Labor softening stance on total gambling ad ban

In a resolute stand against mounting pressure for an outright ban on gambling advertising, the Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, asserted the Albanese government’s intention to navigate a more nuanced approach.

The minister, speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, also addressed concerns and controversies surrounding her previous interactions with the gambling industry.

Defending her attendance at a lavish birthday lunch with gambling executives, Rowland emphasised that no rules were breached during the event at one of Melbourne’s top restaurants.

The minister’s comments come amidst calls from multiple parties for a ban on gambling ads, drawing parallels to the historical tobacco advertising ban of the 1970s.

Acknowledging the evolving dynamics between the gambling industry and sports, Rowland highlighted the financial reliance of some sporting codes on online gambling revenue, notably the AFL and NRL.

She underscored that no concrete decisions had been made and emphasised the government’s commitment to prioritising harm minimisation in any policy outcome.

The debate around gambling advertising intensifies after Sportsbet, the country’s largest online bookmaker, spent a staggering $64 million on television ads during live sports and racing events in the 18 months leading to July.

Concerns loom over the potential economic fallout if an outright ban, as suggested by some MPs and reformers, is implemented.

In response to mounting pressure, the sports betting sector reportedly proposed alternatives, including the removal of gambling logos from football club match-day jerseys and restrictions on advertising during school pick-up times.

However, critics argue that such measures may not go far enough to address the pervasive influence of gambling ads.

A June review led by Labor recommended a phased-in, three-year ban on gambling ads.

The review, chaired by Labor MP Peta Murphy, highlighted the deliberate marketing of online gambling alongside sports, normalising it as a harmless and sociable activity.

The report expressed concern about the impact of relentless advertising on children and young people, stating that it “grooms” them to gamble and encourages riskier behaviour.

Rowland faced criticism from Teal MP Zoe Daniel, who questioned the purpose of a parliamentary inquiry if the government was not committed to accepting its unanimous recommendations.

Daniel emphasised the evidence of significant harm to the youth caused by the inundation of gambling advertisements.

Rowland’s past connections with the gambling industry, including donations from Sportsbet and participation in industry-funded events, have also come under scrutiny.

The minister maintained that she followed all relevant rules and expressed her commitment to ceasing donations or hospitality from gambling firms.

Despite the ongoing debate, Rowland revealed that nearly 13,000 individuals had voluntarily self-excluded from gambling products through the government’s BetStop program.

Over half of the participants for this harm-reduction initiative are aged between 18 and 30, with nearly half of those opting for a lifetime self-exclusion.

The figures underscore the complex challenges the government faces in balancing economic considerations with the imperative of safeguarding vulnerable demographics from the potential harms of excessive gambling.

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