decade.

The AGRC research showed that people believed gambling adverts were effective in the sense that they encouraged those watching to either start gambling, or to take risks when betting.

Around 41 per cent of the 1765 adults who took part in the research, said they saw gambling adverts on TV four times a week or more.

There were more gamblers in NSW and fewer in Tasmania, with individuals spending around AU$83 on sports betting, AU$93 on racing, and AU$109 on the likes of casino games, lotteries and pokies. The use of poker machines has fallen, with sports and race betting becoming increasingly popular. AGRC figures reveal that Australians lose around AU$25 billion every year gambling legally.

AGRC chief executive manager Dr Rebecca Jenkinson said the research told her that people were tempted by gambling adverts to risk more and therefore come potentially come to more harm.

She added: “We know the harms that gambling causes – at an individual, family, and societal level – including impacts on finances, relationships, and health and wellbeing. The report also captures the concerns of the Australian public that wagering advertising normalises gambling activity.”

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said gambling advertising was a priority when it came to limiting the harm linked to online betting. The AGRC research, she said, was “an important part of informing our responses going forward.”

Later this year, in July or August, the House of Representatives will be given the findings of a report into online gambling, and whether advertising restrictions meant children weren’t being exposed to gambling.

Also this week, new messaging for online betting advertising, was introduced. At the same time, individuals working in online better provision will have to be trained to spot and advise gamblers who are potentially at risk.