Australia considers phased ban on gambling ads

Australia is contemplating a complete prohibition on gambling advertisements within three years following a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling. The House of Representatives Committee on social policy and legal affairs released a report with 31 recommendations to reform the country’s gambling sector.

Ban on all gambling advertising

The proposed measures include a blanket ban on all gambling advertising across broadcast media and online platforms, aiming to eliminate any potential loopholes. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed intentions to review the committee’s recommendations.

The committee strongly criticized the pervasive nature of online gambling advertising, accusing it of “grooming children” and normalizing risky behaviour. The report highlighted the need to address the manipulation of vulnerable audiences.

However, the trade body Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), representing major gambling operators, criticized the blanket ban as excessive and ineffective in addressing problem gambling. RWA called for a balanced approach and emphasized the importance of considering evidence from the committee’s hearings.

To transform the landscape

In addition to the advertising ban, the committee proposed various measures to transform the online gambling landscape in Australia.

These include federal-level regulation and licensing, the establishment of an online gambling ombudsman, stricter consumer protection requirements, enhanced know-your-customer (KYC) protocols, and cracking down on unlicensed operators.

The report also recommended the appointment of a single government minister responsible for developing a national strategy for online gambling harm reduction.