In an open letter, over 70 well-known Australians—including past premiers and prime ministers, union presidents, and medical professionals—demand that gambling advertising be outlawed by the federal government.
The “tsunami” of gambling advertisements on screens is to be phased out in three years, according to the open letter addressed to Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese.
CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform Tim Costello stated, “We have to treat gambling and the ads just like we treated tobacco ads.”
The movement has the support of former prime ministers Malcolm Turnbull and John Howard.
Former premiers Jeff Kennett and Dominic Perrottet have also done so.
“Gambling losses are responsible for enormous harm across the community,” Howard stated.
Australians lose a combined $25 billion annually from gaming, making them the world’s most compulsive gamblers.
When parliament reconvenes on Monday, the calls made today will exert even more pressure on the administration.
Over a year has passed since the publishing of a thorough analysis on the negative effects of gambling, to which the government has still not replied.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman stated, “We are still in consultations regarding the final response to that investigation.”
Any prohibition on advertising might increase the strain on regional businesses that are already up against international tech behemoths like Facebook and Netflix.
According to a representative for Responsible Wagering Australia, “a ban would reduce the sector’s ability to contribute to sport, broadcast, and integrity arrangements.”
Proponents of the prohibition propose that networks get payment to make up for the money they lost from gambling advertisements.
“People who are affected like broadcast media need to know there will be compensation for a very important social step forward,” Costello stated.
